Break Out The Cheeseheads!!

Jen is coming for a visit!! That's right- I'll be visiting my parents in Wisconsin April 15-22. I am so excited! I can hardly wait to see my Mom and Dad again- I haven't seen them since September 2010!

I'm hoping to get to Illinois, too, to see some of my friends there. More info when it's available!

A Sunday Drive

Today was an amazingly beautiful day- sunny, not a cloud in the sky, not too windy and about 35 degrees. Perfect for getting out and seeing some of my favorite places in NY- waterfalls!!


First up: Taughannock Falls in Ulysses, NY. This is one of my favorite places ever. The trail down to the falls was closed today due to ice, but that's OK- it gives me a great excuse to go back!


Another view of Taughannock Falls.


Then I continued south on Rt. 96 and came to Ithaca. And Buttermilk Falls. You can actually swim at the base of these falls in the summer time! Sounds like another road trip to me!


Then I kept on driving, just enjoying the day and the scenery. I strayed a bit too far from home!


But home has a way of finding me again. :)


Finally, on my way home I stopped to see one last waterfall. This is in Montour Falls, NY.

It was a wonderful day!

2011 So Far…

I finished 2 projects! I am SO excited and my desire to create has definitely been re-ignited. I am SO happy about this!

First up: the project that got me back in the saddle!

This is the mini quilt I made for QuiltyBee (Kolleen) for the Flickr S.T.U.D. swap! I was longing for spring when I decided on this, so I went with springy greens. The fabrics are from the “Wildwood” collection from Erin McMorris.

I started school this past Thursday. It’s an adult education class that will update my medical billing and coding skills. They also provide support on how to interview, how to write a resume and in actually finding a job. I So far I am really enjoying it! I like the instructor very much and all the people in the class (there are 8 of us total, all women) seem to be very nice.

It became apparent that the backpack I was planning to use was going to be WAY too big for the books and supplies I would need, so I decided to make a school bag for myself.

I just love it and it’s definitely a better size for my few books. It’s made with Joel Dewberry’s Modern Meadow and Essex linen in Putty.

I think 2011 is off to a pretty good start!

Back In The Saddle!

Hello all! I finally managed to find some sewing inspiration! It came from the first group I joined on Flickr. What could be more motivating than a deadline? :)

I joined the S.T.U.D. (Swap Till U Drop) swap for Jan/Feb 2011. My partner was Kolleen (QuiltyBee on Flickr) and WOW! Did she make the perfect mini quilt for me!

To me it looks like sunflowers. It’s so bright and happy! I just love it. It’s about 12” square. I’ve decided to hang it on the wall opposite my front door. That way everyone who comes to see me will see it too!

I mailed the mini I made for Kolleen today, so I will blog about it later, after she’s received it. I didn’t want to send it away! I have pieces cut to make another one and I just might do that.

In other news, I start an adult education course on Thursday. I’m looking forward to it! It will update my job skills and at the end of the course (end of June) they will help me find a job. I’ve also moved into my bigger apartment. It’s so much nicer and I use the extra bedroom for my sewing room. It seems to be working well and I hope I will be happy here for a long time. I don’t want to move again anytime soon. Moving is awful!