...around and about in Seattle...

On this Spring Break trip to Seattle, I wanted to do something that we hadn't done before - along with some of our regular favorites! We managed to fulfill both wishes!

We started on Saturday by meeting Jessica & Amy in Kennewick for the Tri-Cities Quilt Show. They went last year and I've been so excited to go this year. It did not disappoint. It was overwhelming to see the 300+ quilts on display PLUS shop! AND - I got to hold sweet Colton for part of the time!

We left the girls (and Colton) and headed for Seattle. We stopped in North Bend so that Melissa could get a new purse! She picked out a pretty cute one that is totally "her"!!

We went to Bell Square....did a little shopping (Hello Nordstrom...love it!) and had a delicious dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. A few weeks ago Mom & I were introduced to the Chocolate Coconut Cream Cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory and I definitely needed to try it out again. It's sinful....it's soooo good. I didn't even get a picture of it, it was gone quickly. :)

On Sunday morning, we slept in and went to Bothell to these Country Shoppes that Karen Vanderbilt told Mom about. There was a bead shop (Garden of Beadin' - clever, eh?), a stamp shop, a quilt shop, consignment shop, etc. I found some fabric at the quilt shop to use as backing for a quilt I want to start this spring. I already have the jelly roll needed for it. It was a great quilt shop - filled...FILLED to the brim with bolts and bolts of fabric. Totally overwhelming.

We went to Alderwood Mall and met Melissa's friend Rachel and her husband and got to meet their new baby Mikayla. We shopped around a bit and then went to dinner at Claim Jumpers - yum!!! 

On Monday we went to Snohomish and shopped the quaint little downtown there before meeting Melissa's friend Erika and her Mom and brother at Starbucks. It's been a while since Melissa has seen Erika, so it was fun to catch up with her and her family. We went back to Northgate from there and did some shopping around there - Target, Pacific Fabric, DSW Shoes (Melissa found CUTE shoes there!).

The next morning we had another lazy morning - I got a lot of reading done and enjoyed the morning. We went to Melissa's favorite breakfast spot on Queen Anne Hill - The 5 Spot.

We had a great breakfast of caramel french toast - doesn't get much better than that! We drove around Queen Anne a bit - found some cute boutiques and then went over to Green Lake to A Muse - a favorite stamp shop. They're having make-and-takes everyday this week for Spring Break, so we got to do a fun make-and-take while we were there. It's the cutest shop and even though I didn't get much, I love just looking around at the sample cards to gain inspiration!

I really wanted to go back to one of the place we'd stopped at on the mission trip last summer. This was still just an idea that was beginning to materialize last June. It was awesome to get to go in, order a drink, and enjoy the chill atmosphere.

From there, we went down toward the Seattle Center and made Melissa's dreams come true. We went on RiDE THE DUCKS!! I thought it was funny that we were going on such a tourist trap in Seattle of all places because I don't feel like a tourist in Seattle. It was pretty cheesy but actually pretty fun - except for the freezing our buns off part. It was soooo cold!

We went into the water on Lake Union and saw the floating house that was on Sleepless in Seattle. The water was just a little rough - don't you think?!

We went to U Village after that and of course, had to get coffee to warm up! We met the Vissers for dinner at my favorite Thai restaurant, Zao and had a great dinner & conversation with them. Love spending time with them!

Today, we went to Virginia Mason for Melissa's neurologist appointment for her migraines (got a good report) and then headed home.

We had a super time in Seattle and got to have lots of fun experiences & catch up with friends.

...where have I been?!...

The past few weeks have been crazy and I've neglected my blog....there hasn't been anything too interesting to share!

Junior Miss is over for another year. Our theme this year was "Disco Fever" and we all had a great time groovin' to the disco beat. :) On Saturday during intermission, we had a dance party on the stage to the disco music - so so fun!! Laryn Wells was chosen as our 2010 Junior Miss. I think she'll be a great representative. So proud of all the girls. (No pictures to share - yet!)

During the last week of Jr Miss practice - which was also HSPE (formally known as the WASL) week - I came down with the flu. The achy, clammy, chilly flu. YUCK. I was not a happy camper. It was not a good week to be sick and I did not want to give in. I think it was fairly mild except for the extreme body temps.

This week is conference week - which I really enjoy. I like seeing the students and their families and I like the different schedule for a few days. I'm happy to go back to the regular schedule, but it's nice to have a change once in a while.

I have a terrible toothache this week - I think I've finally found the right combination of remedies, which is good because I called for a dentist appointment this morning and I can't get in until April 14th! They did call in a perscription for painkillers though, so hopefully that will help a little too. I don't have time for crap like this - Mom, Melissa, and I are leaving for Seattle on Friday for a few days of Spring Break vacation and then I'm having LASIK surgery on Thursday! Can't wait!!

...filmstrip table runner...

I pieced this table runner a few weeks ago and finally quilted it and put the binding on -

just in time for Zoee's birthday!

Fabric: Simple Abundance by Bonnie & Camille

Pattern: Little Charmers 6 (thanks Jessica!)
Pieced and Quilted by: Marcie!

...tessalations...

I got a comment on my blog post about this quilt today....

remember this one? I think it could be my very favorite one I've made....in 2010 so far! :)

A nice stranger lady commented that she's seen this quilt on several different blogs now and they have a pattern for it http://thepatternbasket.blogspot.com/2010/03/tying-knot.html and this is the example quilt to go with the pattern.

I was thinking it wouldn't be a very cute girly quilt, but it's super cute!

She said it's also in this quilt book:

Good to know after I spent HOURS drawing it out by hand!! :) Just kidding - it was a fun process and I'm still pretty proud of the result.

Thank you Wendy!

...pinwheels...week #4...

Luckily, this week's blocks went much faster and guess what?! It's Tuesday and they're done! Whew! I was so afraid I was going to get majorly behind with Junior Miss, but nope - I'm right on track.

I think this just might be my favorite so far. I might have to make a whole quilt out of this one. :)

...pinwheels...week 3...

I've hardly had any time this week to quilt and I was getting kinda itchy to get back in the craft room -

So, I spent some time in there this morning and finished up the week #3 pinwheel blocks. They were not easy and took some time to complete each one (about an hour each).

I like how they turned out though!

...dancing fairies...

I have a personal goal of completing a quilt for Quilts for Kids every month in 2010.

Here's my January one. :)

It took a little longer than I anticipated because I straight line quilted it. Holy moly.

I love the effect, but it took a long time. I'm glad I tried it out on a small quilt!

The top is finished for my February quilt - just needs to be basted, quilted, and bound. Quick and easy, right?!

...state bball day #3...

On Friday night, the Lady Eagles took on Granger for the third time this season.

You can tell by the pictures this game was played with heart,

intensity,

total committment,

using everything they've been taught.

It was obviously a very physical game.

And in the end, we just couldn't do it.

They lost to Granger, 64-35.

Bummer.

BUT! They're playing today for 3rd or 6th place.

Not bad for the little team that could!

Way to go Eagles!

(This picture cracks me up! It's classic Maci....)

...State Bball...Day #2...

They did it again! Came from behind to beat Okanogan 44-40.

They play tonight at 6pm against Granger.

...go Eags!...

The Lady Eagles are at Basketball state this week - and they are making quite a name for themselves!

Yesterday, they played the reigning 1A state champs - Seattle Christian - and beat them 33-27. On Tri-City Herald.com it said that the Connell Eagles pulled off one of the biggest upsets in 1A state tournament history. Pretty cool!

Here's some pictures, courtesy of the TC Herald:

Check out those cheerios in purple and gold!

Take it to the hoop, SaraH!

Love the facial expressions!

This is an awesome photo - true emotion!

The Eags came from 1-19 deficit in the 1st quarter to beat Okanogan tonight. They're playing against Granger tomorrow for a chance at the championship game!

The Tri-City Herald also called the Eagles "the little team that could."
Keep it going girls!!

...pinwheel blocks 1 & 2...

So, here are my first two weeks of pinwheel quilt along blocks (2 out of 8).

I thought I was smart and decided to make two quilts at a time so I'd have one for me and one to give away. Real smart when I'm trying to keep up the tutorials during the busiest Jr Miss time!! I have about 1.5 hours to quilt a day right now, which for many of you seems like a lot. For me - I wish I had 4 or 5. :)

The quilt for me is using Ginger Blossoms by Sandi Henderson fabric. Love.

The quilt to give away (possibly family Christmas gift exchange?!) is using Make Life...by Sweetwater.

Whew! So glad to be caught up and ready for Week #3!!

...all things baby...

Jessica has been making lots of things for baby gifts and has inspired me to try some of them! Thanks for the ideas and for letting me steal them Jess!

I'm accumulating quite the baby gift stash. I kinda like it. That way, I'm never against a deadline - I can just pull something suitable out of my drawer. I have several items in the drawer now and more on their way!

This is a diaper holder/changing pad. It's flannel on both sides and oh-so-soft.

I made one for Kate and another one to have on hand for a gift.

This is what it looks like folded up. So cute!

Burp cloths - I've made about 13 of these in the last week. They're easy and a great gift.

I bought a 4-pack of flannel receiving blankets on sale at Target and it made 8 burp cloths.

I love the zebra print!!

Ok - who's having a baby around here? :)