A New Obsession Found

This past week I spent with my granddaughter, Bella, in Reno at the Reno Quilt Show. I am usually alone at a show so this was a real treat for me.

She was impressed with the quilts and venders as well as the venue which was a very large casino, The Grand Sierra. Bella comes from a small town of 800 in North Dakota so I had a great time impressing her. She was rather amazed at the size of the hotel. She did not appreciate the smoke though. I forgot how much smoking happens in a casino. She did a great job of selling at our booth.

It was a week filled with firsts for Bella and filled with fun for me. I introduced her to vices such as gambling and liquor. We decided we could lose $40 and we achieved that fairly quickly. The drinking part was pretty tame as well as she had one drink each evening which was a Baileys on the rocks, a wine spritzer and a raspberry liquor. Bella's red hair gets lots of comments so she got lots of attention. The sparkly jacket didn't hurt either. When we left the casino put us in a limo rather than a bus. It was a perfect way to end the week. It is not often we get to spend time with our grandchildren when they get older. I was very grateful for this opportunity.

---

While I was at the show I found this adorable pin cushion pattern by Ocean Lake Designs named Pincushion Panache. I have several showers I am in charge of this summer and these will be just perfect for some of the favors. I couldn't wait to get home to make some. Below are some pics of the ones I made.

I think this is going to be my go to gift for the year. I can't wait to give them to my friends. It's a great way to use up those pieces of fabric that you love. I have another six cut out. I think I will continue to post pictures next week. They are just too cute not to share.

They look more putsy than they are. It was great fun finding just the right scrap and then using some of my decorative stitches on my machine and those bits and pieces I have laying around. I can't stop making these. I will post more as I complete them.

To find the pattern:

Oceanlake Designs,

email: oceanlakedesigns@yahoo.com

Phone: 541-557-1590

I tried their website but could not find it.

www.oceanlakedesigns.com

---

As you might be able to tell I travel quite a bit. I usually am at a quilt show two weeks out of four, but I scheduled my summer a bit easier this year. As of today I am home for six weeks and then off to Ireland with my entire family for ten days in August.

This means I have time to sew and use all those tools I talk about all the time. ! My plan is to let you all see what I am up to each week. So as I end this note to you today think of me happily standing at my longarm machine quilting away!. I will keep a photo journal of what I get done each week and keep you in the loop.

For now I give you my Irish goodbye.

Rita

---

We are having sale through the 5th of July!

Purchase one of our Junior Racks for $35.99

and receive our new

Spot-On Rack

&

free shipping

Click here to order!

---

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Shrimp Salad

One of my favorite summer salads to make and share.

Dressing

1 c. mayonaise 1 T dill weed

1 c. Italian dressing 2 T garlic powder

1/2 c onion, chopped 1 T mustard

Combine ingredients and mix till smooth. Set aside until needed

1 small bag baby shrimp 1 hard boiled egg, chopped

6 crab sticks, shredded 1/2 green pepper

1 c. cucumber, chopped 8 oz rotini noodles, I like the colored ones

1 c. celery, chopped

Cook noodles, drain & cool. . Mix the ingredients to the cooked noodles. Add the dressing mixture.

*I like to make 2 hard boiled eggs and slice the second one for the top of the salad with a bit of paprika sprinkled on the top.

---