Tasting Table Tuesday - Party Pictures

Instead of writing about what's on my Tasting Table today, this post is about what has been on my work list for the past couple of months - my parent's 60th anniversary party.  All of the preparations and work was worth it - the party was perfect in every way.  Now that it's over, I can finally share some pictures with you!

 We had about 80 people in attendance, including two of my brothers who came all the way from British Columbia, Canada, many family members from Ontario that I haven't seen in many, many years, and lots of friends from the local Erie PA area.

It was an outdoor event at my brother's home in Lake City PA, near Erie.  We rented a tent in case of rain, but the weather was perfect.  There had been thunderstorms and rain in the days prior to the party, as well as the  day after, but the day of the event couldn't have been nicer.

The tables looked so pretty!  I was so busy getting things ready that I didn't get time to take some good photos, but at least you can get the idea with these quick ones I snapped just before the guests started arriving. 

I made burlap runners to go over the white table cloths and tied a green ribbon on each end.  The ends of the tablecloths were folded in and pinned, keeping them from becoming trip hazards, as well as helping to keep them on the tables when the breeze picked up.

We rolled the silverware in white napkins and tied them with purple grosgrain ribbon, put flowers in mason jars, and put pictures from Mom & Dad's wedding on each table.

A wonderful dinner was prepared on-site by Three B Saloon of Erie.  Their Bar-B-Que is awesome!

And my parent's good friend, professional jazz pianist, Mary Alice Brown, entertained us with her music.  Mom & Dad have talked about Mary Alice for years, but I had never had the chance to meet her until now.  She is amazing.  A wonderful person, as well as a very talented jazz musician.

At dusk, we lit some Make-A-Wish Balloons and watched them soar off into the night sky.  A perfect ending to a perfect day.  Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!  Here's to many more...

Cheers!

Tasting Table Tuesday - Lanyards

Yes - I missed last week's Tasting Table Tuesday post.  Again...  But there has been SOOO much going on lately!  Some I can share - some I can't...

My parent's 60th Wedding Anniversary party is coming up on Saturday, so that has been consuming most of my time lately.  So many projects to do in order to make this party happen and my brothers and I have been working really hard to get everything done in time.  It's out-of-town for me, so we're taking our camper and using that as home-base for the few days that we'll be there.  I can't wait to share some pictures with you after the big event!

Then when we return, I'll be heading right back out for a week of babysitting my granddaughter, then the week after that we're opening up our fishing camp in Canada.  (yup - that's hubby in the front of the boat!)

 So that pretty much wipes out the entire month of June!  I have a feeling that this summer is going to fly by even faster than last year!

So - right in the middle of all of this activity, I was presented with the opportunity to enter a quilting "challenge".  The practical side of me said - "no way - are ya nuts?" - I already have more than enough going on in my life - I don't need more!  But I've always been drawn to challenges, and this one is no exception.  I just couldn't let it go.  I know - I'm crazy - but against my better judgement, I'm making a quilt.  I can't show you my progress just yet, but I can tell you that the challenge rules state that I have to use this fabric...

“Ribbit Stripe” by Alexander Henry Fabrics

...and this tool.

The Polygon2 ruler by Gyleen X. Fitzgerald.

I only have until the 1st of July to get it done, but I only have to have the top pieced by then.  I can quilt it later.  So it's an achievable deadline - I think...  Stay tuned for pictures of my quilt after all the entries are in.  I don't want to give away any secrets!

Now - for Today's Tasting Table picture.  This is the beginning of an assembly line to make a large custom order of ID Badge Lanyards for my favorite group of teachers.

Earlier in the year I made a large batch of laptop computer sleeves for this group, and now they have asked me for lanyards.  I know I won't get them done before my series of upcoming trips, but I figured I could work on them while I'm babysitting my granddaughter.  I'll be staying at my daughter's house for the week and will need something to work on during naptime.

Now to figure out what to do with all my spare time...  Ha!

With all these trips coming up, I've decided to put my Etsy Shop, Cotton Cellar, on vacation for the rest of the month, starting on Wednesday.  Hopefully, when I re-open in July, I'll have some new items to list.

Hope you're enjoying the beginning of your summer, and if you don't hear much from me in the next few weeks, now you know why.  Busy Busy Busy!!!

Cheers!

Tasting Table Tuesday - a day early...

Yes - it's still Monday, but since I've been late with so many of my posts, I decided to be a day early this week.  I hope you're all enjoying this wonderful Memorial Day Holiday.  It's sunny and pleasantly warm here in PA.  Thought I'd end my day by sharing what's on my Tasting Table first, then relax with a glass of wine in the backyard before supper.

I finished an order for two iPad Mini sleeves yesterday.  The only request from my customer was the color.  One in pink/orange and the other one lime green.  I hope she likes my fabric choices!

I used my Idea Pouch pattern by Michelle's Patterns, which is sized perfectly for a regular iPad, then adjusted the size down to fit the iPad Mini.  These little ones are so cute!

Now I'm working on a new Petite City Bag for ME!

I loved the green and navy one I made a few weeks ago so much, that I decided to make myself one in aqua.  I love this Simply Color collection by V & Co.!

Cheers!

PA State Shop Hop

There's a Shop Hop coming up this summer!  It's called the PA Row-by-Row Shop Hop, and my local quilt shop, Needles Quilt Shop, is on the list.  Each participating shop in the state of PA gives you a pattern for their "row", and it runs from July 1st thru Sept. 2nd.  And there are prizes involved, so be sure to check it out!

As a volunteer for Needles, I designed and pieced this "Row" for the event.

I've called it "Laurel in the Mountains".  The theme for this event is Fairs & Festivals, so the inspiration for our row should come from a local fair or festival.  Every June, the town of Wellsboro hosts the PA State Laurel Festival, so that was the obvious inspiration for this row.  I've finished the sample row, but still have to create the pattern - but I've got some time yet, since it doesn't start until the beginning of July...

Follow along on the Shop Hop's Facebook page to see all the great rows being offered at the quilt shops throughout the state of Pennsylvania.  You'll find all the details there as they develop over the next month.

Cheers!

Tasting Table Tuesday

Wow - it's been ages since I've posted anything!  Where have the last few weeks gone?  The Sew Mama Sew! Giveaway Day was lots of fun again this year.  I loved reading everyone's comments, telling me what color combination they're into right now.  So many great combinations!  I'd love to make a purse using every one of them, but I'll have to pick one to start with for now...

But there hasn't been any purse-making going on lately - or quilting, for that matter.  I've been totally consumed with a large custom order for something I don't normally make...  A set of custom bedding, including a queen-sized duvet cover, bed skirt, pillow shams, and accent pillows.  My mother ran her own interior design business and made these items on a regular basis, so I had a good teacher, but haven't made any of these items in about 20 years.  But it's all turned out fine, and everything will be ready for pick-up by tomorrow.

I'm also in the middle of planning a 60th wedding anniversary celebration for my parents.  I have 3 brothers, and we're all working together to pull off a fantastic party next month, so that's taken much of my time lately as well.  I'll post some pictures of the event later in June.  I'm so excited about this - it's like planning a wedding reception all over again, and I just love this kind of stuff!

So - life is busy - as usual...  so that explains the lack of posts lately, and I'll try to have some pictures to add next time.

Cheers!

Sew, Mama, Sew! Giveaway Day

Welcome to the Cotton Cellar!  It's time for the semi-annual Giveaway Day, (actually it's five days!) hosted by Sew, Mama, Sew!  This time, I'm giving away a set of three handmade wrist-strap key fobs.  One for you, and two extras for your special friends.  Or heck - you can keep all three if you'd like!

The wrist strap is 3/4" wide and the open portion that fits around your wrist is about 6" long.  The D-Ring on each strap holds a 1" diameter split key-ring.  All you have to do to win this trio of key fobs is to leave a comment at the end of this blog, answering this question:

"What is your favorite color combination in fashion accessories?"

I'm asking because I've started making a new line of handbags in my Etsy shop, Cotton Cellar, like this green and navy City Bag...

...and I'm wondering what color combination to make next.  What's your favorite???
And I love visitors, so please stop by my Etsy Shop and take a look around!

This giveaway is open to everyone - international entries are welcome - just remember, if you're a "no-reply" blogger make sure you include your email address in your comment so I can contact you if you win.

The comment period closes on Friday May 10th at 8pm EST. The winner will be chosen using the Random Number Generator Tool and I will post it here on this blog post on Saturday.  And don't forget to head on over to Sew, Mama, Sew! and check out all the other fantastic giveaways this week!  Good luck!

Comment period is now closed.  Winner to be announced shortly!  Good luck!

And the winner is...

Congratulations Glenys!  I have sent you an email requesting your shipping address.

Cheers!

Hint Hint!

Sew Mama Sew is hosting another Giveaway Day!  Come back on Monday and see what's up for grabs from Cotton Cellar!