CSN Review

A very nice lady from CSN Stores contacted me last week about doing a review for a CSN product. Me? Um - ok! In case you aren't familiar with their site, CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from dinnerware to dog beds to sofas and suitcases! Seriously - it's crazy. Like, borderline holy-cow-this-place-has-everything-and-it's-overwhelming(ly awesome).


Oh, and did I mention that I get to CHOOSE what I want to review? Yeah, life on Emming Street is pretty good these days!


So... what should I choose? I've been drooling over these candle lights, or maybe I need a new mailbox?

 Seriously - you could get lost on this site for days. Any suggestions over what new CSN item should make its home at my home??

Featured again!

Oh my goodness - today is the best day ever!  Just Another Day in Paradise (which is one of my favorite blogs) had my Johnson Family Quilt as one of their favorite projects this week. Larissa's blog is awesome; you'll definitely want to check it out.  Thanks for the feature!

Thanks for the feature!

My Johnson Family Quilt was one of the top 5 projects at the blog Singing with Birds this week!

Thanks for thinking it's wonderful!

Quilt blocks from my friends

Here are the blocks that the other lovely ladies from the Cincinnati Modern Quilt Guild made in our swap!

Do you have a favorite? They are all 12.5" x 12.5" blocks. What should I do with them??

It's been awhile...

Since I posted a picture of my cat being cute. I'm sure you missed it. But seriously - this is adorable.

The little white thing by her head is a paperball. A wad of paper that she likes to play with. Seriously.

Wonky Quilt Guild Blocks

Tonight is the monthly meeting of the Cincinnati Modern Quilt Guild.  At the last meeting, I signed up to participate in a "block swap."  We each made blocks using certain guidelines, and then tonight we'll swap, and we'll go home with blocks that other people have made.  Sounds fun, right??

This month's block is called a wonky log cabin block. It was pretty easy to make. The only guideline was to use blue and green fabrics, with the option of using one other accent color for the center.  I used all of my scraps, since the wonkier the better, right?

All of the blocks I made

A close-up so you can see how "wonky" it is!

I'll show you the blocks I get from everyone else, too! This is fun!

Chris and Ali's Wedding Shower

Mandy and I threw a "Stock the Bar" shower for Chris and Ali on Saturday. Thanks to Mandy for hosting it in her home!

This was our gift to Chris and Ali. Aren't picnic baskets fun??

The margarita station - because margaritas are just so yummy.

The table spread... we had an assortment of dips, since it was an evening shower.

Our cute cupcakes, with crazy lighting

The beautiful bride

I guess only Matt and Hester got the memo that all the guys were supposed to dress the same?

The sweet bride and groom opening gifts

We are the 4th couple of Zac's friends to get engaged around the 4th of July - so here are all the engaged ladies at the shower!

I can't decide if I wish these guys saw each other more often, or if this is all their better halves can handle!

It ended up being a really casual and relaxed shower, which was fun considering we don't see each other as much as we'd like.  Lee Waddle even made a surprise appearance from Holland (that guy is awesome).  We're starting to get excited for October 2, Chris and Ali!!!

A Johnson Family Quilt

I am so excited to finally get to share this quilt with you! I've given you a few peeks here, but it's finally time for the big reveal!

My friend Ali and I met in first grade. I moved away when we were in 8th grade, and she came to visit me when we were in 10th grade. We reconnected on Facebook while we were in college, and during our senior year, she made a road trip down to Kentucky to visit.

Good thing she did... because while she was there, she met one of Zac's friends and fell in love! Chris and Ali are getting married in October - so quick pat on the back for my fantastic match making skills. Take note: if you're looking for a husband, just come visit me.

Anyway, I was so excited to make a quilt for them.  I have made this quilt once before - it comes from this book. I love the idea of putting a family name on a quilt, and while this is a lap sized quilt, it's huge and the perfect size for cuddling and family picnics!

Yay! I think she likes it!

The almost-Johnsons holding their quilt

Close-up of the quilting done by my wonderful grandmother

Me and the bride-to-be!

We threw a shower for them later that night, so I'll give you pictures and info from that soon.  Happy almost-wedding, almost-Johnsons!

I'm getting married!!

I've been missing around the blog for a while - but I think getting engaged this week is a good excuse!!

Wednesday night I came home from work and Zac had made dinner. This isn't out of the ordinary - he makes dinner almost every night.  We were sitting outside on the patio talking, and as it was getting darker, it was also getting "buggier." Since I'm the queen of all things bug bites, I suggested that we head inside, but Zac said he wanted to stay out a little longer. I asked why, and he said "I have something I want to ask you." I was puzzled, but didn't think too much of it. He started reaching in his pocket, and I apparently started a monologue of "Seriously? Is this real? Seriously? Right now? Really?" that went on for quite a while. Zac dropped to one knee and pulled out a ring!

We're officially engaged - and having a lot of fun with it! Here's a picture of the bling:

What do you think?? It's so sparkley and fun!  We don't have any details yet; so far we're just enjoying our new "fiancé" status.  I'll be back this week with my normal blogging schedule, including all of the things that kept this post from being written for so long!

It's been a while!

Whoa - I don't know where the time goes, but it has been forever since I've posted! You haven't missed much...

While I was gone for Zac's grandmother's funeral, one of my lovely campers threw silly putty into a light fixture on the ceiling and watched it melt.  That was awesome.

Friday we went to a happy hour with some friends and hung out with our neighbors.  Saturday, I volunteered with the HRC at a festival and then went to Dayton to see my friend Sara who was visiting her parents (who are my parent's friends also).  Saturday night Zac and I went to Melissa and Amy's 14th annual 4th of July party.

Today, I marched in the Cincinnati Pride Parade and hung out at the festival for a few hours before running some errands. I am so glamorous.

I promise to get back into gear this week.  The Summer Program ends on Friday (thank goodness!). I have a feeling I'll look back at these 4 weeks fondly as soon as I don't have to worry about finding silly putty stuck on the ceiling and I don't have to get up at 6:00 AM anymore.  Hopefully!

Happy 4th of July, everyone!