Make-A-List Monday Sept/Oct 2017

The end of summer...

Back to school...

Wedding venue shopping...

Wedding dress shopping...

The month of September has been filled with endings, beginnings, and checking things off a list.

As a way to say goodbye to summer, my husband and I took a road trip to Seaside Heights beach/boardwalk, a place we used to visit when we were MUCH younger.  We have not been back to this area in close to 25 years and WOW how things have changed.

Hurricane Sandy blew through this area in late October 2012.  It made landfall the day after my oldest grandson's baptism.  The storm did terrible damage to the Seaside Heights boardwalk.

Almost a year later, in 2013, the boardwalk suffered a devastating fire which destroyed more than 50 businesses on the southern end of the boardwalk.

Much of the Seaside Heights boardwalk and amusement park were destroyed by the storm and the fire.  We weren't sure what we might find when we arrived for our visit all these years later.  

We noticed many changes from when we had last been to the boardwalk. Some of these changes might have been because of the time (25 years) but I'm sure a lot were because of the storm and fire.  Much of the southern part of the boardwalk was still under construction but the northern part looked a lot like we remembered.

I was happy to see the beloved carousel still in operation, although it had been moved to a different location.

I am happy we made this trip, even if it was sad to see so many changes to my childhood vacation spot.

Luckily for the state of NJ, we have not had any major hurricanes to deal with since Sandy.

Actually the weather has been beautiful lately...perfect for drying laundry outside on the line.

Our little Ryder started Kindergarten this month.

He is really enjoying this new adventure.

Shea, Ricky and I were able to do some emergency wedding venue research. 

Shea and Ricky's first choice venue is Battello in Jersey City, NJ.

Their wedding was all planned until they were informed that, for safety reasons, the restaurant would be closing for renovations.  No one wants their wedding guests falling into the Hudson River - so alternate plans had to be made.  

We visited between 8-10 venues in quick fashion and they were able to find many that had their date available and a few which would necessitate changing the date.  


They settled on Liberty House in
Liberty State Park, Jersey City.

The one drawback --- they have to change the wedding date from 7/7/18 to 8/10/18.

So as of now, they have two venues reserved - Battello and Liberty House.  They have until February to decide if they want to hold onto Battello (the construction might be done in time for their summer wedding) or commit fully to Liberty House.  Honestly, both venues are beautiful and I'm sure they will be happy at either location. 

Shea, Violet (Ricky's Mom) and I have visited four different wedding dress salons over the past few weeks.  Wedding dress shopping in the NJ/NY area wouldn't be complete without stopping at: 

Unfortunately Shea did not

 "Say Yes to the Dress" at Kleinfeld's but she did see a dress she really liked at 
Wedding Atelier in NYC.  

(this is Wedding Atelier, this is not Shea:)

Hopefully, by the time the next Make-A-List Monday is published, Shea will have her dress ordered and can start checking a few other things off of the list.

Now, without further ado - 
                          My September list in review...

SEPTEMBER

(in review)

1.  Piece, quilt, bind and label at least one "Quilts for Kids" quilt.  Attend the QFK workshop at Pennington Quilt Works.

Many, if not all, of these quilts will be distributed to young victims of the recent hurricanes in the south.

2.  Baby Quilt #1

I finished Baby Quilt #1 for my friends Alison and Tim who are expecting their new little one in October.  

Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures of the quilt. 
(I know, bummer, right?) 

The quilt I made is very similar to this quilt only I used 1930's Reproduction fabric in a rainbow of colors.

3.  Bonnie Hunter's 2016 Mystery Quilt : En Provence

I am currently working on step 4. I will post pictures when this step is complete.

4.  A few blocks from The Quilt Block Cookbook by Amy Gibson

I finished these two blocks this month.  Now I have completed 17 blocks from this book.

5.  The 182 Day Solstice Challenge by Pat Sloan

Four more blocks completed for this Halloween themed quilt.  Unfortunately this quilt will not be finished by Halloween 2017.

Halloween 2018?   Maybe!

No progress for the following
Green Highlighted projects:

6.  The Children's Library - a mystery quilt by Pat Sloan

7.  The Blazing Star - the Craftsy 2017 Block of the Month

8.  Julie Herman's Toes in the Sand quilt

9.  Just Takes 2

10.  Dancing Stars

11.  The Patchwork Quilt Along by The Fat Quarter Shop

12.  Baby Quilt #2

13.  Baby Quilt #3

14.  Baby Quilt #4

15.  Baby Quilt #5

16.  Basketweave from Quilted Living

17.  The not so True History of America Block of the Month by Texas Quiltworks

18.  PQW 2014-15 Saturday Sampler

19.  Quilt Square Quilt Along

20.  Zippy Strippy Bags

21.  Striped Table Runner

22.  Double Twisted Wreath Fall/Christmas

23.  Christmas Wall Hanging

24.  Fall Quilt Panels

25.  Chock Full O' Charms

26.  Black Pouch

27.  Folded Placemat

28.  Kuddle Kwilts

29.  Crazy Eights

30.  Vacation Watermelon Quilt

October

1.  Piece, quilt, bind and label at least one "Quilts for Kids" quilt.  Attend the QFK workshop at Pennington Quilt Works.

2.  Baby Quilt #2

3.  Baby Quilt #3

4.  Baby Quilt #4

5.  Baby Quilt #5

6.  Bonnie Hunter's 2016 Mystery Quilt: 
En Provence  -  Step 4

7.  The Children's Library - a mystery quilt by Pat Sloan

8.  The Blazing Star - the Craftsy 2017 Block of the Month

9.  Julie Herman's Toes in the Sand quilt

10.  Just Takes 2

11.  Dancing Stars

12.  The Patchwork Quilt Along by
 The Fat Quarter Shop

13.  A few blocks from Amy Gibson's
The Quilt Block Cookbook 

14.  The 182 Day Solstice Challenge 
by Pat Sloan

15.  Basketweave from Quilted Living

16.  The not so True History of America Block of the Month by Texas Quiltworks

17.  PQW 2014-15 Saturday Sampler

18.  Quilt Square Quilt Along

19.  Zippy Strippy Bags

20.  Striped Table Runner

21.  Double Twisted Wreath Fall/Christmas

22.  Christmas Wall Hanging

23.  Fall Quilt Panels

24.  Chock Full O' Charms

25.  Black Pouch

26.  Folded Placemat

27.  Kuddle Kwilts

28.  Crazy Eights

29.  Vacation Watermelon Quilt

30.  Strip Club - Tree Lot

Until Next Time.....Happy Stitching!!!

Sharyn