Texas Bundle winner & Weekend in Belgium

I know, I know, my titles have been so lame lately.  But these posts are such a mix of things..hard to think of a schnazzy title.  Anyway, let's get to it, why don't we.

First off, congrats to Melissa, the winner of the Red, White & Blue Moving to Texas Bundle!  Melissa just started a new blog called My Half Of The Brain.  Love that name!  Seems she is compiling a list of great tutorials by talented folks on the web...so you definitely should stop by, browse around and say Hi.  Congrats Melissa...I hope you enjoy working with these new fabrics. :)

Okay, what next.  Let's talk about what we did this weekend.  First, I should mention we were originally scheduled to go on a 2 week tour of Scandinavia starting on Saturday.  But since we are moving, we had to cancel the trip.  We tried to figure a way to keep the trip scheduled, but it was just impossible with all we have to do here in the next 3 weeks.  So we decided to take a little weekend trip so we are not totally missing out on a summer vacation.  First we thought we'd still go to Copenhagen and take the kids to Lego Land.  But after putting all this into the navigation system, we saw we'd be driving or atleast 15 hours round trip, and well, that was a bit much for us.  We wanted to relax a little over these 3 days.  So we came up with a new plan at the last minute..we went to Belgium instead.  We headed to Brussels on Saturday.  Brussels is the Capital of Europe, home of NATO, and it was a short 2 hours drive from our house in Duesseldorf to the Hotel.  We had a great day and evening there, eating fabulous food, walking for hours and taking in all the sites.  It is a really gorgeous city.  Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy.

Look at this old cash register in the candy shop!  Gorgeous!

up close

We left Brussels Sunday afternoon and headed to Ghent.  We visited Gent for just a few hours last summer, on our drive home from our vacation in Brugges.  We enjoyed the atmosphere there very much, and were excited to head back to have a bit more time there.  We stayed right in the heart of the city, which was good and bad.  It was great being right in the mix, since it was the last day of the 10 day Gent festival they hold every year.  This festival is the largest festival in Europe that is held within a city center.  It was packed!  The only bad thing is that the party did not end until 2am, so we all were up very late...our room faced one of the large stages!   In general, we really like the Belgian cuisine.  The chocolates are incredible and the waffles...forget it!  We ate so many waffles! Here are a few images the city.

I treated myself to this piece of gorgeous golden yellow linen also.  I just could

not leave without a piece of fabric!lol

I bought it at this shop.

We are so glad we fit in this last minute trip.  We really needed the break!  I think this will be the thing we will miss most about living here...this part of Germany is so close to so many other small European countries.  We have been able to drive to so many places in 5 hours of less (France, Luxembourg, Holland, Belgium).  It has been a blessing to be able to experience and see so many of these different cultures.  We will really miss this area (despite the rain!!)!!

I'll be back tomorrow or the next day to share some sewing projects with you all.  Here is a picture of one dress I managed to make last week. 

I wore it already...on Thursday to hubby's goodbye dinner with his coworkers.  I love the fabric!  I'll tell you the details when I do the sewing post, okay.

I also need to get to the Operation Sewing Room Organization Group feature I promised. 

So we'll talk again soon!

Hugs,

Sheree

Comments

[Mama Urchin]

Hugs to you oo busy lady. Those photos have put Belgium higher up on my list of places to visit.

[Tara]

Congrats on moving back to the states! I'm from Houston and love the city (well, most parts!) so if you have any questions, ask away. Are y'all military? My husband is Army and I'd love to get a European assignment so we can see all those gorgeous sites. I love your fabric. It's all so colorful and yummy! :) I'm hoping to fly home and go to the Quilt Market too so maybe I'll see you there!

--Tara

[Mary]

I think we need a modeled pic of that dress, Sheree!

[Barb (aka Craft Junkie)]

I found your blog and have been entranced for the past hour, reading, perusing your pics and projects, drooling over your stash!, and just really enjoying myself. Thank you for sharing so much goodness.

Because I've enjoyed it so much (and will definitely be back), I made you my featured "Crafty Blog of the Day" on my blog at: http://craft-therapy.blogspot.com. Just thought you might like to know.

BTW, I am lusting over the dress you made and would love to see how you made it. It's beautiful!

[wayfarer]

Beautiful pictures. Love that cash register!

[mona]

Look at you all coordinating and the linen looked lovely I am so jealous I saw so many fabrics in your shop that I wanted but were sold out, I really love European printed fabric. I have just been tagged to share 6 random things about me and I tag you! I hope you will have a chance to play along! Take care

[mona]

And what kind of purse is that? And where did you get it?

[mona]

And what kind of purse is that? And where did you get it?

[Mary Beth]

I love the dress. Do share the details soon.

[Suzanne]

Sheree,
As always with international postings people move on. I wish you and your family the best! And... I missed my opportunity to have learned how to make a purse. :)Maybe a workshop in Texas would be good, hmmmm pool, palm trees and bananas. Wow, things change fast, but always as they are meant to be.
God Bless to you all and hugs too,
Suzanne

[Lisa]

The photos are stunning. What beautiful architecture. You're kids will always remember this. What a fantastic experience for them to live abroad.

You must start scrapbooking when you get settled-lol.

Love the dress. Keep me posted on your move too.

[missy]

Beautiful pictures and cute dress!
:)
missy

[bu e bau]

So many beautiful photos, Sheree! I was in Brussels twice and I loved it so much.
The dress is amazing. Great job.

Your kids look so happy!
big hug sweetie

[Jen from Windy Ridge]

wow Sheree, you have a lot going on! what a fabulous life, i really enjoyed the pictures:)