New Year's Resolution - Part 15?

Every year for as long as I can remember I've resolved to lose weight. Like millions and millions of other people. And like millions of others, I typically don't. For the last couple years I was down every year, but this one I've put back on a few. I'm quite a bit lighter than I was a 3-4 years ago but 15 pounds more is still 15 pounds. It's been a really rough year. So I'm back to the weight loss books. I'm trying "Let's Do Lunch" by Roger Wilson. I've got mixed feeling on it. First, the author is not a doctor or nutritionist or any other heath professional. There is absolutely no science behind his program. However, this program did work for this regular guy. The big parts of the program are to eat your main protein meal at lunch, stay away from processed foods (i.e. white stuff), and eat nothing but fruit for diner.He does tell you to eat till you are satisfied. He claims it's the foods impact on your body that gets the weight off, but when you compare what he ate before - it's still a ton less calories!!!! I do like the just eat fruit for dinner, no calorie counting or measuring or weighing but just fruit is tough when you have 3 kids eating DINNER and your having.... grapes. I do now have black beans and mango salsa for lunch, YUM-mee and low cal. We all love the Turkey Taco Soup recipe, when I did the math it's 175 calories for a cup and delicious. The book is worth just the recipes.

It's Done!!!

I'm done with my heavily feathered quilt!!! Ok, it's been done for a month but I wanted to post pictures! Unfortunately, work and holiday madness have interfered. But it's done and beautiful on my bed :) I also made Roman Shades and valances for my living room (the absolutely most awesome tutorial is here). And if you've ever wondered what an 8' tree with 1200 lights looks like, here it is.... and my shades .

Oh, the Benefits of Practice

I started quilting my 30th Broken Star last weekend. I'd finally settled on how to feather it and decided to through caution to the wind and just get it done. I love this top and with the way life is going these days, I really need the pick-me-up of sleeping under something I love. Well, things have not gone as planned. It's been 3 years since I've quilted feathers and man, am I rusty!


They're all weird and wonky but I'm not taking them out. I quilt feathers best left to right even with practice so started right to left probably wasn't smart. I've been practicing on paper all week and am diving back in this afternoon. Wish me luck!

Book Review!

As a warning, this is one of the rare posts you will ever see from me referencing religion in any way. If it will offend you, stop reading now.

I just finished reading "Cast of Characters" by Max Lucado. Yep, the Max Lucado of children's books. His touching children's books motivated me to try this one as I usually don't read religious/Christian books. The book is a series of chapters each focusing on a sometimes non-monumental character from the Bible. Like Joseph (both of the big ones), the Samaritan woman, David, Lazarus, Ester, and others. The author takes each story and shows how it matters and how it relates to our lives today. I grew up hearing all the stories but have never heard them related to modern life or related so clearly. And with such abundant faith! I think my favorites were Joseph (Jesus' earthly father) and the Paralyzed Man. A lot is written about Mary but Joseph and his impact are generally glossed over. I've always heard the story of the Paralyzed Man from the New Testament as just an example of one of Jesus' miracles. The book dives into it as an example of faith itself and puts it in an entirely new light. Regardless of what branch of Christianity or other religion you practice, this book is well worth reading for it's new perspective. I would actually read this book again at some point.

A little something done...

Several months ago I found a tutorial on this blog on how to turn a girls skirt into a toddler dress. A couple of days later I found a perfect skirt on the $1 rack at a thrift store. After I get home I discover it looks perfect because IT'S THE IDENTICAL SKIRT! I did the straps differently and added a little cream eyelet. I'm going to pick up some wide cream ruffle the next time we go to "town" (that would be the city) and use narrow elastic to make the pickups. StinkerBella tore the hand sewn ones right out.

I also finally loaded by 30's Broken Star top on the frame. It will be going in my bedroom full of antique furniture. I love my old furniture but the x destroyed the finish on the top of the dresser. It broke my heart, I don't want to refinish because I'd loose the beautiful stenciling. But with the "30's" theme I seem to be heading towards, a solution presented itself.



On my last trip home my mom gave one of two dresser scarves made by my great-grandmother. It fits perfectly!

Run, Run, Run......

...... as fast as you can, but you can't catch me I'm... a working mom? Have been sooo busy I can barely think straight! I've been working an 8 week temp job at a local distillery, but have been transferred to a different department indefinitely. Darn these hiring freezes!

On to crafty stuff - those bandana dresses? All have sold but a blue one and a red one. The wild ones are definitely more popular :) It also helps a downtown boutique had a zebra print dress in the window just like the one I made. I'm positive mine are much more affordable. Dropping 7 more off first thing in the morning.The tutu's have not sold but someone played with and wore two of them for a few weeks before they put them back without the hangers, grrrrr.

The advanced applique class I've been teaching at the local library has went very well. The ladies have decided to form a quilting group. So if you are in the area of Nelson County Kentucky, the Mad Stashers (cute, huh?) will be meeting the 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 6-9pm starting August 12th at the Nelson County Public Library. Tell your friends!

I'm "planning" on loading a Broken Star top I made a few years ago on the frame this weekend. I've got it figured out how I'm quilting it and have finally decided I'm not going to ruin it with my quilting! I love this top and can't wait to sleep under it.

A Little of This, A Little of That

Well, made more Bandana Dresses but none have sold yet. But I did take a picture of this batch!
None of the Onesie Dresses sold, or the Tutu's. I don't think $6 for the dresses & $9 for the tutu's is too much but who knows - every market is different. But for every cloud there is a silver lining! I've learned the best places to buy bandanas and I get to learn how to put things on Ebay. Never hurts to learn new things! And I voluntered to teach advanced quilting at the local library. This is truly a blessing since I miss teaching like you wouldn't believe!

Pro-gress!

So I've made 6 adorable Tutu's, 5 fun T-shirt/Onesie dresses, and 1 cute Bandana dress. All done and hanging for sale at the local Trader's Mall. The Bandana dress has even already sold so I need to get cracking and make a few more of that one! But did I remember to take pictures? Nooooo, of course not! I did however, use a couple old bandanas that belonged to my grandfather and used to be hung as the valance in Mini-man's room when he was small and made Stinkerbella a top. They are old and a smaller size, so too small for a dress. Now I did try to take a picture of this one, but every time I get the camera out this happens:

Then this:And finally this:"Peese, Mama, Peese!" No sweetie, you still can't have the camera. Now get over there and be cute so I can take your picture!

Game Plan

So now that I have a little unplanned time on my hands, I've decided to make myself useful. I'm going to go cruise the local thrift & consignment stores in town for baby/toddler T shirts and make some dresses to sell in the local Trader's Mall. I'm also thinking of making some Tutu's too. Maybe I'll do Esty. Will get to work and post some pictures!

Lotsa Updates!

Once again - long time no blog! This time I have gotten several things done though.

I made this dress for Stinkerbella:
(I'd post a better pic but she likes to run towards the camera!)

I quilted this top my MIL made for stepdaughter #3:

I quilted loops in the "rails" and echo quilted the print. Not too shabby :)

I made this one for my cousin's new baby:

See that orange frame in the blocks? That's 3/4" cut. What possessed me to put 1/4" sashing on a baby quilt? Well, mama will appreciate it - she's a budding quilter.

I also quilted a baby quilt for MIL. I know I did a few other things too but I forget!

Life's been busy too - kids growing like weeds, got let go from my job (I thought taxes should be deducted from my pay, my boss disagreed), adopted a shelter dog.

This would be Nala, our Great Dane/Hound/? mix. (Translation: BIG) She's too thin but getting better and an absolute sweetheart. She's housebroken and all the kids adore her. And she clearly adores the kids. Her personality seems to be all Dane. The housebroken part is real high on the list of pluses for me :)

Light Bulb!

A revelation struck me last week - I'm having a hard time finishing my UFO's because I DON'T LIKE THEM! Some of them are much loved and stopped for valid reasons, like lack of (expensive!) batting or the right idea for a border. Others I just don't like. Those need to go. So give me your opinion - anyone interested in a give-a-way? Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.