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.

Forgetful me!

While the knitting is going well, quilting is progressing at a snail's pace. But did I remember to say why? Of course not! QuiltMom is back to Working QuiltMom. Just as panic was setting in I found a job. The pay isn't good (we're talking 30% pay cut from my last job) but the potential future with this company is very bright. Heck, they're sending me to Germany in December at their expense! And I work from home 2-3 days a week. It really helps balance the low pay.

Another neat surprise - my mother-in-law decided to start handing out my phone number to people looking to have their quilts quilted and one of them called me. She was just looking for a price but it's a start. Apparently there is quite a shortage of longarmers in the immediate area. It maybe time to bite the bullet and put an ad in the paper to take in tops for people. I may not feel ready for fancy custom quilting, but the basics and a little beyond are well mastered. We'll have to see....

And now a quilt pic, because I need one. Don't you?

Ooooo, pretty!

I think I'm in love! A friend's blog mentioned an Etsy shop she loves give-away and Wow! I love the fabric on their home page. Lorenza by Alexander Henry is my new favorite fabric. I'm all about girlie things since StinkerBella. Go check them out and enter their give-away.

Branching Out

First of all - isn't the new blog template great? Many, many thanks to Template-Mama and her wonderful blog and fantastic directions.


What is this you say? A scarf?! Mittens?! These are not quilted! Well after trying to work on UFO's, QuiltMom craved new learning. New quilt supplies were not in the budget and toddler demands mean larger chunks of time in the basement are just not possible. I did however have a stash of 30 year old yarn and an 11 year old who wanted to learn to crochet. With internet directions in hand, #2 learned to crochet. He's making this scarf for his grandma's birthday. Ssshh, don't tell.

Well crocheting didn't appeal really but knitting, now that sounded challenging. And I hate not knowing how to do something. It's a sickness, I know. So, in just under 3 weeks I've taught myself how to knit and made 1 scarf, 1.9 mittens (ran out of yarn & local store is out), and 1/2 a sock. Plans are in the works for a sweater for StinkerBella. Cables, I think. I'd like to try those. Is quilting gone? HECK NO! But I can knit in the living room and play with the girl. I can make useful things and be cost effective. It definitely has it's place. Who'd want to miss things like this?

FYI - that bag my girl has was my first applique project 11 years ago. Drew it myself. Didn't even know fusible web existed - I held the pieces down with pins!

Note: Some quilting has been accomplished too, just nothing finished yet. Slow but steady.

Perils of Not Pre-Washing

So after 10 years of not prewashing, disaster has finally struck. I made StinkerBella several T-shirt dresses using some favorites from my stash as skirts and a beautiful blue batik bled all over what used to be a bright pink T.It actually is worse in person. I've rinsed and rinsed and rinsed and dye still pours out of this fabric. Sigh. I loved this fabric but I'm glad a quilt wasn't ruined.

Now will this make me into a pre-washer? No, probably not. If anyone knows a cheap way to stop the "run", please let me know!

A Vile Book

I re-read a book I own this week and once again wondered - why on earth do I own this book? It's Fat Girl by Judith Moore. The inner cover and reviews make this book sound like a triumph of woman over biology, a victory. It's not. It's 196 pages of self loathing, I spent the whole time reading it wondering if the author was dead by her own hand. It tells the author's life story from childhood on and never once calls the mother's and grandmother's treatment of the girl for what it is - blatant child abuse. Every page is full of hatred, just to read it makes me feel bad about myself. The whole book views being heavy as a permanent character flaw. It even implies those who are fat are evil at heart. It's not that I don't understand some of the sentiments. Believe me, I've been there. I'm not *huge* but I was heavier during my first marriage and the shame of being told you're too fat to f*** never goes away. Once that idea is there you always wonder if you're too big to be loved or desired by anyone without a fetish of some kind. There is no light at the end of this tunnel, no acceptance, no recovery, no hope, just a never ending spiral of despair. So, I've made a decision. This book will not stay under my roof but I cannot in good conscience give it away to possibly damage anyone's self worth. So I'm going to destroy it. It's not a no-one should-ever-read-this-burn-them-all thing. I simply don't want to be responsible for passing on the idea that being fat is a moral failing or damaging anybody else's self worth.

Progress...... or Tales of a Free Couch ;)

So a solution has appeared for my rut - a free couch my husband got on Craigs List. Huh you say? Eeeew? No really, it's a couch from heaven. So it's very 1980's but it's clean and comfortable - an excellent basement couch. How did this help my sewing? I spent Sunday organizing and straightening the basement in preperation for it which also meant getting out and putting away quilting things. I've sewn everyday since. Stinkerbella's quilt is done. Yeah! To paraphrase a friend - Wow! She's only a year old!


I've also finished the bag portion of a Rumbleford Bag I started for my niece when she was born. She goes to kindergarten in a couple weeks. Yikes!


All I have to do is get some gromments and it's off the list! That will probably be a trip to the hardware store tomorrow. Can't go without Hubby - he loves the hardware store and today is going to be crazy busy. Two school open houses & football practice on top of the usual daily mountains of laundry and dishes. Back to work!

Side Tracked

I've been so side tracked since the move, I can't even locate the tracks! My sewing machine is still packed in the box. I have plenty of UFO's mere hours from completion, I just can't get my butt down there and do them! Maybe it's me, maybe it's the 6 kids, I'd just like to figure out how to accomplish something everyday. Any ideas?

Via Colori! or Sidewalk Chalk for Grownups

This weekend is the charitable art festival here in Bardstown. One's first thought is (of course) "Art? Quilts?!" No, no fabric was involved but there were some beautiful and inspirational works of art. Can you believe these are done with chalk on the street? I don't think I could bear to have something I worked so hard on be worn or washed away.


This one was my personal favorite:



And Stinkerbella's:

Home!

This is it, our new home! The 400+ mile move to Kentucky was.... interesting. I have no intention of ever moving again. Ever. Seriously, if I never have to pack up another thing ever again it will be too soon.

The house is beautiful. 4 years old but no one has ever lived in it with the housing market being the way that it is. The ceilings are amazing, to put it in quilting terms - fans with an inner border and a daisy batik outer border but done with plaster! The paint/drywall guys were clearly masters of their work; the plumber, however, was a moron. Our basement flooded when I did the first load of wash because they forgot to remove a plastic knock-out in a drain. There are other things too but I digress. Hubby is handy so it will all be fine.

The day after move in the rest of our menagerie came home for the summer so we're up to six rug-rats till the end of August. We'd love to have them all year-round but that's not going to happen without an act of God. We all went to the zoo last week, it was a riot. Are soon-to-be 14 year olds too old to wear matching shirts? Probably {sigh} I spent the whole day counting heads to make sure we hadn't lost anyone (we didn't). Here's all but the teenagers, they're too cool to pose with the orangutan ;)
I did also finish (& start) a quilt for #2's best friend's sister's new baby due at the end of the summer. A quick Yellow Brick Road with a little of the monster truck fabric in my stash and some fat quarters. I managed to make the whole thing and only needed to buy quilting thread and batting. How could I not have rainbow variegated thread before now?

I quilted cute "car" words in the quilting too. But, Yah!!! a finished quilt!!!!



All in all it's been an exhausting few weeks. I think StinkerBella says it best....