January report

I can't believe today is the last day of January. Already. Wow, time flies faster and faster the older I get. I did accomplish a few things this month believe it or not. I may take a couple posts to show them off though.

We haven't had many days this month that gave me enough light to take pictures without flash. Now today is a gorgeous day - blue skies and sunny but below 20 degrees. Of course the projects are no longer here so not photos being taken today.

Verna Easy Bake quilt front;

backed with Minkee Dimple Dot in white;


Folded up and ready to be given away;


Origins Easy Bake quilt front;


backed with brown Minkee Dimple Dot;


Folded up and ready to give to its new owner;


I received this charm pack from Lisa at Vintage Modern Quilts for finishing so many projects in December. Thanks, Lisa!

Since one of my goals this year is to use up fabric that I have in my stash rather than buy more I'd like to take part in a stash report. Judy at Patchwork Times has a link up for those participating.
Since I am late to this game I will do my stash report for the month of January and from here on out try to keep up with it weekly.

January IN:

9 3/4 yards This included fabric I ordered in Dec. but didn't show up until January as well as the Sherbet Pips charm pack, some Origins yardage for a project I was hired to do and some white and red fleece that College Girl got and sent to me.

January OUT:

11 1/3 yards White Minkee, Brown Minkee, Verna LC, Origins LC, yardage of Verna & Origins for binding, various pieces for a mug rug

January Total : 1.5 yards busted!

Praise - That both kids got back to school safely and are in the thick of things for this term. That my friend with bone cancer has finally started her chemo therapy.

Prayers - That College Boy's roommate situation would be favorable but we are trusting God that He knows best in ALL situations.

To start off the year

I need to find my oomph. I think I lost it in that last rush before Christmas to get all of my sewing done. I didn't feel rushed at the time but ever since Christmas I haven't been able to muster up the oomph to accomplish anything of substance. It was at the very last minute that I shortened and hemmed the sleeves for the jammie shirts I gave to College Girl. I mean she was packing to leave and I was cutting and hemming!

I seriously thought these would be sandwiched and quilted and bound by the new year.

They are still not sandwiched,quilted or bound. They are both sitting in a lump on my cutting table. I think about them. I think about all the things I could and should be doing with my time. I don't want to fritter away the entire month.


These are just a few of the things I'd like to take part in. If I can do them without having to buy fabric that is.

I almost bought fabric for this. I was going to time that fabric purchase for 2010 so that I would not be 'cheating' on my 2011 goal, of course. I have gone back and forth on participating. I don't even KNOW how to embroider! I do love the little birdies though and figure it would be good to learn something new.
IF I participate I think I will use Dream On. I just need to figure out if I have a solid on hand that I can use for the block centers. If not the entire project will be put on hold.


I would LOVE to participate in this one;
I have the book on the way but it is being shipped media mail (because it was free shipping - which I can hardly resist. It probably won't get here in time for me to join in for January. I have some large pieces of yardage but I'm not sure if I have three pieces that go together that are large enough for the first bag. I'm NOT buying more fabric right now. The January bag may be a pass for me.

I already joined in on this one. The January entry could be a pillow made in the last 3 months.

Good way to insure more pillows in my future.

I came across this while looking at the other pillows in the party.

If I have the materials on hand I just may join in. I need to bust the stash after all. If this one doesn't work out I have plenty of patterns and fabrics on my to-do list or I just might find another quilt along to join.

Pink Chalk Fabrics is going to have a sew along on their blog, using the One Yard Wonders book. I requested the book from the library and hopefully will have that by the time the details are posted on the blog.

In addition to all of that I would like to;
* alter messenger bag that I gave to friend in August (strap adjustment/add closure of some sort)
* set of 6 quilted placemats using Origins.
* start Fandango quilt

I'll still need to be working on my memory verses, working out, cooking/eating healthy meals, reading, baking/decorating cookies and avoiding the urge to buy new fabric. Guess I'd better find my oomph and fast!

Praise - for the beautiful snow we are getting and for a warm home that we have and capable vehicles to get around in the snow.

Prayers - for safety on the roads in the winter snowstorms.

Goals for 2011

Goals. Not resolutions. Goals.

* Memorize 24 verses of scripture along with Beth Moore at Living Proof Ministries. That would be 2 verses a month.

* I'd love to read again. I tend to either read, read, read or avoid it altogether. Goal is to read 12 Fiction books and 12 Non-Fiction books in 2011.

* List some of my completed projects on Etsy. Some day this year. This would require me to get ahead since most of my projects are slated for someone that I know.

* Sew and donate at LEAST 6 charity quilts.

* Work on health: lose weight = working out, eating a vegan/McDougall diet.

* Learn to decorate sugar cookies which means practice,practice,practice! I've seen so many beautiful cookies online and I want to try my hand at it. I'll be sending lots of cookies to college girl and boy!

* I would like to devote some time each month to scrapbooking again. Working on pages for my albums or making cards. Maybe one day set aside just for papercrafting.

* Bust my fabric stash! My plan is to buy NO FABRIC unless necessary for projects in progress (backing/binding,etc.) or for a project that someone asks me to make for them. This will be reevaluated in June.

Praise - for the resources that God has given me to be able to work toward achieving these goals.

Prayers - that I would be diligent!

Pillow Party!

Getting some mileage out of this pillow by joining in the

I had seen sweater pillows online and at the Pottery Barn site and figured, "I could do that!". Finding the sweater was the hardest part. I laid my pillow form on top of the sweater and cut around it by a few inches, pinned it all before I moved it and then sewed it together on three sides. I was going to have an envelope back but didn't really have enough sweater left for an overlap. Vintage buttons, still on the card (79 cents for 6 of them) that had been my mom's at some point sewn at the open edge. I had used part of one sleeve to cover a vase but I'm still tinkering with that project. The leftover strips just begged to be made into the rolled flowers (the first I'd ever made).



As soon as I set this on the couch and hubby immediately asked who it was for. I'm guessing he asked that since I rarely keep any of my finished projects. I thought about giving it to my sister to go with the Glace' quilt that I gave her last year but then decided that I really like this pillow on MY couch. BTW - someone thought it was pink but it is most definitely red. My picture taking skills are lacking and so was the lighting. Come join the party!

Praise - for the wonderful man of God that is the pastor of our church. We just got home from Bible study and I am reminded again what a blessing He has given the congregation of our little country church.

Prayers - for our pastor and his wife, for their health and safety and their continued dedication to proclaiming His truth.

Happy New Year!

Hard to believe that it is now;


We went to a very casual party with lots of great friends from church. It was a great get together but I'm glad to be home now. The kids are going to continue to party some here but I think I might head to bed. I'll be posting a list of my goals soon.

Praise - for the fellowship we have with a great church family.

Prayers - for this new year, that my walk with God would grow even stronger, that I would find opportunities to serve Him, for the health and protection of my family & friends and for the men & women in the armed services.