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.

Authentic

As in Sweetwater for Moda. Authentic canvas messenger bag that I made for College Girl for Christmas. Adjustable strap- tutorial found here , two inside zippered pockets.

Flower can be removed, worn in a different way maybe? It has a pin back. Thinking I should put a button or jewel in the center. I'll ask College Girl what she thinks.

The bag that College Girl uses now to carry her tablet and books has broken down. She absolutely LOVES this bag! She was really excited on Christmas morning, much to my delight.


I'm getting in the mindset for a new year, how about you?

Praise - all family members that ventured out on Wednesday returned safely. The roads around here were a MESS! Thank you, God for watching over my family.

Prayers - for each of the young ladies that we will have in our home tonight, for their safe journey here and home again but more importantly for their continued walk with their Lord, Jesus Christ.

Mail love

I recently won a drawing at J & O Fabrics. The prize - Ann Kelle fabrics! I could have 5 one yard lengths, 10 half yard lengths, or 20 1/4 yard lengths. I chose the 20 1/4 yard pieces. MORE VARIETY that way! I don't think I could have narrowed it down. I guess Ann had trouble narrowing it down as well because she sent 21 pieces. Gotta love that!

Look at this loveliness - mostly Remix;


pastel heaven;


ice cream shoppe and sherbet colors;


I love the stripes and zig-zags;


and the argyle!


who doesn't love dots?


Sophie flannels;


a handwritten note from the designer;


I will treasure that along with my note from Kate Spain. I'm weird like that.
Now what to make with all this beautiful fabric? Some little purses/wallets? A camera strap for College Girl? A baby quilt? Thank you J & O Fabrics and Ann Kelle!!

Praise - little things like fabric in my mailbox can make me so happy!

Prayers - College Boy plans to go snowboarding today, prayers for his safety on the road and on the slopes.

Flimsies done before Christmas

I really thought I would have this quilt done before the 26th but that didn't happen.

This is going to be for the gal at church that has been diagnosed with bone cancer. I'm going to back it with white minkee (she is always cold). I hope it brightens her days some. College girl chose the Moda Verna layer cake from my stock of fabric, thinking that this friend would like some color to enjoy during our long winter. Gotta love when there is someone here to help with decisions like that!

This one was finished on Christmas Eve and quickly wrapped up. I am giving this to College Boy's girlfriend (and family friend) who just graduated from Wheaton College. This was her combination graduation/Christmas gift. Fabric is Moda Origins. Backing this one with brown minkee.


Both quilt tops were made using the Easy Bake pattern by Allison of Cluck Cluck Sew. Great pattern, goes together quickly, clear directions. Thanks, Allison!

Praise - that doctors were able to give our friend from church a diagnosis - multiple myeloma. A drug company has offered to give her the drugs for the first part of her treatment - HUGE praise!

Prayers - for the treatments our friend will now undergo, for her immune system, for her strength, for her spiritual well being.