My favorite block

My favorite block
Spinning Snowball block

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Christmas is Over

My husband and I took down our outside Christmas decorations this afternoon right on schedule.  Our neighbors are probably happy because the last two years due to bad weather and/or illness our decorations have stayed up for months at a time.  But this year, we worked as a team and got everything taken down, labeled and put away neatly ready for next year.  My husband even put up the Valentines yard ornaments.  What a guy!

Tonight we are going out to eat with another couple after my evening class I teach twice a month is over.  We rarely go out with other couples so this will be a special treat. 

I worked on a UFO last night but actually spent time unsewing.  I just didn't like how the borders looked so I took them all off, and I'm going to start over with them.  It took me awhile to unsew.  I repressed two of the borders and can resew them, but one border I'll have to recut.  I just want it to look good as it is a project for a very special friend.

I missed my afternoon exercise session today.  Taking down the Christmas decorations was probably a good substitute.  Now I just need to remember to eat sensibly when we eat out tonight.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Back to Work

The first day back at work after the holiday went pretty smooth.  I took short little walks and refilled my water cup between classes.  I ate a healthy turkey sub lunch from Subway and didn't even take a taste of the coke my husband brought.  Yes, my wonderful husband brings me lunch nearly every day (if he's not playing golf).  After school I walked for 20 minutes around the halls.

Tonight I had hoped to finish my quilting project.  Unfortunately, I sewed the last 2 sides of the last border on without first sewing the strip to the pieced border.  I know what I'll be doing during lunch tomorrow....... the ever loved task of ripping.

I used up 4 yards of fabric from my stash in this project, but I got in an online order of fabric today.  Does it count tht I ordered it in 2010?

After work I spent a couple hours looking at all the new BOM's for 2011.  I like going to the Golden Thimble newsletter because she has all the BOMs neatl organized in a linked table.  If you haven't seen it, try it out at http://www.thegoldenthimble.com/  

She also has a new BOM herself that will combine piecing, applique, and embroidery.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Just J: Stash Report 2011

Just J: Stash Report 2011

Stash Report 2011

  • Yardage purchased this week - 0 yds
  • Yardage purchased year to date - 0 yds
  • Yardage used this week - 0 yds
  • Yardage used year to date - 0 yds
  • UFOs completed this year (goal 22) - 0
  • Charity quilts completed (goal 12) - 0
I haven't done any quilting yet in 2011 but am on my way to my quilting room now to start working on one UFO.  I spent yesterday in my home office/guest bedroom.  After our summer painting project I have a lot to organize in there before my step-daughter and son-in-law come the end of this month.  They are coming to run in the Houston Marathon.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone!  The first day is over and now it's time to get my life back on track to work on healthier goals.
* Eat smaller portions
* Drink more water
* Exercise daily
* Go to bed at a reasonable hour (haven't done that one yet)
* Quilt daily
* Use kind words
* Organize my household and classroom
* Communicate more often with friends and family

Today I need to finish a Christmas present for a very understanding friend.  I took it with me to finish on vacation, but left the border strips home in Texas.  I'll post a picture of this paper pieced project once I finish it.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

UFO Challenge 2011

These are the UFO projects I began in 2010 (or before).  I am the queen of all procrastinators but 2011 is the year I vow to get organized and complete projects.  I enjoy piecing quilts more than the quilting process.

1.  black and white quilt - a Swirly Girl pattern that was part of Strip Club at Quilter's Emporium in Stafford, Texas

2.  Hunter's star red and blue wall hanging - a class I took at QE

3.  Fall wall hanging - a class I took at Cedar Chest in El Campo, Texas - to hang over my entertainment center

4.  Blue table runner - another Cedar Chest class

5.  bright baby quilt - baby quilt for teacher at my school who had baby this past summer

6.  sailboat baby quilt - for another teacher - baby born this past fall

7.  strip club baby quilt - another teacher who had her baby last week

8.  Ricebird Rising - modified Drunkard Path from a Cedar Chest class

9.  Leaf applique
10.  Christmas block of week - from QE
11.  Summer Loving block of week - from QE
12.  Vermont Red/blue table runner - a class I took while on vacation in Vermont