Cute Block, Cute Boy

I've committed to doing 1 block every month of the "Christmas List" pattern by Donna Yackey...here's this month's...Now I know all of you that have made this quilt are thinking, that's not the right block...I did the first block a while ago and then didn't pay any attention when I pulled out this block...it's Block # 8...a little out of order...I've pulled #2 for February...OMG, I just said February...that is so hard to believe...January is done...tomorrow is February...YIKES!

Katie sent me some pictures of Hampton the other day and I just had to share a couple...here he is drawing on the easel that Andy aka Grandy and I gave him for Christmas...

Katie said he just loves to draw with the chalk. She said he'll sit there for the longest time and just draw and draw.

This one is so funny...he got the beads at the Christmas parade...He puts the 2 strands of beads on and twists them around like he sees Josh do with his tie every morning...he gets it all twirled together and tells Katie that he's going to work. Gosh he's cute! I am a little biased I think...LOL!

Stash Report Week 4

Not a thing to report...nothing, zip, zilch, nada...I've been working on the baby quilt that I cut out in a past week. I did order some fabric for out New Little Miss' quilt, but it hasn't come in yet...so I'll count it next week. Hope everyone is doing well.

Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date: 0 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Used Year to Date: 10.75 yards

Greetings from Frigid, Frozen Florida

I know, I know...I can hear you laughing...I can sense you rolling on the floor...but...this is what we woke up to this morning. We had the heaviest, thickest, longest lasting frost that we've had in years. Our sprinklers had come on and within a few minutes this ice had formed...OMG I was so excited...I had to run and get the camera...

this just doesn't happen here...
And it was dang cold this morning when we walked the boys at 6:30...unfortunately I don't have any warm outerwear anymore...the boys weren't real thrilled about the crunching, cold grass this morning either. Tomorrow is supposed to be colder...

Slow But Sure

That's my motto...Slow but Sure...for sewing and weight loss...let's start with Loser Monday for the Diet Challenge 2009...1.5 pounds gone this week...it's truly amazing that just a 4 pound loss has made a difference...my jeans almost stayed zipped and the button doesn't look like it's going to fly across the room. YIPPEE! Again, a BIG Thank you to our fearless leader Sharon for keeping us on track...it's so much easier to behave when you're accountable.

I've been sewing but don't have a lot to show for my labors...I have 3 baby quilts to get done by the end of May...here's the beginning of the first one...this one is for a baby boy...from the Sleepytime line of fabric by Lori Gardner for MODA...I'm using jelly rolls for this one.I have lots of block sections done...I've been using them for leaders/enders...but I just had to put a few blocks together...needed to see some progress.

I've always loved Cheri Saffiote's book 301 Christmas Blocks...I'm doing 2 blocks a month...it will take a while but I'll have a wonderful Christmas quilt...These are fun, they're small...I can prep them and they can go with me.

Now, totally not weight or sewing related...my boys...as you may have heard it was a little nippy here last week...low 40's/upper 30's...OK don't laugh, that's a little nippy for us...well as you can tell, the boys thought it was a bit chilly too.They were sleeping together on one bed, all snuggled together...Andy and I were in the living room watching TV with the fireplace on...I moved one of their beds in front of the fireplace and they both got on it...so out came the other one...they were so happy. All you dogs in the frozen north, please don't laugh at my wimpy boys...they're Florida dogs...LOL!

Andy snapped this picture just a few minutes ago...they sure love each other!He said they were both sound asleep until they heard the camera. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone got along so well?

Stash Report- Week 3

I've been doing a little of this and a little of that, but nothing all week that used any amount of fabric...I've been catching up with some Road Less Traveled block, and a BOM or two so that fabric is minimal...but yesterday I cut out 5 pillowcases for my friend...she took 300+ pillowcases to Walter Reed Hospital and the adjoining rehab center back in September and gave away every single one...she's going again in September/October this year and is going to a different hosptital...so she needs pillowcases again...I've committed to doing 5 a month for her and more if I can. I cut them and pinned them and hope to get them sewed tomorrow. So here's my report...

Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date: 0 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 6.25 yards
Fabric Used Year to Date: 10.75 yards

Still haven't bought anything...I think this is a record for me...LOL!

It's a Diet Challenge Monday

I have no clue how it got to be Monday again already, but it is...so that means it's Diet Challenge Monday. Here's my before picture...These jeans are my favorite jeans and they used to fit perfectly...well, as you can see the zipper no longer stays up and check out that button...looks like it could fly across the room at any moment. So, I refuse to buy new clothes in a larger size...I'm going to get into the clothes I have...Thanks to Sharon I'm thrilled to say that I've lost 2.5 pounds this week. I started using Sharon's idea of writing down everything I eat...I'm convinced this is the best thing I've ever done. It has forced me to think long and hard before I put something in my mouth...if it's bad, I don't want to write it down. I know it's a game...it's all in my head...but it's working. I'm eating better and I'm accountable for what I eat. Thank you so much Sharon for doing this for us. I'm ready for the new week.

This isn't Diet Challenge related but I just had to share this picture...we've had the herd this week...here they are after out last walk before bed and waiting for their nite nite treat.This just cracks me up...looks like Trick or Treat...Andy goes around the group "One for you, one for you, one for you and one for you" and around the circle again. They are so funny...it's probably the only time during the day that all 4 sit still.

Stash Report- Week 2

Well, I think I'm taking "baby steps" to a whole new level...I had several comments last week when I reported my 2.75 yard bust...you all were so kind and said I was doing a good job and that I didn't need to feel badly for not using more...several said..."You need to take baby steps"...I'm thinking this week's bust may be "babier" than you had in mind.
Here it is:

Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date: 0 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 1.75yards
Fabric Used Year to Date: 4.50yards

I've been sewing up a storm but I haven't been pulling any fabric for the projects...these are all things I had started at the end of the year. I really am fine with what I've done so far...I'm thinking everything out rather than just pushing "Buy"buttons...it's taken me years to get to the point that I've even given a thought to purchases...so I really am OK! Here I come Week 3!!!

The Finishing Dance

The Finishing Dance...that's what I'm doing...my Simply Sophistcated BOM came in the mail yesterday from Fat Quarter Shop and I did it today...all done for this month...YIPPEE!! This was a fun and very easy set to do...no extra nine patches.And my first book finish for 2009...I started it in 2008 and finished it last night...a very, very good book...very sad, very touching and extremely gripping. Nicole recommended this one a while ago, and she was soooooo right...it's a very good read. Thanks Nicole...I'll be waiting for another recommendation.

Monday Got Away

I don't know where it went, but it disappeared...Monday is the day I was supposed to do my first Diet Challenge 2009 post. Not only did I not get my post done, I was absolutely horrible in the eating department..very, very bad. I'm confessing and then I'm done with it...Monday's are my day to take mom out and run all of her errands...she had a list and she wanted to go to Red Lobster for lunch. I was less than good there...half of a cheddar garlic biscuit (gosh those are good) fried catfish and fries...oh I did have a tossed salad (bad news is it was swimming in Ranch dressing). As if that wasn't bad enough...we went to dinner with the other half of the herd's mom and dad and I had crusty bread with pesto olive oil , the main course fine and I should have stopped there but No...chocolate creme brulee...they brought 4 spoons to the table and no one ate a bite...I ate it! It was good...no it was yummy! That's it...I'm done...I've confessed and I'm on the right road today. Judy told us about her yummy enchiladas from Trader Joe's. Well you know how I've whined that we don't have a Trader Joe's her, so Judy was sweet enough to tell me what was in them and I got the ingredients today...black beans, corn, pinto beans, a tiny bit of shredded cheese rolled up in a white corn tortilla...cover with enchilada sauce and pop in the microwave. YUMMERS! High in fiber, low in fat...filled me up really fast. Thanks Judy...my lunch was GREAT!

No picture today...I'll have one next week...Good luck to all of us in this Diet Challenge...thanks Sharon for getting this going for all of us.

I've Commited to Bust the Stash

My stash has grown to the point where it is just out of control...I still like most of what's there...I cleared out a bunch a few years ago when we moved so I'm happy with what I have, I just have TOO much. So at first I thought I could do it on my own, then I thought "Are you nuts?"...I haven't been able to do it up until now. I read Judy L's blog about stash busting and decided that was the answer. For some reason I had it in my head that if I committed to this I would never be able to buy another piece of fabric and I could only use what I had...WRONG!!!!! That's not it at all. So I'm very happy to report my first week has been a success.

Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date: 0 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 2.75yards
Fabric Used Year to Date: 2.75yards

OK...now don't laugh...it's not a lot, but it's a start...and I used more than I brought in. YIPPEE!
This is going to be a very good year.

Happy New Year...and a little Christmas too

First my wish to all of you for a very Happy, Healthy, Wonderful 2009! I've been saying good-bye to 2008 and making my plans and lists for 2009...I am looking forward to finishing many projects, and starting new ones. I want to read a lot more this year...I always do great when mom and I are at the beach, but when I'm home reading ends up being the last thing before I close my eyes at night...some nights I only read 2 sentences...I want to do better...I have many books I want to read this year. I'm really going to try to use all of my time more wisely. Let's see how I do...LOL!

We sure had a great Christmas...there nothing like seeing Christmas through the eyes of a 2 year old. Mom had the best time...she and Hampton spent time together reading and doing lots of stickers.

Christmas morning was the best...Santa left a note thanking Hampton for the cookies and the carrots for the reindeer...Santa brought Hampton a tricycle...it's wonderful...look at the long handle on the back...no more bending over to help push the tricycle until he figures out the pedals...now why didn't someone think of that when I had a little one with a trike. LOL!Christmas lasted several days as you'll guess from the next picture...different PJ's for Mamie...this is the day after Christmas...I think he opened gifts for 4 days...it was a riot...he played with each and every present after he opened it and then went back to some several times. He's opening the Dance Cam that Grandy and I gave him...OMG! Technology! This hooks up to the TV and it has a little web cam like camera in it...it also has graphics that show up on the screen of the TV and plays songs...Hampton stands in front of the TV and dances up a storm and he's on the TV...we had tons of fun...they can also hook their IPod up to it and he can dance to some of his favorites. Here are he and Grandy dancing...Grandy sure looks like he's concentrating. LOL! I tried to video this on my digital camera but you all know, I am no techno queen...I never did quite get it right.

Hampton's Nana (my mom) gave him his first computer...she gave Josh his first computer, but he was a whole lot older than Hampton is...so she wanted to give Hampton his. OMG! This was just amazing! This computer is made by Leap Frog and it's hard to believe that at 2 he's clicking a mouse. He loves this.

He'll be giving me lessons real soon. One last picture of my Christmas boy...What a fun, fun Christmas.

The mailman found me in Birmingham...what fun! Christmas gifties from Tammy...

Wonderful table topper.cookie cutters, that cute vintage Christmas box with Valdani perle cotton inside, yummy Trader Joe's dark chocolate and a chocolate ornament for the tree. Look at that primitive candy cane ornament. That red box in the back...here let me give you a close up...Now remember for my birthday, Tammy sent me Trader Joe's Peppermint Joe Joe's...they were beyond belief...well these are the most amazingly wonderful cookies ever...they are the same cookies only they're covered in dark chocolate...yummers! I shared one with mom...you guessed it...to the gym, to the gym to the gym I must go. Also in this amazing Christmas package was this "herd"...you know how I love the herd...well there are 5 in this herd...all have scarves and hats and are they ever cute. These will be out all year long. I just love them. And look at this angel pillow ...she's right near me in my sewing room...Thank you Tammy...you sure did spoil me!

Well I followed my mom's advice...she always says only do what you want to do all year on New Year's Day...so no cleaning, no laundry (I know I have to do that all year, but I don't WANT to)...I sewed some...got my Peace on Earth BOM block from Fat Quarter Shop done...

And I got my Simply Sophisticated BOM done...I sure do like this BOM...the Fat Quarter Shop does a great job...comes on time and always more than enough fabric. So I'm starting the year right...sewed and I'm caught up...with these 2 BOM's anyway...LOL!

Looking forward to a great 2009...