Some Quick Quilts and Looser Monday Update

Last week when I had breakfast with my girl she asked me if I could make a baby quilt for a friend ...correction, two baby quilts for a friend who is having twins...and the shower is April 4th. I knew I had a kit for Brown Bear, Brown Bear and I have been hording bits of this and that for The Very Hungry Caterpillar, so that's what I decided to go with. Both very fast and very easy and she will get the books to go along with each quilt. The Brown Bear quilt was going to be for our sweet baby that will be a year old in August, so a quick call to where I got it and I'll have another kit for you know who. Speaking of.....his mommy took this picture the other day. Just trying out a new hair do!! We were lucky enough to have a grandma sleepover Saturday night and what fun we had. He is such a happy boy and a good sleeper too! It was so fun to wake up to those happy cooing baby noises. Boy he looks more and more like his daddy every day....mommy even says so!!!

I have about half of the rows pieced for The Dutch Treat Quilt. This quilt is taking a bit longer than I thought, but I am hoping by the weekend to have it finished. Have any of you visited Abbey Lane Quilts? They have really, really cute patterns and one of my new favorite quilts, Glad All Over.....LOVE IT!! Look at that giant rick rack. You know I can't resist that :-)! Check them out.... and they also have a great blog. Just when you think you have all the wonderful patterns you need along comes a whole truckload of MORE!!!!!!!

Now on to the Looooooser Monday Report. First off thanks to General Geranium for keeping us all on track and keeping us motivated. If I wasn't checking in each week I would surely have gained so I am very grateful! My status for this week- I stayed exactly the same--what, the same are you kidding?? Geeeeeeez!!! Time to reflect---so there was the Japanese four course dinner, then there was breakfast with Katie where I had some wonderful cinnamon french toast and sausage...and then there was the part where I wasn't keeping track of what I was eating (actually that was pretty much the whole week). So in short, YIPEEEEEEEEEEE, boy am I lucky I didn't gain anything. It's all in your perspective :-)! Here's my new breakfast that I am hooked on. Wheat waffles -3 points for two waffles, and l/4 cup of syrup for 1 point. Last week I missed the part about sharing a soup recipe so here's one of my favorites.

Weight Watcher Taco Soup

1- 16 ounce can fat free chili

1- 16 ounce can black beans, drained & rinsed

1- 16 ounce can pinto beans, drained & rinsed

1 can diced Rotel tomatoes

2 Tablespoons taco seasoning

1 49 ounce can fat free chicken broth

3 large zucchinis (leave skin on) sliced thick

2 large yellow squash (leave skin on) sliced thick

1 cup carrots, sliced

1- 4 ounce can diced green chilies

1 large onion, chopped

Put the broth in a large pan, stir in the fat free chili & taco seasoning and let simmer 10 minutes. Add rest of ingredients and simmer until veggies are tender, approximately 30 minutes. 1 cup = 1 point. I have found this is better if you make it the day before you plan to serve it. The flavors are better. I also freeze it. I put 2 cups in 8 plastic containers.....so 8-2 point portions.

I have been over the top blabby today-opps!!! Wishing you all the luck of the Irish this week and take some time to get crafty!♥♥♥

I Just Couldn't Help Myself!!

Block #10 came today from the Fat Quarter Quilt Shop and I spent most of the day trying to ignore the envelope...I finally broke down and just had to get it done. Another great block. I think I am going to have to give in and sign up for their 2009 BOM!!! Then that lead to another BOM that I started in January. I got two of the three






done........these things are kind of like M & M's....very addictive!!! I did get 5 rows of the Dutch Treat Quilt together. You definitely have to pay attention on this one because each row feeds in to the previous fabric and on and on!

There will be no sewing happening tomorrow....seems like I need to finish up some things around the house!! Happy Thursday everyone.

Not So Much.......Looser Check In

Not so much quilting going on. I laid out my Dutch Treat quilt pieces, and labeled all the rows for sewing, but that as far as I got. Our cold (we both got it back) whipped back around and got us again, but happy to report we are much, much better.

There is some wonderful excitement in blogland. Monica, The Happy Zombie, is going to have her craft space featured in this magazine. I am so excited. I have stalked, I mean enjoyed looking at Monica's crafting space over the last couple years!! I have pre ordered my magazine so I can continue to stalk, I mean continue to enjoy her wonderful space!!!! There is info on her blog to pre order a copy. She also is going to have a project featured in the Spring 2009 edition of Quilts & More. We are so, so proud of you Monica! Then I came across Kristin's blog. Wow, she makes the most wonderful cakes. Scroll all the way down her blog to see all the pictures. They are something to see! Thanks to the Looser Challenge I am really wanting CAKE, CAKE, CAKE, CAKE, CAKE, so these cakes looked exceptionally wonderful to me!

On to my Looser Monday check in.........drum roll pleasssssssse------.6 (yes point 6), but it is a loss and I am taking it. My weigh in days are Thursday and I am sayin' right now this hasn't been the best week for me!!!! We went to a dinner party Saturday night a this wonderful Japanese restaurant with a group of friends...the kind that cooks the meal right in the middle of your party. Well it would have been extremely rude if I didn't eat everything that was put in front of me!!!

So there you have it!!!! Tomorrow I plan to work on the Dutch Treat, finish up my February Calendar Quilt strip and start keeping track of what I am eating again! Happy week everybodee!!!!

Slow and Steady......

That's the pace I'm at...slow and steady!!! I had a few rush binding jobs that had to get out, but then back to my slow and steady pace. The log cabin blocks have only two logs on each block to go (20 blocks), and then I got the rails cut for the Dutch Treat quilt....I am lovin' this quilt even before it's together. Then while digging through the quilt closet I found these tiny paper pieced star blocks all pieced and with all the bits to get er done!! So got it together, did some very simple cross hatching, bound, washed and dried...only 16 inches square but pretty cute!!

We had two wonderful days with baby Polka Dot, nothing better than that, well except for tomorrow I will be out visiting my girl for the day! The slate is clear this weekend, so I am planning on revving up the speed on the old Bernina!! Maybe I need to focus on one thing at a time...........nah, it's just not in me :-)!!! Happy, happy weekend to everyone, and don't forget to SPRING forward ♥♥♥

A Good Thing and Looser Monday Report

My friend Pat has started a Quilts Of Valor group. This is a national group dedicated to making quilts for all wounded and injured servicemembers. She had us so organized. Various stations were set up with all the blocks precut, bagged with instructions ready to go. Some volunteers were cutting and some piecing. We met in a local public library and the day was filled with many, many blocks being pieced by those of us there. Throughout the day people visiting the library were popping in and out and it was amazing the number of quilters visiting the library who will probably be joining us in the future. Starting a chapter is very easy, and this website gives you all the info and tips you need to get going. The two younger helpers in the corner of the mosaic picture happened in, and Pat showed them how to mark squares for making snowball corners. There is something for everyone to do even if you aren't a quilter. What a fun and rewarding day and for such a great cause. Of course I had to forget my camera but luckily Pat had hers. The quilt above was what I worked on with a friend of mine. We pieced all the blocks, Pat took them home and put it all together. Such a wonderful and rewarding project and hats off to Pat for getting this going!!!

Strike up the band...the bumpers are DONE!!!! Think this will have to count for one of my March finishes. It's one of those projects that I have to wondered why in the heck I didn't get it done before, but at least they are done and will be delivered today. The strips are all pieced on my Zippity Doo Dah quilt (Dutch Treat) and I am hoping to etch out some time today to sub cut all the blocks. What a happy easy quilt!

Now the LOOSER report.....5.2 lbs. This is a two week loss since I had missed a weigh in.... but I have to say since my Thursday weigh in the week has been disastrous (in the looser department that is). Could someone please tell me why you can go along with your head in a good place and then all of a sudden just fall apart?? Well that's what has happened to me!!! I am hoping to start today with a new attitude and get back on track. And a really big shout out to all the LOOSERS for all the support. It's nice to know we are all in this together with our fearless leader Miss Red Geranium at the lead!!Happy first week of March everyone!

PS .....there's this great honey bun giveaway over at

V and Co.!!!!

February Finishes!!!!!

Just by the hair on my chinny chin chin.......my February finishes are done. I highly recommend joining Kris and May Britt's challenge to get a project done a month. It's a great way to stay motivated and get things done. My closet is just brimming with projects started. I just love starting new things I guess!!

My Faded Memories is also pieced and will be off to be quilted. I think this was started a year and a half ago on a camping trip. I am calling this my mental health quilt, because when things were bugging me here and there, this was the project I pulled out. The piecing on it is not the best...might speak to my state of mind!!! While that closet of half started projects is still calling me I just couldn't resist this new one!! That Zippity Doo Day fabric really got me...this is only my third project using it!! And then another wonderful Sandy Gervais pattern....think I'm a groupie! Smiles to all of you!!!

Teachin An Old Dog and Looser Monday Late!

I am always up for learning new things. Over the years I have this one (oh there are so many more) bad habit that I knew I should change but just resisted. I had quilting teachers point it out, friends, and I even knew I needed to change it!!!! My machine really knew I needed to change....I always pinned my bindings from the left to the right. Hard to take out when you are sewing along and easy just to leave in, and we all know what that leads to and boy does my poor machine know what that leads to. So I have spent a couple weeks making myself pin the other way, and wow, is it every easier to zip along taking them out as you sew!!! I know this seems like a very minor accomplishment, but with all the bindings, this is quite a big deal and time saver...and hopefully no more visits to the machine doctor for hitting a pin!!!

Baby Polka Dot got to sleep over for a couple days, and at his other grammies for a couple days while his mommy and daddy were snowboarding. Quite the good house guest, and we had more fun playing than anything else. He's a rolling machine and his two little bottom teeth are popping thru...sorry about the blurry picture!

My friend Carol made some happy and thought I had to share it...so cute, happy and very Spring! I have added a few more rows to my Old Fashioned Charm quilt. Lovin it more and more as it comes together!

Looser Monday......hmmmm!!! I didn't weigh in last week at WW, baby Polka Dot was here and I refuse to weigh on my possessed scale at home.....it really messes with my head!!! So I am going to say I stayed the same. Not a very accurate report, but I will be weighing in this Thursday. Lori at Recipe Girl continues to help me along. I made her recipe for Baked Chicken Parmesan and even Mr. Polka Dot said WOW!!!!

Happy almost mid week to everyone and hope all is well for you!!

Fessin Up Wednesday

I am feeling so much better.....yipeeeeee for sure. Sitting in the sunshine a bit felt so good even though it's a bit nippy, but the sun felt good.

So I am getting right to the point here. Notice these two Christmas projects....shamefully that I didn't finish. The ME quilt just needed the binding hand stitched down and the little snow heads just need some quilting and their eyeballs. These are going to be my finishes for February, so I best be hoppin to it! I had made the snowball heads for my Secret Santa person and decided I needed one too, but just couldn't get mine finished. No excuses now!!

And speaking of shameful...well I needed to have these baby bumpers done quite a while ago, and with all the bindings I had for Xmas put them aside (as in the deep, deep quilt closet), and promptly forgot about them.....no eye rolling, I am in the high 50's and forgetting things has become sport to me :-)!!!!!!!! So I very busily starting making the ties, and making the ties and making the ties. I am thinking the baby will have them by the time he starts preschool!!!

I haven't been all bad and behind. When we got home my block 9 of the Designer BOM was waiting and today I decided I just needed to get it done. Only three more to go!!

My thought for the day, take plenty of Vitamin C and wash your hands a lot! This stuff that is going around is brutal! Happy Wednesday everyone.

My Tale Of Woe....and Looooser Check In

Home early from a getaway due to the flu/cold!!! Yuck, so much for my flu shot. We weren't due to be home till tomorrow, but it is nice to be home and hunkered down on the couch here....and I missed the blogs. I think a lap top is in my future :-)!!! Enough of my whining.

I worked on my signature blocks. They are all pieced and now to get the trimming done and come up with how I am going to sign them. Thanks to Connie who is hosting this swap, for the wonderful tutorial on how to piece them a bit bigger to trim them to size. They came out perfect!! I can't wait to get this wonderful memory quilt together.

Now a report on looser Monday...I am down 2.1 ....I say that a little reluctantly because I really haven't been eating that much with the yuck, so I figure my rebound week next week might be a doooooozy. We'll see! I have a couple food finds (new to me anyway) to share . First a Weight Watcher buddy got me this Hungry Girl book. It is chock full of great recipes, with lots being single servings. Plus you can go to her web site to get Weight Watcher points on all of them. And this Laughing Cow Light Cheese. How did I miss these???!! 1 point per wedge....so for a mid day snack with a few crackers...yummmmo!!! Then one night I was poking around looking for low fat recipes and stumbled upon Recipe Girl - YIPPPPPEEEE!!! What a wonderful site Lori has for all kinds of recipes (not only WW ones). You could spend hours perusing her site and getting mighty hungry :-)! She also has a great blog here. What a great find. I emailed her asking if it was OK to link to her site and then she gives me a wonderful blog full of Weight Watcher recipes hosted by Gina...........THE MOTHER LOAD OF WEIGHT WATCHER RECIPES. Thanks Lori for the great link!

Well enough gabbing. Time to get back amongst the moving around bodies. Happy week to everyone!

What A Difference A Week Makes!

Last week we were having some near 80 degree temps and all wondering where winter went..... well not to wonder any more!!!! Love the picture of the boys across the street. They had their snowboard out and they were sliding down the front yard. We had so much fun watching them and thinking that Matt and Katie would have been doing the same thing way back!

On to looser Monday...2.2 for me this week. My weigh in days are Thursday, so I have had a bump here and there since Thursday, but all in all I'm doing OK. The next several days are hectic to say the least so I may be a bit absent....and for sure next looser Monday I won't be checking in, but I'm still on it!! Now about some quilting...I am happy to report my Bernina is back and happy as ever and I have started the buttonholing on my little signs. Happy week to one and all :-)!

Some More Happy :-)!!!

Laugh and Giggle are now pieced and fused and waiting to be buttonholed...speaking of that, my sweet, sweet Bernina will be coming home tomorrow all fixed and ready to carry on. Yippee..nothing that a little $$$$$$ couldn't solve, but my handy dandy Featherweight filled in quite nicely. Also, I had some comments about the pattern I used....Country Threads one of my favorite pattern places, and I also included a picture of one of their other sign patterns.

Anne Sutton has done it again. Not only is block number 2 for her mystery BOM ready, but she is offering a free quilt pattern here , to go with her new line of fabric, Chelsea Manor. Oh boy is it ever cute and has pieced blocks with embroidered hearts and bunnies. Now how are we going to resist this one??? Hmmmmmmm!!!

I have been a bad blogger this week. I haven't even poked around much....OK, I have been totally goofing off and playing. Think I might need a time out! Happy Friday everyone!

Some Smallish Quilts & Looooooser Monday

This is just about all I could squeeze in since Tuesday, but at least the top is done and I plan to do some very simple quilting and have it in the finish pile! Sadly I have to report that my Bernina decided it just doesn't want to work anymore :-( !!! I had just finished buttonholing the flower center and then there was a clunk, clunk, clunk and that was it. Very, very sad!!! I pieced this smile wall hanging Saturday and it was next to be buttonholed. I am hoping it will help to pop out some of the letters, but I guess that will have to wait till my hand dandy repair guy gets the old girl going again. The giggle and laugh wall hangings that go with smile are cut and ready to be put together and will hang in G baby's room here at our house. Lots of family time last week. Our girl was home for an overnight stay, and between her being computer support to me and playing Wii with Dad, she was here and then gone..... wonderful to have her home.

So now for the Loser Monday report.......happy to report I lost 2 pounds. Writing every single morsel down seems to be doing the trick. I have been a Weight Watcher for a long time, always thinking I was keeping track of my points in my head....WRONG!!! I have discovered, (hate to admit this), I am a points cheater. Not intentionally mind you, but it seems those tastes here and there I just don't bother to count......well that was before. Now I am trying to be accountable and write everything down. This week we were suppose to give a salad recipe. Going through all my recipes I just don't have a great salad recipe, well Weight Watcher anyway. I thought that I would pass along one of my most favorite websites ..... Dottis Weight Loss Zone. She has a wealth of information about all that is WW!!!! Message boards, recipes, inspirational writings and my favorite, a list of restaurants with points for food. No excuses about eating out!!

Happy first week of February everyone. Hope there is more quilty business happening in your neck of the woods !!!!