Break the Cycle

Best deals of the year are usually found right after the holidays.  This morning I've already stocked up on enough hand soap to last through next year (Bath and Body works has some of their foaming hand soaps on sale for $1.25 - usually $5.  Others are half priced at $2.50.  Plus, spend $40 and get $10 off with coupon code YELLOW10.  Even with shipping, this is a great deal.  I will continue to update great deals as I find them - yesterday I stocked up on Yankee Candles - almost all of their large candles are at least 50% off, plus free shipping if you spend $100. 

That's revvin - as in revvin your engine?  Yep - that's going to be my new motto.  I'm only focusing on a few things for 2011 - the major one is to get healthy again.  Can't believe it took me 3 years to lose 60 lbs, and less than 1 year to put it ALL back on.  Yep, it ALL came back - but it's only here for a short visit - cause it's really got to go. I did make 4 New Years Resolutions - but I know I'll be able to keep them - #1 - Eat HEALTHY everyday.  Simple right?  #2 - Get to the gym 3 times a week - NO EXCUSES HERE #3 - Sew, at least 2 times a week.  More on that later #4 - Clean, 30 minutes each day Eating healthy is pretty self explainatory.  I wear a Body Bugg, and I know I usually burn about 3,000 calories.  If I were just eating healthy foods 100% of the time, I'd be at goal weight already.  But those slices of apple pies, or chocolate cake, or slices of banana breads - they add up - so in 2011, I'll be seriously rest...

  Can't believe that in only a few more years, there will be another driver in our house. December brings with it a birthday for my oldest. This year she didn't show much interest in what type of cake she wanted, so we let little brother pick .... obviously LOL HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONA ! A week or so later, it was time to take my second oldest to a swim meet in Lancaster, PA.  I was thrilled, I'd have plenty of time to visit all those quilt shops that I never seem to get to because we usually have that younger brother pictured above with us (and combining him with a quilt shop would NOT be a good idea).  Overall I think I got maybe 15 minutes in one shop .... maybe next year. But - Leenah did have a wonderful swim meet.   This was a qualifying meet, so only 20 of her teammates were attending, and more than half of those were older and swimming in the morning session.  She didn't have to swim until noontime, so we spent the night in my childhood home, an...

Yes, I finished my first EQ quilt.  I couldn't finish it the way I wanted - didn't order enough fabric - and was too impatient to order more and wait for it to come in, so I changed the borders a bit, and it finished at a nice 110" by 92" size.  Perfect.  Now, to order some backing fabric, and ship it off to the quilters. 

  Seems like the only regular posts I make these days are thanks to Judy at Patchwork Times.   Check it out every Monday to see what everyone is working on.  This is my first ever EQ quilt - it's coming along pretty quickly.  The top already covers the top of my KIing Size Bed.  Since I took this picture (last night) I've also sewn on the first border (the rust fabric)  Next border is pieced, so today I'll figure out measurements and perhaps do a test piece.  Then it's a solid black border, then a search online for backing fabric, and all will be complete.  Actually, since today is Cyber Monday (already have placed my Staples order and will be doing Target and Buy.com later today) I'll check out some of the online quilt stores to see what they are offering. Since I didn't post a Thanksgiving Day photo - here's one from Thanksgiving Morning.  We had a wonderful breakfast of poached eggs over asparagus and english muffins.  A couple ...

Thanks to Judy over at Patchwork Times , I get inspired to sew SOMETHING each weekend, or else I won't have anything to share on my design wall (floor)  I really enjoy sewing, it calms me, it makes my mind work, and I can watch MY shows on MY tv in MY office.  Amazing really, and I wonder why I don't put more time aside for ME everyday?  Ah well, one day my little brats will be all grown up and moved away (but not too far I hope) and I'll have all the time in the world to sew - right? On the design wall this week - I finally started on the 9 patch blocks - the others are finished.  I whipped up four 9 patches, and luckily before I cut the fabric for the rest of them, I decided to put together a row .... good thing - because I didn't realize the patch in the middle of the block needed to be about 1.5 inches bigger then the outside rows.  Bit of additional math, and was able to cut out the remaining blocks.  Didn't get a chance to get them all sewed, but I ...

Did finally get some time to sit and stitch this weekend.  I know it's early on Sunday - but chances are I won't get anymore time today - it's beautiful outside - and with all 4 kids home, it's a great time for some outdoor fun, as well as raking up the leaves and getting the yard "winterized".    I finished 11 of these blocks.  I need 15.  I probably could finish these tonight ... maybe I will take them back out.  Next weekend is another swim meet weekend - so no time to sew then.  Really amazing how quickly a self-designed quilt can come together - especially when you love all the fabrics you're working with. If you want to see what others are working on - check out Patchwork Times by Judy - I've gotten lots of inspiration from her readers - I always look forward to seeing what everyone is working on!