Friday, December 31, 2010

Pinwheel Runner

Using this tutorial I whipped up a couple of these runners last weekend.  I had a few friends to get gifts for and thought these would fit them just right.  They were fairly quick and fun to make.



Looking through this blog I have seen this same runner done up in various color ways.  I think this may be my new go to pattern when I have left over scraps.  So cute!

I love finding fun patterns through other peoples blogs.  Sharing ideas and helping others, makes this blog world fun.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

2011 UFO Challenge

I haven't joined yet, but I think this will help keep me on the right path with all my sewing projects

2011 UFO Challenge - what a great way to pull some projects to complete this year! 

I have a BIG project ahead of me to clean out my sewing room this next week.  Looking through kits I bought a few years back, and favorite fabric lines is always fun for me.  I have found very few fabrics and projects that I don't still love today and want to get out and make right away.  Maybe this means I truly am buying only the fabrics/kits I really love!  While I'm cleaning this next week, I'm going to pick some UFO's along with a few new projects and keep a list going for 2011.  I only finished 1 large quilt I can remember in 2010, so I'm quite disappointed in myself.  I have SEVERAL quilt tops ready to be quilted, or tops without borders.  I need to get some of my quilts kicked out from start to finish!  I've collected several fabrics for quilts using the same pattern (to give as gifts) so while making one quilt, isn't it just as easy to make 2?  Hopefully doing this I'll finish twice as much! 

I lay in bed at night thinking of all the sewing I want to do....its time to make it reality.  Love this idea, and I think it will help keep me going!  Thanks Judy!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Thursday, December 23, 2010

One Word

Reading my cousin Kelly's blog, she posted this:

one word: encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. explain why you’re choosing that word. now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?

2010: Chaotic

cha·os (ks)
n.

1. A condition or place of great disorder or confusion.
2. A disorderly mass; a jumble: The desk was a chaos of papers and unopened letters.
3. often Chaos The disordered state of unformed matter and infinite space supposed in some cosmogonic views to have existed before the ordered universe.
4. Mathematics A dynamical system that has a sensitive dependence on its initial conditions.
5. Obsolete An abyss; a chasm.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Middle English, formless primordial space, from Latin, from Greek khaos.]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
cha·otic (-tk) adj.
cha·oti·cal·ly adv.


I use the word chaotic because I feel that is exactly what this last year has been.  I won't lie, adding another child into my little mix rocked my world, and seemed to be more challenging then I ever imagined.  Don't get me wrong, I love little Sam more than words could say, but having kids is rough!

Having a full time job, trying (TRYING being the key word) to keep the house clean and in order, finding time for the kids, for Mike, for me...all I can say is I'm tired....all the time.  My attitude about my house has changed.  I've gotten to the point were I care that its a mess, but have little energy to do anything about it.  If I have any energy left, I want to do something fun.  So although the year has been chaotic.  We have still had a lot of fun.  Lets hope this next year brings more sleep, a cleaner house, and an easier era with two crazy boys!

2011: Discipline

dis·ci·pline (ds-pln)
n.

1. Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement.
2. Controlled behavior resulting from disciplinary training; self-control.
3.
   a. Control obtained by enforcing compliance or order.
   b. A systematic method to obtain obedience: a military discipline.
   c. A state of order based on submission to rules and authority: a teacher who demanded discipline in      classroom.
4. Punishment intended to correct or train.
5. A set of rules or methods, as those regulating the practice of a church or monastic order.
6. A branch of knowledge or teaching.

tr.v. dis·ci·plined, dis·ci·plin·ing, dis·ci·plines

1. To train by instruction and practice, especially to teach self-control to.
2. To teach to obey rules or accept authority. See Synonyms at teach.
3. To punish in order to gain control or enforce obedience. See Synonyms at punish.
4. To impose order on: needed to discipline their study habits.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Middle English, from Old French descepline, from Latin disciplna, from discipulus, pupil; see disciple.]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
disci·pli·nal (-pl-nl) adj.
disci·pliner n.

I think the only way to bring order to my chaotic life is to implement some discipline.  Not to the rest of my family (except for maybe a new chore chart) but to myself.  I think I have let myself go in all areas of my life.  I need to be more structured with my kids, with my house, working out, sewing, working, spending time with my kids, my husband etc.  I have been spontaneous and done whatever my whole life.  I think I need to change my ways and become a planner.  Sure I make my to do lists, but once written I rarely look at them again.  NO MORE!  I will write my list and check it twice!  I will check things off my list, make weekly schedules, implement a chore chart to get some help.  Take a day a week to myself.  Wake up earlier to get workouts in.  Always have a quilt ready to bind, one on the machine to quilt, and a project ready to sew, that way when I have spare time I have something ready to go.  I will read bedtime stories and laugh with my kids BEFORE putting them to bed EARLY!  Bedtimes will be worked on and schedules will be put in place. ORDER will be brought to the Latimer house hold!

I feel strongly if we change our ways at home our lives will get easier.  Everyone will be happier, and our daily lives won't be so crazy. 

I can't wait to see what 2011 has to offer.









 

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Bella Solid

Note to self.  Next time I purchase white - ish bella put a note and pin it to the fabric with the number on it. 

Even holding two pieces side by side and thinking they looked the same...not so much once it was quilted!  Makes me so mad!!!!  I've learned my lesson!

Monday, December 20, 2010

Menu Monday

Let's be honest....I post Menu Monday's as a list for me.  I go back to it often throughout the week to remind me of what I've got planned for dinner.  Let me tell you how this last week went.  I posted last weeks menu late Monday night.  After I had made Mondays - Baked Ziti.  Its now Monday of the following week and I have not cooked ONCE this whole week!  (OK, I did make the kids scrambled eggs for dinner on Friday on my way out the door to EAT OUT).  I wonder why I keep gaining weight!  Eating out - means over eating - means fatting food - means fat Abby!  I will be better this week!  Can't promise perfection, but better! 

I don't have to go to work anymore this year!  So dinners will be easier to come by.  I will be whipping out this little treat tomorrow for my kids to try.  Rice pudding, yes that will thin me down...but it is the holidays, so I'm going for it!

Here's to a better week then LAST!

Monday - Olive Garden - off to a great start
Tuesday - Tacos - using roast meat
Wednesday - Roast beef sandwiches
Thursday - Garden Burgers
Friday - Homemade chicken noodle soup at Grama Polly's house
Saturday - Omelets from Grandpa Jim

Monday, December 13, 2010

Menu Monday

Monday - Baked Ziti
Tuesday - Garden Burgers
Wednesday - Chicken Noodle Soup
Thursday - Leftovers
Friday - Manicotti Shells