Let it snow!

Yep, we are here in the midst of the snow storm. Don't know how much we'll get but they are predicting anywhere from 1-9 inches. It started here around 2 pm. Snow makes a great day to sew, doesn't it? I am still cutting up projects getting ready for the retreat. I found a package of fabric and pattern I had picked up at Walmart a couple of years ago when I first started quilting. Man, you have to cut each and every itty, bitty piece....yuk, but I am working on it.



I've got homemade bread rising, going to have japanese chicken rice and salad tonight, I made some of our favorite rice krispie bars for dessert. Got plenty of groceries to do lots of cooking this snowy weekend. What are you doing on this snow day??

Today

Busy but productive day. I've been doing a lot of cutting getting ready for my first Quilt Retreat in March. I've cut out two baby quilts, and two bedsize/large lap size quilts. One is just too cute. It is little airplanes. I don't have a recipient in mind, well, that isn't actually true. I do, he just isn't born yet, and as they say, is only a twinkle in his daddy's eye. Maybe one day I'll have a little grandson to snuggle up underneath his airplane quilt his mamaw made him.

Civil War Tribute BOM

I just completed the first of the Civil War tribute block of the month. I think I failed to get the pattern in the right direction in all four of the corners, but I am ok with that.

Tonight's supper

Yum, yum....homemade chicken pot pie.

Homemade

Ever since I purchased Jonni McCoy's books about being frugal and cooking homemade I've been on this kick of trying new recipes. I made her pancakes and homemade syrup today. Great! The syrup is SO EASY. I mean nothing to it - water, sugar, maple extract. I put the pancakes in the freezer in little packages of 2-4. I also made her cocoa coffee creamer (haven't tried it yet). I also made a recipe for 1960's Catalina dressing. It was given to me by a friend! It was great - I'll never buy salad dressing again! I do love to cook and make new things. humm.....let me go see what else I can make today......

Me and Jim

I wanted to share a picture of my husband and I at my son's wedding. My friend edited this shot to remove a flower arrangement directly behind my head that made me look like I was wearing some kind of headdress. He also "removed" Jim's reading glasses that were hanging around his neck. If you look closely you can see that they are there, they just appear to be clear. Isn't it great what technology can do? The picture was taken at the wedding reception. That is my son and daughter-in-law on the big screen behind us. We had a video of them playing during the reception.

Done

Back in the groove

I feel like I am finally back to my quilting. I got an early start on all my errands today so I actually had time to start quilting my 5 yard quilt. I think it is pretty. I somehow misplaced my machine oil, so I had to make a few calls to find out just what kind I needed. Mineral oil with no additives. Got it, and now back in business! Here is a pic. I will get all the quilting finished tonight.



I picked up my first Civil War Tribute block of the month today. Are any of you doing it this year? I am excited about working on it. I also found another BOM that I would love to do. It is called Batik Nature (I think). I will have to think about this one. I am afraid both of these BOM's are going to be too big for me to quilt myself. Better get back to quilting!

Just not into it....

I think I've figured out why I have just not been into my sewing the last few weeks. I am working on a simple five yard quilt top. I bought the fabric as a kit. I thought they were kind of pretty and thought I'd make it up for a donation or gift quilt. Well, my husband did not like the fabrics at all, and ever since he told me that I have just not been into finishing it. But, being obsessive about finishing, I decided that I would get the top done today. I've made myself, and it really isn't that bad. I'll post a pic later. I also haven't worked on my cathedral windows quilt much because my fingers are so dry they are cracking and bleeding. It hurts! I guess I need to drink more water and use more lotion. We are having unseasonable cold weather here, as most of the U.S which doesn't help if you already are prone to dry skin! Hope you are toasty warm inside doing what you love!

Spend less, eat healthy

If one of your new year's resolutions includes spending less and eating more healthy, I highly recommend two books by Jonni McCoy, "Miserly Moms" and "Healthy Meals for Less." Both are excellent and give lots of hints on how to make almost anything from scratch. No only do you save money but you avoid lots of added salts and preservatives. I've made her fajitas, cappucino and hot cocoa mix (yummy), homemade pizza and spaghetti/pizza sauce, and now I am making homemade granola.

Batik beauty

I am quilting this one for my friend. Wow, I really love it. The picture doesn't do it justice. She picked the floating feathers pantograph for me to use for the quilting. I hope I do a good job.

Sewing Room

Here are a few pics of my sewing room -- my little retreat... This is my fat quarter and small fabric storage. Yes, shoe organizers from Target.



This is my sewing/cutting table which I love. A piece of laminate counter top 36 x 80 sitting on top of two wood kitchen cabinets. I had Lowe's cut a hole for my little Janome machine. The chair is a drafting chair I purchased for $5 at a business furniture sale. Perfect for the high table.



Next is my Gammill Premier Plus, which barely fits. Thank goodness I am not very tall. I also have a recliner and a double bed.


Part of my organizing spree I've been on included my sewing table cabinets. They were a mess. Here is about half of my leftover batting pieces, folded with labels for their size. The other cabinet has at least as much but they are smaller pieces I will use for dusting and cleaning. What do you do with your leftover batting pieces?



Now you've seen my little retreat. Not extravagant by any means, in fact, furnished frugally (is that a word? ha) but perfect for me. I even have a bathroom up here.

Happy New Year!!

To all my friends and family I wish you a very happy and healthy new year for 2010! Do you remember where you were when 1999 rolled over to 2000? Wow, time has flown by. I might just take a few minutes to watch my DVD of home videos. I always enjoy that. However, I also also want to take some time to evaluate my goals for the year - those improvements many of us want to make to ourselves and our lives. Spend less, organize more, give more, nurture friendships, reduce clutter, read the bible more, walk more, read more,....

Hope to do more organization today. Going to tackle the computer desk, hopefully the medicine cabinet, and then maybe my sewing room, maybe even my bathroom vanity! I am so thankful for a new year, new goals, new projects, and the love and care of a heavenly Father.