'Tis the Season...

to overeat, overspend, etc. I cannot say "no" to any goody that is in the immediate vicinity. If I can see it, I'm going to eat it.  This is not a healthy way to be.  Combine the stress of training new staff at work with the usual holiday stress, no time for the gym AND a nonstop barrage of cookies, cakes, donuts, potlucks, parties etc. and what do you get? A BIG big ole muffin top! I feel...and look like a busted can of biscuits!

The boss says we get to wear jeans for the rest of the year (we usually only get to on Friday) and I'm ashamed to say that only 1 of 15 pair fit me! So today I went to the 50% off sale at Goodwill and bought some bigger jeans to wear for the rest of the year.    Now before you judge me, please understand this is only a temporary solution. I will not buy anymore clothes to accommodate my fluffier, busted figure.  Come the new year...there will definitely be changes.  I don't usually make resolutions but I am going to have already for 2014.  I simply cannot go on like this. I understand sacrifices will have to be made,  and because I'm so uncomfortable the way I am, I am willing to make them!

Here are my resolutions. 

• Get back on a regular workout schedule. I've been slipping for a few months now. 
• Go to bed earlier. I definitely need more rest, especially if I have to be at the gym for that 515a class.
• Incorporate better eating habits; less sugar, more veggies. I'm shooting for 6 small meals/day. 
• Spend quality time in God's word. I read the bible regularly but I'm usually rushing it. 
• And last but not least...Stop spending money! I mostly spend $ on fabric, so the biggest challenge I'm taking is to NOT purchase any fabric, 2nd hand or otherwise, for 6 mos (Jan 1-June 30). 

Please pray for me. I need it and appreciate it!

A Thread for Life
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  Romans 8:37


Linking up at:
Tuesday Archives at Val's Quilting Studio

Long time, No blog

It's only been about 3 weeks since I last posted but it feels like 3 months! I've been so busy w/work since I returned from vacation I've had very little time to quilt and even less time to blog and oh how I've missed it! The Colorado trip was fantastic! It was my first real vacation in a long while. I spent the majority of the time sewing and made a lot of progress.

• Finished appliqueing the wall hanging

                    

• Finished sewing the 1BW together and added a borders (pics w/borders coming soon)

• Made 2 Origami bags (forgot to take a pic of the other)

• Turned the Hopi Sun Quilt w/o Borders quilt into a tree skirt

• Finished my 1st commissioned quilt

While in Granby, CO we stayed at the Inn at Silvercreek.

There were 3 of us on this trip and we transported all of this stuff AND brought it ALL up to our room in one trip...w/o the luggage cart! We definitely used the cart when we were leaving though!

The work area. Where there's a will...

We three quilters sat around this small round table and sewed. Since the 1BW is so big, eventually I had to move to the cutting table. 

During the Colorado trip we visited w/M's Aunt in Parshall, CO, which is only about 16 miles from Granby.  She owns this charming mountain retreat, Parshall Place,  which is just perfect for a weekend getaway or extended stay. This comfy 3 bedroom home is open year round and has a great nightly rate w/no minimum stay required. It wasn't until after we left I realized I hadn't taken any pics of the inside =(  The next time I travel to the mountains of Colorado it will be to stay at Parshall Place!

The view from the lookout behind Parshall Place

On the way back to AZ we spent the night in Moab,Utah where we got dumped on overnight!

Oh! I almost forgot. It was in Moab, UT that I learned what Intarsia is. This little beauty was crafted by M's father-in-law. It's so cute!

It was a wonderful trip and I cannot wait to do it again!

A Thread for Life

For nothing is impossible with God. 
Lk. 1:37

Linking up at:
Sew Cute Tuesday: Travel

My Snoopervisors

Just wanted to share some pics of my cats. No matter what I'm doing, I'm always being "snoopervised".

This is Inka. She's my first long-hair, my first black cat and my only girl. I rescued her from a drain pipe at my daughter's apartment complex this summer. She's pretty vigilant, but occasionally falls asleep on the job.

         





This is Kiko. My oldest son rescued him from the Sonic drive-thru last year.  He's always burrowing under something or trying to squeeze in somewhere. But he's also an inevitable napper.

Kiko and Inka used to be close, not so much since Inka was spayed.

Lastly, this is Roscoe. He's my "scaredy" cat. I adopted him from a lady who was moving to Alaska.  I don't think he's ever been in the sewing room but he chills on the couch when I'm watching a movie and will jump on the bed to get pet in the morning.

Here are a couple of rare pics of all 3.

A Thread for Life
...let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:18

Blogging vs Sewing

When I started this blog I planned on posting once a week but I haven't been living up to it.  Blogging isn't easy and it takes a lot of time. Writing, editing, editing/posting pics, links, labels, hashtags, sharing...aghhh!! When I get home from work it's shall I sew or shall I blog? It's not always an easy decision but sewing usually  wins. Blogging is great though and I'm excited to say I made a new friend! Meet +Greta Anderson from Material Detachment. A marvelous seamstress/quilter and a remarkable writer. I had the pleasure of talking w/ her on the phone yesterday. She's an admirable person w/a huge heart for kids and humanity! Make sure to stop by her blog.

As you can see, I've made quite a bit of progress on the Kaleido-Hex quilt, officially known as a One Block Wonder (I'll be referring to it as 1BW going forward). It still isn't the only thing I've been working on (see distractions below:  origami bag and applique).  Once I have all of strips sewn together it will measure approx 56 x 90.  I'm planning this for a king size bed so the side borders will have to be substantial.  I picked out border fabric yesterday. What do you think?

Border Fabric

1st Audition

This coming Saturday I'll be heading out for a week long quilting retreat to Colorado w/a couple of friends. I'm so excited! I'm also very ambitious and will be taking at least 4 projects to work on, one of which will be the 1st quilt I'm getting paid $$ to make (A Rag Quilt). I'll also be taking the 1BW, the applique wall hanging and a Quilts w/o Corners quilt that I'm turning into a tree skirt.


For the Rag quilt I bought some charm packs, but I have the backing and fleece already cut.

I whipped up another cute Origami bag over the weekend for a friend's birthday.

The wall hanging is ready to be appliqued which I plan on doing while I'm in Colorado.

This is the Quilts w/o Corners quilt that will become a tree skirt. You can't really tell from this pic...or maybe you can...but the edge of this quilt is all jacked up. I'm going to cut a slit in it, cut the middle circle out AND attempt to add a ruffle of Christmas fabric to the edge.

Until next time, Happy Sewing!

A Thread for Life
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever. 
1 Chron 16:34

I'm linking up on Val's Tuesday Archives.