Holidays

I can't believe that it is nearly Thanksgiving! It is still in the 80's here. It can't be Thanksgving and still be shorts weather. I am trying to get in the mood though. Today I put up the tree, I will work on the lights tomorrow. I am tempted to go buy one of those prelit trees, but I am too cheap to do it when I already have a perfectly good tree. I am taking some advice from a friend and have set up one of my superyards around the tree to keep a certain curious toddler out of the decorations and presents.

Speaking of toddlers, we got my son a big boy bed. It has been in his room for a couple of days now and he always wants to get in it and go "night night" so I childproofed his room today and tried to put him to bed in it. He was all excited about the bed and even laid down an let me tuck him in, but when I put the baby gate across his doorway (he is on the second floor and i don't want him running around) he got all upset. I ended up putting him back in the crib. I want to get him to sleep in the big boy bed though because I am ready to move my daughter to her own room and would like to move her into the crib since she is in a cradle right now. I better get to bed.

Falling off the wagon

I have been following along with everyone's posts on stashbuster about being no-buy and thought I would unofficially play along. I have to admit that I have fallen off the wagon. I have been very good lately about not buying fabric unless I needed it to complete a project, but in the last two weeks I have made two large (read $50) fabric purchases. The first one was at Quilter's Delight when I went in for the second to last installment of their $15 quilt. There were a couple of fabrics that I have drooled over the last couple times that I went in, and I allowed my friends to convince me to buy some this month. The other large purchase was at another quilt store, Zoe's Trunk, that had a half off sale on their precut fat quarters, half yard and one yard cuts. I got quite a but of fabric but really stuck with lights, which is something that has been lacking in my stash.

I have also started another project a Christmas present for my parents (my mother reads my blog sometimes so I can't really say more). I am working on this while using parts of my counterpoint stars as leader/enders. I also bought some fabric at the sale at Zoe's to make something for my sister and MIL. These will be quick, but nice Christmas gifts. I am feeling good about Christmas shopping, I ordered some soap from Tami's Soapworks today that I will be using as gifts so I have managed to cross three gifts off my list without even leaving the house.

What I'm working on

In February of 2005 I took a class by Bethany Reynolds called Stack and Whack Counterpoint Stars. After the class I put away the quilt that I started in class and started another quilt for my brother using the same pattern. I had such a problem with my brother's quilt that I never picked the quilt that I started in class back up again. Well I have started working on it again. I have decided to call it "Field of Butterflies". I am really enjoying getting these projects completed.

I have been reading the book "You the owner's manual" lately and find it enjoyable and have been trying to slowly add some of their suggestions to my daily life. Right now I am trying to walk 30 minutes every day and eliminate high fructose corn syrup from the food I buy. It is nice to be making small steps to a healthier lfe.

Another UFO finish

Here is a UFO finish that was requested by my husband. I did the embroidery shortly after my son was born in 2004. On the back are squares that I had people sign at his first birthday party. I really like how this one turned out.

Running

I have been running all day today, and I still have to change the sheets on my bed before I can sleep. I have a sink full of dishes that I should do before bed also, but I just don't have the energy. I have a ufo that I completed yesterday, but I keep forgetting to take a picture, so maybe I'll post it tomorrow. Today is one of those days that I really have to keep telling myself that this too shall pass.

An update

I have quite a few pictures to share today. The first picture is of a diaper cover that I made tonight for little girl. I made it from the Diaper Covers Deluxe pattern from New Conceptions. It is a nice cover and goes together pretty quickly. It was a bit large when I put it on her, but I am sure she will grow into it quickly.

The second picture is of my son with his loot from his first time trick or treating. This was actually his third Halloween, but the first time I took him trick or treating. He really enjoyed putting the candy into his bag. There is also a picture of him holding his little sister who "borrowed" her big brother's first Halloween outfit (a pumpkin costume that was a gift from his great aunt Mary). The picture with the pumpkins is of the three of us at Schnepf Farms for their Pumpkin and Chili festival.

Lastly the quilt is my stars over time quilt and it is done! I even put a label on it. I think that this quilt is probably the most square quilt that I have ever made (thanks Bonnie!). I have decided to show this quilt at next years quilt show, I am really pleased with how it turned out. As an added bonus this quilt is not only a UFO finish it is a stash quilt (other than the binding).

another one

"Once you have the courage to begin, you can succeed."