Old Gold and Blue - Plan B

As I mentioned before, I am working on a quilt for the auction fundraiser at my daughter's school.  It is in the school colors, gold and blue.

I made speedy progress until I reached this point.  In the photo above, you see the two panels for the quilt.  A third panel, with the school name, is supposed to go inbetween.  But once I saw it like this, I thought, uh oh!  Those wide open spaces call for top-notch quilting.  And I am not a top-notch quilter, not yet anyway (if ever).  I need more practice on my Bernina before I even attempt it. 

So after due consideration, I decided to put this version away.  With a little more quilting practice, it could be my contribution to  the 2011auction.  But in the meantime, on to Plan B.

Plan B is based on blocks like this.  Does anyone know the name of this block?  Something original, like 16-patch, perhaps?  Anyway, I need 61 of them and they are going together splendidly.  And the busy-ness will help hide any imperfections in the quilting. 

I have to get back to work!

Friday Find - Thousands of Bolts

I found a great website for quilting fabric at terrific prices - Thousands of Bolts.  As they say on the site, "You'll know I'm crazy when you see the low prices."   Most of their quilting cotton runs about $4 per yard!

The photo shows what I bought.  I went to the site looking for some blue for a quilt backing (and found lots of 108" wide to choose from) but could not help looking at every offering browsing so ended up with a few other things too.  The green fabrics are destined for a future Christmas quilt while I am using the blue in my current "school" quilt project.  The selections tend to be from some months, even years, ago, but they are quilt shop quality from recognizable brands.  My selections came from Henry Glass, Red Rooster, South Seas Imports, and Westminister.  They have stock from all the major manufacturers, including Hoffman and Moda.

Thousands of Bolts would be a good place to check if you need more of a fabric you bought some time ago.  They just might have it. 

Wednesday Weigh-In - Sensible Eating Plan

I am not following any particular diet plan, like Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem, etc.  I am following my own plan, which I refer to as Sensible Eating.

Sensible choices - more fruit and vegetables; avoid fried food, cream sauces, anything overloaded with cheese.
Sensible portions - that means smaller than what I have become used to, especially in restaurants.  Plus, it is not necessary to eat everything on my plate.
Sensible approach to sweets - I am a sweet-tooth and chocolate is my drug of choice.  Eat only rarely, and in small amounts.  Most difficult step to follow!

For example, when my husband and I went out last Saturday, to our usual Saturday night date-night restaurant, I had five grilled shrimp on what they serve as a side salad.  It was enough.  I was comfortably full without being stuffed. I don't need to feel stuffed, in fact, I would rather not feel stuffed.  Must remember this more often!

The stats:

weight lost this week:  1.0 pounds
weight lost YTD:  5.0 pounds

Thank You, Thelma!

Thelma had a give-away on her blog, Cupcakes 'n Daisies, and I was the winner!  Lucky me, 'cause I won this pattern, Let It Snow from Farmhouse Threads (a new-to-me quilt pattern company).

Aren't those snowman faces cute!  If you saw my Christmas posts, you know I love snowmen and have a collection I display at Christmas time.  So this is right up my alley, plus, I think I can make it out of stash!  All I need is some black and some orange wool to use for the eyes and noses and I'll be set.  I think I can find that at the Quilt Festival of New Jersey in March. 

Thank you, Thelma!

Old Gold and Blue

I started a new project yesterday.  I got my inspiration from the Thimbleblossoms pattern shown but am making this quilt in blue and gold/yellow and will donate it to the Parents' Association for the annual auction held as a fundraiser for my daughter's school. 

I think this will go fast.  Check back for a progress update.

Do Re Mi - From The Sound of Music

This looks fun!

Sewing Green

Look what arrived in yesterday's mail, from Amazon.com!  It is Sewing Green, by Betz White.  It has directions for making things out of repurposed/recycled materials at little cost.  I've heard this called "upcycling" and I like the term.  Betz White appears to specialize in making things out of old sweaters that she felts, but there is more in this book. 

I bought it mainly for this water bottle carrier - something I could actually use!

But these aprons made from men's shirts are cute:

And Miss Main Street might like this big tote bag made from old jeans. 

I think a trip to the local thrift store is in order!