friday on my mind . . .

Ever heard of that song?  By The Easybeats -- an Australian rock & roll band from the sixties.  The lyrics are kind of funny -- hodge podge -- and the music is classic sixties à la The Monkeys.  There aren't really a whole lot of songs with Friday in the title (comparatively -- especially to Saturday, Sunday and Monday).  This one -- Friday on My Mind -- won out for today's title appearance.  Gee ... I hope I don't have to pay royalties or anything!

Speaking of winning ... I've got some!  Winners, I mean.  Yay!!  Stay put!

I'm not posting another picture of my quilting bunk room ... because it looks exactly the same as it did Wednesday.  It's apparent I haven't had decluttering the quilt room on my mind!

I have had fun with my crazy quilting course!  On Wednesday I did some shopping for embellishments and the like . . . 

What fun, what fun!!  Almost as good as bring home piles of fabric.  LOL!  I probably won't use/need all of this for this course, but this is the year of crazy quilting for me, so I do plan on putting it all to good use in some form or fashion! I went straight from shopping to visit with Joc and Ellie.  

My sweet girls!

Leia was particularly interested in my yarn (aka fiber) selections.  I'm so glad they met with her approval.  Linking her up with Feline Friday over at Sarah Did It!  ;)

Ellie had fun showing me her toys.  I can't get over how fast she's growing!  

She's such a charmer, too.  I adore how she tilts her head to one side, when she's being cute and lovable!!

Leia watches from a safe height.  

She's learned that Ellie is a pretty fast crawler and also has a decent reach. I get the feeling that Leia's very curious about Ellie and almost likes her ... she just does NOT want to be touched by Ellie!

Ellie loves to be read to ... she'll sit quite nicely and turn the pages when directed.  My favorite to read to her is a classic . . .

Yes, I meant literally!  LOL!  Is a girl ever too young to be interested in Pride and Prejudice??!  Of course, this is just a counting primer. (Did you know that word is pronounced "primmer" with a short i sound?  I did not.)  But it's quite darling.  I got it for Ellie for her birthday.  Here's my favorite page . . .

Four marriage proposals -- that just cracks me up.  Like I said, too cute!!

My crazy quilt block is ready for embellishing, but the thought of it really overwhelmed me.  Having never done this before, I wasn't sure where to start with all that BLANK space.  Being the visual person that I am, I decided to print out a picture of my block (which will be a thread roll-up when the project is complete) and start pencil doodling possible seam treatments and embellishments.

This is my mock-up!  It's a rather fascinating process.  Of course, it won't look exactly like that because there will be stitches I'll be required to use ... and of course I won't use black floss ... and some of it will be buttons or beads or ribbon!  I'm really excited with the direction this is going!

Tomorrow we have a big work day at the camp -- to get the obstacle course all finished up!  Yay!!  We've got about 25 or so volunteers planning on coming out to help, so it will be a big day.  I can't wait!  I -- along with some very sweet volunteers -- will be manning the camp kitchen and helping prepare and serve lunch to all our hungry workers.  Hoping for sunny skies!

And finally ... would you like to know who the winners are of the book, Decluttering Now!?  

Mr. Random.org helped me out here ... the two winners are:

Gone Country of From City Streets to Country Roads, who wrote:

Sounds like a wonderful book since it hits on how to handle the 'stuff' in our lives but also how to handle the other 'stuff' in them as well. What a great balance that we all need. I also like the part about serving the Lord will all your heart and how can we when our hearts (and minds) are a cluttered mess!

Crossing my fingers for winning this giveaway as I daily struggle to combat the mental need for 'stuff' and I have no room nor need for most of it!

And Jan of Red Sock Mama, who wrote:

Oh my, a Christian based book on decluttering? A dream come true. I've been a functional hoarder for years. I look like a minimalist on the surface, but just beneath is a jumble-in all areas! I'm realizing now that tossing out is simply treating symptoms...need to get to the source!

Congratulations to both ladies!  As soon as I get mailing information from you, I'll pass it along to Sherry, so she can put books in the mail!  And a BIG thank you to Sherry and Lindon for so graciously providing!

Happy Friday, y'all -- have a GREAT weekend!!

:)

what's going on . . .

Don't forget ... tomorrow's the last day to get in on my Declutter Now! book giveaway -- check it out HERE!!  I've really enjoyed reading the comments that have been posted -- and Sherry and Lindon have, too!  :)

I thought I'd successfully kicked the crud . . . but no, it's back.  I think this is going on four or five weeks now!  I'm tired, tired, TIRED of it!  Anyone know a cure?  I'm open to anything!  LOL!

I did have a couple of mailbox happies to brighten my days this week.  First up was this darling little book from Angie, over at A Quilting Reader's Garden.  

She'd e-mailed me and said her first winner never responded and I was second in line, was I interested.  Ummmm, yes!!!  I was even more delighted when I opened the book ... there are some sweet projects in it -- but these two *really* caught my eye:

Aren't they PRECIOUS?!!  I'm a sucker for blue and yellow combinations! Not to mention button embellishments and yo-yo's.  And the daisies are too cute!

Then today I had a little surprise happy waiting for me . . .

A fabric squishy from Sharon over at Vroomans Quilts!  That pink is seriously beautiful.  And check out the flower panel . . .

My mind is whirling from the possibilities!  What a lovely gesture from a lovely lady!  :)

I wish I could say that since my last post I'd wisely spent some time in the quilting bunk room, restoring order. 

As you can see, that's *so* not the case.  In fact, I think it probably looks worse! It rather looks like a fabric store exploded.  I started a basic crazy quilting course (again, compliments of StitchMAP -- I *love* this group) and spent Monday evening (and probably some of Tuesday, too) tossing through my fabric stash bins, trying to find the perfect fabric combinations for my first projects . . .

I finally settled on these three combinations -- after a lot of auditioning (which included wailing and gnashing of teeth and pulling of hair and flinging of fabric).  I think it was worth the angst.  Here's my first block:

Of course, the embellishment part comes on down the line.  For this first part, I just got to insert some lace.  I had this sweet little daisy lace on hand that just kind works perfectly, don't you think?  I can't wait for further embellishing assignments!!

Today I'm headed to Ellie's ... I probably need to stop and buy one of those germ masks.  Because I'm going and snuggling with my baby girl! That's a sure cure for what ails ya' -- hope y'all have a great day, too!

:)

g'morning, monday . . .

Looking for the Declutter Now! book review and giveaway?!  Check HERE.  

Where do I begin?!  How about this pretty sight from Saturday morning . . . 

It rained down furiously for about thirty minutes.  Long enough to give us the illusion of a winter wonderland, anyway!

The birds all came in like crazy when it finally stopped.  They acted like they hadn't been able to get to birdseed in ages!  It's funny to watch them when they're in that 'mode' -- the confrontations on the platform feeder are the best!  

All the birds make their moves, but the cardinals hold the ground.  There's no bluffing the buff ol' male cardinal!

Saturday afternoon I brainstormed an idea for a gift.  One that had to be made and ready to give Sunday morning!  After a few discreet texts with one of her daughters and some online searching, I took this S stitchery pattern from Mary Corbet's site, Needle 'n Thread . . . 

Used the crayon tinting to fill it in. . .

Outlined it in a variety of stitches (compliments of my recent Redwork course) . . . 

And turned it into a pretty cute little mug rug, if I say so myself.  

I love how this turned out -- I think I'll probably use it as a gift standard!  I'll just go ahead and start stitching up letters now.  LOL!  Seriously, though ... Mary makes available several different fonts for monogram stitching. These could make nice gifts for both gals and guys.  Linking up to Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching!

My stash report isn't too bad.  I added the Buzz Lightyear fabric that Kate sent, but I finished the top and back of June's quilt and a couple of little projects (and put two fat quarters in the mail) so . . . 

Used/donated this week: 3.25 yards

Used/donated year-to-date: 4.0 yards

Purchased/added this week: 2.5 yards

Purchased/added year-to-date: 19.25 yards

Net used/donated for 2013: -15.25 yards

I'll take that!!  I'll also go ahead and link up to Judy's Week #5 report over at Patchwork Times.

Yesterday afternoon I picked Sawyer up and we had our own movie night / Super Bowl XLVII / sleepover party.  Sawyer is a very enthusiastic football game watcher and matched me cheer for cheer (both in enthusiasm *and* volume)!! But he did finally decide that he'd rather see 101 Dalmatians so we put it in the player and enjoyed it until bedtime.  After I tucked him in and came back down (to finish watching the game, of course) I noted this:

He had told me earlier he wanted to take his shoes off, but it wasn't until later that I realized he'd very carefully set them right next to mine.  So sweet!!

Speaking of football ... how about them RAVENS??!!  I'm a Baltimore (Bal'mer) girl -- and the owner of the team graduated two classes ahead of me at Severna Park High School.  I was *thrilled* with the end result of last night's game, albeit on the edge of my seat for the entire last half, practically!  That's good football! The Raven's win inspired my color choices for this week:

Yeah ... I'm in mood to play with purple!!  I'm not sure what though.  Perhaps this cute little Butter Churn Variation I mocked up in EQ?

Maybe I'll darken up the purple and change out the blue for silver . . . !!!  Haha!! Linking up with Judy's Design Wall Monday over at Patchwork Times! 

I also have June's quilt still to be quilted.  I need to get that finished, finished!

But before I do *anything* ... my quilt room looks like a small explosion took place. Yeah, that's top of the order.

It's worse than you thought it would be, isn't it??  Guess I'd better go get busy!!  Que sera ... first the dentist, a trip to WalMart and the post office.  *Then* I'll wade through my creative genius mess.

:)

decluttering now! a review and a giveaway . . .

This post is late!  I just realized . . . scheduling a post to automatically publish requires that one actually set the date and time you want your entry posted.  It works better that way!!

I had the extreme pleasure of reading Declutter Now! by Lindon & Sherry Gareis.  After first seeing the title, I thought this book would be about decluttering spaces.  An idea which I've blogged about as I attempted to declutter my own space and life.  But happily, Declutter Now! is more than just another book to help you dispose of *stuff* ... much more!

Happily, though, it does include a section on decluttering the *stuff* ... which is a good place to start when one is wanting to start decluttering.  After all, as is pointed out early in chapter one, I ain't ever seen no hearse with a U-Haul behind it!  Too true!  And right off the bat, they hit on several 'mindsets' that I've struggled with in clearing out the junk:  1)  more is better or getting just to get (this one was pretty convicting because my fabric stash immediately popped into my mind when I read this one), 2)  clinging to the past -- all the momentos, boxes of pictures, papers, etc., and 3)  fear.

And not only did Sherry and Lindon list and explore the markers of a cluttered life, they gave practical and Scriptural solutions to dealing with these things. They're very real in sharing how this process worked out in their own lives.  They are both very relate-able and real and have terrific ability to share their story with a sense of humor.

Beyond the *stuff*, they also delve into decluttering debt, the activity clutter, obligation clutter, relationship clutter and emotional baggage clutter.  The whole point of the book being that it's not just our stuff that crowds our homes and lives.  There are lots of things that can take our focus where it really should be.  In Luke 10:27, Jesus says, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind...  As the Gareis point out in chapter seven, how can you love God with all your mind, if you mind is a cluttered, stressed-out and burdened mess?

One last thought from the book that I'll leave you with ... Decluttering not only involves removing the negative, but also knowing what is healthy to keep and do.  Sherry and Lindon do a fabulous job of helping point out the clutter ... and helping one see the balance ... the things worth keeping and how to keep them.  

I was very impressed with this book and the information shared is invaluable. More information can be found about the Gareis and the book on their website Action Plan Ministries.  They also have a facebook page for Declutter Now! on which they're running a 40-day declutter challenge! 

From the back of the book: Lindon and Sherry Gareis, founders of Action Plan Ministries, debut their writing career with Declutter Now! They are small group leaders and certified Christian Life Coaches from Glendale, AZ with hearts that desire to serve God in a mighty way.

The best news??  After chatting with Sherry, who's a delightful lady, she's offered to send a copy of Declutter Now! directly to two of my readers!  How cool is that?  (It means I get to keep my copy!) All you have to do is leave a comment -- share an aspect of your life that could stand a little decluttering! I'll leave it open until midnight, February 7 (Thursday), and announce the winner on Friday!  For a second chance, make sure you're a follower and let me know.  Two opportunities -- two comments.  And make sure I have a way of contacting you!

**This giveaway is now closed ... thank you for participating!**

I should point out that Lindon and Sherry Gareis provided me with a copy of Declutter Now! at no charge in exchange for my fair and unbiased review.

:)

fickleness thy name is weather . . .

In trying to gauge a good pattern for posting, I've looked at several options . . . pick set days and post (whether I've got something to share or not) . . . set a number of times per week . . . or, perhaps, I could just post every time our weather changes!  That would have me posting consistently about every forty-eight hours, at least.  Sheesh!  When I last posted we had 70's and daffodils ... this morning we had frigid temps and snow flurries.  In between we had tornado watches ... and we've had flash food warnings *every*day* for the past two weeks.  Gracious. Anyway, I posted seven times in January, which wasn't bad for an overall number (maybe a little on the low side) ... it's just that they were clumped up and not distributed nicely.  I'll try and avoid that in February.  No promises!

Right now we have a wide variety of birds hitting the feeders ... cardinals, blue jays, chickadees, tufted titmouse, nuthatches, and green finches.  And before you go running for your bird books trying to figure out what the heck a green finch is, it's how Todd and I lovingly refer to our wintering gold finches. 

They turn rather olive colored.  Even the cardinal did a double-take.

(That's a very 'fluffy' cardinal, by the way).

It's hard to believe that our brilliantly yellow-colored summer birds are this drab in the winter!  Of course, the cardinals look much better in January than they do in May.  I guess it all evens out!

I spent the day with Joc and Ellie yesterday.  It was Ellie's second library visit. We spent an hour or so in the pre-school section.  

We didn't do a whole lot of reading . . . why read books when there are so many other things to occupy oneself?!?  Besides, the books come home to be read. That's what I did.  I figured I might as well check out the embroidery and quilting books since I was already there and all.

I got a nice stack to peruse (at home)!  Just to flip through and get ideas.  :)

Back at Joc's, Leia was waiting for us.

That's okay, Leia.  Don't get up.

Ellie's hair is getting long enough that she can sport the "Pebble's" look:

I know, I know ... the plant behind her makes it really hard to see, but I promise that there are at least 20 or so strands of hair standing straight up!  She's such a dear little dolly!

And I thought I'd share my Lesson Four finishes from the redwork course. . .

I loved, loved working the bonsai tree ... the stacked French knots are such fun!  At first I wasn't sure it was going to happen, but as I built the rows, I could see it taking shape and it was very cool.

Super Bowl Sunday is in sight!  Go Baltimore Ravens!  (Or, as the natives say it, Go Bal'mer Ravens!)  Sawyer is spending the night with me that night -- we're going to have our own super bowl party.  Anyone else have special plans?!

And don't forget -- book review -- Declutter Now! -- posted tomorrow with a giveaway!

:)

m. i. a. . . .

One would think, for as broad the gap is between my posts, that I'm getting lots and lots done.  Ha.  Between doctor's appointments and dentist appointments and hair appointments and being sick (ongoing sinus issues--literally and figuratively, migraines and some stinkin' virus), I really haven't gotten a whole lot accomplished.  *sigh*  I feel like I've fallen and I can't get up.  LOL!  I need to re-group, get busy, take the bull by the horns, bite the bullet, take the plunge and buckle down.  I.e., get to WORK. I love euphemisms.     

I *did* receive my January swap quilt from Lynn:

Isn't it just the most darling little thing?!?  The Panter clan came over for a visit yesterday evening and Sawyer noted the snowman right away.  He was as charmed by it as I am!  *Thank you, Lynn!*

I finished the top of June's quilt . . .

I'm very pleased with how this turned out.  Kim is too, which makes me even happier!  I need to decide how to quilt it, now.  I'm thinking a loose meander ... all over the white, the pennants and the words.  In a white or invisible thread. Any thoughts?

A group of family (including myself) is participating in an 8-week weight challenge. You get daily points for logging your food, water intake, fruit and veggie intake, contact with another team member, and exercise.  Then at the end of the week, you total up those points and add 10 points per pound you've lost for cumulative points.  

At the end of eight weeks, there are two winners -- the one with the highest number of points and the one with the biggest weight loss. The competitiveness of the challenge makes it interesting -- especially since there are guys participating!  We've just finished week one, so Todd and I just finished week one of another round of South Beach, phase 1.  I celebrated by throwing up.  This has been my January!  On the bright side, my weigh in was a really good one.  Being sick has its advantages.  LOL!

A huge positive coming from the challenge is that I pulled out my walking DVDs and gave 'em a try.  I can do it!!  I have several of the Leslie Sansone DVDs and I was walking the 2 mile walks!

This is the DVD I'm working from right now -- hoping to work up to the three mile walk.  I can't do all the moves; for example, I learned the hard way that my right foot does NOT do side lunges any more, but now that I know that, I can compensate.  I'm just excited to be able to put points in the 'exercise' column! I'd like to eventually order her four mile power walk!  

Yesterday I went to my very first embroiderer's guild meeting. The Huntsville, Alabama chapter of The Embroiderers' Guild of America, Inc. It wasn't actually the meeting, but an instructional meet, where they work on a 'petite project'.  I went with a friend from quilt guild and luckily there was an extra kit prepared, so I got to play.  

This was the finished project.  Isn't it a darling little hedgehog?  The apple is a floss-wrapped bead.  Too cute!

Mine is still in the early stages, as you can see.  The most fascinating part was learning this new stitch, a bullion knot.  It took a couple of tries but I finally got the hang of it.  Fun stuff!  If you're interested in the stitch, Mary Corbet does a nice job of explaining and demonstrating it, on her site, Needle 'n Thread.

I took this picture yesterday, too.

I'd like to take this opportunity to remind mother nature that it's still January. We had our doors and windows open yesterday (into the late night hours) too. Crazy, isn't it? I understand cold weather is on its way.  Ah, the roller coaster ride of weather in North Alabama.  :)

My stash hasn't changed a bit since I last reported ... which was far too long ago. That is, it hadn't changed.  Todd just brought in the mail and look what it contained:

Darling Kate, from Life In Pieces, sent me this fun yardage (five, to be exact) of Buzz Lightyear fabric!!  Isn't it precious?!  She knew I had a raving Buzz Lightyear fan in my family and thought I could put it to good use.  I'll say -- I see several projects from this!  Immediately I though (1) cape, (2) applique pieces for a quilt, and (3) pillow case.  To infinity and beyond!! 

I've been doing a lot of reading.  A LOT of reading. Expect several book reviews coming up in the next week ... especially Declutter Now! by Lindon and Sherry Gareis.  It's been a fabulous read and I can't wait to share with you about it.  I've had several e-conversations with Sherry and she's such a great person!  Yup -- if decluttering is one of those things you 'resolved' (or, if like me, you made goals instead of resolutions) to do in 2013, you definitely want to check out the review (especially since Sherry offered to send a copy of the book to not one, but TWO of my followers)!

That's it for now.  My hair is cut, my teeth are clean and sparkly, my health is getting back on track and so am I.  Whew.  This is hard work, y'all!

:)