Your quilt is going to be gorgeous, Cindy. Love the colors.
I also love those batiks!
I found a Christmas candy that I can't overeat - peanut brittle - my jaw is tired of chewing it very quickly.

I will post later today the next 3 months. I am at the doctors with dad now.

Oh the batiks are yummy. I am pushing on and going to work extra hard to take home that hoard of wonderful fabric.

Keep warm ladies. Us, up north in WA, are cold, but no snow or ice which I can live with. The roads are clear. The sun is actually trying to shine and we are to get to a high of 22. Now if I can keep my fingers warm enough to do the data entry that needs done.

We have another snow day today. I am procrastinating (crafting). It is amazing the things I can find to do to avoid cleaning the house. I could get into all kinds of mischief today!

*peeks in*

I'm late to the fun, but I'll join now to hopefully not gain any this month!

Monday morning, I came in at 107, so I've got 12 pounds to lose. However, I'm very petite, so yes, 95 lbs is a healthy weight for me to carry, that normally puts me around a 20% BMI. I can safely and easily jump off things at 95 lbs, at 105 lbs, my knees feel the jumps a lot more.

Winter is my worst because I tend to overeat junk and I avoid going outside as much as possible.

That wouldn't help me, Pam, I just keep eating 'til it's all gone! :o Second snow day off for me, I need to get back to work. I can't stay out of the kitchen. :(

I brought work home and could finally face it today. I've also been finishing a binding on a gift quilt that needs to get in the mail soon.

Cold & windy here today with snow on the way. I just brought in the trash cans that had blown into the street & about got blown over myself. My body isn't used to this yet after 21 years in Southern CA! Finished setting up my sewing room today but have a few non quilting jobs to do before I do any quilting. I just shortened the sleeves on a winter coat. Not my favorite thing to do but I won't pay someone else to do what I can. Next is shortening some jeans. They are petites & still a few inches too long.

Some terrible winter weather happening around the US. Stay safe & warm!

Okay ladies,

Here is what I have come up with for the next 3 months.

January 14 -- black/whites in any combination
February 14 -- brights
March 14 -- Batiks again since this is a favorite.

Just remember if you send in your FQ's in advance you still need to post on the new thread to sign up for that month.

I have my spread sheets ready to track who sends in theirs for the quarter.

Good luck everyone.

Finally home from the doctors and then taking mom grocery shopping. She is doing well, just moving slow.

hi, i'm in on this with you guys, oh, I should be, I come to see any good photos. I love those napkins, the batiks and snowmen are adorable, BUT those napkins are just to darn cute. I love them

Sigh, it was baklava day here at work. Diet, what diet?

I completely understand! I have lost a pound this month so far. Better than nothing, but not as good as last month. I don't think I'm in the running for the batiks :(

Don't count yourself out yet, there was one month that the winner was less than 5 lbs. You never know what the rest of the month holds.

For my knees - I know I need to lose weight.

But - baklava day. Ok, it's this really, really amazing, homemade type. It's a work deal. We all get these samplers. Sigh. But, I wasn't too naughty. My cornermate and I split one sampler, and she took the other home for her teenaged son who can eat anything still.

But, I am not giving up my once a year treat that I really don't need. I figure there are worse things I could indulge on. I then passed on afternoon snack time - was double chocolate chip, chocolate frosted cookies. Which sounds too rich, even for my chocolate addict side.

I love my job, I have great coworkers and management is fantastic and hugely supportive. But, man, they love to feed us!

Oh never deny yourself something you want, just don't overdue. Ususally a small piece does the trick, instead of overeating.

QuiltedCello....sounds like you did great with your treat.

Yeah, splitting the sampler - it's like 1 1/2 bites per item. It worked quite well.

But, batiks are going to be going out late. Brother just called, I'm picking up nephew after school and keeping him for a few days, SIL is going into hospital to have the baby, but will probably try to hold out until Monday if possible. Baby likely has a hip disorder, and the doctor they'd like to have on hand is at another hospital until Monday. Baby will be fine being born before then, but waiting certainly doesn't hurt anyone right now. SIL is fine, just VERY tired since Little Miss likes to kick Momma's ribs all night long. Bad hips, what are those?

So another day resisting the stash of chocolate that is sitting in front of me. I have stocked the fridge with romaine lettuce, red cabbage, radishes, celery and smoked turkey in case I can't resist the other. This way good food in and delicious, scrumptuous, soothing chocolate can be handed out to anyone else who can afford a couple of extra pounds. I want those batiks. Been doing some exercise as well. Haven't noticed any inches melting away, but the pounds are creeping down on the scale which is good for the mental attitude. DH is still struggling with his pain. He has been thru so many tests and on Monday they do the endoscopy, where they go down the throat. I am hoping they find out what is going on. A CT scan found a mass in his small intestine, but when they did a test to see what it was and take a biopsy, it was not there. Yep good, but yet what is causing the pain. They have even tested for celiac disease. Pray for an answer or the pain to be healed. I will take the later, and accept the first. Have a wonderful day ladies. I have four certified payrolls to do and learn how to do government deductions on payroll. Oh boy, what fun it is today. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed in all this also. I have three more class samples to finish by tomorrow, a lap quilt for niece for Christmas, along with a tree skirt and quilt to get done for DIL, then towels to embroidery, and prepare for my own Christmas with two customer quilts that need finished with a longarm that is being finicky. I know deep breath and one day at a time.

Yeah, I am feeling a little overwhelmed with everything I need to get done, too. Today I need to finish shopping for my son's gifts so I can get them mailed off to Korea or he won't have them in time. I have a few other gifts to buy plus a light fixture for my new closet and a ceiling fan for the bedroom. This weekend I have to paint the bedroom. You wouldn't believe how much stuff is in there that will all have to be moved out. That's my biggest worry - where to put all that stuff!
Here's a table runner I gave at a party this week.

Pretty runner. I'm not good at log cabins, so I always think they're great when someone else does them. I'm dyslesic and always end up messing them up (log cabins). Just returned from two back-to-back luncheons. I ate at the first one and had some fruit and chocolate ( just a little) at the second with a cup of punch and then coffee. Don't know that I over did, but had more at one meal than normal. Will cut waaay back at dinner tonight. Youngest son send Christmas package - Omaha Steak package. Got some steaks, some burgers, potatoes and chicken. We'll eat great for the next few days/weeks. I'm not much on beef, so hubby will really eat great!!

Pretty runner Pam!

My son came home yesterday!!! Well, not quite to the house yet, but returned from 8 mos at sea yesterday to San Diego. We went down to greet him then took him up to where his grand parents live. We hung out for the day, went out for lunch and dinner. We then drove home and he had to go back to San Diego, He had to check in and collect his personal items. He should be home late this evening for a couple of weeks of leave.
I am so relieved to have him back in the states!!!

I know it was a bitter sweet homecoming for his squadron because of the loss of 2 of their pilots.
I have the quilt tops done for the 4 children of the 2 that were lost. The backing fabric just arrived on Tuesday. I hope to have the quilts done for the memorial service on the 17th of January.

I'm sure that this month will end up a gain as well. With Christmas, and my son coming home and all the cooking I will be doing for him......

Hi everyone. Haven't been on here much. Took husband for colonoscopy Tuesday morning. They removed 2 polyps and he's fine. We slept all afternoon after that.
I weighed about 5 that afternoon and I'm down 2.8lbs. from the 5 lbs. I had gained over Thanksgiving. I hate having to "backtrack" but at least it's coming off. Hope everyone is staying warm. The ice is beginning to melt here but still really cold.

I like that runner Pam. One of the first things I ever quilted was log cabin wall hanging. Not one of my best efforts & I haven't done one since!

How nice that your son is back home, Gayle. It will make it such a special holiday. Both our kids stayed in CA when we made our move to OH & they will both be here for Christmas. I can't wait to have us all under one roof again.

I got my FQ's in the mail yesterday. I'm thinking they may take a bit longer with holiday mail. Speaking of which, I haven't done anything about cards yet this year. Ok, I bought stamps at Costco & if I don't use them for cards it'll take me years to use them up as I pay most bills online!

I think I am down 1/2 lb!! Not too big of a threat, but I'll take it. I am down about 8 lbs from last year this time. That is pretty much due to moving across the country & all of the related stress, but I've been holding my own & not gaining at least. After lunch today I was craving something sweet & put a pack of sugar free hot chocolate into a cup of coffee. It hit the spot, plus being nice & warm. These single digit temps are killing this former CA girl.

Cold and snowy here. We are just far enough from Lake Erie that the lake effect doesn't quite reach us. Thank goodness as we have lived closer when we had the dairy farm with the in-laws. I don't miss it!! Only a half day at work today so baking and putting up the tree are on my list for the afternoon. I'll sew tomorrow after washing some flannel today.

Stay warm and cozy folks, three more months till spring.

Friday frantics
 

I cut out the quilt for my DD and SIL last night. I have all of the strip sets sewn. I am sub cutting them now. Lots of cutting. This quilt is so not my colors. I am a bright and wild color person. This is all subdued colors. It will be pretty and just what they will like. It just isn't me. I bought the fabric back in June and had some trouble figuring out what fabric was what. I have a large piece of fabric 5 or more yards, not sure what I bought it for. It is too small for a back. I guess I will figure it out eventually.
The 12 days of snacks at work have been bad. There was fudge today. So good.

Wow we have been a quiet group over the weekend. I have been spending time with my son and DIL, they came up from Houston for a visit, and they both have been sick with possible flu. UGH but great to see them. Today we went to the Dallas Aquarium, and had a great time. Also mom made very cheesey lasagna.

My new man was also with us. That is going good.

Got the t-shirt quilt from the quilter yesterday. Now to put the binding on and try to get it to him next weekend if he is in town.

I just spent 1 1/2 hrs trying to make a label to mail a package. I still don't have it right and it is making me crazy. Time to get to bed and try it again in the morning. This package HAS to get in the mail tomorrow to have any chance to get to Korea before Christmas.
This weekend I painted my bedroom - wall and ceiling - 2 coats on each. I'm so thankful my daughter was here to help me. I hope it looks good in the daylight. It looks fine in the nighttime. :thumbup:

Yes everyone has been quiet this weekend. I have been working on the quilt for my DD and SIL. I have one block finished, only 11 more to go. Cindy glad to hear you had a good weekend despite the flu.
I went to my work Christmas party Saturday Night. It was fun. The house seemed cold when I got home but I didn't think anything of it. It was really cold and damp outside and it was 1:00AM. Well on Sunday morning we woke to an even colder house. The furnace is not working. My neighbor owns a heating and AC business so he came over. The part we needed is cheap but he didn't have one. So no heat today either. It is 55 degrees in my house. We do have a gas fireplace so the living room is warmish. I threw a couple of extra quilts on the bed last night. He is coming sometime today to fix it. I will have to get him some beer for fixing it. We trade services like this with several neighbors.

Just had my nephew all weekend, and we went and visited brother and SIL in the hospital until Little Miss is here. SIL is scheduled for a c-section today at 2pm, so I get to be an Auntie again :D

I have been shopping and eating. No chance of the batiks for me. Yes, Cindy, I know mine is still here. I will get it out soon. Now the wrapping begins. My dishwasher gave up so I need to rush a new one in here this week. Sears has one in clearance that will do and my old neighbor says he should be able to install it so it will work out.

My son's schedule just changed so I may have company starting the 20th instead of after Christmas. Not a problem except the house isn't ready. I have no living furniture among other things. I hope and pray that he is able to have good connections if he has to fly on Christmas Eve. He's spent at least one holiday stranded in an airport. Can't be much fun.

Have a good week, everyone.

Was so busy this weekend and fighting the cold thing. I actually napped a couple times on Saturday inbetween quilting a GMFG. It is so gorgeous. Did leafy feathers and line danced every flower and it looks so cool on the back, the gal had a solid white backing.
On Sunday sewed up a Christmas quilt top, my nieces quilt top, quilted a SBS quilt for a customer, and made a class sample quilt top. I want to add a pieced border to it so it is not done. Bad me, I know.
I need to get three sets of towels embroidered, fix a coat, and quilt the above this week to be mailed out. Hmmm, let me see if there is enough of me to go around with a cold.
I did loose another three pounds last week, I am in the running for those batiks for sure. Working hard. Our Christmas vacation should prove worthy with lots of walking, swimming, just have to watch the proper eating and I will get them.

MY furnace is fixed, so it is warm in here. My neighbor fixed it so only $50 plus I need to get him some beer. I have a lot to finish before Christmas. I have a lot of my gifts already wrapped this is a first for me. I am usually frantically wrapping on Christmas eve or really late at night on Christmas eve. I really need to stay out of the treats at work. I was munching on some caramel stuff at lunch. It wasn't even very good.
MY Dh just came home and is really crabby. It must be time to go hide in my sewing room.

Amazing how busy everyone is. Good to hear everyone's story and to hear what others are doing to get ready for the holidays. No batiks for me. The harder I try to keep on my diet the worse my behavior becomes. I am so weak! I wish everyone else good luck. This has to be the hardest month to diet that there is - so good luck. Stay warm and happy. Keep the stories coming. I love to hear them. OBTW! My GGD birthday is tomorrow. Her dad has her from 5 -8 p.m. They are bringing her to my house for a mini birthday party. Just cake and ice cream with her parents and grandma. They are coming here so that I may give her her quilt. I hope she loves it. Hope to get a photo to share. She will be 8 tomorrow. She wont be here for Christmas. Her mother is taking her to Philadelphia so we will have a formal Christmas and birthday party for her on Dec. 28th. Will miss having her with us. Love to all.

You enjoy yourself littlebitoheaven. That sound wonderful and what child does not love a quilt? Especially one made by Grandma.
I am thrilled to say that the embroidery for my daughter's secret santa gift is done! The coat she gave me to mend is done as well for her special needs patients. Now onto the MIL and FIL towels. I just can't find a good one for the wash cloth to match the Harley Santa and Mrs on bath towels, with a clothing for each on lines on the hand towels. Ideas welcome. Thinking maybe a little santa hat on each. Hers are pink and his are blue. Maybe a his and hers on the wash cloths?
Tonight is quilting so will get th tree skirt strips sewn and cut and maybe, if I stay real studious, the wedges sewn together. Just need to finish one skirt, not the two I have going.

Finished up shopping last night with hubby on one child, so that is two down and two to go. If I could remember how to do a pillow case, I would finish that one for a child. It has the sexy men on it for her, she is 20 and very single, glad she is right now anyway.
well off to work for the day. Lots to do to get caught up so I can hopefully finish up some binding in the office if need be.

QuilterMomma, there are a lot of tutorials out there for pillowcases. I tried to find one and post a link for you but my internet is not cooperating. But thanks for the great idea. I want to get one made for my daughter. She will be home for Christmas from France. This would be a nice little thing she can easily pack and a remembrance of home and her mama.

QM, Here's the simplest one. If you want a contrast between the two fabric, add a 1" folded strip to the large piece before you do anything else.
http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/millio...s/RollItUp.pdf
I don't know why you need one more thing to do. Easy, girl. The cold may be your body's way of telling you to slow down.

Rushing around like a chicken with my head cut off. I found a dishwasher but my friend who is going to install it doesn't know if he's going to do it tomorrow or Thursday. It's hard for me to be patient, but either is okay - I just like to know. Then the furniture store called to tell me my sectional arrived early. Thank goodness the old one is out and the carpet cleaned. I will be glad to see the furniture. The name the saleslady wrote on the order isn't the same one England uses in their advertising. I'm expecting red velvet in a retro style. What am I getting????

I need to watch out for mindless eating. It's too easy during busy times not to plan 'good' meals and to grab a handful of candy instead of a tangerine.

I AM losing weight and getting healthier.

Went & saw the Transiberian Orchestra over the weekend. What a fantastic show. It was the 3rd time we've seen them & they never disappoint. It was snowing so hard downtown & we had such fun walking around Cleveland looking at the lights.

I'm finishing up on a few quilted gifts today. Next I'm off to start my wrapping. My daughter gets here on Fri so I want to be done by then. She & I can do some baking together. She can help me with cards too! If I don't get to either of those tasks it's not the end of the world. I am not going to stress over it.

I challenged myself to use up some of my fabric the past few years. I am usually a "project" buyer and didn't have too big of a stash- some, but nothing compared to other people's that I've seen. I had plenty of scraps though. I've done pretty well working with what I have & utilizing my scraps. Yesterday I was looking for some fabric for a project & realized how little I had on hand. So, I've come to the realization that I need to buy some fabric!! Yay!

I have been enjoying having my son home. We have both been sick with colds and coughs.
Yesterday we fixed a "Thanksgiving" turkey dinner, since Wil missed it. I have been eating way too much of everything I should not be eating. I am sure that I will have a gain this month, again.
My middle daughter and grand sons did not make it to our dinner cause the boys were sick. That's a bummer!!! We were hoping to get a family photo but........
Maybe on Saturday. We should all be together again for my littlest grand son's birthday. He will be one on Friday.

Here is the pincushion I made for the gift exchange at my guild. Now I just need to find the time to make one for myself. It is an Amy Bradley design. I also added a picture i=of the quilt I am making my DD and SIL for Christmas. It won't be finished in time.

We are still in an ice box here. (Illinois) Over the weekend it was too icy to go anywhere, and everything was canceled. We opted to go sledding and build snowmen. My husband pulls us behind his four wheeler. We live in town but next to an alley that's never used, especially when there's snow. My 17 year old son told me after sledding, "I don't know why we buy video games and tv. This is the best fun ever". =D

My husband had a sledge hammer fall and land on his foot. We are going for xrays today. =s

It's still cold outside so I'm keeping warm inside. The kids and I working hard on their schooling through the winter so they get a longer summer. lol Whatever motivates. =D

Happy wednesday.

Meanmon, that pincushion is so cute!
Jan, ouch! for your poor hubby's foot
The new carpet is being installed in my bedroom today. The bathroom is coming along. Just some finishing things to do. The mirror will be installed tomorrow. Still waiting on the counter top. Looks like the end of the month for it to be all done. Can't wait to sleep in my bed again!