I hope someone can help me. I put away a project that I am handquilting over a year ago so that I could make quilts for Christmas. I took out all the safety pins and thread basted it before storing it away. It is my first project using stencils instead of 1/4" from seam quilting. You know how Eleanor Burns makes it look so easy to ease it all together so perfectly. I made this quilt especially for a handquilting project, complete with a muslin backing and green thread. I am so unhappy with it, and I've only just started. To be blunt, I have no idea what I'm doing.

The stencil has 3 sections, a center and two borders. I must have expected the design to flow across the back. Since I've almost finished one completion of the 3 sections, do I just do it again - like putting quilt blocks in a row?

Here are a couple of photos showing the stencils up against what I've already done. Any guidance is so appreciated.

the stencil looks like it has a pattern for an out border, sashing and for the block but I like it how you did it too. I think it might be a good idea to do it just like you described, like putting quilt blocks together.

Thanks Anna, after posting the image, I could see what I needed to do. And you are right, it would have been better to save the borders - for the borders! I'm not about to take it out and start over. I'm using what I've done as a sort of medallion center and will surround that with other sections.

Thanks again.

It is lovely! Indeed no need to take it out. I think by accident you stumbled on a very nice design.

I have FQ from the following for September. Let me know if I miss anyone. AnnaQuilts, #1Piecemaker,Marychristine, PamH, JimsGem, CreateFourPaws, BeckyW, JaninFl, LeAnn, Meanmom. Good luck everyone.

I was trying to come up with FQ themes for the next 3 months. I thought for October Christmas would be good so you will have time to sew them up for Christmas gifts. November-Pink and December -White for the snow. If you plan on staying in for 3 months it saves to send them together. I found the best way to send them was in an envelope about 5x7ish size. 1 FQ will fit in a legal sized envelope.

I was chuckling just thinking of November/Thanksgiving, and December/ Christmas with all of its goodies. Oh and never mind all the mini chocolate bars for October/Halloween. I hope I will be good even if not for loosing the weight but for my blood sugar.

I am not sure what to do about white. All I can think of is white on white. Not too thrilling. Can we do something else? Anything? LOL I hope I am not too difficult.

What I have been working on. Pictures!
 

The Hedgehog quilt is for my 8 month old grandson. yes, grandma took forever to finish it. The scrappy 1930 reproduction square in a square quilt is for the baby girl of a church friend.

Anna, what about black and white.

Anna, those are both wonderful!!
I use so much white and white on white so those would be fine with me but anything else would be fine too. It has been so long since I have won that I really shouldn't give any input anyway.

I was thinking the same. There is a lot you can do with black and white and there are many cute prints. I am a go.

I am not in the winning category either any more but I just wanted to send something nicer then a WOW fabric. I loved the times I won and have already used some of the fabric.

Well, I didn't start until September 14th, but at least I have started. I am down 4 1/2 pounds. I know a couple of those were water weight. I am okay with it. I am getting back into a healthier eating habit and bringing my husband along, too. We'll see where I go at the end of the month. One.week.at.a.time.

Jan, good job on the loss. So what if its water, it has to go.

Anna, I have seen a few quilts here with lots of black & white and loved them. I would have to start from scratch to gather fabric for one. The beauty of that is I could pick exactly what I want!

I had considered sitting out for the rest of the year because I'm so undisciplined, but I think I will recommit myself. I still wanna be down for my doctors visit in December, plus I wanna be down when I see family @ Christmas. One of the strategies I'm considering: no sewing unless I've exercised that day. Or, I can sew only if I've not had any soda. I started quilting again 20 years ago because it kept my hands busy. Didn't take long to master being able to eat and quilt at the same time.

I am so glad fall has arrived!

Great job Jan in Florida! I think I lost 2-3 pounds for this month but maybe tomorrow it will all be back. Now school has started for my children, I am sitting too much and probably eating too much. Some days I think I am loosing but the next day I gain 3 lbs. Crazy I know. I have about 15 lbs to go.

Lynne as you can read above I am struggling too. The maddening part is I am not over eating or making bad choices overall. It just doesn't want to come off.

I shouldn't complain as I lost a lot and I am at the top end of my BMI. All my weight seems to be hanging around in my waist. I am planning to hang around on this thread because now I need to stay at this weight or lower. I am scared to gain it all back and need all the support I can get. I have a friend who is at the same point but with weight watchers and she is on some kind of maintenance. It is hard.

When I made changes for myself I did for the family too. Just changing the meals DH lost about 10 lb and one of my DD 4 lbs. Nothing near what I did over the last 6 months but they are not on any diet and still had the all they want to eat, gravy and sugar stuff. Anyone have partners that have lost weight just by living with you?

Indeed those black and white quilts are stunning. They often have also a little red in them. I do not have many black and white either but I can buy 1/2 yard and send one FQ and save one for myself to kick start a collection.

https://www.google.com/search?q=blac...0Y4Ahk&dpr=1.1

this is what came up when I googled.

Ok. I am always looking for ideas for fabric themes. Please make suggestions. October is -Christmas. November-Pink, December-Black and white.
I am almost too tired to sew. There is a full moon and an eclipse on Sunday and I can really tell at school. Both of my kids have been awful. They are talking about starting to suspend my kindergartener for her behavior. She has been awful. My 2nd grader has been a pain too. He is autistic but mom insists he isn't. As soon as you meet him you can tell he is autistic. He is in a regular classroom. I walked 8500 steps at school today. The sensory room is at the opposite end of the building and we went there several times today. There is a meeting for Courtney next week. They are going to recommend moving her to a different classroom. Mom has declined so they will probably have to take her to court. Even with a one on one aide she totally disrupts the classroom. She is mentally ill and a spoiled brat.

Question....I am making a frog beanbag stuffed animal, like I had when I was a kid. Wondering what I should stuff it with...this will be for my great niece for her 1st birthday. I don't want her to choke and I'd like to put buttons for eyes...I found some plastic 1 1/2" and that should be big enough right?

Teri I have seen eyes for making stuffed animals that aren't choking hazards. They cant be removed. I would check JoAnns, Michaels, Hobby Lobby. I can't remember where they were. One of the quilt shops has some I think. How big is the frog. If you want him like a beanbag you could stuff it with rice as long as that doesn't get too heavy. Or you could use regular stuffing.
Pat

We stuffed frogs with dried navy beans in the 70s. My friend had the cutest pattern that was cut so it sat up. We sold dozens at the church bazaar. My two younger children had them and the beans weren't a problem.

I just picked up a copy of WHOLE30. I haven't had a chance yet to look at it but hope to do so this weekend. The recipe layout and pictures look nice too. I am hoping to get some new ideas for preparing foods and to learn more about WHOLE30. I have also been researching Eat to Live online.

I went for my yearly gyn visit this week. I have had a rash underarms, under breasts and in the groin area that my regular doc suggested was maybe an allergy so he put me on Singular. It has come and gone, but the ob/gyn took one look and said it was a yeast infection. She said it was time I started to make some changes in my diet. Particularly sugars and processed carbs. She suggested a cook book call Fat Chance. Anyone heard of this before? I'm gonna struggle with the sugars because I am a Pepsi drinker and not the diet stuff! I have cut back and do not consume nearly what I used to (2-3 cans per day) now only about 5-6 a week.

Just talking about Pepsi makes me want one! I drink one sometimes when I get a migraine. I figure that's no worse for my body than excedrin or my prescription. Well, maybe except for the calories.
I got a garmin fitness tracker yesterday. Took about 5 hours for me to get it set up. Had to delete a bunch of photos and videos from my phone. Just to update the IOS took almost an hour. I have 2500 steps since 10 am. Probably had that many before 10 am too. Fussy baby boy needs a lot of walking/holding today. Darn teething pain. He is 3 mo old today and had his first tooth break through last week. 2nd one is on it's way.

I am not familiar with the book but taking two table spoons of apple cider vinegar in half a cup of water, first thing in the morning, has done wonders for me. It helps make your body more alkaline and is a probiotic. The more acidic your body is the more it tends to cope with yeast etc. and yes cut the sugars and carbs/starch down majorly.

I am glad they found out what is bothering you and hopefully you will get a handle on this soon.

I'm gonna have to try the apple cider vinegar!

I have a friend who is on a weight loss diet and she added the apple cider vinegar, Braggs brand. She went on a trip back East with a friend. A week after she called me from to tell me thank you. I know it tastes disgusting to me but I add about 1/2 Cup of filtered water and then use a straw to quickly guzzle it down. In the beginning it would have a laxative effect but I almost right aways noticed my abdomen was calmer and happier the rest of the day. I have suffered from IBS for years and right now my abdomen feels really good and has calmed down. I hope you will also benefit from it. Of course I also reduced sugar and starch during that time frame.

Talking about Pepsi makes me want a Coke, but it isn't going to happen. Yeast can damage so many of your body systems, it isn't worth the few minutes of pleasure. pyffer3, I can't believe your GP missed that being a yeast infection. Those are almost textbook areas to have breakouts with yeast. Fruit juice isn't allowed on a yeast diet, either, but if must have something carbonated, try Faygo sparkling water with a little fruit juice in it. Faygo is the only brand I can find w/o sugar or artificial sugars, which are even worse. Google the Whole30 food plan. Unless you need a cookbook, you can find enough info online to get started. Don't Google a Candida diet unless you want to be so restricted you'll drive yourself crazy. Did that one years ago when I really needed to. For now, avoid yeast, wheat, corn, cheese, fermented foods, etc. Ask your Dr about Diflucan.
Anna, it's good that you use a straw. ACV can be hard on the enamel of your teeth so using a straw avoids bathing the teeth in it. Doesn't have to be Bragg's, but it does have to raw and organic.
I used the last of my ACV a few days ago in a detox bath, so it's on my list for tomorrow.

I have been finished with the first stage of the Whole30 plan for several weeks now. I have had some pancakes - something I rarely eat, but craved for some reason while on the diet. They were wheat free, of course. Now I'm having bean soup - the other thing I missed and another thing I rarely have. Now I think I will do another round. I actually enjoyed it after I got over missing my crackers. It was the crunch I missed and celery is crunchy, so it worked. I won't be quite as restrictive this time. If a restaurant puts cheese on my salad, I won't panic. I lost 7.5 pounds in the 30 days and they were the tough ones - the last few. If I go again, I might drop the last 4 that bug me.

Is it permissible go walking w/o the dogs? We have a dog park now and they are loving it. I have missed my walking poles - I think they helped with my midsection and shoulders. Can I take the dogs to the park and then go walking alone w/o feeling guilty? I can't do two walks with all the hardware in my feet. I haven't used the poles in seven years. Wow - time flies. The poles are easier on the knees, too, though my knees are fine - well, almost. Last week my yoga instructor got the bright idea of having us sit on our knees, then lean back into a back bend. Once of that one was enough. I'll leave it for the young ones.

Have a healthy day, everyone.

Well darn, I am back to emotional eating again with all this stress with my son. He called Wed nite - a mess. I learned that he has not been taking his meds! He is home for the weekend - I'll be going back with him to stay for a few days. His academic future is in jeopardy. His dad & I are beside ourselves. Three short years ago, our valedictorian entered UT and by the end of the year, had a 3.9 gpa and secured his place on the dean's list. During his second year, he earned College Scholar status. The bottom fell out at the beginning of his third year.

We had all planned our futures on his successful graduation in 2016. He still wants to teach math, and it looks like it is going to take many more seasons of hand-holding for him to attain that diploma - and who knows how many more semesters.

Thanks for letting me unload. I am just numb.

Lynne, it is so hard to not emotional eat. I have major problems with it too. I will pray for your son it is so hard when our kids have a problem. I know you have told us before but does he have medical issues.
I am still car shopping and am so confused on what I want. My DH said I should look at the sports car I have always wanted. They are so expensive and I would then have to have 2 cars. I wouldn't be able to drive it in the winter. I don't think he knows how much they are. Also I'm not getting any younger and they sit so low. My current favorites are the Buick Encore and the Honda CRV. Both are small SUV's. I think I like the Honda the best but my DS works for a car dealership and I can get a good discount thru him. Any dealership that they own is covered. I think they own just about every kind of car company but Honda. It is a good discount, several thousand dollars.
I was doing pretty good eating until last night. DH called and he decided to make a bonfire. So the grandkids came and we roasted hot dogs and sausages. We also made samores. I used some cinnamon spice cookies I had and put a Reece cup and roasted marshmallow on it. YUM!
I haven't been bike riding all week. I was planning on going yesterday but it was supposed to rain all day. Looked like it was going to but never did. I am helping my DD make curtains today, then we need groceries. It looks like rain again. Hopefully I can get out later today.

These recipes look worth a try especially with the winter months coming up.

http://skinnyms.com/50-slow-cooker-r...-299-calories/

Lynne, sounds like your frustration is well justified. I would be emotional eating too.
Many, many years ago (almost 20) I went to one of those hypnotism things for weight loss. My friend and I split the cost to buy the tape. I found that tape recently so listened to it today. I heard some of what he said and then heard "you will awake feeling refreshed". It's good for a nice little nap if nothing else. :D

It is that time again. I can't believe the month is over already. Don't forget to PM me your loss for the month. Also head on over and sign up for October. http://www.quiltingboard.com/general...a-t270529.html. We need to get in shape for the holiday season.

No loss for me this month as I gained 5# with my stupid emotional eating this past week. I am gonna do some extensive research on that and make a battle plan to conquer this enemy of mine.

Headed back to Austin this afternoon as I take DS to the doctor. Praying for a more effective treatment plan; one that does not topple the delicate cart that is his life at the time. Even if I had known that a cancellation would open an earlier appointment for him, I would not have stayed the extra two days. I'd rather be home, plus my being there is disruptive in his life as well.

To accomplish my weight loss goals, I've restricted my sewing time. I can sew, ONLY if I've exercised that day and eaten according to plan. I did real good on Sunday & Monday, but didn't have time to sew. I don't have a plan yet for those times when I've earned my reward, but I ran out of day before I could take it. Maybe this week, I can have a marathon sewing Saturday.

Ugh on the weight gain. It is hard enough not to loose any but to add insult to it all and gain. Sorry. Emotional eating is a big issue for me too. ))))HUGS Leann((((((

The winner for September is Becky W with a loss of 10 pounds. Congratulations and great job.
Pat