Betty's Love of Quilting

~ UPDATE~ Prayers Needed For My Husband ~

2011-10-23T18:50:00.002-05:00

Thanks everyone for all the prayers that went up for my husband !!!
He had surgery on Monday and came back home on Friday evening...
Was a long week indeed but he is doing great!!
There was a set back however, he had an attack of Gout in both knees . They swelled and had the fluids drained out and a shot of steroid in both knees .
He is over that now and resting . Thanks Be To God!!!

~ Prayers Needed For My Husband ~

2011-10-15T12:52:00.004-05:00

I am a Christan that believes in the power of prayer .

My husband ,Leo, will have surgery on Monday at 7:00 . I am asking my blogger friends to help me pray that all goes well with the surgery. He has a very enlarged prostate. Its not cancer Thank God!! So they will go in and reduce its size . He will have a 4 day hospital stay . They will go thought the low abs then through the bladder to get to the prostate . I know.... hate to think about it but he will be feeling so much better after its all done and healed
Thanks friends !!!
Will give an update when I can ......

Turning A Wedding Dress Into A Baby's Christening Gown

2011-10-06T15:26:00.016-05:00

That is just what I did last week .

You could say I have been busy !!! But really enjoyed doing this for a friend .

Wished I had thought to take a picture of the wedding dress but I didn't .The top part of the Christening Gown is the original front of the wedding dress . I put the pattern front over the front of the wedding dress and cut it out . I removed the lace on the sleeves and from the bottom of the dress .

The dress is from the 1970s . Not overly fancy and full but every bit as beautiful !!

Also made the handkerchief bonnet . Added the lace from the dress to it and also put a ribbon bow on each side of the bonnet . The small bit of ribbon is the only thing I need to buy to make this christening gown and bonnet

~ Roman Shades I Made ~

2011-10-04T17:23:00.012-05:00

These are stationary roman shades . They don't roll up ,just stays in the same position .I found the tutorial HERE so fast and easy,about 2 hours and it was done. The only thing I did different is I didn't use the wood at the top.I made a heading about 2 1/2 inches and used a spring tension rod instead . Love it ,my husband just got on a stool and adjusted the rod and it was hung!!!

The cornice looks brown but its a dark olive .....

~ What To Do With 4 Inch Sq. Fabric~

2011-09-22T10:25:00.004-05:00

I won some of these 4 inch sqs. on Ebay.

Now just wondering what is a good pattern to use to make blocks. I got a great deal on them. 50 for .99 (told you I was a good shopper) Got a good bit of them to make a quilt. Also bought some 6 inch denim sqs too and a good price .

~ Walk-In Closet Is Finish ~

2011-09-21T14:25:00.011-05:00

We built our home 12 years ago. At the time it was being built things were moving so fast that I really had no idea what I want in the way of designing a closet .........so we just had an organizer add to the back wall and I stuck 2 chest of drawer in it. That was the walk in closet that you could hardly walk in-to it!!

This is the before picture . Kinda dark...

Even had those plastic stack able drawers in there too!!!After ...........

We went to Lowe's and got these on clearance !!! I bought 4 of those tall units. Regular price would have cost 1200.00 but I only paid under 400.00 (yea,I know how to shop for bargains )Then my husband (being so great with wood-working) built the shelves on top and around the units !!! I love my NEW walk in closet .Its huge !!! 6' x 9'. LOVE IT!!

~ Help Choose Wall Color For My Sewing Room ~

2011-09-06T08:59:00.012-05:00

AND FABRIC FOR DRAPES !!!

I want to paint and make drapes for my sewing room in a few weeks. I was looking on line trying to decide what would look good together .
The picture of the two fabrics are the two that I like . The red would only cost me 50.00 .The other one would cost 106.00 (but I love dragonflies)
My floor is light gray tileLOVE the color,print, and the price .............

Love the dragonflies and the color too.........

SOOOO what Ya Think ?????

~ Memory Wall Banner ~

2011-07-06T08:37:00.011-05:00

This is the Wall Banner I made to go along with the Memory Quilt I made with shirts & jeans .Meaux is his last name . I used his sweatshirt with the hunting scene in red ,white and blue. Using more of his shirts to make the bird houses . Jeans were used for the roof and the stand for the bird houses too.

Buttons from Hobby Lobby were used to made the "Holes" in the birdhouse .

More buttons were used for the flowers.........

~ Quilt Made With Jeans & Shirts ~

2011-05-17T17:29:00.009-05:00

So this is what I had been busy doing and also a bunch of other things as well.........
A family member ask me to make a quilt using her late Dad's clothes . She gave me 2 jeans and a bunch of shirts . This is the first time I make a quilt using this design . It was a fast and easy quilt to make .I know I will be using it again .

Here it didn't have its binding on . I used the dark fabric for the small inter border and also for the binding . I love it!!!

Hunter Star is made using off white fabric.

Appliqued Welcome Banner

2011-01-01T12:00:00.008-06:00

This was my sister's Christmas gift from me this year.

Its a one of a kind . I designed it !!! Something that really surprised me is that I truly enjoy it !

All hand Appliqued too!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

~ Where Could I Find This Pattern - Help!! ~

2010-12-27T13:21:00.004-06:00

I am looking for the inside pattern only . The Mariners Compass. I love this one .It looks pretty easy . It it hard getting it flat??? Has any one tried it and made a quilt using it ???

Finally Done With The Log Cabin/Humming Bird Quilt

2010-12-22T12:42:00.007-06:00

So this is what I have been so busy with for the last 2 1/2 weeks . A friend of mine wanted me to make a quilt for her Mother for Christmas . She told me her Mother loves Humming Birds and if I could add some .

This is how it looked before the applique was added . Still on the design wall. Its a full size quilt and I am so used to working on large quilts that this one seems very small .I made the log cabin block by doing Paper piecing.The block size is 7 x7 ....I know ,I know,it took a lot of blocks but I like to Paper Piece.......

The fabric is mostly from my scrap box and some from the stash. I used only light to med. colored fabric . and white,beige,off white ,cream for the back ground and light side of the log cabin . I quilted it by doing the 'stitch in the ditch' .

I am happy with the way it came out .Hope she enjoys it!!

I had fun with the applique . I really learned a lot doing this quilt ....

Merry Christmas !!

~ Another Great Buy From Good Will ~

2010-12-22T12:35:00.002-06:00

This it a table I found at Good Will for $50.00 !! Its almost 6 feet long and 4 feet wide ! What a great find!! I had been looking around for a nice table and finally came across this one . My husband cut the hole and added a bottom to it for my sewing machine is fit in it and even with the table .When he was cutting he called me over to tell me it was solid OAK!!! I love my table!!!

~ How Would You Quilt This ~

2010-12-05T18:08:00.002-06:00

I am making a full size quilt using lights and darks. The picture below shows the setting I am using .This is not the quilt only a picture I found online . I can't show it just yet because its a gift but you can bet on it I will have pictures soon.
So the questions is how do you quilt a Log Cabin Quilt???? I will be quilting this on my sewing machine ........

~ Pictures of The Train Baby Quilt~

2010-10-18T08:15:00.008-05:00

Now I can show everyone the baby quilt I finished the other week.I got a call last night that they received it in the mail on Friday . Of course she loved it!! So much fun making these lil trains.....
Yea,my foot just had to be in this picture !!

~ Help Choosing Hand Applique Thread~

2010-10-16T17:55:00.003-05:00

I am doing some hand appliqing and really need to get some applique thread. I was told the silk thread was the best . But what weight? . What your favorite brand???

~ I Pledge of Allegiance To The Flag ~

2010-10-10T19:14:00.004-05:00

Dakota is learning how to recite the Pledge

Gotta see this its too cute, he is 4 years old !!!

~The Second Baby Quilt is Done ~

2010-10-09T10:51:00.003-05:00

AHHH ....... Its finished at last!!! I love it when I am done with a sewing project!! Now I am so ready to play with another new idea........

I can't show you the whole quilt because I need to mail it out and really want her to be surprised. After she receives it then I 'll show the whole quilt
This quilt is made with 6 in. sq log cabin design and it was paper pieced .
Will show more later ............

We have 2 more babies to come next year too !!!

I so love making baby quilts!!!

~ Rooster Welcome Banner ~

2010-09-21T10:06:00.007-05:00

I made this for my daughter last week. Fun and quick !!
She loves Roosters so I had to put a rooster in this banner.

It was a fun project to made.

No pattern, just made it as I went.........

All Machine made ,and all leftover blocks except the rooster.

A Question For The Quilt Bloggers

2010-09-12T11:20:00.003-05:00

What I am planing on making next is a baby quilt . I will be making some log cabin blocks and on the out side borders I will put some train applique . An idea came to me today and just wanted some feedback.
I was thinking of making the quilt top then quilt the whole top with a 'cross-hatch' . Then add the train applique by machine over the quilted borders. I know the applique stitches will show on the back. I just hate having to stop and go when quilting around appliques . Any ideas or comments welcome ............

~ The Quick Easy Mitred ~Binding Tool ~

2010-09-07T11:17:00.003-05:00

I must confess, I have trouble making a mitred binding !!! There,I feel better.... I have tried and tried but its a hit and miss thing sometimes its a good mitre and sometimes not so good ! Haha!! So I broke down and ordered the "Quick Easy Mitred Binding Tool".

I used it and its easy . It works great but I was a bit disappointed tho.... its made to use when you are making the binding and backing all together which I never do . BUT ,I added the binding as I usually do and it worked fine the only thing you do have a seam that shows ......

I have watched videos on you tube to help me learn but I am still having trouble . So if anyone has an easy way of doing it please let me know .

~ Alex's Helicopter Quilt ~

2010-09-07T08:05:00.008-05:00

I just finished this one this Labor Day weekend!!!

A friend saw the Sailboat quilt that I made and wanted me to make her grandson a quilt with his name on it and with helicopters. Just love making commission quilts $$$$$ This one measures 46x 58

Lots of quilting on this quilt ......
I had lots of fun making it and learned a lot at the same time !!! Haha!!!!

~ The Sailboat Baby Quilt And Name Banner ~

2010-08-22T09:02:00.006-05:00

This is Jontel & Eric. They got married almost 2 years ago and now waiting for their first born in Oct. The first Grandchild in their family!!!! Very exciting for sure!!!
Jontel lived next door to me for a very long time and I even babysat her for a few years till she went to school. She is such a beautiful person!

His name will be Riley. Very manly. I love manly names. Jontel and Eric loves to go fishing in their boat so I thought a sailboat quilt would be nice. These blocks are Paper Pieced . Very simple to do.....

We had a great time at the Baby Shower. She had so many wonderful gifts!! AH..... and the food was so good!!!

This is the Sailboat Quilt I made for Baby Riley ........

~ Beauful Blogger Award ~

2010-08-10T08:48:00.005-05:00

I got this today from Pat at 501 Quilt Block

She is a new blogger friend and we have been helping each other on applique blocks . Go over and visit her blog.

Now I need to send this award to another blogger. I am going to send this award to Sue. You need to visit her site !! She is so funny and also a great quilter !!!

Sue,you need to put the award on your blog and send it to another blogger and add my link to it

~Update~ The 'Welcome Banner"

2010-08-09T10:28:00.004-05:00

The letters were paper pieced and the flowers,bird,birdhouse was appliqued using the Back Basting Applique method I just learned.I really found it to be easier !!
I am happy with the way it came out.
It doesn't show up to much on my white walls but we are planning on doing some painting in a couple of months.

Little bit of free motion quilting with the BSR!!

Now on to a baby quilt for a baby shower on the 21th of this month .

~ The Heart Bargello Quilt ~ Now I can show it!!!

2010-08-09T09:09:00.011-05:00

Here it is !!!!Its huge!! Its a cal king - 110 x 110

This my sister's son Damian and his wife Amy. Admiring their quilt......

In this picture - Me,Damian and Amy.

Betty

~ Back Basting Applique ~

2010-07-21T10:11:00.010-05:00

I am working on my 'Welcome' banner this week and wanted to show the little progress that I have made.

While looking at Google Reader one night I came across this blog and I am sure glad I did . She has a tutorial on 'Back Basting Hand Applique" I have always been so attracted to hand applique and has tried several times to do it but always gave up. This way of doing it is so easy !!! Now I am slow and still not all that great but still better than before and I also think that this is just one of those things that will get better as you keep doing it. Practice makes perfect,right?? LOL!

So I chose some simple designs to start with . Please give me so feed backs on the Applique ,any hints are welcome!! Also whats is the best thread to use .I was told to get silk thread but the quilt shop didn't have any.I think that has be bought online. Whats a good online shop to get some ?

This it the stitch line for the needle turning .Its basted from the back .Here I only have one leave appliqued .
The top didn't come out to straight but whimsical is not perfect . Love my Lil blue bird !!

Not finished yet ,more to come -then put it all together with the welcome block.

I'll be back to show the end result :<)

~ WELCOME BANNER ~

2010-07-18T16:46:00.005-05:00

I started this welcome banner about 2 years ago and just couldn't decide what else to add to it .Kinda like a brain block. I have been think of what my next project will be now that I am done with The Heart Bargello Quilt. This morning I saw something that would go with it perfect .So that's next on the table!!!

The letters are Paper Pieces .I got the pattern from EQ6. Pretty easy to do......This is the hanger that will hold the Welcome Banner . I found it online about 2 years ago when I was going to make this !! Boy Iam slow!!! Haha!!
Will update this when Iam done with it !!! So looking forward to be making something new!!!

~ Heart Bargello Quilt ~ Its Finished ~

2010-07-18T12:11:00.004-05:00

I have been hard at work on this quilt. The quilt was quilted by some one that didn't really know what she was doing . I hated the way she quilted it so after much time to digest what I needed to do and after having to take care of my daughter that needed surgery I got busy ripping out all the quilting . It took awhile because you have be so careful to not tear the top. The backing was ruined but that life and I can live with that .So after new borders and new batting & backing I got started quilting this the way I wanted it done in the first place .

I divided the quilt into quarters. To do this I had to remove the borders. Then added the borders onto the 4 pieces and started planning the quilting which is a pretty simple design. It was done freehand too.

I really can't show the whole picture of it just yet . I really want my Godson and his wife to see it first this I will post lots of pictures . I must say,I am happy with it !!

I need to thank some of the sweet ladies here that helped me through this process. I did remove the post with the awful pictures of the quilt so I can't remember everyone that sent a comment. I want to say that if it wasn't for Shannon this quilt would in a landfill somewhere by now . She was such a huge help and did offer to quilt it for me.

Thanks Shannon !! All your little hints really did work !!

~ A 4 Year Old Photographer ~

2010-06-25T09:04:00.010-05:00

Dakota loves it when I have my camera out. He always wants to take pictures with it and I am thinking 'what the heck,I can always delete the pictures always'

I know I spoil him but its hard to say NO and really taking pictures is a great thing to do(wish I could have played with one when I was 4 years old)

So ,anyway,sit back and enjoy his pictures ..........

This is one he took of his shoe and the porch..

One of my leg(if I had known I would have shaved LOL!!)

Nice picture of the ceiling of my porch with the light fixture !!
Can you see the helicopter in this one ?? Great shot!!

One of Grand-paw's shop and my sidewalk !!
His feet !! This one is really cute!!!
His Dad, Thomas holding my LuLu.....

~ Quilted Wall Banner ~

2010-06-22T12:49:00.008-05:00

Remember the quilt and valance I made for Dakote last summer ?? Well,I have finally got around to making him a name banner using the same fabrics thats in the quilt and valance. This is the first time I've made a banner but its like making a mini quilt .He really liked it too and was excited to see his name ......he's 4 so it doesn't take much to get him all excited !!Haha!!

~ I Don't Flip Houses ~

2010-06-10T12:24:00.009-05:00

Was having fun this morning in the sewing room .

I am trying to finish up a quilt I start a while back.
It's from Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville site The block is called 'Happy Scrappy Houses'. All going good......... I place the finished rows on the floor to look at the progress when I noticed one block was not laying flat so I take it to the machine rip out some seams and make a few adjustments then sew it all back. By this time I am adding another row of blocks and feeling pretty darn good........ I then put the finished quilt top on the floor again to admire my work .......That is when I saw it!!!! The house block I fixed was FLIPED upside down!! What you think...flip it or leave it???
It's laying so nice and flat now that I fixed it I hate to mess with it !! HAHA!!

My New Toy

2010-05-12T18:02:00.006-05:00

A Polar F4 Heart Rate Monitor ~
My daughter gave me money for Mother's Day .
I had been wanting to get one for a long time . I watch The Biggest Loser on Tuesday nights and they wear the "Body Bugg" . Well they sell for way more than the Polar F4. Its the neatest thing !! You can use it like a watch . It tracks your workout,it has an alarm to tell you when to workout!! Ha ha!! It tracks the calories you burn,tell you how long you workout........
So far I have burned over 2500 calories while working out !! Nice..almost 1 lb of fat!!!
I 'am hopping this little gadget will help me stay motivated just by seeing the calories burned each time I use it. I am doing great with the weight loss. Feeling great !!

~ The 'Goodwill Store ~

2010-04-11T09:57:00.007-05:00

I love shopping at The Goodwill Store.

In the pass I have gotten some really good deals there but nothing like what my sister Velma has found !! About a month ago on a Saturday morning just after getting off from her part time job ,she and her husband Richard decides to stop at the Goodwill Store on there way home . Well , she comes home with a Breadman bread machine for I think 20.00. There was no manual for it so she goes online and get all the information she needs to use her bread machine plus get recipes too!! The machine works great too!!

So now this Saturday Goodwill shopping has turned into a regular event ....... Anyway , She and Richard & my Dad(they have him going too now!!! LOL!!)stops in and finds ANOTHER bread machine . Even nicer that the one she had gotten a few weeks before. This one was for $25.00. The best part is ....she bought it for ME!!! I am so excited with this bread machine !! She even found 2 small recipe books for baking bread in a bread machine .
So this week I have made bread and cinnamon rolls next week I will be making whole grain bread in it .

Its so easy to make and a lot of fun too.

These were so good . I added the the glazed icing on top ......

~Jacob ~

2010-03-24T09:51:00.003-05:00

Can't believe he is 13 years old already !!
This is Jacob,my step grandson ! He is so sweet and very good child. I always enjoy it when he comes to visit . He loves to be with me in the kitchen and wants be a Chef when he grows up.

Dakota & The Easter Bunny

2010-03-21T11:01:00.002-05:00

Happy Easter!!!

He loved finding the Easter Bunny at the Mall . Not scared to sit on his lap
He has gotten to be such a ham!! Dakota will be 4 years old in May.
Still can't believe he will be going to school in the Fall.

10 Day Challenge, Walk Off A Meal A Day

2010-03-16T14:53:00.008-05:00

Leslie Sansone has a challenge on her site here.

Its for 10 days. She has a menu for each meal and has a suggested walk to walk off that meal .I just finished the 10 days and so happy to say I have loss 3.1 lbs !! Its been 9 months now that I have been working out with Leslie's DVDs and finally I have hit the 30lbs weight loss!!! Actually I am 30.4lbs down !!
Its seems very slow but its something I can live with ......

The picture below is a before walking with Leslie

Of course I wear black to look slimmer.....................

After walking with Leslie and 30lbs gone!!!!!!

Quilted Place mats

2010-03-13T10:04:00.005-06:00

Made these a few weeks ago and just forgot to post the pictures . I wanted new place mats but they are so pricey !! I found this fabric in my stash and decided to make some with it . I got to practice my free motion quilting on them

~ HAPPY MARDI GRAS ~

2010-02-16T11:04:00.006-06:00

Happy Mardi Gras!!

I am sure there's a lot of people in New Orleans right now waiting for the parades and ready to party till mid-night. Throw me somtin Mista!!Eating King Cak is about as wild as I get!!!

~ HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT ~

2010-02-11T13:17:00.005-06:00

As of today .......I am Retired !!!!!

I sold my business today to a very good friend of mine ,Michelle .
For those that didn't know what I did part time . I had a vending business for 12 years . This is a business I started from ground up (basically all that means is I really didn't know what I was doing !!HAHA!!) and learned very fast . I started by buying an existing route with 30 units and grew from there . Every year I would buy a few machines . Slowly building up till I had machines in 4 different cities around my home . Vending is a very good business for part time work . I worked my routes alone for years till my husband retired and felt that he HAD to come with me for Protection HAHA!! Yea,guess he's right :))
These are some pictures of what the machines that I had looked like .

I really enjoyed my work and will miss it some what but it's time to move on .......

I said I am retired but ....I am only 58 . So I may not be REALLY retired .
Who knows I just may find something else to do .

~ Oh What A Game ~

2010-02-08T09:45:00.002-06:00

OH MY GOD !!! What a game that was !!!
We had the best time yesterday watching the Saints beat the Colts. 31 to 17 . I call that a real good game ......

~ Let The Parties Begin~

2010-02-07T11:42:00.007-06:00

This is the day Louisiana has been waiting for for a LONG time !!!

So LET THE PARTIES BEGIN!!!!!
WHO DAT!!!

~ Wordless Wednesday ~

2010-01-27T15:11:00.003-06:00

~ All About My Friday Night Sew-In ~

2010-01-16T18:51:00.009-06:00

So it looks like everyone enjoy their Friday Night Sew-In !! I know I sure did. I had the dishes done and my PJ's on ,radio was on my favorite station !! Hey ! I heard there was over 145 people doing the Friday Night Sew In !!
I wanted to share with y'all what I did last night .
This is the String Blocks I made . I managed to get 20 of them done . Pretty please with that number. Its a fast block to make but of course I had prepared the foundation earlier that afternoon so I had that out the way . I had two containers full of scraps . Some just small pieces and some with long strips(strings).

This is what a String Block looks like . I put a black string in the middle of all of them

So now you can see how the black strip makes a square when you put 4 blocks together . I want to try this with other colors .......

So much fun making something from my stash and not having to go out and buy anything !! I will be making more of these block for sure . Last night I was looking at the two plastic containers of scraps and was wondering to myself, 'how many quilts I could make from all of these pieces.' Ha ha!! Would be fun to try and find out ............

Friday Night Sew-In !!

2010-01-15T09:42:00.006-06:00

It's tonight !!!

I joined an online group that's has a sew-in on Friday nights . You work on anything you want and then post about what you did the next day . Thought it would be fun to join .
I am working on a quilt right now so I may continue to work on that or I might do some string blocks . NOT sure yet . Will post about it tomorrow .

Happy sewing everyone !!

~ 7 Months Today ~

2010-01-08T08:15:00.008-06:00

I have been walking now for 7 months !!

WOW!! Can hardly believe it !! I surprised myself for sticking with it . I guess that's the beauty of having Leslie's DVDs in the house just ready to pop in and workout . I love her workouts so much!!

So now on to the really great news !! I am finally down 25lbs!! Yeah!!!
I wanted so badly to hit the 25lb loss by Christmas but missed it(too much Carrot Cake,German Choc.Cake,Christmas Cookies and the list goes on and on)but that's another story.....

Update on the walking is : 396.5 miles in 6 months loss 23 lbs

December was not a big walking month for me . My knee was still sore so I just cut back some on the walking and it did a world of good for the knee, now I can do a 5 mile workout and it doesn't bother me at all !!

This is the DVD that I been using this week . Its a 5 mile walk , very fast (I love fast) 65 min. You use the hand weights ,the waist belt and the stretchy band in this one for strength training.

I will have some quilting pictures very soon !! Been working on something special (can't say just yet)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

~ 6 Months - Walking With Leslie ~

2009-12-10T14:32:00.005-06:00

It has been 6 months now that I started walking, eating better,loosing weight . I have to tell you, its amazing how your body responds to exercise . I feel great !! I have so much more energy all day long, sleep better !! I wish I could have drop the pounds faster but this is how my body is . I have to just push through and it will eventually come off. I am down 22.9 lbs (like a slow drip) My goal is to be down 25 lbs by Christmas . We shall see.......
My walking is going way better than I thought possible. I can remember June 12th of this year when I first started to walk (again) with Leslie Sansone. I really couldn't finish the first mile ! I am serious!! Now I can walk 5 miles with her DVDs and love it!!
I am a member of Leslie Sansone's Walk Club online and they have challenges going on all the time . I joined the 90 Day Challenge at the end of August til the end of Nov. Before we started we logged in our weight and our measurements. In 90 days I loss 9.3 lbs , 3 1/2 inches from by waist,2 1/2 inches from each of my thighs, 1 inch from the hips . The Boobs stay the same !! LOL!!
We had another challenge called "The Day After Thanksgiving Challenge" . The challenge was for the 4 days right after Thanksgiving , we had to walk 28 miles (divided up any way we wanted) 6 glasses of water a day , 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day , 15 push ups a day ( I did the wall), 20 abs crunches a day . Sounds easy ??? Well let me tell you . ITS NOT!!! I was walking 7 miles a day !! Thank goodness it was only for 4 days !!
November was a big walking month for me I logged in 109 miles !!
LOVE IT!!!

~ 3 Batches Of Banana Bread ~

2009-12-09T20:04:00.009-06:00

Got to love banana bread!!!
Was in a baking mood one day last week and pulled out some bananas from the freezer. I buy them when they are reduced and just put them in the freezer. I also freeze ripen bananas . They make the best Banana Bread. This is one I made and added a glaze over it !! Yum!!!! ( recipe to follow)

Love my small loaf pans . I actually own 3 of these pans !! They are my favorites . They are made by Wilton and you can find them at Wal Mart and Michaels too. One batch of the banana bread recipe fits in this 9 loaf pan .....

Banana Bread

1 stick of butter

1 egg

3/4 cup sugar

3 large bananas or 4 small ones

1 1/2 cups of flour

1 tsp. soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1/2 chopped nuts( I use pecan)

heat oven to 350

mash the bananas really good with a fork then add the egg,sugar,melted butter. Mix well. Add the flour,soda, baking powder,salt,nuts . The mixture will be very thick . Spray the pan with Pam then pour batter into the pan . Bake till golden brown .

The Glaze

1 cup of confectioners sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla

1 tablespoon of milk

Mix will and pour over hot bread

~ 40th Anniversary ~

2009-12-09T17:08:00.008-06:00

Happy Anniversary !!!

November 29,1969 at 9:00 in the morning !!!!

That's when we said "I Do". We got married at the St Joesph Catholic Church in Rayne,Louisiana

It was a cold and windy day (I remember because my veil was being blown off my head). I was only 17 years old but 2 days later I made 18 .

40 years sure did go by pretty fast . I have married a very good man and thank God for him .

Happy Birthday Paw-Paw!!!

2009-11-22T15:52:00.010-06:00

Happy Birthday Paw-Paw !!!

We had a very nice day today celebrating my husband's birthday. Angela & Dakota slept over last night so the first thing Dakota & I did this morning was practice the 'Birthday Song' . He's a fast learner for sure ,had it down in no time !

Leo wanted a German Chocolate Cake for his birthday this year . I made a homemade one for him and OMG was it GOOD!!
(this is not the actual picture but it looked just like it )

Paw-Paw is a great babysitter.......He is a good teacher too.......

He is also known as Mr Fix It .......

Happy Birthay To The Best Paw-Paw !!!

~ The Carrot Cake ~

2009-11-14T11:28:00.005-06:00

Carrot Cake with Italian Cream Cheese Frosting !!!

I made this cake as a donation for the benefit we went to last weekend . I love this cake !!!!! I don't make it much because I am the only one at home that likes it :(
So Last Friday afternoon I baked this cake ......

It rode in the car on the seat next to me for 2 hours . I could smell it ..........AH ! The almond extract !! So wonderful !!! I wanted a piece of this cake so bad that I had plans on bidding on it . Time came for the cake to be auctioned off and it when up to 50 or 60 dollars. I really didn't want to pay that much so I stopped bidding :(((

Really hope they enjoyed it .......

Here is the recipe for it , so easy to make too !!

Carrot Cake/ Italian Cream Cheese Frosting

2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cup oil

3 eggs

1 tsp. almond extract

2 1/4 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp.baking soda

1 tsp. salt

2 cups shredded carrots

2 cups flaked coconut

1 8 oz can crushed pineapple (drained)

1 cup chopped nuts (your choice) I use pecans

Combine sugar,oil,eggs,extracts and blend. Stir in flour,cinnamon,baking soda,and salt. Mix well Fold in carrots,coconuts, pineapple and nuts Pour into a greased 13 x 9 pan and bake at 350 for 50 minutes.

Frosting:

2 3oz. package of cream cheese

1 stick butter ( not margarine)

1/4 cup of cream(can milk)

2 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp salt

3 to 4 cups powdered sugar

1 cup coconut

Let cream cheese sit out in room temperature to soften. Combine cream cheese, butter,vanilla,salt and blend . Beat in enough powdered sugar to make mixture spreadable . Frost cake after it has cooled then add some coconut to the top and sides of cake .

UP DATE ! ~ Two Quilts Going To A Good Home ~

2009-11-14T09:41:00.009-06:00

~ Up date ~

Auction & Raffle For The Richard Meaux Benefit

Well they had the benefit for Mr Richard Meaux on Nov. 7th . What a great turn out it was too !!

There was 4 bands that played through out the day . We so enjoyed that !!
Lots of great thing was given for the auctions( I came home with a few things ).
AH !! The food was sooo good . We had chicken and sausage gumbo !!

This quilt was the 1st place prize for the raffle .......

This one was auctioned off .......

And this is the person that won the raffle & auction on the quilt !!!
This is Peggy Simon . I am so happy she took both of these quilts home . I know they will be used and loved .
Way to go Peggy!!!

We all had such a good time !!

Cajun music was playing all day . Lots of dancing .

Even the little ones enjoyed it!!!

Here is some little guy playing the French Accordion !!!

So cute!!!

GREAT JOB AMY!!!

~ A Chocolate Cake ~

2009-11-14T09:12:00.009-06:00

Here we are before 9:00 in the morning Making a cake !!!!

(here is grand maw still in her night clothes)

Dakota slept over so while we were in bed and talking he ask if we could make a Chocolate Cake . I said yes thinking he would forget all about it .
Then morning comes and the first thing he said upon waking was "come on Maw-Maw lets go make the chocolate cake! "
I just can never disappoint my Grandchild so here we are making the chocolate cake .
Well the mix was not chocolate but we added some M & Ms to it and that was enough to make him happy . After cooling I drizzled some chocolate syrup on top !! YUM!!!

~ Happy Birthday Dad ~

2009-10-27T14:02:00.025-05:00

Happy Birthday Pop!!!!

What an awesome man my Dad is !! He just made 85 years old !!

He is a WWII Veteran , just 18 years old when he was drafted into the Army . He is very proud to talk to anyone about the country he served and the places he has been to. Dad still works part time at the VFW that he is a member of . Each time the VFW hall is used for things like Bingo or weddings,reunions he goes and cleans it up with my sister and her husband . He does all the grass cutting there too . He keeps very busy !!

Here is Dad accepting a medal from Gov. Bobby Jindal . Dad was so happy to get this medal and he proudly shows it to everyone that come over to his house . This medal was for all Louisiana Veterans . Gov. Jindal personally gave the medals out and shook hands with every Veteran there . BTW- Gov Jindal is the youngest Governor in the USA ......

Every chance he gets he will go fishing . Lucky for him he has two son in laws that loves to fish too .

Funny but I think I got my sewing skills from him (I know I got my height from him . Dad is tall, about 6'2" and I am 5'9" ) Any way , I can still remember him telling us how he would sew the uniform patches for his fellow soldiers with just a needle and thread. He would charge them 50 cents a patch that was spending money for him . His Army pay would go straight to his parents . He can remember when he had his very first $20.00 bill in his pocket and felt like a rich man . Ha!! My Dad has worked all his life . He went to school up to the 5th grade then had to help out in the cotton fields . He was one of 12 children so every hand was needed out there picking cotton .

We had a wonderful time Sunday . We had a Birthday Party for him . His children ,grandchildren, great grandchildren and lots of friends came over. My Sister Velma and I did the cooking and everyone enjoyed Chicken & Sauage Gumbo with Potato Salad with lots of different deserts . Yumm!!

The Great Grand Kids had such a good time there . They didn't want to leave that evening ..........

LOVE YOU POP!!!!!

~ Two Quilts Going To A Good Home ~

2009-10-14T20:13:00.020-05:00

Going home soon!!!

I have decided to let these two quilts go............

The Grandmother's Flower Garden (the first picture) has been living in my closet and has never been on a bed . :>(

My Godson's wife will have a benefit to help pay some medical bill for her Father that is ill . So these two quilts will have a purpose .

This Grandmother's Flower Garden was made about 8 or 9 years ago .
I was making it to put on my 91 year old Mother-in-Law's iron bed . She would come over on weekends to stay with us. We had her old iron bed set up in our spare room . She watched me as I would cut this quilt out with a hexagon ruler . She just couldn't get over how fast I could cut the whole quilt and that every piece in the quilt was a hexagon . It was my first one that I made and was fun to put together . Sad to say she didn't see the completed quilt that I was making for her ............. She had a stroke and died some time later .Hand quilted ~ Queen size ~
This quilt I made in a class at the quilt shop in Houma ,Louisiana .

Its called Stack & Whack !!! Lots of fun making this one too .

~ Bargello ~

2009-10-05T14:58:00.009-05:00

I have been working on the Bargello quilt but its been slow..........

I had the 7 stratas done and not really loving 2 strips . When this happens I just stop and just can't move forward till I feel I have made the right decision. Today I went visit the quilt shop and found 2 fabrics to replace the 2 I wasn't happy with . So the sewing machine is humming again!!!

The picture below is 1 strata .
This quilt needs 7 , so Iam busy now ripping out the 2 strips and adding the 2 new ones . Now I can get busy on this and have it quilted in no time :0)

15 In 15

2009-09-27T12:26:00.006-05:00

I am so excited !!! This week was 15 weeks that I have been working out and trying to eat a healthy diet . So far I have loss 15.6lbs !!!!!! Yeah Me!!!!

I have been working out a lot and mostly with Leslie Sansone's Fast 4 miles .

Now to some people 15 in 15 weeks maybe slow but I am building muscles and really toning up.

15 weeks ago I was wearing a size 20/22 pants and now I can fit into a size 16 pants !!!

I haven't loss that much weight but I have loss inches and to me that's what really counts . The weight will come off and right now I am very pleased with my progress.

My walking goal for the month is 60 miles . I have already put in 57 miles for this month :)))

~Leslie Sansone And I Are Still Friends~

2009-09-08T15:00:00.006-05:00

Labor Day has come and gone!!!!
One of my weight loss goals was to lose 10lbs by Labor Day . I am happy to tell you that Leslie and I are still friends !! LOL!! I am still walking with her everyday . I am down to 13.4lbs a bit more that my goal . I am thrilled about it . On Sept 12 will be 3 months(has it been only 3 month??) that I have been walking. I can truly say I am enjoying the workouts . I have my favorites but right now I am doing the Walk Slim , 4 Fast Miles . This workout has you doing 4 miles in 47 minutes !! Yikes!! I have worked up to it and can follow with no problem .

If you would like to view 34 sec. of the DVD ,Fast 4 Miles here is a link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKXpcrs2suo
I am a member of the Walk Club from "Walk Away The Pounds" message board and joined the 90 day challenge.

Talking about quilting stuff ,I did manage to make me some placemats . They came out cute and will post pictures soon.

My Treat For Today ~ Lemon Drops ~

2009-08-29T18:03:00.008-05:00

I found this great recipe from :

http://grubgoodies.blogspot.com/2009/06/lemon-drops.html

Oh what a sweet treat it is . On the weekends I allow myself a treat and I though of these.
They are so easy to make too!!

Lemon Drops

1 package of yellow cake mix

1 package of lemon pudding mix

4 large eggs

3/4 cup of vegetable oil

The Glaze

4 cups of confectioner's sugar

1/3 cup of lemon juice

zest of 1 lemon ( optional)

3 tbs. veg. oil

1/3 cup of water

Preheat oven to 350 . Spray mini muffin pans with cooking spray. Combine cake mix,pudding mix,eggs,veg. oil and mix well. Pour into pan half full. bake for 12 mins. Turn out on rack

Glaze- Sift sugar into mixing bowl add lemon juice,zest,oil,water mix with a spoon till smooth. With your fingers dip the muffins into the glaze while its still warm.

12 Yards of Fabric !!

2009-08-28T12:36:00.023-05:00

I just finished cutting 12 yards of fabric into 3 inch strips.
I am making a quilt for my Godson and his wife .

This is the beautiful fabric .
Can you guess what I am making ??
A clue ~ you need 12 different fabrics and all cut in strips ~

Love touching all this nice fabric.......

All that cutting and this is what I ended up with.

They are all 3 in. strips ready for the next step.
OH !! Amy !! Is that butterflies I see on this navy fabric??
NICE!!!

Cute Little Bag For Ava~

2009-08-23T17:50:00.006-05:00

I love making bags and just had to make one for baby Ava.
I didn't make it match the quilt because I used Fat Quarters and really didn't have enough fabric left over. But this is a small bag that she can throw stuff in for a short visit instead of using a larger bag .

A Baby Quilt For Ava ~

2009-08-23T09:15:00.011-05:00

AVA , don't you just love that name ??

My husband's great niece had a baby girl this month .

I made this cute quilt for her.

The idea came from Mary at -http://www.maryquilts.com/strings/half-square-strings/ she has some great ideas for string quilts .

Let me tell you this is so fast to make . I was only sewing a couple of days and it was done .

I machine quilted this one on my sewing machine and did the swirl quilting design freehand (a first for me) .

I think I am going to make a bag too go with the quilt. ......

A Small Milestone~

2009-08-22T09:39:00.007-05:00

Just wanted to share a little something......

My husband,Leo and I will be married 40 years come this November. Well on our 35th anniversary he got me a beautiful 2 carat Anniversary Ring !!!
(similar to the one pictured here)
About 1 year or so later it was to tight to wear :( and I refused to get it enlarged .
Now that I have lost 10.5lbs I can wear it again !! Yeah!!! I was so happy last night when I tried it on and it fit again . I know to others this is not a big thing but to me it HUGE!! It only makes me want to stay the course and get rid of the extra fat and to be healthy............

10 Weeks and 10.5 Down ~

2009-08-21T09:57:00.007-05:00

Thats right 10.5lbs gone off my body!!!!!

Today is 10 weeks that I started walking with my Leslie Sansone DVDs. I must say I am happy with the weight loss so far . I have sooo much more energy than before .

I am eating better . I think before I eat. If I eat a snack thats not a healthy one I start thinking, "okay how much will I have to walk to burn this off?"

I wanted to reach 10 lbs for Labor Day (Sept.1th) Thank Goodness I reached it before!!! Yeah!!!

Have been sewing too!!! Will be posting something so cute real soon.........

Cabbage Casserole

2009-08-09T11:24:00.016-05:00

My whole family loves this dish...........

This is a dish I like making when is cold outside but since we don't get to much cold weather here in the deep south I make it often.

Here is how I make it:

1 med. head of cabbage

1 1/2 lbs of ground beef

1 onion

1 bell pepper

garlic

1can of Rotel tomato sauce

2 -15oz cans of tomato sauce

3 cups of rice (uncooked)

salt & pepper to taste

Pre heat the oven to 350.

Get a large casserole dish out and spray it with Pam.

Chop or shred the cabbage.

Add the cabbage to the bottom of casserole dish.

In large pot , brown ground beef then add the onions and bell pepper garlic to cook down a little.

Add salt & pepper , tomato sauce and uncooked rice. Mix well then pour over the cabbage . Gently stirring in the mixture . Its okay if its not mixed to well. Cover the casserole with foil .

Cook for 1 1/2 hour . After 30 minutes take out and stir gently, put the foil back and return to oven for remaining time.

And thats it !!!

Its so easy !!

I put it in the oven this morning then went in the sewing room and stitched on the baby quilt that I am now busy making (pic coming soon) ♥

Accountability and Motivation ~ July Up Date

2009-08-01T07:59:00.012-05:00

An up date on how I am doing with the" Walk Away the Pounds'
I am down 5.5 lbs for July . For a total of 8.5 lbs !!Yeah!!!!
I have walked 65 miles in July !!! Can you believe it?? I can't!!
I feel great and some clothes is fitting better which is always nice . I have lots of energy too.
I know it looks like the weight is coming off slow but with the walks it will come off and stay off.
I have been doing the fast walks and those are a 12 minute miles which includes a 2 minute Boosted walking(light jog) at the end of every mile . I was so surprised to see I could do it !!!

Healthy Granola Bars

2009-07-24T17:16:00.009-05:00

Wanted something to snack on today but also wanted something healthy.

The picture is not very clear but take my word for it ,they are great!!!
Here is the recipe for the granola :

Chewy Granola Bars

1 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp baking power
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tst. vanilla
1/4 cup honey

Combine oats,flour,brown sugar,baking soda, baking powder,cinnamon,salt in a bowl and mix well.
Add the vanilla and honey, mix well. At this point you can add chopped nut,dried fruits, or coconuts.
Press mixture evenly into a greased 8x8 pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 18-20 minutes . Cool before cutting .

I made some today and doubled the recipe.
Easy and fun to make

Train Quilt & Train Valances~

2009-07-22T18:52:00.014-05:00

ALL DONE!!!!!!

I have the quilt done and now I have the valances done too!!! Yeah!!!I made the valances to match with trains on them . I had to make valances for 3 windows . I think they came out pretty good . Dakota was so happy with them . He love his New Room. She(my daughter Angela) call today to see if her Dad would go over and install the rods for her ,of course we went(any excuse to see our only Grand)

A "Quilt as You Go" Quilt

2009-07-21T12:44:00.015-05:00

I want to show off the quilt that I made for my son Leo Jr .

This one was made about 4 years ago. Its a"quilt as you go"

Meaning when I am through sewing the quilt together its all ready

quilted and I am done with it . This one was fast and fun to make .

I had a pattern that I bought from my local quilt shop ...........can't give you the name of the pattern because I loaned it out and it never came back home :0(

I used a denim fabric for the backing (not jean fabric ) just regular fabric from WM
This would be a great quilt to make as a Stash Buster too. ~ How about a valance to match~

UP-DATE ~ 7 Day Challenge~

2009-07-15T07:17:00.006-05:00

The 7 days are up! I have lost 2lbs.!!! Yeah!!

For a total of 5.7lbs!!!!!

I am very pleased with the results . I know you all may think it not much but for me its good . I take meds that slows my metabolism . It took me 1 whole month to loose 3lbs. So 2lbs in 1 week is great!! LOL!!!

The 3 Fast Miles got easier with each day of working-out . Each mile is a 13 minute mile!!! Its surprising how fast time goes . I will try to work up to the 5 fast miles(not today).

I have walk 28 miles so for this month !!!

You know what, I am really enjoying this (I know it sounds crazy but I really do!!)

I noticed that I have so much more energy when I exercise and I feel so good !!!

Now I just have to make this a daily habit . I really don't have a problem with dieting . I just need to move this body more!!!

One thing that has helped me alot was getting a pair of running shoes . WOW!! What a differences the right shoes makes . I was having a problem with the side steps but with the running shoes NO problem at all!!

Accountability And Motivation ~7 day challenge ~

2009-07-08T13:17:00.015-05:00

That's right 7 days!!!!!!

I have been walking now for 1 whole month !! YEAH!!!!!
Loss 3.7lbs and walked 37.5 miles so far . (I put on a pair of pants today that had been a little tight and noticed its loser around the hips) The 3.7lb loss is not much but with the work out it will come off.
Most of these miles were with Leslie Sansome's DVDs. I love them . I have"The 1 & 2 Mile Walk", "The 3 Fast Miles","The 4 fast miles". They came as a collection all in 1 box. I like to mix it up a bit with the different DVDs.
Today I did The 3 Fast Miles . In this one she challenges you to do this DVD(the 3 fast walk) for 7 days . Leslie claims that if you do this for 7 days that you are able to burn a meal(lunch)and by the 7th day you should have a healthy weight loss. So I decided to give this a try !!! I will let ya'll know how I have done with this .
Please check in on me :0)

~New York Beauty~

2009-07-03T12:03:00.017-05:00

Happy 4TH of July !!!!

Since it will be the 4th of July soon I thought I would show off a "New York Beauty" quilt .
I made this one for my niece when she got married about 2 years ago .
I really enjoyed making it. Its my first New York Beauty and do plan to try some day to make another one .

This quilt is a "Quilt As You Go " type quilt. Its made in 4 sections then I quilted each sections . I joined them by adding a strip of fabric on the back. The backing is black so none of the strips shows at all. Each border was joined with the QAYG method. This took a while...............:)This was my first BLACK quilt . Keeping the fuzz and thread off was a major undertaking !!
I did an all over meandering stitch. I have a BSR on my Bernina 440 and that helps a lot.
By the time I finished quilting on this one my stitches were pretty nice . It was alot of quilting so Practice = perfect :0)

Bad Hair Day................

2009-07-01T14:32:00.017-05:00

For Dakota!!!!

Why are children so fascinated with scissors????

On Fathers Day evening my daughter and her family had just settled in to watch some TV after supper. Well Dakota wanted to cut with paper scissors and construction paper. Angela got it for him and he was playing and cutting on the paper . After a while he came sit right next to her on the couch and she heard him cut a chuck of hair off from her hair!! She whopped him on the butt and when look in the mirror to see the damage :C

That same week a few days later she was doing something in her bedroom when her husband Thomas called out to her to come see what Dakota did !! He took the scissors and cut his hair to the scalp!!! Angela cried!!
In this picture I think he knew he was in trouble.His Daddy gave him a hair cut then his clippers when out . They called for me to go over and finish the job !!! He doesn't look like my Grandson with that Buzz cut!!

I can't wait till his hair grows!!!

Accountability and Motivation ~Up Date~

2009-07-01T07:23:00.013-05:00

June up date!!

I walked 27 .5 miles and loss 3 lbs. I know that's not a lot :0( I started on June 8th so its not quite a month . I am happy with the results . I am the type of person that really doesn't like to exercise all that much but I do know that's the only way this weight will come off. Funny thing is,I feel so good when I do exercise, more energy for one and just overall feel better.

I have been walking with Leslie Sansome's DVDs . Some days Its easy and some days I struggle through but I get through it LOL!!

The Train Quilt Is Finished!!!

2009-06-27T13:23:00.014-05:00

Finally!!!

Wanted to finish it yesterday but it was such a busy day for me that I decided to want till today and start fresh.

I don't know why the pictures are so dark.........................

You can see I used the different fabrics on the binding. I always look to use up those little scraps:0)I tried making each car a different color . This was a lot of fun to make. Now I need to start on the 3 valances very soon.

A Sneak Preview

2009-06-25T08:31:00.012-05:00

I got a chance to do some quilting on Dakota's Train Quilt.
Here is some pictures I took.

Did some meandering quilting and grid quilting.Going to try to finish the quilt today . I have Dakota here today because his Mother had to go to a store meeting in Covington. Maybe Paw Paw will take him some where so I can finish this up and start on the valances.

Tutorial~Basting The Quilt~

2009-06-19T14:25:00.020-05:00

I am ready to baste Dakota's quilt and thought that I would show ya'll how I do it .

I sandwich the backing and batting with the quilt on top.I have a big snack bar/counter so I work on that but if you have a dinning room table that would work just as well.

I start to pin on the short end of the quilt .

As you can see I let the rest drape over the table on to the two snack bar chairs I have there.

Pin, pin,pin,pin......................

You need lots of pins for sure!!

I try to pin very close so the the fabric can't move .

I start by pinning the side of the quilt that is closer to me . Smooth out the fabric. I pin a few rows then I ROLL the quilt and pull it forward thows me. Then I smooth out the fabric starting in the middle,pin,working out to the sides. Keep rolling the fabric till you have it all basted!!

Here it is all pined!!Yea!!!
Now I need to go quilt this baby !!!

4 Miles With Leslie!!!!

2009-06-18T08:44:00.008-05:00

That's right !!

I walked 4 Fast Miles yesterday in only 50 minutes with Leslie Sansome!!!

I only intended to walk 3 miles at first but when I reached 3 I noticed that I could go longer ......

I must say tho I was pretty wiped out the rest of the day.

You can preview Leslie's walking tape here -

http://www.collagevideo.com/workout-video/leslie-sansones-walk-slim-4-fast-miles-7834

I am happy to say this morning I am down for a total of 2.9lbs.

Not much but I am happy with it !!!

I will try to get some sewing done today and I will have a sneek preview of what I working on soon :0)

Accountability And Motivation UP-DATE

2009-06-12T08:01:00.017-05:00

A LITTLE UP-DATE.....................

I Have been walking on the Treadmill for 1 hour at 2.5 miles an hour.

The only problem I have so far is Boredom....... I have the treadmill

in my sewing room and it faces a blank wall !!!

I put the radio on and walk to the music .

I plan on getting a laptop and will download

some great music to excise and maybe some kind of video.

Yesterday I put in my DVD of Leslie Sansone's

'Walking off the Pounds'

I love Leslie's walking DVDs !!!

What I like is you can slow down if you need to and pick up speed when you recover.

I walked 2 miles in 35minutes!!

Pretty good (better than 1hour on the boring treadmill)

So far I down .9 pounds . I know its not much..............

I do want lose weight and I know it will take time .

I didn't show a loss this morning but I think its because we had Boiled Crabs last night !!!

Thanks for checking in on me . Be sure to check the side bar for my progress :0)

Accountability And Motivation

2009-06-08T12:10:00.010-05:00

That's what I need !!!!!
Starting today I will start walking and I will report back every day on how far I have walked .
If I back slide PLEASE come Here and make me accountable.
I will be following my own diet(believe me I know how to lose weight )

Here is a picture of me about 75 lbs over weight . I am 5 '9" tall so I can weight more that most people :0)

Right now I will be focusing on 50lbs.

Please check on me everyday .

I will be posting on the side bar how much I have loss and how far I walked for that day .

Doing this might seems a bit desperate but if you have ever tried losing weight you know what I am talking about .

So stand by me . Please leave me a comment, a kick in the butt, a high 5, praise what ever it takes

Call Me The "Bag Lady"

2009-06-06T15:29:00.042-05:00

What can I say, I love Bags !!!

I love making bags , especially making bags out of scraps or recycled fabric .
This denim bag was made out of an old jean skirt that I bought at the Good Will Store . It had a lot of fabric . I was able to make two hand bags out of this one skirt . I still have some of it in my stash. The rest of the body of the bag was from bits and pieces of left over fabric .

This bag is very large . I have a pocket on the inside too.

Pineapple Bag
The squares are only 4 inches sq.
(I know ,I know I am nuts.)
But believe it or not I love working with the small blocks .
The blocks were Paper Pieced and really make it easy to make .

Again the blocks are all from my scrap box . I really hate to get rid of small pieces. I know I can use them some day . With fabric prices as they are these little scrap are worth a lot ( to me anyway :)

This bag has pockets on the inside too.

Total Scrappy !

I had lots of strip from a previous project and used them up to make this one

The other side of the bag .

"Spring"
This is a bag I make for a Swap that I was in on The About Quilt Forum
Use a 12 inch Block and add the sides then quilted the whole thing . She LOVED it .
I really enjoyed making this one

Wonder Wallet

I made this for myself . Really neat .

It holds all your credit cards and folded dollar bills .
You can see just how small this wallet really it .

Skizzie's Roses

2009-06-01T12:14:00.031-05:00

"Lots of red and she loves roses"

That's what our friend Robert told me about his older sister Skizzie. Robert was going through a divorce and had no place to live till his sister let him stay with her in her modest little house .
Robert wanted me to make Skizzie a quilt for Christmas.
I when through all my quilt books to come up with something RED!!!
A short trip to a quilt shop and again looking through a ton of books I came across this quilt pattern

The book is "Creative Quilt Collection" from That Patchwork Place. From Tea In The Garden by Cynthia Tomaszewski .

When I saw the picture of the quilt I just knew then that I wanted to make it .
It was Dec. and the quilt shop had lots of reds to chose from . I saw the fabric with the Roses on it that I could Fussy cut . The shop had all the other fabric from the collection so I knew it was a go .

I love to machine applique and don't really get a chance to do much of it so this was perfect .I was going to play with this one !!

I made this a queen size . Here it is on my bed .I had enough fabric after I made the quilt that I made her 2 pillow shams to match . It left my house before I could take a picture of it .

She was so surprised to open her gift on Christmas morning and find this quilt in it .Robert said she CRYED!!

Lots of RED and LOTS of ROSE

Training Wheels !!!

2009-05-30T09:27:00.020-05:00

I am a Big Boy now !!!

May 7th he made 3 years old !! Time does fly!!
He got a bike with training wheels from his Momma & Daddy . He took to it so fast and mastered it in no time at all .

He love to come over at Maw-Maw & Paw-Paw's house so we have all kinds of things here for him to play with (can you tell he is our first Grand??)

We have a friend that gave us a 2 wheel bike some time back . We got trainers wheels for that one too .We have a long drive way so he really can ride!!

Its okay with him that the bike has scratches on it and a faded paint job

Check out the cool Power Tools!!!!!

Looks just like Paw-Paw's !!

DOUBLE WEDDING RING

2009-05-27T13:09:00.016-05:00

King Size !!!!!!!

I only had 2 or 3 quilts under my belt when one day I was in the fabric dept at WalMart and saw a book about Double Wedding Ring quilts . I bought it and really studied it for a while .

In the book it also had a table runner with the DWR design. I decided to make that one first JUST to see if I really could make a large DWR quilt .

I had a person in mind that I wanted to make it for . She had just gotten married and had a baby (forgot the year, maybe when she sees this post she will be able to tell what year it was ) I know it was early 90's.

This is Rosalind with her baby boy and her new DWR quilt. I had surprised her with it .

(the little girl in the picture is Aimee, a child I used to watch)

To think !!! My very first DWR quilt and I made it a KING size !!!

Oh!! I didn't know any better . I just dove in and did it . Since then I have made at least 15 or more of DWR quilts . The last one I made was about 5 years ago .

The Double Wedding Ring quilt will always hold a special place in my heart . I think this is when I first realize that I am a Quilter!!

SOLD !! TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER....................

2009-05-26T17:42:00.004-05:00

or to the only bidder !!LOL!!!

Today our son Leo Jr. bought a lot in our subdivision.

It was an adjudicated property, meaning the owner of it did not pay taxes and fees on this property for years. Back in Dec. he started the paperwork to get this property to auction. Well today was the Day.

It was at 10:00 at the Police Jury's Office in Napoleonville, Louisiana . We got their at 9:40 . I was so afraid that someone else would show up(it was advertised in the paper for a month back in Feb.) But we just sat there and at 10 Ms Kim from the PJO came and said "well looks like you got it since no one else came " She said "I'll get the papers done and will be right back ." We waited a short time then she came back came with the amount on paper . Then walks in this guy asking where is the auction for so and so property. She said "its over, he just bid on it and got it ". He said he was at the courthouse for 9:00 that morning and went to the wrong building . He was not to happy !!!

For a minute I felt sorry for him.............................

I told Leo Jr, " You know the Lord blocked this man from coming here and bidding on the property " This is answered Prayer for sure!!!!

Praise the LORD!!!

Hydrangea!!!!

2009-05-24T14:41:00.006-05:00

Hydrangeas are my very favorite flower.

This is the view from my bedroom window .
We drink coffee every morning in this room . I can sit here and see all the blooms I have on this one bush.
Years ago I propagated a cutting from a bush my Mother-in-Law had .
Its been blooming great every year.

Look at this one !!!
Blue and pink all on the same branch!!!
(does that mean its a boy and a girl??)

All Aboard!!!!

2009-05-24T13:13:00.004-05:00

I have the first part of the Train done . I am pleased with it . Now I need to do the stitching all around the train . This part is called machine applique.

Hubby did the cooking today so I can play with the fabrics and have fun.

Thought I would should you some stuff from my Sewing Room .

This is my Bernina 440 QE . Got her about 3 years ago . I love this machine !!!

It has the Stitch Regulator on it with a quilting walking foot . It quilts like a dream.

Some day I would like to get a Horn sewing table to put her in but for now this folding table from Sams will have to do .LOL!!

Take a look at my design wall. Not a whole lot there but I do use it a lot when I am sewing block and want to see what they look like at a distance . Really all it is is a table cloth with a flannel backing from a dollar store tacked to the wall and it holds your blocks in place .
Simply press your block against the design board/table cloth and the flannel backing holds it with No tacking !! Nice
More to come soon!!!

A new quilt for Dakota

2009-05-22T18:22:00.006-05:00

He is a Big Boy now and has a Bunk Bed in his room. So I went shopping with Angela (my daughter, his Mom)and chose fabric to make him a new quilt and will be making the Valances too (for 3 windows). We saved her a bunch of money tho!!

She found this really cute Train Quilt in a catalog online and emailed the picture to me . Asking if I could copy it for Dakota

This is the picture of it . So cute . I just can't wait to get started . Think I will in the morning as soon as he leaves to go to Aunt Shell's.

We got some plaids and solids too . Found everything at Hobby Lobby .

I plan to make the valances with the train on it also some fabric from the quilt . I think it will be so cute .

He was so excited this week when we brought over the bed . I know he said "Thank You "at least 20 time and kissed the leg of the bed!!!