My Exercise Secret

Like a bazillion other people I decided to get back on the exercise wagon the first of January. I have a treadmill which I really like but my challenge is what to watch while walking. I had tried lots of different shows/movies and they just didn't hold my interest. I have finally found something that keeps me going even longer than I intend. What is it? It is YOU! I place my laptop on the treadmill, start itunes then pull up my google reader and I am set.

I read blog after blog and before I know it my time is up, but I usually haven't made it through all the blog posts. So I just walk at a slower speed until I am done. So I want to say THANK YOU to all who write in their blog. You keep me going. I have lost 5 lbs. since the first of the year and it is all because of you.

Now if I can only figure out something to inspire me to do weight training I would be set.

Stash Report Jan. 31, 2010

Fabric in this week: 0 yds.

Fabric in YTD: 7.5 yds.

Fabric out this week: 0 yds.

Fabric out YTD: 7.5yds

Stash busted: 0

This week I spent a lot of my time quilting on one of my mom's quilts. I was able to get the Grandmothers Diamond Ring up on the design board and blocks sewn into larger units. 

 This week I should get the top sewn together. That is my goal. But even if I do it won't make any difference on my stash total because I counted it last year when I cut it out. I think I am going to change the rules for me. I am not going to count the fabric used until the top is pieced. That way after a lot of sewing I will get the pay off of counting the stash reduced. I also am not going to count the backing until I get the quilt quilted. That will give me some incentive to finish the quilt.

If you would like to see how others are doing in their stash reduction check out Judy's blog. It is great fun

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My New Toy

This week I played with my new acquisition. Longarm quilters will recognize this as the Circle Lord. Boy is it fun.

Recently my mom was doing some organizing and found a box that had three quilt tops she had put together more than 30 years ago. They really are not things of beauty. I asked if I could quilt them as my practice fabric. She loved the idea. The one I worked on this week was a very large Trip Around the World. I used all of the templates that I bought and then I decided to try freehand feathering. I tried over the top feathers, hook feathers and then molar feathers. I did get better as I went along and had a whole lot of fun. One down, two more to go.

 

Stash Report Jan. 24, '10

Fabric in this week: 7.5
Fabric in YTD: 7.5

Fabric out this week: 7.5
Fabric out YTD: 7.5

Stash busted: 0

If you would like to see how others have done with their stash busting efforts check out Judy's blog.

I missed my report last week because my parents were here. We had a very fun family event which took most of my attention. My mom is a quilter also so we had lots to talk about. She had a specific fabric she wanted to look for so last Friday we hit 6 fabric/quilt stores in 2 hours. I didn't buy anything. Talk about being focused. I was on the look out for some great pink for the double wedding ring. I don't think I found it. I did see some that would do but I don't absolutely love them.

Later I did find the backing fabric for that quilt. I think it is the first time I have bought the backing before I even had the fabric for the top. It is a bright fabric of unbrellas. I really like it.

So that is my 7.5 yards in. I sewed up the backing and started quilting my Flowers Forever. I have it more than half way quilted, all the outline stitching of the applique. I have three quilt tops to quilt for my mom. We will be going to Ariz. next month so I am trying to get them done before we go. Therefore I took the Flowers Forever off the machine and put one of moms on. It seems that I will be doing a lot of quilting and not much sewing in the next couple of weeks.

I am getting the Grandmother's Diamond Ring up on the design board. Boy is it confusing. I have the book in my left hand as I put the blocks up with my right hand. This is one that I must pay attention to. I hope to sew a few seams this coming week.

I hope you get a lot of quilting done this week. Here's to happy stitching for one and all.

Stash Report Jan. 10. '10

It is deja vu all over again. Nothing in and nothing out. I did get the second charity quilt quilted this week.

I did some sewing on the Grandmother's diamond ring.

92 of unit A and 92 of unit B. It sure doesn't look like much.

Yesterday I went to Joann's with my DD. She does counted cross-stitch and has made 4 stockings that need to be assembled. We found some beautiful velveteen. While waiting for our number to be called to get the stuff cut I was browsing in the books (that were 40% off). I don't buy many books but I was killing time. When lo and behold this one caught my eye. I LOVE the quilt on the cover. I think this one may make it onto my to do list. I will have to think about it but I have already figured out how much pink is required for the size I want to do. I have the light background and all the prints in my stash. This is incentive to get the Grandmother's Diamond Ring finished and fast.

I am going to put the Flowers Forever on my machine and start working on that tomorrow. The backing will use about 7 or 8 yards, so next week I should have some fabric usage to report.....and maybe some pink will have been added. ;o)

If you would like to see how others are doing with their stash reduction check out Judy's blog. You might also learn about chickens.

Stash Report Jan. 3 2010

I really hesitate to call this a stash report because there is nothing to report. Nada in and nada out.

I am back home after spending 5 glorious days out of the cold. While in Arizona I did buy some thread for a couple of quilts that I will be quilting soon. I have not done anything quilty for over a week. I am so glad that everything will be back to normal tomorrow. I need schedules.

I hope we all have a happy and productive new year. May out finishes be many and our UFOs dwindle in number.

If you would like to see how others have done on their stash busting check out Judy's blog. It is highly entertaining.