Wordless Wednesday

Stick with It

I seem to have trouble sticking with things, like diets, healthy eating, and/or exercise -- basically things I know I should do, but don't enjoy doing.  I mean if you told me I had to eat at least 10 pieces of chocolate every day or a bag of popcorn, I don't think it'd be a problem.  I'd have it in the cupboard and would do it.  And if I didn't get to it, I wouldn't feel guilty.  But tell me I need to eat vegetables or have three good healthy meals and I struggle.  Not that I don't like vegetables or good healthy meals, but they seem like such work.

Image from here.

Anyway, back to the sticking with things.  I can usually last about three days, sometimes a whole week, but more than that is really tough for me.  It's like the 17-day diet.  You can do anything for 17 days, right? Not me. Or the notion that it takes 21 days to create or break a habit.  Guess who has trouble with that?  If I can't get past a week, how in the world can I make it/do it for three weeks?

However, I can make it for the next fifteen minutes.  I can do just about anything for 15 minutes -- like the 15 minute challenge.  And often those 15 minutes turn into an hour.  I just need to figure out how to challenge myself, or perhaps remind myself, that I just need to do it for 15 minutes, and then 15 minutes more, and 15 minutes more, and so on and so on and then that 15 minutes can eventually become 17 days or 21 days or a lifetime habit.  Sounds easy, doesn't it? HA.

The problem is remembering the 15 minutes. and being intentional. I need a string tied around my finger. I need reminders everywhere.  I found the picture below when I was googling the word "goals"; it looks good.

image from here

I feel like if my goals were on my mind, I might be able to stick with them. I'd love any tips anyone has on how to remember what my goals are, and, for that matter, tips of how I can remember why they are my goals (i.e. how important they are), and how to attain or achieve them.  When I see a box of doughnuts, I don't want to think about NOT eating a doughnut.  I just want to eat it and all the other ones too.  Help.

15 Minute Challenge

Tuesday - Nothing
Wednesday - pieced backing; basted quilt
Thursday - nothing
Friday - purchased thread for quilting
Saturday - quilted "time after time"
Sunday - quilted "time after time"
Monday - thought about quilting, but didn't

Had a so-so week.  I am straight line quilting the double hourglass quilt.  I am happy with it so far.  I tried using the attachment that came with my sewing machine but eyeballing the lines seems like it's easier (though probably less accurate).  I am about 1/4 of the way through.  I'd like to finish up this week and send it out next week.

I think my issues with not getting to my sewing machine are a lack of planning.  I know that's what Kate has been focusing on this month and somehow I missed it.  My planning has to be not in a set time but in set goals.

My goals today: work, read, 10 lines of quilting, dinner (is it my turn again?).

Anyway, check out how other people have done this week on their 15 minutes and their projects at Kate's Life In Pieces.

The List - update

Couple of things accomplished (checked off my list). 

#16 - date #1 - went to the movies with my husband.  Saw Zero Dark 30.  Was very good.  I definitely recommend it.  It was quite long but kept my attention the whole way. I jumped out of my seat a few times too.

# 28 and 29 have been done, but the packages haven't been received yet.  I hope they like them.  They're kind of silly, but something I've been wanting to do.

#32 (make my bed) and 33 (say I love you).  I am continuing to work on both of these.  They are kind of hard to evaluate.  Maybe I should have a chart that I put stars.

#39 - I finished a book this week.  The title is Unintended Consequences.  I really enjoyed it.

#50 - I actually spend the entire day last Tuesday in my pyjamas.  Of course it was because I was sick.  Since I don't know if I'll do this again this year, I'm claiming this as a success.  I suppose the real idea of a day in my pjs is to lounge around the house all day and not go out, to just be comfy and cozy all day - those things didn't happen this time, other than the not leaving the house.  How about this: if I don't have a pj day again this year I'll count it, but I'll still try to have a real "day in my pyjamas."

15 Minute Challenge

Tuesday -- nothing
Wednesday -- nada
Thursday -- zip
Friday -- added border to double hour glass quilt
Saturday - more zip
Sunday - more nothing
Monday - and again ..

Guess I didn't do so well on my scheduling time this week.  I had a 4-day weekend and saved the quilting for the last day and then just blew it ..

here's a picture of the double hour glass quilt .. I need to piece the back, baste it, and quilt it.

Check out Kate's Life In Pieces to see how others are doing on the 15 minute challenge.

Favorite Things Friday

My favorite this week, is hot baths.  specifically at hotels.  I only have a shower in my bathroom and though I love a hot shower, a hot bath, in a luxurious tub, that someone else cleans, is heavenly.

Image from here.

I think my favorite tub was in a hotel in Massachusetts when I went to the wedding of a dear friend (who happened to also be my boss).  I don't remember the name of the hotel or I'd find a picture of it for you.  Not only was there a huge jacuzzi tub in the room, but there was also a gas fireplace.  I feel like there might have been a fireplace in the bathroom as well, but I wouldn't swear to it.

The second favorite tub, was in Tucson, Arizona - Loews Ventana Canyon, I think.  For some reason, they don't put pictures of their bathing facilities on the websites .. hmmm.  Okay, so I'm weird but it would be nice to know.  I mean, who wants to go to a super expensive place to find out they only have showers??? Anyway, the highlight of this one, in addition to the tub where you could swim laps, was the TV in the bathroom.

So, to see what other people have as their favorites, or to link up and post one of your own, head on over to Shay's Favourite Things Friday.

voodoo?

So there I was, minding my own business, when suddenly my right shoulder blade started hurting, like someone had taken a likeness of me and stabbed it.  And the pain hasn’t gone away.

okay, all better now .. crazy stuff.  now gotta think of a favorite for tomorrow ... I have the day off so I should be able to come up with something..

Wordless Wednesday

15 Minute Challenge

I am linking up with Kate at Life in Pieces for the 15 minute challenge.  Here's how my week went.  I didn't really get any sewing done on Friday night, but I'll just pretend that shopping for fabric counts.

Tuesday - quilted baby quilt
Wednesday - quilted baby quilt
Thursday - quilted baby quilt
Friday - got backing for "out of time" and binding fabric for twisted quilt ("out of time" is going to be renamed "just in time" or something along those lines,
Saturday - finished quilting baby quilt, made binding, attached to front of quilt
Sunday - finished machine binding (new quilting technique for me); started tucking in strings
Monday - finished twisted quilt - renamed Addison's Quilt

Here are  pictures of the first finish for the year.

I don't know why I didn't get a picture of someone holding it up but I didn't.  Here's a picture of it on the floor before it was finished.  and before I put the pink border on but you get an idea of what it looks like. 

I added stripes for the binding and I think it turned out okay. I machine stitched the binding down, which was a first for me and again, I think it turned out.

Family pictures

I finally completed #44 from my 2012 list, just a little late.

Savings

I saved at least $60 today.  I didn't buy any of the used sewing machines we saw when we were out at estate sales.  Every time I see an old machine, I want it.  I have no use or need for another one, but that doesn't stop me from wanting.  I don't use the old ones I have (not yet any way) and they just sit around the house, but I want more.

These are three of the five.  Actually, I didn't find these so very tempting, but they are pretty interesting.  The other two that I didn't buy were in cabinets, and in better shape.  I hate that I am so tempted, but I really do think they are very cool.

No $1 finds yet this weekend, but there is still tomorrow, or rather later today.

Favorite Things Friday

Believe it or not, I originally created this post over a year ago and have been waiting for FTF to return since then.  My favorite this week is the old Eagle Harbor fog horn.  I think it used to sound like this.



Of course, the fog horn hasn't been in use for probably 40 years now, so I guess my favorite is really just a memory.  Anyway, this is a picture of the old fog horn building when the fog horn was still in use.  (I don't think "fog horn building" is the technical name, but that's what I'm calling it.)

 

Here is the fog horn building today; it's a museum.

Somewhere, there is a picture, taken by my mother, of me and my brother and sisters standing in front of this very building.  One of these days, I'll find it and get it scanned in.  Anyway, as we were standing there, getting photographed, the horn went off.  Needless to say, it scared the crap out of us.  A few years ago, my mother told me that she had asked the lighthouse keeper to blow the horn while we were standing there.  hmmm.  and I always thought I got my dry sense of humor from my father ....

I used to love it when the fog would roll in to the Harbor.  First you would hear the fog horn blasts from boats on the lake and then, eventually, in response, the fog horn in the harbor would start blowing.  It's been years since the fog horn has been in service, but just thinking about it, makes me smile.

Click here to see what others have as their favorites this week or link up at Quilting in My Pyjamas and share your favorite.

Wordless Wednesday

15 Minute Challenge

Here's how last week shaped up.

Tuesday - finished piecing twisted quilt (Since this is going to be a baby girl quilt, I probably need to come up with another name. It is based on this quilt.) 

Wednesday - made diaper cake for baby shower

Thursday - family pictures (not crafty)
Friday - purchased border fabric
Saturday - sewed on border, basted quilt
Sunday - went shopping for other fabric; worked on crocheted cowl
Monday - quilted the twisted quilt

I need to finish the quilt this weekend. I had planned to finish it by Sunday night but that didn't happen.
Not sure what my sewing schedule ought to be.  I know that I want/need to schedule because that's part of being intentional, not that I don't want to be spontaneous, I just don't want to be impulsive.

Head on over to Kate's and see how everyone else is doing on their 15 minute challenge.

$1 Saturday

Here are the $1 deals I got this week.

First, I went to Target and got some after Christmas wrapping paper sales.  I got these boxes for $.75 for each package (six boxes in each) -- with all the internet shopping I do, boxes are a necessity.

I also got some tissue paper.  I don't remember how much it was, I'm thinking under $.50, but honestly I don't remember. Not so exciting, but again, useful.

Then I went to Walmart and got these cups for $.24 for each package...

and these buckets for $.24 each ...

and these little bags for $.78 each.

So that's 15 items so far this year (for the list, #27) -- if I keep this up, I'll definitely get to 52.

the 2013 list (or 52 things to do in 2013)

Here's my new list for the new year.  Not really a New Year's resolution, just a list of things I'm thinking I might like to do this year.

1. do12 things in 2013 to be healthier (i.e., one a month) - January - keep track of what I eat; February - go to the gym 1x a week; March .. hmmm - NADA; April, go to the gym 2x week; May - working on the c25k workout; June - going to the gym more (5 days a week); July - run 3 miles (30 minutes straight running); August - went to Paul's wedding -- somehow that worked; Sept ??; October ??; November _____________; December _____________
2. passport (this stays here until I actually do it)
3. go away with my husband for a weekend - DONE  - went to NY June 26-29.
4. make 9 quilts (same as last year) - 1) Addison's Quilt; 2) Time and Again
3) Blue Elephants; 4) the BYG duvet cover; 5) American Jane Quilt; 6) Stacked Monkeys; 7) Pink Elephants; 8) Baby Boy Quilt (in progress); 9) the do over (using pieces from Time and Again -- in progress); 10) Grinch Quilt (not yet started)
5. give more - done
6. make a grinch quilt - not yet started
7. pray more - doing
8. read a classic (suggestions please) - DONE - To Kill a Mockingbird
9. curtains for my room - hmmmm
10. cushion covers - DONE
11. spend time individually with each of my children -- 1) spent the afternoon with my OD before she went back to medical school; 2) carpooling with my YD, almost every week day; 3) had coffee with MS
12. "go" to Paul and Carolina's wedding - DONE (August 24, 2013)
13. try a new quilting technique - machine stitched the binding - DONE
14. sew something to wear - made pj pants
15. spend time individually with each of my grandchildren (intentional time) - took #1 Grandson to a friend's house when babysitting; took #2 Grandson to Diddams and McDonalds; took #3 Grandson ....
16. have six "dates" with my husband (1) 1/26/13 - went to the movies; (2) 6/22/13 - went to the movies (saw the new Star Trek movie);
17. call my sisters more (how much is more?) -- doing/done
18. go to Katie and Dustin's wedding (if I'm invited) - DONE
19. make a new soup - made Black Bean & Sweet Potato Chili
20. participate in "Survivor: Kitchen" at least once (it was cancelled - now participating in Cocktail Wednesday)
21. See all Oscar nominated pictures (for best picture): Argo;
22. Read the Bible more - not there
23. See the Grand Canyon
24. Make a list of all the states I've been to
25. Go to a state I've never been to before
26. Make quilt for Rachel and mail out (finished, mailed - will post pics when received)
27. Buy 52 $1 items  - 1-6: "after Christmas" sale items box packs (4) and tissue paper packs (2); 7-15: packages of plastic cups (4), grinch bags (2), buckets (3); 16-19: old Vogue magazine, pattern, Singer alteration "book", Pyrex bowl; 20-23: bought four bowls for $.25 each; 24-25: bought two pyrex bowls for $.50 each; 25-29 - bought four baby bottles ($.50 each); 30-32 - jars/ribbon.
28. Get package together for Y and mail out - done received -- hooray!!
29. Purchase items for Z and mail out - done - received - hooray!!
30. Communicate with Trish, once a month - BUST
31. Be intentional about what I spend money on -- no impulse buying (be accountable HERE for any impulse buying). - TOTAL BUST
32. Make my bed 5 out of seven days of the week - NOT MEASURABLE
33. Say "I love you" every day - BEEN DOING THIS
34. Laugh more - not sure
35. Watch seasons 2 and 3 of Downton Abbey. (FINISHED season 2 on 1/13/13)(Finished season 3) DONE
36. Get another Tintin book -- OD sent me The Shooting Star

37. Get another Judy Bolton book - got a bunch
38. Take a trip to the east coast - DONE (trip to NY in June)
39. Read at least 6 books: 1) Unintended Consequences by Marti Green; 2-3) 7th and 8th James Patterson books; 4) To Kill A Mockingbird; 5-6) 9th and 10th James Patterson Books
40. Watch a sunset
41. See a sunrise - done - 2/9/13
42. Clean the oven
43. Try a new bread recipe - DONE
44. Do something nice for a stranger - DONE - helped woman pick up display case she knocked over
45. Work on being content - work in progress
46. Add money to my Kiva loans
47. Make sewing kits
48. Make a bag
49. Make pjs - DONE
50. Spend an entire day in my pyjamas (will I ever accomplish this goal?)
51. finish knit/crochet projects (3)
52.  make a new list for 2014

If you'd like to link up, I'd love to know what your goals/challenges etc. are this year.

2012 - The List - Wrap up

So last year I finished 16 of the 52 things on my list and I made progress on a few others:

I watched all but three of the nine best picture Oscar nominees (#7);
I had only one weekend getaway with my husband (I had planned for two) (#8);
I made something for each of my children except for my DIL (#9);
I made 8 quilts this year (planned on 9) (#19); 

I only bought 23 $1 items (#21) -- I'd still like to work on that this year so I'll add it back in this year.


I'm hoping for a more intentional year and hopefully my goals aren't too wacky that I can't do better on them.

Here is a collage of my finished quilts.

Applique ?

Here are pictures of the applique I did on shirts for Christmas ..

 

Mark's favorite football player ..

Grandpa's 85th birthday shirt!

15 Minute Challenge - 2012 Wrap Up

tuesday - made party favors for YD's office party
wednesday - made party favors for YD's office party
thursday - nothing?
friday - binding for cooper's quilt
saturday - working on binding for cooper's quilt
sunday - finished cooper's quilt; made stocking; made applique gifts
monday - made 2 crayon rolls

tuesday - nothing much
wednesday - made squares for twisted quilt
thursday - worked on squares for twisted quilt
friday - nothing
saturday - more nothing
sunday - finished blocks
monday - trimmed blocks to 4 1/2 inches (while watching Downton Abbey - 5 episodes)

Not a bad two weeks.  I need to go over to the List and see where I stand and I need to upload my list for 2013.  I don't have 52 items on it yet.  debating whether to shorten the list.

Anyway, check out Kate's Life in Pieces and see what else others have gotten done or link up and show what you have done.  Kate's theme this month is Set a Schedule (great for the first month for setting goals for the year).

I am trying to be more intentional this year so setting a schedule fits right in with that.  I'm looking forward to a great 2013!