Patch's Choice

While Ginger slept, I took Mini-me and Patch on some errands. For those who read that first sentence and worried that I left Ginger home alone, relax. Curly was still here. We went to Target first, to pick up a new helmet for Mini-me, and a tee ball stand for Patch. Then we went to Needles and Pins to get the stabilizer I use for t-shirt quilts. While at the quilt shop, the kids played in a box of buttons. Patch found a penny. He tried to take it home. I explained that the penny didn't belong to him, but it belonged to Cindy, who owns the shop. I gave him is options: Choose the right and give it back, or make a bad choice and keep it. He looked down at the penny for a long time. Finally, with his head still down, he handed the penny to Cindy. He couldn't even look at her. When we got home, Patch got a new penny to put in his piggy bank. He also got a sticker for his chart. He only has 2 more left to earn. If he keeps making good choices, he'll earn it in no time.

Sew and Tell

This week I did a few more Kindle/Nook covers, which are now listed in my etsy shop. They are really fun to make.

This next one is my favorite. The quilting is linear, since I had it in mind for maybe a male who would think diagonal quilting to be fruffy. The result is ruggedly handsome, much like my Curly.

Flower is officially a middle schooler. When I said: "You're in middle school now. How cool!" she looked at me with minimal expression and said: "I know, right?" Ah, the tween years; they're gonna be awesome!

Go check out Amy's blog for some more great ideas!

Weight Loss Report

I am so off this week. Flower came on Tuesday and it feels like Friday. Either way, I totally spaced Wednesday. I have several calendars, you would think I would know what was going on! I was down another pound this week. I was a little disappointed, because I had hoped to reach my 10% goal this week. Unfortunately, I weighed in before I had a chance to nurse Ginger. That was probably worth the half pound I was off. So, next week. I'll be celebrating for sure.

I have made a few updates to my etsy shop today. I've got three Kindle/Nook covers listed and one quiet book. I hope to have a couple more quiet books by Monday, including one for boys. So please, shop shop shop!

Early To Bed

Last night I stayed up late to watch the series finale of Lost. I have thought for quite some time that I am not smart enough for Lost. Last night confirmed it. Our late night made for a very early morning for me. I even tried to work out, but Ginger was having none of it and I had to hold her for the last 12 minutes. My arms feel very jello-y right now. We haven't made it to the Y for a few weeks. Ginger has been switching things up on me with her naps. It keeps things new and exciting. I think we finally have a schedule that works, which means I can add Zumba back into my life.

This is Flower's last week of school. It's also her very last week of elementary school, and her very last week at Broadfording, the school she has attended since she was 3. In less than 3 months, she will be a middle schooler. Heaven help us.

Sew and Tell

I'm a day late. Ack! This week I worked on my quiet book idea. It's small and can easily fit into a purse or diaper bag.
I found this cute fabric while we were in South Bend last summer. I made a quilt top for Mini-me with it and have a bit left over.

The inside has a felt person on the right, and a pocket on the left. I used canvas for the fabric so that it would be hefty without having to add interfacing.

All the clothing and accessories can fit in the pocket. Pull them out and start dressing up the doll. Here we have a cute pink and purple ensemble with brown pigtails. Isn't she lovely, folks?

Not to be outdone is our charming carrot top with overalls. Mee-ow!

Finally a sweat shirt with blue comfy pants with brown hair in an attractive up-do.

I have a few more shapes to cut out, but look for them in my etsy shop by mid-week!

I'm in under the wire, but I'm linking up to Amy's blog again this week :)

Weight Loss Wednesday

I just completed week 15 on Weight Watchers. The weight is definitely not "peeling off" me, but it's coming off slow and steady. I am pleased with my progress and with the changes I am making. Last week, our topic at the meeting was about our support. I am very fortunate that Curly is super supportive of me, even though he thinks I can do it on my own. Trust me, I can't. That $36 a month is money well spent, trust me. We also talked about those who think they are being supportive, but really they are not. They are the self-appointed Diet Police. The Diet Police like to comment about what you're eating. They say things like: "Are you allowed to eat that?" or "That can't be on your diet." Or, if you have a bad week, they try to be helpful by saying: "Well, you probably just ate too much." While the Diet Police think they are helping, in actuality, they are not. I don't have too many people in my life who have joined the squad, but I do have a few.

First of all, yes, I am allowed to eat anything. I'm an adult who can make my own decisions. Secondly, I am not on a diet. I am changing the way I think about food, and I am changing the way food affects me. Food is not my friend and won't make me feel better. Food is fuel. It's delicious fuel, but it's fuel nonetheless. And, if I have a bad week, it might be because I didn't go to the bathroom yet, or because I'm wearing jeans instead of workout pants, or any number of reasons, including eating too much. Losing weight is as much a mental battle as it is a physical one. My mom told me to think of feeling a little hungry as Pac Man, munching away at the fat in my tummy. Try it, it's fun.

The thing I try to remember is that I am not my weight nor my size. I am me. I really like me, not matter the package. But to be the best me and the healthiest me, I have chosen to lose weight and make my package a little more enticing.

A Case of the Mondays

Boy, am I glad today is almost over. It started early, and ended with two tubbies for Patch. Don't ask. After my dentist appointment tomorrow, I can get back to work on my felt project. I am making little quiet books using my Cricut. I am having a blast, and yes, they will be for sale in my etsy shop, as will the Kindle covers. I won't be going to my normal WW meeting tomorrow, since I'll be at the aforementioned dentist. Which begs the questions: Would you rather go to the dentist, or go to a weigh in? Tough question, isn't it.

Sew and Tell

This week wasn't quite as productive as last week. Then again, I don't think any week could live up to last week! I finished one thing: a Kindle cover for my mom.

I used hook and loop tape for the closure, since I wasn't sure how a magnet would affect it.

I also added some cardboard in it, to make it sturdy enough to protect the Kindle while on the go.

Just wait until next week. I figured out how to cut felt using my Cricut. I am so excited about it, and am counting down the minutes until Needles and Pins opens so I can get more felt. 52 minutes to go...

I'm linking up on Amy's blog again this week. Go check out the other fabulous projects!

Weight Loss Wednesday

Happy Wednesday, folks! It's been a long day here. Is it Friday yet? I am glad the day is almost over. All that is left to do is pop some popcorn and fold some laundry. I didn't have a huge weight loss this week, only .4 pounds, but any loss is a good one. I have a contest going this week with my friend Lenore. We aren't doing a challenge for who can lose the most, but who can stay within their WW points the most days. I think I'm gonna win. We haven't decided on a prize yet, but it will either be a movie or a lunch. Maybe both!

Off to fold.

Sew and Tell

I have things to show this week! I have been very busy in the sewing room. I had to break my rule of not sewing after 10:30 pm so that I could get things done by Flower's birthday. And, in case you're wondering, I don't sew after 10:30 because I end up spending more time unpicking what I just put in that it's not worth it.

First up, we have Flower's new quilt for her bed. Her bedroom is up in our attic, and we've had just a plain white coverlet from Target on her bed. I don't know if you can tell from the picture, but this is a kid that loves color. So, I made this for her. It's an Atkinson Design pattern called Cheese and Crackers.
Next, I did some curtains for her. All I did was take some old curtains that had been sitting in a box for over 6 years, cut off the bottom, and sewed some coordinating fabric along the bottom. Easy peasy.

Finally, we have one of the favorite gifts of the day. Both Mini-me and Flower love American Girl dolls. We gave Flower a bunk bed (found on etsy), and I made two little coordinating doll quilts. They were supposed to be mini versions of her big quilt, but I messed up. I'm not so good without a pattern. But, I salvaged them and I think they look really cute. Flower loved them.

I also finished this shirt for Mini-me. You can find the pattern here. I also have the matching doll pattern cut out and ready to sew. I just need more hours in the day! She wore this to school today, and had many compliments as we dropped her off.

Well, that's it for me! Go check out Amy's blog for more cool finishes.

Weight Loss Wednesday

It was another good week for me. I hit my 20 pound loss mark. Yay for me! Hopefully I won't blow any of that good work today. It's Flower's big birthday today -- she's 11 -- and she has requested Barefoot Contessa cake. It is cake that is simply irresistible. The nice thing about Weight Watchers is that I can incorporate that into my plan for the day so that I don't have to feel like I blew it. That's half the battle of weight loss is dealing with your brain.

So Happy Birthday to Flower! She is such a sweet little gal. She is a kind and loyal friend and sister. I am so pleased to call her my step-daughter. And, I am so excited about what we are giving her. Come back tomorrow and see, okay?

Cousins

We are lucky to live close to cousins and both sides. Curly's family lives slightly closer than mine, but we don't get together with either side as often as we like. Here is Patch with his cousin. We'll call him Mr. Energy. They are about 6 months apart, and will have so much fun as roommates at BYU.

Unintentional

I didn't mean to stay away for so long. Please forgive me? Now that I have my laptop hooked up to a monitor so I can see what I'm doing, I can get back to my regularly scheduled posting. Promise. Oh, and the dark pink area on Ginger's onesie? Yeah, my babies have drooling issues. It's time for the stylish bib.