I Haven't Been Very Creative Lately...

I've been busy, getting some cookie favors done for my cousin's daughter's first communion. I'll show pictures when they are all ready. And truthfully, I just haven't been feeling the sewing love. I want to work that Charm Party tote but I haven't had the time or energy. So I'll show off Punkie pictures instead.

But before I do that, my virtual buddy Kris and I were talking about machine embroidery stuff and she gave me an awesome idea. Since I'm "rewarding" myself for not smoking (putting the money aside), Kris gave me the idea to buy a couple spools of embroidery thread. Works out perfectly! One spool of thread is cheaper than a pack of smokes and I didn't bat an eye spending $11.00 every three days on cigarettes so I'm now going to take that money and every two weeks, get a couple spools of thread. I will have a great collection of machine embriodery thread colors in no time. Awesome idea, yes? YES!

Okay, moving along to Punkie...

Here she is dressed up to go to the shoe store and Grandma visiting...


Gotta love the boots! I thought my mom was going to give me a hard time letting her out of the house (in purple cowboy boots with cropped pants in 80 degree heat) like that because that's just how my mom is but she said she looked very cute.

Here is Punkie posing with her Raggedy Ann and Andy that "Santa" brought her for Christmas this past holiday. She got the hair bows from the Easter Bunny and had to wear one for the picture. Someone a friend of mine knows makes the dolls and I had her make a set for Amelia. I took a couple of pictures to pass along to the doll maker to show that they are loved.

Lastly, Daddy and Amelia. My new favorite of them. Just wished that Chris wasn't dressed for hauling dirt that morning.

That's it. I hope to get some sewing in this weekend. At least a little bit.

Jen :)

Loser Monday...

I've come to dread this day. How bad is that. But I'm back on track today. I've made up my mind. My crazy need to snack is coming to an end today. I have a nice salad for lunch with some grilled chicken, some pineapple and some other fruit out of my fridge. I haven't decided yet.

Other news...
44 days smoke free.
Cigarettes NOT smoked = 654
Money saved = $181.50 - I've been slacking about paying myself. But I DID buy some fabric so I think that counts.

But I do have a confession... I caved. The urge was way big. I snuck a cigarette from my mom on Saturday (SO high school!) and lit up on my way to my haircut appointment. Can I say, I'm not missing anything? I didn't enjoy it one bit. Even felt weird smoking. I didn't even smoke the whole thing. So, I'm done. My urge is gone and I'm over it. Moving along...

Had a very nice weekend. Saturday was spent running errands but Amelia had a great day at my mom's. We had summer-like temps here so she had a ball running around and playing with the garden hose. Yesterday, Chris and I spent the morning mulching the garden. That chore is done and I'm happy. Looks great! 4 1/2 yards of mulch later, it better!

So, that's it. I need to get my lunch together and think about getting ready for work. I love having a flexible job where I can work from home or go the office. Today, I'm doing a little bit of both.

Have a great day!
Jen

A New Project

I'm bored. I have the pinwheel wallhanging to finish but I need to get to my LQS to get the white fabric for the second border (yes, I made up my mind) and I was going to do table runners for Mother's Day gifts for Amelia to give to the grandmas but I'm not feeling it. I have them pieced together and I have the backing and binding for them... bah. I'll save them for their birthdays in August.

So I decided to make this for myself...

using this....

but you know what? I DON'T like the charm pack. I don't know. I don't like the yellow-ness undertone in all the squares. I've been arranging and re-arranging my charm squares to find the "pattern" I would like in my tote and I'm not feeling it. Sooooo, I'm going to go back to the drawing board and figure out another charm pack to use. Because I do want to make the tote. Just not with this fabric line. Maybe I'll use Oh-Cherry-Oh. I REALLY like that one. I want a tote for the summer. Something happy.

That's all I got.
Jen

I've Been Tagged... Kinda...

Over on Heather's blog, she made a request... first 5 people to volunteer to be tagged, post and let her know, will get a copy of her new book before it ships. So I'm tagging myself. Let's see if I can be one of the lucky 5. And after reading Vickie's post, I see that she tagged me too...

1. I have known my BFF for 32 years. She lived (her parents still do) in the same neighborhood my grandmother lives in and we went to elementary school and college together. We haven't been BFFs for all those 32 years. Just for the last 18 years. She now lives is in TX with her husband and baby girl but we talk over email every day.

2. I met my husband on a blind date 7 years ago and we have been together ever since. This year we celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary.

3. I have 27 first cousins. My mom is one of 11? 12? kids (I can never remember). Family get togethers are always fun!

4. My brother and I are first generation born in the United States for our immediate family. Both my parents were born and raised until the age of 13 in Poland. I have visited there and would love to go back. I wish I spoke the language better. I used to as kid. I've lost it.

5. Speaking of Polish... I went to Polish school every Saturday morning during the school year for 5 years. I hated it. When all my friends were home watching Saturday morning cartoons and getting jacked up on sugary cereal, I was in school!

6. AND I was a Polish girl scout. No American Girl Scouts for me. The Polish kind. That was fun though. We didn't sell cookies or anything like that. I remember doing lots of crafts and singing songs. We did go camping overnight for 2 weeks in the woods.

7. We own three goats as pets and we did have 3 pigs but they went to Florida on "vacation"... that's the story Amelia believes. One of them is in my freezer and is DARN tasty! We will be raising 6 more pigs this year for their meat. My husband wants chickens. I haven't quite made up my mind there.

I was so quick to post this that I forgot to tag some bloggers out there..... so here I go. Are you ready? I believe this is strictly voluntary... Oh. And I can't remember if any of you were tagged by others so if you were, just ignore me! :)
Kris, Rachel, Mary, Stacy and Sheri.

Well, there you have it. Heather? Am I one of the lucky 5???

Jen

Giveaway!

Vickie (midohioknitter) is having herself a giveaway. Go over and check it out. She's giving away Moda Scrapbag...

Jen

I'm Not Happy...

Loser Monday again. I'm not a loser. Since I've quit smoking, I have found 5 additional pounds. Not good! Not good at all! I'm not happy. I feel like a fat blob and I can see those 5 pounds in my face. SOOOOO tempted to start smoking again to stop eating but I know that's not the answer. I will not do it but in the back of my head, I'm very tempted.

I'm going to try very, very hard this week to get back on track. I need to start getting back to the gym. Being sick the last month between myself and Punkie, I haven't had the motivation to go. But I'm finding it again and I'll be going.

My other Loser Monday update:
Days smoke-free: 37!
Cigarettes NOT smoked: 549 - that is just INSANE!
Money saved: $152.00 - I think I have about $100.00 put aside right now.

Pretty cool!

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Opinion Needed

I have been working on a pinwheel wallhanging for my BFF's daughter's 1st birthday. I meant to put it away for now and focus on other stuff needed to be done "now" since the party is not until July but I can't help it. I really like it. And I want to make a pinwheel wallhanging for myself. I think it's going to be in Oh-Cherry-Oh! Anyway....

I had the thought of doing a double border on it. I put on the light blue one which I am happy with and I was thinking of using the white dotted fabric that's in the pinwheels as a wider border to the blue and then quilt and bind it. But I can't decide. I think I kinda like it as is. Just the blue border.

Now, you have to use your imagination when you see the picture... give me your opinion. White border or no white border.

What do you think?

Jen

Go On Over and Say Hi!

Sinta (pink pincushion) has started her very own blog today! She was my secret gift giver for the Polka Dot and Ric Rac swap that Sharon hosted a while back. So go and over and say hello. I'm sure she would love it. You know how we love blog comments!

Welcome to the madness Sinta! It can be really addicting!

Jen

Celebrating with Daddy on His Special Day

Amelia and I went to the firehouse last night to have dinner and cake - pie really, for Chris's birthday. Just a few photos to share.

Amelia was watching TV in the day room in one of the recliners. Look at the hair! New fashion statement.


Amelia helped Daddy blow out the candles. Daddy fanned them with a newspaper because he FINALLY caught the cold that Amelia and I had. The chocolate cream pie was well received and there was none left.

That's all I got.

Jen

Today is a Special Day

Today is my husband's birthday. But not just any old birthday. Today is his 40th birthday!

I asked Chris what he wanted for his birthday. He told me a card and chocolate cream pie. So I bought him a card; 2 actually and made him a pie. Wanna see?

YUM! Can't wait to dig into it tonight. Punkie and I are going the firehouse (Chris is working tonight) to have dinner with Daddy and his crew and we'll be having chocolate cream pie for dessert. I need to remember to bring some candles with me.

AND I left him this....

I'm not a very neat baker! LOL. I'll get right on washing those in a bit.

Happy 40th Birthday, Honey! Punkie and I love you!!!

Jen

Quick Check In

Just thought I would do a quick post. Nothing too exciting happening. Thank you to everyone who spread well wishes to Punkie. I think they worked! She is feeling much better today! I've been working on a couple of projects at the same time. 2 table runners for Mother's Day and a pinwheel wallhanging for my BFF's daughter's 1st birthday. Here's a sneak peek of that one.


I really like how it's coming out. All the pinwheel blocks are done. I just have to attach them into rows and think up a border. Then it will be ready to be quilted. But I am going to put it aside as the birthday party is not until July. I need to focus on the table runners.... which need to get quilted as soon as I figure out what I want to do for backing.

Here are a couple pictures of Amelia in her Easter finery. Notice how she likes to be all "hollywood" in one of them. LOL. She loves getting dressed up so she can twirl. And this dress was extra twirly because of the pleating. The poncho was knit by my friend Sue. She also knit Amelia a purple one but it didn't go with the dress.



And as we speak, my husband is hard at work getting my quilt back nice and straight so that I can FINALLY get my very first quilt to Sharon to get quilted. I promise Sharon. It will be on its way soon!

That's all I got!
OH! Quilt back is all done! WOOHOO! Sharon be on the lookout for my quilt!

Have a good night!
Jen

Loser Monday...

I haven't weighed in yet today and I don't know if I'm going to. First, I ate like a pig yesterday and second, Punkie is sick this morning. Pushing a high fever and vomiting. I'm waiting for 8:00 a.m. so that I can call her doctor. I snuck in a quick shower in between everything and forgot to step on the scale. So, no weigh in for me today.

In other news...
30 days smoke free!
Cigarettes NOT smoked - 443
Money Saved - $123.75

SWEET!

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Happy Easter!

I hope everyone enjoys this day with family and good friends!

Jen :)

My Latest Projects...

Just a couple of things to show you today. First off is the tote that I took a "class" on. A friend of mine took the class a couple of years ago and then she taught me. It's cute. I've been using it as my laptop bag just to get some use out of it. I'm not liking the aqua anymore. When I first decided to make the bag, I had planned on using a pair of lighter denim jeans for the pocket and handle. Then I decided to use the darker pair. I think a darker blue fabric versus the aqua would look better with the red and cherry fabrics. Oh well. I'll just make another one!



Speaking of the cherry fabric... I LOVE how it looks with the denim so much that I'm going to make a cute little jumper for Amelia out of denim and use the cherry fabric as a ruffle accent. My friend has to show me how to do that too. I bought a couple of patterns. Just need to decide on one, buy the fabric and get to creating!

Next up, fabric Easter baskets. I love how these came out. I hope the recipients like them too.

Here's one filled with some Easter goodies...

I am working on some gift items. I'm putting together a pinwheel wallhanging for my best friend's daughter's first birthday and I'm going to make a couple of table runners for Mother's Day - if I get motivated and get cracking on them!

That's all for now.

Enjoy your day!

Jen

It was Too Good to Last...

My 2 pound loss has found its way home to me. I knew my happiness would not last. That is what happens when you start to feel better and start eating "real" food again versus eating chicken soup and drinking hot tea. Oh well. I will start all over again this week.

My other update:
23 days smoke free - but for some reason, I really want one today. The craving will pass...
Cigarettes I have NOT smoked in those 23 days = 339
Money saved = $94.88 - I have put aside $80.00 of that so far. I plan to "pay" myself the rest on Friday.

Pretty cool...

I have some things to show you that I've worked on the last couple of weeks. I just need to get the pictures uploaded.

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Getting Ready for the Easter Bunny

One more weekend until Easter and our time is filling up fast. This morning we are going to the Easter Egg hunt in town. Last night, we colored our own Easter eggs. We had a good time. Here are some of the highlights.

Amelia waiting patiently for our first batch of eggs to be ready...

Daddy getting in on the waiting action...

See the steam?


Amelia carefully checking on the egg's coloring process...

Being silly...

Two dozen eggs. All done!


And here they are in their basket...

We had a good time. And Punkie is very excited to go the Easter egg hunt this morning.

One more picture. Punkie and Daddy relaxing...


Enjoy your day!
Jen

My Daddy, My Friend

I've been working on some projects but they aren't quite finished yet so I'm going to show how Amelia and Daddy play together.

First, Daddy makes a great horse to ride on.



And Daddy makes a great customer at "Amelia's House of Beauty".

Daddy even got a turn to do Punkie's hair.


She "painted" his nails too but I missed that photo op. Daddy is a good sport when it comes to his little girl.

Enjoy your day!

Jen

Oh What a Bummer!

A few weeks ago, I posted about an online fabric sale that I found out through another blog that I read. Well, look at this.... http://www.quiltartsonline.com/. Out of business. What a shame. So for those of you who placed orders, check your credit card statements and make sure you weren't charged for anything.

I guess the saying is true... if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Jen

Giveaway...

Cara the Quilt Nook is celebrating her 1 year blogoversary and is having a giveaway.

Go over and check it out and leave a comment. Maybe you'll be the lucky winner.

Jen