50/50 Team

Several of us  that are members of MQResource have been discussing getting healthier and  more physically fit.

This is not a new idea to me.  I toy with it often. And it just needs to change from idea to reality.  I think what really made me make that mental turn was opening my Christmas present from Steve.  He NEVER buys me clothes.  Absolutely refuses.  And for Christmas he bought me a beautiful Alpaca sweater.  It is size triple fat.  really.  who knew they made Alpaca sweaters in big girl sizes?    Sadly, it fit.  Sadly, it wasnt too big.  I want it to be too big.  I want it to be huge.  I want it to be so huge that I have to dump it in the hot washer and hotter dryer to felt it and shrink it up to MY size.   sigh…..

so the quest begins.

actually, it began on Christmas.

So, with my friends on MQR, we formed a 50/50 team.  50 lbs off in 50 weeks.  Thats a pound per week.  A measurable and attainable goal.  I am gonna have a felted Alpaca sweater for Christmas 2009!

If you are interested in joining us, make sure you check in at MQR.  Membership is free, although donating is a nice thing to do, and paid memberships get some bonus features.  And if you dont want to join MQR, but seriously want to do the 50/50 challenge, send me an email or comment here.

To help those who are interested in getting healther, here is a free giveaway you can enter:

http://biz319.wordpress.com/2009/01/02/2009-is-mine/

Now that I shared this here, I really am going to have to be accountable.  What matters most tho is my accountability to self.

One Block Wonder Started

It’s all Connor’s fault. He posted a beautiful One Block Wonder quilt on MQResources and I was smitten with it. I love Stack n Whack anyway, and this is just a different way of doing it. I had seen lots of OBW quilts, never liked them much. They seemed too mushy, too busy, no continuity. Then I borrowed Phylis’ book to figure out what those less interesting ones were missing, and why Connor’s was so terrific.

Like most quilts…… its all in the fabric choice. I read the book, went to the store looking for the “perfect” fabric. Not sure if it is going to be a great OBW or not, but I love the results so far.

For you Phylis:

Surprise Spoons

I am SO very blessed with good friends.  I realize many people think it is odd that I call my friends in the box (internet friends) real friends…… just because I never met them in person.  But when you share so many experiences and day to day events, they truly become friends.  Whether sharing on a favorite website (MQR), on blogs, thru email, by phone, or any mix of those…. I have come to know and care about lots of people that I consider friends.

So today I got an unexpected surprise from one of those friends.  A package came today from Andi, another longarm quilter from South Dakota.  It was wrapped in pretty gift paper, with a card that I would guess she made.  She is so very talented.  Andi wrote the nicest note in the card about my blog, me, and why she sent this to me.

I am not someone who cries often.  But I was SO touched by Andi’s kindness, that I cried when saw the bag.  It is the most thoughtful and appropriate gift Andi.  Thank you so very much my friend.

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It rained last nite.  And alot of the day today.  Rain/snow mix tonite.  Colder temps the next few days.  So the contractor wont start  the garage until next Wednesday.  Maybe.  I am not holding my breath.  How can anyone predict the weather?  The weather man surely cant!

Great Mail Week

I got more great mail this week!

Fannie is one of my favorite bloggers.  She has the most interesting art and techniques on her blog and she is a huge inspiration to me.  I was SO lucky and won a little contest she had a few weeks ago!

Look at this fabulous journal I won!  And she sent a little Artist’s Trading Card (ATC) along with it.  Lucky girl I am, huh?  (click photos to see full size)

Here is the inside:

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I got another postcard from the MQR birthstone exchange.  This one came from Deanna.  I wish I could have gotten better pictures…. you will have to trust me that it is MUCH prettier than this in person.

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And the week just kept getting better!  I had asked Yvonne, my DIL to make me a necklace and bracelet to match a new spring skirt and top I bought.  My outfit is yellow and pink and a touch of green.  I sent her this photo to help her with color choices.

And this is what she sent.  Lovely!  And a perfect fit.

I also asked her to make a necklace to match my favorite bracelets that she made me.  Wow!  I love this!

So, if you need something custom made ….. to your specific color and length…. well, I know who just might be able to take care of you!

Triptych 3

I got a 3rd triptych in the mail this week.  This one was done by Suzanne. Thanks Suzanne!  (as always, click on photo to enlarge)

Again, all of my triptych panels are of Arches National Park.  I hope to end up with a total of 6 panels because I participated in 2 triptych groups on MQR.  One person still has not sent one to me, and at this point (almost 3 mos overdue) it is doubtful I will get it.   As disappointing as that is, I also knows it is a risk when doing an exchange.

More Postcards

Finally!  I have pictures for you of more postcards I have gotten from the MQResources swap.  In case you havent been paying attention, the theme is birthstones.

Becca, August, Peridot

Michelle, November, Blue Topaz

Jami, born on the 4th of July!

Deb, August, Peridot

Judy, October, Opal

AnnMarie, January, Garnet

Rachel, April, Diamond

Lily, April, Diamond

Vicki, September, Sapphire

I gotta tell ya, these postcards are SO fun to exchange.  I have a full basket of cards on my coffee table.  Everyone who comes over spends time looking.  If I do this again, I need to make a bigger basket!

Pretty Tablecloth and Diamonds

Isn’t this a pretty tablecloth? SK made it for her sister. Now that it is quilted, she wants to keep it. That happens sometimes.  (click photos to enlarge)

And here is my latest postcard received in the MQResources swap. This one is from Gretchen, whose birthstone is a Diamond! This one is so shiny and pretty, I cannot seem to get a good photo of it, sorry. I do need to know how she did the gridwork. I can’t tell if it is a ribbon that is stitched down, or just stitching or what. Anyway, isnt she clever?

More quilts and mail updates coming……

In the Spotlight

I am honored.  Suzanne Earley, owner of MQResource asked me to be the “Quilter in the Spotlight” this week on the homepage.  MQR is my internet “home away from home”.   It is a wonderful resource for machine quilters.   This blog and Steve’s business website are the only other places that seem more like home to me than MQR.

Anyway, if you go to the site, you can read the article and see some pictures of several of my quilts.  You will probably learn more about me than you really wanted to!  You wont be able to comment unless you are a member, but you will be able to read the interview.  Membership is free, so if you are interested in machine quilting, please join!

Thanks Suzanne!  I am honored.  And a special thank you for providing such a wonderful place for machine quilters to hang out and learn from each other.

Feast

Around here it often seems to be feast or famine.  We have had a feast of sorts in the past 2 days….

More quilts arriving… at the back door and in the mail.  That’s the kind of feast we like best!

Steve liked this feast today:

We have been seeing turkeys most days for the last several weeks.  Today he counted 47.

I was busy finishing up my “Birthstone” postcards for the MQResource exchange.   My birthstone is Aquamarine.  I have them all ready to mail now, so if you are on the list, be looking for yours!

I also finished quilting my Granddaughter’s Flower Garden.  Now I have to bind it.  WHAT WAS I THINKING???  with all those corners to turn??

  This is what the top and bottom are like.

And the sides are like this:

And here is what was a feast for MY eyes:

   I love this texture! I was wishing it was sand instead of snow…..

   And best of all…… SUNSHINE!!!

And the snow is melting enough that I hope to drive my car right out of the snowy driveway tomorrow.  Gotta go get some things done before it snows later in the week!

Birthstone Postcard 1

I joined another postcard exchange on MQResources.  This month we need to send a postcard that represents our birthstone.  Mine are almost done, and hopefully will get sent out sometime next week.

Here is the first one I received.  It is from Shirley and her birthstone is a Ruby.  It is full of all kinds of rubies.