Weigh In Weds. - Back on track, sort of

I did not track my foods as I ought to which led to some questionable decisions. Those decisions usually resulted in this type of conversation, "oh, it's just this one time, you've been pretty good elsewhere."

Then, when I tried to reconstruct what I ate over the week before this post, I realized it was more like the good stuff was just the one time and I'd been pretty bad elsewhere. 

That said, at least I DID get on the elliptical a couple of times.  I DID reduce my picking (thank goodness).

End result, 162.5.  Back to where I was before Christmas.  Now it's on, people. I'm tired of my sausage arms and my jiggly butt.  I realized I have a 20 year highschool reunion this Spring and I want to look like a trim and fit mama! (Come on, is there anything wrong with wanting those old HS insecurities to be kicked to the curb by showing up full of confidence and eliciting those, "wow, she birthed kids" comments?)

Okay, if there is something wrong with that completely superficial mentality I always tell my kids not to have, then I will say this.  That mentality is second to wanting to feel better and healthier. I'm still having up and down days like that but I have to remind myself, it took days, weeks, months and years to get like I am. 

It will take days, weeks, months and even years to get to and maintain where I want to be. It sounds daunting but if I focus only on the days and weeks with my goals, I know it is do-able.

I'm on Pinterest now and I have taken to pinning photos for fitness inspiration. I've already used it a couple of times when on the elliptical (I can set my iPhone on the machine to play music). I pull up my pins and look at where I want to be or read some inspirational message.

For instance, here's a motivation one and here's another.

And these two, these are "fun" ones to me.  Run for It.  Walk Away.
It helps me. What do you do to help yourself when you are hitting the wall and trying to push yourself through?

Cheers!
Beck

Another Sewing Room Update

I've finally gotten all the fabric letters ironed to the walls.  Using this tutorial, I forged ahead with my words. Then I realized the words weren't enough and I wondered if quilt blocks would be neat. Of course, then I saw fabric at JoAnn's which had quilt blocks on it. Take a look.

This window only has words. It's boring. I need to figure something out for this window.

This window, I am happy with. I like the way it looks with the strip of fabric on either side of the word.

This window, it's my fun window.

I put one block over the door into the living room but it looks lonely, doesn't it?

And this wall, it's sad with it's miscellaneous items but I'll have a small quilt hanging up there soon and will re-arrange those hodge-podge stickers.  Eventually, I'll finish organizing and my control-freak heart will be content... Those boxes will be OFF the top of the armoire.

But that will be later. For now, I'm enjoying the little progress. 

Cheers!
Beck

Minnie Mouse Quilt

So back around Halloween, a friend of mine's daughter-in-law saw a quilt set for sale. It was a custom set for crib size and had the whole package, bumper, quilt, skirt and it was WAY out of her price range, not to mention she wanted a twin size.

She mentioned to my friend that she was going to have a friend of hers (who's sewn clothes but never quilted) make it. My friend halted her there and reached out to me asking if I could recreate it in twin size. A quick look at it assured me I could do this and so off I went. They paid for the materials since I'd have to buy new fabric across the board for it and a new batting b/c I didn't have twin on hand and I made the quilt. 

Hehe - quilt photos are further down but I had to share how I "wrapped it". I saw this ribbon in the Wal-mart craft section adn couldn't resist.

I had trouble determining how to quilt this one but then realized I wanted the Minnie's to be the stars and so a "frame" would suit them and in the pink dot squares, an off-kilter X was easily the way to go.  In the borders (you can see it a bit in the folded phot above) I did a wide loop de loop (how the heck do you spell that anyway?) I think it works and keeps it fun like Disney. 

What do you think?

Cheers!
Beck

Make Life Top, how to quilt?

I started this quilt to be a fun lapsize for a co-worker to keep in her office and remind her of bright days when her days at work were tough.  However, as I was pieceing it, I noticed these little blotches along the way. I pre-washed this fabric but the water was on warm (unrealized), not cold and I didn't take care to keep things with like colors even though I knew better.

So, I decided I would hang on to this one as an extra house quilt. That leaves me with the idea to use these squares as individual test patches for quilting designs and I've decided to reach out to you. What continuous motion quilting designs do you suggest? I plan to practice feathers in the boarders (2 borders = 2 types of feathers).  For the blocks, though, what should I try. If I have enough ideas, I may go ahead and use each block as a different test area. 

Oh! Pebbles.

I've always wanted an excuse to try those. Maybe I'll do those in one of the little blocks.

Any other thoughts?

Cheers!
Beck

First 2011 QAL

I came across Pins and Bobbins QAL starting Jan. 13 and I can't resist. The direct link is on my sidebar. It looks like it will be a quick and easy QAL and I can use it to tackle one of my to do items on my sidebar.

I will be pulling out my scraps (which I started sorting last night) to determine colorways for the quilt and will be ready to go on the 13th.

Want to join in?

Cheers!
Beck