Now that's good tv!

Are you watching it? I'm talking about "The Killing" on AMC. It's so freaking good! I have absolutely no clue who killed Rosie Larson or why. Every Sunday I'm glued to my tv trying to figure it out. I even DVR it so I can watch it again. It's like a slow burn the way the plot is unfolding. The characters are so intriguing too. What's with Sarah? All this time I thought Reggie was her sister or something. You could have pushed me over with a feather. Only two more episodes left and still I'm clueless. If you're not watching it, you should be.

Belated Gift

I always have the best intention when it comes to making items to gift. I always, always start off with a bang, but somehow I end up with the day approaching (or in the case, passing me by) and either in a mad panic to finish or resigning myself to being a late gift giver. Luckily I must have inherited this trait from my mother as every occasion entitles her sending her package express so that it arrives on time. As this is for her, I'm sure she will forgive me. I posted it to her on Saturday and it should be on her doorstep by Tuesday. It was meant to be for Mother's Day.
She likes autumnal colors and I thought this Island Batik jelly roll seemed to capture that feeling very well. The pattern is essentially Cluck Cluck Sew's Basket Case pattern. I say essentially because beyond her general layout I didn't follow her directions. I probably should have, but I kind of like Gee's Bend wonky style in my quilting so I really like the many imperfections. I hope my Mom likes it.

Summer Slim Down!

Like many of you I've struggled with my weight for many years beginning in earnest in my early 30's. Lately I've really fallen off the wagon and been run over by it. I'm trying hard to regain some control and get a routine going. My dear friend Linda is starting a summer slim down and she's so inspiring that I have decide to stop making excuses and get to work. It's really helpful to have someone who's on a similar journey to talk to about your challenges.
I'm excited to get started. I have a healthy eating plan, a workout plan that's not dependent upon me getting to the gym and offers lots of variety. I'm very motivated. I'd like to lose 30 lbs. by my next birthday. It's a very reasonable goal and only calls for me to lose 1-2lbs/week. I'll be checking in here, with Linda and with online support groups regularly to help me stay on track.
Do you have any summer fitness goals?

WIP: A year long quilt project

I'm very intrigued by civil war and sampler quilts. Although admittedly I don't love reproduction fabrics. Several months ago I stumbled across this blog via flickr. It was right up my alley. I've gotten a bit derailed after starting off strong. I don't think I had a clear plan, but I've been rethinking it and I have a collection of Castle Peeps by Lizzy House that I wasn't sure what to do with and I think I'm going to use it to make these blocks. I'm going to start from scratch. Currently I believe there are 22 blocks. It shouldn't take me long to knock the blocks out and get back on track. They are 8" blocks. Many I should be able to cut out using my accuquilt. I think the castle peeps is edgy enough to transition into a big girl quilt for O. In the mean time I've been trying to finish up a few end of the year teacher gift and prepping for summer sewing. I've pushed the single girl quilt I was planning to the back burner until I finish a few things I'm currently working on.
By the way the Barbara Brackman site is amazing. So full of fasicinating quilting history. Be sure to check it out.

My Kids favorite cookie

My kids love snickerdoodles, they have to be their all time favorite cookie. They ask for them constantly. This is the top secret recipe I use, but I'm happy to share it with you. The big difference between regular sugar cookies and snickerdoodles is the cream of tartar. It makes for a super light cookie that is the perfect combination of soft and crispy.




Snickerdoodles

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon


Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cream together butter, shortening, sugar, the eggs and the vanilla in a large bowl. Blend in the flour, cream of tartar, soda and salt. Mix the 2 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside. Shape dough into balls using a teaspoon. Roll balls of dough in cinnamon sugar mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until set but not too hard. Remove immediately from baking pan and cool on rack.

Oh how I heart you Joann

Now I know I need to be buying fabric like I need a hole in my head, but how could I resist this stuff? I mean really, you tell me, how? I picked up some of new DSQ (as in Denyse Schmidt) fabric by Fabric Traditions for Joann's and couple pieces of AH Farmdale. I only had enough coupons to get 4 prints of the DSQ. I mean I'm still me, I had to use a coupon. I'll be going back and getting more as my coupons permit. Thankfully the Farmdale was already 30% off. I know tons of people slam JoAnn's as inferior quality (I'm thinking the whole Kona cotton debate) and what not, but I love the place. I'm there at least once a week. The employees are friendly and if not knowledgeable at least helpful. They don't hassle me when I come in with my fistful of coupons. They ask where my kids are (ahhh, the joys of child free fabric shopping). Need I say more. Don't get me wrong I shop my LQS too, but I do truly adore Joann's fabric and consider myself a loyal customer.

Tackling a new skill

When I began quilting a few years ago I just dove right in. No class, little knowledge other than what I gained from years of garment sewing. I asked a few quilting friends some question, but overall I've been self taught and learned by trial and error. I consider myself a liberated quilter. I try and use what I have and I'm not about precision. You'll never find me paper piecing a
"Grandma's flower garden". When I make things for us to use I'm much more relaxed, but when I make items to gift or swap my perfection monster rears it's ugly head. Currently I'm working on a baby quilt for a coworker. I've already quilted, unpicked (oy!) and requilted it once. Now I'm working on the binding. I read somewhere that if you make a baby quilt you should attach the binding by machine so that it holds up to all the washings. Well, I've got a lot to learn. I used the tutorials from here and here and this one with tons of great pictures. I'm sure this should be easier than I'm making it. Anyway, I've been struggling with this so I thought I'd ask you, what do you think...is it good enough to gift?