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What I'm Working on, and Goals for June

So, doing take 3 on these quilting/sewing goals. Third time's the charm, right?

My first goal, and official ALYOF June goal, I want to put together my "In Bloom" block of the month into a quilt top. It's unusual for me, but I am actually following the pattern from beginning to end with this one. I started This quilt in January 2008 as part of the block of the month program at Meissner's of Folsom. I purchased the finishing kit and remaining blocks when we moved later that year. I'm excited to move this one along, as it has been waiting a long time!





A second goal is to finish the tote bag I'm making from my "color story" we did at our MQG meeting.


Other things I've been working on include an ironing board cover, of sorts, to put on my dining table. I have some large applique that I'm planning on doing, and I really wanted a larger surface than my ironing board. I'll be taking pictures and sharing my experience with that soon.

My kids have taken charge of the garden this year. The weeding may not be getting done, but the plants are doing really well. Kudos to my 11yo, who has really taken the lead with this.

Christmas Stocking #1 - finished!

I had hopes to finish this for Christmas 2013, but it just wasn't meant to be. The usual busy-ness of the Christmas season plus a packed schedule for a Christmas choral concert just didn't leave me with enough time.

This is an interesting pattern. When I ordered it, I thought it would be cross stitch. I was a little intimidated by the stiff canvas, wool thread, and simple diagonal stitches. I finally started stitching it in Novemeber, and was surprised at the quick progress I made. Despite that, I was less than halfway done on New Year's Day.

I didn't use the included felt. It always confuses me as to why anyone would want the back of their work exposed. This is not just a wall hanging. It is meant to be stuffed full on Christmas morning.

 The part that makes me happy? Done! Linking this post to SewCalGal's
Handmade Christmas Challenge.

A Lovely Year of Finishes March goal

So, do you remember this post? Yeah, those goals have been untouched. So, I'm keeping it simple. My only goal that I'll set it to lay out and fuse the applique pieces for the Bionicle quilt. It has been sitting around for a long time, and obviously this is a mental block for me. Watch for a post showing that I got it done at the end of this month!

Make Your Story Bloom

That's my current title for this quilt. I love it. The quilting turned out great, even though there are some flaws (which I know I'm really the only one that can see them). Free motion quilting is still fairly new to me, so I love it.







This was from the Modern Quilt Guild Madrona Road Challenge. Our guild decided to limit it to mini quilts. I really wanted to use the fabric as the inspiration for the design. I thought about a castle or roads, but settled on some modern flowers.














The yellow and blue flowers and the leaves are hand appliques using a freezer technique I found at (well, I looked through my browser history, and I can't remember anymore). I pulled the paper out when I had sewn most of the way around. The stems were cut on the bias, then pressed with the seam allowance underneath. I pinned them in the shape I wanted, then stitched them down.






I really enjoyed playing with different textures. I so glad I was brave enough to attempt the roots in the "soil." You can still read the text, which I love. The pebbling in the blue flower gave just the effect I was hoping for.









The back side is so fun to look at.

 For the first time, I quilted with my feed dogs up on my Bernina. Eureka! No more tension issues that I had with the last quilt. I used a super slider, taped down on the edges so it wouldn't flip up, and set the stitch length and width to 0. If you haven't tried it, you should! I can't wait to free motion my next quilt.

May UFO Goals!

I have been slowly working on my UFOs, and I want to participate in Fiber of All Sorts and Sew Bittersweet Design's "A Lovely Year of Finishes" challenge. So, my goals for this month are:

Put together the center panel of the Bionicle quilt. It has been sitting in pieces for a couple months.
Getting to that point would put a completed top much closer.

My second main goal is getting a sleeve onto my Madrona Road challenge quilt, so I can actually hang it! A full post on this beauty will be coming soon.

Bonus:
Finish the pink & purple dresses for the girls. One mostly needs hemmed and a zipper. The other has yet to be cut out.

Finish a block or two of the Farmer's Wife sampler. It's been waiting a long time to get started!


PS Don't be alarmed if the pictures look different in the next couple of days. I just got my new camera today, as my old one had broken.  The color was all wrong, and the image was distorted with lines across everything. Daylight meant a whited out picture. The new camera is awesome, but I want daylight to take some proper pics of these projects!

Time for a review of last year's goals. Yeah, didn't do all that I had planned, but I did do some. New goals to come, with more frequent review of how I'm doing.

Child of God:
read the entire Bible
Done. Not in the 90 days that I had hoped, but finished nonetheless.
read the Book of Mormon (multiple times? or read at least 20min/day?)
Nope. Not even close. Scripture study was spotty for most of the year.
read the Relief Society lessons each month  
Haha. I don't think I even read one.

Wife:
(keeping these goals private)

Mother:
help my Scouts earn their next ranks
Success with David and Sam. No Progress with Jacob
help Anna learn to read 
We've been pretty consistent with bedtime stories and scripture study, so I'll call this a success
potty train Zeke and Lydia  
Got 1 of 2, but I won't beat myself up over it
help Zeke learn all his letters, numbers and some sounds  
He has gone beyond this and now knows about 30 sight words
get kids to all Dr needed (this is more than just check-ups)  
A definite success here. This has kept me very busy!

Visiting Teacher:
100%
Huge fail here!

Housekeeper:
deep clean house  
Nope - at least there are multiple areas that still need some serious attention
do weekly cleanings  
Nope, and it shows



Repairman:
repair all the currently known issues, including: light switch, broken door, mirror, mixer
Nope. Sigh.

Begin kitchen remodeling  

Still working on getting a plan worked out & drawn up by a professional

Cook:
start making sourdough bread
I did make some starter, but I have yet to actually use it. I have to fix this soon!
dinner by 6pm
Fail for most days of the year. And this is a serious problem.



Blogger:
3 posts each week  
Way too ambitious. I barely did that in an entire year.

Bookkeeper:
reconcile all accounts  
Nope
update accounts weekly  
Nope
create a budget we can follow  
Nope

Daughter/Sister:
call at least 2x/month  
Didn't call even every month, I think.

Friend:
participate in a social group (book club? sewing club?)
I tried to start one up, but it quickly died. A friend wants to try again this year.

Artist:
Finish at least 30 projects, focusing on ones previously started  
Hmmm. I think I finished 4 or 5?

Student:
Read 30 books, including at least 12 classics
I read 23 books, with 3 or 4 classics. Not quite there, but not too bad.

Individual:
Aerobic exercise at least 3x/week 
Improved on this goal - I started lifting weights with the husband 2x/week
Eat more fruits and vegetables  
Probably not, and this goal needs to be more concrete.

I Ran (yes, really) in a Virtual Race

I got inspired by a friend's blog I follow, Taking It On, to run in her annual virtual race - Jingle Bell Hell. The requirements were simple: had to be at least 5k, be challenging, and I had to laugh at some point.

So first, the total mileage that I ran/walked: somewhere around 3.5+ miles. I walked probably about 1/4 of the time. This was 42 laps at our YMCA including warmup and cool down. Since the only real running I've done in a long time is the Jog-A-Thon at the kids' school in September, this was HARD. I have never called myself a "runner." My walking laps were spent panting, and towards the end, trying to keep my stomach calm. My "training" for this consisted of 3x/week Zumba classes and 2x/week weight lifting. Which is not the same thing as running. At all. I timed myself for an overall count of 35 laps (about 3 miles), and that took me 35 minutes. Not fast. At all.

 Yeah, I'm sure I looked somewhat like this. Except white. And take away all the muscles.

So, the laughing. I wish I could say that I laughed out loud. I didn't. I didn't have enough breath to. But I did smile and do a voiceless laugh more than once. The first was around lap 12. I was convinced that I was absolutely crazy for even attempting this. Was I even going to finish? I think some people as they saw my face wondered if I was going to pass out. I know it got flushed more than once. What really surprised me, though, was that by mile 3, breathing actually started to get a little easier. I couldn't get my legs to move much faster, but I wasn't dieing (as much) during my jogging laps. The walking laps got much worse instead. Second laugh was when I decided that I was done jogging. I totally did it! I did more than 3.5 miles in a total time of about 45 minutes. Hopefully I'll be able to walk tomorrow, but I did much more today than I thought I could. I may have to run again. (Did I just say that?)

UFOs!!!!

I'm surrounded by them! I've counted about 100. Yikes!

For the uninitiated, UFO = UnFinished Object. That means some sort of project that was started (or in my case, about to be started), but not completed. The list includes:

5 Block-of-the-Month Quilts. I don't think any have all the blocks completed.
About 30 sets of pajamas. Um, yeah.
13 skirts and dresses for me and the girls.
3 more quilts, 3 x-stitch Christmas stockings, and more.

I hope to make a big dent in this pile this year. I've joined a Facebook group that was created just to encourage each other to finish things this year. I need to be accountable to someone!

Goals for 2012

Most of these goals will be a stretch, but if they are too easy, what's the point, right? They are categorized by the many "hats" I wear.



Child of God:
read the entire Bible
read the Book of Mormon (multiple times? or read at least 20min/day?)
read the Relief Society lessons each month

Wife:
(keeping these goals private)

Mother:
help my Scouts earn their next ranks
help Anna learn to read
potty train Zeke and Lydia
help Zeke learn all his letters, numbers and some sounds
get kids to all Dr needed (this is more than just check-ups)

Visiting Teacher:
100%

Housekeeper:
deep clean house
do weekly cleanings



Repairman:
repair all the currently known issues, including: light switch, broken door, mirror, mixer

Begin kitchen remodeling

image source

Cook:
start making sourdough bread
dinner by 6pm



Blogger:
3 posts each week

Bookkeeper:
reconcile all accounts
update accounts weekly
create a budget we can follow

Daughter/Sister:
call at least 2x/month

Friend:
participate in a social group (book club? sewing club?)

Artist:
Finish at least 30 projects, focusing on ones previously started

image source

Student:
Read 30 books, including at least 12 classics

Individual:
Aerobic exercise at least 3x/week
Eat more fruits and vegetables

image source

Sugar as poison

I watched this video a number of months back, and I have been meaning to share it since that time. If you have the time, it is very informative. If not, here is the gist:

Our body processes different sugars differently. Glucose is not the same as fructose or lactose (our 3 most commonly ingested sugars). Dr Lustig asserts that in order to break down fructose to be usable by our bodies, a number of harmful by-products are created. These by-products, in his opinion, are responsible for many of the issues Americans are facing today. Weight gain. Insulin resistance, and eventually diabetes.

I can't say that I know enough biochemistry to know if he's right or wrong. But he does work through the chemistry, and I think he may have figured it out.

Why is this a big deal? Well, some companies have been pushing fructose as a safe alternative to diabetics, since it doesn't create a blood sugar spike. It may very well cause more damage than the white sugar may have done.

My take-away from this? Cut back white sugar, fruit juices, high-fructose corn syrup and regular corn syrup. We already know they aren't good for us, and now we can see at least one theory of the kind of damage they do. Eat lots of fiber. It counteracts the damage caused by fructose. Also, I will continue to avoid sugar alcohols, or what we call in our house "fake sugar." If something natural like fructose can cause so much damage, I can only imagine what something created in a test tube can do.

I stand corrected

Here is a wonderful explanation of the name of James in the New Testament. I always thought that the King James translators had changed it. While it is still very correct to say that James' real name was Jacob (Yakov), the name of James was more very convoluted mispronunciation of his name over the years. I would still argue that if the King James translators noticed this, they kept it as James in consideration of the King. Who would want to be the one to tell him that the famous apostle didn't really share his name?

I finished!!!!! Bible in 90 days

I have now read through the bible twice. Yay! This time was a struggle. I visited California in January, and didn't read much while there. I've had some other projects going - I was in charge of rechartering our pack, and I've been making a quilt for a friend. I still need to work on a blanket for my nephew (it's taking much longer than I hoped!), but I'm still glad I took the time to read again this year. I forget about different passages and learn new things each time.

This reading was different than last years - my husband bought the official Bible in 90 days as a Christmas present for me. This meant instead of the familiar KJV translation, I was reading the NIV translation instead. I do have to say, it was easier reading. I only have a couple complaints with the translation: I don't agree with the verses left out. I believe they were part of the original text. And I don't like how the word Jehovah is not found in the entire book. (please correct me if I'm wrong!) Instead of Lord of Hosts, they put in Lord Almighty, and for Lord of Lords, they put in Sovereign Lord. I think some of the meaning is lost with those changes. Still, there were interesting changes in some verses, as well as some very interesting footnotes on alternate meanings. Reading this has really driven home the article of faith: "We believe the Bible to be true as far as it is translated correctly." The KJV has mistakes in it, as well as the NIV.

For my friends that have not read the bible all the way through - do it! Set a time to start and finish. 90 days means about 45 minutes to an hour each day. Consistent reading is the key to finishing. I was amazed at how much easier it was when I wasn't trying to catch up. And I love how the scriptures end up being in my head all day. I plan to continue this as a tradition for myself every year. Hopefully it will get easier each time I do it!

Tabs I have up in my browser

1. Money Saving Mom shares Walmart's new coupon policy. Important things to note: coupons for free items cannot be printed from the internet. Any overage will count towards other items in your purchase.

2. Positively Splendid shares a tutorial on covering boxes with fabric. I realized how cheap muslin can be - so I think I'm done with buying boxes that break for the kids' toys. These will likely last just as long, and I can reuse the liner in a replacement box as necessary.

3. A friend from my quilting guild used these paints in a quilt. The quality was amazing. These are not what you'll find at the neighborhood craft store. I don't have a project planned that would use these, but it looks like it could be great fun.

4. Once I have a working stove again, I plan to get back to canning preserves, jellies, pickles, salsa , etc. These reusable lids and rings might work out to be money-saving. The cost isn't much more than what I buy at the grocery store - and those aren't reusable! I'm not sure how well they work and how long they really last. Perhaps more searching would tell? I might just try them out and see how it goes.

5. The more I look at disposable diapers, the less I want to buy any more of them! After doing some research online, I found that hemp fleece should work the best as a "soaker." Absorbent material is a must in this house. Bed are frequently wet by morning.

Yes, I always have ongoing projects. Some take months to start, and some never happen. A post in the future may just be a list of those projects floating around in my head!

Songs

Just a few songs I've enjoyed listening to on YouTube the past few days:
Mister Sandman

Nature Boy - this is so hauntingly beautiful. I love it!

Never on Sunday - this one cracks me up.

They Say It's Wonderful

A few more summer freebies

This is as much for myself as anyone else. My kids have fun getting rewards, and these are all great things to do!

From REI:
http://www.rei.com/passport
Print the "passport" here:
(just realized they linked to last year's) http://www.rei.com/pdf/kidsPassport/pta_journal_09.pdf
And then print the form to send in for your prize:
http://www.rei.com/pdf/kidsPassport/passport_to_adventure_mailer.pdf

From Half priced Books:
http://www.halfpricebooks.com/free_PDF_downloads.html
Their flyer:
http://www.halfpricebooks.com/pdf/flyer4up_english.pdf
And the reading log:
http://www.halfpricebooks.com/pdf/generic-log2-C_english.pdf

Barnes and Nobles:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/summerreading/
Their passport (reading log):
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/pimages/resources/events/2010/summerreading/pdf/2010_PassporttoSummerReading.pdf

Cinemark Theaters:
http://www.cinemark.com/summermovieclubhouse/index.htm

Bowling (check to find one near you):
http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/
The list of participating locations - there's a lot!
http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/all_centers.php

Lowe's - free projects for children:
https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/Home.aspx

Home Depot:
Kid's workshops

Of course, check your local library. Ours offers weekly activities, story time, and prizes for reading.

I'll be posting more as I see more. Summer can be lots of fun!

Summer means reading, and free stuff!

First offer that I have seen this summer - I know, it's still spring, let's not get too technical - is from Borders. This one is very simple. If your child is 12 or under, all they have to do is read 10 books, list them on the form, and get you to sign. Then bring it in to Borders and get 1 free book. You choose from 10 titles. Most of them seems like great classics. this promotion lasts until August 26th. I hope to post about more summer fun as I hear about it.

Bible in 90 days - #3

I've been thinking a lot about King David, and his fall from grace. When you read the whole story in such a short time, the contract is stark. He was an amazing man, with such strong faith and trust in God. He refused to kill Saul, even though he would be justified in doing so, and had multiple chances. But when life became much easier, he let Satan creep in. It's interesting to think about what was a sin, and what wasn't. David stayed home from war. A sin? Not sure, as we don't know the circumstances. Then he was hanging out on the roof of his home, and noticed a beautiful woman bathing. A sin only when he continued to watch. He wanted to know who she was. No outright sin there. But when he found out she was married, he should have stopped there. Even after he laid with her and got her pregnant, he could have admitted his wrong. But instead he tries to cover it up. When that doesn't work, he makes sure her husband is killed in battle.

The man that was unwilling to defend himself against the King that chased him down, was willing to kill one of his trusted soldiers to steal his wife and cover up his sin. How quickly he fell!


On a different topic, two Psalms that struck me as I read them:


Psalm 13

1 How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;

4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

If you think of the enemy as being Satan, the verse takes on a whole new meaning.


Psalm 37

37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

I want to make this into a plaque on my wall. Beautiful, simple, and profound.

I am now halfway through the bible, and almost caught up again. I'm in the middle of yesterday's reading.

The bible in 90 days - #2

I have fallen behind again, and caught up again. The Old Testament is hard for me to get into. So much of it is so repetitive, that I have to force myself not to skip.

Still, there are some things that I've noticed, that I don't know if I had realized before. Joshua didn't first show up when the spies went out to survey the land and people. No, he was there as a companion to Moses on mount Sinai. I do not think he went up the mount, and saw what Moses saw. But I'm sure he learned much from those experiences as well as from Moses' teachings. He shows that in his response to the 10 spies who were afraid.

One thing that is so difficult with the Old Testament is how harsh the judgments seem to be on the people. But then you have to think of what they have seen and heard. The Israelites saw the Red Sea part. They saw springs suddenly start in the desert at Moses' command. The Lord talked to the people from a cloud. Food showed up from nowhere. And yet, they complain multiple times about how it would have been better if they had died in Egypt. How could they be so faithless? How could they forget those miracles so quickly? But then, would any of us done better? I would like to think so, but there are many times that I'm not so sure.

The bible in 90 days - #1

I decided to take the challenge from Mom's Toolbox, that I came across from a blog I subscribe to. I'm reading the King James Version, since that is what I'm used to. I am on day 4, and have just finished reading Genesis.

A few things strike me. First, is how many good parents have their own faults, as well as children that make terrible mistakes. Cain killed his brother out of jealousy. Lot's sons-in-law laughed at him. His wife turned back. And his daughters made him drunk so they could become pregnant by him. Isaac favored Esau, even though Jacob was the one who truly feared God. Reuben slept with his father's wife. Simeon and Levi killed a town because one man slept with their sister. Rachel stole her father's idols when they left his home.

What is to be learned from all this? Perhaps we need to be all the more watchful and vigilant in doing what is right. But also that we all make our own choices. I cannot force my children to be good, but I can teach them.

Today's reading was mainly the story of Joseph in Egypt. I seemed to understand more this time of why and how Joseph tested his brothers. He either hoped that they had changed for the better, or that he could keep his younger brother with him. It is amazing how much Joseph endured for so many years, and how quick he was to forgive his brothers. I hope I can become as forgiving.