Baby Cakes Quilt- Start

I have been working on another baby quilt, Baby Cakes Quilt from the book Strip Happy. You can still find this Jelly Roll pattern book at Joanns, which is running a 40% off sale on all quilting books this weekend (FYI). A funny story...before Joann's started carrying it, I was looking for this book. I did a search on Barnes and Noble....you would have just laughed at all of the books that "strip happy" pulled up! Needless to say I gasped!

I enjoyed this pattern although I am not done yet. I still need to sew my blocks together. I am waiting on the rest of my Flutterby (Moda) fabric to arrive to put the borders on. This pattern was very easy! It would be great for a begginner or an advanced looking to do something fast. Besides, I just love the blocks.


So, the quilt really runs in the opposite direction. I just wanted to get a quick shot in, so you all knew I was up to something. I will post a better picture when I get the top done!

Valentine Swapper Alert

I have been trying to connect with one of my Valentine Swappers, Wendy M. Wendy, please email me. MANY thanks!!!

Loser Monday- What's on Your Plate?

Still no movement on scales to report, but I am busy trying to be good. I will say that 2 skirts that didn't fit at the beginning of the year, do now. So that is good news. Here's a couple of recipes that we enjoyed this week. I hope you do too...

Toasty Roast Beef Sandwiches (pictured)
WW- 5 points
Servings- 2

2 - Hamburger buns
1/4 lb Lean Shaved Deli Roast Beef
Sliced Sweet Onion (Medium)
Mushrooms (optional)
Reduced Fat Sliced Provolone Cheese
Mustard or FF Italian Dressing

In a small skillet, saute onions and mushrooms for 3 minutes. Add RB and continue to saute until lightly brown. On a cookie sheet, open the buns and put the beef, onions, and mushrooms on top of the bottom bun, top with one slice of cheese. Place under broiler on low for 1 minute or until cheese is melted and bun slightly toasted.

Goes great with Greek Confetti Salad (picture).

Kris's Favorite Hamburger
WW- 6 points (includes bun)
Serves- 4

1 lb extra lean burger
2 TBSP Sweet Baby Ray's Sweet Honey BBQ sauce or Kraft Hickory BBQ sauce
1 tsp montreal steak seasoning
4 buns

Mix all but buns. Patty them up. Place on George Foreman Grill for 5 minutes.

Best wishes for a good week to all of you losers!!

Stacked Coins Baby Quilt

Well, I completed another baby quilt tutorial by AmandaJean. This tutorial is found on Moda Bake Shop. I used Pampered Pooch Charm Pack that I won on Vickie's giveaway a while back. I also used some Hello Betty Charms that I purchased at my LQS. Due to my fabric choices, this is definitely the "scrappiest" quilt I have ever made. It takes a bit of getting used to. Husband and I had quite a discussion about its colorfulness. He was suprised that it was so busy because usually I choose collections that use just a few colors.

I really liked this pattern. It was fun and quick to make. It is great for a sewing pro who just wants to whip something up quickly or it would be good for a newbie as well. I would highly recommend anyone trying it. Thanks to all of those Moda Bake Shop designers, I know I am really enjoying all of their creativity!
Front:




Backing:


This is my first pieced back. I cannot wait to see it finished.

It was a bit of headache though because my entire PP pack was cut at 5 inches by 4 7/8ths which made it a bit off. I was a little frustrated. It all turned out in the end though, so I guess that is what matters.

That's what I did this weekend, what about you?

Charming Pincushion

I am loving that Moda Bake Shop and Vickie has a fun tutorial on this cute little pincushion.

A special thanks for all the Buddy love. He is a love. I just could squeeze him in a hug all day long and never tire of it. He does have a great smile....he even forgets to stop smiling when he is swimming, which causes a problem!

BAD LOSER, BUT GOOD BUDDY

I am sorry to say that I have not been a good loser this last week. I have no excuses. I just felt like eating. Husband was trying to quit smoking. He was eating everything, so I guess I did too! Oh dear. Anyway, this is a new week. I have stocked up on good foods and I am ready to return to some good habits.

We even had some sunshine today. Perhaps spring will follow soon and I can get some walking in.

On a fun note, I had the day off today that allowed me to go with Buddy on his field trip to Gym Jesters. He had a lot of fun on the trampoline and in the foam pit.

Another little project

I had a fun weekend with my mom and dad. Mom and I went to my LQS and we both found lots of fun projects to buy for. I will touch on those later. Then we came home, and I have wanted to use this pattern for well over a year. Mom had a sweet 16 present to buy for, so we whipped this up to compliment what she bought. The pattern's name is Abbey's Treasure Box.

I used some of my Urban Chicks 1974 charms. Urban Chicks if you are tuning in today, please keep these wonderful fabrics coming! I love this line. I'd love to have a complimenting line come out soon.

I like how this project had you quilt it as you sewed it. This is only my second zipper, and I thought it was very easy!

A little project

Well, as promised I found a fun use for those adorable buttons Vanessa sent me.



Isn't this a sweet little pincushion. I used my Lakehouse scraps. I love when I use my scraps. I am going to make a second, but needed about a 3 day break to clean my sewing room! LOL It was a mess, and no, I didn't take any pictures of the mess because I have some pride! You people would just have died to see it. Husband wanted to know what happened in there. LOL

I also want to close on a more serious note. I want to send our thoughts and prayers to our Australian quilter bloggers who have been affected by the terrible bush fires.

Loser Monday Update

Diet Update:
This week: I lost 1 pound
Total since the challenge stared: 4 pounds
Total since dieting in the fall: 22 pounds
Remaining pounds to lose: at least 16 pounds

I don't have a lot to share this week. I haven't tried any new or great recipes. Just hanging in there, I guess. What's new with you Losers?

I have been making some really pretty fruit salads to eat. Even my husband has said that tossing it all together makes it more appealing. I have been trying to get in more water by slicing up a lime and keeping it in the fridge for a splash of flavor.

Valentine's Swap Wrap Up

Hooray. I have heard from all 26 of you and all 26 packages are accounted for. Everyone should be watching for their packages in the mail. I know international destinations take longer, but most of those posted early. So, hopefully everyone receives theirs before Valentine's Day.

I just want to say again, thanks for participating. I truly have enjoyed myself and you have all been so good about communicating and following the directions, thank you! I do hope to do it again next year. I hope many of you will come back again.

And you remember the drawing, right? Well, as promised I do have the winners drawn for that. Here is the official drawer. . .he looks thrilled, doesn't he? I was interrupting his morning cartoons for this occasion.


And the winners are:



We drew first for the apron.
Carol, your name was drawn first, so congratulations. Then we drew for the pattern.
Congrats to you Jill.

I will try to get those posted on Monday! Congratulations!

Feeling even more special, Valentine's Swap

It's here, It's here! Stand up and give a cheer. My package arrived from the wonderful Vanessa. And it was so fun to open. I am just about giddy today. AND let me tell you, I have had quite the nasty week....so this was just the right end to it! MANY THANKS, VANESSA!

Isn't that just the sweetest bag ever? I will be using it all the time. I LOVE it. And she included lots of other goodies including some delicious truffles that we indulged in. Don't read that line, Sharon. I cannot wait to look at those magazines. I see now that I accidentally left out the cute heart buttons, so you'll have to trust me they were cute.

I plan on doing the drawing sometime tomorrow. I still have not heard from 2 swappers that they have sent out their packages by today's deadline. Please email me and know that I have replied to every email I have received. So, if you haven't heard back from me, then I did not get your original email. I hope these packages are in the mail because I know I will have some dissappointed participants otherwise. If some emergency has come up, please email me.

Thanks!

Feeling pretty special

Okay, so I was checking my blog like any other day, when I noticed that I had another comment on my Heather Mulder Peterson Keyholes Quilt. And guess who it was. . .


Heather Peterson said...
Looks like you are off to a great start! Wonderful job and thanks for sharing.


So, I thought that was pretty cool and had to point it out to you. Among Heather's many other quilting publications, she has a pretty cool blog. You ought to check it out. I used her binding tip the other day and now can say that I love binding. She also just displayed her new quilting fabrics she is playing with. THEY ARE GREAT.

Loser Monday

Last week Judy suggested the losers post a salad recipe (dinner). I updated the Pita Salad, because I love it, to have meat and cheese, too.


Updated Pita Salad

Serving Size: (I refigured everything so this would make one large salad for me, but would easily serve 2 side salads.) 1
WW: 9 points

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet.

Mix in a small prep bowl:
1 pinch dried cilantro
1 pinch cumin
1 pinch dried red pepper flakes
1 pinch paprika
1 pinch oregano

1/2 PITA: spray both sides with PAM and rub with the above mixture

Bake for 10 minutes and allow to cool slightly. Rip into pieces to toss into salad.

Rough Chop (I like big chunks) for salad and place in medium bowl:
1/2 c fresh mint
1/2 c fresh parsley
1/2 c red pepper
1/2 c green pepper
1/2 c tomatoes
1/4 c sweet onion
2 ounces of deli roast beef
1/4 c mozerella cheese

Add pieces of Pita.

Dressing:
1 TBSP lemon juice
1 TBSP EVOO
1 tsp fresh garlic chopped
1 pinch of splenda

Good luck this week!

A start

This is going to be short. Here's what I am working on. . .




If you haven't already, head on over to Mid-Ohio Knitter's giveaway. Vickie is just so sweet and fun. If you haven't already, check out her tutorial on Moda Bakeshop Blog. . .congrats to Vickie for being a designer on the blog! That is so "sweet".