FMQ Challenge

I took the pledge and bit the bullet.  I have been so frustrated trying to machine quilt.  But I signed up for Sew CalGal's challenge and am so happy I did.  I watched Frances' tutorial and set myself to work.  My first attempts were somewhat pitiful but I presevered.  Practice, practice, practice is the key, I know.  But what I found helpful was that it is just one little piece to work on.  I saw improvement from the first of the month until the end of the month.  I feel more confident than I have in years.  I am excited about February's lesson.  Here are a few examples of my attempts.

Ten on Tuesday

Ten favorite Super Bowl Snacks
Our son comes every Sunday to watch football with his Dad.  Our son also loves to cook and is pretty good in the kitchen.  He will make some girl very happy with his talent.  And this from a kid who was a very picky eater.  No matter where we went for dinner he would order grilled cheese.  He has come a long way.   So some of our favorites are:

1. Quesadillas
2. Nachos
3. Buffalo Wings
4. Scallops and Bacon
5. Chili
6. Lasagna
7. Lemony Shrimp Rounds (see recipe below)
8. Cheese and Crackers (I know I am part mouse.  No party or get together is complete with cheese.)
9. Apple Cranberry Chutney over cream cheese with crackers
10. 7 Layer dip

Now I know these aren't all snacks, but these are some of our menu items.  We tand to have a theme.  Last year it was Tex-Mex.  This year we will have more of an Italian theme.

Here is one of our favorite appetizers.

LEMONY SHRIMP ROUNDS
8 oz cream cheese softened
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3-4 scallions finely minced--use white and a little of the green part
2-3 TBLS prepared horseradish
1/2--3/4 lb cooked shrimp coarsely chopped
2-3 grinds of pepper

Beat cream cheese and lemon juice until smooth and creamy.  Stir in the scallion and horseradish.  Fold in the shrimp and finally the pepper. 

Serve with melba toast.

Go Pats!  I think we should have added clam chowder this year!!!

Stash report Week 5

I must admit I started out the New Year with BIG plans to finish stuff!!!  I have done very little sewing since the holidays--more knitting than quilting.  I am trying to knit socks.  I did knit up a couple of Christmas Stockings and a pair of baby socks.  Now I am working on a grown up pair of socks on size 1 needles.  I feel like I am knitting with toothpicks!!!

Fabric in this week: 0
Fabric out this week: 0
Fabric in YTD: 4
Fabric out YTD: 0

I think I may start keeping track of yarn.  It might help me fell like I am making progress.

I will be "gifting" some fabric and yarn.  I have been very busy cleaning, sorting and de-cluttering in general. 

Ten On Tuesday

I don't go to the movies very often.  But this was fun to think about.  I was a big fan of movies growing up.

1.South Pacific
2. Rocky.  the original.  I am a Phila girl by birth and miss my home city.
3. The Nun's Story.  If you went to Catholic school you wanted to be Audrey Hepburn.
4. West Side Story
5. War Horse
6. The King's Speech
7. There Be Dragons
8. Three Coins in a fountain
9. Schindler's List
10. The High and the Mightly

Looking at this list, I have to get out more!!!!

Stash Report Week 4

I had big plans this week to start putting a dent in my stash.  But life and family have a way of side tracking me.

Added this week: 4 yards (backing and binding for January's UFO challenge--more on this later!)
Added this year;  4 yards

Used this week: 0
Used this year: 0

I should be able to spend some quality time in my sewing room this afternoon.  The boys will be very busy watching football--Go Pats!!!

But right at this moment I am trying to talk myself into going to the gym.

Ten on Tuesday

10 Things To Do Inside When It's Too Cold To Go Outside.
1. Bake chocolate chip cookies
2. Look at old cooking magazines
3. Make homemade chicken noodle soup
4. Drink tea, while
5. Knitting, while
6. Watching old movies
7. Play Scrabble on the computer
8. Work on our geneaology
9. Plan a new quilt project
10. Spend time thinking of all the blessings in my life.

As much as I love to knit and quilt, it seems my thoughts turn to food when the weather is less than pleasant outside.

Beth

Stash Report Week 3

I still have nothing to report this new year!!!  The past week got away from me and I did very little sewing.  Back in 2008 I participated in an international Amish swap.  Completing this quilt is one of my goals for the year.  It is not going together all that well.  I may have to rethink what to do with the blocks.  My numbers have not changed

Fabric In this week: 0
Fabric Out this week: 0
YTD:0

Stash Report Week 2

I am off to a slow start this year.
 Fabric in this week: 0
Fabric Used this week; 0
YTD: 0

I am learning to knit socks and I haven't spent much time in my sewing room.  that will have to change this week!

Beth

UFO Challenge

Judy of Patchwork times graciously reopened the sign-up for her UFO Challenge.  When i was getting my list together, I looked at projects I keep putting on the back shelf even though I like them.  My number assignment was random.  Some will hopefully be finished.  But some of the projects are just a collection of blocks.  #5 on my list is an Amish Euro Swap from 2008.  It was my first attempt at an international block swap. Looking at the blocks again brought back many pleasant memories.  My contribution to the swap is the block in the center--a goldenrod yellow.  I think the pattern is cactus rosebud.  The block off to the left will become part of the label.  Each participant included a 5 inch block of their color as well as a signature patch.  I am hoping to have the top and backing assembled by January 31.

I had every intention of sewing this afternoon but decided to "pick up a few things and put them away".  I now can see my cutting table and the floor is no longer a lethal weapon.  I can walk freely without fear of tripping.

Beth

FMQ Challenge

I just spent a little time working on the January tutorial by Frances Moore.  First let me say that I have struggled to machine quilt.  I can actually recognize the leaf motif that I quilted.  Everyone says practice, practice, practice.  This challenge is going to help me stay focused.  My goal is to practice 3-4 times a week until these leaves are mine!!!!  For the first time in my quilting life I feel successful with learning machine quilting.

Beth

Stash Report

My first official Stash Report:

Yardage In: 0
Yardage Out: 0
YTD In: 0
YTD Out: 0

My goal for 2012 is to have more yardage out than in.  I think I will have to start a stash report for yarn as well! 

Happy New Year