Almost There!

This week we were to complete the 10th out of 13 (well, technically 12 for me since I am not doing my design on point) blocks for the Beginner's Quilt Along. Last week I decided to add a new color, a solid grey, into the mix because I was finding there just wasn't enough contrast for the blocks with what I had left of my fat quarters. The thing was, I really hated the way it looked. Which kind of peeved me off since I bought the grey specifically for the purpose of using it in my remaining blocks.

Anyway, I was poking around my (very tiny... so tiny you can't even really call it a) stash, and noticed I had the black with a subtle grey swirl in it. It was perfect. So I ripped apart last week's block, resewed that, and did the block for this week.

 Ahh. That's much better. It just works so much nicer than the grey one don't you think?

Anyway, then here is the one for this week-- Riding the Roller Coaster

Here is a picture of the first 10 blocks. Unfortunately my design wall (aka the back of a vinyl tablecloth) has a dark red on the other side so things aren't popping as well as they do in person, but you get the idea. A white vinyl tablecloth is on my shopping list.

WIP:
Beginners Quilt Along quilt
Cat in the Hat nappy quilt

Linking up today with Freshly Pieced WIP Wednesdays

A Nappy Quilt for Diva

So, I know I promised my husband I wouldn't start any new projects after Little Loo arrived. I mean, a new baby plus a toddler keeps me busy enough, nevermind the laundry, the cooking, and just making sure the house doesn't look like a total warzone. Buuuuuutttttt... I called Diva's school yesterday to see what school supplies a 3 year old might need and was told she needed a blanket for nap time.Well, of course I wanted to make her one! And I even had the perfect fabric to do it.

A few months ago I went to a quilt show in Lancaster with a friend of my mother-in-law's. While I was there I picked up some of the Robert Kaufman Cat in the Hat fabric. It was so adorable, and I had had my eye on it for quite some time. I always figured I would make a quilt with it and keep it around for when someone close to me had a baby... whenever that might be. But really, what would be better for nap time at school than the Cat in the Hat! Anyway, here is a photo of the backing. I love the panel because around the Cat is the entire story written out is a nice blue text. More to come, and soon. Diva starts school on September 4th! Yikes! I hope I can get it done in time.

I have to say, it was so exciting cutting into the fresh fabric. And naturally, in my excitement I just dove right in. I finished the backing last night... I know, I know, way to do things bass ackwards... but it was the only way I was going to be able to get an idea of the dimensions for the front. Here I go again without a pattern.

Just Sayin'

Little Loo is so excited she can hardly contain herself!

Forget Seesaw, I'm Playing Catch-Up!

Well, it has definitely been a while. I thought I was falling behind before, but this time I was really behind. I've been so busy with a new baby, toddler, and husband that I haven't had time for much else. But between last night and early this morning I think I have managed to catch up... and I'm even having my entire family over for dinner tonight too. Sometimes I think having company come over gives you just the right kick in the pants to get you going again. Well, that, and thinking you are a day further behind than you actually are.

All day yesterday, I thought it was Wednesday-- clearly the lack of sleep is catching up to me-- so after Little Loo and Diva went to bed I scrambled to finish my blocks... that's right I said blocks. Don't judge. I never finished my block from last week and I needed to do my block for this week. Well, here they are.

Block 8, Play on the Seesaw

Block 9, Meet Me at the Fair

I can't believe that there are only 4 blocks left in the quilt along before assembling and finishing the quilt. It went by so fast, and I learned a good amount. I'm not totally happy with my fabric selection at this point... there just wasn't enough color range in it, but all in all I think it will look ok. I am thinking about donating this quilt to Quilts for Kids. It is an organization that distributes quilts to children with life-threatening illnesses or to those children who have been abused. One of the great things about this organization is that you can request a quilt kit, with fabric to make a quilt (you just supply the batting). After finishing the quilt (you have 4-6 weeks to do it) you mail it back along with one of your own to donate. Its great for me because I am really enjoying making the quilts, but don't really know what to do with them. This way I get the fabric and everything, and kids will benefit too! I'm not in any shape to start on now, but once I have some time its high on my list.

What's for dinner??

I have a confession to make. I'm really bad at planning dinners for the week. I'm the kind of person that thinks "hmmm, what should we eat tonight" and then hops off to the grocery store with no regard for the following week. That is, provided the kiddies are cooperating. Otherwise its more like "hmmm, what can I scrounge up from the fridge/freezer tonight."

In order to remedy this bad habit, I created a menu board that lives in the kitchen and helps me prepare dinners for the week. My favorite part about the board is that just about everything is magnetic which means that things can easily be re-arranged, added, and removed. Here it is:

I made the board from an existing magnetic white board that just seemed to always be cluttered with things I never used. I covered the board with some decorative paper I bought at my local dollar store and some double-sided tape. I also made some pockets to hold menu cards, which I will talk about later.

 This is a closer photo of the menu side of the board. The cards are help up with magnets that I bought at Lowes. I found them much cheaper there than at the craft stores, and more magnetic than the ones at the dollar store. I wrote the abbreviation of the days of the week on each magnet Mon.-Sun., with the two weekend days hung vertically at the bottom.

The other two thirds of the board holds my pockets for my dinner menu cards, coupons, my grocery list, school calendar, and emergency contact list. I love how neat it stays.

The Grocery list is one of my favorite features. I bought it at Target relatively inexpensively. It's made by RealSimple. It is pre-populated with essentials that you can just check off, and this are grouped into categories like produce, meats, frozen, etc. When I am running low on milk, for instance I just check off the box. It helps me to keep a running grocery list for when we are out of something or running low as opposed to me getting to that point and thinking I will remember to put it on the list when I'm ready to head to the store... because I don't know about you but I never seem to remember and I end up heading to the store with about four things on my list.

I also love my menu cards. The front are labeled with the meal, and the back has a list of grocery items that I need to have in order to make said meal. So basically, I grab my grocery checklist, grab my meal cards, decide what to have for the week, and then flip the cards over and add anything to my grocery list that I don't currently have in my pantry, fridge, etc. I also have cards for things like eating out, trying a new recipe, and pizza and Chinese takeout. 

The system isn't flawless but its pretty gosh darn good.