What's on tap for today...

I have two big chores today (in addition to my everyday chores ~ dishes, laundry, pick up toys, etc...). I have pulled every article of clothing out of the boys' closet & dresser. I have sorted through what fits and what doesn't. I'm making a list of items still needed for school clothes (now I just have to put it all back away). My next project: take inventory of the freezer/pantry so I can start planning dinners to efficiently use up all of our food before we move. Phew..its exhausting being an adult!

Some Groovy Finds

Nobody loves a good bargin like I do (ok, maybe Traci does...but she's just weird) LOL!! (I'm just kiddin' Traci!!) I just happened to run across some great deals this week and I wanted to share....first up: FABRIC!!

I found some fabric remnants at great prices ~ grand total: 5 yds for $12.00 not so shabby, eh?

Next up: THRIFTING!! I love thrift stores as much as fabric stores! I found four crocks (two lids) and seven vintage pillowcases. Grand total: $4.53. I am collecting vintage linens because I want to make this quilt, just like Amandajean. (you can click on the pictures to make them larger).

The mail is so fun these days!

I got two great packages in teh mail this week ~ the first was from Ruthie. She sent me some great R/W/B super soft fabric to make pillowcases for Alyica's QOV Challenge. Thanks Ruthie!!

The next package was from Ann and her RAOK challenge. I got two adorable fat quarters and some fun, bright 1/2 yd cuts. Thanks Ann!!

I'm so sad

It only took me 2 hours to finish my one drink (please excuse the crumbs on table) :P

It's been one of those days......

But things are looking up!!

Move over Jethro, here we come!!!

The mobile home is here, on our property! (disclaimer ~ these posts are all in good humor and not meant to offend anyone that lives in a mobile home, we saw some beautiful ones...nicer than any home I've ever lived in...this is just definately not one of them!!).

Need Help Finding Fabric

Ok, I need your help! I am looking for more of this fabric. All I have is a Fat Quarter and I've fallen in love with it. I WANT MORE!! It is called "Spheres" and is from the Safari Park Collection by Maya Elston, licensed by Alaska Momma for Quilting Treasures by Cranston. I can find it in blue & purple, but I really really want more of this orange. The first person to lead me to more will get a nice little gift from me. Thank You All for your help!

Sweet Smells...

How cute is this little closet sachet? I got the inspiration out of this book. Sarah asked today what people do with their tiny pieces of fabric and so I thought I'd show an idea. If you like what you see, stick around as I'm planning to post a tutorial on how I made it!

Healthcheck Wednesday

Mary has started a "Weightloss Wednesday" and I thought I'd join in. However, I have sworn off diets and attempts to "lose weight". Its not that I'm at an ideal weight (I'm not) or that I'm healthy enough (I'm not), its that I do not have a healthy relationship with food and I have learned after many failed attempts that diets only perpetuate this unhealthy relationship. I had great success on Weight Watchers a few years ago and lost around 25 lbs. However, I became completely obsessed with my food. Every single bite I took I had to count points, then I had to recalculate to make sure I had enough points left for the rest of the day for what I had planned to eat. If I got hungry before I had a planned snack I had to figure out what I could eat, where the points were coming from, how to refinagle dinner to allow me to stay within my point range. Basically, I thought about food non stop ~ for someone with an already unhealthy relationship with food, this was a recipe for disaster. Needless to say, all of that weight (plus an extra 5) are back on.

I've been reading the book Intuitive Eating and its really helping me to recognize patterns, habits and other subconscious efforts of mine that sabotage my health. I have a long way to go, but I'm making it.

I'm making this effort not because I want to fit into a sexy dress, or because I have an idea of an arbitrary number on the scale that equals success. I'm doing it for purely selfish reasons ~ I want to see my boys get married (hell, I want to see my grandkids get married), I want to be able to run around with my grandkids just as easily as I run after my boys now. I want to take advantage of every possible minute I have on this earth to spend with Jason. I refuse to let my life get cut short because of decisions I'm making now. I don't want to just exist, I want to have FUN!

We're going to press...

Its official! I am now a professional quilt instructor! (?!?!) The catalog for our local Parks & Recreation Deptartment goes to print tomorrow morning. I just got an email with the final class descriptions for my approval: (what do you think, should I ok them?!?)


Tween the Stitches 1 class
Jessica Mauk. Students age 9-15 will learn basic sewing skills while making your very own one-of-a-kind pillowcase! Students will need to bring a sewing machine (if you don’t have one, please contact the instructor so alternate arrangements can be made), 1 yard of 100% cotton fabric (regular cotton or flannel works best) for the body of the pillowcase, 1/2 yard of a fun coordinating fabric for the cuff and 1/4 yard of an accent fabric as well as a spool of thread in a coordinating color. This class will cover the basics of measuring and cutting fabric, pinning the fabric in place and then sewing it all together. Recreation Center.
Mon Nov 10 9:30a-12:30p $20
Sat Nov 22 9:30a-12:30p $20
Thurs Dec 4 5-8p $20

Beginning Quilting
Jessica Mauk. Learn the basics of quilting in two six-hour classes. This class will cover everything you need to know from threading your machine, cutting your fabric and sewing it all back together. We will be making a beautiful wall hanging to display in your home or to give as a gift. Please bring a lunch and your own sewing machine. A supply fee of $30 is due payable to the instructor at class. Recreation Center.
Sat Oct 18 & 25 9a-3p $72
Sat Feb 21 & 28 9a-3p $72

Random Act of Kindness

My friend, Ann over at This Simple Life is starting a Random Act of Kindness (ROAK) - kind of a "Pay it forward" kind of thing. She asked for three people to post a comment on her blog that they would like to participate. Those three will get a small gift from Ann and then they have to blog about it and send off three other small gifts to their first three commenters. I commented on Ann's blog, but I don't know if I got in the first three. Either way, I thought it was a fantastic idea so I'm gonna play whether I get something from Ann or not. So, here is what you do:
1. If you want to participate, just leave a comment here on my blog. Make sure your email address is registered so I can reply to you and then you can send me your address.
2. Go blog about it and start your own RAOK (a link back here would be appreciated). The gifts don't have to be extravagant, just something small that will brighten someone's day. They can be homemade or storebought. Have a great day everyone!

Templates Needed

I took a Basic Piecing class about a year ago at my LQS (Local Quilt Shop). We learned all kinds of neat tricks. Including how to make a Grandmother's Fan Block. She had plastic templates for all three pieces in the quilt and silly me forgot to trace them to make my own templates. Does anyone know where I can find a pattern online so I can make my own templates? I have a sheet of template plastic, now I just need a pattern! ~Jessica

Another Friend's Blog

I met Traci on the Frugal Village Forums and we have so much in common. I immediately knew she would become a friend. We've never actually met in person (we tried last month, but it just didn't work out), but we've talked on the phone.

For those of you that know me in real life ~ you know I'm a little OCD about finding a bargin or a good deal. Just ask Karen how I do my grocery shopping ~ she thinks I'm a little nuts! Well, Traci puts me to shame. She makes me look like an amature in the frugal world! And she's started a blog to help teach us wannabe's how the pros do it! (YIPPEE!!) Yep, Traci is sharing all of her tips, secrets and tools for the whole world to see.

So, if you wanna learn how to feed your family for mere pennies a week, or how to build your wardrobe for next to nothing just head on over to Traci's Blog and prepare to be amazed!

Swingtown, anyone?

I have to admit, when I first saw the previews for Swingtown I had no intention of even watching the show. Then one night I was bored and there was nothing on TV and my life forever changed! :) (LOL). I haven't been this addicted to a TV show since Melrose Place & Beverly Hills, 90210.

Tell me, please tell me, I'm not the only one out there watching this trash? (seriously, I don't want to be the only one because then they'll cancel it!)

Spinning My Wheels

Ever have those days where you feel like you are just spinning your wheels ~ or running in circles? I've felt that way all week! I do have some quilty things to show, but they aren't quite far enough along to take a picture. So you'll have to be patient with me!

I've spent the week packing/sorting/purging. There is a tower of boxes in my kitchen as tall as I am (I think it might be time to start taking boxes to the garage...). My garbage can is overflowing (thank goodness its garbage day!) and my kitchen counters are covered with pantry items that I want to make sure we use up before we move.

On tap for today:
Errands: Rite Aid Walgreens Walmart Costco pick up more boxes drop off car seat
At home: Finish up exchange meals finish up some quilty stuff find kitchen counters laundry

And my finale for the day: Sit down with a (small) bowl of ice cream and watch Swingtown.

Ponytail Update

I posted a while back that I was growing my hair out to donate it. Here is a picture of my ponytail tonight.....its slow going, but I do see some progress!

We've had a very busy week!

Jason was home for a full week and we filled it to the brim! Back and forth from Seattle TWICE, running errands, going to the grocery store....we just didn't stop. I bid him farewell this evening and now its back to the daily grind.

Karen will be here tomorrow and we'll do some sewing and the boys will do lots of playing! I'm on some deadlines again, so I'll have to come up with a personal challenge again. It really lit a fire under me last time!

Not sure if I've mentioned here yet, but we're moving in about six weeks or so. Just to the next town over ~ but that doesn't make it any less time consuming! I'd like to introduce you to our new home. It'll provide some decoating challenges....Sarah I need your help!!!! This isn't our funiture. We'll probably furnish it with mostly craigslist items. Jason has given me (almost) unlimited freedom with decorating ~ so long as I stick to a minimal budget! We'll be living here for over a year before we even start construction on our new home, so I'd at least like it to be pretty! HELP!!!! Its being "delivered" around mid August...

I am in love.....

With this quilt. I have to make one....someday. Sarah found it ~ she is so good at finding beautiful quilts. If you want to see more detailed pictures, you can visit her blog.

As for my secret that I'm keeping, I guess I can spill the beans now: I'm going to be teaching a class at our local Recreation Center!! I'm so excited! DH looked at me one day and said "why don't you offer a class through the rec center?" I called them up, filled out the paperwork and here I am ~ panicked! I will be offering a Beginning Quilt Class where we'll make a wall hanging from start to finish in two Saturdays and I'm offering a Youth class where we'll be making pillowcases. I'm sssoo excited, but so nervous! I have to make up some prototypes and write out my lesson plans and pattersn. I'll post more about it as it gets closer. ~Jess