About Me

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I am a 40 something female who has a great love for crafts...any crafts. I love quilting, I collect fabrics, books and patterns. I enjoy traditional patterns in bright colors. My favorite fabrics are batiks and brights. Because I am a great collector...I now have a stash that is out of control. My goal for the upcoming year is to reduce my stash. I won't stop collecting so I need to become more productive.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Stash Busting and Best Laid Plans

Okay...those of you who know me from my "work" life know that I have been really busy lately.

I haven't sewed any in a long, long time...actually I haven't been in the sewing room since the retreat..other than looking for my watch...which is still missing!!

I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish yesterday....didn't do anything on the list.

I was a "social butterfly" (that is what my mother calls me) instead of sewing and doing what I was supposed to do. Went out for brunch..went to the movies...went shopping....did cook dinner and then watched the Tennessee basketball game...great! Made homemade nachos for snacking during the game....I am so good!

Okay...stashbusting confession time. No fabric in this week and no fabric out. I did however order some fabric today....sigh....but it hasn't gotten here yet.

I am doing this BOM...so I purchased a kit. The plan is I must get rid of 6 1/2 yards of fabric this week to break even, smile...that is my plan and I am sticking to it!


Fabric In: 0 yards
Fabric Out: 0 yards

Hugs,
Traci

Saturday, February 23, 2008

To Do List!! Help!


Okay...work and more work has had me unable to sew at all. So today I am panic sewing...well, maybe not panic but the deadline for projects are fast approaching and I haven't started on anything just yet.
List:
1. Pass the Box Block---not started, haven't thought about what I am going to do . Really need to do this first.
2. Blocks of the Month....hmmm, why oh why did I sign up for this block of the month...or should I say..these two blocks of the month. Simple sewing so this won't take long at all.
3. Carolina Crossroads--segments are still in there plastic bags. Need to work on this quilt. I need to finish it before the next mystery starts...hehe!
4. Shakespeare in the Park---found the "theme" fabric I want to use. Could only find 1.5 yards...wouldn't you know it! Did find something similar however so here I go again. Can you believe I am using browns and blues...hehe! I know...you are using brown???? In a quilt?? Yes!!! Me...I love the brown and turquoise combo...love it!
Now the above list goes along with the usual household things like laundry, cooking and grocery shopping. I have to cook this weekend. WE have been eating out for a month now because I have been so busy . Did you notice there was no mention of cleaning on the list...smile!!!
Hugs...and time for me to start!
Traci

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Stash Reduction Effort

Well, nothing new to report...literally!! I didn't purchase one single piece of extra fabric....yipppeee!!!
I wanted to....but I didn't.

I plan to start a Shakespeare In the Park quilt soon so I will be purchasing for that one. My plan of purchasing and giving away is going to work...smile.

Fabric Purchased: 0 Yards
Fabric Used: 0 Yards

Hugs!

Traci

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Saturday Yucky Ramble

Hello All!

Nothing new to report on the quilting front. I did open the door of the sewing room this week to look for my watch....didn't find it!

I thought today I would get some work done...unfortunately, I decided to be a little under the weather. Not sick with a cold/flu...thankfully. But everyone around me is sick....co-workers, friends, personal trainer, doctor...everyone...even the mailperson was sick this week!

Well today I slept soundly until 9 AM....nothing new on that front. But didn't move from the bed for 1 hour.....now that is not right for me at least....I was tired! I am never tired when I wake up. Of course, the morning call from my mother I told her I was tired and wasn't feeling 100%....worry!!! Everyone worries when I don't feel 100%.

I watched some TV, fed the furry beast, made out a grocery list and just plain lazed around....just didn't want to do anything.

At 1:30 PM decided to take a nap. WEll woke up at 5 PM....not a nap but did feel better. Did I mention that I am hormonal as well...not good.

WEll, after a fast food dinner....not good but I did have something good. 1/2 of a grilled chicken sandwich on a wheat bun and a spinach salad...yummy. A glass of sugar free lemon aid...my favorite.

Now I am supine on the couch...under a quilt watching the Slam Dunk contest on television....not really watching, just trying to be nice.....but I do have some quilting books and magazines that I find much more interesting.

Hugs and Blessings Everyone...tomorrow will be a better day!

T.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Birth Verse

Needing a little inspiration today. This helped so much.

Hugs and Blessings,

T



James 1:12 NIVBlessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

You are a child of God, His treasured possession. He created you in His own image. He chose the day for you to be born. He has a plan and a purpose for your life.

Friday, February 08, 2008

What is going on??


Well, I am watching last night's episode of my favorite show....LOST! Love it. Finally we may get some answers...and then again, perhaps not.


Last night had dinner with quilting friends. It was great to see Deanna's new kitchen and also to get together and laugh with everyone.


I would like to mention the "new to me" quilting magazine Quilter's Home. It is so funny!! The titles of some of the articles and the fabric highlighted had me in stitches the entire night...that and Pat's flying geese ruler, sorry inside joke.


We passed the box again last night...I am determined to keep on track with that and also all my other BOMs. I may not finish the quilts but the blocks will be completed,smile.


I busted some stash last night...hehe, I gave away 5 yards of Hoffman Latte Batik. Too bad I am about to buy some fabric for my BOMs and Shakespeare in the Park Quilt. Darn that Cozy Quilt Shop. They sent out an email showcasing the perfect Blue and Yellow fabric for my Fatcatpatterns BOM.....hmmm. Now to figure out what I can give away now.




Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Quilt Retreat Slideshow



I put a slideshow of the quilt retreat on my blog...guess where?? At the bottom of the page...I have to fix that but I am too sleepy right now to do it.

So , just scroll down and take a look.

Hugs,
Traci

Monday, February 04, 2008

Today

Today was another exciting day for me. I wanted so much to just remain in bed and do a little lounging this morning. But unfortunately, I had to go have a mammogram! Yes, the yearly tradition was a must this rainy, windy morning. After my mammogram I went to the gym to work off some of the retreat food I ate this weekend. The meals served are not calorie filled but it is the treats everyone brings that will get you. Homemade pound cake (my favorite!!), peanut brittle, fudge...cheese nips, M&Ms, dark chocolate covered cranberries!!! Danger!!


Now I am off to have lunch with my dear friend Kathy....Chinese!! Yummy!


Back to the gym tomorrow!



Hugs,


Traci


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Sunday, February 03, 2008

Stash Reduction

Busted a lot of stash doing Bonnie's mystery.....counted that last week.


Unfortunately, I did purchased fabric this week...we went to three quilt shops.

Purchased background fabric for my charity quilts....needed some more white on white fabric. I also saw a wonderful frog print...had to get that one. I was doing really well until I walked into SewBee It in Georgia....oh my!!! Several gorgeous batiks called my name and I answered. So my plan is this....I will give away yardage from my stash to make up for my batik purchases...smile. Since I can't stop buying I will reduce another way...smile.

Fabric Purchased: 12 yards
Fabric Used : 0
Fabric Given Away : 10 yards

I Am Back from Retreat

Step 1: Carolina Crossroads
Step 2: Carolina Crossroads
Step 3: Carolina Crossroads
Step 4: Carolina Crossroads
Step 5: Carolina Crossroads


I am back from my quilt guild's annual retreat...had a great time!! It was the best retreat I have been on with the guild. Lots of completed projects, none from me but lots from other people..smile.
I decided to work on Bonnie's Carolina Crossroads Mystery. I saved all the clues and worked on this mystery for the 3 1/2 days I was at the retreat. I did take one day off for shopping. I applaud anyone who finished this mystery....whew!!! I am very proud of myself for taking on this project. The sewing wasn't hard but there was a lot of it. I put a fresh spool of Mettler's on my little Janome 760 and over half is gone!!! Now that is a lot of sewing.
The other two retreat projects didn't get touched....except when I moved them around in my retreat case..smile.
I hope to put the blocks together this week since I have a few more days off of work.
More retreat photos to come!
Check back...smile!!!
Hugs and Blessings!
T.