Happy 2009

Happy 2009!!!

Well, what have you decided to do differently this year?

I try not to make resolutions because I always fail usually by the second day. I went to the gym this morning and didn't even go it....there were so many people there I thought....oh no!! It is usually like that for the first two weeks then it returns to normal by the end of the month..smile!

I will take my walk in the neighborhood during my least favorite show....Today's show 9 -10AM...can't stand Kathy Lee!!! That is if my stomach returns to normal....I think I have a little virus....I don't feel sick just keeping the bathroom really busy, if you get my drift.

Okay...back to starting off the year right!!


I have a problem....shopping. I know this , everyone who knows me knows this and I have had it for a long, long time. Probably since I was in my early 20's.

Nothing really spurs my shopping habit...it is just a way of life. Well, I need to stop and I will. Well...not stop, let's not get crazy just slow down some.

Another issue...is I am running out of storage room. Just that thought of packing and moving...really scares me.Every closet in my house is full of stuff. I need to make time to purge and clean, purge and clean...that is my goal for 2009.


1. Purge and Clean.
No room will be left untouched, closets will be cleaned out and lots of things will be donated to local charities.



A few bloggers are trying to complete at least on craft project a month...I thought about that and decided not to join...simply because I did that one year and that was a complete failure. I do travel a lot. My job hours are long and to have to complete another job is just problematic!

2. Learn how to hand applique.
I love hand work....and my stitching is so bad with applique. So practice, practice!


3. Decrease shopping and collecting habit.
Several businesses may go under if I stop completely...hehe!!


What are you changing in 2009?

Happy New Year and many blessings!

Traci

New Year's Eve Myster

Well...I was looking for a mystery and Bonnie supplied one. Quiltville.com (aka Bonnie) will be hosting a mystery New Year's Eve...hehe! I will probably not work on mine on the 31st due to work...but I will do a little sewing on the 1st....football is a must that evening. USC!!!


Anyway, come join us....now to find some Traci friendly colors.....I don't have anything in double pink and cheddar in my sewing room, smile!!! I don't mind those colors....I just don't have any....I am a brights and batiks girl...but I am going to spread my wings in the New Year and work with something new and different....outside of my box.


Hugs!

Traci

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to Blogland!!!

I have not been a good blogger lately....the holidays caught up with me and then I just gave up.

I did make some little gifts this year for my sewing buds...but I haven't given them out yet...so no pictures, smile!

I promise to improve my blogging in the new year....I am going to scale back my buying of fabric this year since I have run out of storage in my sewing room. Actually in every room.
This year will be devoted to organizing and stashbusting....I really want to complete some of my UFOs that I have lovely put in storage...where I can't get to them...hehe!!

I am also planning on making handmade gifts for two people on my list...I know there are those of you who make all your gifts but you have to start somewhere...smile!! I even have the fabric for my two holiday projects for 2009....isn't that strange to type out...where does time go????

Blessing to you all and Happy New Year!!

T.

New Block of the Month and Chance to Win a Quilt!

Block of the Month Classes and chance to win a beautiful quilt. That is right....win a quilt. Just click on the picture or visit Stitching Cow.

Weekend Update

Times are scary. Today I filled up my little car for under $15! Wow...now that is cheap. I like the low gas prices but how long will it last? Food here has gotten pricey but it still doesn't compare to the prices that my parents are paying for food back home in California.

In the bulletin from my church there is a list of needed items for the food bank....there has been a increase in people seeking out food this year. They estimate a 50% increase. Please if you can...donate to your local food bank.

Speaking of my parents....the Hills are burning. They evacuated a short time due to the raging fires....scary!!!

Well the majority of this weekend was spent relaxing and planning. I wanted to sew but laundry needed to be done and I needed some downtime. I do plan on sewing this upcoming weekend....I have to start on my little gifts for my TNT (Thursday Night Therapy) sewing group members.

I took a long walk just before sun up on Saturday morning. We had a storm Friday night so there were leaves in a multitude of colors on the ground....gold, amber, red, green and brown....it was an absolute wonderful sight. So quiet...no one but me out there walking....and then daylight....it was a great start to a wonderful day. Can you tell I love this time of the year!!!


Hugs and Blessings!

T.

Fall

I was asked this year what I wanted for my birthday and Christmas...wow, really early for such a request. I have an Amazon Wishlish...so why the questions. Well, it seems that wasn't good enough.

So this month, I am celebrating my birthday and Christmas early with so early gifts. One I absolutely love!!! The Amazon Kindle....love it! I first read about the Kindle on Mary's Site and then on Amazon. My friend Gail said that it is one of Oprah's favorite things...I missed that show unfortunately. The Kindle is great! I love to use it at the gym....no problem with the page flipping over or loosing my place. I love it!! No problem with taking in on the plane, no problem with running out of things to read....just order something from Amazon...it will download almost automatically on your Kindle...no need to connect to the computer either.

I also got other things...my camera is beyond dead unfortunately. My Designer SE has a new friend.....not as pricey as she was but super reliable.

As we drove over Northern Alabama and Southern Tennessee....we notice how beautiful the fall colors were. Just beautiful!!!

So,So Behind

Our guild hosted Judy Niemeyer this week. She taught two great workshops...Sunflower Illusion and Indian Summer. I attended the Sunflower Illusion workshop....I learned so much!! Her techniques are amazing. Now paper piecing isn't my thing....I would love to do it and enjoy the process but up until now I have not be able to do it.

I purchased lots of patterns so I am invested...smile.

I really enjoyed her teaching technique but my confidence in knowing what I am doing is truly lacking....badly.

I plan to attend a class utilizing her techniques in January. Hopefully I will improve.

No pictures to share of her beautiful quilts, sorry....I was really stressing about understanding everything and getting my block made. I made the block but one small piece was short so I will redo.

I am so behind on everything, my blocks of the month....everything.

I spoke with a quilting friend about how she is able to get so much done. She tries to sew everyday....hmm, could I do that I wonder?She also sews a lot on the weekend. I work incredibly long hours and usually by the time I do get home and feed myself, the furry friends, answer mail, email and phone calls. It is time to stop, go to bed and start the day all over again.

I am going to try to sew at least on my days off.....I don't think I will be able to sew after work....I do believe I will be unsewing a lot.

This week I am scheduled to attend a girls getaway.....I am hoping to rest, relax, eat and sew...maybe I can caught up on my blocks of the month....smile!

Hugs and Blessings!

Traci

Athens Guild

Hi!

Go to the end of the blog and view some photos from the Athens Quilt Show. I am a little late posting..sorry.

Hugs,

Traci