Age 50+ - Quilters and all Crafters for weight loss

Hello, I just recently joined this forum and have found lots of great support and information.

Just checking to see if any of my "over 50" sisters here are quilters?

Maybe we can have some sort of weight loss/stash reduction challenge!

Denise, Northern California

What a great idea! This last week I've gotten back into quilting and I'm really using it as a distraction when I want to eat. I have about 3 projects going right now in my sewing area and it seems to be working quite well.

What kind of quilting do you do?

I have done some quilting in a most uncrafty way years ago. Just pieced a few crazy quits. I have pieces in my closet that I started putting together about 30 years ago. Ha, ha. That will probably never get done. But I know what you mean about keeping the hands and mind busy. It really takes away the cravings to munch junk.

You are right about quilting keeping our hands busy!

Kris - what are your projects?

Isabella - I've seen some very inventive crazy quilts! My mother-in-law made all sorts in her day with her scraps, and some of them were prettier than the patterned ones.

I have quilted several wall hangings, and have made many pieced comforters that I've tied off. Does that make me eligible for this group? My current project is to make a comforter that goes with the colors of my living room, which are aqua and shades of brown. The fabric is bought and washed, so I have no excuse to delay any longer!

Here's hoping the original poster will check back before long.

Well, I just put a grouping of quilt blocks up on my design wall today and I hate it. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to do some unsewing. It was a kit that I bought years ago, precut bali batiks in a curved block pattern. Well, there is 1 fabric in the entire batch that I simply can't stand and it sticks out like a sore thumb. I suspected I wasn't going to like the color when I was sewing the pieces together but ignored my gut instincts.

So, I've about 12 pieces to unsew and put something else into it. Oh well, such is life! It will be a good project to work on in front of the TV.

Other projects.....so many.....not enough time! Currently I'm working on a king size quilt that needs to be bound for the guest room, I'm also into making some quilted bags, I'm doing some wool pin cushions and also working on a couple scrap quilts to donate to Project Linus. Those are just the ones that I'm currently working on......

How about you gals? What are you working on?

Kris - well, you'll certainly have busy hands! On the bright side, at least it is only 12 pieces instead of the whole project. I've heard of the Linus Project. Isn't that where sewers donate blankets to children in the hospital? I'm curious; what type of weight loss program are you on? I had lost weight on Weight Watchers, gained it back, and am currently counting calories, and using many of the WW guidelines.

Any quilters reading this, or anyone interested in quilting, please jump in and join us.

Hi Jane,

You're right about Project Linus. It's the first time I've made anything for them so I'm not 100% sure on the details. One of the local quilt shops back home organizes work days through out the year to complete these quilts. My plan is to find out what size tops they prefer and make several out of fabrics I'm no longer interested in. I like the 'mindless' sewing part of quilting but have no logical need for another quilt so I'm hoping this will work out for me.

As far as my eating plan, I guess it's a combination of calorie counting and lower carb eating. I'm about 10 days into really dialing down my calories into a deficit in order to start shifting some more weight. My plan is to keep up this deficit until Christmas and then try to normalize or maintain for a few weeks. I'm real good at maintaining (really no weight loss to speak of for the last year) but I still have poundage to remove. I think I've tried most diets known....low carb works for me in many respects but it triggered some health issues when I went ULTRA low carb (nearly zero carb) so now I'm trying for mid-range carbs and those are mostly from veggies. So far, so good.....

Good morning Kris,

My fabric is ironed, but I'm not sure when I'll be able to begin cutting. This weekend if full-up! I've got the pattern worked up on a diagram, so once I begin, the work should move along nicely.

Your weight loss plan sounds very doable! It's good to have a general long-range plan. When I eat carbs, I try to make sure they are of the complex variety, but I'm not always successful with that, lol. Sounds like you enjoy your veggies. I do too, except for brussel sprouts. I've been back OP since Sept. 29, so I'm just finishing up 3 weeks. Although I began on a Tuesday, I like to weigh in on Saturdays.

Today I am making a birthday cake for my son's birthday celebration tomorrow. He and his little family have rented a large cabin and have invited the rest of us over. Every year, he requests a Fruit Cocktail cake, and I always make it from scratch. My challenge tomorrow will be to have only a small piece of it.

Happy quilting!

I have always been a much better starter-of-quilts than a finisher-of-quilts (I love doing the tops and dislike doing the actually quilting.) So, back about 4 years ago, I made myself a promise that I wouldn't start another quilt until I finished the ones I had. And it worked!

I haven't quilted a stitch since! :D

However, the notion of hands that are busy with fabric are hands that are not busy with food is a very good one, so sometime this week I am going to see if I can find a place to set up the old sewing machine and take another look at those unfinished quilts. And maybe even take a look at my fabric stash --- just moving all that around should be good for a pound or two! LOL

Great idea for a thread!

DarkAspen - yes, even just shifting the fabric from one pile to another will help keep your hands busy. Also, please join us in the General Chat thread here where we discuss all sorts of things. :)

I've been trying to make two applique Christmas 'Mother and Child' quilts as 'thank yous' for two ladies I know. The quilts are about a foot square {or so} but I'm having problems picking colors and have been second guessing myself. I'm trying to use my stash rather than go out and pick new fabrics but maybe that would help??

I'm vision impaired so I do all my work on my regular sewing machine. I have to give a lot of credit to Elenanor Burns' techniques that I can quilt at all.

I've mostly quilt but this autumn I've been crocheting and knitting hats, sczrves, and sweaters. I tend to go in waves of what my interests are.

Looking forward to getting to know all you.

Good job gals on your projects!

DarkAspen - I'm with you re: quilt tops. I have been hand quilting a grandmothers flowergarden quilt for....oh......maybe 10 years or more. :) I have a box of quilt tops ready for quilting. Luckily, my sister is a professional machine quilter so when I really want/need a top quilted, she fits me into her schedule. Another quilt related 'problem' of mine is that I love to piece quilts but a person only needs so many quilts - and I've given one to everyone I know over the years.

Penguin - I think E. Burns is just great....especially for newbie quilters but truly, her techniques/ideas are spot on for everyone. I also did quite a bit of knitting this winter - everyone on my Christmas list is getting a scarf, cowl or a cap this year.

Jane - how did it go with the cake?

I'm ready to start on my next project.....going to do a little pressing and cutting in preparation. At a quilt show in Huron SD last month, I found this cute little pattern for pin cushions. The pattern calls for 3/4" strips but I think I'll go with 1" strips - that 1/4" seems to make a big difference to me. I'm also finishing up on 3 little make-up bags. Oh, and I have more unsewing to do (the bane of my existence).....grrrrr.....

Penguin - hmmm... I'll have to check out Eleanor Burns. I've always wanted to knit, but each time I try, I've found that my stitches get tighter and tighter with each row! Very frustrating. My sister told me to just keep practicing, but I'd rather do a craft that comes more naturally to me.

Kris - I did great with the cake!! Actually, it didn't taste nearly as good as I had remembered. The pin cushions and make-up bags sound great for projects that don't take so long. Bet they are cute, too! If you'd like to post a picture, I'd like to see them.

I going to change the title of this thread to include the word Crafters so others may feel welcome to jump in. After all, any crafting helps keep our hands out of the cookie jar, lol.

I still haven't begun cutting the squares for the comforter. :dizzy: But I've been catching up on some mending. My DGD had a unicorn with a ripped belly, and then there were a few pieces of clothing that needed mended.

Does anyone reading this scrapbook?

Jane, I think changing the name to attract other crafters is a good idea. My stitches {whether knit or crochet } seem to get looser and looser as I get used to the pattern and get 'into' the work. I have to pay attention to keep my work from getting sloppy.

Kris, I originally learned hand quilting {from a library book} and did several projects including a king size quilt for our bed {watercolor log cabin} but my eyes had other plans and I learned to used the machine. I think between the two I prefer the machine, now. I'd still like to sit on the couch, watch TV and quilt but hand piecing would drive me nuts. I don't understand instructions that are 5 3/4 or 1 1/8. EEEK! I like to round things up when I can, but sometimes this gets me into trouble.

Aspen, I have noticed these past few weeks that I've been eating less and not obsessing about food. I can't drive so I'm at home most days and that fridge is always close. My sewing room is next to the kitchen and my closet is our pantry. Whoops! who thought that was a good idea!?

Denise, Thanks for starting this thread! what a great idea to get us together.

Penguin - will your eyes likely get better at any time, or is this an on-going thing. Forgive me if I'm asking too much. Oh my gosh, a watercolor log cabin design sounds so beautiful! I'm always drawn to watercolors.

Trish - how's your day going?

Denice hasn't been back since the day she started this thread. Won't she be surprised when she logs on again?

I've got to get back to scrapbooking! My DGD Caylin started Kindergarten this fall, and I want to get her pictures done, like I already did for her twin older sisters when they went to Kindergarten. Then I've got many, many vacation photos to work with.

Too many projects, and not enough time, lol.

Jane, My eyes won't get much better, this is an ongoing thing. I had cateract surgery this summer on both eyes {I'm 40}. They replaced my lenses with perscription lenses so I don't need contacts anymore and I'm supposed to get bifocals with a little correction in the top and readers in the bottom. {I've worn readers for years} I like to tell {warn, LOL} people about my vision so they don't think I'm rude if they wave {or something} and I don't wave back. Sadly most of my spelling or typing mistakes are my own and I can't blame them on my vision. :o

Apparently, since I made the log cabin quilt before digital cameras I never took a picture of it to share. This is a link to a Christmas Log Cabin I made for my mother out of E. Burns Still Stripping book http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj427/penguinspics/ChristmasLogCabin.jpg

And this is a link to the Mother and Child quilt that I made for myself. http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj427/penguinspics/MotherandChild.jpg

I finished crocheting a sweater vest today, sewed it up tried it on and it looks horrible! I'm discouraged; but not discouraged enough that I'm not looking for my next project. I'll unravel later.

WOW, I just love having found this thread. I am a quilter / crocheter, fabric postcard maker, and I also make my own knitted dish clothes, but that is as far as I go with knitting. I used to decorate cakes, but I now limit this to family members only.

If anyone would like to see any of my quilts, I will post a link to my photobucket for you to look at. I recently have begun machine frame quilting, and am hoping to get a larger machine for my frame soon. I currently have been using my janome 6600 on my frame. Currently I have a lap quilt that I made for a friend who's cancer has come out of remission, and has recently began treatments again on my frame, and hope to quilt it this week-end.

Wilma

Penguin - oh my goodness, those quilts are fantastic!! I bet yours turned out so nice! I'm sorry the vest didn't turn out as you wanted. On the upside, though, the unraveling will keep your hands busy for awhile.

Wilma - so glad you found us! Yes, please do post a link to your handiwork. How sweet of you to make a lap quilt for your friend. Please tell me more about fabric postcards! I've never heard of that, but it sure sounds interesting.

I'm attaching one of the photos I want to scrapbook for Caylin. When I get the page done, I'll share that, too. But I have to get it STARTED first, lol.

Have a good day!

Afternoon all. Nothing much to report today. I've been at Bible study all morning. Today, I get to do some mending, more laundry, and Workout 2. {I have two homemade strength workouts that I rotate; W1 and W2. LOL, not very original names.}

Somebody furry {<----} needs a bath so maybe I'll convince myself to do that today.

I made a green shawl a few years ago. I wore it to church once and felt self-conscience so never wore it again. Its knit stockinette stitch and very plain. The was supposed to be a lacy border but I never did that. I figured that I could crochet a border and after several false starts finally found one I think will work so I'm planning on working on that today.

Penguin,I looked at your quilt pictures, and they look great. I bet your Mom loved her quilt.

Jane, I have never done scrap booking, but I enjoy looking at others creations.

I would love to see other peoples crafty creations as well.

I will post some pictures of fabric postcards later, as I don't have any pictures on my computer yet. But here is the link to my photobucket albums with some of my quilts. http://s307.photobucket.com/albums/nn306/ladybug_59/quilt%20tops%202009/

Wilma

Wilma, thanks for posting the link to your quilts. I liked 4+4 the best. I made Putting to... quilt for our bed but the block arrangement was different.

Mom's quilt hangs yearound in an upstairs hallway. I can't complain. I made a top for myself first but haven't quilted it yet, snicker, although its been several years now.

I would enjoy seeing everyones work.

I'm not a Quilter, I did try making a pillow, about 25yrs ago, but haven't tried any since. My love is Counted Cross-Stitch, right now I'm making a wedding sampler for my daughter and son-in-law, they were married a yr in July, was hoping to finish by their anniversay, only I had a very sore wrist, due to trying to do 30day shred, it's only recently that it doesn't give me grief, so maybe this weekend I will pick up my needle. I feel inspired by all of you. I also need to think about two more wedding sampler's, both my son's are getting married in 2010.

I look forward to reading all your project updates. Happy Crafting Ladies.

dang.....what creative people we have here!

Today is the first day in a couple weeks I haven't done any sewing. I started painting a chest of drawers and so that is taking up my sewing space for the next couple days. I suppose I COULD do some handwork.......or some unsewing.....lol

Wilma - your dishclothes...do you have a pattern to share? I am thinking to attempt them the next time I get the knitting urge. My sister does postcards too - some online exchanges and all. I've seen some amazing work.

I'm just popping in to say hi, and that I'll be back tomorrow. My day has been so busy, and I'm headed for a shower and bed soon.

Goodnight all you crafty chicks. :)

Nothing much to report. Busy morning at Bible study, again. {Yesterday was prep, today was the real thing}, but I got to finish the edging on my shawl. Finally finished something! I thought I'd try another vest next {am I a glutton for punishment or what?}. My glasses still aren't ready. Maybe tomorrow???

Kris, Disclaimer: I haven't tried any of these patterns but I have had a lot of success with the sister crochet site. This is a link to Knitting Pattern Central http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory.php They have a Dishcloth catagory, among many others. HTH

Institches, Welcome to our group!

Its not raining but its overcast and cold. I'm waiting on the call from my eye doc that my glasses are ready. Waiting in vain, prehaps! I don't want to get too involved in anything because I want to be ready when the call comes.

I'm trying to learn continential knitting. I knit with the add-on yarn held in my right hand {english method} but the continential method holds the yarn in the left hand {like crochet} and supposedly easier and faster. I haven't done much knitting recently and thought now would be a good time to try the switch. I knitted along with a online video and did exactly 10 stitches of knit and purl before my hand started cramping. This is going to be harder than I thought! {aren't most things?}

Thanks Penguin - I'll check out that site.

Today's plan.....2nd coat of paint on the chest of drawers, sew blocks together for a Linus quilt, work on a wool pincushion (button hole stitch) while watching Downsize Me (a New Zealand weight loss program).

Yesterday I finished 'unsewing' 5 of the 6 blocks on my Karen Stone quilt. If I have time today, I might try and get the 're-sew' portion done on them. What a pain!

Have a good and productive weekend.

Hello fellow crafters,

Penguin - yay for finishing the shawl border! Bet that gave you a good sense of accomplishment. Most of the comforters I've made, I've given away. One of the things I've made that is very sentimental to me is a wall hanging I designed, using photos and pockets. I placed my MILs hankies in the pockets. She got to see it before she passed away, and liked it a lot. Did you get your glasses today? I hope so. Would it help you is we all posted in size 3 font? Just let me know. ((HUG))

Wilma - wow, your quilts are gorgeous! I can't say which is my favorite! I'll try to post a photo of the wall hanging I described to Penguin.

Kris - painting is crafty! Not everyone has a knack for it. Like me, for instance, I'm not much of a painter. What color did you use?

Have any of you done the fleece, double-sided, tied blankets? I've never done one, but recently got the instructions from a friend, so I'm making a small, striped one with DGD Madison this weekend. I thought it would be a good project to do with a child. The colors match my living room, so it will make a good throw for the kids while they watch tv this winter, or a lap robe for me.

Happy crafting! :)

Jane, Still no glasses! The eye doc called and said the lab sent them, they came in, but they were wrong again. Possibley Tuesday. My doc apparently 'had words' with the lab over this. Thanks for the offer for the larger font I have my computer set up so the font is magnified 150% and the 'background' stuff is eleminated. {if anyone wants to know how to do this too, just ask!}
The pockets are a good idea for hankies. I'm glad you MIL got to see how her work was being saved. I have a bunch of hankies my Gma made. I have thought of displaying them but...
Your fleece thow sounds like a good project, I've never made one either. I don't remember 'tying' anything either.

Kris, I read 'wood' pincushion, LOL, and was wondering how that works. Sigh, on the unsewing but it will probably be worth all your work in the end! I didn't know Project Linus was international!

I'm really happy Denice started this thread {where is she?} I'm glad I found others who craft who I can share my ups and downs with. I don't know many people who craft in the 'real' world. I think I'm getting the hang of the Continential stitch, but I think I'll have to start with something small like a scarf. I tried this once before and they suggested that you stitch your way through an 8oz skein of yarn as 'practice' so you can get the hang of it.

Here is a photo of the wall hanging I did for my MIL - that's her in the middle, holding baby Katie. I would have taken the time to quilt it, but I was afraid it wouldn't get done before her Alzheimer's progressed too much for her to recognize it. She died of CHF not long afterwards.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/JanaCee/Lucyquilts003.jpg


Here's the tied-edges blanket DGD Madison and I made this morning. An easy-peasy project!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/JanaCee/Lucyquilts004.jpg

Penguin - Oh dear, I hope you get your specks on Tues! At least the doc is on the ball. Glad to know you have font settings to help you, but I have to ask, background stuff gets eliminated? The Continental stitch must be a real doozey, if you have to practice on an 8oz skein 1st! I'd be pulling my hair out, lol.

Denice hasn't logged in since the day she started the thread. We won't give up hope on her, though. :)

Those are lovely, Jane! I've seen those fleece blankets before and they are so nice. The memory quilt is wonderful.

As far as Project Linus....I'm not sure if it is international or not. My thought is to bring the quilt tops back (to the USA) next time I visit and give them to the local quilt shop who organizes work days through-out the year for finishing tops. My other thought is to perhaps sweet-talk my sister (who is a machine quilter) into quilting a few each year, strong-arm a girlfriend into binding these quilts and then we could give finished quilts to the project rather than just tops. I haven't mentioned it to them yet so for now, I'm just using up scrap fabrics and making them into tops. (It's kinda my 'therapy' project!)

Well, yesterday I survived the 4-7pm time frame (the worst part of the day for me as far as food goes) by keeping busy. I accomplished everything I set out to do which was a nice feeling. Today I think I'm going to tackle sewing the binding on the king size quilt I did for the guest room. I'm not looking forward to it - but once I have it sewn on, it will be a good project to work on in front of the TV in the evenings.

Cheers all!

Kris, My running joke about binding is "How many corners does this quilt have again??? Isn't this the 10th so far???" One of Hubby's work friend's wife is from New Z. She and I get together a few times a year when the guys do, I love her accent but sometimes she still confuses me with the phrases and words she uses that are unfamiliar to me. She always knows because I apparently get the same 'confused' look".

Jane, If you have Windows go down to Start, go into Control Panel, go into Accesiblity Options{top left}, that gives you 5 catagories, hit Display. Near the middle is a box to 'check' marked High Contrast. Hit that then go back to your normal screen and see what you think. HTH

Your hankie quilt is a great idea! Can you go back and quilt it later? I like the edges of the fleece blanket. The fringe is pretty.

I hear you about the corners, Penguin! I did get the binding sewn on today (a day late...oh well) so now I start the hand stitching process. I'd love to have it done by Friday as we have guests arriving. I'd also like to get some matching pillows (or at least pillow cases) finished before then. I JUST might have enough time.

Too funny about your NZ friend. That happens to The Mister and I every once in awhile. We speak the same language but sometimes the phrases or words really get confusing.

I just noticed you live in Memphis, Penguin.....we were there a couple years ago and had a blast on Beale Street. It's on our list to revisit.

Good morning, crafters,

Kris - yay for getting the binding on. That's a big job! Are you doing your scraps in a certain pattern, or more of a crazy quilt fashion? Good for you, making it through the 4-7 time period. Some days are harder than others for most of us. Will you be embroidering the pillow cases?

Penguin - Neal and I took the Amtrak to Memphis in March. Like Kris, we had a lot of fun on Beale St. I had some of the most delicious wet barbecue there. We went to the Gibson guitar factory, and the Rock in Soul museum, and several other places of interest. We will be going back, too. I have Windows Vista, and couldn't use the instructions you gave, but thank you, anyway. About the wall-hanging, I would have to take the edges apart to go back and quilt it, so that's why I never did it.

My creativity today will be used to reorganize the utility room shelves. We added cabinets in the kitchen over the weekend, and filled them with things from the utility room, so now I need to get in there and straighten all that up. I'm just so happy to have the extra cabinets!

Have a good day.

Still plugging away at the 'learn to knit continental style'. I started a scarf with a basketweave pattern to practice both knit and purl. I feel the work will be worth it in the end just for the ease of switcheing from K to p and not having to throw, BUT its like trying to learn to knit with your feet when you already know how to knit by hand. Why am I struggling with this? I could have had the scarf finished by now if I was using the old method...

Penguin - I think you're doing it because you know it will be worth the challenge. Refresh my memory - what color yarn are you using? I can't even imagine trying to attempt a basketweave pattern using the regular stitching, let alone Continental style!

Marquita, a friend of mine, won a scrapbooking crop party for herself and 9 of her friends, and she invited me to it. This will be Nov. 7th. The shop gives out free food, drinks, and some supplies, and lets us use their facility. I've promised myself I'll get Caylin's 1st day of kindergarten page done, as well as some other pictures.

Jane, I'm using a varigated yarn with deep blues, reds, greens, wheat. The basketweave is pretty easy in the Con style because its easier to switch back and forth between the knits and purls. I'm using #10 needles, and the scarf is only 30 stiches wide. Three on each side in stockinette stitch and then switch from k to p every 6 stitches.. so far its about the size of a dishcloth. Sigh.

The scrapbooking party sounds like a lot of fun.

Another quilter popping in here. I just started to quilt three years ago although I have been sewing since I was five years old. (My mother left me alone with her sewing machine. I caught on fast - sewed my finger just once and that was 65 years ago.)

I've done several quilting courses and am currently working on a Block of the Month Quilt. I did another one last year although it's not finished yet. I should just spend a few weeks finishing up projects.

I design and piece quilt tops for Victoria's Quilts and try to make one top every month. The tops are quilted by a friend with a long arm and then given to folks undergoing chemotherapy. Doing this assuages a bit of my guilt about the large amounts of $$$ I spend on fabric! (I'm a fat quarter addict and, if a project requires a meter, I end up buying to or three. I'm sure you can relate!

Here are two of my Block of the Month quilts - the Be Attitudes one is still just in blocks but you'll get the idea.

The great thing about quilting is that you cannot nibble anything when working with fabric. Many a time I've felt peckish and done some cutting and piecing instead. The rule is "no food" in the sewingroom although a cup of tea is allowed.

Ruth, Good to have you join us! I love your quilts. My Thurs Night Quilting Buddy, Renee, is working off and on with the Be Attitudes. She's making individual mini-quilts. I did the Be Forgiving Block with a black dog and pink sneaker, but it hangs unfinished on my design wall.

I decided to go through the shelves in my sewing room and see if I can make room for the stuff that's on the floor. I need to purge some of my UFO's and whatever. I'm tired of having to move everything just to get something done! Big talk, I'll probably be sewing some forgotten project in about 30 min. Ha.

Ruth, your quilts are fab! I really like the Be Attitudes also - I've never seen it before. Is it hand or machine appliqued? Hand applique is on my list of things to learn.....I just love the look of it - but I struggle to tackle it. I have a Lori Smith book of small quilts that has applique parts and I've thought to challenge myself to do several of those just to get the hang of it.

Good luck with the organizing, Penguin. I think it's a good thing to purge projects periodically. My sister and mother have done that recently.....given boxes of perfectly good fabric to their churches for them to use in charity quilts. Not only does it help those in need but I think it's really been a boost to mom & sis because they have less on their "I should do...." list.

My projects....I have the binding sewn down on 3 sides of the king size quilt so I think it will be on the bed in time for company on Friday. Not sure if I'll get the pillow shams done or not. I finished sewing all the setting star pieces onto my 30 Karen Stone blocks. It's now time to tackle the border. I'll try and figure out how to post a picture here one of these days. This Karen Stone quilt will probably be the most artsy fartsy quilt I'll ever make.....it has well over 100 fabrics in it and is paper pieced New York Beauty blocks.

Last night we had friends over for dinner and ate and drank more than usual. Have been hanging out for a treat for weeks so had a small slice of cake (which was delicious!). That's it though....I commit to myself and to you guys that the one piece was sufficient and I will not eat any more of it. I'll keep one piece in the fridge for The Mister and the rest will be dropped off at the neighbors on my way to town this morning. I had a great scale drop the last 3 weeks so I don't want to ruin it.

Well, that's it for me for today. I'm off to town. Plan to stop at three of my favorite places....a yarn store, a book store and a cafe.

Ruth - I'm soooo glad to see you here! :hug:

Just a fly-by to say I'll be out of town tomorrow, but may be able to check in, in the evening.

Happy crafting!

I did pretty well with the organizing. I donated a huge shopping bag of things to Goodwill, making room to at least get the stuff off the floor and off my cutting table. A online friend is pregnant with her first baby, they were expecting a boy but got the drs test and found a girl. I'm glad I didn't start a blue quilt. But now I need a girly pattern. She's been trying for a while and I promised her a baby quilt.

The knitting is going better. I'm getting the hang of the switch. For my scarf I was using 10# needles. This is my only pair of straight needles. I thought since it was a scarf and the needle was big they would be a good choice. I have DPNs and circulars. I usually knit on the circulars even if I'm not knitting in the round. I finally decided to switch to the circulars and the knitting is going much smoother and easier. Who would have thought the needle would make that much difference?

Penguin - baby quilt patterns are so precious! I especially am fond of the appliqued ones. Good for you, donating all the supplies to Goodwill, and cleaning out your excess. I surely didn't know that needles would make so much difference in making your scarf.

Ruth - your quilt blocks are wonderful! I bet you've forgotten more than I will even ever know about quilting. Please be a regular here. :hug:

Kris - do you think you'll have the quilt ready for tomorrow? I know we'd all love t see a picture of it. A yarn store, a book store and a cafe?? I would go with you if I could.

I haven't been very creative, and even had to beg off of the scrapbooking crop with my friend. Seems I got my weekends mixed up, and will be able to have some of the grandkids over night on the 7th. I'll get to see them briefly on Sunday, but I sure do miss them. In the meantime, I want to get the paper picked out for several photos to crop. That's 1/2 the battle, lol.

Have a good day.

I'm still plugging away on the scarf but things have picked up since the needle switch. I was thinking of starting another project and leaving the scarf at the computer to work on while I'm reading posts.

I like to do Jacob's Ladders for boys. I like changing the pattern darks and lights to get a differnt look. My favorite girl quilts are applique also. I did a Irish Chain with applique pansies once that I'm thinking about doing again. Quilting around shapes is a problem with applique for me. My machine will free motion but I can't. I would need a lot more practice. I'd like to finish the quilt by the time the baby is born {or in collage!}

Jane, One of my HS friends lives near Columbus, IA. She also quilts, so I wonder if you know each other. Send me a PM if you are around there.I found your Profile pic and I think we look alike. :D

The quilt is on the bed with 2 matching pillow cases - with a day to spare before the guests arrive! I'll take a picture today and try to post it here. I'm pleased. I'm probably going to have to repaint the dresser as the paint isn't holding up - not sure why. Maybe I can seal it somehow...I'm not sure.

So, today's project is to go to the grocery store and do a little baking. Hopefully (please oh please) I'll stay out of the goodies. I'm feeling a bit weak the last couple days with my resolve to drop a few more kilos before the end of the year. Might up the protein today as that helps keep the munchies at bay.

Cheers-

Kris, good job getting the quilt and pillowcases ready. I hope you enjoy your guests!

Penguin - I looked up your profile picture, and have to say you are absolutely beautiful!! I could only wish to look like you. The quilt hanging behind you in your photo is also beautiful! I am about 2 hours SW of Columbus, IN, but Neal's sister and family live there. I think maybe you should go ahead and start another project besides the scarf just to mix things up a bit. Like you said, you could work on it while you read posts, so it's not like you'd be abandoning it.

Kris - whoo hoo for getting the quilt and the shams done. What a relief, right?? Please try and post a picture for us. I can't wait to see it! So what are you baking? I want to do some baking so badly, since the weather is right for it, but I'm afraid I'll over-indulge. I think, though, that I'll make an angel food cake since they are ff, and fairly low in calories.

Have a good day. :)

Jane, Thank you for the compliment :hug: but I still think we look alike, so I think you are beautiful too. I remembered my friend lives outside of Elizabethtown. I bought some yarn to make my quilting buddy a hat, a croched cloche with a flower. I made one for myself but haven't worn it yet.

Ahem..... I'M WEARING GLASSES!!!! They finally came in today and were $200 less than we expected.

I still have double vision but it might take some time to get used to them. I have a certain amount of depth percecption that I haven't had in a long time {which is freaking me out a little, LOL. They are rimmless so the only part you can really see on me is the bridge across the nose. I'm getHubby to take and post a pic this weekend.

Yay for the glasses, Penguin! :cp: Also a big Whoo Hoo for saving some bucks! My glasses are rimless, too, and I love them. Can't wait to see your new picture.

Good morning all!

We had a little candy riot at our front door last night. Some kids got overexcited and knocked a few things over while arguing with each other. I didn't think the candy was that good! They apologized afterward but I'm glad Hubby was at the door and not me. Geesh. I don't think we're doing TorT next year because of that.

Jane, I'm glad to have the glasses but I am having trouble reading anything. If I hold things far enough away for them to be in focus, the print is too small to read anymore. I'll take them back tomorrow and see what can be done. Very frustrating

I helped Hubby chop some wood yesterday and the muscles in my thumbs are mad at me. I can barely hold anything much less try to knit. Oooops!

How frustrating re: glasses, Penguin. I know I've had 'multi-focal' glasses twice now and I just can't get them to work so I use the cheap 'ol cheater glasses from the drugstore. It's a real pain not to be able to see clearly.

Guests came and went. Ate too much. Really got into the sugar and bread which is unusual for me so I'm cleaning up my act today. I'm 'off the sauce'! Back to lean protein and fresh fruits and veg. The one good thing I did was workout on Saturday - even though they were here.

Speaking of veg.....I pretty much vegged out in front of the TV yesterday after the guests left but I did knit 2 dishcloths! My first ones. I'm pleased with them. Now I need to buy some more yarn as I think they'll make nice little gifts. I can only find the Lily brand Sugar 'n Cream in one place here in Australia so I'll have to mail order it. Oh well....plenty other projects to work on while waiting for yarn to arrive.

ok, I fully admit that I am technically challenged at times! I can't figure out how to post a picture to this forum. I posted a picture of the guest room quilt to my blog today so you can check it out there if you'd like (address is in my signature below).

Just back from working out. It was a great workout! 3 sets of 10 of 8 exercises (chest press, leg press, lat pulldown, deadlifts, 3 pointed row, bicep curls, another chest machine & tricep pulldowns) plus about 20 minutes of boxing. I am really loving boxing....don't know why I waited so long to try it! I have a goal to drop 5 kilos before the end of the year.....I need to really stay focused on that goal or I'll not make it.

Have a good Monday gals. My project today is to complete a photo album and upload it for printing. My niece got ahold of the slides from her mothers wedding (30 some years ago) and had them scanned onto a CD and now wants me to design an album (with photoshop). My deadline is mid-month so I need to get moving on it.....I've procrastinated long enough.

I've had such a busy Sunday with family, but wanted to pop in and say hi. I'll post more tomorrow.

Hugs,

Kris, The quilt is gorgeous! I love the colors and the rainbow effect. You should be very proud of yourself!

Good morning,

Kris - I love the quilt! It makes that room so cozy. A friend of mine gave me a knitted dishcloth and I just love it. Yay for you, doing 2 in one day. The family album sounds like a lot of fun, and will make your brother or sister and spouse so happy. Wow, you're doing great with the workouts!

Penguin - darn it, I'm sorry about the glasses. I hope you get a replacement right away. Yikes, sounds like you got "tricked" even though the kids got "treated". Hope the little stinkers didn't break anything! Also hope your thumbs are better today.

I'm still in the process of picking out paper and accessories for my next few scrapbook pages. I try to coordinate it all myself, rather than use the ready-made kits, since the kits are so expensive.

Toodles,

Hubby and I slept late and didn't have much to do today. The porch is looking much better; Hubby got the first coat of paint on the floor/steps. its too light in color, but the sand/non-slip is very nice; worth that extra dollar.

My glasses are working out okay. I think the top portion is great. I think the bifocal line is too high, but depending on how close what I'm looking at it sometimes I look under them so I guess its in the right spot. The 'readers' part seems weak, by the time I push the words far enough away that they are in focus the print is too small. I had intened to storm into the office and demand they change them but I thought I'd give them another week. I am enjoying being able to see clearly more than 30-40 ft!

I bought another skein of yarn to finish my scarf but that's as close as I've gotten to doing anything crafty over the weekend!

Thanks gals for the kind comments! It feels good to have another project finished. I'm still toying with the idea of ordering a couple more yards of fabric and making some proper pillow shams. We'll see....

Glad your glasses are working a little bit better, Penguin.
Good luck Jane with picking out your scrapbook bits and pieces. I don't do scrapbooking, but I love the looks of it and have often thought I could really get 'into' it.

I'm off to do an afternoon napitation (my version of a nap and a meditation) then a yoga class tonight. I haven't been for about 2 months so I'm sure I'll be stiff tomorrow.

Life is good.

Penguin - I had no idea a person could get a non-slip paint. What a good idea! On our porch, right as the concrete was drying, the contractors took a shovel of some sort, and swirled it all around, gently. That make the surface ruffle up a bit so as to not be slick. I'm glad to know the glasses will be okay after all, and happy that you can see so much better now.

Kris - "napitation" I like that! Sometimes, if I can lie down for just 20 minutes, it's amazing the new surge of energy I get. Now that the experts say naps are good for us, I don't feel guilty about taking them, lol. How'd the yoga go? Are you stiff today? Scrapbooking can sure be expensive, but then again, no worse than other hobbies, I guess.

Today is mine! I have nothing scheduled that must be done, and no place I have to be, so I will design Caylin's page today, and share a photo tomorrow.

Have a good day, ladies. :)

Hi Everyone,

Jane Thanks for guiding me to this thread. I've been thinking about getting back into making some things again. Maybe this will help me get back to it.

I'll come back later and do some reading to get to know everyone. I look forward to meeting everyone and seeing what y'all are doing.

Later,

Our computer is acting crazy this weekend. We think we picked up a virus that made the computer delete its usb ports. No printer, no camera! so I can't post the pics I promised. I wanted to post before and after pics of the porch also and some quilts.

The weather was nice over the weekend {about time!} I was running around in short sleeves, jeans, and sandals yesterday. Its a tad colder today however.

Because of the glasses I was able to reduce the size of the print on the computer to 125%. The 150% just looked way too big! Progress!

Our house is a 50's starter home. The front and back porches are part of the foundation. The paint is peeling and slick when it gets wet. Hubby replaced the wooden posts, repainted the iron rails, painted the ceiling and trim, and is in the process of painting the floor with porch paint that has added sand/grit. The porch has been the traditonal light blue but we are painting it terracotta to match the brick. The color is too light so well get a darker color as a topcoat then paint the foundation/crawlspace to match the porch/brick.

Patty, Nice to have you join us! Looking forward to getting to know you.

I'm just peeking in while taking a little lunch break, but I'll be back later to chat. :)

Great to see you here, Patty/Trish! :carrot:

Welcome Trish!

Can't wait to see your page, Jane.

Bummer on the 'puter, Penguin. It's amazing how dependent we have become on computers, isn't it?

Yoga went well last night and I'm actually not too stiff this morning. Today is a scheduled 'off' day from exercise so will only do a little foam rolling/stretching. I'd really love to go in and do some boxing but I'm also trying to be mindful that I don't have the body of a 20 year old and that rest is a good thing. It's kinda sad that I've come to love/crave exercise at a time in life where my body doesn't always support it. (does that make sense? does that make me weird? :) )

Yesterday I sewed the blocks together (only 20 of them) that I unsewed last week. The top looks really nice - I'm glad I took the time to remove the fabric I didn't like. Instead of finishing it as a quilt, I'm going to use the piece as fabric for a yoga mat bag. Another project for my list!

Well, off to do some work around the joint and then head out to the studio. I'm not sure what my project of the day is but I'll find something.

Hello to anyone reading this. :wave:

Trish - doing any sort of craft sure does help keep our hands busy. For those that don't know you, why don't you share your WOE with them.

Penguin - well, at least the whole computer didn't crash. When you get the USB port fixed, I'd love to see the before and after shots of your porch. Sounds like your hubby is a handy one to have around.

Kris - I understand you about the exercise, and no, you're aren't a bit weird. Making a yoga mat bag from your blocks is a really good, original idea. Who woulda thunk it??

I did get the page done, and will post it following this reply.

While eating a Kashi bar, I broke off a tooth of my partial plate today! So I'm headed to Evansville tomorrow to get it repaired. I really hope I won't have to buy an entire new plate because they are $$$. Thing is, my friend and I had already planned to go out of town to celebrate her birthday tomorrow, so she'll be going with me.

I won't be able to log on until I get back, but I'll check in tomorrow evening. Have a great Wednesday.

Here it is - very basic, but the stickers are pop-ups, and give the page some dimension.
The blue page behind it hadn't been attached yet when I took this photo.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/JanaCee/caylinscrapbook007.jpg

Hi, everybody. I'm Linda, from the SBD forum. I've been occasionally lurking here, reading your posts, and Jane finally persuaded me to join you all.

I'm a soon-to-be 58 year old mother of two and grandmother to Caitlyn 19, Amber 9, Carley 4, and Tyler 2. I also work as a nanny to two little girls, aged 6 and 8, and have been with them since birth. I love to do crafting, especially counted crosstitch and needlepoint, and would love to learn to quilt one day.

I look forward to getting to know all of you. :)

Linda, Good to have you join us!

Jane, Good job on the page! :carrot:

Good Morning,

I'm not usually up this early except on Wednesday and Sundays for church and Bible study. Bible Study Fellowship this morning.

Patty, I'm up early for Community Bible Study! I'm a Leader so I have to get up early today and Thurs. I don't even get up this early for church on Sun!

My mom was in BSF for many years but my parents moved to another part of the city and she changed studies. Then she got me involved.

What are you studing. We are doing Genesis this year.

Good Morning,

I'm not usually up this early except on Wednesday and Sundays for church and Bible study. Bible Study Fellowship this morning.

This will be a quick one to say Thanks for the warm welcome here. My way of eating is mostly low carb and lean a little towards Carbohydrate Addict's Diet although I'm kind of doing my own tweaked low carb as I would like to lose a little faster/not to fast than I would on a strict CAD.

As for crafts, I haven't done them in a long time, but have been thinking about getting back to it. I would love to make some things for the grands for Christmas. Which brings me to a question for y'all if you know. When my children were little, I made them painted T-shirts, but I can't remember what the paints I used. When I go to the craft shops there are lots of paints and don't have any idea what to get. If anyone knows what I'm looking for please advise.

I used to crochet and plan to crochet a light blanket for my future grand to be born in May. I would love to take a knitting class and may look into that. Jane mentioned something to me yesterday that I may look into doing as well. I used to make my own wreaths, but quit when my Daddy came and asked me to make one for my Mother's grave. I made it for her grave for the first Mother's Day after she died and just lost interest in them. However, I've been thinking about making things like that again.

I married to my 3rd Hubby named Tony. 1st two passed away and I hope to keep this one a looooonnnng time. I'm from central TX, Waco. Lived in TX most of my life until almost 7 years ago when I married Tony and moved to south FL. We now live in SC just south of Charlotte in Rock Hill, SC.

That kind of gives a little bit about me. I look forward to getting to know everyone here.

Got to run as this turned out longer than I had planned.

Have a great day!!!

April rolled in something yucky in the back yard right before I left this morning for CBS, so I cleaned her up as best I could while wearing 'good clothes' but I decided to wait to give her a bath after my afternoon workout when we would both need a bath. i'm not sure who's less excited, her or me.

Guess what time it is, Furball????

Penguin We are studying the book of John this year. I am really learning a lot more than I did just reading it for years. I am excited that they have added Isaiah for us to study next year.
Hope you and April got cleaned up without too much trouble.

Linda We joined at the same time. Look forward to getting to know you.

KrisR I know what you mean about wanting to do things your body won't let you do because your not 20 any more. I go through that all the time.

Jane Caylin is soooo cute.

Don't know how I made 2 posts this morning. Must be that being up soooo early.:?:

Later,

Trish, are you talking about fabric paints? That what I use when painting on clothing. I hope that helps.

Penguin, I'm glad you didn't get your good clothes messed up while dealing with your furbaby this morning! How'd the bath go?

Jane, I hope you had luck getting your partial repaired today. That's a cute page you made for Caylin's 1st day of school. She's a real cutie, too.

You gals have inspired me to finally finish a complicated counted cross-stitch project that I've been working off and on for over a year now. It was meant to be finished in time for last Christmas, but hopefully I'll have it done for this year. Right now, though, it's about bedtime for me. Sweet dreams, everyone!

Hello all,

Linda - I'm so glad you joined us here! We're becoming a supportive little group, and I knew you'd fit right in. We've all had projects that we put on the back burner, and so we'll give you some encouragement to finish the cross stitch. Will it be a gift for someone?

Trish - I think Linda is right - the fabric paints might be what you're looking for. Do you have a Hobby Lobby where you are? The one I go to has a lot of fabric paints. I used to dip shaped sponges in them and make cute shirts for the girls.

Penguin - must be the full moon since Lily also rolled in something yucky yesterday! Although she is DD Katie's dog, she comes in our doggy door, but I hustled her right back out of it, lol. Thankfully, Katie got her cleaned up last night.

Thank you for the kind words about Caylin's page. She and her sisters will be here this weekend, and so I'll show it to here then. I also did a page of my sisters and me, but it just didn't look right, so I'm going to redo it.

Today was not a good day with food. I had lunch with my friend for her birthday, and had a big cheeseburger and onion rings for lunch. Dinner was right back on track, though.

Have a good evening,

April was very good about the bath. She's a lab/shepherd mix which basically makes her waterproof, so trying to get her wet to soap her down is the hard part. I run some coldish water in the tub then make her get in, and lie down to 'soak' for a few minutes while trying to spash water on her. If I pour water on her it just bounces off her coat!

:wave:Good Morning Everyone,

Penguin That is a beautiful dog you have. My friend back home in TX has a beautiful lab. Very protective of her. She never had children and he definitely is hers.

Jane Today is a new day for both of us. I did pretty good yesterday until late last night. Knew I was going to the store after BSF so took me a cheese stick to eat on the way to the store. Came home and had a nice pretty balanced Reward Meal. Then got busy and forgot to eat until I was starving. We should never let ourselves get too tired and starving at the same time. I went in and made me some asparagus, cream cheese & laughing cow cheese wraps with sliced ham. I made one too many and ate it any way. Then I ended up eating candy. So that blew my CAD day because can't have 2 RM. Any way I'm up today and more structured plan for today even with eating out. We will probably go to Ryan's and I pretty much eat very balanced when I go there any way.

I've been thinking about how I lost almost 70 lbs 7 years ago. I ate pretty much low carb all the time except for when I went out to eat then I ate pretty much what I wanted. In restaurantes where I could I brought home about half the food. There were some places we went to eat that Tony and I halfed a meal. Need to go back to doing that. I had kind of taken the idea of Dana Carpendar's diet and CAD and made up my own way of losing. I think that is what I'm going to have to do this time. I think we have to do what works for us and stop listening to what others tell us we need to do. I used to love the CAD group I found on another thread, but they have got into arguing about sweetners. I've left the group. I'm not getting caught up in that junk. Life is too short to spend it arguing over things that are considered "options" in the diet books. Oh well, that is enough of that. I am just thankful we have this group here.

What is everyone doing today? We have a busy day planned. DH wants to go to Staples. I want to go to wally world over by the Rock Hill mall (all Walmarts do not carry same things) and see if they still have red fry pan to replace the one I've worn out. Won't exactly match my set but close. Just the 2 of us I only use the small size. Found one to match my other set that was Tony's Mom's at the Walmart stores closer to me. My larger pans only get used when the kids come. Even found me a small crockpot to make things for two.

May try to hit Hobby Lobby at the same time to see what I can find. Yes the fabric paint is what I was thinking of. I went on line and found info on it and even gave the brand name that I think I used to use. Hopefully we'll get some good walking in by walking in all 3 of those stores. Will eat out, but doing CAD makes eating out a breeze. In fact, it becomes a pleasant treat.

Tony's nephew called yesterday and told him they are still coming for T'giving and they are bringing the turkey and dressing. I am so glad because I don't want that leftover. So I've got to start thinking about the foods to put around it. Not a real problem. Tony BIL is picky so it is probably corn and then whatever veggies I want. Will try my hand at making a low carb cheesecake for a dessert and have just that so that I don't have any leftover junk food. I like how you either send it home with your kids or trash what you can't handle Jane. I've decided it is better in the trash or down the garbage than on my waist.

Well, got to run. Didn't mean to be so long winded today.:dizzy:

Hope everyone is doing well and y'all have a great day.

Welcome Linda!

Love the page, Jane. Your grand daughter will love it.

Man....you're a busy girl today Trish!

Penguin - you made me laugh while visualizing you and your dog in the tub. :)

All is well on my little planet today. Haven't done any sewing today - just haven't been in the mood. I did make a peach tea cake for the mister and a batch of hummus for myself so haven't been a total couch potato. I'm going to try a new recipe tonight for portabello mushrooms with melted cheese & tomatoes.

Also went and worked out this morning. Get this.....I have a blister from boxing! Nothing like being obsessive, eh? I am loving the boxing though. Next week I might add some kicking.

Was sad today when I picked up the mail and didn't have my yarn order. I was looking forward to knitting another set of dish cloths this weekend. OH well.....I'll find something else to work on. Maybe pulling out the paper from the 30 blocks I've paper pieced? Oh joy! I'll put the photo of the blocks I've made and the pattern up on my blog if you want to take a look at it.

have a good weekend everyone.

Penguin - like Kris, you made me laugh, too. April is gorgeous!

Trish - yes, we do have to do what works for us, so you're a smart lady to go back to that. About pans, I weeded through mine, and gave away quiet a few after our last chick left the nest, since I just don't need that many anymore. Then Neal came in from an auction and brought me several more! I didn't have the heart to tell him I didn't want or need them, since he was sweet to buy them. Did you make it to Hobby Lobby? I love that store! They have the best scrapbooking selection of anyplace. Gets me into trouble, lol.

Kris - how'd the recipe go? Sounds de-lish! I haven't boxed for real, but have done it with the Wii, and I tell you, it really gave my arms a work out! No blisters, though, lol. Here's hoping you get your yarn today. I'll look at your blog photos in a bit.

I'm going shopping today to finish up Christmas gifts. Then tonight Neal and I are going to eat with friends, with a stop at the club.

Ouestion - several of us are posting at this thread, and the Age 50+ General thread, too. Should we try to combine the two? If so, what should we call it?

Have a good Friday. :)

:wave:Hi Crafter Friends,

Kris You go girl! Boxing and kicking? How I would love to be able to do that, but my body... bones wouldn't take it. You are doing great. I would love to have a wii, but DH isn't interested.

Jane No I didn't get to Hobby Lobby. Stayed in Wally world longer than I intended and my back started hurting so we came home so I could take ibuprofen. Last night I went on line and found a place called FreePatterns.com and downloaded 2 doily patterns to crotchet and started one last night for my dining room table. It is for a coffee table, but I think it would be beautiful on my oval DR table. So I am back to making things again keeping my hands busy without thinking about or being involved with food and eating. Yea :carrot: I woke up this morning thinking I may not have done my last round correctly so I've got to check that out. Stayed up too late working on it and I was too tired to do the last round. I think I might get involved with cross-stitching too. That looks like fun. I used to do embroidering and made a lot of my own patterns years ago. I would love to try knitting. I knew a man who knitted for relaxation. It was a nightmare for me when I tried it because I make my stitches so tight that I couldn't get my needle in between them. Anyone have any idea how I could teach myself not to do that? There are so many beautiful things made knitting.

Not much going on the rest of the day today. I talked to my Daddy this morning before calling his sister/my aunt to wish her a happy BD. She turns 84 tomorrow. I know when I call her that it is going to be at least an hour call so called Daddy first. Turned out he was in a rare talkative mood and I absolutely love it when he is. He is 86 and I think we talked for over an hour. I thank God that I still have him as my Mama passed away 17 yrs ago. So my morning was spent on the phone. My aunt has had the shingles for 2 years and her doctor told her she will probably have to deal with it the rest of her life. Isn't that terrible? I didn't know you could have them that long. Makes me think I might want to spend the money for the shingles vaccine which is very expensive the last time I checked on it.

As for the combining the 2 threads, it doesn't matter to me. I'll do whatever y'all decide.

Jane you and Neal have a fun night out with your friends.

Everybody else have a great evening.

I'm enjoying a day off today, but why is it going by so fast! Here it is almost 3 already! :dizzy: I spent the morning giving the house a thorough cleaning, then went for groceries and made a nice lunch for when my daughter got here. She brought out Carley to spend the weekend with Jake and I, and my other granddaughter, Amber, is coming over after school to spend the night, too. I plan to give the girls manicures and paint their toenails while we spend the evening watching the newest Ice Age movie, and take them out for pancakes in the morning before sending them back home.

Jane, I hope you had a good day shopping and were able to cross a lot of names off your list.

Trish, your aunt and I share the same date birthday! Both my parents are still with us, thank the Lord, and actually only live about 2 miles away, so I see them often. My mother and I still spend hours on the phone, though.

Hi all,

Penguin - I think Genesis is one of the most fascinating books of the bible. How many people are in your group? How's the scarf coming along, or have you had time to work on it?

Trish - I have the same problem with knitting as you're having with crochet! I'll start my stitch tension just fine, then the next thing I know, they are so tight, I can barely get my needles in. I finally gave it up, since it was making my fingers hurt. One of the ladies here will be able to give you some good advice, I bet. Wouldn't your insurance pay for the shingles vaccine? Several people in my family have had shingles, too, so I probably should get the vaccine, too.

Linda - Happy Birthday to you! What a fun day with your daughter and granddaughters! I haven't seen that movie yet, but it sure looks cute. Any special plans for today?

Kris - hope you're having a good weekend!

Mary's 3 girls will be here in a while to stay over. I'm not sure what we'll be doing, but since it is Indian Summer here, I know we'll be outside as much as possible.

Have a good day! :)

I have determined that Friday's are my worst eating days. The hard part of my week is over, I can relax etc. I'm waiting for the weekend to start! Hubby brought home a small pizza from our favorite place. Celebrate! Hmmmm. I did okay yesterday but I could have done better. I didn't know we were going to get the pizza until Hubby called right before he left work so I didn't 'save/plan' any room in my food plan. So I had two snacks yesterday instead of one, then pizza on top of that. Oh, well. I'll have to remember to be more careful next Fri. Maybe start a new project to keep me extra busy.

Linda, Happy Birthday! :hug: :carrot: The manicures and pedicures sound like fun. How was the movie?. Hubby and I really like the first Ice Age {we own a copy, LOL} but the second was rather weird. So we hope the third is better. Strangely, my favorite charater is Diego. Pancakes sound yummy. Tis tradition here that Hubby get up first on Sat mornings and make me breakfast, we switch out between pancakes, french tost, eggs and potato and egg hash. Sadly, this morning he had a playdate with a friend to weld on a muffler for Hubby's truck. I had a Luna protien bar and milk. Huff!

Jane, When it was announced last year that we were going to do Genisis, I wasn't thrilled. Growing up in the church, I have heard these stories all my life, but I find I'm learning a lot more than I thought. CBS {like BSF} is very indepth and we have lessons to do every day, then a lecture and commentary every week. Ahem, we don't grade the lessons. The whole class is about 300+ women {this class is only women}, my 'group' has another co-leader besides myself, and 10 other women, {other groups have more: my mom's group has 20 total}. Thanks for asking about the scarf, my hands are better I just haven't felt like working on it. The style of knitting change has turned into a big 'dread factor' I don't mind if you add us to the other group. I was hoping we could 'mainstream' the craft group and try to get others involved. There's a 'What craft are you working on ???' thread that I posted a link to our group, but so far no takers. I wonder if the thread being in the 50+ is 'hiding' it? I was hesitant to join since I'm not in this age group, but I think you were the one who posted 'age doesn't matter'. Did that make sense??? LOL. Thank you for the compliment of April. we got her from the Humane Soc when she was about a year+ old {we think she's about 8 now?}. they handed us a book to look through with pictues and discriptions. We had talked to the workers about what kind of dog we wanted and had almost decided on another dog named Sable. This one worker kept telling us to look at April. Well, her picture was dark, she's black, and her eyes were glowing red! We didn't want the 'devil dog' but we finally saw her and knew she was the one for us.

Patty, Hobby Lobby is one if my favorite places! I feel the loose knitting comes with practice. The more you knit the better you get at the motions and the easier the stitches are to make. I learned from a book at the library when I began. Now, LOL, there ar videos on YouTube. I used the ones from www.knittinghelp.com a knitting forum I belong to. Try the continental method! I'm trying to make the switch from English to Cont and finding the Cont much easier to do. The switch OTOH, is a pain! April is definatly MY dog!

Kris, I"m glad you enjoyed the boxing! I use workout videos at home, and kickboxing is a favorite. Added bonus it works your whole body at one time upper, lower, and abs, LOL, plus cardio!

As you guys may have noticed some days I can't think of anything to say, and some days I can't shut up! Guess which day this is?????

Linda :bday2you::woo: Hope you have a great day!!! You are such a good Grandmother. Sounds like a lot of fun with your granddaughters. I always had so much fun with mine. I look forward to Tony's grandchildren being here for Christmas holidays.

Penguin We are doing a 4 week study on Creation at our Sunday night small group at church. I thought the same thing you did when I found out we were going to study it. I have heard the story of Creation so much and taught it myself in Children's church and Sunday Schools that I couldn't imagine I could learn anything new. But we had the first lesson last week and I was surprised. They came at it from a whole new way emphasis on the fact that our faith cannot be shaken when we know the Creator and are confident in His creation of everything. I too am learning a lot more than I expected.
As for the pizza deal, remember that one off plan meal or snack is not what does us in. Everybody experiences them. It is when we let it cause us to stay off plan that it becomes a problem. Just be good to yourself today by getting back OP. Even if you happen to be up a lb, just remember that it isn't a real gain and it will come back off. I think we get into trouble when we beat ourselves up when those things happen. I'm talking to myself as much as I am to you as I am bad about beating myself up. Always said that I don't need anyone else to do it for me. Tony's daughter is very thin. I have watched to see how she eats. She is what is called an Intuitive Eater. She eats when she is hungry and eats only as much as she needs to feel satisfied. I don't think she knows what it is to be stuffed. I love to do IE, but haven't been successful at it yet. Hope that changes in the near future though. Any way I notice there are times that she eats, as we would call it, Off her normal way of eating. It isn't a problem because the next time she eats, she will eat normal for her. I've learned that normal weight people do not obsess over an off meal like dieters do. I think if I could come to that kind of peace with food and eating, I would be able to do a lot better and might not even have a weight problem.

Jane Enjoy your girls. I know you miss them and I'm so glad you get to have them this week end. How did your shopping go? We've got presents for Tony's DD and DIL, but nothing for the guys or the children yet. We usually have everything bought by now and ready to mail. We are way behind this year.

Well, better run. Tony will be ready to eat soon. I made a beef stew and it smells sooooo good.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Hey Ladies.... Can I join you guys here?!?!? I LOVE quilting and crafts but I see this is in 50+ and I'm only 20 :-( haha I'm currently working on an interactive rag quilt for my daughter. Its going to have different animals and colors so hopefully it can be an educational tool as she grows up (Shes only 9 months right now)

BrittniMarie Sure you are :welcome3: to join us here. What a neat idea for a learning tool for your baby girl. Is that her in your avatar? She is so cute. We look forward to getting to know you.

Welcome BrittniMarie,Glad to have you join us. {I'm not 50 Yet either!} I'm glad to hear we have another quilter join us!

Cute outfit in your avatar?? Halloween costume or just playtime?

What are you studying in school??

Please don't post here.. go to the new thread Quilters, Crafters, and Chatters for Weight Loss where I have combined the crafters and chatters since so many of us post in both threads. See you there!!