My New Year Sew-Along Plans (updated)

Always near-by, I catch Jackson staring at me more often than not lately. 

He probably misses being pictured with a quilt but, he's also probably wondering what I'm doing.

Admittably, I have been doing more creative thinking than sewing lately.  

So along with setting personal goals of health and well being, I've been scowered the internet and all your blogs for a sew along(s) to join in 2016. This morning I found the perfect ones for me: 

First, starting January 18th, is Lori Holt's Bloom Sew Along.  So I ordered these:

And as much as I would love to order a big bundle of Lori's fabrics, I'm going to use this Sew Along to bust through this tote of 30's fabrics I collected early on when I started quilting:

And our blogging friend Carole is having a Scrap Dance 2 QAL 

that I'm already cutting 2 1/2"x 3" squares for. 

Andddd... my scrap bins are overflowing so I'm looking forward to participating in the RSC:

I realized as time went on since this post, that I don't sew everyday. 

I already have have two on-going hand projects. And this one has been neglected already!

So as enticed as I am by the Quilty 365, I can't commit.

Click here to get a peek at December's head starters.

Whew! THAT felt good to admit. I so wish I didn't have to sleep. LOL!! 

Just so much I want to do in a day.

But I'm learning...to say no and not over commit...

as when I do, it really puts a crutch in  my creative energy.

My nEW yEAR staRTS TodAY!

I admittedly don't have a busy Christmas season ahead me. Our oldest daughter and her family are spending their first Christmas in their new home...so we are traveling there for the holiday. Hubby and I consequently, decided to keep our holiday decorating to a minimum since it's just the two of us.

Quite honestly, we're enjoying it. After 25 years of raising a family, it's already been kinda of fun carving out time to do some things we just want to do. We have dinners and card playing planned with friends and holiday activities like "Shop with a Cop", Secret Santa and "Backpack for Kids Food Drive" at work. BUT! The plan that's really motivating me is my decision was to start my New Year today!

Yep, I will rejoin Weight Watchers at work today (I'm a lifetimer...who just needs to get rebooted and get some chub around her ol' middle reduced a bit.) I've set the exercise goal to run a St. Patricks Day Fun Run on March 12th in under 30 minutes. (That's my goal and I'm sticking with it!)

 

 I'm actually looking forward to avoiding all the '"goodies" that seem to appear in school and office work rooms this time a year as I truly start my New Year today! I know, I DO sound a bit boring, but in the end, I physically and mentally feel sooo much better avoiding such temptations and setting goals helps me get through. This is a total intentional mission for me as seriously you guys, I LOVE sugar cookies decorated with candy, my mom's fudge, my husband's ginger cookies, all those dips at work, well...you get it.  So now I'm curious, do you indulge or set goals to avoid? 

And oh how I wish I had a better metabolism!!

Tuesday Archives #92: Zig-Zag

Hello! Hello! and Happy Tuesday Archives! 

The linky party that let's you rejuvinate OLD blogging posts.

. If you are new to our linky, click over the here to read the details about this fun, weekly linky party.

(You can also check out all our past Tuesday Archives themes by clicking right here.)

This week's theme is "ZIG-ZAG" Fun:

I just love the color combination of this Zig Zag quilt by our blogging buddy Cynthia who blogs at Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework. (Click on that preceeding highlighted part to get her pattern!) But...really, Zig Zags are so much fun! Whether it be a fabric or a pattern, you guys have come to know, I'm pretty liberal about my definition. Have fun rejuvinating those old Zig Zag posts. Oh! And if ya have an idea for a theme next week, I need your help. Comment or just email me your ideas.

Ready to Quilt and a Thank You!

A big thank you to Michelle who blogs at Crayon Box Quilt Studio for organizing her Kate Spain Charm Swap - the Christmas Edition! I'll get better "quilty" pictures once this is all quilted but I was kinda anxious to share how wonderful the variety of prints came together and 

was able to catch this wintery picture right at dusk: 

I thouroughly enjoyed the easy sewing of chain piecing this past week and was kinda surprised how big this quilt actually ended up. I used 224 charms (I had two spots in Michelle's swap) and the quilt measures  64"x72". I picked up some red minky for the backing during all the fabric sales this past weekend and am looking forward to quilting with minky for the very first time. (Any warnings about loading it on the long-arm please do share.) Anyhoo...I wanted to create this post to thank everyone who participated in the swap. I don't have a local sewing group and for reasons like this, I'm just so grateful for our virtual community. I'm so happy with my cheery Christmas Quilt. I can't wait to quilt it.

Tuesday Archives #91: Zebras

Hello! Hello! and Happy Tuesday Archives! 

The linky party that let's you rejuvinate OLD blogging posts.

. If you are new to our linky, click over the here to read the details about this fun, weekly linky party.

(You can also check out all our past Tuesday Archives themes by clicking right here.)

This week's theme is "ZEBRA" Fun:

Maybe you have used zebra patterned fabric in projects, applique...

http://www.favequilts.com/Machine-Applique/Zebra-Applique-Name-Pillow

...or perhaps you've used a zebra print in a quilt or project?


Or maybe you've created something artistic:
(Isn't this fantastic!)

http://www.thetartankiwi.com/2015/10/zebra-dazzle-bloggers-quilt-festival.html