In preparation for hopefully being able to adopt a baby this year, I’ve been trying to make some of the things I’ll need. This week, I made the diaper bag!

I’m really excited about how it turned out. I started with the pattern for the Miranda day bag by Lazy Girl Designs.    I wanted to use the Lorax panel by Dr. Seuss as a starting point and I was concerned that the Miranda was going to be too small.   So I made a few adjustments to the pattern.   It turned out 17″ x 13″ x 5″.  I think it’ll be a nice size.

 

 

The panels were taller and narrower than  the space allowed in the original pattern, so I added a section to the outer edge of each panel for the sides of the bag.   I also added a small strip of the same fabric between the panels so that the panels wouldn’t be blocked by the flap. I made the bottom long enough to cover the length of the panels but didn’t change the width of that piece.

 

On the pockets, I added trim that matched the bottom of the bag.

 

Here’s what the inside of the  bag looks like.

 

I’m really excited  about how it turned out.  I added really long leather shoulder straps to make it easier to carry.  I can’t wait to have a reason to use it.

 

 

Linking up with TGIFF over at What a hoot!  Hop on over to see everyone’s finishes!  Also linking up with can I get a Whoop Whoop!  Check it out for even more finishes to inspire you!

 

Wow, another week has flown by. There’s been so many things going on that I can talk about yet except to say I’ve been completely distracted from my healthy eating. I did actually weigh yesterday, just didn’t get to posting.

Here’s a recap of this week’s progress:

Weight Loss Goal: 65 lbs
Week’s Loss: 1 lbs
Intermediate goal: 20 lbs by May
Total Loss: 7 lbs
Distance to Goal: 58 lbs, 13 lbs to intermediate goal

The most exciting thing about this post is that I crossed one of those big number lines. I wasn’t going to be honest about what I actually weigh, but I just have to celebrate this one.

I just dropped below the 200lb mark! It was confirmed by an independent scale in my dr’s office too, so it’s not just my scale! It’s so exciting to be back to numbers that start with a 1.

Here we are, back at the scale again.  And the results are a mixed bag this week.   I’ve made great progress on my attitude.   I’m not dieting.   I’m changing how I eat.   So that means, I’m not going to eat like a rabbit unless I want to eat that way forever.  I’m still using the Sonoma diet food lists as a guideline for healthy eating, but I’m not going to be rigid about it.  I’m going to focus more on how many calories I’m consuming because ultimately it comes down to consuming less calories than you burn in a day.  This week I found a new blog Can you Stay  for Dinner?  She’s lost 135 lbs and kept it off for 5 years.  Her blog is a combination of encouragement, tips, recipes and some fun thrown in for good measure.  It’s helped me change my perspective on this diet.  I really need to be lighter, but not on a diet.  I need to lose weight in a way that I can maintain.

So here’s a recap of this week’s progress:

Weight Loss Goal:  65 lbs
Week’s Loss:  2 lbs
Intermediate goal: 20 lbs by May
Total Loss: 6 lbs
Distance to Goal:  59 lbs, 10 lbs to intermediate goal
Week’s Exercise: none
Total Time Exercising:  0 (my sinus’s kicked up and I spent a lot of time miserable, so no official exercising.   We did walk Sam’s club over this weekend)
Eating Healthy:  I ate good meals during the week.   We only ate out 3 times in the last 7 days, and all 3 were on the weekend and none were fast food.   I made reasonable choices when we ate out (except for Cracker Barrel, but hey, everyone needs a treat).
Sodas:  I did horrible with this goal last week because we still had too many sodas around and I hate to see anything go to waste.   The Sodas are down to my lone diet cokes that I only have 1 a day of.   I’ve got my unsweet tea made and ready and a new filter in the water dispenser.   This week looks much better.

Overall,  not a bad week. I got off of tracking my food at the weekend, so I need to keep that up as it really helps me stay on track.   And I’m happy with a 2 lb loss.   That’s a good long term steady kind of loss.

Here’s to kicking butt next week!

One of my goals for 2012 is to learn how to Free-Motion Quilt.  It’s January and the first challenge has been posted, so it’s time for me to get off my duff and actually try this out.  Right?

Honestly, I had never even put my FMQ foot on my machine, let alone used it.   So first I took an online class.  Then I watched the video for this months tutorial.   I realized that before I tried that design, I needed to practice getting used to my machine.

I sandwiched a couple of fat quarters together,  put on the FMQ foot, dropped my feed dogs, adjusted my stitch length, lowered my presser foot, laid my hands on the fabric, took a deep breath and stepped on the pedal.

Lesson # 1:   This is not NASCAR.   I don’t need to drive my machine like a race car driver.

Lesson #2:  When panicking, don’t let go of the fabric as you step off the pedal.  The fabric will jump.   Just let your foot off the pedal, KEEP YOUR HANDS ON THE FABRIC!!

This is what my practice piece looked like after an hour.

 

I don’t think it’s too bad for my first time ever.  You can see some straight lines at the top that I did first as I was trying to just get used to the process of moving the fabric.  Man, that’s a different sensation when you’re used to the machine moving it for you.  After that I just started playing around trying to  get a consistent stitch length.  Here’s a pic of one of the later sections.

 

I still need to work on stitch length.  There’s some long stitches, some short ones, but again, not too shabby for a first practice session.

Lesson #3:   Slow down the feet, speed up the hands.   (may not be right for everyone, but I’ve got a lead foot and at this point, my hands can’t keep up!)

On to the nitty gritty, I know you’re wondering, okay but what does the back look like.   Of course, you’d ask that.

 

Not too bad, but there’s a couple of problem areas.  Really, I think they’re all the same issue.  My guess is that it’s either my machine’s tension or it’s the way I’m pulling and pushing the fabric.    Here’s a close up.

I’m seeing this in multiple places.   I really don’t think it’s my tension because the straight lines I did are fine and don’t have this problem.  My guess is that it’s how I’m moving my hands.  Can anyone confirm this?  Tips?

I’m going to take a break now, but either this afternoon or tomorrow I’m going to do another piece just like this one and hopefully see some improvement.   Once I feel more comfortable with this design that I’m calling “childhood scribbles,” then I’ll start working on January’s design.   I think I’ll be happier with my progress if I take the time to get my stitch length more consistent before I move on.

 

Joy of Joys I finally finished it!  It was about time, I mean it’s not like it was supposed to be my dh’s birthday gift in Oct of 2010.  Oh wait, maybe it was supposed to be that.  Anyway, it’s done and dh is happy with it.   I really should have gotten him to do the promised happy dance while I video taped it but  I think the video camera would stop any happy dance. LOL.

So here it is, in all it’s glory, quilted, bound, washed and ready to snuggle.

It really is soft.   I quilted “straight” lines about a 1/2 inch inside each seam.  I thought stippling would compete with the designs on the shirts.  I backed it with flannel.  I read a post on Quilt Story that suggested Fusi-Knit for the interfacing.  I’m so glad I read that post as the Fusi-knit was wonderful to work with.  I like it so much better for t-shirt quilts than the other interfacings I had tried.

I also finished these receiving blankets and burp cloths for my mom to give as a gift.

and this set

While I was on a roll, I went ahead and made some burp cloths for us to have whenever we get a little one to live with us.  I’m hoping to still get to a couple of receiving blankets for us today, but  those will be in another post.

I think they’re all so cute.  The fabric really makes me smile.

Well that’s all my finishes for this week!   Hop on over to Quokka Quilts to see what everyone else has done this week!

 

So back in August, I set myself the goal of losing 65 lbs. I originally intended to lose 20 by the first of the year. I was right on track, 12 lbs down, when asthma hit. Yep, that means steroids. Somehow I can never stay motivated to be healthy when I’m on steroids. I got off the steroids and just a few weeks later, yep, right back on them again.

I had decided that I needed to get back on the band wagon.  I was absolutely sure that I had gained every bit of that 12 lbs back.  Yesterday, I tentatively stepped on the scale.  Guess what?   I’m still 4 lbs below what I was!!!!   Yeah!  I didn’t gain back the whole 12 lbs!!!!.  I’ve decided to rejoice in the 4 that are still lost and move forward without guilt.

I just saw Weigh in Wednesday and thought, that’s perfect.   I could use some accountability to help keep me on track.

My goals are:

1) Lose a total of 65 lbs, the first 20 by the end of May.   That equates to roughly 1 lb per week and hopefully allows for some minor set backs when the steroids come calling.

2)  Stay motivated and not give up just because the doc puts me on steroids.  This one is hard!  I get so ravenous when this happens but I also give up before I’ve taken the first pill.   I want to keep focused on my goals through these times.

3)  Eat more healthy – use the Sonoma Diet as a guide

4) Control my portion size and calories – shoot for 1600 calories per day. Use Livestrong.com to track my calories and fitness goals.

5) Begin exercising again – start with walking and work my way back up to being fit!

6)  Limit my sodas to 1 a day.  Drink more water instead.

 

Weight Loss Goal:  65 lbs
Week’s Loss:  0 lbs
Intermediate goal: 20 lbs by May
Total Loss: 4 lbs
Distance to Goal:  61 lbs, 16 lbs to intermediate goal
Week’s Exercise: none
Total Time Exercising:  0
Eating Healthy: Started with lunch yesterday.   2 healthy meals this week!
Sodas:  Starting this week

Since I’m participating in several challenges this year,  I’m going to be posting goal updates as I go to keep me on track.   I’ll be joining in with the  2012 Finish Along hosted by Quilter in the Gap.

My UFO’s for the first quarter:

1.   Finish my dh’s T-shirt quilt    - it just needs to be quilted.  Completed 1/4/12!

 

2.   I’m going to finish my dress shirt quilt –  I cut the pieces months ago and it’s just been sitting waiting for it’s turn.   This is also the project I’m doing as January’s part of the 2012 UFO challenge.

 

3.   I want to finish the Orca Bay Mystery Quilt top.   I’ve got a little bit of 2 of the steps done.

4.   Finish the Simply Silly Quilt – the top is done and it just needs to be quilt.

5.   I’m hoping to finish the Doodle Bugs applique quilt that I started right after Christmas.   So far, I’ve got most of the shapes cut out.

Additionally, in January, I’m going to finish some baby blankets and burp cloths.   In February, I’m planning to start and finish the star quilt I want to make for the nursery, a diaper bag and whichever UFO # is picked by Judy for the Challenge.

I know it looks like a lot but I really think I can do it.  I’m so excited about getting some of these done!