Sew Together Stitching Lounge and a Day in Pasadena

Happy New Year! 

December was a whirlwind of activity, as always, with so much going on at work and at home. This year we capped off the holiday celebrating with a few days in Southern California to watch My Middle Child perform at the Rose Bowl with the Redcoats, the University of Georgia's marching band.




We also got in a great visit with my brother and sister-in-law, and my niece and nephews. It was so much fun to hang out with them and enjoy the gorgeous weather when it was bitterly cold at home. We ate so much great food while celebrating "Second Christmas" and New Year's Eve.

I had hoped to meet up with Kristin, but our visit was jam packed and, of course, the holidays are busy for everyone. Kristin did have a quilt shop suggestion for me and my sister-in-law, who is also a quilter. One afternoon while Batman was napping, we snuck away to the Sew Together Stitching Lounge for a little fabric therapy.

This is such a great little shop with the friendliest staff. In addition to some great modern fabrics, they also had a selection of patterns and a few knits for garments. 

Flying will put a damper on shopping for fabric, but I did tuck a few things into my suitcase. 

I couldn't resist this knit by Sarah Watts, a designer with Cotton + Steel, since my littlest nephew is a tiny bit obsessed with octopus and squid. It's called Mystery Food, and it's going to get me over my fear of sewing knits.

I also picked up two prints from the Journey On line from Dear Stella Designs (by Rae Ritchie).

Extra bonus if you are not monogamous in the ways of textiles: there's a yarn and embroidery shop called The Knitting Tree right next door. Go wild.

I thought I was going to get to see an art quilt show as well one day when we were driving around. I spied this banner, and my brother dropped me off at the corner to get the details.

Sadly, they were closed until January 3. But if you're in the area and can get past the fact that they used the phrase "Not Your Grandmother's Quilt Show," it's at the California Heritage Museum in Santa Monica through March 18. (I'm looking at you, Frances!)

We had a great visit and are now back to reality. I hope you all had a marvelous holiday season wish you a wonderful 2018!

Menu Plan Monday - Hang On Tight!

It's Menu Plan Monday and we're trying to recover from a roller coaster weekend.  It was so wonderful to have Deuce home for such a long break, and hard to send him back.  Luckily he'll be home for Christmas in less than two weeks!  I enjoyed having four days off work in a row; although I neglected a long list of things to do, it was very relaxing.  And, of course, we had the highs and nauseating lows of watching the Seminoles win and the Crimson Tide lose in that last second heartbreaker. 

We also ate way too much.  This is the day that I will get back on the elliptical in an effort to hold the holiday pounds at bay.  My nearest coworker has recently lost a lot of weight, and is inspiring me with her diligent exercise schedule.  If she can get up and drive to work at 5:30 in the morning to use the gym when it's this cold out, surely I can walk downstairs to my guest room and exercise for thirty minutes a day.  Right?

I'll let you know how that goes. 

My user name on My Fitness Pal is QJ2013 if you want to be friends.

MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter

• Sunday - burgers on the grill, tossed salad
• Monday - Slow Cooked Jerk Pork with Caribbean Salsa, Cilantro Lime Rice
• Tuesday -TPB is making dinner - marinated flank steak, Mexican rice and beans
• Wednesday - Pollo Sabroso, yellow rice, asparagus
• Thursday - CrockPot Korean Ribs, brown rice, oven roasted green beans
• Friday - leftover buffet
• Saturday - Looking for a delicious new soup recipe.  What are your favorites?

What's on your menu?



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Merry Christmas! Roll Tide!

Just a little holiday music to get you in the spirit of beating Auburn Christmas!





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Holiday Grand Plan - Week 10 - Time to Pay the Piper

It's time for Week 10 of the Holiday Grand Plan, and we've made it past the half way point.  It was a great week, and a big part of being able to enjoy it was the work we've done so far.  My first week of work went well; everyone was so welcoming and friendly. 

Then my big boy arrived home on Wednesday for his fall break, and it was so great to have all my chicks in the nest again.  I slept great for the last four nights!  We celebrated Halloween with some wonderful friends, then watched the high school football team win against their crosstown/region rival by one point in a nail biter. 

Yesterday we celebrated my MiL's birthday and an early Thanksgiving with The Pit Boss's family.  It was delicious!  We finished it off watching the 'Noles beat Miami.  I'm exhausted but so happy!

This week is supposed to be for deep cleaning the family room, but remember back on Week 2 when I did the family room instead of my office?  Yeah, now it's time to pay the piper and get my office under control.  And not a moment too soon!  After a summer of working from home, it's due. 

My freezer meal this week will be my marinated flank steak.  We are supposed to have some spectacular fall weather this week, with sunny days and highs in the low 60s.  I want to enjoy grilling out a few more times before it turns chilly.

As far as goodies to share, I'll be doing some replacing this week.  We ate up the Peanut Butter Fingers yesterday along with all of the other desserts Gracie, Mom and I made. 

During my lunch break from work one day, I hit a toy store and found two more gifts to ship to California.  I'm almost ready to get that box wrapped and packed.  It's the only thing I mail for the holidays, and it feels good when it's ready to go.

Now I have another question for you who work outside the home: do you buy a gift for your boss?  Coworkers?  Where do you draw the line, and what are some of your best ideas? 



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A Visit With My Boy or Top 10 Tips for Parents Weekend

Totally non-quilty news today, but I wanted to thank everyone who wished us a great visit with my boy for Parents Weekend.

It was so great to see him looking healthy and happy and right at home in his disaster area dorm room.

He showed us the science and technology buildings where he is spending a lot of his time.

We got the whole college experience, including the Elephant Stomp pep rally on the steps of the library...

 ...and the football game with 100,000 of our closest friends.

A few tips if you are going to Parents Weekend (this was our first one, but I think these would apply anywhere):

1. Check your student's schedule before booking.  We pulled the Bear and Gracie out of school early in our rush to get to Tuscaloosa.  I knew Deuce had an afternoon class, and he warned me that he had some lab time due in the evening, but everything ended up taking longer than we thought.  We didn't even get to see him Friday.  In hindsight, we all probably would have been happier, more rested, and less stressed if we had just driven over on Saturday morning and skipped Friday's festivities.
2. Check everyone else's calendar.  We ended up buying a ticket that went unused because we didn't look at a calendar for one person.  It wasn't a big deal, but would have save some money and allowed someone else to buy that ticket.
3. Think about your guest list.  We brought EVERYONE - siblings, grandparents...my brother even considered flying in.  (That's what happens with the first grandchild!)  In retrospect, the advice I gave my brother was advice I'd give everyone.  It might just be more fun to visit on a different weekend when the crowds will be slightly less and the days will be less scheduled.  If you don't care about the game, consider visiting on a non-football weekend and enjoy a couple of days with your college student's undivided attention.  The Pit Boss and I agree that we could have gone ourselves for this "event" and brought the rest of the crew at a less hectic time.
4. Prepare for a LOT of walking - and standing.  We had warned everyone ahead of time, but not everyone believed us when we said there was going to be miles and miles of walking.  It's just too crowded for anything else. Gracie used an app on her phone that said we went over 4 miles on Saturday...and she didn't even turn it on until after she had complained about how far it was!
5. Prepare for any kind of weather.  It was warm and humid on Friday, and then started raining.  Saturday cleared up and turned into a gorgeous night, but was much cooler.  Sunday I almost needed a jacket.
6. Read the instructions.  The university sent a LOT of information, and it all turned out to be very important.  Where to park, schedules, maps, and how to get the shuttle back to your car - none of this is information you want to be searching for on your phone in the dark.  Yes, there will probably be signs and people directing traffic, but be prepared for that one time when there aren't.
7. Pack your patience.  It is going to be crowded, there are going to be lines, and everything is going to take longer than you think.  You will have a lot more fun if you set realistic expectations than if you are disappointed and/or frustrated the whole time.  Everyone around you will have more fun, too.
8. Make a list.  Ask everyone in the family if there is something they specifically want to see or do - including your student.  Deuce really wanted to show us the quad (above) where he spends so much of his day.  Luckily we got to squeeze that in on Sunday,  because on Saturday we were just too walked out to backtrack over there.  
9. Take pictures.  I wish I had taken more, especially a few of the five of us.  Even if they were just cell phone pics, that would be better than the three I have.
10. Enjoy your visit!  In some ways, this trip was better than Deuce coming home.  I loved seeing the places he's been telling us about, and it eased my anxious heart to see him so at home in his surroundings.  As my father-in-law said as we boarded the shuttle to the parking lot and Deuce loped off to his dorm, "He looks like a grown man now." 
    

~*~sniff~*~



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Joke of the Day

In honor of Family Weekend and the imminent shutdown of the government:

Alabama beat Arkansas
and they fired the coach.

Alabama beat Tennessee
and they fired the coach.

Alabama beat Auburn
and they fired the coach.

Then Alabama beat Notre Dame and the Pope resigned...


How do we get the government to play Alabama?


Roll Tide, Y'all!




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WiP Wednesday - Crimson and Houndstooth

I'm linking up with WiP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced.

This week's WIP is brought to you by Family Weekend at the University of Alabama.



Every time I talk with Deuce, I ask him if there's anything he needs.  Most of the time, he can't think of anything.  He's a pretty independent kid, and his dorm is walking distance from a Publix.  If he needs it, he goes and gets it.

Plus, his grandmothers and sister have kept him pretty well stocked in cookies since he left.  What more do you really need?

But during one phone call, he thought of something.  He asked if he could have the toss bags from our corn hole game.  Apparently a buddy there has the boards but no bags.  Only now I can't find our game - not the boards or the bags.  Someone put them away after July 4th in a very safe place.  

So I researched a little bit about how to make the bags, ordered some crimson and houndstooth duck cloth from Fabric.com, and started stitching.  Now I'm just waiting for a friend to pick up my feed grade corn kernels so I can fill them and stitch them closed.  I'll be bringing them to him in person in TWO DAYS!

My other WIP is my Social Tote.  My Soft and Stable arrived, so I'm hoping to get the basket assembled and finish the binding so I can bring my hexies in it on our road trip. 

Roll Tide, y'all.



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Holiday Grand Plan - Week 3 - Come on In!

It's Week 3 of the Holiday Grand Plan and we're cleaning out our Entry/Foyer this week.  Unless that's not working for you. 

Last week we were supposed to do the living room, which is when I usually do my office; however, once we decided to have friends over to watch Alabama beat Texas A&M, I called an audible and switched to deep cleaning the family room.

That's what you need to remember about planning ahead.  This is not to stress you out.  This is not to start the holidays way too soon.  This is about the exact opposite - making sure that you get to enjoy and appreciate the season without being overwhelmed by the extra tasks. 

If this week you are expecting company and need to deep clean the guest room instead of the entry, go for it.  If your child's birthday is coming up and you want to get the playroom or their bedrooms taken care of first, that's an awesome idea.  Make it work for you. 

For example, this week's list includes buying two canned items; one to tuck away for a holiday meal and one to donate to the food pantry.  I don't do this.  I can't think of very many canned items I even use anymore, and our food pantry has a wish list of items that I buy when they are on sale. 

This week's traditional list also reminds us to buy film, camera batteries, and blank videotapes.  Raise your hand if you use any of those things.  Yep, that's what I thought.  Just cross it off the list!

The tasks I try never to skip, though, are the freezer meals.  They are a lifesaver even during the "normal" times of the year.  This week's freezer meal is going to be Skinny Chicken Cordon Bleu. 

I also enjoy this week's start to baking and freezing treats.  This is one way to ensure that my old favorites don't get lost in the chaos.  I'll be making a double batch of Peanut Butter Fingers so I can bring some to Deuce on Friday when we visit him for Family Weekend. 

I'm doing the happy dance and counting the days!  Have a great week!



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FMQ Friday and Whoop Whoop! for Feathers!

Today is Free Motion Quilting Friday over at Leah Day's Free Motion Quilting Project.

The rules are simple:

1. Link up with a post that features something about Free Motion Quilting (FMQ). 
2. Somewhere in your post, you must link back to Leah's site, or you can just post the FMQF button in your sidebar. 
3. Comment on at least a few of the other FMQF links. Share your love of free motion quilting and make this weekly link up a fun way to connect!  

I'm working on my Star Surround quilt and loving these feathers.  They are going slowly, though, so I doubt I will have this finished in time for the parade on Monday.  So far I have done two sections, and haven't quite decided what to do in the other areas.

No worries!  I am happy with how it is turning out and excited to see it finished. 

I'm also linking up with Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?  This weekend I am celebrating my feathers, Alabama football (Roll Tide! BEAT Texas A& M!) and the absolutely spectacular weather forecast. 

What are you celebrating this Friday?

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Menu Plan Monday - Starting to Feel Like Fall

It's Menu Plan Monday and it's starting to feel like fall. When I take the dogs out in the mornings or before bed, there's a whiff of cool breeze and the slightest hint of rustling leaves.  Menus now have to factor in cross country meets (pasta on Wednesday, crock pot on Thursday) and football games.  Failing to break 90 degrees each afternoon is practically an excuse to dig out the boots in these parts, and a forecast without rain - rare this summer - is all the reason we need to grill, baby, grill. 

When I'm planning my weekly menu, I look at the calendar first to see what days are jam packed, screaming for a crock pot meal or leftovers.  The second place I look is at weather.com for the week's forecast.  I'm rotating back in a few recipes that feel too heavy for summer, and starting to think about soups and stews for rainy days.  Does your menu change with the weather, too?  What are your fall favorites?

My user name on My Fitness Pal is QJ2013 if you want to be friends.

MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter

• Sunday -Braised Brisket with Potatoes and Carrots
• Monday - Whatever looks good at Kathleen's Catch, quinoa, grilled mixed veggies
• Tuesday - Pollo Sabroso, yellow rice, oven roasted green beans
• Wednesday - Baked Pasta with Sausage and Spinach *I'm doubling this and putting a batch in the freezer for the Holiday Grand Plan
• Thursday - Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore over leftover pasta, salad
• Friday - leftover buffet
• Saturday- friends over to watch football - potluck menu TBD

What's on your menu?



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WiP Wednesday - Stalled

I'm linking up with WiP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced.

After such a productive Labor Day Sew In weekend, I moved right along from Batman's Star Surround to my Social Tote.   I was a little anxious about some of the required materials and my first try making such a structured bag. 

I'm waiting for my Soft and Stable to arrive, so I'm stalled at the moment; however, I did manage to finish what I expect is the hardest part, the lining.  This divided interior is what made me willing to even try this pattern.  The sample in the shop was holding a hexie project like mine, so it will be perfect for our ride to Tuscaloosa for Family Weekend. 

Other than requiring my complete and total attention (I even had to turn off the podcast I was listening to) none of the instructions were hard.  I was quite surprised at how well the seams lined up.

I also made the pockets and the handles so that there should be very little left to do once the Soft and Stable arrives.  I cannot wait to use this. 

All I have left for today is to make the pin cushion. For this I needed some sort of filling, and crushed walnut shells were recommended.  I was able to find these at my local Pet Smart (with the bird and bunny bedding), but it was only in 25lb bags! The other, similar choice was Kay-Kob, which is made of dried, ground corn cobs.  According to the Pet Smart sales assistant, these look nearly identical and serve the same purpose. 

I sent out a call for help on Twitter, and recognized the second problem with the crushed walnuts is the risk for anyone with a nut allergy.  I chose the smaller and less expensive Kay-Kob and will let you know how it works out. 

Anyone else have suggestions for pin cushion filling? 




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#LDSI Wrap Up and Batman's Star Surround

The Labor Day Sew In on Twitter was so much fun! I got a lot of sewing done while The Pit Boss reveled in the start of college football (Roll Tide! Go 'Noles!)

I spent most of Saturday working on Batman's Star Surround top, which I FINISHED!  Hooray!  I love how it has turned out, and Mom swears it is not too boyish for those west coast peeps.

Sunday I pieced the back, but didn't take a picture yet.  I just cut up the remaining fabric after making the binding and put it all together in a giant 25 patch.  Then I delivered it to Mom so she can start hand quilting it.  She's going to look for a pumpkin color thread and start by stitching in the ditch.  Then we'll have to decide what else it needs.  I'm really proud that I got it to her three months before the baby's due date. 

Monday I started working on the Social Tote pattern.  I've gotten as far as I can until I can find some Soft and Stable or a suitable substitute.  I had some challenges wrapping my head around exactly what it is, and for some reason was thinking of it as similar to stabilizer or interfacing.  Luckily Pam and Jaye explained it to me yesterday on the Quilters Unite Labor Day Google Hangout, and Pam even had some to show me.  That helped a lot.  Unfortunately it's not that easy to find locally, so now I have to wait for it to be shipped.  I hate waiting.

If you couldn't join us for the Google Hangout, you can watch it on YouTube.  Thanks to Katie for setting it up.



Hope you had a great Labor Day weekend!



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Menu Plan Monday - Recovering from Retreat

It's Menu Plan Monday and I'm trying to recover from our awesome retreat weekend.  I had a great time and got so much done, NONE of which was laundry/grocery shopping/cooking/cleaning.  Now I'm paying the piper for my mini-vacation, and glad to do it.  First on the list: Menu Plan Monday!

My user name on My Fitness Pal is QJ2013 if you want to be friends.

MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter

• Sunday - dinner out to celebrate FIL's birthday
• Monday - Sweet and Fiery Pork, brown rice, oven roasted green beans
• Tuesday - Mini Class Night at the High School- kids get leftovers
• Wednesday - Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats, yellow rice, salsa
• Thursday - Grilled Chicken Kabobs over quinoa
• Friday - Football Friday! We'll eat at the game
• Saturday- Pollo Sabroso, leftover yellow rice, tossed salad

What's on your menu?



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Podcast Review - Quilt Cabana Corner

I had a trend going there for awhile when the boys were playing football. I would review a couple of quilty podcasts every fall when my driving started to ramp back up with practice schedules. Since both boys have now left the gridiron - The Bear ran cross country, and Deuce was the drum line leader - I put a lot fewer miles on the car this fall.

Never fear, though, because Grace has hit middle school and that means lacrosse practice is no longer just once a week.  Also, I've started listening to podcasts more often, especially when I'm sewing or ironing, so I've added some new subscriptions.

I still have my favorites, like Hip to Be a Square, The Off Kilter Quilt, and Quilting for the Rest of Us.   I miss listening to Allison and Brye and Jennifer.  Luckily there are some newcomers (and some that are new to me) to fill in the gap.

The podcast I've been enjoying catching up with recently is Sandi Colwell from Quilt Cabana Corner.  Sandi is the author of Little Quilts for Big Occasions and the designer of several applique patterns. 

Sandi reviews products and a recent quilt magazine or two, in addition to her podcast research questions.  During each episode Sandi poses a question to her listeners and asks them to weigh in for the next episode.  These questions generate some interesting answers, which often lead to new questions.  I love hearing the responses and the names, which become familiar. 

Give Sandi a listen and let me know what you think.  Do you like podcasts that have a structured format, or do you prefer a more rambling free form episode?

What podcasts am I missing?  Which are your favorites?



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Are You Ready for Some Football?

Not much quilting going on these days because we've been doing a lot of this:

Last night was a late night after a nail-biter that went into overtime.  Hoping to get back to my machine this week.

Also, I have a surprise for you tomorrow! 



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