A New Plan?

Loyal readers know I've done the Holiday Grand Plan for about eighteen years now, but I'm thinking seriously about switching after reading this article by Cynthia Ewer over at OrganizedChristmas.Com. I've considered it before, but always went back to the comfort of the plan I knew. This year, with our lives in such a different place - working full time, one kid in college and another with one foot out the door - it might be time. 

If this is going to drive you crazy, just skip my blog posts on Sundays until right around New Year's Day; if you find yourself both horrified and curious, stick around.

Don't get hung up on doing every single task or overthink things if your living arrangements don't dovetail perfectly with the plan. I will promise you that doing even a few things early - or just thinking about your plans ahead of time - will make December less stressful.

I'm going to try to blog more this year about my process and what steps have been the most helpful. I would love to know what you do to prepare. Will you join me?






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#TBT - Throwback Thursday - It's Been a Slice of Heaven, Y'all

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It's Throwback Thursday here at Quiltin' Jenny, and I hope you'll link up and share your own creative adventures from your pre-blogging days.

I love working with photos in quilts.  I love the combination of this old art with new technology, the memories in pictures and fabrics, and the gentle way it says, "I love you."

I made my very first quilt using photo transfer fifteen years ago for my father-in-law's sixtieth birthday.  The book Creating Scrapbook Quilts by Ami Simms grabbed hold of me at the quilt shop, and has never let me go.  It is still my inspiration and my first resource.

I took Ami's advice and put everything I could find on this quilt. There are patches and pins, as well as his fraternity lavalier and the promise ring he gave my mother-in-law. This is one of those times when pack rat tendencies come in handy - my MiL had an old army shirt, his letter jacket from high school, and enough other random stuff to make me worry about the weight of it all. We even drove down to Georgia Tech to buy a musical bear, which we disemboweled for the button that plays "Ramblin' Wreck" when you press it.

One of my favorite parts of this quilt is the wide muslin border where party guests were able to write messages, well wishes, and congratulations. Longer lasting and more precious than any old birthday card, right?

The name of the quilt comes from an old family joke about the time some dinner guests overstayed their welcome. My FiL finally got up from his chair and said, "It's been a slice of heaven, y'all, but I'm going to bed." And he did.

Happy 75th birthday, Big D! We love you!

Now I want to see your blast from the past.  Link up and let us all see!

An InLinkz Link-up

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#TBT - Throwback Thursday - The Old Fashioned Way

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It's Throwback Thursday here at Quiltin' Jenny, and I hope you'll link up and share your own creative adventures from your pre-blogging days.

Today's quilt is one I made back in 2001 for a new baby. This baby was extra special because her parents had suffered three miscarriages before her safe arrival. Their doctors were having some trouble pinpointing the exact problem and, just as they were about to start with some fairly invasive treatment, they found out that her mama was expecting her.

We rejoiced, and I set to work making a quilt. I decided to use all 1930s reproduction prints and plain muslin. The whole thing was just six simple pinwheel blocks, sashed in muslin and bordered with half square triangles. I did crosshatch quilting on my machine, and loved the simplicity of it.  I named it The Old Fashioned Way.

In honor and memory of the baby's three siblings, I also made three miniature versions of the quilts to donate to SHARE Atlanta's 5Bs Project. These blankets, bonnets, booties, buntings, and bracelets are donated to local hospitals with a "Survival Kit" for newly bereaved parents. 

I never realized how many of my quilts were made for these subsequent babies after a loss until I started keeping track of them this way. I suppose that they were at least as therapeutic for me to make as they were for their families to receive. Once again, quilting heals us.

Now I want to see your blast from the past.  Link up and let us all see!  P.S. Did you know that you can use pictures from your Instagram feed with InLinkz now?

An InLinkz Link-up

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WIP Wednesday - Heading for the Finish Line

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

My progress stalled last weekend when we drove to Tuscaloosa to help Deuce move into his first apartment, but I worked up the nerve to enter this quilt into the guild show. Now I really have to finish it!

I completed the feathering around the points of the star, and moved on to the small square and triangle spaces. I've been browsing for FMQ motifs over at The Inbox Jaunt, and decided to try Lori's Easiest Flower Ever.

Now I've moved on to the more tricky, irregular spaces outside the surround fabric. I couldn't find what I really wanted, so I cut a piece of freezer paper into the shape of the space, folded it in half, and cut out my heart/swirl doodle. I'm going to press it onto the quilt and try quilting around it. I'll let you know how that goes!

My next big decision will be whether or not/how much to quilt in the other areas of the quilt and what color thread to use. I'm sure I'll be back to ask your opinion soon!

Menu Plan Monday - For Real This Time!

It's Menu Plan Monday and we are clawing our way back to "routine." Deuce heads back to Tuscaloosa tomorrow morning shortly after Gracie leaves for her first day of 8th grade. My Middle Child (MMC) has a week under his belt, and is settling into the long days of school/cross country practice/dinner/homework/sleep.

We're experiencing a lot of lasts this week; tonight is our last night before Deuce leaves for awhile, and today will be my last open house at Gracie's school - our fifteenth straight one there! I'm nostalgic and excited and anticipating the very busy months ahead of filling out applications and making big decisions about high school for her and college for MMC.

• Sunday - on the fly (Fall Sports Night/Senior Pictures)
• Monday - dinner at the grands
• Tuesday - Healthy Chicken and Broccoli Tetrazzini
• Wednesday -Asian Brined Pork Loin, jasmine rice, stir fried veggies
• Thursday - chicken and veggie kabobs, quinoa
• Friday - Almost Famous Broccoli Cheddar Soup
• Saturday - steaks on the grill, baked potatoes, Caesar salad

What's on your menu?



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#TBT - Throwback Thursday - Triple Irish Chain

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It's Throwback Thursday here at Quiltin' Jenny, and I hope you'll link up and share your own creative adventures from your pre-blogging days.

Today's quilt is one that I made back in 2001 for my friend's third son. I told you the story about her first little boy, who only lived a brief 36 hours, and her second son, for whom I made my very first quilt. That summer, when Gracie was one, my friend delivered son number three.

In eager anticipation I made a Triple Irish Chain quilt out of bright primary colors. The squares finish at 1". I thought I might go blind or crazy before I finished, but it turned out to be quite nice. (Unfortunately the photos did not!)  I used an extra wide polka dot binding to finish it off, which I love.

By a twist of fate, this precious boy arrived on his oldest brother's sixth birthday. As you can imagine, emotions were running high and the tension was palpable, which made the joy at his safe arrival even more overwhelming. Even in this terrible picture I think the relief and happiness and gratitude are obvious on my face as I held him for the first time, wrapped in his quilt. Once again, quilting had saved me, calmed me, when my mind and heart were in turmoil.

Can you believe this sweet baby boy turned thirteen last month? His birthday every year is bittersweet, but a reminder of how blessed we are each and every day.

Now I want to see your blast from the past.  Link up and let us all see!  P.S. Did you know that you can use pictures from your Instagram feed with InLinkz now?

An InLinkz Link-up

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Menu Plan Monday - Back to School But Not Back to Normal

It's Menu Plan Monday and high school starts tomorrow for my middle child, formerly known in this space as the Bear. On a side note, he has informed me that this nickname has negative connotations (I'll let you google at your own risk) and he would prefer I not use it anymore. However, he cannot think of a nickname that he does like.  ("Can't you just kill off my character?", he asked.  Ummm...no.) Henceforth, he shall be called My Middle Child or MMC.

Aaaaaaanyway....he goes back to school tomorrow, Grace starts next Tuesday, and my college boy is home for a week in between his summer research program and the start of the fall semester. Summer is over but we aren't quite back in the routine yet.

• Sunday - fast food after the dinner I made FAILED
• Monday - Quilt Guild/YOYO
• Tuesday - hamburgers on the grill, potato salad, grilled corn on the cob, mixed green salad
• Wednesday - pollo sabroso, brown rice, oven roasted green beans
• Thursday - pork chops, yellow rice, Caesar salad
• Friday- we're introducing Deuce to Big Pie in the Sky, our new pizza obsession
• Saturday -dinner with the grands TBD

What's on your menu?



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