UFO Challenge 2011-Piecing projects

I already posted all my Quilting UFO's for 2011 but since I tend to work on a lot of piecing I wanted to include a post for that. I am not saying I'll finish all these projects, but I can at least work toward that goal...Right?

My piecing UFO's for this year include:

#1 QOV pattern of Judy Laquidara's. I did all this in a couple days then got stopped. I really want to complete this and send it to QOV supporter Alicia.
#2 is the Christmas string quilt I started last year. I designed the layout of this quilt and I would like to finish it to be on our bed this 2011 Christmas! We will see!

#3 is a hand pieced DWR quilt I started years ago for my mom. These were the colors TO A TEE of her bedroom. I lost steam on it when she told me in no uncertain terms that she "hates quilts" I told her not to worry I wouldn't make her a quilt. And I won't. I had so much time into this that I wasn't going to scrap it completely, but it kind of took the pleasure out of this project, as you might imagine. I will finish it someday....sigh.
#4 is a cool 4 patch posie that a friend cut all the pieces for and gave them to me. I put all the little 4 patches together, but it still needs sashings and to be assembled.
#5 Another 4 patch posie cut from a favorite old fabric of mine (you may recognize it) I made a quilt for my dad out of this fabric years ago and I loved it so much I bought a whole bolt of it....which I still have on the bolt...what was I thinking? Anyway, these blocks are a bit too matchy-matchy for my taste but I will attempt to sash and assemble them. Good for a dog quilt if nothing more....
#6 A cute baby quilt that I had mostly pieced but had to take a row or two apart because they were crooked. I would like to finish it.
#7 A springtime YBR quilt. The blocks are all pieced (this picture is just when they were strips) but it needs to be laid out and assembled and finished.
#8 This is a rainbow quilt (or it will be) My little sewing group and I traded fabrics in all the colors a couple years ago. I got as far as sewing all the HST and that is it. Still a lot of work to get this to be a rainbow quilt.
#9 This is a Castle blocks quilt I have all cut out and partially pieced. I made one of these already but when I cut the strips for this, I cut WAAYY too many so decided I would make two of these. This is the second in the box. The first is a well loved quilt we use in our frontroom.
#10, 11 and 12- A quilt I started for my daughter. This is a tuxedo cat quilt. It is the front cover quilt from a Pam Bono pattern from this book that I started quite a few years ago. It is a ton of piecing. (quick rotary cut piecing my FOOT!)
I am giving myself lots of time for this one....

UFO Challenge 2011-Finished tops

This is my UFO list

I have a lot of tops ready or almost ready to be quilted. I have decided this is where I want to concentrate my UFO efforts on...FINISHING!

#1 is the very first quilt I ever pieced by myself. Keep in mind I am a completely self taught piecer. I bought a "sampler pattern" book complete with plastic templates. I chose the black floral as my main fabric then chose "matching peach, mint green and tan fabrics to go with"...UGH. This is so matchy-matchy and not at all my colors or my style, but I want to finish it. I set it with all plain tan blocks every other one. It still needs a border, quilting, binding and label.

#2 is a completely hand pieced Tumbling blocks quilt I pieced for my husband Mark. I pieced most of this is 1999. The beige and blue fabric you see is for the backing and it is a "Millennium" fabric...telling, I know. This still needs the outer pieces hand cut and pieced around the outer blocks. That is the dark blue fabric. Quilting, binding and label to complete.

#3 is a Carpenter's star quilt I pieced as a surprise for my husband. I actually pieced this a couple years ago and never got any farther than this-which only took a couple hours. All the borders are cut and even pillow cases made to match. Needs borders, quilting, binding and label.

#4 I made as a gift for one of Jess's friends for a grad gift. Of course I never completed it and she never got it. The top is complete. I have struggled on quilting design for this one. Needs quilting, binding and label. You never know, She may get it for her wedding! (if she has one before someone else claims this one)
#5 IWBLR quilt is a special to me quilt. My Friend Ronda Beyer sent me everything to make this quilt. Fabric, pattern and even quilting ideas. I pieced it up to this point right away and it got stopped at that point. This is an original design and I plan to make this my first show quilt. This quilt needs borders, quilting, binding, sleeve and label. IWBLR=I wanna be like Ronda.
#6 was a Mystery quilt that Linda Lawson of Longarm Chat designed. I don't remember what year this was but it was a few years ago. The top is complete. I want to do something special on this one. I really love it. It needs quilting, binding, sleeve and label.
#7 is a quilt I started for my daughter 8 years ago. BAD MOMMY! She has patiently waited to receive this quilt while watching me start and finish LOTS of others. GUILT!
This top is complete. It needs quilting, binding and label.
#8 A Tisket, A Tasket (a green and yellow basket) No basket though. This quilt I started New Year's day 2009. This is as far as I got. It is for a dear friend who loves green and loves my quilts. I gave her one already but she keeps hinting for another (rather loudly). This needs borders, binding and label. This is the second one I pieced with this pattern.
#9 will look familiar to lots of you. It is Judy Laquidara's pattern Bear's in the Farmhouse
It still needs the last 3 borders (I hate that many borders usually, but I made an exception here), quilting, binding and label.
#10 is a quilt I pieced for my sister to give her husband. I pieced it last year and never got it quilted...MORE GUILT! The top is complete. It needs quilting, binding and label.
#11 is another crossroads quilt. This will be the third of these I have pieced and quilted. I just love this pattern from this Georgia Bonesteel book! (it is the quilt on the cover, but in more vivid colors)This is for my bed. It needs borders, quilting, binding and label. As you can tell, I get "Stopped at the borders"...A LOT! (quilt #3 of this pattern)
#12 is also for my bed. It is a Christmas Yellow Brick Road quilt. I pieced this a few years ago and never got any farther than the center. It needs a border, quilting, binding and a label.

Handwork Wednesday-Sept 8, 2010 (a little late)

I didn't work on this for a couple weeks but I finally did this week. I plan to get a little done every day. Let's see how I do.

To remind you of the picture I am stitching out:


Here is the results from the last update to today:

YUM! Sept 6, 2010

Cajun meatloaf, butternut squash and apples and Betty Crocker instant mashed potatoes.

Cajun Meatloaf

This recipe for Cajun meatloaf I got from Tasty Kitchen. It is delicious!
I have made it before and we both loved it. I made a change to the recipe by adding finely diced carrots to the mix and using only 4 stalks celery.
First I ready most of the spices and ingredients from the fridge.
Then I chopped all the veggies. This recipes had tons of veggies. I think that is why I like it so much. Well that and that it is very spicy and flavorful!

The only pan I have big enough to cook the veggies is my wok. A hint, after the veggies are cooked and before you put the bread crumbs and milk in, drain the excess liquid from the pan.

Here are two LARGE meatloaves. One on the left is for dinner and the one on the right is for the freezer. As you can see, we will eat this for at least two dinners and sandwiches.
Mark claimed the extra one for his trip up to the cabin in a couple weeks.
I will put a ketchup and honey glaze on it before I cook it.

If you like meat and veggies and spicy food, I highly recommend this recipe. I don't think I'll ever make meatloaf the old way again!

12 :30 check in

I did a little more on the cross stitch. I am going to take a break from it for awhile and put my clean sheets on my bed and make my Cajun Meatloaf for dinner tonight. YUM!

It's showing progress, but so far to go!

Back at it...

Well I ended up sleeping from 2:30 until 7:30. I used to stay up all night without a problem but don't want to push my body too much since the MS. I know I need to sleep to stay well so I went ahead and slept as much as my body needed (no alarm clock). Laundry in and the TV is on while I get my housework done. Cross stitch will continue in a bit.

2am and I'm fading fast....

It's 2am and I have a little more of the tree done. I took a break from cross stitching and did a couple things around the house.....why I didn't get more done. I am fading fast though and may have to sleep a bit. I'm sure Jerry won't miss me..I think he's sleeping now too. :)

Jerry Lewis Telethon 2010

I plan to watch all night. I also plan to work on a long neglected cross stitch picture I am working on.
This is at 9:30pm
This is at 11pm. I find it takes me a lot longer to make progress when I first get started because I lose my place so much and have to count and recount. UGH

Cheesecake

I made Mark a cheese cake today. He does so much for me and these are the little things that show him I love him.

Salsa!

YUM! Spicy and thick, just how we like it!

This is working pretty well so far...

Food Inventory
I am at the end of my third week and I love knowing what our menu is in advance. I have menus designed for the next 6 weeks. I am working around my pantry items, (oldest first) freezer items and the things that are on sale and a great deal. I have been keeping up with my inventory so far, marking things off the list as we use them and adding the newest items as I get them. The idea was to shop less and I have ....but not as much as I thought I would. I just can't pass up a great deal. It is still saving us in the long run. Today I picked up 3 racks of baby back ribs for $2.79 lb. One for our dinner today and two for the freezer. Hey, I couldn't resist that price!

I actually did some sewing last night and I have everything set to sew again today and tomorrow so I have something for Design wall Monday. I have been such a slacker in that area lately. It's time to get busy again.

Let me tell you, this Raspberry cream pie was really good!

Confessions of a food hoarder

My name is Diana and I'm a food hoarder!

I'm not sure how this problem came to be exactly but a problem none the less. I consider myself a good bargain shopper and nothing I like more than getting a "deal" on something. In fact, I never buy anything for full price. NEVER! Especially groceries. Groceries go on sale regularly but it is cyclical. So for that reason, I buy more than just what I need so I have it on hand when I need it again and don't have to pay full price. I have always shopped this way. It has always worked for me but sometimes I get so disorganized I don't know what I have on hand and buy even more.
We are pinching pennies right now with me being laid off ......again. So I decided to start using up our excess and plan my menu for the week around what we already have. Great idea right?
To do that I needed to know what I have...so I did an inventory. OMYGOSH!
Can you say excess?
Oh I have the staples like this
But how much tea does one need? That whole lower shelf is all tea! (kool aid is in the green container)

Some of the excess:

• 26 individual bags of microwave popcorn
• 24 boxes of jello gelatin
  
• 10 boxes of jello pudding
• 13 boxes of rice mixes
• 24 packets of dry soup envelopes (like onion and vegetable mostly used for dips)

And lots more! This is just in the house, we keep our EXTRA food out in the garage.
We have two large red racks with food. This is the first one:

• 4 boxes graham crackers
  
• 3 boxes Bisquick
  
• 12 cake mixes
• 9 cans of frosting
• 4 boxes brownie mix (there would be more but we make these a lot)
  

We have

• 8 jars BBQ sauce
• 6 enchilada sauce
• 8 gravy
• 6 Alfredo sauce
• 20 cans tomatoes
  

• 12 cans fruit
• 15 cans tuna
• 8 mushrooms
• etc, etc
  

• 
• 6 jars peanut butter
  
• 8 jars jelly and preserves
• 64 boxes of pasta (lots of variety)

That doesn't include all the cleaners, shampoos, etc.
WHY do I need 10 bottles of dish soap?
My freezer is the same way. I figure with the exception of fresh produce and some meats we can last for months without spending too much on food. This should get us through the lean months ahead. That is the plan anyway!

In the mean time I have spent a lot of time deciding on my menu for the next month and enjoying it. Mark thinks I'm a bit nuts but that is ok with me.

CORN!

We love corn!
In the summer when corn is plentiful, we eat lots of it. At least a couple times a week. We miss it in the winter months. Well we buy it frozen in bags but I'm trying to cook more and use less packaging. I have tried the freeze method of blanching and freezing the corn on the cob and it turned out fine, but it takes up a lot of freezer space. I have heard a lot about doing it like this so thought I would try it. The recipe called for 32 ears of corn, so I bought 40 being the OCD person I am...............I just can't buy 32 when the sale is 10 for $2.

I know, it's not easy being me!

So I got up bright and early and got to work. How long does it take to shuck and clean 40 ears of corn....about an hour!

That's a lot of corn!
It takes about another hour to cut all that corn off the husks. I used my large roasting pan and I'm glad I did...it was half full when I finished...then I added the butter and half and half.....yes, that IS a pound of butter and a pint of half and half. That is what the recipe called for and I always follow the recipe to the tee the first time I make it and adjust afterward ...if there is a next time, that is. Oh I know I had 6 more ears than they called for, but I knew it would be ok.
An hour later.....golden creamy goodness! That will be a lot of corn in my freezer and it won't take up nearly as much room as on the cob.
Oh, and if you were doing the math, here are the other two ears....LUNCH!

Handwork Wednesday---and a trip to Oscoda

I didn't post on Wed. because I really had nothing to show you. We went on a little trip to see my friend Denise. She lives in Oscoda Michigan. We drive right through East Tawas too and it is gorgeous this time of year. I can't stitch in the car anymore because my eyes are bad and no place to put my STUFF. So I got it ready to go by using my water dissolving blue marking pen (used for marking quilts) and I made a 10x10 graph, which makes counting so much easier. It takes forever to keep finding your spot if you don't have a grid.That took me over an hour to do but it will be worth it and save lots more time in the long run!

Here is a close up of the grid pattern. Solid lines every 20 spaces and dotted lines in between. Makes it easy to find your spot with the chart. When the cross stitch is done I wash it in cold water and the lines disappear like magic!


I didn't want to be rude and stitch while I was at Denise' and we were gone until Monday so I only got a tiny bit done. Here is my pathetic efforts for the week.
About the trip, we dodged a bullet on the way down. There was an area on I75 that splits off one lane surrounded by cement barriers on the left and two lanes on the right and they are working on the center area. There was an accident on the one lane (can't get around it) side and there was a back up for M I L E S!

We saw lots of people sitting in lawn chairs, tops of their cars, talking on cell phones, etc.
These people had a radio out and kind of looked like they were having a good time. I learned my lesson though and will ALWAYS take the two lanes side as to not get trapped. When we got to Tawas, I heard it finally cleared up. We could have been stuck for over two hours and I'm so glad we weren't one of the unlucky ones who were.
The canoe races on the AuSable river were going on and it is a big deal to watch the canoes cross over the finish line. We tried to go but we couldn't get a spot close enough and I can't walk that far so we did something else instead. Denise always tries to show us the local sites while we are there. I feel bad because I can't remember the name of this place but it had to do with logging and the history of Michigan. It was a nice place. They had this cool statue and others too.

There were beautiful views of the AuSable river from different vantage points
They had a stair case with a sign by it warning everyone who dared to go down to the water, how exhausting the climb would be. Me and Denise sat it out but Mark took the challenge. This little tent like place was at the bottom.
Looking up....
Yeah, he's the MAN!