Quilt Project: Week 1

Honestly, I need a new project like I need a hole in my head.  However, while reading Randi's blog at I have to say, I got sucked into a quilt project.  Read more about the project here.

Yes, a quilt!  Have I ever quilted?  Heck no!  However, Randi ensures everyone can complete it, and we will be okay.  She broke the quilt into 6 weeks of steps.  Week 1 (last week) was simply to pick 10 fabrics, purchase 1/3 yard of each, machine wash, hang dry, and iron.  I may not make it through the remainder of the project, but at least I made it through week 1.

I'll try to keep you updated as I go along.  Here is a picture of my 10 fabrics.  Aren't they gorgeous?

Also, I'd love for some of you to join me in this little shindig.  I've never done this before either, and Randi promises she'll hold hands along the way...good thing!

Double Dipping

Remember how I told you I was going away for Scrapfest 2010?  The benefit of being around other creative minded folks is learning new tips and strategies to take back home.

Enter Diana...

Oh, how I envy her creativeness.  Diana is a scrapper AND card-maker.  With each scrapbook spread she creates, she takes the scraps and makes a card or two.  

After finishing this adorable Halloween spread, she created a quick Halloween card for later.

Then, using the scraps from an adorable page of her daughter...she created the gorgeous card in the back.

I always struggle to find something to do with the scraps from my pages.  Now, I can share my creativity with others by using the scraps to create cards for various occasions.

Featured Again

Exciting news...

Yup!  I was featured, again!  My curtains showed up on one of the fabulous blogs I read daily.  I love it.

On a different note, I am headed out of town tomorrow for a crafting weekend.  Twice a year, my sister and I join a group of lovely ladies in North Georgia.  The main craft is scrapbooking, but this year I decided to take my sewing machine.  I'll be making curtains for my almost complete office, a few presents for the "Year of the Handmade Gifts", and several other crafty things.

I'll be featuring many of these over the next couple of weeks...as well as highlights from our fun weekend getaway.

Photo of the Week

This photo of the week is providing some inspiration for me...

I'm in the slump of writing my dissertation.  Sometimes, I feel like I'm riding a stationary bike and getting nowhere.  So, in hopes of reminding me where I'm going...the photo of the week is a picture of Dad standing under the arches at UGA...where I hope to stand in my graduation regalia too...soon!

Email from Papa Roy

So, tonight I send an email to Dad with the subject title "3 Things"...


1.  Has NCLB been reauthorized since 2002?

2.  Will you make a deposit for me when you get a chance?

3.  I go to Reinhardt on Thursday of next week.  I have to teach, but it is the topic of my choice.

MAB

His response...

1.   No. ESEA, which is NCLB has not been reauthorized.

2.   Yes.

3.   Good luck. I know you will do well because you are the best.

4.   I love you.

REB

Adorable or what?  If you knew him, you would be moved.  First of all, he is a brief e-mailer (always just a "yes" or "no").  So, the compassion of #3 and the addition of #4 was pretty sweet.

Menu Monday

Well, I'm back with my second Menu Monday.

Don't you like my little my digital header I created for Menu Monday???

Anyway, I'm super impressed with myself for following the menu last week.  I cooked all I planned, albeit not on the days I planned.  My parents even talked me into bringing one of my meals to their house...to share!

This week, I am going out of town on Thursday (a little crafting weekend getaway).  So, I am only menu planning through Wednesday.  Of course, I'll post a printable card for one of the recipes by Friday.

Menu for the Week of January 25th:

Monday: Southern Style Oven Fried Chicken

Tuesday: Slow Cooker Sour Cream and Salsa Chicken

Wednesday:  Mexican Chicken Soup (from leftovers)

Thursday:  Out of town

Friday:  Out of town

Burlap Stenciled Curtains

My sister and I did a little switcharoo several weeks ago.  We were both tired of our living room furniture, so we decided to trade.  I am in love with my new look, and best of all...it was FREE!  The only issue was curtains.  My sister didn't have curtains, and I have a massive front window that needed a little privacy.  So, I decided to put my new sewing skills to good use.  Forgive the pictures, I took them at night (as you can tell by my sleepy dog who would not budge).

I purchased a stencil that I really liked and matched the paint colors to the blue and brown.  The burlap alone looked too bland, but the stencil gave it the needed punch.

The funniest part of this project, is that I made a slight boo boo purchasing 16 yards of burlap instead of 16 feet...it was one of those days!  Needless to say, I'll be doing a lot with burlap over the next year(s).

I'm linking to the following parties:
It's so very creative at It's So Very Cherri

Make it Monday at The Persimmon Perch

Just Something I Whipped Up Monday at The Girl Creative

Make it for Monday at Cottage Instincts

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

I Made the World Cuter Today at Making the World CUTER

Market Yourself Monday at Sumo's Sweet Stuff

Make Your Monday at Twice Remembered

First Project of the New Year at Sanctuary Arts

DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land

Get Your Craft On at Today's Creative Blog

Toot Your Horn Tuesday at Silly Little Sparrow

Trash to Treasure Tuesday at Reinvented

Talented Tuesday at My Frugal Family

Make It Yours at My Backyard Eden

Look What I Made at Creations by Kara

Show and Tell at Blue Cricket Designs

Penny Pinching Party at The Thrifty Home

100 Ideas Under $100 at Beyond the Picket Fence

Strut Your Stuff Thursday at Somewhat Simple

Transformation Thursday at Shabby Chic Cottage

Show Off Your Stuff at Fireflies and Jellybeans

Thrifty Thursday at Tales of Bloggeritaville

Thursday's Treasures at Treasures for Tots

Get Your Craft On at Life as Lori

Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous

I'm a Creative Cat at Poppies at Play

Remodelaholics Anonymous

Show and Tell Friday at Romantic Home

First Friday Party at Crafts in Bloom

Funky Junky's Saturday Night at Funky Junky's Interiors

Check Me Out Saturdays at A Vision to Remember