Productive Weekend

Wow! I finally got some sewing done this weekend. I have HAD 5 quilts in progress at the beginning of the weekend. Now I am down to 3! I was able to get my room finished up and felt like working. 

I have been working on this quilt since October 2011. It was the last Mystery All Day/Night Quilt that I went to at my local quilt shop. I was sick with the flu on that day and felt terrible. I think because of being sick I just got the feeling I didn't like the quilt at all and just didn't want to work on it. I finally decided that I was going to finish it and give it to my mom...for Mother's Day 2012....her birthday 2012....Christmas 2012...you can see where this is going. Well it is awaiting shipment to her now! I hope she enjoys it.

This quilt has been in the works for just about as long too. All of the material in this quilt was purchased at a local antique mall. I came across a booth that had 3 or 4 huge baggies of vintage material for a buck a piece! When I got home that day I was amazed at how much I actually had gotten...yards and yards of some. I knew it would all go together in a quilt someday! The back is done up with the bright yellow you see here. I don't know how some of you get the great pictures of your quilting! I gave up trying to make it look cute and opted for the auto timer on my camera. :) Anyways this quilt is all mine!!

I scored a ton of material from a co-worker's sister's garage sale this summer. When I saw this I knew it was going to be a dish towel! Stitched up 3 little towels. I just love the design of it. I think one of them will find a home in the camper this summer so I can always have it with me. 

I also made up a curtain for a basement window, but it's not that spectacular so I didn't bother to share it. 

Hopefully this momentum will keep up so I can get some more work done. 

Have a great afternoon!

A new year...a new house....

...well not a real new house but a rearranged house. I love the way that moving things around can give you a new outlook. My 6 year old told me the other day that it was nice that I gave myself a new kitchen. It made me realize that he does notice the little things that I try to do every now and then for myself, and I'm not a bad person because I want things for me.

My new kitchen consists of 11 cabinets and or drawers organized...out with the old! I moved the microwave and the Keurig, cleaned up the junk pile that was growing overnight...and I love it! 

The living room got a good vacuuming and picking up. Moved the loved seat just a few inches and angled it differently and it really makes the room feel more open. I still have my little Charlie Brown tree up with Christmas lights and the ceramic light up Christmas Tree burning bright and I love it. 

I am really trying to get back in the habit of blogging. We really have a lot of drama going on with our teenagers and I hope I can find this to be my outlet. If nothing else get my mind off of things. 

My next area to get organized it my crafty sewing room. It has puked its self all over our basement. My husband loves a clean house and I'm sure he just cringes every time he walks downstairs. If nothing else, I need to make myself clean it up for him. ;)

I am currently reading Little Bee by Chris Cleave. It is about a young woman who is 16 and a refugee. I haven't gotten too far into the book, but I really like it. It was published in the UK and is set in London...both of which appeals to me. I came across a passage in the book today that really spoke to me. 

'Psychiatry in this place [ Refugee detention center] is like serving an in-flight meal in the middle of a plane crash. If I wanted to make you well, as a doctor, I should be giving you a parachute, not a cheese-and-pickle sandwich.' To be well in your mind you have first to be free, you see?

The book goes back and forth between point of views between 2 characters so hopefully I quoted that correctly, but point being, something I have got to work on this year is realizing that I can not fix ANYONE. I have to be the best person I can be and hope that those around me who need help and guidance will realize that and work out their issues. For me to be healthy mentally I have to be free of all the other drama, and not let it bog me down.

Well with that said, hopefully next time I will have great news of a clean and organized crafty room, and maybe 2 quilts I have almost finished....will be finished.

Have a great weekend.

Every now and then I get in the mood to blog. It always seems to come at the end of the year. I can not believe it has been since April since I have blogged! There has been a lot that has happened, a lot of which I debate on sharing here.

I just don't know what everyone would think of my life. I only have 1 family member that truly follows me and I know she would say, "Post what you want. It's your blog." Or at least I think she would.

My life is stressful. I am really trying not to let other people effect me. I can only do so much...but sometimes just getting it out there makes you feel better. Getting a little piece of advice can make the day go better.

I have a lot of projects I'd like to share but just don't make it a priority to get them done...much less share her on my blog.

So, opinions please....How much personal information/crap do you share on your blog. Is it ok that I haven't posted in 8 months? Am I going to Blogger Hell? ;)

I hope that everyone had had a very Merry Christmas and has a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! From, The Collins'

Vinegar Wash to Keep Berries Fresh Longer

I love getting emails from my step-grandma. Most of the time they are forwards but I know if she took the time to send them on to me they are gonna be good! Just the other day she sent a great one about keeping berries fresh longer.

I was a bit skeptical but tried it and I think it's a great idea. All you have to do it mix 1 part vinegar to 10 parts of water, put the berries in, swish them around a little bit then drain and you are done! I rinsed my strawberries very quickly and didn't notice any vinegar taste. 

The vinegar kills any mold spores or bacteria that might be on your berries. I think mine just felt cleaner too. We have extra kids around here this week so I won't get to see how long they will last, but the email I received said berries have lasted up to 2 weeks!

Good luck, and happy berry eating!