IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS

Two years ago I made the decision to write about my weight loss journey. I spent 3 weeks writing it, editing it, double thinking it, then finally was ready to publish it. You can find that post and the few other posts I have made about this topic here: HEALTH JOURNEY TAB at the top of the BLOG

Two years later I am still down 100 pounds and feeling fine. My bloodwork numbers are excellent and my semi-annual doctor visits are a cause for celebration rather than trepidation. He is happy to see me too, a patient who actually did what he advised.

Something I've noticed: I don't NEED new clothes. Everything from last year still fits. Amazing. I did buy a new dress, in case a special occasion should present itself. I love this dress and the new shoes:

Granddaughter Stella recently went with me to a haircut. She remembers when I was "BIG", too big to get on the floor with her. She likes to remind me this is better, and she's right:

I had a chance to go swimming with Stella recently and wasn't afraid to wear a two-piece swimsuit:

I am often asked how I do/did this. Eat smart, exercise daily. Most days I start with my favorite bowl of high protein oatmeal, find the recipe in the FAVORITE HEALTHY RECIPES under HEALTH JOURNEY

A new recipe I make frequently uses pasta made from chick peas. I got to sample them at Sam's Club, they are good. This time I sauteed some shrimp and added Bang Bang sauce. Another time I add leftover rotisserie chicken and pesto--that's good too. The bottled salad dressing is G Hughes brand, there are several varieties and all are sugar-free:

At our favorite local Mexican restaurant my usual order is Mexican Shrimp Cocktail: shrimp, avocado, onions, peppers, V-8 juice, and a "special sauce" which I have been told is ketchup. It's delicious and other than being high in sodium is very healthy:

I track everything I eat using the MyFitnessPal app. I have used the free version for years and it works well for me. My goals are Protein 25%, Fat 30%, and Carbs 45%, 1900 calories, and most days I hit these goals or get close. I can eat anything I want BUT everything I eat counts.

As for the exercise, I walk about 8 miles a day, 7 days a week, it takes over 2 hours, at a 4 mph pace. I listen to music and sing, plan my day, occasionally do "walking and talking" with friends. I do it first thing in the morning when it's warm and after lunch when it's cold. If it's raining I use an umbrella. Only storms with thunder and lightning keep me indoors:

When I travel I hit the hotel fitness center from 5-6 am. An hour on the treadmill is grueling, I don't enjoy it but I do it. So I can eat whatever I want at the great places I am often taken to:

So this is my annual check-in on my HEALTH JOURNEY. Life is good, I hope to live many more years and it doesn't matter that it took me 50 years to take charge of my heath. I did it. 

Now, let's quilt.

Barbara

WHAT KEEPS ME BUSY

 It's mid-August and I am knee deep in projects and "must-do" activities. Just so you don't think traveling quilt teachers just show up, ready to teach well-rehearsed classes, take a look at what I am doing.

PACKING FOR HOUSTON: yes, packing and shipping has to happen for me in August as I will be away for almost two weeks in September, teaching on back-to-back cruises. Before I can pack I have to prepare kits, get handouts copied, gather supplies for class, find and pack the class samples, lots of preparation is required:

Love the table surface my Bernina Q20 provides for class preparation

Boxes in various sizes stacked everywhere

Kit preparation for Western Sun

I have 6 classes and 2 Lectures in Houston and that requires a lot of quilts. Recently I gathered up all the class sample quilts and did a "dry run" in my large suitcase to be sure they will all fit. It would be expensive to have to ship quilts too. Fortunately, they fit:

Next week I am teaching two classes in Colorado Springs and giving a lecture. Those classes needed Kits and Handouts prepared. I am ready. Here is stuff for Colorado Springs, the Cruises, and the box on the floor is packed for Houston:

Recently I offered a variety of quilts for sale. Several of those were bought so that involved boxing and shipping some of those, meeting with people for pickup here, and updating the blog posts:

Before all this started I began quilting Diamond Jubilee. It is still in progress and I am eager to get back to it:

Quilting in the paisley center hasn't been decided yet

Something different is going in the red backgrounds, just haven't decided what yet

The back shows the quilting better

This next project was started YEARS AGO and is on my bucket list to finish. When the design wall opened up I got back to this, I call it TEXAS STAR, still a long way to go. For more information on this see BUCKET LIST QUILT # 3: 

There is always a Leader/Ender project underway, here are a few at the same time in case I get bored. The 3" Old Italian Blocks are my SUMMER SEW A LONG :

With school back in session we had our two local grandkids for a two-night sleepover two weeks ago. And this week Oliver came for a quick visit--he is 17 months old now. So you know those events keep us busy:
            

Oliver and PopPop

Stella 10 and Sam almost 7

So, lest you think I have nothing to do, here is peek at my world. My kids think I am "retired"--HA! Not yet.

Let's quilt,

Barbara

SUNDAY LARGER QUILTS FOR SALE

 Last week I offered 10 small quilts for sale. Find that post HERE. Today there are larger quilts available for new homes.

Is there such a thing as TOO MANY QUILTS? Why, yes, there is. When the shelves are stacked full it's time to lighten the load. Here are a variety of quilts for sale, medium throw to bed size. Some are past class samples, some are original designs, some are patterns I tried out, some are just ready to find a new home.

Priced to move, most less than 5 cents a square inch. Shipping is extra. Payment can be cash, PayPal, or check (if I know you). I hope you find something you like. Comment below if you see something you want or send an email, easy to do through the link in my profile.

Here are 7 LARGER QUILTS  CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE:

1. HUMMINGBIRD HOLLOW: 73" X 92", started by the late Janet Noever, a friend who planned hundreds of quilts in her long life. Machine pieced and quilted by me. Bed quilt or hanging. Includes hanging sleeve. $350

 

2. JANET'S HAPPY VILLAGE: 44.5" x 78.5" another started by the late Janet Noever. I completed it with machine piecing and quilting. A great kids quilt. The panel reads "HOME IS WHERE YOUR STORY BEGINS". Includes hanging sleeve. $250  SOLD

The BACK is almost as fun as the front:

3. AFTERNOON DELIGHT IN Red White and Blue: 47.5" x 67". Sampler blocks for Afternoon Delight year long quilt instruction. Machine pieced, raw edge applique, needle turn hand applique, substantial Ruler Work machine quilting, free motion machine quilting. Includes hanging sleeve. $300 SOLD

Detail shot:

4. HALF LOG CABIN:  60" x 76". One of my early quilts, 1995, machine pieced by me, hand quilted by a friend. A little minor fading on one corner, see detail. Includes hanging sleeve. $250 

detail of hand quilting and shows minor fading on the edge

5. PANDEMIC PARADOX:  47" x 47" My COVID Quilt. The words around the borders say "If Viruses were NEON GREEN, then all could quickly see, Who to Avoid -- this COVID Mess, and we would all be Free!" Just a fun project during the pandemic, using some of my favorite Batik fabrics and one pesky NEON GREEN in each group. Original Design. Machine pieced, needle turn hand appliqued, machine quilted with Ruler Work. This quilt has never been on display. Includes hanging sleeve. $150 

6. BITCOIN:  64" X 64". Totally scrappy quilt, pattern by Bonnie Hunter. Machine pieced and quilted by me. Great kids quilt or sofa throw or picnic quilt. $175.  SOLD

7. SPELLBOUND:  64" x 81". While this quilt looks simple it took a lot of time to make, cutting specific fabrics specific lengths and in 3 different widths. Pattern by Calico Carriage Quilt Designs, fabrics are blue and white Shibori dyed designs. Machine pieced by me. A wide variety of Ruler Work machine quilting designs were used by me for the quilting.  Includes a hanging sleeve. $375 SOLD

Detail shot

PLEASE SHARE THIS POST with everyone you know who might be interested. It is very easy to SHARE using the icons at the bottom of this post:

That's it for SALE QUILTS for a while. I am working on several new projects at the moment.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

SUNDAY QUILTS FOR SALE

 Is there such a thing as TOO MANY QUILTS? Why, yes, there is. When the shelves are stacked full it's time to lighten the load. Here are a variety of quilts for sale, mostly small to medium. Some are past class samples, some are original designs, some are patterns I tried out, some are just ready to find a new home.

Priced to move, most less than 5 cents a square inch. Shipping is extra. Payment can be cash, PayPal, or check (if I know you). I hope you find something you like. Comment below if you see something you want or send an email, easy to do through the link in my profile.

Here are 10 SMALL QUILTS   CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE: 

1. KISSES AND HUGS: 44" X 58", machine pieced and quilted by me. A great kids quilt, $100 SOLD

                                            

2. TUMBLING BLOCKS: 21" X 26.5", machine pieced and quilted by me. Table topper or hanging, $35

3. LEMOYNE STAR SAMPLER: 30.5" X 37" , machine pieced, hand and machine quilted by me,  original design. Baby quilt, table topper or hanging, $75

                                                    

4. PURPLE AND RED GAMEBOARD:  34" X 34", machine pieced and quilted with lots of Ruler Work by me. Table topper or hanging, $75

                                                    

5. TEAL AND RUST STAR SAMPLER: 31" X 46", machine pieced and quilted by me, original design. Throw, hanging, table topper. $75  SOLD

6. BABY 9 PATCHES: 33" X 33", machine pieced and quilted by me. Baby quilt, hanging or topper. $75

SOLD

7. COBBLESTONES: 40" X 48", machine pieced and quilted by me, original design. Baby quilt, hanging or topper. $100 SOLD

The back is fun too: 

8. ITALIAN SHOO FLY #1, 31.5" X 39", machine pieced and quilted by me. Original design created for my first Blog Sew-a-Long. Table topper, hanging. $65

9. 9 PATCHALONG 2.0: 49" X 49", machine pieced and quilted by me as a sampler of quilting designs. Throw, kid quilt, good to keep in the car. $50

10. BLUE ADVENTURELAND: 56" X 56", machine pieced and quilted by me. Kid quilt, throw, picnic quilt, keep in the car. $100

PLEASE SHARE THIS POST with everyone you know who might be interested. It is very easy to SHARE using the icons at the bottom of this post:

Next week I will offer some larger quilts. 

Let's quilt.

Barbara

LAUREL RIDGE -- MONTH 8

 Laurel Ridge is the 2025 Block of the Month quilt designed by Lynn Wilder exclusively for The Quilt Show.  Star Members have FREE access to the patterns starting January 1, 2025. Made in two colorways, the complete patterns are excellent. You will love making this quilt. Lynn supports the pattern instructions with Videos too. 

This month we make the "Cat's Cradle" block, 32 of them. Making half square triangle blocks in units of 8 make these very fast and easy:

The only cutting change I made is my usual one: I upped the size of the pink triangles to 3.5" squares and the large background triangles I cut from 6" squares. I prefer to "trim to perfection".

This does mean I had to trim the pieced half of the block so the large background triangle fits correctly:

Using a Half Square Triangle ruler, I placed the 1/4" diagonal line on the center spot where the pink triangles cross the yellow triangle. The 5.5" line on the ruler is at the bottom of the triangle, and I can see that the HST square will be in 1/4" on both points--very important.

When sewing the large background triangle to the pieced half of the block, you want to "cross the X"--this will insure your middle is perfect:

With blocks as easy as these, I usually prepare all the pieces needed, following the excellent cutting instructions in the pattern. Then I work on these as "leader/ender" units while working on other projects. The pieces are made over time, then it is a simple matter to complete the blocks with the sewn parts. 

If I just want to make these 32 blocks immediately, I use a different ongoing project as my "leader/ender". My 3" Old Italian blocks are perfect for this task. See the instructions here: Summer Sew A Long:

Next month we move on to Nine Patch Stars, the blocks with the most pieces.

Let's quilt.

Barbara