Thursday, January 22, 2009

Seeing Stars

My day has started out rough. I think being cooped up in the house has made everyone crabby. Zach is shouting and growling at everyone....though he is in time out so is quiet at the moment. Charlotte's cycle of behavior is still going, though Daddy caught on and seemed to gain control where I can not. (Yippee!!!) and I am melancholy for some reason. Well, let's not dwell there. Before I forget, again, I wanted to share the room make over Sweetheart did a while back. He did Charlotte's room before he did my sewing room, but I keep forgetting to post pics. Here is the before....And here is the after....He hung new drapes (clearance priced to almost "here, just take them for nothing") and new bedding for just about the same 90% off! He put up a strip of white wood trim around the middle of the room and painted a lighter lavender below it.He painted all the dark green trim on the furniture the same lavender. When he bought those, almost free, drapes, he came home and noticed they were different prints. Quite funny, but it worked out. He went back and bought (or took) the matching ones and used the other pair to reupholster the desk chair. Much cheaper than buying fabric and it matches!!The carpet is still ruined, but is on the other side of the bed so I don't have to look at it. Daddy is checking her bedding and room regularly for destruction. It is a huge relief to not worry about that, and she seems to be doing good listening to him.
Zach's room is 90% redone. I will share pics soon.
I got the border on the Star Sampler. Borders are difficult for me. If you cut them, sew them on and trim, you have a big ripple effect. Sooooo, you must measure. My quilt measured 48.5 inches exactly in width. That means all my seams were a perfect 1/4 inch...yeah, me!!! So I cut my border 48.5 and attached it. Still it seemed the border was about an inch short, even though it was not. Why?? Cause you measure the middle of the quilt. So I worked at fudging it on all 4 sides and now, with borders attached it measures a perfect 60x72 with no ripples.
Since it no longer takes up my design wall, I put up my next project. An, almost 1/2 finished Hidden Star. 40 blocks total, laid out 5x7.Forgive the lighting. I have been working on this quilt, on and mostly off, for 11 years. I pulled it out last year and was going to finish it. I had it laid out on the floor, and a friend walked in and sucked air in utter horror. She said, "YOU ARE NOT MAKING THAT TO GIVE TO SOMEONE ARE YOU?? THAT IS UGLY!!!" So I put it up. She is not a quilter, and I realized....She has never liked one quilt I have ever made, so I pulled it back out. Everyone has their opinion and I happen to like these fabrics and the block is ok....not a favorite, but I still like it. It is a quilt for someone else and I think it will be loved. (My friend really does love me...she feels close enough to share her opinion and many of her's are different than my own...it is ok)
Some of you have wondered why I dislike quilting classes. Well, I am self taught and I have never taken a quilting class. I did go to a lecture class once, and learned from some "classes" taught at my old guild, but I am so set in my quilting ways that I would feel very insecure, plus I can get a block together with out paying some one to show me how...it seems a waste. However, with Sweetheart's encouragement I did sign up for a BOM class at my little fabric store up here. It will be one Monday a month and we will be making...what else??...a star quilt! I told Winona, 2009 is my year for star quilts!! I also decided to try the lecture class for the kit I bought...not committing to sticking with that one though.
Changing the subject....I joined Sharon's Diet Challenge.
We update on Monday's and I need to take a before picture....yikes!!! I have lost 29.5 pounds so far...I still have a ways to go. I am doing low carb, as it makes me feel great and corrects many of my health issues.

It is basically Atkins, though I do not eat fast food burgers, nor do I eat pork or shell fish. I had a big stall in my weight loss for a few weeks. I could not figure it out and then looked carefully at everything I ate. I found I was getting 40 teaspoons of coffee creamer a day!!!!! MAN! That is an extra 40 carbs. I lowered that WAY down and the pounds started to come off again.

That is about it. I pray the day turns around here. I guess as long as I am on the computer it will stay the same, so off I go!

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your daughters bedroom looks gorgeous, and I also like those dark fabrics in your blocks! Great job with the weight loss, congratulaions!

Donetta said...

dito above...
It is a good thing that is happening here ...do you see it. Daddy is home all the time. vindication of the very invisible. He is becoming able to see, understand. You will see God really does work ALL hings together for his good. Funny that when we were in the middle of the wage less days we were so overwhelmed. Now I look back and so much growth happened for my husband and for myself.I do this thing where the kids are not allowed to speak to each other when they fuss. It often just takes a good 15 minutes or so until they are begging to be allowed to talk to each other again. They see being with each other as a privilege. Which it is.

Sue said...

Your hidden star looks great! But I'm not surprised :)

Have fun with all the stars!

moreofhim said...

Hey, Bren! I love your daughters room - it's beautiful and how wonderful you got such bargains! Don't you love bargains?

Your blocks are gorgeous - as always! I'm not so sure about that "friend" of yours - I've had people like that in my life and, quite honestly, they suck the life out of me. Don't listen - I love your blocks and choice of color!

I have been clearning things out in my craft/sewing room so I can start on our new quilt! I haven't done a thing yet - did get the pattern, though - and will have to start working on it soon!

Take care and I'll be praying for you!

God bless you ~ Julie

copperswife said...

Wow, where to even start!!! Charlotte's room turned out very nicely. Your husband did a fabulous job...the panelling low on the wall, upholstering the chair, changing the trim color on the furniture...all of it. The man is a peach!

It's also very cool that he's watching over things with your daughter. Sometimes that is all it takes to get things back on track with a child...that is, having Dad take charge. Praise God that circumstances have made that a possibility for you right now.

The quilt is beautiful!! I'm sure your friend must have just seen it when she was having a bad day or something, but it's lovely. I'm so glad that you have such a wonderful new space to work in. You have been so productive already this year.

Praying for your joy to return! Love you, my friend!

Niki said...

This time of year can really drag a person down, I find. I'll be praying for you, as always.

I think those quilt squares are lovely, your dear friend needs glasses...lol

Charlotte's room looks great, I think your sweetheart could be a "designer guy' in hiding ;)

and woohoo 29.5 lbs!!! Way to go girl!!! I was down 11, but put a few on over the holidays, so have to get back on the wagon, I'm finding it hard to get motivated again.

Big hugs
Niki

Unknown said...

What a beautiful job your DH has done on Charlotte´s room.

Unknown said...

Charlotte's room looks nice. You are very lucky your husband does those jobs for you. To my knowledge, my husband has never painted a room. I do all the painting here. Today I painted the hall and bathroom trim.
Good luck on losing weight.

Ace said...

Hi Bren,

Wow, what I would have done for a bedroom like that, beautiful. Tell Charlotte if she even leaves it dusty I am moving in LOL!

Hope you are feeling better friend, maybe I will join that diet challenge with you. I have had real success with Atkins, I am just worried about doing it while nursing.

Besides, there is no chocolate on it. I told The General, is is sad but I actually CHOOSE chocolate over having a smaller butt. There has got to be something illegal in chocolate !

Many Blessings :)
Ace

Winona said...

Bren,
Charlotte's room turned out beautiful! Sure hope she takes good care of it. Your husband does a great job on matching things up. Maybe you should teach him to quilt. (grin) I happen to love the brown and pink quilt blocks. I think the quilt will be lovely and well loved. Good for you on the weight loss. (big sigh) I have been in a funk and just haven't eaten properly since before the holidays. Really need to get with it again. I did take a walk with the dogs this afternoon. It was
57* here. Hope you feel better soon. I am sure seeing some green grass and leaves would help. Right?
Winona

~JoAnn~ said...

Bren~ Charlotte's room looks great, and your quilt looks good too, I like the colors..
Congrat's on the weight loss, I was only down 1 pd. this week but at least I didn't gain.
Thank you so much for the introduction to Winona, I just love her blog as much as I love yours..you both do such good work with the quilting..I love to see all the pictures.
I will be e-mailing you later too many things to say on this comment thing..and my e-mail address has changed. Have a great rest of the week.
Blessings,Joann

meggie said...

Very nice room makeover for Charlotte.
You are still very busy. Perhaps the quilting lessons will give you some much needed time out!
Your quilting blocks are lovely.

em's scrapbag said...

Your daughters room turned out great. Congrats on the weight loss. You go girl!

Donetta said...

How are ya?

Rose Marie said...

I love what you have done so far on those blocks ... you must finish the top, for sure. Your hubby has a good eye for colour and he did a great job with Charlotte's bedroom.

Andrea Cherie said...

Hmm...I'm feeling inspired now...a room makeover might be in the works here next! Great Job, "Sweetheart"!

And YAY for 29.5 lbs! That's a noteworthy accomplishment!

Mary said...

The room makeover is beautiful! Kudos to your hubby!

ALso great job on the weight loss! I too love low carb. Soon you can say "I've lsot 30 pounds!"

Sarah said...

Wow... Charlotte's room looks great! I, by the way, love the quilt that your friend doesn't care for. I think you have to have a passion for quilts to understand. I have actually gained weight since I made my weightloss goals. Being sick really threw me off. When I didn't feel good, I tricked myself into indulging. I am very ashamed. Now that we are all well, I am getting back on track! I hope you have a great weekend, Bren!

Love Bears All Things said...

Is that scene at your place. It looks like an ice storm.
I like the new look of Charlotte's room. Good job!
I like the patteren of the quilt on your design wall. Your friend sounds like Daughter. I crocheted a beautiful while blanket for the baby she was expecting(The Princess) without her knowing. When she saw it, she said she hoped I wasn't making it for her baby. So, I prompley put it away when I finished. I figure I'll give it to The Princess someday for her own little one. Not everyone has the same taste but sometimes I wish they could be more tactful.
Mama Bear

Carolina Girl said...

The quilt is beautiful - everyone has their opinions, I just don't comment if I don't like something :-)
Your daughter's room also looks nice. I like the pattern for the chair, and it does go well with the drapes.
Congrats on the weight loss - keep it up! :-)
Shellie