Link Roundup

Source: elembee.com via Lee Ann on Pinterest

Note: Link Roundup will now be posted on Saturday mornings. It's just a slight change to my blog schedule / routine. Other than that, Link Roundup will remain the same as always as I know many love this part of this blog.

• Random Tutorial Generator
  -- also has a search function for whatever is in the database.


• Robot Art Crafts; Painting on Canvas.
  Looks very easy to do!


• Craft Snowman magnets Crafts - A tiny bit of painting on "flat" marbles.
  {Remember that I love me some snomwen?}


• Semi Homemade Mohawk Beanie Cap Tutorial Crafts; No Knit
  This would be too cute for those little boys in your life! {I have to confess that I’m thought of a grand-nephew and a grand-cousin when I saw these! I also have to confess that I thought of making one for myself! Ha!}


• The Skinny Pincushion Sewing; Free pattern


• Free Mini Quilt (or Wall Hanging) pattern Quilting; A January BOM; Snowman; Winter
  Note: This pattern will be up for January only. Also, this site will have free patterns every month! How awesome is that?!? I’m hoping to keep track through their facebook page.


• Birthday Board DIY; Crafts
  This is a great idea for large and extended families!


• What Are You Going to Finish in 2012? by Jon Acuff; his #FinishYear list
  

  Why are we doing FinishYear?
  Because completed dreams change the world.

• The Fight Goes On On Depression
  

  When depression sufferers fight, recover and go into remission we seldom even know, simply because so many suffer in the dark…ashamed to admit something they see as a personal weakness…afraid that people will worry, and more afraid that they won’t. We find ourselves unable to do anything but cling to the couch and force ourselves to breathe.
  
  When you come out of the grips of a depression there is an incredible relief, but not one you feel allowed to celebrate. Instead, the feeling of victory is replaced with anxiety that it will happen again, and with shame and vulnerability when you see how your illness affected your family, your work, everything left untouched while you struggled to survive.

My Word of the Year & #FinishYear List

Source: piccsy.com via Lee Ann on Pinterest

I tried the UFO concept with Judy at Patchwork Times; but, I was an utter failure with that effort. I think it's because it focused only on the crafty/quilting part of my life. The Word of the Year, which replaces a list of resolutions, was a better effort for me. The word is often a concept that we desire to embrace, a quality we wish to embody, or something we wish to have more of in our lives.

My word of the year for 2011 was “do”. I accomplished more than I ever did before. There is always room for improvement though. I decided to make “finish” my word of the year for 2012 and extend the word “do”. They complement one another, don’t you think?

But, I still need something more than just a Word of the Year. I’m a list person. I need something to shoot for. Most of the time, making resolutions never worked for me and I think I know why. They tend to be too general and need to be a little more specific to work.

Jon Acuff turned on the light for me with his ”Finish Year” concept. He is doing a series of posts to help us set up our lists. I think this concept may just work because the focus is on efforts not results, which may be the biggest bane to my existence.

{Start from the last link I provided above and work your way through his newer posts to get the gist of what “Finish Year” is all about.}

So, I listed items in the car on the way up to the Dallas area to see family before the New Year. Dan wanted to know what I was doing; so, I explained the concept to him and how it is done. He kind of joined in with his own list.
Here is my original list:

1. finish the Layer Cake Quilt. In the process, learn to machine quilt.
2. read at least six books
3. hand quilt Dan’s quilt
4. clean / purge the office
5. clean / purge the Master Bedroom
6. make meal plans (every two weeks)
7. save up for “new” car
8. make flying geese blocks using charm squares and special ruler
9. take a stitch on Tuesdays
10. add money to house fund
11. walk a mile (two miles is ultimate goal)
12. either relearn to play piano or learn to play a mandolin
13. establish an etsy shop for crafts
14. write down thoughts frequently – once or twice a week
15. design a quilt
16. learn to swallow a pill
17. organize my fabrics onto “bolts” – 2 or 3 a day should get me there eventually
18. finish the cross-stitch project that is half done
19. take a picture once a week

Here is Dan’s list:

1. finish the mustang!
2. relearn/play the banjo.
3. finish the desk/nightstand
4. learn custom framing and matting.
5. finish professional photography – at least establish a SmugMug account and even get some business cards

We are supposed to wean the list to five. Dan is fine. However, I am not! Ha! So, on the way home from the Dallas area, I weaned down the list. Let me tell you, I had a difficult time weaning the list down. I noticed that there were several small items that could be done every day until the task is completed. So, I weaned my list down to five keeping the original list separate so that I can add to the new list whenever one is eliminated. I also created a separate list that could be worked on in a routine manner (aka Flylady).
Here is my five:

1. I am going to finish learning how to swallow a pill. I may not ever learn how; but, I am determined to try.
2. I am going to finish the Layer Cake Quilt. In the process, learn to machine quilt.
3. I am going to finish saving up for “new” car. We only need a couple more thousand.
4. I am going to finish walking a mile (two miles is the ultimate goal)
5. I am going to finish cleaning / purging the office. I can only do this if Dan helps the process as half the stuff in there is his. I hate to nag him; but, this is important to me.

Here is my secondary list (in no particular order):

• I am going to finish making meal plans (every two weeks).
  {I started and completed the first plan on 1/2/12.}
• I am going to finish writing down thoughts frequently – once or twice a week – journal style.
• I am going to finish organizing my fabrics onto “bolts” – 2 or 3 a day should get me there eventually.
  {I started this on 1/4/12.}
• I am going to finish taking a picture at least once a week
  (I started this on 1/2/12.)

I've placed my #FinishYear list inside my calendar organizer for safekeeping and easy reference. Here's to hoping for a more successful year!

Blogger's Choice Fat Quarter Bundle

{Note: This post is a Fabric Tuesday post.}

Quokka Quilts is having a fun challenge. Click here for the specific details. Basically, one chooses twelve prints and three solids from the Fat Quarter Shop to create a "Blogger's Choice Fat Quarter Bundle". The deadline for this is January 15th and there is a possibility of winning tons of fabric if you're picked!

Now, I have to tell you that my chances of winning is very slim. I just wanted to have some fun designing a bundle of my own.

I have been into black and white fabrics of late. So, I started out with a favorite print (the first one in the collage below). I then went from there adding a couple fun prints along the way. I have to tell you that this is NOT typical fabrics I would automatically pick out. However, I am loving what I have chosen for the bundle. The bigger challenge would be to make a quilt out of these fabrics. Ha!

1. Paparazzi Black Circles and Dots: SKU# 22280-BLA1
2. Cotton Club Red Cross Flowers: SKU# 3330-111
3. American Banner Rose Rose Red Tiny Star Dots: SKU# 14727-11
4. Holy Cow Red Packed Cows: SKU# 33378-4
5. Paparazzi Gray Tonal Wandering Florals: SKU# 22275-GRY1
6. Ooh-La-La Black and White Animal Print: SKU# 9309-99
7. Tuxedo Collection Falling Flowers: SKU# C2693-GRAY
8. Puttin' on the Ritz Grey Fleur-De-Lis: SKU# 2825-17
9. Tuxedo Collection Gray Fun Florals: SKU# C2690-GRAY
10. Fleur Noir Grey and Black Brocade: SKU# 33187-2
11. Fleur Noir Black and White Trellis: SKU# 33189-1
12. Tuxedo Collection Black Small Damask: SKU# C2696-BLACK
13. Bella Solids White Bleached: SKU# 9900-98
14. Bella Solids Gray: SKU# 9900-83
15. Bella Solids Black: SKU# 9900-99

Happy New Year!!!

Source: meltingpot.fortunecity.com via Lee Ann on Pinterest

I'm a little bit older, a little bit wiser, a little bit rounder, but still none the wiser.

~~Robert Paul

Be at war with your vices; at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.

~~ Benjamin Franklin

Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go.

~~ Brooks Atkinson

May you all have a wonderful beginning to 2012 and a blessed year!

Memories, Dreams, & Reflections: 2011

Template used to create this post.

{All pictures taken by me in the year 2011 unless otherwise noted.}
{Text in bold is the subject of the picture}

Me! This picture is part of a self portrait challenges and I really like this one; although, I like the "material girl" shot too. It is so hard to decide!

Even though 2011 had tons of crappy moments, I'd like to think I have improved in the areas of writing and photography. At least, I shared a little more of my writings this year. And, a DIY project, the trash-to-treasure nightstand, was completed. So, something was accomplished (finished) this year. I have sewed up a bunch of blocks and finished quilt tops even though a quilt haven't been completely finished yet. I have done a few other crafty projects. And, we did make bread until life hit me with a ton of bricks. I am planning to pick up the bread making once again in the New Year.

So, I guess I did okay with my New Year goals for 2011.

I Love You! This is a "old" self portrait Dan took for me back in February of 2010 at my request. I wanted a picture of him before he trimmed up his "rugged" beard for the summer. This is the most current picture I have of him. Yes, I need to get a new picture of him. But, this will have to do.

This man is the love of my life. He is so supportive in all ways including when I'm very sick. He doesn't like for me to take long road trips by myself. So, he does not hesitate to take day(s) off from work to rush me back home if I'm needed. He listens to my infrequent passionate rantings and often smiles at me in amusement. He is my BFF (Best Friend Forever) and my rock on this earth.

source: Dan

This subject of this pictures is suppose to be Still Laughing; but, for the life of me, I cannot remember such a moment. However, I'm still experiencing Quiet Joy over one of the newest member of the family. So, "quite joy" replaces "Still Laughing". She is growing up too fast!

Winter Wonderland: It snowed on February 4th and it was quite an experience for me living in the south Texas as we do not often get snow down here.

What I got for myself on My Birthday. 'Nuff said.

The cats are My Friends. Sad to say, I don't have pictures of me with friends. And, even if I did, I would not post them without their express permission. My family is different -- they know that I am nuts and will post pictures. However, I do try to respect them and ask beforehand. Anyway, my cats are an ever present source of companionship and amusement. So, I guess they'll do in the subject of "friends". Ha!

I Was Inspired by this DIY Showoff blog post to get me one of these soda crates. It can (and will) serve as a multi-purpose function throughout the year. We are planning to make some cute little wooden drawers for this crate using some Luan.

This represents Spring Fever to me. The honeybees begin to stir when spring arrives and gets busy gathering pollen. I adore honeybees and often wish I had a hive.

A favorite taken on our Vacation at North Padre Island.

{not the best picture as it was taken with a digital water camera while the sun was high in the sky}

Tubing, whether it be at a water park or on the river, is always a reflection of Summer Days for me. I can hardly wait for Garner next year in June. I'm hoping the water will be higher and flowing. Please Lord, let it continue to rain periodically!

A Day in my Life {December 19, 2011}

Seeing this little girl always makes me Smile.

{I do not have any pictures for Autumn Harvest in 2011. Fall was basically shot considering I came down sick and all that -- I just did not feel like taking pictures during this time.}

Some of my Family while bowling -- December 22, 2012.

source: Dan with my camera

My sister-in-law's Power cookies are a reason to Celebrate! anything at any time!

source: Dan

Let's Do It Again. I love cooking with Dan. I love that he's willing to do things with me including photography. I love that he's willing to teach me all that he knows in this area. I love that he gets my weird sense of humor and that he caught on by coming up with this picture all on his own.

{I Miss You is supposed to be the next picture/category. But, I really miss a man (my dad) that passed away almost three years ago. This Christmas was the hardest for me considering my Mother's circumstances and changes. I also really miss a fine lady (my grandmother) who passed away long ago. And, the strangest thing is that I miss a cat that I really bonded with and loved that passed away over 12 years ago. I still occasionally wake up in the night and feel for her at the foot at the bed only to realize she's gone. No other cat was like her before or since.}

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". I do think this Cicada is Beautiful. Cicadas remind me of the dog days of summer and innocent days of childhood when I did not mind catching and holding one of the buzzing critters.

Dress Up with my new boots.

I think this Sand Crab is the best Macro picture all year long. It's also My Favorite.
Bokeh for the Holidays. I attempted to practice on 12/23 with Dan's fixed lens. I love me some snowmen; so, I focused on them on the Christmas tree. I still have a long ways to go before I achieve what I desire in a picture. But, I think I am improving, am I not?

Don't Ever Change. This is a tough one for me. I know we all change. We all grow up. We all go on our separate ways to lead our lives. We all grow older. We all eventually die. Well, I've gone macabre. The point is that this doll from my childhood will never change. We can all count on that. Ha!

Just Because...So There!
{Original Screw-in-a-Screw post}

My Hopes and Dreams is to live in the sewing room someday. Ha! Seriously though, I'm working on a "Finish Year" list and will share that with you all soon. My word of the year for 2011 is "do". I think I accomplished much more than I ever did before. There is always room for improvement though. I think I will the word of the year "finish" for 2012 and extend the word "do". I am longing to do do much more and finish a few projects. The two words, "do" and "finish", complement one another, don't you think?