Quilts in Progress

I love quilts. I love that I (almost) know how to make something I can give to my kids and they can give to their kids.

I'm really great at starting a quilt. Finishing . . . not so much!

I have four in the works right now. I haven't finished one yet, mainly because I haven't learned how to bind them. I'm hoping to get help with that this week in sewing class.
Warning: This post contains multiple pictures of quilts. If you're not a fan, you may not want to read further.

This is my first quilt. I followed along Crazy Mom Quilt's quilt along to learn how to do it. It's called a sampler quilt - a little more traditional than I like, but I learned a lot of different techniques and patterns. I know it's hard to see the fabric, but it's very "girlie". It has lots of flowers, hearts and teacups. My hope is to finish it for Meg before she goes off to college.



These are the first of my 9 patch blocks for Crazy Mom Quilts: One a Day Quilt Along. The idea is to sew one block a day, but I've found it's easier for me to do a few in one sitting. Days can go by before I have a chance to get on the sewing machine, so I do it when I can.




So far this is my favorite! It is called a Disappearing Nine Patch. There's a great tutorial for how to do one here. I'm hoping to add more to this one to make it a twin size - not sure for who. The fabrics are from the Wee Play line.



This is a quilt for my nephew, Nate. It's more like a quilted play mat. It's the closest one to being finished - all I have left is to sew on the binding. I thought I was basing this one on the Disappearing Nine Patch, but when I reread the directions, I realized it's not. I like it anyway and hope he will, too.

Do Phases Have Time Limits?

People tell me it's just a phase.

The defiance. The back talk.

Please tell me it will end. I'd like to unclench my fists and release my jaw!

7 Quick Takes Friday - Volume 1

My friend, Megan, introduced me to a great blog, Conversion Diary. Every Friday people link up and share 7 things they have taken away or are thinking about from the week. I thought it sounded like a fun thing to try.

1. With the right tool, even a toddler can pitch in around the house. He walked around with this Swiffer all afternoon. He even wanted to take it to bed with him. He was not happy when I pried it out of his chubby little fingers.

2. If you look closely at the picture above you'll notice that's not a sock on my Swiffer. I have gotten lazy with my green efforts and plan on jumping back on the wagon next week. Keep an eye out for the revival of Three R Thursdays.

3. It's been raining a lot. I was beginning to get a little down on the rain and ready to hurt the next person that said "April showers bring May flowers". Then I saw these blooms. Sorry rain - you don't have to go away - just try to avoid Mondays and Wednesday so my child can play soccer. Thank you.

4. It gives me great satisfaction to buy clothes for the kids at consignment stores. It really is worth looking on a regular basis to see what you can find.

5. Even though preschool only lasts 2 1/2 hours, I will totally miss it tomorrow when school's out for a professional day.

6. I'd like to get better about praying when things are good. I've become very experienced at reaching out for God when things are difficult. But life is good, and I need to be more generous with my prayers of thankfulness.

7. All it takes is one little play date with a good friend to make you remember how important relationships are. I've always had wonderful women in my life. I want to work harder to nuture those friendships.

Breast Cancer Screening Methods

First, I'd like to thank my dear friend Ilene for my very first donation. I no longer have a goose egg by my name! Ilene has a fun blog you should check out, The Ferret Online.

Training's going well. I logged 18 miles last week and am hoping for 25 this week.

Last week we talked about some of the risks for breast cancer. I have a few red flags on that list, but I can't have a mammogram until one year after I finished breastfeeding Kale. I'm off for my yearly check-up today and will definitely have a clinical check. Below are three methods used to screen for breast cancer:

Mammogram — A mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breast. It is done with a special X-ray machine designed for this purpose. The picture is stored on film (standard) or into a computer (digital). A mammogram can find many cancers before they can be felt.

Clinical breast exam — A breast exam by a health care provider should be part of your regular medical checkup. If it is not, ask for it. A clinical breast exam includes a visual examination and carefully feeling the entire breast and underarm area. If you are 40 or older, schedule your mammogram close to the time of your clinical breast exam.

Breast self-exam (BSE) — Is a tool that may help you learn what is normal for you. BSE includes looking at and feeling your breasts. Many women have a pattern of lumpiness in their breasts, which is normal. But if you feel any change or a new lump in your breasts or underarms, ask your doctor to examine the area. (For step-by-step BSE instructions, go to
www.komen.org/bse.)

Believe it or not, the best time to check for breast cancer is when your breasts feel fine. If you find cancer early, there are more treatment options and a much better chance for survival. Mammography is the best screening method used today to find breast cancer early. However, it is not perfect. But, when mammography is combined with clinical breast exam your chances for finding cancer are even greater.

WFMW: Art Cart

The Easter bunny went a little overboard with art supplies this year. To keep it all organized and accessible, I put everything into a rolling cart.

I love that it's on wheels and can easily tuck away into the pantry.



Another great thing is each drawer can pull all the way out. Now it's easy for my little artists to carry their supplies to the kitchen table and create something wonderful.

Check out We Are THAT Family for more great ideas!

Are You At Risk?

Most women have more than one known risk factor
for developing breast cancer, yet will never get the
disease. Some risk factors are things you can't control,
while others can be addressed by making lifestyle changes.

What's the most important risk factor? Simply being a
woman. But remember, there's no one cause of breast
cancer. If you are concerned about your breast cancer
risk, discuss your options with your doctor.

Known and probable risk factors:

• being a woman
• getting older
• having a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 breast
cancer genes
• having a previous biopsy showing hyperplasia or
carcinoma in situ
• having a family history of breast cancer or ovarian
cancer
• having high breast density on a mammogram
• having a personal history of breast or ovarian cancer
• starting menopause after age 55
• never having children
• having your first child after age 35
• being overweight after menopause or gaining weight
as an adult
• having more than one drink of alcohol per day
• currently or recently using combined estrogen and
progestin hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
• having your first period before age 12

My training efforts are going much better than my fund raising efforts. I was able to walk 5 out of 7 days last week. I'm hoping to start doing at least one long distance walk a week.

If you'd like more information on the walk or on breast cancer, visit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Easter Pillowcase

Last week we learned how to make pillowcases in our sewing class. I love the great little piping detail. The cuff of the pillowcase is doubled and you can't see any seams.

Next time I'll get enough fabric to have the print running horizontal instead of vertical. I figure my kids sleep crooked anyway, so I don't think it will bother them.

The cuff is done in yellow polka dot. Love that.

I don't feel qualified to write up a tutorial, but I found a great one here. My measurements are a little different, but otherwise I followed it exactly as written. I used a 10 inch cuff and a 3 inch piping.