WIP Wednesday--Will a Schedule Help?

First of all, I hope that every one had a Merry Christmas and will have a Happy New Year!
We had an awesome family gathering for Christmas....no plans for New Years Eve.

I have written up a schedule of different projects to work on for each day of the week.  So far so good, but any of you who 'know me', know that over all the years I start out strong on a schedule, but it doesn't last long.
I won't bore you each week with just a little done on each project, but will share when there is some good progress on the project.
This week I will share what I got done so far:

Friday is my day to work on yo-yos.  So far I am working on the ones that I am making to bag up for sale in our guilds boutique at the Wichita quilt show in June.

Saturday is working on my hexagon quilt.  You can see in my flat storage that I have lots made.  I've decided to make one out of the shoebox storage box, add it, then add one that is already done from the flat box.  That is working out well so far.  I did decided that any holiday fabrics will be kept out for now, in hopes of making holiday table toppers with those later.

Sunday is set to work on rugs.  Currently I am working on a lockerhook rug.  I wanted to do one color and see how many inches of each color I will need to fill in.  I found out that I need almost 500 inches for each color.  I still need to find more colors to get cut.

Monday is my day to work on the Arkansas Crossroads quilt.  I have lots of cutting yet to do here before I will actually start putting blocks together.   The quilt I am making is the one on the front cover of the pattern book.

Tuesday I have set aside to work on the doll bedding sets.  I pulled out the project bag.  I found that I have 12 blanket tops made.  I also had 12 sets of pillows ready to finish too.  I had started one of the rugs.  I decided to get the starts of the rest of the rugs done yesterday....and then I made 3 extra thinking I will put a set of 3 of just the rugs in my etsy shop.   I will finish the 3 granddaughters sets before I make to sell in my shop.

Wednesdays are to work on the color of the month for the soscrappy blog challenge--provided she still does the challenge in 2016.  If not, I will still work on my current project there which is colorful 4 patches with the 2 pizza boxes of 2 1/4 inch squares that I have.

Thursday is open for any UFO, but currently will be making a quilt top for our community service project at the end of January for quilt guild.

There you have it.  I look forward to seeing if I can stay on my schedule and actually stay busy and start getting things done!

UFO's:

Rectangle quilt
challenge wall hanging
Hexagon quilt
Emerald Island Fusique table runner
Five and Dime quilt
Brown half square triangle table runner
3 sets of doll blanket, pillows and rug--plus more to sell
Hexagon flower table runner
Wall hanging for quilt guild
yo-yo's that need to be made into projects
black and white rail fence quilt
Arkansas Crossroads scrap quilt


2015 Finishes:

Locker Hook Rug
re-do binding on blue and peach patchwork
9 lined fabric bags
yellow crazy quilt lined bag
Pink hexagon table topper
Blue hexagon table topper
Yo-Yo Table runner
GoodNight Irene quilt/wall hanging
Fractured Pineapple quilt
Charming Stars quilt
Challenge quilt for quilt guild
Autumn wall hanging
18 Hot pad bowls for Christmas gifts

I am linking up with the following blogs:

The Knitter's Handbook-- Review

The Knitter's Handbook is by Eleanor van Zandt and was out in publication November 3, 2015.

This book is good for both beginning and experienced knitters.  Inside you will find the basics of knitting as well as complex stitches and patterns.
It features a comprehensive guide to yarns and patterns as well as clear and easy-to-follow instructions.  There are 250 step-by-step illustrations included throughout the book.
256 pages!

I've always been a very basic knitter....and because of that, I just don't knit often.  However, I really am looking forward to trying some of the techniques in this book.  No, I won't ever knit a sweater or anything as "complicated" as that, but I like the patterns in this book.  The instructions and illustrations really are easy to follow.  If needed it refers you back to another page for instructions.

Look out family---prepare yourself for handmade knitted wash/dishcloths or scarves for gifts next Christmas!  I made scarves a couple of years ago for Christmas (just straight knitting), but feel confident that I can make fancier ones with the instructions in this book.
I can even make fancier trimmings on those scarves with the instructions in the book.

You may also want to check out these other books by Eleanor van Zandt:




Disclosure: I was sent a copy of The Knitters Handbook for review. I was not compensated in any other way and any opinions are my own. Post contains affiliate links.

See What Happened in Coupon, Pennsylvania

I read the word coupon and knew this would be something I wanted to share with my readers.  Once I read the full story I knew I had to share it!

The brand RetailMeNot loves helping people save money while shopping with digital coupons on their app, so when they heard there was a small town named Coupon in Pennsylvania, they knew they had to travel there to check it out.

Check out the video about how RetailMeNot surprised Coupon, and how this tight knit, humble community helps to remind everyone that “it is better to give than to receive” this holiday season.





RetailMeNot had the intention of gifting each person in Coupon something on their holiday wish list, but each neighbor insisted on gifting their neighbor, family or friend instead. So RetailMeNot set out to help them do just that. RetailMeNot invited each resident to a holiday gathering in town where neighbors were surprised with gifts ranging from a porch swing to hunting gear, electronics, refrigerators, bikes, toys and even a trip to Disney – all suggested ideas from neighbors in town. RetailMeNot and Coupon paid it forward together.

WIP Wednesday 12/16/15

One more week to work on Christmas gifts.
I have done nothing but work on the microwave hotpads this past week.   I have 6 done and have this stack of 13 more to go.
All they need is to be pressed then sewn around the top to be done.

I hope to press these and start sewing them yet today.
I wrapped what gifts I had complete today and they are under the tree.  Now I have an idea of what I still need to come up with for who.

Any ideas on gifts to make for men??  It's too late for this year, but if I have some good ideas for next year it sure would be appreciated.

I was planning on making some gifts for the girls but I, sadly, am putting that aside.  I had some things for them in my stash.  I'm going to take the pressure off of myself for that part of it and just finish the hotpads.   I can start making the other gifts to have in time for their birthdays in August.

UFO's:

Rectangle quilt
challenge wall hanging
Hexagon quilt
Emerald Island Fusique table runner
Five and Dime quilt
Brown half square triangle table runner
3 sets of doll blanket, pillows and rug
Hexagon flower table runner
Wall hanging for quilt guild
yo-yo's that need to be made into projects
black and white rail fence quilt
Arkansas Crossroads scrap quilt
18 Hot pad bowls for Christmas gifts


2015 Finishes:

Locker Hook Rug
re-do binding on blue and peach patchwork
9 lined fabric bags
yellow crazy quilt lined bag
Pink hexagon table topper
Blue hexagon table topper
Yo-Yo Table runner
GoodNight Irene quilt/wall hanging
Fractured Pineapple quilt
Charming Stars quilt


I am linking up with the following blogs:
alt="WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced" />

WIP Wednesday 12/9/15

It's beginning to look more like Christmas around our house.  The tree is up and the grandkids have made a few little gifts that are wrapped under the tree.

I'm still working here and there sewing up the microwave hotpads.  As long as I keep it up, I should have them done in time.  I still have other gifts that I want to make as well though.
I bought cheap bowls to put in each one as well although no guarantee they are microwave safe.  They are mostly to show what they are for.

I've been crocheting away on the dish scrubbies and I only have the yellow to get done.  The orders will be picked up Friday.

UFO's:

Rectangle quilt
challenge wall hanging
Hexagon quilt
Emerald Island Fusique table runner
Five and Dime quilt
Charming Stars quilt
Brown half square triangle table runner
5 sets of doll blanket, pillows and rug
Hexagon flower table runner
Wall hanging for quilt guild
yo-yo's that need to be made into projects
black and white rail fence quilt
Arkansas Crossroads scrap quilt
Hot pad bowls for Christmas gifts


2015 Finishes:

Locker Hook Rug
re-do binding on blue and peach patchwork
9 lined fabric bags
yellow crazy quilt lined bag
Pink hexagon table topper
Blue hexagon table topper
Yo-Yo Table runner
GoodNight Irene quilt/wall hanging
Fractured Pineapple quilt
Challenge quilt for quilt guild
Autumn wall hanging

I am linking up with the following blogs:

Lucktastic's 12 Days of Holiday Cheer Promotion

Lucktastic, the free sweepstakes app where users earn real rewards and cash prizes, will be upping the ante for their December holiday giveaway.
Lucktastic's 12 Days of Holiday Cheer promotion, which begins on Monday, December 7th and runs through Friday, December 18th, will have a guaranteed winner each day. The cash prize on the 1st day is $100 and then the prize will grow by $100 each day culminating on the 12th day with a prize of $1,200. Lucktastic has given away over $200,000 in prizes and rewards during the 2014 holiday season, and are on pace to exceed that amount for 2015.

I personally use the Lucktasic app every day and have tons of fun with it.  I have cashed in for $10 cash, $110 in amazon gift cards, and $20 in Target gift cards so far!!If you haven't checked it out, click here and join the fun and winning!

10 way to earn extra cash this holiday season

By Lucktastic

1. Sell the clothes you haven’t worn in the last year
2. Take an online survey that pays participants
3. Redeem reward points
4. Use sites like Fivrr to sell a talent
5. Sell unused gift cards or groupons online for cash
6. Rent out your apt/house on Airbnb when you’re traveling for the holidays
7. If you’re planning to make holiday crafts, consider selling the extras on sites like etsy
8. Winterize your home during the cold months to save on heat
9. Offer to house and/or pet sit for people that are traveling during the holidays
10. Offer to hang up neighbors’ holiday lights and decorations

Live Ultimate For All Of Your Skincare Needs

Live Ultimate is the ultimate in skincare.
Their products are all natural and organic.  Plant based beauty.
Live Ultimate is a luxe, premier brand of all natural, organic skin and sun care products.  They offer a full line to fit all of your needs.
All natural, organic plant based products which are made in the USA in a cruelty free FDA approved lab.

I was given a choice of which of their products I would like to try, and I chose the Camu Advanced Youth Recovery Serum.  I had looked in the mirror just a day or so prior and seen just how old I was starting to look.  The opportunity to try this product couldn't have come at a better time for me,




From their website:
Live Ultimate’s CamuAdvanced Youth Recovery Serum is a lightweight, fast- absorbing Fruitscription™ formula that contains potent antioxidants, plant stem cells, isolated peptides and illuminating skin brighteners designed to penetrate deep into the cellular level of skin to provide both immediate and long-lasting results.  Sit back as our serum absorbs into the molecular structure of your skin, directly combating signs of aging for complete restoration and protection.

The foundation of CamuAdvanced lies in the Amazonian superfruit, Camu Camu Berry. Delivering up to 50 times the Vitamin C of an orange, this powerful antioxidant delves deep into the skin to stimulate collagen and elastin fiber regeneration while evening skin tone and helping diminish the appearance of wrinkles. This weightless serum absorbs instantly, leaving your skin with a firmer, smoother texture while gradually decreasing pore size.

BENEFITS

Relax facial contraction muscles

Diminish fine lines and wrinkles

Brighten skin tone

Reduce appearance of age spots

Antioxidant protection

My Review:
I have been using the product now for just over a week and I have loved it since day one!
Right from the start I noticed how soft it made my skin feel.  It's not just soft right after applying either.  The softness remains all day and even after washing my face the next morning before applying the product again.

I see noticeable differences in my wrinkles too.  I have a permanent wrinkle on one side of my face. I'm told it's because that is the side that I sleep on.  This is now much less noticeable and I can no longer feel the wrinkle by touch.
The same goes with the crows feet around my eyes.  I can no longer feel them with my fingers.

It's a 1 oz bottle and it's a good sized bottle.  The serum easily pumps out and a little bit goes a very long ways.  This means that the product won't be gone in just a few weeks of use.

I look forward to continuing to use the Youth Recovery Serum and continuing to see the results on my face and neck.  This is by far the best skincare product I have used.

****Don't miss out on the Holiday sales. They end December 15th and they are offering a nice discount!!****




Disclaimer:  I rec'd product in exchange for this review.  I was not compensated in any other way, and all opinions are my own.  Affiliate links included in this post.

WIP Wednesday 12/2/15

Oh how I am feeling the Christmas crunch!  Of course it's my own fault for procrastinating and just not having the sewing motivation that I like to have.

First of all, I got in my new sewing machine!  It was to be delivered on Friday, but due to the ice storms it came in on Monday.
I'm very pleased with it and have a lot to learn on how to use it.

Wanting to get right to using the machine, I went back to work on the microwave hot dish potholders that I am making for gifts.  It took all I had not to mark one and sew it, but I forced myself to get them all marked.  I've not started sewing on them yet, but that comes later today.  Prep work for projects a lot of times takes a lot longer than actually making the item.

I had been working on the dish scrubbies for the orders of those and had stopped on the hotpads until my machine got here.  I still have lots of scrubbies to also get made in time as they will also be for gifts from the person that is buying them from me.

How are you doing on gifts that you are making??

UFO's:

Rectangle quilt
challenge wall hanging
Hexagon quilt
Emerald Island Fusique table runner
Five and Dime quilt
Charming Stars quilt
Brown half square triangle table runner
5 sets of doll blanket, pillows and rug
Hexagon flower table runner
Wall hanging for quilt guild
yo-yo's that need to be made into projects
black and white rail fence quilt
Arkansas Crossroads scrap quilt
Hot pad bowls for Christmas gifts


2015 Finishes:

Locker Hook Rug
re-do binding on blue and peach patchwork
9 lined fabric bags
yellow crazy quilt lined bag
Pink hexagon table topper
Blue hexagon table topper
Yo-Yo Table runner
GoodNight Irene quilt/wall hanging
Fractured Pineapple quilt
Challenge quilt for quilt guild
Autumn wall hanging

I am linking up with the following blogs:

WIP Wednesday 11/25/15

I didn't do a lot in the way of sewing this past week.  I did cut a few more squares for my scrappy quilt and for the hot pads I am making for gifts, but didn't take time to take a picture since I shared that with you last week.

The biggest thing I did this week was to get my etsy shop up and running again.


While I was at it, I also reopened my zibbet shop as well.


I finally had enough of the chip bags piling up on the kitchen cabinet and have those cut now. If you wonder what I am making with them, you can check out my blog post here.

I got in an order for dish scrubbies so I have a start on them. I actually also got the black cut, together, and in a roll since taking this picture too.

And, so that I do have a picture that is sewing/quilting related I will share this box of fabrics that I am soon to start making in to yo-yo's. Our guild is having a boutique booth in the Wichita quilt show next June and yo-yo's made with other fabrics are on the request list for us to make to sell in the boutique. I was given this box, so sounds like a good plan for me to make them to help out.

UFO's:

Rectangle quilt
challenge wall hanging
Hexagon quilt
Emerald Island Fusique table runner
Five and Dime quilt
Charming Stars quilt
Brown half square triangle table runner
5 sets of doll blanket, pillows and rug
Hexagon flower table runner
Wall hanging for quilt guild
yo-yo's that need to be made into projects
black and white rail fence quilt
Arkansas Crossroads scrap quilt
Hot pad bowls for Christmas gifts


2015 Finishes:

Locker Hook Rug
re-do binding on blue and peach patchwork
9 lined fabric bags
yellow crazy quilt lined bag
Pink hexagon table topper
Blue hexagon table topper
Yo-Yo Table runner
GoodNight Irene quilt/wall hanging
Fractured Pineapple quilt
Challenge quilt for quilt guild
Autumn wall hanging

I am linking up with the following blogs:

CM4's Q Card Case Makes the Perfect Stocking Stuffer!

I know several people who collect cell phone cases.  I know several people who use them for the practicality of them.  I am on the practicality side, and CM4's Q Card Case is something that I really needed.

With Christmas right around the corner, these really do make great gifts.  **And, keep an eye out later in the post for a super special Black Friday through Cyber Monday special!**

I have a Samsung Galaxy S5. (Note:  cases are available for several models of iphones and androids, just check the link below)  The case for the S5 come in 3 colors as shown below:

I am currently using the one that they are calling green on my phone.

I love it!  The convenience of having my 3 most used cards on hand at all times with me is great.  I don't have to lug my whole wallet around with me anymore.  Plus I keep a little stash of cash inside too.  Everything is secure.
The case fits perfectly on my phone even with my tempered glass screen protector.
The buttons work easily.

The CM4 Q Card Case carries up to 3 cards plus cash.   They offers a lay flat screen guard and full frame protection.
Your cards will not demagnetize inside the case.
The fit will will be tight for 3 cards at first, but after a couple of days the premium fabric loosens.....but not loose enough that they are not secure in the pocket.    You can see in my photo above that there is a finger hole to help you easily get the cards and cash out when needed.
The front of the case has an amplifier slot.  This takes the sound from the speaker on the back of your phone to the front.  Nicer sound quality too.
In addition, each case also comes with a bonus screen protector and a microfiber cleaning cloth.

Here is the deal you have been waiting on!

Receive 50% off all CM4 cases purchased from the CM4 Store on Amazon. Items must be purchased using the following link: CM4 Store on Amazon. This promo code is also valid for all purchases from cm4.com.

Available at Amazon link: CM4 Store on Amazon

Dates: 11/27-11/30       Coupon Code: BLACKFRI

CM4 ships worldwide.

*Free shipping on domestic orders within the US.

Rates are calculated prior to checkout based on ship-to location. Orders are shipped via UPS or USPS.

All are orders are fulfilled from Austin, TX within 2 business days.

Now for an extra added bonus.  One lucky Marsha's Spot reader will win a case!  Just enter using the rafflecopter form below.  Be sure to visit their website to verify that they offer a case for your phone.  Winner will get to choose which case they will receive.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer:  I was sent product in exchange for my honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way and all opinions are my own.  

WIP Wednesday 11/18/15

I didn't get any more work done on my scrappy hexagon quilt or my hexagon flower table runner, but I did get some work in.

I got started on the hot pad bowls (not sure what you call them) that I am making for Christmas gifts.  I still have some fabric to cut for all of the batting that I have cut, but I think it's a pretty good start.

I worked on the locker hook rug.  I didn't get the black done as far as I wanted to, but you can see what my design plan in.  I will put colors in the black frames.  I have the purple strips cut but still have all the other color strips to cut.  I did cut ahead on strips for a later rug, which aren't pictured.

I bought this book at our quilt guild for $1 because I love scrappy quilts.  I've had this one in mind to make for a long time now.  A gal who works at the quilt shop cleaned out her sewing room and gave me 5 boxes of scrap fabric.  The boxes were full and are what you see in the picture.  I'm planning on only making the blocks from what she gave me.  I have a start on cutting the 3 inch squares for the half square triangles.
Yeah yeah, you don't have to say it, I already know......I have NO business starting yet another project when I have so many already started!  I just can't help it.  And, I figure that as long as I am working each day, eventually something will get done.  LOL

UFO's:

Rectangle quilt
challenge wall hanging
Hexagon quilt
Emerald Island Fusique table runner
Five and Dime quilt
Charming Stars quilt
Brown half square triangle table runner
5 sets of doll blanket, pillows and rug
Hexagon flower table runner
Wall hanging for quilt guild
yo-yo's that need to be made into projects
black and white rail fence quilt
Arkansas Crossroads scrap quilt
Hot pad bowls for Christmas gifts


2015 Finishes:

Locker Hook Rug
re-do binding on blue and peach patchwork
9 lined fabric bags
yellow crazy quilt lined bag
Pink hexagon table topper
Blue hexagon table topper
Yo-Yo Table runner
GoodNight Irene quilt/wall hanging
Fractured Pineapple quilt
Challenge quilt for quilt guild
Autumn wall hanging

I am linking up with the following blogs:
alt="WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced" />