have a nice day

I am so upset by the mean-spirited comments and tirades hurled across the online quilting community these days. I really am, but somehow I cannot stop reading. You can bounce off one blog over to another effortlessly and almost endlessly to hear the criticisms aimed at "modern" quilters and their creations. It's not just in the quilting community of course. Sadly, this is typical behavior among humans across the board....the judgement. How we dress, how we parent, where we choose to buy groceries....it's all up for judgement from our peers. Such is life I suppose, but I do not like it.

Here's the thing people. If you can't say anything nice, then shut the hell up! It's time to be a grown-up and show just a little restraint with your mouth. Nothing good comes from posting a bunch of negative commentary about the aesthetic value of someone's work. It's not just the blogger's words getting that negative vibe out there, it's all the comments following in which a cheerleader of the blogger adds a few, often dirtier, digs at the poor recipient of the judging.

Let's keep it classy out there people. Check your ego and your heart before you get out of bed in the morning. Having your "dander up" and spewing ugliness out across your blog is not very attractive. Hey, we all have our opinions...I could certainly list all the quilts I think are ugly, but who cares what I think? That is just so middle school to spout off ridicule and make a person feel bad. Fortunately, there are way more friendly peeps out there than mean ones, but to you bullies out there I say let's build each other up, let's root for each other, let's be respectful. It's like we were taught in preschool...be nice and play well with others!

library love

Isn't it so delightful to find books at the library and have them all to yourself for a few months? No, I actually don't keep them quite that long, but I usually do have a nice little fine. Often the kids are to blame...books disappear into the strangest places in their bedrooms. So I went in a couple of weeks ago (for website building books...yea, right like that's ever gonna happen) planning to pay my $2.60 fine, but of course I have no cash. I whip out my bank card and was told that they actually have to pay $3.00 for a credit card transaction so I should just pay when I have cash sometime. That is so ridic. I picked up these little sweeties yesterday and paid my fine with cash : )Other excitement this week...Steph and I made a nice little discovery after the OKC Modern Quilt Guild meeting on Saturday. While taking the trash out the back door we just happened to notice a box full of brand-new "Sherbet Pips" fabric...Aneela's fabric line from Moda. Yay, my LQS picked some very cool fabric and I'll be waiting anxiously for it to be out on the showroom floor!

little joys

So far it's been quite a gloomy week weather-wise, but thankfully I shook off it off (after fully embracing it yesterday) and am feeling some energy and enthusiasm. I'm fairly certain that getting some decent sleep and starting the day with a chocolate protein shake rather than vanilla is what made the difference.
I'm so proud of myself for sticking with my fitness aspirations for an entire 9 days now...this is huge for me. Luckily I'm finding little things that actually make it, dare I say, enjoyable? So here's a very brief list of the little joys:



~walking or running in perfect synchronicity. I found that some of my fave tunes are perfect for a brisk walk...Cee Lo Green "Forget You" (my family's personal favorite these days), Gaga "Bad Romance", Earth, Wind & Fire "September", Feist "I Feel It All". You have any beats you love for getting your exercise on? Tell me!


~best snack that I never thought I would try or like...EDAMAME! Have you had this? Get it frozen or fresh, steam it for 5 minutes, sprinkle with sea salt, squeeze those cute little beans out of the pod and into your mouth. It's high in protein and pretty much addictive.

~salsa! It has hardly any calories...slather some on the grilled meat of your choice for lunch. I have a special affinity for Herdez Mild...until summer when I can make it from fresh veggies.

My little business is rolling along pretty well. It's been so fun to scope out wonderful fabrics, plan and create fun new outfits that people like and are buying : ) I just finished up this sweet little thang and listed it...
click here to see my shop

and how about these beauties - they inspire me so....

Hope you're finding things that inspire you too!

mojo

Holy moly, am I ever motivated here all of a sudden! I think spring's promise of growth and fresh starts combined with my recent and very depressing revelation in the Victoria's Secret dressing room have inspired me.
2 fabulous things are going on with this fabric junkie this week!
After 39 years of eating as I please (lots of fried, lots of sugar) I have kicked-off what I hope is a long-lived new phase involving calorie counting, protein bars, and fitness...very low level so as to avoid sweating and pain, ick. Armed with tips from my husband and my sis, and in conjuction with the "Lose It!" app on my iPhone, I am determined to get my a$$ in shape...this is just ri.dic.u.lous. I'm over it, gross. With 4 lbs. already gone after just 6 days, I'm feeling quite inspired. Wish me luck! Oh, and please share any tips you may have...any favorite low fat/low carb snacks or recipes.

The 2nd fabulous item of news around here is the return of my sewing mojo. I'll take it while it lasts and run with it! I have a few super cool and stinkin' cute projects on the sewing table and fabrics have been ordered for even more fun stuff. For a limited time I have these 3 beauties available in custom sizes and they will be listed in my etsy shop very soon...order via etsy or paypal at 3blessings4us@cox.net.

shabby skirt and tank set...$45 free shipping
(fabrics will vary but still fabulously shabby and fresh!)

swanky capri set....$50 free shipping
lemon martini peasant and bloomers....$45 free shipping

sprouts

yay! Spring is coming - it's almost here and we are so ready for it. Sweet little things are sprouting...


and blooming...

and that makes us happy!


Spring approaches and we look forward to a little less of this...


and a little more of this...

my moment

okay, I'm going to ease back into this space so long neglected. It's not that there isn't enough time in my life to get a blog post cranked out. It's not that my life is so boring that I have nothing good to share here ...well, it's partly that. In the spirit of easing back in, today's post will simply be...

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. (via Soulemama)

I am attempting to renovate...sorry for the lameness!