Meeting the challenge...and without chocolate...

I'm finally caught up on my Bee Balm bee blocks.  Ya hoo!  I'm not sure I followed Beebee's instructions to the letter, but after making the requested pink crazy-pieced hearts for her red background, I hit a creative wall.  (This block is 6 x 12 inches.)

I still had the two light pink backgrounds that she sent for us to fill, and the larger one seemed so inviting for some original applique doodling.  Here's what I came up with (this block is 12 inches square).

I had drafted a linked hearts applique pattern years ago for a round robin quilt exchange.  That particular month I was working on someone's quilt who had asked for heart blocks in reds, oranges and pinks.  I came up with the following (Hey Jean, if you are out there somewhere, did you put your quilt together?  I'd love to see it...).  

Anyway, it was fun taking the original idea beyond linear and coming up with something for a large square block.  It was more satisfying working on a circular, non-linear block with the hearts because overlapping the links was less awkward and the effect more noticeable.  I will be doing this block again!

For the third block, I made another version of my original "flutter by" block using bright red bits.  The whole block is 6 inches square.  I love making these happy little creatures!  They are so satisfying...

This morning when I stepped on the scale, it revealed that I am now over the 60 pounds lost mark.  I've been at this new life dance since May 3, so I guess that is almost 4 months.  I'm NOW on friendly speaking terms with the scale again and not using the 4-letter words I used all LAST week when I was on another dreaded plateau.  I think my body is still trying to determine if I am really serious about the weight loss thing this time, or if it is a passing fancy, soon to be abandoned.  I can't quit weighing myself, entirely (because there is a little food demon inside me that lies to me), but it does point out my pathetic need for validation.  Why can't it be enough that I am putting the right stuff in, and in smaller amounts?

There are all kinds of adjustments that come with weight loss and life changes...I've felt completely empty for the last 2-3 weeks, emotionally.  I think that is why I was feeling the need to work with my exploding scrap bins...just mindless, repetitive work that kept me from reaching for food.  I wasn't feeling very creative.  I wasn't wanting to face the overdue bee blocks.  Now that I finished them, they feel like a little victory, and they seemed to re-spark my creativity.  Thanks, Beebee!

I also managed to work some more on my positive/negative scrap blocks.  They have gone from this...

...to this...

I'm starting to assemble them into quartets, which makes a 9 inch (finished) block.  Then there were these...

This project is on temporary hold until I cut just a few more strips to the right length...then I can zoom toward chain-piecing the last of the 120 log cabin blocks needed for the quilt.  I should have waited to start piecing until after I had everything cut, which is why I am experiencing "Piecus Interruptus."

As my daughter just started school last week, I have managed to knock out a few more hand-appliqued baskets (a la Blackbird Designs) as I wait to pick her and her friends up in the afternoon.  (Notice Weasley's feet...he was actually waiting for me to snap the picture before he prissed across the blocks...)

Riley is going to Washtenaw International High School, the new International Baccalaureate program high school that just opened in our county.  It is very exciting for all of us, but I am learning how spoiled I became having busing through the 8th grade...I am now the afternoon "bus driver."  LOL!

My little magic box is going to get a workout this year...I can't believe that my daughter has started 9th grade!

Our internet has been acting up the last couple of days...I hope it is not a trend!  Just 36 hours without the internet seemed very difficult for all three of us.

In stitches,

Teresa  :o)