Fat Camp Fashions

So far, signing up for Fat Camp is having a very good affect on me. I'm back on my treadmill, and I didn't eat A SINGLE HALLOWEEN CANDY BAR...

Yippee kayee!!

I'm also having fun designing my new line of FAT FASHIONS.

To determine my color palette, I started with the clothes in my closet (that no longer fit). I picked gray, black and teal. The plan is for all my tops to go with all my bottoms.

Some of you might already know this....but as your ass gets wider, your pants get shorter. It's simple math. So, I considered all my high-water pants and picked three pair that could be cut off and altered to be my Fat Camp pants.

The teal pants had some spandex, so all I did was CUT THEM OFF!!

For my gray pants, I used the material I cut off the bottom to create a new cuff, with a side vent. Pretty sweet, eh?

This sleeveless top was completely without personality -- until I added a graphic tee (size small) smack on the front.

At first, I used some hem tape to iron the new front panel in place. When you are sewing a knit on top of another knit, the hem tape saves you from all those little puckers. After I did that, I sewed some black edging to cover the raw edges (another hem cut off a black t-shirt). That stitching secured everything...

The reason I bought this shirt in the first place was because I liked the longer back...but to make it more interesting, I added a long t-shirt fringe at the shoulders.

Today's fashion active wear is spandex, and skin tight.  And, because I expect TO DO A LOT OF SWEATING, I don't want to have a wrestling match every time I have to use the bathroom... Obviously,  I'm not interested in the bicycle shorts look.  But I do want my Fat Camp pants to be shorter.

I was calling them "pedal pushers", but my friend Deanna told me that term hasn't been used since 1967....

So -- I am not making Pedal Pushers. It's official. I'm making CROPPED WORKOUT PANTS..!!

P.S.  If you doctor recommends you go to Fat Camp, it is tax deductible...

Every Stitch (and every VOTE) Counts

Tomorrow is Election Day.  Please vote. Some people say one vote doesn't make a difference. But if you compare it to making a quilt -- then EVERY STITCH MATTERS, right??

It's good to take a moment to consider HOW VERY, VERY LUCK WE ARE to live in a country that has elections.  No matter what side you're on, or how contentious this election has been -- I am grateful to live in America,  where every person, rich or poor -- black or white -- Christian, Jew or Muslim --  has the RIGHT TO VOTE. 

Because Veteran's Day is coming up -- this is a good time to give another shout out to the Quilts of Valor organization...

For the last two years, I've attended their regional event at the Quad Cities Botanical Center.

Last year, my husband John and my son Elliott both received quilts.

Terry Austin is in charge of the local chapter of Quilts of Valor

She gives a big hug to every single veteran.

Terry Austin made the two matching quilts John and Elliott received. (there is a label on every quilt).

Check into your local organization -- you can honor them by making a quilt, or attending an event...

Or, better yet -- if you want to honor all veterans -- GO VOTE.

Radish Sandwiches

Every year, John's last hurrah from his garden is one extraordinary crop of RADISHES. He's developed some kind of radish magic...he plants the seeds late, and then doesn't pick them until we have a cold snap...whatever it is he does -- the results are AMAZING...

The radishes are HUGE...and sooo mild, you could eat them like an apple. (yes, that's an apple on the cutting board).

The apple, and John's hand -- give you some kind of perspective...

These radishes are just perfection. Not the least bit pithy or tough...

Mild and crisp, I love to make radish sandwiches. Fresh white bread, with mayo...then, layers and layers of thinly sliced radishes...with lots of salt. YUMMO...

Mayo? White bread? Gheesh...no wonder I need to go to Fat Camp!!

White Sneakers

In preparation for my upcoming trip to FAT CAMP,  I'm back on my treadmill, trying to build up some stamina so I can actually DO SOMETHING when I get there. 

I'm also making my own line of "active wear" (which, of course, will be the MOST fun part of this whole adventure). 

And I am breaking in several pairs of sneakers/walking shoes (something other than flip-flops). I have some brand new Nike's (still in the Zappos box).  And another pair that is more comfortable....but looks disgusting.

Then, I found this advice -- about how to to whiten white sneakers.

Hand wash with baking soda

1. In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda, one-half tablespoon water and one-half tablespoon hydrogen peroxide to create a smooth paste.
2. Gently brush the mixture into the shoe’s surface with an old toothbrush, just firm enough to work out any loose dirt and work the paste in.
3. Brush on a second coat of paste.
4. Stir the shoelaces into the remaining paste mixture.
5. Set your shoes and laces in the sun for 3 to 4 hours, or until the paste is dry and cracking off. The brighter the sun and hotter the weather, the whiter and brighter your shoes will get.
6. Brush off any excess paste and re-lace. Your shoes should be many times whiter than before!

CUBS WIN...CUBS WIN...!!

Unless you're living under a rock (or in Canada) -- you know the Chicago Cubs were playing in THE WORLD SERIES against the Cleveland Indians. Last night was GAME SEVEN...

My son Ross is a Cubs fan. He has watched and/or listened to every game they've played since he was 8 years old. He grew up loving this team, and he could tell you every name of every player, and exactly how much their contract is, and who they played for before they came to Wrigley. He can recite their ERAs, RBIs, batting averages and batting orders from any given summer.

So this has been ONE ROCKING SUMMER...

Last week, the Cubs were down three games to one...and I sat in the living room and watched game five with Ross.

The thing is -- I HAD TO STAY THERE FOR THE ENTIRE GAME. If I moved -- well -- it might have changed the whole rhythm of the game, and then, if the Cubs lost -- IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ALL MY FAULT.

And how could I bear the weight of all that disappointment -- millions of fans waiting for 108 years.  ENTIRE GENERATIONS have lived and died, rooting for this team...

I just couldn't risk it.

This is how men think. John roots for the Philadelphia Eagles -- and if he's wearing a certain shirt, and they win -- he has to wear that shirt every Sunday... until it quits working.

Ross ate lunch at the casino last week, and that night -- the Cubs won. So he's had to eat lunch at the casino (and order the same thing, I'm sure) every game day since...

If you watched last night's Game Seven of the World Series -- you know that it was one of the most exciting games in the history of the sport.

AND THE CUBS WON...

Thanks to me (because I didn't dare move)...and Ross (who wore his lucky shirt, ate lunch at the casino, and listened to the last inning on the radio).

YOU'RE WELCOME, CUB FANS!!

WHAT A GAME!!

My son Ross, like Cub fans all over the world, will remember this night for the rest of their lives...

The Splendid Sampler™ Wednesday

The Splendid Sampler™ Wednesday
(...skip this part if you're not new here...)

The Splendid Sampler™ is an internet sew-a-long created by Pat Sloan and Jane Davidson. It is an EPIC sew along...

• 83 fabric designers have created specific blocks that feature different quilting techniques. (paper piecing, fused applique, etc.).
• The blocks will be released each week, and are FREE to participants until March 2017. (at that time, they'll use the designs to publish a book).
• You can use whatever fabric you like.
• There will be pictures on their Facebook page, etc.

The new block designs come out twice a week....on Sunday morning and Thursday morning. I'm doing this with my TMBC...and, therefore, it is my pleasure to BLOG ABOUT IT every Wednesday. *******************

LP did her doubles, as per usual. THAT GIRL IS A MACHINE...

And Sandy had to play catch-up this week, but she even managed to do the bonus block. SHE, too, HAS NEVER MISSED A SPLENDID SAMPLER BLOCK...!!

Although, the two of them always see something they could have done differently, and they are very critical of their own work...

LK and I just sit back and admire their total commitment!!

Our fifth (when she's in Iowa) member, Sharalan -- is waiting for HER NEW FEATHERWEIGHT to arrive!!

Because Sharalan does not sew...or quilt...but could NOT resist getting a Featherweight -- we decided it would be nice to get her started if we each made her a "project" to work on. You know, pick out the fabric, a pattern or instructions, and put it all in a ziplock bag...right??

Of course, LP had to DO IT RIGHT NOW...and she picked two of her favorite blocks from the Splendid Sampler as her sewing project for Sharalan.

Next week, I should have pictures of Sharalan and her Featherweight!!

P.S. -- glad you're feeling better, Pat -- I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of YOUR new Featherweight, too.  

Drumroll Explained!!

HOLY COW...I can't believe I left ya'll hanging!! The DRUMROLL was all about me working up the courage to actually say these words out loud...

 I AM GOING TO FAT CAMP!

Although, my family cringes when I use that term...and maybe "Fitness and Wellness Training" is a much more politically correct way of saying it.

But here's the deal. Like everybody else in America, I KNOW HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT. Eat less and move more. Duh.

In 2009, I got a click in my brain -- and started walking on a treadmill. Soooo slowly at first....a quarter of a mile was a victory for me. I also started to eat better, avoided snacking, and totally gave up eating candy bars in my car.

Slow but sure....after about two years, I'd lost almost 100 pounds and I never felt better.

But, unfortunately, I've gained back over 50 pounds of that HARD FOUGHT weight loss.

I know I need to get serious again, but I've had a very hard time getting back on track. My treadmill has been gathering dust...and my late night television/snack habits STINK.

So -- when this opportunity came up -- to spend a week away from my normal life -- in sunny, beautiful Florida,  at a beautiful condo with an ocean view, and participate in intense 90 minute workouts three times a day with a personal trainer, while eating gourmet meals (1500 calories a day) prepared just for me....

WELL -- I JUMPED AT IT...(okay, there was no actual jumping...)

Although it is costing me a lot of money (AND my fall vacation with Marion!!) -- I know I need to do this.

AND IT'S ALREADY WORKING!! I've put myself in pre-fat-camp training!! I'm determined to build up my stamina, and today I did one mile on the treadmill!!

Because it would be pitiful to spend all the money, and arrive in Florida only to discover I CAN'T ACTUALLY DO ANYTHING.

One of the challenges is that I don't have any actual "work-out clothes" that are suitable for public viewing. lol. Kate Hudson and her beautiful line of workout clothes -- Fabletics -- are not big enough for me!!

Her XX size is supposed to fit a size 18 woman. The reviews say NO WAY...!!

That's okay. I didn't want to spend any money on work-out clothes anyway...because I COULD MAKE THEM INSTEAD.

And won't that be SO MUCH MORE FUN??!!

So, this sewing challenge has two rules.

1. I can only use fabric and/or clothes I already have...

2. Every garment must be super-washable!!

This is my first outfit.

The teal top has been hanging out in my closet for years, because the neckline was one of those huge dinner-plate things. It was ruched on both sides (which I hated) -- so I took that elastic out, and cut one side off to add to the other side -- for the asymetrical look I love. THEN I added a layer of fringe.

Hey -- I'm off to a good start!!  And maybe blogging about this will make me accountable.  Next week, I'm going to write about the PANTS element to this challenge!!