Operation Get Not Fat

My sister has posted on Facebook about "Operation Sexy," which is her plan to lose weight. I'm not really interested in becoming "sexy" so much as becoming "Not Fat." We have decided with Mom to start a weight loss challenge on the 1st of January and continue through April 1st. The goal for me is 20 pounds. I figure if I blog about it, I may be more likely to continue and succeed. I may just end up feeling guilty and ashamed. I'll keep you posted.

Tamale book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Rinoe Anderson

This lovely creature was awarded to young Ellis at the Orange E Carnival last evening. His first choice for a name was Joe, Joe Anderson. It was later decided that he would be called Rinoe.

He brought it home and decided that he looked hungry. We of course had no fish food, so instead Rinoe was given cookie crumbs. Unfortunately gold fish are not fond of cookies and Ellis watched sadly as Rinoe spit the cookie out after sampling it.

Our boys have a long history of killing Orange E Carnival goldfish. The first one was petted to death by a 2 year old Will. He pushed a chair up to the counter in the wee hours of the morning and decided it wanted to be held. Gold fish don't like to be held, or squeezed we have come to find out.

Lets see how long this one lasts..............

The Sideline Stance

...........also known as "Perpetual Full-Bladder Stance."

Last Week

Etsy Stuff

I'm a Popstar!!!

I sent this picture of the chili pepper cake pops I made to Bakerella and she put me on her blog!

Check me out on Bakerella's website.

http://www.bakerella.com/pop-star-andi-in-washington/

A little story about a cornfield

While visiting at the first annual "Anderson Family Reunion," I took this cute little picture of some kids in a cornfield. After looking around a bit I noticed that one of MY kids was missing. "Hey where is Ellis?" Nobody knew. "We were playing Hide and Seek in the cornfield a little while ago, but we quit."

After collecting a small search party and walking through the corn for a good 45 minutes, we finally found him crying and scared right in the middle of the circle of corn. He was immediately declared the winner of Hide and Seek.

Quilts

Pawn Stars

Just got back from Vegas where we went to the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop from the tv show Pawn Stars.

Cougar Quilt

Silhouettes

Willy's Birthday

Will wanted a Super Mario Brothers birthday. He also wanted a mushroom cake with fondant.

Happy 9th Birthday Will!

Week 13,14 & 15

I have gotten waaaaaay far behind on my weekly pages.

Mom's Day Purse and a Crazy Alien

This was my first attempt at using a purse frame for a Mother's Day gift for my momma. This purse also debuted my new sew-in labels. So exciting!

The boys have begun shooting a movie. Apparently there is a blind alien involved......I'll keep you posted.

The Unexpected

The Easter Bunny brought Ellis superhero tattoos this morning. He apparently intends to cover his entire body in characters such as "Dare dubble" and "The Fing." He told me he had to count to 10 before he could peal the backing off. "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, oh,(apparently he counted quicker than intended) 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, firty, 45, 46, 47, 48, AND 10." He then lifted up the paper backing and said "That was not what I was expecting." I asked him what he expected and he replied. "I thought he would have both of his arms."

Week 12

This is a pretty Jilly-ful weekly page. I still love my children.

Week 10 & 11

Backpack! Backpack! ..............Continued

I finished my backpack today...........

Week 9

Quote of the Day

"I'm not a normal sized man. I'm a teeny man." - Ellis Anderson

Week 8

Week 7

Week 5&6

Week 5:

Week 6:

2010 Album

These are the first 4 pages of my album for the year. It took me awhile to decide how I wanted to go about doing this. I wanted to try the picture of the day thing again this year, but it wasn't happening. I am lucky to have at least one picture a week, so my layout this year is flexible.

Week One:

Week 2:
Week 3:
Week 4:
I hope to get caught up this weekend, and then I can post one every week. (In theory at least.) Tell me what you think!!!

Backpack Backpack!

I have started my quest to create my very first pattern. So far so good. I chose this cute ladybug fabric for my little girly backpack. (Oh me oh my, who could I possibly give a girly little backpack to? Hint: It rhymes with Silly.)

I decided how big I wanted to make it and measured out pattern pieces from paper, and cut them out.

I decided this little girly backpack should be lined in red. I sandwiched the zipper between the ladybug fabric and the red lining. and sewed.
Then, I added some red piping on the ends of the zipper. This is the top and sides of the backpack. Can you picture it?
This is the reverse side.
I have just started pinning the piping onto the front of the backpack. This is probably as far as I will get tonight.
I'm trying to figure out how to hide my lining seams since I have already started sewing the lining in. I may not be able to. Just one of the many design flaws I am bound to come across during this process. Wish me luck!

February Card Exchange

I finished my cards today for my little card club exchange. I used these cute little tree stamps from Stampin' Up! that I have had in my stamp drawer for months.

I decided to put some white card stock on the inside so that it would be easier to write on.
I am working on creating a pattern for a little kid backpack. I have all my pattern pieces cut out, I'm just not sure that they will fit together until I actually try to sew it. I'll post pictures of my progress........unless it is too big of a disaster. Then we will have to forget I mentioned anything about it. Toot-a-loo!

UPDATE: Water heater

PJ fixed it!!!!!! I can take a shower, and then a bath in the same evening!!!!!!!!

Projects from last week.........

I made this tote bag for MYSELF. I am keeping it. No you can't have it. I have been saving this fabric for 2 years and I finally got the courage to cut into it, so I am keeping it.

This cute little clutch/wristlet I made for my dear, dear sister for her 30th birthday. Happy Birthday Alyssa! (More on that below, heh, heh.)

This is Alyssa dancing with some random strange man at the piano bar. She pointed to him from across the room and commanded him to dance with her. He was happy to oblige as you can see.

She later went on to tie for first place in a "bootie shaking" contest. You go girl!

I think its the dip tube

We have been trying for the last 2 weeks to diagnose our water heater problems. First it was the thermostat, then he thought it was the dip tube (?) then the element. Still lukewarm water and a 2 minute shower for one lucky family member. PJ dreams of a half hour shower in which he exits the bathroom resembling a lobster. Oh if only dreams came true........

Some Craftiness

The latest card club selection...........

My favorite little handbag. (Notice it matches my apron. I try not to wear them together:)