How did that happen?

With Google Friend connect making an exit, I decided I needed to "back up" my subscriptions to make sure that I keep getting to see posts from all the blogs I follow. I discovered I have 252 blogs on my list. Yikes! How did that happen?
 I guess there are tons of talented and fun people out in blog land that I love to read. :)

Every so often I pare down the list. It is a hard thing to do. I don't want to offend anyone by dropping off their readers list, but I have to be realistic in what I can handle time wise. If a blogger has a thousand readers, they probably won't miss me, so I will bookmark them to check in on every so often. But most of the blogs I read are smaller, like 300 readers or (way) less. And most of them I love to read, so it's not so easy to cut anyone.
What to do, what to do...

Anyway, I backed up my list by going to my dashboard and copying and pasting the list into a notebook document, then into a word document. (Word had a memory hissy fit, probably about all the behind the scenes coding, so I did notebook first.) I made a table and cut out the junk and now I have a list of all the URLS of my favorite blogs.

 As I went, I highlighted non blogger blogs, and also ones that I need to check on or delete from my list on Reader.

Later today I am going to go through Google Reader and add subscriptions to the non blogger blogs that I follow with Friend Connect. Hopefully that will solve the issue.

A couple of recent projects

Just  a quick post to share a couple of things I made in the last few weeks.
First was a pincushion using this tutorial from the fun Simply Charmed blog hop hosted by Melissa at Happy Quilting. I planned on giving it to my MIL for her birthday when she came to stay with our kids during our cruise. However, it did not turn out very well. From afar it looks okay, but there is glue everywhere and it did not fill up enough, and really, it just looks like a second grader made it. (No offense to second graders.) Much to my dismay, my kids thoughtfully showed it to her and she accepted the gift graciously. :) At least it is functional if nothing else. I just hope it stays together.

Cookie Cutter Pincushion

Bottom of cookie cutter pincushion

The other little project was a set of small pillowcases for my 2 year old. She had been using the sham I made on her toddler bed and that pillow is way too big for the bed. I saw some travel pillows at Target so I got her one and yesterday we made her some pillowcases. I let her choose the fabrics from my stash and I made 3 cases for her. She loves them and the pillow fits her and her bed so much better!
The measurements for making a case for a 14"x 20" pillow are:
Band: 8" x 30"
Body: 20.5" x 30"
Just use the tube method (tutorial tab) to put it together.

Her pillow next to my pillow and the other 2 cases. My mom made the gross/ hilarious Muffin Tops pillow case for me for Christmas.

Her little pillow on her  bed.

I'm back!

I  was only gone for a week, but what a wonderful week it was.
My first cruise, a second honeymoon for my husband and I, to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. We went with 2 other couples and had a blast!
I still have land-sickness 4 days later,  which basically makes me feel like I am still on the boat. Not fun. But still well worth it. We spent Valentine's Day on Lovers Beach. So cool! Here are a few photos.

Leaving San Diego

Lovers Beach with a view of our ship.

Us

My in-laws stayed with the kids and then when we got back we spent time hanging out with them. Today I went to Michael's and Quilter's Paradise with my sweetheart of a mother in law. I now have scrapbook supplies for cruise photos and binding fabric for the In-Spur-Ation quilt and 2 Little Apples charm packs.

Now to take a nap and get some relief from the cold that bombarded me this weekend.

WIP Wednesday

I have been creating a table top quilt for the table in our living room because it currently has a moving box protecting it from the TV. Can you say UGLY? I won this fun fabric set from Debbie at A Quilter's Table (Juicy Blossoms).
I spent my one completely commitment-free Friday last week completing the top. Now I just need to piece a back and then I can practice some FMQ on it.

Next week I get a fabulous vacation!

Linking up to Freshly Pieced! Go check it out.

So Proud!

I just have to brag on my daughter. She won the school spelling bee last night and we are so proud of her!