January 2013 Get It Done

Happy New Year to all my blogger friends.  May you have many days spent  sewing, sharing and laughing with friends and that you enjoy good health and happiness throughout the year.

In addition to my earlier posting of goals for 2013, here is a bit more about Judy Laquidara's new idea to take the place of the UFO Challenge of last year. The new game is called  GETTING IT DONE.  We list 4 things that we hope to accomplish in that particular month.  On the last day of the month, we link up and show what we accomplished and list 4 more for the upcoming month. Come join us and see how much you can accomplish by taking smaller steps to your goals each month.  If you want to have fun along with us, click the link here.  Here's my first month.

1. 1. Cut the sashings and cornerstones for Joan's Stars

1. 2. Complete Step #7 and any future steps for Easy Street

1. 3. Make 10 string blocks

1. 4. Quilt one QOV quilt

1. 
   

What are you planning to work on in January??  Stop on by Judy's to see what others are planning to do in January.

Farewell 2012 -- Hello 2013

Well, this was a very interesting year and it flew by quickly.  I learned some new computer skills, started a blog, finished lots of quilts for others, met new friends and did a bunch of sewing on projects to move them closer to being finished in 2013.  I'm looking forward to the new year.  I still have lots to get done and places to see and people to meet.  I set a few goals at the beginning of 2012 to help keep me focused on some particular areas. I did well on some, others not too bad and some pitifully poor.  Here's a recap of where I ended for the year.

1. Read 12 books or 1 a month - yes - read 14
2. Finish 12 UFOs - bad,bad - I only finished one
3. Try 12 new recipes - tried 3 - if you count different smoothies I made, that number would be more like 30 or 40!
4. Quilt or piece 12 Quilts of Valor - 5 quilted, several others ready to quilt, also made over 10 pillowcases for QOV
5. Use 200 yds of fabric from stash - this was a stretch -  If I had gotten some of my own quilts quilted, that would have taken me over 120 yds.  These WILL be done in 2013 for sure.
6. Use more fabric than I add to my stash - yes,  Added 45 yds. used 91 yds. not too bad. Could improve.

2013  Goals

• Stash Busting Challenge  - I'm hoping to use more than 100 yards- maybe 150 yds. this year
• New FO Challenge - start a new project each month - you don't have to finish any of them!! This should be real easy.  It's what I do best.  That's why I have over 50 UFOs.. (side bar button)
• Strictly For the Birds - BOM - (side bar button)
• Get It Done Challenge - 4 mini goals per month
• Finish 10 or more UFOs
• Read a book a month
• Walk 7,000 steps a day

Sitting Pretty on Easy Street & Stash Report

Well, I did it.  I am finally caught up with all 6 Steps of Easy Steet, and am looking forward to the next clue to see if we will get a part of the reveal for this mystery.  Bonnie sure has kept us in the dark.  There are so many ways these units can be put together--wonder what Bonnie is dreaming up for us.

Step 6 - Easy Street

 

Step 5 - Easy Street

My stash report does not reflect any of the fabric that I've been using and cutting up for Easy Street, so actually more was used than reported.  When the top gets finished, all the yardage for all steps will be calculated. That should make my 2013 used numbers look really good right off the bat!!   The only sewing that counts toward the stash this week is part of a block for Nancy (block exchange group) and 2 pillowcases for charity.  I didn't make the fabric usage goals for 2012; but I did manage to use more than I added--so all-in-all, I'm happy with the results this year on fabric usage.  However, I'm really ashamed of my goals on finishing up some of my many UFOs.  Actually I was a total failure in that department.   Maybe in 2013 I'll concentrate more on those. I need the space all those boxes are occupying!  Yes, 2013 will be the year to get serious about UFOs.

Fabric Used this week - 2.25 yds

Fabric Used in 2012 - 91.19 yds

Fabric Added this week - zero

Fabric Added in 2012 - 45.41 yds

Net Busted for the year - 45.78 yds

Drop on over to Judy's and see the last stash reports of 2012 for everyone else.

Gaining Ground on Easy Street - #4

I'm only one clue behind on the Easy Street Mystery from Bonnie Hunter.  Here is Clue#4.  We were to make another 64 flying geese with purple a goose and turquoise wings, then attach them to half of our 128 previous geese- their white winged cousins.  

Well my geese were not behaving too well at first.  I was about to wring their little purple necks!!  It's a good thing Bonnie provides a visual for these steps, She said "purple & turquoise goose on the bottom".  Well I had that, right?? But it didn't match her picture. My geese were heading in the wrong direction looking down at the ground instead of up at the sky.  Maybe they drank too much eggnog at Christmas.

After unsewing and trying not to ruffle their feathers, I turned them around and got them going in the right direction.  Thank goodness there were only a few renegades and not the whole flock!! The greens are cut and waiting for further instructions too.  I ran out of the "proper color" greens, but decided to use what I had even though they are not the perfect suggested shades.  After all, this is a scrap quilt and I wanted to use what was in my scraps and stash.

Now it's on to Step#5 which I need to finish today in order to finally be caught up with the other 200+ mystery goers.  It is getting close to the end, so this will start coming together and we will see what it's going to look like.  I'm certainly glad we are finished with all these flying geese -- at least I hope so.  I didn't much care for them before. I'm more comfortable making them with the Easy Angle and Companion Rulers, but if I don't see one for at least a year, I won't be unhappy!

Easy Street Update and Stash Report

Is everyone ready and waiting for Santa?  All presents bought, wrapped, cookies baked and you are just filling your time leisurely sewing on your projects?  If you said 'yes" to all of these, I'm envious.  I'm not even close to being ready, but I'm still leisurely sewing on Easy Street.  It's a bit addictive I will admit.

Her's my progress so far on Easy Street.  I cut and sewed Clue #3, and have cut half of Clue#4.  Hopefully I'll get #4 finished today and only be one step behind before the next clue is posted.  After Christmas I plan to get all caught up and keep up-to-date! Right, we'll see if that happens.

First part of Clue #3 - making the flying geese units with a purple square in the corner instead of a triangle. (192 pieces to construct 64 of these).

Then trimmed the dog ears of above unit and added the turquoise HST.  Now these puppies are pressed, trimmed and ready for their introduction into the quilt whenever Bonnie tells us.

Now I'm finally moving on to Step 4. I know most everyone is already finished with Step 4 AND Step 5.  Oh well, I'll get there soon.

There was not a lot of movement on the stash this week except the fat quarters I lost in our Christmas fabric game.  We play LRC (left, right, center) during our annual Christmas lunch every year and this year the winner picked up 33 fat quarters -- and it wasn't me.!  So there is nothing to add to my stash (a good thing) and I can deduct 3/4 yd from the 3 fat quarters that I gave up.

Stash Report numbers for the week:

Fabric Added this week - 0
Fabric Added for the year - 45.41 yds.
Fabric used this week - 3 fat quarters
Fabric Used YTD - 88.94 yds

To see other reports on busting stash, check here.

Off and On the Needles

The last time I posted about knitting these scarves here, I was having trouble with the straight needles.  Then I change to the circular ones and they have been wonderful.  It is going so much faster -- if only I had more time.

       <-----Before and  After ----->






This yarn has orange, rusty brown and a bit of grey and these are favorite colors for the friend that is receiving it.
The next one on the needles is teal green, burgandy and soft pink.  I hope to finish it tonight then get back to work on Easy Street mystery quilt.

These are so much fun to do and the colors they have to choose from are limitless.  If you haven't tried one, you should treat yourself.  I'll warn you it's addictive.  

Check out other knitting projects over at Judy's.

Stash Enhancement Report

Here we are almost at the end of 2012 and my stash is still growing.  This week has been very busy with Christmas parties galore.  First off Monday was a luncheon at the local Olive Garden for the Scraps Group (a group that makes quilts for kids and QOV), then Tuesday was work followed by our big guild party - which was so much fun and was responsible for my stash enhancement figures.  On Wednesday I went to the Blue Owl for the A-Team (applique group).  Their food is delicious and the desserts are their trademark. Thursday, life interrupted the party plan -- dentist, ugh. Friday it was back to partying with the Christmas Chicks.  So you see why it's been quiet on the blog postings.

Here's a peek at what I won at the guild party followed by my numbers for the week.

Added this week - 1.5 yards - won at party
Added YTD - 45.41 yds
Used this week -  worked on Easy Street-not yet counted
Used YTD - 88.19 - same as last week

Check out what others are doing during this busy time of the year over at Patchwork Times.

Stash Report - Week 50 And 2 More Pillowcases

It's a dreary, wet Sunday here and perfect for staying in to sew.  I've been doing quite a lot of sewing this week, but not much that I can count yet.  I'm still working on the Easy Street mystery quilt and making charity pillowcases along with finishing up some customer quilts before Christmas.
My numbers for this week are:
Fabric Added - none
Fabric Added YTD - 43.91 yards
Fabric Used - 1/4 yd for block exchange group
Fabric Used YTD - 88.19 yards

Here are two pillowcases that were finished on last report but not photographed.  One will be added to those I'm making for Childrens' Hospital and one is for QOV.  Ok Sandy, you can add 1 more to my totals.:)

Go to Judy's at Patchwork Times.and take a look at what others did this past week.

Easy Street - Clues 1 and 2

Well, I finally got started on Bonnie Hunter's Easy Street mystery quilt this week.  The first step was cutting 2" wide strips from black on whites and a grey fabric.  Since I'm using what's already in my stash for most of this quilt, I got busy sorting and came up with enough to do the job.  Here on my drying rack are my black and whites cut and pressed waiting to be made into twosies then into 4 patches.

1st set of 10 four patches

I got carried away as I was sewing them, and ended up with a few more than I need. This isn't a very good picture of my pizza box full of 4-patches.

200 four-patches pinned in groups of 10

Now it's on to Step 2.  Making flying geese units with purples as the goose and black and whites on the wings.  I've got some of those cut, but not sewn yet.  Our next clue is due today! It's most likely already posted.  Oops!  I need to start flying faster with these geese to catch up.   

You can check out everyone's progress on Part 2 here. 

Stash Enhancement/Busted - Week 49

My fabric addiction finally got the better of me yesterday. I went shop hoppng with a few friends and did some enhancements to my stash.  I had been so good for most of the year, but it was bound to happen sooner or later. It was lots of fun though.  Just wish I could have held off another 4 weeks.
Fabric Added this week:       12. 91 yards
Fabric Added Year-to-Date:  43.91 yards
Fabric Used this week :         2 yards  (pillowcases)
Fabric Used Year-to-date:-    87.94 yards

Here is a peek at some of my new fabrics.

The ones on the top are for charity projects (pillowcases, backings on baby quilts), the reddish/gold batik is for the liturgical quilt and the floral and fat quarters are for Easy Street mystery quilt.  I'm still in the black for the year, but way off the mark for my goals of using more fabric than last year.  Well, there is always next year, right?

I'm linking up with Patchwork Times, so check there to see what others did this week.

Design Wall Monday and Stash Report

I'm combining the Sunday and Monday postings today because I am running behind.  My stash was busted to the tune of a bit more than 3 yards this week.
Fabric Added - zero
Fabric Added YTD - 31 yds
Fabric Used - 3.11 yds
Fabric Used  YTD - 85.94 yds

I found a cute panel that I had bought years ago for a quick charity project and decided it was time to pass it on. I found backing and binding in my stash to make that happen.

It was called "Fun on the Farm" and I quilted it very simply so it would be puffy and soft.

                      back quilting --->






My design wall still has the same stuff on it as it did weeks ago, but I'm starting the Easy Street mystery quilt of Bonnie Hunter too.  Maybe I'll get something new on the wall soon.

Drop on over to Patchwork Times to see other design walls and check out Bonnie's mystery quilt participants on her linky.                                                  

On and Off The Needles

Happy day after Thanksgiving Day.  I hope all my blogger friends had a good day with family and friends.  I know I did, but as usual, ate way too much.  Now I feel like the overstuffed 'turkey'.

On the knitting front, not too much was accomplished.  Here is my first "On/Off the Needles" post.  It has taken me way too long to finish this scarf because I dropped a few stitches and had to have a friend fix it, which meant unraveling it back to almost 4 inches to finally get it fixed.

It was made for a friend who was moving away and she also loves purple.  Now I'm getting ready to start another one for a Christmas present and I'm trying a circular needle for this one.  I understand that it is way easier than on long, straight, slippery needles.  I sure hope so, because there is not much time left to get a few more done for gifts.

Better get going.  Lots to do before the day is over.  I'm linking up with Judy, so drop by and see other knitting projects.  

Stash Report - Week 47

This week was a busy week of sewing, but I can only count my 3 pillowcases as finished.  I worked on several of my UFOs and hope to get them finished by year end.  Here's my numbers for the week.

Fabric Added

1/2 yard -  this week

31 yards -  year-to-date

Fabric Used

3 yards        - this week

82.83 yards - year-to-date

51.83 yards. - reduced from stash for 2012

I'm still heading in the right direction and am pleased with my goal of not buying unless my stash doesn't have what I need for a specific project, but wish I had more time to sew on my UFOs.

On my last post I mentioned that I would show you more retreat pictures when I got them organized..  Well, Sandy beat me to it.  She's way faster than me on finishing quilts too.  Take a look at some of the great projects that she captured at our retreat. I'm the one with the hand pouring a delicious drink.  I spent part of my sewing time making smoothies for everyone to taste.  

Check out other stash reports over at Judy's.

Back from a Retreat

Today was my first day back from retreat and I was dragging!  I try to squeeze way too much sewing, eating, laughing and fun into a couple days retreat.  Did I mention that I don't get very much sleep!.  I think I got a total of 9 or 10 hours for 3 days worth of fun, fun, fun.  Maybe I'll catch up on my sleep this weekend.

Since my UFO list is so long, it was difficult to decide what to take to work on.  Knowing that our retreats are wild and crazy, it can be hard to concentrate and stay focused on one thing; so I took several ongoing projects to work on.  I always take more than I will get done, but you just never know.

I didn't finish any UFO, but I did finish 3 more pillowcases.  They are so much fun to make. My running total is now 13, only 39 to go.!

Another project that I usually take along to retreats is my scrap string blocks.  When it's hard to concentrate on specific patterns or instructions because of all the laughing and getting up to see someone giving a demo or telling a joke and everyone is talking at once, I pull out my trusty no-thinking string blocks.  I sometimes go around and check the trash bags for more strings to add to my blocks for more variety.  You know the saying about turning trash into treasure, or something like that.

Here is what they look like when you just grab and sew them in no particular order.

Before trimming

After trimming

And here's the progress so far.  I'm aiming for a large twin.  Right now it's only about 45" x 58" so I've got a ways to go.

After I get my pictures organized, I'll show you a few of the other wonderful projects that were completed by the other gals.

Stash Report - Week 46

These weeks are flying by so fast.  I can't believe it is Sunday again so soon.  I didn't get as much sewing done as I planned, but what's new? :)   I also noticed that my week number is not the same as Judy's and I don't know if my calendar is crazy or me (don't answer that!). When I count the Sundays this year starting with Jan. 1, 2012 until today, I get 46 Sundays.

I did finished another pillowcase this week for the kids at St. Louis Children's Hospital and bought a yard more for another one. I'm up to #10 toward my goal of 52.  I've got a long way to go. The latest one has cute beach articles on it.  Makes me want to go south and play in the sand.  The weatherman says WINTER is coming tomorrow night!  I'm not looking forward to cold, icy winter days.

Back to my report.  Here are my numbers this week.

Used this week:  1 yard

Used year to date:  79.83

Added this week:  1 yard

Added YTD:  30.5 yards

New for 2012:  49.33

I'm going on a short quilting retreat next week, so hopefully I will have lots of projects finished or further along. 

Drop on by Judy's to see what others did this week.

Stash Report - Week 45

The only stash bushing I can count this week was the two pillowcases that I showed earlier in the week.  Didn't get around to working on any more of "my" projects, but I didn't have time to enhance my stash either! :)   Here's where I am for the year.

Used this Week: 2 yards
Used year to Date: 78.83 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date:  29.5 yards

Head on over to Patchwork Times to see how everyone else is doing this week.

What Have I Been Up To??

Well, here's a short list of what's been keeping me busy this week.  First off, finished two more pillowcases - one for the kids at Children's Hospital and one for QOV.

Then on Wednesday, we set a record at our monthly Quilts of Valor meeting.  We had 129 ladies come and sew all day.  We have now presented 987 quilts to our Veterans since this group first got together.  It has sure grown in 7 or 8 years of existence.  I was so busy sewing on bindings as they were being finished and taken off the quilting frames, that I forgot to take pictures of our finished ones for the day.  We completed a bunch.  I was pooped when I got home and had to take a nap.!

Next I finished quilting a couple customer quilts that have been waiting patiently for attention --

I quilted this with hot pink thread using a pantograph called Featheration.  My customer was pleased with the thread choice because her granddaughter just loves the color -- hot pink. 

I also baked 6 dozen cookies, but didn't take pictures of those !  Instead they were taste tested by friends and DH and have vanished very quickly.  I tried a new recipe for one batch Peanut Butter, chocolate chips, oatmeal cookies.  I love them and they must be healthy because they have oatmeal in them, right?  I'll put the recipe on my 'recipe page' if you are interested in trying them.  They are yummy.

That about brings me up to speed for the week.  Hope you are having a fun and productive week too.

My thoughts and prayers go out to those in Hurricane Sandy's path and hope that they are getting their lives put back together.

Design Wall - Monday Oct. 26

Here's my design wall today.  I finished the side blocks and am starting the auditioning process for the background of the center portion.   I love picking out fabrics for quilts, but I must confess it is sometimes frustrating and slow.  I keep changing my mind and seeing new possibilities and then it's hard to decide which way to go!

For more ideas and to see what everyone else is working on, take a look at Patchwork Times.

Stash Report - Oct. 28, 2012

I was looking forward to this week's Stash Report.  Since the weather has gotten cooler, it's motivated me into doing more sewing and I'm using my stash. Being in a hurry and working into the wee hours of the night has it's drawbacks though. I  miscut and ruined the only fabric I had bought this week. Ugh. Now I will have to rebuy that piece again, or be creative in trying to selvage the pieces.

Fabric Added this week - .3/4 yards 

Fabric Added Year To Date - 29.5 yards

Fabric Used this week - 6. 25 yards

Fabric Used Year to Date - 76.83 yards

I finished piecing the back for the QOV Tilted Stars.  I decided to use up so many smaller pieces and cut 10.5" blocks.  I tried to keep them somewhat organized into a pattern, if I had enough of a color to do so.  I did pretty well, I think -- only ran 1 block short on one color.  Does it stand out too much?

The other sewing I did was on my 25-patch stain glass blocks.  I added setting triangles on all 8 of them.  They are now ready to have leading added to them; and then decide what fabrics to use for the next phase of the project.

Drop by Patchwork Times to see more Stash reports.

Recent Audio Book

Lately I've been behind on reading books because of being too busy with other things, so I've gone back to renting audio books from the library.  I do enjoy listening to books while I sew or quilt.

Since I'm a Janet Evanovich fan, I quickly grabbed several of her audio books from the shelf without reading the covers.  I loaded my long arm, popped the disc into the player and got to work. Thinking it was going to be about Stephanie, Ranger, Lulu and Joe Morelli, I was surprised to find out the characters in this story were Lizzy, Diesel and Gerwulf, nickname Wolf, and Glo.  Lizzy is a pastry chef recently transplanted to Boston from NY City and has inherited an old house from her aunt.  She encounters two men with unusual talents and strange powers, a monkey that seems human and a ninja cat.  It has fast paced action, mystery and many humorous situations throughout.  This crew was as entertaining as Stephanie's gang and kept me in stitches -- laughing wise, that is!

If you want a lighthearted, comical and a bit far-fetched story line to entertain you for a few hours, "Wicked Appetite" should do the trick.

Now on to another book and another quilted quilt!!

Stash Report - Week 43

Whew!  I'm glad this week is coming to an end.  It was so busy with lots of running around town doing errands and trying to finish up some prior commitments.  While I was out and about yesterday, I accidently found myself in a quilt shop - imagine that! :)  I've pulled every possible batik from my stash to audition for different parts of the current project and some of them worked, but I needed more, so I was forced to see if the local quilt shops had something that worked better.  Well as luck would have it, they had several possibilities and I couldn't decide or remember just which color might look best or go with what I already had -- so you know what I did, right??   I bought them all.  I've been influenced by my friend over at A Quilt & A Prayer.   Thanks Teresa!

Here's what I picked up for future consideration in my project of the liturgical quilt I'm working on in between the other 5 projects!!.

These are all batiks and most of them
are Hoffman 1895s which give the impression of a marbled stained glass.






Some of these look similar, but there is a slight subtle variation in tones and hues.

So, my stash has grown a little bit.
Fabric Added - 2.0 yards
Fabric Used - 0 yds
YTD Added - 28.75 yds
YTD Used - 70.58 yds
Net busted for 2012 - 41.83 yds

Drop by Patchwork Times to check on other stash reports.

Design Wall Monday

 From last week's design wall, I finished the eight 25-patch batik blocks, and am ready for the next step in the process of making this liturgical quilt.  The original was made by Joanne Wietgrefe for her church in Ithaca, NY.  She actually designed and made 4 different quilts to hang throughout the year.  They are beautiful in print, so I can imagine in person that are stunning. Hers are 7 ft x 10 feet.  Of course mine will be for me and will not hang in a church nor will it be 7 ft by 10 feet.!!  The story of how she made them and the original picture can be found in the Winter 2006 issue of American Quilter.  I tried to take a picture in the magazine of the one I'm doing, but it didn't turn out too well.  May try later.  You will just have to "wait and see" as mine progresses.

To catch up with pillowcases, here are 4 that I finished last week.   I'm a far cry from the number I agreed to, but slowly I'll get there.

For more inspiration, if you need it, check out all the other design walls posted at Patchwork Times. 

Stash Busting Report - Week 42

Well here it is another "Fess Up Sunday".  It was a pretty good week for depleting some of my stash.   I whipped up 2 more pillowcases (always good for a quick yard or two) and gifted a baby quilt top and backing to a friend who was in a time crunch to make a quick present for a new baby.

Fabric Added - 1.0 yard
Fabric Used - 4.5 yds.
YTD Added - 26.75 yds
YTD Used - 70.58 yds
Net busted for 2012 - 43.83 yds

Today is an annual fried chicken dinner and craft festival celebration at a local church, so when I get home, I'll take pictures to post of my finished pillowcases I've made recently.

Are the leaves starting to change in your area?  Here they are starting to turning some beautiful colors deep reds, gold, still some greens of all shades and the drive to the church will take us through the winding woods and forests, so I'm looking forward to the ride, and of course the delicious fried chicken!

Hop on over and see other Stash Reports at Patchwork Times.

Design Wall Monday - October 8, 2012

Today I'm recuperating from two days at our local quilt show and I'm on "eye candy overload".  I now have at least 10 more quilts on my "Want to do Bucket List." ha.

But, those UFOs are calling me and a few new projects are already on my design wall this morning.
The red, blue/grey blocks are orphans from another friend that are waiting to be made into a charity quilt, the colorful batik checkerboard squares are the start of a liturgical banner and the 2 colorful blocks at the bottom are my "Bingo Blocks" for our Christmas party.

What's on your design wall this beautiful Monday morning?  Stop by Judy's and see more.

Stash Report - Week 41

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm going back to our local quilt show today and most likely will come home with more fabric, so I'm getting my report in early enough to keep from having to add any more amounts in the ADDED Column.  :)  I posted pictures yesterday of what I bought so far.  My usage was only a small amount for these two blocks for Nancy M in our block exchange group.

This week's numbers:
Fabric Added - 5.5 yards
Fabric Used - .25 ( 2 blocks below)
YTD Fabric added - 25.75 yards
YTD Used -  66.08yards
Net Busted - 40.33 yds.

Check out the other stash reports over at Patchwork Times.

Weekend Quilt Show

This weekend is Loose Threads Quilt Show in St. Peters, MO.  I spent the whole day at the show contributing to the vendors and helping the economy recover more quickly.  Thank goodness I was volunteering as a "white glove" helper answering questions and showing backsides of quilts, which kept me away from the vendors for a few hours. There were some great new out-of-state vendors plus many of our great local shops and businesses represented.  It was difficult to pass up fabric that was priced right and so beautifully displayed.  I did find a few fabrics needed for the sashing and border on Joan's star blocks I recently received.    I'm going back tomorrow to work and might find more "have to have" fabrics -- you know just fabrics needed to finish up some of my many UFO's, right?

Outer Border stripe, blue sashing, lime cornerstones

I'm not looking forward to my stash report tomorrow.  Maybe I'll send my report before I go to the show, then what I bring home won't count for a whole week.    Maybe I can use it quickly and it will go right back out!!  Whew!, I feel much better. I'll take my camera and try to get a few shots of the winners.

  

Design Wall Monday - Oct. 1, 2012

Here are the blocks I mentioned in my Stash Report that I received but were not yet counted.

They are from a friend whose eyes are getting worse and she has difficulty seeing well enough to enjoy piecing any more.  She was looking for a home for them and I loved the colors and the star pattern, so I am going to finish this quilt for a donation or perhaps me! lol  It might be the closest I'll ever come to having someone make me a quilt.  I guess when you are a quilter most people never think of making the quilter a quilt.   She ran out of the 2 original background fabrics, so substituted to get 12 blocks.  The background fabrics are homespun in a heather pattern.  Anyone have any extra of these homespuns hiding in their stash??

Now to find suitable sashing and maybe cornerstones, plus a border or two and I'll be on my way to getting this finished..

To see other design walls, stop by Patchwork Times.

Stash Report - Week 40

Hi! I'm back.  Finally, I'm up and running again.  I hope some of you missed me.  It was so frustrating not to be able to read my favorite blogs or even log into my own the last two weeks because of a computer glitch.  Hopefully it is all cleared up and things are back to running smoothly.

Because I spent less time on the computer, my sewing machine saw more of me.  Having said that you might think I'd have a bunch of busted fabrics, right??  Well I wish that were true, but I don't have a lot I can count in my report this week. However, I did make a few pillowcases plus some progress on several UFO's -- fabric to be counted later.

My numbers for this week are:

Fabric Added - none - unless I count some gifted blocks - will count when top is finished

Fabric Used - 3 yards - pillowcases -2 kid ones (watch out Sandy) and 1 QOV 

Fabric Added YTD - 20.25 yds

Fabric Busted YTD - 65.83 yds

Net used in 2012 - 45.58 yds

Check back tomorrow to see what is on my design wall.  In the meantime, run on over to Judy's and be inspired by what others have done this week.

Stash Report - Week 38

Do you ever wonder if your stash increases in size without you adding to it?  I think mine does.  When I'm looking for a specific color, I will pull my whole stack off the shelf in that color. Then I find what I think will work, cut what I need - a yard or two or half yards of multiple fabrics and when I go to put that color back, it will not fit back on the shelf where it was before.  What's with that??  I know I took away a yard or two or more. There should be less to put back, therefore more room on the shelf where it came from.  But somehow there never is.

I digress, so getting back to the stash busting this week, I made a QOV pillowcase, pieced a backing for a charity baby quilt and made 5 blocks for a friend in my block exchange group.




Fabric Added this week - none
Fabric Added YTD      - 20.25 yds
Fabric Used this week -   2.5 yds
Fabric Used YTD  -    62.83 yds
Net reduced this year -  42.58 yds

My week wasn't too bad, but I'm sure that there are some super stashbusters listed over at Judy's place..  Take a look and see if I'm not right.

Stash Report - Week 37

The only sewing I did this week was to make two blocks for my Pieces of Friendship block group, but I forgot to take pictures of them before delivering them to the recipient.  This didn't reduce my stash much at all.

My totals are:

Fabric Added -  0 yds
Fabric Used - .25 yds
Year to Date Added - 20.25 yds
Year to Date Used - 60.33 yds

On a different subject, I was honored to be in attendance at the presentation of another of our QOVs to a deserving young Marine who has earned two purple hearts and several other honors.  He served in both Afghanistan and Iraq and was wounded, but survived.  Since getting home he has had to face battles of a different kind - divorce, unemployment, and losing his home.  He was so moved by getting this quilt that he had tears in his eyes.  He said it was the best "homecoming gift" he ever received.  He went on to tell us what it meant to serve his country and who the "heroes" really were--his two best friends that gave their lives to protect him.  There were not many dry eyes in the audience when he finished talking.   I'm so glad to be able to help with this great program. I wish I could make a quilt a week so that we could "cover" all our soldiers with our quilts from the heart.

Here are a couple more quilts that we finished Wednesday.  We had more, but I was too busy sewing on bindings to stop and take more.

To see other stash reports, go to Judy's at Patchwork Times .