Sunday, December 28, 2014

Year End Finishes & Week 52 Stash Report

Warning !  This post is photo heavy. 
Well, I hope everyone survived the Christmas holidays and enjoyed your time with family and friends. Things were pretty quiet at our house, so I got down to business and tackled some of the "to do" projects that were scheduled to be finished this year. The following are now done.

First up was from the Yellow Brick Road pattern, quilted in the "Here and There" panto by Keryn Emmerson.
Then a simple pattern with modern fabrics.  Since the design was boxy and lots of straight lines, I thought a curvy quilting design would look nice. I chose one called Pretty Paisley.


Next were some small table runners and toppers




These last two are belated Christmas quilts for friends that I hope to see very soon. 

A scrappy stash quilt using string neutrals and 6.5" red squares.  I still need to add the binding.

close up 
And last is the picture of the pillowcase I mentioned last week.

I still have more to finish before next Friday, but the yardage will be added to 2015.  

Fabric Added this week - zero 
Fabric Added in 2014 -  39.5 yards
Fabric Used this week - 16 yards (includes 2 backings and 1 huge binding)
Fabric Used in 2014 - 71.9 yards  

This is way short of my goals this year, but having used more than I bought was a "good thing", as Martha Stewart would say.  Next year I hope to use much more and still keep the enhancement to a minimum.

This is a fun exercise for me each year, and I know there are lots of others who feel the same way. To see what they did, go to Patchwork Times.  Thanks Judy for making it possible to play along with you.

Monday, December 22, 2014

Stash Report - Week 51

Since the last Stash report , I've made a binding, pillowcase and cut the backing for the Honor Flight quilt.  Still have a few more projects to finish up before the end of 2014 to get my increase the usage numbers for this year.  

Fabric Added this week - 0
Fabric Added YTD - 39.5 yards
Fabric Used this week - 3.02 yards
Fabric Used YTD -  55.9 yards

Linking up to Patchwork Times Stash Report.



Friday, December 19, 2014

Off The Needles - Dec. 19, 2014

I managed to get in a little knitting this week in between cleaning and decorating for a Christmas party, cooking and a start to my shopping.  Still way behind.  I did finish the purple wash cloth and looked over my yarn stash to see what was next on the needles.  No decision made yet.



I also took a little time here and there to sew the rest of the star blocks for the Honor Flight quilt, added small navy sashing strips between them and completed the top. Now all I need is time to quilt and bind it, which I hope to do before the end of 2014.


What have you been up to this week. Are you as far behind as me and rushing around to get everything done before Christmas? I know many of you are making knitted gifts.  Would love to see what you are making.  Stop by Judy's OTN and see what others are finishing this week.  

Friday, December 12, 2014

Here's What's On and Off My Needles

Here's what I've been working on this week in the knitting area.  First, I finished my 4th pair of socks. These were made with Diversity yarn, which has an elasticity and but feels like cotton.  They are fun to make because of the self striping and feel so good on.

Then I did a little more on my faux infinity cowl from months ago.  This yarn is awful to work with so I'm not too excited about knitting with it.  I love the color and look of the yarn after it's knitted though.
Maybe part of the problem is I'm using an interchangeable circular needle, and because of the fibers in this acryllic yarn, it seems I have to constantly re-tighten the tips almost after every round.  Not fun.  I do it because the alternative would be awful -- having it coming apart midstream.  You cannot see your stitches with the yarn even though it's all knitted.  I would never be able to find my stitches to get them back on the needle correctly.  It will be the last time I buy any of this yarn. 


Since I was so frustrated with the handling of this project, I decided to cast on a simple facecloth for some easy, peasy knitting.  I give these as gifts, so it's always good to keep a supply on hand for those occasions.  I add a good smelling facial soap with each cloth as a little Thank You gift, or "just because" gift.


That's about it for this week's knitting.  I am waiting until after the busy Christmas season to concentrate on learning toe up socks on circulars.  If you have been following me, you know, I've been saying that for a long time, but I WILL get there. lol

I'm linking up with OTN over at Patchwork Times.  Check out what others are up to.







Sunday, December 7, 2014

Stash Report Week #48 & 49

It's been a couple of weeks since posting my stash usage, but there has been some progress. Still trying to use up more fabric, but life keeps throwing roadblocks in my way and it just doesn't happen.

I did manage to make another pillowcase for charity,  pieced a few Ohio stars for an upcoming Honor Flight quilt, made and sewed on a binding on a Quilts of Valor,  and pieced 4 blocks for one of the ladies in my block exchange group.  


Ohio Stars



Stash Numbers - Week 48 & 49
Fabric Added  - none
Fabric Added YTD - 39.5 yds
Fabric Used for 2 weeks -  6 yds
Fabric Used YTD -   52.88 yds

Linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times.