Nearing end of Stash usage for 2017

Well, it's almost the end of the year and that means the end of stash reduction for 2017 is getting very close.  I've been busy trying to get those numbers closer to my goal, but may fall a bit short this year.

December has found me trying keep up with Christmas luncheons, parties with all my quilting groups (4 of those), shopping for gifts, replacing a bathroom toilet, having roof inspected for hail damage, putting up inside and outside decorations, cooking and baking for hosting a Christmas party/luncheon.  Of course there was some major house cleaning going on at the same time.  Whew!  I'm ready for the calm between  Christmas and New Year's Day.  How about you? :)

However, I did find some time to get in a little sewing this month.  First the Cave Quilters finished the snake quilt and doing the happy dance. 

I made 15 bowl cozies for friends and family for stocking stuffers.
                      
(forgot to take pictures of the rest before giving away),

a couple of pillowcases and a few kennel quilts for a humane society in California helping with the fires. These are the small sizes they requested and I used some scraps and leftover blocks.

and a QOV top 

Also lots of blocks for another QOV top to be finished in 2018. I did use some of my stash, but there is still one more week left to reach my goal of 200 yards.  I still can't see any difference in my shelves yet.

Fabric Added this week - 0
Fabric Added YTD - 1.25 yds. (none was bought, but I was gifted or won fat qtrs at various times.)

Fabric Used since last report - 11+ yds
Fabric Used in 2017 - 150.68 yds

How are you doing using your stash?  We still have a week to go, you know, so keep on sewing.

We are getting a beautiful soft snowfall today and it looks like a picture postcard out my sewing room window. This year will be a white Christmas for sure
. 
Here's wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.

Linking up with Quilt,Paint,Create.

Scrappy Fun with Snakes

We had a blast last week playing with snakes.  Now don't fret, they were friendly and very colorful snakes.  Maybe I should explain more.

I was invited to participate with 3 of my friends (Jan of The Colorful Fabriholic and Cherie of Quilted Jonquil) for a day of sewing and creating in the Quilt Cave of Kevin, The Quilter.

What a fun day it was too.  We started off visiting the new baby chicks that were only a few days old that Kevin has incubated and hatched for the first time.  They were just the softest and sweetest little things ever! You can see them HERE picture from Kevin's camera and read more about them on his blog.

We got together to learn to piece a block that Jan designed for a QOV quilt.  Cherie gave us a refresher on paper piecing methods for the arcs and finally after making a few of those, we moved on to the sewing of the arcs into the two corners to complete the block. Jan showed how it was done to get the best results on this step.

I had it down pretty well by the time the day was over.  I really like this block and can't wait to use more of my red and blue scraps to make a bunch more.  I think this would make a cute baby quilt too with bright primary colors or even pastels. Don't you agree that these are friendly, colorful little snakes?  The variations in the blues just make the block sparkle like facets of a jewel.  You can read more about the project and see step-by-step pictures on Jan's post.

Our lunch was gourmet to put it mildly. It was the prettiest presentation and most delicious lunch I think I've had since I traveled in Italy. Not only is Kevin a great quilter, but his culinary skills are right up there with Mr, Ramsey and Ms. Stewart.  Kevin, when are you going to open your restaurant?

 It was so good, I went back for seconds. The recipe Kevin used can be found HERE on his blog.

And look at our place settings.  Aren't those napkin rings the cutest.!! He thinks of everything.

We finished 14 complete blocks by the end of the day in between holding the chicks, eating, laughing, learning, eating more, checking on the chicks and having fun.  Not bad for a days' work.

Can't wait to see what the next project will be for the newly formed Cave Quilters.