Stash Report - November 15, 2015

It's been so long since I've posted a Stash Report and I hope you all didn't forget me. The reason was and still is-- computer issues.  But that hasn't kept me from keeping busy with quilting, knitting and retreats.  I recently attended the International Quilt Show in Houston and stopped at many cute and wonderful quilt shops along the way.  Hoping my computer issues get resolved soon, because going to the library takes more time.  Since I'm here again using the library computer,  I'll keep this short with no pictures.

I did breakdown and bought fabric while on the Houston trip, so my perfect "0" in the fabric bought column was broken.  Not by a lot, but I was trying hard to end the year with no purchases at all.  It was fabric needed to finish a quilt, so I hope to have it used before the end of the year.

Since October 4th,  I have added  6.5 yards to the stash  and used  11.58 yards

Fabric report since last posted (10/4/15)

Fabric Used - 11.58 yds

Fabric Added - 6.5 yds

YTD Used  - 114.83 yds

YTD Added -  6.5 yds - 

Net Stash Used - 108.33 yds

Here's hoping things will be fixed soon and I can use my computer from the comfort of my sewing room in my jammies!!

Linking up with Judy's Patchwork Times. 

A Finish & Fabric Report - Week 40

Another quilt is finished and crossed off my long list of UFOs.  I started Easy Street, Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt in November 2012. It is big (100" x 100") and it took forever to stitch the binding down on the back. My motivation was to finish so I could show it during Bonnie's visit when I attended her workshop last weekend here in St. Louis.  You know she does a 'Show and Share' session during her workshops, so I worked feverishly to get it done by then...well there were only a few binding clips hanging on it when they held it up to show. lol

I am renaming this  "Not So Easy Street" because it took a long time to complete.  Bonnie loves those little pieces and that give you more opportunities to mess up when it's me sewing them!  I do love the colors and the way it turned out.  The outter border is really a deep royal purple, not blue as it looks on my computer screen.

Easy Street 100" x 100"

I quilted the center with a panto and did separate designs in the inner and outer borders.

Borders

And the back--this is why it wasn't finished sooner.  I kept procrastinating about which fabrics to use for the backing.  I used almost 10 yds, but still have quite a lot left, which will go into my scraps.

Backing on Easy Street

Sorry it's a bit wavy in the picture. I used Hobbs 80/20 batting, so it's heavy and kept pleating as it was hanging.

My report only reflects what was used in the binding (1 yd), because all the other was accounted for earlier during the construction of the top and back.  But it is one less UFO and that makes me very happy.

Fabric Report - #40
Used this Week:  .1 yd for binding

Used year to Date:   103.25 yds
Added this Week:  0 yards 
Added Year to Date:  0 yards 

Net Used for 2015:  103.25 yards 

If you have time, drop by Judy's Patchwork Times to see other results for the week.

Fabric Report & More - Week 38

Holy cow.  It's been 4 weeks since I've done a fabric report; and this week isn't great.

Fabric Report - Week 38

Used this Week:  .25 - block exchange blocks 

Used year to Date:   102.25 yds
Added this Week:  0 yards 
Added Year to Date:  0 yards 

Net Used for 2015:  102.25 yards 
Warning -- This post is picture heavy. 

What was I doing instead of sewing ?  Well let's see.  I have been spending a lot of time working on Quilts of Valor quilts.   As I mentioned in an earlier post, we are a large group of quilters and meet 2 or 3 times a month to hand quilt tops that have been donated.  Here are some pics of a recent gathering. 

We set up between 10 to 15 frames each time we meet.

 

This is where I was working that day. BTW, we did finish our quilt! 

Here they are working on a quilt from Kevin'the Quilter's block drive.

Another Finish !!

Our leaders take turns marking all the quilt tops that come into to us. They do a great job and give us lots of variety and sometimes a few challenges too.

As you can see, we get a lot of beautiful tops donated by generous quilters.  They come from quilters all around the area and friends and family members who have a connection to members either serving now in the military or that have served in the past.  We also receive fully finished quilts from churches and individuals.  This is really nice since they are ready to be given to a veteran as soon as the label goes on.

Here are a couple more tops that will find their way to the quilting frames soon.

I get so excited when I receive a call from a friend telling me she has another QoV top to bring me.  I love seeing what designs they come up with.  We get such a variety that the quilting is never boring. Not all of our quilts are patriotic.  We get an equal number of other colored quilts too.

Check out Judy's Fabric Report to see what others have done this week.

Fabric Report - Week 31

Not much to add this week except a few more pillowcases are finished.  I'm getting closer to the end of this orange dragon fabric!  I bet you are saying, thank goodness.  We are tired of seeing the same old pillowcases.  ME TOO. 

Used this Week: 6 yards
Used year to Date: 75 yds
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 0 yards
 Net Used for 2015: 75 yards  

Check out Judy's Patchwork Times to see how others made out this week on their sewing numbers.

Fabric Report - Week 30

Nothing in and a few more yards out this week.  I'm working on getting those 24 pieces of dragon pillowcases done--4 finished this week.  I also gifted some fabric to a friend.

I know it's hard to beieve, but I still have not bought any new fabric this year.  Only 5 more months to go.   Maybe I should take bets on whether I'll make it through December. lol

Week 30
Fabric Added - O

Fabric Used:  5.25 yards

Fabric Added YTD - O

Fabric Used YTD - 69 yards

Net used from stash this year-  69 yards

Check out more reports at Judy's Patchwork Times.  

Another UFO Bites the Dust & Fabric Report

This week will make the fabric report look better.  Surprise, surprise -- another UFO crossed off of my very long list!   This was a top that was given to me awhile back for a charity quilt.  It finally got it's turn in the quilting pile and I even found time to bind it this week. The backing and binding came from my stash, and it measured 55" x 74"; so that was 4 yards used.

Then a friend came by who needed some quilting/sewing advice.  She was working on a couple baby quilts.  After determining what colors she needed, I checked my stash and was able to find 3 yards of fabric that I gifted to her to help give more variety.  She now has plenty to complete her quilts.

Fabric Results - Week 29
Fabric Added - O

Fabric Used:  7 yds

Fabric Added YTD - O

Fabric Used YTD - 63.75 yds

Net used in 2015 -  63.75 yds

Take a minute to check out what others have been up to this week at Judy's Patchwork Times.

QOV & Stash Report - Week 28

Nothing to report coming in or going out, so my numbers remain the same as last week.

But I do have some wonderful eye candy to share with you in the Quilts of Valor department.

Remember the retreat I went to last month, well the theme for our challenge project this year was Americana/patriotic.  For me that translated to Quilts of Valor.  I was pleasantly surprised when many of the ladies made their tops or finished quilts and presented them to me for our local QOV Chapter, Eastern Missouri QOV.  Here's what I received from these generous ladies at retreat.

Completed quilt by Rose Mary - AR

Completed quilt by Lonnie - MN

Completed quilt by Bonnie - MN

Completed quilt by Rilla - TN

Quilt top by Mary - WI

Quilt top by Rita - MO

Completed quilt by Faye - MI

Thank you so much ladies for your time, efforts and generosity for making these wonderful quilts for our American veterans to show our appreciation for their service to our country and to help preserve our freedoms.  As of July 8, 2015 our local chapter has presented over 1,800 quilts to our veterans.

Week 28 results:
Fabric Added - O

Fabric Used:  O yds

Fabric Added YTD - O

Fabric Used YTD - 56.75 yds

Net used in 2015 -  56.75 yds

Check out more stash reports over at Judy's Patchwork Times. 

Fabric Report-Week 27 & Show & Tell

Is it July already?  OMG!  Where did the month of June go so fast.  It's been quite a while since I've blogged and I need to catch up on what's been happening in my sewing room.

First off, I attended a retreat in June and finished some quilts and tops.  First was the modern Square in a Square that I started last year. It is now quilted and bound, Yes, 1 UFO off the list.

And the back 

Then I worked on my Stars and Stripes QOV and finished the top.,  It just needs a backing and a presentation pillowcase. 

Another old UFO that has been sitting in my unfinished pile for several years finally got a little TLC. These blocks were made and given to me by my friend, Joan who didn't want them.  This is Joan's Stars. Really original, right? lol  They are made with stretchy homespun and were not a consistent size.  I bought fabrics for sashing and borders to finish it. The colors do not show up well on the computer, but the new fabric really enhances the look of the stars.  Two of the blocks were not made with homespuns, so they stand out a bit more. I'm debating if I should do some creative camouflage on one in particular.  Otherwise, I'm pretty happy with the results.

The "Snow Friends" got it's final borders to complete the size I want, but there are still some hand embellishments that need to happen before it's ready to be quilted.

Here are my current usage numbers up-to-date.

Fabric Report - Week 27

Fabric Added - O

Fabric Used:  11.25 yds

Fabric Added YTD - O

Fabric Used YTD - 56.75 yds

Net used in 2015 -  56.75 yds

I'm linking up with Judy's Patchwork Times. 

Fabric Report - Week 23

A busy week, but not for using my stash, I'm afraid.  There was nothing in or out.  That's not all bad though, it means I'm still batting 100% on NOT buying any fabric for the year.

Same numbers as last week.

Fabric Report -Week 23

Fabric Added - O

Fabric Used: O

Fabric Added YTD - O

Fabric Used YTD -  45.5 yds

Net used in 2015 - 45.5 yds

I did however get a few things done during the week. Finished reading a book entitled "Rena's Promise" by Rena Kornreich Gelissen co-authored with Heather Dune Macadam.  It is the true story of two sisters who survived Auschwitz for over 3 years and what they saw and endured to stay alive.  It was unbelievable what the human body and mind can endure and still live to tell about it. It hit so many different emotions in me, that I was exhausted when I finished it, but loved it.  It is a story that I will never forget.

My other task was to make chive vinegar.  Barb over at Cat Patches introduced me to this several years ago. Since I love chives and grow them on my patio, I started making it.  Last year my chive plant was not very big, so it only made a small amount. This year, the plant as doubled and there were enough blossoms to get twice as much. Still not much compared to Barb's standard amount, but I'm happy with what I got this time.  I love using it when making salad dressings. Whenever it calls for vinegar, I substitute this.  It has a slight oniony flavor and look at that beautiful purple color.  It will get a bit darker purple as it ages.  It makes for great gifts too for those gourmet cooks in your family.

I'm linking up with Patchwork Times.  Stop by and see what others have done this week. 

Fabric Report - Week 22, 2015

Nothing in or out of the fabric stash this week, so my totals remain the same.  However I am nearing the end of the deadline for the donation of pillowcases that will go to St. Louis Children's Hospital the middle of June.

I am aiming for 52 and the count is at 50, so only 2 more to go to reach my goal.  There is still more dragon fabric cut for pillowcase size, but they will be done at a later time for a different group.  I'm pretty tired of looking at that fabric for a while!

Fabric Report -Week #22 - same as last week. :(

Fabric Added - O

Fabric Used since 4/19 - 7.5 yds (mostly pillowcases and one border)

Fabric Added YTD - O

Fabric Used YTD -  45.5 yds

Net used in 2015 - 45.5 yds

Linking up with Patchwork Times. 

Fabric Report- Week 21

Can you believe it.  It's been over 4 weeks since I've posted ... did anyone miss me?  Probably not because you may have been as busy as me.  At least one of my friends told me he missed seeing me on the blog.  Thanks Kevin for giving me a kick in the behind to get back to business.

I promised an update of whether or not I was able to resist buying fabric in Paducah.   Well, let's see....I definitely did not come home empty handed.  it was a great show as usual and the weather was perfect this year.  I didn't think it was a crowded as in the past, but I was there later in the week this year.

Here are some of the things I brought home with me - thread (a new kind - Iris all cotton), a V-block ruler, yarns (the knit shop was closing so the prices were great) ,a 17" swivel cutting mat, a 72" square portable design wall, and more fun things to keep me busy.  But do you see any fabric??  Nope... I was such a good girl -- no fabric to add to my stash this time.

So here's where I stand since my last fabric report way back in April.

Fabric Report -Week #21

Fabric Added - O

Fabric Used since 4/19 - 7.5 yds (mostly pillowcases and one border)

Fabric Added YTD - O

Fabric Used YTD -  45.5 yds

Net used in 2015 - 45.5 yds

Take a look over at Judy's Patchwork Times to see how others are managing their stashes this year. 

Fabric Report - Week 16 April 19, 2015

It's been several weeks since I've posted on the Fabric Report because there hasn't been much sewing going on lately. I did use some on the two autumn leaf blocks for Margaret in the piecing group and 2 yards was gifted to a friend for a backing on a baby quilt she was making.

However, I'm still holding strong on not buying any fabric this year.  My will power will really be tested next week, though.  I'll be attending the AQS Show in Paducah for 4 days.  Can I do it?  Not buy fabric when many of the vendors run great deals during this show.! You will have to check back next week and see what happens.  

Weeks #15 and 16 Fabric Report

Fabric Added - 0

Fabric Used this week- 2.25 yds 

Fabric Added YTD - 0

Fabric Used YTD - 38 yds

Net used in 2015 - 38 yds

Stop by Judy's Patchwork Times to see more reports for the week.

Finishes and Fabric Report - Week 13

Spent time sewing on the Stripes and Stars blocks, and I finished quilting two quilts.  One was gifted to my hairdresser, the other was a customer quilt. I do plan to finish 2 more pillowcases before the end of the day, so I'm counting 2 yards out. All my blocks are finished for the S&S quilt but I won't count yardage until top is finished.

Yellow Brick Road for Sherry

.

Pattern - Federation (a log cabin block)

Week #13 Fabric Report

Fabric Added - 0

Fabric Used this week- 2 yds 

Fabric Added YTD - 0

Fabric Used YTD - 35,75 yds

Net used in 2015 - 35.75 yds

I just noticed when I was cutting and pasting the format from last week, that the amount used for the week was incorrect.  The overall YTD totals are right though. On my spreadsheet everything is correct, so I'm still on track with YTD totals.

Check out more reports at Judy's Patchwork Times.

Design Wall and Stash Report-#12

Oops!  Is it really Monday already?  What happened to Saturday and Sunday?  I swear my calendar didn't have them on there last week.  I remember Friday and then it was today.  The weekend was a blur.  Yes, you are right, my eyes need checking and I did take care of that.  Now they are really blurred with a new prescription that seems a bit too strong. The computer, TV and road signs are not clear at all.

Well, I did do some sewing BEFORE my eyes got blurred.  More pillowcases, but not the dragon ones this time--watermelons.

Another 2 yards out of my stash!  And none bought in 2015.

I also spent a little time working on my Stripes and Stars QOV quilt.  All the Ohio Stars are finished and only a few log cabin blocks to go. Soon they will be ready to be put into rows.  Here is a shot of my Design Wall when I first started this project.  Disregard those stack and whack blocks vying for attention.  It's been 7 years or more since these were started.  I think that is long enough to procrastinate, don't you?  They really are starting to bug me, but that's all the fabric there is so I was stumped as to how to use them. Maybe a baby quilt with an alternate block?.  

Week #12 Stash

Fabric Added - 0

Fabric Used this week- 7.16 yds 

Fabric Added YTD - 0

Fabric Used YTD - 33.75 yds

Net used in 2015 - 33.75 yds

Linking up with Judy's Design Wall. If you haven't checked out, you should.  Lots of eye candy there.

Fabric Stash Report - Mar. 15, 2015

I used up a little more stash this week making pillowcases and cutting out star blocks for the Stripes and Star quilt.

3 more - dragon pillowcases

One of these was made for me by Coleen-- Thanks so much Coleen for adding that bright orange to your case. That's one more I don't have to do.  It's getting a little boring doing so many of the same print.  So far, the total is 25 of the dragon pillowcases and 16 of various other prints.  There are still 30 more dragons living in the sewing room. I wonder if they are reproducing and I don't know it! :)   

Patriotic Ohio Stars 

Here are a few of the Ohio stars.  Actually there are 5 finished and 4 cut out and ready to go later today.

Week #11

Fabric Added - 0

Fabric Used this week- 5.16 yds 

Fabric Added YTD - 0

Fabric Used YTD - 31.75 yds

Net used in 2015 - 31.75 yds

I'm pretty proud of myself for not adding to my stash.  I really can't see any difference in my shelves though.  It's like they say, who will notice if you remove a gallon of water from a lake.  I fear there are many more gallons of fabrics in my stash before I'll see any difference too. 

Stop by Judy's to see more fabric reports this week.  

Finished UFO #3 and Fabric Report - Mar. 8, 2015

Here are my numbers for the week and pictures of what I finished.  I'm still on track with finishing a UFO each month, but this may not last much longer.  After all, Spring is here, and we know what that means -- lots of time spent playing outdoors.  

Numbers for Week 10

Fabric Added - 0

Fabric Used this week- 0.875 yd - a binding and  2 blocks 

Fabric Added YTD - 0

Fabric Used YTD - 26.59yds

Net used in 2015 - 26.59 yds

Here's my finished UFO#3. This quilt was started with my piecing group in December, 2012.  I had a bolt of funky tulips that I wanted to use and get out of my stash.  So, this Disappearing 9-patch quilt was started.  I'm calling it Retro Tulips because of the backing fabric.

Here's the backing fabric that started it all.  Still have one side to bind. I'll be working on this today. 

This quilt initially started with a huge 9-patch block using the tulip fabric in the center.  I gave a square of this fabric to each of my piecing group to make a BIG 9-patch with the tulips in the middle and adding their own reds, whites and greens (18+inches). After getting them back, I cut them horizontally and vertically through the middle to end up with 4 smaller blocks that were automatically bordered on 2 sides with 2 white rectangles and 1 cornerstone. This is only one possible arrangement of many depending on how you cut your original 9-patch.

Blocks for Barb P.

To catch up on other Stash reports, check them out at Judy's Patchwork Times.

Fabric Report - Week 9

I didn't get to spend very much time in my sewing room this week, but I did use a little from the stash.

Two more pillowcases made - one was a gift that went with a quilt (forgot to take a picture when I delivered the quilt), and the other will be added to my growing pile for children at St. Louis Children's Hospital. It reminded me of blackboard drawings of kids - little stick figures..

Numbers for Week 9

Fabric Added - 0

Fabric Used this week-  2.0 yd - pillowcases

Fabric Added YTD - 0

Fabric Used YTD - 25.71 yds

Net used in 2015 - 25.71 yds

I'm making my way slowly to my goals.  Take a look at Patchwork Times and see how others are doing on their fabric management. 

A Finish and Fabric Report, Week 8

This week was pretty productive in the sewing room.  I finished the pillowcases that I had cut the tops and accent strips for last week plus one additional one to go with a quilt I'm giving to a friend.  They went from this

Tops and Accents selected

Pinned into sausages ready to sew

Finished - 7 pillowcases

I'm keeping up with trying to finished one UFO each month, Finally quilted this red, white and blue baby quilt that was started in 2013.  It's been waiting for it's turn on the quilting pile. Actually, it's not quite finished since I am working on the binding today, my slow stitching Sunday.

 Updated to add picture that I forgot.  Oops.

All of this to say, that my numbers got a big boost in the 'used' column this week.  Yipee!

Numbers for Week 8

Fabric Added - 0

Fabric Used -  7.71 yd - pillowcases, plus backing and binding on baby quilt

Fabric Added YTD - 0

Fabric Used YTD - 23.71 yds

Net used in 2015 - 23.71 yds

Check out more reports over at Judy's Patchwork Times. 

Fabric Report - Week 7

Still plugging away at my stash a little at a time.  This week I finished 2 more dragon pillowcases.

Do you remember me saying that I had almost run out of fabrics suitable in colors and sizes for the top cuffs of these pillowcases?  Well, my friend Kevin, the Quilter came by and brought me from his stash, some great pieces that can be used for tops and accent strips.  Thank you so much Kevin.  This will make it much more fun and interesting with different fabrics and playing with new combinations.  It's always fun to dig into someone else's stash, don't you think. :) I didn't waste any time doing just that! I cut enough for 6 tops with accents and hope to find some sewing time this coming week.  These tops won't be counted as being from my stash, since they were not mine; but the bottoms are still fair game for my stash reduction report.

  

Numbers for Week 7

Fabric Added - 0

Fabric Used - 2 yd

Fabric Added YTD - 0

Fabric Used YTD - 16 yds

Net used in 2015 - 16 yds

If you have time, check out other fabric reports at Judy's HERE.