What's sewing

I have been wanting to take a class from Quilt University for a long time.  I finally took the plunge and signed up for "Jane Was Nuts."  It's a take on the Dear Jane quilt only all the blocks finish to a logical 4" size.  So far, after one lesson, I am in love with the blocks. I've wanted to make small blocks for a long time and this was just the nudge I needed.

Here is my first block. I love the low contrast of the pinwheels.

I followed all the instructions.  Mind you, the lesson was not what I expected (although I don't really know what I expected), but I followed the "draw a line, sew and cut" instructions to the letter! (I realllly don't like making half squares by this method but I was trying to be dutiful).  After finishing the block while admiring my handiwork and bemoaning the fact that there were going to be many more "draw the line" type 1/2 sq.s in my future, I had a DUH moment! I have hundreds, really, hundreds of finished 1 1/2" half square triangles HST's! I've been working on these thing for YEARS !!! I wrote about it here.  That was then....now I have these

And these that are all counted and stacked neatly.  There are leftovers from a friends sew on the line, flip and pitch what's left, method of attaching a triangle to a square.

And these that are 2"

And these that are also leftovers from a sew on the line, flip and pitch what's left, method of attaching a triangle to a square....this time from a quilt I am making.

Sheesh! Just use the ones I have already made! Simplification and viola'! I buzzed through the lesson.

I am totally in love! I have been trying to figure out what to do with all of these cuties and this never occurred to me! I cannot wait for the next lessons... or maybe, now that my brain is turned on, I'll just go with the concept!

Hope over to Juday and see what else is going on in the quilt world!

Stash Report/UFO challenge

I've lost track of my stash! I forgot about keeping track during June and July...well and August. To be honest, I haven't been to quilt shops (other then one weekend), Joanns or Hobby Lobby & Hancocks. To the best of my recollection, I bought a few yards of fabric that one weekend. Plus, Ms. CCCat found a great sale last weekend (every time she leaves town, I spend money!) on Saggy Baggy Elephant fabric! Cute! And someday I'll make something with all the author and book fabrics I've collected.

Today we had a one day retreat and I cut and pinned 6 0r 8 pillowcases, got half done on a binding and will soon work on an embroidery. The quilt and embroidery are UFO's. I'm behind by two months but plan on catching up by the end of this week!

Because I don't count fabric out until something is finished, finished, I can't count any fabric going out! PHOO! That means that my final stash count will be in the plus but I'm not worried. I'll have a quilt and a bunch of pillowcases in the out column next week!

Used this period: 00
Used year to Date: 59
Added this Week: 8
Added Year to Date: 109.5
Ahead or behind 2011: +50.5 ...therefore behind

Stash report/Catching up

******YEAH!!!! I'M BACK ON!!! COULDN'T LOG IN! ACTUALLY FOLLOWED DIRECTIONS AND CLEARED COOKIES AND VIOLA!! HERE I AM AGAIN!! WHOOHOO!!!!

So funny, I haven't blogged in two months, the urge hits me, blogger is down and it drove me nuts! I guess I'm really NOT ready to quit blogging!!!

Lots to catch up on…
In the department of stash busting….

INCOMING- I bought 5 yards of oriental prints to make an anniversary quilt for my daughter Serena and her husband Chris. I had NOTHING in my stash that would even remotely qualify for oriental. Since it’s their quilt, I figured I’d use fabric they would like!

*****EDIT SINCE THIS MORNING******Went to a friends "getting rid of my fabric" sale. Bought 5 lbs at $3/lb.....equals 20 yards!! I'll take pics of it later and show.....I'll take the "hit" as I got a bunch of wool felt, a few nearly finished projects, and all blenders,neutrals, and tone on tones, mostly pieces but a few bits same as or bigger than fat quarters...things I need!


OUTGOING-I finally finished my April UFO! I used 10 yards of fabric on this! Aviva has a whole room devoted to the Simpsons and I knew she would love this.



Individual blocks.





Doesn't this fabric just scream the Simpsons!



Plus I finished this little cutie! It’s a doorstopper. It didn’t use much fabric but something is something. I used a pattern from Thimbleberries but the door stopper was my idea. It didn’t quite work as planned and it ended up like a big pillow but I still love it!



Used this period: 11
Used year to Date: 59
Added this Week: 25
Added Year to Date: 101.5
Ahead or behind 2011: 42.5 purchased...therefore behind

Stash Report

I haven’t shared a stash report in 3 weeks. I just haven’t found the time to sit and file the report.
The “INS”
I did buy a little bit of fabric. I am making some covered bowls for Aviva’s wedding and needed the perfect cheery fabric for that. I also found this really cute “bones” fabric at Joanns. I mean who knows when you will need fabric with bones on it so you have to buy it when it’s 60% off right! Plus there was this green….it reminded me of my favorite “dimples” line from I believe Andover. All in all 5 yds. Not too bad.

The “OUTS”
The chuppah, a tote bag, and 4 pillowcases. Not too bad considering everything else I have going on….

BTW>>>>Pictures will follow in additional blog posts of the tote bag (SO CUTE) and the pillowcases (THE MOST AMAZING FABRIC FOR A BRIDE).

Used this period: 10
Used year to Date: 48
Added this Week: 5
Added Year to Date: 76.5
Ahead or behind 2011: 28.5 purchased...therefore behind

Judy is the keeper of the statistics! Hop over there and see how other quilters are busting their stash!

Stash Report

It's all I can do to keep up with the crazies of planning a wedding....I'll be posting sporadically until it's over. BUT! BUT! BUT! I, for once, did not purchase one little teeny, tiny piece of fabric!!! Of course, I have nothing to the minus side either but......I will! I only count the "out" when a project is finished. Hopefully next week will be an "out" week!

Judy is the keeper of the statistics! Hop over there and see how other quilters are busting their stash!

Used this Week: 0
Used year to Date: 38
Added this Week: 23
Added Year to Date: 71.5
Ahead or behind 2011: 33.5 purchased...therefore behind

I found the picture somewhere in cyberspace....I'd give credit if I could....If it's yours, let me know!!!

Stashbusting

If I were little, my sister would be running towards my mom shouting over her shoulder, "I'm tellin!" S-I-G-H! Then.....

Mom-
"Tell me what you did.".....silence......................................
"Tell me what you did".....silence.......................................
"TELL ME WHAT YOU DID"
Me-
"Walmart had a bunch of fabric on clearance and....(words coming faster now as I try to spit it out in a hurry.) it was only a dollar and $2 a yard. And it was nice. And cotton prices are rising. And I was bored. And I'll use it all I promise. I mean it takes many, many yards for a backing. I have really big plans for it! I only bought fillers, no novelties.And I'll take reeeaalllllllly good care of it.!"And. And. And.

And..........

Used this Week: 0
Used year to Date: 38
Added this Week: 23
Added Year to Date: 71.5
Ahead or behind 2011: 33.5 purchased...therefore behind

Good thing I'm trying not to buy huh.

Scoot on over to Judy's blog and catch up on all the other participating stash busters! Perhaps they are more productive than I!

This is my story....

As you can see, the title isn't Stash report......

Retreat + Quilty codependants + 1/2 price, yes HALF PRICE quilt shop fabric....and not the garbage that has never sold but the ENTIRE stock in the store =

Stash Enhancement drunken delight and giddiness a very quietly stated stash report.


Here was my reasoning and see if you too would have given in to all of the above influences.
1. The price of cotton is about to rise dramaticlly. The quilt shop owners told us that the price of fabric is going to rise a minimum of $1/yard. They wanted to clear the stock so they could put out the more expensive new lines. No, they weren't just trying to sell us, here is an article from the Cleveland Plain Dealer backing their claim.

2. I bought name brand, Moda ect., for half price!

3. I bought only 3 pretties. I focused on Marbles, blenders, backgrounds, lights, and compliments/backgrounds to specialty lines (cowboy ect).
4. We went to two different shops. One had the entire store at 1/2 price and the other had quite a number bolts. The second store had Christmas fabric on sale. I bought some fabulous Americana, red/white/blue fabrics from the Christmas sale. Those were only 20% off. Still a good price.

5. I made a deal with myself not to feel tooooo guilty if I buy fabric but to seriously curtail my spending this year. Ahem....I may have failed in the curtail part in January, but perhaps it will equal out in July when I won't need to buy??

USAGE since last report
---The kippot for Aviva's wedding used 12 1/2 yds! They actually used over 13 but I have a number of scraps and will count that when I use it. Because the kippot are curved and have 4 pieces in each the top and the lining, they consume a lot of fabric.
---Pillowcases (using the newly aquired fabric) 6 yds.
---Three table runners (I only count fabric from my stash when projects are finished) 6 yds.
---100 ft. of clothesline and 3 partial spools of thread for a clothesline basket.

All in all a good two weeks.

Used this Week: 24.5
Used year to Date: 38
Added this Week: 42.5
Added Year to Date: 48.5
Used for 2011: 10.5

Scoot on over to Judy's blog and catch up on all the other participating stash busters!

Stash Report

I've been thinking about stash this morning. We have fabric stash and then we have all the rest of the stash. The gidgets and gadgets. The tools, rulers, sticky things, storage containers. The thread and oooooo don't forget the quilt patterns, clothing patterns, craft patterns, magazines, books, computer printouts, and saved computer files of our someday projects. Like the fabric stash, these things overwhelm me. Which leads me to....

I've been cleaning. Cleaning with a purpose. I've managed to cull 50, no that is not a typo, 50 patterns, books, and other assorted items. I can't wait to share my trash with others!! LOL!! I am going to retreat next week and have decided to hold a silly little giveaway so all 20 participants walk away with something. Most of the items are patterns that I've accumulated from $1 sales, Half Price book clearance etc. But some of the patterns and books are "good ones." One that I bought, still like, but know I'll never ever work on. It is so freeing knowing that these items will no longer be weighing me down.

I cleaned out clothing patterns, size 20, don't need those any longer, to "sell" at our monthly guild silent auction. I've purged out quilty gift items that I've received but will never use.
I've even yanked things off of the shelf that pain me but I know, know, know, I just like owning and won't ever actually see finished.

Fabric. Well, I used a whole .5 yard this week recovering this. REad about it here. It's a super functional table that I use constantly at home and is fab. for traveling to retreat.

I also made an additional padded ironing surface to take to retreat.

Pop over to Judy's blog and see how others are actually busting fabric!


Used this Week: .5
Used year to Date: .5
Added this Week: 0
Added Year to Date: 0
Net Used for 2011: .5

Stash Report

Sooo, the question is, do I begin afresh or do I report from last week????? My idea is to begin afresh. That means.

Used this Week: 0
Used year to Date: 0
Added this Week: 0
Added Year to Date: 0
Net Used for 2011: 0

This is the best report I've ever given!!!! Now mind you I always go on retreat in January and we visit quilt shops on the way. Never a good thing when trying to NOT buy. So I allow myself ONE little pleasure and one week of zeros!



Last week I did however finish this




By using these..... that I have been working on and saving since here....

and I arranged the finished 1" squares to create this....

It was next to impossible to insert properly into the cup and it's all crookedy but it is done! It is one more thing off of my shoulders, sitting in the sewing room waiting to be finished.
Don't forget to visit Judy and see all the other stash busting reports.

Stash Report/UFO challenge

I've got a combo post today. I really did finish my January UFO for Nancy's UFO challenge. I did need to compromise with myself though. I have 4 of these table runners and was counting all 4 as one. Nix that! I finished one. It counts! My sister had asked if I could make her a winter table runner...way back in November. Well, I promptly didn't do it. DH was going there last week and when I asked my sis was there anything I needed to send her....well the tablerunner came up. I quilted and bound this in record time (for me that is) . I backed it in pink/red/black stripes. If she throws a few hearts on top of it it can double for a Valentines runner!






I also made a few of these potato bags. I don't eat potatoes myself but they say that they are the best thing to use to cook your potatoes in the microwave. I used leftover strips for the one so felt very frugal!



We also went shopping. I am very good at buying more than I use. But! It's the Poky Little Puppy!! How could I pass up this panel/book!?? Two of those, two candy fat quarters (my GF and I collect candy fabrics) and gulp 7 3/4 yards basketball fabric for the backs of two quilts.

Here is my dismal report. Pop over to Judy's blog to check out the more productive quilters.

Fabric added this week 9.25 yds
Fabric used this week 1.5
Total added YTD 52.25
Total used YTD 18.25
Total 34 yds

Stash Report

It's week 3 and I finally have a stash report with no additions!. Of course, I have no subtractions either but, at least everything stayed the same.

All of my projects are packed for retreat. On the plus side, if I finish half of what I want to finish, I'll be doing good!

My optomistic list of projects
4 pillow cases 2 3/4 yds
wonder wallets 1/4 yd per two
Cavs top a bunch o fabric
Browns top (it's nearly done now) a bunch o fabric
triangle top a massive amount of fabric

I used to count fabric as "used" only after a project is finished. I think I'm going to change that. Once a top is finished, not quilted but to flimsy, that fabric is used. Unless you want to disassemble a flimsy to re-use fabrics, they are out of your stash. So, if next week is productive, I'll have a great stash report. Well, that is if I don't have toooo much fun at It's a Stitch in Houston, and The Quilt Room in Huffman. Just in case,I'll need to be sure to finish projects as a counter balance!!!

Pop over to Judy's blog and see how the other participants are doing on their stashbusting!

Fabric added this week 0 yds
Fabric used this week 0
Total added YTD 39
Total used YTD 0

Stashbusting

Short report today......Getting ready to go to retreat!!! WHOOOOHOOOO!



Fabric in - 19 yards YTD 1
Fabric out - 13.25 YTD 13.25 Net + 5.75
Ufo finished - 1 YTD 1
Project Finished -0 YTD 1




Look out.... I have lots of fabric and projects ready to be finished this week at retreat! I will have pictures of my finished UFO after I return.........

A mini fininsh

I don't know if I eve showed this little wallhanging. Right now it sits as a table topper. I was too lazy to pick it up and take a photo so you get it at this angle!

I made it a while ago and when I did, I did something wrong and had to remake the hearts. I have been holding on to these little blocks ever since. In July I bought some placemats at Wal Mart for $.10! I put the two together, kinda like chocolate and peanut butter, and ended up with these. It isn't much, but it is one little leftover project that is no longer hanging over my head!

Stashbusting to date

Fabric bought - 0

Projects finished - 1

Sunday Stash Report

After reading the rules for Judy's Stashbusting Cooperative, I've decided that I would like to join in again. I plan on keeping calculations in a way that I will be able to handle. I fell apart last year with counting yardage. I am really looking forward to this. Join in!



My first report....



Nothing in, nothing out, nothing finished!! Whoo Hoo, I'm off to a great start!!!!!!

2008 Accomplishments

I may not know how much fabric I bought, used or gave away but because of blogging, I've been able to document my work in 2008. I am amazed at the numbers. My favorite project this year, by far was the Wrapped Baskets. The most tedious project Mrs. S's anniversary quilt because it required long borders.

Quilts

1- Twin
1-Queen
2-Lap
5- Quilted only - some of these were donation quilts that I worked on with Ms. CCCAt

13-Fleece Blankets
5-PJ pants
3-Luggage Tags
5-Totes
71-Cloth Napkins (I need to photograph some of these)
5-Aprons
8-Placemats
2-Locker Hook projects (small)
3-Purse/Wallet combos
3-Pillowcases
12-Wrapped Clothesline baskets
Countless -Wrapped clothesline coasters and trivets
4-Table Runners
1-Wall Hanging
6-Coaster sets
1-Stitchery
4-UFO's

and the most amazing...

1- quilt started but not finished in 2008!

Stashbusting

I've been thinking alot about stashbusting. You see, I buy fabric here and there. No, I'm not buying willy nilly or without a plan. I bought the Kona Cotton I am using in the Quilt for an Hour project. I bought a half a yard of novelty fabric for a project for my daughter. I was feeling guilty. I mean the point to stashbusting is to use what we have. But then I began to think about what stash is to me. Yes, I have alot of fabric. But I have tons and tons of books, patterns, magazines, ideas in my head....This is stash too. I find all the things that I want to do as overwhelming as the loads of fabric. But let me tell you. I've begun to do some of the things that I have wanted to do for years. This year I have finished UFO's,made purses, wallets, totes, grocery bags and pillow cases. I made coasters and baskets. I made a silly little zipper bag for Ms. A's friend. Do you have any idea how long I've wanted to make coasters? Or pillowcases? Or the zipper bag? Forever! Why didn't I do it before? I always have a quilt hanging over my head. Something that needs finished. Well, I still have a few UFO's but anything I start new, I finish. Once I finish something big, I give myself permission to start and finish something little. I also am just plain working on all those little things that have been floating around in my head. It feels great and I feel pounds lighter. I don't feel nearly as overwhelmed when I walk in my sewing room because I am accomplishing something. I feel fantastic about it. So I've added to my fabric stash. I'll get over it. I have actually USED the things that I have here! Accomplished long standing goals! That is stashbusting too! Look for pictures soon!

Stashbusting

I finished:
6 grocery bags at 1 yd each
3 sets of coasters at 1.25 yds
two coil baskets at 1/2 yd! (I only have one pictured)

I bought nothing. I am not only pleased but amazed.

Next week.......... be prepared, I will have my two quilts bound and finally be able to claim the yardage!!

Stashbusting

I finally have something to add to the minus column. I finished the little cowboy quilt. I bound 2 of 4 quilts BUT only one of them will count towards my totals. The others are charity quilts we have finished. Hopefully I will have more pictures in the finished column by mid week. My total "out the door" fabric is 30 yards. I'm not telling what my purchases are.....let's just say I fail miserably at BUSTING stash and am in the plus column in net usage! I think I'll need to sew 42 hours/day to get caught up!!! I don't think I qualify for the stashbusting report any longer.....I'm definately not the poster child!!!

Stashbusting efforts

I didn't use a ton of fabric, but ...... I didn't buy any either! WhooHOO! Since the time I last checked in on the stashbusting report, I've bought one little fat quarter. However.....I did buy 3 pantographs, thread, thread, thread and a few patterns. No fabric but buying nonetheless.

THis tote bag is a combination of patterns. The actual cut out bag is from a Butterick "for dummies" pattern. However, I added a lining and pockets. I used DecorBond and fusible fleece on both the lining and outer cover. Yes, I wanted a very sturdy bag. This thing stands up all on it's own! I use whatever I have on hand for the bottom. I seem to have an abundance of foam core so that is what you see there. I also used that fusible Velcro. I can't wait to find out how it holds up.

Ms. A is a deaf interpretter and is the envy of all she works with when she shows up with her purse. I figure the purse and the tote bag together will put her over the top! I think I'm done with this fabric for a while....In order to have variety in the fingerspelling, I had to take apart and reassemble the little squares. I got tired of it and started sewing 1/4" betweem rows. It's annoying that there are two letters side by side but sewing all those squares together was too much work for a silly tote bag!! I was thrilled when I figured out that my King Tut thread matched perfectly!

STASHBUSTING REPORT!!!

Yes!!! I'M SHOUTING! My goals from last week...

1. Finish the back on the Mary Engelbreit quilt
2. Border Mrs. S's Anniversary quilt
3. Make the back for the above
4, Finish refolding one more shelf of fabric
5. Exercise 4X not counting dancing MORE ON THIS TOMORROW
6. Make a list of house goals (you really don't have the time see read everything that
needs done there!)

The reason my report is so late today is that I didn't get to finish my goals until a few minutes ago. I actually got the backs and borders...yes you read correctly, borders finished on two quilts today!! Yeeee!!! Haaaa!!! Did I bust the stash? You betcha. The ME back is a quilt in itself! I have no idea how much is on the anniversary back but it is huge. It's 102X102. I'll actually add it up when I finish the quilting. YIKES! I just realized that I don't have binding for the ME quilt. I've used every last ooch of fabric to finish this thing....I am NOT however buying more ME. I just finished up the yards and yards and yards of the stuff!!!!

I did buy 1 skirt pattern and 4 fat quarters. I need them for a purse for Ms. A.

I also finished a few more colors of my shelves. I'd post pictures but blogger is hiccuping tonight. I'll post those in the morning or later....