30 Days of Gratitude Day 2

Today I'm thankful for two full trash bins.  Is that strange that a full trash can and a full recycle can can make be so happy.  It has been a real struggle cleaning out.

A broken wrist this summer didn't help.  But now I'm making time and pushing forward,  full trash bins are the proof.

30 Days of Gratitude Day 1

I've decided to celebrate Thanksgiving with a month of Gratitude.  I worked yesterday so I'm late posting for day 1.

First and always I'm thankful for this guy, known here as Mr. Bill.  He is good, smart and funny.  He's also a pain, a smart ass and a perfect foil for me.

He really came through this summer when I broke my (right) wrist.  Can't imagine my life without him. I love him and I'm grateful for everyday with him.  He even likes vintage sewing machines.  I caught him playing with his newest one when he was suppose to be dismantling an old organ.  He cracks me up.

What I'm Working On and Catching Up

Oh I had such grand plans for this summer.  I had my summer all mapped out.   The three quilts I was determined to finish this summer, all that wonderful fabric I was going to use. The yard work I was so looking forward to each morning. Getting a head start on product for my fall/Christmas craft show.  Getting back into my craft room and working with photos and paper.  Then there was some house projects.

Yes I had my summer all planned, and it was all going so well until the morning I was working in the yard and fell.

Yes my "Summer To Do List" came to a screeching halt when I broke my right wrist.  One good thing well there is more than one, I am ambidextrous.  I do a lot of things left handed but I sure have learned just how right handed I am.  My left handed writing has improved greatly the last two weeks.  :-)

Well since a person can only rest so long before start cleaning out drawers and closets.  I am pulling out all my holiday fabric.  Halloween, Fall and Christmas Fabric piled stacked and sorted on table.

Doing an inventory of sorts and making a a list of product ( on yellow pad, left-handed)  to make for show and if the Doctor cooperates I'll be sewing up a storm in August,

I think sometimes it takes something drastic like this to make us examine our lives.  I try to do this often but like others it's hard for me to slow down or just stop and step back to see the big picture.  So I need to be thankful for this inconvenience. Learn some lessons and don't go fabric shopping on the internet.  Oh and those three quilts I was determined to finish this summer, they'll be here in the fall and they will get done in their own time.

I'm linking up with Patchwork Times and Love Laugh Quilt

Stash Report Week 28, 2015

Not a whole lot happening here. I'll explain tomorrow.

I bought fabric in June for a Christmas gift quilt and I made several 4th July pillows but it didn't even out.

At this time last year I had use 47 yards more than I had brought in.  Which makes this weeks numbers a sad comparison.  There is still a chance I could break even at the end of the year, but that is not my goal.  The goal is to use it up and I see by not keeping up with my stash report I'm not using what I have.  Also have some things that just need to be finished up.  August is going to be big numbers for me.  Honest.

Added since last report: 11.75 Yards

Added this Year: 114.00 Yards

Used since last report: 4.50 Yards

Used this Year: 41.50 Yards

Net Used this Year: -72.50 Yards

I'm linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times.

Returning to Paper with a New Project

For sometime I've been thinking about paper. Every time I walk past the scrapbooking room on the way to the sewing room I've felt the tug. Yes I'm lucky enough to have room for both hobbies.

I've missed printing out my photos and making albums. They don't have to be fancy I just want to see my photos. I've also missed making cards.  So when I needed a wedding card I went looking at the store and just couldn't do it when I knew I could make one.  But of course I just kept putting it off because of the state of my scrapbook room.  It has become a catch-all.

Last week I was reading quilting  blogs on my ipad.  I have lots of them bookmarked but don't read them everyday.  So as I was going through them I came across "a simple life quilts" and she too had been feeling the paper pull and blogged about her Fauxbonichi.  I followed the links she put in her post. I've watched this video several times, and next thing I knew I was in the scrapbook room making space on my table to make a wedding card and planing my own fauxbonichi.

I have to say that I'm very excited about this project.  What I have notice is that even though I've tried to keep track what I do with my days this has really made me pay attention and to make better notes.  I'm making better notes about my days and my quilts.  win-win.  :-)

I did set a few ground guide lines as I set about cleaning up the room.  If it doesn't belong in the room, it leaves.  If I don't love it anymore it's ok to pass it on or just toss.  Then as I was cleaning off the table to work I put all the scraps and such in a box and that is what I'm starting with.  Just working out of the scrap box, sort of like making a quilt.

So far I've only cleared a place to work and move a couple of the bigger items out (dresser, train sets). I want to take the time to really go through things and keep what is meaningful.

Oh yeah the other thing is no buying.  I bought a journal for the fauxbonichi, two rolls of washi tape (it wasn't around when I was scrapbooking) and a fresh glue stick (all of mine were dried up).  I won't need anything else for a very long time, or at least for the summer.

I'm looking forward to a very creative summer with paper and fabric.

What I'm Working on Monday June 1, 2012

Well here we are June 1st. I still get that giddy summer vacation feeling this time of year even though I've been out of school for a very long time.  You just feel like you can get so much more done in the summer time.  Is that why I load up on projects? or maybe to get them done before starting on Christmas projects.  Yikes! did I just say that??

Here's what I better be working on this week:

R/W/B Sliced layer cake.  Yes this one is still waiting for the sashing to be sewn.

Loving these crumb blocks that are part of a little sewing project for myself (I'll show when done, no matter how it turns out)

Growing up odd : Finally getting the blocks out of the box and sewn together. This one is on my summer goal list.  Oh that little tree there, it reminds me as I'm walking out of the sewing room that the iron is still on.  It's been there since I pulled it out of the attic last December and was testing the lights. Maybe I'll start putting sewing ornaments on it, or not. :)

Sunbonnet Sue baby quilt: This one is really at the top of the working order because it's a commission quilt and the grand baby is due this month. There really are some blocks that are in good shape and those will become a new quilt for new baby.

This fabulous vintage airplane fabric I bought with the intention of making pillowcases but now I'm thinking of a quilt. I guess no matter the size of the current list I have to have one in the planning stages too.

I think this is quite enough for this week.  Linking up to Patchwork Times and Love Laugh Quilt

Stash Report Catch Up Week 22, 2015

To state the obvious it has been awhile since my last stash report, like 13 weeks ! Yikes!

So just to get these numbers over with, cause you know I wasn't going to buy much fabric this year and now I'm over the 100 yards mark with more fabric arriving this week.  Oops.

Added since last report: 43.25 Yards

Added this Year: 102.25 Yards

Used since last report: 33.50 Yards

Used this Year: 37.00 Yards

Net Used this Year: -65.25 Yards  

As you can see I have a lot of sewing to do in order to be even at the end of the year.

There has been some sewing of pillowcases.

New fabric ready to cut into

Yep, I need to get sewing this week.

I've been working on my Summer Goal List and it looks like I need to add a couple more projects to that list and use up some fabric.  

My Summer Goal List has taken on a life of it's own and has turned into a journaling book/list.  I'm glad for that as the goal list becomes the focus of my summer, this could be a way to stay focused.  As usual this list has grown and grown.  I've broken it down in to categories, Sewing, House, Yards, Furniture, etc and still the list very long for only three months worth of time.

When looking at the calendar this morning I realized that The Summer Goal List dates will be June 1st to August 31st and it will lead right in to my last 100 days of the year goals.  So all in all it looks to be a very productive second half of the year.  

I'll share my sewing goals and other goals too later this week.

I'm linking up with Judy at Patchwork times for Stash Report.

What I'm working on Monday May 25, 2015

Lots going on this week. I finished up several pieces of furniture last week and got them into the shop.  Now my room doesn't  look so bare.

Quilting:
 I have a small red/white/blue quilt going on.  The block design is from Missouri Start Quilts. Double Slice Layer Cake.  But I wanted the quilt a little bit wider and longer than I had 10 inch squares for so I added sashing so of making it up as I went.  I'm ready to add strips between the rows to make it a bit longer and then I'll see whats next.

I also have a baby quilt I'm remaking.  I received this vintage well loved baby quilt.  There request is to make a new one using what I can for a new grand baby.

Furniture:
Working on finishing upholstering a chair. This is the most current photo of the chair on the computer.  It's been painted and the seat is upholstered.  The bad news is this picture is from February.  I better move this up the list.  Yikes.

House:
Working on cleaning out the main floor. I'm at the stage where pulling everything out to go through it makes a bigger mess than before.  But it's progress.

Well I'll see how far I get.  It's already Monday afternoon/evening and I just found out I'm working an extra day this week.  It's all good and it will all get done, maybe just not this week.

Linking up with Judy at patchwork times.

I have a Finish

Well it sure has been a while since I've had a quilty finish.  We won't even go into how long since I've written a blog post.

There has been a lot of house stuff and furniture stuff happening. I'll write more on that later.  Today it's all about a finished quilt.

I was commissioned to make this quilt, which is probably why I have a finish.  It had a deadline. :)

The guide lines were: Angels, Butterflies, and scripture.  Favorite colors of the recipient are blue and purple.

I had used the angel fabric with the words for Amazing grace before, a few years back and was really glad to find some again on the internet (got to love the internet) the rest of the fabric came from my stash, local quilt shop and more internet shopping.

I looked through books and magazines looking for a pattern that could showcase the Angels, Butterflies and Scripture.  I found just the pattern in a older McCall's Quilting magazine. May/June 2013. It's called "Boho Girl" by Amy Smart.  Because the customer request lap size I left off a row on the side and bottom.  It still came out to a good size quilt.

I love how the centers of the flowers in the borders glow.  Like angel light, or fireflies.

I'm just happy to have a finish and know that the recipient like the quilt too.

I'm linking up with Confessions of a Fabric Addict for this Friday Finish.

Back at Blogger

Well I gave it a go and didn't get where I wanted to be, and that's ok.

  And during this journey I learned a lot about....

How I work. What I like. Who to listen to. When to say enough. How much to take on. What needs done and what can wait.  That what I thought I wanted two years ago is not what I want now.

So all this to say I'm back at my little blog. I've imported my past posts so they might look a little weird.  That's ok, right?

So I'm going to set here and enjoy all the great quilting, painting, and furniture blogs I love so much.  I respect how much work goes into those blogs.  I'm thankful for the knowledge and inspiration everyday.

I'm going to create again too.  Some quilting, a little upholstery and painting furniture.  Life is Good

It's easier when the decision is made and it's one less thing to go round and round in my brain. :-)

Design Wall and Stash Report

Design Wall

What is up on my design wall today?  This simple little baby quilt.  The poor thing has been hanging here for well over two months.  I am determined to get it quilted this week.  It's not hard it's just time.

[caption id="attachment_2909" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Baby Quilt #1[/caption]

 

What little sewing time I've had has been used making new blocks and trying to tame the chaos.

[caption id="attachment_2908" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Chaos in sewing room[/caption]

 

Stash Report Week 10, 2015

After my travels I've added up the lovely fabric that came home with me.  Here are my new totals.  I think I need to stay home and sew....

Added since last report: 18 Yards
Added this Year: 59 Yards
Used since last report: 5.0 Yards
Used this Year: 16.5 Yards
Net Used this Year: -42.50 Yards  

 

I'm linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times.

Stash Report Week 7, 2015

I've gotten to the sewing room more days this week than last.  Mostly in little bits of time and that's OK because it's getting stuff done.

I've been cutting up scraps and working on finishing up a Quilt of Valor.  Good news is the quilt is ready to go to the quilter !! That means I get to count out the fabric for the top and back.

I didn't get a photo of the top (it was dark when I finished) but I'll show it when I get it back.

[caption id="attachment_2901" align="aligncenter" width="300"] QOV[/caption]

 

Added since last report: 0 Yards
Added this Year: 41 Yards
Used since last report: 8.5 Yards
Used this Year: 11.5 Yards
Net Used this Year: -29.5 Yards  

Still in the red but it is early days yet.  I'll be traveling next week and there could be fabric involved. Just saying.

Linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times.

Stash Report February 8, 2015

To say that this year, I've started slow would be an understatement.  I've been feeling behind since January 1st.  Not a good way to start a year.  I think I might need an attitude adjustment here, which I didn't even realize until I typed the words

Really how can I be behind at the beginning? I think there may be physics involved there, so I'll just settle for a slow start and a long list.  Come to think of it, that is the norm around here.

While I did really good the last 100 days of 2014 only buying fabric that would be used right away, I have done a bit of stash enhancement this year.

I needed sashing for my 2in wonder blocks (Growing up odd) and some neutrals for my soap quilt. Then visiting quilt shops in Tulsa with my sister added a few yards to the mix. Oh there was that backing fabric for a couple of QOV's yet to be finished.

[caption id="attachment_2896" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Growing Up Odd Blocks[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2897" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Growing Up Odd Blocks[/caption]

 

Which leads me to the other side of the stash report.  I've been in my sewing room three times in this year.  (Vacation in January is hard on fabric usage)  Twice to clean up from my Oct-Dec sewing deadlines and one day to do some sewing (3 pillowcases).  This month will be better I promise.

Added since last report: 41 Yards
Added this Year: 41 Yards
Used since last report: 3 Yards
Used this Year: 3 Yards
Net Used this Year: -38 Yards

So there it is 38 yards in the negative, and I'm OK with that. :)

Linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times.