Stash Report Week 52, 2014

This week was spent adding and subtracting.  I admit for the past month (maybe a little longer) the fabric receipts and cutting log have piled up.  It's kinda like doing your taxes, you know you need a better shoe box system but you just want to cut into the beautiful fabric and sew it up.  So you end up like me.  Setting in front of the adding machine on Christmas Day tallying the fabric numbers and remembering all the fun you had sewing.

I'm counting out several quilts this week.  Some are in their new homes and some decided to remain at home.

Mr. Bill claimed the Black and Red Cats.  The Christmas quilt will grace the guest room next year.

[gallery ids="2873,2874,2862"]

 

I also get to count out  the Christmas quilts I wrote about here.

[gallery ids="2867,2864,2865"]

One nice thing about procrastinating is the out going numbers really add up. :)

Added since last report: 12 Yards
Added this Year: 152.75 Yards
Used since last report: 40.25 Yards
Used this Year: 234.75 Yards
Net Used this Year:  82.00 Yards

I'm thrilled with using 82 yards this year.  I stopped adding to the stash in September, only buying what I needed to finish a project for the last 100 days of this year.  I even made it through a vacation with out buying fabric.  Look out January!!!

I'm looking forward to more usage in 2015.  I'm joining Michelle's Challenge to make baby quilts.  My goal is twelve baby quilts next year

I'm also planning twelve Quilts Of Valor next year.

I may even finish up some of the quilts on my UFO list.

So there will be fabric used in the New Year.

This has been such a useful tool for me.  So I will continue to track my usage next year.

Thank You to Judy for having the stash report it helps keep me on track.

 

For more stash reports head over to Judy's at Patchwork Times.

Last Friday Finish 2014

I sure hope everyone had a nice Christmas and is ready to take on the New Year.

I really didn't just finish these quilts but they are with their new owners so I can post them now.

First up is a 25 patch Christmas quilt.  This came about after my Halloween quilt.  I wanted one for Christmas and of course I wanted it quick so I used 2.5 in strips and squares for variety..

[caption id="attachment_2862" align="aligncenter" width="296"] Christmas 2014[/caption]

I'm also in love with the back of this one too.

[caption id="attachment_2863" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Christmas 2014 Back[/caption]

 

Then quilts for two nephews.  One lives on the east coast and one in the middle of the country.  I chose sashing and borders to reflect the area they live in. I used Bonnie Hunter's Dancing Nine Patch pattern.  I added a row on one quilt for my older, taller nephew.  I like this pattern and can see using it again.

[caption id="attachment_2867" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Coastal Blue Waters[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2868" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Coastal Blue Waters[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2865" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Blue Prairie Skies[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2866" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Blue Prairie Skies[/caption]

 

Then for my niece I went just a tad on the wild side.

[caption id="attachment_2864" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Wild Child[/caption]

 

I'm thrill with how each one turned out and hope each and every one of them will feel the love when they use them.

I'm whooping it up big time today as I spend the day cleaning up the sewing room and getting it ready for the New Year.

Linking up with Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

 

 

 

Design Wall Monday November 17, 2014

It's been a long time since I've had a quilt on the design wall.  I have been working on craft show product for the last several months, but that is over and now I can work on quilts again.  In between pillows and table runners I have been making blue 9patches for two Christmas gifts.

[caption id="attachment_2835" align="aligncenter" width="293"] Stack of 9's[/caption]

Now it's time to put it all together.  The pattern is Bonnie Hunter's Dancing Nine Patch.  I sewed up two blocks just to see how it was going to look with my chosen sashing.

[caption id="attachment_2834" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Dancing Nines #1[/caption]

Then I picked out the 9patches for quilt #1.

[caption id="attachment_2836" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Blue 9 patches[/caption]

Surprise I really like the nice patches just up on the wall with the cream color between the blocks too.  I see more blue 9patches happening, maybe a QOV.

To see what other people are working on head over to Patchwork Times.

This week has been brought to you by the 2.5in square

This week in my effort to see progress in the sewing room and on my blog I looked to that wonderful two and a half inch square.

What's not to love about the 2.5in square.  They are easy and simple yet demanding and complex.

I chose three projects for summer that would help me cut up my scraps, yet I have been stalled.

One project uses 1.5 in squares, the second uses 2in squares and the third uses 2.5 in squares.

I was trying to cut them all at the same time and ended up with a mess on my cutting table.

This week I decided to focus on the 2.5in squares.  I'm so glad that I did too.

For the quilt I need 281 sets of 5 matching 2.5in squares, 31 sets of 4 matching 2.5in squares and 31 single 2.5in squares.  Makes a total of 1560 2.5in squares. Of course I'm making it a bit harder by making them all unique sets.  That's a lot of double checking. :0)

When I started cutting on Tuesday afternoon I needed 160 more sets of 5.  All 31 sets of 4 and all 31 singles squares.

[caption id="attachment_2805" align="aligncenter" width="300"] cutting 2.5 in squares[/caption]

This morning I have 240 sets of 5 (need 41), 2 sets of 12 (need 19) and 0 single squares (need 31).

[caption id="attachment_2806" align="aligncenter" width="300"] counting sets[/caption]

I'm very very glad that I focused on just one size this week.  I'm able to see real progress on my summer projects this way.

That's why I'm Whooping it up today and linking with Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric addict.

P.S.  Yes I need to clean off my work table, my working space is down to the size of a fat quarter. But we all know how much you can do with a fat quarter.

Summer Break 2014 Week 3

Well I made progress this week.

I worked in the yards: It really doesn't take much to fill up all the trash cans around here. :)



My cutting table went from this:

[caption id="attachment_2768" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Cutting table before[/caption]

 

To this on Monday, and really you can still see the surface today too.

[caption id="attachment_2769" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Cutting Table After[/caption]

I tackled my "Mountain of Flannel"  now it is mostly contained in these bins.

[caption id="attachment_2761" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Mountain of Flannel[/caption]

I finished up my String Star Centers and even trimmed up several to start my star block.  Yes I was doing it at the kitchen counter and yes I grabbed a bowl out of the cupboard above for the scraps. :)

[gallery ids="2774,2772"]

Also finished up some furniture.  How about this lovely little shin warmer chair. Is she cute or what.  While I was on the furniture roll I finished up this little storage footstool too.

[gallery ids="2779,2778,2775,2777,2776"]

I received some 2" charms from Deanna at Wedding Dress Blue for my 2-inch quilt which is her pattern Growing up Odd.  Still totally in love with this pattern and can't wait until fall when I have it all together.  I've fallen behind on my one block a day goal but made up many when I received her charms.  I just had to use them right away. Of course

[gallery ids="2770,2773"]

I'm cutting squares and sewing blocks as I work through my scrap bins

Here is my block count for my three summer projects

3" 9-Patches :  Have 247  Need about 400 I think

2" Quilt:  Have: 54   Need 17 to be caught up to July 1st

2.5" Plus quilt:  Have 184 sets of 5 cut  Need 97 more sets for a total of 281

2.5" Plus quilt: Have 10 sets of 4 cut.  Need 21 more sets for a total of 31

April NewFO

So I wasn't going to start a NewFO in April.  First my definition of a blogable NewFO. 1. a quilt started from my planned NewFO list. 2. a quilt I saw or found that I HAD to start right away.  Can you guess which one it is this month.  Here's a hint, my list is not getting any shorter.

[caption id="attachment_2664" align="aligncenter" width="300"] April NewFO Blocks[/caption]

I tell you I was so close to getting through the month staying on track, finishing things already started.  I just don't know who to blame, thank for this NewFO.  First I have to thank Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict for hosting Hands2Help Challenge. That lead to a show what you are working on which brought me here to Maxine's blog, which lead me Wedding Dress Blue and it was love at first sight.  I just knew I had to make this quilt.

But what to do? I have more than enough projects going right now almost to the point of being overwhelmed.

Good Harriett said:  What are you thinking? Don't even think it, just get that thought right out of your head.

Quilt Harriett said: OMG are you looking at the same quilt!! I just swapped 300 2-inch charms and this quilt just shows up it's Karma.

GH Don't you think you have enough going on already?

QH Yes (sigh)

Now this is where it gets complicated. Do you ever make deals with yourself? Like last Monday I was really feeling behind on things and didn't want to go to exercise class. I wanted to stay home and get stuff done even though I knew I'd feel better after I went. So I made a deal. If I went on Monday I could take Wednesday off if I wanted to work on things at home.

Well this deal making stuff happens in the sewing room too

QH: But what if I only make on block a day? I promise one block a day. I mean really it takes less than 5 mins to make a nine patch.  Then when things are caught up it can move up the list. Right?

[caption id="attachment_2661" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Love Love the black cat[/caption]

So a deal was struck and I've kept my end of the deal making one block a day.  If I keep only making one block a day I'll have all the patch blocks done by August 23rd

[caption id="attachment_2663" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Thimbles and paw prints how perfect[/caption]

I think mostly I have Barbara to thank for having yet, another NewFO. She reminds us to take that leap, to slide down that slippery slope. Because in the end we will have a wonderfully beautiful quilt that we'd made and we didn't have to finish it in a day, a week or even a month. She helps me remember that part of the beauty is in the creation so I'll slow down and make a block a day.

I'm linking up with Barbara at Cat Patches for April NewFO

Hands2Help Check In

It's time to check in with Hands 2 Help and see the wonderful quilts in progress and some are even done.

My  goal is six quilts.  Two quilts for each group.  My quilting buddy has been helping me make blocks at Quilt Club and then I bring them home and sew them together and quilt.

Here's the progress so far.

One small quilt done.  Three tops are done.  Two are still in the block building stage

Here's the finished one.

[caption id="attachment_2530" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Baby Flannel Charm Quilt[/caption]

Two tops ready to layer.

[caption id="attachment_2635" align="aligncenter" width="281"] Mini Tumblers Top[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2634" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Large Tumblers Top[/caption]

 

Go to Sarah's Confessions of a Fabric Addict to see more quilts in progress. Really do this I've already added two quilts to my list to make.

I'm so glad that I jumped in to this challenge this year.

 

 

 

Hands 2 Help Challenge

 

[caption id="attachment_2581" align="aligncenter" width="240"] Hands 2 Help[/caption]

It's time to sign up for Hands 2 Help Challenge over at Sarah's Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

This is my first year to join this challenge and I'm very excited to do it.

There are three charities to choose from:

Quilts of Compassion

Hurricane Sandy Survivors

Happy Chemo

I plan on making at least one quilt for each charity.

Go to Confessions of a Fabric Addict and check it out, better yet join in and and make a quilt. There are prizes.

February Finishes and NewFO

It's time again to remind myself of all that I have accomplished this February.

I finished up the T-Shirt quilt.

[caption id="attachment_2553" align="aligncenter" width="300"] T-Shirt Quilt[/caption]

I started and finished a baby quilt for a c0-workers daughter.

[caption id="attachment_2550" align="aligncenter" width="283"] K Baby Quilt[/caption]

I finished my LYOF challenge,  the Baby Flannel Charm Quilt.

[caption id="attachment_2530" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Baby Flannel Charm Quilt[/caption]

I started my Orange Butterfly quilt.

[caption id="attachment_2551" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Feb NewFo[/caption]

I started this quilt to bring some joy to someone's winter.  I started with Mary's strippie quilt but wanted to make it a bit bigger.  I tried out different fabrics for borders but in the end I decided not to add borders.  Mainly because I'm renting time on a long arm next week to quilt this one and since the beginning I've wanted to quilt words in the open space and outline the butterflys.  Since I rent by the hour and I'm not so fast I think it is just the right size for my attempt at using a new to me long arm.

I'm still working on my Orange Cream. My HST quilt but my sewing machine wants to eat those corners of the triangles so it's sort of slow going right now.

I also started on my second block of Hocuspocusville. Thinking I might want to focus on Hocus a little more if I want it done for this Halloween.

[caption id="attachment_2549" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Hocuspocusville block2[/caption]

I'm linking up with Barbara at Cat Patches for February's NewFO party. Check out the wonderful projects that people are starting.

LYOF February UFO Finished

February's UFO is finished.  It was a close finish right down to the wire.  With other commitments and some travel I wanted to chose wisely and it was still close.  Here is my February  Goal Post 

I started with charm squares sewn together, also in the bag were some extra 5 in squares and two rows of charms already sewn together. Looks like I took them off the quilt for some reason.  The two rows were reattached and borders made.

[caption id="attachment_2527" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Making borders[/caption]

Ready for the quilting part I went in search of backing and batting.  Score found both in the stash!

[caption id="attachment_2528" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Layered and ready[/caption]

Wednesday evening was my time to get this sweet thing done.  With some wavy line quilting, which is about the current extent of my abilities this little baby quilt came together.

[caption id="attachment_2529" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Feb UFO Done[/caption]

It doesn't have a destination yet but it is ready to go when needed and it's a big  check mark on my UFO list

[caption id="attachment_2530" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Baby Flannel Charm Quilt[/caption]

Thanks to Shanna and Melissa for hosting A Lovely Year Of Finishes another one is done.  Head on over and check out all the wonderful finishes this month.

Stash Report Week 3, 2013

It had to happen and really for it not to happen before now is surprising.  That's right I bought fabric. Needed to freshen up my Valentine collection.

[caption id="attachment_2462" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Valentine Fabrics[/caption]



Then on the out going side I finish my Flannel Woods, made the back and it's at the quilters, I get to count some out.

[caption id="attachment_2461" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Flannel Woods Top[/caption]

On the Flannel Giving Quilts I kitted two more quilts (and started sewing one). I'm still working on the best way to track the flannel. At the end of the year it will be combine with the outgoing fabric number. I'm just tracking it ...well..just cause, I guess.  But it's counted when cut and the general stash is counted when done.  I think I'm over thinking this but I should get it straight by the end of the year.

•  Added this Week:  4.75  yard


•  Added this Year:    4.75  yard




• Fabric Used this Week :  5 yards


• Fabric Used this Year:     6 yards




• Net Fabric Used this Year  1.25 yards

• Flannel Used this Week: 6.75  yards


• Flannel Used this Year:  10.75 yards

Well I'm still on the plus side for fabric out and that is a good thing.

For more stash reports head over to Judy's Patchwork Times

Design Wall Monday January 13, 2014

Still have Flannel Woods up on the wall.  I have the rows sewn together and the first little border cut.  I have plenty more squares but this is as large as Mr Bill wants it, so I see a second one of these flannel quilts in the future.

[caption id="attachment_2446" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Flannel Woods[/caption]

I think I finally have the sewing room rearranged so it will work for me.  Which is the reason I don't have the borders on yet I've probably moved my sewing and cutting tables at least twice a day for the last week.

Tonight I really hope to spend a good hour or two in the room sewing.

For more great design walls head on over to Judy's at Patchwork Times

Stash Report Week 2, 2014

So far so good, no fabric coming in for the first time in 52 weeks I'm a head of the game. :)

I used some for the binding on my Snowman Quilt, and some for my Woods quilt.

[caption id="attachment_2436" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Snowman Quilt[/caption]

I'm changing my tracking just a little bit.

This year my quilting buddy and I are using up flannel.  You see a few years ago we both went a little tiny bit overboard at that day after Thanksgiving flannel sale and maybe the next year too.  We are making giving (donation) quilts with it this year. We want to have several ready for when the need arises.

I normally count out my fabric when the top is made, back is made and then the binding when it is sewn on.  For the flannel I'm going to count it out when it's cut, because we are cutting and kitting up four to six quilts at a time.  We spent one evening this past week pulling fabric but only got one kit cut so that is what I'll count this week.  All this to say I'm adding a line to my stash report this year to reflect our flannel leaving the stash.  We want to use what we have but we might have to buy just a bit to balance out a quilt.

The reason I'm including it in my stash report is that it is stored at my house and ok I had six (or maybe more) bins to her two bins when she brought it over last year. It's all mixed together now and it will be leaving my house.  But that's the whole point here,  is to use it up right?

•  Added this Week:  0 yard


•  Added this Year:  0 yard




• Fabric Used this Week : 1 yard


• Flannel Used this Week: 4 yards




• Used this Year: 5 yards


• Net Used this Year: 5 yards

For more stash reports head over to Judy's Patchwork Times

 

 

 

Stash Report Week 51, 2013

I'm celebrating making my goal of less than 150 yards stashed this year.  Even with the few yards that were brought in this week I've made my goal.  It was really close with all the year end sales coming to my inbox and I even did some window shopping on a few web sites but I stayed strong.

I finished the John Deere Quilt and it's a the quilters so I can count it out and that  and a little Christmas sewing is what set me over my goal.

[caption id="attachment_2397" align="aligncenter" width="300"] John Deere Quilt Top[/caption]

Here are the numbers:

• Added This Week:  3 yards


• Added This Year:   416.50 yards


• Used  This Week:  11.5 yards 


• Used This Year:  270.25 yards


• Net 2012 -146.25 yards   

One more week and I will have a little more yardage used.  I'm thrilled with my usage this year and love all the fabric added to the stash, I'll start using it on New Years Day.

I'm linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times. Check it out to see more stash reports.

New FO List 2014

It's that time of year again when Barbara over at Cat Patches encourages us to be creative.  Just when you are feeling all burnt out from the Christmas crunch of finishing up projects and in danger of getting that let down feeling of no projects lined up waiting.  Barbara bless her heart asks.  So what do you want to do in 2014?

There's no pressure, just creative ideals flowing.  Here's the best part, well for me anyway..nothing is set in stone.  For example look at my list from last year that has been hanging on my wall for a WHOLE year.

[caption id="attachment_2390" align="aligncenter" width="225"] 2013 List[/caption]

 

Do you see anything crossed off?  Nope, Nada, Zip, and you know what? I'm totally OK with that cause I did get lots done and lots of quilts made just not these ones.  Only one quilt on the list is moving on to the 2014 list cause I'm just not interested in doing the others now. The fabric that was pulled for those quilts is put back in the stash and will find it's way into another quilt this year.

Short list this year.

1.  Christmas Fairies, it is the one I'm moving forward from last year. This one still has my interest, I still want to do this one.

[caption id="attachment_1586" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Christmas Faires[/caption]

2. Zen Quilt:  by Kimberly Rado, using her  Graffetti line of fabric.



3. Woodland Fairies: These blocks have been on my mind a lot so I think it's time to make the quilt.

[caption id="attachment_2387" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Woodland Faires[/caption]

 

That's my list for 2014. I learned from last year not to plan to much because I seem to be an in-the-moment-start-a-quilt kind of girl.

Want to thank Barbara again for inspiring us to create.

Linking up with Cat Patches NewFo 2014

Design Wall Monday December 2, 2013

Oh My. It's been awhile, like two months since I posted my design wall.  It's not because of lack of projects I'll chalk it up to lack of time.

This is the beginnings of a Christmas present. It's suppose to go to the quilter tomorrow. I'm thinking it will be late afternoon at best before it gets there.

[caption id="attachment_2358" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Thomas Tank Engine[/caption]

 

Check out more design walls at Judy's Patchwork Times

Stash Report Week 46, 2013

Oh dear. I've missed a few reports, ok it's more like several reports.  I've been busy sewing up a storm for the craft show which is over now.  Yes I did a happy dance.  Some fabric was bought these past weeks, I didn't even get a photo because is was cut and used right away. Here are two Thanksgiving quilts I just finished up.

[caption id="attachment_2350" align="aligncenter" width="199"] strippie quilt[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_2351" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Thanksgiving quilt[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2352" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Thanksgiving Back[/caption]

 

• Added since last report: 5 yards


• Added this year: 374.5 yards


• Used since last report: 13 yards


• Used this year: 212.25 yards


• Net 2012 -162.25  yards   

I think I'm right on track to get that red number down to 150 or less.

I keep going back and forth about keeping up with the stash report next year. It does keep me aware of what I'm stashing and I've been doing really good about not stashing these last 100 days of the year. Everything purchased has been used right away. Still have made up my mind after all I have another month before I decide.

I'm late tonight but I'll be linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times.

 

Design Wall Monday October 14, 2013

Up on the design wall today is this little Christmas quilt that I've been calling Christmas Quickie. I started it two years ago as a quick little Christmas quilt. I pulled it out and looked at it last year but this year it's getting finished. Piecing the back today and onto quilting.

Stash Report Week 41, 2013

Over the summer I was a bit lax with my stash report, ok a lot lax. But I'm ready to get back in the habit of reporting stash on Sunday.

There has been sewing going on here since I'm getting ready for a craft show in November.  Table runners, Pillowcases, ornaments and a few lap quilts are all in the works.

[caption id="attachment_2328" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Shopping Trip[/caption]

But there has also been shopping. You would be so proud of me I stuck to my list. Someone made that "No Stashing for 100 Days" rule. There was no fabric bought for the stash, everything purchased has a purpose.  Some has already been cut and sewn and counted out. Got to love it when it's in and out in one week.

• Added since last report: 10.25 yards


• Added this year: 357.50 yards


• Used since last report: 10.25 yards


• Used this year: 155.75  yards


• Net 2012  -201.75  yards   

There I am, I still added a lot more this year than I've used.  My goal is to get that red number down to 150 or less. Don't laugh it could happen.

I'm linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times.