Design Wall Monday Dec 29, 2014

I do so love Monday evenings when I can visit everyone's design wall and be inspired.

On the design wall are my finished blocks from the Road to Oklahoma Shop Hop.

[caption id="attachment_2889" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Road to Oklahoma[/caption]

My sister did this shop hop that lasted for the month of June.  She went to all 25 shops.  It took every weekend and a couple of Fridays too.

She picked up a two block kits at each shop and surprised me with a set when I visited in July.  We decided we could each pick a block a month and have our own "Block of the Month" club.

Of course with my crazy busy fall season I fell behind. I only have four to do to be caught up.  I will be caught up by January 1st.  Honest!

For more design walls head over to Judy at Patchwork Times

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

 

 

 

Stash Report Week 51 2014

Oh dear, it's been a while since my last stash report.  All I can say is Craft Show Season kicked big time followed by Christmas Sewing.  While I still was keeping track of my fabric there was no blogging about it.  I still have notes and receipts  to go over and more yardage to tally but here are my numbers for this week.

Added since last report: 30 Yards
Added this Year: 140.75 Yards
Used since last report: 20.50 Yards
Used this Year: 194.50 Yards
Net Used this Year 53.75 Yards

So far I'm still on the plus side.  Using more fabric than I bought this year was my goal. The truth will come out this week when I total up December's numbers.  The one thing in my favor is that there has be NO caving into the bizillon sale emails I get everyday.

For more stash reports head over to Patchwork Times.  There are some awesome numbers there.

 

Design Wall Monday December 15, 2014

I've finished up Christmas sewing and can get back to finishing up (or starting) projects.

I'm putting up some string QOV blocks that I'd like to get sewn up this week.

[caption id="attachment_2844" align="aligncenter" width="225"] QOV String Blocks[/caption]



 

These little blocks have been leaders/enders for the past year and I was playing with layouts.  Of course I like both so I'm back to making more little Nine Patches.



 

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

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.

Is it Halloween Yet?

I don't know about anybody else but I'm so ready for fall and all that it brings starting with cooler weather.  It's been, shall we say toasty ok so it's be down right stinking HOT !!!  What do you do when it's to hot to do anything...sew little squares together of course.  They are light and small, don't have to have them on your lap, and if you use fall fabric it could feel cooler in the sewing room. Right?

Then when the weather breaks and it's under 100 degrees you have a cute fall/halloween quilt.  See Win Win. :)

So here it is a whole bunch of 2.5 inch squares.

[caption id="attachment_2824" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Hallowenn 16 patch[/caption]

I just love a scrappy quilt. With all that wonderful scrappiness happening on the front I opted for a easy back this time.

[caption id="attachment_2825" align="aligncenter" width="225"] 16 patch rear view[/caption]

I am so whooping it up for this finish and linking up with Sarah at Confession of a Fabric Addict.

Stash Report Week 37, 2014

It would seem that this has turned into a monthly stash report for me.  In true Harriett fashion it's not even a end of month report but mid-month.  :)

It's suppose to be in the 100's today and I'll be working on a Christmas quilt.  Some how that just sounds wrong.  But that what September is like in Southern Calif.

I've been doing well not buying unless I need it for a project.  So my yardage in went right back out.  Love it when that happens. I have three quilts at my quilter so I can count out the tops..

Added since last report: 6 Yards
Added this Year: 110.75 Yards
Used since last report: 21.0 Yards
Used this Year:  174.0 Yards
Net Used this Year 63.25 Yards

Holding fast to being on the positive side. So if you are only interested in fabric you can stop now and head back over to Judy's for more stash reports.

So what else have I been up too:

We lucked into some old iron beds.

[caption id="attachment_2816" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Bring home the beds[/caption]

and I've been sorting them

[caption id="attachment_2818" align="aligncenter" width="225"] sorting beds[/caption]

Then there was a hutch that was just asking for a bit of paint

[caption id="attachment_2819" align="aligncenter" width="225"] painted hutch[/caption]

Some Halloween burlap that became pillows and upholstering for a chair

[caption id="attachment_2815" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Fun Halloween Burlap[/caption]

Oh can't forget a couple of quilts too.

[caption id="attachment_2820" align="aligncenter" width="225"] T-shirt quilt[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2817" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Halloween Quilt #1[/caption]

Have a great week and keep sewing.

H

Stash Report Week 33, 2014

I know it's been a super duper long time since I last posted my stash report.  Vacation and the heat really put a dent in my sewing room time.  Now it's time to get back in there.  I have deadlines and things need to get finished.

Not sewing has also kept me out of some fabric shops, sort of.  I've still used more this year than I've bought and that is a good thing.

 

Added since last report:  3 Yards
Added this Year: 104.75 Yards
Used since last report: 4.25 Yards
Used this Year: 153 Yards
Net Used this Year 48.25 Yards

I'm linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times.  Check out how others are using their stash.

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 4

Summer Break Week Four just sort of flew by.  It was taken up with appointments and errands and then there was the 4th of July  too.  What a great week.

I took the chairs I finished last week into the shop, worked on my QOV string blocks.  Had an eye exam, yes I still need glasses for hand work.

[caption id="attachment_2775" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Red Chair[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2778" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Foot Stool[/caption]

Machine sewed binding on a QOV ready for the hand work, Usually my favorite part but it's been a tad bit warm for having a quilt on your lap here.  Time to break out the little table I have to rest it on.

[caption id="attachment_2798" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Binding for QOV[/caption]

I made a pair of pillowcases for niece and blanket for nephew



[caption id="attachment_2785" align="aligncenter" width="300"] new blanket for J[/caption]

 

On my three summer projects.  I got 14 3 inch 9-patchs finished  and five more blocks for the 2" quilt.  No sets cut for the plus quilt.  I realized this week that I want to add some holiday fabric in to all three of these quilts and the timing is perfect since I'm pulling out my Halloween and Christmas fabric so I can at least pretend that I'm ahead of the game.  :)

[caption id="attachment_2796" align="aligncenter" width="300"] 3in 9-patch[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2797" align="aligncenter" width="300"] 2in 9-patches[/caption]

SUMMER BLOCK COUNT

3" 9-Patches :   This Week:  14   Done: 261   Need about 400 I think

2" Quilt: Have:  This Week:  5    Done:  59

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

That wraps it up for week 4.  I'm starting on a super secret project tomorrow morning.  I'll tell you all about it next week.

Have a good week and stay cool

 

Stash Report Week 27, 2014

This week just flew by.  I think the second half of the year goes so much faster than the first half, maybe cause it's all down hill. :)

I did a bit of stash enhancement but to balance it out I did some de-stashing too.

On a short little trip to buy fabric for ONE pillowcase 10 yards of fabric found a new home



There is pillowcase fabric and the red in back is for the QOV I'm working on.

[caption id="attachment_2784" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Love these bottle caps[/caption]

Then my sister told me she needed to make baby blankets so this stack of flannel is on it's way to here.



I made a new drag-a-long blanket for my nephew

[caption id="attachment_2785" align="aligncenter" width="300"] new blanket for J[/caption]

Oh and I did make that pillowcase. I decided that it needs a mate so that's on the list for this evening.



So when all  the math is done I still have more fabric going out than in.  Which is a first for me at the half way point.

 

Added this week:  10.25 Yards
Added this Year: 101.75 Yards
Used and donated last week: 31 Yards
Used this Year: 148.75 Yards
Net Used this Year 47 Yards

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

Have a great week and enjoy your summertime.

 

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

Stash Report Week 26, 2014

Half way through the year and I'm ahead of the fabric.....that is a good thing. :)

I had some time to work on the sewing room and fabric this week. I spent some time sorting through the mountain of flannel. It's still a mountain just not as tall as McKinley anymore.  The yardage is now contained, well almost  in six bins and the scraps and small pieces are in one bin, ok one and a half  for sorting later this month summer, those are the clear bins setting on the side.   The blue bin on the top has flannel that has been pulled for projects and either cut or started.   I put the current sewing projects in bags for the summer  (so I don't lose them) while I tackle the sewing room.

Yikes that sounds more like NINE bins, cause they all are full of flannel.  I think it's past time for a sew-in at the Brick Sidewalk.

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

 

Overall I'm happy with where I am with my stash numbers for half way thru the year.

Here are this weeks numbers:

Added since last report:  0 Yards
Added this Year: 91.50 Yards
Used and donated since last report: 24.50 Yards
Used this Year: 117.75 Yards
Net Used this Year  26.25

 

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

 

Summer Break Week 2

Week two of summer break and no finishes sure hope it won't be like this all summer.  So just what did get worked on this week?

There was some painting. I changed color in mid painting of the chairs and this is the vintage fabric I'm using on the seats.

[gallery ids="2738,2739,2740,2741,2742"]

We welcomed a new old sewing machine to the fold.  She came with her own cabinet. A singer 201

[gallery ids="2747,2749"]

We did some cleaning out, yes this part of the house still has original 1960's avocado green carpet. This is not the permanent home for the new machine.



I started in on the guest room.  Can you believe there were still Halloween and Christmas pillowcases and table runners on the bed from last fall.  It's no wonder we don't get many guest. I think they're afraid they'll have to sleep on the floor for all the fabric on the bed.  Not really Sister, you can come anytime.



Mr Bill took apart an old pump organ.  Before you feel too bad it was in really bad shape and we saved the good pieces and carved pieces to repurpose.

[gallery columns="2" ids="2743,2744,2745,2746"]

Tuesday was QOV sew day.  We were making string blocks ala Al Lind.  I have a few many to go for my quilt top.  But I sure do like string quilts.  Here is the link to the pattern on the Quilts Of Valor site

This summer I'm trying to get the sewing room back in order and get all the donated scraps under control. Some times I have a hard time cutting up the larger scraps, cause wonder if I need a 4 inch block and I cut it all down to 2.5 in.  Really sometimes I can drive myself crazy.  Well not this summer it's all getting cut down to usable sizes and this fall I'll have a empty "scraps to cut down" bin (or two).

So with that in mind I'm cutting 2.5 in and 1.5 in squares in sets of five.  The 2.5 in for a plus quilt that I'm starting in the fall, as of this morning I only need 100 more sets, no matching sets for this one.  The 1.5in is for nine patch blocks I started last July as my leader/ender and I'm ready to finish it up too....But I need lots more for the layout I'm thinking so it has moved from leader/ender to summer project.

[caption id="attachment_2751" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sweet little 9 patches that will finish at 3in[/caption]

Then there is the 2in quilt.  The one I was going to make one block a day quilt.  Well I'm only 13 days behind.  I'm thinking Wednesday night will be 2in nine patch marathon so I can get a few days ahead. I wrote about it here.

[caption id="attachment_2752" align="aligncenter" width="300"] 2 in quilt[/caption]

So that is how Week 2 went. Not so exciting yet but there's always hope.

Till next week.

 

 

 

Summer Break 2014 Week 1

And just what did I get checked off my impossible long list.  Well not a gosh darn thing.  I've started on things but no finishes for the first week.

First there was the furniture.  Doing the prep work always takes the longest

[gallery ids="2719,2720,2721,2724,2725"]

I did make a cover for Mr. Bills computer while getting acquainted with my new featherweight.



The dirt piles that have been showing up got moved and spread around.  Mr. Bill got to do his favorite job of "water boy "  and look there was a bonus in the piles of dirt.  Big granite rocks, we like big rocks here.

[gallery ids="2726,2727,2728,2729,2730"]

Then I pulled this quilt top out of cold storage..well you know what I mean. You might remember that it was just last summer that I was finishing it up.  I really was not happy with the way it turned out so it got put away to rest.  I think I'm ready to try again to get this one off the UFO list.

[caption id="attachment_2723" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Charm Quilt Top[/caption]

Time was also spent cutting up scraps, eye appointments and trips looking for paint and to Home Depot.

I did some cleaning too and found the top of my buffet.  Now that impressed Mr. Bill.

[caption id="attachment_2731" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Buffet[/caption]

Not too bad for the first week of summer after all I don't want to get it all done in one week.  :)

Stash Report Week 24, 2014

I'm  happy to say that I used fabric this week that I can count out.  I'm super happy to say that I had no fabric coming in.

Yes that's right I used a whopping three quarters of a yard for a pillow back.  I like to write it out like that cause is seems like so much more..right?  It was a big pillow.

[caption id="attachment_2710" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Feed Sack Pillow[/caption]

 

This was my first flap back pillow so I made the back pieces different on purpose cause I knew they would not match up. That's a skill I may or may not work on. :0)

[caption id="attachment_2711" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Ticking Back[/caption]

 

Added last week : 00 Yards
Added this Year: 91.50 Yards
Used last week: .75 Yards
Used this Year: 93.25 Yards
Net Used this Year 1..75 Yards

To more stash reports head over to Judy's Patchwork times