Sunday Stash Report, Week 17

During my "hiatus", I made a Bionic Gear Bag that I haven't shared yet. If you haven't heard about this bag yet, you really should check it the website at Sew Much Nicer!

It is a fabulous bag that can be used to store just about anything, and there is going to be larger version available soon. (I also bought the baby BGB variation as well). Sally also offers video workshops to teach you how to put this together at Sew Like a Rockstar.

They were really helpful adding the pockets and putting the side panels on.

There is also a free pattern for a small dish that attaches to the bag with magnets, that can be used for Wonderclips or as a thread catcher. Free is right up my alley!

 Of course, to make a coordinated one, I had to buy new fabric!  I got 4.35 metres, but rest assured the bag doesn't take that much - if you do the bag all in one colour it takes 1.25 yards or 1.15 metres. In fact, the pocket linings used scraps that I had on hand. I also shared with a friend, so 2.3 metres were used right away.

Added this week: 4.35 metres

Added this year: 33.05 metres

Used this week: 3.3 metres

Used this year: 21.8 metres

Added/Used this year: 11.25 metres

The extra metre was used by my grandkids!  The kids wanted to sew one morning after a sleepover, so we made some doll/stuffie blankets.  Alex is eight, and sewed his all by himself, even putting the backing on envelope style. I just had to show him how to line things up.

Zoey (5 1/2) finally overcame her hatred of moving parts, and assembled her top with a little assistance. She wouldn't let me take her picture though. Mya is 2 1/2 and not afraid of anything - she wanted to just jump in and do it by herself. Since she's never done it before, I had a hard time holding her back, but we managed to get it done safely without running over little hands. She was so proud of herself.

I have a few more things I did during my hiatus, but I'll save those for next week.

Linking up with Judy's Sunday Stash Report at Patchwork Times.

Sunday Stash Report, Week 4

Another metre added, and a metre out!  Next week, I've promised myself that I will have the En Provence top finished.

Added this week: 1 metres

Added this year: 19.8metres

Used this week: 1.00 metres

Used this year: 0.00 metres

Added/Used this year: 18.8 metres

I did make another purchase of sale fabric last week at Hamels.  My friend, Kim, ordered the sale stuff on line, and I couldn't help but add to it. I used the excuse I need another yellow and a soft orange for my En Provence quilt ( 4 - 3 1/2" square of each), which translated to buying a metre!

I added a gray and a green tone-on-tones, for the stash and bought 4 - 1/4 metre pieces in all. I didn't bother asking for fat quarters, as I tend to use strips anyway.

I plan on having the En Provence flimsy done by the end of the month, and that will put a big chunk out! It will be 13.25 yards if I don't add to it. 

I did move a metre out making some doll/stuffie blankets with the grandkids this weekend!

Alex is eight and has been sewing off and on with me for quite a few years. He has now progressed to learning about chain piecing and matching seams, and can operate the sewing machine without me hanging over his shoulder. I was at the ironing board cutting blocks for the girls while he sewed his blocks.

Zoey is five and picked out all her blocks, and for the first time, braved the "noisy" machine and helped feed her fabric through.  She really wanted to use "her" machine, a hand-crank that she has claimed as hers, but we stuck to the Featherweight.  She took off before I could take her picture, but here she is last year when the hand-crank arrived. She likes this one because it is so quiet.

And little Miss Mya got in the act as well. She helped choose her own blocks, but had more fun poking through my scrap basket while I sewed hers up.  She promptly wrapped around her stuffed puppy, and went off to bed. 

Since I was babysitting, I was able to get a picture of her and her messy hair as she was busy pointing out the "otopus" under her hand!

I love that my grands love to craft and sew with Gramma, and I hope we have many years of doing so before they lose interest. They were all proud of their work and couldn't wait to show their parents when they arrived for pickup.

Linking up to Patchwork Times Sunday Stash Report.

Like Judy, I count my fabric out at three stages:

1. When the top is finished, which is called a flimsy.

2. When it is quilted with the backing

3. When it is bound and finally finished.

This gives me an incentive to push a project to the stage. This week, more En Provence!

Have a great week,

Terri in BC

Sunday Stash Report 2017 - Week 2

After-Christmas sales are a killer, just sayin'.  I stayed away from Fabricland's New Year's Day sale, and Hamel's Boxing week/warehouse sale, but fell hard on Saturday!  I had to pop into Hamel's to pick up some of my favourite Bella Solids on their monthly 20% sale (the first full weekend of every month) and low and behold, they had held over their warehouse sale.  When this girl goes down, she goes down hard!

Added this week:

The Bella Solids I came for; aqua, red, silver and cream (1 meter each) to coordinate with my Glowing Hearts fabric I bought in the fall.  These will be used to make Canada 150th anniversary quilts for the grands, and hopefully a lap quilt for me! They don't have a lot of this fabric left, but have ordered more. 

Next the warehouse sale fabrics - at just $4.00/metre, that was more than a 75% discount.  (PS: They still have some listed on their website).

From left to right: 2.5 metres of the pink floral to make nightgowns for Zoey and Mya, 2 metres of the blue to make sleep pants for Alex (and leftovers to stash), .5 metre of a neutral for the stash, and 1 metre of the fruity stripe for my daughter, for the binding of a quilt she is making from the coordinates.

All of their Christmas fabrics were on sale for 50% off, and one of my favourite designers, Sweetwater, latest lines Cookie Exchange was there.  I bought 2 metres of the cookie recipe and 1 metre of the teal to make aprons, and a half metre of each of the rest for stash enhancement.

More stash enhancement: 1.25 metres of the grey snowflake (end of the bolt) and .5 of the silver on grey

And some fillers for existing projects - a FQ of a '30s type print for my Splendid Sampler, and Bonnie and Camille Basics charm pack for Pat Sloan's Winter Solstice project (yes, I started another new project). A charm pack is just over a half-metre, so I'll count .55 in.

Last but not least, I picked up Block 9 of the

This one my grandson is excited about, because it features Puffins from the province of Newfoundland, where his Poppy comes from (my ex-husband). His great-aunt in Newfoundland sent him a puffin stuffie when he was born, and Poppy has been a part of his life since he reconnected with my kids 5 years ago. Newfoundland and Labrador has a special part in my heart, as I lived there as a teenager, in the same place my great-grandmother had lived at the same age in 1905, and I have maintained a close connection with my in-laws since the divorce 30 years ago. Many people in my life, and one of my best friends also comes from there as well, so "Newfies" are a part of my life!

There is the equivalent of about a FQ in these packs, so another .25 in!  I haven't started assembling these yet, but will do so soon.

So the grand total is:

Added this week: 18.8metres

Added this year: 18.8metres

Used this week: 0.00 metres

Used this year: 0.00 metres

Added/Used this year: 18.8 metres

Hopefully, I'll have a good finish soon to add to the done side.  I'm making good progress on my Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt, En Provence and think I'll have it together as a flimsy by the end of the month.

Clues 1, 2, 3 complete; Clues 4 and 6 started, and all the cutting is now done!

Linking up to Patchwork Times Sunday Stash Report

Have a great week,

Terri in BC

2017 - A Fresh Start

Last year was hit and miss in both the blogging department and the quilting/sewing/crafting department. I do so much better when I blog regularly, as then I have to do something in order to blog about it.  I'm committing to joining the following blog reports, etc. so I have a schedule to follow!

1. For the fourth or fifth year, I'm joining Judy Laquidera's Patchwork Times Sunday Stash Report.  Today, being a Sunday is a great start - nothing in, nothing out so the numbers are easy:

Added this week: 0.00 metres

Added this year: 0.00 metres

Used this week: 0.00 metres

Used this year: 0.00 metres

Added/Used this year: 0.00 metres

My goal is stay in the blue this year. It should be easier because my favourite on-line discount shop has shut down.

Judy's blog has turned to more about knitting and recipes, but her Sunday Stash Report has quite a few quilters that link up, and I have found some great blogs to follow through it.

2. New this year, I'm following Elaine Theriault's Crazy Quilter on a Bike Motivational Mondays in order to put some order in my life!  Motivational Mondays is actually a Facebook group, but her blog is filled with some great tips and ideas.  The first step was to identify your Dirty Dozen, or 12 UFOs that you feel you must complete this year.  I have identified the following:

Epic Halloween Quilt

Mom's Christmas Quilt

Splendid Sampler

Vignette

Farmer's Wife

Gramma's Dresden

30's Hexies

Snowman Reunion

Grand Illusion

Vintage Valentine

Sunkissed Snail Trail

Sunkissed Birdie Stitches

Bonus - Santa Advent Calendar

This isn't cast in stone, as I haven't gone through all my UFOs yet, these were only the ones within view.  I know I will substitute at least one, and I will also create more Dirty Dozen lists for future use.

I'm probably also going to create a smaller list of scrapbooking projects I want to complete this year, as I have fallen behind on those as well. Two I know I "have" to finish are my Trip to Italy and 6 Heritage Albums for my daughters and nieces.

3. Just like Barbara Stanbro of Cat Patches, I want to also set monthly goals so I don't lose sight of the small projects and tasks that need to get done as well. And when I say need, that is only for my satisfaction - I like accomplishments!

4. I'm also going to report regularly on Kathy's Slow Stitching Sunday report, although I tend to do most of my slow stitching on weekday evenings. Several of the UFOs on my Dirty Dozen list involve embroidery or hand-stitching, plus there will be bindings as I complete them!  Kathy's a fellow Canadian and a lot of the quilters linking to her report are as well, so it's always fun to check out their blogs.

5. Last but not least, I am going to do a weekly weigh-in. With my recent knee injury, it has really driven home the point that I need to lose weight.  I'm only going to report my loss or gain, no need to put up the starting figure!

Now I have to think about what my Word of the Year will be, but "commit" just jumped in my mind, so I'm going to mull it over!

Happy New Year, everyone! I wish much health, happiness and peace to all of you this year and for many more!

I'm back!! Sunday Stash Report, Week 19 - 2016

Hopefully, for good this time. The last few months have been long and drawn out, but I have climbed over some personal hurdles and hopefully, everything is behind me now.

The last week I've been following the news closely - if you haven't heard, there are horrendous forest fires in northern Alberta, and I have had family and friends that are personally affected. My sister-in-law (ex, actually but we keep in touch) has 3 kids and their families who live in Fort McMurray and they and some of their friends have evacuated to her place near Edmonton, not knowing whether their homes have survived. She has 3 campers and a large tent now camped out in her backyard, with about 20 people and a number of pets for who knows how long.  More than 1600 homes have been lost, and thousands of people have been displaced, and the smoke has reached as far south as Montana and North Dakota (over 1000 miles away). If you are able to help, the Red Cross Canada has set up a relief fund specifically for Fort McMurray, Alberta.   I have, and my community has been amazing - 4 18-wheelers were sent full of the necessities: diapers, underwear and toiletries for the evacuees.

Here are some links to some of the news sites I have been following - the photos are incredible:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/fort-mcmurray-evacuation-creates-surreal-scene-as-wildfire-grows-1.3566370
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-36235175
CTV Edmonton Facebook Page
Global Edmonton Facebook page

Not much progress has been made on the sewing front. I'm working mostly on block-of-the month/week/day projects, but I have managed to squeak out a few finishes:

A tunic top for my 5-year old granddaughter,

2 nighties for her and her sister, and a pair of camouflage pants for the grandson!  About 3.5 metres out, but I have totally lost track of what has come in, so I'll update once I figure that out!

Added: ?? metres

Added Year to Date: 5.1 metres 

Used/Given away: 3.5 metres

Used/Given away Year to Date: 8.5 metres

Net used or given away in 2016: 3.4 metres

For other stash reports, check out the links at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times

Sunday Stash Report 2016, Week 5

I've been doing more handwork this month, so no more finishes for January but I'm having fun working on projects.

I started Katja Marek's Millifiore quilt-along using her book "The New Hexagon". 

I made the first hexagon for Rosette #6, and Millie is already proving to have a mind of her own!

It appears that the orange and limey-yellow want to stand out, plus I needed some different fabric to fussy-cut but of course, I have nothing suitable in my hundreds of yards of stash (and I know it's hundreds based on my previous stash reports)!

So off to Hamels I went! These are so not true to colour, but when it's gloomy and rainy, it's hard to get good photos.

While I was there, I picked up the first 3 blocks of the new Canadian Mystery Quilt.  Next year is Canada's 150th anniversary

Added: 1 metres

Added Year to Date: 5.1 metres 

Used/Given away: 5 metres

Used/Given away Year to Date: 5 metres

Added in 2016: 0.1

Sunday Stash Report 2016, Week 3

Doing weekly reports on how my stash moves definitely keeps me motivated! Last week, I powered through to finish this quilt top, that was promised two (yikes!) years ago! I still have to buy some border fabric, but I'll count that separately.

And a quilt top is not complete until it has been inspected - Daisy did her job thoroughly, and then nicely posed! I've done other posts about this quilt - just search for Super Mario or click on the label below.

I've already made the matching pillowcase, which is already in use.

I had experimented with using strips of fabric, instead of all those small squares, but it didn't work out as well as I would have liked, so the quilt top is made up of 1,956 individual 2" squares! 

I'm considering this for the border fabric, bound with red and flannel or minky on the back:

Of course, in order to finish the top, I had to make a small purchase of orange for the Fire Flower and another look at the Christmas clearance rack at Hamel's:

I broke down and bought this print from the Holly's Tree Farm line with no plan. Don't you just love those vintage cars!

Added: 0.8 metres

Added Year to Date: 4.1 metres 

 

Used/Given away: 5 metres

 

Used/Given away Year to Date: 5 metres

 

Used/Given away for 2016: 0.9

I hope to stay in the clear all year, so that means I really have to buckle down and get those UFOs done, because I don't want to give up the fabric shopping!

Linking up with all the other Stashers at Judy's Patchwork Times - come check us out!

First Sunday Stash Report of 2016

As part of my "Simplify" plan, I really debated starting the stash report for 2016, since I didn't do it very often last year, and quit altogether by about September. Then I realized it made me more accountable (to myself only!) and got me in the sewing room more often. Since I want to clear out my UFOs this year, reporting those finishes will really motivate me to get those done.

Then I promptly fell off the wagon! I needed some solids to finish a block on the Super Mario quilt for my grand-nephew that was promised to him over a year ago.  His is first up on the to-do list and I want to get it done by the end of January.

Added: 3.3 metres

Added Year to Date: 3.3 metres 

 

Used/Given away: 0 metres

 

Used/Given away Year to Date: 0 metres

 

Added for 2016: 3.3 

Hamel's had a huge sale, 50% off Christmas fabrics and 25% of all regular fabrics on the bolt (ends tonight at midnight PST), and although most of the Bella solids that I was looking for were sold out, I did pick up some off-white. I also got some Holly's Tree Farm word polka-dot for 50% off, and a little Good Morning at 25% off. All but the aqua will be used to finish those never-ending UFOs (and maybe a little in my 365 Challenge Blocks).

I then got my Leader & Ender baskets set up:

From left to right: 1 1/2" finished 9-patches (made with 1" strips); Super Mario 2" blocks, and Step Two of Bonnie Hunter's 2014 Mystery Quilt, Grand Illusion. 

Linking up to Judy Laquidara's Patchwork Times Stash Report

Are you planning on joining us this year?

Sunday Stash Report, Week 37

 

Nothing in or out this week, but I've finally been playing in my sewing room.

 

Added: 0 metres

 

Added Year to Date: 26.35 metres 

 

Used/Given away: 0 metres

 

Used/Given away Year to Date: -23.0

 

Added for 2015: 3.35

 

I finally finished Step 1 of Bonnie Hunter's 2014 Mystery Quilt, Grand Illusion, all 100 units. (This is no longer available, but should appear in her next book.)

 

 

 

I got all of Step Two cut now, filling a mini-basket at my fingertips and I've started sewing, using these as leaders & enders. This step will create 200 bonus HST that will finish at 1 1/2".  Those could make a cute mini-quilt.

 

I pulled out my Birdie Stitches again, and I'm working on finishing the borders on the blocks.

 

 

(Another old picture, March block before I finished embroidering it)

 

I keep a series of baskets by my sewing machine filled with stages of various projects to use as leaders and enders.  This one has been sitting there far too long, and I want the basket for something else, so time to get 'er done!

 

I also worked on the Super Mario quilt, up to the point where I realized I didn't have the right orange for the Fire Flower, and I needed to cut more squares.  At least 3 blocks of six are finished now and the fourth one is half-way done! These blocks are huge at 27" each.

 

 

Last but not least, I made this cute little mini 9-patches:

 

 

The smallest scraps I keep are 1" squares and strips.  The bowl I keep them in was starting to get too full, so I made these 9-patches that finish at just 1 1/2" (unfinished 2").

 

 

 

I may try Sue Garman's Omigosh quilt someday, so 30 are a start - only about 850 more to go!

 

 

 

Sunday Stash Report, Week 36

I'm finally getting used to my new (too-small) space, and pulled out a stalled project to finish.

 

Pattern - Nested Churn Dash by Quilt Jane

 

These are large blocks - 24" each, so they are fast to finish  - but not when they get buried and moved!  The quilt will finish at 48" square, so it will make a nice wall hanging or baby quilt.

 

Added: 0 metres

Added Year to Date: 26.35 metres 

 

Used/Given away: 2 metres

 

Used/Given away Year to Date: -23.0

 

Added for 2015: 3.35

 

Hopefully by next week, I can get back in the black!  Christmas is fast approaching and I have a list a mile long.

Sunday Stash Report 2015, Week 34

 

Although it probably wasn't the best timing, I took a week off and went to Alberta! Now that I'm back, I have to put all my efforts into job-hunting once again.  I think it's time to find my bliss...

 

While traveling, I made a few stops to pick up some Row-by-Row patterns:

 

 

From Chinook Fabrics in High River, Alberta

 

   My best friend, Nancy and I have been friends since just after high school and she recently moved back to Alberta from Manitoba, so I couldn't miss the chance to see her again. She is one of those friends that visiting her is just like we last saw each other yesterday, even though it's been about 5 years.

 



 

Of course, you can't just get the free pattern without looking around.  Nancy loves the old school Christmas characters and bought the panel with the idea that I could make her placemats, which I agreed to do. I also picked up 3 fat quarters of the exclusive Row-by-Row fabric, just because I loved the colour.

 

After a stop to visit my new great-niece Eloise in Calgary, I headed back through the Rockies!

 

 

It's hard to take pictures when you are the only one in the car, but I love this shot!

 

from Sugar Pine Quilts in Canmore, AB

 

My niece got married in Canmore a few years ago, so I had to stop back at Sugar Pines Quilts. This shop is known for its landscape kits of local scenery and their Row-To-Row didn't disappoint!  It shows the local mountains, the Three Sisters, and local wildlife!  I had to buy the kit (mainly because I don't want to do that intricate cutting).

 

 

Their other offerings didn't disappoint. Due to getting a layoff notice, I didn't buy as much as I would have liked, but I did get a few neutral fat quarters, some quilt labels (from the new Sweetwater line, Holly's quilt farm) and a bag of scraps for just $5.00 (approx. 1.5 metres).

 

I tried to find the quilt shop in Salmon Arm, but due to get a bulge in my tire and having to stop to get that replaced (ouch), I got all turned around and couldn't find it.  Finally I was on the road again and stopped in Kamloops at Katja's Quilt Shop.

 

I also bought this kit. The colours in the kit are a bit lighter, plus I might add my row-by-row fabric to brighten it up a bit more. 

Katje's the author of the New Hexagon, and is hosting The New Hexagon Millifiore Quilt-a-long.  I didn't realize until I got home that Katje helped me in the store.  I wish I had asked her to autograph my book. I also got 2 metres of Sweetwater's Church Cookbook fabric. 

 

So now that I am home again, I've added up my purchases. 

 

Added: 6.6 metres

Added Year to Date: 26.35 metres 

 

Used/Given away: 0 metres

 

Used/Given away Year to Date: -21.0

 

Added for 2015: 5.35

 

I'm now officially in the red for 2015, but I have plans to start knocking out the Christmas pillowcases this week and those numbers should be back in the positive soon. I also have some projects and patterns mulling in my head that I need to start working on. Remember that bliss I mentioned - I'm really being drawn in that direction.

Sunday Stash Report, Week 31

I went into the sewing room today for 15 minutes and spent over 4 hours in there! Besides doing some cleaning and organizing, I finished a dress for baby Mya:

 

I made it a little shorter, because she is finally crawling!  She's almost 10 months now.

 

 

I added a vintage button from my mom's collection to disguise the fact that I didn't have the neckline even at the back!

 

And although I didn't a picture, my grandson just "had" to have stuffed starfish for his upcoming vacation, so I made two of them (one for my older granddaughter as well) so they could have hugs from Gramma at the cabin!  (Both families are going)

 

So, 1 1/2 metres out!  But....

 

this week's the hens came home to roost.

 

 

 

 

My package arrived from Ozark Fabrics.  The best thing about ordering from Tonya is that she will wait until you have a full envelope or box, and then ship it!  That means I can buy what tickles my fancy, but not pay shipping for every item.  It is a closed group on Facebook, but I highly recommend it for quality fabrics, great prices and a unique shipping method.

 

The bottom fabric is 7 yards of "Color Me" fabric - to make pillowcases for all the boys this Christmas. There was actually enough to make 9, and I only need 7 so I gave enough for 2 to my friend and co-worker. I still have 4 yard of "girl" fabric coming - it was on backorder.

 

The quatrefoil fabrics are for Christmas projects as well.  Good thing I got them now, because I got a layoff notice and I'll be looking for work to start in September.

 

 

I also got these various 1/2 yd and fat quarter pieces, plus my co-worker gave me the Scrabble board fabric!  More Christmas present sewing in my future!

 

So the totals are:

 

Added: 15.75 metres
 

Added Year to Date: 19.75 metres 

 

Used/Given away: 3.0 metres

 

Used/Given away Year to Date: -21.0

 

Added for 2015: -1.25

I'm still in the negative, but barely.  I better start kicking out some more finishes!  I have a ton of quilting to do, and hope to tackle some of those tops this week.