Sunday Stash Report, Week 24

 

After rocking two finishes in as many days, things slowed down the last two weeks.  With working so much overtime, there hasn't been a lot of free time but I have been trying to be in my "Happy Place" aka my sewing room for a bit every day - I've been managing about 45 minutes to an hour each time.  (It helps that the sleep specialist has put me on a rigid schedule - I'm not allowed to go to bed before midnite and have to be up at 7 am, weekends included.)

 

I did get a great piece of fabric at a garage sale.  I've been looking for a new cushion set for my patio swing, but without any luck.  I had decided to make a scrappy quilt that I could throw on it that wouldn't bother me if it got left out by mistake.  When I spotted this, I was thrilled!

 

There are four cheater panels of Double Wedding Rings on this piece.  I'm going to back each panel with a vintage sheet and quilt each one separately with a simple "stitch-in-the-fake-ditch" stitch, then assemble the four panels with a sashing.  It will be so much easier to handle that way on my machine.

 

Added this week: 3.25 metres

 

Added Year-to-Date: 66.75 metres
 

Used since last report: 0 metres

 

Used Year-to-Date: 21.5 metres

 

Net used/Added for 2013: 45.25 metres

 

I've enjoyed going in my room every day, even if it is not until 10 at night.

 

I'm still plugging away on Easy Street by Bonnie Hunter.  This pattern has now been retired and will be published in her next book.

 

 

Most of the parts are complete, and I'm finishing the rest as I assemble the blocks.  I want to have this finished by the end of June, so I can get it off to the long-arm quilter.  This is going to be one big quilt - it measures about 110"x110" before I even think about borders.

 

I've sorted through my UFOs for some hand-work projects for summer so I can have something to work on when I'm over at my daughter's or at my friends house hanging in the backyard.

 

 

I prepped the second border for embroidery and started the applique in the center of my Vignette Mystery quilt by Leanne Beasley.

 

 

I finally started Birdie Stitches - I've only had the fabric for two plus years!

 

 

I've assembled little kits for my hexie flowers - every one is different, so I have to make sure I have them properly organized. 

 

I also have a cross-stitch project in my bag, Christmas stockings for my grandbabies!

 

So now I am ready to go when I'm invited somewhere - no more excuses!

 

 

(One of these days I'm going to make a bag the same size and stiffness as this Safeway shopping bag - it holds everything perfectly)

 

I also made some progress on a new design, a TV tray cover with an ironing pad, cutting board holder and multiple pockets that will hold all my tools at my fingertips.

 

 

 

I'm using scraps of Vintage Modern by Bonnie and Camille, along with some yardage in the aqua colourway.  I've been working on this a little while now, and when I get frustrated I put it aside.  It's now back in the corner!

 

 

(So, do I look for another smaller cutting mat or cut this one down... or pick out all the stitches and add a border to the already-quilted piece?)

 

Linking up to Patchwork Times Sunday Stash Report

 

Now I'm off to tackle another UFO!  Thanks for visiting and have a great day,

 

Terri in BC

15 minutes....

Well, so much for shorter, more frequent posts!  I've been working a lot of overtime and any free time I've had I used for sewing, not on the computer (way too much of that at work).  I've also had a sweet 2-year-old's birthday to celebrate, a series of appointments with a sleep specialist, and just general busyness.  But I am resolving as of today, to take 15 minutes at least every other day to post here.  Why?  Because it keeps me accountable, it's a journal of what I've managed to accomplish and how I've spent my days and I just like doing it!

 

Zoey loved her I-spy quilt!  Of course, my bug-lovin' granddaughter picks out the spider!

 

And the water table I got her was a hit!

 

 

The simplest toys can get the biggest smiles!  From Auntie Jackie and cousins.

 

And can you see future trouble with the new swing set?

 

My other gift to her was a summer outfit made from a pattern that I used for my girls when they were little.  I made it reversible with 2 pairs of matching panties, but forgot to take a picture before I gave it to her.  I tried that day, but it was so bright and sunny, the picture was really blown out - here's the best I could get after adjusting it.

 

 

Now I'm heading out to enjoy the sunshine after 5 days of rain! 

 

Have a great weekend,

 

Terri in BC

 

 

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Sunday Stash Report, Week 20

Okay, so it's Week 22 apparently!  I lost 2 weeks somewhere along the line - no wonder I only had one post in May!

Another busy two weeks have passed, but at least this time I can report some finishes! 

 

 

I had basted this quilt together at the time of my last stash report with the intention of gifting it to my co-worker for her sister who had just moved to hospice. Unfortunately, she passed the same day I made my report, after just 3 days in hospice.  I went ahead and quilted it, and presented it to my coworker in memory of her sister.  She has decided to give it to her mother with my blessings! She has been giving me a hard time ;o) ever since about making her cry (I love her that we both can laugh and cry at the same time).  Counted in my stash report is the binding at 1/2 metre.  

 

I added one of my special labels made with a Heather Ross goldfish.  My mom used to mark her ceramics with a fish (check out our last name!) and when I found these goldfish, I decided to use them to mark my special quilts.

 

 

I finished my experiment with old poly/cottons and lace from my mother's stash that I inherited (see more here).  It turned out exactly how I envisioned! I've shown it to a couple of friends and my daughter and they all love it - in fact, my daughter wants it if she has another girl. 

 

 

Pardon the wrinkles!  Since it also has eyelet fabrics, I plan on putting a layer of muslin underneath the top, then use white flannel for the batting.  I plan on using minkee for the backing and it will be too heavy if I use a regular batting.  This one measures about 36 x 36 in., perfect for a stroller or car seat, or swaddling.  I have enough fabrics and lace left to make at least 4-5 more, but I might make myself a summer lap quilt instead!  I hope to get it quilted this week.  Used from my stash, only 1.5 metres - yikes, I can probably get about a dozen from what is left.

 

 

Yesterday, I realized there are just 10 days until Zoey's second birthday, so I quickly put together her I-Spy quilt.  I had to raid the stash for the last 10 fabrics and now my Happy Room looks like a bomb went off. It's pieced in rows and as soon as Bonnie Hunter's Quilt Cam starts in about 45 minutes, I plan on sewing the rows together and hopefully get it quilted today!

 

 

I even fussy-cut a frog princess from the leftovers of her big-girl quilt - the scraps that keep on giving!  This was an easy 2 metres of fabric out of the stash, good thing I have to make another one by July for another birthday.

 

 

Of course, since I cleared some out of the stash AND it is Super-Stitcher weekend at my favourite local quilt shop, Hamels (20% off all regular priced fabrics, first weekend of every month!), I decided to stop by and add to my stash of Bella solids.  I was lucky enough to find a couple of bolts of Glamping by Mary Jane, so I grabbed some of that as well (along with a Fat 1/8 of Salt Air).  Added: 6 metres - so much for stash-busting with those finishes.

 

Instead of buying a colour card, I've decided to spend the money on the colours I want, and made up my own colour ring so I know what I already have.  Good thing, because I've already bought the 3 of the same colour twice each  (I apparently love Feather, Blue Raspberry and Aqua)!

 

I cut an approximately 1" x 2 1/2" piece (preferably from scraps) with pinking shears, use fusible lightweight interfacing to add body, and mark it with a pigma pen with the brand-name, colour and stock number.  Then if I remember to bring it with me, I don't double up any more.  My stash is small, but I only buy what I need for current projects (so far).  These ones are mostly intended for the Super Mario quilt that I want to make for my grand-nephew.

 

 

Added this week: 6 metres

Added Year-to-Date: 63.5 metres

Used since last report: 4 metres

Used Year-to-Date: 21.5 metres

Net used/Added for 2013: 43 metres

 

 Linking up to Judy of Patchwork Times Sunday Stash Report.  I've made a promise to myself to spend 15 minutes a day in the sewing room this month, so hopefully I will also post more frequent, shorter posts!

 

Thanks for visiting,

Terri in BC

 

 

Sunday Stash Report, Week 18

On a beautiful Sunday morning, in a place where spring usually means rain, which would you rather you do?

 

Weed the garden or....

 

 

Baste your latest quilt top!

 

(I pulled together my completed Thangles blocks and called this layout Garden Gate, and I'm gifting it to my co-worker's sister, who has just been moved to hospice)

 

When I have a bunch of tops to baste, I like to use spray baste, but don't like to use it indoors.  Usually that means I make flimsies from October to about June, and then when it dries up long enough, I set up on my deck and baste away.

 

 

I start with an old sheet taped to the deck boards, but I forgot to buy some so I raided my pantry.  One can got really covered with the spray and was quite sticky,

 

 

so made up a yummy bean salad!

 

 

Good thing I did, because my daughter called me to come over and enjoy the first barbeque of the season! I had planned a day of quilting "Garden Gate", but I have also resolved not to turn down any invites this year, so I headed over.  It hit a record 31C today (88F) - we don't normally see those temperatures around here, and if we do, it's not until August. It was acutally 34C in the shade on the deck, over 90F.

 

 

Only the little pool was ready for this weekend, I think the big one is going up this week because this weather is supposed to last for another 10 days!  Zoey couldn't wait for it to fill up and first went in her shoes and socks, she is such a water baby!

 

 

The heat tuckered her out and she decided the dog bed was a great place for a nap!

 

Oh, yeah - this was supposed to be a stash report!

 

Besides "Garden Gate", I basted two more quilt tops and 2 pillow tops before it got too hot.  I have at least three more tops to baste before this stretch of good weather ends.

 

I bought some solids this week with the plans to start a Super-Mario quilt for my nephew for Christmas, and a few fat eigths.

 

 

 

Added this week: 2.3 metres

Added Year-to-Date: 58.5 metres

Used since last report: 8 metres

Used Year-to-Date: 17.5 metres

Net used/Added for 2013: 41 metres

 

I want to do one quilt for everyone in my extended family over the next few years so I'm starting with the oldest grandnephew and once the kids are done, I'm going to make one for each of my nieces, then my sister and her husband (I actually gave my brother and his wife quilts last year for their fiftieth birthdays, so I don't have to do them!)

Sunday Stash Report, Week 17

It's been 5 weeks since my last stash report, and despite my best efforts, I haven't been able to spend a lot of time in my "Happy" room.

 

 

A reminder to relax and enjoy 'me' time!

 

I'd like to show you more but right now, I can barely find the floor.  When I get busy, I tend to "dump and run", which means the 15 minutes I have found here and there have been dedicated to sewing, not certainly not putting anything away.

 

 

Some things that make me happy - a jar filled with notions from my mother's and grandmother's sewing supplies.

 

In the last month, we've celebrated Easter, been to the zoo in Seattle, I've hosted a scrapbooking retreat, babysat most weekends and worked some overtime on top of my full time job. I've also been having issues with my left shoulder and knee, had X-rays and finally got to the physiotherapist on Thursday.

 

My grandmother's button tin - I've had this since I was 18 years old.

 

The good news is there is no signs of oestioarthritis nor wear and tear, but simply a strained knee and bursitis in the shoulder.  Luckily, we've caught it early enough to prevent frozen shoulder but it has kept me out of commission for a bit. 

 

To cheer myself up, I did stop by my favourite fabric shop and picked up a few little things: 

 

 

 

Added this week: 1.75 metres

Added Year-to-Date: 56.25 metres

 

So far, I haven't broken into any of it, but I did finally finish one of my many UFOs!

 

 

Used since last report: .5 metres

Used Year-to-Date: 9.5 metres

Net used/Added for 2013: 46.75 metres

 

It didn't use more fabric because I repurposed this wool melton jacket that I haven't worn for a few years.

 

 

 

Using this adorable pattern from Liesl Gibson,

 

 

and lined with Aneela Hooley's A Walk in the Woods,

 

(it does hang straight on a proper hanger ;o)

 

and nicely fits a cute little girl, if she hadn't just woken up from a nap.

 

 

She kept trying to pull it off, so I didn't get a great picture of her in it, especially once she discovered she could twirl in it!

 

 

I wonder if she will be Little Red Riding Hood for Hallowe'en this year?

 

UFO Parade over at Patchwork Times!

One of my favourite bloggers, Judy at Patchwork Times, is hosting a UFO parade today!  What is a UFO - why, an UnFinished Object, of course!  And being the queen of UFOs, I must join!  So far, I have counted, drumroll please, 48 UFOs (sewing projects only).  I know I'm still missing a few, but seriously..48???



 

(No. 1 on my list to finish - I've put it aside for almost 3 months now)

Blogging has been both the source of my success starting and finishing projects (about 25 last year alone, mostly new ones) but has also been my downfall in starting more than I can handle (added about 20 to the UFO list, while only completing about 7-8). 

 

(No. 2 on my list to finish - I'm only making it a table topper size)

Last year, I tried joining a couple of UFO finishing challenges which helped.  I even created a separate page to track my progress.  It needs some updating, but you can find my list by clicking on this link  Terri's UFOs or on the second tab above.

 

(No. 3 - this cute little cape and 3 summer dresses for Zoey.  The cape has been cut out since last November, but the dresses got cut out in March, so do they really count as a UFO?  In my books, yes, because they have been put aside like so many others!) 

 

If you haven't already, come join the parade. And every Wednesday, Judy is going to have a UFO Progess linky party so we can share our successes - perfect for me because I get most of my work done on a Sunday until late in the evening.)

 

Looks can be deceiving

I like to pretend that I have my supplies under control and organized.

 

As I come across scraps of lace and ribbon, I drop them in this biscotti jar.  My latest project had me rooting around for more than what was in here:

 

 

I remembered I had a box of ribbons, eyelet and lace from the days when my girls were little and I was sewing little girl and doll clothes.

 

Found it! It's the size of a large shoebox or small apple box.

 

 

Some of these were hand-me-downs from my mom's sewing room, which reminded - where did that tote go?

 

 

Some of these trims go back to the 1970's for sure, and I suspect the '60s are represented as well.

 

Here's a sneak peak at the project that got me hunting:

 

 

 

 

 I also have a smaller tote filled with bias tape, zippers, seam bindings, buttons and more.  My sister, her daughters, my daughter that sews, and my girlfriend and her daughter all come to me first before heading to the store.  I'm going to have to get them to start raiding this bin as well.  Either that or open an Etsy shop!

 

One of my other hobbies is genealogy, and last night I found information that one of my maternal great-great grandmothers was also a seamstress in addition to being a homemaker. That extends my sewing heritage back to 5 generations, 6 if you include my daughter and my nieces.

 

It's no wonder I have hoard all this, when it goes so far back in my blood!