STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  3.375 yards

Fabric used year to date  86.5 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  62.75 yards

Net used 2015  23.75 yards

I'm a bit late with my report - I was snuggling my new grandson for the past 4 days!

This week I completed one NICU quilt and 2 snap bags.  Now I have to get busy and add the hanging sleeves on all my entries for the upcoming Quilts Kingston 2015 show in June.  I also have to make cloth bags for transport and storage, along with labels on everything......

Our weekend visiting DS2 and his lovely family was fun.  I enjoyed getting acquainted with our 3 month old grandson, D.  On Monday, I stayed home and his Mom and Dad went with DH to run some final errands.  This is the first time my DDIL has been out without D since his birth!

We helped with some gardening and DH installed cabinets in their garage, and moved shelving to better locations for their use.  They also built 2 raised beds for veggie gardening.  Apparently, rabbits are populous in their area, so their new beds are 2 feet high x 4x6 feet in size.  (I'll remember to get pics next visit).  Now they have the fun of filling them.  There are 2 compost bins in their yard, so all of the contents will be placed in the bottom of the bins, then covered with layers of topsoil, peat moss, manure, etc. to make a good gardening mix.  DS2 will be working for a while on that task! 

 The last frost date in our area isn't until May 24th, so we hope to make another trip before then to help with more gardening.  There were little green sprouts showing in most of the flower beds, so it will be interesting to see what is already there.....  I have lots of iris and daylilys that need to be divided, so I'm sure we'll find some places to share them.  They are planning to start small, so if they only get one garden bed completed in time to plant, they can work on the second for next year.

Check out all the shared reports at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

 

SOME SMALL FINISHES

I couldn't wait to get my sewing machine set up again.  My guild's community quilts group had been asked for some premie quilts for our hospital's NICU , only 24 inches square.  I prepared 3 tops and backs, then I called our committee head, to ask what if any, batting was being used.  Since this is new for our group, they were making samples using different layer and battings, but needed one made with poly batting.  They will be sent to the NICU so that they can decide which type they prefer.  I quickly quilted one of the three tops, and stitched binding to the small quilt.  I delivered it to the committee head at our guild executive meeting last night, and they will be delivered to the hospital on Friday.

While organizing all my fabric returning to my sewing room, I found some extra block parts from my mystery quilt.  I was able to made 4 blocks, so I decided to make 2 snap bags for our upcoming quilt show.  I found the extra matching fabric to make the pull tabs and lining, and pulled out my serger to clean-finish the final seams, so they are ready to go!

Next on my agenda is to complete some chicken soup.  We picked up 4 whole chickens, and I cut them into parts for the freezer, saving most of the skin and remaining bones with meat attached.  On Tuesday I simmered the stock and then strained it into some containers, and picked the meat from the remains.  Yesterday, I removed the fat from the stock, so it is ready for all the extras - yummy vegetables and herbs.  DH and I enjoy homemade soup for lunch most days, and I like to control the fat and salt content, while making tasty soup!    

I also plan to pull out some of my novelty prints to make luggage tags - another requested item for the quilt show boutique.  While looking, I'll set aside any large enough pieces for pillow cases for my southern quilt group's pillow case day next February.  This should help with my stash numbers!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

My sewing room is almost back to normal, and I just had to sew today.  Recently, my guild's Community Quilts group received a request from the NICU unit at our local hospital, for some premie quilts 24 inches square.  I had taken 2 old 1/2 yard panels south a couple of years ago, and wasn't inspired, but when I was putting fabric away, inspiration hit!  Each panel had a small wallhanging piece and 2 parts to make a tiny pillow.  This will be my first NICU quilt - after adding sashing and borders, and I'll use the stripe for binding.  More to come.....

Also, while I was putting things away, I found some leftover block units from a winter project, and stitched them together to make 4 blocks.  I'll be using these to make small "snap bags".




Check out all the creativity shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week 0 yards

Fabric used year to date  83.125 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  67.75 yards

Fabric used year to date  20.375 yards

 

I've been AWOL for a while, relocating north for the summer.  We had a safe trip, although the final 2 days were gray and overcast.  We stopped at the Martin Guitar factory in Nazareth PA on the way home - great museum and free factory tour - well worth the stop!

I still have one more tub to unpack, as well as my sewing machine.  I'll also have to unpack fabric and find a place for the quilts I brought home, until they go to their new homes.  We picked up enough groceries to manage for a few days, and I hope to be back sewing tomorrow!

Our van was so loaded that I passed on visiting some fabric shops in the Lancaster area - I wasn't sure where we would put any additions!  We can always head that way next fall...... when I have a list!

Next weekend we are visiting DS2 and his wife, so I can hold my grandson for the first time!!!!!!

 

Check out all the reports shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

PACKING, PACKING, PACKING

That's what fills my days right now!  My sewing machine is in its case, and I've packed all my quilting tools, bits and pieces.  There is still tons to do, but I know, from past experience, that I have to take my time, or I forget things.

DH took some time this morning to have a "band" practice.  They are down one man now, but the rest were feeling the loss of their time together.  They played for almost 2 hours, trying some new songs to practice for next fall when they all get together again.  DH likes to play a big variety of music, so they can fit their performances to their audience.  He as put together a few medleys - songs that everyone loves, but only know 1 verse or the chorus.  The seniors love to sing along!

Talked to my grandson this morning (although he slept through most of the conversation!)  He'll be almost 3 months old by the time I get to hold him!!!!  Can't wait!

I'm having fun packing fabric, from the new yardage that I added to leftovers that I brought to make projects (I never want to run out mid-project!)  Of course, I have a few projects that I didn't find time for - don't know where the days go!  I often with that I could sew in the evenings, but that is my time with DH!  I sometimes hand stitch, but I had very few projects requiring hand sewing this year.  I'll have to be better prepared in future.