STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used since last report  2 yards

Fabric used year to date  41.125 yards

Fabric added since last report  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  46.625

Net used 2020  - 4.5 yards

I'm still in the red, but almost caught up!  I have some quilt tops ready to pin baste, but since I don't report yardage until the quilt is finished, I just have to get going.......

Right now, my cutting table is covered in fabric pieces being used in the Unity sew-along from Quiltville, but I plan on asking DH to bring in my DIL's folding cutting table, just so I can pin baste in the living room.  (She inherited it from her Mom, and it is residing in my garage, along with some other items that don't fit in their city apartment.)  She is gradually working through some of her stuff to make room for more, and she has sold some of the items online, before the virus arrived.  Hopefully, she can get back to dealing with things again soon.

We just had our Sunday morning Skype with DS2 and family.   My grandson said that he wants to give us a "big squishy hug!"  He has really missed our visits, and his trips to our home.  His little sister is getting more vocal all the time, and loves to follow her big brother.  She tries to copy everything that he does, including playing with his toys.  He is pretty good at sharing, and getting better at it all the time.

I guess I'll have to settle for a big squishy hug from DH! 

 

OUR ANNUAL PILLOWCASE DAY

For the past several years, my southern quilt group has sponsored a sewing day for Ryan's Case for Smiles.  The Tampa Bay group is very active, with many scheduled sew days at various quilt shops, and with private groups.

Last Wednesday, three coordinators arrived, loaded down with sergers, fabric, and sewing machine kits.  We began at 11 am, and with the help of many friends and neighbours to tackle the non-sewing jobs, such as pinning, turning, pick up and delivery to the various machines, and folding the completed pillowcases.

We completed 290 pillowcases by 2:45, and another 200 almost completed ones are heading off to the next sewing group!

On Thursday, DH and I headed to the Atlantic side of Florida.  Our first stop was in Rockledge to visit The Quilt Place - what an incredible quilt shop!  I picked up 2 yards of Hallowe'en fabric for my grandson's quilt.  Then we continued to Cocoa Beach, to visit friends who were visiting while on holiday.  After a great lunch and a short tour of the area, we headed north to Ormand Beach.  Then on Friday morning, we attended the AQS Daytona Beach quilt show!  What inspiration!  We took our time, looking at all the quilts that were exhibited, and the only shopping I did was choosing 4 large spools of a variety of orange shades for my Hallowe'en quilts' quilting.

Fabric used this week  4.5 yards

Fabric used year to date  23 yards

Fabric added this week  9.5 yards

Fabric year to date  25.125

Net used 2020  -2.125

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week 0 yards

Fabric used year to date  5.125 yards

Fabric added this week 1.5 yards

Fabric added year to date  4.625 yards

Net used 2020  .5 yards!

I've been busy sewing this past week, working on the first of 2 Hallowe'en quilts for my grandchildren.  I don't count fabric used until it is donated, or I have a completed project !

The center of the quilt came from a panel for a Hallowe'en tote bag, so I used one side for this quilt, and I'm saving the other for the second one.  The checkerboard strips on the side are made from the handles provided on the panel, and then I added the cute kids out trick or treating on the top and bottom.

 The next border will be made of pumpkin blocks.  The design came from Bonnie Hunter's book, "String Frenzy".  I found some gradated fabric when I was shopping, and just bought enough to the stems.

I picked up two more Hallowe'en prints with a purple background to use in the next border that I have planned, but I'm putting this project on hold, as I am teaching a class in thread painting, and I have to get my sample piece started...... Wish me luck!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  2.375 yards

Fabric used year to date  5.125 yards

Fabric added this week  3.125 yards

Fabric added year to date 3.125 yards

Net used 2020  2 yards

Even though I picked up some fabric this week, I'm still in the black.  I'm hoping to stay this way as much as possible.  I have lots of fabric available to use - I just have to keep on sewing!

I added a panel to make a wall hanging for my granddaughter's room, and 2 pieces of purple to include in the Hallowe'en quilts along with a piece of variegated green for pumpkin stems.  I started my foundation blocks for the pumpkins needed, and will continue to work on those.  I am still playing with layouts on Electric Quilt 8, but other than both quilts having a large centre block, I plan on having them a bit different, but using most of the same block elements.  Wish me luck!

FINAL FINISHES FOR 2019

Fabric used this week  18.25 yards

Fabric used year to date  121.75

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date 85.25 yards

Net used in 2019  36.5 yards

In the final week of 2019, I completed 2 table toppers, as well as Jewel Box Stars quilt, based on the leader and ender challenge from Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville.

I haven't taken a picture of the finished quilt, as one of my quilt holders is recovering from a serious cold.

The table toppers used some of my gingerbread holiday fabric collection, and will be added to my "boutique" collection for my guild's next quilt show.

I archived my stash report for 2019 yesterday, and started a new one for 2020.  I will continue to work on my "52 blocks in 52 weeks" project from the Canadian Quilters Association.  They have decided to add 2 additional blocks, to make it easier to complete a quilt, using all the blocks.  Then I have to decide how I will be setting all the blocks....   I also have an orphan project waiting for me to finish, when I return north in the spring.  I still have several quilt panels with coordinating fabric from my stash waiting in the wings to make their debut, as well as new quilts to make for our grandchildren.  Our youngest will be ready to have a big girl bed soon, and I want to have something new for her.......

Now, off to my happy place......my sewing room!

STASH REPORT, A SMALL FINISH AND GROUP FUN

Used this week  3.75 yards

Used year to date  98.25 yards

Added this week  14.25 yards

Added year to date  82.75 yards

Net used 2019  15.5 yards

I gave in to a fabric sale at Quilts on Plum Lane in Dade City, and then placed an order at Connecting Threads that included 2 sets of fat quarters for 50% - I couldn't resist.  I chose ones that had colours that I was collecting for some planned winter projects.

My first finish is a small baby quilt.  The blocks were leftover from printed fabric that I used many years ago.  I set some of the small blocks on point, and added triangles, and the others have a small border.  I made piped binding to add a small green accent.

 

I have also been working on my 52 blocks in 52 weeks, but I'm already behind on the last two made available.  These are blocks 26 to 43.  The end is in sight, and then I'll have to play with a layout using 52 blocks!

My quilt group is back in full swing.  We had a dozen quilters on the first week, and a few more yesterday.  Everyone is working on their own projects, and we had fun checking out all the lovely fabrics, helping each other with layouts, suggestions for borders, and understanding written instructions.

DH and his group, Three for a Quarter, are off to entertain at a local nursing home this afternoon.  They volunteer their time, bring lively music, singing and a few silly jokes to brighten the day of the residents.

Yesterday, a member of our southern community came by to drop off some lovely quilting fabrics to share.  She is not doing as much sewing as she had in the past, and thought we could use the fabric to make pillowcases for the charity "Cases for Smiles" or other charity projects.  I plan to spend a few minutes sorting through the 5 bags of fabric, and organizing the smaller scrap pieces by colour.  I'll take them to the group next week to share with everyone.

MY FINAL FINISH BEFORE OUR TRIP

Last winter, a quilting friend gave me all of her scraps.  There was lots of flannel in various shades and prints, so I began making mini rail fence blocks.  

I pulled the project bag out on the weekend, and decided to finish the quilt.  I have a large collection of small cuts of flannel, saved from the backings of the kids' and baby quilts that I make, so I started cutting strips, and paired them light to dark.  After stitching and pressing the pieces, they were cut into 4 square units, 3.5 inches square, and stitched into blocks.  I mixed the two collections of blocks and discovered that I needed to make 2 more blocks to complete the quilt centre.  I found a larger piece of white flannel, with colourful printed letters for borders, and soon the top was complete.

I pieced the backing as well, to use all the odd pieces of flannel looking for a home.  I used a striped cotton for the binding, and had it completed to take to my guild's Community Quilts sew day this morning.

Including this quilt, I have used 94.5 yards of fabric this year, and only added 68.5 yards (mostly gifts).  My net used fabric for 2019 is      26 yards!!!!

JUST IN TIME & STASH REPORT

I just finished the final stitches in the binding of my quilt for my granddaughter's first birthday, in September.  The whole gang arrives tomorrow for a week visit, and I wanted it finished and hidden away.....

I had fun machine quilting.....

 

Here is the completed quilt, that I'm calling 

"Little Lambs for Ana"

Unfortunately the colours are a bit faded, even with the blinds closed - I shouldn't complain that it is a bright sunny day!

                          Fabric used this week  6.125 yards
                         Fabric used year to date  60.5 yards
                             Fabric added this week 0 yards
                        Fabric added year to date  68.5 yards
                              Net used 2019  -8 yards

I'm still in the red, but getting closer.  I just have to find more hours to sew....... 

STASH REPORT AND OUR TRIP NORTH!

Used this week 0 yards

Used year to date 37.625  yards

Fabric added this week  14.75 yards

Fabric added year to date  68.5 yards

Net used 2019  -30 875 yards

 

Our trip north almost didn't begin.  Car was packed, house was locked, and car wouldn't start!  Went in to call AAA, and our phone had been put on seasonal hold already!  Got out our emergency cell phone and  called AAA and got a boost to start the car, then headed to Walmart to get a new battery.  We got on the road by noon instead of 8am!  We decided to cancel our first night's hotel reservation, and our stop in Athens GA at the botanical garden - that will have to wait for fall.  Managed to get to Orangeburg SC in time for bed!

Day two - the car was hard to start.  Luckily, there was a Chev dealer about a mile from our motel.  They found out that the new battery had a dead cell, and gave us directions to the nearest Walmart.  We were back on the road in about 2 hours.  The rest of the trip was fairly uneventful.  We enjoyed the redbud trees and dogwoods in bloom along the way, and reached Winchester VA.  Thank heavens for no more car problems the rest of the way!

Day three - we continued on the interstate until shortly after we reached Pennsylvania.  We meandered along Hwy 30, and our first stop was at the Sew n Place in Fayetteville PA.  I found some Hallowe'en fabric marked down, so picked up some for my grandkids future quilts.  + 4 yards!

 

Then we meandered to Zook's Fabrics in Intercourse PA - I had an email saying that they had fat quarters on sale for 99 cents!

More Hallowe'en and neutral fat quarters.
+ 4.75 yards!




It started to rain, so we headed to our hotel in Lancaster.  The rain had stopped by the time we headed out for our evening of dinner theatre.  We had a lovely dinner, and were entertained with a performance of Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat!  The cast was great, and we really enjoyed the childrens chorus!  DH booked a package at the Heritage Hotel, that included a full breakfast in the morning too!  We are hoping to stop on our way south in the fall.

Day Four we headed out to Denver PA to visit Burkholders Fabrics.  We enjoyed driving through the country, looking at all the lush green farms along the way.  The forsythia and daffodils were adding their colour to the scenery too!  I managed to choose 6 more yards of fabric to add to my collection!  I love the diagonal stripe - it will make great binding!  From there we headed north and finally got back on I-81.  We made a quick stop in Watertown NY, and then headed home, with a stop and welcome home at the Canadian border.  We were home in time to unload the van, and enjoyed a quick dinner before heading to bed.  

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  6.375 yards

Fabric used year to date  31.25 yards

Fabric added this week  47.75  yards

Fabric added year to date  53.75 yards

Net used 2019  -16.125 yards

What a huge amount of fabric to add in one week, but it isn't all my fault!!!!  I did pick up some fabric to make my "52 blocks 52 weeks" blocks, and I am making a checkerboard rails quilt (Bonnie Hunter pattern), to use up lots of my 1 1/2 inch scrap strips, and needed black and white fabric for the checkerboard pieces, and I picked up 2 yards of striped fabric, for use as binding.

I also made a quick stop at my favourite local shop to pick up a bit more fabric, more black solid, and a beautiful print that I plan to use for a new quilt pattern.  I also found some sweet pink print flannel to use on the back of another quilt for our granddaughter.
 

The remaining yardage came as a gift from my southern quilting group.  We meet every Wednesday from 11-3, and have fun making quilts and other sewing projects.  Many work on their own individual projects, but I also provide patterns for easy beginner quilts, and this year led the group in 2 mystery quilt projects.  

We went out for lunch on Wednesday, along with some fabric therapy at 2 different fabric shops.  We do this every year before we all head off to our northern homes for the summer.  It is always a bit sad, but we'll all be together again in November or December.

I received a lovely card, signed by all the quilters, and a tote bag filled with fat quarters!  They all know that I track my stash, and there was some evil snickering as the fabric was passed around for all to admire.  Of course, this has moved me into the red again this year!  Now I have to ramp up my quilting, and get back into the black again.......  Too many projects, and too little time. 

I managed to complete another quilt in time to add it to my "used" yardage!  I started with a panel designed by Nancy Halverson that had been lingering in my stash.  I also had a leftover all-over print and coordinating floral stripe, from a project I made in 2000! I us!ed the stripe to make a mitered border, which I demo'd to my group, and used a pretty floral flannel for the backing.  

Since I am a fabric pre-washer, I'm off to serge all the raw edges of my new fabric, and sort it into loads of like colours.  Since I donate almost all of my quilts, I like to make sure that any loose dye is out of each piece, and that any shrinkage happens before I use it in a project.  I've had some big surprises over the years!
 

A FINISH AND STASH REPORT

Fabric used this week  17.75 yards

Fabric used year to date  31.25 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  6 yards

Net used 2019   25.25 yards

This week I completed the mystery quilt, and then worked on another panel that has been in my stash for quite a while!

This is another 24 inch panel, and needed to be made wider.  I used some 6 inch finished pinwheel blocks in light green and blue with a red center, and white with red hearts neutral fabric.  I outlined all the printed details, and then had fun with the remaining quilting.  This will become another donation to my guild's community quilts program, that provides quilts to many places in our city and area.

 

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  4.125 yards

Fabric used year to date  4.125 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date  6 yards

Net used 2019  -1.875

I finished the first of two mystery quilts this past week.  It is a paper pieced wall hanging designed by Carol Doak.

I also have the top for the second mystery quilt completed, but I'm busy finishing the quilting on my sister-in-law's king size quilt.  It will be pin-basted this week, I hope. 

 I saved all the selvedge edges, and have used them to cover some clothesline, with the plan to make a basket to match the quilt.

My progress had been slowed in the past week due to cold temperatures.  ( I'm not really complaining since many parts of North America were suffering from artic temperatures!)

My sewing room is an unheated space built under the carport, and I waited for the sun to warm my room each day.  Unfortunately we had many cloudy days.......

Things are back into the normal range, so I should have some large blocks of time to work this week!

 

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week 0 yards

Fabric used year to date 0 yards

Fabric added this week 6 yards

Fabric added year to date 6 yards

Net used 2019 - 6 yards

Yesterday DH and I made a quick visit to Dade City.  I picked up some novelty prints to make pillowcases for Ryan's Cases for Smiles.  My group is having another sew-a-thon in February, so I like to have some samples to show the steps, as we have new people come to help every year.

 

Each colour combination will make 2 pillowcases.

FINAL STASH REPORT FOR 2018

Stash reports have been hit and miss for me this year.  

Since this is the final full week in December,

I decided to close the books on 2018.

 Fabric used this week 4.625 yards

Fabric used year to date  124.125 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  62.125 yards

Net used 2018  62 yards

This is not my best report since I have been keeping track, 

but it is also not my worst!
I have continued to use more than I have added,

which was my goal.

This is my final finish of 2018, called A Year in the Garden.  The embroidery patterns and the final quilt design was a BOM in 2018, by Jenny of ELEPHANTZ. 

I added a final small green border to the original design.  I stitched the quilting by machine, using So Fine thread by Superior Thread.

Below are some close-ups.

 














I stitched feathered hooks in the final border, and simple leaves surrounding each framed block.  My goal was to create texture, and highlight the blocks.  The embroidery was done by hand.

STASH REPORT AND QUILT PICTURE

Fabric used this week  7.875 yards

Fabric used year to date  83.5 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  62.125 yards

Net used 2018  21.375 yards

I seem to making headway - keeping the fabric used from my stash!

This is my version of Bonnie Hunter's Diamond Tiles block.  Block pattern was available in the May/June 2018 edition of Quiltmaker magazine.

All the blocks were made from leftover strips and squares.  Some of them should have had better contrast in the colours, but I used what was already cut - no exceptions!  I did use additional fabric for the sashing, setting triangles and binding, to brind it all together.  I am slowly working my way through years of leftover fabric strips!

 

STASH REPORT

Fabric used this week  6 yards

Fabric used year to date  61.25 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  62.125 yards

Net used 2018  -0.875 yards

I'm so close to being in the black!  I'm counting the fabric that I used for the Christmas table topper, the runner, and the 2 quilt bags that I needed for my quilt entries in our upcoming show.

I have 6 quilts entered, and need a cloth bag for each, but I save them, and reuse the ones that fit.  I also re-use my hanging sleeves that are stitched on bed quilts.  I've made them from muslin, and hand stitch them to the large quilts, adding or removing length as required.  Over the years, I have sold some of my quilts in the show, and the new owner receives the quilt in the bag, so I have to make new ones from time to time.

  If you are interested in seeing my entries, they are on the annual quilts tab on the top of the blog page. 
2016 -  Limestone Quilters' Guild BOM 2015-16
         -  Breaking Out!
         -  Red Radiance
         -  Shades of Autumn
2017 - Oma's Blues
2018 - Use It or Lose It!  Limestone Quilters' Guild BOM 2017-18

STASH REPORT AND MORE

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used  year to date  48.625 yards

Fabric added this week  22.5 yards!

Fabric added year to date  62.125 yards

Net used 2018  13.5 yards!

Since we are nearing the end of our time in the south, along with many of our friends, my quilting group went on an outing on Wednesday.  We visited Brandon FL, and made a stop at the big Joanns store there (I only replace a ruler!).  After our shopping, we headed to the Cheescake Factory for lunch.  None of us had room for cheescake!!!!!  While we were waiting to be served, I was presented a lovely card, and a bag of goodies!

They had each chosen a fat quarter or two or three, and after I had time to look at all the lovely bundles, I folded them to fit on my shelves, and counted 80 fat quarters!!!!!  It is their fault that I'm back in the red again.

Now to get sewing!

We then headed to Gigi's Fabric Shop, where we were greeted by Gigi and her lovely staff.  She  gave us a tour of the shop, and offered our group 10% off all the fabric etc., that we chose to take home!  Of course, I couldn't resist.

  I picked out 2 black and white prints to add to my collection, along with some vehicles and fish for future grandson items.  That accounted for the 2.5 yards in my report.

Next Wednesday will be our last week to get together and sew before I have to pack up all my quilting stuff, and get ready to close our house for a while.  We always feel sad to return north, but we are both looking forward to getting some real grandson hugs!

This past week I finished the top of my Diamond Hill project by Esther Aliu.  I decided to only complete the 4 blocks, and I changed the sashing etc., as I want to use it as a wall hanging.  I spent a couple of days piecing a backing for this project, and then DH and I pin-basted the quilt this morning, so I hope to begin quilting it soon.  The grey fabric is leftover backing from a previous project.  The green flowered print has been in my stash for 24 years - leftover from making 5 bridesmaid dresses for my niece's wedding.  They had full skirts, cut in gored panels, and the pattern of the fabric was directional, so there were many long triangle wedges of fabric remaining.  I've made items with some of the fabric over the years, but no matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to use it all up!

TWO FINISHES AND STASH REPORT

Fabric used this week  25.5 yards

Fabric used year to date  48.625 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  39.625 yards

Net used 2018  9 yards

I finished two projects this week.  I made 12 thread catchers to donate to my guild's boutique at the June quilt show.  I saw a demo online, using rings cut from Pringles cans, and cardboard circles cut from a cereal box for the bottoms.  They are all hand stitched, and twist to fold to take along anywhere.  

I also finished a larger quilt, made with stash fabric, as well as some yardage that I bought at an end of the year sale.  The quilt is called "Celestial Magic", and I had drawn it using EQ7, and found the file when I was upgrading to version 8.  Of course, I didn't make a note of where I saw the quilt, so I can't give credit to the designer (bad quilter!)  I don't have a full picture of the quilt, but I did take some shots of some of the quilting.

The quilt is made of two different blocks, set on point.  The star block uses the Tri Rec ruler to make the points, and has 4-patches and a square in square centre.

The alternate block is a large 9-patch block with black sashing.  I stitched a square flower in the orange-red centre, using King Tut thread from Superior thread.

I purposely did not stitch on any of the black areas in the quilt, with the exception of the centre of the star.  All the gray areas were stitching with light grey thread.

All the small orange-red squares in the interior were stitched with swirls, and the green squares had a leaf stitched in each.

The border is simple 4-patch blocks.  The orange-red was stitched with a flower, and more leaves stitched in the green areas.  I stitched feather hooks in the gray areas, alternating right and left around the quilt.

All the quilting was stitched free motion, and I used the width of the foot to space the lines in the light gray areas - I don't have a ruler foot.

I'll have to wait until I can get our neighbour to come and help hold the quilt for a full picture.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  1.75 yards

Fabric used year to date  1.75 yards

Fabric added this week  5 yards

Fabric added year to date  33.625 yards

Net used 2018  -31.875 yards

I'm still in the red, but at least I have a finish!

I had fun with these blocks, but decided that I wanted to get back to other projects, so I stopped at 3, and made a runner.

I got back to work on one project.   I had made both the blocks and the alternate blocks but had to make the pieced setting triangles.  When I checked my instructions, I found that all the edges would be on the bias, so I used EQ8 to draw the block, then I divided it in half, and printed out templates for the unusual shapes, then I divided it into 4 pieces, so I could get templates for the corner triangles as well.  I spent yesterday piecing the side and corner triangles, then used the living-room carpet to lay the blocks out, then pick them up in rows for sewing.  This morning I managed to sew the rows in one direction, and then pin them in the opposite way, but it began raining, and since my sewing room is a sunroom under the carport, the rain hitting the aluminum roof was just too loud, so I came inside and reconciled my back accounts - a job I always put off!

I also received the final instructions for the borders for my guild's scrappy BOM quilt, so when I get the first one done, I'll begin stitching the borders (all pieced!) 
I'm linking up with quiltpaintcreate today to share my stash report.  

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week 0 yards

Fabric used  year to date 0 yards

Fabric added this week 3.625 yards

Fabric added year to date 28.625  yards

Net used 2018  -28.625 yards

Further into the hole this week - I picked up some packages of batik charm squares, and a couple of yards of clearance fabric.

I finished stitching all the clamshell blocks together, and trimmed them ready to be used in a tote bag.

I completed the alternate blocks for my quilt project - 12 of them, but then noticed that the pieced setting triangles would leave bias edges, so had to plan a new cutting chart to have straight of grain along the outside.

Began getting caught up on my guild's BOM project.  Completed 6 of the 8 blocks, but need to make more half square triangle units to complete the last two.

Pulled fabric from my stash to make a rainbow star block sample - I'll be doing a demo on Wednesday.

I still have to edit the pictures from my guild's last meeting and get them posted to the website!

Lots to get done this week! 
I'm linking up with others at quiltpaintcreate.