Challenge quilt complete!

Quilt turn-in day for our guild's show was yesterday.

I finished the last of the binding and the label about 9:55 yesterday, minutes before I had to leave for karate. And apparently I have a rep now - when I went to turn it in, all the other ladies asked me when I'd finished, and when I admitted it was that morning, all of them busted out laughing. Oh well- it's done :)

The last one finished was the Bloomin' Challenge quilt (rules are here on our website). The challenge specified a them related to "the end" and my quilt is based [loosely] on a memory of my daughter at my grandmother's funeral.

 Over Christmas break, I went with my brother to Ft. Denaud cemetery where a big chunk of my family is buried and took photos of my grandmother's gravestone. I transferred the photo, and cut out just the stone to fuse to the background, then fussy cut the flowers from one of the challenge fabrics to fuse around the stone.

 The Lovely Daughter's dress was one of the challenge fabrics, with the trim another of the challenge fabrics. I used the back of a print for the flesh tone. Green spiky quilting for the sparse grass.

More of the orchid challenge fabrics as crepe myrtle blossoms.

2015 Stash Report Week 10

Yards in: 0
Yards out: 3.1
Cumulative yards in: 3.5
Cumulative yards out:  7.4
Net gain/loss: 3.9 USED

Spending since last post: $25.26
Spending this year: $53.14

This is Gridlock:

It should look familiar - it's very like my niece's quilt. I always intended to make a smaller version, but got spurred to a finish by our quilt guild's yearly challenge - it fits the challenge!

Final size 39 x 44 so ~ 2.7 yards total

I made a pillowcase - 19 x 26, so ~0.4 yards busted

Spending:
$1.26 for thread on one trip
~$12 for thread on another trip
$12 at the thrift shop

Measurements for Laura's cat suit

fingertip - fingertip = 66 inches
foot-neck = 59
inseam =30
underarm - fingertip = 26
hips = 40

Quilt history blog

http://quilthistorytidbits--oldnewlydiscovered.yolasite.com/aunt-martha.php

I can't pin this blog, so I'm posting it here in hopes I'll be able to find it again.

2015 Stash Report Week 6

Yards in: 3.5
Yards out: 4.0
Cumulative yards in: 3.5
Cumulative yards out:  4.3
Net gain/loss: 0.8 USED

Spending since last post: $27.88
Spending this year: $27.88

A little bit to catch up on...

Three spends since the last post.

1. Trip to Jo-Ann's - $10.33 for a yard and a half of fleece to back the hearts quilt and half a yard of Kona grey for our guild challenge quilt. 

2. Trip to the LQS - Capital Quilts - for thread to quilt The Lovely Daughter's friend's quilt. Also two FQ for letters for TLD and her little :) Total was just under $12 (I also bought a tote bag which doesn't "count" for the $$ tally).

3. Trip to the thrift store (I've cut back to only the first weekend of the month allowed!) and spent $5.55. A few beads, a few bits of fabric (~1 yard), some beads.

But I had a finish! Technically not a quilt, since it's only two layers, but I used all of the fleece! A comfort blanket for a friend who just got a scary medical diagnosis. I used this Heart Block tutorial.

Ralph helps (not).

 Done! quilted in the ditch.

 Red polka-dot binding - all by machine.

 Fleece backing - it's REALLY hard to find non-juvenile fleece.

Progress was made on a UFO started end of the year:

 This needs borders; then hopefully I can piece a backing.

I also started a quilt for a different niece:

 and a challenge quilt, that is very much like the other just-finished batik quilt.

January Laundry List/December update

Combined! updates from December and going thru to January.

1. Catch up/keep up with Women of the Bible blocks. Nope. Still on the list for January.

2. Work on blue-yellow quilt. Nope. Still on the list for January.

3. Work on red-white-black quilt. Nope. Still on the list for January.

4. Work on applique quilt. I did at least one complete block, and completed the center of a flower block . Still on the list for January.

5. Make bibs. I either need to find the pattern I made, or re-make it from the drawing in my idea book. Nope. Still on the list for January.

6. Continue menu planning. Some. Still on the list for January. It was a cub scout requirement, so the Small Man did one week.

7. Spend at least 5 minutes EVERY DAY going through crafty stuff. Nope. Still on the list for January.
 
8. Work on minecraft quilt for the Small Man. Nope. Still on the list for January. I did make him the minecraft pillowcase for Christmas!

9. Keep working on hooked rug. Nope. Still on the list for January.

10. Cut squares from orange fabric and work on the galaxy wallhanging. A few. Still on the list for January.

11. Start the Lovely Daughter's sorority letters for a needlepoint pillow. Nope. Still on the list for January.

12. Stay off computer games. DONE. Now to keep it up.

2015 Stash Report Week 1

Yards in: 0
Yards out: 0.3
Cumulative yards in: 0
Cumulative yards out:  0.3
Net gain/loss: 0.3 USED

Spending since last post: $0
Spending this year: $0

Yeah! Starting the year with a small finish! a couple of potholders from a stripset for a baby quilt that didn't quite work out.

I also cut into some fabric for quilts for the coming year - one for a friend of The Lovely Daughter's, and one for a new great-nephew.

2015 goals

1. finish 15 projects.

2. Spend 15 minutes a day sewing/creative activity OR in organizing the craft supplies

3. 5 a day. Every day, throw away or find a home for 5 things.

4. Keep blogging.
 
5. Participate in the weekly stash report and keep my $10 per week budget - but focus that budget on things I really need. Less buying stuff "just because" ~ so stops at the thrift store will have to drop from weekly to monthly.




6. Try to keep up with the challenges I've signed up for.

Word of the Year

For 2015, the word of the year will be:  VISION

Last year's word was NOW, and the year before that was PROGRESS.

At some point soon, I'll work on goals for this year. Right now, I'm putting the old superstition of what you do on New Year's Day, you'll do the rest of the year - so cleaning and sewing!

Goal recap for 2014

Last year's word was NOW, because I have a BAD procrastination habit. It's gotten a little better, although not as better as I'd like!


My goals were:
1. finish 14 projects.
I actually finished more than this - at least 6 things right before Christmas!!

2. Spend 14 minutes a day sewing OR in stash management.
This one just didn't happen. "Sew every day" is a nice goal, but I don't know that I'd ever get there. I think this year I'll set a weekly goal instead.

3. 2014 in 2014: Sometime around the time things got crazy last year, I stopped keeping track, but I'm pretty sure that although I didn't reach my 2013 things goal, much more left than in previous years. This year, I'm shooting for 2014.
I stopped keeping track at some point this year. It just gets hard to track and keep count. I still have some of Mom's things that need to go to charity, and some of *my* things that need to go, but I won't try to keep track of numbers this year. 

4. Keep track of what I'm doing by starting blogging again - I feel much more productive when I have a record of what I've done.
I'll call this one a win, even if by a nose. More posts in 2014 than 2013!!

5. Participating in the weekly stash report will help me manage my stash. I'm also setting a $10 per week budget (that I feel no compulsion to spend) but I want to make sure that I'm not spending more than I think I am. The $10 includes EVERYTHING, not just fabric -thread, storage stuff, equipment, gadgets.
Not weekly stash reports, but often enough. Although I still came in adding more than I used! And as for spending - I came in under $520, again, by a nose ~ but without really trying to *not* spend. 

So. Not so bad. New goals maybe later today, maybe over the weekend. Still working through them.

2014 stash report Week 52

Yards in: 0
Yards out: 9.2
Cumulative yards in: 69.9
Cumulative yards out:  57.9
Net gain/loss: 12 GAINED

Spending since last post: ~$30?
Spending this year: $515.32

The spending this time is a guess. I'm pretty sure I bought yarn, and I spent $0.75 on some sueded cotton at the thrift store :) And I just spent another $10 or so on notions at the thrift store here in Florida.

Fabric out:
1. Pillowcases!
TARDIS pillowcase for the Karate Kid (with a photobomb from Small Man). :
It's BIG. There's a custom-made pillow form inside :) 25" wide by 52" long; 3.6 yards

Minecraft Creeper pillowcase for the Small Man (made from his Halloween costume!): 22 x 40" long; 1.8 yards

















Kitty pillowcase for the Lovely Daughter, 1.3 yd. No photo, but a lovely Laurel Burch pastel.

2. A couple of table-runners for my sister-in-law:
Colors that match a foyer cabinet she has, some vintage fabrics, about 10" x 45",  0.7 yards.

Musical fabric, from a bunch of strips I got for quilt show volunteering a few years ago. Total is about 12" x 60", 1.3 yards.

3. Two FQ for next year's UFO challenge, 0.5 yards.

Women of the Bible/Rachel and Leah

OK, so the title is cheating a bit. On the instructions, it's Rachel (and Leah).

Honestly, I'd be more interested in what Leah thought about all of her sister's actions.

Women of the Bible/Eve

When I heard about a quilt focused on the women of the bible, I knew I needed to make it for my dear sister-in-law ~ she's a music minister and would appreciate it.

This is the first block, Eve:

The blocks come along with a description of each woman's story, with a moral attached, which as an agnostic to the core I take with a grain of salt. Or a salt shaker. Eve's, of course, is all about resisting temptation.

I feel for Eve - any time anybody tells me anything, my response is going to be "Prove it!" I'm that annoying person who's always posting the Snopes link on your Facebook post that has no basis in fact. I'd have eaten the apple, but it's less about my inability to resist temptation than my inability to take anything on faith.

December Laundry List

See November update here :)

1. Catch up/keep up with Women of the Bible blocks

2. Work on blue-yellow quilt.

3. Work on red-white-black quilt.

4. Work on applique quilt.

5. Make bibs. I either need to find the pattern I made, or re-make it from the drawing in my idea book.

6. Continue menu planning.
 
7. Spend at least 5 minutes EVERY DAY going through crafty stuff.
 
8. Work on minecraft quilt for the Small Man.

9. Keep working on hooked rug. 

10. Cut squares from orange fabric and work on the galaxy wallhanging.

11. Start the Lovely Daughter's sorority letters for a needlepoint pillow.

12. Stay off computer games. 

2014 stash report Week 48

Yards in: 5
Yards out: 9.3
Cumulative yards in: 69.9
Cumulative yards out: 48.7
Net gain/loss: 21.2 GAINED

Spending since last post: ~$30
Spending this year: $485.32


Eek. Estimate time. I've had a few trips to the thrift store - so I estimate ~$30 and ~5 yards.


And the 9.3 yards used is for the finished quilt for my niece.

Quilt done!

I made this quilt for my niece, sweet Maria. (She's 30ish, so not a kid's quilt.)

68 x 88", so 9.3 yards busted by my calculations. ALL from stash!

(technically not done-done - I have to finish sewing down the binding and attach the label over Thanksgiving)

Thank you, Kathi! (and an update)

Lat month, I was the winner of the Linky Loot at the monthly Laundry List on Kathi's Design Originals blog.

I'm finally getting around to posting the goodies :)

I told her I was working on a red/white/black quilt [on the list below!] and was a sucker for any kind of button. So...black-and-white for my 9-patches, red for my snowball corners, and lovely vintage buttons to feed my addiction!

Thank you, Kathi - mostly for hosting the linky party, which keeps me at least somewhat externally accountable, but also for the thrill of a squishy envelope in the mail.








So, updating my list for November...

1. Finish crocheted baby blanket. Done!!

New #1 project: Cross-stitch picture of a sewing room. I've gotten this started - I keep it at work and use it to force myself to relax during my lunch break.

2. Work on blue-yellow quilt. I have a couple of blocks picked out.

3. Work on red-white-black quilt. I've found the bin, but that's all.

4. Work on applique quilt. Maybe another block or 2?

5. Make bibs. I either need to find the pattern I made, or re-make it from the drawing in my idea book. Not yet.

6. Continue menu planning. Not as consistently as I'd like, but working on it.

7. Spend at least 5 minutes EVERY DAY going through crafty stuff. Falling behind on this!
 
8. Finish t-shirt quilt. It's almost completely put together; I found another t-shirt that will work better than one of the squares that's already done, so I need to replace it. Done! I never replaced the last square but it's finished and it looks just fine.

9. Keep working on hooked rug. I've slowed down on this...

10. Find the orange fabric I need to finish the galaxy wallhanging. I found some, not sure if it's enough. I need to cut those squares.

11. Chart the Lovely Daughter's sorority letters for a needlepoint pillow. DONE!
New #11: Start working on the needlepoint pillow!

12. Stay off computer games. Most days! Not cold turkey yet, but I'm getting better at noticing when I'm going down the rabbit hole and getting OFF, which is at least better than staying on.

2014 Stash Report Week 45

Yards in: 6
Yards out: 10.2
Cumulative yards in: 64.9
Cumulative yards out: 39.4
Net gain/loss: 24.5 GAINED

Spending since last post: ~$50
Spending this year: $455.32

T-shirt quilt: 52 x 71. I'm estimating ~30% of the front is stash fabric. The t-shirts never went IN to stash, so they can't come out :)
Estimate stash busted is 3.2 yards.

I also sent ~5 yards of scraps to The Lovely Daughter, for sorority-related crafts. Some of that may come back, but for now, it's out of the stash :)

Halloween costumes: I bought 2 yards of satin for the cape, and basically used all of it - so a wash. I bought 4 yards of black Kona cotton for the robe and hood, and don't count it "out" since it'll get deconstructed and used in future quilts. Same for the minecraft costume - all from stash, but I'm not done with it yet.

In other project news, I finished the flower square baby blanket! I really like the finished product.

Spending: $6.25 at the thrift store and ~45 at Jo-Anns. I'll update if I find those receipts again.

November Laundry List (and progress from this month)

Many thanks to Kathi for hosting a monthly linky party ~ accountability rocks :)

My list for November is pretty easy, as it's basically my list from October! R.eplacement projects are already lined up


1. Finish crocheted baby blanket. Totally doable. I've decided on 25 blocks with a border. All of the center flowers are done, and 16 (or 19?) have green borders. I've even started sewing them together.

New #1 project: Cross-stitch picture of a sewing room I bought today :)

2. Work on blue-yellow quilt. More blocks done!

3. Work on red-white-black quilt. I've found the bin, but that's all.

4. Work on applique quilt. Not yet.

5. Make bibs. I either need to find the pattern I made, or re-make it from the drawing in my idea book. Not yet.

6. Continue menu planning. Not as consistently as I'd like, but working on it.

7. Spend at least 5 minutes EVERY DAY going through crafty stuff. Most days!
 
8. Finish t-shirt quilt. It's almost completely put together; I found another t-shirt that will work better than one of the squares that's already done, so I need to replace it. I still need to replace the last square and finish the top.

9. Keep working on hooked rug. I've slowed down on this...

10. Find the orange fabric I need to finish the galaxy wallhanging. I found some, not sure if it's enough. I need to cut those squares.

11. Chart the Lovely Daughter's sorority letters for a needlepoint pillow. DONE!
New #11: Start working on the needlepoint pillow!

12. Stay off computer games. Most days! Not cold turkey yet, but I'm getting better at noticing when I'm going down the rabbit hole and getting OFF, which is at least better than staying on.

2014 Stash Report Week 42

Yards in: 24
Yards out: 0.4
Cumulative yards in: 57.9
Cumulative yards out: 29.2
Net gain/loss: 28.7 GAINED

Spending since last post: ~$52 ($5 admission to show; $27 on fabric, buttons, a book, and a pillow form at show; $20 for peltex and felt for the Karate Kid's Halloween costume)
Spending this year: $405.32

First, the usage:

 Just a cute little pumpkin tabletopper. Based on something I saw on the interwebs.

Purchased? Lots of stuff at the quilt show Calico Elephant tables.

Lots of lovelies, including a bag of white-on-white and cream-on-cream scraps, which I definitely do NOT ever have enough of.

I also spent much of this weekend making a Creeper costume for the Small Man. There were lots of starts and re-starts.

First, this - lots of green prints:

When he saw it, S. said it should be "not as different." ??? I'd seen the images, and was puzzled.

I went back and looked, and clarified: solids, contrast not a problem? Yes. So off to cut solids and almost-solids from the stash - and to clear what was used BEFORE cutting.

(At this point, I told TMOTH that I needed different fabrics, and he asked, somewhat facetiously, if I was going shopping. HA HA HA HA HA!!)

Next, I stayed with teh 5" blocks in solids  (just ignore the fuzz and cat hair):

WAY too big. So I cut 2.5" squares for the next step:

Much better. The whole thing fits over a box, with an eyehole cut out and a head-band that TMOTH had from some tool or another.

The Karate Halloween party is next Friday, so I didn't have next weekend to work on it!