STASH REPORT - Week 4, 2014

Used this Period: 0 yards
Added this Period: 0 yards

Used year to Date:  42.14 yards
Added Year to Date: 20.47 yards 

Net Stash Decrease for 2014: 21.81 yards

 

Oh, no--where did the week go?!  Nothing added and nothing used.  

 

I'm still nursing a bad back--the muscle spasms are gone but the pain is still there.  This all started in about 1980, when I herniated discs in the lumbar region.  Fast forward to now, and those discs slip every once in a while.  And I'm really wanting to get down to my quilting studio!

The downside is that I have time to browse the Quilting Board and put another quilt (Fons & Porter's "Emily's Wedding Quilt" also listed under some other names) on my Want-to-Do list as another scrappy.  That list keeps growing!

I did attend a "lesson" on making cinnamon rolls at the Senior Center (walking slowly, sitting gingerly) and made rolls on Saturday morning--big, fat ones!  The recipe they used included potato flakes, which I've not used before.  They turned out very tasty, and I'll use that recipe again.  The only problem is there are only 2 of us eating them!!  I'll have to share some with other year-round residents.

Another picture...

I want to post another sample of the Sunshine Pineapple quilt--this one done in yellows.  I really like this sample, and I do have some yellow/lime green fabric that would look nice if incorporated into yellows and oranges. 

I'm still nursing my back; I won't be doing much again today.  The muscle spasms are relaxing, so I hope to be back to normal soon.

STASH REPORT - Week 3, 2014

Used this Period: .14 yards
Added this Period: 0 yards

Used year to Date:  42.14 yards
Added Year to Date: 20.47 yards 

Net Stash Decrease for 2014: 21.81 yards

 

I did sew this week, but don't have much I can count as no quilt tops were completed.  I made 14 more scrappy blocks with my 3-inch scraps but haven't decided how to put them together.   I cleaned my quilting room and put things back where they belong, and ironed some shirts for my DH.  Then I found some red hat fabric I had quilted years ago; I remember that I had planned to use it to make big craft bags to give to my sister and niece.  I decided that it would be a lap quilt instead, so I made binding and finished it for a different purpose than planned--and have a complete finish!  And then while perusing Pinterest, I again saw pictures of the Sunshine Pineapple quilt--oh, it is sooooo pretty!  So I added it to my list of "want-to-make" patterns.

I started cataloging decorative painting magazines--a task prompted by a request my son made for a painted sawblade for his shop.  Unfortunately, the lifting of heavy boxes caused a flareup of my back problems, so I'm moving pretty slowly and won't be running any races this week!  I have some more cataloging to do as I'm about half-way done--I would like to get back into painting again to reduce my stash of items collected for that purpose.

We went to a private viewing of "Saving Mr. Banks" that was arranged by the Senior Center.  We took friends with us and it was a nice outing.  It was funny because several of those who attended remarked that they had not been out that late all year (and it was about 7:30 pm)!  The mountain goats continue to provide a show; the herd grazes about 5 miles out of town.  And they really do leap from craggy rock to craggy rock like depicted in many pictures!

STASH REPORT - Week 2, 2014

Used this Period: 42 yards
Added this Period: 20.47 yards

Used year to Date:  42 yards
Added Year to Date: 20.47 yards 

Net Stash Decrease for 2014: 21.53 yards

 

Well, that was a dramatic fall off the wagon--and I just went to JoAnn's to buy the background fabric so I could finish that scrappy Triple Irish Chain (I needed five 2-inch squares!) and came out with 20.47 yards of fabric!  Wow!  That's more fabric than I bought in 2013.  I got a quarter yard of the background fabric--I thought about only getting 1/8th yard, but thought I might want to also use it for a narrow border so got a bit more.  That was my thinking before I found the other bargains and loaded my cart!  The rest of my purchases were either $2.50 or $3/yard--but I should only have gotten the patriotic cut and the leaf design fabric (which was their expensive yardage with an excellent hand).  Oh, well, I'm back on my fabric diet! 

 

Scrappy 16-patch/pinwheel:  I guesstimated that I used 14 yards on this quilt; pieced blocks were sewn from 3-inch squares.  The finished top measures 81x81; the backing/binding are made.  This quilt was finished on 1/9/14.

 

Scrappy Triple Irish Chain:  Again, because I was quilting from scraps, I guesstimated on the yardage used.  Because I was working with 2-inch squares, I counted 16 (total) yards used; the completed top measures 69x90.  I know I used a total of 8 yards for the backing/binding/borders as this was from yardage, not cut scraps.  This quilt was finished on 1/11/14.

 

Scrappy Quilt #2 (because I don't know how to name this one!):  I guesstimated that I used 12 yards on this top; it used 3.5-inch squares and HSTs.  The completed top measures 67x84.  I used a 5-yard piece for the backing; I hope to be able to make the binding from the edges of the backing.  This quilt was finished on 1/11/14 (I had everything done except the backing--easy to sew one seam and trim!!).

 

I have 2-3 more scrappy patterns I would like to make, but think I will take a break from them and perhaps embroider some blocks for a NewFO instead of piecing.  The good news is that I'm beginning to see some "daylight" in my fabric storage cabinet--and definitely see that my cut scrappy squares have decreased!  I still have tubs of 5/6- to 10-yard cuts for backings--need to start working on those.  I should stop perusing Pinterest as I see so many pictures of quilts I would like to make.  I still have 2 quilt tops that are pieced but need backing/binding. 

 

The quilt top pictured below was completed before the end of 2013, but I didn't count it or show it (I didn't count some fabric purchased which would have cancelled out the yardage used in the quilt).  I just wanted to show all 4 of the scrappy quilt tops I have made--so here it is!

 And here is a picture of my Christmas present--a 7-spoke Singer Model 20 toy sewing machine.  

 

When I opened the gift, I told my husband "It doesn't have a bobbin!"  As I read about it, I discovered that it makes a chain stitch--pretty simple, very innovative!  So, if EMP causes the power grid to go down, I guess I can still sew!!  :-)

STASH REPORT - Week 1, 2014

Used this Period: 0 yards
Added this Period: 0 yards

Used year to Date:  0 yards
Added Year to Date: 0 yards 

Net Stash Decrease for 2014: 0 yards

 

I'm happy to join Judy Laquidara's Stash Report for the third year; it has really helped me focus on reducing my stash and using some of that beautiful fabric instead of just "petting" it occasionally.  I won't report fabric as used until a quilt top is pieced and ready for quilting.  I usually make the backing and binding before I shift the finished top into the longarm UFO stack--and that is when I will count that fabric as used.

 

Oh, I can't believe I'm starting out the new year with nothing to report!  I'm working on 2 scrappy quilts, but nothing is finished so nothing is reported.  I've already run into the down side of quilting from stash--running out of a specific fabric that is being used.  One quilt is a scrappy Triple Irish Chain and I lack five  2-inch squares of my background fabric!  I know JoAnn's still carries that line so it's just a matter of going to the big city (which we haven't done yet).  So, in the meantime I started another scrappy--16-patches and pinwheel blocks.  And can you believe that I'm running out of the background fabric on it, too?!  JoAnn's, here I come!  The good news is that my little containers of 2-, 2.5-, 3-, and 3.5-inch squares (I follow Bonnie Hunter's method of organizing scraps) are much, much emptier!  I pieced 2 scrappy quilts in October and November--I must be in my "scrappy" phase.

Goals for the new year...

I spent time in my quilting studio yesterday--a great way to start 2014!  I'm lacking about a half yard of a specific fabric to complete a scrappy Triple Irish Chain--I'm sure I can get it at JoAnn's as it is one of their perennial fabrics.  (And that quilt will arbitrarily be my UFO#1.)  In the meantime, I'll continue working on a 3-inch block scrappy.  I'm trying to use a lot of the leftover scraps I cut & store when I finish a quilt--I've reduced my 2-, 2.5-, 3-, and 3.5-inch leftovers which are my largest "collections."  A quilting acquaintance said "You know, it is much faster if you cut WOF strips and sew them together, then cut..." :-) 

I will participate in the Stash Reduction reporting at Judy Laquidera's website again this year; it really keeps me focused.  I didn't do very well on the Get It Done program, so I won't participate in that in 2014.  Remember when we numbered our UFOs in 2012 and then drew a number each month?  I was very successful in eliminating UFOs under that system--so I will do that myself in 2014.  Here are my 2014 UFO-NewFOs (and auxiliary lists):

2014 UFO-NewFO List:
#11- Nov.:  1a) Bear Claw in Bear Claw (NewFO)
#1 Jan.:  2a) Scrappy Triple Irish Chain (UFO)  DONE  1/10/14
#10-Oct.:  3a) Solid/Scrappy Quilt w/Quilted Spirals (NewFO)
#2-Feb.:  4a) Baby 3D Pinwheel (NewFO)  DONE  2/18/14
#7-July:  5a) Embroidered Colorwork MOY Boys (UFO)
#8-Aug:  6a) Embroidered Colorwork MOY Girls (UFO)
#9-SEPT: 7a) Scrappy Birds in the Air (NewFO)
#3-Mar.:  8a) Pink LogCabin (NewFO)  DONE 4/14/14
#5-May:  9a) Scrappy Twirling 9-Patch (NewFO)
#4-Apr.:  10a) Embroidered BFC Shoes (NewFO)
#6-June:  11a) Embroidered Child's Parable Quilt (NewFO)
#12-Dec.:  Embroidered Playful Snowmen (UFO)
1b) Penguin (NewFO)
2b) Sapphire QOV (NewFO)
3b) Secret Jungle QOV (NewFO)
4b) Biscuit Quilt (NewFO)
5b) Scrappy "Corners 81" (NewFO)
6b) Scrappy 16-Patch/Pinwheel (NewFO)  DONE 1/11/14
7b) Embroidered Morehead Angels (NewFO)
8b) Embroidered Redwork Angels (NewFO)
9b) Sandi-Pat 2014 Challenge-ApplPig (NewFO)  DONE 3/27/14
10b) FatCat BOM Penguins (NewFO)
11b) Sunshine Pineapple (NewFO)
12b) F&P Emily's Wedding Quilt
1c) Scrappy String Quilt (NewFO)  DONE 3/18/14
2c) Selvage/Scrappy String Quilt (NewFO)
3c) Sweet Sixteen (NewFO)
4c) Dizzy Geese in R/W/B (NewFO)
5c) Scrappy Stacked Coins (NewFO) DONE 3/6/14
6c) Scrappy Strip Quilt (NewFO)  DONE 4/9/14
7c) Hungry Animals Baby (NewFO)  DONE 4/27/14
8c) Xmas Panel1 (NewFO) DONE 8/14
9c) Xmas Panel2 (NewFO) DONE 8/14
10c) Xmas Panel3 (NewFO) DONE 8/14
11c) Xmas Panel4 (NewFO) DONE 8/14
12c) Xmas Panel5 (NewFO) DONE 8/14
1d) Scrappy Big-LittlePinwheel (NewFO) DONE 9/1/14
2d) PinkBabywApplFlwr (NewFO)  DONE 10/31/14
3d) PinkBabywApplFlwr#2 (NewFO)  DONE 10/31/14
3d)  Harlan Baby (NewFO)  DONE 10/14 
4d)  Sandi-Pat Halloween Challenge (NewFO)  DONE 10/4/14