FABRIC STASH - WEEK 44-51, 2016 (10/30-12/25/16)

Used this Period: 7.5 yards 
Added this Period: 5 yards

Used year to Date:  198.12 yards
Added Year to Date:  23.08 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2016:   175.04 yards

 

I haven't spent much time in my quilting studio in the last couple of months; I hope to change that in the New Year.  I bought 2 yards of coordinating flannel (coordinated to my pink elephant flannel) and made 2 double receiving blankets for a friend who has a new great-grandbaby.  At the same time I purchased 3 yards of a Christmas cowboy hat fabric--just because.  I'm in love with it and am looking forward to deciding what I will use it for.

 

Then my granddaughter decided she wanted to make a dress for her mother as a Christmas gift--my granddaughter was 8 on Christmas Eve day!  My son told her she would need a pattern and her reply was:  "I don't need a pattern; I'm just going to make a dress!"  He told her that Grandma has a lot of fabric (understatement!), and she should call me.  When she told me she wanted to make a dress for her mother, I told her that when I started sewing, I made an apron as my first project--and would she like to make an apron instead of a dress.  She thought that would be all right and said it needed to be pretty, funky, and colorful.  I asked my son if someone was going to help her; and he said yes, probably he would (which is like the blind leading the blind!)!  I thought about it overnight and then called him to see if I could send him a "kit" for the apron--the answer was yes.  So, I found some Mardi Gras fabric, cut out the main apron, ironed down the edges so they would just need to be stitched, made the apron ties and the top ties (with D rings) with finished ends, made a lined pocket that would just need to be sewn down on 3 sides, and made a decorative piece in lieu of ruffles which would have been harder for her to sew with the gathered edge, made a printed instruction sheet, and sent it off.  Since the 6-year-old granddaughter was feeling left out and wanted to make something, too, I also cut out 2 stocking panels, made backs for them, and made (sewed) a lining for each.  I also made the hanger for each.  When my son started to help with the apron, he called and wanted to know how to thread the machine (a Singer 404) and how to insert the bobbin--what a wonderful invention the IPhone is--I could be on facetime with him and point to different parts of the threading path!  The apron was finished in time to be wrapped, and the stockings were put together in time to be hung--projects completed!  My son is a great dad, even though he says sewing is not his forte!!

 

I had really hoped to net 200 yards used this year; I guess I have my goal for next year!!  I hope everyone of my quilting blog friends have had a blessed Christmas and will have a great New Year.  

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 43, 2016 (10/23/16)

Used this Period: 11.5 yards 
Added this Period: 1.5 yards

Used year to Date:  190.62 yards
Added Year to Date:  18.08 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2016:   172.54 yards

 

Well, another quilt to add to the Longarm UFO stack!  I finished the log cabin "Straights & Furrows" quilt and backing--so glad it is done as I want to start something else.  It measures 80x92.  

 

I'm trying to get net yardage used at 200 yards--I should be able to make it, I hope, I hope!  I still have a backing to make for the quilt I finished at the end of September, which will add a few more yards.  I bought some black fabric to use in my Halloween (think 2017!) quilt, and may need to get a bit more.  I broke my "embroidery design diet" and ordered a cute set from Ace Points through OPW--and Sandi, my quilting partner, thought the designs would look cute with some glow-in-the-dark thread.  Good idea, Sandi!  My Halloween quilt will be so cute!

 

We've had snow, but it has melted in our yard.  We are almost ready for the winter season.  The deer are still munching on the smorgasbord of plants/trees/bushes we have in our yard.  

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 42, 2016 (10/16/16)

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

Used year to Date:  179.12 yards
Added Year to Date:  16.58 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2016:   162.54 yards

 

Nothing in, nothing out--wonderful road trip to Blue Sky country, great visit with our son, and home again to rest!  I'm in love with the stretch of MT between Helena and Butte--beautiful, beautiful mountainous terrain.  DS brought some wood for DH to use in his wood turning--so we transferred it from one PU to another PU.  It was a good week--family, friends, scenery--we are blessed.  And Smokey was content because he got to go with us.

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 41, 2016 (10/9/16)

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

Used year to Date:  179.12 yards
Added Year to Date:  16.58 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2016:   162.54 yards

 

Nothing used this week--and nothing purchased.  I have finished 12 blocks on my next quilt, which is a log cabin.  I want to make 30 blocks (5 x 6 layout), but could do 20 blocks instead.  I'll see how much fabric I have after I finish 20 blocks.  

 

Wednesday we went to a nearby small town to renew the license plates for the Jeep.  Thursday we went to the same small town to see the movie "Sully" and found it to be quite good.  And we drove for the local dealership on Friday.  Last night we went to Mass and then had dinner with friends.  And today--I have cookies mixed up and ready to bake.  We will travel to Montana this week to get some red cedar from our son who will be hunting there with a friend.  The wood comes from a tree cut down by our son's neighbor--and my DH rarely turns down wood as he is a wood turner!  (He finished a beautiful bowl made of spalted maple--which also came from Washington State--that immediately disappeared into my quilting studio!  It has so many beautiful colors and grain lines.)  Quilting time will be limited again this coming week!  

 

The forest was alive again this week.  We had 4 raccoons perusing our back yard about 4:30 one morning.  They were quite fat and just waddled along without a care in the world.  The deer were chomping on the raspberry leaves again.  And Smokey, the Lhasa, is trying to prove that he is not a vegetarian!  DH let him out Friday evening and had to look for him since Smokey wasn't in any hurry to come in.  Smokey made a bee-line for the door and came into the bedroom, jumping up on the bed.  DH made him roll over and drop what he had in his mouth--a well-mouthed vole.  (Our valley has been inundated with voles this year--and they have ruined many lawns and gardens.)  Oh, yuck--what a sight!  Needless to say, no kisses from Smokey for a couple of days!

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 39-40, 2016 (9/25-10/2/16)

Used this Period: 7.34 yards 
Added this Period: 0 yards

Used year to Date:  179.12 yards
Added Year to Date:  16.58 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2016:   162.54 yards

 

Where is my quilting mojo?!  I can't seem to find it.  However, after having the blocks for the latest quilt laying on the floor for over 2 weeks, waiting to be sewn together, I did get that done.  I was dragging my feet on making the setting triangles & corners, but finished it yesterday.  I still need to make the backing, which will boost my numbers a bit next week.  I'm disappointed with this quilt--I should have used plain white instead of the white with navy squares--it would have made a big difference.  Both the navy and the white fabrics have a cherry motif.  I wanted to use these 2 Daisy Kingdom fabrics from my stash, but it turned out too dark and you can't really see the secondary pattern.  I don't believe I will make this pattern again though.  The quilt is 79x79.

 

 

The last two weeks have been busy--trip to Flaming Gorge country, trip to Grand Teton National Park, movie afternoon to see "Sully," lunches out, breakfast & dinner engagements.  On the home front, DH has been trying to trap Petunia and/or the visiting raccoons.  First he used tuna as bait--and the tuna can was emptied without the trap door being lowered.  We have 3 neighborhood cats that visit regularly, looking for mice, voles, etc.; they are often seen "babysitting" with the trap.  We finally figured out that the animals could reach in and get the bait without ever stepping on the release to lower the door--that was discovered as we watched Smokey, our Lhasa, raiding the bait!  So, DH fastened the bait can close to the top of the trap--and this time he caught Smokey again--the trap door lowered.  Smokey didn't really want to get out because he was still licking out the tuna can!  Then either Petunia or the raccoon again raided the bait without getting trapped--perhaps Petunia's tail kept the door open enough to escape or the racoon used its "hands"to get out.  Next DH used large marshmallows for bait--Smokey got one, and whomever got the rest.  So DH used dental floss to anchor the marshmallows--and the "trap raider" ate the marshmallows and took the dental floss to floss its teeth!  I think this will be a continuing saga.  Petunia was visiting somewhere nearby when we returned from Mass last night, but Smokey escaped being skunked; DH said it was pretty strong when he walked to the back yard to find Smokey (who was sniffing and "tracking" in the side yard).  Fun & games in the forest!  

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 38, 2016 (9/18/16)

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

Used year to Date:  171.78 yards
Added Year to Date:  16.58 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2016:   155.2 yards

 

Nothing to count this week.  We went to Yellowstone  National Park for a couple of days and drove for the dealership one day.  Yellowstone was nice--but very crowded!  Old Faithful erupted shortly after we got there--for over 4 minutes and very, very high.  We left by way of the west entrance and the mountains were ablaze with color; the maples and aspen were gorgeous.  We will be giving blood in the near big city on Monday and taking a road trip to Utah on Tuesday.  I hope I can at least get a few more blocks sewn during the latter part of the week.

I fell in love with a new Ram Rebel--what a pickup!  How I wish our lot were 12 feet wider.  Can you believe that the top-stitching on the leather dash was done in red and silver?  Just what a quilter needs!  My heart said "yes" and my head said "no."

Miss Petunia has been paying regular visits during the wee hours of the night.  The neighbor down the way was outside giving his labs a scrubbing yesterday--he said they had been skunked 5 times this summer!

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 35-37, 2016 (9/4-11/16)

Used this Period: 0 yards 
Added this Period: 5 yards

Used year to Date:  171.78 yards
Added Year to Date:  16.58 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2016:   155.2 yards

 

Not much sewing going on at this house!  We took a quick trip out to Seattle to see our son and family--and then it takes some time to get rested up again.  It was a good trip and was fun to slip into their family routine for a few days.  The granddaughters have started school and are involved in soccer practice and gymnastics--always fun to watch.  The grandson is a flurry of activity.

 

I was at the near big city to buy coordinating fabric for the next quilt--well, for the next 2 quilts.  I have 4 quilts spinning around in my head, with fabric waiting to be cut.  I've made so many quilts in the past few years that I'm going through a burn-out period.  I looked through one tub of fabric (large yardage) and every piece in there was purchased for $2/yd. or less--bought at Hobby Lobby in our previous home town.  They had such good sales and very pretty fabric.  Guess I have my work cut out (well, not quite yet!) for me!  

 

Twice this week I've spent time in my quilting room--ironing DH's shirts!!  Finally, they are all ironed and upstairs in his closet--whew!  Why do I put that task off?  Anyway, I found a picture of a quilt that I had saved on my computer and for which I had set aside some Daisy Kingdom fabric--and I got started on it yesterday.  I'm excited!  I have 3 blocks made and really like it.  Guess the coordinating fabric I purchased will have to wait a few weeks until I get this one done.  Since we are spending a couple of days in Yellowstone this week, I won't get much done on the quilt that I have started.

 

We've been having a little excitement with wild life in the past month.  A cinnamon bear decided it liked the neighborhood.  We have a "thicket" (willows, bushes, trees) between our property and the neighbor's cabin; we left the trees that were there and have added some for color and variety--it gives us both some privacy.  When I got home after being an election judge in August, I let our Lhasa out and heard a lot of thrashing around in the thicket.  I walked down near it, trying to see into the shadows it creates, yelling "Get out of here,"etc.  Smokey, the dog, came running back up onto the porch and I followed him as I was getting really weird vibes and thinking it was really dumb to be walking down there when I didn't know what was in the thicket.  However, I wasn't too smart because I grabbed the flashlight (bear spray was sitting right beside the flashlight just inside the door!) and went out to see what was making the racket.  The trashing was still going on--and I was still yelling at whatever--and then I thought "This is really dumb--DH isn't home and it could be anything (thinking bear, mountain lion, wolf!) in the shadows."  I turned around and scurried for the safety of the house, leaving whatever was making the noise there.  I do know it wasn't a deer--nor was it a small animal.  Four days later a cinnamon bear got into a neighbor's house (2d house down from us) and was rummaging through their garbage can (the door must have been ajar as our neighbor was getting ready to take the grandchildren fishing)--it left the house by itself.  Game & Fish set up 2 cages and the cinnamon bear was caught in one of them that night.  DH said there was bear scat on the paths the deer make as they come to "trim" our trees and bushes.

 

And, of course, where you have deer, you have predators looking for lunch.  A mountain lion was seen sunning itself on a driveway up the hill from us this week.  That's scary--both for Smokey and for us!  This morning DH found scat near the edge of the grass by the cherry trees and potato patch.  It looks to me (and I'm no expert!) like bear scat though it doesn't have a lot of seeds and berries mixed in.  We have three fawns that are roaming the neighborhood with their mother--I hope they stay safe.  There are also a 2-point and a 4-point buck hanging out.  We haven't seen Petunia, the skunk, in the last few days although she showed up on the game camera recently.  And the racoon strolled through the yard, too.  This is more wildlife than I'm willing to share my yard with!!  

 

It's feeling a lot like fall here!  We got a bit of rain last night--could use a lot more to put out all those forest fires.  The maples are turning in the canyon and the forest floor is now browns and golds--winter will be here soon.

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 30-34, 2016 (7/31-8/28/16)

Used this Period: 14.39 yards 
Added this Period: 0 yards

Used year to Date:  171.78 yards
Added Year to Date:  11.58 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2016:   160.2 yards

 

Finally!  This quilt has been draped over the longarm for over a month, about half done.  I love the print fabric--it's made in England and is such a delicate print--was languishing in my stash.  I hoped to find some light apricot fabric to coordinate with the print, but had to settle for a taupe instead.  I will quilt it with a gold metallic to bring out the metallic in the print. 

 

 

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 25-29, 2016 (6/26-7/24/16)

Used this Period: 0 yards 
Added this Period: 4 yards

Used year to Date:  157.39 yards
Added Year to Date:  11.58 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2016:   145.81 yards

 

Where has the time gone?!  It doesn't seem possible that it is almost August!  Our little town had Mountain Man Days June 24-26.  It is a fun time--we see a lot of people and enjoy looking at the wares.  I helped at the Auxiliary tent for awhile and listened to a presentation on raptors which was very good and quite informative.  I won several items through the drawing (you can buy raffle tickets for items donated by various businesses)--a leather Western purse, an eagle picture, a haircut and pedicure, a hummingbird feeder, and some gun cleaning items from the Fly Shop.  We had a going away reception for our two priests on June 25; I helped make 200 sliders before Mass--our JCCW is blessed to have wonderful people who put together excellent receptions with a touch of elegance.  DH's sister and brother-in-law arrived on June 26 and stayed until June 30.  DS and family arrived on June 27 and stayed until July 3.  There were so many things to do and so many conversations to have--the time went quickly.  The grandchildren are growing rapidly.  And the house was very quiet after everyone left!  I spent the next couple of days resting and catching up on sleep--not as young as I used to be.  Then we had receptions for our new priests for a couple of weekends.  And we've worked on cutting/splitting/stacking wood for the winter.  I still have a bit to stack, but today (July 23) DH brought the remainder of the split wood to where it is being stacked.  I will finish stacking it on Monday and that fall task will be done until the next 3 cords are delivered.

I haven't been down in my quilting studio since my last blog post--oh, except to iron shirts for DH.  I still have 14 shirts to iron--maybe this week.  We have forest fires that are about 25-30 miles from here--it is so dry.  So now we are wondering what we would try to grab if we had one here and were told to evacuate.  I told DH that I would want to take the immigrant trunk that was used by my great-aunt's parents when they came to the United States from Austria--that meant we needed to move it upstairs so it would be more accessible.  It's hard to think of what you would try to grab if you had only 30 minutes to evacuate.  We pray we never have to make those decisions, but we live in an old forest.

 

The birds ate our sweet cherries--they weren't quite ripe but had enough color to attract the birds.  The serviceberries are ready to be picked, and the raspberries are nearly ready.  Time isn't going to slow down!  DH is going to try to grow morel mushrooms and has been preparing a plot.  We planted more trees this year, and they are doing well.

 

I pulled a couple of large yardages from my fabric stash--both were purchased several years ago at the Hobby Lobby in the middle part of the State (at $2/yd. on clearance!).  I purchased a light brown cotton to go with one of the pieces and hope to start cutting a Hunter's Star quilt this week.  I'm excited to get started on another quilt.  

And that's what has been happening on No Name Mountain during the last month!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 18-24, 2016 (6/19/16)

Used this Period: 27.11 yards
Added this Period: 1.33 yards

Used year to Date:  157.39 yards
Added Year to Date:  7.58 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2016:   149.81 yards

 

I raided the blues again for a Lady of the Lake quilt top, which measures 63x73.  

Then I spent the next month working on a Double Irish Chain with embroidered blocks--and again used the avocado-lime green stash.  It seemed like it was taking forever to get the leaves embroidered in the center of the blocks--I had 31 blocks that needed embroidery and most embroideries had 22,000-25,000 stitches.  I decided to do just the leaves without the words for the edge blocks--that cut each embroidery just 10,000-12,000 stitches.  The quilt is 78x98.  I'm so glad to have it done and transferred to the Longarm UFOs!

 

Now it's time to clean my house and prepare some meals as we will have a houseful at the end of this month.

 

 

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 17, 2016 (4/24/16)

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

Used year to Date:  130.28 yards
Added Year to Date:  6.25 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2016:   124.03 yards

 

Can someone tell me where the time has gone?  I know I'm getting older, but surely that isn't the only cause of those calendar pages turning so rapidly.  The weeks are whizzing by.  However, the two quilts that I have started are not going nearly that fast!  Nothing to report again--even though I have been sewing.  The "blues" quilt is progressing (15 blocks done, another 5 cut out), but the lime/avocado is still languishing with only 4 strips sewn together.  

 

We went to the nearby "big city" so I could donate blood and stay on the same schedule as DH.  It was an excellent experience--the tech got a good stick and I filled the bag in good time, which is not always the case.  I was well hydrated and had abstained from caffeine (coffee) for a week, hoping that would facilitate a good draw.  I don't know how much that mattered; however, I had my first cup of coffee yesterday after a 2 week abstention--it did taste good!

 

Mama Moose visited a few times, still looking seriously at the cherry and plum trees.  She was at the back of the house; but by the time I got to the window to watch her, she had gone around the front and around to the side of the garage.  I cautiously went to peek at her around the corner of the garage--and heard a loud thrashing sound (she was going through the undergrowth on the forest floor--away from me).  I thought maybe she was coming back around the corner, so I pivoted (or tried to!) to run back up on the porch.  Unfortunately, I twisted my knee in doing so--and am limping around now!  Mama Moose probably thought that loud little dog was going to chase her again--so away she went!  Moose can be extremely dangerous--probably wasn't even a good idea for me to try to peek around the corner at her!  We have had incidents where a female moose went up on a porch when someone got too close--and kicked and broke a jaw.  Or even charged a vehicle.  This is especially true if they still have their young ones with them.  

 

 

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 16, 2016 (4/17/16)

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

Used year to Date:  130.28 yards
Added Year to Date:  6.25 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2016:   124.03 yards

 

Nothing to report this week.  Darn!  I pulled fabric for another lime green/avocado quilt top, 2 greens for a Double Irish Chain--both from my "petting cabinet" (you know, the one that has fabric that is just too pretty to use but that you take out to look at and pet).  One has some gold highlights, so I looked through my stash to find a gold that I could use for the larger sections.  I wasn't very successful--either there wasn't enough to use or it was not neutral enough to use.  The closest one had some gold flowers with a bit of blue and an old gold background (the background would have been perfect!).  I mulled over whether I should just go ahead and use it or wait until we go to the Big Town and try to find something that would coordinate better--and decided to wait.  So, I have a few strips cut for the chains, but that is all that is done.  However, since the gold fabric with flowers and a touch of blue was out, it occurred to me that maybe I should combine it with some of those never-ending blues.

 

I'm singing--oh, wait, that is "sewing" the blues again!  I chose the Lady of the Lake block to use and started cutting and sewing.  The size will depend on how many blocks I can make with the amount of gold fabric--no end of blue fabrics to choose from!!  I have 2 blocks made and 2 blocks partially sewn.  I'm using 16 small HSTs per block--that's a lot of sewing, trimming, sewing!  

 

I think we'll go to the Big City on Monday--I'll donate blood, break my fabric diet, and get some groceries.  We had snow on Thursday, but it melted quickly.  Most of my flower beds are out from under their blanket of snow, and the lilac leaves are budding out.  Mama Moose visited us this week, trimming the pussy willows.  When she decided the plum trees looked quite delectable, DH and Smokey (the Great Hunter--not!) chased her down the ravine.  I'm sure she will be back--just too many good things to eat on this side of the ravine!  The mountain goats are entertaining us again--they've been down near or on the highway.  With all the melting that is going on, their usually pristine coats are looking a bit muddy. 

 

 

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 15, 2016 (4/10/16)

Used this Period: 14.75 yards
Added this Period: 0 yards

Used year to Date:  130.28 yards
Added Year to Date:  6.25 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2016:   124.03 yards

 

Well, that was a marathon sewing event!  I completed the lime/avocado green quilt--yea!  I had to add a third fabric for the border (I ended up with five inches left of my second fabric)--the woes of quilting from stash!  I have 2 more fabrics in the same color scheme (but that didn't look quite right with the fabrics in this quilt), so I will make another quilt but am not sure what pattern to use.   This quilt measures 85 inches square.  You can't tell it from the picture, but the outside border is made up of 1.5 inch logs, to match the interior logs.     

I have crocus blooming--the harbinger of spring on the mountain.  My front beds are still covered by a foot and a half of snow, but the snow level is decreasing pretty rapidly.  It is always so nice to see those first flowers of the season.  

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 14, 2016 (4/3/16)

Used this Period: 4.75 yards
Added this Period: 0 yards

Used year to Date:  115.53 yards
Added Year to Date:  6.25 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2016:   109.28 yards

 

Another panel--it just popped up in the baby fabric!--found when I thought I had all the panels done!  This one was easy as I just added borders and made a backing.  Maybe I'll get back to the lime/avocado green quilt now--it has been resting long enough. 

 

 

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 12-13, 2016 (3/20-27/16)

Used this Period: 11.3 yards
Added this Period: 0 yards

Used year to Date:  110.78 yards
Added Year to Date:  6.25 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2016:   104.53 yards

 

I finally got back to my quilting studio and attacked those "blues" again.  (I'm leaving the door to my fabric cabinet open to discourage any multiplication!!)  Instead of working on the lime/avocado green quilt that is only partially completed, I went off in another direction and made a Hunter's Star, using only a navy print and a tan.  This was on my bucket list, and I may want to make another one sometime in the near future.  This is what I learned:  I will put a third color in the "star" blocks next time so the star will pop.  As it is, my eye is drawn to the "arrows" rather than the "stars"--sort of like when you look at the picture of the old woman and the beautiful young woman--which do you see?!  I will quilt it in a way that will let the stars take precedence and the arrows recede, and am currently thinking about ways to do that.  Anyway, I planned to use 3 borders (print-tan-print) but made my binding from the print after my first border--and only had 10 inches left--so that plan was scrapped.  Quilting from stash changes plans quite frequently!  Anyway, it's done, I like it, and the "blues" are decreasing!

 

I'm still hacking away, but did go to the clinic.  Because I react adversely to so many medications, the PA was reluctant to give me an antibiotic and tried something else instead.  I think I will probably go see my doctor in the nearby small town soon as this has been hanging on for a month already--and I still feel terrible.  Oh, well--it could be worse.

 

And now I need to shift gears and start preparations for Easter dinner.  Friends will join us.  We've been traveling the Canyon to attend church services, so a rest will be nice after the Vigil Mass tonight.  We saw mountain goats, deer, and elk on our trip last night.  One of the goats was standing alone on one of the craggy peaks--just like you see in pictures!  They are so sure-footed!!  I hope everyone has a happy and blessed Easter!

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 11, 2016 (3/13/16)

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

Used year to Date:  99.48 yards
Added Year to Date:  6.25 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2016:   93.23 yards

 

No change!  This has been a week of no accomplishments--except letting Smokey, the Lhasa, lie on my lap and sleep.  I've been rendered helpless by a bout of bronchitis.  I think I am getting better, but still can't control the coughing.  My ribs really hurt already.  I'm hoping for a better week soon--before I forget all my ideas for the current UFO.

 

Mr. Young Moose has not returned to our yard.  Perhaps that will let us enjoy the catkins on the willows for awhile.  We did see a moose as we traveled up the Canyon to church last night.  He was totally unconcerned that we were watching him.  The mountain goats were playing just below the highway.  And the grouse barely moved off the roadway as we came down our mountain.  Snow is predicted for the next few days--I hope it materializes as we can always use the moisture.  And I'm hopeful that I will be in the sewing studio this next week!

Big Horn Sheep

Well, I did a little research on these critters--and have decided the sheep we saw were probably all ewes as none had any length of curl.  And they (males & females) have a black tongue!!  That's an interesting bit of trivia.

http://www.backpackingintherubymountains.info/animals/bighornsheep.html

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 10, 2016 (3/6/16)

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

Used year to Date:  99.48 yards
Added Year to Date:  6.25 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2016:   93.23 yards

 

Nothing in, nothing out--no change in my numbers this week.  I really wanted a net decrease of 100 yards before March, but there were just too many things going on this week.  I did work on my current UFO on Monday and part of Tuesday, but it's not even half done.  Maybe this coming week...

We had a visit by a yearling moose--he found the neighbor's parking space to be just to his liking, and rested there and chewed his cud for a couple of hours.  Then he got up and spent some time trimming the willows in our thicket (such a unique trim job!), before wandering around the house on Smokey's (our Lhasa) path.  He was startled when he encountered DH working on the Jeep--and DH was just as startled to have this huge creature coming toward him!  The local Game & Fish warden told us Mr. Young Moose had been hanging around the elk feed ground, and they had treated him for ticks (a real problem with the moose population) the day before.  Anyway he took off through the snow, down the ravine, and toward the trees on the other side of the ravine.  We saw another moose hanging around the church Thursday night after the Penance Service--and another one in a nearby town on Saturday.  It's time for moose sightings here!

We also saw some big horn sheep as we traveled to the nearby town on Saturday.  They were young and were just starting on their "curls"--perhaps they will have a full curl in a year or two.  I'll have to do some research on when they get a full curl.  And to round out the week, Smokey, the dog, has capitulated to his sense of wanderlust!  He knows when he doesn't have his electronic collar on (or when the battery is getting low!) and takes full advantage of his "freedom."  He has been "constrained" for 8 years by the electronic "fence"--when does he stop testing it?!  

This week I need to figure out cake pops--I bought a pan at a thrift store in the nearby big city (that's a relative assessment--it's the biggest one around!) and would like to take some to the Stations service on Friday evening--the children would love them!  And DH will probably love the testing process!!

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 9, 2016 (2/28/16)

Used this Period: 5 yards
Added this Period: 4.5 yards

Used year to Date:  99.48 yards
Added Year to Date:  6.25 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2016:   93.23 yards

 

I added yardage to my stash, but the damage to my numbers was minimal.  I bought flannel (2.5 yards) at JoAnn's in the near big city on Monday, so I could complete the last two double flannel receiving blankets to be donated to Turning Point.  This will be the last two pieces of patterned flannel from my "petting cabinet."  (I still have the pink elephants flannel, but will use it to back a baby quilt at some time in the future.)  On Tuesday, I went downstairs and finished the receiving blankets--so, in and out!  That used 2.5 yards of flannel from stash, so I got a bit ahead.  

 

The other 2 yards was fleece purchased to make a double fleece quillow for the young grandson.  Our son's first grade teacher made fleece quillows for the two granddaughters at Christmas--but the grandson didn't get one.  So, Grandma to the rescue!!  I'm not sure when I will get it done, but it is ready to be in the queue.  The Hancock's Fabrics store in the near big city is one that is being closed in their bankruptcy reorganization, so they are in the first 30% of their sales as they get ready to close.  They don't know what their closing date will be; it will be a loss as we will only have JoAnn's and a limited amount of fabric at Hobby Lobby.   

 

The remainder of my week kept me out of the sewing room.  On Wednesday, I accompanied my DH when he was transporting vehicles to Colorado and back for the local dealership.  It was a long day!  We were awake at 2:30 am (Wednesday morning), departed at 4:15am, and returned at 3:30 am (Thursday morning).  I spent Friday and half of Saturday working on our taxes--just have to check them and they are done.  Whew--that's a relief!  It always feels so good to get to this point. 

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 8, 2016 (2/21/16)

Used this Period: 11 yards
Added this Period: 0 yards

Used year to Date:  94.48 yards
Added Year to Date:  1.75 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2016:   92.73 yards

 

Well, that feels soooooo good--last panel out of that basket (the applique one) and the quilt is just now finished!  And even better, I used a lot of my autumn stash--both yardage and bits & pieces of leftovers from previous quilts.  I was going to make it larger--it ended up at 57x72--but I was quilting "by the seat of my pants" without preplanning, and the last border just said "You don't need anything but me!"  This was one of the few quilts that I quilted from the center out, thinking I would just add pieced and plain borders.  Other than my backing fabric (which was an autumn leaf print by Timeless Treasures and was on sale for $2/yard a couple of years ago at Hancock Fabrics) and the applique panel, everything was leftover from other quilts.  The applique panel had several "extra" pieces for a trapunto effect; I used all but 4, which did not match the regular outline or which would have been trapunto under a trapunto.  My trapunto isn't super puffy--I used a fusible quilt batting that I had left over.  Anyway, counting the panel and backing, I think I used 11 yards--close anyway.

 

I won't be able to reduce stash much if at all next week (so I won't get to a net decrease of 100 yards by the end of the month!), as I plan to work on our taxes--not my favorite thing to do!  But if I get it done, I can concentrate on more enjoyable things--dangling the carrot!  We've got the "winter melt" going on here.  I think our snow pack in the yard has dropped a foot.  Today is a sunshiny day, making me think "garden."  That's probably why I bought wildflowers to plant on the edge of the back yard!  I hope everyone has a good week with lots of stash usage!  

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 7, 2016 (2/14/16)

Used this Period: 7.92 yards
Added this Period: 0 yards

Used year to Date:  83.48 yards
Added Year to Date:  1.75 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2016:   81.73 yards

 

I tackled the last fabric panel (one that was gifted to me by my quilting partner) and have finished a 57x57 quilt plus backing (binding will be made with leftover backing).  What a good feeling it is to be able to see the bottom of that basket!  Not the prettiest lap quilt that I have done, but it is OK.  I should have spent a bit more time in planning, rather than just the hit & miss of "doing."  The panel itself was quite narrow and long, which is why I added the colored wedges on the sides--I wish I had made the background between each of them narrower (the "planning" bit that I should have done!).  If I use that concept again, I will preplan and make the background strips narrower!  I used 7.92 yards on this quilt and backing.  (That's my Lhasa at the bottom of the first picture--wearing a sweater because it's cold here!)

 

Now I have an applique scarecrow with dimensional pieces to do (from that same basket).  I'm still visualizing how I want to do it so the extra pieces will be dimensional.  I may get started on it today (Saturday), because I will need to have some yardage to report for Week 8!  This has been a busy week with giving blood, Ash Wednesday, the seniors' Recipe Club meeting (cooking beforehand), and Stations on Friday (with soup supper afterwards).  I made cinnamon rolls to take to the soup supper; it was the first time I have made them since last winter so I wasn't sure whether I would need to make a soup to take at the last minute.  However, my dough was quite good and they were tasty.  When I take them to the soup suppers, I make some of the dough in my mini-muffin pan--just the right size for the children!  Now, on to another week of happy stash busting!

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 6, 2016 (2/7/16)

Used this Period: 32.5 yards
Added this Period: 0 yards

Used year to Date:  75.56 yards
Added Year to Date:  1.75 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2016:   73.81 yards

 

Do any of you have fabric just for "petting?"  I find that I have some fabric that I like so much that I just want to use it for a "special" project--so I pull it out of the fabric cabinet, look at it and touch it, and then put it back--waiting for that "special" project to come along.  It's almost as if I don't think they will make more fabric that I like that much--wrong!  Well, this week I decided to use those special flannel fabrics that I have been saving for "some day."  So, I pulled all those pretty flannel prints and started making "double" flannel receiving blankets--the print on one side and a coordinating flannel on the other side. 

 

Three or four years ago, I went to a garage sale where she was selling garbage bags of color coordinated fabric (I think the lady and her mother had done a lot of crafts); a friend had called and told me that the lady was selling them for $8 a bag.  I bought a bag of blues and a bag of pinks (flannel and cottons) for $5 each--and still have a lot of it in my stash.  One of the pink flannels is a cute pink elephant with daisies.  I made 3 receiving blankets with that print--and still have 4 3/4 yards left.  But I used all my flannel prints except 2--I need to get a coordinating flannel that will look good with those prints.  And now I have a stack of 11 double, nice-sized (3 are 42x45-47; 8 are 36x42) receiving blankets that I will take to Turning Point (22.5 yards used).  Turning Point has a point system--if the girl will take parenting classes, for instance, they accumulate points that can be used to "purchase" baby items.  

Then, the hospital in a neighboring town is having a sew-in to make blankets, burp cloths, bibs, etc. to give to new mothers.  I'm not going to the sew-in but I am going to donate fabric--some Soft & Cuddly that I bought to make crib sheets for my daughter-in-law (she sent me Minkee instead), and smaller flannel left-overs that can be used for burp cloths & bibs.  Yea!!  All of this (10 yards gifted) is really freeing up some space in my fabric cabinet!!  But I need to do a lot more!!

 

 

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 5, 2016 (1/31/16)

Used this Period: 8.42 yards
Added this Period: 0 yards

Used year to Date:  43.06 yards
Added Year to Date:  1.75 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2016:   41.31 yards

 

More blues--a third quilt to decrease the blue stash finished!  I think this will be the last blue quilt I make for awhile, although I still have a lot of fabric on that shelf.  This was a quilt I saw on Pinterest--sort of.  I should have used pinks because the sample was so much prettier--much brighter!  I changed the flower as I knew I had a Baltimore Album quilt pattern that I could use for my flower.  I used 8.42 yards in the top, backing, and binding. 

 

We went to the "big city" on Monday of this week to see "13 Hours."  I had already read the book and have followed all the news regarding Benghazi as someone dear to me has served in the military.  Such a sad day in the history of the United States--those brave men expected help and should have had help.  

 

It is snowing here now, and snow is predicted for the next week or so.  The Servpro guy replaced our dishwasher, which was about 8 years old and leaking.  I told him that I don't even like dishwashers--but if we ever sell this house, a dishwasher would be expected.  He told me that the expected life of dishwashers these days is 13-14 years at most.  Where are the good old days when your appliances lasted 25 years?!  He also told me that I need to use it at least once a week--for the two of us, that will probably be about 1 week's worth of meals!!  He said he and his wife put in two dishwashers when they had their house built--oh, my!  Ours started leaking after we had company over Christmas.

The excitement for the week occurred with our Lhasa, Smokey.  DH let Smokey in after doing his thing outside--I was sitting in my recliner with my computer and watching TV.  Smokey runs around like a mad bandit when he comes in, and that night was no different.  At that time of the night, he usually will go get Chippy, the plush toy chipmunk (about 3 inches in size) he brought with him when he joined us.  He takes care of Chippy like it was his kid and always seems to know where he put him the last time he was carrying him around.  He will bring him to me, but not to DH--and then I get to "babysit" Chippy until we retire to the bedroom.  Sometimes Smokey will just drop Chippy in my lap and curl up--and sometimes he waits until I take hold of Chippy before he lets go. 

Smokey hopped up on my lap with Chippy in his mouth, and I took hold of it and kind of wiggled it to get Smokey to let go.  I thought "Chippy feels really silky" (which Chippy doesn't feel silky since he has been carried around, stuffed behind pillows & couch cushions, etc. for about 11years!)--took another tug and glanced down just as Smokey let go and dropped it from his mouth...  And screamed!  That got DH's attention; he sat up and wanted to know what was wrong.  "A MOUSE!!  Get it!" 

The mouse was dead, and DH "got" it while he was bent over laughing.  Scared Smokey when I screamed, and he jumped off my lap--then he spent the next 5 minutes looking for his "treasure."  Smokey had to sit on DH's lap for the rest of the evening, and I washed my hand multiple times.  Ewww!!  I can do without that kind of excitement!  Now I check Smokey's mouth when he comes in from outside.

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 4, 2016 (1/24/16)

Used this Period: 10.75 yards
Added this Period: 0 yards

Used year to Date:  34.64 yards
Added Year to Date:  1.75 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2016:   32.89 yards

 

What a beautiful scene up on our mountain--all the trees have little puffs of snow on their branches.  Frequently they produce small avalanches as the weight becomes too heavy to support.  We have a weather advisory of 70% chance of snow through tomorrow.  Our road is getting narrower and the snow on the sides of the road is getting higher--I hope we continue to have cold weather so we don't have a "January melt."

 

Out of the frying pan into the fire--that's what happened to me this week!  I complained last week because the Delectable Mountains had so many seams to match--and then saw this site:

https://quiltaddict.com/hello-design-wall-you-are-a-lifesaver/ 

Since I have so many blues in my stash, I thought "Why not use some more blues and make that quilt?"  (I store my stash in a enclosed cabinet--and I think those "blues" are having too much fun behind the closed doors!  They seem to be multiplying just like dust bunnies!!)  I had forgotten that there was a reason I don't use this method to cut half-square triangles--bias edges!!  After I had made the first 3 blocks, I knew this quilt wouldn't be any larger than a twin-sized quilt--and reminded myself that I don't like working with bias edges.  This quilt had just as many seams to match, too!  Bias edges make it easy to match seams because they stretch; unfortunately, that doesn't do much for the squareness of the quilt!  But, seldom do I not finish something that is started so I blundered along.  (And blue is not my favorite color!)  The following picture shows the finished result--yep, twin-sized!  The good part was that I reduced the "blues"--now if I can just keep them from having so much "fun!"  I used 10.75 yards for the quilt, binding, and backing.

 

We had our first "recipe club" for 2016 at the Senior Center; this month it was soups.  I made Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Bisque, which we were introduced to at Yellowstone.  Only one small problem:  when I took the canned fire-roasted tomatoes from the pantry, I noticed that it was "salsa fire-roasted tomatoes."  No problem, I figured; when I make salsa from scratch, it isn't hot so I thought this just had onions, etc. added.  Wrong again!  When one of the ladies tasted the soup at our "tasting session," she said "Oh, this has a little kick to it."  After she said it a second time, I decided I'd better try it.  DH and I like it better without the "kick," but several of the ladies wanted to know where I got the salsa version of the fire-roasted tomatoes because they liked it!  Since I didn't know it was a salsa version, I'm not sure where I got it!!

 

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 3, 2016 (1/17/16)

Used this Period: 23.89 yards
Added this Period: 0 yards

Used year to Date:  23.89 yards
Added Year to Date:  1.75 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2016:   22.14 yards

 

What a productive week I've had--at least in the sewing room!  I started the "blues" Delectable Mountains quilt on Saturday and finished the backing on Wednesday of this week.  It is such an easy and fast pattern!  I was thinking "maybe I'll make one in Christmas fabrics"--and then I started putting all those blocks together.  Oh, my--every block had 8 seams that had to be matched, plus the seam connecting the blocks!  I do like the end result, but I don't think I'll make another one any time soon.  I know it reduced my stash, but there are still a lot of blues on that shelf.  It turned out larger than I was expecting--or maybe it just looks that way.  I still don't have a good place to hang quilts for pictures--as you can see!  I used 13 yards 29 inches in the quilt, backing, and binding.

 

Then I decided to get back to the basket holding my quilt panels--it still had 2 snowmen panels, a moose panel, and an applique panel for a Halloween quilt.  I finished the first snowman panel on Thursday, and the second panel on Friday.  I have to admit that the second panel didn't reach the same size as the first one--it will definitely be for a "little one."  I raided the Christmas stash for the backings--yea!!  Panel #1 used 6 yards 3 inches (quilt/backing/binding) and Panel #2 used 4 yards.  I will have some backing left over from the first panel and will use leftover backing for the binding on the second panel.  Done!!

 

  And a closeup of the panel:

I really dislike using a dishwasher--seems like such a waste for just 2 of us.  I guess I never really disliked doing dishes when I was growing up (we didn't have a dishwasher--it was just my sister and myself!).  Because we had so much company over the Christmas holidays, our dishwasher sprung a leak.  The repairman said the newer ones are made a bit differently so they shouldn't spring a leak (ours is only 10 years old and used very sparingly)--but he also said the expected life was only 13-14 years.  I told him we have had dishwashers in the past that were still going strong after 25 years, but he said that is no longer the case.  I think the reason I don't like to use it is because we have so few dishes and so you have to run it when it is only partially full.  He said he and his wife had 6 kids; and when they built their present house, they put in 2 dishwashers.  Apparently that is not uncommon.  The short story is...we are getting a new dishwasher.  And I will use it at least once a week--and grumble all the time I have to use it!

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 2, 2016 (1/10/16)

Used this Period: 0 yards
Added this Period: 1.75 yards

Used year to Date:  0 yards 
Added Year to Date:  1.75 yards

Net Stash Increase for 2016:   1.75 yards

 

What a short week!  I wasted the first part of the week trying to shake the upper respiratory infection that I picked up over the Christmas/New Year holidays--just playing on the computer, reading, napping, sitting in my recliner watching TV.  I'm still not 100%, but I am getting better.  

 

We went to the big city on Thursday, and I found a red angel Christmas fabric (1.75 yards) I "couldn't live without!"  I resisted most of the sale fabrics, but I love angels and I love Christmas.  Not sure how I will use it, but I'm sure I'll figure something out.

 

 

I started on my first NewFO quilt for the new year.  It is amazing how soothing and peaceful it is to spend time in my sewing room again.  Someone told me her mother used to say "Sew on Sunday, rip on Monday."  I'm sure she was referring to God's request that Sunday be a day of rest.  For me, being in my sewing room, piecing a quilt, is a restful way to spend a Sunday!  Anyway, the quilt I decided to start is Mountain Majesties in blues.  I have a lot of blue material, and this is a project that will use some of that blue stash.  I have 15 blocks finished so far, with another 16 in progress.  It is an easy pattern; look on Bonnie Hunter's website for a scrappy version and instructions.  This is a sample:

 

I may decide to make a scrappy Christmas Mountain Majesties if I like the blue one.

 

My New Year's resolutions include a) losing weight, eating healthily, exercising; b) reducing stash; c) longarm quilting those 100+ tops that are waiting; d) finishing things on my other UFO lists (crochet/decorative painting/machine embroidery/hand embroidery).  These resolutions aren't very different than last year's resolutions; but if I don't make resolutions, I'm less likely to accomplish the things I want to accomplish. 

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 1, 2016 (1/3/16)

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 2016:   0 yards

 

Talk about a blank slate--this is it!  No fabric used, no projects worked on, just a walk-through in the studio--the best is yet to be!

Stash-Busting Goals - 2016

I'm excited to start a new year to further reduce my stash!  Perhaps I can resist the beautiful new fabrics that call to me.  I will continue to purchase fabrics as needed to coordinate with my stash fabrics.  In 2014, my net stash decrease was 97.97 yards; in 2015, my net stash decrease was 164.93 yards.  Do you suppose I will be able to have a net reduction of 200 yards in 2016?  My 2016 goals are:

 

A) Reduce the LongarmUFO list.  That will start in January.  I won't put a definite number per month since that didn't work in 2015.

 

B) Reestablish a UFO/NewFO quilt top list--this will be A and B lists, as follows:

1a) Bear Claw in Bear Claw (NewFO)

2a) Solid/Scrappy Quilt w/Quilted Spirals (NewFO)

3a) Embroidered BFC Shoes (NewFO) (machine embroidery not done)

4a) Embroidered BFC Cupcakes (NewFO) (machine embroidery not done)

5a) Embroidered Morehead Angels (NewFO) (machine embroidery not done)

DONE 4/6/16 6a) Yellow/Green Quilt2 (UFO) (1 block done) 

DONE 1/13/16 7a) Delectable Mountains in Blues (NewFO)
8a) Blue/Yellow TeaTime Quilt (NewFO)
DONE 2/21/16 9a) Halloween Scarecrow Quilt (NewFO)
10a) Sandi-Pat Challenge Quilt-Manipulated Quilt (NewFO)
11a) Scrappy Twirling 9-Patch (NewFO)
12a) Penguin (NewFO)
1b) Embroidered Redwork Angels (NewFO)
2b) Scrappy Birds in the Air (NewFO)
3b) Dizzy Geese in R/W/B (NewFO)
4b) Biscuit Quilt (NewFO)
5b) Scrappy "Corners 81" (NewFO)
6b) Embroidered Child's Parable Quilt (NewFO)
7b) Sunshine Pineapple (NewFO) 
8b) Selvage/Scrappy String Quilt (NewFO)
DONE 1/14/16 9b) Christmas Panel #1 (NewFO)
DONE 1/15/16 10b) Christmas Panel #2 (NewFO)
DONE 2/9/16  11b) Moose Panel (NewFO)
DONE 1/23/16 12b) 3 Dudes SuperSimpleStrips (NewFO)
DONE 1/29/16 1c) Horizontal/Vertical in Blues (NewFO) 
DONE 3/26/16 2c) Hunter's Star in Blues (NewFO) 
DONE 4/1/16 3c) Pooh Panel Baby Quilt (NewFO)
DONE 4/25/16 4c) Lady of the Lake in Blues (NewFO)
DONE 6/19/16 5c) Emb'd Leaf Dbl Irish Chain (NewFO)
DONE 8/22/16 6c) 2-Color Hunter Star (NewFO)
DONE 9/30/16 7c) MonkeyWrench w/Secondary Pattern (NewFO)
DONE 10/22/16 8c) Log Cabin Straights & Furrows (NewFO)
 
 

C) Work on Machine Embroidery/Embroidery/Crochet/Decorative Painting UFO lists.  All of these lists are on paper; I will list completions as they are finished.  I will attempt to include more pictures of completions and stash on my blog.