Smokey, the CA pup...

Ah, Smokey--a source of constant wonder! The continuing saga of our bed/mattress situation is almost over. 

For any new readers, here is a little background.  When we moved to No-Name Mountain, we got rid of our waterbed (which was not the open bladder type but had a structured bladder) and went back to the world of regular mattresses.  I told DH I wanted a firm mattress to better support my back and didn't want a pillowtop because I wanted to be able to rotate & turn it.  Well, the mattress we got was the epitome of firm--can you say "board?"  We slept on that mattress for 10 years; our conversations were always about getting a different mattress and getting rid of "The Board."  With a few false starts and some in-home testing, we finally had a bed in place; no more daily calls to the company about returns of a defective base, whereabouts of new base, sleeping with one king-twin mattress on the floor (Smokey loved it!) and one on its base, return policy, and myriads of other details.  We got the luxury firm mattress, one that was touted as the Goldilocks model.  After 10 years of sleeping on "The Board," the new mattress was something dreams are made of!

One small problem though--the bed is HIGH!  Smokey, our CA Lhasa, is 14 years old and not as nimble as he once was (and he has slept on our bed ever since he joined our family.)  Or so I thought; DH said Smokey could jump clear over the bed if he wanted to.   I worried about a broken leg that could happen when he jumped off the bed in the middle of the night.  (He does have his doggie bed in our bedroom and often goes to sleep in it sometime during the night.)  So...Smokey needs to have doggie stairs so he can get on the bed..of course!  The stairs arrived, and it was time for lessons to teach Smokey to use the stairs.  Can I say that Smokey was less than impressed with the stairs and the training sessions?!  To get him to go up the stairs, you had to have a treat held at the top--and then after he ate the treat, he would jump off the side of the bed.  Not exactly the result we were hoping for!  DH persisted in the training sessions; me--I would lift Smokey onto the bed at night and lift him off and onto the floor before I fell asleep.  Sometimes I fell asleep before I put him on the floor and Smokey would jump down.  Those expensive stairs weren't working quite as planned!

DH has been out-of-town for 2-3 days now, so I've had to take up the slack with Smokey.  No more nudging DH at 5 o'clock in the morning and saying "Smokey needs to go outside" as Smokey walks the floor and jingles his tags.  Nope, I have to get up and stumble out at 5 in the morning--but I put him on his leash, and he can't snoop around the yard for 15 minutes--by which time you are thoroughly awake.  He gets to go out and then has to come back to bed so I can catch a few more Zzzz's.

So, last night I put Smokey on the bed; and just before I was entering the Land of Nod, I picked Smokey up, carried him to his doggie bed, and gently laid him down.  Feeling pretty snoozy, I padded back to bed, vaulted (the bed is high for me, too) onto the bed--and before my head hit the pillow, Smokey walked up the doggie stairs and settled down for the night on top of the bed.  No doggie bed for him--he was taking up DH's side of the bed!  And then at a quarter to 5 this morning, Smokey walked down the stairs and proceeded to jangle his tags to let me know it was time to go outside!  The faker!  DH was right--he is quite capable of using the doggie stairs to get on and off the bed!!

Projects from Desire to Inspire...

I am Pat Carter, and I live on No-Name Mountain in Alpine, WY, a small town nestled between the Wyoming and Salt River Ranges in northwest Wyoming.  We are located south of Jackson Hole, WY, at the southern end of the scenic Snake River Canyon.  Grand Teton National Park (40 miles) and Yellowstone National Park (90 miles) add another dimension to the many outdoor activities of this area:  snowmobiling, skiing, fishing and lake recreation on Palisades Reservoir, ATV, mountain biking, hiking, hunting, etc.  Wildlife abound in this area--from Petunia the Skunk to elk/deer/moose and bear.  All of the trees we have planted on our lot have been creatively pruned by the deer who call our lot their favorite dining-out spot.  The annual snowfall in this area can exceed 500 inches. 

My husband and I are retired teachers and are year-round residents.  We love it in the summer when all the snowbirds return, but we also love the winter months when the town loses its summer folks and our mountain becomes a winter wonderland.  The snow drifts straight down, and the trees shed extra snow weight in mini avalanches.  Then the sawdust flies in my husband's shop, and several of the beautiful wood turnings find their way down to my quilting studio!   

My mother and grandmother were quilters; they spent many winter hours hand quilting on a frame my father made and set up in our farm house.  I learned to embroider, crochet, and sew as a young girl, but did not make my first quilt until several years later when my high school was closed for asbestos removal in 1989.  We went to a split session, sharing space in the other high school.  I spent those free mornings taking a quilting class--and a new love was born!  This new hobby led to the purchase of a longarm quilting machine and another aspect of the quilting avocation.  I became involved in making quilts of valor, a project dear to my heart; I would often combine machine embroidery with piecing.  My personal quilts gravitate toward traditional patterns, with a twist (i.e., a basket within a basket, machine embroidery in a center block of a log cabin, etc.).  I have incorporated Sally Fields' shoes (machine embroidery found at BFC Creations) in 4 quilts--her shoes have such creativity and detail!  I'm currently trying to reduce my stash, some of which is 15+ years old--and I'm using those favorites that I have just "petted" fondly throughout the years.  Does anyone else have fabrics that are so pretty that you have not cut into them?!  My bucket list of "quilts to make" grows longer each time I visit Pinterest!

Some of my favorite fabrics have been from the Henry Glass collections.  I used a Henry Glass fabric book panel named "Why" to make a quilt for our grandson, and liked it so much that I made a second baby quilt!  (You can see the "Why" quilt on my blog:  http://tetonnuggets.blogspot.com/2015/01/stash-report-week-2-2015-11015.html

And then I was notified on August 1 that I had been selected to complete the August Desire to Inspire Challenge--thank you Henry Glass Fabrics!  What fun!  I anxiously awaited the arrival of the fabric which landed on my porch on August 8 (we are a little out of the way!).  Since the Country Cuisine fabric featured strawberries, my thoughts turned to kitchen projects.  I kept adding items to my "want to make" list, but finally ran out of time.  So, here is the fabric collection I received: 

I made a 72-inch table runner, a liner for a basket with ribbons/strawberries on the outside, and a small fabric basket for napkin rings, teabags, or whatever.  (I have little jars of jelly in it.)
 
I made a small table runner, 4 placemats, napkins, and a fabric basket to hold napkins.
  
I made an adult apron...

and 2 children's aprons.

The table runners, placemats, aprons, fabric baskets, and basket liner were all lined. 

What a fun project this has been!  The Country Cuisine collection by Isabelle Biche lends an air of spring to any kitchen, reminiscent of soft breezes, fragrant flowers, lush green grass.  

Desire to Inspire Update...

Can you say marathon sewing?!  Where did this month go?  All I'm sure of is that there is only 1 week left to finish my projects for the August Desire to Inspire Challenge.  No excuses not to have it done..but here are my excuses!  The fabric package arrived late afternoon on the 8th.  I started a table runner but couldn't finish it because I didn't have the right color tassels.  OK, I'll start another runner while I'm waiting to go to the nearest big city for tassels.  (We're limited on craft/sewing supplies here.)  Then a doctor's appointment in a nearby little town on the 14th and pre-op tests for my upcoming knee replacement--that took most of the day.  In the meantime, I advertised and sold my Pfaff 807 (purchased in 1985) and my Hobbylock 796 serger (purchased in 1989). 

I started a new prescription for a UTI that was just starting and that same morning helped set up the quilt display in my small town for the Valley-wide quilt show--and started feeling very sick.  Things went downhill from there--bad headache, fever, chills, nausea, cold sweats, a general feeling of being very ill.  I quit taking the prescribed medicine after the 3d pill (2nd morning!), called the doctor, and then started benadryl.  Then came the hives--yes, an allergic reaction to the drug.  It took 5 days to get my system back to normal--it was a bad reaction.  Then came the day of the eclipse which we spent with friends 25 miles further north...and a trip to the nearby big city to get tassels, fleece interfacing, etc. for my projects.  And now, marathon sewing...  I keep having new ideas of things to make with the fabrics I received!  I have 6 items completed and will make another 4 today, hopefully.  And could sure use that serger for finishing the edge of napkins--of course!!

Driveway Gardening...

Some people do patio gardening and some do container gardening--and we do driveway gardening!  Our driveway is our largest expanse free from trees so that's where we garden.  Our conversation yesterday morning went something like this:

Me:  Who's out front?  (We have a buzzer that sounds when someone/something is in the driveway--and it also goes off if someone walks or drives by or if the neighbor parks near the property line.  There is also a camera that shows us who it  is.)

DH:  What?
Me:  Who is out front?
DH:  I don't see anyone.
Me:  There's someone out front.
DH:  (as he looks at the camera picture)  Oh, it's the deer.

At that point, DH went out to shoo them of and here's what he saw:

He's a beauty, isn't he?  One of the reasons he looks so nice is because he's eating his veggies!  Yes. he ate all the cherry tomatoes and the plants as well!  Mr. Deer also brings his harem, including the twin fawns.  Did you know that deer like to eat hollyhocks? and raspberries? and lilies? and cherry trees?  They love the smorgasbord of our yard!  I have some lilies that I've never seen bloom--don't even know what color they are!

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 31, 2017 (8/6-13/17)

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

Used year to Date:  112.61 yards
Added Year to Date:  22.38 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2017:   90.23 yards

 

I seem to be going no where fast!  Another half month has passed with no time spent in the quilting studio.  Perhaps I will get something accomplished soon as the weather feels like it is changing already.  Mornings and evenings feel like fall--cool and crisp.  I'm predicting an early winter here on No-Name Mountain!

 

The Senior Center golf tournament (major fundraiser) is now receding in the rearview mirror.  We spent yesterday from 6 a.m. to about 5 p.m. helping with the tournament.  The Center puts together a breakfast and fabulous luncheon for the golfers.  I helped with registration again this year, and then DH and I sat at the 3rd hole to certify if anyone made a hole-in-one and won the Razor.  This year we had a heart-stopper as one gentleman's golf ball was about 2 inches to the left of the flag and came to rest about 16 inches past the hole.  DH said he could hear me gasp clear down at the other end!  My helper activities were curtailed a bit this year because of my knee.

 

And, speaking of my knee, a knee replacement is in the near future, latter part of September to be exact.  The doctor wants to wait for 3 months after the cortisone shot (which didn't help), so the surgery will take place in September.  I had the pre-op tests/procedures on Thursday, including an EKG.  So, barring the unforeseen, I will be complaining about the pain in another month--but I will be on the way to being able to do my usual activities again.  That's something to look forward to!

 

I received the fabric assortment for the Desire to Inspire August challenge from Henry Glass, and have been thinking of what I want to make.  The fabrics are from the new Country Cuisine collection--the theme is strawberries.  I will be starting on it either tomorrow or Monday--and will be making kitchen projects.  It will be interesting to see them come to fruition--just need to jump in and get the first item started.  I need to have projects done and pictures submitted by the end of the month--and just received the fabric bundle on the 8th--all our mail is routed through Salt Lake City which slows things down a bit!  

Christmas in August...

It feels like Christmas in August!  The package of Country Cuisine fabrics was delivered by Fed Ex late yesterday afternoon.  (It takes a while to receive packages in rural Wyoming!)  I had already planned to do coordinated kitchen projects since the theme is strawberries--and seeing the fabrics confirmed that decision.  Today I will have to solidify my thoughts on the specific projects I want to make and how to make them special.  Here is a look at the fabrics:

Henry Glass' Desire to Inspire Challenge

"It is your lucky turn! If you are up for the August challenge we would like to select you!"

I received an e-mail yesterday from the Henry Glass team stating I have been selected as the person to complete projects for the August Desire to Inspire challenge--how exciting is that?!  The fabrics to be used in August are from the Country Cuisine line by Isabelle Biche which will be introduced this month (August, 2017). 

If you haven't heard about this fun challenge, go to their web site and peruse some of the past challenges:  http://henryglassfabrics.blogspot.com/search/label/Desire To Inspire
It will get your creative juices flowing--guaranteed! Fabrics have been sent out, and I should be receiving them soon.

Two new fawns have arrived in our resident deer family.  They are so precious!  One fawn was being tutored by the 4-point buck (who is in velvet)--I'm sure the fawn was being told of the "smorgasbord" offerings in our yard.  Watch out flowers/trees/bushes!

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 29-30, 2017 (7/23-30/17)

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

Used year to Date:  112.61 yards
Added Year to Date:  22.38 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2017:   90.23 yards

 

No sewing or quilting for a couple of weeks--I'm not sure what I have done other than sitting in the recliner and holding the CA puppy!  I've found that a brace helps me walk and sometimes resort to using the cane; trying to accommodate my bum knee in bed has been a challenge.  I will go to the orthopedic doctor next week to see what the next step will be.  

 

I did uncover the longarm and load a practice piece--boy, am I rusty!  Did I forget everything I knew before?!!  I'll start out easy but need to locate quilt tops that I want to use a pattern board on--and maybe get started tomorrow.  It will be nice to get a few quilts ready for binding!

 

We went to a garage sale today and I picked up a couple of pieces of leaded glass--for $1 each!  The lady is moving from a 6000+ square foot house to one that is about 2000 square feet and things need to go.  I didn't even notice them until DH pointed them out.  It makes me think of my mother--she loved "pretty dishes."  I wish she were still here so I could give them to her.  

 

We got the new bed and have been sleeping in it for about a week and a half.  What a difference a good mattress makes!  We're both sleeping better--but is it ever high!  I can't sit on the edge of the bed and have my feet touch the floor.  Sooo...we got a set of steps for the CA puppy (who is 14 years old!).  Smokey is less than impressed with his "lessons" on how to use the steps to get up and down!  If he is bribed with a treat, he can go up pretty fast--but doesn't like to go down.  I'm afraid that if he jumps off the bed, he could break a leg.  Last night he jumped up on the bed (who needs steps?!) when he needed to go outside.  I usually hear him if he starts to pace but was sleeping too soundly--so he took matters into his own paws.  I'm not sure we'll ever get him to use the steps as he should.

Maybe I'll have a quilt quilted next week!  I need to revise my quilting goals as I want to concentrate on quilting the pieced tops for the remainder of the year.  I'll try to make 12 tops (that's another 4) and use over 100 years from stash.

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 23-28, 2017 (6/11-7/16/17)

cUsed this Period: 8.6 yards Added this Period: 0 yards

Used year to Date:  112.61 yards
Added Year to Date:  22.38 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2017:   90.23 yards

 

Where to start?!  It has been a busy month everywhere except in the quilting studio.  I had blocks made for a second May quilt by the middle of May--and went into a quilting funk so those 20 blocks just sat on my machine.  I cleaned house and child-proofed it for the visit of the grands, and baked and cooked in preparation for their visit.  They arrived on the 26th of June--and my quiet life became controlled chaos!  Had a dinner for friends who like to spend time with them whenever they are here one night, which was fun but hectic.  Then on Thursday of that week, DH's sister and brother-in-law arrived for a visit, making a houseful!  DS and his wife weeded one flower bed each of the Snow on the Mountain which was taking over.  That really helped--by spending a bit of time each week, I should be on my way to eradicating that pesky plant.  Mountain Man Days was occurring while they were here, which gave extra things for the grands to participate in.  It was a whirlwind visit as they were on their way to relocate to Colorado on a military recall.  On Monday morning, we waved goodby to DS & family and to DH's sister & husband--and then it seemed very, very quiet!  DS & family cleaned the downstairs, washed bed linens, etc. before they left, which is so helpful (I move slower than I used to!).

 

On the Monday DS and family arrived, I had a doctor's visit to consult on my knee which has been bothering me for some time.  X-rays were taken and read, and the orthopedic doctor informed me that a replacement is in my future.  We settled on a cortisone shot to get me through the summer.  I'm trying to ignore it--we'll see how long that lasts.

 

The house is all in order until I do the wood floors upstairs in the fall.  My quilting studio is a mess.  The 4th of July saw us in the short parade down main street.  Then we went on a historical tour of nearby trails used by early settlers, which was very interesting.  Especially interesting are the salt ponds which are still active and being used.  There are theories that these are leftovers from the Great Salt Lake (when it occupied part of Wyoming centuries ago).  The salt was very white--and very pure!  We realized that our forefathers were quite tough and resilient!

 

Then last Sunday we attended Mass outside of Daniel, on the site of the first Catholic Mass in Wyoming which was celebrated by Father DeSmet on July 5, 1840.  The monument memorializing this event is on a flat bluff overlooking the valley below--a beautiful outlook showing meandering streams and productive fields.  The Bishop of Wyoming (newly appointed to our diocese) celebrated Mass; there were about 200 of us in attendance.  This was the first time we've gone although we've talked about it quite often since becoming Wyoming residents.  After Mass, there was a potluck picnic held at the community center in Daniel; the Knights of Columbus from Pinedale cooked burgers/brats and there were 2 long tables (several tables put together end to end) containing salads and desserts.  The hamburgers were exceptional--and I got the secret to their success!  It was a wonderful day and a wonderful celebration!

 

So, on Tuesday, I finally went downstairs and put together that half Log Cabin that I started back in May.  I guess it serves as my June quilt!  Since it is made from the leftovers from another quilt, it is not large.  The finished size is 63 x 75.  

 

 

 

 

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 20-22, 2017 (5/21-6/4/17)

Used this Period: 15.78 yards 
Added this Period: 0 yards

Used year to Date:  104.01 yards
Added Year to Date:  22.38 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2017:   81.63 yards

 

Making 2 backings and 2 bindings (one for a king-sized quilt top!) makes a dent in the stash!  And gets those quilts one step closer to actually being quilts. 

 

I started a second quilt in May--a half Log Cabin--I have 20 blocks made.  Now I need to decide what setting to use and it will be ready for the Longarm UFO stack.  And then I started cleaning my house!  I have one more throw rug to wash, a bit more work in the kitchen, and drawers/closets to go through--but the floors are done and most things are put away.  Yay!  It would have gone a lot faster if I hadn't procrastinated quite so much!  I used the new Shark steam mop on all the tile and slate surfaces and really like it.  I think I may try using it on the wood floors as there is little moisture left on the surfaces; however, I don't want to do that until after DS & family are here.  I will want to wax and buff the floors after steam cleaning them and that will come later in the summer.  Now on to ironing, weeding the flower beds (don't ever let Snow on the Mountain in a flower bed unless you don't mind it taking over!), and getting some cooking/baking done before DS and family arrive.

 

So the June UFO is #7.  That is the only actual UFO I have as most of mine are NewFOs--quilts that are on my bucket list.  I will have to get DH's shirts ironed before I continue with #7 (I think I have 4 blocks made)--and clean up the quilting studio as it is pretty messy right now.  There are probably 3-4 dozen shirts on the ironing pile!

 

We will be getting a new bed delivered sometime in the next few days.  We have suffered on that "very firm" mattress for 10 years, and our bones have started to ache just thinking about going to bed!  This will be a new adventure as we will be able to adjust the head and foot for each of us--which means it has to be 2 twin XL mattresses.  I have all the bedding except for a spread--we will be going from a queen to a king--but want to get it assembled before I do that.  We've driven a few days for the local dealership, helped with a funeral, attended a barbeque/musical presentation by the BarJ Wranglers during the last 3 weeks.  The forest floor is filling in, the service berry bushes and chokecherries are in full bloom, and we are beginning to have some warm days.  It is so nice to sit on the porch, watching the birds (our hummers are back) and enjoying the flowers.  Summer is so nice!!

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 19, 2017 (5/14/17)

Used this Period: 5.7 yards 
Added this Period: 0 yards

Used year to Date:  88.23 yards
Added Year to Date:  22.38 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2017:   65.85 yards

 

A finish on a quilt top--the 3rd ugly quilt top to come from my studio over the years!  Lesson learned:  Don't forego buying fabric if nothing in your stash is right for the quilt you are making!  

 

Several things went wrong with this quilt:  1) the background fabric needed to be a neutral; 2) OR if using this background fabric, I should have made all the spirals out of the same fabric--probably a pink that was darker than the pink in the background fabric; 3) OR if using this background fabric, all the spirals should have been done in bold, bright colors.  I think any of these would have made the quilt nice.  Alas, I'm very disappointed!  In fact, I really had to make myself finish it after I saw how it was turning out--and then sewed seams as fast as I could!  (The seams match surprisingly well for the speed and lack of care that I was taking!)  DH commented on the fact that 3 of the background squares were going in the opposite direction of the other 9--he was right!  (Am I ripping it out?  NO!)  He didn't notice that I ran out of the background fabric and had to substitute another fabric in the top and bottom rows.  Overall, I think maybe I need to take a break from quilting--it makes no sense to make a quilt just to use stash.  Anyway, I will make binding and backing tomorrow and use this quilt to practice longarming--and then donate it (in the dead of the night so no one knows it was made by me!).   

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 18, 2017 (5/7/17)

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

Used year to Date:  82.53 yards
Added Year to Date:  22.38 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2017:   60.15 yards

 

Nothing in, nothing out.  We took the road trip to the West Coast and spent time with family there.  So, the first part of this week was spent traveling--then came catching up with things on the home front.  My jonquils are now blooming and the tree leaves are popping out.  We're having spring weather, so it's time to get the decks cleaned and cushions out.  DH has plants in the greenhouse--what a glorious time of the year!  And maybe I'll even get some time to play with fabric this week!

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 17, 2017 (4/30/17)

Used this Period: 10.53 yards 
Added this Period: 0 yards

Used year to Date:  82.53 yards
Added Year to Date:  22.38 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2017:   60.15 yards

 

Another finish--I just couldn't wait to see how the colors/fabrics were going to turn out!  This quilt measures approximately 79x79.  The background (and backing) are a light orchid.  The black background floral has blue and mauve in the flowers.  I think I have enough left of these fabrics to make a twin-size quilt--but that will have to wait. 

 

And I finally finished the baby afghan.  Hard to see the bobble stitches in each of the colored rows.

 Now on to baking and laundry!

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 16, 2017 (4/23/17)

Used this Period: 15.25 yards 
Added this Period: 0 yards

Used year to Date:  72 yards
Added Year to Date:  22.38 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2017:   49.62 yards

 

I finished the April quilt in the Labyrinth pattern.  It measures approximately 88x88.  It went together quickly--at least, it did after I got the pattern and coordinating fabric!  Ah, a week to spare!

And now it's time for some baking!  We're taking a road trip to the West Coast to attend our granddaughter's First Eucharist--what grandmother wouldn't take baked goodies?!!

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 15, 2017 (4/16/17)

Used this Period: 0 yards 
Added this Period: 11.88 yards

Used year to Date:  56.75 yards
Added Year to Date:  22.38 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2017:   34.37 yards

 

Whoops, I think I'm going the wrong way!  A shopping trip to the near city and visits to a couple of fabric stores--and 8.88 yards found its way into my home.  I found a medium peach fabric for my April quilt; it will be the double labyrinth pattern and these are my other two fabrics:

The floral fabric was purchased in 2008 at $1.50/yard.  I also bought the coordinating fabric at the same price--similar except the flowers are much larger--and will use it for the backing.  This will be queen-sized and will be for our bed.  I got 3 yards of the darker peach--it's difficult to match the hues in older fabric!  I did get the fabrics ironed and made a handful of the HSTs.  Can't wait to get back down to my quilting room!

 

Then I had pulled another fabric from my stash and decided to make a second quilt with the same pattern.  (I've made labyrinth quilts for QOVs, but none for myself.). I purchased the blue vine fabric and the solid violet fabric to go with the floral on black that I pulled from stash; I wasn't really happy with the violet but it was the only thing I could find that matched the color in the floral fabric.  

Today we went to the nearby small town and I brought my fabric to see if I could find something that would work better--and was successful!  (The colors in the floral fabric are a little off--they're much truer as shown in the first photo.)

The fabric on the very bottom will be background fabric and backing--it came from stash.  I'm fighting an upper respiratory infection so I'm "benched" until I feel better.  Just attending Holy Week services is stretching me to my limit.  I can't wait to see how these two quilts turn out!  Only half a month to finish the April quilt!

 

 

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 14, 2017 (4/9/17)

Used this Period: 5.3 yards 
Added this Period: 0 yards

Used year to Date:  56.75 yards
Added Year to Date:  10.5 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2017:   46.25 yards

 

Saved by making a backing--and not even the backing for the last quilt top I pieced (I'm still pondering on that one!).  This is the first backing I've ever pieced with different fabrics--not a favorite thing to do.  But it will be all right.

 

I haven't started on the April #1 quilt top as I'm still waiting for a pattern to arrive.  I think I will probably use the same pattern for 2 quilts.  I seldom buy a quilt pattern and hope it arrives soon so I can get started.  

 

We had more snow today, but it doesn't last long at this time of the year.  We can always use the moisture.  I hope everyone has had a good week.

 

 

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 13, 2017 (4/2/17)

Used this Period: 12.78 yards 
Added this Period: 7 yards

Used year to Date:  51.45 yards
Added Year to Date:  10.5 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2017:   40.95 yards

 

One step forward, 2 steps back!  I finished a quilt, but had to purchase more blue fabric to do the border and binding.  I figured that I would need 2 1/4 yards and decided to get 2 1/2 yards "just in case."  When I went to the cutting table, there was 3 yards on one piece on the bolt, and she asked me if I wanted the extra at 50%.  I really didn't want to boost my numbers added; but since that made the extra half yard free, I (thrifty me!) said OK and took the hit.  I used just under 2 1/4 yards of that blue.  I used all of 3 of the blues and 2 of the greens.  The quilt measures 95x95.  (That's Smokey, the CA Lhasa, in the corner.)  I haven't made the backing yet as I'm still trying to decide what to do.  The only 2 neutral fabrics I have in stash that are large enough for the backing are both directional--which means more cutting and more seams.  I do have yardage that is a true green that I could use--but it certainly doesn't match the lime greens in the quilt.  What to do?!  

Then, since we made a trip to the near big city, I dug out fabric for another quilt on my list so I could get some coordinating fabric.  The brown with peach flowers was purchased in 2008 at JoAnn's @ $1.50/yard; I purchased matching fabric with larger flowers at the same time and for the same price.  It will be used for the backing.  I bought the peach fabric with small dots at Hobby Lobby on this trip--it was $4.90/yard and I got 4 yards, mainly because I'm not sure what pattern I will use for the quilt or how large I will make it.  I think I'll probably do some variation of the log cabin pattern.  Since I'll only be using the 2 fabrics, I think I'll embroider a bullion rose in the pin dot fabric in a darker peach--I think.  Or I might see if I can get some fabric in the darker peach.  Or I might make the labyrinth pattern.  So many choices (and so little time to decide)!  I'm so in love with this fabric! 

A secondary story is that I have talked my sister and a friend into participating in the stash-busting challenge.  They both called me bright and early on March 1 to find out which number we were going to work on in March.  Well, I called them bright and early yesterday morning (April 1) to tell them the number for April is #1.  They both finished 2 quilts during March--both finished a quilt that just needed to be bound.  I don't know if either will stay the course, but both will benefit from participating!  At times I wish I were working with UFOs instead of NewFOs--it would be easier. 

 

The Senior Center had a craft session this week, making a deco mesh wreath for Easter or spring/summer.  I wanted to be able to use mine all summer, so I didn't use any Easter eggs as part of my wreath.  I will be able to change out the "Spring" sign easily as we move into summer.

 

Mama Moose is visiting the neighborhood again, but we've seen no sign of a yearling or baby.  She looks like she is in good shape--so often they are fighting ticks and look pretty mangy.  The stellar jay has made his presence known, scolding DH when he is working in the yard.  We still have some piles of snow, but we also have lots of grass showing.  It is snowing now, and spring is on hold.  No major slides in the Canyon this week.  

 

March Finishes

March was a good month for finishes!

The quilt number for March was #5; for me, that was my blue/yellow Tea Time appliqued quilt.  I finished it on 3/14/17.

Since I had time left in March, I started a new quilt--and finished it, too.

And I was able to finish an  afghan in the evenings while watching TV.

A good month for finishes!

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 12, 2017 (3/26/17)

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

Used year to Date:  38.67 yards
Added Year to Date:  3.5 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2017:   35.17 yards

 

Should I or shouldn't I?  I'm having an internal struggle as to whether to post this week or not.  As you have probably guessed, there is no movement in my stash--close, but no cigar!  I have another quilt (saw a picture on the internet and just "had to make it") almost finished--blame the CA Lhasa as he kept coming downstairs and bothering me yesterday!!  I'll go finish the quilt after I post this--next week there will be something to report.  

 

The forest floor is peeking through--another couple of days of sunshine and all the undergrowth will be showing.  Our yard is still "knee deep" in most places, but making progress.  DH has vegetables started under a grow light in the garage.  We had another heart-stopping moment Thursday evening when we encountered a small herd of elk on the highway--one standing in the northbound lane, 6-7 in the southbound lane (we were driving south).  DH went to the center of the highway and threaded through them--so thankful they all went to their respective sides of the highway!  A new truck is NOT on my list of most-wanted items!

 

And now off to finish my quilt! 

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 10-11, 2017 (3/19/17)

Used this Period: 12 yards 
Added this Period: 0 yards

Used year to Date:  38.67 yards
Added Year to Date:  3.5 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2017:   35.17 yards

 

A finish--yea!!  I should have finished this quilt on Saturday, but I procrastinated (because borders are not my favorite part of making a quilt!) for a couple of days and then rode with DH on Monday.  The quilt measures 69x85, and both the backing and binding are made.  I don't think it is as pretty as the lavender/purple funky teapot quilt; I didn't have as many blues to choose from.  I ran out of the sashing fabric so the two borders are different than planned--but both fabrics are used elsewhere in the quilt.  I did a little decorative stitching on each of the teapots, either in gold or in blue, and also did a blanket stitch in blue around each piece of each teapot.  The backing fabric was purchased in 2005 in my former home town for $2/yard at Hobby Lobby; it has a great hand and was the reason I made a second funky teapot quilt.  So glad to have the March quilt finished! 

And then there was this:  Just right--newly finished afghan on newly finished pew bench (DH made from recycled pews from old Church).  This yarn was purchased many, many years ago--I'm not even sure how long I've had it and I surely don't know what I originally thought I would use it for!  I would have liked to make it larger but was restricted by the yarn available.  So it will be my lap afghan--for use when resting in the recliner and maybe eventually for a wheelchair (thinking ahead!).  It feels soft but is heavy since it is all single crochet.  Most of my yarn stash is now depleted--and I will start working on the baby afghan that is about half done.  Yea!! 

We had quite an adventure Saturday evening--encountered a rock slide in the Canyon on our way to Mass.  The highway patrol had traffic stopped, and the State crews were busy clearing the highway.  We only had to wait about 15-20 minutes before they let us through, and spent that time watching as mud, snow, rocks, and boulders came sloughing off the mountain.  The ground is so saturated that I think more of that particular spot will slide in the near future.  At least no one was hurt or buried by the mud as was the case a little further north in January--a boom truck was covered by a mud slide then.  So thankful that no one was pushed off the highway which would have caused a tumble down the mountain and into the river!  The highway was closed shortly after we were allowed through the slide area; it was still closed as we headed home after Mass.  We decided to join a few other brave souls and wait to see if it would reopen before morning.  Several vehicles turned around and headed back as there was no ETA for when it would be open.  We had blankets, pillows, etc. in the vehicle, and DH had just gone to sleep when they opened the gate and let us progress south.  The highway was closed about 5.5 hours.

Monday when we drove north, one of the mountain goats was in the highway; it jumped about 5 feet to the top of a snowbank on the side of the highway--thank goodness no one hit it!  We always watch for the goats, but this one was further north than they usually venture and we weren't expecting it.  They are such beautiful animals; they come down onto the highway to lick salt from the roadway.

 

Here it is the end of another week--and there is another slide in the Canyon!  This one is centered under the highway and is causing cracks and a collapse of the highway.  The highway was closed on Friday evening and reopened after 3 pm on Saturday.  It may close again at any time if the situation deteriorates.  This time we decided not to risk getting stranded; we'll attend Mass in the Valley tomorrow morning.  It has been a year with a lot of moisture (which we need); the downside is predicted flooding in the valley and slides in the mountains.  What will next week bring?! 

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 9, 2017 (3/5/17)

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

Used year to Date:  26.67 yards
Added Year to Date:  3.5 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2017:   23.17 yards

 

Nothing to report this week, but a lot of progress was made on the March quilt.  All of the 20 blocks are fused, and 7 of the blocks have blanket stitching (by machine) around the various parts of the blocks.  After I get all of the blanket stitching completed, I will do some decorative stitching with rayon thread on each block--and then I will be ready to do sashing and assembling of the quilt.  I'm aiming for completion by the end of the week.  

 

I continue to work on the ripple stitch afghan in the evenings.  I should be able to crochet 4-5 more groups of 6 rows each before I run out of yarn.  So many projects, so little time!

What's Happening...

So, part of what I did last week was try to organize my Longarm UFOs, putting the various types (applique, machine embroidered, hand embroidered, Lone Star, etc.) together.  I think I'd better revise my quilting resolutions for this year! 

And this isn't all as I still have some hung up.  Most of these have the backing and binding made and "packaged" together although there are a few that are just the top.  I think instead of striving to use 200 yards of stash fabric, I will just try to complete each of the "monthly draw" quilts (Judy Laquidera's project) and spend time getting these on the longarm.  I'm already wondering where I can store them when quilted--they will take up more room then than they do now!

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 8, 2017 (2/26/17)

Used this Period: 16 yards 
Added this Period: 0 yards

Used year to Date:  26.67 yards
Added Year to Date:  3.5 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2017:   23.17 yards

 

Done!  I finished the shoe quilt on the yellow background in a Triple Irish Chain setting.  The quilt measures 81x108.  I'm debating whether to make shams to match the quilt since I have 2 extra shoe blocks.  Came close on the yardage used in the Irish chain, even after buying the extra 1/2 yard of one of the fabrics.  I pulled the backing fabric from stash; it was a 10 yard piece purchased on sale several years ago for $2/yard at Hobby Lobby in our previous home town.  They used to reduce the price of fabrics after 6 months, which made for some excellent bargains on excellent quality fabrics.  I haven't found those bargains at Hobby Lobby for years.  Here is a picture of the quilt (almost all of it), and close-up pictures of three of my favorite shoes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now back to the funky teapots.

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 7, 2017 (2/19/17)

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

Used year to Date:  10.67 yards
Added Year to Date:  3.5 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2017:   7.17 yards

 

Well, nothing to report--but I'm getting closer.  I had the alternate blocks (Triple Irish Chain) finished for the February challenge, and all of the embroidered shoe blocks were done with the exception of adding the pieced sides on 7 blocks--and I ran out of one of the fabrics!  Quilting from stash!  I needed 5 more inches of the fabric that added light and beautiful color to the whole quilt.  It was a JoAnn's specialty fabric called Monet's Garden.  I had 49 inches when I started, and thought that would be enough--wrong!  It is a pretty distinctive fabric, and I couldn't visualize how I could substitute any other fabric.  I did a search on the internet, and was not successful.  The next day I did another search using the same search terms but in a different order--and found it!  I had to order a half yard--a bargain at any price--and it arrived on Saturday.  I got those 7 blocks finished and have started putting the rows together.  I'm so thankful for the person who sold their fabric on Ebay!  I should have something to report next week--yea!!

 

While waiting, I started on a blue/yellow funky teapot applique quilt (Nancy Barrett design).  I have made this quilt in lavender to purples on a black background (which I really like.)  I have a blue-yellow fabric with teapots that I will use for the backing--which was the reason for another teapot quilt.  At the same time, I will use the yellows & blues for another quilt on my bucket list.  Currently I have 1 teapot block done and one partially done (out of 20 blocks).  I'm continuing to crochet on an afghan I started which will deplete most of my yarn stockpile.  I've had the yarn for this afghan for years--finally will get it done though it is going slowly!  I also have a baby afghan started--had run out of the main yarn which was why I started on the second afghan--have the yarn now and will finish the baby afghan after I finish the other one.

 

DH and I went to the Senior Center Valentine's Day luncheon; the stuffed pork chops were good.  We were asked to participate in a "newlywed" game with 2 other couples--they separated the husbands and wives and we each answered questions about our spouses--then our spouses said what their response would be to those same questions.  DH and I tied with one of the other couples and then won the tie-breaker.  Do you remember where you got your first kiss from your spouse?  Or what you were wearing on your first date?  One of the husband's replied that his wife was "wearing clothes" on their first date (they had celebrated their 62nd anniversary!).   It was a fun time and we will enjoy the prize--a gift certificate to a local restaurant!

 

We have small amounts of snow predicted for the next week, but it hasn't amounted to much.  I talked to a friend last night, and she said they had 5 feet of snow on their roof and were helped by a couple of young men in getting it off.  We still have about 3.5 feet on our roof, but the warmer weather (high 30's) is making the snow level go down.  Of course, those temps are creating a lot of ice rinks in our little village, too!

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 6, 2017 (2/12/17)

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

Used year to Date:  10.67 yards
Added Year to Date:  3 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2017:   7.67 yards

 

Nothing added, nothing used that can be counted.  But I have been spending a lot of time in the quilting studio!  I finished embroidering all the shoe blocks for the February challenge--whew!  One of those shoes had almost 32,000 stitches.  I thought I would do a 4x5 setting, so I needed 20 designs and had 18 new designs that had not been incorporated into a quilt yet.  I found one single design that I had not used and followed the color suggestions and hated it.  It was a "sewing" shoe and has a tape measure ruffled around the edge--and the suggested color of the tape measure was "cognac."  Looking up that color on the internet shows this:

 

Tell me the last time you saw a sewing tape measure that color!!  Anyway I was not happy with their color choices, so I decided to use 2 designs that were used in previous quilts--designs I love.  Finally finished 20 designs to use and started thinking about how I wanted to put it together--and decided to do a Triple Irish Chain for alternating blocks--and that meant I only needed 18 blocks--sigh!!  I now have 2 extra blocks on my yellow background that I need to use for pillows or shams!  I have 4 of the TIC blocks made--will continue working on them this week.

It's been a busy week.  We went to lunch at the nearby Senior Center on Thursday and was met with a prize of chips and salsa--I won the Super Bowl prediction contest from the previous week!!  I could not stop laughing--DH and another "football knowledgeable" man had their prediction sheets done and were discussing all the ins and outs of the upcoming game--and I had not even started.  I picked Brady and the Patriots (nearly everyone else picked the Falcons!) and then had to ask the guys some questions to fill in a couple more blanks--and then did a guess on the final score.  Guess it's better to be lucky than knowledgeable!  (I cheer the Broncos not only when they make a touchdown, but on multiple replays of the same play!)

Our little town had their Winter Jubilee this weekend.  We drove down our one "main" street on Friday to look at the snow sculptures.  The town provides participating businesses with a "cube" of snow (use plywood sheets to form the cubes which are all the same size) and the businesses then make a sculpture and use spray paint to color it.  Tack & Treasure won last year by sculpting a horse head on each side of the cube; this year they made a complete horse standing in a pool of water with a fish jumping out of the water.  The fitness center made a barbell with hands on the "pipe" between the bells--it was good.  I really liked the hotdog in a bun with a "can" of Pepsi.  The town did a "bonfire" with a marshmallow dangling over it.  The tackle store had a shark jumping out of water with a frogman climbing out of its jaw!  There were so many good sculptures--it will be interesting to see which one won the prize.  

Temperatures have climbed above freezing this week and the snow turned to rain.  Our road up the mountain was an ice chute, and all the parking lots were ice rinks.  The snow became very unstable, and the Canyon was closed for a couple of days because of numerous avalanches.  One experienced snowmobiler was caught in an avalanche and died--just really unstable snow all over.  The snow level has really gone down with the rain and warmer temps.

And that's what is happening in my little studio and on No-Name Mountain!

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 5, 2017 (2/5/17)

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

Used year to Date:  10.67 yards
Added Year to Date:  3 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2017:   7.67 yards

 

I finished the backing for the January UFO (#3) which used 5  yards.  That quilt is pictured here:

Now I am doing the embroidery for the February UFO (#9)--and it is taking a long time!  I have 6 blocks embroidered--only 12-14 to go!  I haven't decided how to set these blocks together yet; I started on the embroidery because I knew it would take a lot of time. This will be my 4th shoe quilt.  One of the next 6 designs has over 31,000 stitches--wow!

Still snowing here, mixed with rain when the temps get over freezing.  There were so many pools of water on the highway through the Canyon last night, it was almost like boating!  There are quite a few avalanches as the snow is unstable.  One buried a boom truck but it was uncovered in a couple of hours.  That would have been scarey!  

FABRIC STASH - January UFO/NewFO

Used this Period: 5.67 yards 
Added this Period: 3 yards

Used year to Date:  5.67 yards
Added Year to Date:  3 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2017:   2.67 yards

 

It's done!!!  January's UFO/NewFO is done--the top and binding are made, but I still need to make a backing.  Not my favorite quilt but it's OK.  The quilt measures 63x77.  

 

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 2-4, 2017 (1/15-29/17)

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 2017:   0 yards

 

What a dismal stash report!  If I don't start putting in some time soon, I won't even reach 100 net yards used for 2017! I finally got serious about working on this month's quilt (see Judy Laquidara's blog) the latter part of last week and then worked on it this week.  For such a small quilt (I'm making it for a twin bed), it sure is taking lots of time to finish.  This is the quilt Sandi (my long-distance quilting partner) and I are making as our challenge this year--applique pattern called Country Cottages.  We're both feeling a bit blah about sewing/quilting right now so we chose a pattern that doesn't have too many pieces, or so we thought.  We were supposed to be adding a bit of dimension to each block, which she is doing.  I decided I didn't really like the quilt and did not add any dimension to mine.  These two quilts will look sooooo different, as our quilts usually do.  I decided to go with a monthly holiday theme, but had no specific quilt fabric for the months of May, June, or August.  Oh, well.  The block I like best is November--the colors are so bright and beautiful.  If I were making the quilt again (which I'm not!), I would use jewel-tones for all the months and would not use holiday themed fabrics.  Today I worked on sashing and the first border (matches the sashing)--and it took all day to do that and get the rows together.  I still have a couple of borders to put on, but not tonight.  Unfortunately, that means my stash numbers will not move again this week.

We got more snow the first part of the week--it's really stacking up!  Our road is one vehicle wide now.  Now we are in a deep-freeze with single-digit and below zero temperatures, with snow predicted to start again on Tuesday.  We truly are living in a winter wonderland here--so beautiful.  Roads--well, that's another story.

 

While I haven't been quilting, I have been working on my yarn stash.  I started a baby quilt--and then started a ripple quilt with yarn I've had for a long, long time.  I will have to get more yarn to finish the baby quilt--maybe tomorrow if we go to the nearby big city.  The ripple afghan is all single crochet so it is progressing, but slowly.  The good news is that I will only have 2 skeins of off-white yarn left in the yarn stash, plus small leftovers from prior projects.  Soon, I should be able to work on embroidery projects and painting projects--in addition to quilting, of course!

 

 

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 1, 2017 (1/8/17)

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 2017:   0 yards

 

Nothing used, nothing added.  I did get started on this month's quilt, which is the challenge quilt Sandi and I are doing.  She started hers a couple of months ago, and I finally got mine started yesterday.  I hope to get a couple of blocks stitched (applique) today.  The quilt is Country Cottages by Shabby Fabrics.

 

We seem to be out of the deep freeze today--we register a balmy 17 degrees!  That's a change from below zero weather.  We had to drive through a snow storm coming home from Mass last night--everyone was driving responsibly through the Canyon except one person.  Thank goodness we didn't find him wrecked beside the road.  The long term forecast shows snow for the next several days.  Our resident deer family has been burrowing into the snow at the edge of the property and sleeping there.  They love using Smokey's path because they don't have to struggle in the deep snow.  I'm happy to have a day to sit by the fire, work on an afghan (and maybe a quilt), and watch some football games.  DH drove for the local dealership last week--to Salt Lake City--and had icy and snow-packed roads all the way.  I was so happy when he called and told me he was on the outskirts of our tiny town--God is good!  The Pass is always scary in the winter months.  The trip took longer than normal because of the "ice skating" they were doing!

I hope everyone has a productive week.  It's good to have Judy working on a quilt again!

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 1, 2017 (1/1/17)

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 2017:   0 yards

 

First stash report of 2017, and a time to review stash usage and completions for 2016.   My goal was to use a net yardage of 200--my gross yardage used was 198 and my net was 175.  Close, but no cigar!  It is interesting to review the usage and completions for the past 5 years.  2013 was a year punctuated with medical problems, which is reflected in the totals.  I have reduced the new fabric purchased, but still have not reached the net stash decrease goal.

 

2012:  18 quilts finished - 223 yards used - net stash decrease 95 yards

2013:  9 quilts finished - 137 yards used - net stash decrease 119 yards

2014:  19 quilts finished - 186 yards used - net stash decrease 98 yards

2015:  21 quilts finished - 205 yards used - net stash decrease 165 yards

2016:  15 quilts finished - 198 yards used - net stash decrease 175 yards

 

Guess I'd better get down to my quilting studio--Judy Laquidera has drawn #3 as the quilt to finish for January!

 

 

 

Stash Busting Goals - 2017

I'm excited to reduce my stash; it's so great to start with a clean slate!  Perhaps I can resist the siren call of the beautiful new fabrics.  I will continue to purchase fabrics as needed to coordinate with my stash fabrics, but hopefully I will resist buying fabrics that I "just can't live without."  My goal is for a net reduction of 200 yards in 2017.  My 2017 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 any previous years.  Quilted quilts take up more space than pieced tops--but that would be a good problem to confront!

 

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

DONE 4/22/17  1a) Brown-Peach Quilt (NewFO)

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

DONE 1/31/17  3a) Sandi-Pat Challenge Country Cottages Quilt (NewFO)

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

DONE 3/14/17  5a) Blue/Yellow TeaTime Quilt (NewFO)

6a) Bear Claw in Bear Claw (NewFO)

7a) Scrappy 16-Patch Quilt (UFO)
8a) Embroidered Morehead Angels (NewFO) (machine embroidery not done)
DONE 2/22/17  9a) Embroidered BFC Shoes (NewFO) (machine embroidery not done)
10a) Sandi-Pat Challenge Quilt-Manipulated Quilt (NewFO)
DONE 5/17/17  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)
9b) Halloween  Black-Orange Star Quilt (NewFO)
10b) Color Spectrum Jigsaw Puzzle Quilt (NewFO)
11b) Courthouse Steps Quilt (NewFO)
12b) Basket Quilt (NewFO)
1c) Double Dresdan Quilt (NewFO)
2c) Waterwheel Variation Quilt (NewFO)
3c) 3-Size Blade Dresdan Plate Quilt (NewFO)
DONE 3/28/17  4c) Blue/Yellow/Green Modified Labyrinth (NewFO)
DONE 4/25/17  5c) Blue/Mauve Dbl Labyrinth
DONE 7/12/17  6c)Blue/Mauve Half Log Cabin
7c)
8c) 
9c)
10c)
11c)
12c)

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.