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!