Week 4 (1/19-25/2020)

Used this Period: 1.58 yards

Added this Period: 0 yards

Used Year-to-Date:  26.14 yards
Added Year-to-Date:  18 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2020:   9.86 yards

Finished embroidering the Ripple Sunbonnet Sue designs on lavender (34 inches).  I wish the designers would package designs in a series of 12, rather than 10; then it would be easier to incorporate them into a quilt design.  These designs averaged 10,000 stitches each so they went much faster.

After finishing the Sunbonnet Sue blocks, I loaded the 2 January quilts (Scrappy Sawtooth Star String quilts) on the longarm and quilted them with a medium meander.  I need to ease back into the quilting as my skills are rusty.  I used a cream Glide thread on top and cream Magna-Glide bobbins.  I was able to count 23 inches for the binding (not made prior to quilting) on one of the quilts.  The binding is sewn onto the backs of each quilt; now they are awaiting hand-sewing on the front.  

That was my accomplishments for the week.  I did receive my order of stabilizer--finally ran out of the one I use the most!  Also made a serious dent in my Sulky and Metro threads.

Week 3 (1/12-18/2020)

Used this Period: 3.89 yards

Added this Period: 3 yards

Used Year-to-Date:  24.56 yards
Added Year-to-Date:  18 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2020:   6.56 yards

What a week!  Looking at my goals for 2020 revealed several quilts (about 12!) that will incorporate machine embroidery designs--none of which are completed!  Knowing that the machine embroidery takes a lot of time to complete and having finished my January quilt (2 not 1!), I decided to get some of the embroidery done so I will just have to piece the quilts when their month is drawn.  It has been several months since I did any machine embroidery so the first morning was spent relearning how to use the PC computer (I normally use an Apple) and relearning the software.  Then I started embroidering shoes for the 5th shoe quilt.  Most of the shoes have 22,000-25,000 stitches but a few had almost 33,000 stitches.  After the initial underlay, I slow my machine down to a medium speed--just feel it is better for it.  Anyway, I could get 3 or 4 designs finished per day--so it took me all week to complete the 20 designs. Then yesterday I started embroidering the BFC cupcakes for another quilt; there will only be 12 designs on it.  I would like to get one more set of designs done before I start quilting quilts on the longarm.

While I was watching the machine work and changing thread colors, I remembered that I had some purple fabric for a backing in one of the tubs so I went to explore.  Sure enough, there were 2 different fabrics large enough for a backing for the shoe quilt which is embroidered on a lavender color.  Not sure which one I will use yet.  Since I will be incorporating the shoe designs into a Triple Irish Chain, I need 3 purples--light, medium, and dark.  I have big enough pieces in the stash for all but the dark.

The best thing was that when I looked for fabric in that tub, I found some that I absolutely love and had forgotten about!  The fabrics in that tub were grouped for quilts, some of which are on my goal list and some I don't remember what pattern I was planning to use.  Guess I need to make notes to include when I group fabrics for a quilt.  I wish there were more hours in the day!!  So many quilts in my mind, so little time!

Week 2 (1/5-11/2020)

Used this Period: 20 2/3 yards

Added this Period: 0 yards

Used Year-to-Date:  20 2/3 yards
Added Year-to-Date:  15 yards

Net Stash Decrease for 2020:   5 2/3 yards

Done (1/8/20)!!  Yay--2 scrappy string quilts with a Sawtooth Star in the center, each 74x74.  Even better--I dug into my stash and found backings for both.  One was purchased about 12 years ago, on sale for $1/yd.; the second was purchased on sale 4 years ago at $1.75/yard!  Since I used a light tan for the background around the sawtooth star on both quilts, the backing fabrics matched quite well, both being in the brown family.

I intended to get downstairs and load a quilt on the longarm, but spent Friday doing the AARP Driver Safety Course (on-line) instead.  In Wyoming, insurance gives a discount for completing this course--and the course itself is good.  Most of the stuff we know, but they update the course to include new things (highway stuff, vehicle safety, etc.). It takes 6 hours, but I feel it is worth the time it takes to complete.  So, now the week is coming to a close.  We have had snow most days this past week; it was snowing lightly when I let the CA pup (who is now 16.5 years old!!) out at 5:30.  Beginning to look a lot like winter!

     

Week 1 (1/1-4/2020)

Used this Period: 0 yards 

Added this Period: 15 yards

Used Year-to-Date:  0 yards
Added Year-to-Date:  15 yards

Net Stash Increase for 2020:   +15 yards

What a week!  After not accomplishing much for 2018 and 2019 (2 knee replacements slowed me down!), I have started 2020 out right!  There are 3 of us working on UFO/NewFO lists--and maybe 1 more if she gets her machine repaired.  The number for January is No. 1 (how appropriate!).  It is one of only 2 UFOs on my list--a scrappy string quilt.  Even though I usually lose interest when I'm ready to assemble a quilt, I almost always make myself finish before starting another project (probably because I know that if I don't, I won't finish it ever)--therefore, most of my list is comprised of NewFOs.  I had 4-5 blocks of a scrappy string quilt started and have lots of "strings" saved.  When I had all the blocks made for the quilt, I couldn't find any fabric in my stash to use as the background fabric behind the Sawtooth Star--so, what would any enterprising person do--start a second quilt!  So now I will have 2 scrappy string quilts made for January--and a real reduction in the "strings" that have been saved (but still too many!).  

This necessitated a visit to the nearby hardware store (which has a fabric department) in the next little incorporated town.  (Not all of the villages in the Valley are incorporated.)  Not knowing just how much fabric I would need since this was a spur of the moment trip, I decided to get 3 yards of 2 different solid colors of cotton for the 2 quilts.  Mistake--I will have enough of 1 color for both quilts since I don't think I will be putting borders on either quilt.  At the same time, I got 3 yards of lavender for my next Sally King shoe quilt (BFC Creations).  It will be either a double or triple Irish Chain.  I have 19 shoes to embroider and have told myself I will not be tempted if she digitizes any more shoes--will not!  This will be either my 4th or 5th "shoe" quilt.  If you look at the embroidered shoe designs on the BFC site, you will see why I am always tempted beyond my self control!  She has such unique ideas and exquisite detail!  Then as I was browsing the sale fabric, I found a gold fabric with feathers--only $4.99/yard.  I couldn't resist!  You can see what that little trip did to my stash numbers--they're going the wrong way!!

I'm going to estimate yardage for the string quilts--low estimate but it will make the stash numbers look better.  I will be able to count yardage used next week since both quilts should be finished (pieced) by then.  I have half of the first quilt assembled now, so it should be an easy finish.  So, until next week...

2020 GOALS

2020 GOALS

A) Reduce the LongarmUFO list.  That will start in January.  I will try to quilt 5 quilts per month.  Quilted quilts take up more space than pieced tops--but that would be a good problem to confront!

1/23/20 Scrappy Star String Quilt
1/24/20 Scrappy Star String Quilt
3/25/20 Scrappy 3" Squares Quilt
3/26/20 Pink Bunny Baby Quilt
3/28/20 Pink PaperDoll Applique w/paperdolls in envelope
3/31/20 Twas Night Before Christmas...
4/8/20    3D BowTie Baby
4/24/20  SantaPanel in WindowPane Setting
5/4/20    MultiColored 3D Pinwheel Baby
5/4/20    Fr. Braid Scrappy 

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

DONE (2) 1/8/20 1a) Scrappy Star String Quilt (UFO)

DONE 4/20/20 2a) Halloween  Black-Orange Star Quil  t (UFO)(with embroidery--not done)

DONE 12/28/20 3a) Embroidered BFC Shoe #5 (NewFO) ShadowBox

4a) Embroidered Morehead Angels (NewFO)(machine embroidery not done)

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

*6a) Star in Churn Dash (NewFO)
DONE 3/12/20 7a)  Claw in Bear Claw (NewFO)
DONE 6/24/20 8a) Fishing Quilt for DH (NewFO).  Friendly Hand/QuiltersCache
DONE 2/17/20 9a) Log Cabin/House Quilt (NewFO)
10a) Penguin (NewFO)
DONE 6/18/20 11a) 3-Size Blade Dresdan Plate Quilt (NewFO)
DONE 5/27/20 12a) Basket Quilt (NewFO)

*1b) Embroidered Christmas Trees (NewFO)(machine embroidery not done)
2b) Selvage/Scrappy String Quilt (NewFO)

3b) Embroidered Child's Parable Quilt (NewFO)(machine embroidery not done)

DONE 9/11/20 4b) Embroidered BFC Cupcakes (NewFO)

5b) Dizzy Geese in R/W/B (NewFO)

**6b) Cathedral Window (NewFO)

*7b) Sunshine Pineapple (NewFO)
8b) Double Dresdan Quilt (NewFO)
9b) Sandi-Pat Challenge Quilt-Manipulated Quilt in Pinks(NewFO)
DONE 3/2/20 10b) HGlass Baby Quilt (panel)(NewFO)
DONE 8/4/20 11b) Embroidered Ripple SnbnetSue Quilt (NewFO)
DONE 9/22/20 12b) Embroidered Snowman Quilt (OPW)(NewFO)

1c) Embroidered Lil Kids Sports (NewFO)(machine embroidery not done)
2c) Embroidered WIP Flowers (NewFO)(machine embroidery not done)
3c) Embroidered Puppy Tails (NewFO)(machine embroidery not done)
 *4c) Log Cabin Zinger (NewFO)
DONE 7/19/20 5c) Garden Lattice (Cowboy Boots/Hat)(NewFO)
DONE 2/4/20 6c) Pink Bunny Baby Panel (NewFO)
7c) Applique Santa's Helpers (NewFO)
DONE 9/9/20 8c) Embroidered 2x2 Animals (NewFO)(machine embroidery not done*)
*9c) Moda Cowboy boots Quilt (NewFO)(Sandi-Pat Challenge 2020)
*10c) Black/Brown Sawtooth Star Quilt (NewFO)
11c) Moda Xmas Tree Quilt (NewFO)
DONE 11/20/20 12c) TIChain (HLobby Fabric) w/ChildrenOfWorld Emb (NewFO)

DONE 7/18/20 1d)  Colorwheel Curved Log Cabin (NewFO)
DONE 6/28/20 2d) Camping/Fishing Lap Quilt (NewFO)

DONE 10/26/20 3d) Embroidered Bears Baby Quilt (NewFO)

4d) Brown/Gold Light/Dark Sawtooth Star (NewFO)

5d) WIP Flowers Quilt (NeFO)(embroidery not done)

6d) Bullion Rose Quilt (NewFO)(embroidery not done)

DONE 12/1620 7d) Modern Cowboy Boots/Hat (NewFO)

Good luck to all the sewing/quilting goal-setters!  

Getting Ready for the New Year

Just 3 days before Christmas, 2019, and I've started looking forward to the new year.  My sister and I will be drawing numbers to finish UFOs and/or NewFOs for 2020.  I didn't do this last year and I think I only finished 2 quilts--maybe not even that many as I didn't record finishes.  So, even if we don't finish a quilt every month, we will at least finish some--but I'm hoping for the best!  I will need to reorganize my quilting studio so I will be ready to go on the first day of January!

FABRIC STASH - WEEK 2, 2018 (1/7-13/18)

Used this Period: 0 yards 

Added this Period: 2.25 yards

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

Net Stash Decrease for 2018:   0 yards

 

On Monday we traveled to the nearby big city.  DH was donating blood, we got some grocery staples, and I went to JoAnn's to get some more fabric for my January quilt (#10).  I had finished 12 blocks with leftover fabric from past quilts, but did not have enough to finish.  What a zoo it was at JoAnn's--they were having a big sale and there were people everywhere!

 

As I was looking at embroidery floss, a woman came up and started talking to me about all the colors of hair she was seeing on both young girls and older women.  (She wondered if they didn't have mirrors to see how they look!)  That topic evolved into her life story in recent times.  She came to the United States from Lebanon to receive medical care after ISIS bombed the car in which she was riding.  She lost 4 sons and was burned over most of her body--and she now has a colostomy bag as her abdomen was shredded.  She showed me her legs--scarred and mutilated--and her face looked like the skin was "new."  She told me they are Christians and want to remain Christians, but that ISIS won't allow them to practice their faith.  And then they called my number at the cutting table--I had to interrupt our conversation to get my fabric cut and did not see her after I left that area of the store.  We are so fortunate here--I wonder if we are as thankful as we should be for the freedoms we enjoy.  I hope and pray that the United States remains the beacon of freedom we now are.

While I was waiting to get more fabric for #10, I went through some of my embroidery stuff--what a mistake!  I found between 7-10 unfinished projects--why did I start them and not finish them?!  One is an afghan of bears of the month that I have the January bear about half finished.  I loaned the pattern to my niece a few years ago; it took her a year to finish it.  I should have finished all the X-stitch that was on the 18- and 22-count fabric when I was younger!!  My son gave me a magnifying glass for Christmas so I started working on it again.  But in searching for a hoop, I found all the other unfinished pieces, plus a Christmas stocking kit and a kit showing a Singer sewing machine.  Oh, my--not sure what I am going to do with all those unfinished projects!  

I also found a partially finished X-stitch quilt top that I started 10 years ago.  It has a long story.  When I bought the kit, I started working on one half of the quilt top--without sewing the two halves together to cut down on the bulk.  Then I decided that it would be best to sew it together before continuing to work on it--and found that the second half had been printed on the back instead of the front.  So there was no way I could put those 2 halves together.  I contacted the company and they told me to just throw it away and they would send me another complete kit--which they did.  I finished the second kit, working it in pinks.  I couldn't throw the other kit away--after all, I had a lot of work done on it already.  So, I decided I could pull the table apart and make a sort of light box of it--and transfer those X's to the front of the quilt!  I have now sewn the 2 halves together and have traced some of the X's--and started working on it again (the bear afghan will just have to wait!).  I have a lot of tracing to do, but am determined to get this done.  I'm using a blue and yellow color scheme on this kit.  Wish me luck--maybe I'll finish it before the end of the year!

I have finished my physical therapy now, with one appointment scheduled for a month from now.  I continue to do exercises twice a day at home and will continue those for at least a year.  The swelling and stiffness are decreasing, but I still struggle with both.  I'm very careful as we have snow and ice on our mountain now, and I don't want to fall.  It has been 4 months since the surgery--the time has gone quickly in some respects--and has crawled in others.  

I will have to really get busy this next week if I want to get the January NewFO completed.