Leap Day

It's Leap Day. Do you remember being real excited about this day when you were a kid? No? I was! My mom was a nurse who worked her entire career in the nursery of a small South Louisiana hospital. I just remember being so disappointed when she came home and announced that no babies were born on that Leap Day. In elementary school there were so many silly games we played on this day. I don't remember them at all, but I do remember heading off to school with such anticipation of a fun day ahead.

Maybe it's a day to ponder. I haven't done that in quite some time. A couple of blogs struck me this morning.

Amy at Calico Cat had a great blog a couple of days ago. 'This is not who you are but who you want to be.' That really struck a chord with me this morning. I immediately asked myself who I wanted to be. I am who I am, but when I think about who I want to be, it's always someone who is more like who I used to be. But that may be just looking back with longing at the younger me. The problem: That person didn't quilt, and quilting is an important part of me now.

Another blog that made an impression this morning is Confessions of a Pioneer Woman. Never in a bajillion years did I ever think I'd be living in Southern California, and for 14 years! It's funny where life takes us. I'm supposed to be living in the South, entertaining, decorating, living the "Southern Living" life. Or am I?

Anyway, there you have it. When I figure out my purpose in life, I'll be sure to advise. LOL

Week 8 - Stash Report

This is embarrassing! Oh, well, like bitter tonic, it's best just to do it quickly and get it over with!

I'll do the easy part first: One old FQ for a friend -- .25 yard.

Now the hard part. There is a plan for all of them, but still in all, purchases are purchases and must be reported.

In January at Road to CA, I purchased a kit to make the American Pinwheel quilt. The quilt is 47x60, and I wanted to make it bigger. I think this quilt will be perfect either on the sofa or on the bed during patriotic holidays. I searched and searched in my meager stash of patriotics and nothing worked. This quilt has really small pieces in it and my fabrics all had either designs that were too large or the reds were too "red". At Ginger's this week I picked up three FQs that would work in the quilt from the Old Glory III line by Windham. Then yesterday Jane and I headed over to Stars & Scraps in Corona CA right before they closed for the day, and I was able to find some half yard cuts and FQs of the original fabric in the kit. I'm good to go on this quilt. It will be lots of teeny piecing, but I'm up to the task! That's 7 yards total to enlarge this quilt. I probably won't use all of it. Then I found an end-of-bolt of 4.75 yards to back it, and can use the leftovers from the front to make it size up correctly.

Stars & Scraps had a few pieces of Wildrose fabric left, and I found a piece big enough to back the Moda U kit that I had gotten from The Fat Quarter Shop last year. Now that one is good to go, too. Backing purchased - 5 yards.

I discovered a kit upstairs in the stash room that I purchased at the old Fabric Patch a couple of years ago. I was going to start piecing it this week, but I'm helping out a friend instead so that was put aside. It used some older 3 Sisters fabric, and I found an end-of-bolt at Ginger's this week for the backing that was the same fabric as the borders on that quilt, so it followed me home. 5 yards purchased.

I've been thinking about quilts for my brother's home. They lost everything in the fire in 2006, and even though the house is rebuilt and refurnished, they need bed quilts. I'm going to start with the guest rooms, and will make the master bedroom quilt after I've visited this fall and seen Gail's decor. I found a kit at The Fat Quarter Shop that will work perfectly in one of the guest rooms. They must be sold out of it so I can't link it, but it's an RJR kit called Stars of Provence and uses the Provence fabric line. Soft medium blues and creams. It'll be perfect for "my bedroom" in South Louisiana! The total kit, including backing, totals 19.75 yards.

Gulp! BUT I now have four projects ready to piece and finish. That's a good thing, right? LOL.

Also arriving at the house this week was the first month in the Blossom Time BOM. This is another perfectly gorgeous Anne Sutton, Bunny Hill Designs quilt. I'm not counting BOMs that were ordered before January 1st. A technicality for sure, but that's what I decided to do. If any of them get finished this year, then I'll add and bust the yardage at that time.

Year-to-Date Totals:

Busted: 113.50 yards
Purchased: 69.25 yards
Net YTD: 44.25 yards busted!

Sewing up a Storm!

Judy’s patterns came today! I’m so excited about these! I’ve already pulled the fabric to make her Buttons and Bows pattern which she so generously posted on her blog, and now I’m thinking about stash diving this weekend to see what I can find up there to make her Jelly Bean Garden. This might be a good time to get into that Robyn Pandolph closet and start cutting some of that stuff. It isn’t getting any younger! And neither am I!

I pulled out a UFO bin this week and laid all the blocks out on the floor. I just need to sew the rows together, but it’s a diagonal setting and I always get confused doing those. It’s just me! LOL. Anyway, something else moved ahead of it, so that UFO is back in its bin. Maybe in a couple of weeks I’ll give it another go. This was a Quilts in a Bag kit that I bought at the Glendale Quilt Show a couple of years ago. The blocks have been made up since last summer. I really like this easy quilt.

I also pulled out the ‘30s crumb blocks. I have approximately 50 of those blocks made. It’s probably time to start planning a layout so I’ll know how many more blocks I need to make. I think I’m going to go ahead and make it queen size, maybe use of some of that bolt of Kona Snow I have upstairs for sashings. I have plenty of crumb fabrics for the cornerstones, and I have a wide ‘30s backing in the stash. This one will finish up fairly quickly.

Within the next two weeks I should have at least three more tops in the to-be-quilted stack. It sure feels wonderful to be making some headway on these UFOs! Now I need to decide which ones to send off first to be quilted.

I also pulled out everything I need to make a special present for a very special little friend. That will be up on the sewing table in the next couple of weeks also!

I’m itching to get back to applique, but have been having a grand time zooming away on the Bernina!

Gratitudes:

~ Lots of happy things going on.

~ A little stash enhancement this week – uh oh!

~ Finding an FQ of an old fabric in my stash for a friend!

~ Feeling plumb giddy over using up some of this stash!

It's ALL over now!

Have you seen the new Designer Mystery BOM that Kimberly has put up at The Fat Quarter Shop?

Oh, man, my goose is cooked! I'm in big trouble! I might as well start attending those FA meetings!

Wait, it doesn't start until June! I've got months and months to use up all this stash before the BOM starts! I can do it!

I had already decided Peace on Earth by 3 Sisters was my favorite 'coming soon' fabric, and now this? Kimberly, honey, you're killing me here!

If anyone needs me, I'll be in my sewing room ... until June!

Strawberry Lemonade

This is the fabric I picked up Thursday night - and already busted out of the stash! LOL. The pattern is called Blossom by Fig Tree Quilts. It was fun to do. The pattern called for two Layer Cakes and border yardage. I bought additional light yardage because I wanted all my sashings to be the same instead of scrappy.

Sorry for the dark picture. I tried all day to get my camera batteries to charge. Finally tonight I noticed that the charger wasn't plugged in. Sometimes I wonder about myself!

I've got to work on other things this week, so I won't be stash busting. I hope everyone makes great headway!!

Anniversary Drawing WINNERS!

Yes, I said WINNERS! I decided last night to draw TWO WINNERS -- since I'm celebrating TWO years of blogging!

So let's get the names in the bowl all mixed up (I wish my camera batteries weren't dead. I'll post a picture of the bowl later!)

I tried to wake Daisy up to help, but she's having no part of this bowl as it doesn't have food in it! LOL



The winnerS are:

The first winner is EVELYN!!! Congratulations, Evelyn!!

And the second winner is HEATHER! Heather doesn't have a blog, but I know for a fact she'll probably want to make something for that little bundle of joy who is about to make an appearance! Congratulations, Heather!

You ladies both need to visit The Fat Quarter Shop and make your Jelly Roll selection, and email me with your choice. Then I'll make arrangements with Kimberly to get those mailed off to you!

I would like to thank all of you for entering the drawing. I had a grand time, and I hope you all did, too!

Stash Busting Week 7

I yo-yo'd this week! I think we agreed that this wouldn't be easy! But the good news is that I've already used almost everything I bought!

Busted since last report:

The Peach Cobbler quilt top, backing and binding that I blogged about a few days ago - 6 yards. That Allspice Tapestry line is so scrumptious!

And I finally pieced the backing for Spooky Nights. That busted a whopping 3 yards.

Now for the purchases. Uh oh! 13.5 yards!

I got to Applique Club on Thursday night and realized I had forgotten my project at home. So I bought some white-on-white, a pack of dye-cut hearts, and some applique needles, and started appliqueing hearts down. I figure I can always turn this into a baby quilt. 1 yard purchased.

But then I saw that Ginger had gotten in the new Strawberry Lemonade line by Moda. I instantly knew I was in BIG trouble! I had just gotten Fig Tree's Blossom pattern from The Fat Quarter Shop, so a planned formed.

I came home and started right in on it. I have to say here that I'm really not a "brights" girl. But hanging around Jane this long, her love of brights has rubbed off on me a bit! I changed the pattern up just a tad in that I decided to use one neutral for the sashings to quieten things down a bit. And because blue is my favorite color, I chose blue yardage for the borders and binding. So 12.5 yards purchased AND busted! LOL I'll get a picture posted later today. I need new camera batteries.

Year-to-Date Totals:

Busted: 113.25 yards
Purchased: 27.75 yards
Net YTD: 85.50 yards busted!

Jelly Roll Suggestion

Don't forget to sign up for the free Jelly Roll give-away on my last blog. Drawing is this Sunday!

And just to give you something to think about in case your name is drawn, take a look at this quilt! Skipping Stones

I LOVED making this quilt. The fabric is to die for!!

Kimberly sure has figured out my motive for stash busting, hasn't she? ROFLOL

Good luck to everyone!

Two Year Blog Anniversary! TIME'S UP!!

Wow, it sure doesn't seem like two years since I've been blogging. No way! It's been a lot of fun, especially getting to know other bloggers and being truly inspired by the quilts I've seen! I've sure learned a lot from all of you!

To celebrate this anniversary I'd like to have a give-away. I'm going to do this a little differently since it's real difficult for me to get to the mailing places during the week. So I'm going to let Kimberly at The Fat Quarter Shop do the mailing for me!

Just leave a comment on this post, and you will be entered in a drawing for a Jelly Roll of your choice from The Fat Quarter Shop! The winner can just visit her site, choose the one you want and let me know. Then I'll make arrangements to have it shipped right to your door! How easy is that!

The drawing will be on Sunday morning, 2/17/08. After I've had a cup or two of coffee!

Good luck to everyone! And thank you for visiting my little world!

A Quickie Quilt

I love the Allspice Tapestry line from Moda. Six yards busted including the backing and binding! Another empty project bin!

I didn't sleep well at all last night. Woke up in the early morning hours with a headache, and then had bad dreams about weird things at work. I hope that's not a glimpse of the week ahead. LOL

EDIT: Several of you asked about the name of the pattern. Sorry. I always forget to mention that! The pattern is Just Another Quickie Quilt Pattern by Sew Unique Creations, and used a Jolly Patch roll, which are 9 x 11 cuts or fat 16ths, and the border fabric.

Backings

I used a ton of yardage the past two weeks preparing the backings and bindings for quilt tops. I've got a couple of rules for backings. They're simple rules - because I'm kind of simple.

First, I try to use any leftover fabric from the quilt top on the back of the quilt. It totally busts that fabric from my stash, and the backing is coordinated. Sometimes this involves getting real creative. LOL



This is the backing for one of the quilts made from a pattern I tested for Judy. It's called Carolina Stroll. These three fabrics were on the front of the quilt. I barely had enough, but it worked.



If there's just no way I can get a backing out of the leftover fabric, then I go to my stash and pull yardage. The leftover fabric from the top then goes into the scrap bin to be cut into strips. I do have a closet full of flat folds of five or more yards, as well as some nearly full bolts. Almost always I can find something there.

Occasionally I also buy yardage specifically for a quilt. For instance, if I sign on to a block of the month, then I go ahead and buy the yardage for the backing at that time. Kimberly at The Fat Quarter Shop is great about offering yardage cuts with BOMs and kits. I like having the backing in case I mess up doing the front. I know I've got some extra fabric that will match, and that fabric might not be available a year or two from when I ordered the BOM to completing it. It's a safety precaution for me. I learned this the hard way! LOL

Stash Busting - Week 6

I was on a roll since the last stash report, and then with moving the furniture around and all, I came to a screeching halt until today. Jane came over and we managed to do a bit of sewing in and around all the chatter that goes on when we get together! She's such a fun person!

Poppy string quilt -- backing and binding pieced; 5.5 yards busted.

Let It Snow/Sew wallhanging -- backing and binding pieced; 2.5 yards busted.

A round robin quilt -- backing and binding pieced; 5.25 yards busted.

Botanika -- backing and binding pieced; 6.25 yards busted.

Around the Block -- backing and binding pieced; 6.25 yards busted.

Quilts of Valor -- this has been sitting needing the final border sewed on. Backing and binding pieced; 5 yards busted.

A green quilt -- the top will go to a friend for practice on her new longarm. The fabric for the backing and binding to send to her was pulled from stash; 6 yards busted.

Chocolate Covered Cherries -- backing and binding pieced; 6 yards busted.

That's a total of 42.75 yards busted this week!

I did purchase 3.25 yards. Three yards was to enlarge the borders, etc., on the quilt kit I purchased at Road. I wanted to go ahead and get that while the fabric was still available. The FQ was totally an impulse purchase. Yikes, that's where I get myself in trouble!!

So year-to-date totals are:

Busted: 91.75 yards

Purchased: 14.25 yards

Net YTD: 77.50 yards busted!

I'm SO ready to do some shopping. Really ready! I've seen all the new stuff that Kimberly has in at The Fat Quarter Shop, and some of that fabric is just crying out to come to my home. (sigh)

Don't Like This Week At All!

It's one of those boring, in-between projects, messy, discombobulating weeks!

First, the blinds were finally installed, so I have to put the house back together. I guess my task tomorrow night and Saturday morning is to shove furniture back in its place.

Then the change oil light came on in the QuiltMobile. I get free oil changes where I bought it, but getting it there is somewhat difficult. I'll call tomorrow to see if they can work me in on Saturday morning. I'm sure whining and groveling will be involved.

Then to add insult to injury, this pink thing ....



.... a traffic ticket. For speeding. I looked at my speed when his lights came on behind me. I was doing 48 in a 45. He said he clocked me at 60. I didn't argue. At least I can do the online traffic school to keep it off my record.

And then the politics have me about gagging, and don't even get me started on the rebate check thing. I know, I know, no politics, and I won't talk about them. Suffice it to say that I'm glad the TVs are unplugged right now!

But there will be a dynamite stash busting reporting on Sunday!! Hooray!!

And I pulled fabrics for the third time that I think will work in Judy's free pattern that she posted on her blog, Buttons and Bows. I pulled two sets of fabrics that I thought would work and then I changed my mind on them. The third pull will work. I hope to get that cut this weekend. Jane's coming over for a sew day! I've missed getting together with her for a whole day to sew and chat!

Gratitudes:

~ It's Thursday night!

~ New blinds

~ More inspiration from Judy!

~ My silly dog!

You should see this place!

New blinds are being installed in my condo this week, and I had to get everything moved tonight because they might come tomorrow to do it. Everything downstairs is in the middle of the floor. You can't even walk in the living room, dining room, or my sewing room. I always feel so helpless when things are in an upheaval like this!

But everything will be fresh and new and back in place by the weekend. I can handle that! It's a good thing I finished some applique prep work last night. At least I'll be able to work on that this week.

Gratitudes:

~ Laughing at Daisy's confusion. She couldn't find her kennel tonight. LOL

~ Hormel Compleats! Thank you, Jane!

~ Being honest, while not always comfortable, is always the best policy.

Selvages

Proof positive I've been busy piecing backings and borders this weekend! Time to empty this and get ready for next weekend!

Stash Report Week 5

I've been ripping through backings and borders this weekend. I piled out of bed at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday and got to work!

I finished the borders on the quilt that is Judy's design in the last blog. Pieced the backing for it - 5 yards busted!

Finally put the last border on Bundling Board, pieced the backing and binding - 5.5 yards busted!

Pieced the backing and binding for the gingerbreadmen quilt from a couple of months ago -- 1.75 yards busted!

And the retreat quilt from November? Made the binding for that -- .5 yard busted!

Incoming fabric -- zero!!!


YEAR-TO-DATE:

Busted: 49.0 yards

Income: 11.25

Net YTD total: 37.75 yards BUSTED!!!

UFO Finished!

I'm so proud of myself. I got up early this morning, put the last border on, pieced the backing, the binding, and I'm ready to move on to a new project or UFO!

In fact, I see the Bundling Board hanging on the quilt rack over there. It needs the final border and a backing pulled from stash and pieced. Might just do that right now!