Sunday, September 26, 2010

Stash Report 2010 - Weeks 37 and 38

I was going to just give up on these reports as I'm so far behind on everything, but I'm not a quitter (nor a quilter these days). So here is a two-week report.

Awesome by Sandy Gervais for Moda - 5 yards for borders, whatever, to go with the charm packs and layer cake that came in a couple of months ago. I have no clue what I'll do with this, but these are wonderful fall fabrics that I really wanted. BTW, if any of you haven't taken advantage of the weekly specials that Kimberly has on Twitter and Facebook, you must do so. These were purchased at 40% off because I plugged in their code word at checkout. Keep an eye on the Jolly Jabber blog and you'll see the announcements on the sidebar on the Twitter feed. Just click on "Follow me on Twitter" for the feed to come up and see what the weekly special is. It's definitely a must-do!

And just to make this perfectly clear again -- I do not work for the Fat Quarter Shop! (Although I'm sure there's a rotary cutter somewhere in there dedicated just to me!)

Then another box arrived with the next installment of the Scrap Basket Surprises Quilt Club Kit. I went ahead and got the backing, too, so that's another 11.125 yards in.



Okay, this picture is lousy but I needed a picture.

Last week or maybe the week before - I've completely lost track of time now - I cut an additional 10.25 yards of thimbles/tumblers on the Go cutter. That's a total of 151 pieces cut. I need more. I need a plan. I need time in my sewing room. I need a vacation. I need ...

Year-To-Date:

Busted: 363.55 yards
Purchased: 407.01 yards
Net YTD: (43.51) yards busted :(

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT: The Jolly Jabber feature today is Robyn Pandolph's new line, and there's a new BOM on there. I actually got that in as a kit at some point over the last two weeks, but have not had time to take it apart and see how much yardage is there. I will get that reported as incoming before year's end, promise!

THANK YOU to all of you who have written and emailed about Joe's passing. This has been so incredibly hard, but a sense of peace is with his family now. Thank you all so very much.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Pennsylvania Dutch BOM #11 - Winner

I hope everyone who is doing the Pennsylvania Dutch BOM from the Fat Quarter Shop is keeping up, even if you are not reporting your finishes. This will be the most wonderful quilt, and certainly one that I will hold dear for a number of reasons.

The winner of this month's drawing for the $25 from the Fat Quarter Shop is .... ERIKA! Congratulations, Erika. I will email you your certificate in a few minutes.

I can't thank the Fat Quarter Shop enough for their support this year to our little sew-along! You all are so wonderful!

And a reminder -- since this BOM is almost ended -- there are some awfully gorgeous ones beginning shortly! If you don't believe me, check them out for yourself! I'm personally waiting for two of those to begin! :)

On a personal note, thank you to everyone who has emailed me with your concern for my work person. I feel it's okay now to tell you that this is my boss, the founder and Chairman of the Board of our company. I have worked directly for him for over sixteen years. Even though we knew he was sick, his rapid decline the past few weeks has us reeling. At this writing he is still with us, but the end is very near and could come at any moment. Please keep his wife and family in your prayers as they go through this difficult time. We will miss him so much.

UPDATE: I received a call from his wife shortly after I made this post that he was gone. I've been over there since she called and just got home to clean up a bit and go back over there. Thank you all so much. This has been a difficult week, a difficult day, and next week will be likewise. He looked so peaceful, and for that I will be forever grateful.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Pennsylvania Dutch BOM #11



I haven't made my Pennsylvania Dutch BOM block yet, but I didn't want to hold up the give-away just because of me.

The drawing for the BOM participants for the $25 gift certificate again so generously donated by the Fat Quarter Shop will be held on Saturday 9/25/10 in the morning when I get up.

To be entered, please post a copy of your completed block on your blog and comment here with a link back to your blog. If you're not a blogger, just email me a picture of your block to be entered in the drawing.

Please note there might be a change to the give-away time. The work person about whom I have been so worried is failing fast, and we expect the end to be today. The burial will be back in Pennsylvania, so I might not be here next Saturday. If I am not, then I will hold the drawing as soon as I return.

Good luck to everyone. Kimberly and Kevin -- we all think you're absolutely wonderful for giving us the drawings this year! You've enticed us to finish our blocks in a timely fashion! Nothing like incentive to just get 'er done! Thank you!!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Thimble Quilt

I'm going to make a thimble quilt out of '30s fabrics. I have a ton more 6" thimbles to cut out, but it's fast with the cutter. It's going to be a ton of sewing, but I'm up to the task!



There are only 82 here. Need to figure out how many million more I need.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Stash Report 2010 - Week 36

I wanted to get to a neutral report this week, but, no, I had to go and poke buttons. Maybe next week.

A tower of Arnold's Attic plaids, and the rest is French General's Maison Garance. 18.83 yards in. Ten yards went into the charity box.

I'm sure going to have a lot of French General to quilt up when I retire!



Haven't quite decided what's on tap today, but I really want to finish up an old quilt top that my sister-in-law's grandmother made. But I guess I need to clean up the cutting table so I can get there and do some work. (sigh) If it's not one thing, it's another...

Year-To-Date:

Busted: 353.25 yards
Purchased: 390.885 yards
Net YTD: (37.635) yards busted :(

Saturday, September 11, 2010

What a mess!

I've been feeling so puny lately. Had to go back to the dentist this morning to get a stronger antibiotic. The site isn't healing like it should. Got that filled, came home, and took a four hour nap.

When I got up and came downstairs, this is what I saw. I've been looking at it every day but it just didn't register.



Obviously I haven't used my cutting table lately!

I'm going to take another nap that I hope lasts all night.

Tomorrow I clean.

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Sunday, September 05, 2010

Stash Report 2010 - Week 35

Stop the presses .... I piddled around with my stash yesterday! Yes, I did! I have to make one block for a joint gift quilt, and I decided to dig into my Robyn Pandolph stash. It's been a while since I've done that. Some pretty fabrics up in that cabinet.

Anyway, when I opened up this piece, I found that I had obviously used it once before on applique! There was a hunk cut out of it! I had to laugh. Most folks might have just cut a strip off to use. No, I had to leave the piece intact and just cut what I needed. Now there are two hunks missing from this yardage. At this rate, I'll probably still be cutting hunks out of it at The Home!



And I had some good yardage use yesterday. 44.5 yards busted for charity quilts! Nothing incoming, but I do have an order on its way from the Fat Quarter Shop. A small kit for a child's quilt with backing, and I forget what else. Not too much damage done, I don't think. Wait, maybe there are two orders winging their way to me. Uh oh uh oh uh oh...

Anyway, here are the totals.

Year-To-Date:

Busted: 343.25 yards
Purchased: 372.055 yards
Net YTD: (28.805) yards busted :(

Last year at Labor Day I was 327.625 yards in the red. Looking good, Vic!!!

Oh, speaking of the Fat Quarter Shop, check out this new book, A Path to the Civil War. I can't wait to get my hands on it!!!!!

Saturday, September 04, 2010

Three Whole Days Off!

I'm plumb giddy with excitement!

I received the most wonderful package yesterday at work. Totally confused me because I almost never get packages at work.

The note: "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Proverb 27:17. So... are you smiling?"



I'll quote my favorite movie here -- "Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion." Thank you so much to my dear sweet friends. You always make me smile. Remember the little duck? Five years later I'm still smiling when I look at it! You both know how very much I love you - always!

Oh gosh ...

Okay, sniff, back to the real world. Yesterday another phone call to that company, and many, many return calls from them. All I can say is thank goodness for their Annie in customer service because otherwise I'd be done with them forever. Annie went above and beyond to find me locally what I needed, called the store and made sure they had it in stock, called me back with information ... numerous phone calls even after she was off duty to make sure things worked out. Much different from the two prior folks with whom I spoke. So I'm set for the weekend. Just need to refuse shipment on that other box next week and get my money back. Annie, thank you. I hope you get a raise. You deserve it.

I'm going to do some easy cooking this weekend because I still can't eat things that will be too difficult to chew. I think a big pot of spaghetti sauce will be simmering some time this weekend and maybe some soup. Penny will sure appreciate the smells of home cooking. I don't think yogurt and Jell-O hold much appeal for her in the scent department. Me, either!

I do need to do some clothes shopping, preferably this weekend. Maybe Sunday would be a good time to hit Nordy's. Sadly, I will need funeral clothes shortly, and also my work clothes are worn out. Does anyone else hate shopping for clothes as much as I do? Ugh!

And thanks to Jane's sweet DH who fixed my dryer for me, I'll be washing lots of fabric. The first load is already drying. There was an obscene clog in the vent hose that has probably been there since I moved here five years ago. Bless his heart, he got it all cleaned out for me and the dryer works perfectly. I thought I was going to have to buy a new one.

That's it for me. Another long post. Sorry about that. I need to blog more often so as not to cram everything in at once.

Penny is stretched out on the patio amongst the leaves. I wish I could join her!

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Uh oh!

I'm not going to sleep a wink tonight. I have a dentist appointment at 7:00 a.m. -- yikes! He's going to take out a back tooth that has been giving me fits for years. I've had two root canals and four crowns on it, and ended up in the hospital with a jaw infection a couple of years back. It's time for it to go.

I'm not hungry tonight, but I'll be regretting not eating something tomorrow, won't I?

No pictures tonight. There is absolutely nothing of interest to photo around here. Penny included. She's being nice tonight. That certainly makes for boring pictures!

I'm having an issue with an online company that I just placed my first order with recently. After a rather "pointed" conversation with them yesterday, I'm supposed to have my order by Friday afternoon, a three-day shipment, although according to their website it hasn't shipped yet. Not a good way for them to start out with a new customer, I'd say.

My work person is not doing well at all. I really think we're looking at just a few more weeks before the end. It's just so sad. I have my annual trip to Louisiana planned to start on the 18th of this month. Wondering if I shouldn't kick that back to November .... I don't know. I left a message for my brother to call me to discuss.

Anyway, that's it. I keep walking around here going "Uh oh, uh oh." Don't ask me why, but I've found that if you say it altogether several times in rhythmic fashion, and then repeat that over and over, it's sort of like chanting! ROFLOL. I crack myself up sometimes.

Think of me tomorrow a.m. while you're munching on your bacon and pancakes and coffee. Take a sip for me!