Monday, February 29, 2016

February finishes

Ann's NYE Mystery
Courthouse steps blocks
Hayes Corner
Independence Square
Jacobs Ladder
Hayes Corner - Lynne
Independence Square - Lynne
Jacobs Ladder - Lynne
green and purple 9 patch
Quilty Fun baskets
Buffalo tote

Western sunset

This is the half sewn together. 
This is the half needing to be sewn together.

I'm debating on how to finish it.
I don't have enough of the western sunset fabric for a border, but I do have one strip left.
If I border in black and then do something with the 4 colors, it would be a fun finish.
Still contemplating it.

Prairie Moon

The challenge this week is

Clean up the floor in your sewing room


Did you look in my room?

This is needed right now.  Lots of things going on and lots of mess.

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Stash Report

Judy has us keep track of what our stash is doing.
Used this Week:                             2.64 yards
Used year to Date:                        10.85 yards
Used this Month (February)             4.28 yards
Added this Week:                           0.00 yards
Added Year to Date:                     18.35 yards
Goal:                                         100.00 yards
Yards to goal:                               91.80 yards

Net Used in quilts 2016:                89.15 yards 

A couple of other fun facts are:

Prairie Moon is doing a 350 blocks challenge this year:
Number of equivalent blocks:               118

Perimeter in inches                               1418
Number of UFOs finished this year:       9.16
UFO Yardage Used                               21.12
Amount of yardage used in UFOs          98%

I was able to do some things that did not require my thumb, so I had a little bit of usage.

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Dazzle

So these were in the Dazzle bag.
The Dazzle pattern and I did not get along, but this is a take on it and the pieces.
Then, these wonky stars, and why did I do them?
I don't even remember this one or the pattern from 2003 Fabric Trends magazine.
I'll sew the star block together and see how big it is and then adjust the other two middle blocks and everything else.
It will be my own pattern with a Dazzle influence.
I've used my thumb a bit too much today, so I think it is time to let me rest.

Buffalo Tote

I'm not sure why I used this pattern, but I did.
It's the Zippered Style File from The Quilt Company.
It went together very well, until I broke a needle on the zipper. :(
I had to modify the front pocket so the buffalo would be the focal point.
Maybe next time I use it on the back and not put the extra pocket on it. 
It's another UFO, so that is good.
I did not think I would finish anything else this month.

Quilty fun


The baskets are the new blocks. 
Think that I might have added an extra piece to the width,

Friday, February 26, 2016

Periodic table of sewing elements


I saw this on facebook and had to share.

Stashbuster numbers

I didn't do great the last two months on the stashbuster numbers. 
 February was because of an injury, and I'll do one of the numbers later, but probably not the applique one.

The numbers this month are:
#4 -- Dolphin Pillow

I should be able to make a pillow even with the brace on.  Yeah!

#41 is Dazzle.  I didn't even remember what it was, but looks like most of the pieces are cut out, so it might go together quickly.  

Now to get healed and be able to hand sew again.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Creativity Challenge

The challenge this week is:

Go back and work more on some of your previous challenges


I've not been great on completing things, so I think this is wonderful.

We've started the smash books.  Mine is quilting extra papers/post cards, etc, along with some essential oil things I don't know what to do with but want to keep.
DD's is college stuff.  So when they come in the mail, it is going to be hole punched and put into her smash book. :)

i think I will continue with this project and do some coloring and doodling this week.

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Prairie Moon organization challenge

Clean out a drawer or clean off a shelf


Well, that could be a never ending battle.
I think I am going to consider a a table my shelf to clean off.
This seems to be a place that everything stacks up.
There are things here that need to be handled.
So, that is my task for this week.

Design Wall Monday a day late

We were at Texas State all day yesterday, so I didn't get this posted.
I used the small hst from the stars in the sashing for the center of the corner squares.
The mitering of the border fabric did not work, so this is a compromise.
i have another of the cornerstones to do and then it will be ready to quilt.
I can sew and can long arm, but I can't bind with this brace.
So, maybe I can get things to that stage and work on them when the brace comes off. 
I have the final black border cut and will end up putting it on soon.
Then this one will be ready for backing and quilting.
That would be wonderful.



Sunday, February 21, 2016

purple and green 9 patches

I had to sew something.
I had to get help in getting the pillow inside, but I made it.
My purple and green 9 patches are now a pillow/bolster.
It feels great on the back.

Stash Report

Judy has us keep track of what our stash is doing.Used this Week:                            0.05 yards
Used year to Date:                         0.10 yards
Used this Month (February)           1.63 yards
Added this Week:                           0.00 yards
Added Year to Date:                    10.75 yards
Goal:                                           100.00 yards
Yards to goal:                               91.80 yards

Net Used in quilts 2016:              18.95 yards 

A couple of other fun facts are:

Prairie Moon is doing a 350 blocks challenge this year:
Number of equivalent blocks:               102

Perimeter in inches                               1240
Number of UFOs finished this year:    7.16
UFO Yardage Used                               18.48
Amount of yardage used in UFOs          97%

So, if you look at the previous post, I am somewhat out of commission. 
I have a brace on my left hand.
I hope to sew a little, but don't know that I will be able to accomplish any binding while the brace is on.
:( :(
I'm so disappointed, but when I am back, I will have some finishes.


Friday, February 19, 2016

sad

Thumb hurting lots, so off to the doctor.
Not carpel tunnel yet, but inflammation.
I can sew, but not sure about how fast.
Not sure I'll be able to bind at all. :( 
Laid out my purple and green 9 patches.
I found 3 squares to finish off the last one that needed to be finished.
I also found a green border fabric and a floral outside border fabric.

You know, typing with a brace is interesting.

As much as I had hoped for a good February, I don't see it happening.
Maybe I can get lots of tops together and quilt them and can have a binding marathon when things are better, but that is probably not the thing to do to my thumb.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Declutter

I used to be fairly good about filing and de-cluttering.
So, what happened?
Who knows.
But, I can't find some important papers that I know I had in one of two spots.
No, they are not in either spot, so I must have a third important paper spot.
That is really frustrating for me.
But, if I stop looking for it, it will show up.

It's hard to tell here, but that big plastic bag holds all my little plastic bags as I use them
This was overflowing and would not hang up, so I sorted and put them away.
I must be using up projects that were stored in plastic bags, because I had so many.
Now I will have to go into the cabinet to get what I need. ;(
Might not look that great, but I put away lots of fabric.
I am using the black Kona.
I have the simply woven in that basket.
My small container of scraps should be sorted.
OK, so all the scraps but the black have been put away.

I also filed all the 2016 papers, so that is good.

Still working on taxes, so that 2015 stuff is still out.


Monday, February 15, 2016

Fall Table topper is loaded and ready to quilt

Backing is made for the test quilt.
Not the prettiest backing, but it will work because I'm trying to use up more florals.

Design wall quilts are not done, but that is OK.
I had a great day with DD and DH.
Watched the sunset from our porch tonight.
Beautiful weather and day.

Prairie Moon Organization Challenge

Last week was to clean out the sewing basket.
I did this and put many spools of thread away.
This week is to

Eradicate a pile

This could be done EVERY week for me.  LOL
I have so many piles to get through.

I have been doing some sewing and my pile of fabrics that I've used is getting tall.
Most times I put it away, but I'm not sure what happened now.
So, I will go through that pile and see what can go back into the cabinet and what I'm really using now.

Design Wall Monday

I don't understand why the messages are not coming in properly.
But, my design wall has the two projects on them that were there last week.
I have made progress, slow but sure.
Hope to get these off the design wall this week.
Tidings has the sashing together.
Now to sew the center together and determine how I'll use the border print.
I have the 4th border off to the side so I don't have to climb to put it up. 
I was not sure if I wanted to add another black border, but after contemplating it, I am going to add a 3" black border.
Then it will be ready to quilt.

Jacob's Ladder - Lynne

Finished putting this one together.
We are now caught up with Lynne and my blocks at the same point.
A few more to go and this project will be ready to put together.
The next block is paper pieced.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Independence square

Finished Independence square for Lynne.
This is another brown added in.
Need to do Jacob's ladder to get her blocks caught up with mine.

Stopping wavy borders

I've been asked by a friend to explain how to stop from having waving borders.
So, now I need to make sure I have the steps down that will help me explain that.
When she has a link on us doing it, then I will post that to share.
Wish me luck.

Stash Report

Judy has us keep track of what our stash is doing.
Used this Week:                            0.05 yards
Used year to Date:                         8.10 yards
Used this Month (February)           1.53 yards
Added this Week:                           0.75 yards
Added Year to Date:                    10.75 yards
Goal:                                           100.00 yards
Yards to goal:                               91.90 yards

Net Used in quilts 2016:              18.85 yards 

A couple of other fun facts are:

Prairie Moon is doing a 350 blocks challenge this year:
Number of equivalent blocks:               100

Perimeter in inches                               1168
Number of UFOs finished this year:    7.05
UFO Yardage Used                               18.37
Amount of yardage used in UFOs          97%

So, it seems that every time I think I  am making progress, I run into a buy or a gift.
Then, I don't seem to be finishing lots of my own stuff.
I've been working on Lana's quilts to help her out, so that is good but not for my numbers.
I have 3 quilts ready to quilt, so if I can get some of them quilted today, maybe my numbers next week will be better.
Time will tell.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Saturday sewing

Lynne's Hayes Corner 
Chinese Coins around the T-shirt quilt.
I think the black binding will be enough, but I'll wait until morning to decide. 
Brown sashing with blue star points.
Not sure what the center of the star is going to be.
Red?
Yellow?
Green?
The blue will be scrappy from what I have.

J is for Jacob's Ladder

I have my J is for Jacob's Ladder done.
I love this block.

I have been in contact with Lynne and she is working on my blocks, so I'll start working on hers again.
We had lost touch and I was not sure what to do.
I have 3 to catch her up with me.

Independence Day

I is for Independence Day is completed.
Now on to J is for Jacob's Ladder.

Friday, February 12, 2016

long term UFO

Dorothy of apocketfulofmysteries had a BOM in 2013 that was all the alphabet.
I made it through G.
I made H - Hayes Corner today.
Many more to go, but maybe if I cut them out and do one every few days I can knock this one out.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

TQPM Pattern testing

I just opened the email for TQPM and two of the patterns I've tested are in there.
Blue Blossom, which I made pink for my friend Yvonne.
This one made it into the magazine. 
Wolf Howling is hanging on my daughter's wall.
They didn't publish the photo of this one.

Both were doing techniques that I'm not 100% great at, but they were fun to do and both are enjoyed by others.


Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Chinese coins & Tidings

I finally started the next quilt.
It is another UFO and is one of the Stashbuster #s for February.
Tidings is a Children's book that I'm making into a quilt.
Why did I buy these and what was my plan?
I don't really know, but I have a plan now.
I will use the dark brown sashing and make the stars in the cornerstone.
I think I am going to use the blue, green, yellow, red, and maybe pink for the star points.
I think it will be scrappy to use up some of those pieces.
That will hit two goals, UFOs and scraps.

I'm still working on the Chinese coins for the Band T-shirt quilt.  Not too many more to go, so that should not take too long.
I think I am going to just sew them into a long strip and then cut and sew that border on.

Quilty fun

Another two blocks of Quilty Fun
Courthouse Steps are done.
I added in some purples, but used many of the other fabrics from the apples and stars blocks.
I really like courthouse steps.
Next week we will have another set of blocks to make.

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Test quilt top together

I absolutely LOVE this pattern and how it went together!
TQPM is the magazine that it will be in.
I'll definitely have to show you when the pattern is published.

Monday, February 8, 2016

Design Wall

I'm not getting some of my emails until way late, and this was one of them.

I had this one on my design wall, and it is done.
It needs to be quilted and bound 
We thought we would end it with a black border, but it does not create the effect I wanted, so I am going to add another scrappy 2 inch border around it with a final black border.
This is the never ending t-shirt quilt. 

I also have another one that is a test quilt that is about to be sewn together.
I really like the way it went together.
Might have to make another one.

Prairie Moon Organization Challenge

I did get some of my area cleaned off, but have piled it back again.  
I think this is a BIG HOT SPOT I need to figure out how to deal with daily.

Our current challenge is:

Clean out your sewing box


I love these challenges.

I have a sewing box that I keep my applique project in.
I don't know what shape it is right now, so this is probably a good task for me.
I also would like to put something together for by my chair.
I hate not being able to find a need and thread when I need it.

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Stash Report

Judy has us keep track of what our stash is doing.

Used this Week:                             2.22 yards
Used year to Date:                         8.79 yards
Used this Month (February)           2.22 yards
Added this Week:                           3.00 yards
Added Year to Date:                    10.00 yards
Goal:                                           100.00 yards
Yards to goal:                               91.21 yards

Net Used in quilts 2015:              18.79 yards 

A couple of other fun facts are:

Prairie Moon is doing a 350 blocks challenge this year:
Number of equivalent blocks:                 99

Perimeter in inches                               1132
Number of UFOs finished this year:    7
UFO Yardage Used                               18.32
Amount of yardage used in UFOs          97%

I won 3 yards from A Lovely Year of Finishes.
They are background fabrics, so I'm sure they will be used quickly.

Saturday, February 6, 2016

NYE UFO Complete

It is done.
Now to wash it and I'll have one waiting when needed.
I like the simplified version of this quilt.

Quilt is quilted & ready to bind

My NYE Mystery UFO is quilted and the binding is ready to sew down. 
 Maybe I'll get it started and finished tonight.


I have been cutting out a test quilt too.
Really need to get that accomplished soon.

Monday, February 1, 2016

Prairie Moon organization challenge

Organize something that is bothering you


What should I pick????
Well, let's say the side desk.
I normally keep the desk fairly neat after school is over.
But, everything gets piled to the side.

So, that is my task this week.

Design wall Monday

I am working on this one to add the borders on the 4 little pieces

I'm sewing the top row together and then to add to the sides of the center and figure out what else to do.

Crazy UFOs

I did not finish all my planned UFOs from January.
But, I've been reminded that these challenges are to just get me making progress and I did that.

All People Quilt
January
I finished it.
It was not what it was originally planned to be, but it became a quilt.

February
Purple and green 9 patches

Stashbuster numbers
January
#3 Ann's 2009 NYE Mystery
I am loading it now and will quilt and finish this one.

#51 Fall Table Runner
I have it laid out and need to do a few more things on it.
I like this one and probably will finish it.

I finished it and won't do another.
Did not like the process.

#7 Applique Turtles
This might not happen
#21 Children's Book - Tidings
I will probably work on this one.
It is cute, but needs sashing to adjust the size of the pages.

Prairie Moon
This is a personal challenge the Prairie Moon folks and holding me accountable for,
January
#7 Band T-shirt quilt
This one is ready to sew the center together and then I have to finish it.
February
#1 Western Sunset
Doesn't look like more than a few pieces were cut.
Why?
When was it started? Who knows.
My family room is a western theme, so maybe I can use this in there.

January
Christmas Tree Applique

February
Buffalo Tote
I've wanted to get this done for so long.
I honestly think it will become more than one bag.
I see I've cut out all the panels and some of the strips.

Sampler Society is another one that is helping me, but it is not an official challenge.
January/February is the Sunkissed Table runner.
This has so many applique pieces to it that I am now on the flowers.
Need to do leaves after tha.
It should be finished in February.