stash report April 30, 2017

A nearby quilt shop had a 'not going to Paducah' sale with 20 fat quarters for 30.00. I bought 40 fat quarters as did my friend. Friends don't let friends buy fat quarters alone. Adding it to the total is hard. Fat quarters look so small and non-threatening, but they still add up in yardage sigh..... that is 10 yards... 10

I used for happy birds 15.25

Stash report

Fabric Used this Week:15.25 yards
Fabric Used year to Date: 176 3/4 yards
Fabric Added this Week: 10 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date: 86 3/4 yards

Net Fabric for 2017: 90 yards more used than added

fun stuff

civil war

batiks

neutrals

We did a little bit of plant shopping at Garden Gate Greenhouse near Peru Indiana. We still have to be careful as the average frost date for Indiana is May 10th. It seems like we have been playing at Spring forever. I am not complaining, but I am wanting to plant something. We did add new strawberries to the strawberry boxes.

Last week's spinning was a bust. The spinning wheel was uncooperative. I guess it had been too long since it was loved on and oiled. I am trying again today. My goal today.... the gray and white ball of fluff.

I am linking to:

Patchwork Times

Slow Sunday Stitching

Happy Birds finish and strings

Big Finish - Happy Birds. I am just squeaking in at the end of the month for One Monthly Goal and Ufo 2017. Of course, it is raining outside, so this is my best picture opportunity. I am well pleased with this finish. Effort versus results is a good ratio. I learned a lot from making this. I am a finisher, even if it takes putting it aside to warm back up to it. I don't like making mistakes at first, but I can warm up to that as well. As I keep going, the first mistakes really don't seem as sad. So I guess, we need to practice at everything including making mistakes to get any better.
This is a Jen Kingwell design.

I also finished the pink sampler as part of my one monthly goal.
So far, One monthly goal has really kept me on task to complete 5 projects that I would have just set aside if left to my own devices. I need the extra accountability. Thank you Patty.

I declared last Saturday to be string Saturday. Any chance I had to sew, I worked on string/crumb piecing. I made 12 sashings for wonky wishes. I need 71. So I am making progress. I am using an old children's drawing pad. The paper is 9 x12 so I just need to remember to leave at least 1/2 inch at the end since I need 3 1/2 x 12 1/2. It tears easily and is recycling.

I am linking to
 SewCan She

rsc17 super saturday
One monthly Goal

garlic knots

All finished and now I can quilt the Happy Birds Quilt and maybe actually finish it before the 30th.
I love how this looks.

I just started sewing garlic knots blocks. I have other projects, but I just started sewing.

At first, I was anxious to see each block, I didn't want to wait, so I was chaining 2 at a time. But, eventually, I realized, I would rather cut a bunch at a time than one at a time. Then, I could cut the pairs on the accuquilt.

In one afternoon, I had 25 finished. They are so quick and easy, I may make the quilt bigger.

I have lilly of the valley staging a prison escape, across the sidewalk and into the garden closest to the road. I guess from there, they plan to hitch hike a ride and be gone to parts unknown. They thought they were being so quiet, but I see what they are up to, and will corral them back to their cell. I think the hosta was in on it, offering cover.

I am linking to:

TGIFF

Finished or Not Fridays

Whoop Whoop

Crazy Mom QUilts

bees be gone

on my post about dandelion jelly, Jocelyn Thurston  -Canadian Needle Nana said that

in Canada they are encouraged to not mow the dandelions since they are the first food for bees in the Spring. I replied something about how I have enough dandelions growing in my yard to keep all the bees happy.   And then...me and my big mouth....

I came home to find an infestation of honey bees in my kitchen and bathroom windows. hundreds. I was a little freaked out by them.  When I tried to open the window to let them out, One of the bees stung my finger.  It really hurt. Now my right index finger is swollen, red, and itchy.
We couldn't find any reason for the swarm in our house, except serious incompetence on the part of the scout bee. I am sure he has been subsequently fired. My husband was smart enough to wear gloves when escorting them back outside to freedom. Sad to say at least one of them perished. Dumb bee.

I am mowing the dandelions- they can go to Canada if they want.

I am quilting the carpenter star with a light turquoise feathery thing - really pretty.

I found this at Joann. I already have one, but it was fun seeing it. Did any of you buy fat quarters bundles and jelly rolls at 75% off?  That was a great deal. I am not sure I will confess with pictures how much I enjoyed that sale.

At a quilt store, I found this and bought the pattern. So cute for storing small scraps.

Back to Jocelyn.. I loved this project on her blog. I wonder if I could do it?

I am linking to:
needle and thread thursdays
oh scrap

garlic knots

I have been anxious to start something new. I had a small batch of scraps that needed to be cut down into useable sizes, so I started cutting for garlic knots a Bonnie Hunter pattern from her quiltville store. The next thing I knew 2 inch strips were flying everywhere, and I had cut the all the colors and most of the neutrals. See that little shoe box of pieces? how can that be a whole quilt?
How can that ever make a dent in the scraps? Oh, I will keep trying. Still it is sooo cute.

When it grows up it wants to be... the pattern is here

Our guild presentation by Pam Durant last night included a Marie Webster quilt. One of two that were commissioned of her. I think it is beautiful. Maybe someday...

Remember this finish?

it is featured on midweek makers - thanks Cathy and Susan

I am linking to:
WOW
Midweek Makers
Jo's Country Junction UFO
Bee Social
Silly Mama WIP

sorting

 Now all my 2 1/2 inch blocks fit in a velveeta container. I have finished the 30 blocks I need for wonky wishes quilt. Any squares left over, that I just wanted gone, I have paired together to make scrappy 4 patches.  Any that I had 5 alike, I made sets for scrappy plus blocks. Slowly, but surely, I am sewing them gone. I went from this...

to this...

Here are the neutrals that are left.

I was in the organizing mood so....
I keep 4 drawers under my cutting table. One for 1 1/2 inch strips , one for 2 inch strips, one for 2 1/2 inch strips, and one for 3 1/2 inch strips. When I am cutting the last of scraps, I cut these sizes and drop them into the right drawer. When the drawers are full, I sort them by color into their more permanent home. I sorted the 2 inch and 1 1/2 inch strips . It feels good to get them into the right color drawer. I discovered early on, I am a drawer person, not a box person. If I have to unstack and open, I won't. It has to be easy, and pulling open a drawer is easy enough.

If when I cut several different fabrics into strips, I had to put each color away, I wouldn't. But I don't mind sitting and sorting a big bunch and then putting them away.

Next 2 1/2 inch strips

I am linking to:
Fiber Tuesday
Free Motion by the River

Monday

This is a customer quilt on the frame. I have to finish this.. ok begin this.. to be able to quilt my Happy Birds quilt. I love the colors.

I have made more progress on my Wonky Wishes blocks. I think I am within 1 or 2 of having the right amount.

My husband says I make the best rhubarb pie he's ever tasted. So, I picked the rhubarb and made a pie this weekend. I helped mow, and weeded a bit. The weather was wonderful.

My Mother's recipe:
2 cups pf small pieces of rhubarb
1 egg
1 cup of sugar
3 T. flour.
 bake 10 min at 425 degrees then 35 min. at 350 degress.

very easy and very good

I am linking to:

Making Monday

Moving it Forward Monday 

 Patchwork Times

Main Crush Monday

stash report April 23 2017

I love the Sunday stash report, I have pictures of fabric, and I get to enjoy buying them all over again, in case I have forgotten I bought them. So fabric has at least three points of happy, 1. when it is purchased, 2. when I stash report, 3. when I use it in a quilt.  With the state of my room, there could be more.... when I move it out of the way to cut something, when I sort it again determined to put it away....when I move it out of the way to cut something.... repeat


Stash report

Fabric Used this Week:5 yards
Fabric Used year to Date: 161 1/2 yards
Fabric Added this Week: 22 1/2 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date: 76 3/4 yards

Net Fabric for 2017: 84  3/4 yards more used than added
I found fat quarters in bundles at a flea market marked 2.00 per bundle of 5. I had to have them - really
7 1/2 yards

This was a 5 yard piece for 5.00

1 yard piece

5 yard piece

4 yards of remnants

Today is Sunday spinning - for my slow Sunday stitching. I will go slow, but the spinning wheel will go fast if I am doing it right. 2.25 ounces of fluff.

I am linking to:

Patchwork Times

Slow Sunday Stitching

Wishes

I am making progress on my wonky wishes quilt, a Bonnie Hunter pattern. I was tired of the mess of my 2 1/2 inch squares, and wanted them gone. I had 11 more to make to finish the squares, how hard can that be. That hasn't helped the mess any.

I have 6 more finished.

and several webbed together. I am getting rid of a lot of ugly squares and those that don't have a specific place on the color wheel.

I am thinking I will call Saturdays  " String Saturday", and any time I get to sew will be string piecing. I think I will have a " Spinning Sunday" as well. Silly, but it might help me to remember and sneak that into my schedule.


I found this old "planner" I had in 1976. I think it is a hoot to look at what was important to me when I was 21 years old. I was newly married without any children.

I hosted my Mom and Dad for dinner. I am sure I was anxious to impress them that I was all grown - up and adult like. But I probably served them hot dogs. lol Because I didn't know how to cook really when I first was married. My first official meal as a newlywed was popcorn. Yes really. I bet my new husband was a bit worried about starving to death. I wish I could have them for dinner again. sigh...

A Christmas list for my husband - it includes sugar and razor blades - geesh we were so extravagant.

I am linking to
 SewCan She

rsc17 super saturday