Saturday's Sewing Session

with the holidays fast approaching I am needing to clear off my sewing table so I thought by doing a sewing session today I could get alot done and make it easier to pick up/clean up my sewing area. With company coming everything in my sewing area has to be put away ... I sew in my breakfast room bummer!

7:15AM - first cup of coffee in hand, load of clothes in the wash, bed made with clean sheets, I'm off to chat for a bit and then I'm off to sew. I'll check back and post photos of major progress throughout the day.

10:15AM - HSTs are now Pinwheel blocks (I'm three blocks short though so I need to find more fabrics). Second load of laundry is in the dryer. Cleaned off my sewing table a bit. Gotta get ready to run to town and get some fabric and thread (yep I need beige/white thread)

2:30PM - The day is flying by and I haven't gotten near what sewing I'd like to have. Got most of the yardwork done though since it is gorgeous outside. Got more beige/cream to make those last three Pinwheel blocks up. It has been washed now to get busy on those and the rest of my projects. I'll check back later.

until next time ... happy quilting

what do these things have in common?

They are all things I'd like to work on this weekend and hope to show progress during my sewing session day tomorrow. If you are up to joining in please do so. Come in and post a message of what you plan on working on and post some photos of your progress along the way, we can motivate each other!
until next time ... happy quilting!

Christmas Candle Mats n Tablerunner

Look at these Christmas Candle Mats a friend of mine is making as gifts ... aren't they gorgeous?

CANDLE MATS


.... and I am happy to say I completed the Wreath Tablerunner for my swap partner! whatcha think? I have got to try fancier quilting but for now I did stitch in the ditch quilting with silver and gold metallic thread. I hope she likes it. I left the wreath without a bow thinking she might know how to applique and would like to do that herself.

until next time ... happy quilting!

Week 46 - Stash Busting Report

Ya'll this is pitiful! I can't count. I posted that there were NINE weeks left last week to finish the year ... well there are only 52 weeks in a year so I don't know how to count I guess. So .. this week I can say only SIX more reports and 2009 is over!
At the beginning of the year I joined Judy's 2009 Stash Bustin Challenge and I have been trying to use more from my stash and making quilts and projects without buying more new fabric to add to my stash. PEEK here and see how wonderful everyone is doing.
Worked on the Christmas Runner and some swap blocks this week. Sold some more fabric but it is not out the door yet so it will get counted on next week's report.
Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date: 3.5 yards
Fabric Used this Week: 1.5 yards
Fabric gifted/sold this week: o yards
Fabric Used Year to Date: 75.75 yards (woohoo!! going get to 100yard I just know it!)

Here's my thread usage report --I have over 51 spools of thread on hand ... this is bad, very bad! I keep finding spools of thread everywhere I go to clean and organize in there ... now tell me just many spools of thread does a person need??? (I am so close to finishing another spool I can see the spool itself!!!)
Spools added this week: 0 spools
Spools used this week: 1 spool
Total Spools used to Date: 9 spools
Total Spools bought to Date: 2 spools
until next time .... happy quilting and happy stash busting!

been busy swapping

I've had a busy couple weeks and thought I'd share what I have been working on other than the large amount of leaves in my yard.

As you know if you have been viewing my blog that on a quilting site I am a part of we did a blocks into tops swap (HERE is the one I did). I sent my swap mate a BOB and this is what she made me isn't it so pretty? I am going to hopefully complete it for a gift for my mother soon. And ... this will help me complete another UFO when I do so. Gotta love swaps to help you complete those stack of UFOs/BOBs we all have.

here are a couple set of blocks I made for two swappers for a friendship swap

This swapper wanted any Christmas fabric and white. I use the same green and red fabrics in both blocks cause I just love it. These are the blocks I made for her.

This swapper wanted dark green and mauve so these are the blocks I made for her.

I have also been working on the Christmas Wreath tablerunner that I posted a photo of the pattern of. I am almost done with that - just need to do the binding and then I'll snap a photo.

until next time ... happy quilting

Week 45 Stash Busting Report

Only NINE more reports and 2009 is over! This year is really flying and I am not ready for the upcoming holidays yet. Better get on the stick and get some project done for gifts.
I joined Judy's 2009 Stash Bustin Challenge and I have been trying to use more from my stash and making quilts and projects without buying more new fabric to add to my stash. Take a look at how wonderful everyone is doing.
Sold some fabric :o) and used some fabric so my numbers are good this week!
Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date: 3.5 yards
Fabric Used this Week: 1 yd
Fabric gifted/sold this week: over 12.5 yards
Fabric Used Year to Date: 74.275 yards (woohoo!!)

Here's my thread usage report --I started my count with 34 total spools of various sizes and colors on hand. hhmmm ... while cleaning n sorting I found more spools and some were also gifted to me. I then had 51 spools of thread! And after more cleaning I found more thread but am too scared to tell you how many I found. I keep finding spools of thread everywhere ... now tell me just many spools of thread does a person need??? I finished another spool this week!!!! ;o)
Spools added this week: 0 spools
Spools used this week: 1 spool
Total Spools used to Date: 9 spools
Total Spools bought to Date: 2 spools
until next time .... happy quilting and happy stash busting!

30s Quilt Top

This week's Goal # 1 is BUSTED!!!! here is the 30s quilt top I finally finished for my friend - I got stuck on the border - wasn't sure whether to add a strip of white around the center or not and got some input from quilting friends and here is the finished project with no extra strip of white around the center.

I am happy to have this one done ... now to work on a Christmas Table Runner for another friend for a swap.

until next time ... happy quilting

enlarging patterns

I found this great pattern in a magazine and pulled the pattern and I went to enlarge it to 200% just like it said to do then I start to piece those copied sections to make the whole block pattern. This is what I have ... how do you get the sections to stay together so you can piece the quilt block? In the past I used regular old tape but when you press it of course it melts. So ... any tips here .... can I use school glue sticks to hold the puzzle pieces in place? I just need to make this one block.

until next time ... happy quilting

weekly goals update

From my earlier post HERE

Here's my update and next week's goals list ...

Goal #1 Cut and sort this basket into usable pieces and finish last week's basket. BUSTED THIS ONE!! finished this one - cut, sorted and everything is put into it's proper place ;o)
Goal #2 Work on the borders for the 30s Top pictured above. (PROGRESS ... found my border idea, have fabric cut and ready to start piecing it today.)
3. Find something to sort and organize each day. A little bit of progress is better than none! (PROGRESS ... did a bit each day inside and out and happy with my progress.)

This week's goal list ....

Goal #1 ... finish borders on the 30s Quilt Top.

Goal # 2 ... sort, cut and put away this basket of scraps and such. I have lots of these little baskets in my sewing area if you remember from my previous post. I am slowly getting through all of them and hope to keep at them until they are all done.

Goal #3 ... work on more crumb blocks as my leaders and enders this week.

Goal #4 ... work on organizing little man's closet this week

until next time ... happy quilting and work on those goals

Stash Busting Report Week 44

The year is lacks a few short weeks to be over and in the history books and I have made just a small dent in my stash. Won't be long and she'll have us joining in for 2010!
At the beginning of the year I joined Judy's 2009 Stash Bustin Challenge and I am happy to be using almost soley from my stash and making quilts and projects without buying more new fabric. Take a PEEK at how the others are doing.

I used 2.5yds of fabric to start making border blocks for this quilt top here. WOOHOO!!! I am now over 60yds used this year ... I know I should have more on the counter but I failed to post and count my usage that that is okay.
Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date: 3.5 yards
Fabric Used this Week: 2.5 yds
Fabric gifted this week: 0 yards
Fabric Used Year to Date: 60.75 yards

Here's my thread usage report --I started the year with 34 total spools of various sizes and colors on hand. hhmmm ... while cleaning and sorting I found more thread and was gifted some. I now have on hand 51 spools of thread! I won't tell you how much yet as I haven't counted but while cleaning this weekend I found more thread ... now tell me just how many spools of thread does a person need??? But I am happy to say I finished a spool ;o)
Spools added this week: 0 spools
Spools used this week: 1 spool
Total Spools used to Date: 8 spools
Total Spools bought to Date: 2 spools

until next time .... happy quilting and happy stash busting!