Stash Busting Report

It has been such a long time since I posted my report I feel a bit lost. I have been busy this week but it has not been all sewing but more painting (redoing my bathroom - ugh! won't go there!)

Here are some blocks I made for some swaps I am a part of. Notice both are scrappy so I used from my STASH!!! YEAH!!!

Go to this site Judy's Stash Busting Challenge to see how everyone else is doing. Her's my report hope to do better next week!

Fabric usage report ....

Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards

Fabric Added Year to Date: 4 yards

Fabric Used this Week: .75 yard

Fabric gifted/sold this week: 0 yards

Fabric Out Year to Date: 47.25 yards

Thread usage report --I still have over 51 spools of thread on hand - I hope to use half of these this year.

Spools added this week: 0 spools

Spools used this week: 0 spools

Total Spools used to Date: 2 spools

Total Spools bought to Date: 2 spools

until next time ... happy quilting

Snow and Sewing

This week I've been up early each morning so I got a chance to work on some blocks for swaps that I am a part of ...

I reworked this one for the Star BOM we are doing this year .. the points are now going the right directions.

These are Depression Blocks for a fellow swapper for the Friendship Swap. These were made using some of my precut 4Inch squares.

These are Pineapple Blossom blocks for another swappers in the Friendship Swap. These were made using precut 3.5 inch squares and 2" strips.

We got some snow on Thursday ... not alot but enough to call it snow. It is still on the ground. The kiddos had two days off school due to the icy backroads around the area. They had fun while they were off. The little puppy just showed up at our house and now he won't leave. He is so full of energy and little man loves playing with him.

Early Thursday Morning ... the snow is just starting. It almost looks fake in the pictures.
time to get busy with some cleaning and maybe more sewing this afternoon.
until next time ... happy quilting!

Online Quilting Swap Sites

Are you a member of a online quilting site or two, too? ;O)
When I first got into quilting I found a great online quilting site on MSN called Quilting To Share an I was hooked. I love to swap! It's such fun.
I am a member on a couple online quilting swap sites that I'd like to share the links with you. There are two that I have been a part of for awhile and enjoy. They are Quilting Around The World and Quilting To Share. I am a member of both because they offer different kinda swaps and one is larger and more active than the other. I am also a member on another forum called Quilting Board. They are a world wide site and I am still getting the hang of this one. Love doing the Friendship Swap though. It's my favorite swap. Each site offers different swaps and challenges and such that I enjoy so I don't want to give any of them up. So I pick and choose what swaps I participate in so I don't spread myself too thin.
Swapping is addictive I can tell ya. I so enjoy swapping and getting those squishes in the mail. They sure are a great pick me up I can tell ya. It's exciting to see what the other swappers send. Such Fun! If you would like to check out those sites please do so and come join in the fun.
until next time ... happy quilting!

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

30s Ohio Stars

here is a sample of some Ohio Stars done in 30s prints for a swap I am a part of. I can now mark that off my list of 'to dos' and get back to working on my August UFO - the Black, Red, White RR for my friend. I have apples to put up this afternoon after church and then I am going to at least put on the thin black border that is supposed to come next. Might try and start cutting for the last border set too.

until next time ... happy quilting

Blocks pieced

Here is what I was able to get done yesterday morning before the kiddos got up ... well ... I pieced them into three square sections and pinned them and then this morning I joined the rows together and pressed them. I made up eighteen blocks (but the picture only shows 16) all from my scrap bins. These will help me finish up a UFO on my list. (((HAPPY DANCE!!!)))

Brenda asked for the pattern and here is where I got it form ... http://www.quilterscache.com/S/SplitNinePatchBlock.html is the pattern I used for these - I grouped four together to form the larger block. Love this simple block. I also have blocks in scrappy and beige/white to post later on.
until next time ... happy quilting

Another Sewing Session on Saturday

I am going to get those TN blocks done today. I pulled all the charms I needed for the HSTs and the squares too. The picture shows all of my 5 inch charms but I won't use all of them to make these blocks. I had them all cut and waiting since I cut these in advance while sorting and doing other projects. I am going to make up sixteen of these. I need twelve for a swap I am doing and the others will be added to the stack to make a nicer size quilt.

here are the TN blocks I made today using those charms and squares I pulled. I have all but used up my 4.5 inch stack of squares so I need to start cutting some more squares from my scraps soon.

I still have other stuff I need to get done today and run to the grocery store so let's hope I get to everything on my list before company comes tonight. (My Sister's changed her plans and is coming in tonight.)

until next time ... happy quilting

Fabulous Friday

It's gonna be a Fabulous Friday! Why you might ask? Because ..... I am OFF and I get some SEWING TIME!!! YEAH!!! I think I am going throug withdraws here. I haven't sew in a couple weeks I think and it is calling me today. I have pulled fabrics last night to make my 30s blocks and some TN blocks and cut BOW bricks.

I'll be back with my updates later on today. Gonna also go to lunch with my neighbor friend. She stopped me while I was doing yardwork last night and hog tied me into going. She is a good neighbor friend. Let's see if she is going to get away with paying like she says. lol
I have company coming in this evening so I have housework to do too today. Darn! that'll cut into my sewing time! I am up kinda early so I am going to get started on some thing and multitask and get lots done today.

This is what I call multi-tasking ... when I cut all the bricks I needed for the swap I had leftover pieces of these fabrics. Well ... nothing goes to waste here remember ... the top shows extra bricks, smaller bricks, strings and crumb pieces. All will go into their proper places ;O) I am so happy I started doing this and trying to be organized. Now I don't have small pieces of fabric in my bins. They will already be cut waiting for me to use them up.

End of the day update ... it is now Saturday as I type but I did manage to finally get these six blocks done for the 30s block swap for a swap I am in. I did two with green as the pinwheel center and the rest with the pink. These are actually brighter happier fabrics than the picture shows.

Little man had his first ball game last night and I am so proud of him. He did just great. Got up to bat two times - got a base hit each time!!! Well ... he hit is both times, I think the second time they got him out on first. It was a great nail bitting game and all of them did wonderful. We lost 5-4 not bad for the first game of the season huh? ain't he cute in his uniform?

I am calling it a day and will start tomorrow with the TN blocks that I must finish this weekend!

until next time ... happy quilting

Project complete ...

I am happy to say that I got the project completed that I have been posting about. I chickened out and added just a plain border instead of the fancier one I had imagined. I just didn't want to mess up this one.

This isn't the best photo - guess the lighting is wrong. I will try after church to get a better on on the other side of the porch. I hope Babs likes it.
I spent part of yesterday sorting through my quilting books - I am finding some to swap out on a site I am a part of. Remember the shelf I posted a picture of previously where I showed my quilting books? Well ... I went to all my places for books and magaziens in the house and now that shelf is all but full and I have three binders of other patterns on top of the shelving unit too.I have more books/magazines than I thought I did. Wonder if they are multipling?
I have also been gathering all my loose patterns that were piled on the top of the small shelving unit. I am going to try and get those loose patterns sorted and put into binders this week. It should make it easier to find a pattern/project when I am doing a new quilty project. This organizing task will take me some time. One small task at a time is all I can handle. I get overwhelmed with it all. Slow but sure wins the race ya know.
until next time ....

Block Swap Top Progress

I added the inner border to the block-block swap project I am working on for Babs. I have to work on the parts of the outter border to finish this one up. I hope to complete it today but we will see. I will post an updated photo at the end of the day.
until next time ...

Sewing on Saturday

Today I am working on a project for a swap I am doing. I have cut all the strips and am now adding the sashing to start this project. I won't post any photos until I know Babs is okay with NOT looking at them ... lol
This is a swap we are doing as swap mates and it is going to be fun to be a bit creative and not go scrappy for once. I am thinking outside the box for this one and I hope she does like the end results.
Here is what I have done today. Babs sent me 12 blocks and I added one from my stack of blocks here. {I have alot to learn about making setting triangles and corner triangles.} I still need to do a skinny inner border and then outer border. Should be able to post a completed top tomorrow.

now to get back to sewing, I'll update this later. I need to sew so I have a reduction in my stash to report to the Stashbusting Challenge on Sunday.
Update .... Not only did I sew today I have cleaned and sorted and tossed and organize and clipped coupons and got lost in blog-land for a couple hours. It is amazing what you can find on here. Too many blogs not enough time.
until next time ....

Life has been crazy lately

sorry I haven't posted anything new to my blog this past week. Life is really kinda crazy here and stressful. I am hoping that will everything that is being changed and all those helping me pray for change, then things will turn themselves around for us.
I plan on quilting this weekend. It is too cold here to do anything else. It is only 23 degrees here now and temps will be only back up to 46 for Saturday. Nice day to stay inside and sew. I have some errands I am planning on doing tonight and then I won't have to go into town tomorrow and waste any time I could be sewing.
I have a swap project I need to work on. We are swapping out blocks with a partner and then we create our partner a quilt top outta the blocks and whatever fabrics we'd like to add. I am hoping that this will stretch my creative mind's eye a bit and she will like the end result.
Just got settled down after my errands. It's is a bit after midnight. I have the fabrics pulled and in the wash for the project I am going to tackle in the morning. I have all my running around done until Sunday so I can stay home and sew and clean and do whatever I'd like to. The kids are with the dad this weekend and I need to fill in the time by staying busy. I miss them already.
until next time ....

Quiltathon now in progress!!!!

here we go .... this is where I will be posting and updating my progress during the quiltathon ... I'll post photos along the way too. QUILTATHON

5:27AM First cup of coffeee is in my hand and I am off ....

6:50AM half of cup of coffee later ... this one is done!!! I used up some of the extra pieces of a FQ someone sent for a Secret Santa swap -- this is the second project I made the lady. Hope she likes it. Have one more idea to finish her fabric bits.

8:30AM taking a break and got myself dressed now that the sun is finally up. Been sewing away on my BowTie quilt. Making some serious progress and hope to have this one done by lunch. Gonna go grab some breakfast and get back to my machine.

1:28PM taking a break and fixing myself some lunch. Got several more blocks made and added to the BowTie quilt. Now for the borders. Gonna check the net and get back at it.

6:39PM After several detours I am back on track and have made some more progress on my BowTie quilt. I have the first border attached and the outter borders pieced. I am going to eat some supper and get that done and work on those two blocks I owe swapper before tackling the backing.

7:55PM BowTie top is now done!!! I am so happy!!! Now to get a backing pieced so I can get this off to Tirane on Monday. (man I should've re-ironed this before I took the picture)


9:32PM the two Birthday blocks are done - one wanted purple and cream and the other Fall colors and cream (doesn't the green plaid remind you of a flannel shirt?) now onto cutting squares for that backing.


11:02PM Last post of the night - I am beat! I got the 90 - 10.5 inch squares all cut and pressed. They are waiting for me to sew them together in the morning. Amazing with all those I cut you can't tell I took anything from my stash. Wonder if it restocks itself for us? :o)

Thoughts and blessing for the day ... I am so thankful for Judy who thought up the quiltathon - very motivating idea! I am so thankful for this day of sewing and the progress I have been able to make with my UFOs, my swap blocks and the non-quilty things I did like the yardwork and the housework. I am so thankful for the nicer weather we had today - the sunshine was a welcome sight and the slightly warmer temps allowed me to work in the yard like I needed to without freezing my tail off :o)
until then ...

making progress ...

Wanted to start with a smaller project to try and get back into the groove of things. Here is a tablerunner made for a swap mate for a Secret Santa swap on a quilting site I am part of. She sent me the snowman FQ and I added the rest. I am beginning to think of myself as just a piecer and not a quilter. I didn't do a wonderful job with the simple quilting on this runner. I had a couple bunches in the back even though I pinned the fire outta it. I am still learning I guess.
I have some fabric left over and am thinking of making her a hot pad. Still thinking on it though ...



Here are a bunch of scrappy blocks I am going to assembled into my next scrappy top for one of my brothers and sisters for a Christmas present. I will update my progress as I can. I have collected these blocks from a couple of online swaps and several that I made myself. I like the idea behind using all these blocks - no two are alike. Should turn out neat. I am going to work on adding sashing and cornerstones to the blocks tonight. Might have this one ready to ship to Tirane on Monday??? I do hope so. Gonna try and piece another stash bustin scrappy backing for this one too.
I am so thankful for Fridays!! Not only is it the last work day it is the beginning of some much needed down time. I am so thankful for my nice warm house. It has been very chilly here this week and the weekend proves to be cool too. I am so thankful for the love I have had in my life. I know the best is yet to come but I wouldn't have my two kids without the last love of my life and they are my world. So for everything that happens to us in life there is a plus. I have got to work on remembering that. ;o)
until next time .....