Spring in the Mail

DQS10 Received!!, a photo by QuiltyBee on Flickr.

Look at the fabulous and beautiful and simply wonderful quilt I received from Elisa for DQS10. The details, created with applique and embroidery, are so thoughtful and interesting. I just love the colors and all the texture. And see that 3D flower?!

To add icing to an already delicious cake, Elisa sent 2 fantastic orange FQ--I am saving them for something for me--and what I finally figured out was a sachet, once I took it out of the wrapper! It will do wonders for my laundry room, and when it loses its scent, I think it would be fine as a pincushion, too.

Turns out Elisa received her DQS10 from Kristy, the person I sent mine to--a regular round robin :)

Joys

• Swaps, swaps, swaps--gotta love 'em
• Sunshine after a week of dreary (when I took this photo, ugh)
• Safety--we spent Saturday night with tornadoes going around us (our prayers with those in the path)

STUD Sneak Peek

Sneak Peek, a photo by QuiltyBee on Flickr.

Sorry for the lousy pic--it's snowing outside!

Anyhow, my swap partner says she likes half square triangles--so I'm combining these with an idea I've always wanted to try. Look how small! I don't think they will ALL be this tiny--had to finger press these babies first, and then no steam on the iron.

Maybe working on this little thing will help me feel like spring--we're supposed to get 3 inches of white stuff today :(

You know, as I kid I always admired postage stamp quilts--until I realized how small those blocks are. I could barely get these through the machine--the feed dogs thought they were just a piece of lint. How small have you worked?

Joys

• My Friday morning extra cup
• yellow & orange fabrics
• my hubby's back is improving (which means he can do more of his chores!)

Spring Flight

Spring Flight a photo by QuiltyBee on Flickr.

DQS10 Finished! I'm just loving the yellow and gray trend, so I fell off the StashPact and got a charm pack of Basic Gray (Origin's by Moda). And I always love HSTs, so here we are.

Sometimes I finish one of these minis, and I think--too simple, my partner will never like it. My hope is for a bit of classiness. And I really like to highlight the fabric. To jazz it up a bit, I tried some different quilting--a bit of wave and a bit of yellow. I like the effect.

For this little one, I decided to follow some online advice and press my seams open, but I have to say, it didn't really help me make things more flat, especially at the junctions. I like how pressing to one side helps me "lock" the seams. This way I sometimes had 4 layers instead of just 2.

This makes me think of all the geese flying overhead and how the grass is just beginning to green up in spots. Spring feels so good!

Sneak Peek #2

Sneak Peek #2 a photo by QuiltyBee on Flickr.

Wow, just a little pat on the back for myself here. . .nearly finished with my DQS10 quilt. All I need to do is stitch the binding to the back and collect a couple goodies to go with.

I think this is the earliest I've EVER completed any swap (or maybe anything). Nice!

Joys

• sunshine, glorious sunshine AND springtime warmth

• an extra cup of coffee in complete and total piece

• 2 boys who do their best in school most days, and they're cute, too

Dry Run Mini

Trying out Malka Dubrosky's pattern for
with all purples and grays. The big version will be my son's graduation quilt. I do like the way these go together. . .I'd thought about taking the berry color out, but DS likes it, so it stays. Tried quilting it with all gray, maybe going to a charcoal and then quilted a little scrap size with purple--awesome, so it will be quilted in purple.

The big quilt will have 8 inch blocks, so it will go together quickly. Yay!

Fantastic Friday

Looky, looky, looky! I received the January/February Swap 'til You Drop (STUD) mini from sunflowerquilts today--a love touch of spring for me to enjoy on a truly dreary day. Plus, a bright and orange-y charm pack and a little notebook.

Check out her quilting--beautiful stitches in a nice green thread. Fantastic binding as well.

Really, a wonderful little swap--I couldn't ask for more.  SWAP Joy!!

STUD Swap Finish

Sunflower Days

This pic is pretty mediocre, but I love this little quilt I sent to Sunflowerquilts. Can you see they're sunflowers? 

I took a cue from Malka Dubrosky's Fresh Quilting with a kind of improv log cabin block. My partner and I agreed to use only from our stash, since we're both in StashPact11. I've fallen in love with yellow and grey, so I got out all my yellows, with a few orange scraps, and the grey. I didn't worry about how big each one was, just sewed them all together.

I hope it goes in Sunflowerquilt's home--it looks on her blog as if she has quite a bit of black furniture . . .

I have a few more yellow blocks that I plan to sash with a medium grey for ME.

Joys

• More sunshine . . .although yesterday was 50 (!) and today started out at 8. March.
• All the purples and grays for my son's graduation quilt are collected.
• A night off--no meetings, etc. Yay

Sneek Peak

Or Wednesday WIP, take your pick.

 

Actually, this mini will be finished by the end of the day and in the mail on Thursday. I really want to keep it for myself. Yellow & gray are my current faves! Should be able to post a finished pic by Monday.

Joys

• Sunshine, glorious sunshine! Spring is right around the corner.
• Grandma's coming home from the hospital tomorrow--no nursing home for now.
• #1 Son gets to go to NASA for h.s. field trip--he's so excited!

Wednesday WIP

So close . . .

My Mug Rug Swap 3 just needs a label and a wash and it's ready for the mail. Where will it go?

I just love the green fabric--I think it's Patty Young. I might need to make one for myself. I used Handmade by Alissa's placement pattern to start. Lovely!

Joys

• Sunshine, sunshine, sunshine--all the snow is gone from the roof & driveway
• Boys who work hard on school projects
• Wednesday

Just A Little :: Finish ::

Valentine coasters for someone special  = a small dent in the yarn stash. Get this great flower coaster pattern from Laura's Left Hook. I did add one more center spiral and take away a couple stitches in each petal--my tension might be a bit tight for all her stitches. Lovely either way.

Joys

• Actual time to sew today?!
• Day time temps SOARED above 9--clear up to 20 on Thursday. Believe me, you can feel the improvement.
• Family movie day coming up

::Stash Stewardship::

Turns out I have a stash of books & magazines, as well as fabric, yarn and beads. So part of my February strategy (read: stewardship of the stuff) is to assign some of my fabric sets to the great patterns in my books. Really, it's not as if I want to get ride of all my stuff--just use it. Just let it fulfill its purpose.

This month, I think I'll focus on Fresh Quilting by Malka Dubrosky.

Big impact--yes indeed, but how much impact will these have with prints instead of solids? I guess I'll find out. I don't have much in the way of solids but I do have quite a few small prints. So we'll see how that works. In any case, I LOVE these projects and this style and . . .

By the way, I spent my LQS certificate--not a single solid (as planned). Instead I bought some great batik to add to my collection of skirt fabrics (all yet to be made ;).

Joys

• Major snow (we're on the edge of the Midwest storm) but not impossible. Still went to work.
• Shrimp & pasta for supper.
• Taxes ready to turn in :)

State of the Stash

Another Slice of Stash

So I've been digging through the stash and thinking about how to shrink it. My fabric and yarn and beads need to fit in a certain space, and that's it. To help me figure this out, let's look at the current state of the stash:

+ On the Plus Side  +

1. Much of my fabric was purchased for specific projects--mostly quilts.So most of it  coordinates.
2. I still like a lot of it (especially if I'm not obsessing about being "modern" and appealing to my swap partner's apparent preferences).
3. Most of it isn't cut, so I'm not commited to my original project ideas.

- On the Minus Side -

1. I have a lot of fabric. And a lot of it has been around--not so modern.
2. I have a few UFOs. These were intended as gifts--not so interesting to me anymore.
3. About half of it reflects past taste & furnishings.

2011 Strategies

1. Finish: Who cares if the intended recipient would no longer be interested? Just get it done and worry about who gets it later. Some of these will be pretty simple to complete.
2. Sort: Keep my stash organized so when I have time to sew, I can sew instead of spin my wheels.
3. Regroup: Let go of my original plans and consider making lots of quick projects like potholders, zipper pouches, shopping bags, etc. This will use up fabric without using up my brain power--instead of my usual modus operandi of obsessing over what to do next.
4. Divest: Feel free to give away anything I don't love--stop wasting time and space with ho hum stuff.

As a rule, in 2011 I will only purchase what I need to complete a project--and then, ONLY after shopping my stash. With one exception: I received a gift certificate to my LQS, and I think I'll get a selection of solids. I  don't have many, and solids will help me feel "modern" with what I have.

How do you keep your stash under control?

Wednesday WIP

Whittling down my stash of strange acrylic yarn with a big bag for schlepping stuff to work. It's going fast!

What are you working on in winter?

Joys

• Sunshine!
• Mindless crochet
• Taxes nearly done

2011 :: The Year of Stash Reduction

Slice of Stash

Now I hate to make resolutions. I'm not even that good with goals--oh, I can set them, I just don't follow through. So I hesitate to go public with my plan to reduce my stash. But the fact of the matter is I have lots of stuff, and it's getting in my way. So here's the deal for 2011:

1. Much of my stash was purchased with a specific project in mind (at least I don't impulse buy "just because") this year I will only buy fabric/notions needed to finish a project (mostly backing/batting/thread).
2. If I have fabric sets/projects I am no longer interested in I will either (a) turn them into a quick charity quilt or shopping bag or (b) give them away--no more hoarding things I don't even like.
3. Each month I will try to complete a project (in addition to any swaps) starting with UFOs. This will also result in more finished projects for me and my family. Ahh, proof I'm actually a quilter.

I've joined StashPact11 on Flickr to help me stay inspired and motivated. Oh, and this month I'm trying to eat more veggies!

How about you--do you have any resolutions for 2011? I'd love to hear.

Joys

• sunshine
• yummy monster cookies made by someone else
• family hearts tournament (the prize is first pick of chores)

Year End Report

2010

I'm a little surprised I could come up with 20 items--most of these are for swaps. Now, I certainly love swaps, but not having much else to show for 2010 might explain the size of my stash. Stay tuned for the 2011 Stash Buster strategy.

Hope 2011 is starting out well for everyone. I am deep in reflection (and year-end reports at work).

Peace,

QuiltyBee

Home is Awesome!!

Life is Awesome #1

It may need attention (and a front porch :), it may be a bit out of date, but this little cottage keeps us warm in windy, snowy, subzero weather when the only sane thing to do is spend the snow day home from school playing hearts and baking cookies. Our home is awesome!