Plans for January 2013

I have several goals for this month .  I think I am going to like Judy's new format that we plan something for each month instead of choosing 12 things and one number being drawn each month.
1.  I want to finish my Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt
2.  I want to get the binding on my Orca bay quilt from last year so that I can enter it in the Creative Arts division of the Stock show and Rodeo.
3.  I want to finish a challenge that we were given at our quilt group Christmas party
4.  My plan for Christmas gifts for our daughter and daughter in law is to give them a table runner for each month.  I hope to make two each month instead of making them all at Christmas. 

This year I also am going to make an attempt to blog more often.  I love the comments and the people that I have met through blogging. 

This is going to be a very quiet New Years Eve for my husband and I.  He has the flu and I have an upper respiratory infection so it looks like medicine and then bed.  Happy New Year to all my fellow quilters!!

Design Wall- November 5,2012

My design wall is empty today.  I worked really hard this weekend and finished my Orca Bay quilt.  I wish I had kept track of how many times I filled my bobbin! I love the quilt now that is is finally finished.  I will post a picture at the end of the month for my UFO .  I need to clean my sewing room up since I have made a big mess trying to finish this quilt.  I had a friend give me two big trash bags of fabric from her stash.  She is cleaning out and down sizing and I can't turn any fabric down.  When she sent me an e-mail and said she had two bags of fabric I was thinking small WalMart size bags.  Holy cow, look what she gave me!!

I know what I will be doing this afternoon!

October Color Challenge

In June my Husband, Brother, Sister-in-law, niece and I went to Virginia and North Carolina to visit family and friends.  While we were there my best friend from high school ( who lives in Hillsboro NC) took us to a quilt shop in Raleigh and I bought a charm pack of hand dyed fabrics and a pattern to make this charm quilt.  I always try to buy a local fabric or pattern to remember our trip.  The fabric was dyed  and the pattern written by Susan Angus-LeHoullier. She called the pattern Colour Charm , a Easy and fun "Art" Quilt.  It had a few more colors that the challenge but I think it was pretty close.

October UFO

My UFO for October was a table runner.  I love the colors and can't wait until the Spring to use it. I practiced some quilting stitches on it.

  I finished my table runner so early, I had most of the month to work on my Orca Bay quilt.  I have all the unit made up and have 1/2 of it pieced together. 

I may substitute it for my number 9 project which is a quilt I haven't started but had the fabric pulled for.  I really want to get this quilt finished , I cant wait to see the final project.

Stash Report for October 7- Week 40

It has turned cold here is West Texas, well cold for us, and I stayed in a sewed all day.  I made my UFO for October this weekend and used 2.25 yards of fabric.  I am approaching the 100 yard mark. 

Week number- 40

Used this week- 2.25yards

Used this year- 94yards

Purchased this week-0 yards

Purchased this year- 37.5Yards

Design wall 10-1-12

My design wall for today looks a lot like my post for my September UFO.  I have a couple of Orca Bay blocks on the wall to see what it is going to look like.  I can't wait to get all the units finished so I can start piecing it together!

September color challenge

One of the things I have done this year is participate in the color challenge at Patchwork Times blog site.   I love Judy and the things she does , check her out http://www.patchworktimes.com/.
 I loved the colors in the September color pallet  but it reminded me of the color pallet for  April.  This is the April pallet and what I made. 

This is the September pallet

I thought it was enough alike that I didn't want to go in the same direction so  I made this.

I never could get a good picture of the true color. The color is more of a cheddar and turquoise.   My 91 year old Aunt gave my the individual blocks when we went to visit her this summer. I played with different settings and came up with this.  The amazing thing is that I had a turquoise and a cheddar fabric that blended so well  for the borders that you wouldn't know it wasn't the same as the blocks.  I love the secondary pattern that was created by the block placement. 

I have loved these color challenges!  I have used colors and fabrics that I wouldn't have used otherwise and every thing I have made has come from my stash.  That is a victory in itself!!

September UFO

My unfinished project for September ( number 11) is Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt from last winter.  It was called Orca Bay.  I started it when the mystery started and didn't even get the first step finished by the time the next step came out.  It became clear I wasn't going to have time to finish it so I added it to my UFO list for this year.  I have been working on it all month but only have a stack of units to show.  I love the way it is going to turn out I just ran out of month!! My number 6 UFO for October is a table runner that shouldn't take much time so I will continue to work on my September UFO and maybe will have a finished project in October. 

Stash Report Week 39

Wow, where has September gone?  I think I say that every month!  I can't seem to get in a consistent blogging routine.  I know that I have made several things this month but honestly I didn't keep track of the fabric so I will give you the report for this week.  I have been working on Bonnie Hunter's Orca Bay quilt.  I am using lots of scraps so I am guessing at how much yardage I have used.  I also made my quilt for the color challenge  and made backing for 2 quilts this week so I have several yards to count.    Pretty good numbers for the year.  One thing this stash report has done has made me very aware of the fabric I was purchasing and has encouraged me to use what I have so I don't have to add to my stash purchase numbers.

Week number- 39

Used this week- 10yards

Used this year- 91.75yards

Purchased this week- 2 yards

Purchased this year- 37.5Yards

Color Challenge for August

When I saw this color challenge for August I had to think about it for awhile.  Even though it was basically red, blue and a neutral I wanted  to go a different direction.  I had a fabric collection for several years that had the basic color scheme.  I also saw an asymmetrical quilt in a recent quilting magazine and thought I would try it.  The dark color scheme and the asymmetrical quilt were both out of my box but I liked the results

 

 

Now on to the September challenge.

 

August UFO

Judy at Patchwork Times drew number 7 as our UFO number for August.  My number 7  was Ladybugs 3,  a kit that I bought at a sidewalk sale at our local quilt shop around 2000. ( My how time gets away!)  I have the top finished but didn't get it quilted.  It finished at 18 1/2 X 38 1/2  so is a nice wall hanging.  It was an easy finish, I am not sure why I waited so long to finish it!

The number for September is 11, that is my Orca Bay which will be a much larger project.

Design Wall for 8-27

Today is the first day of school here in West Texas.  This is my 5th year to not be in the classroom but I still miss the first day of school.  We had rain this afternoon, what a great sewing day! My design wall this morning had parts of my August UFO. I got it finished this afternoon and will show the finished project at a later date. 

I had a great day and can't wait to talk to all the grand kids to see how the first day of school went.

Stash report - week 34

This week I used 7.75 yards in my color challenge quilt and didn't purchase any fabric. I hope to finish my UFO for August this week and have more to report next week.

Week number- 34

Used this week- 7.75yards

Used this year- 81.75yards

Purchased this week- 0 yards

Purchased this year- 35.5Yards

Design Wall for August 20

I have not posted my design wall in several weeks.  I am working on my August color challenge

I never posted the picture of my July color challenge, I made a block for my Cinco deMayo quilt, which was my July UFO.  That quilt may always be a UFO!!

I also made a t-shirt quilt for a daughter of a good friend of mine.

and made 16 pillow cases for our Concho Cases organization that gives pillow cases to children in the hospital.

This is the last week before school starts here in Texas so all the grand kids are home and getting on a schedule.  I have applied for a job as a tutor in the school system but won't know if I will have a job until after Sept 1.  I would like to not work but, my husband said if I want to quilt I have to have a job!!  Personally, I like retirement!! Sew long for now.

Stash report for week 33

I didn't do any sewing this week other than sew a label on a quilt. We had a 6 year old grandson here all week so my week was full of swimming, playing and cooking. He wanted to sew and the only quick thing I could come up with was coasters for his Mom, Dad and Granddad. He went through my charm 5 1/2 inch squares and picked out 2 fabrics for each person and we put a layer of batting in the middle and he sewed it by himself. It was a quick and easy project for a short attention span. That was the only fabric used at my house this week.  This is the coaster he made for his Granddad.

Here are my stash report numbers...

Week number- 33

Used this week- 20 yards

Used this year- 74 yards

Purchased this week- 12.5 yards

Purchased this year- 35.5Yards

Stash report- week 32

Oh my goodness, I knew it had been a long time since I posted on my blog but, I didn't know it had been 5 weeks! Where has the time gone???  I have been busy cleaning every closet, room and drawer out and feel pretty good about that.  The garbage man and the man at the charity where I donate are on first name basis!  We had a granddaughter here for a week and there was no sewing that week but we did some other craft things. I tried to think back to the fabric I have purchased and what I have sewn and have come up with my best guess.  This week I have really busted the fabric.  I made 15 pillow cases for kids with cancer, started my color challenge quilt and made a pillow for pay ( I like those projects). So I guess I am back on the blog track and all caught up.  Here is my post for this week which is really for the last 2 months.

Week number- 32

Used this week- 20 yards

Used this year- 74 yards

Purchased this week- 12.5 yards

Purchased this year- 35.5Yards

Color Challenge for June 2012

This month's color palette was chosen by Vicki Welsh at Field Trips in Fiber.

I loved the colors but knew I didn't have much time to sew.  I found a focus fabric I wanted to use and then pulled colors from that and tried to keep the palette in mind.  I decided to make a large star patten and use large pieces which would go much faster.  Here is my final project for June.

UFO number 12

Wow, where did June go? This has been a very busy month for me.  This month we had vacation bible school, grandchildren for a week and went on an 8 day vacation with my brother, sister in law, and niece.  We got back on Tuesday the 26th and the only days I had to sew were Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and today.  I did have everything cut out but I have had my machine humming the last few days so that I could meet my challenges.  My UFO number 12 was a Benartex Building blocks kit( in Happy Holidays fabric ) that I have had for at least 10 years is not more.  I got the top finished and will get it quilted hopefully before Christmas.

My number 3 project is my Cinco De Mayo again.  I am going on a 5 day quilt retreat this month so I know there will be some sewing time.  That makes me happy!!

Design Wall 6-4-2012

My design wall looks crazy.  I still have my Cinco de Mayo blocks up there but have added 4 of my UFO blocks for June.  I am not sure how much sewing will get done this month.  I have VBS and grand kids all next week ( insert happy dance) and then will be on vacation for 10 days after that.  I will have sewing withdrawals by the time I get to sew again .   If I don't post in the next 3 weeks you will know why!  

Color Challenge

The color challenge for May reminded me of Christmas and I couldn't get that out of my mind so I just ran with that idea.  Here is what I made.

It is a small wall hanging, pattern by Judydidit designs.  I think it turned out pretty cute.  When my Granddaughter comes in a couple weeks I will have her add some glitz and bling to it.  I love the colors chosen for June and can;t wait to get started.

UFO for May

When the number 2 UFO was drawn for May I was pretty excited, it was the same project that was my UFO for April.  I had big vision of working on several more of my Cinco De Mayo blocks.  As it turned out it was just that... a big vision. Where in the world did the month of May go??!  On Sunday of this week, I knew I wasn't going to get blocks finished so I pulled my #3 UFO which was an easy table runner and started that.  I needed to make the table runner as a gift for my high school best friend anyway.  I finished the table runner and sadly the Cinco De Mayo still remains a UFO.  I will pick it up again when #3 is drawn.  This month my #12 is a Christmas quilt.  That should be fun and at least make me think it is cool.  

Design wall 5-28-2012

Today is a holiday and is pretty laid back at my house.  I have spent the morning cleaning my sewing room.  I finally have it in pretty good shape if you don't look in the closet!  That is a job for another day. My design wall has the beginnings of a table runner that I am going to give to a good friend later this summer.  I think is is so summer time with the green and the strawberries.

 Memorial Day( and every day) I am so thankful today for the men and women, like my Dad, who were willing to give up the comfort of their homes and time with their families so that the rest of us can have the freedom to be with our families!! Thanks Dad, I love you and miss you!!!

Stash Report 5-27-2012

This is the first weekend  that I have been able to spend at home and I took full advantage of it.  I made my color challenge yesterday and used 2.5 yards of fabric total.  Today I worked on a UFO on my list, finished knitting a scarf and worked on some jewelry.  All in all- not a bad day, in fact I wish all days were like this.  Hope you have had a good weekend too. 

Week number- 22

Used this week- 2.5 yards

Used this year- 47.5 yards

Purchased this week- 0 yards

Purchased this year- 22 Yards

Busted- 25.5 yards

Design Wall - May 21,2012

Oh my goodness, I can't believe that I haven't posted since May 1!  We have been to the Kentucky Derby, the Louisville Slugger Baseball Factory and Museum, two Texas Ranger's ballgames and a vintage airplane fly in since then.  Not much time for sewing!! I went with a group of 10 friends to a town about 20 miles from my house and stayed the weekend.  We had our own mini retreat.  We didn't do much sewing but did do alot of jewelry making.  What those girls get me into!!!  My design wall today is my work from this weekend.

The necklace on the right is crocheted  wire and beads The white necklace started out as a bracelet that was too big so rather than take it apart it was reborn as a necklace and of course I had to remake the bracelet.  The colorful necklace in the middle was made for me by a friend at the retreat.  She just whipped it up from her "scrap beads".  It was a nice change from the fabric.  I have to hit the machine to get my challenge and my UFO worked on before June 1. 

Color challenge for March 2012

The subject of the April color challenge was a mold pie, proof that inspiration can come from anywhere.
 
Although the subject was gross the colors were beautiful.  I looked at my stash and found just the right fabric.  I had a charm square collection called Nell's Flower Shop by Moda.  My husband has an Aunt named Nell so this not only gave me the "excuse" to  make something for her but also to try the colors.  I think I was very successful in completing the challenge.  Now on to the May challenge... looks like a Fiesta to me!

UFO for April

I have been working on my Cinco De Mayo UFO for April.  It is a very slow, time consuming process.  I like the way it is coming out and love the bright colors!! I have this project on my UFO list twice because, silly me, I thought I could and would finish it in 2 months.  That isn't going to happen, I decided that since I already had it out and was on a roll I would switch what ever number was drawn for this months project.  Judy must has read my mind because  project number 2 IS my  Cinco de Mayo UFO.  So in May I will not only be celebrating Cinco de Mayo but I will be sewing on it.  Here is the first row that I have finished... only 5 more rows to go!

Design wall and stash report for April 30

I haven't had time to sew this week so my design wall is the same as it was last week and so is my stash report.  This is a busy time of year for us and I am not sure there will be any sewing this week either.  There will be sewing time soon but until then I will just look at what everyone else is doing.

Design Wall 4-23-2012

This week I got a binding on my color challenge quilt, but will wait unitl the end of the month to show you that picture.  I also finished another Cinco de Mayo block. I will be lucky to have 6 blocks finished this month ( the quilt has 36).  This maybe a UFO for several months  years.  I am glad I have it out and am working on it, I love how it is coming together.  Here are my latest 2 blocks.

Stash Report for week 17

This week I had to work  all week so I didn't get much sewing done.  The only thing I did was put a binding on my color challenge quilt and make another Cinco de Mayo block.  I only use 1/2 yard of fabric total.  I am pretty boring this week!

Week number- 17

Used this week- .5 yards

Used this year- 45 yards

Purchased this week- 0 yards

Purchased this year- 22 Yards

Busted- 23 yards

Stash report week 16

This week I added the borders to my color challenge quilt and pieced the backing for the same quilt.  All total I used 4 yards from my stash.  My stash busting numbers are moving up there.  This afternoon I am going to catch up on my ironing while I watch the Rangers play baseball and then will start quilting the challenge quilt.  " Sew" long for now.

Week number- 16

Used this week- 4 yards

Used this year- 44.5 yards

Purchased this week- 0 yards

Purchased this year- 22 Yards

Busted- 22.5 yards

My design wall has the beginnings of my color challenge quilt.  I loved the colors and thought the molding of the pie was pretty cool ( as long as I didn't have to touch it or smell it)! I did get another Cinco De Mayo block finished but haven't taken a picture of it yet. 

I also got me March UFO back from the framer and wanted to show you the finished product.  It turned out well even if I didn't spent $700 having it framed.  I am off to walk with a good friend "sew" long for now. 

Stash Report week 15

This week I started working on my color challenge and have used 1.5 yards so far.  It is a quiet, cool and wet Easter Sunday here.  I am going to spend the afternoon sewing until it is time to watch the Rangers play ball, then I will work on quilt bindings and knit.     I thank God for all his blessings today and every day. !

Week number- 15

Used this week- 1.5 yards

Used this year- 40.5 yards

Purchased this week- 0 yards

Purchased this year- 22 Yards

Busted- 18.5 yards

Design Wall Monday 4-2-12

Today my design wall has 3 of the block from my April UFO.  My number 10 UFO in Judy at Patchwork times challenge is a paper piecing called Cinco de Mayo.   I made a 4th block yesterday and came to the conclusion that this may still be a UFO at the end of April.  The blocks are very time consuming.  I have 4 finished and 28 to go! They are beautiful but it may be a L-O-N-G  process.

stash Report for April 1

No foolin around this week.  I had my color challenge and my UFO both finished early and was able to go back and quilt my February UFO.  I used 3 yards this week in the backing and binding of this quilt.   I am busting my stash.  WooHoo!!!

Week number- 14

Used this week- 3yards

Used this year- 39 yards

Purchased this week- 0 yards

Purchased this year- 22 Yards

March Color Challenge

I knew my time in March was going to be limited so I went with something small, a table runner.  I did enjoy the color scheme and was able to use some triangles that I had cut off some star points on another quilt.  I think it turned out pretty cute.

With all Judy's posts about her chickens I could resist using this chicken fabric as my border.

I have my fabric for the April challenge already pulled and the pattern laid out ready to start.  "Sew" long for now.

March UFO

My March UFO was a wall hanging that I started about 2005 called Angel of the Earth.  I had most of it finished but had to do the thread painting and the beading/glitz.  I got all that finished and put borders on and then took them off again. I couldn't decide if I should quilt it or frame it.  I ended up taking it to a local craft store to have it framed.  The clerk pulled frames and mat board and did some figuring and said it would be $780! WHAT??!!  but with my discount coupon it would be $330.  Still Way over my budget.  I told her there was no way I was spending that.  We finally got it down to a price I could afford .  So I guess technically my March UFO is not finished because I do not have it back yet.  Here is a picture before it was framed and I will post a picture of the final project at a later date.  My April UFO is  paper piecing quilt called Cinco de Mayo.  ( too bad it wasn't my May UFO) Should be fun.  "Sew" long for now.

My design wall has the table runner that I am working on for my color challenge.  This has been a busy month so I knew that I needed to do something small.  I made pinwheels from triangles that were cut off star point from another quilt. 

Stash Report Week 13

I thought after Spring Break this week would get back to normal, what ever normal is, but I have had to work more and have had less chance to sew.  After getting the house put back to together, after 2 grandkids and a niece here for a week, I have worked on my UFO and my color challenge.  I have both nearly complete and will count the fabric today.  This afternoon I hope to quilt my color challenge table runner and do some more thread painting on my UFO so that I can take it to the be framed .  Lucky me, Michael's has a coupon for custom framing in today's paper so I have to get it in.  I will take pictures before framing  to post on UFO posting day and will post the final project later.  I love this West Texas spring weather.  The Bluebonnets and other wild flowers are beautiful and the mesquite trees are putting on their leaves, that means it is SPRING!!!  Sew long for now.

Week number- 13

Used this week- 2 yards

Used this year- 36 yards

Purchased this week- 0 yards

Purchased this year- 22 Yards

Design wall Monday 3-19-12

My design wall is empty because I spent the last few days sewing with my granddaughter.  We made signs with her teacher's names on them. They can hang them  on their doors.  She had the best time going "through Mimi's fabric store" to find fabric that matched each teacher's subject.  After choosing the fabric she matched the thread for embroidery and and typed their names in while it set the embroidery up.  We both sewed the signs, painted the sticks and put them together.  She has given her teacher's a handmade gift for Teacher Appreciation week ( in May) since she was in kindergarten.  As a retired teacher, I do all I can to encourage that and keep the tradition going.  I made the sign with her name on it so she would have a example.  This week I need to get to work on my color challenge and my UFO.

Stash Report for week 12

This week was Spring Break in Texas.  As an ex-teacher I used to live for that week, now I live for it for a different reason... Grand kids!!!  We were blessed to have both of our grandchildren this week.  I showed you what my grandson made in the design wall post last week, tomorrow I will show you what my granddaughter made.  We spent her time making door signs for her teachers.  She is in the 4th grade and every year she and I have made teacher appreciation gifts for her to give to her teachers.  Weeks don't get much better than that. Now I will have to step on it to get my color challenge and my UFO complete before April.  When all was said and done we use 3 yards of fabric making the signs.  Here is my report. 

Week number- 12

Used this week- 3 yards

Used this year- 34 yards

Purchased this week- 0 yards

Purchased this year- 23 Yards

Gifted to others-0

Gifted to me- 7 yards

Recycled clothes- 5 yards

Total  Stash  - 1 Yards

Design Wall Monday

I do have several things on my design wall but have decided to show you my 6 year old grandson with one of the pillowcases he made. He is such a sweet boy, he wanted to make one for his Mom, Dad and of course him.  He did a great job for never sewing before and was so proud when I told him he was better than his girl cousins when they started.  We take him home tomorrow and pick up our granddaughter on Wednesday.  I see more sewing in my future.

I didn't get to post my stash report or my design wall last weekend because we had to make an unexpected trip to San Antonio to take care of a sick grandson.  This Friday we went to pick him up and bring him home until Tuesday.  He is 6 years old and very interested in sewing.  I have a Janome sew mini that I teach the kids on and he caught on very quickly.  We made 3 pillow cases and a stuffed heart this weekend.  Thanks to him and to finishing  the color challenge and sending it to the quilter I have fabric usage to count.  We take him home and pick up his 10 year old cousin on Wednesday and she will stay with us the rest of the week.  Camp Mimi is soooo much fun!!  This part of Texas is greening up after several good rains.  We are glad to see the sun and to be able to play outside today.  "Sew" long for now.

Week number- 11

Used this week- 15.5 yards

Used this year- 31 yards

Purchased this week- 0 yards

Purchased this year- 23 Yards

Gifted to others-0

Gifted to me- 7 yards

Recycled clothes- 5 yards

Total  Stash  - 4 Yards

February Color Challenge

When Judy at Patchwork Times posted the color challenge for February I knew I could work with those colors!  I wanted to make Judy's rolling along quilt so I combined the two and made my color challenge by that pattern. 

A closer view of the colors

Here is the original color picture and the colors we were challenged to use-

February UFO

My February UFO was fairly easy.  I took it with me to the retreat in Brownwood and knocked it out the first day.  I had good intentions of getting it quilted but you know what they say about good intentions...It is a small I-Spy quilt and has pictures of sweets, talking my language as my granddaughter says.  If you look closely in the top left hand corner it has Millennium fabric, does that tell you how long I have had the kit?  I will try to get it quilted in March.  "Sew" long for now.

Design wall Monday 2-27-2012

I hope to complete my color challenge quilt today, especially since my car is down again and has to go to the shop. Staying home and sewing is not all bad. In my picture I have all of the blocks for rolling along quilt finished and have them on the design wall as I finished them.  I kind of like the design it made with out putting the Irish chain blocks in.  Since I have most of the Irish chain blocks done I will go ahead and add them but may make this quilt again without them.  Stay turned for Thursday for the final product.  Until then "Sew" long for now.

Winning Quilts

I just went and picked up my quilts from the stock show and rodeo and now have pictures to show.  I entered 7 things and won 6 ribbons!  I was very pleased with that.  First place was a shirt I made for my husband.  We bought the fabric when we were in Hawaii last summer.

I got second place ribbons on my Winter Wonderland quilt,

 my Hawaiian Baby quilt, It is a one block wonder made from Hawaiian fabric.  The colors are really purple and yellow ( looks blue in the picture)

 and Batik Squared which is a hand quilted king size quilt

I won a 3rd on a Mariner's compass quilt

and a 3rd on a Santa table runner

This quilt didn't win a ribbon . It competed in the same catagory as the Mariner's Compass and the Winter Wonderland, my sister-in-law, Edie won the first place ribbon. 

I am already thinking about what to enter next year!   Sew long for now.