Sunday Stash Report

No stash in, no stash out.

While I've been at Laura Beth's I have used two spools of thread! Can't believe the amount of thread I use, I had two of the regular size gutermann in my box, used those already, I am down to a black and a red. Oh dear, I will probably have to go to the quilt store to find some of that nice blending gray Aurifil~!

More Scrap Happy Blocks

Not very exciting around here. Me, the dishwasher and the laundry. Ho-hum. I have been sewing, and have a few items Laura Beth asked me to bring to the hospital. I did make 24 more scrap happy blocks, and I am pleased with how fast they go together.



I think the yellow is starting to disappear, I have some golds and pumpkins I will add in as I go. I think when it gets put together with the sashing (beige/tan TOT) it will quiet down quite a bit. I am picking up some fast food to take to the hospital for Laura Beth, I think she is tired of the nutritious hospital food.

The First Twelve Scrap Happy Blocks

Last night I did the first twelve Scrap Happy blocks. Hmm--pieces are a little small, I think Henrietta is rubbing off on me. 113-12=101. Only 101 blocks left. But they are easy to piece, it's a relaxing project. There is sashing and cornerstones too, so it won't look quite like the picture. Here's a link to another version of this pattern using 30's fabric at allpeoplequilt It's called Scrap Happy 30's wall hanging. The yellow in my blocks is a bit bright, but will wait to see if I like it when I have all the blocks made.


I have been busy, catching up on some sleep, doing laundry, and running errands. I think maybe on Sunday Laura Beth and Mason will be coming home, so would like to have the house spiffed up and ready for them.


Grammy and Mason--aka "Peanut"

Motivation Friday

This is Mason James--born 9/4 weighing 5 lbs 13 oz. He is this weeks motivation!! Welcome to our family Mason--we've been waiting for you!!

Chains of Lurv--another Method!

In the last post I told you how I liked to cut all my pieces out BEFORE I sew. At least the block portions. And then I have this friend. Henrietta. She is my best friend. But, she is NOT like me. Henrietta will come and stay with me and we will tackle many projects. Move my sewing room. Paint houses. Go on road trips. Great fun!! But then there is Henrietta and her method. She first figures out the math for the quilt, doesn't HAVE a pattern, if you are lucky you might have a picture. And she likes quilts that are "challenging". Lots of itty bitty pieces, weird size pieces, curved piecing, interlocking colors. Below is a quilt she called "Chains of Lurv". (I actually think it was called "chains of love") It was an "anything goes" type of scrap quilt. She had me cutting the pieces. (Evil smile here!) There are pieces of some of the most butt ugly fabric you can imagine in it. Dog bones. Paw prints. Leftover samples from fabric manufacturers. There is a piece with some wildly colored GUITARS on it! Pigs! Look at the picture, can you see any of them?? And this isn't a small quilt, not a wall quilt, a bed size quilt. Now me, the odd size pieces, the start and stop method of piecing, (Henrietta will take just enough pieces to make a block or two, stick them on the design wall and then do it all over) drives me insane. I can hardly stand to watch! But see how lovely it's turned out?? So Sue--here are two different methods. The OCD method and Henrietta's "fly by the seat of your pants" method!

Wednesday Ramblings

Sue was wondering how other quilters make/plan their quilts. First I plan the quilt, iron and stack my fabric, and set the book next to the cutting table. I like to cut all my fabric first, then sew. I love mindless chain piecing. I "audition" the blocks on my design wall and often take a picture and get a new perspective on it by looking at the blocks on the computer. I like my binding to match my border if I want it to blend, or if I am planning a more funky look--bias striped binding is fun! Since I am trying to use as much stash as possible, and probably love them the best, scrap quilts get made a lot. I love a wild riot of colors! And zip lock baggies are a quilters best friend. Put all those fabric pieces in their bag--write on the outside of the bag, then enclose the whole works in a gallon bag with the pattern/magazine.

First I ironed, then cut the 2" squares, 1.5x2.5" rectangles, then 1.5x3.5"
rectangles. I think I have almost enough cut here, I need 904-3.5", 452-2.5" rectangles, and 113 2" squares.

I know, doesn't look like enough pieces for a queen size quilt, but that's what the directions called for.

I find my June Tailor Shape Cut, a fresh blade, and my iron with a little spray starch makes things go really fast!


And here are my baggies all ready to go, this way I don't lose my project. (Remember what my sewing room looked like??!!)



Here is what was left of trimmings and refolded fabric.


And if you were wondering if I had cut enough pieces, I still have this box of fabric left--I haven't cut anything that's left in here yet!


When I have all my blocks made I will cut the sashing strips, cornerstones, and setting triangles. I may change my mind about the fabric I have chosen for the those pieces after I get the blocks together. But I don't think so, I am trying to use my stash for this one.

Monday Goals

I've been pondering what kind of goals I can have this week. I did get the baby quilt top together last night. Discovered what I forgot to pack in that car of mine--a SEAM RIPPER! Tomorrow I will have to go buy one. I have been quietly sewing and reading today, Laura Beth and Nick are enjoying Melissa being here. Lots of laughing, movies and for those of you who know--the video game "Guitar Hero". Except that's it's LOUD it's a hoot to watch--Melissa is a vocal/band/piano teacher so she loves it!

1) Take pictures of the Blooming Rose top tomorrow on the grass if it's not too windy.
2) Start ironing and cutting fabric for my new quilt "Scrap Happy"

Drat--too windy today to take picures--I tried!!