Month: April 2017

Stash Report: April 30 ’17

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No fabric purchases this week!  And, I haven’t finished any projects this week.  But my lovely guest, Miss Claire, finished a zipper bag.  She used approximately half a yard of fabric.   What a fun way to decrease my stash!

Stash Tally 

Fabric Used this Week:      0.5 yards
Fabric Used year to Date:  29.25 yards
Fabric Added this Week:    0  yards 
Fabric Added Year to Date:   36.5 yards
Net Fabric used for 2017:    – 7.65 yards

UFO tally

Since not a single one of my own projects have been finished this week, there is no change to my UFO tally. I started the year with 38 UFO’s.

2017   Completed
Jan:           2
Feb:           0
Mar:          1
Apr:          0                          35 UFO’s left to complete!

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Happy Quilting
Gail

Friday finishes – not mine

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We have company at our home – so very little sewing for me. However, 12 year old Miss Claire, coloured the fabric on her last visit here.  This week, she put in the zipper and sewed the bag together.  She did an awesome job!  And it was a lot of fun to help her along the way!

Link-ups

To see what others in the quilty world are working on wander over to these blogs:

Happy Quilting
Gail

Stash Report – April 23, 2017

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This week I’ve been tidying a corner of my sewing room.  Half of my ironing board is free and available for use!   And I’ve been quilting a quilt that needs to be finished for the guild quilt show in 2 weeks.  I’ve got the main blocks and the border done. Just have to fill in the background.  Still not sure if I’m going to do feathers or swirls.  Here’s a picture before I quilted borders and did the binding:

IMG_0561

This week I did not buy any fabric!  YEAH!!!  I also didn’t enter through a door of any fabric store.  That sure helps me to not buy fabric.  And, since I rarely buy fabric on-line, I just don’t go shopping there.  It’s a good thing, because I’m sure I would be very tempted by some of Missouri Star Quilt’s daily deals!  And, I was at a work bee to get some stuff ready for the guild show and I donated 2 yards of fabric to the cause.  So, I’m counting that in.

Stash Tally 

Fabric Used this Week:       2 yards
Fabric Used year to Date:  28.75 yards
Fabric Added this Week:    0  yards 
Fabric Added Year to Date:   36.5 yards
Net Fabric used for 2017:     8.15 yards   

UFO tally

No UFO’s finished so far this month. I’m sort of feeling a little foolish reporting my UFOs as I’m not getting many done this year.  But, I’m going to stick with it and hopefully I can start adding some UFO finishes.

I started the year with 38 UFO’s.

2017   Completed
Jan:           2
Feb:           0
Mar:          1
Apr:          0                          35 UFO’s left to complete!

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Happy Quilting
Gail

Eye Candy from the retreat

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These are pictures of what my fellow retreaters made. Lots of eye candy here!

R. started both of these quilts.  The one on the left started out as a disappearing pinwheel (aka Jenny Doan) and we figured that R designed her own pattern.  Alas, with further investigation, it’a called “Pinwheel 5” at Missouri Star Company.    The one on the right is from a black and white layer cake.  It’s going to be pretty spectacular when she gets all the blocks done.

L. N. showed us the quilt on the left … made with a couple of layer cakes (I think) and I’m not sure if she used the twister ruler or not.   The quilt on the right is the 3rd that she has done using the same pattern.  Each one is truly unique and the fabrics really make the quilts look very different.  She plans to keep this one for herself!

L.K.  made both of these.  The one on the left was a couple of panels from Fabricland and she got it completely finished.  Quilting and binding all done.  The one on the right was made from a bunch of fat quarters.  It was amazing how quickly it came together!

Retreat Pic 3-2Retreat Pics 4-3

B. had started the blue quilt above at a previous retreat and it sat in the box until this retreat.  She worked consistently on all the blocks at this retreat and got the top done.  I love the colours!  However, she doesn’t think she’ll gift it to me!  sad face   The bottom one is denim and fish/ocean fabric.  Both fabrics are cut in circles, sewn together, turned and then joined on 4 sides.  It’ll be like a cathedral window.  There is no batting as the denim will make it pretty heavy.  I can’t wait to see this one finished!

M. took the panel on the left, added a bunch of blocks and ended with the quilt on the right.  The more I looked at the panel, the more I loved it.  Then the resulting quilt really set off the panel.  Lovely, eh?

D. H. put these two quilts together. The giraffe quilt is a favourite of mine.  She has since finished it and added the most adorable eyelashes!  So cute!  The one on the right was made with a hexi ruler.  It was even quilted at the retreat.  I love the soft colours.

Retreat Pics 4-4D.C. worked on these oh-so- cute blocks with 30’s fabric … it’s going to be stinking’ cute when it’s finished!   And she is sewing this quilt totally on her featherweight!

Retreat pics 5-1Another D.H is going through the process of a divorce.  So, this is her divorce quilt.  It’s a traditional wedding ring with black bands, that will transition to lighter bands towards the bottom. Do you see the dark red heart?   In typical d.h’s style – scrappy and unique!  I look forward to seeing it finished next year.  There is a ton of symbolism in this quilt and full of meaning!

Retreat 6B. spent a lot of time on a quilt I’m not showing … it will be fabulous when done.  If I remember, I’ll post a pic later  However, for a change of pace, she made this cute little baby quilt.

C. got these 3 tops done.  The top left is a ribbon quilt using Tula Pink fabrics.  The bottom left was a jellyroll with a ton of learning involved.  (Sewing opposite directions and pinning the rows).  The one on the right is “Thicket” … so cute in black and white!

OOPS!!!  I don’t have any pictures of the fabulous work that our dear organizer did!  What’s with that?  I know she was sewing some wonderful blocks and working on at least one other project – but no pictures?  If any of my fellow retreaters have pictures of DS’s work – please send them to me and I’ll put them in another blog post!

I hope you enjoyed seeing all of the results of a week’s worth of quilting with my oh-so-talented friends!

Link-ups

To see what others in the quilty world are working on wander over to these blogs:

Happy Quilting
Gail

 

 

2017 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop

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In March, I joined a group for new quilt bloggers.  We had a few weeks of critiquing a few blogs and receiving critiques as well.  Thanks to Kara @ Sunshine Kwilts,  Jen @ Dizzy Quilter, and Karen @ Tu-Na Quilts  for their feedback.  It’s from their suggestions and encouragement that you now see bigger pictures and a few other changes.

image_uploaded_from_ios_480The group (called a hive) I’m in decided on a “Name” and a “Logo”: “Lets Bee Quilt’n.”   I think the logo that was created is super cute!  I joined a talented bunch of people, right?

This week, it’s my turn to participate in the blog hop.  Be sure to visit the various blogs and enter the giveaways!

My Introduction

First, I’m to tell you about myself and my quilting journey.  (Yes, I know that some of you may have heard, or been part of, my story – but this is for the benefit of those that don’t know and are visiting my blog for the first time.)

Initial Quilting Inspiration     I grew up knowing that my grandma, who lived way far away from me quilted.  When I was in my last year of high school, I drafted my own pattern, made square and rectangle templates from cereal boxes and cut out my fabric.  I only used scrap fabric that my mom had from making clothes.  The quilt got tied because I didn’t know how to do anything.  I was just going by guess.  I used the quilt during my 3 years in nursing school. Unfortunately, I don’t have a picture.  The quilt later became the dog’s blanket and I’m not sure if it was buried with her or burned.

Fast Forward a Few Years    I belonged to a church that made queen sized quilts for couples getting married.  With helping to make these quilts, I learned to rip strip sets (before the days of rotary cutters), sew quilts together, put them on a frame and hand quilt them.  At this time, I made a quilt for each of my husband’s siblings and my sister.  Again, I don’t have pictures.

Then life changed   We moved, had lots of neat adventures and quilting became a thing of the past.  I went back to school and finally graduated in 2005.  The day after I finished my final paper, I went sewing machine shopping and within a few weeks,  I bought my Janome 6500.  A machine I still love.  I have made a many many quilts since 2005.

Not sure how many quilts I’ve made since I finished school.  But as soon as I retired (beginning of 2016), I had enough quilts to do a trunk show … and I know I have given away more than I have kept.  Here’s a picture of a few quilts I gifted in 2007 & 2008.

And these are a few that were gifted in 2010 & 2011.

2017 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop

This week’s Blog Hop in “Lets Bee Quilt’n” include these great blogs!

Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting     Nancy is a Long-Arm quilter and shares many of her customer’s quilts as well as her own.  There is lots of eye candy in the form of beautiful quilts with wonderful quilting.

Kathy @ Kathy Kwilts and More   Kathy is a new ambassador for Island Batiks and is currently working on an appliqué project.  She sees many exciting challenges in the months ahead as she continues on this new journey.

April @ JANDA Bend Quilts  April has designed a few small quilts for a challenge.  And, it looks like she attended and Eleanor Burns :Quilt in A Day Teacher Certification” in Paducah, Kentucky,  How cool is that?  I need to find out more from her.

This Blog Hop is hosted by 3 awesome bloggers:

Go to their blogs to enter to win giveaways (prizes)!!

Quilting Hints

Done1.    One of my favourite mottos, when it comes to quilting is “Done is better than perfect!”  I know that we are our own worst critiques!  What good is a quilt top that languishes in the closet waiting for “some day”?  A few weeks ago, I listened to a pod-cast by a famous long-arm quilter and she said that she has yet to meet a perfect quilter.  Even the best of the best know that there are mistakes in their quilts.

2.  Ignore the fear.  Many quilters are afraid to try new techniques because they fear they are not good enough.  Each of us started out in life without being able to walk … eventually, for most of us, we were able to walk without fear of falling.  We just kept getting up and trying again.

A Question for you to Answer?

Sew … what are you afraid of with your quilting?  Is is curved seams?  appliqué?  free motion quilting?  sewing half-square triangles?   paper-piecing?  or something totally different?

In the comments section of this blog post – tell me what your greatest quilting fear is.

Happy Quilting
Gail

Stash Report – ugh!!!

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Well, I knew that going to Over the Rainbow Retreat would be dangerous for my stash … and I was sew right!!!  The fabrics on the left are or assorted quick baby quilts and the ones on the right were unnecessary purchases … mostly because I liked them and figured I could use them for lining bags or who knows what?  Total damage: 20 yards!!!!

Stash Apr 16

I did finish a baby quilt this week that used about 3 yards of fabric.  Sorry, but it’s for a challenge for the guild quilt show – so I can’t show it to you until the show is over.

Fabric Used this Week:   3 yards
Fabric Used year to Date:  26.75 yards
Fabric Added this Week:   20  yards 
Fabric Added Year to Date: 36.5 yards
Net Fabric used for 2017: 10.15 yards   

OK … sew, I’ve bought more fabric than I used so far this year.  That was NOT my goal!!  I’ve got 2 large quilts that are in the process of being quilted – that will help my totals!  One has to be ready for the show on May 6 and I need to make hanging sleeves … hopefully, my totals will look better next week!

UFO tally

No UFO’s finished in the last 2 weeks.

I started the year with 38 UFO’s.

2017   Completed
Jan:           2
Feb:           0
Mar:          1
Apr:          0                          35 UFO’s left to complete!

2017 New Quilt Blogger’s Blog Hop

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Later today (tomorrow EST)  I’ll be posting information about a blog hop that I’m involved in.  Stay tuned … there’s even opportunities for you to win some great giveaways!

Linking to

Happy Quilting
Gail

Little bits about the retreat …

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Here are the 2 table runners that I previously showed the backs of.  It’s hard to tell from these pictures, but they are both the same size.  I designed the leaves in EQ7 because I couldn’t find one that was the size I wanted.

The table runner on the left was in the fall table runner exchange that happened at the retreat.  The maple leaves were all made from one piece of batik fabric.  I like the variation in the leaves and it was a fun project to make.    The one on the right was made from a charm pack.  I’m still not sure if I’ll gift the one on the right or keep it.

Here are all the pictures of all the table runners that were exchanged.  Quite a diverse group of quilters!

While at the retreat, I got a little bit of a lot of things done. But the only thing I fell I totally finished was sewing my scrappy Irish Chain quilt together.  I’m not sure if I’m going to add borders or leave it like it is.  What do you think? Borders or not?

Retreat pics 5

I’ll post more pictures from the retreat at a later date.

Here’s the information on my guild’s upcoming quilt show.

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Link-ups

To see what others in the quilty world are working on wander over to these blogs:

Happy Quilting
Gail

Stash Report: April 2 ’17

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Stash Report

A few little purchases this week:  2 spools of thread and a zipper and (in a very small voice) two 1/2 meter cuts of fabric.  So cute I couldn’t resist.  One to add to my black stash and the other to my white with black on it stash.  Tomorrow, I’m leaving for a retreat at Over the Rainbow on Camano Island … with almost daily access to their wonderful store!  EEKES … I can see trouble with my stash report in my future!

IMG_0559I did finish 2 table runners this week.   This picture shows the backs and I promise, I’ll post a picture of the fronts after one of them has been given away at the retreat.  I’m not sure which one I’ll keep and which I’ll give away.   I like them both.  Each of the backs took about  1 yard, binding about 1/4 of a yard and the fronts took about 0.75 of a yard each.  For a total of 4 yards used!

Fabric Used this Week: 4 yards
Fabric Used year to Date: 23.75 yards
Fabric Added this Week: 1.1  yards 
Fabric Added Year to Date: 16.5 yards
Net Fabric used for 2017: 6.85 yard

UFO tally

Although one of my fall table runners was in the thinking stage in 2016, I did not write it on my UFO list.  So it doesn’t count as a UFO finish. DANG!  Oh well.

I started the year with 38 UFO’s.

2017      Completed           Left to complete
Jan:             2                             36
Feb:             0                             36
Mar:            1                             35

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Happy Quilting
Gail