Last Stash Report of 2011!

December 11 - 31, 2011

Not a lot of sewing or buying has been happening over here.  I'm sure a lot of you can relate.  Preparations for Christmas took over most of my time and it was more important to spend time with loved ones than to complete projects.  I had hoped to finish the Winter Wonderland top this year, but didn't quite make it.  Another couple of hours on it tomorrow should see it done though.

I was so excited to see the Fat Quarter Shop's annual 12 Days of Christmas sale again this year.  Looking back at last year, I see that I bought a ton of Jelly Rolls then.  Although they had some wonderful deals this year too, it wasn't really on fabric that I was wanting.  In the end I only bought 2 pieces of fabric - 6 yards of the Jovial Black Grunge by Basic Grey and 5.5 yards of the blue Reindeer Games by Sandy Gervais...

5.5 yards of Reindeer Games and 6 yards of Jovial

So my totals for the end of the year are...
Purchased-this-week: 11.5 yards
Used-this-week: 0 yards
Purchased-to-date: 407.75 yards
Used-to-date: 513 yards
Net used: 105.25

I was looking back at my quilting goals for this year.  (I posted them here the same time last year.)  I had hoped to purchase less than 150 yards of fabric for the whole year.  Hmmm.  I didn't do a very good job on that one.  In fact, I bought about 90 yards more than last year and used 13 yards less.

I'd also hoped to concentrate almost exclusively on my UFO's.  I did an OK job on that one.  I did get a lot of tops quilted and ended up completing 27 projects this year - 10 of them UFOs.  And finally, I made a number of prayer quilts and charity quilts during the year (which was another goal).

As for 2012, I'm planning on the following:

1. Continue with my stash report.  I'd like to whittle my purchase number down, but I'm not going to commit to a specific number.
2. Finish at least 2 quilts for our king-size bed.  (I have about 6 planned though and one top waiting to be quilted.)
3. Whenever the need arises, drop everything and make a prayer quilt.  It's important to have priorities and God's calling is the highest. (A repeat from last year.)
4. Make several more quilts and/or pillowcases for charities.
5. Participate in Another Year of Schnibbles.  I've missed out on this the last couple of years, but plan to play along in 2012.  (I already have enough Charm Packs to do the whole year!)

So those are my goals for this new year, how about you?

Until later...

How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension! 

Psalm 147:5 (NLT)

Almost done...

Still plugging away on the Winter Wonderland blocks.  I've finally finished the last 4 star blocks...

6" Blocks 14 & E - Double X

9" Block C - Star of Hope

6" Block 8 - Maple Star

This means I'm now done with all of the star blocks!  Woohoo!  There are 34 blocks  - a combination of 6", 9" & 12" blocks made using 6 different fabric combinations.  Fortunately I've labeled each one with a sticker so I already know where each one goes in the quilt...

All of the Winter Wonderland pieced blocks

Now I need to make several dozen HST's and then I can assemble the borders.  I'm still hopeful that I can finish the top before the new year.  That's my goal anyway.  (I work better when I set goals.)

I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas day.  I spent the last few days visiting with family and so enjoyed myself.

Until later...

“[T]he Son of God came so we could recognize and understand the truth of God—what a gift!—and we are living in the Truth itself, in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. This Jesus is both True God and Real Life.” 

1 John 5:20 (MSG)

A little bit of handwork...

Probably like most couples, Mr. Quilting Bug and I enjoy watching some TV at night.  And with the invention of the DVR/Tivo, it's so much more enjoyable!  We've become so used to the convenience that it's hard to remember back when we had to sit through commercials or plan our evening around the start time of a show.  Our current favorites right now are Parks and Recreation, Big Bang Theory, Person of Interest and Once Upon a Time.  We're really enjoying each of these shows.  I'll also admit that we watch Survivor almost every season too.  How awesome is it that over the last 3 or 4 seasons God is mentioned more and more often!  I think the contestants prayed to Jesus in every episode this past season.

However, I'm one of those people who can't just sit and watch TV.  I have to be doing something else at the same time.  Usually, I work on my hand applique then.  I've been working on the next couple Ladies of the Sea blocks (#11 & #12).  (You can see the other blocks I've stitched so far here.)  So far, I've managed to finish the outer wreaths on both blocks and have started appliqueing the ships that go in the center...

We've ordered seasons 3 and 4 of the Big Bang Theory and they should come in tomorrow.  I've already seen them, but Mr. Quilting Bug hasn't.  I expect we'll do a marathon session of the series tomorrow night and I hope to make some good progress on the ships then.  I'd love to finish both of these blocks by the end of the year, but will have to spend a lot of time appliqueing for that to happen.  Each of these 16" blocks usually takes me about a month to complete.

I'm sure everyone out there is busy with last minute preparations for Christmas, but I hope you're also finding time to laugh and relax and enjoy those people around you!

Until later...

“Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established.” 

Proverbs 4:26 (HCSB)

The Story of Sam

Once upon a time, there was a cat named Sam.  She was a sweet kitty with a good disposition and she was the apple of her mother's eye.  She loved to run, jump and play with the other kitties in the household.  She also loved to eat.  Over the years, she went from being slightly chubby to overweight and finally obese.  As she put on the weight, it became difficult for her to do the things she used to do.  She stopped jumping up on furniture and playing with her sisters.  Her mother had tried putting her on diets before without much success, but when it became hard for Sam to even walk, her mom decided something had to be done.

So Sam went on a strict diet.  Her mom was determined that Sam would lose the extra weight. Unfortunately, Sam didn't agree with this plan and fought every step of the way.  She went from being a happy kitty to a mean, grumpy and cantankerous one.  She kept her mom up all night begging for food and even biting her when she didn't get any.  Her mom fought for every single ounce of weight that Sam lost and it was a difficult and frustrating battle.  In desperation, Sam's mom finally resorted to putting her on medicine.  This made a tremendous difference in Sam's mood.  She became the sweet, lovable and adorable kitty she used to be.  Best of all, the weight started to melt off her.  Sam could now run and jump and play like she used to and all her sisters were happy to wrestle with her again.  And they all lived happily ever after (hopefully)...

It was an arduous and difficult journey, but you've finally reached your goal!  After 14 months of dieting, you've gone from a record high of 18.1 pounds to a svelte and healthy 13.7 pounds.  

Before and after pictures of Sam

We're praying you can keep the weight off for good!

Until later...

So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. 

Galatians 6:9 (NLT)

Almost there...

I've been continuing to plug away on my Winter Wonderland blocks and now have several more to share.  The first is a 6" Cut the Corners block.

6" Block D - Cut the Corners

This was also the last block in this combination.  Unfortunately I ran out of the background fabric for it and had to substitute another, but it's really close to the original.  Here are the 5 blocks in this fabric grouping together...

Fabric Group #5

I also made 3 more blocks using the last fabric selection.  There's a 6", 9" and another 9" Cut the Corners blocks.

Cut the Corners Blocks #3, 18 and 23

Here's all 3 of them together...

Winter Wonderland Blocks

I'm hoping to finish the final 4 blocks in the next few days and start putting the top together.  As things look, I may actually have the top done this year!  Yippee!

While I was sewing today, Moses kept me company.  She found a nice cozy spot on top of a quilt and proceeded to give herself a very long and thorough bath...

Moses taking a bath

I know this can be a very busy and stressful time of the year, but I pray that all of you are finding time to rest and relax.  Personally I find myself much more at peace when I stop and think about why I celebrate Christmas.  But if you're struggling for any reason, be it financial, physical or emotional, please know I'd be glad to pray for you.  Just send me an email.

Until later...

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again - rejoice! 

Philippians 4:4 (NLT)

A couple more blocks...

I'm still working on my Winter Wonderland blocks and I have a couple more to share.  (It's pretty much the only sewing I'm doing right now.)  This first one is a 6" Maple Star block...

6" Block #16 - Maple Star

The second block is a 9" Martha Washington Star block.  I really like the look of this one.

9" Block #20 - Martha Washington Star

I only have another 8 blocks and some HST's to make before I'm ready to assemble this top.  I get excited when a project is so close to being completed!  At least the top is close.  The quilting of it will be a completely different matter.

Sam is still doing well.  I'm keeping her away from salt, although it's been difficult.  Whenever I eat potato chips (a guilty pleasure), she practically assaults me trying to get to them!  But mostly she's just laying around - as cats usually do...

Until later...

“Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it.” 

Romans 12:9a (MSG)

Stash Report Week #49...

December 3 - 10, 2011

I've skipped the last couple of Stash Reports, but only because I had absolutely nothing to report.  I didn't buy any fabric or do much sewing.  However, this week saw a nice package from the Fat Quarter Shop come in.  I had a gift certificate from my quilt bee  (love you ladies!) and some Christmas money from my parents (love you too!) that I used to buy some fabric I'd been wanting.  And get this, it was all on sale!

First, I bought 12 yards of this Jovial fabric to use as the backing for 2 quilts.  I already had all the fabric I needed for the quilts except for the backing.  I sure hope I can actually get these made in time for next Christmas, because I obviously missed the boat on this one...

Jovial fabric to use for backings

I also picked up some fabric that I need for my Baltimore Halloween and Over the River and through the Woods quilts.  I only needed 1.5 yards for the Halloween quilt to use in the border.  I knew I'd used a Moda Marble in the rest of the quilt, but didn't know exactly which one.  So I guessed!  And fortunately, I was right (love when that happens).  I also bought 1.25 yards of Primitive Muslin Pie Crust to use for the background for the embroideries on the second quilt.  I love the slightly mottled look to this line.

Moda Marbles Sweet Off White and Primitive Muslin Pie Crust

That's all the fabric I bought, but I have to show this pattern I picked up.  I've been eyeing it for a while, but resisted buying it until I saw it on sale.  This is another Crabapple Hill Pattern.

New Crabapple Hill Pattern

I  know I'm not going to start on it for at least 6 months, but it's definitely one I want to make!

As for what I used, it's not much.  I've been working on my Winter Wonderland blocks, but won't count the fabric until the top is done.  Other than that, I made a few quilt blocks to donate which maybe used a quarter yard...

Donated Kansas Troubles Blocks

So...
Purchased-this-week: 14.75 yards
Used-this-week: .25 yards
Purchased-to-date: 396.25 yards
Used-to-date: 513 yards
Net used: 116.75 yards

In case you didn't know, the Fat Quarter Shop is starting their 12 Days of Christmas sale on Monday.  I have some Christmas money that I've set aside especially for this sale.  There are several fabric lines I have my eye on (American Banner Rose, Panier de Fleurs, Rounneries Deux) and I'm hoping some of them go on sale!

A sleepy Gabriel

Until later....

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. 

1 Peter 3:15 (NLT)