Stash Busting 2010 - Week 5

The sun finally returned!! It has been raining non-stop here and it's really put me into a funk. Although we are in a drought (I can't really remember a time when "they" didn't say were weren't in a drought) I really don't care for the rain. I especially dislike driving in it. But finally this weekend we had sunny days both days. Our cat, Bear, couldn't get enough. He really enjoyed rolling around on the floor in the sun rays. Above you can see him in the sun, trying to fit into a box that is way to small for him. He's like me trying to fit into clothes that are just too small for me now!

Not much sewing going on still. I did get a Dear Jane block done today, though. It's B2. They are so small I don't think I can really count any measurable amount of fabric out of the stash. Maybe after the next one I make I'll count the combined amount out. I enjoyed making this block -- a little piecing and a little applique. I am really bummed that I got some ink on the back of the block, though. I printed the circle out on my ink jet printer, forgetting that the ink runs if it gets wet. I used starch in the seam allowance and a little bit bled into the seam line. You can't really see it in the picture, but it's there in person. After much deliberation, I decided to leave it.

Fabric added this week: 0.00 yards
Fabric used this week: 0.00 yards

Fabric added this year: 2.50 yards
Fabric used this year: 5.75 yards

Total stash busted this year: 3.25 yards

Stash Busting 2010 - Week 4

Today we went to the Kint Tut exhibit at the De Young Museum in San Francisco. It was pretty fun except that it was very crowded. Difficult to see the actual items, but very interesting if you waited for the people to clear. Then, as an added bonus, they happened to be having a showing of Amish quilts in another part of the museum.

That, of course, was the icing on the cake! It was a somewhat small exhibit, but definitely worth seeing since we were there anyway. I was surprised at how fancy some of the quilts were -- I'm used to seeing Amish quilts that are more plainly pieced. All in all, a very good day!

My quilting class starts tomorrow night, January 25, 2010, at 6:00 at the Veterans Building in Redwood City. I didn't get any sewing done this week, but I did do plenty of pattern-writing and printing. I should be all set for the start of class tomorrow. I can't wait to actually get to do some sewing of my own! So I have a pretty empty stash report again this week!

Fabric added this week: 0.00 yards

Fabric used this week: 0.00 yards

Fabric added this year: 2.50 yards

Fabric used this year: 5.75 yards

Total stash used this year: 3.25 yards

Stash Busting 2010 - Week 3

Not much sewing done this week. I should have been doing lots of different things, but I decided to make a Dear Jane block instead. I like it a lot! It's been a while since I made one and I'm really glad I took the time to make it. I also made a block for the Block Lottery for my class. I'm going to say that I used 1/4 yard between the two blocks.

Fabric added this week: 0.00 yards
Fabric used this week: 0.25 yards

Fabric added this year: 2.50 yards
Fabric used this year: 5.75 yards

Total stash used this year: 3.25 yards

Stash Busting 2010 - Week 2

The winter session of the quilting class starts soon. The preview is tomorrow night, Monday, January 11, 2010 at 6:00 pm at the Redwood City Veterans Building. Anyone local and interested should stop by, see the new projects and pick up the supply lists. The nine-patch quilt along that I had been working on is finally complete except for the binding. It was quite a challenge to take a picture of a quilt that large. I tried putting it on my bed, but as you can see above, that posed its own problem. I keep forgetting who really runs this house! Anyhow, you can see it in person tomorrow night at the preview (without the cat).

As for stash-busting, I have nothing to report this week. I pieced the back of a small wall hanging, but I'll count that out when I put the layers together, which should be in the next week. So no fabric in or out this week. I'm holding steady!

Fabric added this week: 0 yards

Fabric used this week: 0 yards

Fabric added this year: 2.50 yards

Fabric used this year: 5.50 yards

Total stash used in 2010: 3.00 yards

Occasional Quote

I wasn't sure how to title this post -- I didn't want to say "daily" quote, because I certainly am not that disciplined. At this point, I don't even want to commit to a monthly quote! I could try to do that, but in the end I know I would end up in a pinch at the end of the month and would post any old thing, and I want them to mean more to me than that. So for now, I'll just say that when I see a quote I really like, I'll post it here.

While blog-hopping, I saw this one that really spoke to me. I even looked it up to verify its accuracy.

He who works with his hands is a laborer.

He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.

He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.

St. Francis Of Assisi

Stash Busting 2010 - Week 1

The weekend sure came on us fast. Time to get back to the stashbusting reports. I did do a little sewing this weekend to prepare for class. I pieced together a backing for my scrappy nine-patch quilt, which took just over 5 yards. I also put borders on a small wall hanging that didn't take very much fabric. I'll count it as 5 1/2 yards total. During the week I added 1 1/2 yards that got used for part of the backing and 1 yard for binding. I'm starting out ahead of the game! Yay! Let's see how long that lasts...

Fabric added this week: 2.50 yards
Fabric used this week: 5.50 yards

Fabric added this year: 2.50 yards
Fabric used this year: 5.50 yards

Total usage: 3 yards used

Happy New Year 2010

Well here we are again -- a new year, a new decade. It seems like we were just waking up to 2009. Or for that matter, like we were just waking up to 2000. This year certainly did not turn out like I thought it would on the last January 1st. I lost my job of 11 years but found a new one, and in fact worked both for a while. The learning curve was steep, but I've been working through it and just completed my first year-end at the new company.

My class continued with great success. I'm so happy with the group -- we're constantly adding new students into the fold. They do me proud and produced lots of amazing quilts this past year. I worked hard on my stashbusting efforts. With what time I did have to quilt, I concentrated on using stash and scraps. I just completed a scrappy nine-patch quilt for the next session that I am very happy with. I tried to post my stash usage and additions. I lost track toward the end of the year, but by my calculations, I came out about even with how much I used versus how much I added. I'm pleased with this -- past years have all seen lots of fabric added, so this is progress. I'll be starting with the stash tracking anew in 2010.

I went on an unintended blogging break toward the end of the year. I still have lots to share from the past year: quilt shows, vacation and my "big" birthday. I'll share those with you in the coming days.

I have decided that my main goal for 2010 is to work on some UFO's. Stash busting will still be a major focus, as well as completing two projects that will have deadlines. I'll keep you posted on how that all goes, of course. But for now, onwards and upwards! Happy New Year, and thanks for sticking with me and reading my blog!