Things of Inspiration and Interest 03/23/10

In my travels around the blogosphere, I have found some really interesting things. There are a lot of people doing great things out there! Unfortunately, I usually cannot find my way back to these websites after I leave them. In an effort to keep track of these things and to share them with you, I'm going to just make a quick post and link to them as I find them.

First up, a blog project by Lisa Congdon called "A Collection a Day, 2010", where she posts a picture of a collection of items every day in 2010. The collections are as fascinating to me as is the fact that she does this daily. As in Every. Single. Day.

I can't link to a picture, so you'll have to hop over there to check it out!

National Quilting Day 2010

I'm back! I couldn't let National Quilting Day go by without posting! I've been a little out of sorts since posting last. I got that nasty head cold that seems to be going around lately. After I got over that I went through a couple of weeks of just generally not feeling well -- very tired and low energy to the point of not being able to get much done other than work. I feel like I'm finally out of that funk and coming back to life. Right now I'm scrambling to get my projects ready for the next session of my quilting class which starts next month. I have one quilt that just needs borders, a table runner top that needs quilting and finishing, and another twin sized top that I'm a little farther behind on. I have all of the smaller units made and I need to assemble the blocks and then put those together. Yikes!

I did put together a Dear Jane block in class last week, and I'm really happy with it (see picture above). It is C3, and I foundation pieced it. It is a pretty straightforward block that I could have pieced the traditional way, but I like the accuracy of the foundation piecing, so I did it that way. I have another DJ block that is partially made, so maybe I'll be showing that one soon!

It's getting late and we're going out for burgers later (at my favorite burger joint) so I better get some sewing done before National Quilting Day is over!!

Stash Busting 2010 - Week 6

I've been doing very little sewing lately. I don't know if it's the weather or the tiring work days or what. I awoke early this morning to sun in my eyes. At first I was mad because I knew I would not be able to get back to sleep with such bright light. Then with a jolt I thought, hey the sun's in my eyes - yay! It was a wonderfully sunny morning. I'll take it!

I've been trying to work out the projects I want to teach in my next quilting class session, which is coming right up. I bought the above pack of fat quarters last year on a whim -- I liked the bright colors which I seem to have so little of in my stash. They are washed but not pressed in the picture. I think I've decided on a project for them and for class all at the same time. Now I have a bunch of figuring to do to see if it will work with fat quarters.

I did buy some more solid white fabric that is earmarked for this project, but if I can't get it to work out, it will go into my stash. So here's my report for this week:

Fabric added this week: 2.00 yards
Fabric used this week: 0.00 yards

Fabric added this year: 4.50 yards
Fabric used this year: 5.75 yards

Total stash busted this year: 1.25 yards

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!

Merry Christmas 2009

The gifts are made and purchased and wrapped and we are off to my sister's house for the family Christmas celebration. I hope to be posting more regularly now that the rush is over.

I have been wanting to let everyone know about what I heard Alex Anderson is up to right now! Beginning today, December 25th, she is posting a free redwork pattern each day for 12 days on her website. I'm not sure how long each pattern will be available, so stop by daily for the free pattern.

I wish everyone a happy, healthy and safe holiday! Merry Christmas everyone!

Sale at Connecting Threads!

I got an e-mail today from Connecting Threads with news of a big sale going through 12/15/09. All of their fabrics, which are pretty inexpensive already, are 40% off!! This is an awesome deal! I picked up 4 yards of fabric to be used for backing a quilt I'm making right now, and it cost me less than $15.00!! I also got a half yard of another fabric for less than $2.00. Yes, I know I'm trying to bust my stash. If you are doing the same, then this is a dangerous website. But $3.58 per yard is too good to pass up!! No affiliation or compensation on my part -- I just want to spread the news...

Blog Hopping

There's a neat little blog hop going on right now amongst 12 quilt designers -- 12 days of recipes, memories, and free project ideas called the Cross Country Christmas Blog Hop. It is being hosted by Gudrun of GE Designs. I've been having fun checking in with each blog daily. Today is Terry Atkinson's day to post a project (see picture above pilfered from her blog). It is for Molten Chocolate Cake Mugs. I LOVE this idea for a quick(ish) and inexpensive gift. It would be a good idea to have some of these made up and at the ready in December. There are prizes for commenting on all of the blogs and lots of ideas. Hop on over and check it out!!

Dear Jane L4

I finally got another Dear Jane block done! I have a ton of projects that I should be working on, but I didn't want to have to do a bunch of designing and figuring. So I printed out L4 and got to it. The real thing looks pretty good. The picture above is a scan than got a little crooked. Cropping it makes it look pretty far off. Oh well. One more down!

Okay, Break Time's Over!

Sorry for not announcing my little blogging break in advance, but it actually it wasn't planned at first. Things got very busy for a bit and then all of a sudden I had lost a whole month! I have lots of things to share from the summer, vacation news, and two quilt shows! I'll try to get the pictures organized for posting soon.

In the mean time, it's November, and we all know what that means... Handmade Holidays is back on at the Sew, Mama, Sew! website. This is the third year for Handmade Holidays. Every day of the month they post a whole slew of tutorial links related to the topic of the day. They also have daily recipes, and giveaways for commenting. I have found many great ideas and tutorials for quick gift items in the past two years. It's fun to check in daily to see what new things await us. Pop over and check it out!