Stash Rerpot 032518

Fabric In:  College E was home the week before last and we were out thrifting looking for a dress for a gala dinner.  Thank goodness she likes to thrift, since that makes dress shopping possible.  She found a dress with the price tag still on it! and while we were waiting to check out I spied rolls of fabric in a small bin.  Hmmm.

Deceptive little bundles - minimum 1 yard each!!

$1 each so it was worth a try.  Plus it was blacks and a neutral which are always useful.  I had never seen fabric at this particular store, so I was interested. I got the solid bright pink at our next stop.  It got used up the next week so that was good.  4.61 yards for $3.50

Good neutrals even if precut

Turns out the blacks and white were cut into squares and rectangles, but 12" squares and lengths so that is still very usable fabric.


Fabric Out:

My class made these super cute bunny treat bags.  They did the initial sewing and turning the ears and I finished up the casing. 1 yard + 7 yards assorted ribbon

Bunny Bags at School

I have another commissioned quilt - Chinese coins in pinks and grays.  I used all the pinks I had in my pre-cut drawers regardless of width.  I like the randomness of that.  I also cut a few strips from my pink yardage.  The pinks are all over the spectrum from very, very light to dark dusty rose, but I think it works.  The bright pink sashing ties it all together and the gray calms it down.  The client provided the gray so I can't count that as out, but the coins and the bright pink are from the stash.  2.39 yards

Ready for a good ironing.

Fabric Purchased this week: 4.61 yards
Fabric Purchased YTD: 25.86 yards

Fabric Acquired this week: 0 yards

Fabric Acquired YTD: 10 yards

Fabric Used this week:  3.39 yards for Bunny Bags & Chinese Coins
Fabric Used YTD: 29.04 yards

Total: 6.82 yards stashed

I'm still not getting out of the hole, but it isn't that deep.  I have a few projects on the horizon that will help me out.  Plus this week is our Spring Break and that will keep me home sewing I hope.

I am still keeping up with Kate over at Life in Pieces trying to get 15 minutes of stitching or sewing related work done every day.  I am doing much better now that I am not bringing work home.

Days stitched since last report: 13/14
Days stitched this month:  19/24
Days stitched this year: 74/83
Success Rate: 89%


Linking up to QuiltPaintCreate and Life in Pieces to keep accountable.

Bunny Bag Bonanza

I saw these Bunny Treat Bags and just couldn't get them out of my mind.  I was smart enough to realize that making 16 of them for my students was not the best way to go about it.

Filled and ready to go home.

So the students did the initial sewing in class and then I finished them up.  They even learned how to turn the ears inside out.  Some of them were able to thread the ribbon through with the safety pin.

Stinkin' cute!

We did this along with an egg drop (protect the egg and drop it from the ladder) instead of a party and big egg hunt and it was a huge success.  I am not big on parties.

Love 'em!

So with some help from my students I have a finish to report.

Disclaimer: While I did follow the directions found at this site - mostly - there were a few adaptions for the sake of ease for sewing with children.  I did not print out the directions (too lazy) but free-handed ears on the 5" squares and that worked fine.  I also just turned the fabric freely to get the lower curve on the face as the kids had the pedal to the metal.  I did not make the buttonholes.  I just cut a tiny slit and for the use it will get that will be fine.  Some got ironed and some didn't.  I do recommend taking the time to iron.

Linking up to Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Crazy Mom Quilts to show off finishes.

Friday Finish - Burp Cloths

My SIL in Guatemala is having a baby.  She is the baby of the family (by 20 years!) so this is a big deal for the family.  I had been holding off making anything until I knew the gender.  Then we recently got word that the ultrasound showed that it was a girl.

Elegant burp cloths

So when I received the big blessing a fabric a few weeks ago, I pulled out some very pretty fabric that was already the correct size for burp cloths.  There was also coordinating flannel.  It was the weekend before Senor G was headed down to Guatemala and before the super busy weeks at work started, so I got a set of 4 burp cloths made for him to take down.

Definitely will hide messy clean ups!

While he was gone, my girls reported that they don't really know that the baby is a girl - or they aren't saying for sure.  Oh well.  They have girl burp cloths and if it isn't a girl they can gift them to someone else.  I am glad I didn't make a quilt until I know absolutely for sure. 

Linking up to Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Crazy Mom Quilts to show off finishes.

UFO Challenge - Cobwebs

In my determination to finish things,  my spiderweb blocks finally made it to the top of the pile a few weeks ago.  I love the look of string piecing, but it turns out I don't really like to do it.

The last 4 triangles had already been made, but needed to be de-papered.  Then I played with a few layouts. The reds are not all the same, so I wanted to get them pretty well randomized but I didn't want to agonize over it and not get it done.

Spiderweb Blocks ready for a border (s)

It is always good to try new things and I am not sorry I started this, just not sure I would string piece again.  But who knows.  So many quilts I like are string pieced I may just have to get over it.  The thriftiness of it sure appeals to me!

It definitely needs borders, so I made end up string piecing some more after all.  But for now there are some deadline projects looming on the horizon, so this is back on the UFO pile, but one step closer to finished.

Linking up to Jo's Country Junction to share UFO progress.

Stash 031118

It was a close call, but nothing came in this week.  The last few weeks have been so very hectic that I briefly considered "treating" myself to thrift therapy.  Then I got smart and went up and cleaned my project room to get ready for the deadline projects that are looming.

Done a week in advance. Woo hoo.

In the process I finished a work apron for Easter.  It was made from scraps and in one place I had to piece on top of a piece on top of a piece to make the design line up.  There was still a tiny gap, so it had gotten set aside.  I got it patched up pretty well, but then I also didn't have enough fabric to make a pocket and I can't work without a pocket.

You can hardly tell the spot is patched.

So I made a 4-patch pocket and in the search for something pretty for the trim I found and already made pink ribbon rose.  I added more of the lace and made a big yo-yo of turquoise to pinned it over the parched spot.

Looking good.

I wish the turquoise yo-yo had ended up larger, but overall I am pleased with the finished product. 

Our school Art Show was this past week and we got the Handprint Quilt done in time.  The handprint squares had been given to me and also the backing fabric, so I can only count out the white squares, border and binding.

Handprint Quilt is home for the weekend.

Fabric Purchased this week: 0 yards
Fabric Purchased YTD: 21.24 yards

Fabric Acquired this week: 0 yards

Fabric Acquired YTD: 10 yards

Fabric Used this week:  1.39 yards for Easter apron and Handprint Quilt
Fabric Used YTD: 25.65 yards

Total: 5.59 yards stashed

I'm still in the hole, but not by much.  Hopefully now that things are calming down I'll have some more finishes and more time sewing. 

Days stitched this week: 5/7
Days stitched this month:  6/10
Days stitched this year: 61/69
Success Rate: 88%


Linking up to QuiltPaintCreate to stay accountable with the stash and Life in Pieces  to keep sewing every day.

Handprint Quilt

Our school Art Show was last night.  This quilt that was made (mostly) by the students was on display.  The parents could not believe their children had even touched the sewing machine, let alone safety pins!

Bright and cheery!

It was so fun to make and share the joy of sewing with the children.  It will stay on display in the classroom til the end of the school year and then it will come home with me since the handprint squares were a birthday gift from the students.  I think it will be a nice wall hanging in my sewing/project room.  Now I am trying to think of something we can sew for mother's day.

On display representing Summer.

Now that the Art Show is over, and our student who is moving to another school has had her send off (with the all important, super time-consuming portfolio!), and my application for a new job is nearly ready to hit the submit button I am hoping to get back to some semblance of normality.  Sewing has been hit or miss for a few weeks and I am missing it.  It really is my therapy.  I have two deadline quilts coming up and that will give me some focus.

Linking up to Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Crazy Mom Quilts to show off finishes.

BOM Challenge Treasure Box

So far this has been a breeze.

My goal!

Just lay out the pre-cut pieces and sew!!

Pre-cut is definitely the way to go if you are looking for fast and easy.

Each block has a story, which is kind of fun.

Months 1, 2, 3.  I am current!

Linking up to Jo's Country Junction to share BOM progress.