Hands 2 Help 2016

Sarah over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict is again hosting Hands 2 Help.  This is a fun opportunity to make quilts for a good cause.  I know it doesn't take much of a reason for me to make a quilt at all, but she has 2 great causes in the USA and another in Canada. 

All you have to do it sign up, make the quilt and send it off.  If you get in on this by March 20 your name will be entered for some amazing drawings.  I won $25 worth of fabric in the drawing 2 years ago.  That was fun!

So head on over to the Hands 2 Help sign up page and join the fun.

99 Baseballs Shirts to Mend, 99 Baseball Shirts

Actually just 60, but it felt like 99! The high school baseball team shirts were not staying buttoned.  The plan was to sew the front shut in a large rectangle between the first and last buttons but the words had to be lined up and sewn down as well and that thread color was different than the shirt color.  I was thankful it was this solution and not resewing all the buttons - double yuck!

30 white shirts - sewn, counted and ready to go

Turns out the husband of my coworker helps with the team so when they were looking at options she threw my name out.  I had done a sewing job for her not long ago and told her to feel free to give my name to people.  

I did a test - actually 2 tests - a grey shirt and a white shirt since the fabric was different.  Mr H took them to the coach with my bid.  They were pleased with my work and he offered more than double what I had bid. Turns out that was still lower than the "professional" sports place they were considering.  And much more economical than buying new shirts.

30 grey shirts with  lemon verbena soap to attempt to offset the "athletic" smell

A fantastic job opportunity for me.  I worked very hard and had the white set done 2 days early so he was able to wash them before the game.  They were super stinky. Then I got the grey set done a week earlier than their date.  I really can only sew on the weekends so I was not surprised with myself for getting it done quickly. It was very repetitious so I didn't want it to drag on any longer than absolutely necessary. Assembly line sewing allowed me to go even faster than on my tests which helped a lot. 

Mr H was thrilled beyond words to have them done well within the time.  I also did minor repairs on the decorative piping and he paid even more for that.  

I love it when a job turns out even better than you hope. 

Lesson #1:  I don't charge enough for my sewing skill.  I talked to my sister about that and she agreed.  We'll see what really happens when I get another paying job though. 

Lesson #2:  Don't dilly dally on a job. If I had not finished the commissioned moon quilt by the original date I would not have finished the carnival auction quilts and then I would not have had time for this job which was more profitable than all the rest.  

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

Stash Report 031316

I realized I never reported the fabric used to finish up Carnival Auction Quilt #2.  Thank goodness, since otherwise I would have nothing to report!

Unfortunately when I was ready to bind this quilt I could not find the black fabric I had gotten a while back. I had struggled about getting the black then, but it was remnants on clearance and I knew I would use it.  So I was really really frustrated that I could not find it when I needed it.  I actually had to make a trip to the store to buy a 1/2 yard in order to finish the quilt.  It just didn't seem fair, since I had actually planned for it. 

A few weeks after the quilt was done I was doing some deep cleaning in my bedroom - where I DO NOT keep fabric - and I found the original black fabric in a really weird spot.  I can only guess that it must have come in from the clothesline and hadn't gotten put away in the sewing room and maybe company was coming so I just put it somewhere to get it out of the way.  Oh well, now I have black fabric for a future quilt.

I'm really hoping to sew during our Spring Break in 2 weeks, but with College Visits for Middle E I am not sure it is going to happen.  At least it is on my radar.


Fabric Used/Out This Week: 2.8 yards

Fabric Used/Out in 2016: 10.9 yards

Fabric In This Week:  0.5 yards 

Fabric In 2016: 3.5 yards
 
Net Used 2016:  7.4 yards


Sharing our Stash Reports with Patchwork Times

Commissioned Baby Quilt is a Huge Success

Once I got going on this it went together quickly.  The due date was postponed, but I stuck with the original date and I'm so glad I did.  More on that later.

Quilt 60" x 60", pillowcase, 4 personalized flannel-backed burpcloths  - DONE!!!

Quilt 60" x 60"

Quilted with stippling and stars!

4 personalized burpcloths

Deer head fabric for the Dad-to-be!

I felt like I did quality work. Client was pleased.  So job well done!!

Showing off finishes with Crazy Mom Quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Stash Report 030616

5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed that is nicely covered with a blanket

A little bit more out this week thanks to the monkeys.   Our theme this week at school was monkeys, specifically those rascally monkeys that are famous for jumping on the bed.

So we made beds out of boxes covered with wrapping paper and left open at one end, so everything could be stored inside.  Monkeys were cut and glued to Popsicle sticks and the best part..... Blankets for the beds.  I went thru my odd soft scraps and cut blankets.  The kids really loved the softness. 

To be honest some of this fabric was destined for goodwill because it was small chunks or narrow strips I just didn't know what to do with, so this was perfect.  I love surprise outages!

Fabric Used/Out This Week: 1.0 yard

Fabric Used/Out in 2016: 8.1 yards

Fabric In This Week:  0 yards 

Fabric In 2016: 3 yards
 
Net Used 2016:  5.1 yards

Linking up to Judy at Patchwork Times to share our stash reports. 

Carnival Auction Quilt #2 Done

The quilting went relatively smoothly on this one.  I really really like the variegated thread.  

I was a tiny bit concerned about the flannel backing being too thick but it didn't cause any problems. 

Initial response is that the class loves it.  I just hope that translates to high bidding for it at the silent auction.

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

Tasty Tuesday - Banana Bread

I've tried a lot of banana breads, read a lot of banana bread recipes and even been to a banana bread making demonstration.  For my family this one is the winner.  I found it on the side of the bag of "day old" bananas at Winn Dixie soon after we moved to the United States.

When our bananas are past their prime I put them in the freezer still in the peel.  Then when I am ready to bake I just pull out three and let them thaw a bit and they work perfectly.  They don't look good, but they taste great in this recipe.

BANANA BREAD

1 stick butter at room temp
3/4 c sugar
2 eggs
1 c flour (all purpose)
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 c whole wheat flour
3 large ripe bananas, mashed
1 t vanilla (I use 2 t)
1/2 c walnuts, coarsely chopped (The girls don't like nuts so we skip this.)

1. Preheat oven to 350F.  Grease 9x5x3 metal bread pan.

2. Cream butter & sugar til light and fluffly.  Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

3. Sift all purpose flour, baking soda and salt together, stir in whole wheat flour and add to creamed mixture, mixing well.

4.  Fold in bananas, vanilla and walnuts.

5. Pour mixture into pan, bake 50 - 60 minutes or til tooth pick comes out clean.  Coool in pan 10 min, then on rack.

Makes one loaf.