Stash Report and Basting spray

I did go to Joann's of black Friday and bought 5 fat quarters. I used up about 4 yards of fabric this week doing projects. I am mostly likely going to be close to my goal but I think NOT for reducing the stash to 1/2 tote. I have about 3/4 + with some of the purchases in the past couple of months. I need to purge the fabrics that I won't use. I also have preprinted panels in the closet that Dad found at the sale, remember? So I have more net fabrics than when I started. I have BIG PLANS for next year.

Basting spray is very cool. Saved me time and so far the back and front of the quilt is flat. Yipppeeeee!!!!!! Thanks for the tip everyone. See my Pumpkins gone wild?? And, yes that is black cotton batting, 40% off at theLQS.

I also used several fat quarters to make these cute 8" blocks. I may make a snowball and 9 patch with this. I need to think about how I want to finish. I just needed something easy after the pineapples!!

Black Friday

But not for me, I slept in. I heard the crowds at Wal mart and ABC warehouse were lined up at 5 am. My parents were out before Mom had to go to work.

I cleaned up the kitchen this morning that was nearly clean from yesterday. I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family. I didn't do anything but eat, watch football and clean up a little. My husband did the turkey and stuffing. I made the green bean casserole. Mom made the pies. It was delicious.

I think I will run over to Joann's today and see if there are any good sales. Dad has the day off so we will do something and not just sit around!! I have started to get ideas for Christmas but I am not shopping much for them today. Probably more online shopping for me.

The DS and Dh are deer hunting with Uncle out at the cabin today and tomorrow. That means sewing time for me..... be prepared for some great finishes.

It snowed last night and now it feels more like the holidays. I bought the DVD that shows a fireplace and I like to watch it. It is relaxing. No smell or concerns about safety!! I know it's weird but I like it and think it will be nice for my computer at work too. I am going to put in the DVD player now and get some coffee.

Frustration

I can't seem to machine quilt anything without some puckers on the back. Today's project was worse than the last one I machine quilted. Today I quilted a table runner and it was worse than the larger project. It wouldn't be such an issue but I wanted this to be a gift. I will try again to see if I can get better results.

I pin baste, I have hand basted , I have done it on the floor as well as on a table. I haven't tried clamping or taping the back. That will be next. .... Any Tips? Anyone? Anyone?

I did add borders to the X quilt and I found 2 fat quarters at Joann's that I haven't been able to find since the one fat quarter I purchases a few months ago. I love how it looks.

I am not a multi border person. I don't like heavily pieced boarders and I am not a scalloped border type. Some borders that are too showy detract from the quilt, I think. So I stick with simple borders.

Everyone is in bed. I have a night time ritual in the bath (brushing teeth, face creams and wash etc) when I noticed I didn't wash towels today. I washed everything else BUT!! I had a busy day 4 stores to grocery shop for all the Thanksgiving feast, cleaning up the kitchen, assisting with meals, going to church, talking on the phone, playing on the computer not counting the 4 loads of laundry completed. Sigh, at least there is a quick wash setting.

I am thankful for modern appliances that can do quick wash!!

Stashbuster Report

I quilted a top yesterday and the link is the photo. I have used about 2-3 yards this week. BUT I purchased 6 fat quarters for the next exchange I am in that has specific colors not in my stash. Now for the rest of the year I need to quilt the tops I have made and I want to make at least one tote bag. Those projects use up the fabrics!!

It is a cold a frosty morning. I feel the early signs of winter which was upon us at this time last year. I have Thanksgiving shopping to do today and I plan to have a some family over.

This is a week for my marathon sewing again. Hunting season for deer keeps the guys busy so I will be doing alot of sewing.

I quilted a top today!!

...and now I need to bind it. I think I have about 3 projects to bind. I am getting better at the back being flat and without wrinkles. I love this collection from Moda. This measures about 44 inches square.

I bought some wool felt today. I love working with it but it makes me sneeze! I want to make some wool appliques.

I made apple crisp today at the request of my DH. He texted me from the deer blind asking to please make some. How funny, he must have been hungry. No deer yet.

Grocery shopping tomorrow, I will start buying things for Thanksgiving. I am really excited about the days off. I have the house to myself starting Friday due to hunting for the guys So that means more sewing. I need to get the quilts basted this week.

I have a scathingly brilliant idea!

That line is from a movie called "The trouble with Angels" and it's star is Hailey Mills. I watched the play version at the parochial school last night. It was very well done and very enjoyable. I love that movie, I may need to rent it.

I have been thinking about projects this week but not much is getting done. I had a couple of 'scathingly brilliant' ideas but no action on them. I need to go to the store and buy some notions so I can try out my ideas but that may not happen until tomorrow. I want to make an interchangeable seasonal wall hanging. I think it can be done!

I will be prepping a quilt for the machine tonight if all goes well!!

More tops to add to the WIP list

I received my spool blocks from the Hand Dids exchange ( a yahoo group) and they are together now!! I need to pick a nice border for it. This is what I worked on so much in September. The block is easy but I found it very hard to get the points lined up. Of course, my blocks were the ones that needed a bit of easing to line up right. Sigh, my X blocks were like that too. I feel so inadequate sometimes! Someone hand-pieced their blocks in the batch too. My hero!!!

The last pineapple was made for this top. I think I have enough of the fabrics left to make a border for it. This is a rough layout. I love pineapples but I am going to rest from this pattern for a little bit. They are exhausting to make.

I need to get basting!! And finishing.

Another beautiful and unseasonably warm day. I went for a walk and it was a no -jacket- needed -type of day. Very unusual for November here. First day of deer season is tomorrow, so I will have an afternoon to myself. I am working on not catching my DS swine flu. He is getting better, hopefully he will be back in the old routine Monday.

Would you like a piece...of cake?

Today was a great day. No work, very little house cleaning and some sewing done! I sewed another pincushion see a total of 4 from 2 fat quarters, another pineapple block, I crocheted a granny square and I finished clipping the seams of my rag quilt (see below front and back photo). I even exercised, too.

Sigh, back to the old routine tomorrow. I am trying to think of something to be thankful for every day even beyond Thanksgiving Day. It helps to keep focused on what is really important.

Monday

Another beautiful day. Monday was nice for me, but DS has H1N1 and feeling a little puny. Hopefully, tomorrow will be better with meds.

I did get two potholders finished, they just needed binding on the edges. I have made another pincushion, just like the one pictured earlier.

Off to make the apple pie that I intended to make yesterday. The kitchen sink wasn't draining so I put if off until today. I can't cook/bake without the ability to wash dishes!! DH made a trip to Home Depot and fixed the problem while I was at the doctor with DS. Ahhh, clean dishes and running water. How did people live without them eons ago??

Another sunshiny day!!

I didn't get alot of things sewn this week but I plan to this next week. I had the block exhange with my local friends yesterday. It was a small group but a wonderful time of sharing stories, tips and blocks.

Here is my swap blocks together! Now to find just the right border. This block was a challenge and I love the results.

Stash report: Nothing in and very little out. I am hovering at 3/4 of a tote. I have plans to really use up alot of fabric this week making items for Christmas and general fun!! I am not going to allow myself to get sick with the germs my family has because I get an extra day off from work!!

Something New

I thought the pincushion featured in the magazine pictured, was really cute. Mine is pretty sassy for the first time through!! It isn't stuffed yet because I need to add the reinforcement interfacing, as called for in the pattern, and add the rose on the top. So far it looks close to the pattern and I am so pleased!!

It snowed last night but melted. Whew, not quite ready for the white stuff yet. Snow does inspire me to get moving on my holiday plans, though.

Suday Stash report

Wow, this week has been slow on the creative front. I made a couple of pineapple blocks. That makes 8 done, 4 to go!! Nothing added to the stash and none out really. I still have about 3/4 of a tote. I would like to get it to 1/2 by the end of the year.

The rain and wind made for a slow night of Trick or Treaters at my house. I think the adults had a nice fill of candy that was left. My son had a party to go to. He was Elwood Blues. My parents came over and helped pass out candy.

I am so shocked that it is November 1 today. I have been preoccupied with my pet's illness, his passing and trying to get myself together with my thyroid adjustments and getting healthy again. It takes so long to get the levels straight.

So to look ahead, I have Veteran's Day off of work so I need to get my Christmas gift ideas firmed up. I think that I want to make some pincushions, needle cases, and purses. Not all in one day :), of course. This will be a week of prepping for my marathon sewing that day.