Sunday Stash Report

I am contining my 6 inch blocks for the Victory quilts (brighter blocks, pieced) and the longer term project Civil War Diary Quilt (muted, paper pieced). Love them both and I like both piecing techniques. The first block sky rocket is hard to get the right size and the points will get clipped when setting into the quilt. I think I need to try that one again.

Over the past month, I have finally hit using 1-2 yards of fabric. Then yesterday I purchased a grab bag with lots of scraps including the Hushabye from Moda for 10$ what a bargain!! I was going to buy 2 fat quarters for $6 , for a block exchange I am in...when I saw this, I had to buy it. It has tons of hushabye in it and some other great pieces. So my tote is still full and has another .25 floating around in other bins. I am on a quest to make tops right now, just because I have a need to make them. Finishing will be later.

Ok so my DH and I decided this is the year to lose wieght and get in shape. We are both overweight and having the health concerns that develop in your 40's. I have lost 4 pounds this month, yea me. He has lost 19 POUNDS this month. Yea him but it just isn't fair, is it!!!! He is more disciplined in eating and I am more disciplined in exercising. Both are needed but watching what goes in makes a huge difference.

January is the month that drives me to look for something new and different because of what we here in the north call "cabin fever." Too many cold, grey days makes me a little restless. I am looking at ways to change things up and do things differently. Any one else have the 'cabin fever' like me?

WHAT!?!?!

Today I was feeling great about this block. It went together in record time. I was thinking to myself, this paper piecing is not so hard. I think I am becoming a Master paper piecer, I could take on any pattern, I could have these blocks done in record time....then I sewed my last piece on and flipped it over.

The pieces were all in place, properly today. Then I noticed a hole worn in the center of a piece in the middle. Of Course!! No problem, I just take off 2 pieces then fix it. Well, that's when it all went wrong. The fabric tore cutting it apart. I had to cut more pieces. Then I cut the tip off the paper. It is finished, no holes, the pieces are in proper order and I thought this was overall an easier block. Better than the one I thought would be easy yesterday. Well, I have got tons to learn and NEVER think that it is going so well again.

I thought I better stop sewing while I was ahead and do more tomorrow!

Tuesday

I made two blocks today. One for each quilt. I made so many mistakes on the civil war quilt block, so, done is better than perfect!! I removed the seams several times and I am afraid to take it apart again or the seams will tear the fabric. I think it is ok as is just don't look it up in the book to compare to the pattern.

The star turned out cute. I love the fabrics in this collection.

Now to watch Biggest Loser and be inspired... and over come my craving for potato chips and dip.

Monday's Blocks

I completed three blocks tonight. The first two are from the Civil War Diary Quilt book. They are both 6 inch and paper pieced. I am reading each diary entry that corresponds with the blocks. One was so touching about being spared, so far at the time of the writing, from the horrors of the war. Real people living through hard times--not just an event in my history books.

The next block is pieced and the third block of 20 for my Victory quilt. I love these bright, vibrant fabrics that are inspired by the 40's. More history!! Over time I have learned so much and love history thanks to my husband's deep interest in it. And the History channel.

I have three tops going at once. Hmmm. A long term, short term and intermediate term project. Don't worry they will get done.

What I have been up to this afternoon

I did decided to start my Victory Quilt with the Victory Garden fabrics. This is a Quilt in a day design and I have the book. It is the best one Eleanor Burns has published, I think.

I made one last spring in scrappy colors. I wanted a white background to go with the patriotic theme in the 40's fabrics. I needed the bright colors to counteract the drab January grey days.
These are also 6 inch blocks but pieced.

Sunday Stash Reports

I have been sewing nearly every day on the little Civil War Diary Quilt blocks and only about a yard of fabric was used. 23 done. I am sewing lots of blocks but I need to get some quilts done!!! I have about 1.25 totes full of fabrics.

I went to another quilt shop and bought a yard of the red Victory Garden fabric from Eleanor Burn's line for a border for that quilt. I think I will start it today. I need a break from paper piecing, it gets my nerves going at times.

The worst thing about having my thyoid removed is getting the meds adjusted. I am over corrected on my thyroid, I believe, so now I feel jittery, heart rate is resting at 100. I have lowered my meds but it takes weeks to get a change. Sigh, I knew it would happen at some point as my levels were approaching normal. Stupid meds!!

I am halfway there on finishing my first prayer shawl!! Now, where is my morning coffee...

Today's block is called Rachel's Frustrations. Hmmmm, a good name for a pinwheel block :) I have a little bit of trouble with the triangles in the middle yet.