Sunday, February 23, 2014

Stash Report

Used since last report:         0.00 yards
Used year to Date:              0.00 yards
Added since last report:       0.00 yards
Added Year to Date:            6.50 yards
Net Used for 2014:             - 6.50 yards 

Wow!! No additions to the quilt stash. Since I was going to be at a machine embroidery retreat last week, I did add some fleece & twill for embroidery projects.

The machine embroidery retreat was a lot of fun. Here is some "Show & Tell" from attendees:
Sewing machine cover with machine embroidery.

Twister quilt

Applique' quilt

Machine quilted with the embroidery module.

Machine embroidered quilt.

This year we managed to complete or come close to completing more projects. Since they are all a learning process, they do not always turn out exactly as planned but become "Design Opportunities." LOL  Here are a couple of the projects that I worked on.

Embroidery on the front of a vest for my daughter.

Ribbons with embroidery on top for a pillow insert.

Embroidery on one end of a fleece scarf.

Can cozy with name, tablet holder with initial and a blackboard bag assembled all in the hoop.
The blackboard bag was a lot of fun and the saying is so true: "So much fabric, so little time." There are more sayings, as well as, sizes in the embroidery design package I purchased. It just seems like a person always can use or give away these small zippered bags.

The tablet holder will work for paper tablets or the electronic ones. A super fun and simple project using a place mat.

All in all the five days at the retreat was a lot of fun but sure am tired once I arrived home. My friend Maureen and I roomed together again. We had a snow storm the night before we were to come home, so Maureen and others ended up staying an extra night. I did manage to drive home on Friday because I only lived 30 miles away. It was some of the worst roads that we have had for a few years but what can I say --- we live in Minnesota.

Hugs to all and make sure you hop over to Patchwork Times and see what others are doing.

Hugs, Beth


Sunday, February 9, 2014

Stash Report


Used since last report:                  0.00 yards
Used YTD:                                     0.00 yards
Added since last report:               4.50 yards
Added YTD:                                   6.50 yards
Net Used YTD:                              - 6.50 yards 

I sure have not been very productive lately, but I am "okay with that!"  Sometimes we just have to give ourselves a time out. I have been working on projects, just have not finished any.  Now that I have gotten the "whine ------" out of my system!!  LOL

On Thursday evening at our quilt guild meeting, I won one of the birthday drawings. It was the a very fun basket. There was a teapot, cup, tray, and tea bag holder. Also the cutest fat eights of fabric, Quilter's Apprentice book, slow cooker, and a red "Princess" teddy bear. I think the fabric will be used to make a sewing machine mat for my Featherweight. After all, she deserves the very best!! VBG




The other fabrics were purchased but they were all on "SALE." That is always great justification for purchasing fabric. Right? The check is for on some towel edges after I get recipes machine embroidered on them. The rest is stash enhancement - I borrowed that phrase!!


I have re-organized a walk-in closet that I use for most of the overflow supplies from my quilting studio. While re-organizing, I have been noting all the UFO's. I pulled one out to be finished this quarter as part of my challenge to finish a UFO per quarter. The problem I had with this quilt is -- it was a mystery block of the month I participated in quite a number of years ago. I had to force myself to finish the center. All it has needed is for the borders to be put on and then quilted. Well - it was just "too PINK" and reminded me of Pepto BismoL. Since I used to suffer from motion sickness as a child, my mother was always feeding me Pepto Bismol. Can you understand now why I didn't like so much pink? You know what??? When I dragged the quilt out, it wasn't so bad after all. In fact, I quite like it.  Isn't it amazing how our perspective can change?  I did find a fat quarter of a solid pink in my stash to insert before adding the final border.  Being able to use my stash is always a plus.

Mystery Quilt
Two of my friends did come out on one of the coldest days this winter and sewed with me. What nice hardy Minnesotans for friends. Mary is busy cutting sashing for her quilt and Maureen is steadily ironing.  We had a good day and everyone got home safely.


Hope everyone is staying warm and safe. This had been quite the winter!!

Hugs to all and make sure you hop over to Patchwork Times and see what others are doing.

Hugs, Beth