Sunday Stash

For my recent birthday I received a little money, which I put to good use buying fabric 

(a girl can't have too much!).

Here are my spoils!

6 yards of Lecien Flower Sugar.  I'm going to use this as the background for my Gypsy Kisses quilt.  I've been thinking of doing a quilt along with tutorials, different techniques, etc. beginning next year (I've got to finish this year's projects first).  But I'd love to know if anyone's interested/their thoughts on that idea.

I ordered this Eco Twill in Stone for Sam's Easter suit and some fusible stabilizer for Will's Easter outfit and had to round out my order to get free shipping.  These goodies hopped on in and filled up my cart (Acacia, Bright and Buzzy honeycomb, and Geekly Chic glasses).

Another order had the green ducks from Country Girls, an Avalon charm pack, and that awesome Scrumptious dot.  I think I'm going to use it for the eyes of my Gypsy Kisses quilt.  Now that I have seen it in person, I think I need a bolt of it.

And lastly, I got these.  The Little Kukla dolls tell me they want to be a summer bag(?).  I LOVE the Sweet as Honey prints.  I'd get more of both.  My mom said the floral would make a great dress.  I have to agree - and I think that tiny touch of dark pink/red makes the print.  The Wee Wander - well, I seem to be on a blue kick lately.

Now I have to use these goodies - anyone know where I can get an extra secret two hours in a day?

Linking up to Sunday Stash with Molli Sparkles at A Stitch in Between!

Nursery Fabric

I got the big box that was the remainder of my nursery fabric orders today!  It's gorgeous - I'm so excited.  Here are the goodies:

Fabric for pillows (black for piping) for the rocker

 White denim (not pictured, it's just white) to reupholster this beaut

 Buffalo check for a changing table pad cover, and a cow print and hounds tooth for crib sheets

 The fabrics for the quilt - I pulled all from my stash that I could and then got a few more to give it a little extra variety - there's everything from pirates to deer to typography, stars, trucks, and bandanas.

This is from my trip to JoAnn's last weekend (how I miss thee, Christiansburg store!).  It's a flannel to make some pj pants for Sam.

 Also from the JoAnn's trip, a gray chevron and pretty yellow and gray geometric print to make some burp cloths from.  The baby may have hand me down clothes, furniture, and toys, but he'll have a stylin' nursery and burp cloths!

Fabric Organization

Well, last year I tried to organize my fabric, but getting a new sewing space meant more organization.  I went from a regular single closet to tons of boxes and bags to now a little bit of great storage (but still lots of boxes and bags to go).  Sorting and putting away fabric in its new space will take time, but here is what I've done so far.

I'm wrapping the fabric on comic book backer boards that I bought on Amazon.  I'm organizing by 1yd pieces, 1/2 yd pieces, and 1+ yard pieces.  What's on there is all just cotton quilting fabric.  Right now there is a cubbie for my precuts (there aren't many of those), a cubbie for yarn (which will later reside on top of another storage unit), and other cubbies that are just temporarily holding their contents.  (Some) fat quarters and holiday fabric are in the metal locker bins, but they will probably get moved onto shelves eventually.  My guess is I'll need a unit with just plain shelves for my flannel, fleece, and apparel fabrics, as well as my project boxes and boxes of craft paints, ribbon, etc.  One step at a time. 

The glass jars on top are holding (some of) my scraps.  I got the chalkboard vinyl decals on Etsy and the jars from Wal-Mart and Target.  I still need more jars, but I'm going slow since we're on a budget these days.

A little along and I'll have a great sewing/craft room one of these days!

Fab Finds

Pun totally intended.

I stopped by one of the local quilt shops on my day off recently, and what did I spy but extremely hard-to-find Heather Ross prints.  The best part?  They were $4.95 a yard.  Not.even.joking.  I had seen a FQ of the tadpoles for $10 online.  I got half a yard of each (and there were more that I didn't get).  Now I can be one of "those people," and you all can be jealous that I got such a great deal.  ;)

I also picked up a quarter yard of this repro print for my Farmer's Wife quilt.  I've started putting together some block fabric combos and am hoping to start making up a block here and there when I need a break from other projects.

And a yard of Michael Miller.  Because.

Goodies!

It was quite the package day today - diapers for Sam, the comic book backer boards I ordered to use for fabric organization, and my Connecting Threads order.  I've been really good the past few months, not buying much of any stash and only a few bits and pieces for upcoming projects (and everything on sale).  So I was very excited to open up the box and find:

Bed & Breakfast 2.5" strips (for The Farmer's Wife quilt)

Golden Afternoon 2.5" strips - just because I've wanted them or a long time

Christmas 5" Squares

Quilters Candy Solid 2.5" Strips (to use in a Paintbox Quilt a la Oh Fransson!)

And this quilt kit - it's a crib size, but I thought it was cute.  It will go in the guest room.

And some progress shots - I can't divulge any details of this project, but you can see I've made 4 of these particular nine-patches.

Projects, Anyone?

This pretty much shows what I've got going on at the moment (sewing-wise, that is).  Clamshells, crabs, sports, Farm Gal's Folly, a new project, and taming scraps while I'm at it.  Can you see my head about to pop off from spinning around so fast?!

New Project - Clamshells

I have decided on a new quilting project (because I don’t already have like 26 on the list).  I want to make a clamshell quilt.  It will be all hand-pieced, which will be good for trips.  I was really inspired by Brown Dirt Cottage’s blog, and she had a picture and the name of the book she was inspired by, so I found it on Amazon for $0.48 plus shipping (used, but in very good condition).  I needed to get the replacement charger for our camera anyways, so I added the book, and then found a mini cutting mat and ruler set for $8.55 that would be great for working in the car, at work, etc.  So we have three little packages coming our way.  

After some serious internal debate, I have decided to dig into my Christmas fabrics and work from stash.  I can always add some new if I need to, but we'll start with these and see how many clamshells we get.  It looks like any new fabric will need to be green . . .

Obviously, it’s going to take some time to make a throw-sized quilt, but it’ll be a good hand project, just grab-n-go (something I am always struggling to find right before we leave for a trip). 

 

I got a sheet of Mylar template plastic, so when my book gets here, I can copy the clamshell template and get started.  I looked at appliqué pins and straw needles, but I didn’t like the ones at JoAnn’s, so I’ll have to head online or go to Sew Biz again.  I should have everything in time to start on our trip back home the end of the month. 

 

I guess I need to check my smaller rotary cutter to see if it is small enough (I think it is) and get a new blade or get a mini cutter.  I am so excited to get my little kit and get started.  Although the clamshell quilt will be slow progress mainly for trips or hand sewing while watching TV, the mini cutting kit can be used for many projects, including marking FGF squares at lunch or while watching TV.

So dear readers, wish me luck as I join the Clamshell Club!

Stash Addition

What:   Lizzy Dish fat quarters (Kitchennaire colorway) 

Who:    Lizzy House for Andover Fabrics 

Where: JoAnn Fabrics 

Why:    Saw these yesterday and thought they were cute.  With my recent Sturbridge Harvest find, I did some background research, found out they were designer, and had to go back. 

When: At lunch.  The ladies tried to offer me a job, since I’m there so much.  

Cost:   $6.29 including tax (priced at $9.99 less my 40% off coupon)

What will I make with these?  Who knows?  I have a potholder pattern and an apron pattern that need making, but these pretties might have to sit awhile.

Remnants & A Cutie

Thursday at lunch I went to JoAnn’s (had to try and use up those Coupon Commotion coupons while I could!). I ended up getting the hooks and eyes I’ll need for my dress and skirts with the coupon, but my real finds were in the remnant bin. I always check the remnant bin, because every once in a while is either a hidden gem or something you needed anyways, but for cheap. Today I found a pretty white cotton with pale lilac print – the perfect scale for a Barbie dress. I also found almost a full yard of a white and blue print I’d eyed long ago but put aside for newer fabric loves. So I grabbed that one up for the stash. The lilac will probably end up being a Christmas present for my little cousin who just turned 4. The hooks & eyes and about 1.25 yds of fabric cost me all of $3.47 (including tax). Gotta love that.

 My model got distracted by his impromptu rattle . . .

Stripping

I've been spending my time cutting strips for Farm Gal's Folly.  They will eventually be cut down into red and green squares and cream rectangles.  Aren't they pretty?

A Sixth Sense

I did a quick run to JoAnn’s the other day, and found some more fabric for Farm Gal’s Folly. I got 7 FQs and a yard of green fabric. The FQs were $0.99; how could I resist? Three of them were not for FGF – two were to save for the Farmer’s Wife Quilt next year because they looked like they could pass for reproduction fabrics, and one for the stash because it was cool. Well, I got home, washed the fabric, and was ironing it dry, and noticed part of a selvage on the Farmer’s Wife fabrics. Lo and behold, they were Sturbridge Village Harvest fabrics! Mwahahahahaha – designer fabrics for $0.99 from JoAnn’s! I was so frickin’ excited, and so proud of my fabric sense.

*Chair Dance* :D *Chair Dance*

I had an epiphany about the baby quilt!!!  I was thinking about how I have the brighter solid-looking fabric, and then the more vividly patterned fabric with the light background, and how I wanted to use a sashing/background fabric but wanted *POP* and contrast. 

I had thought if only there were some way to surround the light/patterned fabric with the bright/solid-looking fabric . . . and then this morning at like 5am Ka-pow!  Economy blocks! – the simple version (I guess a lot of people call it Square in a Square, but I have always seen that as the Economy block). 

The blocks will be set on point with sashing in between.  I had planned on doing a pieced backing, and I believe I will still be able to!  Yee-hah!  I’m excited to finally have a solution!  Don’t you love all the exclamation points?!?! 

Here are my 6 half-yards of fabric . . . I told you it was themed . . . The colors on the bottom are brighter than they appear in this picture.  Fabric is By the Sea by Johnny Karwan for Clothworks and was purchased from Fabric Shack and Over the Rainbow.  Do you know how hard it is to find cute crab fabric?

Now I want to start cutting and piecing blocks!  But I said I was going to work on the green skirt tonight . . . guess I should do that.  Oh well, now that I have a plan, I can let the crabs rest for a bit while I work on the other priorities.  I love white solid sashing, but what do you think? 

Sorry for the Absence . . .

It's been busy around here.  We had our son's christening on the weekend of the 6th, last weekend we were watching my sister graduate high school and visiting friends on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and this weekend we traveled to see the in-laws.  I have managed to do some sewing along the way, usually beginning around 10pm, which means I've been staying up late.  Makes it hard to get up in the morning (my son thinks 5:30am is a good wake-up call).

I've been working on more flying geese, with a baby quilt coming along as a leader-ender project.  I'm almost finished sewing the larger baby quilt blocks just from using them as placeholders.

Today I cut into my new fabric:

Moda's Freebird by Momo - Eggs in Grass(?) and Geranium.  Yum!

 Yes, more geese.  It's what I do these days.  Interesting enough, I'm not tired of them yet, and I tend to be a flit-ter (I get bored easily).  Here are the pretty 2.5" strips before they got cut into squares.

I'm still not done cutting them, but I've made progress.

Today I also counted all the squares and geese I have and updated the spreadsheet (yes, I'm an Excel geek).

Strawberry Love

I got this fabric last week to make a little apron and miniature potholders for my cousin's preschooler M (she has a play kitchen that she loves).  I thought to make her a late birthday present, and since I made the nursing cover for my cousin, I decided to mail them off together.  I LOVE the three fabrics.

Here is the apron . . .

And the potholders . . .

I was going to do a quarter square triangle block but didn't feel like doing the math, so I just used the scraps from the apron and made it work.  I especially love the potholder with the skinny pink strip and skinny binding.  I wanted to keep the little 4.5" blocks for myself!  But, I have a good bit of leftover fabric and am already working on some little blocks using the scraps.

I told DH it's fun to sew with cute fabrics.  I wouldn't have thought to go buy these without this project (I was trying to find something cute, bright, and food-related in my local JoAnn's).  But now I'm in love with the bright combo and wanting to work more with these.

I hope little M has fun cooking up a storm with her accessories. :-)

Good Girl

I have been so good!  I haven’t bought material in over a month, except for one project.  I bought a yard of gray fabric with blue and what I thought was red flowers for my cousin’s nursing cover from Etsy (Gray Woodland Delight collection by Paula Prass).  Turns out the red was actually pink (my cousin hates pink).  So I went back to JoAnn’s and found some fabric that would work and purchased it (with a trusty 40% off coupon).  That is the only fabric I’ve bought!  I have so much that I purchased over the winter when I was on maternity leave and newly back to work (not to mention the ri-dunk-ulous stash I had before all that fabric buying). 

 

When I sorted and organized last week, I found that I have a box (think value pack of baby wipes box) of fat quarters, a box of holiday fabric, another two (diaper pack size) boxes of cottons for quilting (plus probably some more hiding in various places around the house), fabrics for fall dresses, summer dresses, the list goes on.  I have fabric for fancy party dresses, patterns to fill two dresser drawers, and several UFOs.  The closet is full, and there is still fabric in the kitchen and on the guest bed . . .

 

So my goal for the remainder of the year is to finish the UFOs and then use what I have!  Some of the UFOs are clothing that I never finished for myself – not sure I’ll ever be that size again, so I’ll see if Little Sis wants them.  I have several projects planned, so I just need to go down the list and do them!  I know I can’t completely banish new fabric or trips to the store completely, but I can cut them way, way back.  The remnant bin in JoAnn’s was full with new things last week, but I was a good girl and only got the boning I needed for the nursing cover. 

 

Speaking of the nursing cover, it's all finished.  This one is a light color and is not lined because Cousin lives in a hot spot. 

Here's a close up of the fabric.

Next up, I’m going to make some miniature potholders and a little apron for my cousin’s little girl as a late birthday gift (to go with her play kitchen).  I found the cutest watermelon print and a coordinating green swirl and hot pink solid for it (for $3.80 - one yard total - I really didn't have good stash to pull from for that).  And then I have to make my little sis’ graduation present (I’ll need to buy black fleece for that one, but I need to figure out my design first).  After that, I can sew for me on fun things for a bit.

They told me it helps the economy!

Now I have something to tell DH when I buy fabric . . . it's my patriotic duty!

I was watching Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting today on our public television station, and they said to "go visit your local quilt shop and buy fabric!  It's good for the economy and makes you happy."

What more reason do I need? *big grin*


P.S. - Not much sewing going on here, but still slowly working on the scrap bags.  My crazy week is over, so I should have a little more time for sewing, at least until it's time to work on the vegetable garden . . .

I've Been Cutting

Haven't sewn since finishing the burp cloth, except to add a selvage or two to my first selvage block.  I'm going to try a few and see how they go.  I'm not so sure of this first one.

Oh, and I did make up some quick sheers for our kitchen window (from an existing panel) so we didn't have to look at the construction going on next door (and so they couldn't see in).

But I've found a lot of stuff and cut a lot of scraps from the blue bin. 

There are still two grocery bags of scraps to cut, and I have lots of yardage that needs to be folded properly and organized, but that is not as big a task as controlling the scraps. 

 I definitely feel like they are more usable cut into strips and squares than the odd shaped pieces they start as (see below for an example - and it's not nearly as funky shaped as some of them).

 

From a funky shape . . . to neat 1.5", 2", and 2.5" squares and an odd triangle.

You might be wondering where I got these random scraps.  Well, some of them are from things I have made, but most of them are from an estate sale I attended with my grandma when I was a kid (probably middle school).  There was a big box of scraps along with a thing of buttons and other odds and ends that we bought on the cheap, and I've kept them for years because I  might use them (but I haven't in probably 10 years).  So I'm trying to get them in usable order.  One small step in controlling my ridiculous stash.

A Work in Progress

Well, I dragged out the big blue tub from the bottom of my craft closet and started sorting and taming.  This is the big blue tub that has been with me since high school and is full of scraps and random fabric.  It takes up the entire bottom of the single closet in the guest room (now my craft closet).

Bonnie Hunter says to cut for 15 minutes at a time, but I'm a bit obsessive and did probably an hour.  So far, I've found 5 fat quarters, about 4 yds of fabric (a few pieces from 3/4 of a yard to >2yds), several patterns, two partially completed cross-stitch kits, and tons of scraps and nice sized pieces of fabric that I can put with the FQs.  There was this lovely windmill print.  I cut it into small pieces - like Bonnie says "if it's still ugly, it's not small enough!"  For those of you who like this - the camera flatters it.  It's not even this pretty in real life.

And here is the burp cloth I finished last night.  It was just what I needed to get me going again.  A quick, easy project (especially as I had already cut and pressed the pieces).  If I ever get an Etsy shop up and running, it will be for sale.  I am making a baby quilt with the remaining fabric, eventually.

Well, it's late, and I have lots of cleaning to do in the AM, so I'm signing off.

TTFN