Beth's Quilty & Knitty World

Trying My Hand at Dyeing Yarn

2011-10-08T00:30:00.000-04:00

Well I finally got up the nerve to attempt dyeing yarn with more than one color. I used Kool Aid yellow and pink and got a lovely pastel multicolor result (including a peachy orange where the 2 colors met). The yarn is 100% SW Merino Cherrytree Hill in the Natural color way.

The yarn has now been split into mini skeins for a swap.

Beth

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My Newest Project

2011-09-29T19:05:00.001-04:00

I started a fun little sleep sack for my new great-nephew to be! This is a fun little item knit using 100% cotton yarn and it will be a great item for the baby to be put into after his bath. There will be a matching hat. I love the little owls that are made cables.

Beth

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Another Camp Loopy Project

2011-09-15T22:00:00.001-04:00

I finished another Camp Loopy Project in the nick of time. This is Vlad with 16 body repeats (the pattern calls for 7 repeats). I love this pattern and this particular project!

More New Projects….

2011-08-12T18:01:00.001-04:00

Well I seem to have knitter’s “startitis” I have recently started 3 new knitted projects (one of which will be a long time ongoing piece). My niece is having her first baby in November and it’s going to be a boy. So of course he needs a blankie. I’m knitting him a baby blanket with sailboats on it. I love the soft yellow color!

I’m also in the process of test knitting a shawl pattern. It’s a fun knit with the cabled sections. The yarn is Knit Picks Stroll Tonal in Golden Glow.

The third project is my long term project. I’ve caught the “Blankie Mania” bug and started a Sock Yarn Blankie. My friend Missy has been working on hers for a few months and now she’s taught me just how fun the little mitered squares are! The plan is for the blanket to include 1008 little 2.5” mitered squares. Time will tell how many squares I end up knitting LOL. This picture shows the first 20 squares.

Camp Loopy Project 2 Finished!

2011-08-04T20:54:00.001-04:00

A couple weeks ago I finished the second Campy Loopy project. I made a pair of mittens and knit them both in 2 days (one mitten each Saturday for 2 weekends). The challenge was to knit a pair of sock or mittens which had cabling techniques in the pattern. I fell in love with Busybee Socks and decided to transfer the cabling pattern of the socks to a pair of plain mittens. I just love how they turned out and I cannot wait for it to get cold enough to wear them. The yarn is Gale’s Art Sock in the Cherry Blossom colorway.

Some Finishes, New Camp Project & an Acquisition…

2011-07-17T17:24:00.001-04:00

I’ve had a busy few weeks in the knitting realm

I finished my Ribbon Candy Socks. I just love this Knitting Fever Indulgence yarn, it’s super soft and the color are so me!

I also finished and finally photographed my blocked Autumn Denim Shawl. The entrelac pattern was super fun and easy! This will be a staple this winter for me!

Campy Loopy Project 2 cast on date was Friday, so I started my second camp project yesterday. Today I finished my first Bee Busy in the Cherry Blossoms mitten. These are fun and easy and it actually fits me perfectly!

And a closeup of the cable pattern:

I also decided to finally try out Signature Needle Arts needles and ordered my first pair of their straight needles last week. You choose your needle size, point style and end style to suit your tastes. I love super sharp points so I chose stiletto points for my size 1 needles in 7” length with teardrop ends. The needles are not inexpensive, but will be worth it if they are as good as many have said!

The yarn the needles are propped in is the yarn I’m using for a baby cardigan intended for my niece’s first baby boy due this fall. If there’s enough yarn leftover I’ll make a matching hat as well.

A Couple New Furbabies!

2011-07-04T20:32:00.001-04:00

A few months ago we lost our dog, Max, and we have gone back and forth trying to decide if we wanted to adopt a new puppy, a older dog or just live without a dog for awhile. Well I found out that there were a couple of older dogs that were in need of a new home. So please meet Mollie (the black Miniature Schnauzer) and Peaches (the white Bichon Frise). Both doggie are over 12 years old and are just a couple of bundles of joy! They are acclimating very well to their new home.

Finished Shawl!!

2011-06-27T14:18:00.001-04:00

I finished my “Wearing Coveralls in the Rainforest” Aestlight Shawl a few days ago but it took me a few days to get outside and take pictures of it. I am just thrilled with how this one turned out! What a fun and easy shawl to knit with wonderful Hazel Knits Artisan Sock Yarn.

My Vampires are Back!!!

2011-06-26T23:11:00.001-04:00

Tonight the first episode of True Blood’s Season 4 aired! With the beginning of each season comes the True Blood Knit Along. This year we are knitting a shawl called “Vlad”. I knit this shawl a few weeks ago before it was chosen for the KAL so I am knitting a second one now.

The yarn I chose is True Blood inspired and is Coulorphobia Sookie Sock Yarn in the Fangtastical and Loving It! colorway:

I cast on during the opening scene and managed to knit through 2 body repeats during the episode. I think I’m going to try to only knit on this one while watching the show.

I also have to share my patriotic nail art in honor of July 4th…

Wish me luck, tomorrow morning I’m having 2 teeth pulled. One of them has caused me an enormous amount of pain over the last week or so and I will be so happy when I leave the oral surgeon!

Shawl redux….

2011-06-20T18:09:00.001-04:00

Perhaps I should have thought about which color to use as the main color before I started knitting. Once I got to the Bird Eye Lace border and joined the contrasting color I realized that I should have switched the colors. So yesterday I decided the give the shawl a “do over” and restarted it using the blue tonal as the main color. I am now to the point of picking up the side stitches to start the lace borders. I think that I will be much happier with the shawl now

Couldn’t Wait to Start….

2011-06-16T22:00:00.001-04:00

Well I rushed home from work tonight and wound my new yarns so that I could start my new knitting project. I am totally in love with the Hazel Knit Artisan Sock Yarn that I’m using for this project! It I sooo soft and squishy and it will feel wonderful around my neck this winter! I’ve already knit a pretty decent amount of the center triangle. I should be able to start the openwork lace border this weekend at knitting group. Gotta love a quick and fun project!

The Next Project

2011-06-15T21:26:00.001-04:00

I joined a challenge over at my favorite online yarn shop, The Loopy Ewe, called “Camp Loopy”. This challenge is a series of 3 projects to be made over the summer and the first is to knit a 2 color scarf or shawl. So I found the yarn and pattern I wanted to use and placed my order on Friday afternoon. Today my yarn arrived and I am just itching to start knitting my Aestlight Shawl. I think tomorrow after work I will wind my yarn and might even cast on. I’m still trying to decide which yarn I want to use for the main body and which will be the openwork lace. Guess I better hurry up and figure that one out, LOL

Reviving the Blog!

2011-06-13T14:55:00.001-04:00

WOW! I can’t believe I haven’t posted to the ole blog for over a year! I have been a knitting MACHINE and done very little quilting. Yarn is overtaking the fabric in my studio LOL. I know I will return to quilting one day, but for now I’m enjoying a hobby that doesn’t sequester me from other people in a room of my own. In fact the only time I go into the studio is to put yarn away, wind yarn for a project or blocking a project. The last quilt I finished was a Tshirt quilt in November for a friend using her late Father in law’s Tshirts. It turned out lovely and the family was very happy with the result.

Here’s a picture of it:

On the knitting front I’ve finished lots of socks and several scarves and shawls. At the moment I’m working on a pair of socks using a fun self striping yarn in my favorite colors (pink, green and yellow). I knit all of my sock using a 2 at a Time Toe Up Magic Loop method. Here’s the socks in progress:

I’m also working on my first Entrelac piece. It’s a lovely shawl and the pattern is called “Autumn”. I’m using Jojoland Rhythm yarn which is a self striping yarn and alot of fun! I think this shawl will look great with jeans this winter! Here’s what the finished shawl will look like:

And here’s mine in progress:

I also participated in a Summer Mystery Knit Along host by my favorite sock pattern designer, Wendy Johnson. The shawl pattern was alot of fun and I used Dream In Color Smooshy yarn in the Into the Mystic colorway. Here’s a picture of the finished shawl:

I’m happy to be back to blogging and I’ll do my best to keep blogging away!

Happy Knitting and Quilting!

Spoils from Maryland Sheep & Wool!!

2010-05-03T20:39:00.002-04:00

On Saturday my mom, my knitting buddy Melissa and I went to the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival at the Howard County Fairgrounds. We had a fantastic time!! My birthday is coming up so Mom decided to give me cash instead of trying to figure out what to buy me. And I had a wonderful time fondling yummy yarns!!

Here’s what came home with me:

Socks That Rock (2 Mill Ends & 1 Rare Gems), Creatively Dyed (1 skein Beaches & 1 Calypso) & Shelby B Designs (Supreme Sock)

Shalimar Yarns (2 Zoe Sock), Cherry Tree Hill (1 Sockittome, 1 Supersock Select Lace), Serendipitous Ewe (1 Lucky Sock) & Dragonfly Fibers (1 Naiad Sock)

There were so many other lovely yarns that I would have loved to bring home, but these were the yarns that I had in mind when I left for the festival.

We also saw lots of adorable sheep…… and ALPACAS!!

Well I Made Room in the Studio….

2010-04-18T13:09:00.001-04:00

I sold almost all of the fabrics that I posted for sale. 67 YARDS! are out of the studio and some have landed in their new homes. It feels good to destash a little and make room for fun new items :)

This was so liberating I might stash dive again soon and list some more sale items.

Thanks for the support :)

Making Room in the Studio….

2010-04-11T20:11:00.001-04:00

Well it’s time for me to make some room in the studio for the stash of sock yarns I’m amassing…

So I’ve decided that it’s time to sell some of my Moda Jelly Rolls and miscellaneous FQ Bundles. I love all of my fabrics but something has to give. Plus Maryland Sheep & Wool is coming up in a couple weeks and I need to pad the bank account for some new sock yarns :)

Please take a look at my fabrics on my Flickr page and email me mdquilter@atlanticbb.net if you are interested in anything.

Thanks!

A Fun Day Out!

2010-03-21T15:31:00.001-04:00

You may notice that I’ve changed the title of my Blog from “Beth’s Quilty World” to “Beth’s Quilty & Knitty World” I’ve gone feet first into the sock knitting pool! And I’m loving it!!

Today was an event called The Homespun Yarn Party at the historic Savage Mill in Savage, Maryland (near Laurel, MD). I had a blast! Two of my favorite yarn vendors were there, The Sanguine Gryphon and Shelby B’s Designs. I stocked up on Bugga! Sock yarn as well as some of the fun Harry Potter inspired yarns.

My daughter also decided that she wanted to learn how to spin yarn so we got her a drop spindle from the Alpacas of Maryland folks as well as some alpaca roving. I hope she enjoys spinning so that she can spin the yarns for me to knit…..we could make a great team!!

Here are my most recent finished socks:

Tic-Tac-Toe Up Socks by Wendy Johnson using Bugga! Sock Yarn from The Sanguine Gryphon in the Cuban Cockroach colorway

Waterfall Socks also by Wendy Johnson using Boo Sock Yarn from Shelby B’s Designs in the Oliver Wood colorway.

Hope everyone is having a very crafty weekend!

More Information on Sock Yarn

2010-02-28T19:01:00.001-05:00

I had a couple people comment and ask for some more information on the yarns I used in my socks.

This pair uses Unisono by Zitron. It’s a 100% superwash merino wool that has aloe in it so it’s very soft!

This pair is made from Stroll Handpainted yarn from KnitPicks in the Tea party colorway. It’s 75% superwash merino wool and 25% nylon. Extremely soft and very reasonably priced!

This pair is made from Brown Sheep Wildfoote yarn in the Ragtime colorway. Also 75% washable wool and 25% nylon and soft as well.

This pair is made from Wisdom Yarns Marathon Sock in the San Francisco 201 colorway. It’s 75% wool and 25% nylon. I just love the pattern that knits up as you go along! Also very soft and bright!!

I have so many other fun yarns in my stash now and I’m looking forward to using them all! I am totally in love with sock yarn :)

A Serious Case of Sox Pox!

2010-02-27T20:54:00.001-05:00

Yes, I admit it…..I am addicted to socks! I started a Toe-Up Sock knitting class 2 weeks ago and have knit 7 socks since the class started! Today was the last class and I learned how to do a stretchy bind off so I now have 7 finished socks and the 8th (second half of the 4th pair) is on the needles now.

This is my 2 weeks of knitting….

I love these socks and I promise I’ll be back to quilting again soon :)

Friday Night Sew In Results….

2010-02-21T16:44:00.001-05:00

After dropping my mom off at her Red Hat convention on Friday afternoon I came home and wasn’t feeling too well so I didn’t make it into the sewing room. Instead I cast on another sock and started knitting. I made alot of progress on my knitting and I just love this color combo!!

Now that I’m feeling better hopefully I’ll get the quilt quilted this week and start the binding!!

Are You Ready?????

2010-02-18T14:34:00.001-05:00

For the Friday Night Sew In???

I am! Tomorrow night I’ll be quilting my Blue Bricks & Stepping Stones top. I’ll get it loaded onto the frame this afternoon and be ready to quilt away after taking my mom to her Red Hat Convention in Baltimore!! Tomorrow night we’ll have frozen pizzas for dinner so I won’t be taken away from my quilting for long :)

Who else is joining in??

Some Quilty Content

2010-02-14T10:58:00.001-05:00

Not only have I been having fun knitting, I’ve also been playing in the studio. I finished cutting out my Too Good to Cut Challenge so there’s another February Goal ticked off the list. Here’s the cut strips for the top along with the background rectangles:

And here’s the skinny little strips that I cut off to straighten up the end of each of the fabrics:

I also ordered one of the Quilts For Kids kits and received it this week. It’s nice and bright and fun! I’m looking forward to making this one. I also have a finished quilt to send off to the project and another one marinating in my brain from some bright and fun orphan blocks. Here’s the kit I received:

Later today I might try to get the Bricks & Stepping Stones quilt loaded onto the frame and start quilting.

First Ever Knitting Class!

2010-02-13T23:54:00.001-05:00

So I’ve been knitting off and on for 30 years or so (my mom taught me how to knit when I was in 2nd grade) but I have never taken a knitting class until today. I start my first of 3 Toe Up Sock classes and what a fun time! There are only 2 of us in the class so it’s very laid back and I’m having a ball! We learned a Figure 8 cast on and the Magic Loop method for toe up socks. I’m using a 100"% Superwash Merino Wool sock yarn and 32” long #2 circular needles. Here’s some progress pictures…

We learn how to shape the heel in the next class so i have to knit to the heel this week.

Jelly Roll Sampler Quilt Along…

2010-02-12T09:44:00.001-05:00

I decided to join the Jelly Roll Sampler Quilt Along which starts March 1st. I have sooo many jelly rolls and needed an excuse to use one of them :)

So I went searching on the pre-cut drawer and after a lot of hemming and hawing I decided on my Maypole jelly roll by April Cornell. I found a pretty pink that goes with the fabrics for the background. After all this snow I need to play with some bright springy colors!!

Yesterday I also bit the bullet and started piecing some of my larger batting scraps into usable battings. I now have a stack of 6 battings to use in upcoming projects :)

Sure feels good to be marking things off of my February Goal List!!

Pattern Selected and Started Cutting….

2010-02-11T22:07:00.001-05:00

….my Too Good to Cut Challenge project. I finally settled on using these fabrics

In Darlene’s pattern Between Friends. I’ve been wanting to make this quilt and I think the FQs will be lovely in this pattern. Here’s the first cut….

I’m about 1/2 finished cutting the FQs so that task should be complete before bed. I’m really enjoying this challenge and I’ll be even happier when the quilt is finished :)

It’s a Flimsy & Blizzard of 2010 part Deux!

2010-02-10T22:25:00.001-05:00

My February UFO is finally a flimsy. I started this quilt on Superbowl Sunday 2009 and finally got the borders attached tonight after dinner. So now all I have to do is quilt and bind it and I’ll have another UFO finish!!! YAY!!!

Here’s the finished top:

Today was a work from home day since we had another round of winter weather. This was the 3rd Blizzard of the season and we got at least another 10.5” on top of the 30” we got over the weekend. If we ever get enough of a break in the weather I will be able to step out onto the back deck and get some pictures of the big snowy sandbox aka my fenced in backyard. This is just crazy! here’s a couple pictures of today’s new snow. The picture of the snow on top of the trash can is all new snow, it was clear before the snow started falling last night….

I hope wherever you are you are safe and warm!

Design Wall Monday & a UFO Finish….

2010-02-08T13:58:00.001-05:00

Today is an unexpected snow day from work after our historic snowfall a few days ago. So between working on projects for work from home, I am sewing a little as well. On my design wall is my blue Bricks & Stepping Stones top. I am onto sewing the rows together now and I have a good shot at finishing this top today….YAY!! Here’s what it looks like right now:

I also managed to finish my 4th UFO of the year. The Imperfect Squares baby quilt for my college friend’s new son Finn is finished and ready to mail to Florida when I can get to the post office. Here’s the finished quilt and a close-up of the loopy meander quilting I did. I’m so happy to have it finished!!

What does everyone else have going on??

Surviving SnOMG! 2010….

2010-02-07T13:30:00.001-05:00

We weathered the storm safely and are now in the midst of the great dig out….. Hubby is our with shovel in hand as I type and will hopefully be finished before the pre-Super Bowl dinner we are having at 3pm. I want him to be able to sit back and relax and enjoy watching his Colts play in Miami!!

Here’s a couple pictures taken while the snow was falling….

And here’s some during the dig out…

I haven’t been sitting by idly…I’ve been working away in the studio. I quilted the Imperfect Squares Baby Quilt, stitched out the label and attached the label and binding by machine. I’ll finish the hand stitching during the big game tonight. I also stitched out the last 12 embroidery blocks for Fresh Squeezed Graham Crackers. This is what they look like before trimming the threads:

They will become the center of 12 more of these blocks:

I’ll be back with more pictures as I make more progress on my Bricks & Stepping Stones top.

I hope everyone is safe and warm wherever they are!

Here Comes the Snow…..Again….

2010-02-04T20:09:00.001-05:00

The weather peeps have forecasted a “historic” snow event for the mid-Atlantic region this weekend just as we are on the tail end of 2 snow events since last Saturday. The cupboards are full of food and I have plenty of quilty projects to work on. So I’m ready to be snowed in this weekend…woohooo!

I’ve included some pretty snow pictures that I took yesterday after our overnight snowfall. I love how the snow was just sitting on the leaves and branches.

February Goals….

2010-02-01T22:02:00.001-05:00

OK I’ve found that setting goals is working for me so I’m going to post my goals at the beginning of each month….

Here goes… here’s what I want to accomplish this month:

Quilt & Bind the Imperfect Squares Quilt for Baby Finn
Finish Piecing, Quilt & Bind Blue Bricks & Stepping Stones Quilt
Choose pattern for and cut out “Too Good to Cut” challenge quilt
Make 1 block for the Ladies of the Sea appliqué project
Make love block & label for Dorothy’s Love Quilt
Stitch out last 12 embroidery blocks for Fresh Squeezed Graham Cracker Quilt
Piece together batting scraps into usable battings

I know it looks like a lot but I have another “Stay-cation” in February so I should be able to get a lot done while I’m home for nearly 2 weeks :)

UFO Challenge – February

2010-01-31T23:05:00.001-05:00

My BFF Nancy has issued the UFO challenge again for 2010. I have this challenge list over on my sidebar. For the next 9 months she will pick a number at the beginning of the month and the challenge is to get the UFO that corresponds with that number on your list finished before the end of the month.

Number 7 was drawn for February which means I’ll be working on my Blue Bricks & Stepping Stones Quilt. The blocks are still in process but I have the basic 4-patch/Brick unit pieced and pressed. The print along the bottom of the photo is going to be the border. I really am enjoying working on this one.

This has been my leader/ender project off and on and I made quite a bit of progress on it that way. But now it’s time to buckle down and git-r-dun!

UFO Challenge – January Finish!

2010-01-30T20:44:00.001-05:00

I’ve finally finished my January finish for the 2010 UFO Challenge!!! YAY!! I put the last stitches in Patty’s Quilt while hubby and I were watching the movie Gran Torino on this snowy Saturday. Here’s the finished quilt…

And a close-up of the Wonky Feathers….

I’m looking forward to working on my February UFO for the challenge. In the meantime, tomorrow I’ll be quilting the baby quilt I finished piecing this week so that I can get it into the mail. I pulled the backing and binding fabrics out a little while ago and I’ll make the binding and pin the backing onto the frame tonight. I love snowy weekends!!!

Too Good to Cut….

2010-01-30T00:26:00.001-05:00

I joined the Too Good to Cut Challenge at the beginning of the year and have decided to use my Allspice Tapestry FQ Tower from Moda.

I fell in love with these fabrics when they first came out and just had to have them! So I bought the FQ bundle and have yet to do anything with them. I’ve been looking for the perfect pattern to use them in. I’ve narrowed it down to a few different patterns and will make a final decision soon. As soon as I make a firm decision I’ll be sure to let you all know :)

Come and join us and cut into that fabric you’ve been saving. It’ll be fun!!

Another UFO Finished for January :)

2010-01-28T20:52:00.001-05:00

I finished the binding on my mother in law’s Trip Around the World quilt. I’m thrilled to have it finished and she will be over to visit on Sunday so I can finally give it to her. This quilt was supposed to be her Christmas gift. However breaking my elbow 4 days before Christmas kept me from being able to finish it. I think she’ll be happy when she sees it.

I also managed to finish the baby quilt top made from the blocks that were on my design wall this past Monday. I hope to get it quilted this weekend and finished next week so that I can send it off to my college friend’s new baby.

All in all a pretty productive week so far and I’m still working on the binding of my friend Patty’s quilt so I should have another finish pretty soon :)

Design Wall Monday…

2010-01-25T15:56:00.001-05:00

I have something on my design wall for a change!! I’m working with these blocks from an “Imperfect Block Swap” I participated in several years ago. These will be sashed with blue fabric and a swirly green for cornerstones and bordered with a cute print to become a baby quilt for a friend of mine from college who just had her first baby. I’m very excited to get this finished and sent to it’s new owner :)

I also got the bindings and labels machine sewn onto the 2 quilts I recently quilted. Now I have handwork to do in the evenings while watching TV with my hubby :)

Tomorrow I have to go back to work after being off for nearly 2 weeks, it’s gonna be rough when that alarm clock rings in the morning…..

Friday Night Sew-In – February

2010-01-24T22:13:00.001-05:00

The date has been set for February’s Friday Night Sew-In. Join everyone on Feb 19th for the fun!! I’ll be sewing away as it will be smack dab in the middle of my February Stay-cation!!!

Second One Quilted

2010-01-24T21:43:00.001-05:00

I finished quilting the second quilt on my Stay-cation Goal list! I also cut out both bindings and one of the labels is stitching out as I type. So either later today or tomorrow I’ll be making and attaching the bindings by machine and will hand stitch them down in the evenings after work.

Here’s the quilt before binding….

And a close-up of the quilting….

I quilted “Wonky Feathers” by Dawn The Pajama Quilter. I love this very forgiving quilting pattern!

One Down…

2010-01-23T23:34:00.001-05:00

…. one to go….

I finished quilting my mother in law’s Trip Around the World quilt late last night. I still need to attach the binding and label by machine and then hand stitch them down, but I can work on that in the evenings. Here’s the picture before binding….

And a close-up of the quilting…

I have the next quilt loaded on the frame, bobbins wound and the machine rethreaded and ready to quilt tomorrow. I’ll be back with more pictures when I finish quilting the next one :)

Hope everyone’s having a great weekend!!

Update on Stay-cation Goals….

2010-01-21T17:09:00.001-05:00

Alas, no quilting has happened yet….but for good reason. When I started “Project Stash Relocation” the rest of the room looked like a bomb went off. I couldn’t take it anymore, so I’ve spent the last 3 days turning the messy room back into my quilting studio. And here’s the result….

The view from the door….

Two of my Elfa drawer units which now house some UFOs, flannels, most of my precuts (FQ Bundles, Jelly Rolls, Honey Buns & Turnovers – Charms are in another rolling unit because they wouldn’t fit in the drawers – I think I have a precut problem, wonder if there’s a 12 step program), purchased tote bags are in the unit in the left corner of the room). FQs, panels, backing fabrics and kits are in the unit on the right near the frame.

The closet with my yardage on the shelves and my third Elfa drawer unit. The Elfa has more UFOs, handmade bags and totes and packaged batting in the drawers.

Under the HQ16 frame there are several rolling carts which contain the majority of my 100+ UFOs as well as some miscellaneous threads in one of the carts.

I’m shocked at how much I have in this 12’ x 12’ room. And I can still move around easily. Wooohooo!

Now I can get back to quilting MIL’s quilt. The backing fabric is already pinned onto the front roller. In a few minutes I’ll go pin it onto the takeup roller and then tomorrow I can get it quilted and load the other quilt :)

“Stay-cation” Goals

2010-01-17T20:11:00.001-05:00

I’m on vacation until January 26th and am not going away. So I get the next week + to quilt quilt quilt!!!

Over the weekend I finished one UFO and hope to get 2 more UFOs quilted this coming week. I’ll be quilting my Mother in Law’s quilt (which was supposed to be finished for Christmas, but a broken elbow threw a monkey wrench into that plan) and hopefully have it labeled and bound to give to her when I see her on January 31st.

The other quilt I’m planning to quilt is my friend Patty’s quilt. It’s on my UFO Challenge list over there ---------------->
and it’s been in the works for far too long. I finally found the perfect blue fabric in my stash for the inner border and binding and I have a nice wide blue paisley print for the backing.

Tomorrow I’ll get working on quilting my Mother in Law’s quilt. The backing is already loaded onto the frame so I have NO EXCUSES!

Great Giveaway & Sale!!

2010-01-17T18:28:00.001-05:00

Suzanne is having a wonderful 1000th post giveaway and a huge sale at her online store Knots & Bolts. Go check it out!!!

My First 2010 Finish….

2010-01-17T08:52:00.001-05:00

It’s done! The Music quilt is done!! I finished the binding last night not long after the Colts beat the Ravens in the playoffs….Woohoo!

I’m very happy to have this quilt finished, it was a challenge with a broken elbow, but I managed. And now it will go to the Bingo event to be raffled off to benefit my daughter’s Band Booster program.

Now on to the next UFO, I have 2 that I want to get quilted this coming week….

How I Spent My Friday Night Sew In

2010-01-16T17:59:00.001-05:00

Well I did what I’d planned during the Friday night Sew In…. I quilted the Music Quilt….

And I quilted the bag pieces for my daughter’s overnight bag….

Today I stitched out the label for the Music Quilt and made and attached the binding and label….Now I’m hand stitching the binding and label to the quilt while we watch football.

Are You Ready????

2010-01-15T16:07:00.001-05:00

For the Friday Night Sew-In tonight…..

I am. Tonight I’ll be finishing the quilting on my New Year’s Eve Mystery quilt. It has to be finished for a raffle on Sunday to benefit my daughter’s high school band program.

Here’s what it looks like right now.

I’ll also be quilting the bag pieces for the overnight bag I’m making for my daughter. There will be leftover backing and batting after I quilt the music quilt, so I’ll quilt the bag pieces at the bottom of the quilt before I take it off the frame. Since the bag is fully lined the backing won’t show when it’s finished.

Project Stash Relocation….

2010-01-08T21:29:00.001-05:00

At the start of the year I decided that it was time to get my stash in order. For the last few years my stash has been kept in Elfa drawer units and I came to the conclusion that I really need to be able to see my fabrics in order to use them. So hubby and I went to Lowes and bought a wire shelving unit and then we pulled all the drawers out of the existing units (well hubby did since I can’t lift anything that heavy with a broken elbow). Next I started refolding all of my fabrics and sorting them by color/theme. This picture shows my “normal” fabrics, 100% cotton quilting fabrics sorted by color with the novelties/prints together as well.

I still have to go through my flannel fabrics and I have already moved my panels, wide backings, Christmas fabrics, 30’s prints and batiks/hand dyes into other units. My fat quarters and precuts (jelly rolls, charm packs, layer cakes, honey buns & FQ bundles) still need to be put away but I should be able to get that all taken care of soon.

I’m also going to rearrange the layout of my studio to make it more quilter friendly. So I’ll post more pictures as I have things settled.

I think 2010 is going to be a great year for organizing!!

Coworker Holiday Gifts

2010-01-08T21:19:00.001-05:00

Now that the last gift has been received I can finally show you all what I made to gift to my coworkers. I bought the acrylic mugs awhile back and then string pieced the backgrounds and embroidered things to fit each recipient. I love how they turned out and everyone seemed very happy with them :)

Joining the Friday Night Sew-In

2010-01-08T21:16:00.001-05:00

I’ll be joining along in the Friday Night Sew-In on January 15th. I’m excited to be quilting with other quilters around the world for an evening. Hopefully you’ll join me too!

UFO Challenge – January

2010-01-02T18:45:00.001-05:00

My BFF Nancy has issued the UFO challenge again for 2010. I have this challenge list over on my sidebar. For the next 10 months she will pick a number at the beginning of the month and the challenge is to get the UFO that corresponds with that number on your list finished before the end of the month.

For January the number is 4, which means that I will be working on “Patty’s Quilt” The top is done and it just needs to be quilted. I’m still trying to decide if I want to add borders or not. What do you think? I think a narrow blue inner border and a wider border using the red print and finishing with the same blue for the binding would look good.

Either way, hopefully it’ll be finished before February 1st (along with 2 other UFOs that have January deadlines).

Even with a broken elbow, I plan to have a productive month :)

Christmas Crafting on Hold….

2009-12-23T20:41:00.001-05:00

On my way into work on Monday morning I slipped in the parking lot and my left elbow broke my fall. As the day progressed it was hurting more and more so I headed to the emergency room. After waiting for 7 hours in the ER and being tortured by Xray technicians, I left with a plaster splint on my arm as well as a sling and prescriptions for pain killers. I’m supposed to see the orthopedic doctor this week so he can determine if the arm is in fact broken and to what extent. I’ll be calling the doc first thing tomorrow morning to try for a same day appointment and will hopefully have more news after seeing the doctor.

This means that my Mother in Law’s quilt will not be finished nor will a few other projects I was hoping to make as gifts. I haven’t wrapped any gifts yet nor has the grocery shopping been done for the family meal we are hosting on Friday.

But then again, what are the holidays without a little stress?

On the bright side, while sitting in the ER I got an email from the Fat Quarter Shop letting me know I was one of the Dear Santa Contest winners :)

Dear Santa……

2009-12-16T09:21:00.001-05:00

The “Jolly” elves at The Fat Quarter Shop have encouraged us in Blogland to post our letter to you on our blogs.

As you know (since you see everything) I have been a very good quilter this year and I would love to find this Wicasset by Minnick & Simpson Fat Quarter bundle under my tree this year. Please hurry down my chimney and leave a little fabric for me :)

There will be cookies & egg nog waiting for you and some treats for the reindeer as well when you stop by.

Hugs to you, Mrs. Claus & the elves!

Beth

Progress & a fun project!

2009-12-08T23:10:00.001-05:00

I have made more progress on the Trip Around the World Quilt top. I’m now 1/4 done. This is the bottom left quarter of the top.

I also made the cutest tumbler cup insert. I love fabric selvedges and decided to use them in a cup. This cup will likely find a new home this weekend unless I decide to keep it for myself hehehe.

I still have a few more of these cups, so i guess I could make another for myself :)

Tis the Season!!!

2009-12-07T17:47:00.001-05:00

For mystery quilts that is….

In the midst of all the Christmas crafting, I needed a little distraction. So I decided to participate in a mystery quilt that will be done over the Christmas weekend. I’ve done the Christmas Mystery on this particular list for several years and am never disappointed! It’s a 4 fabric mystery (3 for the center and another for the borders). Here’s the fabrics that I was able to pull from my stash…

I’m looking forward to starting yet another UFO LOL!

December Project…

2009-12-06T20:51:00.001-05:00

My Mother in Law and I have taken a few quilting classes over the years. She is a garment sewer, but decided to give quilting a shot. The projects get started, but she never seems to finish them (sound familiar?). So she’s started giving me her UFOs one at a time and I finish them for her for Christmas. This year is her Trip Around the World. I’m in the process right now of remaking the section that she was working on because our seam allowances are not matching up and there was a 2” differences in our lengths. I’ll use the section she made on the backing though, so it will still be a part of the quilt.

Here’s what it looks like so far. I have alot more to do in the next couple weeks though. I’ll be working on it on all of my days off between now and Christmas.

Lunch Totes Finished and Bags in Progress…

2009-12-01T23:53:00.001-05:00

I have finished the 6 lunch totes I was working on and have moved onto the other style bags. Here’s a picture of the last 3 totes. The 2 in the front include leftover strips from a jelly roll from the “Bistro” fabric line. I really like the scrappyish look :)

The other style bag I’m making resembles a traditional brown bag. I decided to also add a handle across the top to make them easy to carry. Here’s one finished and the fabrics cut for the other 9 I hope to finish by Thursday night. Wooohooo!

Lunch Bags Under Construction….

2009-11-29T20:18:00.001-05:00

I’ve spent the holiday weekend in the sewing room as well as shopping with friends. On Tuesday I started cutting out lunch bags, I’m trying to make 6 of them and I have 3 done and the 4th is almost finished. Here’s a picture of the first 3, they are so fun and easy to make!

On Saturday I decided to drive to western Maryland to meet up with a couple quilting buddies for lunch and a trip to a quilt shop that was having a sale. Nancy & Judie & I went to Panera for lunch and then to Traditions at the White Swan. I got a bunch of FQs as well as a couple patterns and bag bottoms. I also stopped at JoAnn’s and bought fusible fleece and interfacing. Here’s a picture of the FQs…

What a fun week it has been and I still have another day off….YAY!!

How I Spent Last Week’s “Staycation”…

2009-11-24T10:19:00.001-05:00

I spent the week preparing to be a vendor at my first craft show. I made ornaments and coaster and some bags. Worked my fingers to the bone and my embroidery machine even revolted one day. But I persevered and managed to get a nice inventory ready for the show. The first hour I had a couple of sales but nothing for the rest of the day. What a disappointing venture. Everyone that came by told me how nice my workmanship was but they didn’t put their money where their mouth was so to speak. Judging by the other vendors at the show (mostly jewelry) it wasn’t very profitable for them either….. Oh well, live and learn.

This is what my table looked like. I was pretty happy with it.

Today is the first day of another “Staycation” (I went into the office for the day yesterday to catch up on some things and am off again until Tuesday of next week). I’ll be working on some lunch bags this week for another show I’m doing next Thursday night. This show is at a Middle School and will be benefiting the school’s Relay for Life team. I think there will be some teachers there who may like the idea of the lunch bags. I’ll make a few using the Loralie Breast Cancer Ladies panel and hope for a few sales there.

Thanks for stopping by :)

Another New Project…..

2009-11-05T19:09:00.001-05:00

……to help find my Mojo. I think I’ve found it. Last week I decided to cut out a new project to get myself sewing again. I think it’s working. I have about half of the blocks done now and I’m really enjoying this one. The pattern is called “Hip to be Square” and it’s a small log cabin block set on point with setting squares and triangles. I’m doing controlled scrappy using a bunch of FQs from Benartex Cider Mill Road collection supplemented by some blues, reds & tans from my stash. Here’s some of the blocks completed. I can’t wait to finish the blocks and get the top finished :)

The pattern uses 22 FQs so I’m busting stash while getting back the ole Mojo!

Happy Halloween with Handmade Ears….

2009-11-01T19:56:00.001-05:00

I must admit, I’m not a big fan of Halloween…never have been. But my daughter is pretty creative and was going to a costume party at a friend’s house last night. On Friday, after finishing her mid-term test in Genetics, she was doodling on the back of the paper and created a new character, Mr. Halloween Pumpkin Fox, Jr. She then decided to be this new character’s father for Halloween. So I present……

Mr. Halloween Pumpkin Fox, Sr.

Gotta love a teenager’s imagination. Since we couldn’t find orange hairspray or fox ears at KMart, we bought a red & black wig and I made the ears from felt and then sewed them to the wig. Not too shabby for a last minute job….

A Baby Quilt!

2009-09-26T17:10:00.001-04:00

Today I went to a baby shower for my friend Renee who worked in our office last summer. She and her hubby are expecting their first baby in les than a month and they do not know if the baby will be a boy or a girl. Since all of my baby quilt UFOs are gender specific I had to start from scratch. I had been wanting to use Mary’s Happy Blocks pattern for awhile so this was a perfect opportunity. What a fast & fun pattern! I made this quilt start to finish in less than a week! The finished quilt measures 40” x 48”. I like to give larger baby quilts so they grow with the child.

Do you think perhaps my mojo is returning? I sure hope so!

I’m Sewing Again!!!!

2009-09-08T08:15:00.001-04:00

YAY!! It’s been a busy summer for me with very little time in the sewing room. However yesterday I decided to spend the day in the studio reacquainting myself with my sewing machine :)

Back in July I saw this pattern and printed it right off. These little bags are just the cutest!! I’m so glad to be back to sewing and I have plans to keep the momentum going.

I was able to make 3 bags from 4 1/2 FQs. I see more of these bags in my future :)

Cutest Dog Competition

2009-08-10T12:27:00.001-04:00

A Very Special Quilt Received….

2009-07-31T23:14:00.001-04:00

Tonight I got a phone call from my friend Cathy thanking me for the love quilt I organized, assembled & quilted for her after the passing of her mother earlier this year. The blocks were made by the ladies of the #Quiltchat chat room. I collected the blocks, assembled the top and then quilted and bound it. This week I sent the quilt to our friend Jennifer who lives near Cathy and she delivered the quilt in person today.

Cathy loves bright colors and kitty cats and this quilt combines both. It was great to catch up with Cathy again over the phone tonight and I’m so glad that she loves her quilt.

Here’s pictures of the quilt.

A Musical Evening….

2009-07-19T15:02:00.001-04:00

Last night my daughter and I went to a quaint venue in Easton, MD called the Nightcat and enjoyed some fantastic music!! Here’s a video from last night that we found earlier today. I’d sent Keaton (the singer) a Twitter message and asked him to play this song since it is my favorite (as well as the ringtone on my phone) :)

I hope you enjoy as much as we did :)

Charming Girls Quilt Club!

2009-07-07T21:30:00.001-04:00

Well here I go jumping on the proverbial bandwagon LOL. Over at Charming Chatter a challenge has been issued to finish a project a month. So I’m gonna go for it!

My daughter is going to a conference this month and needs an overnight bag. A couple months ago I spent the weekend with my BFF and we made matching overnight bags (you can get the pattern here). So I’m going to make one for my daughter using some leftover fabrics from the quilt I made her for Christmas. Here’s a picture of the pattern and some of the fabrics I’m using.

I’m looking forward to finishing this for her and I think she’ll be surprised :)

For the last couple of months my quilt mojo has been MIA. But thanks to the Wabbit Daze Gang it’s starting to come back. I keep telling the “Gang” they need to come east and help me find my mojo, but they seem to be doing a good job from afar :)

Wish me luck!

Weekend Retreat by the Bay!

2009-06-01T17:22:00.002-04:00

This past weekend I went on retreat with some new friends. I’ve known Toni for a couple years via blogland as well as a 15 month long round robin, but we’d only met in person once. She put together a retreat about 2 hours southeast of my house and I wanted to go, so I did – hehehe

From Friday-Monday morning we spent our time enjoying the views, the sunsets, yummy food and a few adult beverages at the Pieceful Cottage. Oh and we did a little bit of quilting LOL.

I managed to finish up some UFO blocks. Then decided to start a new project. My BFF had shared some coffee fabrics with me a few years ago and I decided to finally put them to use. I used the “Birthday Presents” pattern from Terry Atkinson’s “Take Two & Add a Few” book. I cut & assembled the whole top in a day!

I also took my “Bears in the Candy Store” blocks and sashing along and managed to get the center of the top assembled. Now it just needs the borders before it can be quilted.

The only other thing I managed to do was start cutting out the mystery quilt I’m testing for Ann Smith.

All in all it was a wonderful, relaxing weekend! Thank you ladies for letting me join the “Sisterhood of the Travelling Quilters”! I hope to be able to join you again in the fall!

Stash Report: Week 20-22

2009-06-01T17:08:00.001-04:00

Sorry I’ve missed the last couple stash reports, I’ve been a bit sidetracked by work and family. I’ve done pretty well on the stashbusting front, I used 1.75 yards of fabric for borders on a quilt as well as 20 FQs (5 yards) for another top. So here’s the combined report for the last few weeks:

Fabric added this week: 0 yards
Fabric added year to date: 32 yards
Fabric used this week: 6.75 yards
Fabric used year to date: 62.25 yards

YTD Net fabric busted: 30.25 yards

At least I’m still on the plus side :)

Stormy night

2009-05-30T16:02:00.001-04:00

Sailing on the Bay!

2009-05-22T22:28:00.001-04:00

Stash Report: Week 19

2009-05-11T13:34:00.001-04:00

I managed to do some sewing this week, but it was just finishing the center of the top I’ve been working on. I’ll be cutting borders this week so I’ll have some stashbusting to report next week.

Nothing new this week though.

Here's this week's report:

Fabric added this week: 0 yards
Fabric added year to date: 32 yards
Fabric used this week: 0 yards
Fabric used year to date: 55.5 yards

YTD Net fabric busted: 23.5 yards

Birthday Gifts!

2009-05-07T20:25:00.001-04:00

Tuesday was my 36th birthday…..Cinco de Mayo!!!

It was a very nice birthday and I got some nice surprises…..

Hubby sent me lovely flowers to the office…Pink roses, my favorite…Big surprise!

And Mom ordered my a lovely cake. It’s in my favorite colors (pink & green) and the top is decorated with quilt blocks. I almost didn’t cut it since it was so pretty. But I’m glad I did….yummmy yellow cake with fresh strawberries & cream filling between the layers.

Stash Report: Week 18

2009-05-04T08:03:00.001-04:00

I haven’t even had a chance to step into my studio for a week….sigh

Nothing new to report….Hopefully I will get to sew some soon

Here's this week's report:

Fabric added this week: 0 yards
Fabric added year to date: 32 yards
Fabric used this week: 0 yards
Fabric used year to date: 55.5 yards

YTD Net fabric busted: 23.5 yards

Stash Report: Week 17

2009-04-27T08:27:00.001-04:00

Nothing to report this week. I worked on sashing the quilt top this week using the fabrics I cut out last week but didn’t use anymore stash. Nothing in nothing out….

Here's this week's report:

Fabric added this week: 0 yards
Fabric added year to date: 32 yards
Fabric used this week: 0 yards
Fabric used year to date: 55.5 yards

YTD Net fabric busted: 23.5 yards

Finished Table Runner!

2009-04-23T21:23:00.001-04:00

Now that the swap package has been received, I can show you all the spring table runner I made for my friend and swap partner Ele! I used a pattern called Sugar Cookies from the Moda Bake Shop. It was quite easy and I love how it turned out :)

Racing on the Chesapeake Bay!

2009-04-23T21:18:00.001-04:00

Last night was the first night of the Annapolis Yacht Club’s Wednesday Night Race series and this year the Woodwinds are racing on Wednesday nights as well……

So we, the office staff, headed out on one of the boats to experience the racing!

It was quite the exciting night….complete with a pop up squall and the boat I was on, Woodwind II, beating Woodwind!

Here’s some of the pictures I took of the other boat as well as the Annapolis skyline at sunset.

Stash Report: Week 16

2009-04-20T11:48:00.001-04:00

Well this was another pretty good week in the world of stashbusting! I finished a table runner and am able to deduct the backing and binding from the stash as well as the sashing and cornerstone fabric for a quilt top I’m working on. I do have a bit of an addition to the stash as well, I was gifted some lovely fabrics in a swap package from a friend. Even with the addition to the stash I’m still ahead in the totals for the week…..YAY me!

Here's this week's report:

Fabric added this week: 2.5 yards
Fabric added year to date: 32 yards
Fabric used this week: 4 yards
Fabric used year to date: 55.5 yards

YTD Net fabric busted: 23.5 yards

Stash Report: Week 15

2009-04-12T16:02:00.001-04:00

This was my first 5 day work week since October and it was very long! That didn’t leave very much time for quilting, but I did manage to bust a little stash. I cut out and started sewing a table runner for a swap and all the blocks are done, now I just have to finish assembling the runner, then quilt and bind it. I’m hoping to have it on the frame tonight. I do need to get it in the mail ASAP….

So without further ado….

Here's this week's report:

Fabric added this week: 0 yards
Fabric added year to date: 29.5 yards
Fabric used this week: 2.5 yards
Fabric used year to date: 51.5 yards

YTD Net fabric busted: 22 yards

Stash Report: Week 14

2009-04-05T15:15:00.001-04:00

Well I told you all that the report this week would be kinda bleak. My wonderful BFF, Nancy, and I spent the weekend sewing together last weekend and while I was there she gifted some lovely fabrics to me……15 yards worth in total. I cannot wait to use the fabrics and I’m thrilled to have them in my stash….

Here's this week's report:

Fabric added this week: 15 yards
Fabric added year to date: 29.5 yards
Fabric used this week: 0yards
Fabric used year to date: 49 yards

YTD Net fabric busted: 19.5 yards

I’ll try to do some serious busting this coming week……

Quiltathon-ing!!!

2009-03-29T18:40:00.001-04:00

My BFF, Nancy, and I had a wonderful in person Quiltathon weekend!!! I drove to her house on Friday evening after work and we got started sewing right after dinner.

I pulled out a UFO that had been sitting in a box since right before the New Year and started sewing. I managed to get over 1/2 the blocks pieced Friday night and Saturday afternoon. The UFO that I was working on is a pattern called Split Decision and I’m using the Bistro fabric line from Moda along with an off white solid fabric for the “light” side of the block. I’m really happy with the way this one is turning out :)

While I was working on my UFO, Nancy finished a baby quilt top and quilted it and then she quilted the pieces for both of the bags we decided to make.

So Saturday night and Sunday morning we put together our Paris Traveler’s Bags, the pattern is from Fig Tree Quilts and is a wonderful overnight bag! We were certainly glad to be working together on our bags as we hit a speed bump or two along the way. We used fabric from Loralie Ladies and I chose a pink polka dotted gusset, while Nancy opted for a red polka dotted gusset.

What a fantastic weekend! I wish we lived closer so we could sew together all the time in person, instead of over the phone like we usually do LOL.

I hope everyone had a great Quiltathon, I’m looking forward to the next one :)

Stash Report: Week 13

2009-03-29T18:22:00.001-04:00

Well this was a wonderful week for Stashbusting in my studio!!! I made a bunch of paper pieced blocks for a swap which used alot of fabric and then used quite a bit of muslin on a couple duffel bags which my BFF and I made this weekend. Next week’s report will be a bit dicey as my BFF gifted me quite a bit of fabric that will go onto week 14’s report.

Here's this week's report:

Fabric added this week: 0 yards
Fabric added year to date: 14.5 yards
Fabric used this week: 12 yards
Fabric used year to date: 49 yards

YTD Net fabric busted: 34.5 yards

Trip Around the Rainbow Finished!

2009-03-22T19:52:00.004-04:00

Finally!!! This UFO is done, even has a hanging sleeve so it can hang in my guild show this summer. I used King Tut on the top and a YLI varigated pink in the bobbin. I am so proud of myself that I managed to have no pokies on the top or the bottom of this quilt!! Gotta love the TOWA gauge :)

Here's some pictures of the finished product :)

Stash Report: Week 12

2009-03-22T19:08:00.002-04:00

Not such a bad week for stashbusting.....I didn't add anything to the stash and I managed to bust 2 yards for the sashing & 2 inner borders of Bears in the Candy Store. I still need to finish the top by tomorrow, but I'm on my way :)

Here's this week's report:

Fabric added this week: 0 yards

Fabric added year to date: 14.5 yards

Fabric used this week: 2 yards

Fabric used year to date: 37 yards

YTD Net fabric busted: 22.5 yards

Thanks for stopping by!

Stash Report: Week 11

2009-03-16T21:15:00.003-04:00

Nothing new to report this week. Nothing bought and nothing used. I will be able to bust some stash this week though. I have to cut the sashing and 2 of the borders for my QuiltAlong project and I have to work on some swap blocks which will use some stash.

So, here goes:

Fabric added this week: 0 yards
Fabric added year to date: 14.5 yards
Fabric used this week: 0 yards
Fabric used year to date: 35 yards
YTD Net fabric busted: 20.5 yards

QuiltAlong Step 3 Done!

2009-03-08T21:13:00.003-04:00

Tonight I finally finished my 12 BearPaw blocks for JudyL's QuiltAlong :) I am soooo happy with this project and even happier that I'm keeping up with the stitching! I'm calling my top "Bears in the Candy Store" since I'll be using a candy fabric for the outer border.

Now I'll patiently await Step 4.

Stash Report: Week 10

2009-03-08T21:04:00.002-04:00

This week was a pretty good stashbusting week! I actually used up a little stash on a birthday gift for my mom as well as the next step in the QuiltAlong!

Here's the report :)

Fabric added this week: 0 yards

Fabric added year to date: 14.5 yards

Fabric used this week: 2.25 yards

Fabric used year to date: 35 yards

YTD Net fabric busted: 20.5 yards

I'm still happy to report that I didn't add to the stash again this week :)

Birthday Gifts!

2009-03-02T15:19:00.002-05:00

Today is my mother's 70th birthday and all she asked for was a small purse and a case to carry her cards. So I made her a Runaround Bag and Wonder Wallet using Red Hatter fabric. The purse and wallet pattern are from Lazy Girl Designs and are very easy to make!

I'll be giving them to her tonight. Guess I better go make her cake :)

Stash Report: Week 9

2009-03-02T12:35:00.002-05:00

Well it wasn't a productive week for me at all, but at least I didn't add to the stash LOL

Here's the report:

Fabric added this week: 0 yards
Fabric added year to date: 14.5 yards
Fabric used this week: 0 yards
Fabric used year to date: 32.75 yards
YTD Net fabric busted: 18.25 yards

I have a feeling this week will be better, I'm off to the studio now to whip up a purse and matching card case from stash as a gift :)

Quilting Freehand Flowers!

2009-02-24T17:23:00.002-05:00

Slowly but surely I am quilting away on the Trip Around the World. It's slower going than I'd anticipated, but I am making progress. I'm hoping to have this one finished before the end of the month, but no big deal if it's not. It will be finished soon either way :)

Here's a picture of some of my progress.

Stash Report: Week 8

2009-02-22T10:13:00.002-05:00

Oh what a wonderful day for a stash report!!! I had a stellar stashbusting week this week (there's something to be said for stay at home vacations - hehehe). This week I get to count the backing and binding for the baby quilt, the fabrics I used for the HSTs I cut and finished this week, the border fabrics as well as the backing and binding (I cut and made the binding for the quilt this week) for my Trip Around the World. Plus......I didn't add any fabrics to the stash - Woohooooo!!!! So all in all a good week :)

Here's the official report:

Fabric added this week: 0 yards
Fabric added year to date: 14.5 yards
Fabric used this week: 11.25 yards
Fabric used year to date: 32.75 yards
YTD Net fabric busted: 18.25 yards

Saturday Quiltathon Progress!

2009-02-21T17:52:00.002-05:00

I have gotten alot accomplished today in the studio......

Last night I pulled out the strips I needed for the borders of my Trip Around the World. Today I pieced the borders and attached them to the top. I also cut the binding strips (I'll be using the same pourple as the inner border) and pulled out the backing fabric.

I hope to get the quilt loaded onto the frame and the bobbins ready for me to get it quilted tomorrow.

I love Quiltathon weekends!

Quilting Along with JudyL - Part Deux

2009-02-20T19:46:00.002-05:00

Today I successfully finished the 2nd installment of JudyL's QuiltAlong......192 little HSTs

Here they are in all their glory, all sewn, pressed and trimmed to size....patiently awaiting step 3!

A Day of Inspiration!!

2009-02-19T18:08:00.007-05:00

I had the pleasure today to once again spend the day learning from longarmer extroidonaire, Sharon Schamber and enjoyed a day of wonderful learning and inspiration! I was surprised when I walked in and Sharon looked at me and said "I know you". I'd taken a class from her with the longarm guild last March and was very surprised that she remembered me.

Sharon is a wonderful teacher and shares many helpful tips and tricks to quilting beautiful quilts. If you ever have the chance to take a class from her, go for it! She is worth travelling to learn from and is well worth the cost of the class, especially if you machine quilt on a frame system, no matter whether it's a short, mid or longarm.

Here are a few pictures of Sharon's quilts which she showed us today.

And here's our honorary student, Mango, a lovely HUGE orange tabby that just LOVES people!

Baby Quilt Finished!

2009-02-16T12:39:00.003-05:00

This is one of the fastest baby quilts I have ever made. I love this quilt and am very happy to have used all stash for it! I even managed to use a piece of batting that was left over from another project.

I am also tickled pink with this label. I just love the little diaper pin with a bow :)

The quilt will be packed up and sent to it's new home tomorrow! I sure hope little Andrew and his parents like it.

Quilting Along with JudyL

2009-02-16T12:32:00.002-05:00

I joined JudyL's Quilt Along and pulled my fabrics today. The stripe & candy print have been in the stash for ages and I have been looking for a great pattern to use them in. I plan to use the stripe in the blocks and the candy print in the puter border. The yellow will be my sashings and the pinks, blues & greens will be for the HSTs. I'm really looking forward to getting started!

A Baby Quilt Topped!

2009-02-15T14:12:00.003-05:00

Well it's not a UFO, but it is busting stash! I finished the baby quilt top I cut out and started earlier this week. I'm very happy with the result so far. I used the Happy Blocks pattern on Mary's website. I love this pattern as it's quick and easy. I have a UFO that's a bunch of novelty prints that will use this pattern too. I just haven't decided if I'll do scrappy or more planned "frames" on it.

Now to get it loaded onto the frame and quilted. I'm hoping to do that today. I'm on a roll!

PS - Sorry for the fuzzy picture, not sure what's up, maybe my camera battery needs charging?

Stash Report: Week 7

2009-02-15T08:04:00.002-05:00

This week was certainly more successful than last week in the world of stashbusting!!

I managed to avoid adding to the stash and even used a litle stash for a baby quilt I'm working on. I went shopping yesterday and did not buy any fabric at all, just batting :)

I'm planning to finish the baby quilt today, then I'll be able to add the backing and binding fabrics as busted!! YAY!!

So here's this week's report:

Fabric added this week: 0 yards
Fabric added year to date: 14.5 yards
Fabric used this week: 1.5 yards
Fabric used year to date: 21.5 yards
YTD Net fabric busted: 7 yards

I'm still thrilled to be on the positive side of the stashbusting curve. How are you doing this year?

Stash Report: Week 6

2009-02-08T18:02:00.002-05:00

Or should I title this post "Falling off the Wagon"???

Yesterday I fell off the wagon, but I'm OK with this. I'm still of a stashbusting mindset. I succumbed to the call of quilt shops that I hadn't visited in awhile. And I found such pretties, I had to bring them home with me. I do not plan to let these purchases sit around idly, they will become UFOs soon enough LOL.

My only excuse for falling off the wagon is that I was delusional from a head cold and couldn't help myself. I was too weak to resist the 26 FQs and that lovely jelly roll.....I'll be sure to hop back onto the wagon as soon as this cold clears my brain.

Here's the report:

Fabric added this week: 9.25 yards

Fabric added year to date: 14.5 yards

Fabric used this week: 0 yards

Fabric used year to date: 20 yards

YTD Net fabric busted: 5.5 yards

I'm still on the plus side of stashbusting for the year.....I have busted more than I've brought into the house.

The photo on this post is the FQ's & Jelly Roll I purchased yesterday.

Knitting!!!

2009-02-05T17:33:00.002-05:00

Well I decided to start knitting a little bit again. I went to the yarn shop last weekend and picked up a couple skeins of sock yarn. I decided I wanted some fingerless mitts so I started a pair. Here's the first one and I'll start it's partner tonight. I love how this yarn knits out. The yarn is Berroco Sox yarn and the color is John Moores.

Stash Report: Week 5

2009-02-03T21:54:00.002-05:00

Sorry I'm a few days late this week with my report. I've been a little out of sorts for a few days and took up knitting again LOL

The report's nothing to write home about, but at least I'm still using more than I'm adding LOL. I received 2 FQs as an online Bingo prize and used 3/4 yards for binding on the Scrappy Bargello

Here Goes!

Fabric added this week: .5 yards
Fabric added year to date: 5.25 yards
Fabric used this week: .75 yards
Fabric used year to date: 20 yards
Net fabric busted: 14.75 yards

This week I plan to do a bit more busting as I need to cut out a baby quilt for a friend and plan to use stash for that.

Finished Another UFO!

2009-01-29T17:51:00.007-05:00

This is my Scrappy Bargello made from Bonnie Hunter's pattern. I used a FQ bundle from Buggy Barn's Sherbet line and I am just thrilled with how this one turned out!

This quilt was started on Superbowl Sunday 2008 and finished a few days before Superbowl Sunday 2009, shew it was only a UFO for about a year :) Finished size is 72" x 92"

I quilted this one with a freehand overall flower design using pink thread. I also used the Fairfield Bamboo batting and I love it! I'm looking forward to washing this one to see how the batting reacts.

So 2 UFOs down, 99 to go......

Stash Report: Week 4

2009-01-25T00:12:00.002-05:00

It's been a good week for Stashbusting around here. I cut some strips for my Superbowl Sunday project, sent some charm packs out as a swap gift and sed quite a bit of fabric to back my Scrappy Bargello.

The quilting on the Scrappy Bargello is almost finished and I am very happy with it so far. I am really looking forward to finishing and using this one :)

Here's this week's report:

Fabric added this week: 0 yards

Fabric added year to date: 4.75 yards

Fabric used this week: 9 yards

Fabric used year to date: 19.25 yards

Net fabric busted: 14.5 yards

If I keep up this pace I should be able to reach my 100 net yards busted in 2009 without a problem. However there are alot of pretty new jelly rolls and FQ packs coming on the market soon from Moda that are just calling my name.