They're Done

No bragging here, but I was finally able to find time to sew and get some of these projects Finshed!  Yippee!  Not that I want to boast but here's the list:

The first to report is that Viking Knit bracelet is done and  it is gorgeous!

The next project I'll share  is a finished  embroidery of the February block of Miss Shabby Chic's  BOM 2011 stitch along.   Next up will be the  March's block. ( I hope to catch up this month with getting both  March's  and April's block finished.)

Then the Spring patchabilties is quilted, bound and Hung!  Now why did that take me so long?   I'll never know. (Actually did finish on April 10th.)

Then the little pincushion tool holder I have wanted to get done for my sewing room since forever  is also done.  How cute it turned out and it's so handy while I'm in my studio sewing.  Why did I ever put off sewing that  for so long?  Another mystery to me.

Of course the last to report  is that little Inukshuk table quilt  that I wanted to accessorize by stitching little gemstones along the "piped" area of the binding is also completed.  TOOT TOOT!!!!  Can you hear me tooting my horn.  Of course I am feeling so smug.

Also did finsh that cabled dishcloth end all tied in and all. (Finished on April 11th.)

I AM YELLING AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS OF HOW GREAT I FEEL AND HOW CREATIVE I HAVE BEEN.

Enjoy your day.
Jane


PS:  I'd post photos of all of these as soon as they are finished.  Did you know that today is April's Fool Day.  LOL
Now I'd better get busy so I'll be able to actually report that they are done relatively soon.

Stash Report #16

Another week has gone by with nothing to report for usage. However, I did gain some fabric this week. Our little group of quilting friends gathered yesterday and had planned on doing the four patch posie. Since the 2 fabrics I had in my stash were prewashed, I purchased another fabric that I thought would work for this pattern, it's that colorful pink, orange and aqua one on the lower right, 4 7/8 yards. I also saw a nice black and white that could be used for some urns on another whimm in the future so grabbed a yard of that while I saw it. Purchased 2.25 yards for a bag, it's the teal and lime colored fabbies to the left. Besides all that, at a friend's shop Fibre Junction, I saw a fat quarter that will be perfect for my robin egg in another UFO that I've had around for ages. I'm rounding it up to an even 8.5 yards gained, another yelp. I seem to be going in the opposite direction! But I'm not going to beat myself up about it. I really enjoyed the SEX! aka-Stash Enhacing experience. LOL
Check out how others are doing in there quest for the 100 yard dash over at Judy Laquidera's blog.

So this week's report is:

Used this week: 0 yards
Used Year To date: 18.75 yds

Added This week: 8.5 yards
Added Year To Date: 49 yards

Net Fabric Gained (Loss or used): 30.25 yards


Here's the fabric I had in for doing the four patch posie before I realized you shouldn't wash your fabric. I always prewash everything when purchased, so when I'm inspired, I can just grab it sand start. I may still try to do it on these, time will tell. As it happened, I ran out of time to precut my squares so ended up bring some charms to work on an entirely different project altogether. Go figure. Well it was a wonderful day gathering with friends.

Jane

PS: The Eastern Star quilt we all made blocks for was positioned on Trudy's design wall. Talk about gorgeous! I won't show you any previews even though we took pictures until the quilt is done. But trust me, it's spectacular.

Dutch Spiral Rope

Last year a group of my friends and I decided to make a beaded necklace as a group endeavor. Being very new to beading I went along even though it would be stretching any talents I had tremendously. Devon and Pauline, the bead shop owners, helped me with each stage of making the necklace- thanks so much guys! Once they tutored me, I could proceed until my next step. So now, 1 1/2 years later I finally finshed my necklace last night at the new bead shop A Mano with help from Devon. Check it out.


The pattern called for 11 and 15 beads, but with the colorway I wanted, only size 11 beads were available so I used those exclusively. It even traveled down to the keys with me last year, so I could strand more beads on while vegging out. It really wasn't hard to do, just time consuming. Since being on so many muscle relaxants and pain relievers during this time, the rope is a bit relaxed and doesn't keep a round demeanor and it's very fluid just like it's maker. But it'll be fine for my first one. There is a pendant I want to make for it too and when we get together later this month, I'll learn the brick stitch from Devon.

Enjoy your day,
Jane

Yikes!

I am so glad I'm not on the Official No Buy Challenge through stashbusters this year. A local quilt shop had a wonderful sale this past weekend (as she does every year at this time) so I went to get some backing needed for my Montana Log Cabin quilt I have going. With 25% off everything and No tax, I ended up buying another bolt of Robert Kaufman Black besides a few other things. I already used almost all of my last bolt of Kaufman Black and I do gravitate towards this color often, so thought I'd splurge and get another, especially with this price. Who could refuse? I went light on my spending compared to previous years, that I am so proud of myself. Here is what I purchased at the LQS:



The yellow minkee is what I'll be using for the backing of the Montana Log and in fact, I layered it at the shop since no classes were being held and they had those nice large tables. ;~) I do love some jungle prints and with the zebra fabric being 50% discounted, I knew I'd find a use for it somewhere. Oh no! Am I re justifying my purchases and sliding down a slippery slope again? Nope. Not going hog wild and buying just because a sale, but to use them and progress on my UFO's. The only frivolous purchase besides that zebra fabric was the quilt panel and the sponge bob square pants fat quarter. Not bad, Right? right!

I did stop by Joann's before to get a couple of items during their President's Day sale. With the 50% off coupons and the additional 20% off total purchases coupons I did quite well there too. Here is that photo of what I got.



The pink minkee will be the back for a baby quilt I need to make and give by the end of the month. The rulers since of the 2- 6" x 24" omnigrid that I own, are no where to be found, I needed to get one now. At 50% again a no brainer. The other rulers will come in handy for 2 ufo's I have going on, A pattern of pincushions, 2 applique patches, 2 pillow forms, 2 small pieces of fabric and an artbin case for organizing my creative endeavors. One fabric is for a class in March and the other for lining a bag I want to make with moda charms.
Phew! Janie is a very happy camper. Some times it doesn't take much to make a girl happy, but even though everything was on sale or discounted, I still spent enough. Perhaps it would be cheaper to just buy a quilt when I want one. But where is the fun and challenge in that? No, I think I'll go along my merry way and keep blazing this same quilter's path when I can.

This past weekend, PGD#1 and I went to see the local Adirondack Cowboy Coral ice palace in Saranac Lake. Here are a couple of photos.






It was soooo cold! I love seeing the design each year. This year's festival celebrated the Adirondack Cowboy as it was sketched and sculped into the castle. The winter festval is grand. Usually DH and I will go (with or without family) to watch the fireworks but we couldn't this year. If you ever get a chance to see fireworks in the winter, go. It is so worth it in my estimation. Well need to get off this computer and get dinner.

Stay Warm,
Jane

Summary: Yards in - 27.75 yards.
Egads, I'm going in the other direction. As far as the 100 yard stash to the dash. I really better start sewing and finishing the many UFOs so I can get my numbers showing usage and going in the proper direction!

Next UFO focus

With finishing the runner I am going to focus on my next UFO. I've mentioned my Patience Corners quilt and I'll putter along with that but my next focused UFO will be my Alien invasion. It has been sitting on my cutting table waiting for me to applique a design on the back. I did machine applique the sign I want my little alien to hold but now to get the little creature onto fabric. Stay tuned. I think I should be able to manage this finish by the end of January, and that includes me quilting it on my DSM.

Stay Warm,
Jane