My last 2009 Stash report

Where has the year gone....it definitely has gone by fast!

With family commitments, I never did get any sewing done this last week.

For my final count:

Fabric in Year-to-date: 80 yards

Fabric out year-to-date: 153 yards

I didn't meet my 2009 goal, but I did but a big dent in the fabric piles, so it's still progress!

Here are photo's of two of my fav Christmas gifts... From my daughter V-a glass sea shell necklace. I'm not much of a jewelry wearer, but I just love this necklace...thanks Baby Girl!
From my daughter E-Samoan print fabric she purchased from one of my fav quilt bloggers, Barb, at Bejeweled...she's listed under my most visited blogs on the left side column. I am looking forward to coming up with a really good quilt (or two) with this fabric.
Thank you Sweet Pea...and Barb...for the fabric!

I hope you and yours have had a wonderful Winter Holiday Break....

Stashbusting Report

We're nearly done with our reports for 2009....where did the time go?

I've been busy with family things....cleaning out my Dad's house....so, no sewing

80 yards in YTD.....153 yards used YTD

Christmas is next week...guess I better lock myself in my sewing room!

Stashbusting report

I used one whole yard of scrap terry cloth making tubes (filled with cat liter) to block out the cold air coming into our laundryroom....hey, at least I sewed this week!

Fabric in YTD: 80 yards

Fabric used YTD: 153 yard

End of my Presidency!

I have served as President of my Syracuse Utah Quilt chapter for the past year. My reign came to an end this month when I passed on the torch to the new leaders for the 2010 year. I have had a great time being President...I had a fantastic committee that pretty well ran the whole group smoothly....I just stood at the front of the room occasionally and said a few words.

At the end of the year we get together as a group for a luncheon...this year we ate at Sizzler Steak house in Layton.....yummy salad bar. We have a gift exchange too. I scored big this year...I picked a cute little purse and in that purse was.... ...these gorgeous hand dyed fat quarters.....aren't they beautiful. I can see all sorts of possibilities in the variegated colors in these pieces. I need to create just the perfect landscape quilt with these beauties!
As out-going President, the ladies each gave me a red fat quarter....can you tell red is my favorite color? I have been working on stash busting some of my red fabric this year, but the ladies just restocked me...thanks, all!

They even included this great pattern with the fabric....can't get the photo to load side to side....sorry! It's from the Feb 2010 American Patchwork & Quilting Magazine (pg 49). It's already at the top of my to-do list.

I did not take on another committee position for 2010. Decided I am ready for a little break...need to do my own thing for a while.

New stashbusting report

I posted my report yesterday....no new fabric used...someone put two wierd comments on it...couldn't remove the comments, so I just completely removed the post.

Wish I were smarter when it comes to blogging!

My UFO list

You may want to have a potty break and get yourself a drink before starting this post...it's going to be a long one. Why? I have begun my UFO list...here we go!

This is a piece of stamped muslin I did in a fabric dyeing class a few years ago. I have added some embroidery stitches here and there using up some leftover colorful threads. I have no idea what I am going to do with it tho...any suggestions?
This is the beginning of a Winter quilt. The pattern is "Our Pieceful Village" by Lynn Rice. Her patterns are pieced buildings that form a beautiful quaint village. I choose to do it in a winter theme, plus I am machine appliqueing the whole quilt top.

This project I have had for about 7-9 years and is actually someone elses UFO. I purchased a box of fabric with most of the pieces cut out at a yard sale for $5. The fabric is from the 1930-1950 time period, including the background piece.

These stars are from the Utah Quilt Guild Annual Fest Quilt til' you Wilt class..either 2 or 3 years ago. I purchased the red dot material to use as borders.

I won these black and white blocks at a quilt chapter meeting alot of years ago. Everyone took a turn making 2 blocks out of black and white fabric...each block has a little zinger bright fabric. At the end of the year, I won half of the blocks, while the other half were made into a quilt for charity.

Last, but not least, is my butterfly wall hanging. I have a few more blocks to make, then I will make it all into a wall hanging using the butterfly fabric in the background.

Well, that's it...for now....I know there is more in my studio, but I am going to just start with these for now!

This weeks goals

I need to get back on track with my life. As of late, I have found myself rolling along with it, or better yet, letting it roll over me. I need to be more productive, so maybe if I write down some weekly goals, it will make me stick to them when I know I have to account to them. So...

1.Start listing and photographing my WIP's and UFO's...this is going to take a while.

2.Turn off the Internet and spend more time making and creating-keep list of time spent on Internet and sewing related activities.

3.Make some decisions before the end of the year of the monthly journal quilts I want to do in 2010.

I know there should be more, but I don't want to overwhelm myself.

Have a good week, all!

Stashbusting Report

Nothing to report this week...

Fabric in YTD: 80 yards

Fabric out YTD: 152 yards

A finish and more WIP's

I've noticed that many of the quilters on the blogs are listing and showing their WIP's and/or UFO's. I recently cleaned out my studio and found many of my own WIP's and UFO's...I think they multiple like rabbits when I'm not in the room...did I really begin all these projects?

Here is my next WIP on this list for quilting. I took a fabric dyeing class a couple of years and did about a dozen small samples. This is one of my stamp samples. I finished this stamp sample from the same class this week. I tried quilting it about a year ago, but didn't like the results and picked out all the thread. I decided to just do it this time and live with it...it can't all be perfect, right?
I'm going to start photographing and listing my projects that I want to finish in 2010

Stashbusting Report

Fabric in YTD: 80 yards

Fabric used this week:3 yards
Fabric used YTD: 152 yards

More Christmas sewing, which I can't show you....wish I could tho!

The great stuff you find in fabric piles

I cleaned out my studio last week...trying to get a little more order in my crazy life!

I found quite a few quilt tops ready to be quilted...I found quite a few bundles of blocks waiting to become finished tops... And I found this top....I have been working on it off and on for a year now. I started with appliqueing the solid background. It is my representation of the four seasons, beginning with Spring (birth) at the top and working down to Winter (Death) at the bottom. I have added some embroidery and ribbon and other things to it here and there. I plan to add photos of Women who have been an important part of my life...Mom, Grandmas, etc.

This project is definitely at the top of my list to be finished for 2010!

A busy weekend...

...for my Hubby!

I spent the weekend with a cold and sore throat. Except a quick trip to the Library for new books and DVD's, I didn't leave the house from Friday to today.

We had all these plans for things to get done....poor Hubby of mine....he went on without me! First, he painted the guest bathroom...it's been yellowish for a few years, which I liked, but he didn't, so now....
It's a grey...unfortunately the photo looks purplish, but trust me, it's a light grey. Our daughter says it's a lot more calming then the former Yellow

I had cleaned my studio this last week. The fun things you discover in the piles! I didn't know I had SO MANY projects left unfinished. I reorganized my "current project" basket with Christmas projects/gifts so I can get to them and get them finished in time. Mostly, on top, you can see some of the monthly pillowcases I am doing for my granddaughters.(I don't think my ex-daughter-in-law reads this blog, so I can post that).

Are you ready for the Holidays....I'm not, but I'm trying!

Fabric stashbusting report

Fabric in YTD: 80 yards

Fabric used YTD: 149 yards

I actually did a little Christmas sewing yesterday! Yeah!!!

The past is reflected in my present

I have been thinking about my goals for 2010, including what I want to do in terms of sewing/quilting/clothing/creating with fabric. I've been thinking about the past alot with everything that is happening with my Dad losing his memories.

I do some of my best thinking and planning when I am in the water....soaking in the tub....standing in the shower....sailing on the Lake. While soaking the other night, I decided that I needed to put down some of my feelings and memories and thoughts into some kind of semi-permanent creation of fabric.

One of my memories is when I lived in Pesega, Western Samoa. My brother was a teacher at CCWS (Church College of Western Samoa) and I lived with him and his familyand attended High School. Below is a photo, another one I "borrowed" from my sister-in-laws FaceBook page, of my parents, my brother, his wife, their two kids (aren't the cute!) and me (white dress & the big 1970's permed hair!). It was a time in my life where I went thru some real extreme experiences that were either super good/wonderful/uplifting or very bad/sad/depressing...hey, I was a teenager, what can I say!

I have some great plans to document that Samoa time in fabric, so....for 2010, I am going to do a year of project to

"Remember the Past that brought me to this Present"

Monthly, I am going to do a journal quilt (8.5" by 11")to preserve my memories. I don't think I will work from birth on, but just take it month by month as I feel inspired.

I am also going to make fabric bird ornaments for a future Christmas Tree. The plan is to have a little bird for each year of my married life made out of things that represent important events of that year with the year embroidered on it.

I also plan to work on specific projects each month...example:2-3 birds per month, plus one journal quilt.

I am feeling really ready for this upcoming year....how about you?

My Dad

I stole/borrowed this photo from my Sister-in-law's facebook page. She posted some great photos of my parents this week. We, my siblings and I, had to make a major decision about my Dad this week. Dad's health has not been too good, but worse, his memory has gone. He knows us and loves us, but he is easily confused now. He'll be moving to an assisted living apartment in the next few weeks

The above photo is of my Dad when we lived in Rossmoor, California in the early 1960's...Rossmoor is just a little ways from Disneyland. My Dad was a great Dad! He was a hard worker, taught us right from wrong and did his best for his family and those around him.

I miss my "old" Dad, but I'm glad we can take care of him now, like he took care of us all these years...I love you, Dad!

Utah Guild Mystery Quilt 2009 done

Actually, the top is done...quilting & binding to follow sometime.

All the participants made the same 8 blocks in their color choice, then the designers listed three different setting square/borders to finish the quilt.

Every
I enjoyed doing this mystery, unlike other another mystery quilt I did years ago and totally messed up the last step. The quilt was still nice, but not come out great in the pattern department.

I'm glad I got this project done...not another UFO in the pile! YA!!!!

Stashbusting Report

No sewing this week...lots of family drama & activities!!!

Fabric in YTD: 80 yards

Fabric used YTD: 146 yards

Off to American Samoa

I finished sewing the bags to send to Barb in American Samoa. The five bags in the back row are going to her. I had cut out duplicate bags, so I made up two more (the ones in the front) to go to Festival of Tree's-a local fund raiser for Primary Children's Hospital here in Utah. My son had surgery as a child at Primary's, so I try each year to donate something to the Festival. The last bag on the right in the back row (light floral) I made two of also-I'm keeping the second one for me. I cut this bag out of some old curtains my Mom made for her Kitchen.

Fabric Stash Busting Report

I just realized I missed posting my report last week...I guess I was more busy than I thought!

Fabric in this week: 0 yards
Fabric in YTD: 80 yards

Fabric used this week: 16 yards
Fabric used YTD: 146

I love this pattern!

I purchased this pattern at least 10 years ago and have used it and used it and used it. I think I paid 99 cents for it, so I think you would agree that I got my money's worth out of it. I usually make Bag B (upper right photo). I think I have it down to about 20 minutes total from cutting out the fabric to sewing a bag.

I've made this bag for gifts and for swaps and for Holidays-one year I made all the girls in the family one in pastels to hold Easter goodies, instead of a traditional basket.

Here is a current photo of three of the bags I made yesterday. I am sending them along, with some more bags I will (hopefully) sew today, to American Samoa to a blog friend named Barb. She has been giving out bags & clothes & lava lava's & pillowcases to her neighbors & others who lost everything in the Earthquake & Tsunami last month.

If you have any extra to give yourself, I know Barb or anyone in American or Western Samoa would appreciate it!

I love vintage!

I definitely need to improve my photography skills! This is a beautiful hat, but my photo sure doesn't show it....sorry!

I found this little gem at an consignment/second hand/junk store. I had never shopped at this particular shop before. They had alot of great vintage fashions & linen's but the shop was so crammed full, that I probably missed alot of good items.

The hat is a light coral pink felt with a bow & bead flower across the front. There is also a small veil attached that is in great shape. The inside is printed with the logo: neumann-endler inc. Fair Field Felts.

I love hats...wish they were worn more often then just Easter or at a wedding.......

Fall is in the air!

Growing up in a beach community, I never really experienced the four seasons of the year. After 27 plus years in the Rocky Mountains, I still love all four seasons...well, maybe not alot of the cold Winter.

I got out the Fall/Halloween decorations this last weekend. The produce is from our garden and a local farmers market. The little trick or treater is one of my Mom's old decorations I inherited a few years ago...the candy in her little sack is probably 20 years old!
I always wanted to have a quilt to put out for each season, but I've never seemed to manage making & keeping the quilts for myself. This quilt I won at a open house for a quilt shop in Centerville (Utah). The shop doesn't exist any longer, unfortunately. I always put this quilt out to decorate each Fall for about 10 years now.

Happy Fall!

Fabric stash busting report

I should just keep bumping up the last report.....all the sewing I am doing is for Christmas & not finished yet & can't be seen.

Fabric in YTD: 80 yards
Fabric used YTD: 130 yards

New light on the subject of Quilting

I went to a wonderful lecture on Quilting and the place it holds in History, especially Women's view of History. First though, my photos got loaded backwards (dumb computer!), so you get these photos first..... My family has lived in our current house a little over 12 years now. We took over the building of this house after alot of the actual building and planning had been done. I didn't get to choose alot of the fun things, like lights and paint color, so I have had the lights (pictured above) on the front of my house for 12 years. Well, the light at the front door died, so we had to buy something new....
How do you like the new light....I love it! We are going to get two more of the same design but larger in size for the front of the garage.

Now on to the subject: The Lecture....

I attended a lecture called "Text & Textile" at Weber State (Ogden, Utah) by Dr. Judy Elsley, Professor of English. She compared writing a text with creating a quilt and it was an absolutely wonderful lecture.

She is a self taught quilter who dyes her own fabrics for her creations. Her dye/formula book was about 4 inches thick! She also makes her own stamps and other items for printing on the fabric. The picture above is of Dr. Elsley and one of her quilts from the her University website:
www.weber.edu/jelsley

This quilt, also from her website, is called "Midday". Beautiful!!!!!!!

I had a "AH-HA" moment at her lecture, when she said she dyes the fabric, then waits until the fabric tells her what to create. I try to do that myself, though there are times I fall into the "it will be just faster & easier to use this printed pattern & get it done" mode. I hope to be able to take one of her college textile classes in the near future!

Fabric stash busting report

I didn't use anything new this week...tho I did the binding on multiple quilts for the new VA Hospital that is being built North of me.

Fabric in YTD: 80 yards

Fabric out YTD: 130 yards

The Samoa I knew & loved!

I stole this photo from my Brother's Facebook photo album. It's me as a teenager (about 1978) when I was in High School in Pesega, Western Samoa at CCWS. I know, I'm not a happy camperin the photo. I am holding my nephew, Samasoni..isn't he cute! I've been thinking about Samoa the fast couple of weeks since the earthquake & tsunami. As far as I know, all my friends are okay, tho some of them are without any earthly possessions to speak of.

Living is Samoa wasn't always great, but I do miss the simpleness of the culture & lifestyle there. Everything was very laid back & casual & unhurried. The people were very friendly & accepting, excepting most thought I was too skinny & tried to feed me constantly(...yeah, that wouldn't happen now!)

I need to get back to that feeling in my sewing & family & life......

Tempting free Patterns

I know I said I wouldn't start anything new, but the wonderful designers at http://gumtreedesigners.blogspot.com are posting a new free pattern for Christmas each Monday for 9 weeks.....it started this last Monday and this weeks design is really nice. Go check them out!

Weekend trip-Utah & Idaho

Hubby and I went on a quick two day trip out of town this last weekend. The public schools were shut down for UEA, so since Hubby is a teacher, we had Thursday and Friday off for a fun getaway. We had planned to leave early, but our daughter had car problems, so we didn't get away until later in the afternoon. Headed North, we made our usual stop at Smith & Edwards (pictured above). It's a army surplus, grocery, clothing, outdoors, hardware, plus a little of this & that store. As they say, if Smith & Edwards doesn't have it, you probably don't need it....they don't have fabric...hhmmmm.
We drove thru Logan Canyon to the town of Providence, which is just south of the city of Logan. We stayed at the Providence Inn...we've stayed there before and really like it. The place was practically empty for a Thursday Night, so the manager upgraded us from a small Queen room to a huge King suite. I loved the fireplace and wonderful jet tub.

Breakfast was yummy...I took a photo of our breakfast but it came out awful, so I copied this photo over from the website. The photo shows the exact breakfast we had (except the coffee)...I had the raspberry french toast on the left & Hubby had the California Eggs on the right. We even had orange juice!

We headed North to Idaho on Friday morning on Hwy 89.

Lots of farms and small communities along the way. I know you can't really read the sign at the top of the barn, but it say "Fabric Farm" with the address & phone number. We found the fabric farm...it was a metal barn that had been turned into a fabric store/long arm machining business. I purchased some new fabric for Kitchen curtains

We stopped in the town of Lewiston-population about 600. A sign directed us to Theurer's Fabric store on 1 Main. We found the address, but could only see a gas station and grocery store. Then my Hubby read the print on the side of the grocery store...Fresh produce...Groceries...Fine Meats....FABRIC! The fabric was on the left and the groceries were on the right. Extremely friendly folks!

We looked at a few lots of land to buy, but couldn't see anything that we were definite about. I guess we'll just have to keep going back to find that perfect spot. Above is a photo (sorry it isn't too good) of the changing Fall colors & snow on the upper pine trees. Ah, Fall in Utah!

Stash Busting report

Fabric in YTD: 80 yards

Fabric used this week: 12.5 yards
Fabric used YTD: 130 yards

Two charity quilt tops and backings to the VA hospital, plus more Christmas sewing!

Stash busting report

Not much this week:

Fabric in this week: 0 yards
Fabric in YTD: 80 yards

Fabric used this week: 2 yards
Fabric used YTD: 117.5 yards

More Christmas sewing, so no photos......

Utah Quilt Guild 2009 Fest

Normally, I attend the Utah Fest and take a class or volunteer to sit at the Quilt Show, but this year, I just didn't have the time (or money) to be able too. The Fest is being held thru Saturday in the town of Layton, which is a quick and close drive for me. I decided to go over with my friend, Teri, and just wander thru the show, the vendors and the displays.

Our first stop was the Breast Cancer fund raiser display. Each year the Guild has a pink fabric for sale. You buy a fat quarter (half the money goes to the charity) and make a 12 inch block using the fabric. At the Fest, folks can vote on their favorite block-25 cents a vote-this money goes to the charity too. At the end of Fest, all the blocks are made into quilts that are auctioned off the next year, again for the Charity. Above is my little girl block I made last year that is in quilt #19 to be auctioned off this year.

Our next stop was the Quilt Show. Not very big this year..... I love this landscape quilt...looks like you could just walk right out on the beach. The maker, Joyce E. added wonderful bead work to enhance the waves and beach grass.

I like landscape quilts, so I enjoyed this farm quilt.

This is quilt #40, that I voted for my favorite. It was raw pieced/appliqued and quilted wonderfully! I wish my own skills were at this level....

Next year the Utah Quilt Guild Fest is the first full week of October (2010) in Midway, Utah. I better start saving my pennies for the hotel and classes! Come join us.....

Setting up some of my sewing goals

I usually set up my goals for what I want to do for sewing/quilting/creating/clothing/costumes in September, so here I go:

1.Complete the 2009 Utah Quilt Guild Mystery project...I think the program is almost over.

2.Finish up the many tops and un-binded (sp?) quilts I have in my sewing room

3.Keep working on stash busting the huge fabric collection I have acquired.

4.Do the "Sweet Nostalgia" embroidery quilt at http://dorothybakerdesigns.blogspot.com/

Pictured below is the first block that Dorothy posted September 15th.

5.Spend a little more time of clothes sewing over the next four months.

6. Finish the Syracuse (Utah) Quilt group skill builder quilt top

Of course, some of my goals will change a little and I'll probably add a couple more goals.

What about you...share, please!

Stashbusting Report

I've been doing alot of Christmas sewing, so I have something to show in my report.

Fabric in this week:5 yards
Fabric in YTD: 80 yards

Fabric used this week: 11.5 yards
Fabric used YTD: 115.5 yards

I guess I have technically made my goal of using 109 yards in 2009, but I meant the goal of 109 yards out of my existing fabric stash and not what I purchased this year. If you're going by just the stash, I have 35.5 yards.

Hope everyone is doing well...

Art Festivals and yard sales...

....two things I love to attend with my family!

Today I went to the first annual Plain City (Utah) Art Festival with my hubby. Anyone who had a booth with items to sell had to provide items only handmade. I loved the photography and leather craft booths. My hubby got a kick out of this Cow welcoming us to the festival. We then headed out the the Weber County Fairgrounds where they were holding a huge, multi person yard sale. We were too late for it, unfortunately, but as we headed back towards the freeway, we saw a yard sale sign with lots of cars parked along the road. Of course, we stopped!

The family having the sale go to Estate and Lot sales year around, then resale the items individually in their huge garage. Wow, what a garage! I found a large box that I could see knitting needles and yarn sticking out of that was marked $2. It was the best $2 I have spent in a long time....

From the box, pictured above:

Singercraft yarn/rug maker from the 1940's(top of photo)

Empire men's trouser hand presser from 1932(with electric cord)

A box of 6 beautiful antique buttons

Palm Loom (round plastic) from 1965

Hand held button sewer

Plus these 9 sets of knitting needles, 2 sets of round needles, and assorted 2 point straight needles.

There was also quite an assortment of threads, needles, snaps, grommets, yarn, taffeta tape and other sewing things in the bottom of the box!

I think I got my money's worth!!!!!!

Busy, busy!

I've been busy with lots of the usual things...grandkids and the house! Babysitting three kids under 5 years old is exhausting. And the house, well.....I get to it when I can!

With the warm weather still hanging on this week, we've gone outside as much as possible. K asked me why we did. I told it was to run some energy out of us and breath some sunshine into us before the Winter comes. Now, when it's getting crazy indoors, she'll say "I think we need to run some energy out of us, Grandma".
I love drawing with chalk on the sidewalk. The kids create beautiful masterpieces, which wash off easily with the hose (by Grandpa) and can be recreated tomorrow.

After 12 years in a all-white house, I finally got my hubby to paint our bedroom. I hate all white walls, but my hubby hates painting even more, so it's taken 12 years to convince him we could do it. Well, he could do it-he hates to paint, but he hates anyone helping him even more.

The color is called "Pony Tail" by Olympic Paints from Lowe's Hardware. We are going to paint the doors and trim a white in a little while. I still need to re-install the canopy and light over the bed. I really like the color! I better...my hubby says he isn't painting again until he retires in 10 years and we sell the house.

I have done some sewing, but most of it has been for Christmas, so I can't show you.....