Stash Report - April 3, 2016

I hope everyone had a nice Easter last week.  I was busy preparing the meal, so I missed my post.  Just as well...I really didn't have anything to report.  I haven't really been in the sewing room much the last couple of weeks.  It seems life has happened when I wasn't paying attention.  Hopefully, with the ushering in of Spring, I will be able to return to my room regularly.

Last week, I took my machine in for service.  I couldn't just leave the shop without looking around, especially since it was a shop I hadn't been in before.  I found this great tone on tone neutral.  I like it because it doesn't have flowers on it.  It makes it more versatile for me when my boys want something made from it.  I bought a yard.

I also bought some quilt basting spray for a minkee project I am noodling in my head, and several little scissors sets.  The one with hearts has a clip that clips to your clothes, so I don't lose them while I am watching TV.  The other two have pigs on them, and are gifts for my Mom and Sister.  They help each year on the Swine Livestock Show during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.  (If they say something to me about them, we'll know if they read my blog.)

It is only the first few days of April, and I have already managed to complete a couple of my goals.  First, I was able to complete the stitching down of my hexagons on my Buttercream Summer block.  That will complete this block, and now I am ready to prepare the 7th of 8 blocks for embroidering.  I won't get to count anything out of stash this week for it, but I am one step closer to completing the quilt.

Second, I was able to finish the pillowcase bags for my boys.  I did not pick the fabrics out...they did. Unlike me, they don't enjoy shopping for fabric, so I'm sure they picked the first thing they saw without flowers.  These are really cute bags, and I am thinking about making some more with Star Wars fabric.  My plan is to use these when we travel to put the kids blankets, pillow pets, and stuffed animals in.  Last time we traveled, one of my boys dropped their blanket in a puddle as we were going into the hotel.  This will hopefully prevent that, and make it easier to carry.  I think they would also be great for a sleepover or a laundry bag at camp.  If you would like the pattern, you can find it on allpeoplequilt.com.  Total used for these two pillowcase bags is 2 3/4 yards.

                                      This Week          This Year
Used                                      2.75               21.5
Added                                    1.00               28.75
Net Used / Added                 1.75                  7.25

This certainly has things moving in the right direction, but I have more to do. I am linking up to Patchwork Times, and you can see how others are using these stash.

Blessings,
Joy

Springing Into New Goals

I am excited about Spring having arrived! Are you?  I did not do so well on my March goals, and April will be a little hectic, so I am going to adjust my goals accordingly. First, let's review those March goals.

 1. Civil War Celebration - The only thing that has changed in the last month, is some matched strips have fallen on the floor. It hasn't been under the needle at all. 

2.  QC Patriotic Table Runner - I haven't touched it either. 

3. Temple Replacement Quilt - Still just a stack of fabric. 

4. Tuffet for Playroom - This is a completed top, and I just need to assemble the tuffet. 

5.  Buttercream Summer Block - This block is almost done. I just need to stitch down the hexagon flowers. 

6.  Summer Solstice Block a Day - I am about half finished marking this quilt for quilting. 

7.  E'Lane's Shoes - No progress

8.  Cash and Carry Pouches - No Progress

9.  Coffee Mug Bag - No progress

10.  Boy's Pillowcase Bags - I only managed to set the fabric on the ironing board. 

Clearly, I didn't have as much time in the sewing room as I would have liked for March.  I will be traveling some in April too, so I'm going to stick to realistic projects. 

1.  Buttercream Summer Block - I only need to press, depaper, and stitch down the 4 1/2 hexagon flowers to the top of the dark green stems. Surely I can accomplish that this month!

2.  E'Lane's Shoes - I've started one, and I would really like to complete these by Mother's Day. This will be a project I work on while traveling this month.

3.  Boy's Pillowcase Bags - These shouldn't take much time, and I just need to do it!

4.  Tuffet for Playroom - I need to assemble this, so I know if I need to purchase a different staple gun to teach my classes. I also have a second tuffet cover completed, which I will assemble at the same time. In the picture, the large circles are the bottom of the tuffet, and the smaller circles will be the button covers.

5.  Cash and Carry Pouch - This should be another quick project.  I need to see if I have any fusible fleece first.

6.  Fleece Baby Blanket - I can't find the fleece I am actually looking for.  It has ducks on it.  While looking, I found the one with balls on it.  I have had this fleece for way too many years. All I really need to do is fringe the edges. It is #5 on my non-quilt UFO list, which was the number called this month at 52quilts.com.  If I can find the duck fleece, I will try to complete it too.  In the closet behind my cutting table maybe?

7.  Chained Nine Patch by Cathy Bush - I really like this pattern, and it was started last September in Chattanooga during a class with my Mom. I would like to get it completed this month, and get back on track with my monthly UFO's. It is my #5 quilt UFO, and I will participate in Aunt Marti's UFO challenge at 52quilts.

This doesn't seem like much compared to the last few months, but I think this is completely doable considering my time constraints this month. I like that several of these are near completion, and several more are small projects. Hopefully that means I will be able to finish the quilt on the list. 

Have a great month, and Happy Spring!
Blessings,
Joy