I also completed a ruler bag for a fellow guild member. Her ruler bag is much larger, and finishes at 37"x25". It has 3 outer pockets, and 14 inner pockets. She provided the butterfly fabric, but I provided the solid quilting cotton for decor and pocket linings, colored pockets, and various muslins, interfacings, and batting to complete the project. I will be delivering it to her tomorrow, and I think she will be pleased. I was going to also make her a smaller one for a 12"x18" mat, but I need to discuss design with her. I just don't think I have enough of the butterfly fabric left to make it work. Total out of my stash to complete this bag is 4 1/2 yards.
This week I also quilted a table runner my guild taught as a class last year. I actually finished the top and had it sewn to the backing last September during QuiltWeek, but never actually got it quilted. Now, it is a finished project, and I can claim it as 2/3 yards used and mark it off my "To Do" list.
During the same Quilt Week, I almost completed a First Aid Bag. Again, it was close but not completed. So, I finished up this cute bag. I'm not completely sure what I am going to do with it, but I can mark it off the list and claim the 1/4 yard used for it.
And finally, I finished up this Easy Wonder Clip Bowl by Birdcage and Thread. It only used up 1/8 yard, but I can see where it will be extremely handy. I plan to make a few more of these for my sister and Mom, now that I know how they go together.
I'm checking in with Patchwork Times for my stash report. Since this is the first I've used this year, my weekly numbers are the same as my yearly numbers:
Used Year To Date: 10.92 yards
Purchased Year To Date: 0.00 yards
Net Destashed Year To Date: 10.92 yards
In addition to those bags, I also began quilt planning for an "Ugly Dog Fabric" challenge with my guild. The challenge is to take a piece of someone else's "ugly" fabric and create a completed quilt. I'm pretty excited about mine, but I'm not quite ready to share it yet. The planning has begun for it, and I'm looking forward to getting it started this week.
In the meantime, I have started stitching two Bionic Gear Bags. One will be for my Mom, and the other for my sister. I hope to have those finished up this week, so I can get them in the mail. Mom knows I am working on hers, but my sister's is a surprise that will coordinate and arrive with her ruler bag. If I have time before Friday, I may even make my sister a matching Scrap Bag. We'll see.
I've been following Kate's good example over at Life in Pieces by trying to spend at least 15 minutes sewing every day. This week, I managed all 7, which brings my yearly amount to 15 out of the 200 that is my goal for this year. It really is amazing how much I am able to accomplish with this goal. Whether it is grabbing a few minutes to run a few things under the needle while waiting on my boys, or the "just a few minutes" that turn into 3 hours, I've been pleased with what I have been able to accomplish this week.
And while I'm reporting, let me also say that I am following along with Shelley at Prairie Moon Quilts in The 350 Block Challenge. Since I was making bags and not actually quilting, I'll claim 10 blocks this week and year.
I'm also going to spend 10 minutes a day this week straightening my sewing room. Just that little time will yield big benefits by the end of the week. I've been pulling multiple fabrics, so I have fabric strewn across my room. Spending a few concentrated moments of time cutting down scraps or putting thread back in place will help tremendously. I was also looking for batting pieces for one for the ruler bags, so I need to fold and label some pieces. These little tasks will help return the sense of serenity to my sewing room.
But before I go, I want to wish a Happy Birthday to my Father-In-Law. Happy 70th Birthday, Pa! He has been a wonderful role model to my husband and sons, and we are beyond blessed to have him as the Patriarch of our family.
Joy :)
