Stash Report and Stitching Time 9/24/2023

I missed posting my stash report last week thanks to our recent trip to New England. It's the first time I missed reporting in several months, ever since a trip in the spring to Paducah and Wisconsin. I'm sensing a pattern here! We had a fantastic time traveling to Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, all of them states we had never visited before. We even got to see some beautiful quilts at the Shelburne Museum in Vermont, including this one that is dated 1830-1840.

The trip included a visit to only one small quilt shop, and I didn't buy anything there. After our return, one of my main quilting activities was preparing for the quilt guild's annual auction. Guild members donate quilting/sewing related items which are laid out on long tables with brown paper bags taped to the tables next to each item. We buy tickets and place them in the bags for the items we wish to win. Here are some of the items I donated.

Charm pack--.75 yards

Kit for unknown project--3.75 yards

Poinsettia prints--6 yards

Jinny Beyer border stripes--6.25 yards

The total yardage of the fabrics I donated to the auction came to 16.75 yards. I also contributed some books and a kit for a Christmas hanging. I thought I was making a good dent in my stash, but unfortunately ended up bringing home even more fabric than I contributed.

Christmas fabrics--3.5 yards

"Harvest Home by Nancy Davis Murty--5.5 yards

These wreath blocks are also from the Harvest Home line--1.25 yards

Floral and border stripes--7.5 yards

3 matching charm packs--2.25 yards

All combined, my totals came to 16.75 yards out of the stash and 20 yards added. I've already cut into one of those floral border stripes to make tablerunners for the guild Christmas market, so I hope to see plenty more usage in the coming weeks.

2023 STASH TOTALS

Used last week:                       16.75 yards

Used year to date:                    97.50 yards

Added last week:                      20.00 yards

Added year to date:                86.875 yards

Net used in 2023:               10.625 yards

Fabric wasn't the only thing that came home with me from the auction. I also won some new rulers and a thread stand, plus a few books and patterns. I'm especially pleased to have the foundation papers for pineapple blocks, and I look forward to trying out the new rulers.

Kate's 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge at Life in Pieces has us tracking how many days each week we get in at least 15 minutes of quilting time. I was surprised to discover that I missed only 2 days of stitching time during our 10-day trip, but I know that most of those days didn't have much more than 15 minutes. I had my old standby Applique Hearts blocks along, and managed to finish only four of them.

15 Minute Challenge for 2023: 

9/10 - 9/23           12 of 14 days

2023 Total          254 of 266 days

Check out more stash reports at quiltpaintcreate and join the 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge at Life in Pieces. 

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA

Stash Report and Stitching Time 9/10/2023

Quilting time has been in short supply this week, but I did get a little bit done. I used 3/8 yard of fabric for two 16-Patch Stars blocks, shared in yesterday's post HERE. I'm also counting 3 yards as used for the three Dresden pillows I made for myself, my brother, and my youngest sister, all made from our father's ties. No new fabric was added to the stash. 

2023 STASH TOTALS

Used last week:                      3.375 yards

Used year to date:                   80.75 yards

Added last week:                       0.00 yards

Added year to date:                66.875 yards

Net used in 2023:               13.875 yards

Kate's 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge at Life in Pieces has us tracking how many days each week we get in at least 15 minutes of quilting time. It wasn't easy, but I did get my 15 minutes every day. 

15 Minute Challenge for 2023: 

9/3 - 9/9               7 of 7 days

2023 Total      242 of 252 days

Check out more stash reports at quiltpaintcreate and join the 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge at Life in Pieces. 

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA

Turquoise and Teal Scraps and Stars

Our assigned color of the month for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge is aqua, which to me means all of the blue-green colors like teal and turquoise. These are some of my favorite colors, and I have a good stash of scraps to choose from. 

For my two planned 16-Patch Stars blocks, I considered making one block that leaned more toward the greenish hues and the other block more blue. Instead, I decided to include all the different versions of blue-greens in both blocks.

Be sure to check out all of the wonderful scrappy projects at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge every Saturday, and at Oh Scrap! over at Quilting is more fun than Housework on Sunday. 

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA

Dresden Ties Pillows

I have a project to share that has been finished for a few months, but didn't get delivered until just recently. This set of Dresden pillows were all made from my father's ties. 

I had previously made similar pillows for my mother and sister. These three were for my other sister, my brother, and myself. Now all of us have one of these wonderful memory pillows (even though very few of us actually remember Dad wearing most of the ties!)

Each of the three pillows is made from the same group of ties. I was lucky to be able to get enough pieces out of each tie for five pillows. The background fabric has a very faint plaid design.

For the backs, I used a piece of Essex cotton/linen blend. Next time I might try adding piping around the outside edge to better hold the shape of the pillow.

Linking up with:

Wednesday Wait Loss at Inquiring Quilter

Midweek Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Peacock Party at Wendy's Quilts and More

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is more fun than Housework

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA

Stash Report and Stitching Time 9/3/2023

It seemed like lots of quilting got done around here this week, but I don't have much to count in the stash report today. Most of my projects from the week are not yet ready to be shared. I did use 1.125 yards for two sets of Jabberwocky blocks, one of my projects for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.

Fortunately, I've been able to resist the recent Labor Day sales online, so there was no new fabric added to the stash.

2023 STASH TOTALS

Used last week:                      1.125 yards

Used year to date:                 77.375 yards

Added last week:                       0.00 yards

Added year to date:                66.875 yards

Net used in 2023:                 10.50 yards

Kate's 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge at Life in Pieces has us tracking how many days each week we get in at least 15 minutes of quilting time. I've been working on all sorts of different projects, but it's time to wrap up some of them.

15 Minute Challenge for 2023: 

8/27 - 9/2             7 of 7 days

2023 Total      235 of 245 days

Check out more stash reports at quiltpaintcreate and join the 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge at Life in Pieces. 

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA

Jabberwocky Blocks in Yellow and Aqua

My last yellow blocks for August at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge were finished before the end of the month, but not in time to post them in August. Here are my yellow Jabberwocky blocks.

Jabberwocky, blocks finish at 10.25"

pattern by Judy Martin in The Block Book

Since I was in Jabberwocky mode, I continued straight into making aqua/teal/turquoise blocks for September.

Before stashing the blocks away in a bin, I combined the two color groups on the design wall.

Be sure to check out all of the wonderful scrappy projects at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge every Saturday, and at Oh Scrap! over at Quilting is more fun than Housework on Sunday. 

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA

Summer Camp Mystery Quilt Reveal

My very favorite quilting project of the entire summer has been the  Summer Camp Mystery by Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr. of Modern Quilt Studio. Today is the official end of the mystery and reveal/link-up of participant's quilts. I can't wait to see them all! Here is my finished quilt top which I am calling "Sedona."

The mystery started on June 1st with the first group of block patterns, and continued with clues until July 14th. Each week we got to choose which blocks we wanted to make, averaging about 20 blocks in 4-5 different block designs per week. The blocks are small, only 5" finished size, and cutting all the pieces probably took longer than stitching the blocks. It was a challenge to keep up each week, but I loved every minute of it! Here are some of my blocks up close.

My color palette was inspired by the U.S. desert southwest, especially the red rocks around Sedona. The pattern for the mystery included three choices of quilt size to make, and at the end, we discovered that there were three different layouts to choose from too. My quilt top features the "Campfire" layout in the napping (medium) size, approximately 55" x 78". I haven't figured out a plan yet for how I want to quilt it, but it will be very simple quilting to let all the block piecing be the focus.

Indoor photo

If you are interested in seeing other versions of the Summer Camp Mystery Quilt, you can check them out at the Facebook page for Modern Quilt Studio. They had over 1000 participants in this mystery, and you will be blown away by the variety of quilts people have made. I can't wait to see what Weeks and Bill come up with for their next mystery!

Linking up with:

Modern Quilt Studio Facebook page

Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Peacock Party at Wendy's Quilts and More

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is more fun than Housework

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA

Stash Report and Stitching Time 8/27/2023

My stash reduction efforts showed good progress this week, most of it centered on my projects for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I used just under 2 yards for three yellow A Maze Zing blocks, one strippy/scrappy yellow placemat, and the sashing/border on the Tribbles tablerunner. You can see photos of all these projects in yesterday's post.

My other project, which used a little over a yard from my stash, was a set of four Christmas placemats. These were made from a panel that I picked up at a quilt guild meeting, and they have been given back to the guild for donation to Meals on Wheels. I added the batting, backing and binding from my stash.

For the first pair of placemats, I quilted around the designs in the print and stippled the background areas. Double click on the photo above if you want to see more detail. The fabric with gingerbread houses and teddy bears was used on the back.

The second pair of placemats were quilted much more simply, with diagonal lines stitched in golden yellow thread. It was a good way for me to practice free-motion quilting straight lines with a ruler. The backing is a very old Jinny Beyer border stripe. I still have another panel of this same poinsettia print, so you will probably be seeing more of these before too long.

2023 STASH TOTALS

Used last week:                        3.00 yards

Used year to date:                   76.25 yards

Added last week:                       0.00 yards

Added year to date:                66.875 yards

Net used in 2023:                 9.375 yards

Kate's 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge at Life in Pieces has us tracking how many days each week we get in at least 15 minutes of quilting time. It has been way too hot to spend time outdoors, and I have taken full advantage by spending even more time than usual in the sewing room.

15 Minute Challenge for 2023: 

8/20 - 8/26           7 of 7 days

2023 Total      228 of 238 days

Check out more stash reports at quiltpaintcreate and join the 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge at Life in Pieces. 

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA

Sunny Yellows

How did August disappear so quickly?! It's hard to believe that we are already at the last yellow Saturday for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I've been scrambling to finish up the rest of my RSC projects for the month.

The first set of blocks to be done were my A Maze Zing blocks, based on the pattern by Candace Hassen. My blocks will finish at 13.25" x 19.25", and I am still undecided if they will become a quilt or get made into individual placemats.

After completing the A Maze Zing blocks, I had a pile of 2" yellow and gold scraps and strips on my cutting table. Before I put them away, I used several of them to make this strippy placemat for the August edition of the ABC Table Scraps Challenge at The Joyful Quilter.

Most of the placemats I make will get donated to Meals on Wheels through either of the two guilds I belong to. I had a few more strippy versions from past months, which made a pretty display together on the design wall.

My other scrappy yellow project for the week started with some leftover blocks from a very old quilt top, Tribble Trouble, pieced way back in 1998! (See that quilt and read more HERE.) I joined the extra blocks together, along with some dark blue sashing/border strips, to make this 19" x 42" tablerunner. Blue and yellow have always been a favorite color combination for me.

I have one more set of yellow blocks to finish before the end of the month, but they will have to wait until next week.

Be sure to check out all of the wonderful scrappy projects at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge every Saturday, and at Oh Scrap! over at Quilting is more fun than Housework on Sunday. I'm also linking up to the ABC Table Scraps Challenge at The Joyful Quilter.

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA

Scrap Pinwheel Lunacy

Most of my quilting time over the past few weeks has been focused on making items for the guild's Christmas market in November--placemats, wallets, zipper pouches, and a tote bag. I haven't had any projects up on the design wall to share for several weeks, but today there's something new.

Pinwheels blocks are one of my favorites to make with half-square triangles. These are just the beginning of what I hope will become an enormous collection of blocks. 

It all started almost a year ago when I won a shoebox-sized bin plus a smaller container of triangle cut-offs at our guild auction. The triangles were all neatly matched up in pairs of print and background (muslin.) It's amazing how many pairs of triangles there were in these two containers!

I've kept those bins next to my sewing machine all year, and frequently used the triangles as my leader and ender pieces. If you aren't familiar with the concept of leaders and enders, check out Bonnie Hunter's blog post HERE. She has even written two books about using them.

After several months of stitching triangle pairs together, the smaller container was full of stitched pairs, and I decided it was time to move on to the next step. I sorted the pairs by fabric, and was very surprised to see how many there were. 

The above photo shows smaller numbers of matching triangles at the bottom and larger groups at the top. In the next photo, I took one of the larger stack of matching triangles and divided them into groups of four. I discovered there were almost 40 of that same fabric.

After pressing up several of the matching groups of triangles, I needed to decide what to do with them. As I said earlier, pinwheels are a favorite of mine for HSTs. As you can see below, the triangles are not all exactly the same size. Many of the have pinked edges, like they came from jelly rolls or charm squares. It takes a little fudging the seam allowances, but I can generally get the points to line up at the center pretty well.

The final step was to trim around the outside of each block. Before trimming, the pinwheels measured about 3.5", but were not consistent. To keep the numbers easy to read on my ruler, I am trimming the blocks down to 3" square. That means they will be only 2.5" finished size!

If I had two more blocks and joined all of these pinwheels together without sashing, I would have a piece measuring only 15" square. That may be the lunacy part of this whole project.

After making the 34 pinwheels blocks, plus stitching all those pairs of triangles that have been sorted, I still have a ton more unstitched triangles in the shoebox. It doesn't look a whole lot different than when I got it a year ago. This may become the eternal pinwheel quilt, but it's a great leader and ender project.

Check out what other quilters are working on this week at Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts and at Monday Musings at Songbird Designs. 

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA