Stash Report and Stitching Time--End of 2023

It's time for the final stash report of 2023, and I am satisfied with my results for the year. Every year my goal is to use or give away at least as much fabric as I add to the stash, and I was successful with that goal in 2023 (although not by much.)  

There was no new fabric added in this final week of the year, and I did manage to use a little bit. The usage included 3/8 yard for a sample block that I was considering for the 2024 Rainbow Scrap Challenge plus a few more Rail Fence blocks. I also used one yard for two rainbow placemats.

This is the block I was thinking about for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge next year. It is my version of a block from Edyta Sitar's Common Bride pattern. It was tricky to piece with lots of set-in seams, and I've decided against it for the RSC.

My remaining Rail Fence blocks are being joined in groups of four to make Rail Fence Spinners. I might keep on making these next year.

All year long I have been participating in the 2023 Table Scraps Challenge hosted by the Joyful Quilter. Our assigned color this month was rainbow, which made it fun to choose fabrics. I pulled a variety of 3" squares and used them to make the last two placemats of the year. The photo below shows the fabric used on the backs.

2023 STASH TOTALS

Used last week:                     1.375 yards

Used year to date:                 135.5 yards

Added last week:                       0.0 yards

Added year to date:            133.875 yards

Net used in 2023:               1.625 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'm including today in my total because I am confident that I will get more than 15 minutes on a project that is cut out and waiting at my machine. Most of the days that I missed for the year happened when we were away from home.

15 Minute Challenge for 2023: 

12/24 - 12/31             8 of 8 days

2023 Total           352 of 365 days

Percentage                        96.4%

Check out more stash reports at quiltpaintcreate and join the 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge at Life in Pieces. Thanks so much to Donna and Kate for continuing to host the link-ups.

Happy New Year and happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA

Scrappy Rainbow Wrap-Up for 2023

The last Saturday of 2023 means that it is time to look back at my different projects for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. This was my 11th year of participating in the RSC, and I am so grateful for the encouragement and inspiration every week from the other quilters. Thanks so much to Angela at soscrappy for continuing to host our link-ups. 

My RSC projects for 2023 were a mix of new projects plus a few that carried over from previous years. That combination of new and old will also continue into 2024. For this wrap-up post, I'm going to start with the projects that were new this year, then work back through the older ones.

16-Patch Stars was the first project to be shared in 2023. I made two blocks each month, then in October all twenty blocks were joined together into this bright and cheery quilt top.

16-Patch Stars, 48.5" x 60.5"

Jabberwocky was another of my new RSC projects for 2023. It is a Judy Martin pattern from The Block Book. I believe the book is out of print, but available at a variety of on-line sources. I made three blocks each month, ending up with a total of 28 (I must have made one extra at some point.) Here are some of the blocks as I was auditioning sashing/border fabrics. I hope to get them assembled into a quilt top in January.

Jabberwocky blocks

Another new project for 2023 was the 2023 Table Scraps Challenge at The Joyful Quilter. Each month we used the RSC color of the month along with assigned letters for inspiration to make something from our scraps. I focused on making placemats, most of them from strips and strings, but some from orphan blocks and leftover pieced units. the placemats are being donated to Meals on Wheels through our quilt guild.

Table Scraps Challenge placemats

My last new RSC project for the year started in a class I took in June, A Maze Zing with Candace Hassan. The original pattern produced blocks that finish at 16" x 24", but I scaled mine down a bit to 13.5" x 19.5". I'm planning to turn these into placemats eventually, plus I will continue making more of them in other RSC colors throughout 2024.

A Maze Zing blocks

I have one finished quilt from 2023 that was inspired by our color of the month in April, which was purple. I had been making little 3" 9-patches from purple squares sent to me in 2017 by Jennifer who blogs at Life"s Little Adventures. I combined the 9P blocks with half-square triangles for a small quilt top. That went together with an earlier purple quilt top of 4-patch blocks to make a reversible quilt I named Pretty in Purple.

Pretty in Purple (front) 36" x 48"

Pretty in Purple (back)

My last RSC project for 2023 is one that was started in 2022, the Rail Fence blocks. Each month I made 30-40 blocks in the color of the month. I ended up with over 300 blocks total and used most of them to make two small quilt tops.

Rail Fence Rainbows, 39" x 48"

Rail Fence Zigzag, 39" x 41.25"

It's not my largest output for a year of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, but I'm happy with what got done. I'm hoping to finish more rainbow quilts next year. It's time for me to figure out my new piecing projects for the year ahead.

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

Christmas 2023

 MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Happy holidays everyone!

Julie in GA 

Stash report and Stitching Time 12/24/2023

Merry Christmas Eve and Happy Holidays to all! I hope that you and your families have a safe and happy holiday season. This time of year is always busy, and I am so thankful for the peace and relaxation of my quilting time.

My stash report continues to teeter just on the edge of more fabric used than added for the year. Last week I used 1-1/8 yard for the Chilhowie blocks that were shared in Monday's post, plus I made a pair of pajama pants from this cozy flannel plaid.

There were also some additions to the stash last week. The large piece shown on the right is intended for a quilt backing. 4.5 yards total added.

Those changes bring my stash report to 1/4 yard more used than added for the year. Can I finish the year in the black? Check back next week to find out!

2023 STASH TOTALS

Used last week:                     4.125 yards

Used year to date:              134.125 yards

Added last week:                     4.50 yards

Added year to date:            133.875 yards

Net used in 2023:                   .25 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 missed one day of quilting last week, although I did spend quite a bit of time that day dealing with quilt guild business on the computer instead. My sewing room is a horrible mess, and it is really getting in the way of my motivation to sit down and sew.

15 Minute Challenge for 2023: 

12/17 - 12/23             6 of 7 days

2023 Total           344 of 357 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

Design Wall Monday 12/18/2023

It's that "Bonnie Hunter mystery" time of year again. The latest version is called "Indigo Way." As usual, the mystery clues started appearing over Thanksgiving weekend and will continue until sometime in early January. You can find links for all the information at Bonnie's blog HERE.

I was very tempted to join this year's mystery, especially after seeing that Bonnie was using red, white and blue for hers. I generally try to come up with my own set of colors for a mystery just to make my quilt different than the others, but you can't go wrong with RW&B. I also considered switching out the blues to greens for a Christmas quilt.

Thinking about making the mystery in Christmas colors reminded me that I had used similar colors for Bonnie's 2022 mystery, Chilhowie (now available as a PDF pattern.)  I started late on that mystery, made a reduced number of the different parts, then decided I didn't really like how mine was turning out. Maybe it's time to give it another chance.

The photo above shows some of what was finished on Chilhowie earlier this year--one large block plus three smaller blocks waiting to be turned into large blocks. There were also many other units made, plus more pieces cut out. Last week I continued making blocks, ending up with a total of eight small plus the one large block.

The next step in Bonnie's version would be to turn all of those small blocks into large blocks, then add a pieced sashing. These blocks already have more gold in them than I would like. Instead, I removed the large block and played with a new layout using already-made red/light HSTs.

I'm still not sure where I'm going with this design. I wish there was more green in there, plus the diagonals don't really work for me. It feels like it's time to move away from the design wall and play with some ideas on the computer instead. Maybe I can come up with a better plan that way. Or maybe it's time to throw in the towel and give these blocks to someone else for finishing.

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 

Stash Report and Stitching Time 12/17/2023

My stash report shows more action than usual this week, both incoming and outgoing. The majority of the fabric added to the stash came from a visit to Hancock's of Paducah on a recent trip to Wisconsin, plus a couple pieces from my sister and mother. Total additions: 21.75 yards.

Patriotic + batiks

Assorted prints

I used a total of 6 yards from my stash this week. 3 yards went into a pair of pajama pants, made from a piece of Santa fabric purchased just a few weeks ago. Another 3 yards was used to make six placemats as I try to empty out my drawer of 3" strips. Each placemat measures 12.5" x 17.5" finished size.

2023 STASH TOTALS

Used last week:                        6.0 yards

Used year to date:                 130.0 yards

Added last week:                   21.75 yards

Added year to date:            129.375 yards

Net used in 2023:                 .625 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. Besides making the Santa pants and the placemats, I also cut out another pair of pajama pants, plus spent most of a day getting all that new fabric washed up and put away.

15 Minute Challenge for 2023: 

12/10 - 12/16             7 of 7 days

2023 Total           338 of 350 days

Check out more stash reports at quiltpaintcreate and join the 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge at Life in Pieces. I'm also linking up with Oh Scrap! at Quilting is more fun than Housework.

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA

Stash Report and Stitching Time 12/10/2023

My stash report didn't get filed last week because we were out of town, visiting my family in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, Ed came home with a case of covid, so we have been staying home the last couple of days. Despite spending two days together in the car on the return trip, I haven't tested positive, and we are doing everything we can to keep it that way.

The trip included a stop at Hancock's of Paducah, but I still need to sort through the purchases and tally the total additions. The one addition that is ready to be reported is this beautiful fat quarter bundle that I won in a giveaway from Island Batik. The collection is called Limerick. According to the website, these fabrics will be available in May, 2024.

As for the usage column, I used 3/4 yard for the setting triangles and border on the zigzag Rail Fence baby quilt, shared HERE. I also used 1 yard for the two placemats shared in yesterday's post.

2023 STASH TOTALS

Used last week:                       1.75 yards

Used year to date:                 124.0 yards

Added last week:                       5.0 yards

Added year to date:            107.625 yards

Net used in 2023:             16.375 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. There wasn't much quilting done in the week we were out of town, just a little bit of hand applique each day. I've been making up for it since we got home though, since I don't feel like I should leave the house much.

15 Minute Challenge for 2023: 

11/19 - 12/9          14 of 14 days

2023 Total          331 of 343 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

Scrappy Placemats

My rainbow projects have been on hold recently while other things have become the priority. However, I might have started my first new Rainbow Scrap Challenge project for 2024.

Our quilt guild put out an appeal for more placemats to meet the yearly goal for Meals on Wheels. I pulled out my drawer of 3" squares and pieced a couple of simple mats. They got finished yesterday. Each one measures 12" x 17".

There are still plenty more 3" squares and strips in that drawer, and I would love to use them up by making more of these placemats next year. 

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

Rainbow Rail Fence Zigzags

My second Rail Fence quilt top is complete! I started making these blocks in 2022 as part of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. The first batch of blocks were joined into a stairstep design baby quilt. 

 

39" x 41.25"

For this zigzag layout, I put the blocks on point and added grey setting triangles all around plus a 2" border of the grey.

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

Stash Report and Stitching Time 11/26/2023

The stash report for the past week shows no new additions to the stash despite the temptation of the Black Friday fabric sales. Fabric usage for the week included 1/4 yard for the last sets of Rail Fence blocks plus five yards for the two Pinwheel Christmas Tree quilt tops shared in Friday's post. Here's my favorite one again.

2023 STASH TOTALS

Used last week:                       5.25 yards

Used year to date:                122.25 yards

Added last week:                       0.0 yards

Added year to date:            102.625 yards

Net used in 2023:             19.625 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 was a very good week for quilting time, with three quilt tops being assembled and a fourth is nearing completion!

15 Minute Challenge for 2023: 

11/12 - 11/18            7 of 7 days

2023 Total          317 of 329 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

Rail Fence Rainbows

When I shared the progress on my Rainbow Rail Fence blocks two weeks ago (see it HERE), my plan had been to use 320 blocks to make a small quilt measuring 48" x 60". The very next day, I changed my mind and decided to use fewer blocks and make them into a baby quilt. I ended up setting my 3" blocks 13 across x 16 long, for a quilt that finishes at 39" x 48".

Of course, that meant I had a pile of extra blocks left over. My first idea was to join them into groups of four that would make little pinwheel spinners.

I like the look of the spinners, but most of my extra blocks were already stitched into groups of four in a totally different configuration. Instead of taking all of them apart, I would rather find a way to use them. Playing with those groups led me to this layout.

I'll need to remove the green blocks from the reds at the right end, but there will be very little unstitching other than that. I've pulled out a grey fabric to finish off the outer edges as the setting triangles and border. Depending on the size of the border, this quilt should finish around 38-39" square.

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

Pinwheel Christmas Trees

My newest projects were inspired by a friend's quilt that was displayed in our guild's booth at the Christmas fair a few weeks ago. This is Martha's Pinwheel Christmas Tree quilt.

For my first attempt, I wanted to get more colors into the design, sort of like the colors of the ornaments on a Christmas tree. I used a bright green print of Christmas tree lights along with scrappy green fabrics for the pinwheel blocks.

I liked the added colors in that version, but decided to make another one that is more like the original, with the background fabric in the pinwheel blocks. Here is my second tree. Both of my versions measure approximately 40" x 48".

Making my first version helped me realize that my favorite thing about this quilt is the airiness of the design with the background included in all of the pinwheels. This second version also includes a cute print of Christmas tree lights, but this time it's the cream background fabric. Click on the photo for a closer look.

I hope to get version #2 layered with batting and quilted up in the next week so that we can enjoy it for the Christmas season this year. I haven't decided what will happen with the other quilt top yet.

Linking up with:

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

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday (TGIFF) at Slice of Pi Quilts

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA 

Stash Report and Stitching Time 11/19/2023

For the first time in several weeks, I have additions to the fabric stash to report. Unfortunately, there is no usage to be counted to balance out the additions for the week. Most of my stitching time was spent joining blocks together, and the fabric used to make those blocks had already been counted.

I have been working on a new Christmas project, but haven't gotten to the point of having anything ready to count, and there's not much ready to show either. Here are the first few blocks.

The additions to the stash were mostly Christmas fabrics from JoAnn's. The Santa fabric at the top will become a pair of pajama pants for my Santa collector husband. I hope to get those made very soon, so the fabric shouldn't stay in the stash long. The jewel-toned fabric at the bottom of the photo was on the clearance shelf, and I couldn't resist the colors.

My other addition for the week came after I won the monthly raffle at our guild meeting. My prize included a jelly roll of the line "Sunflowers in My Heart" by Kate Spain. My jelly roll is still wrapped in plastic, so I've lifted a photo from the Fat Quarter Shop to let you see the beautiful prints in this collection.

2023 STASH TOTALS

Used last week:                        0.0 yards

Used year to date:                 117.0 yards

Added last week:                   10.25 yards

Added year to date:            102.625 yards

Net used in 2023:             14.375 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. Once again, I've been quilting every day. I'm still hoping to finish assembling the Rail Fence blocks that I shared in last Sunday's post into a finished quilt top very soon, then I can get to work on using up some of those new Christmas fabrics.

15 Minute Challenge for 2023: 

11/12 - 11/18            7 of 7 days

2023 Total          310 of 322 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