Sunday Report

Hi! My name is Cheri and I am a fabricolic...and I am happy with that. But reason wins out and I know it is time to use my stash. I am with you Judy...2008 will be known as the 'Year of Using The Stash'! Actually, it is rather exciting to think about using the beautiful fabrics I have accumulated over the years. Good luck to us all.

I didn't buy any fabric this week, nor did I use any. All the kids left yesterday, so now I have my sewing room back...sure is quiet tho...I will work on my mystery quilt, step 3 today. Oh...my white elephant box came last week and I finally opened it yesterday...took out all the christmas fabrics and added them to my stash, but filled it up with hand dyes...so I guess it comes out about even lol.

Sunday Stashbusting post

I bought NO fabric this week...but, boy did I want to!! Didn't really bust any stash to speak of, but have finished Step 2 on Bonnie's Mystery quilt. I ran out of the pink/yellow prints so had to find others in my stash. Should look ok...I hope. lol Here are 100 nine patches!



Oh...I did start and finish this wall hanging for my son-in-law...it is a painting of their yellow lab, Sadie...hope he likes it.

Coffee cup sleeve tutorial

Ok...this is my first tutorial...here goes!

The sleeves shown here are made from 2 fat quarters.



Step 1:

Place the backing fabric face down. Put the batting on top, then add the focus fabric, face up. Sometimes I use a spray baste to keep it all together. I added red and green tinzel to the Christmas set...you can also add pretty yarns, ribbons, angelina and/or threads. To this set, I added angelina cut up with a wavy rotary cutter. This set was made with 2 fat eighths.



Step 2:

Over the top of all of this I put a piece of tulle in whatever color looks pretty. Pin in place and quilt the piece. I use a wavy line, back and forth, up and down.




Step 3:

Now cut the sleeves out using a pattern piece (paper sleeve from a coffee shop). I turn the piece to the back and draw around the template using a chaco marker.




Step 4:

Stitch (zigzag) around the outside edges of the sleeve, I go around twice. After stitching the edges, I use a matching Sharpie to fill in where you can see the batting. Stitch the two end pieces together using a zigzag stitch.




Depending on what the fabrics look like, I sometimes add beads or other pretties.

Presto! You have several coffee cup sleeves.




Sometimes I make my own fabric. I take several different strips of fancy fabrics and place them on top of a piece of misty fuse, the batting and backing fabric. After fusing them down, I use pretty stitches and fancy threads to hold them in place. Once I used pieces of fused angelina and stitched them down (on top of the fabrics) with pretty stitching. You can pretty much do anything you want with these.

Coffee cup sleeves

A couple of people have asked how I make my coffee cup sleeves, so I will make some, take pictures and post it all. Check back in a few days, and hopefully I will have finished! They really are great for little gifties to special people. Blogger won't let me post a picture right now...so will try later.

Stash Sunday Report

Well, I made it through another week without buying fabric...plus I made the Christmas tablerunner (below) from stash. It is kinda homely, but my DD loves it! Also made 10 coffee cup sleeves from stash...2 fat quarters plus tinzel and tulle...or maybe that was last week...the weeks are starting to run together...hah!

Christmas Tablerunner

Just finished this tablerunner...sure is busy! Don't think I like it, but my DD Sandy has dibbs on this one.

Mystery Quilt

Well, I finally finished my 100 rail fence blocks for Bonnie's Mystery Quilt. Sure took me long enough! Also finished cutting the 3 1/2 inch blocks. I've just started on the 100 9 patch blocks.

Stashbuster Weekly Update

I didn't buy any fabric! Went to the Fat Quarter Shop (online) and filled up my basket, but then closed everything out and didn't buy!! This week I finished 3 Sewing Machine Thingees, did 50 units (so far) for the 1st installment on Bonnie's Mystery quilt, cut more 1 1/2 inch strips for a second quilt with the same pattern, made a small Christmas quiltlet with an Angelina Christmas tree for my Old Auntie and did 2 fat quarters of Christmas fabric layered with tinzel and tulle (think Bonnie McCaffrey) for coffee cup sleeves...all from stash. Whoo Hoo!! Also put the binding and a label on Jim & Cath's Kimono Quilt. I'll post a picture as soon as we get batteries. Don't know if I will have time to sew today...we have to go Christmas shopping. Would really love to finish up the last 50 rail fence units today so can start on step number 2 tomorrow.

Placemats

I finished a set of placemats for my DD Sandy. They were all from stash! I'm working on 3 Sewing Machine Thingees...will be done today...again, from stash!

Monday Stashbusting Report

Ok...it is time for a stashbusting report. I finished the 4 placemats and 2 hot pads that I bought the cherry fabric for. They came out great and I used all but a few small pieces! Nor have I bought anymore fabric this week. The post below shows how much I've accomplished in November...and all but the placemats and hot pads came from stash! Last night I started another set of 4 placemats (from stash) for my DD#1...I had some sunflower fabric that will look great in her kitchen.

Again, thank you Judy L for this extra moral support.

Blog Challenge

On my Stashbuster's list Nancy-Rose issued a Challenge:

I challenge you to post a similar entry on YOUR blog for November. List the projects you completed (with photos if you want to!), and the things you learned. If you want to write about your future plans or goals, by all means - add those too.

So...here goes!

I finished my little landscape quiltlet, Charlie & Daisy painted quilt, Tree of Life quiltlet, Small Flowers, 4 Tea Cup postcards, 4 In the Pink postcards, Bird of Paradise quiltlet, Francie's quilt and Old Auntie's Knitting Bag. I learned several different processes in these quilts and had a great time doing them!

Things I've learned:
1. The painting technique for the dogs quilt.
2. I don't like working with felt (tree of live quilt)
3. How much I enjoy working with embellishments.
4. How much I LOVE quilting!!

Christmas Presents

I finished this Quilted Bag for my Old Auntie (she is called this to differentiate her from Auntie Francie, who is younger) for Christmas...it is for her knitting projects. I got the pattern from the new Quilting Arts Gifts...Holiday Issue Winter 2008. I changed the way it was sewn together to make it a little larger. I used some vintage lace pieces on it...soooo pretty! Also finished the Kimono top for DS Jim and DIL Cathy...it is now at the quilter's. It will be back in time to send it with DS Doug and DIL Teresa to Hawaii where they are meeting up with Jim and Cath for Christmas. It was far from perfect...but I think they will like it. I will post a picture when I get it bound.

Weekly Summary of No Buy

Well...I did buy fabric this week, but only exactly what I need to make placemats and pot holders for a friend for Christmas. Her last name is Cherry so I bought fabric with cherries on it. But this was the only buy in 3 weeks. I also have made (and finished) several quiltlets (see below) made only from stash! I'm determined to make this stashbusting/no buy work. I have extended my no buy over to my artsy stash which includes yarns, fancy fabrics, ribbons, laces, paints, foils, beads, etc, etc, etc! Thank you Judy L for the extra shoulder to lean on!

I'm a Genius!?

According to this website my blog reads genius...Hah!! Little does this site know, but I have a mind like a steel sieve and the attention span of a gnat! How funny.

More stuff done!

Yesterday I managed to finish my sister's quilt and quilted and bound the bird of paradise quiltlet. Here are a the pictures. Also finished a small quiltlet named Little Flowers. Francie's quilt was made from precut squares...hope she likes it. These quilts were made from STASH!

Postcards

I just finished 4 postcards for a swap...Hot Drinks. I named mine Tea Time. I used only STASH!

Lots done

I've been very busy in the sewing room this week and have finished 3 pieces! My granddaughter Abigail, has claimed Tree of Life for her own, so will find a frame for it. The Bird of Paradise is from my Joggles class with Jane LaFazio, so is the Tree of Life. They are both class projects for different lessons. Pretty fun. The last piece is for my Dyehard Surface group challenge. Two people send you supplies and you, using what they send and your own choices make a quiltlet. Mine is called Garden Paths and the roving came from Becky and the two yarns and the green beads came from Kelly. I used a sunprint done last year. It is only 8 1/2 X 11 inches. Sure had fun making these projects!! Next week must make my 4 postcards for my last swap (I had signed up for 2). Need to look through my novelties fabrics and figure out what I want to do. They are for the hot drink swap, coffee, tea, chocolate, etc. I keep visualizing a cup with steam coming up...not terribly original...but I am using only what I have on hand...stashbusting!

Stash Usage

I'm really wanting to be added to the Stash webring, so decided to talk about stash usage. In the pics on my blog right now, the only project I bought fabric for was the dog paintings...I bought the canvas. I have been on no buy on stashbusters for 3 months...with some success...meaning I fell off the wagon a couple of times. Pretty good for me though...and signed up for the entire next year too! Of course, I will buy 1/2 yard cuts of the new Kat Man Du fabric line by Mark Lipinski when it comes out...I LOVE IT...saw it in my Jan 2008 issue of McCalls Quick Quilts. It is made to embellish...and I, for one, can't wait to embellish it! It will make some awesome quilts. Does this planned fabric buy make me a bad person...maybe just a person addicted to fabric. I have been making a concerted effort to use fabrics and embellishments I have on hand...this is a fun thing...kinda like a scavenger game. LOL.

Rheaya Ann

Rheaya and her daddy, Doug came for dinner yesterday. Kearstyn and Mommy were at a Hannah Montana concert in Seattle. Here she is!

In the Pink

I finished 4 post cards today. They are for a swap. I hand painted the roses then brushed them with gold. The background is pink silk dupioni. Took me 2 days to get them finished. Pretty labor intensive...but sure enjoyed it!

Another Finish

Wow...I've been moving right along working on the Joggles class assignments. Just finished the dogs yesterday. Haven't yet finished the Tree of Life...still have to do some stitching at the bottom to look like grass. I wonder how we are supposed to finish off these little wool felt pieces. The first one, Onions and Gourds, I put on a hand dye, so just did a pillow turn, but these little pieces of felt are different...will have to ask Jane when she resurfaces after the fires in CA.

1 Nov 2007
A couple of people have asked how I did this piece, so here goes.

I took a picture of Charlie and one of Daisy, then got it to the size I wanted, then printed them out.
Then I outlined the picture using a felt tip pen in black...not all the details, just what I figured would be needed.
Then I put the picture on my light box with the canvas on top. Traced the picture onto the canvas.
Now for the really fun part. I used acrylic paints...mixed and blended them. Using a foam brush and broad strokes, applied my first color, not covering the whole piece. Leave some white space.
Then I went back over it using other colors and a paint brush to blend. That's about it!!
I made a quiltlet large enough to hold both the paintings...haven't quilted the background yet, but will.
Hope this helps.

Someday quilt

On my Stashbuster list someone started this thread:

I sat down and made a list of the top 4 quilts I want to
make "someday". I then decided that 2008 will be the year to make at
least one of the quilts on this list (maybe two, because one of them
will make a good leaders and enders quilt). What are your "someday"
quilts, and what is holding you back from making them? Here are my top
5, and the reasons I haven't attempted them yet.
1. Irish Chain-single, double, triple? scrappy? Scrappy, triple chain,
my new leaders and enders project.
2. Lone Star Quilt-those 60 degree angles are something I need to work
on before attempting this.
3. New York Beauty-just seems daunting-color wise.
4. North Carolina Lily-This is what I am going to do in '08 in
traditional reds and greens.
My list does not include all the patterns I have collected over the
years, or all the quilts I want to make, just ones I dream of
having "someday".

This is my list of someday quilts.

1. Dear Jane quilt...terribly scary...tiny little blocks. I have all the fabrics for all blocks...but scared to start. Also have the book...still wondering if I need the software...but really want to piece it by hand.
2. New York Beauty...so many points!
3. A quilt made from my hand dyes and black. Just never started it.
4. My husband's quilt...have had the fabrics for 2 years.

I believe number 4 will be a definite start in 2008...closely followed by my Dear Jane. I can make a few blocks and just keep going...one block at a time.

How about you?

A Finish

Well, I finished up Charlie's picture...darkened up the eye area, so hopefully he no longer looks like a freak raccoon! I free motioned quilted it onto a quiltlet with room for Daisy's picture when it is finished. Will do a painting/quilt for Bailey too. Also finished the landscape quilt...may add a few more beads and perhaps some yarns...but it is pretty much finished. As you can see, I've just started Daisy's.

Lots Done

Wow, I was pretty busy in the sewing room yesterday. I finished the swap blocks for Loose Threads and put them into the envelope for mailing tomorrow. Then I gathered up all the pretties for the DyeHard Surface swap, divided them up and got them in their envelopes too. Then I traced a picture of Charlie (our golden) and got the first step of the painting done for my Art Explorations assignment. Charlie should be dry, so will start the second round of painting/shadowing today. Will post a pic as soon as I get new batteries in the camera.

Rheaya was here on Friday evening...her parents went to a movie. Will post a pic of her soon. She is 6 months now...and just adorable, if I do say so myself.

Ok here are the pictures promised.

One More Time

Ok...here is try number 2 Tree of Life. I know it's not very good...but I'm trying. Do you think it needs something?, possibly...just not sure what. Anybody got some ideas?

Ok Jane gave me these pointers:

Ah, a tree of life. Wonderful! Delightful in pink. Here's what I think it needs. The leaves are too perfectly distributed. They need to be more random. Your tree needs a 'ground.' I'd stitch one, using vertical stitches like grass, and have them go across the bottom in a horizontal-ish line, and make sure you sew over the tree trunk, like the grass would be in front of the tree. And lastly, you need a focal point. I see a spot on one of your branches that's a bit empty and would welcome a bird? or a butterfly or a cat sitting in the tree? Draw some things on tissue paper, and put them on the stop to see how they look and the size relationship. And keep us posted!!

And this from Brooks:

I was just looking at your lovely pink tree thinking as Jane does, that it needs something in it or on it...perhaps a squirrel or an owl living in a big knot in the main trunk..could have trailing vines to pull it together...such fun..maybe we could get together with my pink elephants..(the only colors of wool felt locally were pink, periwinkle and deep purple... a little limiting!..Will look forward to seeing what you do..Brooks

Now to figure out what to do...I'm NOT good at drawing things...but should be able to do the grass with stitching. More mulling!

Jane is right

Jane commented on my last blog entry. She said to remember the explorations in Art Explorations. Jane is absolutely right. I never would have known how I would react to using felt without this class. I think I will start a new felt piece...more mulling is necessary. lol.

Stuf & Things

Well, I finished up the quilt to the left...just need to add a backing and bind. It came out pretty cool...will post a pic when it is completely finished.

I'm scaring myself...signed up for 6 swaps...I haven't done any swaps in more than a year and guess I've been missing them. Here they are:

1. 10 signature blocks for Loose Threads....done, just need to sign.
2. Chicken block swap for The Hen House list...not sure how many I will make...possible 6.
3. 2 postcard swaps for my Fiber Art list...one pink and one with coffee or tea...need to get some ideas for these.
4. 1 Journal sized quiltlet for DyeHard Surfacing. I need to send materials for a quiltlet to a partner and someone will send materials to me. Then you make a small quilt and keep it for yourself. This will be fun.
5. This one is a biggie...for DyeHard Surfacing. It will emcompass 2008. Every month you use a technique on a quilt top, i.e. angelina, discharge, fibers/yarn, foils, metal, paintsticks, sheers, silk fusion (I have no idea on this one...never done it), and tyvek or lutrador. As you finish each technique you sign off on a data base and at the end of the year you post a picture of your finished quilt with all the techniques listed above...pretty fun! I'm not sure why all of a sudden this has hit me...just know I want to play! I haven't even played at all for soooo long.

I've even been thinking about signing up for a pay it forward challenge...still mulling on that one...don't want to disappoint anyone. Not real sure what I would send, if I choose to do this. More mulling is required.

Been working on my second week assignment for the Joggles class (see photo above for 1st week project). It is utilizing wool felt...this is NOT my idea of fun...here is a picture of what I've done so far. They are supposed to be onions and gourds. Pretty sad huh?! Won't hand sew them down...will sew by machine and use pretty colored threads. I don't think wool felt is my choice of techniques...not sure why...just know I don't enjoy it.

Joggles Class

I've been working on my first week's assignment in my Joggles Class. The class is taught by Jane LaFazio...Art Quilt Explorations. The first quilt is supposed to be a landscape. Here is mine (the second picture)...there are definite problems with it. On the left side the hill is too vertical...I needed to soften it. Still working on that. But other than that problem, it is ok. Here it is after pinning a new piece in place...not sure if it works or not. It seems to be a softer incline...not sure though.

Self Satisfied!

This has been a very productive week. I ripped out the mistakes on my pink quilt top and repaired it. Went to the quilt store today and bought border and backing for it. Will post a pic of the flimsy after the borders go on. Finished the quilt top pictured below...and dropped it off today at my long arm quilter. Finished up the bindings on 2 embroidered baby quilts my mother had done and even gave one to Rheaya. The other one is in the cupboard awaiting my first greatgrandchild (this will be many, many years yet). Hand sewed the binding down on a quilt that has my first swap blocks in it (dated 1999). Today I shopped my stash and found backing for the table runner I pieced at retreat last month. It is now sandwiched and awaits machine quilting. Melissa saw the top and loved the colors (will post a pic when it is done), so the runner will go to her. It is her colors.

Went to a Navy retirement ceremony on Thursday. LCDR Mike Cherry retired after 31 years of honorable duty. Mike and his wife Deana are dear friends and our friendship spans the last 12 years. We used to play cards on Friday nights and have a great time...this tradition will start again now that Mike is back home. At the retirement there were many people we worked with at Subase Bangor PSA, including one Commanding Officer and one genuine American hero (he is a recipient of the Bronze AND Silver Star Medals). I was really, really nervous about going and seeing all these people. When they knew me I was much younger (how can that be? it was just 12 years ago), and pretty, and much, much thinner. But they were all so very wonderful and we all had a tear in our eyes at being together again. My grandchildren, Caleb 13, Emily 11, and Abigail 7 went with us. Their Dad (a minister) was the Chaplain in the ceremony. They found it astounding that their Grandma was so very well known. All of the officers told them they had worked for me and that they checked in every am to get their orders for the day! My grandkids were amazed. Mike seated Russ (DH) and I in the front row along side his family...and he said such wonderful things about us...it made me cry. A wonderful time was had by all!

Back from the Retreat

The retreat was a smashing success! I finished 1 flimsy top and part of 1 table runner. Won all kinds of wonderful stuff including many, many fat quarters, a quilt book, a wonderful project bag, 26 blocks to make into quilts for my favorite charity (haven't decided which one yet), several patterns, 2 sets of precut 5 inch squares with a pattern for table runners, and so much more that I can not remember it all!

I finally got to meet some of the ladies from the Loose Threads list...too much fun. We ate, sewed, laughed, chatted and sewed some more. The grounds at the Royal Ridges Retreats was truly beautiful and I went like the wind (on my scooter) up and down the hill from the cabins/kitchen and the sewing area. A marvelous time was had by all.

Retreat

Well, I've finished up the odds and ends needed for the retreat. 12 9 patch lotto blocks made from a black and a batik, 14 2 1/2 inch strips batik to swap, 2 sets of 26 2 1/2 inch squares for bingo and the assorted books, patterns and fabrics. Too much fun. Wednesday I will pack up my sewing machine, rotary cutters and rulers.

Catching Up

We have been home since Saturday evening...and I have everything done except the ironing...what a pain. Am I the only woman in the world who still irons DHs shirts?!

Sunday we went to Dougs for a barbeque birthday party for Kearstyn...she turned 9. What a doll! A great time was had by all.

Yesterday was 9/11...such a difficult day, but so important to remember...always. So many good people murdered and the deaths have not stopped. The rescue crews are enduring such hardships...so many health related problems from the dust. Also, many of the survivors are facing the same health problems. We must not forget.


This is a quilt top for my sister, Francie. It is made from 5 inch precut squares I got from The Fat Quarter Shop...heavens, I love that shop! The top is almost done...one more row of blocks, then I have to figure out borders. Was thinking of using borders from a Judy Laquidera (sp?) quilt...the borders kind of float. Used it in another top and loved it. Should be able to get it to the border stage tomorrow. The blocks are made, just need to add the row. I picked up Judy's book while we were in San Diego, but haven't even had a minute to look at it yet.

Day with my Dear Daughter

Today my DD Sandy and I went to San Marcus to the Quilt in a Day shop. Had a great time...spent my $$$$ happily! Then we went to lunch at a place called The Island...pretty good food. This afternoon we got our nails done and this evening we are going to Kayden's Judo Awards. Kayden is 10 yrs and one of our beautiful dear grandaughters. Our trip is going very well...the heat wave even broke today...thank God.

Rheaya

Doug and Teresa brought Rheaya to see us today. Doug said they came so we could get our Rheaya fix before we leave for San Diego tomorrow. We had a really nice visit and set up a dinner date after we get home. Here are some pictures of Rheaya with her grandpa.