Monthly Summary Report - May

Well the beginning of May saw MUCH more progress in the sewing room than the last two months. The last two weeks I've been sidetracked with work to do much sewing, but after Tuesday I should be able to sew again.

Here is a summary of what happened in May:

• Spent 29 hours in the sewing room
• Finished quilting Spinning and Rock Around the Block tops
• Finished piecing the Rambling Rose BOM blocks
• Started and finished the Bricks & Stepping Stones top. Now just to quilt it.
• Pieced blocks for several QOV group projects.
• Pieced two blocks for "Block Party" group project.

My goals for June are:

• Get back to sewing on a regular basis
• Sew Rambling' Rose BOM blocks into top
• Quilt Bricks & Stepping Stones
• Start log cabins for Golden Memories
• Start Judy's May Quilt for an Hour project

Countdown: 4 Days to Go

There are four more days of working myself silly until the BIG project is out the door. It has been a very long week (although for most it was a short week). I've worked 11 days straight now and crunch time is this weekend as there is LOTS that still has to be done.

Today I decided I needed a little break, so I only worked 9 hours and then drove to the LQS to get a fabric fix. Although I DO NOT need more projects, I found a pattern in The Quilter magazine (July 2008) that I liked so I bought fabric for it. Most of the fabrics were from the Moroccan Spice fabric collection, which is really "out of the box" for me because it's not colors I'd normally choose. It definitely relieved some stress! :0)

Hopefully I can take next Wednesday or Thursday off to re-energize and, of course, SEW. I'm really looking forward to being able to get back in my sewing room. Especially after reading Sister's Choice Quilt's blog about her UFO list. I really want to work on reducing my UFO/HSY lists.

Happy Memorial Day!!!

Please remember why we're celebrating Memorial Day. Thank you soldiers...past, present and future. God bless you. Have a safe and happy Memorial Day!!!

I finished my last Rambling Rose block this morning. All that has to be done yet is to sew the blocks into a top and add the borders. Then it can join the many others waiting to be quilted. I'm really looking forward to this work project getting done so I can get back to my sewing routine and getting some of these projects off my "to-do" list.

Around noon I'll be going in to work for 4-5 hours. When I get home DH will grill out some steaks. Yummmm.

Sunday Stash Report - 5/25

The only thing I got done this week was 6 QOV blocks for one of my group projects. Work is going to be chaotic now through June 2 so I'm really not making any sewing goals until our project is out the door. If I do get sewing time in, it'll be icing on the cake. I'm planning on working on the Rambling Rose block once I get this posted. Although I'm having a difficult time waking up this morning. Later we'll watch the beginning of the Indy 500.

I did order some wide backing fabric (for Rambling Rose) this week but it hasn't arrived yet. If I end up going to work, then I'm gonna stop at Joann's to check out their patriotic fabric to use for the group QOV projects.

This week's numbers:

• Fabric Added This Week - 0 yards
• Fabric Added as of Apr. '08 - 68-1/2 yards
• Fabric Used This Week - 1/2 yards
• Fabric Used Year to Date - 16-3/4 yards

Goals for the Next Two Weeks:

• Keep my sanity at work
• Sew when I can

Finally Got to Sew

I finally made it back into the sewing room! It really was nice to get away from the headache of work. I won't bore you with the details about work, but we have a huge project that is due the beginning of June and things are going s-l-o-w.

Back to fun things, I finished the 6 blocks for the first QOV top that my group is working on. I have 3 blocks to make for QOV #2. THEN I plan to start on Judy's Quilt for an Hour.

Yippee!!! A while ago I had found some wide backing that would be perfect for the Rambling Rose BOM top, but the shop was sold out of it and would not be getting more. For the heck of it, the other day I did a search for the fabric and I found it at another site!!! Today I placed the order since I'm getting closer to finishing the top. One thing I was wondering....since it's wide backing, does it still count as only 3.5 yards for my stashbusting report???? ;0)

Quiltathon - Sunday

I spent almost 3 hours in the sewing room and only completed two blocks! It took a long time to cut the pieces and then get them all sewn together. The good news is that I only have one more Rambling Rose BOM block to finish and then I can sew the top together. I sure am glad that I made the alternating log cabin blocks a long time ago. I'm definitely starting to lose interest in this top now. Kinda like the Golden Memories BOM top which I finished the sampler blocks, but still have to make all of the log cabins. It'll get done eventually. ;0)

The two blocks was all I had motivation for today. I don't know if it's allergies or lack of sleep or both, but I was feeling pretty beat today. DH had a little problem with sleepwalking and the stairs the other night so I think I was constantly waking up last night to make sure he was sleeping. (I made him sleep on the couch on the ground level. LOL) The little turkey keeps telling everyone that I pushed him down the steps! >:- (I tell them the real version of the story.) Don't worry he is alright, just got a little road rash on his arm, head, ankle, and back. I can only remember one other time that he sleepwalked so hopefully this isn't going to be a regular thing.

Sunday Stash Report - 5/18

I was able to get quite a bit of sewing time this past week. I was off of work on Wednesday and DH had to work all weekend which left me plenty of time to SEW!!! I used 1/2 yard for binding on the Rock and Spin Around the Blocks quilt, 5-1/2 yards for the backing on B&SS and 1/4 yard for Shirley's star block. I also worked on my Rambling Rose BOM blocks but I'm not counting them in my fabric stash totals. I'm slowing using my stash.

In March or April, I had ordered two Father Christmas panels which came in this week. I'm guesstimating 1-1/2 yds. I'm too lazy to actually figure it out right now. Although I did well on not buying fabric, I did buy five cones of King Tut thread, the Pajama Quilter Reloaded workbook (to go along with the DVD I already have), and both of Suzanne Earley's meandering books.

This week's numbers:

• Fabric Added This Week - 1-1/2 yards (2 panels)
• Fabric Added as of Apr. '08 - 68-1/2 yards
• Fabric Used This Week - 6-1/4 yards
• Fabric Used Year to Date - 16-1/4 yards

Goals for the Week:

• Finish loading Bricks & Stepping Stones to quilting frame
• Start quilting B&SS
• Finish last two Rambling Rose blocks
• Start Judy's Quilt for a Hour top

Quiltathon - Saturday

I started a little late today, but I've finished the backing for B&SS and completed Shirley's star block. I decided to work on Shirley's block first since that actually has a deadline. Nothing else on my "current" or "someday" lists has due dates.

After lunch I went back and loaded the B&SS backing to the quilting frame. In a little bit I'll either work on loading the top or work on one of the three remaining Rambling Rose BOM blocks.

I may have to work tomorrow so I need to get as much done today as possible.

Quilt for an Hour-Choosing Fabric

Yesterday I was looking at my fabrics for the Quilt for an Hour project that Judy is starting on Monday. I have enough of the light background fabric, but I'm 10 inches short of the required darker background fabric. I think I'm just going to use what I have for the blocks and if I run short then figure something else out for the sashing or cornerstones.

I haven't decided on the star fabrics yet. I can't decide what I want to do....all different fabrics for the stars, repeat fabrics, or even do a light/dark combo for the stars like the background. Decisions, decision. This is why I usually buy kits rather than use my own fabric (and why my stash keeps getting bigger LOL) because I have such a difficult time choosing fabrics because I'm afraid they won't "work" together. I think I'm just gonna go "out of the box" and grab whatever bright FQs I have and use them up. Worst-case scenario it doesn't turn out and the dogs have a new quilt to lie on. :-O I could always do another with other fabrics. The best part....I'll be using up some of that stash!!!

2 for 1!!!

YAHOO, 2 finishes in one quilt. I've FINALLY finished the Rock and Spinning Around the Block tops (one top is the front and the other the back). I'll take a picture of it later after it's washed. That brings my total to 6 finishes (not including my group projects) for the year so I'm halfway to my goal. As long as I stay focused I should be able to reach my goal with no problems.
I also started on the backing for B&SS but I'm not sure I'll have enough fabrics left from the top. I'll have to be a little creative and use what I have and then if I need to buy more, at least it won't be a lot. I should have another good stashbusting report this week!!

One day left to vote on what I should do next!!! It's pretty close.

Mom's got the camera out, she MUST want to take pictures of US!! Riley in the lead with his little hedgehog toy and Sonny in the back come to inspect Rock Around the Block (front of the quilt).

Riley inspecting my first try at Dwirling.

Spinning Around the Block (back of the quilt)

Terrific Tuesday

After at least a month of being on the quilt frame, the Spinning and Rock Around the Block tops are finally quilted!!! I tried doing the dwirling concept from the Pajama Quilter DVD. It turned out OK, but may not be something I'll try again anytime soon. I just need to cut the binding and get it sewn on. I have off work tomorrow and hope to get the binding on then, otherwise by the weekend for sure. Then I'll be two finishes closer to my goal of getting 11 tops done this year.

I also plan to participate in the Quiltathon this weekend if I don't have to work. The projects I plan on working on are:

• Finish S/R Around the Block if not done tomorrow.
• Make backing for Bricks & Stepping Stones and load onto the quilting frame.
• Work on Shirley's PP bright star block.
• Rambling Rose BOM - last three blocks.

That should keep me busy for a while. I'm definitely feeling motivated to get some of these items knocked off the "to-do" list and added to the "finished" list. If only there were more hours in the day. ;0)

When I ordered my thread, I ordered Suzanne Earley's meandering books so I'm hoping to get some ideas for quilting some of the tops on my list. Most of them are still on there because I have no idea how to quilt them so I've been putting them off. Most are 2 years old and they need to get finished!!!

Finally...Progress on S/R Around the Block Tops

I decided today that I was finally going to figure out why my thread keeps breaking on my long arm. I changed the needle to size 18 and it finally works. I still had a couple breaks but I think it was because it hit seams from the top on the back side. I'm hoping to finish the quilting up tomorrow and get the binding cut. I should be able to record two finishes in the near future!!!

My thread order was scheduled to ship today so I should have it by Wednesday or Thursday. There are only a couple more days left to vote on what I should work on next. ;0)

Sunday Progress Report - 5/11

I used 1-1/4 yards for the two borders to finish the Bricks & Stepping Stones top and a 1/4 yard for Jennifer's orange peels for our group's Block Party. I have a ways to go to use more stash than I've bought, but I'm heading in the right direction! ;0)

I will need to find backing for Bricks & Stepping Stones. I may have to buy fabric so I have enough. I also want to place an order for thread this week.

This week's numbers:

• Fabric Added This Week - 0 yards
• Fabric Added as of Apr. '08 - 67 yards
• Fabric Used This Week - 1-1/2 yards
• Fabric Used Year to Date - 10 yards

Goals for the Week:

• Quilt Rock & Spinning Around the Block top
• Start Shirley's bright star block

B&SS Borders Are On

The outer border has been added to Bricks & Stepping Stones....using up another 1/2 yard of fabric for the borders. The top has been added to the huge pile of other tops waiting to be quilted. As soon as I can get the Spinning/Rock Around the Block top quilted, I will be loading B&SS to the frame. (This picture is after one border was added.)

Today is DH's birthday and tomorrow is Mother's day so I won't be getting much else done this weekend. Monday I'm hoping to get paper-piecing templates printed out to make a bright star block for our group's block party. It's first due in July so I've got time. I MUST work on getting the R/SAtB top quilted so I can record a finish (actually two since the back and front are both pieced) and get it off my list!!!

Good Sewing Day

My goal of getting more sewing in this month is going very well. I've already got more sewing in than the last two months combined!!! Today alone I sewed for 4 hours -- I managed to finish Jennifer's orange peel block (used 0.25 yds of stash), sewed the Bricks & Stepping Stones blocks into a top, and worked a little on quilting the top on the frame. I'm still having thread breaking issues on the LA so need to keep working on that and get it resolved. There are a lot of tops that are waiting to be quilted!!! ;0) The B&SS top needs two borders and then it will also be ready to be quilted.

I'm also thinking of using some of my stash to do the Patchwork Times Quilt for an Hour top. It starts May 19th so I still have some time to decide. Really don't need more projects, but then if it uses up some stash, it would be a good thing.

More good news....I haven't bought any fabric this week!!! Although there still are a couple more days left. LOL

Oops, I Did It Again!!!

I found out that one of the quilt shops near me is going to be closing at the end of summer. They are having a 25% off customer appreciation sale for the month of May. I had to go there to get the border fabrics for my Rambling Rose BOM project (5 yards) and a couple of other things just happened to jump into my arms while I was there.

But all was not lost this week. Tuesday I started the Bricks and Stepping Stones top which I worked on it for several hours this weekend...the blocks are halfway done. I hope to get the rest done during the week.

This week's report:

• Fabric Added This Week - 20 yards
• Fabric Added as of Apr. '08 - 67 yards
• Fabric Used This Week - 6 yards
• Fabric Used Year to Date - 8-1/2 yards

Goals for the Week:

• Finish Bricks & Stepping Stones blocks
• Quilt Rock & Spinning Around the Block
• Start Jennifer's orange peel blocks