Category: stash busting

embroidery · longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilting · stash busting

Sunday Reporting, 10-19-08

Wild Rose Quilter10 Comments

My stash hasn’t changed a bit, either in or out.  I did pull fabrics from it for the guild mystery quilt, but I’m not counting that til I actually start on it.  I have been working on some projects, though.  I quilted one customer lap quilt, and have another ready to start.  My parents came for a visit Saturday, so Friday afternoon was spent cleaning, and getting ready.  I really enjoyed our time together Saturday.  I demo’d my embroidery machine for Mom, by working on the label for my Dad’s log cabin quilt.  Then, after they left, I just had some play time with it.  I got these Christmas ornament patterns, at the shop where my machine came from.  They are an OESD Christmas promo.  You spend $60.00 shopping, and you get the patterns for free.  This is the one I made last night.  I used a red that had been prewashed, but after wetting it to get the stabilizer out, and leaving it overnight to dry, the red still bled through the white stitching, turning it pink around the edge of the applique.  And, I don’t think I had my tension set quite right on this one.

Today, as I was making a label for the back of my Storm At Sea quilt, I thought that a scrap of that fabric might make a neat ornament, so I played with a different color theme.

The ornament is still wet, from rinsing out the stabilizer, but when it’s dry, it will be the same color as the label it is laying beside.  Also in the pic, is the label for Daddy’s quilt.  I still need to trim it up.

I like the way the ornament came out, in the golden color, with a bit of silver metallic thread for some sparkle.  I will add some crystals for further embellishment.  I think I’ll be making some more of these.  It was fun!

I also jazzed up one of my DH’s fishing shirts, by adding a couple of embroidered designs to it.  He loves it!  I was so proud of myself for getting them on so straight, and even symmetrical with each other!

And, I got the labels for the commissioned memorial quilt ready to stitch.

All in all, I had a really nice weekend.  Just too short, as usual.  Hope yours was great, too!  I’m off to soak in the new infinity pool hot tub now!

longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilt top · quilting · quilts · sewing · stash busting

Starting My First Mystery Quilt

Wild Rose Quilter7 Comments

I went to the guild meeting last night and we rec’d the fabric instructions for this year’s mystery quilt.  I have never done a mystery quilt before.  I really want to participate in as many of the guild projects as I can, so I’m going to try to do this, and see if I can keep up.  Besides, it’s a great way to bust some stash.  This is one of those times that I am thankful for my stash.  I was able to go to my quilt room, in my jammies, and “shop” for the required fabrics for the quilt.  These are my choices.

The first one, the pale green, will be the background.  The floral print will be the main fabric, with the remaining two being the accent fabrics.  I like them together like this…whether or not they will be successful for the pattern, I suppose only time will tell.  They are going to send out the cutting instructions in our next newsletter.  I’m anxious to see what they are.  I will post progress reports, so you can see the mystery unfold, along with me.  I love being able to use my stash like this, and this is precisely why I have one.  Instant gratification when I want to start a project.  No waiting til I can make a trip to the nearest fabric shop, which is about an hour away.  And no waiting for an internet order to show up.  I had everything I needed, right under my roof, and even options for different color schemes.  Yes, having a stash is good thing!  🙂

longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilting · stash busting

Sunday Stash Report, 10-5-08

Wild Rose Quilter8 Comments

  • 0 yards in this week
  • 4 yards out this week

YTD totals

  • Incoming Yardage to date: 84
  • Outgoing Yardage to date:  109& 5/12yds
  • Total Stash Busted to date: 25 & 5/12 yds

The four yards busted this week was fleece for this navy/tan fleece blanket for a customer.

I’ll probably rather quiet til my living room painting job gets finished, and I can get things back in order.  It’s chaotic in here right now.  The painter was making good progress.  He put kilz on the two larger walls yesterday, and got started cutting in with the paint today.  Then we noticed a problem.  I had three cans of paint in the garage.  One partial can that was left from the top half of the entryway, which is textured wall, and a lighter color than I am painting the paneling, which is in the living room and the bottom half of the entryway.  We also had a partial can of the color for the paneling, and a full can of that color.  DH picked up the partial can and says “is this the paint, honey?”  I said it was, without looking closely, as I picked up the full can, and said “this is the full can that goes with it”.  I had forgotten that the other partial can of the lighter color was sitting in the same vicinity as the other two cans.  You know where this going don’t you?  Yep, he had almost all the cutting in done when we realized what had happened.  I managed to only say OH CRAP, OH CRAP out loud, though what was going on in my head was much worse. So work halted for today while the wrong color dries, and he went to watch the Dallas Cowboys football game.  The guy painting works for my husband at our glass shop, but he used to work for a painter, and does painting jobs on the side.  He & DH are gonna work on it tomorrow afternoon.  It could’ve been worse.  🙂

quilting · quilts · stash busting

Sunday Stash Reporting, A Day Late (and a link to assist horses and cattle displaced by Ike)

Wild Rose Quilter3 Comments

  • Incoming Yardage to date: 84
  • Outgoing Yardage to date:  105 & 5/12yds
  • Total Stash Busted to date: 21 & 5/12 yds.

My stash numbers didn’t change any this week, either.  However, Thousand of Bolts was having one of their end of bolt sales, which is usually a big weakness of mine.  I allowed myself to “shop” and put the fabric I would normally buy, into my cart.  But instead of checking all the way out, I only went as far as getting the total cost, with shipping charges.  Then I emptied my cart.  I saved $101.47, which will be put into my little “stash savings” I’ve started.  I’m curious to see how quickly it adds up.  Sure takes some control to get it into the cart, and put it back, though.  🙂  Especially with my husband saying, “why didn’t you go ahead and get it?”  He’ such an enabler! 😉

I did get the machine stitching done on the applique for the fall wallhanging.  Now I have to see if I can do the “hand embroidery” parts with my Bernina, and do the pieced blocks. 

Yesterday morning, I looked out the back window, and there were all these little water drops, from the sprinkler, on what is left of some of my parsley.  The sunlight was hitting it just right to make it look like it was covered in little crystals.  I tried to capture it for you with my camera, but this was the best I could do.  I wish I could have caught all the brilliant colors I could see with my eyes:  red, blue, green, purple, orange, yellow.  It was so pretty.   You will have to click on the pictures, to open them up larger, to see what I’m talking about.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Something else I meant to mention in my blog over the last few days, in case you are so inclined, is that apparently there are many displaced horses and cattle, from Hurricane Ike.  They are in desparate need of food, water, and other supplies for these animals.  There was an article about it in our local newspaper.  If, like me, you want to make a donation to this cause, you can do so at this site.  Click on the “No Fences” link to donate.

longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilt top · quilting · quilts · stash busting

Finished Quilting and Salsa Recipe

Wild Rose Quilter14 Comments

My stash numbers remain unchanged from last week.  None in, none out.  However, I’ve been working on projects.  I’m almost done stitching the binding sleeve on my Storm At Sea.  I have started the handstitching of the binding on the memorial quilt.  I completed the quilting on my Daddy’s log cabin.  I used Quilter’s Dream cotton batting in the deluxe weight, Superior Rainbows Waikiki in the blue with Pastel Blue So Fine in the bobbin, Superior So Fine Cashew in the tans, with So Fine Toast in the bobbin. 

I quilted whimsical hearts in the corners, since it’s for my Daddy. 🙂

back of quilt
back of quilt

 

gorgeous variegated Waikiki
gorgeous variegated Waikiki

 

gorgeous Waikiki thread
gorgeous Waikiki thread

I was very pleased with the effect of this curl quilting and will be using this lots more.

My original plan was to quilt a ferny design in the tan, and literally changed my mind at the last minute.  I think this design was more appropriate for this one. 
Now, on to salsa!  My cherry tomato plants have been giving me more little tomatoes that I could eat, one at time, before they would start spoiling.  I’ve even been giving some away.  Why didn’t I think of using them for salsa before!?  Here is a quick & easy way to use up those cherry tomatoes in a hurry.  I used the the little food chopper thingy that came with my blender.
Throw in some ‘maters.
Throw in some cilantro, onion chunks, and jalapeno peppers.  I grew the peppers, too and they are hot. I do not seed my peppers, either, ’cause I like my salsa hot.  I just cut it into two or three chunks, so it chops up better. 
I put the lid on and hit the “pulse” button on my blender, quickly, two or three times, til I have this consistency.
I empty into a bowl and add some of this Creole Seasoning.
I’m pretty generous with it.
Squeeze in some lime juice.
Stir it all up.  Have a bite!  Be sure to have something close at hand, to put out the fire!
Yummm….think I’ll go have a bowl while I flip back and forth between watching the NASCAR race and the Ryder Cup.
longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilt top · quilting · quilts · stash busting

Stash Tracking, 9-14-08

Wild Rose Quilter8 Comments

No new fabric came into the stash this week.  I used 2.25 yds. adding the striped border to the darker 9P & Stripe.  YTD totals are:

  • Incoming Yardage to date: 84
  • Outgoing Yardage to date:  105 & 5/12yds
  • Total Stash Busted to date: 21 & 5/12 yds

I’m liking this one.

I also made the binding for the memorial quilt, and got it attached to the front of the quilt, ready for the hand stitching. 

I enjoyed the first race of the NASCAR chase for the cup today.  A little more so than most this year.  Maybe because Kyle Busch was not up front today…lol.  And it had a surprise ending today. 

I can’t believe it’s already going to be Monday tomorrow.  Where did this weekend go so fast??  At least I got some good fabric and thread therapy.  I hope you got a chance to do something you love.

quilt top · quilting · quilts · stash busting

Sunday Stash Report, 9-7-08

Wild Rose Quilter19 Comments

One yard in this week, 7 & 11/12 yds. out.  YTD : 84 in, 103 & 1/6 out, 19 1/6 yds total busted. 

I’ve had a busy week, but not so much quilting.  I did solve my border dilemma.  I purchased one yard of a gold fabric to use as an accent border or flange.  I searched my stash first, and did not have any that would match.  I was just a few inches shy of having enough of the green leftover to use it.  Wouldn’t ya know it?

I used a yard adding the first border to the darker 9P & stripe quilt.

I almost bought more than I needed, when buying the gold.  That’s just the sort of event to push me back off the wagon.  However, I found some resolve, and only bought just what I needed.  I calculated that my self control saved me at least $100.25.  I am going to start tracking this, and putting what I don’t spend in a savings.  A little incentive, besided having to be accountable here, is that I can put that money in the “fix up the kitchen” fund.  I am really wanting to do some remodeling in my kitchen. I need some new appliances, but I don’t want to change them til I can freshen up the cabinets, and change the countertop.  If I quit spending all my money on fabric, this project can take place sooner.  I can’t believe I’m showing y’all this, buy here is my kitchen.

I don’t want to change the floor or paint job.  I did the paint, and DH laid the floor, and I really like those two things.

I want a silestone counter in Kona Beige.  And I’m thinking that we might just paint the cabinets (or rather have them painted) in a dark brown.

Hopefully, sometime in the not so distant future, I will get to post “after pics”. 

I also got new hair again…this is the “autumn” color.  I always just let my stylist do what he wants.  We did darker highlights, and even some almost black “low lights”.  This is much closer to my natural color.

Enjoy the rest of the your weekend!

longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilt top · quilting · quilts · stash busting

Sunday Stash Report, 8-31-08

Wild Rose Quilter4 Comments

This week I did not buy any fabric.  And I even went to a fabric store yesterday!  The only thing I bought was a pattern for a quilt with chickens on it.  I love going to that store, though (Sands Fabrics in Pampa).  There are always some beautiful quilts hanging there to see…some pretty longarm eye candy, too. 

I have used one yard from my stash for the memorial quilt.  I now have the top together, except for the outside border.

I used 1.5 yds this week making those little jewelry/notions bags I blogged about in the previous post.  I made these two today.

So zero yards added this week, and 2.5 yards busted. Year to date:

  • Incoming 83 yards
  • Outgoing 95.25 yards
  • Total busted 11.25 yards

I’m still going in the right direction!  I’m determined to end this year with a positive total.  My fabric is falling off the shelves in my closet. 

I finished the repair work on my storm at sea binding, and am back to stitching.  That will be a 2008 finish before long.  I just piddled around, back and forth, between projects today.  My seasonal allergies are in full bloom today.  I couldn’t get far from a kleenex today.  I broke down and started back on the prescription nasal spray today.  I also made these sand tarts today:

Did you get to do something you love today?  I hope so!  I’m looking forward to another day off from my day job tomorrow.  Enjoy your labor day!

daily life · longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilting · quilts · sewing · stash busting

A Small Thursday Thump :-)

Wild Rose Quilter10 Comments

I have one small thump today.  I’ve been stitching away in the evenings, stitching down the binding on my storm at sea quilt.  I rounded the third corner last night, so pleased with how good it’s looking, only to notice a funny looking spot in the binding fabric.  Upon closer inspection, I discover it’s a small slit in the fabric.  Great!  Next, I start looking to determine how much I am going to have to detach, so that I can replace that piece of binding, when all the way down that edge, and around the last corner, I see a snag in the binding fabric.  Of course, both of these flaws are on the outside of the binding.  Couldn’t have landed on the part that’s going to be closed up into the quilt, nope, right on the outside layer.  So instead of stitching, I’m now unstitching.  I don’t like unstitching.  I like the doing part of quilting, not the undoing.  Oh well, like I said, small thump.  Minor setback.  Just an aggravation.

I have had a few write and ask me about my test results.  I meant to post about that Sunday, and forgot.  I have nothing really new to report.  I never heard back from my doctor, so I went to the hospital and got copies of my reports and read them myself.  The MRI on my c-spine, mentions some “concentrical disc bulging” and some “mild facet degenerative changes and hypertrophy”.  I think the one on my brain was fine, except they said in the report they  injected me with contrast dye, which they didn’t.  Called the hospital about that, to make sure it was really my brain…lol.  I think that’s probably just a med. transcriptioner mistake…you know, just automatic verbage that they didn’t delete.  The only thing that I could pick out on the blood work was the high red blood count, that the doctor mentioned when he did call me, but the followup report test didn’t seem to show anything unusual.  The lupus test and hormone results were on the same report.  That report had me listed as a 42 year old male.  Soooo….not sure what I think of that.  I haven’t called the lab…I was pretty disgusted at that point, and fed up with the whole ordeal. 

In the meantime, I have been having my husband, or son, whichever is handy, apply some pressure to the muscles around my shoulder blade, to keep working on those pressure points between massage appts.  And, I’ve been putting an ice pack on it every night while I’m sitting in bed stitching and watching t.v.  I don’t know if that is making a difference or not, but I have felt much better this last week.  Much less pain in that area.  It’s been great to have some relief!  And maybe it’s because some of you have said prayers for me.  Thank you for that! I believe in the power of prayer.  I’ve been saying them for me, too.  I felt even better after my massage therapist, and chiropractor got through with me on Tuesday.  I’m starting to think that maybe a lot of it is repetative muscle injury.  Maybe from being on computers too much all day, and those muscles back there are getting screwed up, and pulling everything else out of place.  I’m not giving up on getting better.  That is why I haven’t been blogging as much, though…I’m trying to lessen my time at the keyboard and mouse.

I finished the quilting on the Chinese coins baby quilt.  I worked on it during lunch Monday, and after I got home.  I’ll post pics of it when I get it all finished.  It came out really cute, though. 

I have gotten two more rows of the first memory quilt finished.  And I found this great tutorial , on Debby Maddy’s blog, while blog surfing.  Thank you for sharing it, Debby.  I had fun giving it a try, and I think this is a great gift project.  I am sure I will be digging through my fabric stash to make a few more of these. 

So how is your week going?  Have you taken time to do something you love?

longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilting · stash busting

Stash Busting Report, 8-24-08

Wild Rose Quilter8 Comments

I busted 4 & 1/3 yds this week.  I used four yard fleece on a fleece blanket, that I forgot to photo.  I used 1/3 yd. making binding for the storm at sea. 

YTD totals:

  • Incoming Yardage to date: 83
  • Outgoing Yardage to date:  92 & 3/4 yds.
  • Total Stash Busted to date: 9 & 3/4 yds.

It’s been a busy week.  I made a fleece blanket.  I quilted the customer wallhanging, and that took most of my spare time during the week, and yesterday.  Small quilt, but time consuming.  No pics yet, as it is my customer’s for a guild challenge. 

I loaded up the commissioned baby quilt (Chinese coins that I posted recently), and did one pass of a panto on it.  It’s looking good!  I also attached a hanging sleeve, and did the machine stitching of the binding to the front, on my storm at sea quilt. 

Corky, my longarm, got her “spa treatment”.  This involves removing the front cover piece and oiling several points in the front, oiling all the regular oiling points, loosening the covers that give me access to the gears, so that I could pack some more grease on them, and just giving her an allover cleaning.  I cleaned the table, table tracks, carriage tracks and wheels. 

I also attacked the huge mess that was in my closet, and cleaned out a big sack of clothes.  Woohoo…that’s like a weight off.  How does it get in such a shape? 

Seems like such a boring post without pics.  Glad you stopped by.  Hope you have a great week ahead!