Happy New Year!

We are in for a quiet evening ... Had a nice dinner with the family by candlelight and will watch a movie and play cards waiting to ring the New Year in.  We do this pretty much every year ... Tonight both kids pretty much told us we are boring and they wish to do something more exciting on NY eve.  We laughed and told them they didn't have to hang with us ... At 24 and 20, I wouldn't expect anything else!  Think next year will be really different ...

I decided to ring in the new year by cutting out a new quilt ... It's all cut and ready to sew tomorrow!

I love quilts that are cut into just a few pieces and ready to just sew!  This will

be my January stash class at the Country Loft.  The store is having their big open house to introduce new classes and new blocks of the month ... Check it out ...

http://thecountryloft.blogspot.com/2014/12/happy-new-year_30.html

I wish you all a safe and happy new year. I thank you for your friendship, interest and continued support.  This blog has brought me great joy, and kept me going when times were down as well as good.  You all mean a great deal to me and I wish you contentment and cheer in 2015!!!

Stash Report - Week 52!!!!

Welcome to the last stash report of the year ... This is really the first year I have done this the entire 52 weeks ... It really made me conscious of what I use and more importantly, what I buy.  I will have a detailed post next week, but for right now I am just so excited with my totals!  I used more than I bought and that is what using your stash means!  Here is my last report ... I really jumped in there this week and used a lot of yardage ... A backing for my mystery quilt was responsible for 8 1/4 yards, then there was more fabric for the top of the mystery quilt and I made my sweet daughter some pillowcases out of a fabric I bought for her 2 years ago ... Finally used it!!

Used this Week: 16 1/3 yards

Used year to Date: 175 yards

Added this Week:  0 yards

Added Year to Date: 81.5 yards

Net Used for 2014: 93.5 yards

I hope this weekly report has helped you keep track in some way of your own stash.  It does nothing more than give me an idea of what I'm using over what I'm buying.  The idea always being to use what I have first; I have never claimed I

won't buy anymore fabric, but knowing that I have to be accountable to all of you for what I buy, has really kept me on track and I thank you for being there!  Happy New Year's ... I love you all!!

Grand Illusion Mystery Quilt Link Up - Week 5

I am so ticked!  Just wrote an entire post and it disappeared because I didn't save it while I was working on finding my links! Grrr ...

Let's try this again ... Been a very busy girl since last Friday and caught up with all the clues on the GIMQ!  So exciting ...

Clue 5

Clues 4 and most of 3 (finished the last 50 today)

Clue 2 (old picture; the bottom right ones were corrected)

Clue 1

Http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2014/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-5.html

Working Hard

How was your Christmas? Mine was wonderful!  I spent Mon., Tues., and Wed. on the couch, but I was determined to go to mass Christmas Eve.  I made it ... and it felt wonderful to rejoice, sing, pray and be thankful!  

I had been wondering why I was able to stay up until 1:00 sewing and then wake at 7 ... I should have known it would catch up with me ... That's ok.  Most everything was done .., I did have some presents to wrap, but I did that Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.  Both the kids ran errands for me on Christmas Eve, and what didn't get done, didn't!  And I realized I was just fine not having a Norman Rockwelll Christmas!  The cards can be mailed next week as I am happy if they are done by New Year's.

Yesterday I was so happy to feel better and decided I was spending the day sewing!  I needed to get back to my Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt.  So after s whole day of sewing, I finished up clue 1 ... 100 broken dish blocks

Plus a few extra just in case, and 80 half square triangle units to be used in another clue.

More sewing ... Wa la ... 100 double diamond units finished!  Most were done, I think I made 20 pair yesterday.

Been sewing like a crazy woman again today and I am well into clue 3 ... 120  Two by Four units ...

The strip set on the left is correct, the one on the right is backwards!  Lucky for me my quilt angels were watching over me and I only made a few backwards blocks before I decided to check and make sure it was right!

Here's what all my strips looked like before I subcut them 

I was so excited ... Sewing all morning and then I counted ... I had 23 ... What??!!  I need 120!  Better stop blogging and keep sewing ... Besides gotta get into my stash and use as much as possible before my last stash report on Monday!

Stash Report - Week 51

Been down with the flu for a few days so my totals are late!  Did a back and a binding and bought a little bit of fabric to use in my mystery quilt ... Got it home and it was all wrong, but cute and I will use it for something!!!

Used this Week: 5 2/3 yards

Used year to Date: 158 2/3 yards

Added this Week:  1.5 yards

Added Year to Date: 81.5 yards

Net Used for 2014: 77.25 yards

One more week ... Just a few days left in the home stretch and I spent all day in my sewing room on my mystery quilt!  Stay tuned!!!!!

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with family and friends.  

In the hustle and bustle of the season today I am reminded of the real meaning of Christmas, and how truly blessed I am ... What a gift.  

How about a much needed break and relax for a few days ... Happy quilting!  From my family to your's!

Stash Report - Week 50

Ok ... Getting down to the wire here.  I have been sewing like mad the last few days.  I have to get presents in the mail, and my longarm quilter is a little behind!!  Haha ... I am just running out of hours!  I literally sewed today from 10 to 6.  Fed the dogs and went out to dinner with my hubby and son and his girlfriend, then did some Christmas shopping.  Came home at 930; finished longarming the quilt that has been on my frame for a few days, trimmed it, and immediately sat down at my machine to sew a back for a quilt.  Pinned it on and I am done at midnight!  I don't even want to imagine how my back will feel tomorrow!  Haha.. Here's a peek at it ...

This is not the one on my frame, this is the one I finished sewing today.  I'll have pics tomorrow of the one on my frame.  Here are my totals for the week:

Used this Week: 15.5 yards

Used year to Date: 153 finished yards

Added this Week:  6.25 yards

Added Year to Date: 80 yards

Net Used for 2014: 73 yards

I covered the dog's bed with fabric, finished up a quilt and made another quilt.  Also did a little on the mystery quilt, but most of those totals were in last week.  The fabric I added this week was fabric I bought to make my dad's quilt and to put borders on my sister's quilt. Came in and went right back out!  Good for me.  The only thing I didn't use was a 1/3 piece that I decided was a little overpowering for the quilt.  Next week's totals should be great on using fabric.  I have a back and binding still to make for my dad's quilt ... I was trying for a lap size.  It came out about 74 x 84 ... It's big enough to fit on my daughter's double bed!  Think I need to rethink my definition of "lap!"

Another beauty

I quilted this beauty for a friend before I went on vacation.

Isn't it a stunner?

I believe the pattern is a disappearing nine patch.

Aren't these colors beautiful?  I just did a free motion, swirly loop.

It is huge and came out quite beautiful!  Used my favorite Omni thread in my favorite light thread, Cream.

She did a beautiful job piecing this quilt and it was quite an honor and pleasure to quilt it for her!  Maybe it will be wrapped under my tree!!  Hey, I can dream!!

Clue 2 - Grand Illusion Mystery Quilt

Having such fun with Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt!  I didn't think I would

have enough time this Christmas season to do the baking, shopping, wrapping and seeing, so I just decided to throw one more thing in there!  Seriously ... This is so much fun!  There is a Facebook group, Quiltville's Open Studio ... The group is fun and supportive.

Was dreading this clue two when I saw it,

But it has actually been quite fun and I've enjoyed the block more than clue 1.  Maybe because I have never made a double diamond block before and there is a definite challenge here!

Version 1

Version 2

Version 3

Version 4

And here they all are together ...

Many more to go, but proud of my start!  It is about the journey, not the finish, and I am really enjoying myself.  The first few blocks I was not happy with my joins, but it's gotten better and only one was really bad enough to rip out.  Now that's a great day!!!

Check out Bonnie's blog to see everyone's progress!  http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2014/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-2.html. Linking up myself!  See you there!

Stash Report - Week 49

Okay friends ... We are closing in on the end of the year.  Only 3 more weeks left to use that stash and boost those numbers!!  How are you doing?  Since joining Bonnie Hunter's Grand Illusion Mystery Quilt, it has really boosted my fabric out!  I didn't even think about that when I decided to start it last week.

I made a small quilt for my December stash class and with backing and binding, and all the cutting for this week's mystery clue, I did good in the fabric useage department.  I also used about 1/4 yard in the Christmas pillows I made out of kitchen towels ... The towels were not quite big enough to cover the pillows ... I haven't forgotten I owe you a tutorial!

Used this Week: 6.25 yards

Used year to Date: 136.50 yards

Added this Week:  0 yards

Added Year to Date: 77 3/4 yards

Net Used for 2014: 58.75 yards

How did you do this week?  Were you able to get any sewing in?

December Stash Quilt

Maybe you're asking yourself why we would have a stash class in December!  Well, I didn't want to have the class the day after Thanksgiving which was when the November class was scheduled, so we moved it to December, and the 12th was the first Friday available!

Ok I am trying something new here with my picture, so let me know what you think. I used a photo collage app, but couldn't figure out how to get the picture to fill the frame.  I'm a work in orogress, what can I say!!

Ideally the picture would fill the entire frame, but you get the idea!  This is a quilt I made from leftover charm pack strips from a quilt I made last year.  It's hard to see the fabrics .. They are so

cute and my borders all have polka

Dots on them ... So happy!!Think you can see the blocks a little better here before I sewed them together.  I can't wait to quilt it and it will look even more spectacular!!!

This is a super fast quilt and easy for a beginner because there are very few seams to match.  You can make this

In one day, I promise!  My idea was to use it as a table topper, but with just a couple more rows, it would be a great and quick baby quilt.

For the last class of the year we are going out with a bang!  For every stash quilt you finished, you get a ticket and I am going to have prizes!  The more quilts you've completed, the more tickets you get, the more you increase your chances to win.  I would love to have everyone bring their projects to class to show and tell.  Alternatively, if the quilt isn't in your possession anymore, a picture may substitute.  I would also love to celebrate our year of using our stashes with a little party!  Brunch provided by me!!  I hope you can come.  The stash class is Friday, December 12 from 10 - 1 at the Country Loft.  Please call Kathy to put your name on the list.  The fee is $10 ... 619-466-5411.

Advent

I wrote this entire blog post and was almost finished, and my phone died and I lost it all ... Here we go again!

I love Chrustmas like many people, but I especially love the season leading up to it ... The season of advent ... In the church it is described as the first season of the Christian church year leading up to Christmas.  Why not brighten the season with advent calendars?  I don't remember having them when I grew up, so I guess I'm filling in for what my childhood lacked.

I have an advent calendar obsession

This picture I showed you the other day and I handmade a lot of the ornaments  that are on this tree, like the candy cane. I think it is 20 years old as well.  Remember these Deby?  There was a whole set of them.

This calendar is something I bought at JoAnn's maybe ... It is quite old, but survives well.

This was from Starbucks about 5 years ago and had little candy in every drawer.  You pull a drawer out and turn it around and it makes a picture.  It is so cute!  I don't put goodies in the drawer until my daughter comes home from college.  I fill the drawers with treats for her ... She is 29 and still loves it!  Reminds me of someone else I know.  Heh heh!  I have to enjoy doing the advent calendars myself, because once she is home, she does them all ... 

This is my latest calendar.  It came from Starbucks 2 years ago ... It needs a little cutesing up ... Each tin has a number on it and was filled with caramels.  I think the numbers are supposed to all be on the board and then removed day by day, but I'm doing it backwards.  What can I say ... I'm left handed!

This last calendar I made for my daughter two years ago and it lives in her room.  She forgot it when she went back to school after Thanksgiving break, so I have been taking care of it for her.  This was all over Pinterest and was where I got the idea from.  It was so fun!!

I have a quilted advent calendar I started many years ago and need to finish.  I will

make a pledge to work on that this holiday season.  While reading blogs tonight I saw the cutest homemade calendar . .. I would love one of these and it got me thinking about different versions ... But that will have to wait until next year!

You can find this calendar at http://homeiswheretheboatis.net/2014/12/03/birds-of-a-feather-advent-calendar/

(Photo credit: Mary, Home is Where the Boat Is blog). Isn't it adorable?!  She has the most beautiful pictures on her blog.

So how many advent calendars do you think is too much?!

Stash Report - Week 48

Halted my Christmas quilting and made a bunch of 1/2 triangles and 2 1/2" squares ... Back to the Christmas projects this week!

Used this Week: 2 yards

Used year to Date: 130.25 yards

Added this Week:  0 yards

Added Year to Date: 77 3/4 yards

Net Used for 2014: 52.50 yards

Grand Illusion Mystery Quilt

Apparently this time of year is not enough of a challenge for me .... I decided at a friend's suggestion, to do Bonnie Hunter's newest mystery quilt.  The first clue was posted on Friday and me and about a bazillion other people have taken the challenge ... Making loads of half square triangles and broken dish blocks.

Here's what I have so far ...

... I need a lot more than that!

Block combo 1

2

3

and 4

Sorry for the pictures ... It was late and I didn't think to lay them out separately so

you could see them better.  I'll do better next week.

Every week is a new clue for the next 6 weeks.  Come on and join in the insanity ... I don't think I'll be able to keep up, but I intend to start each clue, post my progress, and finish it up after the holidays!  I'm going to try linking up ... First time I've done this, so let's see if it works!  Bonnie's blog is Quiltville's Quips and Snips ...

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2014/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-1.html 

It's Beginning to Look a Little ....

... like Christmas around here!!  Usually it takes me a week or so to start decorating after Thanksgiving, but since Christmas is only 4 weeks after turkey day, I thought I should get started!  

I began my day with a little dusting ... The living room has large surfaces and every day we get a layer of dust ... San Diego is a beautiful place to live, but lots of dust!  Multitasking ... Watching the Today show while I dusted.

Then off to my treadmill ... It hasn't been used since I've been back from Michigan.  More multitasking ... Walked while reading Facebook!

Alright, now a little Christmas ... Bought some great sheets for my bed and my sweet daughter's as well ... I decided I needed Christmas sheets and they were on sale at Target for 16.99 on Black Friday ... That was the best deal I found all day ... For king size sheets ... Wow!

First the sheets had to be washed and dried ... Look how cute they are with the pillows I made from my leftover black, grey and red quilt from a couple months ago?  So happy!

Here is sweet daughter's room all ready for her return in two weeks from college. Took her regular quilt off and put this antique quilt on that I received as a gift years ago from a friend ... So cute!  I covered her headboard with the back of a quilt ... It needs to be repainted, and I think I might be onto something with using a quilt!

Finished a quilt on the longarm that I can't show you.  I want the customer to see it first!  Then I made two Christmas pillows .. I will post a tutorial on a different post ... Cute, huh?

Sewed some broken dish blocks for a Challenge I am doing ...

Cooked dinner and before the day was over, actually grabbed the advent calendars out of the attic ... It is unheard of for me to have advent calendars out on December 1 ...

This isn't the best picture, but I made this  20 years ago when my son was 4!!!  It has pockets and the same trinkets come out of them year after year ... I love it!  I'll show you the rest of them tomorrow!

I am pooped!!  Better rest ... I'll burn myself out fast at this pace!  Haha

Small Business Saturday

Well I did some Black Friday shopping yesterday, so today had to do a little SSB shopping!  My favorite small business?

The Country Loft, 4685 Date Avenue, La Mesa, California 91941; 619-466-5411; cloft.com. 

Well of course this is my favorite quilt

store and they have gifts and Christmas  ... Fun, fun!

Well I came out of there with less $$ in my pocket, but I sure did my bit to help business!

Look at this new line of fabric I discovered ... Atelier by 3sisters ... Reds, turquoise, purples, browns ... Looking for fabrics for a quilt for my dad and this is the color scheme ...

This fabric was made for it!!  Can't wait to start.  Bought 3 charm packs and a yard of neutral.  Not sure what I'm creating yet, but the inspiration is brewing!

Color is a little hard to see, but these are borders for my Christmas gift quilt that I've been working on .. All those 2 1/2" squares!  It is going to look wonderful!

I got some Christmas decorations and this adorable calendar for next year ...

They had several by this artist ... Her drawings are so cute!

My favorite is the bunny!!

Look at this adorable box of notecards by the same artist!

So cute!!!

They had several different sets to pick from.  If you need a great hostess gift or special gift that is different ... You will find it here!  I challenge you to walk into that store and not find something wonderful!  Ok, I know I am a little prejudiced since I worked there for years ... But you cannot find a nicer quilt store anywhere!  Stop in and see Sharon and Kathy, and tell them I sent you!!

Merry, merry!!!!