Design Wall Monday, July 22, 2024

By the end of Friday all of the HSTs (400) had been trimmed down.  As I was trimming them they went up on the Design Wall.  Next I started off by sewing together the left side HSTs together on each of the blocks.  Then the top of the HSTs and the corner completed.  Finally the two HST sections were attached to the larger HST.

Today all 56 A and B units along with four C units that make up Kache are complete.  Next up cutting the setting triangles and arranging the top in an on point fashion.  I am confident this 2022 UFO will be wrapped up by the end of the week.  Oh does that feel good to say.

This is what the project Secret Stash by Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts looks like.  Have a wonderful week!

Sunday Stash Report, July 21, 2024

Star of Hope is finished.  This one was started in October 2023.  It was a free pattern by Bonnie Hunter in support of the Israel invasion by Hamas.  My plan was to donate and still might be if I can find a place that will accept the quilt.  It was every bit the project making the secondary block.  This is a paper piece project.

I also worked on two iris BOMs for my Mom to turn in at her next guild meeting.  Also a paper piece project.  The black iris is special to my Mom as she recalls her eldest brother, Kenneth, had one he was proud of.

Thursday brought these three projects to my door from Kerry.  I have them prepared for several evenings of binding work.  All three are finishes from BOMs that I won at Sunshine Quilt Guild.

All the binding can get going now that the airplane block finished.  Just one more of the several cross stitched blocks a part of the Transportation project.

Friday I spent a good part of the day working on Kache, but I will let you read more about the project tomorrow on my Design Wall Monday blog post.  Hope your week is terrific.

Used this week: 9 yards 
Used YTD: 134.5 yards 
Purchased this week: 3.25 yard
Purchased YTD: 73.5 yards
Net used in 2024: 61 yards

Design Wall Monday, July 15, 2024

 

Soon this will be my Design Wall, but for now this is Edyta Sitar's design called Secret Stash.

Instead this is my Design Wall!  Nothing to share here, but look at the top of my sewing cabinet...

I am using the same grouping of fabrics the Neutral and Warm FQ bundles from the Secret Stash Line by Andover Fabrics.  Of course I waited a bit too long to pick up the Neutral FQ bundle so I had to purchase what I could find.  Fortunately I stumbled upon two Neutral Layer Cakes which has been just enough so far.

I have already marked the center line on Unit 1 and Unit 2 neutrals.  There are going to be lots and lots of HST units to make.  Just 28 (makes 56) of both neutral and warm for Unit 1 and then 200 (makes 400) of both neutral and warm for Unit 2.  Yes, you did hear me correctly, 400 HSTs =^.^=  I recall someone mentioning how they dislike making HSTs...not me!  I am just loving stitching these fabrics together.  The neutrals are amazing in a selection of colors I wouldn't consider neutral at first glance.  They are for the most part subdued, but wild in pattern.  This pattern was a free download should you wish to make one of your own.  My project will be called Kache.  A 2022 UFO soon to be marked off my list of UFOs.

Yesterday was my first Book Club event.  Thought I'd share the feast that we enjoyed.  Thanks for the cooking Christine, Ellen, Kayleen and Grace.  There were other cooks in the group who brought appetizers and desserts.  A couple others had to leave before the group photos were taken.  The discussion of the book, The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden, was engaging.  We all agreed this is a book worth the read.

Happy week ahead everyone. 

Sunday Stash Report, July 14, 2024

 

Just enough of these fabrics to make a small charity quilt.  I had a bit of fun with the stripe border fabric.  Not the usual layout, but something a bit different.  Now to find a back.  I am thinking a blue binding will be perfect.

This design is called Chinese Coins.  It comes from a kit put together for Sunshine Quilt Guild cuddle quilts.  It was nearly done when I received it to finish up.

I have four placemats done that will be on their way soon to my niece.  She started one of them nearly ten years ago.  I finally finished up a set for her.  Each of these take four yards of fabric cut into 2 1/2 inch strips.  Certainly helped free up space in my 2 1/2 inch container.

Star of Hope is into a top less the inner and outer borders.  Need a Rosie's trip to find something that will work with one of the two fabrics I have in my stash for the inner border.  I should be able to get to this some time in the week ahead.

Used this week: 52.5 yards 
Used YTD: 125.5 yards 
Purchased this week: 0 yard
Purchased YTD: 70.25 yards
Net used in 2024: 55.25 yards

Design Wall Monday, July 8, 2024

 

Star of Hope piecing is finished.  Now it is time to iron the blocks and assemble the rows.  It sure looks great.  Love the design, but I won't be making another one with the secondary block anytime too soon...probably never =^.^=

I need to select one of these two light blues for the inner border.  I'm leaving towards the one on the right, but this will depend on what the darker outer border will be.  I don't have anything enough in my stash.  There is a Rosie's gathering on 7/19 so I may wait until then or maybe (since I am retired now) just take a drive there before then!  

Yep you did read correctly; I am full into Retirement Mode.  This cute T-shirt that I have worn a couple of times now is a gift from Bonnie.  Everyone loved it!

These gifts came from Kerry.  I have been wearing this bracelet nearly every day since it arrived.  It goes with just about everything.  The mug is highly appropriate don't you think?

Mom sent me these.  The arrangement is live flowers in a beautiful arrangement that is tucked inside a paper vase and wrapped with a bow.  It is on my mantel in an attempt to keep two kitties away from them.

My coworkers sent me off nicely with a cookout on the patio at work.  I was happy to have such a great group of coworkers over the 37 years and 3 months with BAE Systems.  I received retirement cards and a special gift card to Starbucks.  Lots of phone calls from family and friends today as well as several toasts this past weekend to my career that comes to an end.  Thanks to everyone who made this day special.  Life is good =^.^=

Sunday Stash Report, July 7, 2024

I have been able to spend time working on Star of Hope.  I am nearly done!  With only sewing the blocks together.  Goodness, I have said it before about this project.  The secondary block does make the quilt, but it has been very time consuming.  I need to find fabric enough for the inner border, which should be easy in my stash.  The hard one to find enough of will be the outer border.  Both of these fabrics will be blue.  The inner border light blue and the outer border medium to darker blue.  Anxious to have this one completely done.

Guess what I will be working on the rest of my first days of retirement...  Nothing to change my stash today.

Used this week: 0 yards 
Used YTD: 73 yards 
Purchased this week: 0 yard
Purchased YTD: 70.25 yards
Net used in 2024: 2.75 yards

Design Wall Monday, July 1, 2024

Fabrics are holding out.  Not too many more of the secondary block.  I am about ready to add seven to my project.

These make the last ones to stitch.  It doesn't look like much, but I would say perhaps four hours to complete these...assuming that is uninterrupted time =^.^=

Retirement is just days away now!

Sunday Stash Report, June 30, 2024

 

I am working to fill up my Design Wall.  Slowly but surely I'll get there.  Made the first of many hour glass units that will go between the half stars and the corners.  Wow this is some project designed by Bonnie Hunter.

Nothing changes my stash stats this week.  Enjoy your short week before the 4th!

Used this week: 0 yards 
Used YTD: 73 yards 
Purchased this week: 0 yard
Purchased YTD: 70.25 yards
Net used in 2024: 2.75 yards

Design Wall Monday, June 24, 2024

 

A cute little project made from a Gina gift.  Gina and her mom hunted out the stick and it was a must use part of the project.  I like how it turned out and have a special place for it to hang.  Gina passed out this treat at the recent Sunshine Quilt Retreat.

As I mentioned yesterday I dusted off this project and took it on Saturday for a sewing party.  After getting reoriented on where I had left it; three blocks were added to the "done".  I am working on the secondary block that provides lots of interest to this otherwise simple design by Bonnie Hunter.  These blocks finish at just 6 inches.  The secondary block has 40 pieces!  I have another three ready to put together and another four ready to start the paper piecing.

This project should keep me busy for several days.  Today marks the last full week of work.  Next week being a holiday week and then retirement day on July 8th.

Sunday Stash Report, June 23, 2024

Another cross stitch block completed.  This dump truck kept me busy during binge watching Yellowstone.

This one is just starting.  You can just about make out that it is a helicopter.

Fabric has arrived to complete the yardage requirements for Sparkle Star and Sparklers.  I only need a solid off white that will be for the background.  I won't be starting this project for a little while, but I will have everything needed to complete it.

I had a great time on Saturday celebrating Jennifer's Birthday with other quilters at Rosie's.  I brought to work on Star of Hope.  I had started on this project likely over a year ago and quite frankly it took me several minutes to figure out what all my fabric groupings were about.  You will see more on this tomorrow.  I did need to pick up some dark blues and this adds to my stash numbers.  It looks like a lot, but it is only four yards.  Most of it will be used in Star of Hope.

Used this week: 7.75 yards 
Used YTD: 73 yards 
Purchased this week: 8 yard
Purchased YTD: 70.25 yards
Net used in 2024: 2.75 yards

Design Wall Monday, June 17, 2024

Katch is getting ever closer.  I decided on the brown/white star for the inner border of this Sunshine November 2023 BOM WIN.  I made a few blocks and reworked another two.  The tone of the project was more subdued so two others will move to the sleeve.  I do work a bit to make sure all BOMs make it to the project.  I have my sights set on finishing it during the week.

The 2024 Liberty Box arrived from Fat Quarter Shop.  I like the surprise of its contents four times a year when Fat Quarter Shop coordinates it.  These next two patterns came inside the box.  It should be a quick two projects to make up.  There was talk of a Finishing Kit, but seems I missed out on it.  I went to ETSY, three vendors later I have what I need to finish the project.

Another project through Fat Quarter Shop is a Halloween project called Spooky and Sweet.  It started a Quilt Along in June releasing a clue each week.  I picked up the first two weeks and will start on cutting this one out.

Just two more weeks until retirement!

 

Sunday Stash Report, June 16, 2024

Kouples finished this past week.  Better Together by Fat Quarter Shop 2024 Cupid Box quilt project.  I liked that this project came with the optional Finishing Kit.  Seems that I am never quick enough to order the extra fabrics before they are all sold out.

I found this "katsy" fabric for the back of Kupuna Kane.  (Kupuna Kane is a Hawaiian paternal grandfather.)  It is from a WIN at Sunshine during December 2022 coordinated by Tanya Althof.  The block is called Grandma Mae's Economy Block.  This fabric has been in my stash for a long time, but no more!

As you can see I was into kat fabrics!  This backing has been even longer in my stash.  This is the WIN at Sunshine during March 2024.  As you can see I am trying to get through both projects and stash a bit more timely.  Hallie McCoy coordinated this BOM.

Yardage used will be calculated soon, it amounts to the backs and sashing for the two projects.  I have three projects soon to make their way to Kerry.

Used this week: 0 yards 
Used YTD: 65.25 yards 
Purchased this week: 0 yard
Purchased YTD: 62.25 yards
Net used in 2024: 3 yards

Design Wall Monday, June 10, 2024

Katch is my project from the win of Sunshine's November 2023 BOM that was coordinated by Pam.  I added several Turkey Tracks blocks to get it to a queen size quilt.  These blocks need to be sewn together and two outer borders added.  This is the last of my Sunshine BOM wins.  Feels good to have it nearly done.

Have three family birthdays this week.  June is a busy month of birthday wishes!  Happy Birthday Rita, Mike, and Austin.  Kosmo and Katastrophy celebrated seven last week.  Next up is Tim and Scott

It is a full week of training those who will take on my work when I retire.  Not too many days to go...

 

Sunday Stash Report, June 9, 2024

Kolonization is done!  Yippee!!  This is a 2022 UFO and a 2023-2024 Sunshine Challenge UFO.  I got all nine UFOs done for the Sunshine Challenge.  More chances to win the prize for getting all of them done.

Sunshine's May BOM coordinated by Gina turned out very cute with the peach fabric as the petals.  Gina supplied the stigma fabric.  With the cream fabric as the background the stigma pops out a bit.

Klankbottom still needs its bells on the tips of his boots.  I plan to get these on later this evening.  Oh, Clankbottom happens to be a town where the kids book The Elves and the Shoemaker is set. =^.^=

Finally, this adorable cat print charity quilt using the pattern called Oh Henry.  Lorna kitted these up and Kerry quilted it.  Definitely a pattern I plan to keep in mind for future projects.  It went together so simple.

This week is Sunshine's last meeting of the 2023-2024 membership year.  We will be having a pot luck and celebrating 45 years as a guild.  Lots of fun things are planned to include drawing the winner of the 2023-2024 Opportunity Quilt.

Nothing changes my numbers this week.

Used this week: 0 yards 
Used YTD: 65.25 yards 
Purchased this week: 0 yard
Purchased YTD: 62.25 yards
Net used in 2024: 3 yards