Stashbuster Report Week March 7, 2010

I haven't reported in 3 weeks because I really didn't have anything to report.  This week, I managed to use 6.5 yards and resisted the temptation to buy any fabric.  I have also been rummaging through my sewing closet finding spools that are partially finished and trying to use them up.
Used this Week:       6.5 yards

Used year to Date:    15 yards

Added this Week:     0 yards

Added Year to Date:  24 yards

Net Used for 2010:  - 9 yards


Thread finished for 2010  -  2 spools

Don't forget to visit Judy L's blog and find out how much stash busting everyone else has been doing this week.

Two More Tops Completed

Although I haven't been posting (I missed the Sunday Stash Report and Design Wall Monday), I have been working on some scrappy donation quilt tops.  I realized that I haven't quilted anything in so long that my quilting abilities have regressed  beyond rusty.  To remedy the situation, I have decided that I am going to put off quilting any of the tops I have finished this year until April and only work on piecing tops.

The new free motion foot for my Sapphire and a new walking foot with interchangeable foot attachments (for stitch in the ditch and omni motion stitches) has arrived.  I have signed up for a  2 session refresher quilting class, March 20th and 27th.  When April arrives, I will be ready with a stack of tops to quilt.with my new skills.

Cheryl at the Naptime Quilter  suggested combining two blocks together to make to make rectangles and then adding the sashing.  I really like the way it looks.  I think it "tames" the scrappiness a little.  Thank you Cheryl I always appreciate your comments.

Sorry the picture of this string quilt is so dark.  I was having trouble getting the flash to work.

I'm a winner!!

I am so excited!  I just received an email from Konda  at the Moose on the Porch blog  that I have won a jelly roll from the Fat Quarter Shop.  Her Jelly Roll Sampler Quilt Along has just started.  It runs from March 1 to August 2.  Instructions for a new 12" block will be posted every other Monday.   All of the blocks will be made from jelly roll strips and yardage.  Of course,  if you don't have a jelly roll you can pick one out at The Fat Quarter Shop or pull fabric from your stash.

The completed quilt  will measure 58" x 72."  There will be prizes for quilters who complete the blocks.  Let your fingers run (do not walk) over to Konda's blog.  Many quilters have already completed block one and posted a picture on the quilt along's Flicker Group.

9 Patches for Illene's Quilt

Today I finished my 9 patch blocks for  Illene's quilt at Bluebird Quilts blog.  Although the colors are soft, the picture unfortunately looks washed out.  They will be posted to Australia in the morning.  Hopefully, they will be a good addition to the quilt.

Belated Makes Me Happy Monday

My husband's Uncle Frank was born on February 29th.  When my children were little, they loved to tell their friends how their uncle only had a birthday once every four years.  Although, this isn't leap year, it is Uncle Frank's 70th birthday.  We decided to celebrate in a special way.  One of the local restaurants is presenting special celebrations for Chinese New Year.  On Sunday, we took several members of my husband's family along with Uncle Frank and his wife (my late mother-in-law's sister) Aunt Mary to the restaurant for dinner and birthday cake.  While there, we viewed a Kung Fu demonstration and two dancing Chinese dragons.  The loud drum and cymbals that accompanied the Dragon Dance kept conversation to a minimum, but it was great fun.  Before dinner, traditional New Year's red envelopes were distributed.  We we instructed to put "something green" in the envelope and put it in the dragon's mouth if we wanted good luck in the New Year.  It was difficult to get a good picture because of the lighting and the constant movement of the dragon.  My son took a not so flattering picture of me feeding the dragon.

While we didn't manage to get a picture of Uncle Frank and the dragon.  Uncle Tom managed to survive his dragon encounter.  While Aunt Eileen tried hard to get the dragon's attention.

Spending time with our family left me with a very Happy feeling on Monday.

Makes Me Happy Monday

There's nothing like spending a special weekend with your child to create a happy Monday.  Over the weekend we visited my Viking daughter at college.  She was part of a demonstration by the Kendo club during the Yuki Matsuri (Japanese Snow Festival). It was the first time that we saw her in her Kendo uniform and using her shinai.   There is nothing scarier than chicks with sticks.

I am very proud of her for her determination and her indomitable spirit  that keeps her meeting all of the challenges that life sends her way with humor and grace.

Design Wall Monday - February 15, 2010

My "design chair" today is holding 4 snow globe blocks constructed for the Quilting Post Snow Globe swap.  They are waiting to be trimmed to the correct size.  It was the first time I  appliqued  with my Sapphire 870 since I purchased it almost 2 years ago.  I used a narrow satin stitch and am very pleased with the outcome.

Don't to forget to check Judy L's blog to see what exciting things are on other blogger's design walls.