Winner of Traveling Stash

First, Bella and I would like to thank Darlene at SewCalGal for hosting the Pets on Quilts Show, all those who visited the show, and those that voted. And a big thank you for our win - received the picture pendant kit which will be a fun project .

My goal this weekend is to finally get all the buttons added to the Raggedy and Friends quilt that Bella is assisting me with. A good project to keep my mind off the pending storm. Please, everyone be safe.

The box is packed - just the paperwork and another piece of fabric to lay on the top - I think I can get it to close and it should be just 'on-weight' for the mailing box.

Not too many names in the draw - I think I scared a lot away with my rant on the condition of the box. I added a quide line and information sheet to the box, so hope it helps.

The winner is Barb H of Stitchxstitch. Congratulations Barb - keep us posted of when you are ready to send the stash box on. And I will send you an e-mail for your mailing information. Posting will be after Irene passes thru as we are in a State of Emergency.
**Barb - you do not have your e-mail set on your profile so I cannot contact your personally - so hope you read this**
BE SAFE

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

A Different Pace

I have been working at a different pace. Slowing down, enjoying things more, and not worried if I don't participate in everything going on in blogland. I will keep on track with my swaps (which I limited myself) as I really like sharing the thrill of mystery/fabric/creativity/design of other quilters around the globe. And UFOs will eventually get done, and there will always be new designs if I don't get to the current ones. I just want to 'breath'.

And another new pace - I bought this!! It has been 6 years since my last car accident (drunk driver) and I am ready to get behind the wheel. Have my independence back. Honestly I will be nervous, but it's time to get 'back on the horse'.

SWAPS

Since my partner has confirmed she received my package, I can now show the bag I made for the Santa Sack Swap 2. This is the pattern from Geta's Quilting Studio that was used in the Quilting Gallery Swap. I love how easy this pattern is, and so easy to make into your own by changing the panel up.

And these blocks were for the 6 inch block Australian Swap. My partner wanted 'hot' reds, orange or Yellow fabrics. I hope this fits the bill.





SQUARED UP

Decided to take a break from the Raggedy Quilt - just a few more buttons to go. Pulled the overflowing barrel of 2" squares and simple 9-patch blocks are pouring out. I need 120 of them, but got 60 done in a day of play.

REMINDERS

Please be sure to check out Kate's 100 Quilts for Kids project.

Sue's blog-a-long for her book Pick Four - she also hosts the Christmas Quilt Along every second Saturday of the month.

Stash Manicure's Wantobe Campaign.

CLOSING THOUGHT

"It is always the simple things that change our lives. And these things never happen when you are looking for them to happen. Life will reveal answers at the pace life wishes to do so."
- Donald Miller -

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Still Cleaning (Traveling Stash ready to move on)

I'm still trying to get things cleared. I feel like this little guy - they call it 'pouching'. I like that word better than hoarding or stashing. BUT I really would like things gone!






PILING UP

I know this looks horrible, but things are piling up with trying to clean out the house. Actually there is a bag with 2 finished quilts for the Veterans that need pick up. A bag with 2 finished quilts that need wash-dry before going into the shop. A bag with 2 quilts with backs and batting that have to go to the longarmer (when she returns from vacation). The others are for me to finish.

And it is taking way to long to finish this quilt. I have put the binding on twice. The first was a bias - it puckered and twisted - looked horrible. It took 2 days to remove it carefully - the fabric frayed horribly. A new binding was made and attached - no puckers or fraying, but 3 days lost.

TRAVELING STASH

The box of Traveling Stash has arrived - Flo was enjoying her vacation and I don't blame her. But - If I had known the condition of what was in the box - I would have had her save shipping and just started a new box. Please visit the starting point of this box here. I estimate over 30 yards of fabric and extras.




WHAT IS STASH?

I have lost sleep over this, but it needs to be addressed. And, if it makes some people mad, well..... But I looked thru the travels of the original and then when split - both travels. The second box has become a 'library' - 75% books and patterns and maybe 10 yrds of fabric if that. The box I have may have had 15 yrds of fabric - mostly scraps. And some of it was not quilt quality. I even match tested 2 pieces - one melted, the other went up in flames.

So what is stash? From Webster:
Noun - - a secret store of valuables
Verb - save up as for future use

Now for a quilter - it is a collection of usuable, quality product. So when passing on to the Stash Box - it should be items replaced value-to-value and amount-to-amount. AND it was to pass on fabric, not empty your library.

Here is a quide to Pre-Cut amounts:

Jelly Roll strips are 2-1/2 inches so every 10 strips is 2/3 yard (plus an inch). 30 strips is 2 yards plus 3 inches. 40 strips is 2-3/4 yards. 50 strips is 3-1/2 yards.

Honey buns are 1-1/2 inches so 10 strips is just slightly under 1/3 yard. 40 strips are 1-2/3 yards.

Turnovers are 80 (6 inch) triangles and is equal to slightly over 1 yard.

Desert rolls are 10 (5 x 45) strips or just slightly over 1-1/3 yard.

Charms are 5 inches square. 40 charms is equal to 2/3 of a yard.

Layer Cakes are 10 inches square. 40 layer cake square is equal to 2-3/4 yards.


As to quality - educate yourselves. Visit several fabric shops - feel, check the selvedge for maker and designer, visit fabric web sites - familiarize yourself to what Quilt Quality is. I'm not saying you have to have the 'top' line or most 'hyped' line, but know your product.

Some wonderful yardage and pre-cuts were taken and replaced with patterns or minimal 'scraps' - yes I followed the boxes. But, there were wonderful people who were true to the stash and THANK YOU, but others SHAME!

Now with that being said - these are the ONLY original items I am returning to the box. The 2 blue floral pieces I would call 'dress' fabrics and someone may like for a little girl. I can use the scraps, being a scrap quilter - and I did like the Ikea for a charity quilt for our Quilt Guild. And a wonderful small piece of early Mary Engelbreit - I don't think people knew what this was.

This is what I have assembled (so far) to add. Replaced the small scraps of flannel with 1 3/8 yrd of owl print flannel. Replaced the bits of scraps with 200 2.5" squares that equal a little over 1 yd. To replace the Mary Engelbreit I took - 2 brown FQs to go with the few FQ's that where in the box. To replace the Ikea (about 4 yds) - 1 yd Krafty Kitty by Henry Glass; 1.5 yds Orange Blossoms by Red Rooster; 2 yds of Georgie Porgie by Marcus Bros. Some odd bits of Jelly Roll strips (add to my scrap bin) I replaced with 48 charms - 2/3yd. The lone block I took to add to my box for the Sr. Center and replaced with 12 6.6" novelty print squares (trimmed the 2 embroidered dogs to place with this group) - Natasha started a charm kit for an Eye Spy in the other box, so I hope this will be added to until at least 100 blocks for a nice quilt. The lace I took as I have a student who uses this a lot - replaced with a bag of selvedge and Moda ties. The bit of pre-made bias tape I simply removed - replaced with packages of Jumbo Rick-Rack. The Blankie Path cheater cloth I took for my daughter - she'll use for a quick baby quilt backing and replaced it with a Just Dotty (RJR) Dessert Roll - 1.5 yd. Added a Jelly Roll of Moda 'Hoopla' for some bright fun (2 3/4 yrd.).

I need to pick up a new box, and once these items are packed - I will fill in empty spaces. I have some Hoffman, Kaufman, and RJR that just might jump in. SO:

To enter the Traveling Stash Give Away:
1. be an active blogger (only mailing within the USA)
2. commit to replacing with quilt guality products
3. and promise to pass the box on

**I will pull the winner and announce on Saturday - August 27th**

CLOSING THOUGHT


We are not cisterns made for hoarding, we are channels made for sharing.
- Billy Graham

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

It's Time To Vote

On Sat., August 20th or Sun., August 21st Vote for your favorite entries for the following categories:
- Dog on quilt/Dog theme
- Cat on quilt/Cat theme
- Other pet on quilt/other pet theme
- Best EQ pet theme quilt design
- Best Art Quilt

**note: Any votes for your favorite entries, left prior to Saturday, will not be counted as not all entries may have been added to the linky for this show. To clarify, wait till all entries have been added to the linky by end of day Friday and vote for your favorites on Sat & Sun (linky is closed and there are 109 entries)
**** Make your vote entry in the comment section on the Pets on Quilts Show home page - click VOTE LINK HERE down below will take you there****

As an FYI, Prizes will be awarded randomly based on six categories where you could win prizes from two or more categories.

- PR Angels
- Quilt Entries
- View Choice Awards
- Quilt Show Visitor that view all entries
- Followers visiting the show
- Voter for Viewer Choice Awards


But, to win a prize Darlene needs a way to contact you. If you are not sure of your blog settings (e.g. you might be a no reply blogger), please check the “no reply blogger” red button on the side to help you check and/or fix your settings. And, if in doubt, include your email address in your comment. While this may sound silly, there is always someone who comments with the "Anonymous" option and doesn't include an email, you can't win a prize with that approach!

VOTE LINK HERE


***************Just a Reminder********************

Bella # 32

North American Birds #32

Lastly, have fun and enjoy the show!

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon and Bella Donna

Dust Bunnies

It has come the time to tackle the awful task of cleaning this huge house. I am in the mood - "when in doubt, throw it out". And the kids have been gone for (?) years - I don't think I need to be a 'keeper of things' anymore.

Be still your hearts!! I don't think you will ever find this table CLEARED!! I don't have any projects to show because they are all secrets. Swaps that I can't show because I don't want to spoil the fun. And they all were mailed out - yes it is early, but with all the cleaning and planned re-arranging, I didn't want anything swept away. Gosh, I need a new cutting matt - that's not glare - the markings are just GONE!

Don't forget to visit the Pets on Quilts over at Darlene's. Click the button on the side. There is still time to make your own entry. My 'queen' is featured on my prior post for the pet parade.






CLOSING THOUGHTS

Housework is something you do that nobody notices until you don't do it. ~Author Unknown

Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing. ~Phyllis Diller

My second favorite household chore is ironing. My first being hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint. ~Erma Bombeck

The trouble with living alone is that it's always your turn to do the dishes. ~Author Unknown

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Pets On Quilts Show

Welcome to the 2011 Pets on Quilts Show hosted by Sew Cal Gal. Be sure to visit and view all the pets with owners linking up. You can click on the button at the side anytime to take you there.

MEET BELLA DONNA

Bella Donna is Italian for 'beautiful woman' and she just thinks she's all that. Always ready to give a quilt a 'cat scan'.

Ready to hold down a corner to keep a quilt from blowing off the props. "Hey Mom - that's my favorite tree!"

"I will hold down this binding for you, if you promise some treats afterwards."

"I can be a model for a stitchery design to use in pattern."

"And I am right there for quality control while things are in production."

"And I'll help with setting up on the mantel for a photo - OH my favorite quilt!"

"Since I'm not allowed to have my own pet bird and scolded when I sit under the bird feeders - this is my favorite quilt. What? This isn't mine?"

"Just for that, I will use my camouflage cover and wait to leap out at you. OR , maybe, I will just give you the 'evil-eye'."

"Well, this has been hard work and just SOOOOO exhausting. Think I will take a nap while you go visit the other entrants in the Pets on Quilts Show 2011."

**Bella is a rescue pet - she had a twin sister who unfortunately didn't survive. This has made my sweety my constant shadow - afraid of losing me, too.**




Sewingly Yours,
Sharon and Bella Donna

Snippets

Snippet: definition - a small part, piece, or thing.

Synonyms: crumb, nubbin, patch, scrap, snip









And I have been playing with lots of snippets - managing to condense 3 large totes into one - YEAH! And playing along with the Christmas Quilt Along has cleaned up a lot of seasonal scraps condensing one tote and two large bags into that one under/bed tote.

SQUARED UP

I decided to take my previous 2-match ups and make a 6.5" block by using 3 rows of them.

This will be a work in progress with such small snippets. I used 6 blocks for a row setting one way and then the next row I flipped the entire row for this 'confetti' look. BUT so much room for play.






SOMETHING NEW

Since I had a weekend post and some of my other projects are secrets (swap partners read my blog), I thought I would take the opportunity to introduce some fabric sites to quilters - there are lots of fabric companies and designers. Since this weekend our own Windham, NY had a quilt show and their quilt shop had a special sale to compliment - I thought I would invite you to view Windham Fabrics. Lots of free projects, too.

CLOSING SNIPPET

'The history of all times and of today especially teaches that women will be forgotten if they forget to think about themselves.. '
- Louise Otto-Peters, 1849

Christmas Quilt Along

SATURDAY

It's time to put these blocks into a top.

Rather than the strip settings, I am going with green blocks. After all, this is to use up scraps - had just enough of the one green for inside blocks and just enough for the setting greens (love the old ornaments in this fabric).

I have the two halves done - time for some lunch. Then I will put them together and add the thin white sash.

Oh - lookin' good! I really don't like working with seasonal fabrics, but I like this - how vain!! Now I will go thru my tote and cut/piece 3.5" squares for a scrappy final border. Hmm - I think I hung this upside down - my fussy cuts are on their heads.

Well, I need a bit of a break, so I think I am going to switch gears and do some work on this little secret project. That's 18 count aida by the way - love small even in my stitcheries. Sewing will resume tomorrow.








SUNDAY

I got the scrappy border on and the binding is ready. I do have a backing and batt, but have 4 other quilts waiting.

And I finished another secret project. It is time to pick up the Christmas fabrics and get some housework done. I will work on my cross stitch piece later.








Thank you for a fun weekend,
Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

The Perseids Are Coming

The Perseids is the name of a prolific meteor shower associated with the comet Swift-Tuttle. The Perseids are so-called because the point they appear to come from lies in the constellation Perseus. The shower is visible from mid-July each year, with the peak activity this year between August 11th - 24th. During the peak, the rate of meteors reaches 60 or more per hour. They can be seen all across the sky, but because of the path of Swift-Tuttle's orbit, Perseids are primarily visible in the Northern Hemisphere. SO - eyes to the skies for some amazing inspiration.



PLAYING WITH BLOCKS

I decided to start chaining my puzzle pieces into 'twosies'. Still lots of playing with these.

I finished the hand quilting on my 'Raggedy Friends' and discovered I had used all my Kona black needed for the binding, so need a trip to my LQS. I fell across this bag of scraps yet to be 'played' with.

Some very bright and interesting string blocks are emerging. The perfect project to keep busy while waiting. I decided to make these larger than my 'norm' - 6.5" blocks that I will set with some hourglass blocks.



AN EXERCISE AND A TIP

I want you to watch what you do when you come to the end of a block piece. Do you hold the end with your right hand? Press the piece and see if that end of the block has a larger seam.

Or do you hold your block piece with your left hand? Press the piece and see if your seam ends are the same. Most sewing machines want to pull the fabric onto ALL the feed dogs - so it pulls to the right. By, also, holding with your right hand - you are 'helping' the machine to make that right pull, thus ending up with a larger seam on that end of your block. As I was told when learning to sew - SIT ON YOUR RIGHT HAND.

CLOSING WHIMSIE

' - Or would you like to swing on a star, Carry moonbeams home in a jar; And be better off than you are - Or would you rather be a fish?'
-Johnny Burke “Swinging on a Star”

Sewingly Yours
Sharon

Dog Days of Summer

Dog Days were popularly believed to be an evil time "when the seas boiled, wine turned sour, dogs grew mad, and all creatures became languid, causing man burning fevers, hysterics, and phrensies" according to Brady’s Clavis Calendarium, 1813. The modern French term for both this summer period (and for heat waves in general) "canicule", derives from this same term. It means "little dog", again referring to Sirius.

In Ancient Rome, the Dog Days extended from July 24 through August 24 . In many European cultures this is still said to be the time of the Dog Days. The Old Farmer's Almanac lists the traditional timing of the Dog Days as the 40 days beginning July 3 and ending August 11, coinciding with the ancient heliacal (at sunrise) rising of the Dog Star, Sirius. These are the days of the year when rainfall is at its lowest levels.

But what ever the calendar or listing of days - I have been like the photo - standing in front of the fan - (are my ears blowing in the wind?)!

PLAYING WITH BLOCKS

I have half of the needed 36 - patch blocks from Crazy Mom Quilts. I am going with more traditional fabrics and shirtings. I just love it! I, also, love what Patti over at Pattilousquilts is doing. Not only the 36 - patch, but an 8-patch. So if you are intimidated with the large block, try the 8-patch.

And I made a few more Jacob's Ladder blocks for Bonnie Hunter's Floribunda quilt. I have always wanted to make a JL quilt - I've used the block as settings in other quilts, but I just love it on it's own. Using just my blue/green/yellow scraps - half way there with these, too.

I haven't shown these blocks at all because I'm not sure how I will border/sash yet. This is 'Home Sweet Home' By Paula at Quilt Happy, Quilt Often. She is up to block #6, but they are all still available.

SQUARED UP

My lovely 1.5" squares - remember I sewed them to 1.5" strips of muslin. They have been seperated, pressed, and trimmed - now I am sewing them to 2.5" muslin strips. They are then seperated, pressed, and trimmed. I will have (400 ?) bricks 2.5" x 3.5". Hmm - how will I play with them next? Will I be making more of these? My play puzzle.

HAND QUILTING

I had some requests to show how I was hand quilting the Raggedy Friends quilt. Now don't be grossed by the photos and all the cat hair - I have a great lint brush (one of those washable, reusable - fantastic with pets just love it)and then it will be washed with a couple of color catchers (afraid of the one red fabric) and half cup of ammonia - great for hair and dander.

There are some good tutorials for the large stitch - a few that I like because they show the quilter's knot also - here and here and here. And I know I said I would quilt this in a week - well, had to take one day to let a badly stabbed finger recoup - I don't use a thimble. But I have just one block left to finish off. Then I will do the binding and then add all the buttons last.

FINISH

I finally made a decision on the binding and finished off the fabric framed cross stitch. At least one finish to claim for the weekend.

CLOSING THOUGHT

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.
- John Lubbock

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon