And so it goes ...

 Well Hello again!  

Very little actual quilting going on in my life at this point.  About a year ago, I decided to tale my long arm frame down as I simply wasn't quilting.  I did, however, put my Tin Lizzy machine into a sit down desk and converted it.  I have not practiced enough to get 'good' and I guess I really did get spoiled having a frame set up.  For several years I did sit down quilting on my domestic machine and was pretty good at simple free motion meander.  I have, I think, 11 quilts 'in waiting' to be finished and I'm really hoping that this summer I will manage to get them done.

So what have I been doing?  Small things.  I had two great grandbabies join our family this past year and that, of course, led to receiving blankets, burp rags, etc... and of course each had to have their own quilt.  Have been trying to scale down the never ending pile of scraps.  No, I have not been very successful.

Have a friend who lives here 'seasonal'.  Where she lives during the time she's here, they have all sorts of activities to keep their seasonal residents active - I'm kind of jealous ;-)  This next cold season, they will be offering quilting lessons and my friend sent me a picture of a specific machine and asked me what I thought.  I told her is would be my second choice and that it was a good machine.  I did go on to tell her, though, that unless she was going to sew other things, I would not invest that kind of money in a machine.  Her husband suggested she ask me if maybe she could buy a machine from me.  (I think my husband had told him I had a few).  And, yes, I sold her a machine that I bought to travel with.  It's actually a nice machine, but one I rarely use.  Well that led to her asking me what type of supplies she would need.  I'm going to put together a 'kit' for her and when she gets back, I will spend a little time with her so she's not going into a class not having a clue.  If I know her, though, she will spend her summer watching videos and getting an idea.

Not sure I mentioned before that my daughter moved back to AZ after having lived away for 30 years.  She left AZ when she was barely 18 and had only been to visit a few times.  Never thought I would ever have to get to know one of my children again, but I have.  She's a very talented person.  Anything I ever taught her, she ran with and surpassed me.  She has made some beautiful quilts but her passion is in the 'yarn arts'.  She's an amazing knitter and crocheter.  I'm fortunate in that we get to spend a lot of time together working on our 'projects'.  She helps keep me motivated.  She told me I should start a You Tube channel to share what I know and no, it's not going to happen.  Do I have the gift of gab?  Yep, I actually do, but I don't want to bore people.  I get on You Tube and if the person is chatty, I tend to close the channel.  I'm usually on You Tube to watch a technique so if a person gets chatty, I'm gone.

Anyway, who knows when I'll be back to give an update on my relatively boring, same ole same ole life.  Until then may your life treat you well.

Katie

 Saturday, March 29, 2025

SHOCK!  It's only been a couple of months instead of years for posting ;-)  

I mentioned in my December 2024 post that I was going on a quilting cruise.  Now this was a long 18 day cruise.  Left San Diego and went to Hawaii where we had 5 stops at different islands, then to Ensenada, Mexico for a day and ended back in San Diego.  I will just say that I've discovered I'm not meant for cruising.  I loved spending time with the friends I went with, but the life aboard ship, not so much.  Too confining for me.  The quilting part of the cruise was somewhat restrictive.  A dealer 'loaned'  Berninas and was very specific about he supplied the thread, he wound and changed out empty bobbins and whatever you do, don't push any button unless asking him first.  Well, I did not like the machines (everyone has their own preferences), the tables were too high the chairs too low so sewing was uncomfortable.  The couple of classes I took, the instructors were super ladies, but alas, I have favorite techniques that I use and did not correspond with their teaching.  Enough said.

I was hoping the cruise would help kick start my quilting again and to a degree it did.  I finished the quilt top I started on the cruise.  It's added to the 'in waiting' stack for quilting.  I actually took the time and completed 2 quilts.  Now I have a new great grandbaby due in July, so will be concentrating on her baby quilt and other small, quick baby accessories.  I have a couple other patterns with fabric kitted for when I get the urge to move on.  

I hope all is well with you.  I hope you feel as blessed as I do.  Life is good.

Katie

Never know when I'll be back

 Never know when I'll be back and have something to say.  My quilting life is almost non existent.  I know we all get into slumps and lose motivation, ambition, creativity or whatever you want to call it.  For me it's simply a case of no goal to reach.  QFC (Quilters for Comfort) hasn't done donations in a few years.  The last time I did quilts for donation, was to my husband's local VFW.  I asked the ladies of QFC to send me simple Friendship Star blocks and that I would make the quilts, quilt them and donate them.  I believe I managed to donate 21 quilts.  All my family has quilts and I've even heard "I don't need anymore quilts."  So, alas, I have tops waiting to be quilted and it may be a while as I've taken down my quilting frame.  I did convert my Tin Lizzy 18LS into a sit down quilter with hopes I might use it more.  That was over 6 months ago and I have yet to quilt a quilt using it.  I will be going on a Quilting cruise after the New Year and I'm hoping I will find some motivation / incentive to at least finish the quilts I have 'in-waiting'.  Wish me luck!

Christmas is 2 days away and I have sewn several small projects that I put in a "Christmas Box" and really enjoyed working on those.  My Christmas Box is a box that I fill with small things I sew, knit or other crafty items I might try my hand at.  After gifts are opened on Christmas, the box is put out and anyone who wants anything in it, is welcome to it.  Rarely do I have anything left in the box.  Sometimes I think the family likes what's in the box more than what they receive as a gift.

As life goes on and interests change, I know that I will always keep my love of sewing alive whether it be quilts or small projects.  May your life be full of all that you love.  I am very blessed in my life and I do thank God for those very many blessings.

Katie

So here I am (again).  Think it's 2 or 3 years since I posted anything here on this blog.  Truly no one missed much.  Yes I've made some quilts but not near to the capacity I had been.  With the pandemic, there were no more Sew Fests.  We did have one planned that had to be cancelled due to Covid.  Now we've had members who have passed or simply have so many other obligations.  Not to mention that after 12 very successful years of QFC, we've 'run our course'.

Not going to be a long post today.  I have finally bookmarked my blog and maybe I will take some time and start being a little more serious about blogging.

This quilt above has been called "chandelier" or "beads".  I used a layer cake that I have had for a while to make this.  Don't know why, but I always have to really pay attention whenever I make a quilt that used setting triangles.  

This one is "Braided Stars" and I used a jelly roll for it and did not have enough to make the 6 more blocks to make it truly square, but I kind of like it just like this.  Obviously, this isn't yet quilted and it's because I'm still trying to decide if I want to add a border.  I kind of like it without one and think ust a dark binding would be enough to 'frame' it.

Wishing all a pleasant and creative day.

excess fabric and precuts

 Over time I have been gifted fabric that might not necessarily be my tastes, but I've always appreciated when I've been thought of and because I do quite a bit of quilt making for charity, I accept what is offered.   Often times, it is 1 yard or less and many times just pieces.  I decided I had enough small amounts and pieces laying around and figured if I was ever going to use any of it, I should do precuts with it.  I don't like working with small pieces.  For awhile I made fabric postcards and entered a few exchanges, so those smaller bits and pieces came in handy.  Not so much anymore and I will never do a 'crumb' quilt!  I started cutting and did 4½", 6½" and 10½' squares.  Nope I did not do 5" as I can't ever remember doing or wanting to do a quilt that used that size.  If I'm going to have something, I want it to be something I will use.  Purged quite a bit of those pieces but decided to take it further.  I matched up ½ yard to 1 or 1½ yard fabrics that I thought would look good together and cut them into precuts of 10" and 2½" strips for layer cakes and jelly rolls.  There might not be as many different prints as a manufacturer precut, but the fabrics will match together and I will be more inclined to use them now.  I used my 4½" and 6½" squares with scraps of different whites to make up some scrappy quilts.  

this is a picture as I started the layout. Just simple 4 and 9 patch blocks.  It ended up being a queen sized quilt and lots of squares left.  I used quite a bit of the 6½" squares making the 'cup' style face masks...

this is another one made from the 6½" squares.  It's a scrappy starburst and I just used an embroidered square in the center.  This one is still in the 'to be quilted' pile and ended up being king size.  And, yep, I still have some 6½" squares left ;-)

this one used my 10½" squares and was a pattern in the BLOCK magazine from Missouri Star Quilt Co.  Can't think of the name right now ... I also purchase their large Drunkard's Path template set and used it on this quilt.  I enjoy curved piecing so the template set will get used.

So these are my 'Scrappy' precuts.  My coordinated precuts are still sitting in a tote waiting for me to come across that 'perfect' pattern.  And I still have coordinating fabrics set aside to cut up into precuts.  

Wherever you're reading from, I hope you're safe from so much of the disasters happening in the world as well as safe from the Corona Virus.  

Katie

Katie 

OMG, thought I was lost

 Been a long time since I came over to my own blog.   Not even sure how long it's been - not that I had / have many followers anyway.

I am still quilting, just not as much for charity as I used to.  Quilters for Comfort is still in existence, but we're not doing near the volume we used to, nor do we have the participation we used to have.  Because of our structure, it called for a lot of mailing of packages and quite frankly, shipping whole quilts can get a little pricey.

Lately, I am spending time purging fabric.  Had way too many scraps that I was certain I wouldn't use.  I had cut them into specific sizes and they were in zip bags.  I took quite a few to Goodwill - I sure hope some quilter felt they'd hit the mother lode :-)   I also purged garment fabric.  I rarely sew garments anymore - so another thing I did not need to have taking up space.  Not too long after I did my big spring purge, I was gifted with a large amount of fleece.  I almost told the lady no, but decided I could use if for making donation quilts.  I will be cutting up pieces of fabric into strips and doing simple strip quilts and using the fleece for batting/ backing.  I think it will make some nice cuddle quilts.

I am running out of family & friends to give quilts to, so I truly am cutting back.

As with most sewist, I've made my share of face masks.  Another way I used up scraps.  I did not sell mine and I was sad to hear / read that some who did sell were made to feel bad doing so.  Just don't think we should judge another when we don't know their situation.

I'm sure I could write a book, but don't really want to bore you.  I will add one picture for this post.  It's for a niece who got married almost a year ago.  It's the Northern Star pattern from Missouri Star Quilt Company.  Easy enough pattern, but a bit time consuming, but my niece loved it so it was well worth the effort.

almost a year

It's been almost a year since I blogged.  And probably almost that long since I read blogs.  It's not that I don't care, I just have felt like blogging was a waste of my time.  I don't post a lot of pictures.  I don't want any advertisements cluttering up my blog as I never meant for it to be a business.  If I had something to offer, great, I hope you appreciated it.  If not, well, my blog initially was for me anyway.
So what's happened in a year.... Spent Christmas in Florida with my sister and her husband.  Had a total knee replacement in January.  I was prepared for pain which, fortunately was minimal.  I was not prepared for loss of energy.  Took almost 4 months to get it back.  Yes, I have made quilts.  I do stay busy on that front.  This spring I discovered I enjoyed making Fairy Gardens and broken pot gardens - I should have stayed off Pinterest - way too many ideas.  I am gearing up for Christmas already and also have a couple big projects I will be working on.  Life is good and I am blessed.

Will I be back often, probably not...  But just thought I would pop in here and let those few who care know I have not fallen off the face of the earth.


Katie

just some chatter

June 4th was my last post - looking like I'm only doing this every 3 months or so..  I seem to be doing more quilting for QFC than actually working on my own projects.....  I came home from Sew Fest this year thinking I only had two that I had assembled to quilt and finish and then someone who volunteered fell through and I ended up with 5 more.  On top of that, I already had 8 to quilt for the Senior's Center quilt ladies.  Now I still have 5 more of my own that are 'in waiting' and have been for quite some time.  Do you do that?  Find yourself working more on things for others than you do yourself?

these are the quilts I got done at Sew Fest.  I really like the 4-patch lattice (bottom) and have some fabric that I will probably make one for myself with.  Just a lot of bias edges, so need to remember to starch a bit heavier.
The hurricanes hitting our country - my heart goes out to those people who are struggling with clean up and repair / rebuild.  Irma became personal as my sister lives just outside Tampa on the coast side.  To say I was thankful that it hit as a Cat 2 versus the 4 they thought it might be is putting it lightly.  She is without electric, but their home is intact and undamaged.  Still don't know how the boat faired, but I was more concerned over their safety and them having a home they could return to.   After Hurrican Harvey, there was a big cry for quilts on the groups I belong to through FaceBook and as quilters, I know we all wanted to help and do what we do - make quilts!  I am hoping people remember that the most immediate need to disaster victims is always food, water & shelter - a quilt can not provide that but a monetary donation to a reputable charity can.  So please consider a monetary donation - maybe in the amount of what it would cost for postage to ship a quilt...
Until next time ...

Katie

February, huh?

Yep, been since February since I posted.  I did not fall off the face of the earth (obviously) and I guess I've been busy, but sometimes I wonder with what.
I have not done a lot of quilting or piecing.  I guess it's more a little here and a little there.  Quilters for Comfort has slowed down a great deal.  Surprisingly, we don't have members coming forward with organizations to donate quilts to.  Our annual Sew Fest will be held in Oklahoma this year and we have two different veteran organizations that will be the recipients of those quilts.
Okay, I do have a few pictures:  This one is a row done in Patriotic colors and will be paired with other rows that others have done to make 'row quilts' at Sew Fest:

I met up with a cousin the first part of May that I had not seen in over 40 years.  I had wanted to make a quilt for him and his wife, but really wasn't sure what their style or what colors they would like, but I had made up some blocks and didn't like them.  Still have the blocks and still not sure what to do with them:

Then we did a Fat Quarter block exchange at QFC.  Those who participated sent every one in their group a FQ, then as many 12" blocks as possible were made from the FQ and returned to the sender.  Here is the quilt I assembled from the blocks I received.  I sent out the floral fabric.  I had one block left over and I will make a pillow from it:

This quilt was made for one of the QFC members who underwent extensive shoulder surgery and is now doing physical therapy.  Whenever we know one of our members are facing a challenge, we try to make sure they get a quilt.  The designs are fairies and I believe they are from Ace Points..

oops, sorry - I didn't realize this bottom one was sideways ...
Then  I did take a break from fabric anything and did these arrangements in tea cups.  I had seen the 'floating tea cup' arrangements on Pinterest and knew I had to try them.  It really wasn't that easy to find nice pretty tea cups with matching saucers that weren't part of a set!  But I found these and they are so pretty.  I really enjoyed making them and would like to make more, but not sure who I would gift them to..

So anyway, there's a little of what I've doing.
My daughter-in-law graduated  with honors from the University of Arizona this May so my babysitting (for now) has slowed down drastically.  She's planning on taking a year off from school and then heading back to get her Masters and ultimately her doctorate.  I admire her determination to go after what she wants.
I could start rambling and I won't put you through that.  Basically wanted those of you who care to know I am still around, still plugging away and maybe someday might actually get something of significance done :-)

Katie

just not sure

Just not sure I will keep this blog account much longer.  I obviously have posted very little for, actually, a few years now.  I find that my passion for quilting is just not there anymore.  I've thought maybe it was because I've become too steeped in the charity participation.  My group also is not as active as it used to be and I think there are several reasons for that and the first being the fact that mailing costs are so high and most of our donations are being sent out (not overseas, but to other states.  This group has members all over the U.S. and donate accordingly).
If I have a specific project, I get in and get it done but for the most part I have to force myself into the sewing room.  Once I get in there, I find I sew maybe an hour and I'm wanting to be done.  
I decided I needed to finish up some projects.  Most were tops just needing to be quilted.  I am really having a time even getting that done!
Anyway, enough of my woes.  I sure wish I could find my passion for sewing and quilting again.  I loved it while I had it....

Katie

2017

Yipeeee , 2017 is here.  I can only hope that it is an improvement over 2016 - 'nough said...
Christmas was chaotic as I knew it would be.  But unfortunately it did not chase my doldrums away.  Loved having my sister and her husband here.  It was a very pleasant visit.  We had a houseful for Christmas but I was so busy in the kitchen, I can't say I really got to enjoy visiting with the friends and family that were here.. I did tell my hubby that I couldn't see doing it again without help.  My sister was amazing but she's not here all the time...  So I am ready to turn Christmas over to the younger members of the family or maybe even run off somewhere for Christmas instead ... Yep, I know.. here it is, over, and I'm still being Bah Humbug...  
Arizona has had some cold, dreary, overcast days and I think it's getting to me - I really want my sun shine back!
Anyway, hope everyone had a nice Christmas and a nice start to the New Year.

Katie

life in a nut shell

if you're looking for pictures, you've come to the wrong place today...
It's been over 2 months since I posted anything....  Been busy with quite a few different things.
My favorite brother-in-law passed suddenly on October 28.  Sure took the wind out of our sails.  I went down to where he lived (3 hrs from us) to help his daughter go through the house trying to find any papers she needed as she's his only heir. ( His wife passed 6 years ago...) Anyway, had to come home as I was scheduled for a MRI that I felt I really needed to get done. Was heading out the door when my phone rang and it was my sister informing me that we had lost my brother on Nov. 1st.  Again, very sudden.  As hard as this hit me, I am so very thankful that these men I loved so much did not suffer from long, drawn out illnesses.
As for my MRI, I've been given a diagnosis of arthritis and stenosis in my back.  The doctor tried a couple injections in my back which helped for about 4 days - guess this is something I will simply have to learn to live with.
In between all this, I've been doing a little Christmas sewing.  Not near on the scale I usually do, but quite frankly, my heart simply isn't in it.  My sister and her new (1 year) husband are coming for Christmas and I am excited to see them.  If it wasn't for them, there wouldn't be one decoration up.  I will have a house full on Christmas and I'm ready for the chaos of it all.  I'm sure it will take me out of my doldrums ....
So with this all said, I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas (or whatever seasonal holiday you celebrate).  May God bless you with good health and happiness...

Katie

today I noticed ....

I don't read blogs every day and anyone who follows me know I certainly don't write / post every day or even every week for that matter.  I post when I feel like there is something I want to share..
So this morning I decided to take the time to read some blogs and I noticed something.  Every blog I read (and I started from the top of the list and worked down through it) was from what I consider 'professionals'.  People who blog to help promote their own products or businesses.  And, hey, that's great!  I've learned quite a bit from these bloggers and kudos to them for doing what it takes to make their endeavors a success.  But at the same time I'm saddened to see that the average crafter / hobbyist / sewist doesn't feel they're important enough to post - which takes me back to myself...  I guess I don't post often because I don't feel people are really interested in the day to day endeavors of the 'regular' gal... Ah well, at least one thing I know - If you take a minute (or two) to read my posts, look at my pictures, etc... you won't have to wait for all the ads to load as I don't have any.  You won't spend any money from reading my posts because I'm not endorsing any manufacturer.  I'm just a regular gal doing what I love and I will occasionally share with you what it is....

Katie

Not often

It's not often that I will 'quilt for profit'.  I don't have the ability to use pantographs unless I move the handles from the front of my machine to the back, which is more trouble than it's worth (in my opinion).  I would never mark on another person's quilt in fear of the mark not coming out.  My stitch regulator hasn't worked on my machine in a whole lot of years and I gave up trying to get it (and keep it) fixed.  For my own purposes, freehand is good.  I do have some simple shape templates that my hubby cut out of plexiglass for me, but they aren't exact and perfect, and I'm not bothered by the fact that my personal timing isn't always in sync with the machine so the occasional long stitch doesn't bother me..  So that said... I had a lady approach me about quilting a quilt for her.  I had to let her know that I'm not a professional long arm quilter.  That I don't do fancy and my frame isn't set up to do king.  She told me she didn't want fancy and anything I did was fine.  She just wanted the quilt done.  Well, alrighty then, guess I can do this for her.  Then she brought me this beautiful quilt and it was wider than what I'm able to complete on my frame.  But... I could get the body of the quilt if she wanted to do just some straight stitching in her outer border.  She was okay with that.  So as intimidated as I was by this beautiful quilt, I set out to do the best I could and overall, I'm happy with it.  If it had been my quilt, I would have probably turned it in sections and done a piano key stitch on the borders, but I've done that before on a large quilt of my own and sometimes it gets a little wonky.. The lady was happy with the results and then informed me I didn't charge enough - well, I guess if there's a next time, I will charge more (I don't have a problem with that!):

This lady designs all her own stuff.  These applique roses are one piece of fabric and all the detail she put in with satin stitching - I was very impressed with her work!
So, I've worked on this and worked on Sew Fest quilts.  I have 4 completed, 2 waiting for their binding and one more to quilt and finish - seeing the light :-)  Just in time to start work on some Christmas stuff!  Have some simple things I will be sewing up.  I will sew up a few pair of pajama pants and embroider some T's to match.  I would love to knit a couple of long shrugs / sleeved capes - but I know me, I would never get them finished in time ...  So maybe just some fingerless gloves...
Hope all is well with you...

Katie

Plugging along

I am just plugging along these day.  Getting quilts quilted that I brought back from Sew Fest.  I did bring home some kids' quilts that were then sent on to TN to a children's hospital there.  I was gifted some polyester high loft batting and decided to use it in these quilts as I think most kids like 'fluffy':

These quilt tops were made by Mickey M. from embroidery designs that were donated.  Unfortunately I don't know who donated them as I would love to give credit as the designs are very well done.

The pictures make the quilts look a little puckered when, in fact, they really aren't.  I had not used a high loft batting in quite a while, but I'm thinking there are more quilts in my future that I will be using it in.
I've already started my Christmas knitting.  I love to knit when I have football games on (Yes, I do love football!) so hopefully I will manage to get some slipper socks and leg warmers (granddaughter is in ballet) done.  Not to mention the sewing I will do...
Not much else going on... the g-kids are back in school and so is my daughter-in-law, so at least once a week I pick up the g-kids.  Sort of missed it during the summer...  My 10 year old grandson is playing football so that means Saturday at the ball field.  Love to watch the kids play, too ;-)

Hope all are doing well.. I am looking forward to more fall type weather.  We're still a little warm here in AZ but when it starts to cool off, it will be glorious...

Katie

Another successful Sew Fest

Finally rested up after a week in Texas for Sew Fest.  Was gone 11 days and I was happy to see my bed!  Now to get my ambition back and start on the quilts that are needing quilted!
Here are some of the tops that got completed:  NOTE:  I believe there were 59 quilt tops completed by 9 ladies in 6 days.  This is a very small sampling and these were made by others...

These blocks were part of a "sampler challenge" - use the same fabrics and make at least 5 different patterns, but make 2 of each of pattern selected.  Love how this turned out!

If I remember correctly, this is a modified version of the "Crossroads" quilt that appeared in the Blocks magazine from Missouri Star Quilt Company.

Simple half square triangles and they made a stunning quilt.

Strips and embroidered squares - easy, yet beautiful

what you can do with limited log cabin blocks..

This picture does not do this quilt justice.  This quilt is so bright and cheerful.

What you can do when you don't have quite enough for a full quilt - combine them!

Not a full set of designs (we like to use 10) so focus fabric comes though...

Isn't this lovely?!  I like the planned scrappiness of it.

What to do when you only have a couple blocks of each..  

It's hard to explain Sew Fest.... members who are not able to attend will send in 'filler (quilt) blocks', embroidered designs, fabric for sashings and borders.  Then those attending will also add to that mix and then it's all laid out on a table by colors, embroidered design sets, etc...  Then the attendees will take from the table and start assembling quilts.  Sometimes quilts are cut and pieced at Sew Fest from fabric that was sent.  The artistry that evolves amazes me every year.  I learn so much from the ladies who come.  We share tips and techniques, not to mention the 'tools' used for our craft.

Every year we try to come up with a theme for a gift exchange.  This year the theme was "Pamper ME".  The idea was to come up with something that the recipient would use just for them.  Surprisingly, the ladies said it was really a difficult theme.  They thought of lotions and potions but then the fragrances one might like another might not.  This was my gift to the recipient:

Love this fabric!  This is a book bag.

Inside I put a covered note pad, a tea wallet filled with a variety of teas, a zippered pouch filled with Jelly Bellies, one of those color books for grown ups with color pencils and made a journal using scrapbooking papers.

My idea was to sit quietly, enjoy a cup of tea and write in a journal or color a page in the color book.  Something to ease the mind and relax the soul...  I may have to make another one for me!

I received a lovely FQ of sparkly blue fabric wrapped around the Eucalyptus & Mint scent from Bath & Body Works line of Stress relief in the body wash and and lotion.  Very nice....

Hope you enjoyed the photos and maybe got a few ideas of layouts and maybe some projects for a gift exchange ;-)  

Until next time,

Katie

Don't call it cr*p!

It's not a secret that I love thrift stores, yard sales, estate sales, etc...  The old adage "one man's trash is another man's treasure" is so very true.  
I like nothing better than coming across a box, bag, whatever of sewing stuff just thrown in it and buying the entire 'lot'.  Then I get to bring it home and go through the bounty/treasure.  There have been times when once I've gone through it, I have half of it or more being re-donated or trashed.   But I have to say, I've always gotten my money's worth!  I can not think of one time I've said, "well, that was a waste".  I've had friends and family ask, "what are you going to do with all that cr*p?"  But who do they come to for just the right clasp, snap, zipper, button, etc...  ?
Recently I had a project to make for a gift exchange and the monetary limit was set at $20.  The organizer told me I had gone over the limit and I told her no I did not!  The fabric used cost me less than $5 and everything else was constructed from what I had on hand and bought at estate/yard sales at pennies..  I was told that was cheating... WHAT?! Because I'm thrifty, I'm a cheat???  Oh well, call it what you want, someone will get a very nice exchange gift because I had cr*p on hand to make it... Photos forthcoming...

Katie

accumulating fabric

I have been accumulating fabric and have not purchased one yard!  The lady that runs our local thrift store (proceeds go to our historical society/museum), found out that I do a great deal of quilting for charity and that I'm co-founder of Quilters for Comfort.  Since she's discovered that, anytime she gets a donation of fabrics, she calls me to come take a look.  If it's something I can use, she then donates it to me.  She had given me a large box of fabric and told me it was from the estate of one of her neighbors and there would probably be more.  I happened to stop at the 'estate sale' of her neighbor's as I saw some wicker chairs I was interested in.  While I was 'shopping' the estate sale, the neighbor's son started showing me fabric.  OMGoodness!  bolts and bolts of fabric!  Unfortunately, a great deal of it was drapery weight and something I just was not interested in.  The lady from the thrift store come while I was there and told him I was the lady she told him about that could use the fabric.  Long story short - I had to call my husband to come with the truck because I literally had a truck load of wicker and fabric!  This guy just started piling stuff up. He asked me one thing - that I finish a quilt (if I found any) and send to him.  He said he would like to have just one of his mother's quilts to give to his wife.  A friend came over the next morning and we started sorting and going through boxes of stuff.  When all was said and done, I kept 2 large totes of fabric as did my friend who helped me sort.  There was probably 75 yards of flannel on bolts of which I kept maybe 25 yards and donated the rest to another friend who makes preemie blankets for the children's hospital in Phoenix.  Another sewing friend came and took several pieces of sheer fabric, some for curtains, and some for lining Christmas stockings that she makes for the VA Hospital's Christmas party.  So anyway, with that all sorted, I found 3 quilt tops that had already paired with backing and batting.  One quilt top that had gotten wet and the mildew had eaten away at the fabric.  I was sad to have to dispose of that top...  Then there was a hand sewn quilt top that I believe might have been made by this guy's grandmother.  He had told me she made quilts by hand and there might be one in the stuff.  Well, here are the quilts I finished:

These quilts are not perfect (neither am I) and the Sunbonnet was a 'rough edge' applique that was a challenge to quilt, but they are done and I will send them on to him.
Here is the hand sewn quilt:

I love the pattern!  These are large blocks - I didn't measure but I would say 18"...
I am not going to quilt this top as I don't hand quilt and I just feel this should be hand quilted.  I will send it along with the other quilts.
Oh, just to share - the bulk of the fabric from this estate was mostly (I'm guessing) from the 1980's.  Just judging from the prints and colors...  And a lot of 'polished' cotton.
I am thankful for the fabric that is donated to me and when it's something I don't think I will use, I always try to find someone else who can use it that I know will appreciate it.
Hope you all have a good day.

Katie

Sometimes things just work...

In a previous post I showed some pictures of a block I was working on for a 'special project', well here's the completed quilt:

 and a close up:

The story behind this quilt - a QFC member became ill while on a visit to her son.  She was told to see her own doctor when she got home after spending 5 days in a hospital.  Long story short, they told her she may have cancer.  Cathy B. (my counter part from QFC) had these embroidered angels leftover from a previous 'angel quilt'.  I pulled fabric, made up the blocks and sent to Cathy with all extra fabric.  She assembled the quilt and returned it to me for quilting.  The recipient of this quilt had it in her hands in a little over 2 weeks!  From PA, to AZ, to CT... And, I'm happy to say the recipient has been now been told she does NOT have cancer but is undergoing further testing to find out what is going on.
Another lady from QFC sent me some leftovers.  These were wide strip sets that had been angled cut:

 I separated the strips to give me a 4 strip set and measured to get a square cut.  Some strips only yielded one square where others yielded 3 or 4.  I paired those strip squares with a red I had, sewed around the outside edges and cut "X" diagonally.  I ended up with 9½" squares once assembled.  When I pulled a few to get a picture, I discovered I ended up with a secondary pattern that I just love!  This was not planned, but I sure like the way it worked out.

Some of the QFC ladies are also working on row quilts.  Sort of like a Round Robin quilt where you pass it around, except we're doing rows and the finished quilt will be donated.  We're finishing up a couple jungle theme quilts now and starting a Farm theme and Mystical theme.  I started the Mystical and here's my row with a close up:

I have had these designs for a very long time and I'm sorry to say I do not know where I got them.  The letters preceding the numbers on the design are DS so not sure if that's a help.... 
So, these are the projects I've been working on.  In between the Quilters for Comfort projects, I try and work on scrap projects.  I have a couple that I've decided I just want to be done so instead of quilts, they will be table toppers.  These are paper pieced projects I started and as much as I do love paper piecing, I find I don't have the time to devote to getting a full quilt done.  Just too many other things I want / need to finish.  I also pulled 2 'in progress' quilts that I want to see done.  Then I will probably have at least 6+ quilts waiting for quilting.... 
Guess I better get busy!
Wishing you all good health and safety from these storms that our country is experiencing...

Katie