DE-STASH #1

What could bring me out of the woodwork? A chance to DE-STASH! I saw mention of this LINKY Party at SewCalGal's blog and have been waiting for the day.

  Unfortunately while I was waiting - instead of going through my stash to get ready for this event, hubby and I started looking for a new house. And we found one. So all that entails is now in motion. The house closed today, one week early! How often does THAT happen?

 I would prefer to only ship to USA addresses. I might make an exception if someone pleads their case. Shipping is not included in the listed prices. I can give you a total amount due once you tell me what item(s) you want to buy. Payment by PayPal only.

 So I have a few items ready for the De Stash with MORE on the way. I needed to do this De Stash before but now that I am moving it is really in order!

First up-Amy Butler's Style Stitches. I was going to partake in a sew along with this and then I just couldn't get my act together. I have looked through the book very gently. The pattern packet has not even been opened (see second picture). The book is in LIKE NEW condition. $16

Clover Large Yo Yo maker - who was I kidding? I do NOT like doing any sewing by hand. Bindings are my limit.

Never opened.   $5

 Next up a "La Petite Ecole" jelly roll by French General for Moda

I won this in a blog sew along and have never figured out what to do with it. It isn't my go to colors and so it keeps getting pushed aside for other fabrics in the stash.  $20

This is a Hope Cove Fat Quarter Bundle in Mint, by Robyn Pandolph for RJR Fabrics  

 9 fat quarters. Never opened. Again, I just haven't come up with something to use this for. Sweet prints. For sale at The Fat Quarter Shop for 32.50.  You can get it here for $22



A sweet fat quarter bundle of Irving Street Flannels by Erin McMorris.  You can see the full prints at Quilthome.com (where it retails for $10.95 per yard). 

6 fat quarters of flannel  $12

Various patterns - quilts, aprons, rug, child's top.

new and unused

$3.50 each, please specify which pattern(s) you'd like!

That is it for today. Leave a comment letting me know what it is you are interested in. Make sure that I can contact you - leave an email address if you happen to be a no-reply blogger. I have more to list so please come back soon!

Visit FingertipShopping for more bloggers taking part in the De-Stash event!

Praise - oh so many things to Praise the Lord for since I last wrote! My friend who had bone cancer just learned this week that her blood work shows NO active cancer in her body!

Prayer - for my hubby's left leg. For some reason it has been swelling just over his knee over the last few days and getting worse.  Prayer for healing and for wisdom on how he should handle this.

Quilt Market Envy

Don't you wish you were at Quilt Market this weekend? I sure would like to go. Just once. It has got to be a wonderful experience and a total sensory overload. I scour blogs looking for updates, news, photos. I LOVE to see the fabrics 'in action'. When I do 98% of my fabric shopping online sometimes it is just difficult to know the scale of a print. Yes, even if there is a ruler in the image. I like to see fabrics used in bags and aprons and quilts and skirts and dresses.

This morning Moda has 23. Wait a minute. That should read TWENTY THREE!!!! new collections listed on their site.

I already have some favorites.There are a lot of great prints from the other collections and I could pick and choose from them but for entire collections these are my choices. Of the collections debuting today from Moda, in no particular order;


Basic Grey's 'hello luscious'

Aneela Hoey's 'a walk in the woods'

Lucie Summers' 'SUMMERSVILLE'

Fig Tree Quilts' "California Girl'

3 Sisters' 'Papillon'

Lily Ashbury's 'Trade Winds'

I have to be honest and tell you that at first glance 'California Girl' did not make the cut. I wasn't won over by the blues. Then I went blog hopping and came across the beautiful quilt that Sherri made using this line and a new Fig Tree Quilts pattern (to be released in November). Take a look at the quilt here. Sherri always does a spectacular job. Now I am in love with that collection. Some of the prints remind me of 'Ruby', oddly enough - different designer altogether.

I am in FABRIC LOVE with the reds in 'Papillon'. This collection looks like it would coordinate so well with 'Etchings'. The reds make me think of the reds in Fig Tree Quilts' 'Butterscotch & Roses'. Mmmmmmmmm.

Okay, if I had to choose. You know, like someone was holding a gun to my head to choose my absolute favorite from the TWENTY THREE collections debuting today - hands down, no contest - Basic Grey's 'Hello Luscious'. It is like Chez Moi's 'Sophie' but with an 'edge', because you've gotta love those Grunge solids. It is scheduled for a February '12 release. What could brighten up those mid winter days any better?

I will be scouring the blogs and websites looking for upcoming releases from other companies. Let me know if you find anything!

I was going to post pictures but when I saved them and tried to resize them they were all too blurry to appreciate their loveliness. Just go to the site and check them out for yourself. I wonder what you favorite will be.

Praise - another beautiful fall day!

Prayers - a dear friend from church learned yesterday that her father passed away. She and her husband on driving to Denver. Safe travels for them and for comfort for the entire family at this very sad time.

Progress report

Well I can call my FNSI a success! This is what I accomplished;


Yes, I know it is a bad picture. The lighting is pretty low in this room, the lights and flash made it look worse. Soon I can be finished, take it outside and have someone tall hold it up for me. Stay tuned.

I have the first borders cut out. I need to sew them together and then sew them to the quilt and then get my outer border strips cut. I would say that I usually cut everything before I get started but this time I just wanted to SEW, so I cut the bare essentials and got to work. I actually like doing it this way as it breaks it all up a bit so nothing gets monotonous.

I know that I said I liked ALL the fabrics in this line but if I HAD to choose one favorite this would be it;


College Girl is still six hours away (spending some time with College Boy this morning) so I can get quite a bit done if I just get to work. Off I go.

Praise - for cooler temperatures for the house building work party that hubby is taking part in today. I hope they are all safe and make a lot of progress.

Prayers - for College Girl and her boyfriend's (hmmmm, I need a 'name' for him)safe travel back home today.

This is what I'm working on

Tutorial found here at the Moda Bake Shop.

I'm using the same Fandango fabric. There is not one print in this line that I dislike. Nope, I love 'em all! I have doing one extra row so that the quilt will be longer. My borders are a different fabric than the one pictured and I think I will cut them an inch wider than suggested in the tutorial.

Okay, back to work!

Praise - College Girl and her boyfriend had safe travels today.

Prayers - for the time College Girl spends with family friends and College Boy.

Stash Report - week ending 4/17

Its hard to stop once I get going again on the fabric buying. Really, this was all part of the same fabric buying spree it just didn't get here as quickly as what was on the report last week.
Amy Butler Cherry Blossom - I've liked this print for a long time and finally gave in.

Some Meadowsweet prints that I thought would look cute in a purse.

Moda Basics by Basic Grey. I really like this entire line but didn't commit to that big of a purchase.

Anna Maria Horner Little Folks voile


Not pictured some lining fabric and a yard of linen for some napkins. I bought those both at JoAnn's on Saturday where I DID see the new Denise Schmidt line. I fondled it, I played with the bolts, I put it back on the shelf and walked away. JoAnn's is just over an hour away from me so no changing my mind this week and returning for some. IF I decide that I NEED some of the new prints it will just have to wait until sometime in May when I might be near another JoAnn's.

Yardage out this week was the Jamie Dress and lining.

9.5 yards in week ending 4/17
3.25 yards out week ending 4/17
53.375 yards YTD IN
47.125 yards YTD OUT

-6.25 yards TOTAL BUSTED 2011

I'm reporting in HERE.

I have now officially added more to my stash than I have busted. phooey. Must work on a remedy for that situation.

Praise - for dear friends. The daughter in a family of dear friends turned 14 this weekend. I remember going to the hospital when she was born.

Prayers - for dear friends. I pray that God would keep them safe and healthy and walking with Him and that our reunion in May would be sweet.

Stash Report - week ending 4/10

This isn't going to be good for the ol' stash. All of this arrived in the mail on Monday;


I was going to call this The Ugly Truth but seriously there is NOTHING ugly about this haul!
Fandango charms and yardage for College Girl's senior year quilt.


Pure charm packs for College Boy's sophmore or junior year quilt/duvet. Simple Abundance yardage to back a quilt made with a jelly roll from the same line.


Moda Bella Solids that were on sale at the Fat Quarter Shop, the off white for College Girl's quilt and the Simple Abundance quilt. The grey is for my 1974 quilt.


Simple Abundance print for the borders of quilt, Patisserie print for borders of a quilt made with that line (remember I got those pre-cuts not too long ago?) and the Dandelion Girl seersucker plaid for a sundress for College Girl.


All fabric was on sale. All fabric has an intended purpose. All fabric by Moda (totally unplanned).

I also received one very overpriced FQ of Sandi Henderson's Henna Garden in Pumpkin and now my collection is complete and I can start on that project someday.


25.25 yards in week ending 4/10
0 yards out week ending 4/10
43.875 yards YTD IN
43.875 yards YTD OUT

0 yards TOTAL BUSTED 2011

I'm reporting stash results HERE.

Who knew this would bring me to exactly even for the year? I'd best get busy on the yardage OUT before the 'other' package arrives. Maybe later today!

Praise - hubby and I had safe travel to and from visiting College Boy. We had a great time with him and our friends and enjoyed over 5" of fresh falling snow while there.

Prayers - For pain relief for Joanne and for improvement/healing for Grant.

Stash Report - week ending 4/3 and something sweet

I was asked to make a cake for a baby shower. The mother likes chocolate and strawberries. I didn't want to make a sheet cake so I looked around online for some ideas and came up with this;


3 layer milk chocolate cake, strawberry jam and sliced strawberries between the layers, chocolate frosting, ganache poured over, chocolate dipped strawberries drizzled with pink candy coating (she had a girl). I didn't even stay for the shower because my back was killing me but the reports back were that the cake was a success.
I instructed a couple of gals on how to cut it so that it served a lot of ladies. Cut a good sized round in the middle of the cake then cut 1" or so slices from the outer ring to serve. When you get to the middle round you can cut that into small wedges. They said the middle was difficult to cut but the outer ring sliced up beautifully.

Here is the quilt I made for the newborn girl using the Aviary charm pack, some pale pink Kona solid and a dusty pink Kona for the binding. The backing is an off white flannel. Yes, the sides look all wonky but it must be because I just pulled it out of the dryer and asked hubby to hold it up for a picture. I didn't take any time to smooth it out and hand press it into shape. It was not like this once I had it on the table and folding it up.

I machine stitched the binding. Time was short and I was tired but I really like it and think I will do that more often, at least on baby quilts.



Stash report is really for two weeks, I never got around to reporting last Sunday.
Fabric out consisted of yardage for the camera strap, my cherry blossoms pillow, the bridal shower apron and this baby quilt. The fabrics that came in consisted of backing and binding for the quilt as well as a FQ of a Sandi Henderson Henna in Springtime. I paid too much for it but it is scarce and I 'needed' it!

2 yards in week ending 4/3
5.5 yards out week ending 4/3
18.625 yards YTD IN
43.875 yards YTD OUT

25.25 yards TOTAL BUSTED 2011

I'm reporting in HERE with my totals.

Next week's report is going to be BAD, verrrry bad. I have fallen off the fabric diet and purchased quite a bit. I think that it is all for projects that I have in mind and want to be working on and everything was on sale! So hard to resist when the conditions are right. I need to get sewing so that I have SOMETHING to show in the OUT column.

Praise - for the sweet baby girl added to our church family - Annalee Rose. Our church has lots of babies right now but most of them are about a year old. Annalee looks soooooo small in comparison.

Prayers - for Annalee's family and her upbringing. That she would come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal saviour.

Just in time

I am such a procrastinator. I work well under the pressure of a deadline but I really don't know why I do it! I have the time. I know about things in plenty of time. Yet I wait.

I just finished this apron for a bridal shower being held tomorrow afternoon.


The bride-to-be likes green. I hope she likes this combination of Sandi Henderson's Meadowsweet. I also made a simple potholder to go with it. Maybe she'll try it on at the shower and I can get a better picture because I know this one is pretty bad. Taken at night with flash.

I would have waited until the morning to finish the apron but I really need to start on a cake that I am making for a different shower being held on Sunday.

Just realized that I didn't do my stash report for the week ending 3/27. I'll just add that week and this week together and report on Sunday.

I think I'll go make some quilt binding for that Aviary baby quilt. I might be able to get that finished tomorrow so that I can give that at the shower on Sunday. No worries if it doesn't happen though since I've chipped in on a big group gift.

Praise - for the safe travels of a young family in our church returning from Peru.

Prayers - For College Girl's final quarter of her junior year.

Quilt Along Fun - I hope

I don't even know how I ended up at Lily's Quilts blog. It was one of those, follow a link to another link to another link and there I was. This is what I found when I got there;

You've got to go take a look. Very intriguing. If you want to do just one block, which is approximately 30 x 30, you can do that. If you want to make the entire quilt, which is 60 x 90, you can do that. This is going to be a 'quilt as you go' quilt. I've never attempted that before.

I'm thinking very seriously about giving it a try. At least the one block. If I like that I will continue on with the other blocks. This is what I'm thinking about using;


Each Dresden circle has 21 'blades' so I thought it would be fun to try using this rainbow of fabric. I've printed off the templates but I've yet to cut into any of the fabric. I'm a rule follower so I will wait until Lynne posts that step. I'm also a procrastinator so the waiting works perfectly for me. Let me know if you're joining in the Quilt Along too!

Praise - our dear friend who is in China and was sick for 5 days is finally feeling better.

Prayers - for our friend, that she would be fully recovered and able to get back to her classes (teaching music and learning Chinese).

Stash Report-week ending 3/13

I was hoping to have this quilt finished and ready to count as an OUT;

But the only thing OUT this past week was my back. I woke up Thursday morning unable to stand up straight. I have no idea what happened as I was completely fine on Wednesday. All that to say, wrestling with a good sized lap quilt while free motion quilting was not in the cards. I did finally do some sewing on Saturday but it completely wore me out. Hopefully the quilt will be on the OUT list for this week.


I did have some fabric come in though. I won this charm pack from Angela at Cut to Pieces.

I'm thinking about using it to make a table topper for a wedding present.

I was feeling about 90% better today and so did a few more things around the house today and now I am feeling it all in my back again. arghhhhhh!

7/8 yards in week ending 3/13
0 yards out week ending 3/13
16.625 yards YTD IN
28.50 yards YTD OUT

11.875 yards TOTAL BUSTED 2011

I'm reporting in HERE with my report.

Praise - College Boy made it home safely (3:30 a.m. on Friday)!

Prayers - for my back to heal. I know that my CORE needs lots of work but right now I can't possibly even work on that.

Stash Report-week ending 3/6/11

I've tried to be strong. I've tried so very hard to stay on this fabric diet. I look at fabric online almost every day. I even fill up carts and make wish lists. I'm weak. There are so many fabrics that I'd love to buy. Some have even been on sale. I've resisted most of them. My all time favorite Fig Tree line since I have gotten back into quilting has been Patisserie. I have a layer cake of it and a teensy bit of yardage that is set aside with a pattern in mind. But I've been looking for another layer cake. I found one, full price and was about to buy it and then I got a sales notice from The Quilt Shoppe. I thought they had already closed their doors but this said that all remaining fabrics were 50% off. So of course, being weak, I went to take a look. There was ONE layer cake and ONE Jelly Roll of Moda's Patisserie! I put them in my cart and thought about them for a bit. Just for a bit, because I knew that at 50% off they wouldn't last long. I bought both of them thinking that surely one or the other or maybe both had really already been purchased by someone ahead of me and they site was not updated yet.

This is what showed up in my mailbox yesterday!!!



I want to use the Jelly Roll to make THIS pattern by Margot. I can hardly wait for that pattern to be released. I'm not sure what I will use as the border at this point. I'll have to start searching for some yardage and hope it will be available in June. I'm still undecided which pattern to use with the layer cake but I have a few ideas. I know that I will keep at least one of these quilts.

So all that to say, here is my stash report for the week.

6 yards in week ending 3/6
9.875 yards out week ending 3/6
15.75 yards YTD IN
28.50 yards YTD OUT

12.75 yards TOTAL BUSTED 2011

I am linking up here with my stash report.


The yardage OUT is what I've used for the Thimble Blossoms 'A Piece of Cake' quilt using Moda's Cotton Blossoms daughter colorway. I am sewing the binding to the back now and should probably finish that up tonight or tomorrow night while hubby and I watch a movie. I should have pictures of the completed, washed & dried quilt later this week.

Praise - Today we had sunshine AND snow. At the same time! God is so amazing.

Prayers - continued prayers for Katy (church friend), Grant and Joanne. For healing for their bodies. For strength and comfort and rest.

Some goals

I haven't set any goals for myself lately and I really like when I have them listed so I have something to work towards. If the goals are in print I tend to try harder to achieve them. We'll see how it works.

Both kids will be home this month for their spring breaks. They will overlap by a few days and so we will all be together!!! YAY!! I'm not sure how much sewing I will get done while they are home so I will make these goals good for March & April. That will work out perfectly for the Charming Girls goals.

*Finish Cotton Blossoms-Daughter Colorway quilt (binding to be made and attached)


*Finish Cotton Blossoms-Mother Colorway quilt (sandwich,quilt,make and apply binding)
*Pillows for Blogger's Pillow Party one for each month.
*Authentic Table runner
*A Ritzy Cracker Quilt
*Fandango quilt for Aimee
*Bliss camera strap cover

That is quite the list! What's crazy is I just got two GREAT books from the library that I want to read too. I don't need more hours in the day, I just need to really limit my computer time. THAT should be the real goal here.

I am a little excited because I am going to NEED to order some fabric for the Ritzy Cracker quilt. I have the charm squares already, but I will need the background, binding and backing. There is a chance I will delay this project and replace it with something else just so that I can avoid making a purchase right now. I'll make that decision in the next day or two.

Praise - Grant is being moved from the hospital to another facility. He is still in a coma but he is now breathing on his own.

Prayers - for continued improvement in Grant's condition, for his family as they prepare the house for his return and learn how to take care of him. Praying for healing for him.

Stash Report - week ending 2/27

Nice to report some more fabric going OUT again this week! Not much but anything is a move in the right direction. I had the fabric for the Bliss baby quilt, the mug rug, and what I forgot to calculate in for the Origins placemats. I didn't count the t-shirt used for the pillow since it wasn't fabric in my stash.

0 yards in week ending 2/27
3.625 yards out week ending 2/27
9.75 yards YTD IN
18.625 yards YTD OUT

8.875 yards TOTAL BUSTED 2011

I am linking up here with my stash report.

I'm working on finishing up two, almost identical quilts. The tops have been done for quite awhile, one of the backs is done. Another back to piece, sandwiches to make, binding to make, put it all together and more yardage OUT. Soon, very soon.

I was so excited to see my pillow as one of the 9 finalist at the Blogger's Pillow Party!!! I was in very good company. Rita of Red Pepper Quilts has chosen the winner. You should go see which pillow she chose.

Praise - The wonderful progress made by Joanne and Grant.

Prayers - for both Joanne and Grant. They are not out of the woods by a long shot.

Stash Report 2/7-2/20

This report is for two weeks. Nothing went in or out between the 6th and the 13th so I didn't even bother to post. This week I have the yardage for the Moda Origins Placemats OUT.

0 yards in week ending 2/20
3.66 yards out week ending 2/20
9.75 yards YTD IN
15 yards YTD OUT

5.25 yards TOTAL BUSTED 2011

I am linking up here with my stash report.

College Girl came home on Friday for the long weekend. It is SO wonderful to have her home. This evening, while she is visiting with friends, I am doing some mending for her. No sewing will get done today but I will be back at it after she leaves tomorrow.

Praise - friend from church with bone cancer was feeling well enough to attend church and our potluck today!

Prayers - young lady from church (who happens to be College Boy's girlfriend) is headed to China on Friday. She will be there for 10 months (with a weekend back to be at her brother's wedding in May) to teach music and English, share the Gospel and learn Chinese. Sooo many prayers - for her travels, her health, her witness, her safety.

January report

I can't believe today is the last day of January. Already. Wow, time flies faster and faster the older I get. I did accomplish a few things this month believe it or not. I may take a couple posts to show them off though.

We haven't had many days this month that gave me enough light to take pictures without flash. Now today is a gorgeous day - blue skies and sunny but below 20 degrees. Of course the projects are no longer here so not photos being taken today.

Verna Easy Bake quilt front;

backed with Minkee Dimple Dot in white;


Folded up and ready to be given away;


Origins Easy Bake quilt front;


backed with brown Minkee Dimple Dot;


Folded up and ready to give to its new owner;


I received this charm pack from Lisa at Vintage Modern Quilts for finishing so many projects in December. Thanks, Lisa!

Since one of my goals this year is to use up fabric that I have in my stash rather than buy more I'd like to take part in a stash report. Judy at Patchwork Times has a link up for those participating.
Since I am late to this game I will do my stash report for the month of January and from here on out try to keep up with it weekly.

January IN:

9 3/4 yards This included fabric I ordered in Dec. but didn't show up until January as well as the Sherbet Pips charm pack, some Origins yardage for a project I was hired to do and some white and red fleece that College Girl got and sent to me.

January OUT:

11 1/3 yards White Minkee, Brown Minkee, Verna LC, Origins LC, yardage of Verna & Origins for binding, various pieces for a mug rug

January Total : 1.5 yards busted!

Praise - That both kids got back to school safely and are in the thick of things for this term. That my friend with bone cancer has finally started her chemo therapy.

Prayers - That College Boy's roommate situation would be favorable but we are trusting God that He knows best in ALL situations.

To start off the year

I need to find my oomph. I think I lost it in that last rush before Christmas to get all of my sewing done. I didn't feel rushed at the time but ever since Christmas I haven't been able to muster up the oomph to accomplish anything of substance. It was at the very last minute that I shortened and hemmed the sleeves for the jammie shirts I gave to College Girl. I mean she was packing to leave and I was cutting and hemming!

I seriously thought these would be sandwiched and quilted and bound by the new year.

They are still not sandwiched,quilted or bound. They are both sitting in a lump on my cutting table. I think about them. I think about all the things I could and should be doing with my time. I don't want to fritter away the entire month.


These are just a few of the things I'd like to take part in. If I can do them without having to buy fabric that is.

I almost bought fabric for this. I was going to time that fabric purchase for 2010 so that I would not be 'cheating' on my 2011 goal, of course. I have gone back and forth on participating. I don't even KNOW how to embroider! I do love the little birdies though and figure it would be good to learn something new.
IF I participate I think I will use Dream On. I just need to figure out if I have a solid on hand that I can use for the block centers. If not the entire project will be put on hold.


I would LOVE to participate in this one;
I have the book on the way but it is being shipped media mail (because it was free shipping - which I can hardly resist. It probably won't get here in time for me to join in for January. I have some large pieces of yardage but I'm not sure if I have three pieces that go together that are large enough for the first bag. I'm NOT buying more fabric right now. The January bag may be a pass for me.

I already joined in on this one. The January entry could be a pillow made in the last 3 months.

Good way to insure more pillows in my future.

I came across this while looking at the other pillows in the party.

If I have the materials on hand I just may join in. I need to bust the stash after all. If this one doesn't work out I have plenty of patterns and fabrics on my to-do list or I just might find another quilt along to join.

Pink Chalk Fabrics is going to have a sew along on their blog, using the One Yard Wonders book. I requested the book from the library and hopefully will have that by the time the details are posted on the blog.

In addition to all of that I would like to;
* alter messenger bag that I gave to friend in August (strap adjustment/add closure of some sort)
* set of 6 quilted placemats using Origins.
* start Fandango quilt

I'll still need to be working on my memory verses, working out, cooking/eating healthy meals, reading, baking/decorating cookies and avoiding the urge to buy new fabric. Guess I'd better find my oomph and fast!

Praise - for the beautiful snow we are getting and for a warm home that we have and capable vehicles to get around in the snow.

Prayers - for safety on the roads in the winter snowstorms.