Ok... I missed my report last week - mainly because there was nothing to report :) Since my Fat Quarter 5 Stripe top is now finished, it can finally be removed from my kit stash! Whoo hoo!
Nothing added this week!
Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date: 0 yards
Fabric Used this Week: 7.25 yards
Fabric Used Year to Date: 7.25 yards
FINALLY had time to finish my Fat Quarter 5 Stripe. Yippee!! It is made with one of my favorite Christmas lines from Thimbleberries called Snow Country. I changed it up a little by using the border fabric in the sashings also. (The original pattern has very scrappy sashings, made using the same 17 different fabrics used in the 15" blocks.)
I don't know what took me so long (Sept. 2003 until now) but I'm so happy that it's done! When I traveled to my first retreat out in Minnesota, this was a class on the final day. I didn't get much of chance to work on it then because I was worried about missing my flight back to NJ. Even though I LOVE this pattern/kit, it just sat in a box for YEARS, with strips pieced together but not yet cut. Now to just get it quilted ;) LOL
Now I need to get working on some old BOMs. I should be posting some pics of those blocks in progress soon...
Let's just say that 2008 will NOT go down in the record books as a good year for us. The national economic situation has directly affected our own finances as (very) small business owners and spending has REALLY been cut short. That has been especially true for my quilt budget - which is most depressing to me. But....
I've decided to look at it positively and, taking Judy's cue, make this year a true stashbusting year! I have so many kits that I've collected in the past that are just collecting dust that, honestly, could keep me busy for a while. So, I vow to make a dent in my kit stash, doing my best to purchase only the fabrics NEEDED to complete specific projects. Since I like to match fabrics exactly to the ones shown on a pattern, I'm always on the lookout for those one or two fabrics that I'm still missing for each homemade 'kit'.
One other goal is to advance with my Thimbleberries Club projects from previous years. So, I plan to dedicate the first week of each month towards this end, working on blocks for the 2002-2007 projects, plus the original BOM, Month by Month. Some parts have already been completed for each of these quilts, but I haven't yet finished a club quilt. Sad, right?
My list of projects for this year is in my sidebar. I plan to post at least once a week to report my progress, especially amounts of yardage busted. Hoping to have some good news to share next week!
Today I had the pleasure of hearing renowned small-scale quilt maker Sally Collins speak at my local quilt guild. Her quilts were exquisite and truly beyond words. I hope you enjoy this mini quilt show!
Whoo hoo! Here is my completed top - that just needs some embroidery in the windows of the house. I've already stitched the panes on one of the windows, and the rest will get done either at the kids' soccer games this weekend or during TV time with DH at night. (Probably NOT the latter, 'cause he likes being my center of attention when he gets home from work! LOL)
And here's a prize that I totally did NOT deserve. Peggy sent me this Homer's Donut for pushing her to get her Pumpkin House done - isn't it scrumptious?! DH gets hungry every time he see's it. My special gifty for Peg should be going in the mail this week :)
