January 16, 2014

Granny Squares Update

Remember those little squares of 1930's prints I cut into cute squares at the beginning of the month?  Well I am finally getting around to sewing them together.  Just in case you forgot.



The stack is getting smaller.  Instead of using the 2.5 inch square in the directions I'm using a 3 inch squares.  If you want to make your own Granny Square quilt, head on over to the tutorial at BLUE ELEPHANT STITCHES.  


The block is much larger, but still as cute!



These blocks got squared to 11 inches, but this may vary for each person. 


Isn't that little flower pot of scraps just too cute?!  

Hopefully this little W.I.P. gets finished soon! 

Sew long, 

CHELS

January 13, 2014

Be ... Intentional


I have always wanted to complete a block of the month, but never have.  This was my year to give it a shot.  After looking at countless options I decided on the Sugar Block Club 2014.  The flicker album from last year was impressive. 




 All those beautiful solids blocks made me realize what I missed out on.  So, here is to completing another goal.  



 Thus far, I have picked out my color palette.  The pile focuses mainly on reds, corals, oranges, mint greens, creams, and navy with some random blue and gray fabrics.  


I don't typically work with warm colors especially bold reds and oranges.  This project will be a great chance to push myself into intentionally using unfamiliar colors.  



Of course, there are a variety of neutrals.  Amy is using linen  in her blocks.  Although, I love the thought of some luscious linen incorporated into my quilt.  I'm on a strict fabric fast so there will not be any purchasing of any new fabric.  These neutrals will just have to do.  Also, this whole bundle was all pulled from my stash! 


This little guy below has so graciously decided to help me with my Sugar Blocks!



Here is the color selection for the January block. 


Look my helper already finished a block ... ok maybe he had some help from your's truly.  








As for being intentional.  That would be a great theme for my year!  These past years I have had great intentions to sell my work, to start a blog, and push myself more creatively  This year I gathered all my intentions and became intentional.  It is my personal decoration to make 2014 my year.  As I work through the stresses of being a new blogger, I have found it challenging to alway be intentional.  My goal for this blog is to provide inspiration, help tips, and even someday tutorials.  As a teacher I do everything with intention in my class, otherwise I "lose" those precious teaching minutes.  Many hours are spent making sure every minute has to be calculated, planned, and deliberate in each class.  This year I'm working to transitioning that intention into my personal life.  



Sew long, 

CHELS



January 10, 2014

Patch's Goals for 2014


In the last few posts I keep talking about my "goals".  We'll here is the deal with goals.  

Every year I create 10 sewing goals for the upcoming year and work my way through the list.  By the end of the year I would like to see them all finished, although that is not always the case. Hopefully, this year by announcing what I plan to accomplish will give me more motivation.  

Here goes ... 

1.  Complete a 12 month quilt along ... 
I just signed up for the Sugar Block Club at Stitchery Dickory Dock. 


2.  Sell quilts on Etsy ... created account, quilts posted, DONE. 



3.  Farmers Wife Quilt Sampler ... 
Let's face it.  The book arrived only to find out they are all TEMPLATES ... who uses those.  Well I know who.  Now I am in the process of converting all those cute little blocks to use modern piecing techniques.  Oh, did I mention I am also making them 9 inch squares.  Good thing I am a math teacher otherwise no one would find that fun, working that 1:1.5 ratio.


4.  Twin Sized Quilt ...
This will be the year I complete a twin sized quilt.  It will probably go to my younger sister.  Here is the pattern I purchased for this lofty goal o' mine.


5.  Charm Pack Contest ...
This is our second annual quilt competition.  All judging is done over the summer.  I will share more on that later and last years pictures.  As for now, you guessed it, make a quilt from a charm pack.  


6.  Use my Feedsack fabrics ... DONE
Check out my FEEDSACK FABRICS post.  


7.  Finish my UFOs ...
See my FABRIC FAST post.  There are five but basting is my least favorite thing ever.


8.  12 month Fabric Fast ... 
Also, see my FABRIC FAST post.  This will NOT be easy.


9.  Donate Quilts to Charity ...
Not even sure where to being here.  Any ideas or help would be great.  I would like to donate to local children.


10.  Start a Blog ... DONE   
After many years of going back and forth about this, I finally pushed my fears aside. 



Patch and I are happy you came to join us!


Not to bad,  the year has just started and already three goals are checked off my list.  Just need to keep that pace going for my bigger/longer goals. 

Thats all for now, 


CHELS  



January 07, 2014

Fabric Fast



My stash is not that bad, but, after spending a couple years stock piling fabric.  That madness is coming to an end.  The time I spent  wasted looking through fabric sites will now be spent blogging or sewing.  (And on Etsy - that't right I set up a shop!)  My goal is to complete a whole year.  So this is my public decoration to stop buying fabric in 2014.  

LET THE FASTING BEGIN ... 


GOALS: 
  • Use my current stash
  • Finish UFOs before starting new quilts
  • Stop constantly buying fabric (even if it's on sale!)
  • Make my not so favorite fabrics into charity quilts




FABRIC FAST RULES: 
  1. No fabric purchases for 12 months beginning January 1, 2014
  2. Create a UFO list and complete them
  3. The Exceptions: 
  • Backing & Batting: purchasing backing and/or batting to finish a quilt top after I have exhausted any possibilities in my current stash
  • Notions: needles and thread on an as needed basis
  • Books and Magazines: As long as they get used ... and not sit lifeless on a shelf
  • Quilts for Publication:  Currently that is not an issue, but a girl can dream!   





I would like to make it the whole year without purchasing fabric, but in reality I am not sure if I have THAT much willpower.  Just in case, I made two "Get out of Jail" passes to allow me the following: 
  • One pre-cut purchase (charm pack, layer cake, or jelly roll)
  • One fat-quarter bundle


Image of pre-cut ticket.



CURRENT UFO LIST: 
  1. Father's Dream - top done
  2. Notting Hill - top done  
  3. California Girl - top done
  4. Remixed Geese - top done
  5. Swell Quilt - top done


List is in the same order of image from top down.

Based on this list it's pretty clear where I run out of steam ... no joke basting is no fun! 



Thats all for now, 

CHELS