Design Wall Monday- October 25, 2010

On my design wall today is blocks for a  Mardi Gras quilt called Mask-A-Raid.  It is made with all batiks.  The pattern is 4 blocks with masks facing each other, repeated with borders. 

Stash Report- October 24, 2010

My LQS- Mes Amis Quilt Shop- got in the new Mardi Gras line and it is gorgeous!  Since I live on the parade route I just had to have some for a lap quilt.  Last Mardi Gras it was so cold we were seated on the porch wrapped in blankets!  It's later this year.  Got some sewing in this week, so despite this purchase I did OK.

Used this Week: 20 yards
Used year to Date: 246 yards
Added this Week: 6.75 yards
Added Year to Date: 258.75 yards
Net Used for 2010: +12.75 yards

Stash Report- October 17, 2010

Here it is- finished!  My Halloween bed quilt.  The longarmer did a wonderful job with a pattern that includes pumpkins, a spider web and other Halloween objects. 
Obviously, I'm still in the stash-building mode for specific quilts I will be making in the next 6 months.  And I'm OK with that since I didn't have a big stash to begin with.  I was in NYC last weekend so I'm reporting 2 weeks worth of hunting and gathering fabric.
Had a great GSQA (Gulf States Quilting Association) meeting yesterday.  I am so looking forward to the Quilt Festival in Houston- my first time.
Quilting- machine quilting some baby quilts now- so not much effect on stash.

Used this Week: 1 yard
Used year to Date: 226 yards
Added this Week: 19.5 yards
Added Year to Date: 252 yards
Net Used for 2010: +26 yards

Handmade Gifts

I like to give things I make as gifts. I feel that at this time in life if someone wants something particular, they will go into the store and buy it. And I for one don't want my home filled with things people give me just to give me a gift and it's something I don't like. I have 1 friend who comes over and asks where is something she gave you if she doesn't see it out! So, we have tried to eliminate gift giving. However, I do give gifts on non-specific occasions- a new house, etc. This is something I might give- A New York Beauty table runner.

Design Wall Monday- October 4, 2010

This is what I worked on this weekend.  Not my original design.  I saw a quilt at the GSQA quilt show this summer that someone had made very similar to this.  One of my best friends has 4 granddaughters.  I thought- how perfect for her!  I had to wait until August when her 4th granddaughter was born to see what her name was.  Her 4 precious granddaughters are Grace, Juliet, Leea and Lillian. 

Stash Report- October 3, 2010

Have you ever made a quilt and have no idea where it will end up?  I made this one from scraps and a few fat quarters with musical instruments that  I picked up from a quilt show.  Since it had scrap fleur de lis I called it New Orleans Night Music.  I picked it up from the longarmer yesterday.  The quilting is guitars and musical notes.  My daughter called last night and was on her way to a birthday party in NYC of a girl she went to college with.  She said she didn't have time to get her a gift- if only she could find a gift in NYC that resembled New Orleans and music- her two favorite things.  Now, 2 weeks ago she called and asked me to make this girl a quilt for her birthday.  I said- 2 weeks!  No way!  I forgot this one was at the longarmer.  Hence, when I go to NYC this week to visit, this quilt has a new home- my daughter's friend.

Did quite a bit of fabric shopping this week.  Building my stash for a couple of quilts I hope to make in the spring and some wide backing.  No longer in the black, but not worried about it because once I'm back from NYC and start quilting this too will change.   

Used this Week: 17.5 yards
Used year to Date: 225 yards
Added this Week: 33 yards
Added Year to Date: 232.5 yards
Net Used for 2010: +7.5 yards