The Ramblings of a Texas Quilter

Designer Blog Hop

2009-11-15T10:00:00.003-06:00

Have you guys been following along with the Cross Country Christmas Quilt Designers Blog Hop? It has been just loads of fun reading about their lives and their memories. Brings back lots of memories of Christmas's past for me too.

There have also been lots of recipes and nifty quilty things to make.. as soon as I get the binding sewn on, I'll put up a picture of my tree wall hanging..

anyway, today is here..http://www.newleafstitches.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=100&Itemid=26&comment_id=1299#josc1299

at New Leaf Stitches.... she has a really cute pillow to make,, I printed out the pattern and it will be on my list for this coming week...

Have fun!

( i'm not affiliated with any of these ladies,, I'm just having fun blogging around)

A QUILTER'S THANKSGIVING DINNER

2009-11-14T20:15:00.002-06:00

Ok, Saturday nite, I spent the day with my Saturday buddies being really really productive so I figured that a little down time in front of the computer is needed. I'm browsing around on the blogs that I love to read and Happy Zombie is on my list... WELL! You have go to go visit here
http://thehappyzombie.com/blog/?p=381#comment-107235. I can't give it away, you are just going to have to go read the blog..

but

this is MY idea of a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner!

Enjoy!

ANOTHER BLOG HOP CONTEST - QUILTMAKER

2009-11-10T18:07:00.003-06:00

I gotta get off the computer and get some dinner on the table,, but I found this blog hop

http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures/

its from Quiltmaker Magazine and it looks like there is a bunch of contests, and prizes, and lots of cool info... a special issue magazine too,,,

check it out for me,, husband is hungry!

EDIT EDIT ___ I WON!! See me doing the happy dance!! I really really won a copy of this magazine! Mine is coming from Eileen Fowler at Quiltmaker...http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures/2009/11/10/100-blocks-navajo-nights/

I can't wait to get the book!

still doing the happy dance

Cross Country Christmas Blog Hop

2009-11-10T17:45:00.003-06:00

Second Day - get to know Sandy Gervais here...

http://piecesfrommyheart-sgervais.blogspot.com/2009/11/blog-hop-day-2.html?showComment=1257895026986#c847042972322637644

she has a really cute placemat tutorial and some yummy popcorn balls...

I've been busy making the tree wall hanging from yesterday -- well, I took my MIL shopping today but I have it cut out and ready to piece! Maybe I can get it done tonite???

Ladies, STOP! I can't make them all!!!

CROSS COUNTRY CHRISTMAS QUILT DESIGNER BLOG HOP

2009-11-09T15:54:00.003-06:00

Today starts the first day of the Cross Country Christmas Quilt Designer Blog Hop ---
it starts here http://gudrun.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/11/ccc-blog-hop-day-1.html and there are about 11 or 12 more on the hop... I printed out a tutorial for making a wall hanging from Gudrun's web site,, really cute! and looks so easy to do.

Join in, read the rules and they are giving away prizes... I'm finding lots of cool things on their blogs and learning who they are, too!

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST

2009-11-09T15:40:00.002-06:00

I always loved that song -- "another one bites the dust - boom boom" ( the booms are drums I think,, I'm too old to remember! )

Anyway,, got another top done -- geez, all it needed was borders, what was I waiting for?? These were blocks from a swap at my guild from a few years ago. It has been put together and I had the fabric for the borders,, just didn't feel like putting it together - I'm a lazy girl!

Now I wish I had put in a small third border between the purple and the main border of a LIME GREEN!! wouldn't that be cool! Just a little zinger in there... nice bright LIME GREEN! what a hoot!
not a great picture and it isn't even laid out well on the grass ( I was too lazy to even hang it up on the side of the house like I usually do - lazy girl ) but I think it will be a nice wrap up in sorta quilt. I have enough of the border stuff to make the back, too. If you can get in close, the border has leaves in it so it's not just blurbs of green and purple.

Anyway, back to the LIME GREEN,,, think I'm going to bind it in that!! That will give me my lime green fix and make a little zippity-do-dah to this 'just ok' swap quilt...

A NEW LOOK TO MY BLOG

2009-11-08T14:37:00.002-06:00

I've spent a couple of days playing around with the way my blog looked. I just wasn't real happy with how the words spilled over into background and it just looked sloppy.

I found out how to make this layout be three columns,,, that was a biggy for me! messing with the code ( and I used to be a programmer many many years ago - MANY years ago! )
I changed the header picture, I think I want it still a little smaller, but that can be for later...
and
I managed to loose some of my sidebar things,,, oh well,, guess I start over with those!

So, whatchathink?

WHIMSEY - finally finished

2009-10-25T15:27:00.003-05:00

Doesn't it feel good to finish a project? I have so many unfinished ideas in plastic bags, that when I FINALLY get something finished, I'm just that much more inspired to get them all done! ( dream on little girl, dream on! )

This is called Whimsey

All 30's fabrics that I had, so I didn't have to buy anything!
It is from a book I have called "Granny Quilts" by Darlene Zimmerman. There is a bunch of great patterns in it... if you're into 30's prints!
I learned somethings about my quilting with this one. I put the final borders on and they were w.a.v.i.n.g. in the wind, you know, that lovely ripple effect (( I was saying not nice words )). So, off they went and when I layed the quilt down without borders, I discovered that I had been a little heavy handed with the iron... some of the blocks had stretched. eeeiii !

I put it away. For awhile. But it bugged me.

So out it came again and geez, how to fix this.

I cut new borders ( just the solid blue ) out of fabric the LONG way,, that way no stretching. I also found out I put the wrong size border on first ( duh, 2-1/2 is NOT 3 ! ). This made the sawtooth border fit better ( another big fat DUH ). And putting the last border on, cut again on the long way of the fabric,, made it all just about right - well as right as it will be.

Think I'll quilt this one myself, just straight line stuff, super simple.

I like the quilt - it sure isn't a prize winner - but I think I can cozy up with it this winter just fine!

HOUSTON - the return

2009-10-24T21:49:00.007-05:00

The Houston Quilt Festival was great fun -- I'm just now getting my energy back,, my house back in order,, and my credit card tallied (( EEEGADS!!! )). My friend tirane and I drove down ( Dallas to Houston, about 4 hours - depending on how fast you drive! ). We arrived Friday afternoon and after checking into the hotel ( we got lucky and stayed at the Hilton next to the convention center! ) we went right to the show.

These are shots from the second floor windows that overlook the vendor floor. If you have not been able to attend,, I'm so so sorry! You can't imagine how big this is... but OH the beautiful quilts!!! I will NEVER, EVER, Never be able to be as creative or as talented, or as precise as those quiltmakers who had quilts on display. EVER. NEVER...

This is the view from our room at night,, gee, the Houston lights are pretty!

I really did pretty well shopping. I'm still on my kick of not adding to my stash, and so far I have done really well! Fab Fanatics is a vendor from Dallas that is always at the Houston show with absolutely wonderful batiks at absolutely wonderful prices. I always save my pennies to show their booth -- see the gorgeous colors! I don't know what I'm going to do with them,, but I'm sure I can find something!! I also picked up some more of the rayon thread that I like to use for satin stitching machine applique... hhmmm,, haven't done a lot of that lately, but I have the thread!!!

I bought 3 books, too -- now that I'm a stay-at-home non-working woman for awhile, I think ( that's the secret word, "think" ) I have all this time to do stuff,, sure,,,

I didn't really take a lot of pictures of the quilts,, not sure why??!! But I have been browsing around the we, and lots of people have them... go surf - they were just beautiful!
This is one I really liked and I got lucky and was able to hear the artist talking about her quilt, Gail Thomas said she received a black and white picture from Alex Anderson and made this quilt from that picture -- the little blond girl in the corner is Alex Anderson, her sister, and Ms. Anderson's grandmother.
Ms. Thomas was telling us that Ms. Anderson said that from about the age of 3 she started sewing and new that this was what she wanted to do. Cool story, huh! I found this site describing it http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/blog.php/blog_id/1940. You might remember Ms. Thomas from the 2007 show, she had the quilt "Three Sisters" in that show,,, quite remarkable! You can see it here http://www.quiltinglife.com/ThreeSisters.html.

Since we drove, tirane had the idea to bring our machines and have something to do in the evening. Neither of us are big bar people and downtown Houston isn't really the place to hang out. So I took my Tar Baby - the Featherweight and she took hers and we put together a charity quilt. Between the two of us, ( she brought some fabric ) we decided on the pattern, got it cut, sewed, pressed ( thank goodness for the in-room iron and board! ) and VOILA!! This is our Houston charity quilt!

So we had a good time,, saw lots of awe inspiring 'objects d'art', spent some money and enjoyed ourselves.

aahhh,, back to reality!

Pumpkin Patch Primitives Quilt Shoppe: It's a Happy Halloween Giveaway!

2009-10-21T08:52:00.000-05:00

Pumpkin Patch Primitives Quilt Shoppe: It's a Happy Halloween Giveaway!

WOW! this is a great way to feel like a princess and get some goodies for your stash -- a wonderful giveaway of a bundle ( yep! a BUNDLE ) of fat quarters, just right for Halloween. Go here,,, http://pumpkinpatchprimitivequiltshoppe.blogspot.com/2009/10/its-happy-halloween-giveaway.html

and see whats up!!
( Hey! I never win anything,, but you might! )

HOUSTON QUILT FESTIVAL

2009-10-10T21:50:00.002-05:00

Going to Houston,, Going to Houston,, Ok I'm getting excited - Going to Houston Yipee!

I live in Dallas, about 5 hours from Houston,, an easy day drive going and coming. My friend and I are leaving Friday morning,, coming back sometime Sunday. That's a lot of shopping and looking time.... And we got a room at the Hilton ( I think that's the one attached to the convention center ) We can take all our purchases to the room when they get too heavy !! ( last year I checked in stuff at the little check-in place for a $1,, it was a life saver! )

I want to go see Fab Fanatics,, they always have batiks on sale for a great price ( like I need any ), I want to see all the fabulous quilts that are on display,, I want to see all the new, latest and greatest stuff that the vendors have... I want to play on the new machines ( nope, not in the market, just want to play ) ,, I'm sure there is other stuff I want to look at but I can't remember right now.

I'm doing the excited dance !! Are you going, too? Is there anything that I need to hunt down that I just have to have?

PS,,, any ideas on what to do with stuff that I bought last year and the year before that I haven't done anything with??? What have you done with yours? ( and you know you have them! LOL )

INTERNET QUILT FESTIVAL

2009-10-10T21:00:00.004-05:00

I am WAY behind on reading blogs, the net, or anything of any substance.... I just heard about the 2009 Quilt Festival held right here, on the Net by Amy of ParkCityGirl,, What a cool thing to do! Go visit this site http://parkcitygirl.blogspot.com/2009/10/quilt-festival-fall-2009.html or click on the block to the left. Therre are about 340+ entries -- OMG!!

get a cuppa and enjoy!

I'm submitting my quilt Random Blocks,,, see the post here http://quiltramblings.blogspot.com/2009/09/random-blocks-finished.html...

Share with me what you find out in the great Netland!

SEPTEMBER RETREAT - a little late

2009-10-10T19:00:00.002-05:00

Our bee had a retreat the end of September at Create-Away-Cottage ( http://home.earthlink.net/~neldaquilt/ ) where we always go. ... lots of fun - good food, good fellowship and a great time to get some sewing done. The weather was just beautiful and we got to eat meals outside on the deck ( until the skeeters decided we were their dinner ). There was a beautiful sunset ( no picture though ) and a full moon ( no pic of that either ).

Being the little photographer that I am, I was always walking around taking pictures of what everyone was working on (( I'm supposed to be sewing, not taking pictures maybe that is why there is nothing here about what I did ( or maybe that was by design?) )) There were about 14 of us,, not too many, not too few.

Isn't this beautiful! All in batiks. I think she said that some of the blocks were from a birthday swap at the quilt shop where she works ( not sure which blocks were the swap and which were hers ). I didn't get a final picture but she used a really pretty blue batik for the setting triangles. I thought this one was really cute and so easy to make!! The flowers are chenille strips that she sewed on and then brushed like crazy to get them to be soft and fuzzy. Amazing to me that she made most of them herself! Geez, that's why I like retreats.... I learn so much! It is quilted in the ditch and I just might have to try that chenille trick myself!

Somebody was making houses for our block exchange -- it's a tropical beachy theme and we are going to swap 12 house blocks,,, then the rest is up to us. This is one version,,, I have all my fabrics picked out - should be fun! ( doesn't the door look like it fabric waving in the tropical breeze!?! )

Here are some quilts I fell in love with -- Great job ladies!!
My Oh My -- I do have some talented friends!

I walked around taking pics of what was on their machines, too... she finished quilting this one ,,, I'm still trying to figure out that pattern! )

I think this speaks for itself LOL!
and this one too! I do alot of this kind of sewing!

Have you seen the fabric that is the old fashioned paper dolls? I can't remember just how she did this, but the fabric is fused to something and then it will stick to the "paper" doll. I have two granddaughters that will just love this! -- I see a Christmas present in the making... hhmmm...

Looks like some half square triangles and the orange and red is Hawaiian applique,, SO pretty! That would take me a life time to finish! ( still working on some applique I started about 4 years ago! )

this is the pile of stripes that became part of this,,, she SAYS she made a mistake and threw out a block.. we couldn't find the mistake - until she pointed it out. Do you see it??

what is that saying about idle hands??

She saw this purse, made out of strips of fabric so she made herself one! DANG! I didn't get a picture of the finished purse -- it was lined and everything!

This was a kit we saw at the local quilt store, I was tempted! But I was such a good person that I left my purse at the retreat - no money, no buy... I'm such a good girl ( gosh that was a hard thing to do )

And lastly,, I think this is really my favorite (( I loved everything that was done over the weekend but I really really like this one )) It is a stack and slash,, My picture doesn't do justice to the colors,, the yellow really makes it pop.

So, that was our retreat. Hope I remembered everyone and got all the pictures up. Our next one is the first of December -- can't wait!

RANDOM BLOCKS QUILT PATTERN

2009-10-02T19:09:00.002-05:00

Several people have asked for the pattern for the Random Blocks quilts that my friend tirane and I did,,, she is a good hearted soul and posted it for all..

http://tirane93.wordpress.com/random-boxes/

If you make one, please give credit where credit is due... enjoy!

RANDOM BLOCKS - FINISHED !!

2009-09-09T19:11:00.005-05:00

( Thanks Amy for the Bloggers Fall Quilt Festival! This is my submission quilt)

I finally, yes finally finished the Random Blocks quilt that my friend tirane MADE me do... yes, she twisted my arm and forced me to make this quilt ...

It has taken forever for me to finish it - well at least the top is done. Now I have to figure out how I'm going to do the back,, one piece of new fabric ( OH NO! that would mean a shopping trip lol ) or piece it from several fabrics or... who knows. There is not really enough left overs from the top ( and they are pretty good fabrics that I could use in something else ),,,

gee, I bet if someone talked enough I could be bribed into a shopping trip...!

TA -DA !!

go visit tirane at her blog http://www.quiltifications.blogspot.com/ and see hers... she may even have both of these posted together
but if she hasn't done that yet,, here is hers .

Isn't it fun to see how you can take the SAME pattern and make it so many different ways - how just using different fabrics gives a different feel to the quilt, how you can see the different personalities in friends emerge in their fabric selections.

Grab a buddy, make the same quilt, and see how much fun this can be.
I double dog dare you!!

YOU THINK I WOULD LEARN!

2009-08-01T12:13:00.002-05:00

I haven't been doing a lot of sewing lately,,, the urge just up and went somewhere - maybe to your house?? If you have my urge, would you please put a stamp on it and send it back to me,, please! I have too many things undone, things I would really like to do,,, if I don't start sewing, I'm going to start ... oh I don't know... SHOPPING !!!

so I'm sitting in the sewing room,,, no not sewing, silly!,, but playing on the computer, seeing what everyone else is doing that has THE URGE... and I decide to change up my blog page... I'm supposed to be doing something creative, right?

Blog Page,, needs a change,, hhmmm,, it started at 8am,,, lets see what is out there that I can use... nope, nope, nope,, ok
now it's 10am,, geez! where did the time go?? the thunderstorm has come and gone, the lawn guys have been and cut ( yep in the rain )

11am,,, aaarrrrGGGHHH,,, I lost my blog!! OMG !!! can you see me scrambling!! my page, my page (( I'm standing on a dark street, looking up at a window, in a wife-beater t-shirt, pulling my hair, screaming STELLA!! ,, welll,, BLOG PAGE ! )) ,,, (grin) Marlon Brando in Streetcar, remember??

1220,,, page is back!! I fixed it! I still want to do something else to it,,, but for now - this is it!!

think I'll go shopping

Random Blocks in Brown and Teal

2009-06-21T21:27:00.003-05:00

Is anyone else having trouble getting to the sewing machine lately? Please! tell me it's not just me... ! Maybe it's the heat, maybe I'm just not feeling inspired, maybe I found a good book to read... who knows, but I'm not moving very fast on the Random Blocks quilt that my friend tirane has enticed me into making with her.

But! I have one block finished!
I really really wish the colors looked better.
I don't have all the seperate blocks sewed to each other because I thought I might switch things around when I have more made -- make the 'random' part more planned,, (( grin ))
And, instead of making it 30 inch blocks in a 3x3 layout, I'm doing 25 inch blocks in a 4x4 layout so I can get the size I need to fit the queen bed ( I want drape on the sides and end ).

Slowly,,, ever so slowly,,, but I'll get it done!
( i don't like the top block in the left corner and I'm hoping that more blocks will offset the dark brown that just seems to jump out at me)

SLACKER

2009-06-12T21:41:00.002-05:00

Hello! My name is Beth,,,,, and I'm a SLACKER!!

I haven't done a darn thing all week! I come home, do dinner,clean the kitchen then sit on my tush in front of the tv or read.. I'm a slacker.

My bit push by my friend tirane fizzled out.... I spent I don't know how many hours trying to figure out just how many strips of each color I need for the random block quilt she is FORCING me to make... just to decide The Heck With IT!!! I'm just going to cut strips and put blocks together,,, it will be REALLY random! Not planned random, but R-A-N-D-O-M... ((grin ))

wonder how that is going to work??

well, I won't know for a few days. We are going to Branson MO to see the sights. I'm not a big fan of Branson,, (been there a couple of times, have a couple of t-shirts) but my husband likes it and my MIL is going, too, so she can see an old friend of hers. This may be the last time she gets to travel like this ( she's a hoot! 80 years old and still getting around ) cause you just .. never.. know. So, wonderful wife and daughter-in-law that I am I'm going.
Hey! I'm off work, won't have to cook or clean and get to go shopping, too! Not that there is a thing I need ( giggles and grins ) but you just never know what I might WANT!

I know there is a big quilt store in Branson, right on the main drag and I'm sure I'm going to have to stop and check it out... not that I NEED anything ( LOL ) but I just might WANT something!

Ya'll have a good week... maybe I'll come back all rested and ready to get those darn blocks done!

(( tirane told me she already has 3 of hers done! ))

I HAVE NEVER BEEN GONE - BUT I'M BACK!!

2009-06-06T10:58:00.009-05:00

I don't know where time flies to but it sure has passed me by. I noticed that it has been about 2-3 weeks since I posted anything.. geez! You would think I haven't been doing anything but lazing around, eating bon-bons and watching red-eye movies with a box of kleenex in my hand. You would be right!! ( yea, I wish... )

Actually, I have been busy busy busy trying to get the Judy Neimeier quilt I started about 2 years ago finished... it will be just beautiful when finally done, and I'm on the very last set of paper pieced sections.

ANYWAY -- do you have friends that entice you into doing things that you JUST DON"T NEED TO BE DOING !!?? Well, my friend tirane,, (very bad girl ) sent me an email with an idea for a quilt and DANG if I didn't jump in with both feet and say " I want to play too!!" ( silly me, why do I do things like this!! I have too many unfinished things now! (( can you hear me whine ?! )) ... do you also see the big grin, just like the cheshire cat )

Check out her blog,,, it shows you what she is doing and she also put up the fabrics that I have planned on using . Hers are all in blacks, very striking! Mine are more... I don't know,,, beiges and teals,,, the aqua is the zinger. and this is the focus fabric

it is so rich looking in person,,, the stripe in the grouping above is a companion piece for the line.

and this is my idea of the quilt Looks just like tirane's
( surprise surprise ) but different colors. it should finish out at 90 x 90..
thought about making smaller blocks ( these are 30 inch total ) and putting in more and making it 100 x 100.. that should fit the bed for sure!

I bet she has already cut her fabric and made the blocks - she is a sewing demon!

But, I'm going to lunch...

later!

STASHBUSTING - Week Whatever

2009-05-17T19:24:00.004-05:00

I'm giggling to myself cause I can never remember what week this is supposed to be for stashbusting - guess it really truly doesn't matter as long as I keep track.

Ya'll would be so proud of me! My LQS was having its annual "Garage Sale" this weekend. The employees gather up all their stuff that they don't want anymore and sell it in the back room of the store - it is ALWAYS a wonderful event!! AND I usually do a pretty good time at buying - remember, these are people who work at the store... so you know the quality is good! And it's not just fabric, but books, magazines, notions, sewing machines,,, anything and everything.. a fun time for all!

Anyway,,, I really thought about taking off work ( a long lunch ) and going Friday, but I said to self, "Self, You know you don't need a thing, not one blessed thing!" and I said to the other self, "Well, I could use some backing fabrics and you know there is always large amounts of fabrics" then I got to thinking about my own personal outlet store down the street, and I was a good girl and stayed at work ( not nearly as much fun! )

Well, Saturday I had to take the dog to the vet and you know the LQS is just down the street ( literally ) so I did stop,, and I looked and I looked and I touched and sighed and touched some more,,, but I was good! I didn't succomb to the Evil Fabric Arm Twister -- Pat me on the back!!

I'm lying,,,

I gave in...

I bought a book and 2-1/4 yards of fabric ( do you see my big grin? ONLY 2-1/4 yards!! I saw this piece and just had to have it... the perfect fabric to make The Amazing Grandson some pillowcases...

and,,, If I had gone on Friday - I might not have seen it! The Evil Fabric Arm Twister got me just a little bit...

2-1/4 yards for $5.00
the smile on The Amazing Grandson's face - priceless!

Turning Twenty - I did another one

2009-05-06T21:27:00.003-05:00

My bee retreat was this past weekend and it was a blast... I never like to cut out anything when on retreat,, the mind just isn't focused to do that ( I'm too busy talking! ) so I cut everything and take pre-cut kits to work on. I figured that I couldn't screw up too much if I did another Turning Twenty, straight seams,, no matching seams,, and this is such a fun pattern for mindless sewing. Get a bunch of fat quarters together, cut them all the same, sew them together and -- WOW another quilt is done. So this was my first project for the weekend and I really did finish it on Friday!! well, everything except one side of the last border,, so I guess I can say I finished it - hey! it's my blog,, I can say it! I was sewing up a storm!! I finished the last border side on Saturday morning... I was quite proud of myself! I got a top finished, talked, ate, and had fun, too! Aren't retreats wonderful!?!

This one I think I'm going to practice some longarm quilting on.... my friend tells me to come try, so I think this is a good one to play with.

I am real happy with how it came out,,, maybe the oranges are a little strong,, but I still like it.

I am going to call this one Tangerine Blues,,, hhmm wonder what is hiding in the stuffed closet that can be the back,,, but I'm going to leave that for another day .

STASHBUSTING - Week Whatever

2009-05-06T21:22:00.003-05:00

yep, I'm still counting how much I use, and I haven't bought anything else. In fact, the 5 fat quarters that I bought a week or so ago are going back to the store... why ruin my winning streak??

No fabric purchased this week
Fabric used this week - 8 yards for Tangerine Blues Turning Twenty. No backing yet picked out
Totals are over to the left...

Golly!! I feel so liberated!! No fabric purchases!!

now if I can only give up chocolate

FINIS !! or finished BEARS IN THE FARMHOUSE

2009-05-06T21:18:00.002-05:00

at least the top is finished! I had a dickens of a time with the borders,,, not enough fabric for what I wanted to use, had to get creative. I think it works,, I think....

anyway,, it's done! Yipee - I'm doing the happy dance! still have to find some backing for it,, but alas, I can't get into the fabric closet and see what I have!! Now THAT is a real problem, right?? To dang much fabric shoved into a closet and you can't even see what you have... I have got to figure something out and remedy this situation ( don't worry, banging my head against the wall will only dent the wall and not my head )

VOILA!!

STASHBUSTER - WEEK WHATEVER

2009-04-26T22:38:00.002-05:00

I never keep track of what week this is for Stashbushing ( thanks Judy Laquidara for making me keep track of how much I use, how much I buy, how much I have ! )

I finished the Bears in the Farmhouse quilt top tonite so I can add in my fabric usage. Haven't pulled any fabric for backing yet, so I won't count that in.

I have been on the wagon and have been trying to not buy any fabric this year - using what I have. I fell off the wagon :( this weekend. I wanted to have JUST THE RIGHT SHADE ( you all know what I mean ) of a salmon-y colored orange.. didn't have it in my stash. I saw that Joann's had FQ on sale for 99 cents so I stopped and ( garsh darn it! ) bought 5 fat quarters. That's a 1-1/4 I purchased.

AND... as luck would have it,, I'm not even sure now that I'm going to use them! I hate to take them back ( yes, still have the receipt and they will take them back ) ... if I took tham back, then I could truly say that I didn't buy any fabric all this year... hhmmm how important is that to me?? It's sorta being a big tight wad if I take back $5.00 ! geez,,, I should just keep the darn things.

Ok, Stashbusting counts
Purchased 1-1/4 yards of fabric
Used 8 yards of fabric this week. This is for the Bears in the Farmhouse quilt top.
Look over to the side of the blog to see the totals for the year. I can tell you that I have truly only purchased the 1-1/4 yards ( 5 fat quarters ) of fabric all year -- WHHOOO HHOOOO!!

BEARS IN THE FARMHOUSE -

2009-04-26T09:38:00.002-05:00

I haven't posted anything in a while cause I have been frustrated - VERY frustrated! I worked so hard on the Bears in the Farmhouse quilt ( from Judy Laquidara's sew along ) ... all was going so well until I got to the last, very last, border. Cut my strips from the fabric that I had selected and (( said those words again )) I just didn't have enough material! Cripes, I hate when that happens!! Sometimes in a quilt, you can sneek in a couple of pieces that are the same color but maybe not the exact pattern, but what do you do when it is the OUTER BORDER !!!

I put the old thinking cap on and tried to come up with an idea to stretch the fabric but not take away from the bears paw pattern ( cause I really liked how that came out ). I wasn't happy when I saw how it was working,,,

I stopped when I laid it on the floor cause I just wasn't happy. Took some pictures to see what I could do,, mulled it over for the past week...

Today I'm thinking that maybe it isn't so bad ! I like how the darker border makes the middle jump out and the stripes in middle of each border don't detract too much. Of course Webster has to put his inspection on it! He is in the upper left corner, just walking away... silly four legged beastie

So, I think I'll keep it,, finish the last side and call it good

Sometimes things work and sometimes they work really well,,, and sometimes, like this time,, you have to talk yourself into it.