Whirl into Winter Giveaway!

The winner of my drawing is littlepeepsmom! Your package will be winging to you this afternoon!

It's winter, and I love winter because I love snowflakes! I'm also loving the chance to have new visitors by having a giveaway, hosted by Debi. Be sure to stop by the main blog for more giveaways.

My giveaway includes: Celtic Geometric Quilts by Camille Remme, a fat-quarter of green-ribbon fabric (ovarian cancer awareness), a 1/2 yard of hand-dyed fabric, and approximately a yard (in 2 pieces) of "In the Beginning... XOXOX Cat" Fabric. Plus some surprises if I can fit anything else in the box. (I have a few template books that look like fun, but that I will never use. They may join in the trip to your home, should I draw your name!) The assistant may contribute something, but she tends to be pretty random (she is 2 3/4 years old, after all). Does this sound like fun to you?

Then come back on or after January 1 and follow the directions to win. I will NOT accept entries left before January 1! The drawing ends January 14 at 12:00 noon my time. I will announce a winner on January 15.

1. Answer this question: What do you love about snow? If you don't answer the question, you can't be entered!

2. Either have your email visible on your profile or leave your email. You will NOT be entered to win if I cannot reply to your comment or enter an email. I will NOT visit your blog and leave a comment there. Last time, I had 150 comments, and that's too many to hunt around for contact information. I NEED AN EMAIL ADDRESS! (I will ship international, so anyone is welcome to enter.)

3. Earn an extra chance to have your name drawn by mentioning my blog in a post on your blog.

from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.

Stash Report Week #52

Gulp. Well, we'll do the report first...

OUT this week: 5 yards
OUT YTD: 183 1/4 yards

IN this week: 38 1/2 yards
IN YTD: 211 1/2 yards

TOTAL YTD: 28 1/4 yards IN

Well, I finished a quilt and a skirt, but Christmas gifts happened. I can't complain, but there goes staying in the "OUT" category for 2008. DH was very generous, and I'm glad to be able to afford fabric. Next year, that may not be the case. After my birthday, I am busting some serious stash! There are some major quilts due in May!

from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.

Christmas Goodies

I hope you all had a merry and blessed Christmas. My family had a wonderful Christmas day - and it's not over until January 6 for Epiphany (and my birthday).

Here you can see the end of my stash-busting efforts for 2008. I'm toast.

These are some lovely fabrics purchased for 50% off at Granny's Attic. Great service, speedy delivery - and 50% off! I bought them, thinking they were supposed to be my birthday gift, and I would have all of 2009 to make up for it, but DH changed up the gift-giving plans...

So here's 38 1/2 yards of fabric, including yardage of the blenders, 1/2 yard cuts of hand-dyed goodies, and 3 star fabrics for my dear sister and for my hexagon project. DH kept one piece of hand-dyed for a later date - and I don't even know what it looks like!

Good thing my parents gave me Judy Hopkin's book 501 Rotary-Cut Quilt Blocks. 501 blocks might make a dent in these fabrics.

I did manage to sew a skirt for my sister and finish a small lap quilt for my dad. (I'm sorry the picture is so dark. When I had the flash on, it was too washed out.) It's made with a Coca-Cola fabric I've had since I was in college, and I've always saved it for "something for my dad." Well, I finally made it! You can see Screamer sitting next to the quilt.

Stash Report Week #51

Nothing in. Nothing out.

Now, I MUST go finish a quilt for Christmas. I'm finishing hand quilting, so it will be close!

from the room of zana's ninis,
katie z.

Living Deliberately

I woke this morning to 2" of snow, with more falling. The weather said it would be a dusting. Dusting? The Assistant is begging to play in it, but it is too cold for Screamer, who would freeze in 2 minutes flat. We'll wait until Screamer's naptime, although that seems an eternity to the Assistant.

I have been debating whether or not to stay at my job. It is terribly difficult for me to work 15-20 hours a week with my girls. I could find a sitter (maybe), but that's not what I want to do... or I don't work and we lose 1/3 of our income for next year. I really enjoy working for the Church (most of the time - there are aspects of my job that pain me), but I don't know if that's better than raising my girls. It's not bad to be poorer.

Besides, DH and I have been talking about materialism, money, living simply, and what we want to teach our girls. Is it better to work when we would need another car (we only have one, and this winter, that is proving to be a challenge), spend more money on eating out because I don't have time to cook or just am too tired? Plus, by next year, I may get pregnant again - if it is God's will.

These last few weeks I have been trying to slow down and enjoy time with the Assistant and Screamer. Last week, I didn't touch the sewing machine until Saturday night. The Assistant thought I must have gone crazy. Who doesn't "nini" everyday?

I am so blessed to have such amazing girls. The Assistant is a drama queen, but she is so helpful and funny - and gosh darn cute! Screamer is her own brand of mischievousness. I can't wait to see what happens when she gets older! And DH, of course, is fabulous.

So I'm going to live deliberately in the moment instead of zoning out with junk and unimportant things. Speaking of which, Screamer says it's time to go.

Stash Report Week #50

I sent away 1/2 yard this week to Jodie.

18 3/4 yards in.

OUT this week: 1/2 yard
OUT YTD: 178 1/4 yards

IN this week: 18 3/4 yards
IN YTD: 173 yards

YTD: 5 1/4 OUT... I still blame the DH.

This week, I hope to finish quilting the blocks for my dad's quilt, then start on the spacer bars... and maybe work on Star Struck.

It is bitterly cold, so I will be working from home tomorrow, so maybe I can sneak in more quilting this week than last. Either way, I am grateful to God that I have a warm home!

from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.

It's Not My Fault

About the 17 yards of fabric... I still maintain it's not my fault. It happened like this: we had to repair our garage door, and it cost significantly less than we were afraid it would, so DH said if we had any money left after buying a new camera, we could go to JoAnn's.

I selected a cutting board (50% off) and sew rotary blades (also 50% off). Then I bought some Kona bleached and unbleached muslin on sale. That would be 10 yards. Then DH looked at the remnants, as they were also 50% off, and picked 3/4 yard upholstery, 3/4 yard polyester (I obviously haven't educated him well enough), and 1/4 cotton sateen. Then I bought 4 yards of a red-striped canvas (with my 50% off coupon) to make grocery bags. Then the assistant and DH picked out a fat quarter bundle of metallic circles - they wanted PINK and I put my foot down. 1 1/4 yard. And a sewing basket that I'm supposed to pretend I don't know about.

Then we got home and I realized the sewing basket (that I don't really know exists) was supposed to be 40% off but didn't ring up that way. That would be $17 I could spend on other stuff! So on Wednesday we went back and...

bought a package of batting (I can't afford a roll), 2 fat-quarters of star/snowflake in yellow (for the quilt I will get started some day), and... another fat quarter bundle of pink and purple chosen by the assistant. I said okay because 2 of the fabrics are stars. I need them for the quilt... 1 3/4 more yards.

At least I have still used more than I (or DH!) bought... and it's not my fault. Besides, when the assistant smuggles half of it away in a box like this, I can't be responsible for it. She may need a few boxes for her stash so I don't count it in mine. (VBG)

Chicken Home

What a day!

To start with, yesterday it was 62 and today it's snowing! The wind is blowing, and we are forecasted to get 2-4". That made me decide I'd better go in to work this morning and not wait for this afternoon. It's not so much snow, but people around here forget how to drive in snow over the summer. The assistant keeps saying, "It's rainin'."

She also says, "Don't wanna watch Chicken work. Wanna watch Chicken Home." I suggested we bring her favorite movie, "Chicken Run," to work so she could watch it while I get ready for tomorrow. She just doesn't want to go to work, but since my mom isn't coming over this afternoon to let me go to work myself (due to the forecast), we're going to have to go this morning!

Then... Screamer pitched herself head-first out of her high chair this morning. She didn't pass out, but - AAAHHH! is all I can say. I think she's okay, but we'll be keeping a special eye on her.

Later today, I will have to tell you about what DH did. That would be buying 17 yards of fabric. For me. To go in my stash. What happened to stash busting?

And, I have a new camera (old...from a pawnshop... but new to me and not $200!), so there will hopefully be a return of quilty pictures. I will have to take pictures of the fabric that was FORCED upon me. Forced, I say! I can take no responsibility for it. It's all his fault! (Hehehe.)

Stash Report Week #49

IN this week: 0 yards
IN YTD: 154 1/4 yards

OUT this week: 1/2 yards
OUT YTD: 177 3/4 yd

TOTAL: 23 1/2 yards OUT!

I finished my camel, 12 blocks quilted, and some work done on Star Struck. All my projects are long and slow at this point, so I'm not expecting any more finishes beyond my dad's quilt. By the end of this week, I may have all the blocks quilted, so there is a chance it will be done for Christmas. If not, Epiphany!

from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.

Yuck!

Apparently I haven't recovered as much as I thought, and I am house-bound again. The assistant is threatening to be sick (please, God, that just wouldn't be fair to her).

On to quilting things... I finished my camel for the Jesse tree. I cut the squares for my Bonnie quilt. I quilted two blocks yesterday. But STOP! That was yesterday, when I felt fine. We'll see what happens today. It's COLD! in the sewing room; I think we might be below 50.

Screamer is having a blast pounding keys on the keyboard and learning to drink out of sippy cups. We learned she LOVES, LOVES, LOVES beans!

from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.

Stash Report Week #48

I bought 6 yards this week, as reported here. Who can resist 40% off the end of the bolt? The assistant has been smuggling away the fat quarters any time she realizes I took them back! We like them.

I gave the aprons away on Thursday when my SiL was here. My mom called yesterday to tell me how much she appreciated all the work I had put into them, and I was so happy. You know how people are when you give a gift, they always say they like it. But Mom went out of her way to let me know, and I'm so glad - I really enjoy giving gifts that people actually appreciate!

IN this week: 6 yards
IN YTD: 154 1/4 yards

OUT this week: 0 yards
OUT YTD: 177 1/4 yd

TOTAL: 23 yards OUT!

DH and I were sick Friday, and I'm still recovering, so my goals may be a bit lofty for me to accomplish, but I'll list them anyhow:

- quilt 12 squares on the Coca-Cola quilt
- cut the squares for my BiL's quilt
- make another Jesse tree ornament

from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.

Stashbusting 2009

Judy, here I go:.

Goal #1: Use more fabric than I buy. Let's go for broke and say 50 yards used more than I buy.

Goal #2: Reduce old pieces that measure less than 1/2 yard by 50%. If I buy new fabric, use it, and end up with less than 1/2 yard left, that's okay.

Goal #3: Buy fabric with only 2 thoughts in mind: I need it for a specific project or it REALLY makes me smile. Not, it's okay or kinda pretty, but the kind that says, "You'll be sick with gut-wrenching guilt if you don't take at LEAST a yard of me home with you." And no buying 1/2 yards or 1/4 yards... unless they're fat quarters for the assistant. I'm making no promises about her stash for the next year. (hehehe)

Goal #4: Make a quilt to donate to charity. This may not seem like a big deal to the really productive quilters out there, but as I don't finish all that many quilts, one is a significant amount of quilting time!

40% Off End of Bolt!

This week a LQS had a sale, 40% of the end of the bolt. If you bought the entire bolt, it was 40% off! I bought two Hoffman pieces of star fabric, one light and one dark, as well as a fat quarter bundle from Blank. The fat quarters are in my favorite color, a turquoise-green. Mmm. It makes me smile just to think about them. That's 6 yards in. They're my reward for working two full day with the Screamer on my hip. The assistant went to a non-family babysitter all day for the first time (twice!) without crying or whining. Whew! I'm so glad work is done for the week. I'm ready for a few days' respite. Maybe I can get some quilting done.

The aprons are going to their new owners this week. I hope they like them as much as I like mine. (As I write this, I am wearing one to protect my clothes from the pear-drooling Screamer. She has discovered fresh pears are her new favorite food!)

I am hand-quilting a Coca-Cola themed quilt for my dad, but I'm pretty sure I won't have it complete by Christmas... maybe a late gift?

Also, DH's Christmas gift arrive today. It's from Maple Grove Gallery, which has wooden objects made by the husband of a quilter, Thearica. Check out his art and her quilts - I'm thrilled with the new present!

Stash Report Week #47

IN this week: 3 1/2 yards
IN YTD: 148 1/4 yards

OUT this week: 0 yards
OUT YTD: 177 1/4 yd

TOTAL: 29 yards OUT!

I didn't have enough background fabric for BiL's quilt, so I bought 3 yards. I also bought 2 1/4 yard pieces of star fabrics for a long-term project (more details soon). This week I have to work all day Monday and Tuesday (I've never been away for 2 whole days - I don't know how the assistant and I will fare), and 1/2 day Wednesday, so we'll see where I can fit in quiltiness.

A happy and blessed Thanksgiving to all!

Motivated to Move Monday!

I'm done with work for the day!!!

I have cut some of the strips for my newest quilt for my dear BiL. I will be using a pattern from Bonnie Hunter's new book, Scraps and Shirttails, called "Star Gazing." I'm excited, even if I won't be able to make it as scrappy as Bonnie. It will be nice to start a new quilt; lately it seems I've done mostly garment sewing. I like the quick finishes, but I love the feeling of satisfaction after a newly finished quilt!

Now if Screamer would go to sleep, that machine could fly!

from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.

Stash Report Week #46

Yesterday, I finished a skirt from the book "Sew What! Skirts" by Francesca Denhartog and Carole Ann Camp that used 3 yards.

OUT this week: 3 yards
OUT this year: 177 1/4 yards

IN this week: 0 yards
IN this year: 144 3/4 yards

YTD: 29 1/2 yards OUT!

Stash Report Week #45 & Halloween

Let's see if blogger cooperates as I some belated pictures to upload! Make sure you look because I may not post pictures of my girls ever again... I'm paranoid, you know, but these are so cute I need to share!

Stash report first:
IN this week: 1 1/4 yard purple star & calico
IN this year: 144 3/4 yards

OUT this week: 4 1/4 yards
OUT this year: 174 1/4 yards

YTD Total: 29 1/2 yards !!!

I finished a hat from Amy Butler and 2 more aprons. Hopefully the aprons are done for a while (at least until DH thinks of another woman who needs one!).

Here's a picture of the fabric I talked about last week.

Then... you know that holiday called Halloween? We were on our own (DH out of town), but I snapped a few pictures of the assistant, lovely as a fairy, and Screamer, who lived up to her nickname! She was supposed to be a cat, but she refused to wear the costume so she didn't trick-or-treat. She's too young for candy anyhow, so she says, "Dang, Mama, what were you thinkin'? Who said I wanted a fuzzy, scratchy hat on my head? I sure didn't! Geroff!"

The assistant said, "I don't want to be a cat." Forget that DH's aunt was lovely and bought cute costumes for both girls. No, no cat today. Instead, "Pretty." Okay, so we'll be a fairy in a borrowed costume. I can do that. We have tights, we have a sweater... we have FACE PAINT? That was for cat faces, not fairies. Sigh. So, we have face paint. What to do for a fairy? I was inspired by bingo-bonnie's face painting at her fall festival. One complication. The assistant still sucks her thumb, and hooks her forefinger over her nose when she does. Okay, re-apply the makeup 3 times before we actually ask for candy.

Of course, she's so beautiful that I can't help but share pictures with you.

Finally Friday

It's 57 in the house this morning, but now we have a lovely fire going... I like having a blanket and quilt on the bed at night! It's 40 outside, and sunny. I think winter only gets to me when it's cloudy for weeks on end.

We don't have to work today!!! Instead, we are relaxing in the living room. The assistant is watching "Nemo" (last week her favorite was "Chicken Run"), and I am going to work on the forbidden "A" word... APRON!

This weekend, my MiL is coming, so there won't be much quilting going on, but the girls will be in heaven!

What a great day!

from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.

Smiles

The assistant now insists on wearing her hair in 2 braids with a "tail" on her forehead - it looks like she has a horn or she's a Who from "When the Grinch Stole Christmas!"

Here's a BRIGHT! picture of a log cabin quilt I made last year (or the year before?). It's currently being saved for my younger sister, who may (I hope! I like the boy!) get married in the next few years. She loved it when I finished it, so it will be for her wedding gift. It's nice for a gloomy day like today.

Stash Report Week #44

This week, I had 2 finishes and 2 buys/gifts...

I purchased 5 yards of fabric from Peggy Toole when I discovered the fabric I was longing for was out of print... (pictures to follow when I have a camera and computer in the same place!)

Then, Karol-Ann sent me a fat quarter of lovely star fabric because I sent her some roses for her hexagon rose quilt. That was so kind of her!

I finished the scrap quilt... by turning it into a duffle-type bag for DH's enormous T-shirt quilt (8'x9'). That was 6 yards out, since I line it with old fabric instead of batting.

I also finished a skirt for another 3 yards out.

Therefore...

IN this week: 5 1/4 yards
IN YTD: 143 1/2 yards

OUT this week: 9 yards
OUT YTD: 170 yards

TOTAL: 26 1/2 OUT!

I have no plans to buy more fabric in the near future, but hope to work towards many more projects before year's end: a Coca-cola themed quilt for my dad, a hat using the Amy Butler Blue Sky Hats pattern, skirts for my sisters, 2 aprons for my MiL and step-MiL. Maybe I can convince DH to watch the girls so I can take part in Judy's quiltathon in 2 weeks! (Shh... don't laugh. I'm dreaming here!)

Funky Friday

My dreams become really bizarre when I haven't slept decently for two days. Woo! My daughters have had nasty cold/allergy illnesses in which they cry half the night. When they each take different times to wake up, that means I'm awake most of the night. The poor things; I hope they sleep better tonight for their own sakes. They look so miserable with runny noses and red eyes.

The weather has been warmer for the last two days, which is a good thing as I haven't turned on the heat yet. I should have earlier in the week, but DH and a friend are seeing who can go longer without turning on the heat. We have had a fire in the fireplace every day for a week or so, but today it's 66 in the house when we woke up.

Yesterday, when I was waiting for the assistant to fall asleep for naptime, I finished a new skirt from Indygo Junction, the Great Fit Gored Skirt. I added a waistband, pocket, and 4 inches in length, and I like it! The skirt was made with fabric DH bought me for Mother's Day. I'm going to make a different pattern out of the same fabric for my older sister and maybe my younger - at least I have 5 or so yards of it left. (DH bought the rest of the bolt.) I'm also going to scrounge in the short lengths of fabric for some pieces I can seam together to make the Amy Butler hat pattern I have.

I'm going to make a Coca-Cola quilt for my dad to have something to hand quilt this winter. When it's cold, my sewing room is 49 F or later - so cold my fingers won't work - so I'm trying to get a few projects to stages where I can mostly work on them downstairs, where the heat actually warms the house!

Happy All Hallows Eve!

from the room of Zana's Ninis,
Katie Z. (with a fairy & baby cat next to me!)

Stash Report Week #43

OUT this week: 6 1/4 yards
OUT YTD: 161 yards

IN this week: 0 yards
IN YTD: 138 1/4 yards

TOTAL YTD: 22 3/4 yards OUT!!!

I finished the CR pillow cases for 5 yards out. Then I finished these bags for another 1 1/4 yards out.

This week, I have one main goal. I had offered DH a deal: when he drained the water heater, I would make him a carrying bag for our picnic blanket and a tool bag for his bike. He drained the water heater, even if it then proceeded to die on us, and he fixed the leaky toilet this week, saving me from another call to the plumber! I'm going to take the small scrap top I just finished, fold it in half, and make a long bag for the T-shirt quilt that we use as our outdoors blanket.

Then I will work on a new skirt for myself. It's getting cold outside, and I can never find long skirts in the stores for reasonable prices. When we visited Omaha this summer, I picked up a new skirt pattern at a quilt shop and want to try it out!

I love Sunday.

from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.

KU Bags complete!

I finished my KU bags today: a tote bag with an inner and outer pocket, a small purse (for the assistant, who loves purses), and a lunch bag-type gift bag. I think they turned out fabulously, and I used 3/4 yard KU fabric and 1/2 yard matching red.

You can see my assistant's kitchen in the background. It takes up as much space in the sewing room as the sewing machine table! She doesn't approve of me cleaning her kitchen, so it is in a nearly-perpetual state of disarray. That's okay. I'm not allowed to cook in it either!

We have been awake since 4 a.m. (except for a nap from 5:30-7 a.m.) because Screamer (DD#2) woke up at 4 and refused nursing or a dark room as incentives to sleep. A mighty storm blew through around then, so that may be partly to blame. She actually laughed a good part of the time, so I can't complain.

So, Monday was a new water heater. Guess what today is? A leaky toilet! We are doing our part to support the economy! Fortunately, it's not leaking so severely that I have to turn off the water to the toilet. Things could be much worse.

It is a good day today!

from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.

Tuesday Thoughts

It's raining... not pouring... but I'm inside and dry!

Yesterday we had to get a new water heater. I hope this one lasts longer than 6 years!

We rode DH's bike to work today. The newest repair has not met his approval yet, and since I pull the 2 girls in a trailer behind me, we need to be safe. DH's bike is almost too high for me, but soon we'll get my bike functioning again. Either way, it's twice as fast as walking while pulling a wagon!

The pillow cases are complete but not really picture worthy. I'm glad they're done.

The assistant is sporting a new KU purse, but nobody in this house even likes KU! I'm a Cornhusker by birth, and DH is an A&M fan by birth. But... the assistant's godmother loves KU, and she's getting some new KU goodies next time we see her. I have the gift bag finished and will make a tote bag for her this week.

I have a dilemma... my scrap quilt is too blue and black in one corner while the rest is brights. I don't want to frog it to replace it, but am toying with either applique or bias tape of a different color to break it up. Pictures will follow.

Did you know the socks replicate in DH's office and on his side of the bed? I promise, that must be the answer for the number of socks I washed today! At least most of them have mates. I've never liked the unfinished feeling of having unmated socks atop the dryer.

It's a good day!

from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.

Stash Report Week #42

Well, my week wasn't as... naughty... as Judy's, but I bet she had fun being naughty!

This week my giveaways completed, and I sent something to a blogger just because. That was 3 yards out.

Then, my pushing buttons from last week resulted in some hand-dyedish Robert Kaufman (3 1/2 yards) and some XOXO the Cat fabric (2 1/2 yards) as well as the Blue Sky Hats pattern by Amy Butler. I like it. I ordered from Hancock's of Paducah and was a little disappointed. Maybe I was just in a bad mood that day because everyone else seems to love them. (Shrug.) That was 6 yards in.

Then... then... then! I finished my newest quilt for a grand 22 yards out! Do you see what it's made of? That's right... Crown Royal bags. Not that I drank any of it... I don't really like alcohol. Next week I will finish the pillow shams and throw out any extra, and that will yield 5 more yards out. I solemnly swear never to make another quilt like this again, no matter how much money I make from it.

Now I may buy fabric again this week. Peggy Toole just found some snowflake fabric I would love, and she asked how many yards I want to buy. I don't know! She has a whole bolt. How much would you buy?

OUT this week: 25 yards
OUT this year: 154 3/4 yards

IN this week: 6 yards
IN this year: 138 1/4 yards

YTD: 16 1/2 yards out!

On the non-quilty side of my life, I was able to repair my bike all by my little self. DH thinks I didn't, but as long as I can ride it! I have been cleaning our yard to prepare for winter, and sent a truck-bed full of stuff to donate to a thrift store.

Ryan's Star

Because I have nothing current to post about, I thought I would show you a picture of one of my favorite quilts. It has a little bit of a melancholy story, fitting for the wet and cold weather outside today!

It's named "Ryan's Star" after a friend of my brother. He had to fly through a storm on the way home from a trip with friends; he and his dad died. He wanted to be an Air Force pilot but never had the chance, so I made a quilt full of stars in remembrance of his dreams.

My brother graduated from high school almost 2 years ago, and I hand quilted this all through the winter to finish it in time.

All the stars are from my selection of star fabrics. I think the color wash turned out well, with the one bright blue star in the middle so that the stars don't blend together too much.

I'm going to try to sneak in a nap now while the girls are both down.

from the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.

Stash Report Week #41

Stash report first:
In this week: 6 yards
In YTD: 132 1/4 yards

Out this week: 0 yards
Out YTD: 134 3/4

TOTAL YTD: 2 1/2 OUT!

I have a top complete (pictures will follow later). I purchased the backing and batting this week, and will soon have to cut the last of the companion fabric to make pillow shams. Then I can auction this thing and be done with it! Can you tell I don't like it?

I would like to stay in the "OUT" range for fabric this year, bit I have a fabric shipment arriving this week for my MsIL aprons, and I don't think I will have any finishes this week. DH is going to be out of town or gone 5 of 7 days.

Next on the docket at the Ugh quilt are: a KU gift bag, tote, and purse for the assistant's godmother, and that's 1 1/4 yard so far. My giveaway ends Wednesday, and that will be at least another 1 1/2 yards out. I think after that will be my scrap quilt. I am tired of odd sewn-together bits linger in my desk.

And the adventure of the week is: I took a ride on my bike with DH and the girls. This was only the 2nd time I've ever ridden the bike, and halfway up the hill to get back to our house the ENTIRE pedal shaft came off! What????? I'm just glad I didn't fall down with my 7-month-old on the back!

Stash Report Week #40

The aprons are finally complete. That's 15 3/4 yards out. While my camera is apparently broken irreparably, I have borrowed DH's and hope to keep it unbroken!

There are aprons for my mom, sisters, & SIL in the first picture. The other picture (taken in my bathroom!) is the 2 aprons for myself, the 2 aprons for my daughters (on the outside), and for my new niece! The pictures are hurriedly taken because the assistant wanted to help and open the shower curtain.

I also went to the shop hop this weekend. I think I counted 28 7/8 yards in from that. Some of the fabric I will be using for a second place drawing in my giveaway if I receive 100 comments.

The first picture shows, on the right, fabrics I purchased for my BIL's quilt (if he likes the fabric). I don't usually work in those colors, so please let me know what you think. Do they "go"? I am going to use a pattern from Bonnie Hunter's new book - I received it in the mail before I went shop hopping and was thrilled to find a pattern I love. I know she uses scraps, but I just don't have enough scraps to make a full quilt of lights and darks.

On the left are mostly fabrics I purchased for myself, although the white is for a baby quilt and the black is for my dad's quilt. I really like the snowflake fabrics and the green-on-white dragonfly fabric. It just made me smile when I saw it.Then there are all these fat quarters. I bought some of them because the assistant needed something to carry around in the stores. I made it to six stores, and she came with me to five. Whew! I collect snowflake, star, and turquoise fabrics for myself, and most of these fit one of those descriptions.
That would make my totals for the year:
OUT This week: 15 3/4 yds
OUT YTD: 134 3/4 yds

IN this week: 28 7/8 yds
IN YTD: 126 1/4 yds

YTD: 8 1/2 yards OUT!

I don't feel guilty about my purchases because I'm still ahead, and I don't really have a huge stash. I could probably fit all of my cotton fabrics in 3 or 4 large plastic containers. I tried to buy only what I really loved for myself, and the few freebies I got are just fun to add in. Maybe I will win a prize, and then wouldn't that be fun to share with you! I also received a free pattern and bought another. Maybe later this week I will snap a photo and show you. The assistant is crying out of exhaustion (She says she doesn't want to wear a diaper; she wants to wear panties. I can't let that happen since she isn't even remotely toilet-trained.) so it is time to go to bed!

Aprons Completed!

I now have 9 beautiful aprons finished. 7 are above my sewing table, telling me to give them away earlier than Christmas (who wants to wait to give away fabulous homemade and totally beautiful things?). I am wearing one, and the last I laid across the rocker downstairs last night when I was getting ready for bed. Not a single one is identical, and I am happy with how all but one turned out. As soon as I have a camera, I will post a picture.

I am also excited that work is over for the week! I am ready to shop the hop this weekend (if I get to go!). I can replace all this fabric that has left my stash - 15 and 5/8 yards!!!

The girls are sleeping, so I was able to finish some volunteer work this afternoon. Tomorrow I will be able to finish it off, and then I will be good to go. Whew.

Now the only problem is to decide what to make for dinner. I've cooked every day this week, so I would love to say to myself, "Self, you've earned a break. Eat out!" but then I worry about spending all the food money before the end of the month. Then I say, "Self, if you didn't let DH convince you to eat out so much, you wouldn't worry about the money." And now I say, "Self. Really. Should you be talking to yourself like this? Isn't it unhealthy?"

Stash Report Week 39

I'm typing this a day early because I must work Sunday morning. Sadness. I don't like to work on Sundays.

I finished all 3 of the little girl aprons this week, and have 2 adult aprons (although I think it may be 3, because I want to make one of each pattern for myself). When I am finished with all the aprons, there will be another 15 1/3 yards or more out of my stash. I will still have about 2 1/2 yards of each of the main fabrics left, but that will be perfect for a few quilts. Yeah!

I cut up an old apron I made several years ago. It was poorly made, and I like the fabric, so that is 3/8 yd returned to my stash (the rest went to the trash).

Next week I will (hopefully) be participating in a shop hop, even though I can't possibly make it to all 10 shops by myself with the 2 girls. I couldn't have the main prize anyone (a quilting retreat for me and a friend) because I couldn't leave my baby for a weekend, and I don't have any friends who quilt to take with me! Plus, gas prices are bad... I do have plans on visiting at least one shop new to me and one old shop that has the most amazing selection I've ever seen. Then there will be more in fabric! I have some special projects to start shopping for: a new baby blanket, fabric for a quilt for a brother-in-law, a solid royal blue to match a print I have for a new skirt for me, and a black solid or print to go with a Coca-cola print for my dad. It will be fun looking! Plus, I always love snowflake (for me), star (for DH), butterfly (assistant), and turquoise fabrics!

IN this week: 3/8 yard
IN YTD: 97 3/8

OUT this week: 0 yd
OUT YTD: 119 yd

Total YTD: 20 5/8 OUT!!!!

Fall into Fall Giveaway!

I will no longer be accepting comments. The 3 winners have been drawn. The first name my assistant drew was:
Jan of Quilter Jan! These goodies will be winging your way as soon as I receive your snail mail address.

Then the assistant drew out this name:
Wilma L.!

And finally, for the surprise final giveaway:
Kari of The redhead in the corner.!

Today I am having my first giveaway to celebrate Fall. Debi has gathered some fine quilters to host as many giveaways as possible, so please check out the link to the Fall into Fall blog and enter them all!

I will be giving away the lovely items you see pictured here. I have pink as a theme because my niece was born last month, and that's a cause for celebration! There are thee (3) hand-dyed fat quarters from rainbowfabrics.com from their "Rainbow Frost" selection, a spool of Finca no. 16 thread from Presencia and another of pink thread also (I think) from Presencia. Then there is the Quilters' Catalog and two patterns, Pina Colada and Feedsack Kaleidoscope.

Here are the rules to enter in this lovely giveaway:
1. Leave a comment if you would like to enter. Make sure I can email you from your profile, or, if you don't have a blog, leave your email address in your comment so I can contact you if you are the winner. I will not leave comments on blogs to let you know you won, so if I can't email you, you can't win!

2. Your comment must be posted by 10:00 am on October 15. A winner will be drawn on October 15 by my assistant. (She might try to take away the goodies, but I promise I won't let her!) I will post by evening the winner and contact you via email.

3. You can double your entry by talking about this giveaway in a post and linking to my blog. Make sure you let me know in your comment so I can enter you twice.

From the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.

Stash Report Week 38

Nothing in, nothing out.

2 aprons finished (the total will be included in a few weeks when all the aprons are done)

1 crocheted blanket finished!

Unfortunately, my camera broke, so there will be no pictures for a while!

Crocheting and Play-Doh

Why is it that Play-Doh ends up everywhere no matter how hard you try to keep it on the table? At least I find it when it's dry, so it's easy to clean. The assistant recently discovered the joys of this malleable clay but doesn't like the "snakes" it makes coming out of the dough machine. Usually she likes snakes, even real ones!

I finished 2 more aprons this week but am unhappy with the new pattern I tried. Hopefully I can find a way to fix it. I have 2 more adult aprons & 3 baby aprons left.

Currently, I'm trying to finish a crocheted blanket I started for DD2 when she was born, six months ago. I'm adding a cool border to it, and will post pictures when I finish!

Stash Report Week #37

The tree skirt is finished, binding and all! Woohoo! That's 14 3/4 yards out this week. It has 62 stars, ranging from the 21" feathered star using the pattern by Marcia Hohn to 7 - 2" star blocks I made with no pattern. It is quilted in 4 pieces, each starting with a small circle that spirals out, at the request of DH. Unfortunately, that caused problems with the backing, so I had to do a few patches at the end due to wrinkles and puckers. Since I usually don't machine quilt, I think it looks pretty good. In fact, I think it looks pretty awesome in the picture (maybe even better than when I look at it in real life, since I look at the individual blocks and mistakes).

I also made an apron this week, the first of 8. I am making Christmas gifts for myself, mom, sisters and sister-in-law, as well as my 2 daughters and my niece. It should be fun! I won't count that yardage until they're all done because there will be so many scraps and bits that may get used in the next one... I'm making my mom's next!

IN this week: 0 yd
IN YTD: 97 yd

OUT this week: 14 3/4 yd
OUT YTD: 119 yd

TOTAL: 21 YD OUT YTD!

From the room of Zana's Ninis,
katie z.

Stash Report Week #36

Nothing in, nothing out this week. I have 2 sides left to bind on the tree skirt, so next week there should be a major bust!

My 2nd Quilt

This is the second quilt I ever made. The first might be too awful to display (and I don't have a picture of it anyhow!). This quilt is a bowtie pattern, 9 blocks x 11 blocks, slightly too short to be called a proper twin, but it was for me to take to college. I made it from scraps leftover from clothes-making and from remnants I bought at Hobby Lobby. It has no batting and very little quilting. Eek! I thought about it today as I was working on the tree skirt...

That led me to think about the tolerate-hate (as opposed to "love-hate") relationship I have with my sewing machine. It is a Singer 6211 I inherited when my step-grandmother died. On a good day, my machine and I can get our business done. That is, if I don't sew for too long (it overheats) and frequently check the needle screw (or the needle falls out). My regular foot now falls off any time I try to use it, so I have a plastic food made for ??? and I use it. It might be close to a 1/4", but I wouldn't bet a seam on it. On a bad day, I hate my machine - the tension is awful, it can't do any fancy sewing (woohoo - I did a wide zigzag!), and the pedal burns my foot if I sew too long. I can't afford a new machine. Grr. Today I had to stop quilting because the machine was overheating. Oh, and I do get it cleaned occasionally, but that's 'spensive too!

My assistant is sick and just says "hold me," so that's what I'm doing!

Stash Report Week #35

This week I quilted 3/4 of my tree skirt, so the quilting will be finished this week! Hurrah! I used 2 spools of thread, but no fabric finishes, so my totals are the same as last week:

out: 0
out YTD: 104 1/4 yd out

in: 0
in YTD: 97 yd in

YTD total: 7 1/4 yd OUT!

This week I will finish quilting the tree skirt and begin binding the edges.

Crazy Anne's Log Cabin

When I was a senior in college, I gathered a group of girls to teach them how to quilt. My roommate decided to make a log cabin quilt and started that year. Now, these "several" years later, she sent me a box with complete blocks, partial blocks, and strips. Wowee! What I didn't know about fabric when I helped her start this!

After making accommodations for her not-quite-1/4" seam allowances, I used her fabric to create this log cabin "sampler," named Crazy Anne's Log Cabin quilt. It's 6' x 6' and completed this spring when I was scrambling to complete unfinished projects. To make the back, I used leftover fabric she had sent me as well as a variety of florals that I thought worked. It was an interesting experiment.

Stash Report

This week I finished my placemats. That's another 8 yards out of the stash and into use. They're less than perfect (my machine quilting is flawed) but they were good practice for the tree skirt! When I have a chance, I'll post a picture of them.

I also began quilting my red and cream tree skirt for this Christmas. It's going to take me a few weeks to finish it (probably more than a month!), but that will be another 14+ yards out of stash when I complete it.

In this week: 0 yards
In YTD: 97 yards

Out this week: 8 yards
Out YTD: 104 1/4 yards

YTD total: 7 1/4 yards out!

Zana's Ninis

Blog post number 1... My daughter calls sewing and quilting "nini-ing" so this is my Nini blog!

I have been quilting for almost 9 years, and sewing for probably 18.

Here's a (poor) picture of my "Celtic Knotwork" quilt that I made for a friend's wedding in 2007-2008.