Finished Quilt: Optical Illusion

 I started with a fabulous pile of fabric from Vicki.

I cut three strips in each color for each size.  While I made more light strips since they were skinnier, I’m not sure I love that in the finished quilt.

Strips sets are such fun to whip out.  Also, I was thrilled to find the fabric needed no extra starch to cooperate.

Subcutting is always a little nerve wracking as I generally don’t have much wiggle room to correct miscuts.  This took a full panel and a second half panel of strips to complete.

As this is a baby quilt, I didn’t want it to be stiff, so one set of quilting lines was sufficient.

The baby pink binding was Spunky’s choose.  I would have chosen a deep pink, but the light pink really does look lovely.

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

Stash Report Week #4 and 15 Minutes

 I’ll be brief, as the stomach bug has returned? with a vengeance for the baby.

I finished a stocking and a baby quilt.  It would be lovely to finish another quilt in February, but given how far my current projects have to go, it seems unlikely.  I’ll remind myself of that when I’m dreaming of new fabrics for new quilts - finish something first!

IN this week: 0 yards

OUT this week: 3 3/4 yards

IN YTD: 5 1/4 yards

OUT YTD: 6 yards

YTD Total: 3/4 yards OUT

So far for 2023, my 15 minutes a day record is perfect.  The sick one has kept me sitting more than usual, so I keep stitching!

from the room of Zana’s Ninis,

katie z.

Savoring the Blues

 I have 45 new box blocks for January, and probably 15-20 more cut.  I didn’t use up all my 2” strips, but I did exhaust the variety.

I finished 30 16 patch blocks.  They are very cheerful and will make splendid quilts with all the other colors.

My mission today is piece this block.  Sneaky Pete celebrates his 100th day in kindergarten at the end of the week, so his shirt will have 100 different fabrics on it.

I also have a binding to finish.  This is another optical illusion quilt and the baby is due in a few weeks, so I would like to wrap it up.

Finally, Sneaky Pete asked for a new stocking.  “His” color (we sort stockings, dishes, sunglasses, and towels for the seven kids by color) is yellow, but his old stocking is blue and brown and, let’s be frank, not very attractive.  So I finished this one yesterday and packed up the last of the Christmas bits this morning.

I’m not sure what my pink scrap status is, but I’m quite sure there won’t be as many pinks as I have blues!

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

Stash Report Week #3 and 15 Minutes

 I finished the first hexagon star of the year!  It’s hard to believe that, if I keep on track, I will be ready to plan the assembly for this project.  So far, 21 of 21 days for 2023.

The first spool of the year is emptied.

IN this week: 5 1/4 yards

OUT this week: 2 1/4 yards

YTD Total: 3 yards IN

I’ve upended my stash report.  Fortunately, it’s early in the year and I know I’ll have plenty of finishes.  I ordered some fabric from Vicki and already have a pile cut and ready to sew.  I lined a purse for the Assistant, completed the bojagi curtain, and hemmed a medallion fabric for Spunky.

from the room of Zana’s Ninis,

katie z.

Day Dream

 Our last few experiences with the stomach bug have been odd.  We went almost an entire week from the onset of the first case to the second one.  I’m hopeful the rest of the kids will avoid it, and I’m grateful I’ve avoided it so far, as I had dental work done Friday and didn’t have to reschedule!

In quilting news (which is by far more cheerful), I have all my four patches sewn into eight patches and pinned to make 16 patches!  It’s all ways interesting to try to keep the same fabric from repeating, and somehow it always does anyway.  I remind myself that random does not mean no repetition.

I cut another stack of blue box blocks this week, and even now the blue stack has plenty more to contribute.  So far there are 35 assembled.  If life cooperates, I’ll cut one more large pile before the end of the month.

In bojagi news, I finished the purple jogakbo curtain for Spunky, and we’re both quite happy with the results.  Each panel is quite different from the others.  I’m currently sewing together any random bits from my previous Bojagi projects.  I have no plans for its final destination, but it will hold lots of wishes for happiness by the time it’s complete.

It’s another good year for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  Last year I’m pretty sure I added more to my scrap boxes than I used.

Stash Report and 15 Minutes Weeks #1-2

 Oops.  My post didn’t get written last week.  There wasn’t anything to write.  The stash report is at 0, as is the thread count for the year, and I’ve remembered/had time to work on hand stitching each day.  The first star of the year is almost complete!

from the room of Zana’s Ninis,

katie z.

Rainbow Scrap Challenge: Piles

I have piles of blocks and block parts for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge this week.  All my 2.5” blue squares are now four patches.  To me, they are quite an impressive collection; I didn’t expect to have enough for a quilt after the first month, but I may.

I have 25 more box blocks, mostly in teals but some in plain blue as well.  These are my leader and ender project for the year.  I’m determined to keep making them for the year to build multiple quilts instead of enough for just one lap quilt midway through the year.  My 2” scraps need attention before they take over the scrap shelf!

Finally, the purples squares are slowly piling up.  I need 16 “blocks” to assemble this panel.  Last night, I planned the last two, so next week should see some assembly.  Each block has three squares, and I’m trying to position them differently in each block.  With a 7”x11” block, there are some limits, but I’ve enjoyed the challenge.  I confess I will never understand how leaving a bojagi project on the floor (or any other collection of blocks) always coincides with my floor being absolutely filthy.  The dirt and food bits (I’m not far from the kitchen, and my 3 year old wanders when he snacks) are always worst when I have things on the floor!

 Unfortunately, I may not have a chance to sew much today.  My fourth turns 10!! today, so I have a cake and pretzels to bake.  Unfortunately, another child has a stomach bug, so I also need to monitor that.  I’m hoping no one else ends up sick, but that seems unlikely.

from the room of Zana’s Ninis,

katie z.

Rainbow Scrap Challenge: Beginnings

Returning to school and work this week was both a struggle and a good thing.  I do wish BJ would stop waking up at 5 am!  I’m not ready to get moving quite that early, especially in the dark days of winter.  I should get out of bed when he comes in so early and read or sew, but I don’t.

My blue 2.5” squares are sorted and mostly paired with cream squares.  I’m interested to see just how many 16 patches I have at the end of the month, as these blue squares feel never ending.

I have spent plenty of sewing time plotting these purple blocks.  While they aren’t blue, they are certainly from my scraps.  I need 16 “blocks” to make the final panel for under my daughter’s loft bed.

My other Rainbow Scrap sewing is a little more on the turquoise side.  I had those 2” scraps pulled out already, but when the blocks sets I cut run out, I’ll return to blue scraps.

from the room of Zana’s Ninis,

katie z.

 

Stash Report and 15 Minutes Summary for 2022

 2022 saw 24 quilts and a few more Bojagi panels finished.  I started with goals of using at least 100 yards and using twice what I purchased.  In the end, I succeeded:

IN this year: 111 1/2 yards

OUT this year: 229 1/4 yards

2022 Total: 117 3/4 yards

I also worked on some form of hand stitching 354 of 365 days this year.  2023 will be the last year the hand pieced hexagons are portable enough for me to carry around to appointments, so by the end of the year I’ll have a new project ready to go in the car.

In 2023, the goal of hand stitching 15 minutes a day will continue.  I also plan to try for using twice what I purchase again this year.  I would like all my fabric to fit neatly in one section of my closet so that it’s easier to select fabrics for projects.

from the room of Zana’s Ninis,

katie z.