And sew on or otherwise known as She won't be featured on Hoarders!!

This time last year found me moving in the heat wave of the year. And sew it goes this year too. No, not moving in, but moving around! And another heat wave!

As you might (or not) remember, when I moved, it took an entire POD to move my fabric and junk, sewing supplies, machines and all the stuff that goes with what we do.

Just the beginning, it got filled to the brim!

We moved in such a short time period, and Hubby was away at Mayo Clinic, so when it all got to the new house, it got carried to the unfinished part of the house.  And then it waited for me to get it all organized.  Since that time, we've had more stuff moved in the same part of the basement from my father in-laws place and of course more stuff just multiplied from here and there and everywhere.  And it's still waiting.  Part of the problem has been our indecision on whether to spend the millions finish the daylight basement or not.  It's a lovely space, with adequate light for a stewdio, and it would be nice, but.....I just can't see the money spent there now.

So over the last year, I have waffled tried to decide how to store my fabric and supplies without spending much money.  A long time ago when my "resource center" was in it's infancy, I had a nice system that I could use with it folded flat and stacked in a closet on an installed Rubbermaid shelving unit.  That just doesn't work anymore.  Not only do I not have a closet I can devote to this addiction fabric, but I have far more than will fit in a normal size closet!

Showing you my stash is indeed like showing you my underwear drawer, ratty panties and all.  But someone once told me that if you need to change something you don't like,  you have to face up to what you were doing before that wasn't working.  So here is what ISN'T working!

Resource center explosion!

Over the years, as we've moved, the "resource center" has grown, not only in size but in personality.  There are fabrics for applique. You know those right away.  They are the ones with the hole cut out of the center part or just inside the edge because the design was just perfect for that flower or leaf, right?  There are bolts of fabric with 4+ yards on them to be used for borders and/or backings.  They are the ones where the price was so good you couldn't afford not to save that much, right?  And then there are the fat quarter sets purchased here and there that all matchy matchy and make you feel good when you pet them.  Of course, there are those that you just got because they were pretty, or on sale, or you thought you needed it.  There's the staples of the stash - the neutrals, the solids - the workhorses of most of my quilts.  There are the kids that don't want to play with the others: Aunt Gracie's 30's, orientals, batiks, novelties.  Those of course, must be kept separate from the others to keep them from fighting amongst themselves.

The last organization system I used was  those great big tubs you see in the moving picture.  It sort of worked out OK.  The house we were in facilitated the storage of them easily, and I got so busy with health issues in the family, I never had to pull them out to use them much.  I just worked out of my scraps or projects in process.  When I did use them, I just left the fabric out, and usually the stuff came spilling onto the floor, never to be put away.  That is, until we moved.  And that brings me back to the point of this post!

I have finally decided that I am not going to wait until I have my mind made up on finishing the 1200 square feet downstairs for my studio.  I've decided to start my organization with what I have, with minimal outlay of cash unless the system can "grow" into a new space - or not.  Here's what got me so inspired: http://www.sewwequilt.com/2010/10/welcome-to-my-underwear-drawer.html   

OK, so I have shelving units, not quite like hers, but they are workable for now.  So that's a go. The BIG tubs had to be winnowed down to something usable and at a reasonable cost.  I found a really good deal on the exact right size tubs at Target and used my Red Card for a 5% discount on top of that. So a couple of weeks of stopping at all the local Targets got me the number of tubs I think I need.  And then I took the plunge.  I brought a tub sack upstairs and began sorting batiks by color.....

Mayo just can't figure this out!

And after a short period of time, another shopping bag and a small tub turned into this:

And it feels soooooo good!

Then it was onto the Aunt Gracie's.  I had no idea that Aunt Gracie had brought all her cousins to town and were sleeping in at least two tubs and who knows in what boxes that are still to be found!

Ruler folding as described in sewwequilt.com/2010

One large tub, 2 shopping bags and a handful of scraps later.

My goal is to work on at least one tub per week.  BUT!  I kept running across large cuts of fabric and I just couldn't justify putting them into the smaller bins.  So, another pile got started until I found a solution.  And a solution was found just last week!  I was at our guild's quilting bee, and Roberta mentioned these mini-bolts she had purchased at a show that seemed would be just the ticket.  They are from Polar Notions, are acid free, reusable and easy to use.  Besides, they work beautifully.  I decided anything larger than 2 yards would be on one of these bolts.  And even better, they fit onto my existing book shelves, so no new storage shelves will be necessary!  Everytime I walk by a pile of yardage, I bring it upstairs, wrap it on the bolt (they hold 15 yards), and voila!  Stored!!!!

(45 yards)  This is just the beginning - notice the sewing machine to the left to give you an idea of the size.

Now you know what I've been doing with my time.  I'm tired, but energized at the same time about getting all this under control.  How about you?  Are you willing to share your stash hoard resource center?  Any things that work for you?

More quilts from Wichita KS

I have a lot more to share this week, so I'll get right to it and share some more of my favorites from the Wichita KS quilt show. The first one is another one that I'd like to make. I love the scrappiness as well as the geometric pattern. Does anyone know this pattern? I'm sure think I can figure it out, but if someone else has, I'd like to reward them by buying THEIR pattern!

Wowsers!  I love this one too!

Does anyone know the pattern for this?

Stunning Spiderweb!

Do you see what makes the spiderwebs?

Love the quilting as well as the borders.

Another "must make"! 

Another version.

Three friends made these - this one is called Taco Chips - cute, eh? 

Another geometric I love.

Beautiful quilting, too.

Interesting way to use this border print.

Can you see how I am drawn to strong contrast geometrics? 

Simple quilting enhanced the diagonal lines.

A simple cut of fabric all dolled up with an innovative border.

And I think the flowers were ragged edge cut from mor of the fabric and then appliqued on.

Look at that quilting!

A few crystals here and there enhanced the design. 

The circles were tacked on.

That's it for today's entry.  Next up will be my fun weekend of Color....and maybe some more quilts!

Quilt Show!

Every two years the Wichita Kansas quilt guilt, Common Threads, has a humongous show. I'd heard about it, but it seemed that I was always doing something else that weekend so I have never gone. Wichita is 3 hours west of where I live, certainly doable as a day trip. As a matter of fact, my very own guild took a bus trip there the opening day!
Because I get motion sickness on a bus, my gal pals, Vicky and Carol and I decided to drive there together and stay all night. We left Friday morning, checked in to our hotel, unloaded our stuff and set off for the show. We stayed at one of the hotels connected to the convention center, so it was a brief walk to the fun!

Vicky, Carol, Sharon

Just so I don't get sidetracked, I'm going to post the pictures of quilts that I AM GOING WANT TO MAKE. For the last year, I've been thinking about the illusion of curves with straight pieces. I don't know just yet which of these it will be, but you can bet that I WILL have one of these on my design wall before the end of 2013. Maybe, if I can get my act together, it can be my winter retreat project! You notice, I didn't say which winter retreat year, right?

Scrappy illusion of white circles

Storm at sea, bold colors

Close up Storm at Sea, soft colors

Storm at Sea, soft colors

No clue as to the pattern name, but there's so much spacing for quilting!

No illusions on the Lil Twister, just lots and lots and lots of pieces!  Did I say lots of pieces?

Lil Twister

And I bought the template - now to sort my fabrics!

That's what I love about going to quilt shows. You get lots of inspiration for your own work! With about 500 quilts at this show, there was LOTS of inspiration, for sure! Anyone who knows my quilts, knows that I love scrappy, 
scrappy, scrappy, and lots of colors. Any one of these fits the bill, but the last one I am showing you today is a definite long term project that is now on my list!!

My favorite of the show, by Janet Ghilino Bates

This is huge!

Shirting samples were used 

You know I have shirtings!

Can you see the block?

I have many more pictures to share, so that's for another post later today. Right now, I still need to unpack my goodies, and get ready for a sew day tomorrow. Enjoy this little show now, and check back later for more!

HOORAY, HOORAY!

Look what's happening at my house today!

Can you believe this?

Coming AND going!

I've had so many things going at one time time, I wondered if I was in the circus, juggling and running through the flames, and dodging the running horses! But, no, it's just my crazy life.

I absolutely love our new home. We have wonderful neighbors, the walking trails are gorgeous, and the house just suits us for just about everything we need/want. You notice, I said just about everything? Well, I couldn't get a house built around my strewdio, and we haven't finished the downstairs area, so my stewdio is where ever I find a spot. Right now, it's in the dining room/sun room, and I am liking it just fine. Remember way back when I took over the sun room at the BIG house? I have to keep reminding myself that this room IS the dining room, and I can't have it permanently. I'm still mulling over how I will get myself arranged.

In the meantime, I've taken a part-time job which I love a lot, too. I merchandise flowers for 4 different stores in a 181 mile radius from my house. I get paid hourly, and my car makes almost as much as I do, since I am paid mileage, and I drive a Prius! One normal weeks, I spend about 20 hours total checking in the inventory twice a week, and keeping the kiosks full and fresh. Then there's those holidays that require lots and lots of work and effort to keep the flowers moving from the coolers to the floor. I just finished Mother's Day, and my boss who is long distance away in another state reminded me that it is only about 37 weeks away from Valentines Day. I'll have a little bump in hours around Thanksgiving and Christmas, but Valentines Day and Mother's Day are real killers with 15-18 hour days. The moolah is nice though, and I've totally paid for my two quilt retreats this year, as well as new outdoor porch furniture!

So that's it from this neck of the woods where you never know when it will flood (pictures in another post) or be a perfect sunshiny day! Onward to a girl's best friend....diamonds!

Soon to be donated to the local Juvenile Diabetes Foundation

Happy Spring, Happy Easter!

Just a few of my own quilts that I love! Enjoy!

Why, hello there!

So, I guess it's been 5 months of Sundays since you last heard from me. And here I thought I was going to be able to get back to my regular Sunday posting. Well, what do they say? Best laid plans of mice and women! Thanks to everyone who has emailed me wondering if I was OK. I feel like Sally Field when she said "You LIKE me, you really LIKE me!" LOL!

Yes, everything is OK. As with everyone, I've had my shares of ups and downs over the last five months, and it was difficult to sit down and say what I wanted to say without saying anything at all. So, I didn't....say anything at all. Now, that period of my life is over, and without further ado I am back, and hopefully here to stay!

So what's been cooking? I'll start with the most recent things first and make my way backwards if I can't find anything else, OK?

I just came back from our Guild's second annual retreat that was held at Tall Oaks Retreat Center in Linwood, KS. This is a beautiful older facility that sits on 340 acres of Tall Oaks. The weather was gorgeous on the day we arrived, but then it rained, and rained, and rained, and rained, and then rained some more! It rained so hard that one of the 100' tall oaks fell down across the road, and into the parking lot where our cars were. No cars were damaged, though, thank heavens, and unfortunately luckily they got it all cleared away by the time we had to leave!

There were so very many projects completed and started while we were there, and it was so energizing to be with so many talented quilters. And just plain fun, too! We celebrated two birthdays with birthday cake, and we got to walk a few miles before it started raining.

I think this is the first night - the last one stitching - Donna who also got the most projects completed!

As usual, I took more projects than anyone could ever complete in just four days. I didn't want to run out of anything to do, right? A couple of the projects I took were made with Honeybun pre-cuts. I got the idea for these two quilts from Jenny from the Missouri Star Quilt Company who was recently at our guild as a program speaker. If you've never been at their website, or if you aren't signed up for the Daily Deal from them, OR if you've never watched one of their tutorials on YouTube, you are missing a wonderful experience. It's OK - go there now, but be sure to come back here to see more pictures of the quilts from retreat.

This is called Keyhole, and it's made with one Honeybun roll.

This is the pastel version.  

Both these quilts will be donation quilts for Juvenile Diabetes. They aren't finished yet, of course, because what you see in the blocks sticking out at the top and bottom will be cut in half and used to fill in the blank places. There will also be an "expansion" area with some appliqué on it. If you look on the Missouri Star Company's tutorial under "Keyhole Honeybun", you can see what I mean. BTW, I am showing off a pair of my socks in the last picture that everyone was laughing at.

Silliness after midnight

Have any of you made baskets with the wrapped clothesline? You can see my finished one, and I was determined to use up the last of the wrapped rope since I intend to NEVER make another! I love them, but I don't love making them! So....what you see here is my extreme frustration that I kept coiling the rope the wrong way EACH time I tried to make the basket. It didn't help that the center of each start happened to be a lighter color wrap than the outer part of the circle. Oh well.....LOL!!!

Our guild also does a mystery quilt each year. Guild Projects Coordinator, Nancy reveals her version here. Isn't it just beautiful?

She also worked with EQ to swap the blocks around to make a second look.  I believe this is Kaye's quilt.  I love it too!

Are you ready for another look of the same block? This is Mary Lou's classy version.

And the last one up again....is she working or sleeping?

So that's the highlights of the retreat.  Alas, it was over way too early and we made our way home.  The next day, bright and early I participated in a 5K that benefited Running Girls.  It was the second annual Diva Dash, and I made my best time ever!  I did it in 50 minutes, and for once, I wasn't in the last group.  We had timing chips, and there were still about 130 gals behind me AND they were ALL younger than yours truly.  I have another one scheduled for April, and I hope to make it in 45 minutes or less.  We'll see.....

At the Finish Line

Until next week (or maybe sooner?)...........