Sunday Stash and Stitching Report, week 15, 2014

 Well, I fell off the no buying wagon big time this past week. But It's all for a very good cause. These two fabrics here, to the right, are for Avery's third birthday that is coming up next month. He is a huge Thomas the tank engine fan. So, I'm going to make him some pillow cases and some pajamas, and maybe a valance type thing to cover the workings of the roller blind in his room. The stripe is for the pillow cases and valance, and the scattered trains are for the pajamas.

 Then this gorgeous diagonal stripe is for bindings. I love me a diagonally striped binding.

 And then, while blog surfing last week, I came across this post by Teresa and decided that I just have to do some of those blocks, which led to the beginning of collecting black and white prints. I won't be starting it for a while yet. I need to get more of this type of fabrics, and I still have a couple of finishes to take care of.

And that brings me to today's slow stitching. I have a little bit of stitching to do on the green stem of this flower on Cactus Rose, And I can declare the hand work part of this quilt done. And, better yet, most of the paper piecing for the rest of the borders is done as well. Another evening should finish that part of it. I just might make that goal of getting this quilt done by the end of this month. So very, very exciting!!

Anyway, back to the stash report, since it appears my delaying tactics didn't work.

Used this week:                                       .9 yards
Used this year:                                     33.7 yards
Added this week:                                   10 yards
Added this year:                                   35 yards
Balance:                                                1.3 more yards in than out.
That ends the first stretch of using more than I've bought since I started keeping track of my numbers. I'd better get busy making some new quilts, since the stuff in the UFO's has already been counted. Hey, that's a great reason to start something new............... must..... remain.....strong......finish.......UFOS......
I'm linking up to Judy's Stash Report and Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching.

Purple Triple four patches

 These purple strips from last week,

became triple four patches this week. I really enjoy working with this colour. I think it's one of my favourites. Although, thinking about it now, I don't wear much purple. I wonder why that is, when I like the colour so much? I just might have to do something about that, sometime. I'm halfway through getting the squares I need for this particular quilt. I'm doing an 8x10 layout for it, requiring 8 blocks in 10 different colours. I have lots of single four patch blocks, as well as double four patches that will go into borders for this quilt. It is fun working on this particular quilt for this rainbow scrap challenge. There are lots of other people working on fun projects at Scraphappy Saturday

On my needles.

How on earth did it get to be Friday already? I could swear that I just wrote a post about this yesterday. Today was one of the first days when I could actually get outside for pictures. It is a glorious day, sunny and warm. The snow is all gone from our back patio. All that we need is our chairs and table set out, and we're good to go for some outdoor enjoyment. Although, putting them out now might be pushing it, just a bit.

 Our neighbour's crocuses are up, and looking so very happy, and looking at them makes me smile.

And here's my knitting project, still the Pinery sweater. I'm down to the ribbing at the bottom now. Not much further to go, and I can start the sleeves. I'm linking up to Judy's on the needles.

Stash Report, week 14, 2014

Ok, before I do anything else here, I really have to do the proud mama thing, and share a link to our son Noel's art work. He will be having some space in an art gallery in Post Stanley, Ontario. I am just so thrilled for him!! There, that's done, although I still have the proud mama grin on my face.  :-) Now I can get on to the business of a stash report.

Used this week:                             2.1 yards
Used this year:                         32.8 yards
Added this week:                         0 yards
Added this year:                        25 yards
Balance:                                   7.8 more yards out than in.

I don't have any of this week's purple blocks done yet, unfortunately, so I can't count that as used yet. I'll try and get some of them done today, and then the rest next week. I guess this is why I decided on three projects for the colour challenge. It gives me a spare weekend for those times when life gets in the way of the fun stuff. I'm linking up to Judy's Stash Report

Purple Saturday

Well, I can't really say that today has gone even close to the way I planned. The plan was to get all kinds of blocks made for the scrappy Saturday challenge. The actuality was, taxes time. Shall we all give a great big YUCK!! Made even worse by the fact that we found out the hard way that there has been no income tax with held on some of DH's pension. So, instead of the refund we were expecting, came a bill instead. Not anywhere even close to the way I wanted this day to go. (insert big sigh here). I did some organizing and cutting of my purple fabrics last night, which was a good thing, or I wouldn't have gotten even this far today,

eight pairs of strip sets made for the smallest part of the triple four patches I've been making each month. But I'm so bummed out over the rotten tax situation, that I really don't feel like sewing any more. What I do feel like is going out and getting some comfort food.... chocolate cheesecake comes immediately to mind. However, I will behave, and stay home, and cut up these strips into the requisite pieces needed for the four patches..... not anywhere near as fun as chocolate cheesecake. I'm linking up to Angela's Parade of Purple and lots of fun stuff to look at.

On my Needles....

Here is the Pinery Sweater that I've been working on forever, it seems. Of course, it didn't help that the tension was really off the first time I did it, so I ended up ripping it all out. I'm at the point of doing the shaping for the hips now, so it shouldn't be too much longer. It just might be ready for the first camping trip of the year next month. I'm also working on a new pair of socks, but I don't have a picture of those, just yet. I'm linking up to Judy's On the needles. And then, I just might sit and knit for a while.

April goal setting

My goal for this month is fairly simple..... make 18 more of these triangles and get them sewn together and onto Cactus Rose. Sounds simple...... not! The good news is, I have 18 of the bottom  quarter circles already done, and nine of the coloured arcs done, and 3 more partially pieced. I still need to do all of the top sections. When this quilt is finally finished I will be doing the happy dance to beat all happy dances. LOL! This is going to a short post, since we are having mega trouble with a very slow internet connection - very annoying! I'm linking up to the goal setting party at A Lovely Year of Finishes.