If Only Food Fasting Were This Easy!

I took a Fabric Fast Challenge that went from Jan 1 – Jun 30. I made it! I did not purchase a single piece of fabric for 6 mos! It wasn’t terribly difficult for me because I had the Canada/NY trip to save for. AND in addition to the previous fabric donations I wrote about in May, I was given another HUGE donation!   I have a considerable stash now and I’m honestly considering going another 6 mos – 1 year w/o buying fabric!  I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

I’d been wanting to make the Strip Twist Quilt for quite some time. I decided to make it for my niece who is going off to college this fall.  I LUV how it turned out! I even added a flange!  I thought I’d finished the top last weekend (66.5in x 81.5in) but then she told me that her bed is an extra long twin. Good thing I hadn’t started quilting it yet. I’m adding another 5 inch border to the top and bottom (in the same pink).

 I also finished the mystery quilt top I was doing w/my chapter – Quilters Anonymous QA.

I made this cute little pin cushion/scrap bag combo a couple of weeks ago. I used this tutorial, but filled it w/crushed walnut shells.

I also made this caddy for my cutting mat (18 x 24). I actually started a tutorial for it but  didn’t take all the pics I needed, so I’ll have to make another one before I can post the tutorial.

Here are a couple of the smaller projects we’re doing at kids sewing camp this year. A pin cushion and scrap bag. Camp is July 7-11. Last year I volunteered for 1 afternoon, this year I’m doing 2 full days! I’m so excited!

I’m now debating on whether to start a new quilt OR start quilting the 4 tops I have completed. Decisions, decisions!!

On another note, about a year & half ago, a friend brought one of her dogs to church.  A Blue Heeler aka Australian cattle dog.  I really liked the look of the dog. She told me they are very intelligent and loyal dogs. I said I might be interested it getting one in the future. Well…her dog just had 7 pups and I’m seriously considering getting one. I’ve even picked one out! I’m thinking of names for her and am considering giving her a name from a character in the The Outlander Series, but maybe not.

And lastly, as if I don’t already have enough to do, I’ve added yard work to the list. I haven’t really done much w/the backyard since I bought the house a couple of years ago and so I’ve been doing improvements little by little over the last couple of weeks. My “grass” was just weeds really.  I’ve been getting up early in the morning, having my quite time on the back patio and then I spend about a half hour working in the yard before work. By spring it should be really nice.

I definitely need to blog more often…so my posts aren’t so darn long! On my honor, I will try…to do weekly posts at the very least.

Until next week, Happy Quilting!

A Thread for Life
But I am not ashamed, because I know the One I have believed in and am persuaded that He is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day. 2 Tim 1:12 HCSB

WIPs

I’m officially on a fabric fast. I’ve taken a challenge not to buy fabric from Jan 1 –  Jun 30.  So far, so good.  I even went to Goodwill last weekend and looked at (and touched)  fabric and didn’t buy any! There is a 2nd part to the challenge and that is to use up all the fabric I have on hand. My stash isn’t as big as some…but I am proud of it.

I get so anxious when I think about the WIPs I have and all the works I want to have in progress…and I’ve got myself all stressed out. So, I’m going to try to do just 1 project at a time for awhile.  I’m supposed to be participating in 2 quilt-alongs:  a mystery quilt w/QA and a crazy quilt along…so I may allow myself to do these in addition to my 1-at-a-time projects…but I might not.



Currently I have 6 WIPs.  I’m really close to finishing 2 of them . I should have some pics posted this weekend.  Then I have 3 small quilt tops (2 pictured below) that need to be quilted and listed on Etsy…and lastly, I still have my Spring/Summer 1BW that I just really want to keep folded up at the top of my closet.


4-Step Flagstone

quilt top #1

                                     Cuttin’ Corners

quilt top #2


















I sold my Quilt Frame this past weekend to a Snowbird here from Iowa.  It was really just a catch-all in my sewing room and a dust collector. I’d only used it twice in the last 2 years, plus I’m raising money for my trip to Canada in May.   



I also have other WIPs besides quilting.  A few weeks ago I transplanted some Aloe Vera and Prickly Pear. Someone told me all you have to do is stick it in the ground and water it occasionally.  So far, so good.   I also planted 2 Mesquite trees in my backyard.  Thankfully the weather is mild enough to plant year round  here in AZ and everything seems to be doing well. 

Last week at Goodwill, I by-passed the fabric…like a good girl…but look at this treasure I found, that I couldn’t resist! I paid $4 for it.  I sanded it, threw some ebony stain and a coat of poly on it and, voila! it’s a lovely little side table! =)

Before


After

A Thread for Life

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail

And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep My faith will stand


And I will call upon Your name

And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed and You won’t start now

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior


Oceans by Hillsong