Monthly Archives: July 2015

HtbaS - Episode 236

This I talk a bit about what I’m working on, and then Daisy pops in at the 20 minute mark or so for some book talk! We have some recommendations and some not-recommendations. We also complain about the weather (sorry Frances!).

Note: Daisy is going to also cast the book discussion on her podcast.

Recommended books:

And here’s a picture of my Harry Potter Bookshelf quilt top!

Harry Potter and the Bookshelf of Doom

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Sunday Stash - Alas!

Sunday Stash,

Flying key block, for my POD quilt.I’ve been doing A LOT of sewing in finishing up the top for the Harry Potter Project of Doom, but am still a bit far off to actually finish the quilt.  The bookshelf itself is done, so I’m working on a dragon for the top of the bookshelf (the sword will fit on the left side okay, but I’m still adding crown molding!), and I’ve already finished a Cornish Pixie and a flying key to have hover over either the sword or the broom.

My plan is to create some bias strips to make a cage for the pixie, but I need to get the full side panels to flank the bookshelf to put together first.

For the dragon, I’ve finished 6 of the 8 pages of pieces for the block, which will finish at 10 x 20″. It is no joke, and I’m hoping to get the last two pages of pieces done by Tuesday evening, which is also when my items for the consignment sale for the kids is due as well.

Cornish Pixie for Harry Potter POD.

  • Used this Week: 0 yards
    • Sad trombone!
  • Used year to Date: 148.75 yards
  • Added this Week: 4.5 yards
    • 4.5 yd of panels for a One Block Wonder quilt (a birthday coupon splurge!)
  • Net Used for 2015: 65.5 yards
  • YTD Used for Charity: 73 yards (49% of total used)

See more Stash Reports at Patchwork Times!

HtbaS - Episode 235

I’m home! The work project went great and I got to visit The City Quilter in NYC. I talk about current projects, upcoming projects, and give a mini-movie review of Boyhood. I also talk about sewing clothes, or thinking about sewing clothes, since I can’t bring myself to do it yet since I’m afraid it will reveal me to be a giant fraud.

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Sunday Stash - Totes Baggy

Finished Projects, Sunday Stash,

This week I managed to finish up a miniquilt and 18 luggage tags for work presents (don’t ask - half of them I had to throw away because of problems with the ink smearing on the printable fabric I used once I got close to the end).

I also made myself a new purse, which I am delighted with.  I use the “Candice Bag” pattern from Lazy Girl Designs.  Rather than just use a plain piece of fabric for the pocket exterior, I spent a little more time and paper pieced a ring of flying geese using this free pattern, scaled down to a 10″ block.

Candice Bag from Lazy Girl Designs.I used the last of the gray fabric from my Lone(ly) Rainbow quilt for the exterior; quite literally, I have a 2″ x 18″ strip of it left. Whew. Candice Bag from Lazy Girl Designs.

There are plenty of interior pockets, too - one is a “fat” pocket to stash my Kindle, and maybe one day an iPad (I have to save my pennies!).  I also added an interior zip pocket for makeup and other “lady things” that I don’t want to be out in plain view if I leave it unzipped. So, a fairly productive week.  Next up I’m tackling a smaller quilt on commission, but I don’t think I’ll finish it before bedtime tonight.

  • Used this Week: 3.5 yards
    • 3.5 yd for various work presents
    • 2.5 for Candice Bag
  • Used year to Date: 148.75 yards
  • Added this Week: 1 yard
    • 1 yd various FQs for a birthday gift
  • Net Used for 2015: 70 yards
  • YTD Used for Charity: 73 yards (49% of total used)

See more Stash Reports at Patchwork Times!

HtbaS - Episode 234

This week I talk about paper piecing very large blocks, and a number of books I’ve been reading. I’m taking a work trip next week, but it should interrupt recording!

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WIP Wednesday - Skinning My Teeth

WIP Wednesdays,

I’ve just now remembered it’s Wednesday. That is sad, and also understandable if you know the full list of stuff I’ve been doing.  Not only is work nuts (final presentation for the project started with the week in NYC in June is being presented in NYC next Tuesday), but I also had orientation for Good Mews for their new shelter, which is opening soon, a furniture refinishing project, my birthday, and some other behind the scenes stuff I can’t reveal yet but will be made known by the end of the month.

Each evening I’ve had a list of “3 Things To Get Done”, which includes elements from all the various projects, and so far I’ve kept on task this week.  AND I’ve made progress on projects. Whew.

First, the Harry Potter POD.  We have our last regular week next week!  Here are the two latest official blocks:

Trevor the toad on the Harry Potter bookshelf. Cauldron block for POD.
I also finished the MASSIVE Sword of Gryffindor block (with Jett shown for scale):

So this week I also need to finish 2 zipper pouches, 1 large block holder,  luggage tags, 6 small coasters, and start a purse. I’m hoping I can get the zipper pouches done tonight, alone with the last bit of furniture stuff.

See more WIPs at Lee’s blog!

HtbaS - Episode 233

I play a little bit of a catch up after our vacation, meeting Allison at Within a Quarter Inch, and paper piecing.

Deanna asked about getting a more consistent quarter inch seam.  Here’s some suggestions; I talked about the Sally Collins book in the podcast, but came up with some other ideas as well.

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WIP Wednesday: The Elusive Golden Snitch

WIP Wednesdays,

I’ve been working through some extra blocks for my Harry Potter bookshelf quilt. I saw another top that had a Nimbus 2000 broom leaning against the bookcase, and found the pattern for it on the Fandom in Stitches.  Here is Nina considering a career in quidditch after seeing my finished block.

Nina is contemplating a career in Quidditch.

I’m also making the Sword of Gryffindor, but it’s 58″ wide and the bookshelf (as finished in 2011) is only 52″ wide, so not sure it can go on top on it as I originally intended.  Per Charlotte’s suggestion, it might end up as a MEGA LABEL on the back. I think Jennifer is presenting an alternate bookshelf layout in her final version in a couple weeks, so it might be able to go on top anyway (or I need to add 6″ of width to every shelf on the quilt so it’ll fit!).

See more WIPs at Lee’s blog.

Sunday Stash - Oh, hey there

Sunday Stash, ,

Welp, we’ve been back a couple days and I have been thoroughly covered in cat hair and dog kisses.  I log back in to work tomorrow and fear my email inbox a bit, to be honest, but I’ll persevere somehow, ideally with the help of the DELETE key.

In the last couple days, I’ve caught up on my Harry Potter blocks, and done my 2 Saturday Sampler blocks from Tiny Stitches.  I also finished the Hydrangea quilt (top was pieced before vacation) this afternoon, and I’m working on two extra (large) blocks for my Harry Potter bookshelf quilt: a Nimbus 2000 broom and the Sword of Griffindor.

Here are the two bookshelf blocks I did finish this week:

Harry Potter POD blocks Harry Potter POD blocks
And here are my two Saturday Sampler blocks - look at that gorgeous pinwheel center of the solid block! I even impressed myself.

Solid as a Rock block 7 Sparkling Gems block 2
I did have some intake this week due to some fabric gifts, reward FQ at the quilt shop, and some shopping while on vacation.

  • Used this Week: 4 yards
    • 4 yd for Hydrangea quilt
  • Used year to Date: 145.25 yards
  • Added this Week: 6.5 yards
    • 6.5 yd various FQs and bits from shopping and gifts
  • Net Used for 2015: 67.5 yards
  • YTD Used for Charity: 73 yards (50% of total used)

See more Stash Reports at Patchwork Times!

WIP Wednesday: Hasta la Vista, Baby

WIP Wednesdays

I’ll be back within the next couple days, but for now, know that I am 1) relaxing and 2) fighting a never-ending battle against sand. And that 3) Allison is as delightful in person you might expect.