Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Detrmined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

THIRD Time a Charm????? Puppy/Kitty Quilts

Tuesday--December 7, 2010//Year 2...Week 69...Blog 77...Day 518 of 4,014

ANOTHER "TRY".......two disappointments at getting pictures of quilts onto the blog...

so.o.o.o.o.o PUPPY/KITTY QUILTS

The quilts to be displayed range in price from $5 to $10.

Again, if you live in MARIN COUNTY, California, just over the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco and would like to view--or even perhaps buy one of these quilts...contact me by E-mail:

DeterminedQuilter@gmail.com and we will arrange a meeting...Civic Center Library???

List of Puppy/Kitty Quilts

1. 14x21 inches...blue/white....$5.00

2. 14x19 inches...brown/cream...$6.00

3.12/22 inches..blue/pink...$6.00

4. 20x14 inches..hearts/blue/white...$5.00
5. 15x22 inches...angels/blue...$7.00

6. 23x28...blue/white...$6.00

7.26x24 inches...bugs/blue/yellow...$10.00

8. 17 x 23 inches...brown/red..$10.00

THIRD time a charm...well..I HOPE SO!!!!!

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

QUILT/STASH PROJECT-2020..DETERMINED QUILTER


WEDNESDAY--DECEMBER 1, 2010..YEAR 2...WEEK 68...BLOG 76..DAY 512..of 4,014


This MAY be the big day..when finally there will be pictures of quilts on the blog..

I will be learning how to do this on the library computer; already know there are several steps..and it does seems complicated.

The quilts to be displayed are puppy/kitty quilts and range in price from $5.00 to $10.00

If you live in MARIN COUNTY, California..just over the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco

and would like to view --or even perhaps buy one of these quilts...contact me by E-mail:

DeterminedQuilter@gmail.com;;and we will arrange a meeting....Civic Center Library???

List of puppy/Kitty Quilts:

1. 14x21 inches..blue/white....$5.00

2.14x19inches...brown/cream...$6.00

3.12x22 inches...blue/pink...$6.00

4. 20x14 inches...hearts/blue/white...$5.00

5. 15 x 22 inches...angels/blue....$7.00

6.23x28 inches...blue white...$6.00

7.26/24 inches...bugs/blue/yellow...$10.00

8. 17 x 23 inches...brown/red...$10.00

O.K. here we go!!!!..Well..something wrong with the library computer..and pictures will NOT print...another day..another computer..

Happy quilting..
Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter


Wednesday, Novmeber 10,2010..Year 2..Week 65..Blog 75..Day 491 of 4,014


Over SEVEN weeks since I last blogged: Monday, September 13......

Well....I have been focused......using "all" my time and energy on quilting, quilting quilting...creating inventory for the local Community Center's Crhistmas Craft Fair....

And...I suceeded:8 Puppy/Kitty Quilts...and 30 wall hangings...all accomplished within the aims and purposes of this project.....to use ALL scraps and stash from some 14 years of quilting to zero by the year 2020.

No new fabric was purchased.....and I achieved some very acceptable..if not outstanding quilts.
amend that: SOME of those wall hangings ARE outstanding.

The Craft Fair on Novmeber 6,2010 was an interesting and instructive experience. While "customers" admired and commented favorably...they did NOT buy: 3 Puppy quilts-3 wall hangings sold.........profit--$33.

Now is the adventure and challenge of finding successful ways of selling these quilts....

......and the FIRST TASK IS TO SOMEHOW GET PICTURES OF THE QUILTS ON THIS BLOG...AND OTHER INTERNET VENUES...

I do/will KEEP WORKING ON IT..

And..even praising my "inventory' achievement of over 30 wall hangings and "picture' quilts there is still unblievable amounts of scrape and stash fabric in drawers and boxes..

This is a "recovery" week...then back to the project..but without the pressure to complete quilts for a deadline time....And

I WILL reestablish this blog......on some kind of regular schedule...

O.k. Ever Onward!!...

Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020...Determined Quilter


Monday, September 13,2010...Year 2...Blog 74...Day 429 of 4,014

Oh Dear!!!

Nine days since I last blogged....

where does the time go... assorted "life happens" stuff taking up time...but also

time for quilting....

and this morning finishing a small (approximately 20x24 inch) wall hanging..made with truely "strange" Japanese themed fabric......

Pictures of both men and women in "OLD" style kimonos...this is ANOTHER time when I ask myself:

WHY???? WHY??? did I ever think this fabric was wonderful????

Well..finally..now according to "plan" this fabric has been made into an acceptable wall hanging....and just maybe someone WILL think it is interesting..if not wonderful...and pay?????$ for it..

I can hope...

So that is the up-date...

What else but....EVER ONWARD!!!

HAPPY QUILTING

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020 Determined Quilter

Saturday,September 4,2010..Year 2..Blog 73..Day 420 of 4,o14


For the record..AND my remembering..

A very very productive week.

Discovered in a quilting magazine two weeks ago and very simple block..but with potential for dramatic impact...

So this week...Monday, August 30th through Friday, September 3rd I have diligently quilted, quilted ,quilted using this design....and have completed the tops for FOUR outstanding wall hangings...

...actually using to zero..some of the "special"fabric bought for the classes with Kaffe Fassett in Hawaii in February 2009...that I had dispaired of ever finding the "right" design......and also "stash" fabric..bought ???? for reasons now lost to my memory.

This kind of quilting takes luck and patience--patience..patience...

...and both happened this week...

Labor Day weekend...and I will take a break from sewing...

and AGAIN...."organize" the various scraps and stash..so that I CAN progress in an orderly fashion.

The Craft Fair inventory grows...

Yes!!! I AM a HAPPY QUILTER

Quilt/Stash Project--2020..Determined Quilter

QUILT/STASH PROJECT-2020...DETERMINED QUILTER


Wednesday, August 25, 2010..year 2...Blog 72..Day 410 of 4,014

Brief check-in and report..

I am FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I HAVE NOT UP-DATED THIS BLOG FOR 11 DAYS.

I planned to be more consistant..at lest twice a week....

No excuses..just can't even explain all that was going on...

However..for the record....

I HAVE been quilting several hours EVERY DAY...completing quilts...and adding to my inventory of quilts to be sold at a local Community Center Christmas Crafts Fair...

I am happy with my progress...although the scraps and stash still remaining often seems endless and daunting.....

So..keep plugging away..

...and I will somehow manage an accounting....when I manage an accounting...

THE important thing...I AM focused and consistent in doing some quilting every day....

...and the "inventory" of quilts on guest room bed gets bigger every day.

So EVER ONWARD!!! YES!!!

DETERMINED QUILTER!!!

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter


Saturday,August 14,2010..ONE YEAR Aniversary..Blog 71..Day 399 of 4,014

YES!!!! CELEBRATE!!! CELEBRATE!!!!

AUGUST 14, 2009..inspired by the movie Julie and Julia..I started this blog...

GOAL: to complete ALL unfinished quilt projects, and use all scraps and stash to zero by 2020..WITHOUT BUYING NEW FABRIC---giving myself 10 years...

This has been a very rewarding and successful adventure...

...and even more exciting and compelling now: The decision to SELL the quilts at "local" Community Center's Christmas Crafts Fairs... Two fairs now on the agenda/schedule.

I planned to do a recording of ALL unfinished projects completed...and..ALL new quilts made..

Well..because the foggy-cold weather has made extended hours of quilting desirable and possible...my brain is groggy at the end of a -4-5 hour stint....Ido NOT want to think--be "organized'...I only can "vegetate"--think "soft" thoughts...

maybe next week...

Anyway...in ALL ways this quilt/stash project 202o has been a g.r.ea.t. fun challenge...and happy success for me...

I DO see the scraps/stash diminishing...and acceptable to super marvellous puppy/kitty quilts."pictures" and wall hangings completed...

yea!!! I AM on a roll.

Happy year TWO starting!!!!

Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project -2020..Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020...Determined Quilter


Tuesday,August 10, 2010...Year 2...Week 52... Blog 70...Day 393 of 4,014


Progress!!! Progress!! Progress!!

Yes!!! the progress continues....

Today...HALF the binding on the Lorraine Torrance "Hawaii" quilt finished.
need additional binding fabric..JoAnn tomorrow.

And....

A 16.x.20 framed "PICTURE" quilt....Dramatic black and red with gorgeous gold/red rose flowers...and..and.. all but a few teeny-tiny scraps of that fabric used....

Also continued progress on the puppy/kitty quilts...

These truly ARE a challenge..because...they are made only and entirely of "ancient" scrap fabrics...

So....while I wish I somehow was a 'FASTER" sew-er I am making progress..

Need batting......and to arrange for a new long-arm quilter for two still not-quilted wall hangings...

I AM CELEBRATING!!!

HAPPY QUILTING..Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project--2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project--2020--Determined Quilter



Friday, August 6, 2010...Year 2...Week 51...Blog 69...Day 391 of 4,014

Well..one week since the last blog....

EVEN WITH BEST EFFORTED AND DETERMINATION--LIFE HAPPENS..

and..even though AUGUST..the weather all week has been cold, grey..foggy..unpleasant..PERFECT!!! FOR LONG HOURS OF MORNING QUILTING....

and that HAS happened.....

and I planned to report on all progress and finishes on the puppy/kitty quilts....

Well.... for all kinds of reasons just..for the moment geting-"it"-together to itemize--describe the quilts....just is not happening.

maybe next week.

And...it did want,however, to keep this blog record --somehow..going..BECAUSE....

My "secret"????....Does this adventure have the possibilities of a book??a movie???

The one-year aniversary date of the beginning of this blog coming up August 14...

Time for CELEBRATION.... and achievements report....

I WILL work to get-it-together FOR SURE BY AUGUST 14TH.

Happy quilting--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter


Friday, July 30, 2010...Year 2...Week 50...Blog 68..Day 384 of 4, 014

PROGRESS!!! PROGRESS!!!....Fantastic progress.

The Kaffe Fassett, Monet Garden quilt is finished!!!IT LOOKS G>R>E>A>T!!!

...and will be hung in my front hall...

Then....

Big progress: ORGANIZING...ALL the scraps and stash...(big mess on sewing room floor)..

And I DISCOVERED..SEVEN..YES!!! 7 PARTIALLY COMPLETED TOPS THAT WILL BE ABSOLUTELY PERFECT..PERFECT TO COMPLETE AS PUPPY/KITTY QUILTS....

to be sold at the Community Center Christmas Crafts Fair in November...

..and all without too much additional work.....

Fantastic..Fantastic..Fantastic......it is just amazing to me how "'suddenly" those"quilts"....in boxes for months..years??? suddenly manifest themselves..

So I will be recording for the next two weeks...I think that is all it will take...my "inventory" of puppy/kitty quilts.

When those are finished.......the challenge of acceptable wall hangings will again be front-and-center...

So......a happy..happy week..yes!!!Progress.

Happy Quilting-- Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020...Determined Quilter


Tuesday, July 27,2010...Year 2...Week 50...Blog 67..Day 381 of 4,014


Amazing!!! Rewarding Progress in just FOUR days...

First: FINALLY!!! after more than two months I got 2 quilts back from the "professional" long-arm quilter...

This means that two quilts now can have binding and be completed...

The first and most exciting is the Monet Garden Quilt that I made in a class with Kaffe Fassett in Hawaii in February 2009 ( I understand that this design is featured in Kaffe's new quilting book) this quilt had been "waiting" unfinished in a drawer for 18 months...

I will hang this quilt in my front hall...

The second is a quilt made in an Empty Spools Seminars class with Lorraine Torrence in 2002--yes!!! 2002.

It has gorgeous bright flowered fabric...with an "original" block created by me..with inspiration and direction from Lorraine..of course..

So I am smiling!!!

Then...Two special "picture" (framed) quilts 12 x 16 inches; each spontaneous-- design-as-I- go, made from scraps..which adds to my inventory of quilts-to-sell at the Christmas Crafts Fair--November 8.

Bottom line from these break-through "goodies'... Lots of energy to-get-on-with-it...and quilt--quilt-quilt this week..

Happy Quilting--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt Stash Project 2020--Determined Quilter


Saturday, July 24,2010...Year 2..Week 49..Blog 66..Day 378 of 4,014


The weather co-operated this week...cold/ grey--foggy...so I was able to quilt every morning without sun in my eyes.....or blinds closed..

...and I made substancial progress...

The 24x24 inch brown/aqua circle wall hanging IS quilted and completed...

This was an adventure....and I want to give special credit to Louisa Smith for teaching me about strata...and circles... reference: www.quiltescapes.com. I took Louisa at Empty Spools Seminars ( www.emptyspoolsseminars.com) in 2005 and 2008.

The fabric for this quilt also has a story...Why brown and dark aqua???? THAT is a MYSTERY... (as are so many other fabrics in the stash). This brown/dark aqua fabric was purchased at the Yokohoma International Quilt Show in 2009 (www.TravelingTogether.net) WHAT WAS I THINKING???

These are NOT my preferred colors... and with the strata..and circles..the piece DID turn out very o.k. ; hopefully someone who DOES like those colors will buy that wall hanging..

Then....I also completed two "pictures" (installed in picture frames) using scraps and stash bought for one day classes at the Sisters, Oregon Outdoor Quilt Show--some year...1999-2000-2001 ( www.sistersoutdoorquiltshow.com)...again..WHY did I think ORANGE and BLACK were wonderful???? MYSTERY!!!!!

and I am now quilting a small puppy/kitty quilt made with left over blue/white angel and white/blue/pink hearts scraps....I have a super nice blue/white flannel backing...(some good person was giving way her scraps in an Empty Spools class and I benefited).

and on design board...Japanese!!!!....more of THAT adventure later.

Conclusion: a rewarding week of work..and progress: "inventory" for the Christmas Crafts Fair--November 10......How many quilts are enough????

So..Happy Quilting!!! Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project 2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project 2020--Determined Quilter


Monday, July 19,2010..Year 2..Week 49..Blog 65...Day373 of 4,014


SAME GOAL......NEW ADVENTURES AND DIRECTIONS

When I started Quilt/Stash Project- 2020 and this Blog on August 14, 2009 I had a simple straight forward goal:

Complete ALL unfinished quilts, use ALL scraps and stash to ZERO by the year 2020...
and all WITHOUT buying new fabric (unless absolutely necessary).

Thus giving myself 10 years to do the job...and to Blog about the experience/adventure...

At the time I did not envision/contemplate SELLING the quilts...

......and finished quilts HAVE accumulated....

Then for unknown stimulous/reasons a LIGHT-BULB moment......

SELL QUILTS AT LOCAL COMMUNITY CENTER CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIRS

On July 14th.....my quilts WERE accepted by the selection committee of my hometown Community Center...

So.o.o.o.o.o. NEW ADVENTURES AND DIRECTIONS:

from now until November 8th I will be focused on adding to my inventory of quilts...

and I will be recording/reporting in a more regular way.

Today...goal: machine quilt a 24x24 inch brown/aqua circle wall hanging...

patiently waiting for completion while I worked on my Project Distribute- 2026...and the Community Flea Market-July 10.

Check: http://ProjectDistribute-2026.blogspot.com

New ADVENTURES!!!! YES!!!!

Happy Quilting!!!

Determined Quilter

SELL...the quilts: puppy/kitty quilts, baby quilts, and "small" wall hangings...

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project--2020...Determined Quilter



Thursday, July 15,2010..Year 2...Week 48--Blog 64...Day 369 of 4,014

Oh dear!!!!!! 23 days....so over THREE weeks since last Blog......

and since I have done any quilting...

I have been fully engaged and occupied in preparing and organizing the extraneous STUFF in closets, cupboards and drawers for my very first FLEA MARKET, organized by the SENIOR'S CLUB a near-by COMMUNITY CENTER .

The Market on July 10th WAS a success for me. Didn't make much money, but sending my "good" stuff to "good' homes and meeting nice people was everything I hoped for..

So now back to Quilt/Stash Project-2020...and the GOOD NEWS!!!

My quilts have been accepted for the Christmas Crafts Fair at my home-town Community Center.

This is specially nice because.....about 15 quilts were "judged" worthy/acceptable by a SELECTION COMMITTEE.

SO...NOW TO WORK--THE VENUE AND THE FOUR MONTH TIME FRAME GIVE VERY POSITIVE FOCUS and incentive for creative quilt design...and COMPLETION...

Selling my quilts is a new adventure for me.....and especially appealing because I WILL be using
stash and scrapes......ONLY......

I WILL be reporting progress..

and hopfully a better "schedule" for this blog...

Yes!!! Ever Onwward

Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-202--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter


Tuesday,June 22, 2010...Year 2...Week 45...Blog 63... Day 346 of 4,014


Well..OF COURSE...10 days since last blog.......

and for the next few weeks (months ??) this will be the situation as my new project/blog "demands"/ engages my attention.

if you are curious..check out: http://ProjectDistribute-2026.blogspot.com

however...two new important findings to report.

Finding #1: On Sunday June 20 went to local ART FESTIVAL. This year for first time a local Quilt Guild had bought a booth; about 25 quilts on display....all but two clearly -use-up- extraneous- scraps.....the "designs" not outstanding.....and several really unappealing.

However..the prices a real EYE OPENER......$450 to $1,000

and...here I have been focused ONLY on using all scraps and stash to zero...and thinking --MAYBE --just MAYBE I could sell the kitty/puppy, baby quilts and "small' wall hangings at a Christmas Craft Fair for...$10-$15-$25??????????

So in next months some research absolutely necessry.

Then:

Finding#2...The Christmas Craft Fair annually held at our local Community Center attracts over 60 vendors...and there is a "selection" process on July 14th.

So I will take a sampling of my quilts (and my "folk" painted flower pots and bird houses) and hope I "qualify"/get accepted-- meeting their standards/criteria.

So adventure on the horizon...and I WILL work to be more consistent in the reporting.

Happy Quilting...Determined Quilter



sO A

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project--2020--Determined Quilter


Saturday, June 12,2010..Year 2.. Week 43...Blog 62..Day 306 of 4,014


Welll..Life happens and takes unexpected turns..

TWO weeks since I last blogged....and since I last quilted.....

NEW and exciting PROJECT taking time, energy,focus...

....and still in process.....

it will take maybe another 2-4 weeks to get my two PROJECTS/BLOGS IN BALANCE...

and I will try to give regular up-dates on the Quilt/Stasth Project-2020/and this blog as this new adventure progresses...

So check out the new project..and BLOG:

Project Distribute-2026.blogspot.com

Happy Quilting...Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter


Saturday, May 29, 2010..Year 2--Week41...Blog 61...Day 292 of 4, 014

All quilting....works in progress.......so.....

EMPTY SPOOLS SEMINARS 1999-2009....and THIRTEEN outstanding quilters/teachers

Wanting to recognize and thank these outstanding quilters/teachers...and to pass on their contact information so all other may also benefit from their creativity...and often aswsome gits of teaching others...to-do-what-they-do.

I ATTENDING 11 STRAIGHT YEARS; SOMETIMES FOR TWO ONE WEEK SESSIONS: 5 one week session per year...11 teachers/classes each session.

Empty Spools Seminars--Asilomar, California. --glorious setting..on the ocean...good food...comfortable sleeping rooms... (www.emptyspoolsseminars.com)

Teachers/QUILTERS....

CAROLE LIEBZEIT --1999-2000-2005...reference: Quilting in the Tetons on internet

SALLY COLLINS--1999...www.sallycollins.org

JEAN WELLS--2001....www.stitchenpost.com

ROBERTA HORTON--2001...www.robertahorton.com

SANDI CUMMINGS --2002...www.sanicummings.com

ALEX ANDERSON--2003....www.alexandersonquilts.com

PRISCILLA BIANCHI--2004...www.priscillabianchi.com

LOUISA L. SMITH-- 2005-2008..www.quiltescapes.com

FREDDY MORAN--2006..reference: gregorycase.com/quilts

SANDY BONSIB--2007..www.sandybonsib.com

SYLVIA EINSTEIN--2008..www.sylviaeinstein.com

REYNOLA PAKUSICH--2009..www.reynola.com

LORAINE TORRENCE---2002...still seeking internet site

So...that record complete..documented...WITH APPRECIATION TO ALL.

HAPPY QUILTING..Determined Quilter..

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020...Determined Quilter

Thursday, May 27,2010..year 2--Week 41...Blog 60..Day 290 of 4,014


CELETRATION!!!!!

Finished this morning.....the baby quilt....

This quilt has 4 modified 9 x 11 inch blocks that have been in my "to-finish" drawer for at least 10?? years... using some happy new bright aqua fabric for accent ...and a wonderful pink/white with red rosebud flannel backing...it is "interestingly" original in design/pattern..AND hopefully useful to the new parents...and liked by the baby...

So some photos to record tomorrow...then..off to welcome that baby girl.

Then-- ready to be quilted-- the Louisa L. Smith inspired 24x24 inch wall haning using ALL..yes ALL of that "strange" fabric purchased at the Yokohoma Quilt show in 2009, Transgressing my avowed aim of only using scraps or stash on hand...and "never" buying new fabric I did find and buy some "comlementary" green fabric for the backing.....on sale--$1.63....1/3 yard.

Reference Blog 59--May 20, 2010...for the details of this sucessful challenge..

When this quilt completed......gorgeous..spark-ly/shimmering bright orange and??? waiting--patiently???well not really for me...

So I am happy smiling today...

Good quilting--Determined Quilter

Quilt/stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter


Thursday, May 20,2010..year 2--Week 40....Blog 59...Day 283 of 4,014


Unexpected "victory"....and super THANKS!!! to EMPTY SPOOLS SEMINARS..AND LOUISA L. SMITH.

Last week suddenly DEMANDING!! ATTENTION 12 11x12 inch pieces of fabric purchased at the Yokohoma, Japan Quilt Show--November, 2009

Why did I EVER think this fabric was wonderful????? What did I pay for it???

Well..I do keep good financial records of my travels/adventures...after reviewing..absolutely no record of that purchase. My conclusion: I had some Yen in cash..left over from my last working trip to Japan---so considered this "found" money--and buying this fabric a nice special "bonus"..free fabric!!

The more interesting question, however, is WHY??WHY?? WOULD I--DID I-- EVER THINK that dull pale beige, dull pale brown, pale rose pink, pale-pale pink...and two pieces of dark-grey-ed green would make something wonderful???

MY COLORS ARE: BLUE..PURPLE..BRIGHT ORGANGE...GLOWING HOT RED....

..BUT...there it was and DEMANDING ATTENTION..now!!!

Suddenly: INSPIRATION...and saved by Louisa L. Smith...and 'stratta" and circles....

Please reference: www.quiltescapes.com and Louisa's two books:

"Strips 'n Curves", 2001 and "A New Twist on Strips'n Curves", 2007...

I took Louia's class at Empty Spools-Asilomar in August 2005 and again in March 2008.

She is an inspiring teacher and a gifted quilt artist.... two very ..for me..dramatic and happy quilts were made in those classes..

So.... double victory-success.. using the concept of stratta...and Louisa's templates I did make a very acceptable small wall hanging....AND.... I used every last scrap..yes!!! every last scrap of that fabric.

Some of my Quilt/Stash Project-2020 quilts amazingly become "mine"...at least for now...others definitely are in the "for sale" catagory....

This pale pink-beige-brown-green quilt,for sure, is a "for sale"---maybe 'interesting" because of the stratta technique/design...and boringly soothing---so maybe a basement power room. a catch-all guest room...a room/place that "needs" calm?????

Well we will see... for me however...this was a happy, successful adventure...

Again with thanks to Louisa...and Empty Spools.. Empty Spools 2011 program is just published; if you are eager for ART quilts..go for it..www.emptyspoolsseminars.com.

Happy Quilting--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter


Thursday, May 13,2010..Year 2--Week 39...Blog 58..Day 276 of 4,o14


Celebration...after maybe 2 months on a design wall "waiting' for binding, I finally DID IT!! AND a 28 X 22 inch puppy/kitty quilt is finally finished; and about time also....

The blocks have been "waiting" for at least 10 years..and the fabric is tiny blue/white flowers.with strategic small bright green accents..the fabric some of the very first I bought when I started quilting in 1996.

This quilt will go into my inventory for the Christmas Craft Fairs at local Senior Centers..; this one priced at maybe $5.00.

If if does not sell..it will go to the Puppy Project at San Quentin; prison inmates raise puppies to be given to disabled veterans..Glenn Close on Oprah last year...for sure a worthy/winnning cause all round...

Then unexpected SURPRISE.......

I now have 4 quilts on 3 design boards in my quilting "space".. note I did NOT say: studio.

Well, OF COURSE..I would much like to actually have a dedicated studio...and for the foreseeable future that just is not going to happen......

I did not work on any of those quilts..instead...presenting themselves: 10--12x11 pieces of really--dull-- uninteresting brown/beige fabric purchased at the Yokohohama Quilt show November 2008.
WHY???? DID I EVER THINK IT WAS SOMETHING I WOULD WANT????????

Well..for whatever reasons, it "spoke to me this morning and I was "inspired" to design/make a quilt based on the Lousia Smith concept of 'stratta" and her templates.....Empty Spools Seminars (year??) Asilomar, Pacific Grove, California. ( re: www.emptyspoolsseminars.com).

Thought I might "ventilate" about having/not having a "studio"...but will save that for another day; what I do know is: gorgeous quilts can and do come from a million-and-one possible spaces --including kitchen tables in small New York apartments...

NO complaining..I am blessed..

Happy Quilting...Determikned Quilter.

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter


Thursday, May 6, 2010..year 2 Week 38...Blog 57..Day 269 of 4,014


Good for me..meeting MY goal..Blogging at least twice a week..

And good progress to report....

The surprisingly good--nice "original' circle quilt.. based on Louisa Smith templates...now is complete with binding......will I include it in the "for sale" quilts at Christmas Senior Craft Fairs????

Well..thank goodness THAT is a decision that can/will be delayed...

then...

My very nice-- YOUNG-- across the driveway neighbors just had their first baby--a girl.

Surprisingly...well OF COURSE NOT... I had some unfinished pale pink/blue gentle flowered quilt blocks in my unfinished drawer....so I have had an "interesting" couple of days...."designing-sewing a possible baby-girl quilt...

Not quite right yet...and it is coming.....

My frustrations:

I do finish ---this quilt--that quilt--- using stash and scraps..and the scraps seem to multiply like out-of-control worms.....never quite being all used...

Well..smart me.. I have given myself 10 plus years.....and I have been making progress..

so..Ever Onward..

Happy Quilting...Determined Quilter.

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020 --Determined Quilter


Monday, May 3, 2010..year 2..Week 38....Blog 56..Day 266 of 4,014


Reporting...Partial Success--Not quite there yet...

On last Friday I took 3 quilts to a professional long-arm quilter expecting FINALLY to have those three "special" MY quilts well on the way to completion...

Quilter..S.....was completely professional and nice and fully present..giving me her full attention and many options...

However...she could not accept the quilts because: she wants--needs an additional 4 inches on all sides of the quilts to accomodate the machine...

...so disappointment...and one-more-thing-to-do *&^%^&*(*&^%$

....and I am on-my-way..yes???

Then... however...

I DID sew on Saturday..."Quilting" a small..about 24x 24 inch scrap/stash circle quilt that came out amazingly well....considering the limitations of the fabric.....

So celebrate..CELEBRATE!!! the small progress... maybe the binding goes on this afternoon..???

I am "determined' to be more faithful in the blogging...even if there is essentially nothing "interesting" to report...

somehow...I want to establish a routine......with the blogging....at least twice a week..maybe three times???

Well.......

To be continued...

Happy quilting...Determined Quilter..

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--
Determined Quilter

Thursday, April 29,2010..Year 2...Week 37...Blog 55...Day 262 of 4,014


This has been an interesting week..both in what has happened...and what did not happen.

What did not happen

1.After finishing the delighful, small pastel wall hanging with Jsapanese theme fabric..Yes!!! using ALL those scraps and stash...

I thought..why not give the "real" Japanese fabric another "go"...both with the fabric given in about 1995...and the new fabric bought at the Yokohama quilt show in November 2009. Well I did concentrate..work..strug.g.l.e for about two days..it refused to come together..

2. Then..the nice young couple living across the driveway are have their first baby--a girl..due now...so use soft blue/pink blocks and scrap fabric for a baby quilt....well I did concentrate..work...strug.g.l.e with that for about two days..it refused to come together.

So...what to do...ESCAPE...and start somthing entirely different...fabric and blocks waiting patiently since?????????

And what lovely excitement...

This has a history.....CIRCLES....... I first learned circles from Carole Liebzeit at Empty spools Seminars in 2005...I was super lucky to have such a gifted teacher.....

because the quilt I made with Carole's guidance is one of my very favorites....

Don;t have time on this half/hour computer to give full history of that adventure today....but THAT first circle quilt gave me exactly the right inspiration and direction to happily work on my current quilt...

..it is a fantastic range of fabric/colors...and I WILL get my thoughts together to describe for a blog next week..

Then....another "success"!!!...for $3,50 this morning I found exactly the 'right" backing fabric for another success....to be described next blog...yes!! sometimes "rules' do have to be suspended...to accomplish the goals..

then..to professional quilter tomorrow....THREE quilt tops...

made in clases..with the designs of Kaffe Fassett..Sylvia Einstein and Loraine Torrance..

Next week a "better" computer......and more news...

"small" victories/accomplishments???

Well..Rome was not built in a day....

Happy Quilting...Determined Quilter.

Quilt/tash Project-2020

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2002.....Determined Quilter


Friday, April 23,2010...Year 2...Week 36..Blog 54... Day 256 of 4,014


Somehow...Unbelievable.... that it is one week since last blog..

Although lots of rain this past week...which allowed "perfect" quilting time--and not desirable time-out-in-the-world...I always do think I AM doing better with keeping up this blog...

So Report..another Celebration....

Yes!!! Accomplished this week.. a small "Japanese' wall hanging...the stash fabric:

A 18 x 10 "Japanese" print in gentle pale colors--cut into quarters to enhanse the design; one-quarter yard each of---pale pink, pale gentle green both with "interesting" circles...and a pale gold/beige...

Amazingly...I WAS able to use ALL of this Stash..a serious accomplishment...because no other fabrics in either the stash or scraps co-ordinated/matched in any way..

and..that little "quilt" is "nice".

Now on the design board...another "true" Japanese fabric-- given to me by a Japanese colleague in about 1995-96......OH DEAR..yes!! maybe 15 years ago..and just now working on...

I did report that when in Japan in November 2009 I was able to find fabric that will match/co-ordinate with the Japaneses colors in that special fabric.

I invision a happy experience completing this quilt....

Heard today that another Japanese colleague will be visiting States in June....perhaps..perhaps it is now time to send my three Japanese wall hangings --made with authentic Japanese fabric--home with her.......

Can I now part with them.. Stay "tuned".....

Happy quilting...Happy quilting...Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project--2020

Quilt/Stash Project--2020--Determined Quilter


Friday,April 16,2010..Year 2...Week 35...Blog 53...Day 249 of 4,o14


Continuing Celebration....

Yes!!! accomplished this week...

The Lorraine Torrance designed/inspired--9-15 inch blocks completed in 2002 FINALLY!!! FINALLY TOGETHER....AND IT IS GORGEOUS...

and the "buggy" puppy/kitty quilt is now completed with binding.....very satisfactorily..because...I took apart an unbelievably awfull small quilt of the "same" fabrics...and fully..yes!!!fully used all pieces/scraps in that binding..and it is gloriously-dramatically colorful..

And...two separate..but non-competing goals presented clearly-firm and "obvious".

This Quilt/Stash Project-2020 has two separate aspects:

1. SOME of the uncompleted quilts are still personally MINE...and I am willling and prepared to buy any necessary new fabric to complete....and to pay for professional quilting...3 quilts are now waiting pricing quotes from a professional long-arm quilter;two of them need new backing and binding fabric.

2. SOME quilts are NOT-MINE; and will be completed with the hope and anticipation of sale..

...and the first selling target...is the Christmas Fairs at local Senior Centers...I am aiming for at least 20 wall hangings and doggy/kitty quilts..and pillows.. ( a "new' Japanese themed small wall hanging on the design wall today.).

I somehow WILL manage to complete these FOR SALE quilts without buying additional fabric...and I will quilt them myself..

And..as hopefully the winter rains finally stop...and SPRING actually brings sun.....I hope for more regular blogging...

Sometimes...happy-productive routine does bring a comforting satisfaction.

So Ever Onward...

Happy Quilting--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020

Quilt/Stash Project-2020

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter


Monday, April 12, 2010//year 2...Week 35...Blog 52...Day 245 of 4,014


This will be another "quickie" just to stay in touch..

Unfortunately...the only computer available is for half hour today..

So.....I am a WONDER WOMAN..Yes!!!

Although life has been happening AGAIN...and I have not blogged for 11 days.....

I have made joyful and significant progress..accomplishments.

A primary goal of this project was to finsh ALL uncompleted quilting projects....

In the last 11 days I have managed:

Progress..

In 2002..yes!!! 2002 I completed 9-15inch blocks at the Empty Spools Seminars based on a design by Lorraine Torrance.....

This past week...those blocks FINALLY were sewen together...along with some perfect purple/flower stash fabric for internal borders.....now waiting for the endless..endless.. ENDLESS rain to stop...so I can travel up the big highway to my closest quilt shop for backing fabric..

Then.. completed this morning......a truely "glorious" 24 x 26 inch puppy/kitty quilt..destined for the for sale Christmas fairs at my local Senior Centers.....The binding will happen tomorrow.

I am super proud of my achievments...

both are "spectular" quilts..for their purpose..

Greater descriptions another time....when computer-time is not pushing me.

I truly am back-in-happy- production mode..

Happy Quilting--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter


Thursday, April 1, 2010..year 2...Week 34..Blog 51...Day 226 of 4,014

This will have to be a quick-y. Only 1/2 hour allowed on this library computer...

And...I wanted to check-in and be on the record....

So..back on track.......

currently 5 Quilt/Stash Project-2020 projects on the design boards.

The latest....the beginnings of a "Japanese" theme wall hanging made from one yard of non-authentic Japanese fabric..with portraits of men and women in traditional Japanese clothing...

.mystery...

why did I EVER think this fabric was wonderful...and something I could/would use.????

True..it was purchased during a time..maybe 10 years ago... when I was still working regularly in Japan..and felt close identification with the people and the culture....and unfortunately this is somehow an Americanised verison of what that really is....well it is and will be a challenge...maybe a kitty quilt???

This is Easter weekend...."kids' coming from Georgia and Arkansas.....no quilting the next 5 days

I ahve transitioned to a new/clearer reality and strategy re how this project will proceed and SUCCEED.....

This to be described next week....when my time on computer is not limited...

Report: the exhibition of 1930's Amish quilts at the de Young museum in San Francisco is super interesting...if those computer/internet knowledgable people know how to visit museums on-line..DO IT!!!

HAPPY QUILTING---Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter


Wednesday,March 24,2010..year 2...Week 33..Blog 50...Day 218 of 4,014


Again a week since my last blog....and I am determined both to quilt more...and to blog more..

As mention last week--March 17...I have undertken a new...interersting/exciting project, Project Distribute-100-2026 which has taken my time attention and energy these past 3-4 weeks putting this Quilt/Stash Project -2020 sort-of on back burner.

However..after first "rush' I am getting a realistic feel of it...and gradually these two projects will work parallel with each other in happy companionship.

Both are "demanding"...and both ARE a happy adventure.

The Quilt/Stash Project-2020 is creatively demanding; and in a very different way PROJECT DISTRIBUTE- 100-2026..takes patience-- and a dogged, inventive mind.

The exciting "news" about Quilting is not about me and mine this week; it is about the very special exhibition of Amish Quilts at the de Young Museum in San Francisco. I am schedule to go with friends next week...and will provide a complete report..

The dottie/circles quilt is a small wonder...and yes!! I AM good..and I am still hoping to get pictures on this blog..so all can see.

My oldest son arrives from the east coast April 1...my "expert" consultant for a digital camera.

With SPRING comes renewal...all systems now go..

Ever Onward.

Happy Quilting...Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter


Wednesday, March 17,2010...year 2...Week 29..Blog 45...Day 216 of 4,014


When I started Quilt/Stash Project-2020 and this Blog August 14, 2009 I happily thought I could/would quilt at least one hour a day....and blog 6 days a week....

well...as revealed..both ideas were unrealistic fantasies...the real reality is that: life happens....
Income Tax..leaking toilets...and.......just in the last week...

very unexpectedly/very surprizingly...a new project that has taken time and attention: PROJECT 100-2026---the determination and daunting..but exciting/rewarding task of distributing my STUFF..by year 2026.

So now, Quilt/Stash Project-2020 does and will share my time, energy,focus and attention with PROJECT 100-2026.

THAT SAID..HAPPILY I REPORT:

new unfinished quilt blocks on the design board.....CIRCLES...dottie fabrics in blues and purples...inspired and taught by the wonder women of circles: Carol Liebzeit, Louisa Smith and Sylvia Einstein (check-out their web sites).

So happily new 'routines'....and ever onward....all unfinished quilts completed..all scraps and stash used to zero by 2010..

Happy Quilting--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Tuesday, March 9, 2010...Year 2...Week 29...Blog 45..Day 208 of 4,014


Unexpected..CELEBRATION!!!

Last week a small package of scraps unexpectly presented itself and DEMANDED to be made into a wall hanging....

It is a complete mystery to me how or why this happens...

4 fabric scraps:

..... theme/main fabric: a glowing beige with swerls of rust/red and bright royal blue

..... soft/light brown with white dots

.....rust/red with butterflys

....royal blue with small dark blue flowers

The last three fabrics truely scraps and small pieces...

And...creative wonder that I am....I designed-as-I-went and created a marvelous abstract 16x 24 inch wall hanging...

FANTASTIC!!!!

I have sufficient of the beige swirl for about half the backing.......so...this piece will "wait" until I somehow discover sufficient compatiable/enhansing fabric--not immediately apparent in my stash/scraps-- to finish.

Amazing!!! all scraps used....yes!! mother I cleaned my plate on this one..

So CELEBRATE!!! ...AND EVER ONWARD.

HAPPY QUILTING!!! Determined Quilter

.

Quilt/StashProject-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Tuesday, March 2,2010...Year 2...Week 28...Blog 44...Day 201 of 4,014


TWO CELEBRATIONS~!!!!

CELEBRATION #1

TWO small GREEN wall hangings--COMPLETED!!!

About six weeks ago I started with a 11.x11 plastic storgage bag of the unattractive..uninspiring GREEN scraps left over from a quilt project from 2005:

a bed quilt for youngest grandaughter AND matching doll bed quilt for an American Girl doll, commisioned by grandaughter's nanny as a goodbye gift as grandaughter moved from North Caorolina to Tennessee.

Amazingly..these two small wall hangings , while requiring "exceptional" creativity--and patient effort ARE very o.k.......and might even be appealing to those who favor GREEN.

WELL...won't have an answer until the Christmas 2010 Senior Center Craft Sale

AND....I now have plastic sandwich bag...with teeny-tiny scraps....to be carefully abandoned--but, of course, saved until the very end of this--- use all fabric to zero project.

Also completed since last blog...a puppy/kitty quilt.

I am feeling like a WONDER WOMAN today.

Then..CELEBRATION #2

Commission--Commission....SORT-OF UNBELIEVABLE..

FOR CHRISTMAS.--2010...

2 doggy quilts...2 kitty quilts....

The Quilt/Stash Project-- and the Christmas 2010 Challenge-Adventure is on a roll..

Next; some really orphan brown.beige.blue.red..really challenging fabric..question WHAT can it do with it????That IS THE EXCITING CHALLENGE AND ADVENTURE!!!

Happy quilting

Determined Quilter

.

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter



Friday,February 19,2010...Year 2...Week 27...Blog 43--Day l90 of 4,014

Christmas 2010 Challenge Adventure.....

RAIN!!! and Fog....so amazing progress...for last 2 days on the Christmas 2010 Challenge Advenutre....

Adventure???well yes..CHALLENGE!!! FOR SURE

In 1999--11 years ago-- I took my first Empty Spools Seminars class from Carol Leibzeit--and learned to make interesting quilts from her "cheveron" design--requiring only 2 x 4 inch pieces.

Over these many years I have happily used this simple cheveron pattern/piecing to enhance the interest/complexity of several quilts--and also it seems...at one time long ago I went on a cutting spree (orgy"??)-- cutting hundred of 2 x 4 inch pieces..

So...a time consuming decision...a puppy/kitty quilt.....using 33 aqua with teeny-tiny red heart pieces...and 33 various pink-to rose pieces....alternating...this required 60- 4 inch seems...and finally 5 row seems....plus some borders.....and CELEBRATE!!!

I am A WONDER-WOMAN... it is a happy quilt......AND...now my "stash" of these 2x4 inch pieces is much diminished....

So...5 to-sell quilts in progress....3 puppy/kitty--2 GREEN on design walls..one completed except for a binding; and one in scraps on the cutting table..

So ever onward...RAIN!!! predicted for all next week....

More progress possible!!!

Happy quilting!!

Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter



Tuesday, February 16, 2010...Year 2...Week 27...Blog42--Day 187 of 4,014


Progress Report.....

Focused on the Christmas 2010 Challenge Adventure....and worked steadily on President's Birthday day...

Now have 5 of the 2010 Christmas Challenge Adventure projects in process....3 doggy/kitty quilts...and 2 small GREEN wall hangings..

AS I have mentioned...the really small bundle of GREEN scraps (fitting easily into an ordinary 11x11 inch plastic food storage bag) will easily yeild 3 small wall hangings..AFTER much..much CREATIVE WORK..and strenuous mind work..

Well..it does keep the dendrites and neurons growing..

And...a good learning....old-old white with small blue leaves fabric that looks really o.k./fine for the top of a puppy/kitty quilt does not look particularly wonderful when used to patch-in/fill-up the backing...

well..so be it...I'm NOT perfect..and maybe some puppy/kitty-owner will like it anyway.

Investigation/research for this morning...Consumer Reports..on digital cameras...yes!!! I must learn how to take pictures for this blog...

and for a record/accounting of the quilts I will sell...

O.K. Ever Onward...maybe some quilting time this afternoon....and just maybe a celebration of a quilt completed.

Happy Quilting--Determined Quilter

.

Quilt/Stash Porject-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020.....Determined Quilter


Saturday, February 13, 2010...Year 2....Week 26---Blog 41--Day l84 of 4,014

Project within a project:

Christmas 2010 Challenge Adventure

The Quilt/Stash Project-2020 is to:

..get all unfinished quilt projects completed

..use ALL stash and scrap fabric to zero

..not purchase new fabric unless absolutely necessary to complete a quilt

...by the year 2020...giving myself 10 years...

The Christmas -2010 Challenge Adventure is to:

...complete at least 20 quilts--probably "small' wall hangings and puppy/kitty quilts to sell at Christmas craft fairs at local senior centers by Christmas 2010

...use as many "ugly"-orphan scraps as possible; use as much "why-did-I-ever-buy-that??" stash as possible......and

NEVER buy new fabric....as using money to purchase fabric would defeat the purpose of somehow making a "profit" from the sale of some quilts.

...definitely this is a challenge and an adventure...because these "orphan" fabric quilts HAVE-TO-BE SALE-ABLE.

REPORT: Christmas-2010 Challenge Adventure

1...The top and %90 back of a 27 by 23 inch blue/white puppy/kitty quilt is completed (ANOTHER RAINING-FOGGY DAY PROVIDED HAPPY QUILTING TIME)....

and several scrap fabrics were actually used to zero; however some blue scraps are stubbornly TENACIOUS!!!--CONTINUING AND CONTINUING..oh dear!!!

2. a 19 by 28 blue/white/purple puppy/kitty quilt is (and has been for several months-years?) complete except for binding. This quilt includes left over blocks from a Sandi Cummings design-----a class project for Empty Spools Seminars in May, 2002....yes!!! 2002...

Ample testament as to WHY this project is necessary...

and...3.

The small (fitting into an ordinary 11 by11 inch plastic food storage bag) bundle of GREEN scraps keeps giving and giving.....at least THREE small GREEN wall hangings......FOR SALE: ANYONE INTERESTED???

Finally...Welcome!!! to Japanese comment-ors. Did I mention that the November--2009 trip to the International Quilt Show in Yokohoma (with TRAVELING TOGETHER) was my 63rd trip to Japan since 1993??

Schedule next week looks promising for quilting time....

Happy Quilting--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020.....Determined Quilter

QUILT/STASH PROJECT-2020....Determined Quilter


Thursday, February 11,2010---Blog 40 continued......

Well SOMETHING!!! HAPPENED...AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE WORKINGS OF THE LIBRARY COMPUTER..OR THE BLOG FORMAT SUFFICIENTLY TO KNOW WHAT..AND HOW TO CORRECT PROPERLY...

...SO TO CONTINUE...

The GREEN story (saga)

GREEN IS NOT MY COLOR...

However, in 2005 my oldest daughter's family was moving from North Carolina to Tennessee... my gradaughter's nannie asked me to make two quilts: one for my grandaughters bed; another for the doll bed for an American Girl Doll; she sent samples of the colors she wanted..GREEN!!!

So...I MADE THOSE QUILTS....

Long story short: Grandaughter is NOT a doll girl; grandaughter has a ????belt in Taikwando and at age 12 can wack a piece of wood in half with her hand...

On last visit..both quilts were hung neatly in an attic closet.

Well..so it goes...

This project left me with a 11x 11 inch plastic food storage bag full of GREEN fabric....So...determined to use all scraps and complete at least 20 quilts for the new Christamas-2010 Challenge Adventure--to sell at senior center Christmas craft fairs...I said: get rid of the GREEN... use ALL those scraps....Those GREEN quilts will not be MINE.

Easier decided than done.....unbelievably..I think with that essentially small bag of scraps I will eventually get 3 presentable..and possibly sellable, small wall hangings. One is completed except for binding; a second top is almost finished...and still there are "good' scraps...waiting

Oh Dear......sometimes I dispair...and getting the scraps and stash to zero by 2020.

But EVER ONWARD!!!.... The blue-white puppy/kitty top is now 80% complete.....

So..perhaps..a Celebration by next post..

Happy Quilting--Determined Quilter.

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter


Thursday, February 11, 2010...Year 2--Week 26--=Blog 40--Day 182 of 4,014


Christmas-2010 Challenge Adventures...

Report...and...the GREEN Scraps Story (SAGA??)

GREEN is not my color--I prefer blue, purple, hot pink.....and, of course...sometimes I do buy green fabric for ?? reasons.....in fact in the scrap boxes

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project--2020--Determined Quilter


Saturday..February 6,2010...Year 2--Week 25--Blog 39 --Day 177 of 4,014

DECISION:Cancel Quilting Tour to Ireland, June 1-13.

After 3 days of exhaustive...and exhausting... investigation and research...with many frustations!! I have made the "difficult" decison to cancel the quilting tour to Ireland...

Yes..of course, I CAN get there from "here"...but the schedules are daunting/difficult...and with almost all possible airlines the fare outrageous..

So...now I am recovering from this extended...many hour.. marathon of focus and effort.

Christmas-2010 Challenge Adventure Projects on hold.....until hopefully next week...when I can focus again....

...and EVER ONWARD....

Report on the blue/white puppy quilt...and the small "green" wall hanging next week.

Happy Quilting....Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter


Thursday..February 4.2010...Year 2---Week 25--Blog 38 (blogger says 44)--Day 175 of 4,014


&^%$%^&^% ONE WEEK SINCE LAST BLOG....LIFE DOES KEEPING HAPPENING (INTERFERING) IN DIVERSE WAYS...some happy (a morning visit from a special friend) some "difficult"..a funeral.......and some FRUSTRATING!!! LIKE TAXES....AND "trying" to get myself from either Atlanta or San Francisco to Ireland...and back.. with a resaonable schedule and cost.....Unblievable!!!! both British Airways and Delta want $1,700 PLUS for the trip Atlanta-Dublin (return from Shannon)....This is the Traveling Together quilting trip May 31-June 14....

Check it out if you are interested in Ireland...Traveling Together does provide super good trips...and the "right" price....and maybe you would have better luck with air arrangments than I am having...

ONWARD!!!!..

Christmas-2010 Challenge Adventures...

On the design boards..2 almost completed projects...each taking incredible ingenuity...and struggle.......using "just" scrapes and stash with completely unrelated fabric bought over a period of 13 years....is a demanding challenge...

..and....the blue/white puppy quilt IS progressing.....and the small "green' wall hanging..FINALLY will "work"...( more about THAT challenge next time).

O.K. weather prediction: RAIN..RAIN..RAIN and more RAIN for at least a week...

If I am able to solve the Ireland....struggle...(endless calls to various airlines etc--will a train from Shannon to Dublin do it???) I will be focused on quilting again.

Happy Quilting--Determined Quilter.

.

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter


Thursday, January 28,2010...Year 2---Week24--Blog 37--Day 167 of 4,014


On Monday (1/25) CELEBRATION!!! the completion quilt #2 of 2010.......

Now...after relentless storming rain over the last 10 days with many happy hours confined to quilting...and seemingly endless time for mind wandering....

CHALLENGE--Decision/Discoveries...and new adventures!!

The QUESTION--#1: What to do with all the quilting projects I am making/completing with this quilt/stash project???

(I have been quilting for 13 years; I have given maybe 30 plus quilts/pillows/wall hangings to family and friends......I have ????? quilts stored or on "display" ( will count-up for next blog). I have never sold my quilts.)

The ANSWER/DECISION: SELL these "strange" scrap/stash --unfinished quilts.

QUESTIONS #2 and #3: Where??? How???

The endless raining days/mind wandering ANSWER:

The Christmas Craft Fairs at the Senior Centers in the largest cities in the county.

So...CHALLENGE!!Adventure #1: I need at least 20 items (wall hangings, pillows, dining room chair covers,puppy/kitty quilts) selling for at least $10 each to make break-even money.

So...all items must be "interesting"/ appealing and "perfect"--sell-able
and DO IT using ONLY THE SCRAPS AND STASH ( realistically no point in quilting-to-sell scraps/stash if I am spending money on additional fabric).

DISCOVERIES: Since the decision-to-sell three viable projects have manifest themselves--all with some strenuous creative thinking/doing--- possible.

For this blog..to distinguish them from my "private" completion projects ( immediately coming up: Kaffe Fassett and Silvia Einstein) I will designate them as Christmas-2010 Challenge Adventures...with separate accounting from my personal quilts.

The quilting angels were smiling: currently in process--Green Glow and Spectacular Starts wall hangings and a blue/white puppy/kitty quilt.

Yea!!! new Challenge..new Adventure.

Happy Quilting..

Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project -2020--Determined Quilter

QUILT/STASH PROJECT-2020--DETERMINED QUILTER

Blog I.....CELEBRATE!!!!.....AND.........CHALLENEGE


Monday, January 25, 2010... Year 2--Week 24--Blog 36--Day 164 of 4,014

BLOG I-- Celebrate!!!!

Quilt #2 of 2010 COMPLETED!!!...Another WINNER!!!

SIZE: 30 X 17 inches

Name: Dottie Strings

Based on a design by Freddy Moran and Gwen Marston featured in their 2006 book "Collaborative Quilting" (see frontpiece and page 211). a glorious--wonderful--stand-out of super bright multi-colored-multi-patterned and dottie fabric.

However...some hassles ands cautions.....

I quilted "in-the-ditch" with Sulke Metalic multi-colored sparkly thread which..KEPT BREAKING...AND BREAKING..AND BREAKING..AND BREAKING....frustration!!! and 'hours' of patient work.

This thread does add a special sparkle....and KNOW that Sulke Metalic thread is fragil and constantly breaks..

Special victories:

I was inspired to use as the whole cloth backing..perhaps the ugliest fabric ever ( a vibrating celedon green-navy blue-red stripe) What WAS I thinking when I bought that fabric--ten years ago???

The good news: somehow, while not "perfect" this bizarre fabric works o.k. for this quilt...AND a half/yard of "essentially unusable" fabric is now out the stash.

A second "victory"..As binding I used a "nice" purple-with gold/orange hearts as the binding--again, not "perfect" but very o.k...AND one/third yard of fabric is now GONE from the stash.

So..Onward....next projects:

...conpleted and waiting....nine 15x15 inch blocks with a Hawaiian theme fabric--a Lorraine Torrence design--made at Empty Spools Seminars in March, 2002 ( oh dear...8 years ago...and still unfinished)

....and a 36x 36 Sylvia Einstein circles design ( with templates by Lousia Smith) made at Empty Spools Seminars in April, 2008.

The "problem" with completing these quilts???

Both require buying new fabric for the backing and binding...

and.......both require professional quilting (both too big for me do do)

...so MONEY...and a deviation from the mission and goals of quilt/stash project-2020.

See Blog 37 for the new adventure...and a daunting CHALLENGE

HAPPY QUILTING--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter


Saturday, January 16,2010...Year 2--Week 23--Blog 35--Day155 of 4,014


CELEBRATE!!! CELEBRATE!!! The first quilt of the new year--2010 is COMPLETED!!!

...AND it IS a WINNER!!!!

YES!!! GLOWING GOLD...SHIMMERING GOLD...Japanese fan background fabric...and the whole cloth backing ( deep purple with glowing- shimmering silver flower/leaf pattern)and gold orange/red glowing/shimmering gold binding --with complex eight point stars of deep orange and deep purple.

A forshadowing this Quilt/Stash-2020 Project....I did use all but a few scraps of fabric from ????? well I cannot remember the original quilts...from maybe 10 years ago...but/and the orage and puruple star fabrics are now completly gone.

What I learned..

It is fun and exciting to finished these quilts...

That I AM a good and create super good original quilts..

That ..yes!!! I can use up scraps and stash in rewarding, interesting, creative ways..

That some quilts will require new fabric to complete.....

...and that it may be necessary to have professional quilting on some of the larger quilts because my old Singer sewing machine just does not have the capacity to handle "big" quilts; and MY quilting skills are limited..

Already a couple of "new" unfiished tops are SHOUTING: TAKE ME..TAKE ME...

Lots of rain/st0rms predicted for next week...so maybe opportunity to quilt..quilt..quilt..

Yes!!! CELEBRATE!!!
THIS IS A HAPPY PROJECT!! WITH VERY SATISFYING SUCCESS.

HAPPY QUILTING

Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter


Thursday, January 14,2010...Year 2-Week 23--Blog 35--Day 153 of 4,014


PROGRESS!!!! REPORT......JAPANESE Fans-Star Quilt


Celebration!!! almost quilted.....this quilt is 36 by 45 inches

It has 9 -12 x 12 inch blocks plus 4 inch boarders top and bottom

The background is a gorgeous pink with glowing gold and blue Japanese fans

The pattern is a complicated eight point star..with complicated centers in deep purple and dramatic orange.

I have now quilted--in the ditch-- 7 of the stars....and it really looks super great.

This quilt has been in my "not-finished" drawer for at least 8-10 years....

I cannot even remember what motivated me to buy the fabric..choose the pattern..do the work.

A MYSTERY with a happy ending..

I am glad that I can quilt a 36 by 45 inch quilt on my very basic OLD (probably 1970) Singer..with 3 zig-zag stiches... ( considered super "fancy" at the time)

So despite some annoying mundane life hassles taking too much time and psychic energy...this will bring a happy contented smile today.

......and looking in the "unfinished" quilt drawer I discovered maybe the first "PUPPY" quilt....TO-DO LIST: CALL SAN QUENTIN today!! that small quilt is for sure a creative experiment that did NOT work...will a puppy care???

Now my continuing frustration is that I have not been able to arrange borrowing a camera..and learning how to use...and also work the gizmo that plugs into a computer...I AM working on it!!!

Happy Quilting--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter

QUILT/STASH PROJECT-2020--DETERMINED QUILTER


Monday, January 11, 2010...Year 2-Week 23--Blog 34--Day 150 of 4,014


REAFFIRMING...committment to:

.....completing ALL unfinished quilt tops/quilt "projects"by 2020

.....using all scraps

.....using all stash and

...buying a little new fabric as possible..

Again: scraps..are the smaller "perfectly " good fabric left over from specific, completed quilts.

stash..is the new fabric purchased on various adventures to quilt shops, on quilting tours or at quilt shows...that just "shouted.."take me"take me"..not attached to any specific quilt pattern or project...

In next few weeks I will give MY quilting history...which I think has been super good.....with 16 times 1999-2009 at Empty Pools Seminars at Alsilomar-Pacific Grove, California; 6 quilt tours with Heritage Tours; and 3 tours with Traveling Together.....and 4 visits to the annual outdoor quilt show in Sisters, Oregon.

Limited time on library computer today...so

Rain predicted for tomorrow and Wednesday...it is cold, foggy-..unpleasant..PERFECT for 2 days of quilting.....

Maybe a happy report on Thursday....and news of the puppy project at San Quentin prison.

Happy Quilting..Determined Quilter

Quilt/StashProject-2020--Determined Quilter

Quilt/Stash Project-2020--Determined Quilter


2010.........2010.........2010.......2010........2010.......2010........2010 A NEW YEAR


WITH FANTASTIC NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND POSSIBILITIES

Wednesday, January 6,2010--Year 2--Week 22--Blog 33--Day 145 of 4,014


Did a year end accounting...and I DID complete TEN (10) unfinished quilt tops/ projects in the approxiamately 4/half months since this project started August 14, 2009.

Cannot evaluate whether that is good progress..or not.....

I think I will have a better evaluation after one year...August 14,2010

What I have learned from this experience so far:

1. Unrealistic to even expect that I can quilt every day (as I expected in the beginning)

2. Really!! unrealistic to expect I can blog every day..even if reporting some minimal progress would be interesting.

3. Unrealistic to think that either scraps or stash would provide ALL needed or the "right" fabric for completing the quilt.......SOMETIMES new fabric must be purchased..

4. Unrealistic to think that somehow I would get and learn how to use a digital camera...and that the completed quilts could be shown on this blog.

So...

The Kaffe Fassett designed, MONET GARDEN quilt will go to the professional quilter next week--winter weather permitting.

The Japanese- "STAR' Quilt will have whole cloth backing....and the quilting gods permitting will be completed next week.

Then..excitment..what unfinished project will manefest NEXT---shouting FOR/DEMANDING RECOGNITION/ATTENTION

So eager--anticipating and happy...yes!! 2010...

Happy New Year--Happy Quilting to ALL...DETERMINED QUILTER