Green string center quilt

I started off with the intention of speed piecing string blocks for a green string block quilt. However, my calculations were off, and I didn't like the finished blocks for a complete quilt. But I DID like the blocks. So I built a quilt around them.

This quilt is now twin sized, and measures at 67" x 74". (Before washing, it measured at 71" x 79"--and no, I don't prewash my fabrics!) I forgot to take a picture of the back, but I quilted in straight diagonal lines in the center medallion, and the rest was a large meandering quilting stitch.

Here's a close-up of the binding. Love it!

As I type this, it is on its way to the Bronx, to be given to the homeless.

 I truly hope and pray some little boy or girl is blessed by this. :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sunday Stash Snafu

Well, I had the best of intentions when I set out to report on my stash activity every Sunday. But then I ran into a problem.

About the same time I started these Sunday reports, I received, as I often do, a good amount of donated fabric. Technically, I guess I should add that to my "In" count. But it depresses me to do so. Also, I haven't spent money on it, and the monetary savings is at least as big an issue as the quantity of fabric I own, if not a bigger issue. And if I had to MEASURE the donated fabric I am receiving, I think I'd lose my mind. There are lots of small pieces. (This bag in the photo is actually from a gift of a couple of years ago, but this month's donated fabrics that I have received could probably fill the bag up this full, anyway...)

Sigh. What do you think I should do? How do you think I should handle donated fabric?

Rising prices of cotton...and everything else

Photo source: Frugal Cafe Blog Zone

In case you weren't aware, China's flood last year will have a major impact on the various cotton industries in particular, but on practically everything in general. Click here for a great explanation of the issue. In short, China's 2010 flood obviously devastated their crops. One crop, cotton, is a problem for us, because we receive a large percentage of our cotton from China. So, without this crop, we are experiencing a cotton shortage, which means cotton fabric prices increase. Cotton clothing prices increase. Cotton bed, bath, and kitchen linens increase. You understand the trickle-down effect, of course; if less cotton fabric, clothing, etc. is purchased, there will be fewer employees needed (and some smaller shops will close), household incomes will drop, etc. etc. What about hotels? What about hospitals?

But, more importantly, what about the lives lost in China? The food shortages? The homes and livelihoods that have been lost?

I think she won, y'all...

You've heard the saying, "she who dies with the most fabric, wins?"

The woman in this blog post (a portion of her stash is shown above) had more than the woman in the YouTube video, I think...

This definitely gives one pause. What does your stash look like?

Inspiring quilter

Have you seen this?

Do you have a Facebook fan page?

Hey there, fellow quilters!

Do you have a Facebook fan page? If so, why? How has that been beneficial for you? Hubby, who does them for clients, tells me I need one. Please leave me a comment about this. Thanks!

Sunday State of the Stash Report

This year, I am committed to doing some serious stashbusting. So, as a few other quilters do, I will assess my fabric use during the week on the following Sunday. More specifically, I will count the fabric I have used, is in its final state (i.e., finished quilt, not just a quilt top) and at its final destination.

Jan 1 - Jan 8
In: 0
Out: 2 yads

YTD:
In: 0
Out: 2 yds
Net: -2 yds

It's about time...

I was finally able to give this to the new owner!

I finished this quilt some time ago, but we didn't run into the family we wanted to give this to, until today. It's actually just like another one I gave as a gift last year (but failed to mention here on the blog). Sorry the picture quality is so poor; it's actually a really cute quilt, with lots of textures. I think it's chenille, flannel, and something furry/fuzzy.

2010 quilts

Here are almost all of the quilts I made in 2010 (there are at least 2 more that are not shown):

1. eLegant Squares
2. Fresh Vanilla (green)
3. Picnic quilt
4. Fresh Vanilla (sherbet)
5. Take 5 Purple House quilt
6. Modern Siggy quilt
7. Baby chenille with ducks gift quilt
8. Black white red yellow gift quilt
9. Baby green red purple gift quilt
10. I Spy Charm String quilt
11. Origins

It doesn't look like a lot, but that's because I do a great deal of non-quilty charity sewing. Instead of simply sewing quilts and finding places that may need or want them, we contact charities and organizations to see what they need, and we then sew accordingly. So, maybe for me, a more appropriate mosaic would be one showcasing my non-quilty finishes.

Happy New Year!