What???

What have I started????

This past Thursday evening was Scrapaholics/Stashbusters Club and I brought in my "scrap basket".  I'm not sure that that's all there is but it was certainly enough to get started with. 

Last weekend was my Birthday Retreat and I was inspired bu Chris O. who has all of her scraps organized so that she can actually work on many, many projects at a time.  Also, of late, I have been motivated by the Bonnie Hunter books available - String Fling and Adventures with Leaders and Enders.

I decided that Thursday nights class/club would focus on organizing scraps.  I had no idea that many of you already do this and was thrilled to get some more good tips.   

 The above picture shows the beginnings of my organization project.  From right to left, I have strips in similar sizes, above these piles are pre-cut blocks in the same sizes and the large pile to the far left are large pieces and strips of fabric that either need to go back into the stash if they are large enough or be cut up into strips or blocks for future use.  Now that I've got a start on this, I will press the strips and put them into "shoe boxes", the see-through kind and label them as to what they are so future projects can be made from them.

The above picture is what is left in my scrap basket that still has to be sorted.  I have decided, since time is a premium for me, that I will devote 1 hour a day to this until it is done.  Half the time to be spent pressing and putting away the strips - which will be "filed" by colour and value and the other half sorting through the rest of the scrap basket.  At this point it looks like I have salvaged all the strips and am now looking at mostly small pieces of fabric - i.e. blocks, triangles, etc.  Once all of this is sorted I will decide on my future projects.

I think one of the most fun portions of this excercise for me was remembering which quilts each of the scraps came from.  Some of them date back to the very beginning and if I'm not mistaken there are still a few piles of "scraps" at home that can be added to these to actually make complete projects....

As a quilt store owner, I have to say, it is hard to sell fabric this way.  But, I look at it another way.  I will still need borders, bindings and backings to complete these "scrap" quilts as will you so in fact - there is still a market out there for fabric......

If I have a little time tomorrow (the girls are coming from Barrie so I may have a few moments after lunch), I will show you one of the projects I have in mind.  I'm excited about it because it is my "own" idea and I think it will be really nice.  Possibly a quilt for Healing Heroes. 

For now - I have to get to the books!  Plus, I have some studying to do - I received the template for our new shopping cart/website so I have to hone up on my virtually non-existent computer skills.

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

I'm back......

...with the living that is!  Takes a few days after the treatment to get back to normal but had a pretty easy time this time.  Of course, I'm pretty sure it's because after last week's great news I can easily grin and bear it!

I was at the store yesterday, worked from 2 to 8 and then we had Applique Club.  Being the summer, it was Annadele, Laurissa and I and we had a great time.  Laurissa and I were there until 11:30 because Bill, from Nerds on Site was busy fixing the store computer so we had to wait until he was done but it was great fun and I got started on a miniature I had been meaning to do - I'll post a pic later and I even have a couple of tips for this one!

Today I am home, cleaning and cooking!  I hate that it takes me forever when it used to be a quick job but I certainly am taking pride in every little accomplishment.  I need to prepare lunch for Monday which serves 2 purposes!  I will be making one of my favorite recipes and that way I can add it to the Cock A Doodle recipe book that I am compiling!  Kind of like killing two birds with one stone - I hate that saying LOL

I find I have to take a break between each chore so it becomes extremely tedious!  Tomorrow I will be at the store from 11 to 5 and I'm really looking forward to it.  I'm certainly finding more and more energy these days.  Where there's a will there's a way!

I also managed to get a Farmer's Wife block done the other day and started another so I'm actually getting quite a bit done these days......I credit this to knowing that I AM going to beat this thing - right into the ground!!!!!

Have a great day everyone - will try to keep up with all my trials and tribulations, not to mention my creations!

Jo-Ann

Let's talk about the "F" word!

FINISHED!  The quilter's "F" word!

I was lucky enough to get some quilting done today....Barb and I had planned to spend a few hours today working on our miniatures.  The object was to at least get the centre of the quilt done, the friendship stars, so that all that would need to be done would be the borders.....

Well at 6:00 P.M. I locked the doors and by 9:30 P.M. we were both finished!  FINISHED!!!!!  The tops are finished so technically the quilt is finished!  Well, okay we still need to layer and quilt them but for all intents and purposes the hard part is done......

This is Elaine's original - the centre blocks of the friendship stars are 3/4" - so smaller than the one we made in class.....

I am so pleased with mine - I really went for the "house" colours and thought it was coming out really dull but in the end I love it.....now to quilt it and label it for sure!  I think this is one of my fastest quilts to completion!  I like miniatures......
                                        
 This is Barb's!  Her's is all brights and I love it too!  It really came out beautifully!  She chose not to do the corner stones but it still looks really awesome!  She just has to quilt it!

Here are the three of them together - now I feel like I made a huge quilt!  I think I'll have to try something a little smaller and I have just the book to do it too!  I'll keep you posted!  So Elaine's is 25% smaller than mine and Barb's.  I'm actually glad that she started us off with something a little bigger......it made it easier to learn all the tips and also made it alot easier to finish......

The side effects of this is that I am totally relaxed tonight and ready to just head for bed!

A perfect evening, thanks Barb - it was a great night!  Glad we decided to stay!

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann 

It amazes me!

After a very busy day yesterday I went back to the store to relieve Nancy at 6:00 p.m. and had to meet with the contractor from the unit he is renovating right next door.  I won't get into details but our discussion became heated and it was extremely stressful for me... Barb arrived in the middle of this discussion so we (the contractor and I) came to a quick understanding and he left....

The plan was for Barb and I to work on our miniatures.....I of course needed to calm down and this was just the ticket!  We quickly got down to business and progress was made....

Here's mine - it's starting to shrink! 

 Barb's is shrinking at the same rate........

We are both being very methodical, sew, check, trim - that's the key with this one!  Both of us have the same problem with those pesky Friendship Stars!  Somehow, no matter how careful we are, we manage to get one side that just isn't right!  It can be frustrating but taking it slow helps....What amazes me is that by the time we called it quits, around 10:00 p.m. I was completely relaxed! 

I have proven my own theory - doing anything related to quilting is relaxing!  Even if you only give it 15 minutes to 30 minutes a day - you've progressed with something and you feel that you have accomplished something.....I honestly believe this to be true!

I had my Pre-Op yesterday afternoon at North York General Hospital.  I have to say that it was a breeze even though it took 2-1/2 hours.  The Pre-Op nurse explained everything including the side effects of the medication I need to take before the surgery.  The tests - blood, cardiogram, blood pressure, etc. went without a hitch and all the staff are very respectful and kind.  The last stop is the anestesiologist and she was also very helpful.  So everything's a go for Tuesday.

We (Rich and I) treated ourselves to a fabulous lunch at around 3:30 p.m. at Pancers on Bathurst (just north of Wilson).  Their corned beef and potato salad is the best!  Then we went to let the "buyers" into the house to do measurements.  The timing wasn't great and there was a bit of an issue with the other real estate agent but at the end of the day it all worked out.....

Since I had such a relaxed feeling after working on the miniature quilt I decided to take The Farmers Wife home with me and managed to mark and cut a few more pieces before I went to bed.....however, I did forget to take my box of fabrics so will have to grab them from the store today so I can keep working on it!

I'm almost ready to bring Sonia home (my Janome 6260) and get back to working on Molly's Meadow - I'm so excited!  To actually be in a position to set up a sewing machine so quickly is really a great feeling!

There are still boxes to unpack but I need to get the den/office painted before I can continue organizing the first floor so, until that's done (the paint is here - just waiting for the painter to get the urge!) I'll have to find something else to do - quilting works for me!

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann