August 2017 - Accomplishments and Stash Report

It seems like a long time since I've checked in, although I am pretty sure that most of you who read my blog also follow my activities on Instagram (@jenquilter). I try to save a few photos each month for my blog that I don't post on Instagram, so hopefully you see something new here. 

August was a great month after all the activity in July getting ready for, going on vacation, then getting things back together once home. I still have one load of towels that hasn't been washed yet! Work was really busy upon my return, so I didn't have much time or energy in the evenings, but I did manage to sew each weekend, and I got a lot of stitching done at the couch. Here's the roundup for the month:

Quilting - I spent 6 3/4 hours in my sewing room and here's what I got done: 
1. Made back, loaded, quilted, and made binding for a Quilt of Valor that will go to the Veterans group at work (this is a fun little story - we started a "Quilt Squad" at work and have about 10 women who meet quarterly over lunch to share projects, talk about quilting, help each other, and in our last meeting, we decided to make a couple QOVs for the Veteran group). I also got it handed off to the next person and she is attaching the binding. 
2. Made a car blanket and baby bib for a baby shower at work. It was so fun to make a few baby gifts! 
3. Made a back, loaded, and quilted the leftover QOV blocks to make a table runner quilt. I also made the binding and attached it (all by machine), so this one is done! 
4. Cut out and started piecing another baby quilt. 
5. Made a badge holder for my daughter's friend's mom who is teaching for her first year (she wanted a way to keep her school ID and phone handy). 
I also used a lot of fabric in the process this month - 7 3/8 yards! Backs are great for using some fabric and it was nice to pull out a baby quilt kit that I've had for a while and finally have a reason to make it up. Here's the official stash report: 

Fabric added this month: 0 yards
Fabric used this month: 9 3/8 yards (includes 2 yards I didn't count in July)
Fabric added year to date: 12 5/8 yards
Fabric used year to date: 29 3/8 yards
Net fabric used: 16 3/4 yards

I'm linking up my stash report with quiltpaintcreate

Stitching - I had a great month for stitching and finished three projects that have been in progress for a while and one new one. One of them is a gift for a blog-reader, so I will show a picture of it after I've gifted it. Here are the other three: 
1. Beach Day by Country Cottage Needleworks - I used the called for thread and linen. Lots and lots of stitching in this one, but I think it turned out very pretty in the end. I think this one is big enough that it deserves an actual frame, so I will be keeping my eye out to find something that works with it. 

2. Christmas Alphabet Ornament - this was a freebie from the Facebook Candy Cane Stitchers group. It is by Heart in Hand and I used called for thread and linen, except for the alphabet - I substituted a different brown since neither my mom or I had the one she charted. I think it turned out pretty cute and will make a great ornament! 

3. Merry Christmas by Gail Pan - I just looked on her website and don't see this pattern available anymore. I bought this stamped onto a piece of linen at a quilt show in Hershey, PA several years ago and I think I started it about 2 years ago! I set a goal this year to spend one session doing embroidery between each big stitching finish. I've held to that goal and got close enough this time that I decided to finish it up! I am not sure what I'll do to finish this one...maybe a pillow, or maybe a fabric frame. I had fun using Sampler Threads and some silks and even a wool thread in this one. The only thing that has me a little scared is that I need to dampen it to wash out the markings (you can see a few shadows in blue) and I am hoping not to have any of the colors run. 

4. Surprise project that I'll show you in another month or two :) 

Well, sorry for the long post, but as you can see, it was a pretty productive month. My goal in September is to follow the #30daynationalsewingmonthchallenge and make time for needle and thread each day, even if only for a few minutes. I've done well so far - three for three, two days at the machine and one doing some hand binding. I am inspired by Kate at Life in Pieces who tracks the number of days she sews 15 minutes. I'll let you know how the rest of the month goes in a few weeks! 

Hope you had a great August and are enjoying the start of fall, my favorite season! 

Comments

Anonymous said…
Great numbers! You've done well keeping your purchases down this year.
I also find I do better with hand work on week nights unless I have a mindless piecing project going. Work takes it all out of me some days.
Moneik said…
Sounds like you had a great month. Mine was super crazy and I didn't get much sewing time in at all. I didn't buy fabric either, so that's a plus. So far I'm 6/6 in Sewing September.
Kate said…
Very fun QOV and hand stitching projects. Congrats on all the progress in August. Good luck with your goals for September.
Carol said…
Such cute baby gifts--I'm sure the new mom was so appreciative :) And I love your red, white, and blue table runner, Jennifer!

The beach cross stitching is so pretty in those lovely colors--I can imagine how much time it took, though. The tiny Heart in Hand piece is darling. I should do that one, too, as I am WAY behind on my monthly ornament stitching this year.

Hope you have a relaxing, creative weekend!
Laura said…
I agree: every day should be a beach day! I like fall, but I could use another couple of weeks of summer.