Fabric Fast and Works in Progress

WAAAAY back in September I told myself that I would go on a fabric fast.  My reasoning was to ensure that I didn't start anything else without finishing my already started projects. Wellll I don't think that goal was met.  My tendency to start projects just keep at it.  The creative bug wouldn't be tamed!!  

Another reason was to help the budget and that was definitely very helpful when Will was laid off and I squirreled away money for 4 and a half months.  I wanted to be as frugal as possible and live off the least amount possible so that we had money saved from the severance for when it ended.  That too, has been a good thing because now we have no more severance and with Will's new job he won't get paid for 3 weeks.  I am very thankful for this!!!  So....at least that goal was met.  

For my fabric fast I made some rules because there had to be exceptions right??  Here were my rules:

1)  You are allowed to buy backing fabric or binding fabric  IF you can't piece together something first.

2)  You are allowed to buy batting for the middle of your quilts.

3)  You can accept scraps from other quilters.

4)  Fabric fast applies to quilting not sewing clothes. Sewing your own clothes can save money if you don't buy a pattern and if you get the fabric at Value Village!! That's how I got into that for awhile :).

So here are my current WIPs:

A sewing friend gave me a bag of strips and they were nicely sorted into lights, medium and dark values.  I just had to add my own.  Here is my pile of mediums that I am using to create my own version of "Scrapper's Delight" from Sunday Morning Quilts which you will see later in this post. 

Here are my blocks so far.  The tiny one was an experiment that I will have to fit in the quilt somehow.  I am hoping to do 80 (!!!!) of these.  I've wanted to do a strip quilt for the longest time so I'm just glad I got started.  

You have probably seen these fabrics before.  They are the ones from Alaska (2014).  I used the top fabric in my Indian Blanket and I have made one of The Original Cliff's Bears - I just haven't cut him out yet - that is intimidating me!!! 

I'm waiting for more inspiration before I keep going with this one.  They are cute though aren't they?

I chose a bear quilt because we came within 20 feet of this huge black bear while we were hiking.  

I've encountered bears in the wild before but never that up close and personal.  It's a great way to get your heart rate up!!!  They are amazing to behold just would be more appreciated if you didn't have to hoof it in the other direction.   

I wanted to make this into a maternity Maxi dress.  The pattern on the top and the pink on the bottom.  All cost me a couple of dollars at VV.  See if I get to it!!! 

These are my grey charm squares from Quilt Retreat 2014.  I have organized them into values and put them with the cut white strips into the bag I received (thanks Susan!) from the retreat.  I hope to make a chevron quilt with these.  I may change my approach next time I take them out!! 

This little guy was put together to practice on the long arm but never happened because it was out of commission on practice day.   It's just a center piece for the table.  It's all cut and measured and basted and everything - just ready to be quilted.  Could be done in an hour or two if I put my mind to it :).  

I have all the pieces cut out for a dress for Madilyn to match Nadia's.  I first have to alter Nadia's dress. 

This is going to be a table runner too.  It may only take a few hours.  I'm just not hyped about the colors anymore ---- we'll see what I do. 

I started a nine patch with all my baby brights.  It will make a nice eye spy quilt when it's done.  I'm trying to make the blocks either mostly red or blue.  

This is all of my stash that is cotton.  The drawers hold the small scraps. 

The front piles are fat quarters or about that. The back is yardage. 

This pile has gotton tinier and it's been a pleasure to see it shrink.  I do believe that I can continue on this fast for another year with all these projects on the go.  Really.  

These are all the triangles and squares left over from my King Size Star Quilt.  Can you believe it?  I can make another quilt with this!!  Maybe one for the baby would be nice. 

I wanted something I can do with my hands when I need to put my feet up and while camping. 

Enter..Mom's Hexi's.  I realize this one could take a few years 

This is part of my secret almost done quilt.  You'll be seeing it soon though - I'm really excited about this one for many reasons on different levels.  More later!!! 

PS: It's the same pattern as the backing on my King quilt only not in blue. 

This is not a WIP but an idea of something to do with my triangles left over from other projects.  

This is called Up, Up and Away. 

Found in this awesome book that inspires me many times over. 

Another idea but not until all the above WIPS are done. And... I can't forget that I have to do the binding on the KING quilt - AKKKKKK!!! 

Nadia (4 and a half) brought this to me while I was taking pictures.  She is working on making hearts as you can see on the right. I love all the colors!!!  It's always fun to receive mail - thanks Nadia!!! 

An Awesome Awning

When Will was still at home, he made this awning for the kitchen window.  

We had a two week heat wave and 2 days of over 30 on the weekend so it has been very helpful. 

Thank you Will!!! 

Blue Charm Stars - King Quilt

One year ago I bought time on someone's long arm at Family Fun Night.  

With Will not working I felt like it was the perfect time to cash in on my time and learn how to quilt that way. 

The lady, Kathleen, was an awesome teacher.  Patient and encouraging and I learned so much!! 

The quilt looks awesome. 

I chose a simple heart pattern and used the pantograph with laser to follow to guide the pattern onto my quilt. 

I think this picture is sideways - opps!!

I was dreading the process actually.  I wanted to try something new but thought that I wouldn't enjoy it and rather it was a way to get this HUGE quilt of mine FINALLY (7 years in the making) done. 

Boy, was I wrong.  I actually enjoyed it more than quilting at my machine.  I liked how I could move my body around and get into a rhythm.  It took about two rows before I could relax and get in a groove but once I did - it was fun!!!  Here you can see the wonky hearts.  

I am so thankful!!  It's almost done and the quilting looks so nice!!  

I decided to do a scrappy binding which I need to do along with several other projects right now. 

Hopefully by the end of summer you can see it on our bed!!!  

Will wanted a family shot for his Power Point presentation about himself for his team at his new job. 

Our smiles are saying "It is stinking hot!!  I hope these pictures work out because I'm not coming out here again!!"  Could be worse...I don't know how people in Ontario survive :).  

Summer is Here (And this is just June)!!

Nadia and Madilyn sharing a quiet moment.

A $10 slip and slide will provide hours of entertainment.

It will make everyone nice and cool again. 

This young man just lost his long awaited first tooth.  

Aleana turned 17!!!  

This is Aleana's Will graduating.  Good job Will!!!

More summer fun with cousins. 

Aleana's Will's refurbished VW.  Just in time for grad!! 

Aleana and Will - all ready for the grad dinner. 

On-the-Go Bags

I got this idea from this great blog and instead of just admiring these ladies I decided to DO it. 

I am not sharing so you can see how generous I am but rather I would really love it if this idea went viral and everyone I knew started to do this.  Wouldn't that be great?  

Jesus said that when we clothe others, feed others and love others we are clothing, feeding, and loving HIM.  As mothers, we do this ALOT (feeding, clothing and loving part) with our children but this is something tangible that we can use to show the children how to give and not just receive all the time. They can learn how to do this!!  In fact, they are more willing, eager and ready to give these away then I am - I am still hesitant and nervous about it :).  

So....here's how you do it.  This bag is intended to be kept in your car and given out when you can SAFELY hand it to someone begging at the intersection or on the street.  We gave our first away on Saturday and the man's eyes lit up and he said "God bless you!!"

I included these items:  A water bottle, 2 granola bars, a little bag of cookies, some mints, 2 pairs of grey socks, a wash cloth.  Today, I bought two more items: Fruit Leather and Sesame Snaps.  

You don't want to include chocolate unless it's winter and you know it won't melt :).  

Here it is all packed up into the ziploc.  I put two in our van and one in the car (just because I only have room for one in the car). 

I also included a message of Hope.  

I wrote out John 3:16-17 making sure to include that it is from the Holy Bible. 

That way people know WHY you are helping them and that there is HOPE if they seek it out. 

So what do you think?  It doesn't take alot of time and after you do it a couple of times you'll be glad that you did.  We prayed at dinner for the man that received our go-bag and that too is good for the children to witness.  Our God does amazing things with our small gifts.  

A Time for Everything

There is a time for everything,

    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

    a time to be born and a time to die,

    a time to plant and a time to uproot,

 a time to kill and a time to heal,

 a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

 a time to mourn and a time to dance,

 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

 a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

 a time to search and a time to give up,

 a time to keep and a time to throw away,

 a time to tear and a time to mend,

 a time to be silent and a time to speak,

 a time to love and a time to hate,

 a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

I love this poem from Ecclesiastes.  

I am going to use to direct my thoughts for today. 

There is a time for everything, 

and it's the season when the kids are home for summer,

a time to be hot and a time to be cold, 

a time to rest from work and a time to go back to work (Will has a job!!), 

a time to write and feel focused and 

a time to be scattered and rarely thinking straight, 

a time to make elaborate dinners and a time to eat pizza,

a time to keep the house well and a time to let things go, 

a time to step back and a time to get involved, 

a time to help others and a time to be helped, 

a time to let the kids fight it out and a time to intervene, 

a time to let them have fun and a time to put them to work, 

a time to go to the beach and a time to stay home, 

a time to be loud and a time to be quiet. 

and more from the Preacher... 

"I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.  That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil - that is a gift from God"  Ecclesiastes 3:12 

Have a great summer everyone!!! 

Enjoy those kiddos if you have them - September will come soon enough.  

I have some eye candy for you but the battery died on the camara...

so you shall have to wait until next time :).  

We're Pro-life - Aren't We?

That's our baby at 10 weeks - doesn't he look like a little Pokemon?

disclaimer: I do not like Pokemon but I do know what he looks like! 

Our baby is 12 weeks now and about 5cm long.  What a blessing!! !

"So we say with confidence, 'The LORD is my helper;

I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?' "

Hebrews 13:6

I have so much to say and I'm not sure I want to share any of it.  

Would it solve my heart's hurt? 

Recently, a sister in Christ shared how we should let Jesus sweep out and take away 

our rooms that are full of expectations of others. 

Give those expectations to Jesus and let Him take them on and let Him fill them up. 

Good idea, as I have rooms full of them.  

Jesus...

Can you take on the hurtful words someone said to 

me without thinking?  Take on my expectation that all Christians are pro-life?  

Can you take away the words that were embarrassing and rather quite worldly? 

Take those words away from me and remind me more of the healing, loving words others spoke

- others who know your greatness and power and who show your love?

Also, Jesus - can you take away those hurtful words and the lack of words that at times make me feel judged for trusting you so much?  It's a judgment I place on myself, a feeling that is not based on facts.  I know that this is not MY plan but YOUR plan that this was not a bad idea or bad timing but it was desired deeply by us and also it was all in YOUR hands.     

  Help me to keep this between You and me.  

This new life is not about pleasing others (how can we ever please everyone all the time anyway?). 

but pleasing YOU. 

Can you give new strength for each day when I feel so weak?  When the symptoms seem to be all there is, when I can't see the big picture because the bottom of the pail is in front of my face - and that's all there is.  Can you take all those expectations of myself to get certain things done away?  

Far far away.  

Just take it all.  

And one more thing Jesus, 

could you help all of us be more encouraging in our walk? 

Thank you, Jesus, Amen

If we claim to be truly pro-life shouldn't we be doing more to encourage one another? 

Green Thread, Lavender Lovelies and Good News!!!

All these photos and their editing is credited to my amazing daughter, Aleana.  

Is it wrong for me to say that she received Citizen of the Year award at Credo?  

Well, I am going to anyway, BUT I will give all the praise to our Father.  

We are very thankful and happy that the LORD has given us such a blessing.  

We praise Him for the work He has done in her.

Thank you LORD!!    

I thought I would save money and sew up some clothes for myself.  

Some things worked and some things did not.  This top sort of worked, I'm still not sure if I'll wear it. Aleana wore it for retro day and it only took a half an hour to make so at least it's good for something.  It's material that is used for a sari - I found it at VV. 

                            Now this one I don't like at all.  I loved the fabric on the rack but on me - I look like a big daisy!!!  Another garment for the dress up box.  

Our apple tree is doing great!!! 

I love how this one turned out sewing wise.  However, I used a maternity tank top I already have to cut out the fabric and this fabric is way Less stretchy than the prototype so this one now barely fits!! 

It's quite tight, I could wear it but it would not be all that comfortable.  Well, it's my first time sewing a tank to so I'll be easy on myself and hopefully I can wear it comfortably some year in the future.  

 Remember I was commiserating about what to do with the extra time on my hands? Well, God always has His ideas for that.  Finding ways to keep the nausea at bay and the other "I won't mention here" gross symptoms related to nausea from interrupting my work has been enough to fill in that extra time :).  We are very thankful for this little blessing and thank our Father He has made all well thus far.  As you can see I have been successful at gaining more than my fair share of first trimester weight so I am suspecting a boy at this point.