The Fabric Gods Have Smiled....

.... Ok. So UPS smiled upon me, but whatever. Same thing, right? My giant fabric purchase arrived before the start of the new year! I don't have to add it to my stash reports - YESSSS! I count that as a win.

I haven't had much time in the sewing room this week. It's a freakin' disaster zone right now - all the Christmas stuff is out in the room, all the fabric waiting to be shelved, DH's boxer shorts waiting to be finished....

Thank goodness for a day off. I will have an opportunity to clean some of this junk up and start the new year fresh!

Pre-Christmas Near-Finishes

My husband and I have psychic ability regarding gift giving, at least this year. I have guessed correctly on three of four gifts. Only three, because he won't let me shake the fourth box! And he has guessed correctly on two out of three.

Yesterday I was holed up in my sewing room, refusing to let him enter, because I was working on his third Christmas prezzie; 8 pairs of boxer shorts. He loves homemade boxer shorts. And I make them because he loves them. So here I am, sewing away when he knocks on my door. I crack it open slightly and he asks what I'm working on. I say he's not allowed to know because it's for him. Then he says to me, "Well, unless you're making 8 pairs of boxers, I don't know what could be taking so long."

Seriously?

SERIOUSLY?

How could he possibly have known? My sewing room looks like a fabric bomb went off, so there isn't anyway he peeked in and could gather that at a glance.

Oh well.

In the middle of sewing, I realized I did not have one important piece of the puzzle as far as boxer shorts go. Elastic. Woops. Guess he will be getting 8 pairs of non-useable boxers for right now! I will have to make a trip to JoAnn's to stock up.

In my sewing room I now have 8 pairs of boxers, mostly made; a quilt that needs to get to the quilter; three that have come back and need their bindings attached; and a boxer-fabric-scrap pile that is to be reckoned with. I would post pics but my dad always told me, "Don't post anything you wouldn't want your dad to see" and I think a pic of my sewing room would send his OCD into hyperdrive.

Have no fear, Sewing Goddess is here! I fight grime, clutter, and procrastination!

Just kidding. Sigh. I will attempt to make a somewhat meager attempt to clean something up in the sewing room!

Happy holidays!

Economic & Stash Stimulation

Oh my! I have done quite a bit today to stimulate the economy - though, it's hard to say what real impact me and my little Visa could actually have, but.....

I purchased 22 1/2 yards from FatQuarterShop. Later I went on an errand to pick up my last BOM from my LQS and walked out with 13 yards. For a grand total (drumroll, please....) of 35 1/2 yards of random fabric!

As far as the stash report is concerned, I won't be counting my LQS purchase in it (as I'm starting Jan 1), but it's quite possible the internet shopping will arrive after the first of the year and that would put a real ding in my plans.

My purchases today include a variety of backgrounds, be they in purple, yellow, orange, green, and red; and fabric for a quilt that's still in my head. Crud, I think I am going to have to add that one to my UFO list now...

On a completely different note, I went to the Y today for some Yoga and was sorely disappointed. I wish we did more poses and less meditation/breathing. The time before this one, the woman I was next to seemed to be making a point to breathe very noisily. As if she was reminding herself (and everyone else) that she was alive by breathing loudly. I get it, I get it! You're here!

It's probably not a popular standpoint in my little town, but I've made it anyway. If you don't here from me, I've likely been tarred and feathered or run out of town by an angry mob.

Now I'm off to clean the house and prep for company. Tonight's schedule includes nachos and Tron. Only things you can do with the best of friends!

A finish! (almost)

Last night I sat down at my machine and worked on the French Red quilt on my UFO list. The pattern is from McCall's Jan/Feb 2010 mag, "Good Morning, Valentine!". It calls for several borders around the quilt center, and after putting on the first border, I decided to call it quits. It's the perfect size for a baby quilt, and there are plenty of little new ones coming into my life these days.

My quilt store has started selling batting on the roll, rather than in packages. It makes my brain hurt to figure out yardage. Last time I purchased far too much, so I'll be able to use the leftovers to piece together a bat for this little guy. There is a red/cream toile perfect for the backing.

Now, what to do with the border strips I've already cut out.... Rail Fence? Oh no! Did I just add to my UFO list? CRAP!

Quilting in 2011

In the last several years I've been so focused on getting my degree, that quilting came second. Or fifteenth... You know how it goes.

My goal for 2011 is to do a better job of documenting my quilting attempts. I plan on using this blog as a way to post photos and give reports on my progress.

I currently have several UFO's:

1) McCall's 2009 BOM
2) French red star quilt
3) Quiltz 2010 BOM
4) 6 hot pads
5) Binding on 4 quilts

Goal 1: Finish all current UFO's by Jan 31st

Goal 2: Spend no more than $100/mo on quilting... yeah... that's gonna be difficult, but I'm crossing my fingers.

Goal 3: Keep track of my stash via Patchwork Times. If not posting, at least keeping track.

I will probably think of something, but for right now, that will have to do!