Memorial Day: camping and organizing...

What is a girl to do for three days without her sewing machine? This girl plans to organize her quilting thoughts and get them on paper. I have tons of ideas floating in my head and I rarely have the time to properly get them on paper. I have searched the Internet/blog land for some worksheet help but to no avail... I really do not want to "re-create the wheel" but looks like I might have to.

I am looking for a worksheet of sorts to attach to my sketches where I can add things like the pattern name, the size options, who it would be for and their information. You see I have been planning to make my classmates lap quilts for graduation. We have been together for over a year in our MBA program and will finish in September. Yep September, and that means I have about three months to make ten quilts. I will be making them scrappy from what ever fabrics I have in my stash but I have to have some sort of organization to make this work.

Do any of you organized quilters use such a thing? Are you a planner or do you just wing it? I am a procrastinator who needs a little organization to keep this from falling apart! Any help, suggestions or tips would be appreciated.

This is a picture of where we are going, Eagle Lake. I can not wait to leave... only 23 more hours to go.

One for You, One for Me!

I finally made some progress on my small quilt for the Modify Tradition swap. I chose the "Odd Fellows" block that I found in the Fons & Porter's Love for Quilting magazine May/June 2010 issue. I loved the combinations so much that I had to make one for myself as well.

Now I have to decide on borders, quilting and backing. Should I hand quilt? (I have never hand quilted before.) Should I add an envelope back for a pillow or a regular back with hanging tabs? Anyone have any suggestions? I would love to read them.

Mel & Brian WPGA 2010

Mel & Brian WPGA 2010
Originally uploaded by melodylynn128

I have not been sewing lately. I have not been at the office either. I have been in Reno, NV at the Western Propane Gas Association Convention. That was last week....

This week I am trying to play catch up. I have some major deadlines including my Modify Traditions Small Quilt Swap. I have finally found a pattern/idea and purchased the fabric last night. I plan to cut out the fabric tonight and if I am lucky, get some sewing done.

Here are some of the projects that I need to finish this month:
Bob & Emily's quilt - I need to sew the binding to the back and add label
Santorini - needs binding and label
Savanha's quilt - finish quilting, binding and label
Modify Traditions Small Quilt Swap - cut, sew, quilt, bind & label

The list could go on but these need to be finished for sure!

Modify Tradition Swap

1. nine patch, 2. cs13, 3. quilted picnic blanket, 4. Table Runner, 5. Practical yet beautiful

I have recently signed on to participate in my first small quilt swap. I have been trying to find my style in this very diverse universe of quilting. Finally through many hours of reading quilting blogs I have found my style, Modified Tradition. I love traditional blocks yet I love modern fabrics. The Modify Tradition Blog summarizes these two loves into a complete style. My style.

The above Mosaic is to help my MT Swap partner know what I like. I am not a pink person by any means. I love to make quilts with pink in them for others but anything I make for myself does not contain pink or purple. I love blue, green and brown. I like yellow, red and orange. I hope this helps my swap partner...

Mill House Baby

Mill House Baby
Originally uploaded by melodylynn128

This is my latest finish. Mill House Baby is for a Coworker who is due in May. She is having a baby girl.

I used one charm pack of Mill House, vintage cotton lace and fabrics from my stash to finish off the borders.

Looks much better in person as the rain is still coming down here in California.

Melody

Stash Report #1

I have decided to start reporting my stash usage. As my husband can tell you, my stash is reproducing like bunnies! I am determined to use my stash this year. I didn't do well yesterday as I went to our local Quilt Show and added 14 yards to the stash but I couldn't resist the prices. I found a large piece (7.5 yds) of vintage goodness. I am a sucker for 60's-70's fabrics and this one was just singing to me, loudly, it even made me smile when I saw it. It made an older lady give me a weird look. I'm sure she was yelling to herself, no don't! But I did and for $5 it was the bargain of the day.


So without further a do here is week #1 stash report:

Date 4/11/10
Week # 1
used this week: 4.653
used y-t-d: 4.653
added this week: 36.5 (yikes)
added y-t-d: 36.5
net used for 2010: -31.847

Spring is here, finally!

Yes I know it has been a long while since I have posted. It has been a long and crazy winter/early spring. I have been planning projects, purchasing fabric I don't need, and day dreaming of the time to transform said fabric into completed treasures.

I did come across a great find.... this Katie Cupcake pattern.

I can't wait to make it and I even pulled fabrics from my stash last night so I can whip it up this weekend!!!