Catchin' Up and stash report week 16

 Another week already?

Time flies when you're busy.

This week I was out of town for 3 nights on a consulting job.  Translation:  I didn't cook from Sunday lunch through Wednesday night dinner - WooHoo!  On the other hand, There was lots of catchin' up to do when I got home. 

 Still haven't made it to the grocery store.  Might have done so had I not locked myself out of the house Friday morning taking the dog on a walk (part of catchin' up). 

 As I closed the door, I knew I didn't have the key.  So, a little unplanned cleaning of the garage took place while waiting for DH to come home and let me in.  Then, we went out to lunch - we NEVER get to go to lunch, just the 2 of us.  Another bonus!

While lying in my hotel bed, almost ready to turn out the light, I read the 1 Choice for Quilting blog and discovered that I had won another of their giveaways!  What are the chances, huh?! 

16 fat quarters of Fee Spirit's Happy Flowers by Donna Dewberry.  Very springy!  Haven't shown them to DS yet.  He may add them to his stash.  He literally stashes his fabric under his train table.

Also while I was away my mug rug arrived from the swap hosted by Leona of Leona's Quilting Adventure.  I had to wait 2 days to see it! 

Isn't it pretty!?  Alberta did all kinds of fun things - she appliqued, she embroidered, and she did some weaving.  Yes, all on the left is weaving!  Isn't that beautiful?  I don't know if I want to use it or hang it up and look at it b/c it's so pretty!

The other thing Alberta did that I must also try; she used the backing as binding, like my grandma always did.  These things are small and I found the double binding technique that I use for quilts is awfully bulky for them.  Note to self for wall hangings, etc. 

There are some tutorials out there for single binding, too: 
1)   http://verykerryberry.blogspot.com/2011/01/single-binding-tutorial.html,
2)   http://thelittleredhen.typepad.com/my_weblog/quilt-binding-tutorial.html.
I have not tried either of these, just for reference.

 Here's the mug rug I made for Alberta.  She requested Civil War fabrics and as you know, I've been collecting them for our guild's BOM this year.  Civil War fabrics screamed for something traditional and it doesn't get much more traditional than an Ohio Star block (aka Swamp Angel).  Plus, this version uses four fabrics.

Speaking of BOM....  The only sewing for me this week happened last night at my LQS sew down.  The regular goal for myself is finish my guild blocks first and then work on something else. 

 However, I left my Quilt in a Day 6.5" triangle square up ruler hanging on my wall so it took me a while to square up 32 half square triangles.  If you've never used this ruler, you square up the HST before you open it up and press by lining the seam up on the diagonal lines.  Two layers, two cuts = fast.

This block is called Catch Me If You Can.  This is the 12.5" version for the block lotto.

And this is the 6.5" version that I keep. Usually I vary the fabric selection for each block but I liked this one and I was tired so choosing one colorway this month was enough.


Oh - one of my quilty friends brought me a honey bun last night that she's decided not to use.  It's Swanky by Chez Moi.  I've not used a honey bun before but I'm thinking about making four of Moda's Sweet Treat bags - assembly line style.

Another quilty friend brought some crushed walnut shells.  These are very fine shells.  Now I can make some of the Schnibbles pincushions.

Also last night...here's my first ever Tupperware purchase.  Not quilt related but still cool, even for someone who doesn't like to be in the kitchen!
Sew, here are the numbers:

Used this Week:   0
Used year to Date: 28.875 (28 7/8)
Added this Week:  5.67 (5 2/3)
Added Year to Date: 42.42
Net Used for 2011:   -13.50

Uh-oh - the negative is creeping up into double digits!  For more stash reporting, visit Judy's blog.