Last Sunday in 2018 Stitches

Hi Everyone.
I missed posting last week. I did stitch everyday which is why I didn't post. I was EXHAUSTED! I think I slept most of the next 2 days. Its a blur now. I sewed until 5 minutes before my family came over for Christmas. I still owe 2 gifts. I did run out and get them gifts on Monday but its not the same. I just knew I was not going to get theirs done. I really did get a very early start on gifts this year but life interfered so many times that I am surprised at what I did accomplish.

I left the hardest gift making for last. As a matter of fact, the very last stitch on my daughters handbag killed my Janome. It hit a very big seam on the gusset. It should have been 6 layers but with the strap being off a bit, the needle hit 12 layers. Bent the needle and blew the fuse. I thought I bent the shaft but after researching it seems to only be the fuse. I took it to sewing machine spa. Hopefully the timing is not off. I had to pull out my class Janome and finished that last seam after cutting out as much layers as I could manage and still have the integrity of the bag.



The other handbag was done just before the one above. It gave me fits. Next time I decide to use a fabric with a strip shoot me. It is a very minor strip but lining it up to put in the zipper closure took me 2 hours and ripping it out 3x.

I was adding ribbon to a dress I made for my granddaughter just before the family got here. I thought I had other ribbon but I made do. I wanted to make her a fancy dress but that will have to wait for another day. 

It is to big but she loved it, that's all the matter. She did a lot of spinning in it! 

As for 2019, I decided that I will still track my daily sewing but not report the fabric in and out. I also decided that selecting a monthly goal was making me NOT want to do it until the last day of that month. Why? I have no idea. It felt like a punishment or something silly like that. 

I have retreat coming up in February. Hopefully I will get a few UFO tops to quilted status. I can dream!!!! LOL!!!

  

15 Minute Challenge:  

Week 52        7 of 6 days

2018 Total         291 of 363 days

Percentage of days sewn 76%  

Link to Stash Report Quilt paint create December 30, 2018

Link to Stitching report Life in Pieces December 30, 2018

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! See you in 2019!

Aileen in FL

It's my birthday! Stitch and stash 12-15-18

Happy week before Christmas. This is a hectic time for all of us. Yesterday was my birthday. I sewed, and sewed, and sewed until my hands could not sew anymore. The kids came over about suppertime to celebrate Grandmas old age. Ha Ha! I was given handmade gifts. What could be better. I love them all.

We had homemade cake. It was the best cake I ever had. Carri used boxed cake but put brownies in it. Oh my goodness, it was just unbelievably delicious!

My sewing room is quite the mess right now but here is a picture of my gifts.

 Carri painted this sunflower. It brought back memories of visiting my aunt in Queens, NY when I was about 6. I felt like I stepped into OZ! She had one lone sunflower! I had never seen such a large flower before.  She lived next to a nunnery. I had to climb the wall and peak over to see what it looked like. There was a very pretty garden. I lived in the Bronx. No trees or gardens. It was magical.

Amber made the "When life gives you Scraps make a quilt".

The background is my actual scrap fabrics. So Cool.

Raina made all the hearts! They all came out so lovely. Great job Raina!

My mom loved her fabric napkins. Not sure about the pot holders

I was able to get 90% of Carris handbag done, then my hands gave out and so did my brain. Stabbed myself with the seam ripper, bit my tongue, slammed my toe. DONE!

Today I finished 2 pouches for my grandson to give his teachers. They go the extra mile with him. He is on the spectrum and they talk him into a calm state quite often.


Going forward I will report the Fifteen minutes to stitch but not the fabric usage. Following my fabric usage didn't stop me from buying more or less fabric. It didn't make me use my stash. So I am retiring that idea to simplify my blog.

  

15 Minute Challenge:  

Week 50        7 of 7 days

2018 Total         277 of 349 days

Percentage of days sewn 79%  

Link to Stash Report Quilt paint create December 16, 2018

Link to Stitching report Life in Pieces December 16, 2018

Happy Sewing! Happy Holidays!!!

Aileen in FL

The race is on Stitch and Stash 12/11/18

It is really Tuesday 12/12/18. I have been sewing and sewing. I realized on Saturday that I had to make the things that needed to mailed next.

With all the snow everywhere, things may get there late.
I cut out multiple things for my daughter in Seattle and finally ironed my mothers napkins. I also made her 2 thumb/finger potholders. Very cute.

Today I finished those things, boxed them and my daughter came and took them off to the post office for me.  Thank you Amber! Now I am so confused as to what I have left to sew. I decided that I would wrap gifts tonight and make a spreadsheet. You forget what you have done when you start Holiday sewing in August. Also, I seem to have misplace a few things when I hid them quickly after getting a surprise visit for the grands!

Stash Report   Week 49 2018

Fabric used this week: 10 yard   

Fabric Added this week: 0 yards   

Fabric Added Year to Date: 97 yards 

Net used for 2018: 89 yards
      GOAL for Year - 62 yards !!  

15 Minute Challenge:  

Week 49        7 of 7 days

2018 Total         270 of 342 days

Percentage of days sewn 79%  

Link to Stash Report Quilt paint create December 11, 2018

Link to Stitching report Life in Pieces December 11, 2018

Happy Sewing! 

Aileen in FL

December already. Stitch and Stash 12-2-18

Oh my. I am way behind in sewing. I have been sick this whole week. I think the neighbors can hear me coughing up a storm. It is a pretty bad cough. Often have to run to the loo so as not to have an accident!  Not fun. There are 6 of us sick. 4 grandkids, my daughter and me. I feel bad for my daughter, her husband was away all weekend, so she couldn't get a minute to herself.

Well I did try to sew a bit. I made a few pouches, a finger potholder, and cut out a handbag. I had to be very careful, as the sneezing fits could have cost me a finger or two!

I did manage to finish a hat and scarf to donate to kids in a local school.

I have NOT started Bonnie Hunters "Good Fortune" mystery. I have too much to catch up with right now.

Stash Report   Week 48 2018

Fabric used this week: 4 yard   

Fabric Added this week: 0 yards   

Fabric Added Year to Date: 97 yards 

Net used for 2018: 79 yards
      GOAL for Year - 62 yards !!  

15 Minute Challenge:  

Week 48        7 of 7 days

2018 Total         263 of 335 days

Percentage of days sewn 78%  

Link to Stash Report Quilt paint create December 2 2018

Link to Stitching report Life in Pieces December 2, 2018

Happy Sewing! 

Aileen in FL