Ta DA...............!

Used a half yard to make test blocks for the next Guild Challenge.  Put a border on a charity quilt for another .29 yards.  And used a 2 1/2" strip for some a scrappy trip blocks to use another .07 yards.  Here are my numbers:

in 0.0 yds.; out .86 yds.

Stash in YTD: in 9.0 yds., out YTD 109.44yds.

Donated YTD: 51.26 yds

Net for 2013: out 100.44 yds

 

TA DA...!  I reached and passed my 100 yards goal for the year! Granted I donated over 51 yards (I'm pretty sure that's less than last year - I'll have to go back into my archive), so that's good too.

  

But my real TA DA moment is

 

 

Yes, after 20 years I'm able to wear my wedding bands again (ignore the gnarly hand, please)!  That was another goal I set for myself for this year - to be able to wear it for our 45th anniversary. That was yesterday, the 30th.  And no, I didn't have it resized, :)   .

I'm linking to Judy's Stash Report at Patchwork Times.  Let's go see how others are doing.

A Finish of Sorts = FMQ!

It came to me yesterday what a lot of prep there is to getting a  top ready for quilting.  You ready the top and back making sure they are squared up (sort of), then you get the batting, find your pins and see if your basting space is clear to use.  I usually use the carpet in my guest bedroom, but I'm getting less agile at getting down on the floor to do this.  My dining table's edge is not conducive to  using for sandwiching using clips, and I didn't want to use tape. So after tea and a cookie or two, I had a eureka moment:

Out from long storage from my sewing clothes day, I pulled out my cardboard cutting board!

Partially opened it on my kitchen table and it was more than enough for this quilt top.

I laid out the three layers and started to pin the back to the board.  This cutting board is constructed of two pieces with an air space in between.  If I push the pins into the space, I anchor the quilt and don't scratch my table.  I pin a top edge and a side edge.  Then I start pinning the opposites by pulling the backing lightly taut as I pin. each of the remaining sides.  Then I pin baste the top to the two other layers.  Once that's done, and I check the back for no wrinkles, I make a small sandwich and check my machine settings and which thread to use for the quilting.

Phew! Ready at last. I'm off to quilt as soon as I finish the post.  I'm linking to Leah's FMQ Project and Amanda Jean's Finish it Up Friday because this quilt will be finished by the end of the day.

Hexie Friday

I found my template pack!  I made my 7 hexie min for the week!  I'm on a roll!

How did you do?  Any and all hexie projects welcome - hey, even if it's not hexie - we love to see eye candy.  Linky below: