Stash Pact, a Fabric Series and a Giveaway!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Warning: Jam-packed post! Get ready! :)


I Have a Problem., originally uploaded by jenib320.
I have a problem. This is my entire stash of fabric and vintage sheets. I have way too much fabric. An embarrassing amount! I will probably be moving in August, potentially several states away so I really need to get things under control by then. I've joined Stash Pact 11 to help me get on track along with a set of rules for myself!

My Rules:
1. Sew more from my stash and scraps.
2. Try to swap for wanted fabrics whenever possible.
3. Piece backings with stash fabric. It's more interesting and requires less spending. *Only exception is my current flannel quilt.
4. No more buying fabric just because it's on sale.
5. Exception made for finishing up my Park Slope collection (favorite line!), aiming to swap for the missing prints or purchase for less than $8/yd.
6. Avoid purchasing precuts or bundles.
7. Build a better yellow/orange/gray stash either through swapping or limited buying. Small amounts of solids when needed is also okay.
8. Track yardage purchased in 2011.

Are you setting any stash goals for yourself this year?


Something New, originally uploaded by jenib320.
I have not forgotten about my vow to share my fabric/color selection process as well as how to create a warm/cool quilt! However, every time I sat down to write it up, it got bigger! It has now transformed itself into a full-blown series on fabrics and color. I've dubbed it "The Art of Choosing"! Weather or not it's an art is arguable, but I couldn't think of a better name, haha. I hope to cover a section every two weeks (or less!). The series will include the following sections:



The Art of Choosing
1. Recognizing a Fabric's Overall Color
2. How I Fold
3. Stash Storage
4. Building a Well Rounded Stash
5. Let Go - Organizing Your Stash
6. Building a Scheme Around a Single Fabric
7. Building a Scheme Around a Photograph or Image
8. Supplement a Fabric Line with Stash Fabric
9. Light vs. Dark Color Scheme
10. Warm vs. Cool Color Scheme

Check back soon, the first section will be posted early next week! In the meantime I've created a button for the series, if you're interested you can grab it from the sidebar>>


Orla Kiely Shopping Bag, originally uploaded by jenib320.
Finally! To get things kicked off and thank you all for your wonderful support, a giveaway is in order! Two lucky commenters will win an Orla Kiely Pear Reusable Shopping Bag! Eco-friendly and fashionable! :)

One entry per person, simply leave a comment letting me know what you're working on or just say hello! Giveaway closes Sunday at 10pm EST. Please make sure to leave your email if it's not viewable in your profile! Good luck!

Giveaway is Closed! Thanks!

Catch-up

Saturday, January 8, 2011


Jane Market Bag, originally uploaded by jenib320.
This week was filled with... market bag sewing,


Hand-Dyed, originally uploaded by jenib320.
fabric dyeing,


Cloud 9, originally uploaded by jenib320.
fabric stashing (whoops!),

pyrex thrifting,


Pie, originally uploaded by jenib320.
pie baking,


George!, originally uploaded by jenib320.
frame finding and...


George, originally uploaded by jenib320.
bunny watching!

Hope your week was filled with fun things as well! :)

Today I love the..
Smell of: Fresh balsam candle
Sound of: Monk
Taste of: Homemade rice krispie treats
Sight of: Fabric, fabric, fabric!
Feel of: Warm blankets

Good Things about Today:
- Successful grocery trip
- Cleaned out the fridge finally!
- Finished up the market bag
- Rice krispie treats!!

Favorites

Friday, January 7, 2011


Favorites, originally uploaded by jenib320.
1. lap dog quilt (front), 2. Quilt in the Hoop, 3. Flea Market Fancy quilt top finished, 4. Mini quilt, 5. kitchen fun, 6. 3x6 4th Quarter - Pink Yellow & Orange, 7. I ♥ Rainbows quilt, 8. qqq3, 9. New Year 1:365
Every week I go through my favorite photos on Flickr, and choose nine sewing/quilting related projects to showcase here. These photos and projects are not my own, you can find the original images and creators by clicking the coordinating links! If for any reason you do not want your project featured here, please email me and I'll remove it!

Happy Friday!

New Year

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

It's only four days into 2011, but that's already been a busy year! I am excited to be participating in the Twice Around the Block Bee with a group of super talented quilters! Kim's month was first and she sent these adorable boyish fabrics and asked for squares and rectangles. I pulled out Fat Quarterly's second issue and used the Small Change block by Tacha Bruecher.

I have been sewing up these zippy pouches. I was really inspired by Amanda's log cabin pouch and am now getting dangerously close to obsessed! It's just such a great use for scraps. I use fusible fleece as interfacing! Gives them great body.


Hand-Dyed, originally uploaded by jenib320.
I was so pleased to pull these from the dryer this morning! The first batch of fabrics that I dyed using the wax-resist method outlined in Color Your Cloth. I am dyeing 5 yards this week!


Thrifting, originally uploaded by jenib320.
I managed to find time to go out thrifting this week as well! Came home with some great sheets!


George, originally uploaded by jenib320.
George!

I was thinking about sharing my 2011 goals here but I've been putting them off. I want to really hone in on what exactly I want to accomplish as well what is reasonable, haha. Perhaps in a few days I'll have ironed out a few.

Thank you for all of your kind comments on my last post! Your support really means a lot to me! :)

Today I love the..
Smell of: Fresh Popcorn
Sound of: Monk
Taste of: Mint fudge covered oreos
Sight of: Hand-dyed fabrics!
Feel of: George

Good Things about Today:
- The first batch of fabrics was a success!
- Managed to get a lot done today!
- Finished up the month's first bee block!
- George has been really sweet today :)