Sunday Stash :: Distraction, Long Over Due

Nearing the end of a long few weeks, I'll be heading home soon.  It was nice to be with family and very much needed.  Today I was able to take a brain break from all that has been going on the past few weeks.  

Today I was out and about!  The perfect distraction at the perfect time.  My daughter's 'bestie' from first grade Anne, picked me up for a fabric diversion and lunch!  This was needed for so many reasons...I don't even know the last time I was in an actual fabric shop! Rather sad, I think!

Don't judge!  I can't take selfies...ever!  This is me and Anne at our first stop on our excursion.

So, Annie was a trooper!  I promised Britt I would be on my best behavior and try not to embarrass her too bad!  I don't think I did.  We had a lot of fun, laughs, shopping and food!   

Cool Cottons is a quilters paradise!  So many amazing fabrics!  From prints to solids...I was in heaven!  If you come to Portland, come here! 

After walking into the shop, Anne fell into conversation with the owner who she knows very well. When she asked if I was Jayne, I thought she was psychic!  How did she know my name?  Anne was just as surprised as I was!  Turns our Anne's mother, Bev left me a gift certificate!  Surprise and shock...Bev is the sweetest lady you will ever meet.  Thank you so much Bev!

I scoped the entire shop before I started grabbing bolts of fabric!  I was grabbing with reckless abandon!

I wish I could tell you the details of each fabric.  But alas, I cannot!  I am not current on any thing and tend to grab what I like regardless of who designed it or manufacturer.  

I saw this little print and about wet myself!  It was too adorable to pass up!  Carousel Unicorns!  I don't usually go for 'cute', but this is cute with a capital 'C'!

Naturally I wandered by the bolts of solids.  Bolts and bolts of Kona...which I did not buy, but drooled a little when I saw them!

Instead I hit the Studio E Peppered Cottons and Kaffe Fasset Shot Cottons.  The colors!!  I yoinked some colors I knew I didn't have in my stash.  Each one will properly petted and admired now and once I get home...I assure you of that!

Before heading to the second and last shop, we stopped for lunch and an adult beverage! Albacore Tuna Melt!  A short break to recharge ourselves.

Our last stop was Bolt.  Another fun shop full of fabric pleasures!

The neon pink caught my attention, thank you Cotton + Steel!  I couldn't resist and frankly, didn't even try!

Well, what can I say here?  Perhaps my favorite print ever!  Anna Maria Horner's Echinacea. This was a good find and rather unexpected!

The other two were impulse buys.  In actuality, all fabric from today was all about impulse! 

A few more solids made it in the stack because they were pretty...because I needed them...because, because, because...

The last piece and probably the biggest curve ball for me was this fat eight.  It's my first Liberty of London purchase EVER!  I was powerless when I saw it.  I could...not...resist...it!

The house, the colors and all those tiny details!  I may just stick it on the wall and stare at it! 

That's my story!  I don't often splurge like this, like a mad women!  But it had to be.  It was so much fun to touch, feel and ogle the hundreds of bolts from both shops.  I should get out more often! 

My day with Anne was wonderful and a day I won't soon forget.  This day I needed for many different reasons.  Moving forward isn't always easy, but a necessary step in the grieving process.  

Thank you Anne, Bev and all of you who sent prayers, thoughts and sympathy to me and my family.  I am forever grateful. 

LINKING:

Sunday Stash

Home Again :: And A Little Fabric Too!

I'm home again!!  I rarely travel, so a week a way from all my creature comforts took more of a toll on me than I ever would have thought!  I love my pillow...my bed...my shower!  That being said, I had a fabulous time in Minnesota with family.  I was able to see my sisters, aunt & uncle, nieces & nephews and cousins, but most importantly I was able to see my mom and help her pack up for the big move back to Oregon.  I know she was worried about flying and the toll it would take on her.  Happily she had my two sisters to help her every step of the way and she made it in one piece!  She is doing well and has nearly recovered from all the chaos that is accompanied with a big move like she did.

The hardest part of the trip was not having Wi-Fi for my laptop!  Another creature comfort we take for granted!  After a couple days of being without, I actually enjoyed having that pressure removed.  Taking time away from social media and computer access is something I recommend even if you are not on vacation!  We all know how easy it is to get sucked in to the electronic black hole.  Time consuming is an understatement!  

Maybe it's time to set some limits for myself.  Imagine what I could accomplish if I could cut the electrical umbilical cord once in a while!!



When I got home I was greeted with this love bunch of precuts!  I was lucky enough to win a random drawing for entering my quilt 'Revitalized' in the Pantone 2017 Quilt Challenge.  The challenge was hosted by  No Hats In The House and Bryan House Quilts.  I've admired Me + You Indah Batiks for a long time and I'm thrilled that I get to see, touch and use them!  I love the modern take on batiks with the geometric designs.



Once I figure out what I'm going to make, I'll take detailed photos of the prints.  I'm that way...I like to look and touch the bundles for a while!



The Hexagons are 8" and the triangles are 4".  I'm not sure if I'll keep the hexagons intact or cut them into triangles.



This one is full of rainbow colors and naturally has me salivating with ideas!  



Before I left for Minnesota, I had to see if there were any quilt shops near.  And happily there was! 

I loved this colorful quilt block mural painted on the side!  Like a magnet it drew me in! 



Quilterati is in Cambridge Minnesota.  A cute little shop that had fabric in three rooms. Prints...lots of prints!  It wasn't until the third room that my heart skipped a beat, the room with solids!

I ended up buying only three colors because frankly, I didn't need more fabric!  However I wanted to support the shop and I knew I didn't have these three in my stash.

The print was actually on clearance which is the only reason I bought it!  It'll come in handy one day!



Because I like to write the color on the selvage of each solid, I figured the best way to remember the names of the colors was to take a photo.  Very helpful especially if the receipt doesn't include that information.

That's that!  A little vacation, a little fabric, a little fun!  I am so ready to get to work on something!!  A week without my machine is torture!  

I'm slowly easing back in the swing of things by trying to finish my Glam Clam quilt!  I keep worrying that if too much time goes by I'll forget how to piece it together!  Only a couple more rows to go!

LINKING:

Let's Bee Social

Needle & Thread

Finished or Not Friday

Sunday Stash :: Impulse + Urge

...it began when I started the Glam Clam quilt...Or so it seems.  It felt incredibly good to finally use a lot of fabric from my stash, and what wouldn't be used for the clams would be used in the backing.  

I vowed that when I buy fabric, specifically prints, I would try to buy in order to enhance what I already have.  I'm not sure I have done that with this latest purchase.  It was totally impulse.  I had this urge.  I couldn't help myself!!

Do you ever have that kind of urge?  The kind where you look and look and look.  You keep going back to look some more.  Where you want fabric so bad you might go crazy!  Me!  I don't know what came over me.  I just knew I wouldn't rest until I did it.



My first batch I acquired on Instagram.  Probably not the best place to look, but I did.  I'm probably one of the last people on earth to catch the Cotton + Steel bug!  I figured it was a good road to take.  Can you go wrong with C+S?



For me, fat quarters are the perfect size when I buy prints.  I don't use them that often, and it lets me build a stash that has a lot of variety.



This is my favorite! It's pretty darn cute isn't it?!  The color got my attention, that aqua is gorgeous!

I came across a screaming deal from Stitch Supply Company.  Cotton + Steel again.  But look! They came in a lovely project bag...for free!    



There was a sale on fat quarters, random prints.  The kind of sale where you don't know what your gonna get until you get it kind of sale.  I'm fully aware that many of these prints are 'older' models, but they are very, very new to me!

  

That's a pretty good variety of color don't you think?  I'm drooling on the aqua/minty goodness colors!



I like that the fat quarters are different fabric lines.  That variety thing again!



There are some prints I'm less stoked about.  That's the risk one takes when getting a 'grab bag'.



With that, my impulse and urge has be duly scratched!  A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do!

Are you an impulse shopper?  I know!  I'm preaching to the choir!

Stuffed & Stashed

I haven't bought fabric in a long time!  This time I couldn't resist or refuse or hold back. 

I was shocked and excited when my quilt "Raw I" was picked for Viewer's Choice during The Blogger's Quilt Festival at Amy's Creative Side.  And then I was gobsmacked when it came in second!  So, let me thank all who voted during the festival and especially thank you for voting for my quilt!  It was so unexpected!  

Which brings me to the reason I bought fabric.  I was lucky enough to receive a gift certificate from Quilt Kit Market.  When I was finally able to sit and shop, I was naturally drawn to the solids.  It seemed like Christmas when I discovered there was an October Sale going on!  How could I pass up solids and a sale?!  Couldn't and wouldn't and didn't happen!



I've missed getting mail, missed the excitement of tracking my package, watching for the mailman and then ripping open the package as soon as I get my hot little hands on it! 



All the solids at the Quilt Kit Market are Moda Bella Solids.  At $3.99 per yard, my only regret is I didn't get more!!  But 22 yards was probably much more than I needed!

These three are the only substantial yardage of the batch.  Weighing in at 3 yards apiece and the perfect neutrals for me, I landed an upper cut with Bella Zen Grey, Porcelain and Bleached White.



How about some color?!  It was time to round out my stash, fill in around the edges.  The only sadness I feel about seeing this array...I didn't get purple anything!  That might be the one color I sorely am lacking in my fabric.  Do you have a color that never seems to make it in your stash?

These one yard cuts are: Amelia's Pink, Christmas Red, Amelia's Apricot, Peach, Saffron, Sunflower, Citrine, Pond, Mist, Horizon and Seafoam.  Welcome fabric!



The last two pieces are Grunge Basics.  I've had an idea brewing for a while and think these two pieces might be just the ticket!  Grunge Vanilla and Cream.  Sounds good enough to eat!  

The other frivolous, fantastic and fun purchase was from Mass Drop.  Not my normal place to shop, but sometimes there is something that peaks my interest.  Like this!



I don't know about you, but my thread can be a hot mess.  I have a couple racks hanging in my closet full of thread and bobbins.  Most of the time when I'm looking for something a spool will fall off or a bobbin with go flying.  Then there are times when I can't remember which spool a bobbin belongs with.  Confusion, frustration and dismay!

  

Alas, I've found my solution!  Bobbinis!  Now I can be organized and secure!  The neon colors are a bonus in my opinion.  



The soft rubber easily slides in to the top of spools and each bobbin pops on to the 'post'. It was worth the investment to stop the flying bobbins!  With shipping each bobbini ended up being .60 cents, which isn't too bad.

This ends my shopping spree.  My irresponsible, self indulging, splurge of happiness!  

LINKING:

Sunday Stash

Fabric Frenzy

On our way the the retreat last weekend, we had to stop at a fabric shop.  Had to. Required. End of story!  

We weren't required to buy anything.  When you feel like you just escaped (from home) and were on the run (from making dinner), buying fabric was the last piece of the puzzle in our temporary life of crime!  Rebel!

There was a little fabric shop that has never been visited by me, and it was time to remedy that! Granny B's is in the heart of Dickson Tennessee, and we couldn't wait to check out the stock!

I really didn't buy that much, some more print filler.  This would be my Cotton + Steel haul.  I ended up getting extra fat quarters because it was Friday and they were and additional .25 cents off! 

And just as I'm getting my fabric cut, I turn...and there is Tula.  Damn it Tula Tigers...You are so pretty!  I had to.

This fabric will be the backing for my daughter's Birthday quilt.  April Rhodes ~ Bound, which will work perfectly fine with the Wanderer line.  Now to prep it, the quilt and wool batting for the long arm quilter!  

Late presents aren't always a bad thing!   Her birthday was yesterday and like nearly every year at this exact time...she get sick.  No exception, no surprise!

This last batch has my all time favorite, Anna Maria Horner's Echinacea.  And I must say this color way is exquisite!    

I was thrilled when I was presented with opportunity to yoink these!  Thank you...

More Tula.  I don't believe I need to say more.  

If you would please stop me now.  I cannot take any more fabric.  I'm feeling the guilt mounting at having beautiful stacks and not using any of it!  

LINKING:

Sunday Stash

Just The Basics Ma'am

As much as I would love to have a stack of 'knock your socks off' bright and bold fabrics to share...alas...it is not that!

It is however, the basics.  Basics are a must.  Yardage is a must.  Backings will be made from these and most likely a front or two!

The low down.

  

Good old basic every day must have colors!  I wonder how much grey thread I go through?! I picked this four pack up from Craftsy.  But you know, there is a story behind it.  

I bought a good bit of yardage from Craftsy a couple weeks ago.  Happy days!  When the package arrived, wouldn't you know it...it was open.  Freak out time!  All the fabric was accounted for.  Unfortunately, the thread bundle had slipped out and was never to be seen again.  I contacted Craftsy, and as always they were very quick to respond and to send out a replacement.

Denyse Schmidt 'Hadley' was a shot in the dark!  I needed a backing for this quilt:

  

and I though it would work.  It doesn't look like it from these pictures, but they actually match pretty well.  For some reason, which is not normal for me, I wanted to use a print on the back. We'll see.

To go with my Michael Miller Glitz Fabric bundle, 

I picked up a yard or soft white and black.  Both are Cotton Couture.  Raise your hand if you haven't a clue what you will make for the Quiltcon Challenge!  This is just in case.  

For years this fabric has haunted my dreams!  I've seen it everywhere...everywhere but with me!  Even after Ikea said 'no more', they really didn't mean that!!  

Every once in a while I check out #thegreatfabricdestash on Instagram.  I haven't had much luck finding 'me' stuff on there for a while...until this!  Someone in Texas bought up 4 or 5 bolts and happily shared her find.  I got four yards, which should be perfect for something! To me it was the deal of the century for only $6 a yard!!

The last and most 'Ho-Hum', no sun glasses needed stack...Kona Cotton.  I can tell you, I have lots of white now!!  (another 8 yards worth)  Let's give a mention to the beautiful Sandy Sand, Steel Grey, Basic Black, Deep Red, Terrific Teal, and Jazzy Jade Green!!  

Standing 'O', I don't think so!  A soft, and quick golf clap...and move on!

LINKING:

Sunday Stash

Eye Candy ~ Shop Hop Procurement

Being a restrained fabric buyer has worked well for me.  That was until today!  You can't blame me, it was inevitable, something that could not and should be on a short leash today of all days!

Today was was the day many of the ladies from our guild threw caution to the wind and went on a Shop Hop!  My first ever...hopefully not my last, just not too often.  

It was so much fun, a lot of driving, tons of fabric to see and hotter than Haites!  The hottest day of the year so far.  Did we let that stop us?  Did it put a damper on the excitement?  Oh, hell no!

We hit five shops in and around the Nashville area.  Believe it or not, I have only ever been to one before.  

Our first stop was The Quilting Squares.  We were greeted with smiling faces and donuts! Then of course, there was fabric to look at.

I warmed up with a couple Grunge Fat Quarters and a few Low Volume pieces.  Plans for these?  Umm...no!

The second stop was the highly anticipated visit to Craft South.  If you aren't familiar, it's Anna Maria Horner's new brick & mortar shop!  My eyes were popping out of my head with all the gorgeousness!  One day I would love to take a class there!  

The yellow is perhaps my favorite color ever, Honor Roll ~ Misguided Gingham, a beautiful ruby pink Fat Quarter bundle and two others that I couldn't say no to.

For the third stop we visited The Fabric Studio.  This small shop packed a punch!  While I only ended up with a couple pieces, I could have easily went wild instead!

Echo and polka dots!  I'm looking forward to cutting in to both of these!  I'm a sucker for polka dots and this color combination caught my attention!

The fourth stop, I actually didn't buy any fabric!  Instead I bought a quarter inch ruler and the ever handy Frixion pen.  Boring!  Quilters Attic had a wide range of fabric to make your eyes pop out!

Lastly... 

Our last stop of the day was the most anticipated.  I've been here before and have to admit it raises my anxiety level to the top!  Stitcher's Garden.  The infamous Stitcher's Garden! This place is packed to the rafters, I kid you not!  Every think imaginable is in this space, notions, feed sack, batiks, solids, civil war...Kaffe, Amy, Anna Maria, new stuff, old stuff, red stuff, blue stuff!  Not one piece of fabric is ever on sale, the fat quarters perhaps could be a Guinness World Record!  The owner knows where every bolt is, if she has it or not and one of the only shops that rips their fabric! 

I will say, this trip was my first in ages and I was pleasantly surprised!  It was the cleanest I have ever seen it!

What I ended up getting was a few shot cottons.  I couldn't remember if I had those colors or not.  And two fat quarters.  

These were not from the Shop Hop today, but I just received them last week!  Super gorgeous!

Four new Peppered Cottons for good measure!  They are so gorgeous in person, I could eat them up!

Long day today!  The best way to finish it off, is with an ice cold frosty beer!  Awww...the dog days of summer!

Linking:

Sunday Stash