64/100

A while ago (last summer?) I signed up for Patsy's 100 day sewing challenge.

She encouraged her readers to sew 15 minutes a day ( not necessarily consecutively) for a 100 days.

Here is my progress so far:

Since taking on this challenge, I have finished:

• a baby quilt for a new grandniece
• a light saber pillow sham
• repaired a quilt
• did some mending
• made a Christmas stocking
• did some mending
• made 4 tutus for the grandgirls
• made 2 capes for the grandboys

• I'm glad I wrote down what I did or I would have forgotten that I did some of this!

Thank you, Patsy for your challenge!  I have accomplished more than I thought I could - and have hopes of getting even more done!

You can get a lot done just 15 minutes at a time!  Also...15 minutes sometimes stretches into an hour or two!

read all the books

 
This was a sad year in our little town of about 1500.  Both our only bookstore and our only fabric store closed.  Now we have to drive at least 30 miles for a fabric store and about 90 miles for the nearest book store.

Of course, one can always order from Am*z*n but I generally try to avoid doing that and purpose instead to shop locally.  I know there are many bloggers that fund their blogs through Am*z*n and while I have no quarrel with that at all, my choices are generally local.  Of course, I avoid shopping at all costs - I cannot be depended on to keep a blog or a local shop in business.

Those two closures prompted me to challenge myself to use what I have on hand - for sewing and for reading.

A few years ago, when I was going to be traveling I downloaded a bunch of iBooks.  And buy a bunch, I mean 130.  I didn't pay for any of them, they are all part of the public domain.  They are books I would not have ordered or bought from my local bookstore but checked out from the library.

Here are some examples:

I

I have read about 30 of the iBooks so that leaves 100 to go.

We have about 150 books on our shelves here at home, not counting reference books, cookbooks and Bibles.  I have read probably 3/4 of those.  

   These bitter cold winter days are perfect for reading..  A cup of tea, a good book - count me in.  When I'm not at the sewing machine - you'll find me on the couch with a book in one hand and a cuppa something in the other.  Trying to read all the books.

And speaking of sewing:

I made some good progress in stash busting yesterday.  I pieced together 5 Christmas stocking tops.  

The handwork- embroidery and quilting -on these will take quite a bit of time, but I have a road trip coming up and anticipate getting a bit of it done then.

How about you?  Are you setting any goals or challenges for yourself in the new year?

sew all the fabric

 '.

 One of the things I hope to do in the new year is 'sew all the fabric'.

I have never been the  kind of 'sewist' (which reads better than 'sewer') to stash fabric. I buy what is needed for a given project.
 And yet somehow I seem to have developed a fabric stash.  

Not being able to turn down free fabric has resulted in a bit of a collection of fabric.
Since none of my three beautiful daughters-in-love sew, I have taken it upon myself to bust my stash.  They are not going to want this stuff when I am gone.  While I have no plans to depart soon - one never knows.

I enjoy making these stockings.  It is a nice combination of hand and machine work.  Very portable too and not boring even after making 11.

Over the years I have made Chistmas stckings for all 6 grandchildren as well as two sets of their parents.  And one for a baby shower gift.  11 stockings.  There has been some leftover fabric.

So my first stash busting assignment is to see how many more stockings I can make out of the remaining fabric.  Without buying anymore.  I think the answer is 4-6 and that should really deplete my Christmas fabric.  Which is what I am going for.  These will make nice baby shower gifts or maybe wedding gifts.

I made this table runner several years ago.  A combination of a thrift store dresser scarf and fabrics on hand.  I could probably make a few more of these as well.  For gifts.  How many table runners does one need?

Somehow, there is also plenty of felt in my stash.  I could make more Christmas ornaments like the above, since I saved the pattern I bought from Alicia.  Pattern here.

Unless my 3 year old grandson wants one of these, I don't anticipate making another pillow sham(this was made for 9 year old Josh).  But I could - I still have the orangey and lime green fabric left!

I made baby quilts for each grandchild too.  I think I have enough fabric to make at least two more.  Because I am hoping for one, maybe two more grands.  Hear that kids?  

Anyway, my plan is to considerably reduce my fabric supply.  Once I have finished the bigger projects I plan to make some make-up bags, pencil bags, totes, ornaments, coffee cozies etc.  Smaller things to use up the stash and build a supply of little gifts on hand for that moment when you need a special something for a friend.

(Both Patsi and Annabel recommend keeping a gift pantry, closet, trunk...whatever you call it it is smart to have some special handmade or frugally purchased gifts on hand.)

So starting today, with cutting our a few stockings - I am going to 'sew all the fabric'.