Sunday Stash Report - September 26th, 2010

Fabric added this week:  0 yards
Fabric added YTD:  148 1/2 yards
Fabric used this week:  2 1/2 yards
Fabric used YTD:  96 1/2 yards
Net used for 2010:  -46 1/2 yards

Yesterday, I didn't have to babysit the little peanut until after noon so I attended my Saturday Morning quilters get-together.  Of course, I didn't have any on-going project at the ready and started something new.  I'm disappointed with the Scrap-Basket Surprises book I'm using,while I love almost all 18 of the projects in it, I don't like all the marking and waste method for creating those 45 degree angles. The "Quilts from 2 1/2 strips" sub-title is misleading, I assumed the patterns were strip sewing... that's was I get for not reading the actual  instructions.  Oh well, I still like the patterns very much and will at least try to finish the one started.

I'm still working on arranging and setting up the sewing room.  I have a lot of shoe boxes with mostly 1/2 hard cuts and odd sizes, this baker's rack is perfect for them.  I was considering taking the fabric out of the boxes, but they are already "contained", why mess with that?

Bigger pieces of  fabric are getting folded in a more uniform manner; I could then stack them on a bookcase I found at goodwill (brand-new unit for $14.99, the deal of the year!)  Here is a picture of some of my blues waiting for their new home.

Hopefully, I'll finish with organizing and arranging by next weekend.  Although this week will be as busy or even more than usual.  My sister is having her first chemo treatment on Monday, I'll make a trip to see her.  Things are starting to escalate at work and we now have a deadline for moving, our department is expected to be at the new location by next Monday.  I decided to try commuting for a little bit and see how it goes, we have a good possibility for a van-pool.  However, having to be in a car for 2 1/2 to 3 hours each day, even though I don't have to do the actual driving, is still going to be hard.  Hummmm, I should learn to hand quilt or applique.  There is always crochet and knitting too.  But for today, I'm taking it easy, read a few stash reports at Patchworktimes and organize that stash a little more.

Sunday Stash Report September 19th 2010

Still no sewing around here, but some progress to report.  My new sewing room is ready to be occupied by my stash!.  New carpet, freshly painted walls and a beautiful base molding done by hubby.  The room is little, just 12' x 12' but it 's all mine!.

I've been trying to get all the stash out of the various closets and hiding places, Oh boy! It doesn't seem like a lot until you put it all together.  I decided garment sewing is not for me (you couldn't tell by the amount of non-quilting fabric I had) and gave most of the fabric  away.  I was so happy to see two 30 gallon bags, a boxfull and even a couple of bolts leave my house.  Mostly flannels, knits, sheers and other "I don't know what it is or why I bought it" fabric.

I'm sure there will be more fabric leaving my house, this is so liberating.  It lightens my mood, the burden of having too much and it will be easier and faster to organize my new sewing room.  I've also decided not to include this lot in my stash report, it seems to me I bought maybe half of it at least a couple of years ago and beyond, but I'm sure the other half  was given to me.  Just the fact that this much left my house is in my book a winning situation.

I am not taking an hour or so (until the stores open, I have storage units to buy) to browse other quilting blogs over at Judy's  patchworktimes.com   and see what other's have been up to this week.

Sunday Stash Report September 12th, 2010

Fabric added August: 1 1/2 yards
Fabric added YTD: 148 1/2 yards
Fabric used August: 3 yards
Fabric used YTD: 94 yards
Net used for 2010: -49 yards.

I've been MIA (here is an explanation) for a few weeks, last time I sewed anything was back at the beginning of August.  Used 1  1/2 yards for borders on my little sister's quilt.

And another 1 1/2 yards for the New Year's Eve mystery top from this post . Yesterday,  I finally attended a sewing get-together with the ladies from my Saturday Quilting group and managed to get the mystery top layered and ready to be machine quilted.  I hope to get back to sewing soon.

The summer to remember

I usually try to keep my personal life, well, personal.  No other reason than  it's in my nature to keep things to myself.  These two last months, however, have affected me to the extend that the one thing, sewing/quilting, that keeps me motivated and with a positive outlook despite all the everyday situations and happenings has NOT been what it has always been to me.  I've found myself starting at piles of fabric, magazines, boxes of thread, notions and such items without being able to summon a desire to touch them.
 
It all started in the middle of July, when my brother passed away. It was sudden and unexpected, but not surprising.  His body gave up after years of damage from substances abuse.  Losing family in this way, gives one a pause to reflect on our own life and priorities.  A couple of  weeks later, my eldest sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. This is the second sister out of 7 of us that has to fight this disease.  I'm fearful and apprehensive for her because I know the struggle and pain she is to face in the months ahead.
At about the same time, my  daughter and grandchild moved out.  The circumstances or rather the reason why they left was hurtful, but as a parent, I understand that she is trying to find her life's path and as she put it "live without crutches" and "do what's best for my child". My household is suddenly very quiet and even though  I now have a spare room  that can be turned into a nice cozy sewing room, I resent how it became available and I can't summon the energy to take to the task.

Finally, my job is on the last stages of relocating operations to a new facility 70 miles away.  I'm weighting all of my options and trying to decide if I will be commuting to work or not.  I currently live 10 miles from the office and this has allowed me to be available for babysitting the little peanut, and to be able to take care of family while earning an income.  An hour commute each way would change all that and I don't know if I'm willing to do it. But, am  I willing to lose the income, benefits and satisfaction drawn from this job? I have to make a decision soon.
I've always believe that God doesn't give us burdens we can't carry and wholeheartedly believe that everything happens for a reason and at the time it needs to be, as well as there is always calm at the end of the storm.  I just need to be more at peace with the things I can't change or control and trust that all will be well in God's hands. It all will be well.