Actually in his defense, I think I might have told him to do it. I told him to toss everything in the cubby over the deep freeze in the garage. He took me literally, if I'd have told DD that she'd have tossed the garbage (old boots etc) and left the quilting/canning stuff up there. The pampers box was there and clearly said Repro's on it. The other thing he tossed way my long arm lamp but that's easily replaced. Of all the things he kept... there are 2 boxes of half filled canning jars... astounding that he tossed 1000 worth of fabric and kept the one cheap thing. LOL

DD hit the front closet and came out with a slew of stuff including an old desk top puter. What with my SLE I forgot why I'd kept it... our family photos were in there. Course I didn't just tell DH to toss it but told him to drill through the hard drive too! What! LOL yeah I should just tell them not to toss anything but we are rapidly overflowing the house since we are now five full grown adults. But I can't do stuff like deep clean any more so I have to be willing to replace the irreplaceable or suck it up when it's gone.

How do ya'll deal with the mounting clutter? Do you de-clutter as you live? Clean it out every 6 months? Every 10 years?

Declutter.........I started a few years ago after I read you don't need actual things to remember persons by. They live in your heart and you don't need to hang on to stuff. So I thought about that and felt it was time to 'free' myself from stuff I didn't use anyway. I asked my kids if they wanted to have it but they didn't.
I took some to the thrift store, I gave some away and I still have a few things.

About 3 years ago I also lost all my digital pictures because of a HD crash. They couldn't be recovered. I learned to live without them ;)

Two things I can't toss: quilting stuff and cook books :D :D :D

You should move to a new house every 5 years.....lol!! Believe me, you will definitely re-evaluate the crud you keep and not have to pack/unpack. Lol... Since this is unlikely, join the Mission Organization thread here on the board and learn of the many methods peeps are using to declutter and reorganize. I picked up a few helpful hints on this very subject... I'm not a pack rat but my sewing room requires constant attention to insure it doesn't get out of hand..

LOL Teen that's what I told myself a long long time ago. I live here in this house for over 30 years now! But I have to say I got rid of lots of stuff I don't need or haven't used in a long time.

Thanks auntjo!

Welcome Wendy...I have done an SBS...I'm just an onlooker enjoying everyone's hard work. Not sure if I will ever do a DJ. I have other projects waiting in the wings. Yours is lovely.

Oh clutter...I moved into this house 12 years and downsized when we did. I didn't get rid of my clothing fabrics at that time...that's what I've been doing this summer. Gets monotonous after a while and boring. I just had to start sewing and picked up a couple of UFO's to work on...one is done, the other about half sewn together. I'm trying not to add any more fabric than what I need to finish a project. Well that flew out the window today when I found about 7 yds of LQS fabric at the local donation shop for $2.50...many CW repros. woe is me!

Hahahaha OK! Well done!! You have grands who will use that up :D :D

Guess what? I got my book in last night. I'm very pleased to see that the PDF I printed is all the patterns there are in the book. My Kona black has been shipped and I'm really excited to get a move on. If I didn't have to work, all would be well in the world. LOL Course I must work to support my fabric habit and continue to supply my ailing body with the meds it needs to keep stitching. Yup that's my goal in life (all of our right?) To stay alive long enough to work up the quilts we want. :-)

Nothing to show ladies? You can't all have finished without telling us :D

checking in
 

I've been having some health issues but I'm still the EQE=Evil Queen Enabler.... I'm dragging my quilting buddy into this quilt too. Bad dog, I know, can't be helped. My friends Jen and she's getting her book this week. She's never done too much with sampler type stuff so it will be fun to have a buddy along to drag and be drug along when we faulter. Or get this! Forget! I went through so much since mid September that I just plum forgot I'd asked her to tag a long. Things are getting better on the health front... hopefully the last things healing, my eye is in a Prokera ring for this week and next week I'm looking forward to proper vision. Meanwhile my head hurts so I'll wrap this up and just say, I am still planning on doing my quilt, I have everything for it and am looking forward to leaving this heirloom behind. :-) What a terrible thing! LOL I no longer quilt for myself... I quilt for the future Clan McDonnell.

Have a great day and thanks for popping in.

Hope you're OK again very soon Wendy!
Well, enabling isn't that bad now is it? Your friend will end up with a stunning quilt!! :D

So auntjo, tell me about your new studio and the progress on your Sylvia. Did you load her onto the frame yet? Or still admiring the view?
As I still have to quilt mine I can't wait to see what you're doing to/with her :D :D

I'm lovin the view, the sounds, the smells - everything about it... Sorry about losing the "moving done" post to another board. Something moved it out of this thread when I added the title I guess. It took me awhile to find it ! Yes it would be a great place to host a few quilters … Love that idea! Have gotten a sofa bed ordered for my Mom's sitting room in the main house should be delivered in April, but also have an airbed, and a couple other comfortable enuf places to sleep singles. We do expect more company here than we had there, and there we had lots of bedrooms that just didn't get used much. Really needed to downsize and make things more practical for as we age - helps we took those things into consideration because of my Mom for now, but will be necessary for us in the future also. So hopefully no more moves for us...

Haven't put the SBS on the frame yet tho have collected several block quilting ideas off pinterest etc... I just run out of printer ink too fast for my liking and I like to have a paper copy to reference. Also, haven't begun piecing a back yet which will need to be done first. The Tin Lizzie made it thru the move quite well. I have quilted a small charity quilt for the local group and all went well with stitches and tension, etc. (Did discover I put one of the end ratchets on backward, but that's an easy fix.) Then I promptly sewed the binding on backwards - but am going to leave it as I don't think it's bad looking, just not quite the proper unstitched look on the top - but it works for me. We'll see what the gals say for my 1st work to donate...

The studio is a pretty similar set up to what I had in my walk in basement room in the El Dorado Hills house - tho I had less window and more wall space - not that I would trade these views at all. Bob's aunt talked me into taking & using his Mom's china hutch instead of my smaller more modern style one so that takes up a bit more room - (and I have another piece of furniture to find a new home for in the downsize now living in the garage w/boxes full of stuff that are duplicates of what was already here or stuff I've already given away, or just plain won't fit here). There is about a 9ft. stretch of kitchenette wall in the room on the backside of the stairwell we are working on designing how to install my design wall (2 - 4' x 8' x 2"thick flannel covered Styrofoam boards from Home Depot or Lowes) in front of, but want to be able to move out of the way when we do want to access that - but most of the time won't be using the kitchenette part. He's talking about possibly hanging them from the ceiling with some way to pull them up flush with the ceiling, or possibly sliding or folding over each other to access one side at a time. We'll see how that turns out. Right now, they are leaned up next to the counters stacked together, but quite useable.

Am trying to attach pictures, but either my computer is not doing something correctly (which it has been doing the last couple days), or the board isnot letting me get therer. Will try again on that later.

Auntjo....your sewing studio is so awesome! Just beautiful and it looks so organized and ready for the creativity to explode. Those windows are to die for....so cool...so happy for you.

And, I typically machine sew my binding...especially charity quilts. Much more durable since these quilts are all about utility. Your quilt should be well received for donation.

wow!!! just wow!!! That room! wow!!! What's the length of the LA? Looks like you could load my monsters onto that, ever quilt for higher?

sigh, just loverly. Enjoy that space. I'm in a corner of the living room and a corner of my bedroom now. Mom's in my old sewing room which is like 6 or 7x12 I think.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh stunning!!!!! Look at all your space. And the view!!!!!!! I wouldn't get any sewing done if I had a view like that! Wow!!! If I ever would come to your retreat it's not for sewing hahahahahaa. I would stand and stare out of the window all day every day :D

Got my back pieced and have pieced the block I'm going to use for a signature block on the back.

Auntjo....the pieced back is gorgeous. Geesh...it's a second quilt. Can't wait. And, cool teacup block for label. I love to PP. Creative idea!

Any news on the quilting Auntjo? Love the pieced back and signature block!! Such a great idea!

My dear Bridals!!

The time has come for me to move on. I know I told you I'll be here, no matter how long it takes you to finish your Sylvia but.....sometimes it's better to leave things behind and find a new 'home'.
It has been such a pleasure to 'work' with you all and a joy seeing all your stunning blocks and finished Sylvia quilts.
I hope you will all finish your started quilts one day and enjoy your hard work!
Thank you for having been part of my own journey!
I wish you all the best and stay healthy!!

Thank you, Anael, for your inspiration. I would have never attempted this quilt let alone even finishing it without your guidance and you cheering me on. Be well, my friend!

Until we meet again.

Thanks for keeping this board active as long as you have. I have enjoyed being part of the journey. I of course have not yet put my SBS on the frame, so it isn't any closer to being quilted yet. Thinking about it, but have am about halfway done piecing another Bonnie Hunter quilt pattern for my sister. Will post when it is done of course, but I'm sure it will be awhile...

Auntjo.....your Bonnie Hunter quilt is fabulous! Your sister will love this. I have not attempted one of her scrappy's yet. Good to see that you are all settled in your new home.

Thank you ladies!!
Auntjo, your BH is stunning!! Like Teen I never attempted one, too many of the same thing so I would never finish it.

Like Blue Bell said, until we meet again :)

Thank you, Anael, for keeping things moving on this board. I check in from time to time and will continue to do so. I love my SBS quilt and love seeing all of yours. Hopefully some others will catch the vision for just what an enjoyable project this is. I learned a lot from making mine.

Thank you Anael. Mine isn’t finished, but because of your post 7 years ago it is together and quilted-still no borders. Best wishes to you.

Anael, I know you moved on but I still want to thank you for starting this post. If I ever finish I will PM you.
Giquilt

Giquilt, Sue z q, keep posting as you work! Anael, we will miss you, of course, but there are many of us that have not finished but keep plugging away. Life gets in the way. All the people that completed- Kudos to you! The quilts are all beautiful, and such a part of you! I have enjoyed seven years of watching and seeing everyone's progress as i packed, unpacked, repacked, etc. I figure i will finish whenever i finally retire. But do check in on occasion my friends!

2nd SBS portion/quilt
 

A few pictures from the remaining blocks of my Sylvia's Bridal Sampler.

I wrote a big blurb but couldn't post it.... my friend hand quilted this portion as she begged for a project to help her get through this Covid world. .... she had given up quilting, so this was a big step for her.... and now she is loving the hand stitching again... not wanting to make a top....but loving the soothing hand projects....

Thimble....your Sylvia is fantastic!! I absolutely love the colorway...and, the quilting is sublime. So so cool!! Well done!

Thanks Teen....it was a journey! And also a healing process for my friend....

Oh wow Thimblebug!! That's stunning!! And the quilting!! Like Teen said, sublime!

Thanks Teen and Anael! After my friend finished quilting it, I asked her if she would like to gift it to her brother who is on his own.

OH wow Thimblebug, that's a beautiful and thoughtful gift! Did she accept the offer?

Yes, but unfortunately he lives a ferry ride away, and with COVID-19 restrictions, not allowed to travel for pleasure yet. She has other things as well for him, so no way would she be able to mail them.

It has to wait then. Hopefully one day it will be back to 'norma' whatever that may be.
We're not allowed to travel for pleasure either.

I have begun the custom quilting on my Sylvia's Bridal Sampler, 144 - 6" blocks in a king sized quilt on my Tin Lizzy basic no frills quilter. I have finished all the sashing "stitch in the ditch" to hold it in place as I know I will have to take it off the frame for the next quilt I want to finish with a pantograph. Not in a hurry, and know this is going to take me a long while between searching for block patterns that I want to quilt into each block, drawing them out, and figuring out how to get them stitched onto the quilt. I'm very comfortable with pantographs from behind the machine, and ruler work and straight line work goes in nicely, but for the freehand curved lines and designs, I need something to guide my stitching. I'm not sure what to mark with. I do have chalk pencils - they don't work so well. I'm not thrilled with marking with pencil or anything that needs to be washed out as that's not my usual M.O. - but am coming to the conclusion that I need to figure out something. I do have a small chalk marker w/a roller wheel tip that is filled with the white pounce powder and I've been using on my hand quilting project from forever. Seems to work pretty well for darker fabrics. I'm thinking I need to get another to fill with the blue pounce chalk powder and maybe between those two tools, I can mark to my hearts content and basically brush it off. But in the meantime - suggestions from all you experts out there...?? I'm getting way too many bumps and uneven lines for my liking. Here's my 1st five quilted blocks so far.

Well, considering the blocks are only 6" you're doing an outstanding job. What was the name of one of the blocks...........Rocky Road to Kansas? So a few bumps along the line isn't that bad is it?

I can't come up with anything else besides what you already mentioned. Chalk, pencils, I often use the grey/silver pencil but I find it hard to get rid of the lines in light colored fabrics. Chalk doesn't work for me as I'm quilting on my domestic and move the quilt around a lot. So I'm using frixion pens if any. Not much of a help, I know! Sorry!!

auntjo...looks really good, so far. That quilting is going to be like remaking the entire quilt. Lol.. Lots of work but will be beautiful.. I ditto Anael....frixion pens is what I use. They last until you iron the lines out. With straight lines, sometimes I just I use painters tape but that would be cumbersome doing so many blocks at a time..

I think your quilting looks beautiful and you're going to have so much fun using individual quilting designs for each block. :)

Your Chaco liner tool is one of my favorites - and yes, blue, yellow and pink would be good additions.

I like my Frixion pens, markers and highlighters. I've never had a trace of them show up after laundering - not even the "ghosting" that shows up after ironing the lines away.

Years ago, I tested the Crayola washable markers and wasn't happy with how poorly they washed out. A few weeks ago, I noticed that everyone seemed to really like them, so I did another test of the Ultra Clean version (or whatever they're called.) I colored heavily on a piece of washed muslin, marked the colors with a Sharpie and ironed the lower half of the test area, really getting it hot and waited a day or two.

It went into the laundry without any pre-treating or bleach and it came out sparkling clean - only the Sharpie labels remained. So I would not hesitate to use those now, either - except for quilts which aren't going to be washed right away - wall-hangings, table runners, etc.

Best of luck!

I am really enjoying all the pictures posted to this thread!