Petthefabric those are beautiful! PaperPrincess that line is really wonderful. The two i had bought was so soft! Now those cute little penguins are calling my name.
I finally picked the backing fabric for my double wedding ring and it's on its way. So far so good i guess on purchases. We'll see how long I resist connecting threads though.

Susie....your Shakespeare quilt is stunning...and to think its all from stash. You really pulled that collection together. Beautiful!

Paperprincess....New rule: if you are given a gift or have a gift card, these are exempt from the challenge. Lol! (I still have a gift card from LQS from Christmas I haven't spent...*wink*)

elly....good job on shopping stash. Looking forward to seeing the finished DWR....

Here it is, all from stash. Did some piecing, so could use batting from stash.
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ptf...a lovely finish...congratulations on a job well done.

I had a gift certificate, too...operative word "had"....I spent it on tools. One of the things I bought was a pinking blade for my rotary cutter...now to find the extra cutter:D

Your quilt is stunning, petthefabric

Thank you for your comments

Well, on Monday I deliberately challenged myself.
I had heard of a somewhat new LQS that is only a few miles past my job, so since I had a short day Monday, I stopped by.
I was both disappointed and proud.

Disappointed that the people in the store evidently only speak to "regular" customers. They completely ignored me, even though I spent a pretty good while in there. I looked at tools, gadgets, patterns, fabric and embroidery machines. Never did ANY of them speak to me ONCE.

Proud in that I did NOT buy ANYTHING, especially not fabric!

It started snowing here in the wee hours of the morning, and snowed pretty much all day. And while that may not be a big deal up North or in the Midwest, here in SC, it's challenging, because we (1) get ICE as well as snow and (2) don't really have the equipment to deal with it. Fortunately, yesterday my boss told our entire team "if it snows like they're saying, work from home!!"
So we did - including the boss.
That's a little challenging though when the snow covers the internet satellite dish. Hubby went up twice to clean it off, the second time spraying with "PAM" cooking spray (it makes ice/snow slide right off the dish!!) Since the snow is still here, and temps are expected to be in the teens, I'll work from home tomorrow as well.

Which means I have more time for quilting, once work is over with.

"Jewels from Mt Fuji" has borders added now, just to the sides to "finish" the little diamond shapes. I decided any more borders would distract from the overall image I wanted. It's now waiting in line, behind the Dresden Plate... which is waiting for me to finish the commission quilt... which was waiting for me to get photo printer ink. Since "Jewels" was completed (for now), I wanted to keep up my momentum, and started digging through UFO's. You can read my post over on the UFO thread, but I still wanted to post pics here, it's such an eye-popper!! No fabric was bought to finish this one, I used stash to do that. I'm going to submit this to "Dotty for MQX Challenge".

Wow! I love seeing the pictures of projects. Thanks!

I used up another 4 yards of stash. This was the Merry Mayhem New Year’s Day Challenge this year. It is 65” by 81”. It will be finished by my church group.

Connie

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This looks like a fun quilt to make, retired t... What a nice size. Does it take 4-1 yard cuts or a combination of 4 yards. I think I've got it figured out...8" Half Quarter Square triangle blocks?

Retiredteacher....excellent job...very cool looking..... Good job!!

my day at the Road to Calif....well.....This is a mild splurge compared to what I normally do so, even though I still bought fabric, I limited myself. Met the gang from Connecting Threads...that stack of FQ solids is their color wheel collection. Gorgeous and vibrant in person. Met the gang from MSQC and that neutral jelly roll is from their booth. Met Loralie's and fan-girled her again, which she just giggled and hugged me...some of her stuff is in my picture. She is so adorable. Those single FQ's were a gift from her today for me being her biggest fan (probably not biggest but I adore her stuff). The "Best in Show" was unbelievable. I stood in awe in its beauty and intricacies. Stunning! When you get the chance, look up show results and see for yourself. The competition was fierce, of course. So many beautiful works of art. I cannot imagine being a judge. Tough job!

I had the pleasure of seeing a quilt that was FMQ by one of our own here on the board (feline) and her work and the quilt was simply gorgeous. Amazing, really! Both pieced,mappliques and quilted by talented people.

So, that was my day.... I am back on the horse again and focused to shop stash the remaining of the year.

I think you did well and if you stay true to your promise this small purchase seems even smaller!

Oksewglad: Yes to 8" finished. I have more of the troll fabric so I think that will be going into my next church charity quilt. But first, I need to finish other projects!

Connie

Thanks, I really like it...

Letawellsman = Great job on not buying. Sorry to hear the LQS was not as fun as it could have been with the staffers.

Retiredteacher = very pretty NYD MM quilt top. I printed out the top, undecided if I will make this year. So many other project have the lead.

Teen = Glad you had fun on your Road to Riches trip. Your pic looks nice. you did well on not buying as much. I would have the same issue. On trips like that I feel I want to support the store and I should buy more than I normally would at my LQS. So I have cut down on those trips and saved money and shopped from my stash.

I think this year I just may calculate how much money I saved by using my stash/scraps and put that money I would have spent in a piggy bank. Then see how much I saved and go on an end of year buying things for my house or clothes or whatever. Just not fabric. Sorry LQS.

Letawellsman = I forgot to say something about your nice quilt top on you quilting wall. It looks very nice. It's a good way to use up your stash. :thumbup:

Happylab: I think this year I just may calculate how much money I saved by using my stash/scraps and put that money I would have spent in a piggy bank. Then see how much I saved and go on an end of year buying things for my house or clothes or whatever. Just not fabric. Sorry LQS. Nice Idea.

Happylab...good idea. I'm buying a long arm when I move (I'd buy it now but I don't want to move it 1,000 miles and I'd prefer local support.).... Of, course, my shopping savings won't even touch the cost of a LA but it may go towards optional features...

Neat quilt Connie!

Rob

teen that was great restraint! Just hop back up on the wagon with us. Love your quilt leta. Having seen some of your quilting I'm sure it will be just gorgeous. Connie i really like that. It has a 3 dimensional look to it. Another one for the bucket list.

Letawellman, tsk tsk - how are you ever going to become a "regular" customer when you don't buy anything? lol

I have seen the same bad behavior in some stores. Most of those are no longer in business. The one I do frequent has a nice group of ladies working the store and while they do engage more with the regulars, they are very nice to everyone who enters and at least see if the person might need help. They are not pushy which is what I like.

OK, time to fess up: Today I drove half-way around the world (or so it seems) to hook up with some quilty friends. The gathering was held at a quilt store- I bet you know where this story is going. Wellllll, I did find the perfect background fabric for my large checkered dresdens. Based on my math, I needed 5 1/4 yards and they had EXACTLY that on the bolt. So that was meant to be. But then I saw two packages @ 2yards each of the most luscious fabric and they just had to come home with me. Oops. My excuse - it is rude to not buy at a new LQS. tehehe

Mad quilter....I would love to see the luscious fabric you gifted yourself with today..... I want to enjoy it vicariously thru you... You are right, you shouldn't be rude to LQS. Lol... I went to a quilt shop after the quilt show with my SIL and I didn't purchase anything but felt guilty when I left. And, I have a $40 gift card to spend there. Lol! Geesh...

Martina- don't forget that there is a travel exemption! Sounds like that applies here :D

Teen- I am so sorry we did not tell you about the travel exemption- This was an unfortunate slip up on the part of those of us who have been here longer, and it should not have happened. I think it would be appropriate for us to extend to you An olive branch by having a “Teen Exemption Day” named in your honor. I propose that each member may decide for themselves when to celebrate Teen’s extraordinary fortitude and willpower by claiming a “Teen Exemption” on the day or days of their choosing.

Sincerely,
Rob:p

I didn't know about the travel exemption. AND how many times can it be used? What is the minimum of travel miles needed? LOL Will be going on a Shop Hop in March so the travel exemption is certainly welcomed.

Ok, I'm in this year. I swear I haven't bought fabric "on a whim" for a couple of years. But I still can't get stuff into my fabric closet. And I pull something out, and the leftovers won't go in. I think it breeds in there.
I think it was Bonnie Hunter's mystery that really kicked me into reality - I try really hard to do mysteries out of my stash, but I don't like to do scrappy. And this year, I had absolutely nothing that went together with enough yardage to do Bonnie's mystery. So I bought - and I bought 1 colour 4 times looking for the right shade. Sigh.

I am determined this year not to buy new just because I want a new project - I will come up with something I can make from my stash when I need a break from my UFOs. And I am going to figure out how to use some of my stash - especially the little bits (less than 1/4 yard) that I've stuffed into bags (which are about to overflow). I'm even planning to piece backings for a couple of big quilts waiting for the longarm. There are a couple of special ones that might need something new, but stash first. And ones that need a purchase just might not make the UFO list this year.

You are on the right track, kristakz! Yes once in a while we slip, but let's use all the beautiful fabric we have bought in the past...

Well, I had a close encounter Friday. I received an e-mail from Marshall's Dry Goods (note to self: unsubscribe!). They had Fons and Porter small print fabric for $1.50 a yard by the bolt. Several of the colours would have been absolutely perfect for backings. I put two in the cart, then came to my senses and cancelled the cart. Whew! Close call.

We all are doing so well this year. I spent the day at Road yesterday.....wait for it.....I resisted the fabric! I bought 3 patterns for bags. I am so proud of myself. I just kept reminding myself how many UFOs I have waiting to be completed. It also helped that I told myself I was only using cash that I had on me at the time.

Leta - that quilt is simply stunning! I have a template for that half square rectangle (?) patch... Might need to dig that out.
Retired - I love your quilt. So unusual!
Everyone else seems like they are doing well, or at least getting back on the wagon after a tumble!

hahahaha....funny guy! I'm going to need this exemption....do you know how many quilt shops are between S. California and Boise Idaho? A bunch...I'm going to encourage the DH to stop for gas ALOT! Glad my ignorance on the rules is benefitting the masses...

Good girl!! I'm so weak! Lol! What did you think of the "Best of Show"? I thought it was amazing. I didn't know where to look first...

Has anyone been to the Little Red Hen in Muscatine, Iowa. It is a good thing that I am more than a thousand miles away for I could really add to my stash.

Never been to Iowa. They've got some serious crafters in that state so it doesn't surprise me that they have a fabric store that rocks it. I'd be reckless! HA!

Guess I'm gonna have to make a road trip...although it's still almost a 4 hour drive for me.

Question of the day, it's a serious question, LOL ::wave: Anyone can put their input. Is 25 - 15 miles crossing state lines and country roads considered a drive for this exemption? Not sure if it's my closest LQS, but it is one of my favorite stores. It's my top 1-2 favorite. Just curious.

Second question, if I signed up for a BOM last year is that considered a buy this year if we pitch up the blocks this year and pay for it?

Great job everyone for sticking to your stash 1st. Yea!!!!:thumbup:. Happy sewing everyone.

That depends on how many potholes you have to skirt, happylab. You need to be the judge. lol

On the driving distance, I would say it entirely depends on you. Since my daily commute to my job is 50 miles one way, I would not consider this to qualify for the travel exemption. However, some people seldom drive 5 miles outside of their little kingdom. So, it depends.

On the BOM, I would have to say I would not consider that a "new" buy, as you committed to it last year. HOWEVER... if you join a new one THIS year, that's a buy.
And another "however" would be a BOM or BOW that you just get free patterns for, and use your stash on - that's a GOOD thing!! No buying there!
Just my opinion, for what it's worth.


Now, I was getting the "need something new urge", but I managed to resist it. I keep reminding myself of Foust's "open to the public sale" in a couple of weeks.

And I've really been focusing on UFO's, so that's another way to keep me from buying new.

Lastly, I'm working on a commission quilt right now - my SIL's Great Dane passed away last October, and my brother asked me to make a "memory quilt" for her. He wanted to wait until closer to her birthday, as he felt it would be somewhat less painful for her. So, I have 12 photo-on-fabric blocks that I'm putting together. I was fortunate enough to find "dog fabric" that has a Great Dane on it - and he looks like their Great Dane. Plus there's other dogs, including a Chihuahua (of which they have 3). So, this is sort of taking the edge off of my "something new" urge... but... not really. :(

Yes the best in show was incredible. I am amazed with the design and all the embellishment.

Just relized that I went into JoAnns to get some Velcro...I slipped and bought two bundles of blender FQs that were in the clearance bin.

Oops! I was there today and only bought those fabric sheets you can print on your printer. Walked right by the fabric section... Of course, my face was numb from the dentist so I wasn't feeling too good..lol..

I'm beginning to think I need to be on a "anything-quilt-related" moratorium.
Why?
Because, in my effort to distract myself from starting something new, I decided to do a little reorganizing... and have discovered that I am evidently addicted to every kind of ruler. I even discovered I have TWO of a specialty ruler!!

I've done better on the patterns, since I let my magazine subscriptions lapse, but I have a duplicate embroidery pattern as well.
<sigh>
I guess I'll just put myself on a "No Buy Anything Quilt Related" protocol.
But I have been eyeballing that set of layercakes and jellyrolls (2 of each, same fabric line) that I bought at 75% off last year. Civil War repros...

Must NOT start something new... must NOT start something new...must NOT... uh-oh.

While searching thru boxes of fabric for something else, I came across the Nautical shower curtains from my old house. There is more than enough for me to use as a backing for my Irish Chain Quilt! No shopping for me, lol!

I think I'm going to cut the panels apart, and do light colored sashings, with some scrappy cornerstones (pinwheels, maybe?).


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I also found the matching all over print that would be great as a border, but it is noticeably faded compared to the panels, so i probably will save it for another project.