Traveling Stash Box - Last Stash Report for 2013 - 2014 Goals

Deb from http://simplystitchingalong.blogspot.com/ is the new owner of the traveling stash box!

First:

I won the "Traveling Stash Box" from Kris at http://farmgirltransplant.blogspot.com/

Here is what I kept -

And here is what I added to the box -

1 pad of graph paper - a book on quilting filler designs - a bobbin keeper - 4 patterns - 9  neutral fat quarters - 5 sherbet pips mini charm packs - and a Christmas wallhanging kit from Keepsake Quilting.

Leave a comment if you would like to have a chance on having this box of goodies arrive on your doorstep. Please be sure I will be able to contact you for your mailing address. Must have an active blog....

I will be picking a name from the comments on Monday, December 30th sometime in the afternoon and will be mailing the box on January 2nd, 2014

Since trading the fabrics was a even trade I will not be counting in or out the fabrics from this box.

The rules can be found here but, basically, you must be an active blogger in the U.S., replace chosen items with like items in quantity and quality, and be willing to move the box quickly along to the next recipient, although, allowances for the holidays will probably be tolerated at this time of year.  

Second:

I thought I would actually go through withdrawals with my goal of not buying any fabric in 2013. I didn't. Once the decision was made it was really easy for me. I deleted all online quilt shop ads without opening them. Tossed any catalogs after I looked through them. I was never tempted when I went to the bank, to drive around the corner to the quilt shop. I think I went to Joanns 3 times this year, once for supplies for a grandgirl's report, once to help a grandgirl pick out fabric for a quilt, once to buy a piece of foam. I went to the Paducah show and didn't buy any fabric. Think of all the $ I saved and was still able to make some really fun quilts.

I have already noticed that since I decided to keep some quilts on hand for gifting that I find I want to keep all the quilts I make, hard to put them in the HUG pile.

I decided to get started on finishing my UFOs. The first box I pulled out had a bunch of 9 patches. I decided to make another one of these quilts with them. This one is 98 inches square.

I am saving it to give to my friend for her birthday in April. I very seldom use the same fabric for binding as I do for the border, almost looks like the binding isn't on.

This quilt is for a friend's granddaughter and I want it to be a surprise so here is a picture of the back...

Bought YTD - 47 yards (paid for 41 yards in 2012 - it arrived in 2013 so I counted it for this year) actually only added 6 yards this year)

Used - 365.91 yards

Total YTD - 318.91

Check out Judy's blog to see how other stash buster have done this year.

Third:

2014 Goals.....

1 - finish one UFO each month - includes quilting and binding - these seem to be never ending....

2 - not to buy too much fabric, I am running low on blenders

3 - donate two HUG quilts each month 

4 - finish each new quilt that gets started, no more UFOs

5 - make 5-6 quilts to have on hand for gifting - baby to large lap sizes 

6 - clean up after each quilt - cut scraps into usable sizes and put them away, clear off cutting table, vacuum, sew extra batting together - this one is going to be tough one for me

I have Tula Pink's City Blocks book  and plan to make ten blocks a month - I will be ordering some of Tula Pink's fabric for this quilt. This will be a very modern quilt for me, totally out of my comfort zone.

I also want  to make one baby quilt a week (no bigger than 40x40). I will be using extra blocks and really simple patterns, thinking I should be able to do this in about 5 hours. Maybe even make one block quilts.  I will be doing this along with Michelle.

I am going to combine Judy's Scrappy Block Challenge with So Scrappy's Rainbow Scrap Challenge.

I want to participate with both of these challenges and combining them seems the perfect plan. I will be using the color that Angela picks to make a quilt using the block Judy designs.

I want to join the Fat Quarter Shop's "Wishes" quilt-a-long, only one block per month. I have some polka dots I plan on using.

Not sure how many of these goals I will be able to meet. Some might get dropped along the way as we are building a house about 2.5 hours from here and will be moving about April or May. The more fabric I can use, the less we will have to move. Fabric sure is heavy!

I know it is totally nuts to think I will be able to accomplish all of this. I will have to mindful of how I spend my time. Having goals really help me to be more productive. Of course everything is subject to change at any time.

Check out Val's Quilting Studio to see what goals other quilters have made for 2014.

Hope the New Year brings much happiness your way.