Let the Games Begin!

And we're off. I have officially begun digging into the Use It or Lose It Stash Challenge (#useitorloseitstashchallenge) here at Surrounded by Scraps. And as any fabric addict will do, I began with the inspiration print that I was most hesitant to give up - a lovely little faerie fabric in warm earth tones from Hoffman (pictured at the bottom of the following photo). The only reason this particular fabric ended up on the chopping block in the first place is a combination of little factors: I purchased it easily over 7 years ago; although I have used it in several projects over the years, I have passed it by in recent years when looking for kid-friendly prints; the palette is terribly out of vogue (but among my favorites). I still think this fabric has some great potential and am not willing to let it go!

So using the sweet faeries as a jumping off point I started gathering some coordinating fabrics, 5 of which were also pulled from the UIOLI (Use It Or Lose It) pile. At the time I put this collection together, I still had no ideas of WHAT to do with them, just that something must be started and soon.

Thank goodness for Pinterest! I was able to spend part of an evening reviewing my Patchwork Inspiration board and was hit with an "Aha!" moment. I knew my plan for these as soon as I saw this awesome triangle quilt by CoraQuilts:

Click photo to see original link at Flickr.com

And then this quilt photo from the Fancy Tiger Crafts website:

I decided to dive in and start cutting triangles.

This was me trying to be conservative with the number of prints I use. I really tried dialing it back from my usual super-scrappy default. I can play with these on their own, right? Let's see how they look up on the design wall...

Enh, it's okay, but it's missing something. Too many prints? Can there really be such a thing?? Maybe too many prints that are all the same value. That must be it. And maybe I should throw in the alternate contrast blocks like Carla's use of the blue solids.

OR... maybe I just need to spice it up with some Kaffe and friends!!

...to be continued.

Trying Something New

It's no secret that I fell out of touch with the online community at some point last year. A few weeks ago I started noticing some great design graphics popping up on Karen - CapitolaQuilter's IG feed. She used a hashtag #qdad, which I tried in all my linguistic brain power to identify but eventually had to simply ask for the answer. "What does #qdad stand for??" The answer was embarrassingly straightforward, and one that many of you probably already know... Quilt Design A Day.

As a concept this is not new to me. But as an organized group with a Facebook page sharing themes and color palettes and inspiration posts I was completely oblivious. So I checked them out.

Image by Amy Gunson. Individual motifs by members of the FB group: Gillian Smith, Carolyn Canterman, Karen Foster and Allison M. Olander.

These quilters are doing some seriously cool things with design software!! The about page offers several software options depending on what machine one is using. At the time I first read the page I didn't have any design software activated on my computer. In November my tech-expert brother helped update my Mac OS to where we backed up the pertinent files, replaced my relatively old drive and ran the update. This made my already outdated Adobe Creative Suite 2 completely obsolete. It wiped out the old Parallels I was running (when it actually would run) for the sole purpose of using EQ7. It left me with options for new softwares I am not familiar with, or new versions of the previous softwares in formats I don't agree with (don't get me started on Adobe switching exclusively to Cloud-based subscriptions...). And then I remembered that Electric Quilt Co. finally released a Mac-friendly version of EQ7! I paid the transfer fee (about 1/8th of the cost of the new software) and downloaded the new version this morning. NO WINDOWS O.S. NECESSARY!!

Like almost any skill one learns, EQ7 is best when the gears are kept active, you keep pressing buttons whether or not you know what they do and basically continue to use as many features as you can. I have done none of these things. I find the tools I use most, become conversant with those and ignore all the rest. Anything I can't figure out in the program I can either find another program to accomplish the desired results or go back to my trusty paper and pencil. Today I decided to play with EQ7 for the first time in months using the daily inspiration photo and palette posted onto the FB page by Karen. I don't love my results, but I love that I gave it a try.

I also applied skills long-since gone rusty to something non-quilt related earlier today:

To be honest, this pair of rollerblades was the initial inspiration for the #UseItorLoseIt challenge... we're starting to straighten up the basement after months (years?) of it serving primarily as dumping ground and storage. Several weeks ago I saw these guys lying on the floor and thought, "I haven't used these in YEARS. I should go ahead and give them away (along with my unused tennis racket and lacrosse stick)." Then the thought crossed my mind that this would be a great way to exercise the dog since I HATE running and we steer away from off-leash parks. But first I have to get my sea-legs back, so to speak. A few spins around the patio and tripping up the bumpy driveway were very instructive. But the journey has begun... they get to stay here as long as I continue to work on using them. This might be a 2015 theme.

So here's to revisiting and sharpening old skills, applying to new endeavors. I think that's part of growing, right?

Use It or Lose It Stash Challenge

Since recovering from the hullabaloo of the late-December holidays (ours were actually very mellow, just the way I like it), I have been overtaken with a strong desire to ORGANIZE. Shocking, I know.

It might have been helped by the receipt of this perfect Christmas gift:

which helped me take this...

... and somehow get this:

You may be asking, "How does this relate to the post title? When is she going to talk about this challenge thing?" The thread sorting is where the studio clean-up started, but I'm not quite ready to explain the title. Gettin' there, I promise!

During the process of sorting and organizing my spools of thread I came up with almost as many comb-over spools as useable ones. If you can't picture what that means, take a look:

And I wonder — what compelled me to hold on to all of these guys? Laziness? False expectation of restocking? An uncanny pack-rat mentality that doesn't allow me to let go of anything that I could possibly get some sort of use out of at some time in the future? Yep, that last one sounds about right... so keep that logic in mind as I continue my recounting of my studio clean-up.

After successfully attacking the thread I decided to turn my attention to my overwhelming stacks of fabric. Perhaps somewhat inspired by the usual instagram New Years' resolutions and pledges about sewing from stash, revisiting UFOs and just starting the new year off right I tried to be brutal about culling the unused from my stash. The problem is, I'm not so good at brutal or at culling.

Near the beginning of the purge. Those fabrics on the floor are NOT to be purged, just moved from piles on top of the shelving units. 

I will be the first to admit that I have an obscene amount of quilting fabric. I blame the dangerous combination of being a genetic pack-rat/collector and working consistently at various quilt shops for the last 9 years. This means there was a LOT of fabric to sort through. I stretched myself to be ruthless.

Just the start of the Donation pile.

And while I managed to weed out an impressive number of those fabrics, there were several that gave me pause.

So I started my "Use it or Lose it" pile. I kept coming across fabrics that I could't justify keeping in my stash at this point, but for a number of reasons I couldn't just toss away either. Whether for sentimental reasons, practical reasons or just because I really LIKE the print (but have had it for too many years without actually USING it) they got set aside. 

I'm not a New Year's Resolution person. I don't get behind public pledges, especially ones that depend on a change of habits that have been with me for 40 or so years. But I feel like I came up with a friendly little personal challenge that is approachable and might even be fun. And the best part... NO PRESSURE. 

So here are the self-imposed rules:

EITHER come up with a project (or projects) and begin said project(s) with any number of the "Use it or Lose it" fabrics within the first 3 months of the year OR add them to the purge pile. No harm, no foul. They are all fabrics I haven't been using for years, ones that I considered tossing in the purge pile on Monday but couldn't bring myself to do so without giving them one last fighting chance, so this way they either get a new life or continue on the path for which they are destined. No pressure, right? So meet my eclectic mix of "Use it or Lose it":

I welcome input. However, if you think one of these fabrics is ugly, don't even bother telling me - I probably already know. (Actually, feel free to tell me. I'm okay with it.) And if any of you is inspired to give this challenge a try on your own, let me know! I've got an Instagram hashtag going, #useitorloseitstashchallenge. A mouthful I know. Please post potential challenge fabrics of your own and we can exchange project ideas, crazy comments or maybe even end up doing an ugly-fabric swap! The world is our oyster... at least for the next 3 months.

And I have to say that I did make quite a bit of progress during that one day of studio clean-up. Granted there might be a couple more days in store to really do it well, but for now I cannot complain.

Still an obscene amount of fabric, but a much neater, better curated group of them. Oh and off to the right is my collection of novelty fabrics and (not shown) my Kaffe and Friends collection, which takes up 3+ cubbies all on its own. And NONE of the Kaffe Collective gets purged. EVER. Used, yes, but never purged. Just so we're clear.

So here's to a Fresh New Year and the fun adventures that it brings! Who's with me?

Recalibrating and Celebrating

Well, apparently it's been so long since I've blogged that my hosting site has changed its interface yet again. Yes, I did get notices about it over the past month or two, but it was in one ear and out the other sadly. So here I am giving this a spin!

And what better way to kick things off than promoting a fun, do.Good sort of event! This week Rachel Hauser of Stitched in Color has launched the annual Celebrate do.Good Stitches event on her blog. It is her way of recognizing the incredible work done by 240+ stitchers and quilters, all of which ultimately gets donated to various charitable causes. Though organizing this large a group and the efforts it supports is no small feat, therefore Rachel herself deserves an enormous debt of gratitude.

I've been participating in this bee for just about 3 1/2 years I believe. In fact, this year when I decided to take a break from the online bees, swaps and other group commitments I've been enjoying over the last several years this bee is the one I chose to continue with. Because it's different. One really does feel as though we are doing good. That said, the time constraints that I had expected to be an issue during the year did come into play as I had feared. As the host for the Bliss Circle of the group it is my responsibility to facilitate group discussions, keep a schedule of quilters up to date, stay on top of blocks being sent within the circle and other various little administrative duties in addition to being one of the circle's 4-5 quilters. Admittedly I fell behind a bit during the year, both on my administrative duties and the quilting. I currently have at least 3 finished quilt tops (and most of the blocks collected for another quilt) that need to be quilted and sent off to our selected charity - Wrap Them in Love. In fact, I only finished ONE quilt so far this year for the group. Poor showing, if I do say so myself. But it's one I am quite happy about!

Oh, and might I just point out that that backing is the epitome of using what you have! The batik that makes up the majority of the backing is one that I've had in my stash for upwards of 7 years, picked up for a project way back when. I cannot even remember whether I ended up using it for the intended project or what quilt that even was. All of these factors together means it is time to use it or lose it! And since I can't seem to purge very well (or at all!) use it I did!

Now it's time to go visit that link above for the Celebrate do.Good Stitches post on Rachel's blog and vote for your favorite quilt from the pool. Each of the 24 circles selected a single quilt finished during 2014 to represent their circle and the voting is open to the public now through Monday Dec. 15. She has also posted a couple of more entries related to the celebration, including individual recipients of gift prizes and an open pool for all of the group's quilters to submit their finished projects from the year. Take a look and share your thoughts! But most of all just take a few moments to enjoy the hard work done by all of these Stitchers and Quilters and Celebrate the year!

Efficiency step-by-step

Have you ever had the feeling that you have too many juggling balls in the air? Of course we all have. And for me anything more than TWO qualifies as TOO many. Never been much of a multi-tasker.

However, that's not to say I haven't been getting some things taken care of properly. I finished the commissioned wall-hanging on deadline and hope that it is bringing smiles to many faces.

I've been receiving some really great blocks for October's do.Good Stitches Bliss circle too. I have to admit I am going to be on a last-minute schedule to get my blocks done for November, but will come through. This is one of those commitments that I love being a part of and get enjoyment from more often than not, but may have taken a back seat in recent years. In fact, I still have 2 tops yet to quilt from this past year +, not including the most recent month. 

My samples for October's Bliss blocks, from the wonderful Garden Fence tutorial by Hyacinth Quilts.

Blocks collected nearly a year ago that I FINALLY finished up in October.

Back in August and September Cherie and I applied to a few holiday craft fairs in the area for both The Creative Bungalow and Surrounded by Scraps. We saw a lot of wait-list action in the subsequent months, which maybe wasn't so surprising, but somewhat disappointing. I'm still convinced that holiday bazaars are not the target for TCB, but will be a good way to get our feet wet. And as luck would have it, one of the shows we were wait-listed for passed along our info to another group (same auspices) for a HS Booster Club holiday bazaar. Which means I've been getting on the horn making up more of the smaller items, adding cocktail napkins to my repertoire.

Ooof, sorry for the blurry picture. Was in the process of turning my double-sided napkins right-side-out.

There are so many other updates I could include (since I have been slacking on the blog of late), but for now I will leave it with this. My feelings on what's ahead are to minimize in order to maximize. Pare down the number of directions I invariably want to pursue in order to really succeed in creating something I am proud of. Wish me luck!

Looking forward

Wow, where did the summer go?! I had a whirlwind of a trip to NYC for my brother's wedding (which was AMAZING!!!) and visiting friends.

The handsome grooms standing under the chuppah that my mom and I made for them (she did the lion's share of the work, trust me!)

I have otherwise been spending time building up The Creative Bungalow and taking care of our pup, Atlas.

Isn't he a cutie?? Our first visit to a body of water larger than a Portland puddle, taken at Sauvie's Island.

But the month of September has been an active one and has presented great opportunities for looking forward. I've recently started working on a commission - from someone I've never met. And we are enjoying working together for the finished product! That's exciting.

She has requested a wall-hanging for her office that is kid-friendly and engaging. She saw a quilt that I made for someone else and we have used that as a starting point. It's allowed me to put to use some of the MANY novelty prints I have in my studio while adding just a few new ones.

And I've combined them with some fun, bright prints:

It's still in progress, but I am happy with how it is developing. And somewhat inspired I have to admit.

I've also been concentrating a good amount of time on The Creative Bungalow. We've applied to a couple of holiday craft fairs and are still working on new projects. I've also been working on developing new patterns, which I'll share very, very soon! One of those patterns might look somewhat familiar if you shop at Cool Cottons and saw my wall-hanging back at the beginning of the year...

So I am trying to get back into the swing of things and stay on top of the blogging and updating and making. Definitely the making! And just trying to stay inspired.

A Page Has Been Turned

2014 has been a year very different from any previous. Lots of great changes have been occurring, a few obstacles as well, but in all of that activity I have kind of lost sight of Surrounded by Scraps. Or rather, I've put the scraps part of it on hold. My time and efforts in making things has been focused on getting The Creative Bungalow off the ground with Cherie and working on some personal projects. Like this beaut for instance:

Blocks for my brother's wedding chuppah. The paper-piecing templates designed and drafted by my mom, inspired by a quilt we found on Pinterest without any reference or source for the pattern used.

And maybe a little dip into this, too:

A test run for a McCall's dress pattern that I am hoping to make up using less whimsical fabrics as well. But I'm loving how this is looking!

And then yesterday something changed.

The Creative Bungalow got our first Etsy sale that came directly from Etsy (as opposed to the kit my friend Niki purchased during our first month online! Thanks, Niki!!) Ironically it caused us quite a commotion. There had to be a proxy delivery of inventory from Cherie's studio where it usually lives, meeting at 9:15pm a little off-course for all involved (but not TOO out of the way, thankfully) in order to get the order filled in a timely manner. But it's done! And we are thrilled.

And then today I just got a custom quilt request for Surrounded by Scraps, also through Etsy. My Etsy shop has been silent as the hills all year, so to get an inquiry into a potential project just hours on the heels of TCB's sale is exhilarating. Now, I know better than to get ahead of myself on the custom order requests. I've gotten burned in the past, putting way too much energy into trying to snag a big order. More than once. Though sometimes it does pan out.

A commissioned set of place mats from Fall/Winter 2013.

So I now approach cautiously, putting all cards on the table and making sure the details are spelled out and amenable to all parties before investing too much time or money. Is that cynical of me? Let's just call it practical.

That being said, I am staying optimistic that something will pan out with this order. From the details that were shared with me it looks like it could be a lot of fun! And after the trip to NY for the wedding AT THE END OF THIS MONTH my sewing schedule will be seriously freed up! That is unless kits start flying out of The Creative Bungalow and we jump in with more and more! See, optimism!!

WIP Wed. 6/11/14

This is an uncommon Wednesday for me. Not just because I've been lax about keeping up with these posts, but instead of sitting at the quilt shop I am sitting in a Jury Assembly room waiting to see if my name gets called. Gives me plenty of time to play around with combining mobile apps and my computer to hopefully post some photos of recent projects underway.

Right now I am working on two big projects: still making samples for The Creative Bungalow, trying to populate our Etsy shop with some great kits for you quilters! My most recent finish (or finished top, at least) is from the Modern Quilt Relish pattern Taffy Twists. LOVE how this one turned out and I'm even eager to quilt it up!!

I feel like there is another sample top that I've finished lately, but the last few weeks have been such a whirlwind that something is escaping me. Plus Cherie has also been busy at work and has busted out some gorgeous quilt tops which I cannot claim for my own WIP (though she did make up a sample using my new-ish pattern Dorm Room Cots!).

My other big project is busting out more of those paper-piecing blocks for the wedding chuppah my mom and I are making for my brother and his fiancé. We met up at her home in Scottsdale the last weekend in May and were able to get just a few blocks together on the design wall to give us an idea of how absolutely gorgeous it will be when it's all together!

I had been somewhat vague about these before, not wanting to give away any surprises. Even though Lee and Glenn helped choose the general design (which my mom drafted in EQ7 for the paper-piecing) they hadn't seen the fabrics we chose to work with. And those fabrics are these luscious hand-dyed ombré jelly rolls (I want to say from Northcott, but that's probably the other ombré she picked up) with Robert Kaufman Quilter's Linen in Snow as the background. However, I can reveal now that Lee face-timed with Glenn who was still in NYC at the time and they got to see this preview "together". It was super-cute! And my first experience with Face-time!

Sadly, that about covers it. I did make a muslin of the bodice for one of the dresses I'm hoping to make for the wedding trip next month. It's too short-waisted, which is exactly what I had feared. Next step is to see if I can recall my costume shop education from college almost 20 years ago in order to make the necessary alterations to the pattern. Yikes.

Sorry there aren't more photos to share. Thanks for keeping up with me on this journey!