July OMG (One Monthly Goal) end of month report

Well, here we are at the end of another month. . . .it seems like there was no time for much this month. . . .but I did get some finished items. . . . just not what I had thought I would get done.


First, I must apologize, there are no pictures as of this moment.  I can't find the camera, again and some of the pictures are on the iPad, which I cannot access at the moment.


So, you will need to come back to this post tomorrow to see the items I am writing about.


First up, things that I have completed:


Car Diddy Bag

This is from a tutorial that was on SewCanShe.  It was the first time that I have ever done a welted zipper. . . and while it is not perfect I am pretty proud of it.


It took me about 3 1/2 hours to complete and was a time test for a Facebook group that I am part of.


Hanging Storage Basket

Another tutorial from SewCanShe.  I was not able to find the chalkboard fabric so I left that part out.  It took about 2 hours for me to do, and yes, it was another time test for a Facebook group.


I love the floral fabric that I used. . .but with other things that I worked on this month most of it is gone.  But that is a good thing since I am trying to downsize.


Block Swap blocks

In another Facebook group we are doing a 12" Churn Dash swap.  I completed 4 blocks. . .2 for one person and 2 for another.


Crumb Blocks

Ok, this was to be my OMG goal for July. . . . .and while I did get more done I did not get all 42 blocks that I need completed.  I have blocks in the works and have added to the completed blocks.


Empty the scrap basket

Well, with the cutting that I have been doing I have actually been adding more than I have been using!  But, adding fabrics from what I have been cutting will bring a little more variety into my blocks.


Polaroid block swap


On yet another Facebook group I am in a swap for Polaroid blocks so I have been hunting through my stash to find fabrics to fussy cut.


So, there you have it, I have been accomplishing quite a bit. . .  .just not what I had planned.


Go visit Elm Street quilts (this site takes you to the linky party for the finishes everyone is posting) to see what else has been accomplished this week.


In peace and pieces,


Sherry






This content was originally posted on the quilt blog Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. (www.bookshookssticksetc.blogspot.com). If you are reading this on any site other than the original or quilterblogs.com it is WITHOUT my permission and the content has been stolen.

2018 Piggy Bank Challenge

Val is now taking sign-ups for the next Piggy Bank Savings Challenge.  I have taken part over the last couple of years and it is amazing how much can be saved by just throwing loose change in a container.


Here is my "piggy bank" of choice:

It is a plastic Coke bank that I have had for years.  At some point I would love to see how much I could save if I filled the entire thing. . . .but I don't see that happening any time soon.  LOL


Growing up my parents had one of our old riding toys, a Huckleberry Hound, that they had cut into to create a bank. . . . .


They saved up their coin in that thing for years. . . . .and finally a couple of years ago they dumped in out and rolled up what was collected. . . . it was mostly pennies, but, if I remember correctly, I think there was over $1,000 in it!


Now I know that I may not get anywhere near that amount in the next year, but it will be fun to see how much I can accumulate.


In the past I have used my funds to buy quilt-y stuff or used it for vacations.  This year I am thinking that I may want to see if I can save enough to get a video camera.  I am thinking it might be fun to start a YouTube channel.  At least that is what I am thinking now. . . .who knows what I might be thinking about next year at this time?


Are you going to join us?




In peace and pieces,


Sherry


This content was originally posted on the quilt blog Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. (www.bookshookssticksetc.blogspot.com). If you are reading this on any site other than the original or quilterblogs.com it is WITHOUT my permission and the content has been stolen.

12 Days of Christmas in July 2018 --- Yo Yo Edition

Sarah has put together another wonderful blog hop for the 12 Days of Christmas in July.



Today is my day and I hope that my little discussion of yo yo's might spark your imagination to create even more things.


NOTICE:  The photos that I identify as mine are mine, the others that are shown were found by doing image searches to provide additional visuals.  I do not claim any copyright or ownership of those photos.




First, let's talk about yo yo's.  There are lots of tutorials on the actual "mechanics" of making yoyo's. . . here's one from Better Homes & Gardens, one from The Spruce Crafts, and yet another one from All People Quilt.  Since there is so much about how to make them I won't be covering that here.


Yo yo's conjure up, for a lot of people, Grandma's quilt (though technically it is not a quilt because it is only one layer, not three) as seen here:





But they are so much more useful and fun.


Here are just two examples of using yo yo's to create interesting ornaments for your tree:


This first one is made with 6 yo yo's.  I have used decorative snowflake buttons to cover up the opening of the yo yo's. 


Sewing them together in this way helps add weight so that the ornament will hang straight on the tree.


I could have created a wreath by putting the yo yo's in a circular shape.

My one tip would be, if you are planning on using buttons add them after you have your yo yo's sewn together.  It was a little unwieldy sewing them with the buttons added first.

With this next ornament I used graduated sizes of yo yo's to create an icicle type ornament.

This last one that I will show is not one that I did.  It was gifted to me by a friend, but I thought it was a unique idea and wanted to pass it one.


She used an old spoon, glued some stuffing to the bowl part of it and then created a yo yo to cover both the front and back.  Once the back was tacked down she used one of those Battenburg lace doilies that were all the rage several years ago to cover up the gathers on the back.

Here is the back view showing how it covered up the gathered fabric.  The doily was glued to the back of the spoon and then a ribbon was tied at the base of the bowl of the spoon.





You could get different looks by using different shapes of doilies, laces, etc.


I have a tendency to be a gadget girl and used two types of yo yo makers for these ornaments:


Below you can see that one of the tools is a Clover Yo Yo maker in size small and the other is not just for yo yo's. . . .it is for making circles, Perfect Circles by Karen Kay Buckley.


The yo yo icicle was made using different sized circles from her set.

There are other things that you can make, a quick search of the internet provides inspiration for lots of things. . . . like garlands:





doilies,



bookmarks



Well, I hope that you have gotten some ideas of how to use yo yo's in fun ways.


One more tip before I go. . . . if you want to add some interest inside your yo yo's leave the opening wider and slip a piece of contrasting fabric inside. . . you will be able to see both fabrics and it will give some extra interest in your piece.

Here is the entire list of the bloggers that have taken part.  Check them all out, especially those that are also blogging today.  There are lots of giveaways and even more tutorials and information.


Saturday, July 14th

Joy @ Days Filled With Joy

Selina @ Selina Quilts

Sunday, July 15th

Joanne @ Everyone Deserves a Quilt

Jan @ The Colorful Fabriholic

Monday, July 16th

Carole @ From My Carolina Home

Jamie @ L'Fair Quilts

Karen @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels & Eats

Tuesday, July 17th

Sharon @ Vrooman's Quilts

Mary @ Made by Marney

Wednesday, July 18th

Cindy @ Stitchin' At Home

Karrin @ Karrin's Crazy World

Thursday, July 19th

Christina @ Christina's Handicrafts

Sherry @ Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc.

Danice @ Homespun Hannah

Friday, July 20th

Kristi @ Confessions of A Fabric Addict

Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts

Saturday, July 21st

Marian @ Seams To Be Sew

Meloney @ Mel's Quilting Blog

Sunday, July 22nd

Anja @ Anja Quilts

Moira @ Quilted Snail

Monday, July 23rd

Brenda @ Songbird Designs

Amy @ Sea of Estrogen

Bonnie @ In Stitches With Bonnie

Tuesday, July 24th

Kathy @ Kathy's Kwilts and More

Summer @ Summer Lee Quilts

Wednesday, July 25th

Susan @ Quilt Fabrication
Brandy @ Pampered Pettit
Jean @ All Points of the Compass

In peace and pieces,




Sherry








This content was originally posted on the quilt blog Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. (www.bookshookssticksetc.blogspot.com). If you are reading this on any site other than the original or quilterblogs.com it is WITHOUT my permission and the content has been stolen.

Updated listing for the 12 Days Of Christmas in July blog hop

There was a few changes done to the schedule for the blog hop. . . . here is the updated listing.  Be sure to start from the beginning and check out all the fun tutorials.




Saturday, July 14th

Joy @ Days Filled With Joy

Selina @ Selina Quilts

Sunday, July 15th

Joanne @ Everyone Deserves a Quilt

Jan @ The Colorful Fabriholic

Monday, July 16th

Carole @ From My Carolina Home

Jamie @ L'Fair Quilts

Karen @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels & Eats

Tuesday, July 17th

Sharon @ Vrooman's Quilts

Mary @ Made by Marney

Wednesday, July 18th

Cindy @ Stitchin' At Home

Karrin @ Karrin's Crazy World

Thursday, July 19th

Christina @ Christina's Handicrafts

Sherry @ Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc.

Danice @ Homespun Hannah

Friday, July 20th

Kristi @ Confessions of A Fabric Addict

Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts

Saturday, July 21st

Marian @ Seams To Be Sew

Meloney @ Mel's Quilting Blog

Sunday, July 22nd

Anja @ Anja Quilts

Moira @ Quilted Snail

Monday, July 23rd

Brenda @ Songbird Designs

Amy @ Sea of Estrogen

Bonnie @ In Stitches With Bonnie

Tuesday, July 24th

Kathy @ Kathy's Kwilts and More

Summer @ Summer Lee Quilts

Wednesday, July 25th

Susan @ Quilt Fabrication

Brandy @ Pampered Pettit
Jean @ All Points of the Compass

In peace and pieces,


Sherry








This content was originally posted on the quilt blog Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. (www.bookshookssticksetc.blogspot.com). If you are reading this on any site other than the original or quilterblogs.com it is WITHOUT my permission and the content has been stolen.

Christmas in July blog hop. . . .coming TODAY!

Sarah, who blogs at http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/ is hosting a blog hop, starting TODAY of all things Christmas.

I have the privilege of being a part of this blog hop. . .on the 19th.

Check out all the blogs each day for some fun, some tutorials and perhaps a giveaway or two.

Christmas will be here before you know it. . . hopefully some of the items covered in the next 12 days will help you be better prepared (and able to get to bed at a decent hour on 12/24!)

Saturday, July 14th

Joy @ Days Filled With Joy

Selina @ Selina Quilts

Sunday, July 15th

Joanne @ Everyone Deserves a Quilt

Jan @ The Colorful Fabriholic

Monday, July 16th

Carole @ From My Carolina Home

Jamie @ L'Fair Quilts

Karen @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels & Eats

Tuesday, July 17th

Sharon @ Vrooman's Quilts

Mary @ Made by Marney

Wednesday, July 18th

Karrin @ Karrin's Crazy World

Marian @ Seams To Be Sew

Thursday, July 19th

Christina @ Christina's Handicrafts

Sherry @ Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc.

Danice @ Homespun Hannah

Friday, July 20th

Kristi @ Confessions of A Fabric Addict

Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts

Saturday, July 21st

Cindy @ Stitchin' At Home

Meloney @ Mel's Quilting Blog

Sunday, July 22nd

Anja @ Anja Quilts

Moira @ Quilted Snail

Monday, July 23rd

Brenda @ Songbird Designs

Amy @ Sea of Estrogen

Bonnie @ In Stitches With Bonnie

Tuesday, July 24th

Kathy @ Kathy's Kwilts and More

Summer @ Summer Lee Quilts

Wednesday, July 25th

Susan @ Quilt Fabrication

Brandy @ Pampered Pettit

Jean @ All Points of the Compass

In peace and pieces,




Sherry






This content was originally posted on the quilt blog Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. (www.bookshookssticksetc.blogspot.com). If you are reading this on any site other than the original or quilterblogs.com it is WITHOUT my permission and the content has been stolen.

Fun blocks that I just made

I think that I have mentioned that I am taking part in the Stash Bee for this year.


Each month there is a different block to make for a person in my "hive".  Some of the blocks have been easier for me than others. . . .but each one has been completed within the month that it was due so that is good.


For July we were given the task to make "Polaroid" blocks for a quilt for a baby boy.


Here are the blocks that I made:

I had to dig through one of my fabric bins to find prints that had small enough figures for the center squares. . . they are only 2 1/2" square.


These were fun to make. . . but I do not think that I have enough "eye spy" type fabrics to make any size quilt.


But, making these blocks has given me some ideas of what to do with the other conversation prints that I have in my stash.


In peace and pieces,


Sherry






This content was originally posted on the quilt blog Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. (www.bookshookssticksetc.blogspot.com). If you are reading this on any site other than the original or quilterblogs.com it is WITHOUT my permission and the content has been stolen.

Annual Piggy Bank challenge

Val, over at Val's Quilting Studio has run a Piggy Bank Savings challenge for several years.


This year, I beat the total saved by Mr. Books. . . . . I had $125 to his $85.  But, I would have had even more if I had not cashed in my savings early that the Challenge date.


Usually the Challenge date is after our "big" vacation so I have "mad money" to spend on myself.


But this year we had a "big" vacation to Lake George, NY so we decided to pool our funds to have extra spending money while we were away.


Now, we did get to a couple of quilt shops in the Lake George area. . . . and we both spent money at each shop so don't go thinking that my hard saved coinage went to things like dinner and such.


The two shops that we visited were Patti's Sewing Machines and More in Glen Falls, NY and Country Girl Crafts and Quilts in Chestertown, NY.  Both shops were very cute and packed with lots of samples, kits and fabrics.

The owners of both shops were extremely friendly, as were the other customers in the shops. . . . we felt right at home and as if we were long time customers instead of just vacationing visitors.  I find that quality so great. . . . .unfortunately there are a shop or two in my home state could learn a thing or two about customer service for new customers from these two shops.


So, now that I have spent the funds that I collected since last year it is time to start the next collection of coin. . . . and to see if I can top the amount that I have saved this year!

If you want to see what other people did with the funds they were able to save check out this linky post. 






In peace and pieces,


Sherry










This content was originally posted on the quilt blog Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. (www.bookshookssticksetc.blogspot.com). If you are reading this on any site other than the original or quilterblogs.com it is WITHOUT my permission and the content has been stolen.

July OMG goal

Due to travelling in June I was not able to link up for the OMG (One Monthly Goal) program. .  . but I am back for July and getting back to sewing.

You can check out the following link to see what goals other creative are planning on working on for July:

https://www.elmstreetquilts.com/2018/07/one-monthly-goal-july-goal-link-up.html

Now, my goal for July is to get crumby. . . . . as in crumb blocks.  I want to have 42 of them done and ready for sashing.

I have to admit, I had tried crumb blocks before and I was not really happy with them. . .because I tried to have all kinds of wacky angles in the blocks.  I have found that I am not happy with that kind of thing.

Then I watched a YouTube video series by Darlene Michaud on crumb quilting and had an "ah ha" moment.  I can just cut things straight or slightly angled and work from there.  Great, I can do that. . . . .and I have no problem doing that.

So far here is a sample of what I have gotten:

I am cutting my blocks to 6 1/2" square and plan on making a quilt that will be around 60" x 70" when done.  I will use black as sashing to, hopefully, pop the colors from the blocks.

I figure that I need to have 42 blocks. . . . . I have 9 blocks already done and 13 blocks in progress. . . so I am well on my way to getting the blocks done.

For these blocks I am working from my scrap basket:

I had gone through it to take out larger pieces so these are strips and odd sized pieces that I just want to use to get them gone.

I don't know how depleted this basket will be by the end of the month. . . .as it seems that the fabric is multiplying every time I look at it there may not seem to be much of a difference. . . . so there may be more than just the 42 crumb blocks that I want to have for a quilt in my future.

Happy sewing to all.

In peace and pieces,

Sherry



This content was originally posted on the quilt blog Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc. (www.bookshookssticksetc.blogspot.com). If you are reading this on any site other than the original or quilterblogs.com it is WITHOUT my permission and the content has been stolen.