Wyoming Breezes

QOV kits update Three down  &  one to go Ironically, the first one cut will be the last one finished.  Star Roundup is quilted, labeled, bound and on its way to Idaho to be awarded to a veteran.

Stacks of cut scraps Last Friday and Saturday, I cut and cut and cut all the fabric pieces smaller than a Fat Quarter into sizes I frequently use - 6.5, 5, 4.5, 3.5, and 2.5 inches. The stacks grew as I worked on neutrals, reds, and finally blues.  I have plans for some of these scraps, but others will marinate for a bit until I decide how to use them. I REALLY need to do this after every project, but it’s more convenient to just fold and put the fabrics in baskets and out of sight. 

from Google images When I see a knitting/quilting pattern that I like, I save it on the computer. If I see a clever idea or tip, I save it on the computer. After years of saving and organizing these patterns and files, it was time to see how many of them still appealed to me. I've been working on this digital cleaning process for several days, and I'm slowly making progress. I've discovered multiple copies of some patterns. I found patterns that I'm sure gremlins must have saved, because they designs were hideous. One by one, the patterns are previewed and a quick decision made - keep or delete. The "knitting" files are finished, and I'm moving on to the "quilting" files. From there, I will move to other crafting files. Once the craft files are reduced, I'll tackle the photos, the health files, and . . . Do you save patterns on your computer? How do you organize them?

lots of binding ready for pressing February 2019 Saturday, I tackled the mess in my sewing room because it was impossible to get anything done. The cutting table was covered with numerous bins, piles of scraps, and stacks of books. Once the fabric was sorted and returned to the shelves in the closet, I began with the scraps. Small pieces were cut into sizes I use and placed neatly in bins. Larger scraps were cut into 2.5 inch strips for future bindings.  I often use the backing scraps to bind quilts. One nice thing about using the same backing fabric for several quilts is a LOT of strips for binding. The blue fabric strips in the photo will provide binding for at least two quilts. I press the strips in half and roll them on cardboard, so they are ready to attach when I receive quilts back from the longarmer. The cutting table and pressing board are clutter-free, the fabric is all stored away, and I've started a new project.

organizing my receipts for tax preparation January 2019 Sunday afternoon, I organized my receipts for the 2018 tax season. I keep an Excel spreadsheet for various categories and update the file every month. In January, I review the entire file and bundle the receipts for my records. When I receive all the necessary forms from banks, etc., I'll send the essential information to the accountant. I know the new tax law will affect deductions, so much of what I track may not be needed this year. Have you started working on your Federal Income Taxes?

making plans January 2019 Over the weekend, I started making a list of potential projects to work on in 2019. As I looked through the bins and baskets in the sewing room, I found parts of previous projects, panels, and orphan blocks. Hopefully, I'll be able to find a use for the assorted bits and pieces.

scrap bins reaching capacity March 2018 One of my goals in 2018 is to keep my sewing area tidy or at least tidier than it's been in the past. Instead of tossing scraps in a box and dealing with them in the distant future, I'm trying to deal with them once a month. The pieces are pressed and then cut into useable sizes and placed in my scrap bins. As you can see from the labels, I cut the fabric chunks into squares and strips. The condition of these boxes determine when more scrap quilts are created. The 2.5 inch strip bin was once contained in one of the plastic shoe boxes but recently moved into the larger box which is clearly twice as large. I need to bring that box under control. The clear plastic box shown upper left contained single 2.5 inch squares. To clean out that box, I made four-patch units. Once they were sewn and pressed, I had over 100 four-patches. I have an idea of how these will be used, but it's on the back burner right now. over 100 four-patch...

reorganized knitting supply area January 2018 I've been cleaning, decluttering, and downsizing for about three weeks, and gradually I'm making progress. Unfortunately, I didn't take a "before" photo of this area, but it was a mess. The bottom shelf housed a lot of vinyl records; the middle shelf, a record player. I don't know about you, but I haven't played a record in years. It was time to let go of those items and allow them to find new homes. Once the unit was bare, I moved the shelves to accommodate the fabric cubbies. The cubbies contain various types of yarn - not all of my yarn stash, but a good share of it. The yarn is contained, can easily be accessed, and is protected from sunlight and dust. See that shelf of notebooks? They contain various knitting patterns. I was ruthless in cleaning the notebooks, too. Patterns that I knew would never be knit were pulled and tossed in the recycle bin. The top shelf is the home for all of my knittin...

Hook Book by byScratch Saturday, Jeni ( byScratch - etsy link) brought two crochet hook books to the Fiber Guild meeting. She was working on a prototype several months ago, so I asked her to bring a one to a Guild meeting when she had some made. Jeni brought two, and I bought both - one for me, and one for Sue. inside the Hook Book slots for hooks, and a small flap for miscellaneous  and a bit of felt for a sewing needle As a knitter, I have a few hooks, and I wanted a place to store and organize them.

two favorite quilt block patterns I don't like reinventing the wheel and wasting time trying to find block patterns on my laptop or iPad even though both have an extensive selection of patterns. If I like how a block looked on a quilt, I usually add it to my Quilting Sketchbook. quilt layout  I also sketch layouts that worked for feature blocks. block that works for a Quilt of Valor Last week, I cut several red, white, and blue scraps for this block to make another Quilt of Valor. Since this is a 10" block when finished, I made 21 with red and white scraps and 21 with blue and white scraps. a finished block Because the pattern worked great for scraps, I added it to my Quilting Sketchbook. I'll use the pattern again when the scraps get out of control. Do you keep a book of notes for the patterns you like and may use again?

organizing stitch markers November 2016 Hmmm, could it be more obvious that I've got my share of stitch markers! It's embarrassing to admit that the photo does not include all the stitch markers I discovered in various boxes, bags, and tins scattered in knitting bags and next to my favorite knitting chairs. I grouped the various markers by type and size and then separated them into two categories: those I wanted to keep and those I no longer wanted. Do you see your a favorite type of stitch markers in one of the photos?