The month has flown

I've been happily sewing, time's gone so fast, and already it's the end of June.  I have made progress on about 9 projects, and even completed a few, which is very satisfying.  Much of the motivation has come from participating in 'Sew its finished' blog and the pleasure I have had from being able to photograph a finished item, ready to post on the blog.


I've also enjoyed learning from online tutorials at Missouri Star Quilt Co, and watching practical demos at my quilting group, so now I'm ready to try out 2 new quilt designs : tube quilting, and 4 strip triangles.


Recently found I had a big unexpected credit on our gas account, so I've been able to use some of the refund money to purchase wadding, some wideback backings and a neat binding tool, which should make life easier when it comes to finishing off quilts in future.  Nice little bonus.


Now Wimbledon and Tour de France are on TV, I'll have to make sure I have lots of hand sewing, binding, applique etc ready for July, so I can enjoy my craft and my spectator sport!

A wonderful find

My friend Heather told me about an American website with great online video tutorials - missouristarquiltco.com  Absolutely fantastic, easy to follow and a great range of topics - over 130 videos currently [June 2012]


Not only that, they have a beautiful shop, in new premises, which I'd love to visit, and will take online orders for standard US$18.50 a flatrate envelope - that usually means 5-6 yards of quilting fabric.  On the off chance, I searched their stock for a Moda fabric I'd used in a quilt and run out of for the binding.  Because the range was released in 2002, none of the Australian suppliers I've checked had any left, but to my delight, Missouri Star Quilt Co. have some and are mailing it with a few other treats I spied in my search.  I'll be able to finish not only that quilt, but a couple of other PhD's with the goodies arriving soon.  So [sew] happy.

'Fur people' and fabric unattended don't mix

Fur-people should not be left attended near fabric or projects - reminder to self!

I was looking for my next PhD to work on for June for Sew its Finished group, and discovered to my horror, that one or both my beloved boys had sprayed in the craft room at an earlier date.  Result:  one PhD has to be washed,  including 4 wool wadding strips, binding and all, plus 9 packets of charm squares - not amused, to say the least, and I cannot work out the culprit.  Needless to say, all 3 cats are now banned from the stash zone.

The one thing that's good about this episode is that I am freshly motivated to sew and have lots of ideas for the charm square packs I've collected over the past few years - gorgeous fabric ranges, mainly Moda and RJR.   Also came across a bag of Kaffe Fassett fabrics and ready to go plan of action, so took advantage of Craft Depot's June sale online, and am expecting some suitable co-ordinating fabric for sashing strips for this project in a day or 2 - think that should sew up nice and easily.

Why the blog name ?

For my first foray into blogging, I've decided to keep a progress journal for my quilting projects, many of which have been languishing for months [or much longer, in some cases] in cupboards, bags and other hiding places.  This means owning up to a large stash of PhD's, which are defined as projects half done, a term I prefer to the usual quilters' term for unfinished projects, UFO's.

My nickname is stashqueen because I've become addicted to collecting fabric, books and magazines since I was first introduced to patchwork about 11 years ago.  I only throw away offcuts that are less than 1" wide, so my  bags of scrap fabrics keep multiplying as I work on a  large range of projects at a time.   I like being able to work on something that inspires me, so I find it suits me to have a variety of projects on the go at the same time.  I am not one of those fortunate, disciplined crafters who start and finsh one project, before beginning their next item ... but I'm happy being me.

This year I was fortunate to meet a lovely quilter, Dawn, who writes a blog 'As sweet as cinnamon', and her website has truly inspired me to make an inroad on my PhD's.  I made a commitment at the beginning of May to complete a wallhanging started nearly 5 years ago, and last night I finished it.   I am so pleased with the result.

This is my version of Julie Haddrick's wonderful art quilt "WedgeTailed Eagle" pattern, and it is made for my husband's birthday.   He has waited very, very patiently for this gift, and finally the eagle can fly to a suitable place in our gallery of eagle photos and pictures.

I am now ready and inspired to tackle the next item hiding in the double wardrobe.

Progress report soon with another completed item photographed - maybe even 2 small ones?