Cleaning out my stash...at least a start!!!!

Not a really exciting week but I decided that I really have to start using some, make that a lot, of my stash! I have to admit I have become a fabric-holic! When Joann's has their Red Tag fabric marked half-price I can not resist. Many times you can get yardage for $1 to $2. Even Denyse Schmidt if offered for only $3.50 a yard...you can not beat that. You have to really search for the "good stuff" but it can be done and for some reason, our Joann's is always full of Red Tag specials! Thus, the need to clear out the stash!

First up was some fleece that I bought for goodness know what? I had three almost yard pieces that I bought in the remnant basket. Lucky for me the colors went together well....whew, because I sure didn't want to buy any more fleece! I decided to make a "rag" quilt. Of course, there is only one layer but it turned out really cute. It will be perfect to use as a cover up when the weather finally turns chilly. And boy is it bright!

I still have to turn it over and clip all the seams but from the "smooth" side you can see how cheery this throw turned out!

Since I didn't have my sewing machine last week, I dragged out lots of fabric to make more pillowcases. The first one I made is for my grandson. When he was here last summer, I made him a hat and backpack from snake fabric...yep, snakes. It had two things going for it! It was green(his favorite color) and it was covered with snakes...icky to me but fun for a 4 1/2 year old. I don't have a photo of the backpack but here is Teddy on the first day of school in his hat!

His mother says he normally won't wear a hat but he loves this one!

I fortunately had just enough fabric left to make a pillowcase. Can't wait to send it to him!

How would you like sleeping on snakes? Guess you need to be a little boy!

 The rest of the pillowcases are cut out but not sewn. Guess that will happen this weekend, so here is a preview of what's to come!

What little boy doesn't love football?

And dinosaurs?

And toy cars and tractors?

OK, I finally cut out one that isn't for a little boy!  Click to see the neat pattern!

At least I have start on using my stash. My next projects will be bags for Christmas wrapping, and I have loads of Christmas fabric so I should be quite busy! How many of you are trying to use your stash also? I can't be the only one, can I?

I have my three winners

I can finally post my winners for the pillowcase fabric! It was fun reading about everyone's weather. It is finally cooler here in Florida....this is the weather we wait for all year!

Number #1 Winner was Carol who posts at Just Let Me Quilt! She chose the "Feeling Groovy" fabric...and she is usually feeling groovy! Just check out her fun blog!

She said the weather in Utah was nice right now!!! Congrats Carol.

My #2 Winner was Kelly in West Virginia! She chose the Denyse Schmitd fabric. And I think she is a pretty happy Mountaineer since they upset Baylor yesterday!

My #3 and final winner is Mary. She is located in Missouri. She told me " it  turned very cool this week in the 50's from being in the 70's last week. I had to turn the heat on to knock the chill off." Brr, that is a bit too cold for me!!! She is receiving the Bubbles and Swirls fabric to make her pillowcases.

CONGRATULATIONS! to all three winners. Hope you have fun making your pillowcases. I had fun choosing the fabric.

I didn't get any sewing done this week since I decided it was time for my poor, tired machine to get  a bit of pampering!  I sent it in to be cleaned, tuned up and oiled. I have it back now and am ready to start sewing again. I spent the week cutting out some more pillowcases and a rag quilt. I'll be back next week to show you what I have done!

Pillowcases and their many uses! Plus 3 giveaways this week!!!!!

 We have a WINNER for the Denyse Schmidt fabric! Stephanie of Imperfectly Perfect Quilts and More. Congratulations Stephanie!

I have been quite busy this week making pillowcases. Some are for Christmas presents but not as a normal present. No, I am using the pillowcases to wrap large, oversized presents for the grandkids! I chose sports related pillowcases for my grandson and girly ones for  my granddaughter. So they not only get the gift inside, they have new pillowcases to use all year. The rest of my pillowcases will be used for the Million Pillowcase Challenge. You have heard of this haven't you? The goal is to make 1,000,000 pillowcases for charity. Many quilt shops are participating and there is a list of charities that can be helped....or keep it local and check with your hospitals, etc to find a charity in your area.

Here are the pillowcases I have made this week.

Soccer in bright green and red!

Alexander Henry baseball fabric.

Flowery cases in blue and green

I love blue and green together

My stack of finished pillowcases!!!!

Since I had so much fun making these this week, I want 3 of you to have the same chance! I used this Youtube video from the Missouri Quilt Co. to make the neat hot dog roll method to make the pillowcases. It is so easy...I taught the method to my 7 1/2 year old granddaughter in one afternoon. I am giving away fabric  to make a set of pillowcases each. (two pieces for the body, 2 pieces for the cuff and 2 pieces for the trim piece.)

Bubbles and Swirls by Lonni Rossi for Andover Fabrics

Feeling Groovy by Michael Miller

Denyse Schmidt Meadowlark and Aunt Edna fabric

To win one set of pillowcase fabric, all you have to do is leave a comment about how the weather is at your house! Here in Florida, it is still hot but less humid so it is bearable! I will randomly pick 3 winners next Thursday night(October 16th) at 8 PM. PLEASE make sure you leave me a way to contact you if you are one of the winners. The first name drawn will choose which fabric they want, and so on!

*****I  have already had one no reply post. Please leave an email address in your reply so that I can get in touch with you if you win.Especially if you use Google Plus to post. Thanks.

Another week and more bags and baskets!!!! And another giveaway!

I have had a busy week finishing up my scrap basket and starting on new bags! Here is the finished basket from last week. Love this fabric! It is Stamped Collection by Ellen Luckett Baker called cheater in grey and white. I managed to find another similar piece from the collection on Etsy and can't wait for it to get here....from Japan! (Click on the photos to enlarge)

I really like how the lining goes so well with the outer fabric.

One end

The other!!!

After I finished this bucket, I found a wonderful pattern for a bucket bag by Kristin Link on Sew Mama Sew. I immediately had to have one! Luckily I have a huge stash of denim, canvas and twill to pick from...ah, that was a problem...which fabric to choose! Once I had done that, the bag came together easily. Great instructions and photos to help in the construction of this bag. A really fun bag to make!

Finally chose a bright blue twill with a white strap.

Is the pocket lining bright enough?

My first welt zipper in a long time and it was a piece of cake with Kristin's directions.

After I finished the bag, I realized that I loved it with the exception of the jumble I knew I would have in the bottom after about 10 minutes! So I quickly googled for an organizer to fit in the bag. I found this wonderful one by Sweetbriar Studios. Christie has a great pattern...easy to follow and she gives options to make it your own. I had lots of fun making this and it fits perfectly in the bucket bag!

I decided to leave the lining showing just a bit at the top. I really like how it turned out.

There are 10 pockets so plenty of room for all the important things that you "have" to carry with you!!!

That organizer was actually the second one I made...of course, the first one comes with a learning curve but I love it anyway! In fact, I have to get some more denim so I can make a bag to match the organizer. Isn't the Denyse Schmidt fabric used for the lining wonderful? It goes so well with the denim. I love blue and green together.

Front view

Stuffed with the necessities of life!

So that is how my week went! I am planning on making bags and organizers for several Christmas presents so I guess I had better get started!

Want to win a 1/2 yard of the gorgeous Denyse Schmidt fabric for your very own? Just leave a comment telling me where you live! And if you would like, what you are planning on making for Christmas. I love seeing where everyone is from and what they are up to! Be sure I have a way to  get in touch with you if you win! The drawing will be next Thursday night after 8 PM.