Sewvivor - Lauries Entry

This quilt has been on our blog before, you can read all about it here. It is one of my most favorite quilts because of its different patterns within the quilt and it bright cheery colors. It was sew fun to make.  I am posting this quilt again because I am entering it in the first round of the Sewvivor Quilt Contest which entries close tomorrow.  You can read about the contest and see all different entries at Family Ever After. 

Confessions of a Fabric Hoarder

Hi, my name is Laurie and I am an addict. 

Here is my story. January of this year my husband and I moved from Draper to Lehi, Utah. All but one child is grown and they all have moved on to their own lives so we decided to downsize our home.  My quilting room was a bedroom with a small walk-in closet.  It was very neat and organized. Everything had a place and there was a place for everything.  I didn't feel like I had an excessive amount of fabric or projects.

My dear sister and her husband were visiting from Louisiana and were kind enough to help us pack and move. I had left my sewing room to be packed towards the end because I thought it would be an easy room to finish up with.  As we started to box everything it was becoming apparent that I had a lot more accessories, fabric, projects and quilts than I realized. It was so bad that my sister told me that I needed therapy for fabric hoarding. She is not a crafter so she doesn't understand. I began to realize that maybe I did have a problem and as we packed and packed box after box I was embarrassed of the amount of "stuff" I had. 

 Here are some pictures of my "stuff" in our new place.  As you can see I have a big area to put my "hobby" in. These pictures are actually after I had un-packed several boxes. This space to work in is actually larger than my space in Draper. As you can see I have made a walk-way to my sewing machine and cutting table that way I can sew even if I don't get everything put away.  I didn't want to give any of my stuff away so I bought more plastic drawers to house my addiction.  And as a hoarder, I may need this stuff some day (don't know when, but I may need it.)

 Because I work long hours on quilting, I decided to add a bed to my area.  That way I can take a nap and then continue on sewing, haha. Actually this space doubles as my quest room.  The bathroom is just around the corner so all I need now is a small refrigerator.  My husband refuses to let me add this fine addition to the room because he said I would never leave my sewing room and the family would never see me.  He is probably right.

With all the boxes I still have to unpack, I Hope I can find a place for everything in this area. I don't want to be known as a fabric hoarder so if I can neatly organize and hide all of this I can deny the "truth" that I have a weakness, some would call it a sickness and as my sister said, "I need therapy".

My new year's resolution this year is two fold.  One, reduce my trips to the fabric stores since obviously I have no control of my spending there and two, complete my unfinished projects using the fabric I already have.  So for now, I confess, I am a fabric hoarder.

Southwestern Quilt

One of Laurie's favorite local quilt shops is Quilts Etc. in Sandy, Utah. Our family likes to joke that she  is like Norm from the TV show Cheers; she walks in the door and they all call out her name, "Laurie!" Really, they do all know her name (them and the workers at Wendy's where she stops to get her diet cokes) but that's because they are great! Anyways, one of the classes that she takes there is a Block of the Month class which really is so much fun! They don't tell you what the theme will be for the upcoming year and you don't see the blocks before hand. They have a few different color ways that you can choose from but they all fall within that years theme. At the end of the year, you have to figure out a way to put all your blocks together so that your finished quilt will, hopefully, be a bit different from everyone else's. 

Well, I just love how she chose to put hers together! I really like how she did a diamond sashing in between the rows and added a bunch of teal on the sides to tie all the blocks together. She always thinks of amazing ways to finish her quilts up! 

The quilting that she did on this was so much fun! I love the little Kokopelli guys that she did in each of the corners to look like they are dancing around the quilt. As I am writing this, I can't believe I didn't take pictures of the back of the quilt to show you! She did it in minky so the quilting really stands out. I will have to grab a picture just as soon as I can. 

The very first quilt I made was done through this same Block of the Month class 5 years ago and now I am hooked! I really think it's the best way to learn some basic techniques for beginners. 

Do you have any fun Block of the Month quilts that you've been working on? I'd love to see! Leave a link in my comments if you want so I can check them out!

I'm linking up with: Sugar Bee Crafts, Making the World Cuter, & Quilt Story

A Few Finishes

This week I was able to get the quilting and binding done on these two quilts. This one was a kit that I purchased a few years ago while from a shop hop here in the area. I purchased a kit for me and my daughters at the time but I think I may be the only one who has finished it up.  

This next quilt I also purchased as a kit a while back (see I told you I am working on my stash). I hung it up in my sewing room to take a picture and I love it, so I think it will stay. 

Two quilts done, only a bazillion more to go to clear some of my stash! I'm going to have to posts pictures sometime, it might shock you how much I really have. In fact my daughter sent this to me last night, only she said I may already be there. Ha! 

 Don't forget that today is the last day to enter our giveaway.

I'm linking up at: Finish it up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts.

The Good Kind of Busy

We have had a busy few weeks around here! My husband, and I along with two of our sons went to Ventura, California to pick up my youngest daughter, Kelsey, from her LDS mission. We were able to see a little of her mission area and spend some time at Disneyland. Then after an all-night drive home, my other children, their spouses, and my grand-kids surprised Kelsey with an early morning breakfast to welcome her home. 

 That very same week my son, Cameron, got married to his beautiful bride Diana. We had a wonderful day! The sun was shining brightly and they had a beautiful ceremony and special reception centered around Diana's Mexican heritage.

My oldest daughter, Michelle, and her kids were able to come up from Texas to be here with the family. It was so great! Cameron and Kelsey's missions overlapped so it had been over 3 years since we had all been together. The only person we missed was Michelle's husband, Mike. I can't wait for the next time we can all be together again. Such a busy week and so little time for quilting, I love spending time with my children but can't wait to get some sewing time in!