Confessions of a fabricaholic.....

On January 2nd I accidentally joined a crafter challenge.  I say accidentally because a friend of mine, Alyssa (of Keep Calm and Carrion), knows how much I love fabric and commented that she had added me to "a really awesome group!" in an online thread about fabric / sewing / etc.  I was excited!

I clicked over.... and saw the group was called "Creating 100 items or more" - - - cool!  I'd love to see how long it took me to make 100 items!  I even commented in the group to that effect.  And then I read the "fine print" {it was NOT hidden..... I just hadn't gotten that far yet....}

This was a CHALLENGE.  To NOT buy fabric until I made 100 items from supplies I had on hand.

Wait.... what?!

No buying fabric?

Help!  Get me outta here!  No way!  Shoot - can I delete that post about being "so excited about this group!" quickly before anyone saw it?!  Were all things that rapidly ran through my mind.

But no way.  I had committed {even if I didn't realize it} - - - and I was determined to see this challenge through!

100 items - that's no big deal, right?!  Ha.

There were a few caveats - for those of us who sew & sell, we COULD order / purchase fabric if it was ABSOLUTELY necessary for a paid custom order (but no adding to the order just "because" or to hit free shipping minimums, etc.).  We could also buy batting, etc. if there was a project it was needed for - things that would finish a project created from supplies on hand.

I joined the challenge January 2nd.  I completed my 100th items EARLY in the morning on March 10th (before the kiddos were awake).  67 days.  Though 9 of those days were were on a vacation out of state / away from my usual sewing environment {but I DID end up completing my Project Quilting Challenge 4 quilt there!}.  So 58 days for 100 items?!  Not too shabby!

During that time I only placed 3 small fabric orders - for custom orders - and purchased fabric to sew my PQ challenge 4 piece (as we were on vacation, away from all my fabric).  Woohoo!

It was a definite challenge.... but it definitely taught me a bunch.  I was more focused (I wasn't doing as much online shopping / browsing in my "down" time), I looked at my stash through a different lens (and have some de-stashing to do soon - - - - if I didn't even consider sewing with a fabric during that time, when I couldn't buy anything else, I probably don't NEED the fabric.... right?!), and I was much more profitable!  (money coming in, but not going out in the form of purchasing fabric!)

So.... what does a gal who is a self-professed fabricaholic do when she completes a challenge like this?!

She goes shopping..... of COURSE!!! :)

I did some online shopping - and spent an hour or so at Jo-Ann Fabrics by myself - coming home with a nice stack of fabric.

Here's some of what I picked up (though it isn't all here yet.... some is still in the mail!) :)

Bluebird Park Bicycle (in "Tangerine" and "Lamp Post") and Magnolia (in "Grass") - from Southern Fabric

A fat quarter bundle of Art Gallery Fabric's "Chromatics" - from Stash Fabrics 

A couple yards of this adorably retro scooter fabric {I got a small piece of the pink one for free with an order a while back.... and loved it.  I made a few bibs and wished I had more!} - from a member of Fabric Crafters U Bid It Destash (a group on Facebook - feel free to request to join - I'm one of the admins and will help get you added quickly!)

Some yardage of this beautiful print from the Ashbury Heights line by Doohikey Designs for Riley Blake (again, from a Fabric Crafters U Bid It Destash member)

I also have a Rolie Polie of this line on its way to me from Fabric Fly Shop!

And I couldn't resist these cute lil' trees and woodland creatures - from Aneela Hooey's Little Apples line - found on clearance for a STEAL at Southern Fabric

We also stopped by a little local shop we had NO idea existed until just a week or two ago - they sell little bits of crafts, knickknacks, and some fabric!  I snagged these because I thought they were really pretty together - during their 2 year anniversary sale (yay for discounted fabric!)

Like I said.... I have a bit more on its way to me (yes, I went *just a little bit* overboard!) - and bought some pretty fabric at Jo-Ann Fabrics, too.  

But..... now I'm done buying (yah, right you say!).  How do I know this?!  Alyssa and I have committed to another challenge (just between us).  We won't be buying more until we make another 50 items - and we plan on continuing the "50 item then small splurge" challenge the rest of the YEAR.  Yep, all of 2014!

So..... you'd better hold us to that, right?!

:)

Guess we'd better get sewing!  I'm 3 items into the new challenge - 105 items total (which started on March 14th - yes, I did all this damage shopping in 3.5 days!)

PQ "Sweet Treat" Challenge 3 - Finished!

Well... I did NOT intend on completing my "Sweet Treats" challenge item last night.... or really anytime before this weekend.... but last night I got on a roll and stayed up WAY late sewing away!

I finished the piecing and quilting, and was pretty excited about how my quilt turned out..... but knew I needed to wash it to see what would happen with the unfinished edges I was hoping to leave.  So this morning I got it washed up - - - and now I'm in love!

The colors... the textures... the soft-and-snuggly feel... how it is just going to get even more soft and "raggy" each and every time it's washed.... the fact I didn't use squares..... Love it!  I learned a TON during the construction of this quilt - trying out something totally different and pretty much "winging it" the whole time.  I had seen a tutorial by Amy Gibson (Cathedral Windows Playmat) at the Moda Bake Shop that was similar to what I was picturing - but my construction and methods ended up a bit different than hers.

I took a bunch of pictures as I was sewing - and plan on sharing a simple tutorial in the near future - but I think it would make MUCH more sense if I did a bit more "simple" color scheme / design - for the sake of a tutorial, at least.  So.... My plan is to create another quilt with this same design - but different colors (and fewer colors) - in the near future.... to make sure I don't lose people along the way with the tutorial.

The front and back are 100% cotton (quilter's cotton) - and there is cotton batting between the two layers (within each "square").  This one measures 40" x 45" - a great toddler / little kid size!

Oh wait... did you want to see pictures?! :)

A shout out / thank you to the hubby for helping me snap a few pictures before he headed off to work!  Seriously one of the most supportive husbands I know - - - he was so excited to see the quilt he actually pulled it out of the dryer for me!

Now I just have to decide on a name.......

.... and figure out if it's staying here or being listed in my Etsy shop (it will probably be listed)!

You still have time to join in on the Project Quilting fun!!!

2014 "fun" sewing

I know, I know.... I already shared one goal / project for the year.... and while I tend to STINK at following through on resolutions, I have a bunch of sewing / business / creative growth goals for the year.... so I'm going to share them {and will likely add to this list down the line...}

I will try not to post updates CONSTANTLY.... but I'm thinking once a week or once a month I'll check in on these goals / projects.

One of my BIG goals for the year is to do more sewing that ISN'T paid orders.  I have said this every year since I started Eggo in the Oven {which just celebrated its 3rd birthday on 1/1/14}... and I've definitely gotten better at this over the years... but there is still LOTS of room for improvement.

So.... here are some of the quilting / fun sewing projects / sew-a-longs / etc. that I will be participating in to help with this goal and FORCE me to do some "fun" sewing! :)

A Lovely Year of Finishes
Make a monthly finish goal - and complete it!


Project Quilting - Season 5
Bi-weekly quilting challenges - I have a week to complete each challenge from start to finish - begins January 5, 2014



Creating 100 items or More
This is a group on Facebook that I kinda got suckered into {thanks to Alyssa at Keep Calm and Carrion}
The challenge?  Buy NO fabric until you have made 100 (or more) items.  Wait, what?!  NO fabric buying?  As one friend stated - "What were you thinking???  That's like giving up coffee!!"
**there IS a little caviat that I am allowed to buy fabric for custom orders - if absolutely necessary - but I can't ADD to those orders "just because"**
I committed to this challenge yesterday, 1/2/14, and completed items 1-5 by the time we went to bed!  5 down, 95 to go!

Vice Versa BOM
Excited to participate in my first BOM {block of the month} - this one looks like fun... and a good one to start with!  Each month we'll make two blocks - they are the inverse of one another!  Need to take a look at the fabric requirements and pull fabrics!


I'm also considering the following.... but will wait until at least mid-month to see how I handle all of these "fun" sewing goals mixed in with business sewing! :)

Wishes Quilt Along with Fat Quarter Shop
Another quilt block quilt along - that is also raising money for Make a Wish

Mystery BOM and Mystery BOM "petite" by Garden Path Quilts

There is no previewing of these blocks - they're a mystery!  The BOM is a standard one.... the "petite" creates mini quilts (that you can finish as-is, or you could put all those mini quilts together to create one large quilt).  The element of mystery is intriguing!!!

So..... that's the list so far.  Am I crazy for attempting all (or much) of this while also running my sewing business, being mama to 2 crazy boys and wife to the love of my life?  Yah, probably!  But I'm a "go big or go home" kinda gal..... so I'm going to give it a go!!!

Care to join me on any of these crazy adventures????  Let me know which ones you're participating in.... or if you have other suggestions to add to my list! :)