the sad quilter

If you haven't noticed the blog has been rather quiet these last few weeks. I wish it was telling you that it was because of something exciting and I had a big reveal today -- but that isn't the case. You see I have been on hand use restrictions for the last week and will be at least through this week as I have sprained the tendon in my right hand and am in a very uncomfortable and less than stylish arm brace. 

 

I don't know how this happened but I do know that I started having trouble with my hand about a month ago (pre stash bash) and noticed a large blue knot below my middle finger -- the pain slowly spread to my whole hand and included some numbness and shooting pains up my arm. Reluctantly I went to the doctor on the 1st and got the news that I was not to use this hand for 2 weeks. 

Now you all know me and sitting still and not doing things is not my strong suit but this time my dominate hand was literally tied. I notified my bee groups and a pattern tester that I may not be able to make my deadlines that were coming up. I worry about deadlines and hate letting people down but at least everyone was super nice about it. 

I have been very sad not quilting in the evenings -- my husband works 2nd shift so I am usually alone, wishing I were sewing. We did make a trip to Raleigh for fabric buying right after the doctor told me no sewing -- I got some lovely end of bolts and used a local site like groupon for an excellent deal on all these lovelies. So much for decreasing the stash this month.

My sewing room is also a huge mess since I haven't cleaned up since the guild yard sale last month or even full cleaned up since the retreat. I am hoping to give sewing another go this weekend but the progress on my hand seems to be slow and the Dr may not give me the go ahead. 

If she does then I will be starting on this list of deadlines -- hopefully at warp speed. 

-- Block of the month due 5/21

-- Bee Blocks due 5/29 (ok to mail late) 

-- pattern test due 6/3 (ok to fall through)

-- One Hour Basket Swap due 6/5 

-- MMBB BOM due 6/8
-- Alison Glass Mini due 6/15 

-- Tessellations Workshop 6/15

-- block of the month due 6/18

-- June Bee Blocks due 6/30 (end of 2 bees)

-- update on quarterly goals 7/1

-- villains Swap due 7/15 -- it's actually completed but I need to finish the extras 

-- Dad's Birthday quilt 7/18

-- Harry Potter Swap due 9/4 

So many deadlines and projects in my mind ... this hand needs to hurry up and heal. 

I did manage to create 2 wonderful deserts for friend's birthdays this month. One was a Strawberry Cobbler and the other was this Cherry Cheesecake with sugar cookie crust.  

I hope everyone else is having a wonderful May filed with lots of happy quilting. 

Sewing or Stashing in April and Bee report

April started off good -- went to Charlotte and stopped at The Quilted Thimble Cottage, only bought 4 yards of fabric (3 for backing) to round out the Lucky 21 Quilt I planned to make at Stash Bash. (Which I didn't get around to.)

I made a trip to Mary Joe's and attended 2 block of the month classes and came out fabric free. That is a major win for me.

Mid month I sent out my Spring Mini -- that was about 2 yards worth of fabric used.

I made a large tote Bag to take to stash bash and as a part of the Sew Your Stash Challenge. I also made a zippy pouch to go with it for carrying basic supplies. -- about 3 yards used

At Stash Bash we had a secret swap going with 2 handmade items for our partners. I made a mini sew together pouch and a large mug rug / very mini quilt for the lovely Brittenee @heart_stitches -- together these used about 3 yards of fabric. I also gifted her some fabric -- another 2.5 yards worth.

I did a quick IG sale before stash bash and sold 12 yards -- YAY.

My biggest fabric splurge was during the stash bash where I got to shop at Stash Fabrics, and I made trip to The Scarlett Thread  and Intown Quilters.

Stash Fabrics 

A Scarlet Thread 

Intown Quilters 

The trip in total came out with 14 yards added to my stash.

When I came home it was time for the guild meeting and out make up yard sale. 5 yards sold, 5 yards donated. 

My bee blocks this month were a lot of fun -- 2 yards used

Cranes for Liz 

Tic Tac Toe blocks for Jen -- We bee with it

WE Bee Learning blocks 

I also managed to 

• put together my Accuquilt block -- 2 yards which still needs fabric pulled for the last boarder and the backing
• assemble my string blocks quilt top and pulled fabric for boarders -- 3 yards used

That means that April was +18 yards new, - 38.5 yards used / sold / donated for a total of -21.5 yards this month --- yearly total so far is a stash that is 67 yards lighter than at the beginning of the year. 

May brings a preparation for several upcoming swaps that are due in June and July so I am hoping to keep up the progress and maybe reach triple digits before the end of the quarter. My husband did surprise me with a spending certificate for a shop in Raleigh so I may be using that some time soon.