Quilt Planning...Plan Quilting

I sit down to write a blog post every few months. The post makes it to the draft stage, I go hunting for photos, get distracted, and that's the end of that.

I am determined to get this one posted. Just like I am determined to get organised this year.

The Quilters Planner was to be my saviour. So let's just ignore the fact it's more than mid-way through April and celebrate a finish.

So what do you need to get organised? Cover the planner comes to mind...

This zippy cover tutorial is provided on the Quilters Planner website and was easy...and more importantly...fun to make.

Confession time...I hoard selvedges. This just seemed to be the most perfect use for them, and the way it's turned out...well let's just say that I can't wipe the silly grin off my face.

Front of the zippy planner cover

Back of the zippy planner cover

Somewhere or other, I'm sure I've mentioned that I have a predilection for paisley...not the first pattern that comes to mind for modern quilters...but if I'm going to get maximum use out of this planner, there had to be paisley somewhere in the cover.

Several years ago I impulse bought (confession number two: nothing has changed over the years), some fabrics from the "Cuteville Country Fair" range, mostly because of the red and blue colourways of the paisley.
I've used it for the inside front and back flap covers and the contrast gingham and triangle patterns make me very happy.

Inside front flap cover

Inside back flap cover

The cover has a zip pouch at the front, a pocket on each inside flap, a needle minder on the inside front. There's a scissor minder and business card sized pocket...credit cards fit too... on the back. The obligatory measuring tape twill bookmark is there too...and elastic to hold it closed.
I am convinced all that stuff that will make me churn out quilts at an alarming rate...

So now I have the outside all sorted...time to make a start on using the inside...

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Fabric Hoarding

10 Good Reasons To Buy Fabric
(found in the lateset On Line Quilt Magazine - which by the way is great free magazine by some Aussie quilters!)

1. It insulates the cupboard where it is kept.
2. It keeps the "economy" moving, it is my duty to support cotton farmers, textile mills and fabric shops.
3. It is less expensive and more fun than psychiatric care.
4. It's a contest - the one who dies with the most fabric wins.
5. It keeps without refrigeration, you don't have to cook it to enjoy it, you'll never have to feed it, change it, wipe it's nose or walk it.
6. Like dust, it's good for "protecting" previously empty spaces in the house, like the ironing board, laundry basket, the dining room table etc.
7. It's not immoral, illegal or fattening. It calms the nerves, gratifies the soul and makes me feel good.
8. Because it's on "SALE."
9. Because I'm worth it.
10. And buy it now, before your husband retires and goes with you on all your shopping expeditions!

Which brings me to my problem...a serious fabric buying problem...
it's probably not a psychological problem...yet...but I think I am going rather overboard...

It's not that I don't have enough to last me a lifetime already (and it's not like I can sew 24/7 either). I've even got some beautiful winnings to deal with. Some I've packaged...like this...(the vintage sheets are paired with some perfect solids), to be made, one day, sometime in the future, at a later date, into a sofa throw.

The latest...er...saga...revolves around the travel wallet I made. I realised that I'll need to make myself one for the 25th Wedding Anniversary trip. Cue a virtual shopping trip...
So I need this black and white travel fabric...

Oh but then it might not be colourful enough...

These were a really, really good price...

and of course Christmas is coming ...

and I'll need a pattern to go with that...

and I've found the perfect print to go with the Bella Solids "Rust" that I won from here

and something quirky and eyecatching that says "leave me at your own peril - you will want me when I'm gone!"

I have a partner in crime too.

Marisew and I have been buying to share the postage....

When the parcels arrive at her place "she bought them on her account for me".

When the parcels arrive at my place "I bought them on my account for her".

This is the third lot of orders that arrived in August. I'm hoping this confession will either stop me because of public embarrassment...or better still...

unearth someone else's even more atrocious buying habits that will make me feel good about my restraint!

Oh...and one other little tip: don't haul your fabric out to photograph when the MaTh is likely to walk past!!! oopsies

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...