Whew what a week!

My sister from San Jose Ca. came for a visit for the last week.

This trip was suppose to be for her to kick back and relax, and for the most part that is what we did.  But being the big sister that I was, I couldn't resist putting her to work with my fabric.

I have been trying to get everything in one room for several months now.  Working a little each night.  I had a goal of accomplishing that goal while Kellie was here....  and I needed her help.

Okay so in all honesty I had a lot in there....stuffed in there that is.  I needed an intervention and help (read kick in the backside) to get this all under control!

This was my domestic sewing machine area.... no sewing going on there.

This is where I wanted my fabric to be stored on mini bolts.  The theory is that if I can see it, I will use it.

My floor is cluttered with future projects.  That big sack hanging from the wall is future dog beds, that still need to be chopped up or stuffed into the bed.  That purple basket is fabric that should be used future Doggy blankets.

A view of my cutting table.....I hang my head in shame!

Poor Kellie thought she was in a bad fairy tale!  No you don't get to take a break until all that fabric is on a mini bolt....get to work!

Look what a great job she did! That afternoon!

One evening Kellie and I worked on pillow cases for the 2015 challenge. I cut and ironed.  Kellie worked on pinning the kits together for me.  I have 15 cases ready to sew when Fonzi is working on quilting a quilt.

My fabric is organized by color under my long arm.

I can actually cut fabric at my cutting table.

My sewing machine is actually being used.  I am practicing machine binding on my domestic machine.  My friends Celia and Jan taught me. I am not nearly as good as they are but I hope to be one day.

I had a great time with Kellie this past week.  I also really appreciate that she was willing to help me out with my fabric organization.  What we found out was that Kellie found it relaxing to play with fabric.  A true sister!  I might have sparked another quilter!

Hope everyone has a great week.  Finished projects next week!

I have been busy

Over the last several months I have been kitting fabric for future quilts for the center.

A couple of years ago Jacque J. hosted an annual retreat.  Every year they do a charity project.  This particular retreat everyone was asked to bring 10 inch squares in fall colors.  Above is a sampling of the fabrics donated.  Jacque donated the blocks to Iowa Comfort.

I sorted the fabric and made these 4 kits out of them.  I plan to use the double sliced layer cake pattern from Missouri Star Quilts.  A pattern that goes together really quickly. With all the varying fabric these quilts should turn out awesome! I even have some fall fabric ( picture 2) to use as binding on them.

This fabric or at least the layer cake, was purchased in Anchorage last year when I visited my sister.  It is flannel.  I didn't have quite enough fabric to make a bed size quilt for the center....so it has been setting on a shelf for several months.  Then at Quilt Circle I spotted the fabric to the right.  It was perfect for this quilt.  So the fabric will be cut down into 10 inch squares and I will have enough for a quilt.

Remember fabric that was donated by Fon's and Porter?  There was all that beautiful Asian fabric.  I cut it all down into 10 inch squares.  As a result of several weeks of cutting and sorting I have 8 kits ready to be sewn up.

There was also a large donation of Christmas fabric donated by Fon's and Porter.  I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it.  I just could not wrap my head around making bed size quilts out of Christmas fabric or even Hope Quilts.

I spoke with one of the centers staff members at the center and we decided that perhaps we could use that fabric to make quilts to be used as Christmas gifts.  Every year they have residents that do not get adopted.  These lap size quilts will make a perfect gift for those who might not otherwise get a gift.  I think I have six kitted.  I plan to have at least three ready for delivery before the end of the year.

Someone is being sneaky!

You all know that I am not accepting fabric donations.  So imagine my surprise when I came home from the hair dressers to find this propped up between the doors.

That is a full bolt of 108' muslin backing.  

The person that donated the material left me a little note also.

Clearly they knew that I would have thought this to be to big of a donation.

I would like to thank the person who generously donated this material.  Additionally I would like to let you know that I will use the material for backing on 5 large (queen size) panels that were previously donated.

The center will get family bed quilts this year!  Something they can always use. 

Thank you again....whoever you are!

Darn ground hog!

I have to tell you that it has been tough coming back from the Caribbean to this past weeks weather!

Then that darned old ground hog said that we were going to have another 6 weeks of winter.  Kind of got me down, and I put my little mind to work.

I do better with challenges, and since I am going to be inside because of the weather, I thought maybe a sewing challenge.

The centers director recently shared with me their need for pillowcases.  They use them for not only pillowcases, but to distribute school supplies, personal hygiene products and many other purposes.

So I asked the direct question, "How many pillowcases could realistically use in a year?"

I was not prepared for the answer.  The center will use at least 250 pillowcases this year.  Johnna told me that if they had the supply they could probably use 500.  With the supply they would not have to ration their use.

Now I just don't have it in me to ask for the full 500. Somehow that seems greedy to me.  But..... I am going ask for your help, and set a goal of 250 pillowcases by April 1.  That groundhog said it was going to be winter for 6 more weeks!

Yes I know that is a lofty goal, I am hoping we can make it.  Every pillowcase beyond 250 will be a happy blessing.

SO the question is how will we manage to obtain this goal.  I can only see one way.  Well besides sewing of course.... that is asking you to share with your group of friends.  Do you have quilting buddies?  Could you organize a small get together?  What about church groups?  How about starting a challenge at work?

What are the rules for the pillowcases?  They are pretty simple... we just need pillowcases.  They can be all one fabric, they can be ugly, they can be cute, they can be flannel or 100% cotton.  They need to be standard size.  You can Google pillowcase video's and find directions if you need to.

So go through your stash, and find that fabric that needs to be used and make a pillowcase.  

I think you can make one in about 10 minutes start to finish.  And if you can't find any fabric that you can't part with from your stash.... here is your solution.

Jacque at Adel Quilting and Dry Goods has sale fabric!  She put together some possible pairings for us.  So you could help out two organizations at once.  Help out the center by providing a pillow case, help Jacque move some fabric off the sale shelf.

Adel Quilting continues to be a drop off point for Iowa Comfort.  So you can feel free to drop off your finished pillowcases there.  Of course you can give me a call or email me at Debralsemmens@hotmail.com and we can work out a time for dropping them off here.  Your third option would be to mail them to me at:

Iowa Comfort
PO BOX 615
De Soto Iowa 50069

If you are doing a single pillowcase the postage should be minimal.

So there you have it.  250 pillowcases in 6 weeks.  I think we can do it!  I hope we can do it.

Please help, and remember that all of our donations remain in 10 counties in Iowa.  Over half those counties are considered some of the lowest income counties in Iowa.  

A single pillow case will make a difference!  Thanks for even thinking about accepting this challenge.