REVIEW: Equilter Food Theme Booty Pack

I had a $5 coupon for Equilter (from doing one of their surveys) so that meant it was time to treat myself to a Booty Pack (aka themed scrap pack).

Booty. . .booty. . .booty pack, y'all!

As the title noted, it was a food themed one.

I love food themed fabrics, especially ones that have realistic looking foods on them.

BONANZA!

S'mores, cookies, crackers, and potatoes.  All realistic style.

Let me pause to note how much I wanted that s'more fabric (I'd seen it before) but I just couldn't justify buying it for no reason.  SCORE, now I have a nice sized piece of it along with some kick ass cookies and crackers!

The other fabric in that pic is like a strip from a panel.  I think I might make at least one of the images into a patch.

These are the biggest of the cuts.  The biggest one has to be almost a full panel.  It has really big images that resemble food/drink signs.  It's really nice and might be fun to embroidery over.

LOVE the coffee fabric which goes so well with the cookies!  And the fruit/veg fabric is super nice, too.  Very muted tones.

Rating:  A+

They shipped it super fast and since I had the $5 coupon I only paid 95 cents for shipping, which is perfect.  (I've noted before that the price of the booty packs is very reasonable BUT not if that's the only thing you're buying.  The shipping makes it too expensive.  So I say get a booty pack when you have a discount code that helps offset the shipping or if you're making a bigger purchase, add one in as a little treat).

Fabric Review: Missouri Quilt Co order

(note:  I do reviews just because I like to, not for compensation)

I've purchased from Missouri Quilt Co once before but didn't think to review them because I mostly do reviews for scrap pack purchases (because it's fun to show off what I got).  The time I bought from them before, I did buy some fabric but it was just yardage (actual full yards, a rarity for me) so it wasn't anything that exciting to talk about.

They had a "free shipping" deal again (they have daily deals and sometimes they make free shipping, with no minimum purchase requirements as the deal) so I decided to grab up some smaller cuts of some fabrics I like (and I'm going to use for a quilt swap I'm doing).

True confession, the first time I ordered from them I didn't realize I could order smaller cuts (because I didn't look close enough--most places will sell smaller than a full yard, duh!) but I didn't care that much because I really liked the fabric I was buying (it was Star Wars and Wonder Woman fabrics).

Blah, blah, all this lead up is to say this:

Missouri Quilt Co gives very generous cuts.

That pic is all the fabric I bought.  I bought a lot of 1/4 yard cuts (only three cuts were half yards) and as I was unpacking them I noticed they varied in size a LOT.  So, being the uptight type that I am, I got out my measuring tape to make sure the smallest one wasn't under 1/4 yard.  I was delighted to see that the smallest one (that's the one right there on the top of that stack in the pic) was 1/4 of an inch larger than 1/4 yard.  The rest of my 1/4 yard cuts were MUCH bigger.  I didn't measure them all to see exactly how generous, but I'd guess an inch or two on most of my 1/4 yards.  That's really generous.  You'd expect maybe one or two to be a little bit bigger but really only ONE of my 1/4 yard cuts was "exact".  Two others were very close (but still bigger) and the rest were at least an inch or more bigger.  And it looks like they were all cut neatly, too.  Sometimes places give you a lot extra because they cut poorly, so you have to lose a ton of fabric to get it nicely squared up (fabric.com is bad for that--especially on panels--they cut into the panel images a lot, very disappointing).  

So I was super happy with how generous the cuts were on an order that I got free shipping on AND the majority of my fabrics were also on sale (and the majority are Cotton+Steel which I've been waiting to get--I like to wait and make sure I really want stuff before I buy it and also to see if it goes on sale a bit).  

So if you're buying, I highly recommend Missouri Quilt Co (or maybe they go by Missouri Star Quilt Co--I see their website is Missouri Quilt Co but the masthead has "star").  Sign up for their emails, too.  Then you can get the deal of the day (and not miss the free shipping when it comes around).

OH, and they also have tons of free tutorials on their youtube channel.  I'm going to use one (the "quilt as you go" one) for the quilt I'm making for a swap.

REVIEW: Craftsy Mystery Fat Quarter Box

Time for another review.

I broke down and bought the 50 mystery fat quarter box from Craftsy.  WITH shipping each fq was still only $1 each.  I figured, despite seeing mixed reviews (leaning more toward folks being disappointed than thrilled) I could risk it for that price.  At least the fabric should be decent quality, not those thin and crappy inexpensive ones you get at Joann's.

It shipped pretty fast, too.  It took less than one week.

That's exactly how it looked when I opened it.  I was happy already.  There was a lot of color and it looked like a great variety.

(note:  they do tell you duplicates are possible and one of the very negative reviews I found showed a lot of duplicates, triplicates, and even quadruples of the same fabric)

I dove right in and got to sorting.

First up, the stripes/novelties/dots/florals.

No duplicates in that category.

I did get three Downton Abbey cuts but they are different.  I can't say that I care at all about Downton Abbey but I might use it to test out a pattern I found (or gift it out).

I absolutely LOVE the two butterfly prints, especially the rainbow one.

Next up, blenders:

There were a lot from the same line but different shades.  That's fine with me.  Nice variety of colors including the earthy tones.

That wasn't all of them. . .

Four more (different, despite the bad pic).

This also shows the ONLY duplicate I received.  The pic doesn't do it justice.  It's a floral print that's kind of uninspiring but still nice.

Next up, batiks:

For the record, I'm not a huge fan of batiks but I do like having a bit.  I also like the super bright batiks so I was very pleased with this bunch.

My beef with batiks is the feel of it.  It's kind of crispy and I'm not a huge fan of that.  But I do like the look of batiks, especially the bright orange and that green there.  And I really do like white batiks despite how they feel.

Next up, SPARKLE:

I'm a huge sucker for fabrics with sparkle in them.  They make me so happy and getting this much sparkly variety in the box made me extra happy.  There are no duplicates here even though a few of the shades are close to one another.

And last but not least, the LONE dud.

*sad trombone*

This is a piece of flannel.

Now I don't hate flannel but I was miffed to see it because I had made a point to contact Craftsy customer service before buying to ask if the box would contain any "flannel, minky, or knits".  I was told they don't really sell those types of fabrics so it was not likely.  But there it was in all its fuzzy glory.

I'm not mad or anything and it's only ONE fat quarter so I can probably find a use for it.  In fact, given the color it might be cute on a stuffed toy.  But given that I had actually tried to keep it from coming I was disappointed to see it.

So, time for a grade.

Grade:  A-

I'm only throwing the minus in there because of the flannel.  And that's only because (as I just mentioned) I asked about it ahead of time so was really not expecting to get any.  BUT, it was only one piece so it's not a big deal at all.

I would probably buy a mystery pack again if I wanted to beef up my stash.  Right now, though, I don't need that much fabric all at once.  This definitely would be a GREAT stash builder for someone just starting out.

I had no problems with working with Craftsy, either.  Customer service got back to me about my question (before buying) in 24 hours and it took less that 7 business days for the order to arrive at my house (I'm too lazy to look up exactly how long it took, but I was really not expecting to get it before Christmas, which was fine with me).

This was my first experience with Crafty (buying--I have downloaded free patterns from them) and I'm very pleased.

I'm also happy to add a positive review to those already out there.  I wish Craftsy had a review option on their products, I'd gladly give feedback.

Now, it's time to get sewing.  I have a butt load of new fabric to play with!

REVIEW: Equilter.com 3 lb fabric scrap pack

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

I did some fabric shopping, folks.  Yes, I did.

I already have my stash club packet arriving (any day now) but I needed MOAR because I'm a greedy fabric whore.  Yes, I am.

I blame the $5 gift certificate I had for equilter.com.  What?  Take personal responsibility for my actions?  No, I will not.

Ok, I will.  I'll try to sound repentant but let's be real.  I like buying things and I don't have much remorse for this purchase (especially now that I see it--it was worth the money and the guilt).

But anyway, I had a $5 gift certificate so I was checking out equilter's booty packs (themed scrap packs) but I just got some of them and I didn't want the same theme again.  SO, I decided (in my infinite wisdom) that I'd just get the 3 lb fabric scrap pack instead of one little booty pack.  I wanted variety, gosh darn it all to heck, and a themed booty pack was NOT going to cut it.

So, I used my $5 to get some cheaper shipping on a big ole scrap box.

Did I mention I REGRET NOTHING!!

I've bought the 3 lb scrap pack before and it was good.  But this one?  It was BETTER.

Pictures or it didn't happen.

LOOK at that stack.  Oh, it was a good stack indeed.

There were 29 different fabrics in the box.  TWENTY NINE!!

Let's do a breakdown of what all was packed in there because fabric pron is fun.

KITTIES!!  Yes, there were two cat themed pieces including half of a Prisma cats panel.  I have a full panel of this and it's fabulous.  I actually gasped with glee when I saw that bit.

I also have some of the other cat print.  I got it in the critter themed booty pack I bought the last time equilter lured me to shop by giving me a $5 gift certificate for filling out a survey.

The rest of the novelty prints.

To give an idea of size, they are laid out on my 18 x 24 inch cutting mat.  They are all totally unfolded though some of them are turned horizontal so they'd fit the shot.  So you can clearly see the cuts are pretty darn big on a few of these.

Novelties included (left to right):  Western theme skulls, keys on cream background, shimmery fairies, badges, Batman, Maxine (turned horizontal) and lab puppies.

Next up were the blenders.  The box was stuffed with them which is good.  While I love novelties, my stash really needs blenders which are a bit more versatile.

The one on the far left appears to be a hand dyed fabric.  It's SUPER soft and a big ass piece.

We have brown, blue, green, and yellow all posing horizontal.  Smaller cuts but still plenty big.

Then we have a big cut of yellow dots on blue.

MORE blenders?  Ok.

Three different blues (one is not a full WOF, it's two 12 inch or so squares--still big pieces).  A green, a bright ass yellow with white polka dots (it's almost neon).  The pink and the purple chevrons are posing horizontal.  Same with the brick red/cinnamon solid.  The lone solid, I might add.  (I appreciated that, especially since that color is pretty ugly).

Wait, we're not done yet.

Want some sparkle?  Of course you do.

Deep red with little gold sparkles, gray blue with sparkly snowflakes (yes!), floral and leaf motif (harvest shades) with gold sparkle, and a brown with blender with sparkle.

Along the bottom was a pretty floral print (I think it's part of a panel, the print is in four blocks across the WOF and are very pretty).  Last but not least (and the pic doesn't do it justice) is a piece of citron/green geometrics.

So I scored BIG on this box.  Tons of very useful variety and a few things I absolutely adore.

What were my top picks?

The Prisma cats, naturally.  The sparkly fairies and Batman.  That fun hand dye, the sparkly snowflakes (that's a horrible pic of them) and that neon polka dot.

And if I have favorites there has to be some duds.  Now just because I call these duds doesn't mean they aren't nice fabrics.  They just aren't really my bag.

The skulls would have been better as a way smaller cut.  That's a lot of skulls right there.  That solid is just plain ugly.  I'm a fan of ugly and it's really not even "good" ugly.  It's like brick red and cinnamon had an ugly baby.  I'm really glad it's such a small piece.  Maxine doesn't get much love from me, either, though I do appreciate this is a small piece and the images are smaller.  I can work with that a bit more than the other Maxine print I had (note, I said "had"--that panel went off in the scrap box I gave away during the SMS giveaway--adios!).  The badges aren't bad, either, but it's just not a theme I care much about.  I could see using one bit to maybe make a patch or add a bit to an eye spy quilt but it's kind of big piece to use up entirely.

So, time to grad this purchase:

Grade:  A

I spent $41 (including shipping and less my gift certificate).  I got 29 different fabrics with only 4 official duds.  The majority of the cuts were big (big meaning over 5 inches x WOF).  I also scored quite a few fabrics I REALLY like and a lot of very useful blenders.

I definitely recommend the 3 pound scrap pack to folks who love mystery packs or folks who are building a stash.  But (as I always say with equilter.com) try and wait for some kind of deal.  Not that their shipping is over priced, but it's better to get the scrap packs when you can save even the smallest bit on shipping.  Oh, and sign up for their email newsletter.  They don't spam you and that's how you can get invites to take their surveys which will get you the $5 gift certificates.

Oh, they DO ship fast and package well, too.  (again, I'm not knocking them saying their shipping is too high, just that it's high-ish when you're only getting scrap packs)

REVIEW: Fat Quarter Shop Mystery Fat Quarter Bundle

Yes, yes, yes, I know the fabric fast technically isn't over but when the Fat Quarter Shop sent me a 20% off coupon code AND they had their mystery fat quarter bundles available, I decided I needed a small treat.

You see, the mystery fq packs have 12 fat quarters of coordinating fabrics (from the same line) for $19.50.  With my 20% discount, that meant I'd only be spending $1.05 to ship it.  So I was looking at getting some fat quarters for $1.71 each.  Quilt shop quality fat quarters, mind you, not just the gauzy cheap ones you can get at Joanns.  Hell, the ones at Joanns are usually more than $1.71.

Even if the fast had JUST begun, I'd have jumped on the deal.  See, I love me some mystery bundles.  And I bought one from the Fat Quarter Shop before and it was nice (sparkly christmas fabrics).

My little treat arrived yesterday and I was SHOCKED.

I got 12 fat quarters of Fox Field.

Eeee, I saw that fabric before and had thought "ooh, nice" but I didn't add it to my official Wish List because, well, the Wish List is kind of long and I really don't need to be buying fabric.

But I LOVE the horse print in this line.

And now I have some!!

Fancy fabric circle FAIL.  But I give myself a thumbs up for really trying (and the rotting picnic table in my yard gives me etsy barnwood cred, yo!)

LOOK AT MY PONIES!!!!

Yeah, I need to make a patch using some of my ponies.  I'm thinking Tina Belcher might need to be in between them.  That fabric gives me such a Tina vibe.

But lets not poo-poo the other fabrics.  Look how nice they all are.  Some really good blenders in there.  I love the low volume gray one and the zig zag stripes is really much more vibrant in person.  Hell, they all are.

OH, and the polka dot ones have bunnies on them.  Randomly there are bunnies in place of a dot.  Yes, that makes me happy.

So, what is my official verdict on this purchase?

A+

Great price, especially if you have a discount code.  Just buying it by itself (no code) wouldn't make it as great a deal (and I probably wouldn't pay full shipping just for this one item).  But if you're making an order for something else, adding a mystery bundle on would be a no brainer.  Especially if you really love mystery bundles.  Excellent quality fabrics cut and packaged well and shipping quickly.  I'm very pleased.

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Since I'm doing a bit of a buying confession, I also have to admit I made a big purchase from Fabric.com a week ago, too.  I spent $35 and got a bunch of stuff from my wish list, the majority of it was on sale.  And only one item was NOT on my Wish List.  Most of it was cat fabrics but I also got some Wee Wander (the pony print was the only thing that wasn't on sale but I got it anyway since the other prints in that line were on sale and I just wanted to totally cross Wee Wander off my Wish List).  I was going to take pics but then I had a rush of being tidy and filed it away in my stash and I'm not going to pull it all back out now.

Fabric Fast Update: Broke the Fast Again (and scrap pack review)

Confession is good for the soul, right?

Ok, then it's time to make a fabric buying confession.  And as I sat to type this I remembered that I have TWO confessions.

First is the one without a picture.  I just remembered that I scored a cool piece of Star Wars fabric in the remnant bin at Joanne's a weekend ago.  To be brutally honest, fast or no fast I would have snapped that fabric up without any guilt whatsoever.  It was the Star Wars fabric that's printed with the blueprints for the different ships AND it was the green version (the "best" one in my opinion).  The piece is BIG, too, nearly a yard and it cost me. . .wait for it. . .LESS THAN $3 (it was two and change).

Yeah, so I feel zero guilt on that one.

The next purchase (which is also a scrap pack review) has a tiny bit of guilt to it but not really.  I have a "good reason" I bought this scrap pack.

BACKSTORY:  I did an email survey for eQuilter and they gave me a $5 gift certificate.  I had to use it by 4/18 and I simply couldn't let it go to waste.  That gift certificate made my shipping fees only $1 (a bit less, I think).  Hey, $1 shipping is sweet.

We all know I do love a scrap pack so I decided that was the best way to get a nice bit of fabric variety for my deeply discounted shipping.

SO. . .I bought the Retro Booty Pack.  I was torn between the animal one and the retro one and what pushed me over the edge for the retro was the description on the animal one.  The animal one included insects and shells and to be honest I didn't want to run the risk of getting a bunch of seashell prints (bor-ing!).  I've also been in a retro mood (30 reproduction to be exact--love the washed out colors) so that sealed the deal.

Ok, enough yapping.  Time for pictures!

I got 10 different fabrics (great variety!) and none of them are bad.

Four fabrics here.  The one on the left is one of the smallest cuts.  It includes four of the pinwheels and two sets of just the petals.  I think the bigger petals could make cute wings for a funky art doll.  Definitely potential with that piece.

The second pieces is the biggest.  It's really fun.  All the images are like vintage embroidery patterns and (click on that pic to see it bigger) there is a CHICK CARRYING A BASKET FULL OF FLOWERS.  I have a secret love of chicks being used as beasts of burden.  I blame it on my youth and the candy molds my mother had.  There was one where a chick was pulling a cart that contained a giant egg.  This fabric also has a super cute calf and just a lot of fun images.  I also think it might be big enough to use for a wacky 9 patch block (I have another fabric that's in a similar theme so they might go well together).  It's also very low volume which is something I'm kind of intrigued by right now.

The fabric in the upper right corner is super funky.  It's olden days patriotic and features some rather ugly children.  Ugly children with GOLD.  Yeah, there is fuquerie potential with that piece, you can be assured.

The bottom right fabric is Frenchy to the max.  It's a light cream color and has vintage images and text and is very nice.  Too busy to be low volume but still very nice (lot of different images useful for applique and the like).

Three fabrics here, all appearing to be from the same line.

The one on the left is a WOF strip featuring very "campbell's soup kid" looking children in their underclothes.  I'm fairly certain they're meant to be fabric paper dolls (judging by the other panel there in this set).  Some of the girls don't look like they're in undies.  Their slips look like little sun dresses.  So I'm thinking I might sew them up as little dolls and give them to the Fluff Project.  I might run the pic by they hostess first, just so she doesn't think I'm a mega weirdo giving kids dolls in their undies.

The top/middle fabric is actually four panels (two girl, two boy) of fabric paper dolls.  Again, the girls don't really look that much like they're in their underwear but the boys really do (and that boy in the pic has some very unfortunate hair! he reminds me of the baby in the Adams Family movies!).

The bottom/middle piece is just the same children (dressed) repeated over the fabric.  It's about two children long and WOF.  Very cute.

Two fabrics here, again from the same line.

The one on the left is an odd cut.  Instead of WOF it's length and it's just *this much* too small to include a dress for each girl.  I think there is still great potential for this piece, though.  The girls' heads could be fussy cut out (to avoid the weirdness of having undies clad children popping up) or the feet trimmed out for I Spy squares, stuff like that.  And just as I was typing this I realized the girls could be cut out in full and used to make Teesha patches.  Like a dress up TM patch.  That could be cute.

The fabric on the right is a coordinating print (children are clothed) in a really pretty light yellow.  BUT, I have to say I find this fabric line a tiny bit creepy.  The girls are made up and have very primped hair that I find creepy and (in the yellow print) some are dressed it what appears to be only an apron.  At least that's what I thought when I saw the dresses offered on the dress up doll print.  Tell me that blue and pink "dress" doesn't look like an apron?  In the yellow fabric, the girls are wearing that style of "dress" and they still look a bit "nude".  Combine that with their makeup and hair and it's just a creepy look.  Reminds me of those creepy Shirley Temple movies where Temple was all coquettish and such.  Just a little icky to me.

I already used a bit of the yellow fabric for a Teesha patch.  The girls' faces are very cute and when fussy cut are very nice.  The images are well done (clear and crisp) but some are just a bit creepier than others.

Last but not least is my absolute favorite of the pack.

POKEY LITTLE PUPPY PANEL!!!!

Technically I think it's a few pieces shy of the full panel.  As far as I can tell it's missing the front and back cover pieces but I can't say that I care about that much.  The puppies are so cute I can't wait to find something to use them in.  I didn't measure the squares but they are all pretty big (about 6 inches maybe).  Tons of uses for super cute images, never to worry.

I'm going to see if Kristy (Fluff Project founder/coordinator/great lady) would like these made into a few cute little pillows.  Or I might make a few dolls and make little quilts to go along with the dolls and use this fabric for the doll quilts.  I can definitely find uses for something this dang cute.

OK, so time to give an overall reaction/review to the eQuilter Retro Booty Pack.

Overall, I give it an A.

I got an eQuilter booty pack before (food theme) and this one was every bit as good as that one.  Nice variety, good size on the cuts, and high quality fabrics (no marks/stains, unwashed).

The price is reasonable, too.  $15.95 for this pack (some of the other themes are $17.95--fancier stuff like batiks and such).  It's a nice way to give yourself a reasonable fabric treat, especially if you have a discounted/free shipping OR you're already making an order (paying full shipping to get just one booty pack would be crazy, though--full shipping is around $5.95 which would make this booty pack $21.90 which would be too steep in my opinion).

I definitely keep eQuilter on my "good scrap packs" list.  (and they have fast shipping, too).

Fabric Fast Update: Truly Broke the Fast (and a purchase review)

Brace yourselves.

This post is going to showcase an Official break in my Fabric Fast.  I know, I know, I already broke the fast buying that Frog and Toad fabric but I did manage to twist my rules and come up with a project for that fabric so that purchase is barely squeezing its way through a loophole.

But not this purchase.  I bought this purely because I'd been wanting it and it was on a good sale.

So, what did I buy?

One of the leftover club packs from Pink Castle Fabrics.  Pink Castle Fabrics has fabric clubs and the one I'd had my eye on (and almost got a subscription to) was the Kawaii Club.  I love kawaii and Japanese fabrics and all that so it was a club just made for me.  But I knew I was going on a fast so I didn't sign up for it.  And I was kind of worried I might not like the selections so it was best to just wait.

I'm glad I did.  Pink Castle sells off leftover packs from previous months.  And they just had a 20% off your whole order sales and they had leftover February packs and JUST GUESS WHAT WAS IN THE PACK?!

Scaredy Cat.

I love that line of fabric so much and wanted some since I first saw it but it was slightly pricier and I just couldn't justify it.

Until I saw it in the February leftovers (that's the best part about buying the leftovers, you get to see what's in them!).

I could have gone for the fat quarter or fat eighth size. I opted for the smaller one to kind of keep with the spirit of the Fabric Fast.  Yes, I was buying but I was buying the smaller size.  Compromise, folks, compromise.

Ok, time for pics.

These three fabrics are the most "boring" of them.  But I still like all of them.  The brown print (left upper corner) has a ton of cute images.  The one below it is even cuter with TONS of images (including some little cats--I do love cat fabric).  All of the fabrics are great quality.  Some are the really cool to the touch cottons (I call the "crispy") and some are the linen blend types ("rough") and the mountain fabric is something I've never felt before.  It's rough-ish like the linen blends but has an unevenness to the finish.  I'm not sure what it's called but I'm wondering if it's "double gauze".  Either way, it's really nice and I'm sure I'll find uses for it.

Ooh, it's getting cuter and cuter up in here.

I have closeups of two of these (hold on, we're getting there).  But the pink one (bottom left corner) was one I thought was going to be boring.  In the Pink Castle Fabrics preview pic, all you could see was roosters.  I thought "boring" but it wasn't a deal breaker.  But when I got the fabric and unfolded it it was dotted with super cute chickies and hens and it was great.

But not the winner for "cutest".

That prize might have to be shared by these two fabrics.

EEEEE, it's a pineapple driving a car!!!!

And look at the popcorn!!!!

Ok, this fabric is what really made me buy the bundle.  I wanted the Scaredy Cat print (and probably would have bought the pack just for it, truth be told) but that galldurn cute pineapple driving that car was visible in the preview pic and I HAD TO HAVE IT!!  That's so freaking kawaii I could poop.

BUT IT GETS CUTER!!

Just look at that fabric.  The pic doesn't even get close to doing it justice.

True confession, I have no idea what those little white blobs are supposed to be (maybe wontons?) but they kind of remind me of Kinder Eggs OR Moomin (Moomin are so dang cute).  Not that it matters because they are so darn cute I nearly died.

The preview pic hardly showed this print at all so I was spazzing when I saw it.  LOOK AT THEM.  Camping and showering and just living their cute little lives.  *swoons*  Yeah, that print is kawaii to the max.

And, and, and, there was still TWO cat print fabrics.

TWO!

Scaredy Cat, which is cuter in person and that bottom fabric?  In the previews it just looked like a cute food print.  I wasn't really aware that it would have multiple cute kitties on it (and mice and all that).

How dang cute is that kitty, right?

Both those pieces are going right into my cat fabric collection.  Very welcome additions to what will (someday) become the tackiest cat quilt EVAH!

So, I spent right around $20 (including shipping--it was $20 and some coin) and I couldn't be happier with the purchase.  In fact, I'd be willing to pause my fast to get future leftover bundles if they look good.

Now, I have one more Fabric Fast confession to make.  I have a $5 gift certificate to EQuilter and it expires on 4/18.  I got it for doing a survey and I plan to use it.  The gift certificate will almost cover shipping (I'd end up paying around $1.95 for the lowest shipping range--they base shipping on order total ranges).  That means I could get one of their Booty Packs (scrap packs by theme) for only $2 shipping.  I'm seriously considering getting the animal one (in hopes of landing some fun cat fabrics).  But I'm waiting until the expiration date is a bit closer and keeping my eyes on their sales to see if they put something on my wish list on sale.  Either way, I'm going to try and spend no more than $20.

Ok, my confessions are over.

Fabric Fast: Broke the Fast

Time for a Fabric Fast True Confession.

I just broke the fast.

Actually, it's the second time I broke the fast.  But for the record, both purchases were for projects.  But one project is one I decided to do once I saw the fabric.

First things first.

My first break was to buy fabric for a swap I'm in.  Normally I wouldn't buy fabric for a swap.  I'm even trying to avoid joining fabric swaps where I'd need to buy to participate.  BUT, this project was for a Teesha Moore patch bag and I needed a bit of yardage to make the bag (the bag has to be lined and I didn't have enough yardage to make the shell and lining).  And since I was buying fabric to make the bag body, I decided to get a bit of fairy print fabric to make some patches, too.  So I got a yard of the rose print in the Briar Rose collection (since my swap partner likes roses) and this super cute fairy fabric.

I'm not showing the fairy fabric off just yet.  I want to wait for the bag reveal to show it off.  I got a half yard (smallest cut they sold) to insure I had all the images.  I'm SO glad I got that fabric.  It's gorgeous and going to make some very beautiful patches.  I might just make the whole bag using that fabric for the patches, too (haven't decided yet--the swap's not due until May so I have some other projects to work on first).

Now for the true confession.  The purchase (that I just made) that is truly more of a cheat than the fabric bought for the Teesha bag (even though I totally chose the Briar Rose print because I like it and will get any scraps--I can't deny it).  I saw this fabric and HAD to have it.  But because of the fast I needed to come up with a project for it, which wasn't tricky.

Frog and Toad!!!

I loved these books as a kid and. . .I'm fairly certain my hubby did, too.

So guess who's getting a Frog and Toad quilt!!

I decided to make a simple 9 patch quilt using the above print and this:

It's the plaid from the same collection.

To make it a bit more exciting, I also got the print in the green they offer.  So I'm planning to make alternating 9 patch blocks (blue, green, blue, green).  The print will be the dark color in the block and the plaid the light color (so 5 patches of the print, 4 of the plaid).  No sashing between the blocks.

For the border, I got the cookie print (in tan) from the same line.

I'm going to use 5 inch charms for the blocks, so it will be a big pattern that will (hopefully) sew up easily.  I've been dragging my feet on doing a quilt and I think this will be a good way to finally get me over my fear of doing a full quilt.

I'm planning to make a twin bed sized (or close) size.  Something big enough to cover up with when lazing about on the couch (which is what I'm planning to use this quilt for--it will be more attractive than the raggedy blankets we use now--though no silky edge, and I do love silky edge!).

For the back, I got this:

It's the panel from the same line.  I'm thinking I'll just make a scrappy back using some of the panel images and whatever fabric I have left over and maybe stuff from my stash.  I'm really leaving the back up in the air right now.

For the binding, I'm hoping to do it wrap around style (make the back larger then just wrap it over to make the binding) to make it easier.  I might even hand stitch the binding.

For the quilting, I'll probably just follow the patches and do a really basic quilting.

I'm also toying with using some of our income tax money to get a new machine that has a built in walking foot so I can start experimenting with free motion quilting (or just have better experiences with quilting with a regular foot--less shifting of layers).

So I had to do Quilt Math today and it was sad and slow (I'm such a math dunce) but I think I calculated correctly.  If anything, I'm worried I over bought.  But that could be a good thing should I mess up when cutting OR I'll have leftovers for the back.

But first things first.  I need to decide if I'm going to pre-wash the fabric or not.  I'm torn.  Should I also pre-wash the batting?  Does batting shrink that much?  I need to research that before I decide.

Here's hoping this goes well!

Fabriholics Anonymous Check In for February

Another month is almost over and I'm happy to report I have purchased NO FABRIC.

Not even one little bit.

That means my wish list is growing and growing.

But first, I have to brag.  I'm sewing up eight fabric pouches for my charity sewing and ALL of the fabric was from my stash.  Mega bust, I have it!

Current Fabric Wish List (in no particular order):

1.  Cat Nap:  I love this fabric and hope by the time the fast is over I'll be able to score it for a song.

2. Mini series by Timeless Treasures.  I love these beavers and they have cats and some other animals I like.

3.  Folklorico.  There are new prints in this line.  I like this one and there are some with other skeletons.

4.  Koi (collection by A E Nathan).  Found this one at Equilter and I WANT IT!  So pretty.  The other goldfish one is cute too (found it on the same search) but if I had to only pick one I'd go with the top image.  LOVE IT.

5.  Wee Wander, of course.  Adorable.  Just adorable.

6.  Goldfish (by Hoodie for Timeless Treasures).  HOLY FISHY, I want this so bad.  A-freaking-dorable.  I have a feeling this one won't be easy to find and will be out of my price range (never go on sale).  But as long as I get something with koi/goldfish I'll be ok.

7.  Hello Petal (Moda).  LOVE the cat print in this set.  The others don't do anything for me but I have a side collection of cat print fabrics and this one NEEDS to be in my kitty collection.  Meow!

8.  Sea (Timeless Treasures).  I love octopus print fabric.  This reminds me so much of Saltwater but I like how the octopi are floating/swimming not just static like Saltwater.

I don't know that I'd buy everything on that list (since I don't like to pay full price) but I'd love to have each and every one of those.  Cat Nap and Wee Wander, I'd like to a few of the prints in the set (LOVE the mice in the Cat Nap line--they're riding bikes!!).

Ok, enough fabric lusting, we're discussing how I'm being good and not buying fabric.  And I am being good.  VERY good.

I've been to Joanns multiple times and even pawed through the remnant bin and not grabbed up anything.  Ok, it helped that the remnant bin was sad and I didn't want any of it.  I didn't even go into the fabric area, lest I spy a super clearance rack and be too tempted and cave.

I have still been getting my buying fix by picking up non-fabric items here and there.  But even with notions buying I'm being conservative.  I don't buy just to buy.  I try to think of a few projects that something could work for before I get it OR just replace things I've used up.  I do indulge and get something just for fun if it's super cheap.  Like this pack of charms I got for FIFTY CENTS.  It's a dragon with some stars and I'm not sure what I'll use it for but for fifty cents I decided I could treat myself.

Shopping from my stash has been very satisfying, too.  I have to confess, I thought I had used up one print of fabric I had in my stash and was lamenting it being gone and then I got to digging and low and behold, there it was (in two different colorways).  For the record, I don't normally buy the same print in different colors but this was a print in a fat quarter bundle I scored at Tuesday Morning (for a song) so that's why I had so much of it.

I've also been entering giveaways but I've found I'm being more picky about what I enter.  I have to really like the fabric to enter the drawing.  I used to just enter any and everything.  So I'm definitely becoming less greedy, which is a GREAT thing.

I still need to clean up my craft room and get rid of some stuff.  But I'm so very lazy. . .

What else have I been up to?

Well, over the weekend I got the guinea pigs done (finally!) but I also got a good start on a few other projects.

One is for the Hopeful Threads first quarter challenge, to make bags and pouches for kids in foster care (and fill them with personal hygiene items).

I grabbed up my handful of zippers (assorted colors) and headed up to the craft room to find coordinating fabrics.

Here's what I decided on:

(oops, that's technically upside down!)

The pics are bad, but that first one is light blue fabrics.  The outside is cotton/linen blend fabric (kokka for the win!) with toothpaste tubes.  I bought it on a lark about a year ago and this project is PERFECT for it (I had 1/2 yard, so I still have a nice fat quarter plus scraps for whatever else might come along).  The lining fabric is light blue with tiny polka dots (I think they're brown).

Gray with assorted colored elephants (with babies) and purple polka dot lining (that has different stripes of color--really nice fabric).  I got both of those through swaps.

Aqua Hello Tokyo print (that I got as a gift) line with pink (from a swap).

Simpsons print with blue leafy design lining.  I have a yard of this fabric and only ever used one little swatch so I might just make a grocery style bad from the rest (and donate it too--or maybe keep it for myself, we'll see).  When I was cutting the fabric I got to thinking about how dang OLD I am.  Would little kids even know who the Simpsons are?  Maybe teens would.  Then I thought maybe I should get some Family Guy fabric, since that's more what kids would recognize!

Orange/blue/assorted colors with animals and polka dot for lining.  I have half yard of each of these, so now I still have a FQ of each (plus scraps).  This was some more fabric I bought on a whim (on sale) and am just now getting a chance to use it.

Purple Arabian Nights print (with sultans and genies and horses and this really cute monkey that makes me think of Aladdin and a funky little cat that I never noticed until I was cutting the fabric).  Liner fabric is from the same line and has appropriately themed buildings.  I had to fussy cut that FQ a tiny bit so I'd get buildings on each lining piece.  I've had these FQs for a while.  I got them in a mystery FQ pack I got a while ago and was hoping to find a project that would use both.  I almost gave them away a few times and I'm glad I didn't.  They work well with that purple zipper.

Lorax prints.  The brown tone will be the outside (it has the Lorax and some animals) and the green will be the lining.  I've had this fabric for few years.  I got it to make things for my sister (and did) but still have a lot left over (I think I bought a yard of the green and half yard of the other--this was when I thought I wanted to make my sister a quilt but I got freaked out so I only made her a zipper pouch using some coordinating panel fabric for the outer pieces and the green for lining).  I still have a lot of the green so I might make a grocery bag for myself (the Lorax is all about conservation, after all).

Girly print with polka dot lining.  I got that stylish/girly print in a swap.  I really like it but it's kind of a large print so I was wondering what I'd use it for (had a FQ of it).  I fussy cut it a bit so I'd have at least one full girl on each side (and not the same girl).  The zipper is bright yellow which matches well the yellows in the print.  The polka dots came from my FQ stash (I'm sure it was part of a mystery bundle I bought--I bought quite a few of those when I first started sewing).

I managed to get them all cut on Sunday (since the Super Bowl was so dang boring!).  I probably won't get back to them until this weekend.  I know they'll sew up fast once I get into the groove (using the zipper foot and all that).  I will have to trot out my black threaded bobbin for the one, so I'll probably do it first.

I scored a few great things to fill the bags, too.  I found some great socks on clearance at Target.  They're Prospirit low socks in really bright colors.  I got the last two packs on the clearance rack.  They were $3.25 each, so that came out to just over $1/pair of socks.  Excellent price for those socks (they're good quality, I wear them myself, only with a higher top).  I also got three packs of chapstick for $2 and change.  So less than $1 per chapstick.  So I have six pairs of socks and six chapsticks.  I couldn't remember if I was making six bags or eight (and there were only two packs of socks) so I just went with six.  Then I was looking in my medicine cabinet and I found an unopened package of hair ties.  My hair is way too short for them and they're brand new so into the donation pile they went (I'd totally use them if I had long hair, so they're definitely "good enough" for donating--I try not to donate things I wouldn't use myself or think are junky).

I'm aiming to fill them with things for teens (boy and girl).  I realized I know ZERO about babies and younger kids (what sizes and all that stuff) so teens it is.  I figure teens wear adult sized socks (and/or underwear if I happen to find a steal on them, I'd buy them) so that takes all the size issues out of the discussion.

I already have more than enough girly socks, so I'll get at least two pairs of "boy" socks and two more lip balms (maybe "girly" ones if I find Lipsmackers or something like that for a super good deal).  Then I was thinking a toothbrush and small toothpaste for each (including a cover for the toothbrush).  I was toying with deoderants, too, but they are kind of heavy so I might try and get lighter items just to keep my shipping down.  Unless I find them for a great price then I'd get them.

I'm planning to check out the dollar store near my house (for the toothbrushes and covers) and the Shop and Save, too.  You never know what random things you'll find at the grocery store.  This weekend I'm hoping to con my hubby into a trip to the craft store which will put me right next to a Five Below, so I can check them out for things, too (maybe something fun for each pack).

But first, I need to work on some stuff for swaps.

A doll and a unicorn (walk into a bar. . .wait, no, that didn't happen!).  The doll is coming along nicely.  We'll see if I'm still feeling the same way when I get to making the clothes (sewing tiny hems and attaching itty bitty snaps is always "fun").  I don't anticipate any drama with the unicorn, as long as I can remember how I made the horn.  I'm sure once I look at the toothpick and the ribbon again it will come back to me.  (I've made a unicorn from this zebra pattern before I as REALLY tempted to just give away that unicorn but it's farting a rainbow and I didn't want to remove the rainbow sewn to its butt so. . .time to make a new one).