How particular are you about the brand of your fabric?

EDITED to change title....I just didn't like the word "snob".  LOL
I wish I could think of a better word, because that one sounds rude.  If I think of one before this post is over, I'll change it. (I used to think I was until today) ANYWHO, while working on my organizing, de-stashing, etc., this morning, I've come across fabric that I bought years ago, still love and can't for the life of me tell you who made it.  I WILL say that I do love me some Moda.  It is my favorite.  I love the feel of it, and could just waller in it all day.  That said, there are others that are the same way. 

Since I've been quilting since the early 90's back before we had tons and tons to pick from, I do have lots of the older fabrics.  Some of them I still love.  Some of them I think, "what was I thinking?".  I think we all have some of those.  As Bonnie of Quiltville says, "no fabric is too ugly to use.  It just needs to be cut up smaller."....cracks me up.  Love her...she is totally the scrap user's queen!  So my question is this: "Do you only buy certain brands of fabric?  Do you buy what you like no matter who it's by?  Would you DARE buy fabric at Hobby Lobby, Joanne's, Hancock's, etc. (I do, and have, and will continue to do so if I like it)?"  Seriously, there are those that won't.  Why?  If the quality is good, it's got a good, tight weave and is 100% cotton, feels good...why would I not if I like it?  No judging going on here, so be honest.  I truly want to know!

There are so many of my fabrics that don't have word one on their selvages, but I like them.  I will keep them and use them.  I'm not really one that can remember to tell every single piece of fabric and the designer in the quilts that I make, etc.  In my purses, I might could do that, but not with my quilts.  I just use what I like, and what fits. 

Some of the fabrics that I've run across today are sorta stiff.  I know I've used a lot of these for backings for my cross stitch pinkeeps, etc., and they've worked well.  However, I will be getting rid of them, as I have plenty of the others I can do the same with.  I will never quilt with those, and they are just taking up space that I need.  The patterns are pretty....I just have enough others that are pretty.

I will say that there was I line that I would have dearly LOVED to get my hands on:  Sherbert Pip. (if any of you have any for sale, holler!)  I love that fabric.  I would have loved to make a quilt for my grand babies out of that line.  I can find one piece here and there, but haven't been able to find enough for what I need.  That is one that I wished I would have bought when they first came out.  *sigh*  BUT, I'm trying really hard not to buy unless I absolutely have to.  I could shop out of my stash forever, but gosh....these designers keep putting out all this beautiful, cool stuff, and I just long for them all.  Sound familiar?  No way can I buy them all.  There are a few others, though, that I can see in a project and would love to have.  Kind of weird since I'm doing a de-stash, huh?  I would suggest to myself not to look.  I get every newsletter in the world, and "Like" all these wonderful shops on Facebook, so I'm doomed.  LOL 

Seriously, when I get in this mood, Bob hides his stuff.  LOL  He's so afraid that I might get rid of something of his.  (of course I wouldn't)  Sooo, after all these long, drawn out words, tell me how you feel about your fabric stash.  Is it a mixture of different designers/brands?  Do you tend to gravitate to certain ones (which is fine, we all do that from time to time).  I have GOT to find another word for snob.  Tell me what you like and don't like.  I love hearing from others and how you feel about things. 

Time to get back to de-stashing.  I will show you later in a few posts how I am organizing the fabric that I keep.  I think it will work better for me.  I have found that if I store it in tubs, I have no clue what I have.  This way, there is no doubt.  Hang in there with me...pictures to follow when I get more done.  In the meantime, speak to me, okay? 

Love and hugs from Texas,

Kind of a quickie post and request RE: Major De-stash

Hello ladies and gents,

This will be short and sweet as I really need to get busy.  I've had my sweet grand babies here since last week, and being 2 and 3 years old, you know that means you don't take your eyes off of them for one second.  LOL 

I have to destash....seriously destash for several reasons.  I'm asking from those that maybe have done this in the past if there is a better way to do this.  I'm talking quilting, cross stitch and TONS of brand new scrapbooking (what was I thinking?)Ebay? Etsy?  Put lists on here?  I really don't have a clue.  I have a long arm that I have never used and also a Qbot that has never been used, either.  Both I really need to sell, but don't have a clue.  I'm a bit scared of Craigslist after hearing about some of the weirdos out there.  LOL  It scares me to let some stranger in my house.

I will post more later, but I'm working on this a bit today, and thought I would ask if there were any of you "seasoned" quilters that could give me some ideas.  I'll be anxiously waiting to hear your ideas.  Any and all are SO APPRECIATED!!

Love to all....

Oldies but goodies...

I just totally LOVE old, vintage linens and sewing items, etc.  Everytime I see anything like that, I have to pick them up.  Fortunately the ones that I'm about to show you all came from  my family....either my great-grandmother, grandmother, or my mother.  Some of the things I dont' even know what they are.  LOL  I was blessed to receive all the beautiful vintage lace, hankies, crochet, etc. that nobody else in the family wanted.  To me they are TOTAL treasure.  Every day I'm trying to find ways to display these beauties.  I hate seeing them packed away.  The one thing I don't have that I've looked everywhere for is a flower frog.  I really need/want a couple for my gingher scissor collection.  I'll keep my eyes open.  I'm always on the look out.

 I've also been busy making a few purses/totes for friends.  I guess I could share a few of those pictures so you'll know that I actually DO sew instead of constantly organizing, ALTHOUGH I am in the process of totally re-doing the studio AGAIN.  I'm trying to decide on a paint color.  I love the red, but I'm wanting a cooler color.  Any suggestions????

These are just a very few of the ones I've made for friends.  I have a few more to get done and then I'm going to make myself another one.  :)  I love making the purses and totes. 

Well, time for me to get busy, although I don't really know what's on the agenda for today.  Maybe some more organizing.  I'm really having fun doing this and finding things I didn't even know I had.  :)

Have a most wonderful Tuesday, and wherever you are, try to stay cool if you can.  We are about to die here in Texas.

Hugs and love,

Perfection....

I have one of the worst problems/traits whatever you want to call it, ever.  I'm a perfectionist.  It's like the worst thing ever because it holds me back from so many things.  If I can't do it perfect, then it doesn't get done, period.  I'm afraid to try new things because I'm afraid I won't do it right.  It's like a huge chain around my neck.  I've been like this all my life.  I'm sure if I were to go have some therapy, they'd dig up something from my childhood that caused it, but for the life of me I can't figure out what it would be.  I was like this even as a child.  I can remember writing an entire paper on notebook paper.  I would get to the very last line.  If I made a mistake, instead of marking a line through it, the whole page would get written over.  OCD much? 

I'm telling you this because it's held me back from lots of my quilting and crafty ideas, etc.  I have a longarm machine with a Q-Bot.  I've been soaking up every uTube and tutorial that I can soak up to learn how to use it.  I'm afraid.  My hubby promises me that it won't blow up.  LOL  He promises me that the longarm police won't show up to take me to jail.  He is the best....he will try ANYTHING.  I was horrified when he wanted to put down our laminate flooring and had never done it before.  He read the directions and did it perfectly.  He said the only way to learn is to try it. 

Why am I like that?  Can anyone relate?  I am very blessed to have my own sewing studio filled with "to die for" quilting fabric, and everything else.  I won a GO!Baby.  Never taken out of the box.  I have a Cricut.  Never taken out of the box.  I have enough fabric (literally) to open my own quilt shop (and I'm seriously not lying here).  I want to PRODUCE like I see on all these blogs.  It seems like every day there is something new that they have produced (hi Barb!).  I spend more time organizing the stuff than using it.  Stupid.

God has blessed me with the gift of creativity.  I'm not using that gift to the best of my ability.  I pray daily that He will help me with this.

Anyway, enough of that.  I do have some pictures to show you of some purses I've made, but will save them for later.  I have some organizing to do in my studio.  LOL

I would welcome ANY comments from those of you that have the same problem, or if you have some suggestions, or just want to say hi!

Love and hugs from VERY hot and DRY Texas,

Blessings....

I've been blessed with five wonderful men in my life.  The first was my father.  He was my rock and definitely loved his first born (that would be me!).  I loved him more than I can ever say, and watched him suffer until he finally went to his forever home in 2004.  I love you, Daddy.

Then God totally blessed me with the best husband and best friend, Gary, in the world.  We were married 18 happy years until he died in an accident in 1995.  At a very young age, I was all of a sudden a single mom with a 9 year old son.  I was devastated and thought I would never get through it.  Thank God I have a very strong faith.  That is TOTALLY what got me through that time, along with my family and friends, without losing my mind.

During that 18 year marriage, God blessed me with the 3rd man in my life.  That would be my precious son, Kevin.  As a mom, I don't have to tell other mom's out there the love that I have for him.  Even though he is 25, married and has blessed me with 2 grandchildren, I still love him as much if not more than ever.  You are a wonderful husband and father, Kevin.  You will always be my "little man". 

Then after being a single mom for five plus years, God brought my Bob into my life.  Today we celebrate our 11th anniversary.  He totally completes me and I love him very much.  I could NEVER have picked anyone better to step up to the plate and help me raise Kevin.  Most people didn't even know he was his stepdad.  Kevin loves him and looks up to him.  Boy that does my heart good.  Thank you , My Bob for 11 wonderful years together.  I pray we have many, many more!  I love you!!

And last but not least, God blessed me with my little Carter-man, my grandson.  He sure has stolen his LaLa's heart.  AND those sweet babies are coming this weekend and I'm jumping around like a kid in a candy shop.  I can NOT wait until they walk in this door.  They are 2 and 3 and are at such a fun age.  NOW, I have to admit that when they leave, I will probably sleep for 3 days straight!  LOL  But while they are here, we will spend every moment having a good time, and of course I'll be stocking up on neck sugars and hugs to last until the next visit.

Have a wonderful day, my friends, and enjoy the weekend.  We are so blessed to still be a free country and have so many blessings.  Let's celebrate those, shall we?

Hugs and love from Texas,