Hey Lauren!

I'm just going to call you Miss Stashbuster from now on! This is a perfect example of why we should NEVER toss any fabric. You found the perfect backing in your stash from 35 years ago. There was a reason you bought that fabric. It took just a little while to figure out what that reason was but the fabric waited patiently for you to remember! Fabric is kind like that. That's why I love fabric!

Your quilt is beautiful! You have inspired me to sift through my collection of fabric and find something that would work with this pattern. I think I might have something that would work.

My stashbuster attempts have been focused on this box of 2 1/2" squares of random Christmas fabric, dating back to who knows when, that I found in the cabinet. I've been using them as leader/enders and am going to create a stashbuster Christmas quilt. I've got about 20 blocks made and really haven't put a dent in the collection!

I've also been very busy trying to complete some wips. The American Patchwork and Quilting's UFO challenge has really helped me cross some things off my finish list. Of course that means I have lots of tops that need to be quilted but that will come eventually! I made three lists to finish...kits, wips and quilts that need to be quilted. The only one I'm behind on is the basted tops that need to be quilted. 

My wip for April was a Lucky Stars quilt that i had already made enough blocks to make a king size quilt. It's just took me more than a few years to sew them together.

This is only half the quilt...it's huge!

My kit for April was a pack of red and white fabrics that I bought to make the No Point Stars quilt by Cluck Cluck Sew. It's a free pattern on her website and I decided it would be perfect for my collection.

I've got enough blocks to add another row or two but they all have a light backgrounds and would mess up my light/dark pattern. I think I'll put them on the back.

And because I don't have enough to do, I made a potholder!

I see more in my future. They're no brainers.

I'm sorry that you're grieving you Grabbit magnet. I had no idea that they lost their magnetic-ness. I'm here for you if you need to talk.😀

Here's a little something that's waiting for you when we see each other next. A huge pile of 2 1/2" strips for your stashbusting heart.

BTW - you will never BE old! We are going to be young at heart and up for adventures until we can't!

Old things, hopefully not me!

Hi Ann, 

In the never ending purposefulness of using up fabric (so we can buy more?), I am putting together a quilt designed by Emily Dennis of Quilty Love. It's called Stash Buster. As you'll read below I busted my stash!

I didn't buy a single piece of fabric for it, although I was tempted because I needed one more green. I used a fabric in the top that I likely have been moving around with me for nearly 40 years. 

I recall putting the pencil lines on this fabric

For the backing I had a 3 yard piece of fabric that was from Peter Pan, see the selvage however I have no idea how old this fabric is. My guess is at least 35 years old. Fabric is made better now than it was back then- it's a little bit thinly woven however I'm using it on the back and the color is perfect! I have no idea why I bought it or where, maybe at Colonial Quilts in Savannah or Crazy Ladies in Santa Monica. I'm excited to be putting it to good use and it brings me joy to see it and I still really like the print. This substantiates your theory that you should only buy what you like! 

Dog fur, my new dog Echo has a nice fluffy black coat. I never noticed the dog hair on my fabric from the golden retrievers, I imagine it was there ignorance was bliss. So I got a super duper sticky roller and have added the step of removing the dog hair before basting!

Now for the sad story about getting old. My Grabbit magnet has lost it's magnetic-ness. A pin no longer will stay with it. 

I've had this red one since 1980 when they first came out, I remember shopping at Crazy Ladies and Mary Ellen Hopkins told me I needed to buy it, not long after I started to make quilts. It went through lots of years of use helping me and my family avoid stepping on pins as it was super efficient in picking up pins. Of course my children would tell you that they are still traumatized by pins in their bare feet, as I wasn't always great about remembering to pick up the pins off the floor. 

I'm not sure if I'll get another one, I think I have to grieve first.