Sunday, July 30, 2006

Great Fabric Depression of August 2006

I mentioned Vicky's no-buy challenge in my post below. And I also mentioned my blah week. Well because of the blah week I really need to join Vicky's challenge as you'll see from the next 2 photos of goodies that arrived in the mail this week!

This first group are my Kaffee Fasset fabrics that I wrote about last week. Well they came in last Saturday but since they were shipped to my office and since I didn't work Monday or Tuesday I didn't get them until Wed. These are 1/2 yd cuts of 20 different prints. And yes I still think some of them are ugly as sin BUT they fascinate me and I think will look great in the pattern I've chosen to use them in. And the remainders will look great in scrappy quilts for years to come.

So you'd think I'd be happy with one shopping spree totaling 10 new yds of stash. And if I'd been at work Monday to get the package I wouldn't have made this next purchase.I mentioned that I was home Monday and Tuesday. I have back problems and have been having problems with one of my meds. It works great for the pain but pretty much has me in a semi-comatose state after taking it for several days straight. I got up Monday morning, got dressed for work, sat in my chair to shut down my laptop so I could take it with me, and fell promptly asleep! I didn't sleep long but decided it probably wouldn't be a good idea for me to drive that day so I called in sick. And the next day too as I was still a bit drowsy that morning. ANYWAY, back to my story..... While I dozed on and off all Monday I was awake for bit of time and didn't feel like doing anything except play on the computer. I got bored with computer games pretty quickly so I did a little surfing. One of my waves took me to Thousands of Bolts. I LOVE that store. I've purchased from them several times and love the great prices for good quality fabric. First page I went to was blacks. And the first fabric shown was that luscious bright dots on black and I fell in MAJOR LOVE! So I put 4 yards in my shopping cart. Then I found the other 2 black/bright prints and put 2 yds of each in the shopping cart. Then I decided to search thru the other colors and find brignts in the colors of the dots and ended up putting 2 yds of each of these in my shopping cart. Now to me half the fun of quilting is choosing the fabrics so I do this often and USUALLY delete the cart. But as I was feeling a bit down and figured I DESERVED a pick-me-up, and I didn't even have to get out of my chair to hunt up my credit card since I know the number by heart (along with the expiration date and security code from the back.) So instead of hitting delete I clicked on complete sale. Probably not the smartest thing so I think I'll blame it on the drugs. LOL! And that 26 YDS of fabric cost me very little more than the 10 yds of Kaffe's so it really was a very good value. Probably not wise to drop a hundred bucks on a whim but it's done and they really are yummy fabrics so I'm not going to beat myself up over my purchase. BUT I think I really do need to say no new fabric for a couple months until I have a chance to use some of what I already own.

And I'm kicking my personal challenge up a notch to include no new quilt books, patterns, or magazines for that same month. It's not like I don't have enough already to provide plenty of inspiration. Plus all the great ideas I get from all of you out here in blogland. The only thing I'll allow myself to purchase is thread and batting. But honestly I think I have enough gray/beige thread to last for several months and that's mostly all I use to piece with. And I have several batts on hand and those will probalby do for anything I want to get basted and quilt this month. Citibank's gonna HATE me next month! LOL!

As a disclaimer I do plan to use Vicky's "vacation purchase" out if I end up going to our Markham office next month. I only get there every few months and absolutely love the Blessing Fabric and Bead Studio that is about 10 miles from that office. So while it won't be a "vacation" purchase I would be out of town at a shop I don't normally have access to. But if I go I'm only allowing myself fabric for one quilt. And I have to pick a pattern and only get what I need for that pattern. Not my usual, "Give me 2 yds of this and 3 yds of that." habit. But I'm going to try to stay away from the area until at least September so as not to tempt myself.

22 comments:

Kim West said...

I just LOVE thousands of bolts!! I recently bought a 15 yd bolt for $35 including fed-ex shipping for Quilts of Valor.

quiltpixie said...

looks like you've got lots of new fabrics to play with! and so yummy....

ForestJane said...

Can't wait to see what you're going to do with all of this new fabric. :)

Susan said...

So what pattern are you using for the Kaffe fabrics?

What a lot of lovely fabrics!

Gail said...

Oh, I didn't join in the fabric diet because I don't often get over to the fabric shops and I'm working on several projects right now which serve as "appetitie depressants". However, after seeing that second group of fabrics--which would be perfect for one of my projects.....well I just may have to order online. Bad influence! Bad influence!

Eileen said...

Great fabric, Nancy. Can't wait to see all the quilts it going to show up in for the next few months.

The Calico Cat said...

O.K. I don't feel so bad with $76 sitting in my equilter shopping cart - I am still "thinking about it"

Love the second grouping. The Kaffe still has me int he middle wishy washy zone. (Meaning that I have seen some patterns done useing it that look AWESOME, but it still does not make my heart sing...) maybe it is a sign that I am growing in that I can let it go....

Laurie Ann said...

Love your new fabrics!!! Your pastel blendy turned out great. Can't wait to see what you decide for the borders.

Judith said...

Yummy fabrics you got there. If you look in my big mysterie quilt I have also some Kaffe in that and I know one that is doing it all in Kaffe and I have to say it looks great.

Bonnie said...

Those Kaffee Fasset fabrics have been tempting me for ages. I want to see what you do with them.
It will be interesting to see how many Stash Quilt members can stick to Vicky's challenge - and are honest about it!

Bonnie said...

Just went to the link you had - Thousands of Bolts - and added it to my Favorites. Those prices are great!

Melzie said...

Those colors are delish :D I am sitting on my hands not to click not to click not to click ;) LOL xoxo melzie

Susan H. said...

Wow, you have been busy this week. I was beginning to worry about you and considering picking up the dreaded phone and calling you. Glad to see you have been making use of your time. Love your new fabrics.

Mary Johnson said...

Good luck with the challenge. I've been on limited buying for a while now since I joined the stashbuster list so I'm not playing along.

I find it pretty easy to limit my fabric buying and use my stash but I don't think I could limit my book purchases. I went to ship 2 quilts to Mom today and decided to buy her a fat quarter bundle from the quilt store next to the UPS store. I found a bundle and book for her and TWO books for me.

SuBee said...

Yummy!! You're a woman after my own heart, but I'll cheer on your diet anyways. Had to laugh tho - you're the only other person I've heard admit that some of Kaffe's are kinda, umm, homely.
LOL!!

Jeanne said...

Hahaha -- I unfortunately have my credit card info memorized also.

Jeanne :) who's gonna be good this month!

Vicky said...

Yep, mine is memorized, too! LOL

But, Nancy, we won't be real technical about your trip. We'll just call it a vacation, and your purchases will be souvenirs! Voila!!

Books ....... eeewwww! I need to add those to my list of banned goods this month! I was getting ready to post a pix of those. It's a sickness, I tell you!

((HUGS))

SusanB said...

Wow. The prices at Thousands of Bolts are good! I love the fabrics you bought there. I bet you'll make something really great with them.

I've been working on stash reduction since I retired last fall. It's been slow going. Too much time on the computer. But I've bought less than 20 or 25 yards in that time for backs and background.

Darlene said...

Nancy, your recent purchases are very nice. And I love your pastel/blendy quilt. Very pretty!

Cynthia said...

The pretty pastel quilt is beautiful. As i think i mentioned on one of your other posts i also have these fabrics and i might just have to get them out sooner rather than later.

Granny said...

Those are surely pretty fabrics! We can do it . . I'm with you - nothing - no books, no thread, no batting during August.

Judy L.

Anonymous said...

You got some really pretty fabrics. I was amused at your description of the Kaffe Fassett fabrics because I feel the same way about them. I'm drawn to them visually, but I bought some of his first collection and they were so ugly, I turned around and sold them at my guild's retreat. Ick!