Fabriholics Anonymous April Link Up!

I am following Jess's lead this month by posting the Fabriholics Anonymous Link with some delicious Low Volume Swap fabric...mmmm...  (Jess...don't mean to make you jealous...  Wink!)

Like Jess, I too must admit to having fallen off the wagon in the month of April.  After using the Ludovika for backing in my last finished quilt Above All Pink I promised to pick up some for one of my bestie WNYMQG friends when I visited Ikea...given that the Ikea I visited was roughly 8 hours away and I was on vacation...well one thing led to another and I ended up picking up backing for her and two other Ikea fabrics as well...  I couldn't help it!  After all, some day Ikea's supply of Britten Nummer is going to run out!!!  I also picked up some Julita fabric as it is simple and fun so I figure one of the girls would love it on a quilt (which I cannot find on the Ikea website...hmmm...good thing I grabbed some when I did...).  Hope you guys can forgive my temporary lapse!!!

Speaking of the fast though - I am seriously considering continuing my fabric fast for the next 6 months.  I haven't put as much of a dent in my stash as I previously hoped, and I have other upcoming expenses that I'd like to continue to keep saving for.  For those of you who missed the first phase start considering whether you'd like to join on for the second half of the year...I'd love to have company!  

Don't forget to visit Jess and link up below!

- rebecca lynne

Fabriholics Anonymous March Check-in

Whew!  Just getting this in right under the wire!  March is practically over...oh well that happens when busy gets busier...at least I can say that my time has been spent sewing...

So how has it been for you ladies and gents?  I, for one, was able to buy fabric this month in order to help a swap member get her fabric picks for the Low Volume Swap.  To be honest with you it made me feel a bit dirty!!!  It felt quite decadent to be perusing fabric, putting it in the shopping cart, changing my mind, and then eventually finalizing my shopping card and pressing Buy Now.  Agh!  What a thrill...  I still haven't spent my gift card yet and am debating how much longer I will be able to hold out.

Specifically, I am lusting over these right here...

Sarah Jane's Wee Wander Sea with Birds

Leah Duncan Meadow

I pretty much want this whole line...

What about you all?  How are you coping?  If you have any tips for your fellow fasters do share.  I am compiling a list of tips and would love to hear your ideas!

You know the drill, leave a link and visit two links above you.  Make sure to leave a comment when you visit!

- rebecca lynne

Fabriholics Anonymous February Check-in!

Well hello all...how are my fellow Fabric Fasters doing these days?  I recently finished this and this all using things I have in my stash!  I'm pretty proud of myself...  I have also been sewing my bee blocks...my only problem is that I haven't been sewing as much lately.  However, I attribute that less to the fast and more to my life at the moment.  Have spent a few weeks with my visiting Mother who stayed to nurse our sick babe (who is 100% better btw) and getting caught up at work (a never-ending struggle but one tries).  

In fact, I haven't had much of a struggle with sticking to the fast.  So much so that I was completely caught off guard when the thoughtful Mr. MRL gave me a gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop on Valentine's Day.  Hahahhaa, I had begged him months ago to keep that gift idea in mind for February as I figured I'd be dying by now.  Just because I am not dying makes me even more committed to saving my gift certificate until later on!

I want to a shout out to those of you who have been participating in the Fabriholics Anonymous Flickr Group.  The small scrappy pouch below was inspired by the Multiplying Scraps? discussion going on via that group.  When I decided I needed to make a hair tie holder for the girls (it seems we have an endless supply of ties, clips, bows of varying shapes and sizes that are never to be found when we really need them...surprise surprise...) I chose to go all scrappy!

Also - I wanted to do some straight line quilting again on my Juki and put it through its paces.  I had a question from Hydeeann about whether I'd been having straight line quilting problems with my Juki.  I haven't, except for my attempt to quilt the rainbow top I recently put together where I had puckering in the backing (luckily I didn't get very far before noticing).  My Guild concluded that my pins were not close enough together and I have yet to go back to repin/reattempt.  For this small project Hydeeann I did not have a problem, however, it was small, so I will let you know what happens with the larger quilt when I get there.  Just so you know though, I did do this all straight lines, full speed, walking foot, pressure on midway point, didn't go back and forth much...I really went all out and my backside had no puckering...

Let us know how you are doing with the fast!  If you have a recent update (um, such as a "confession of fabric lust" or "had to have" buy...) you can simply link that up as well.  The point is for us to all visit and support!  So please leave a link and visit the two links above you...

- rebecca lynne

Fabriholics Anonymous January Check-In!

Okay my fabric fasting chickadees...now is the time to check in and let us know how it is going! I, for one, am happy to report that things are going swimmingly as far as my fabric lust is going...but that is mostly attributable to the fact that I am crazy busy these days with other things not fabric related.  For those of you who follow my blog regularly you probably have seen a lot of silence recently... However, that isn't to say I am completely without sewing...I have been working on the rainbow jellyroll quilt, and I also moved things around in my sewing room which was a major time suck but well worth it as I feel that the chi in my studio is much better.  It also allowed me to find fabrics that I had forgotten about and re-prioritize what project is next. So what have you been up to?   Jess has started a Flickr group for us all to post photos, show each other support, and even start a fabric swap.  We can't buy fabric...but no one said we couldn't swap or destash it!

Your marching orders are as follows...

1. Join the Flickr group so we can all play and share photos.  

[Yes I am pulling the peer pressure card.  ;)]

2. Link up your January update below...

3. After linking up please visit (at least) two other members above you so that we can share with each other our undying support during this fabric fasting fiasco!

And here is a little fabric something I made and am not sure what to do with...but we couldn't have an empty post now could we?

If you have no idea what I am talking about feel free to learn more about Fabriholics Anonymous by going here...

- rebecca lynne

Fabriholics Anonymous Sign-Ups

I've had so many last minute requests to add people to the linky party for the fabric fast that I've opened the main link up until the end of the month!  For those of you who have still been debating up until the last minute...well, feel free to join now!

As for those of you who have already joined - I encourage you to visit a few of your fellow participants and see what their reasoning is for joining or what their goals are.  Always nice to share the support as well as find a new friend!  Try visiting 3 links above you and leave a comment whenever you can.

I'm copying the linky below so it is easy to find...

- rebecca lynne

New Year, New Resolutions: Fabriholics Anonymous Begins!

This is it!  I have been avoiding any thoughts about this day all week...I received my last minute fabric gifts under the tree and now it is time to dive into the fast.  (to learn more go here)  If you've checked out the pledge linky then you will see that Jess & I are not alone!  There are now 52 participants! To spread a smile amongst my fellow fasters I am sharing a few pics of my youngest, Miss O.  She is constantly trying to catch up to her sisters and her latest achievement is to climb into their toddler chairs instead of sitting safely in her highchair...

She is always so satisfied after reaching the top!  At this point she is usually bouncing up and down on her knees and crooning a bit...  Hahahhaaa...I hope we all have that pure feeling of satisfaction when we reach June 2014.

I'll be posting a link up mid-month to check in on how everyone participating in Fabriholics Anonymous is doing...in the meantime think of some steps you are going to take to help you along the way.  Unsubscribing from your favorite fabric shop newsletters?  No more stops into your LQS when you run the usual errands?  What are you going to do to get you through the next 6 months?

Happy New Year!

- rebecca lynne

Fabriholics Anonymous: Can you handle it?

Still wondering if you are ready for the fabric fast?  Considering whether you'd like to join?
Please head over to read what Jodi from Tickle and Hide has to say about her experience fabric fasting for a whole year!  She really is inspiring!!!
- rebecca lynne

Fabriholics Anonymous Linky Party: WIP List

It is time to acknowledge that there are only 23 days until my fabric fast begins. C-R-A-P There are currently fourteen other brave souls who have signed up and pledged to also join in our fast.  After receiving a emails asking how we are all going to band together and hold each other accountable we've agreed upon some periodic linky parties wherein we will show each other how we are doing and what we are doing to cope, I mean, persevere with the fast! Welcome to Linky Party Number 1: Work In Progress List  Ladies, it is time to lay it all out there...that's right...time to admit to all of the UFOs or other projects you have every intention of making but haven't yet.  I for one always buy fabric with a project in mind, unfortunately, my ideas are far more plentiful than my time!  I am hoping this fabric fast will help me stop dreaming and motivate me to start making.  This is not your regular old WIP List with a list of projects I've started, meaning I've begun cutting/sewing/quilting.  No, no, no, this WIP List encompasses all the projects for which I have fabric for and have intended to create!  I am hoping that similar to a Finish-A-Long this will help me stay on task. 
[I've divided my list into groups: Piecing, Quilting, and Non-Quilty Sewing] Piecing

1. Lou Lou Thi Spinning Stars (Miss E)
2. Lou Lou Thi Spinning Stars (Miss V)
3. Lou Lou Thi Spinning Stars (Miss O)
4. Aboriginal Quilt
5. Del Hi Quilt (see here)
6. Mid Mod Quilt (see here)
7. Curious Nature Quilt (see here)
8. Peaches and Cream Quilt (see here)
9. Friendship Quilt
10. Lush Uptown
11. Color Wheel Quilt (Stitched In Color's Pattern)
12. Marcelle Medallion (see here)
13. Midnight at the Oasis
14. Japanese x and +
15. Swoon
16. Drunkard's Path
17. Tertiary Rectangle Quilt
18. Orange Cross Top 
19. Echo Bella
20. Road Fifteen Garden Gate Quilt
21. Equilateral Triangles with Chicopee
22. Wonky Hope Valley
23. Dowry Mega Churndash
24. Hand Drawn Garden Arrows
25. Sampler Quilt such as Summer Sampler Quilt (see here)
26. Miss E's Flannel Quilt
27. Miss V's Flannel Quilt
28. Heather Ross Linen Fairytale Quilt
29. Scrappy Rainbow Log Cabin
30. Oakshott Cotton Quilt
31. Solid Color Quilt (see here)
32. Low Volume Quilt a la Sunday Morning Quilts
33. Hex on the Beach
34. Monochromatic solids
35. Lotus Brick Path Quilt (see here)
36. Geode Slice Quilt
37. Hop Scotch Quilt
38. Clamshell/Scallop Quilt 

Quilting

1. The Flight Across (see here)
2. Dead Simple Quilt (see here)
3. Purple People Pleaser (see here)
4. Sheep Baby Quilt
5. Across the Sea Quilt

Non-Quilt Sewing

1. Curtains for Miss E
2. Curtains for Miss O and Miss V
3. Garland for Miss E's room 
4. Happy Birthday Banner
5. Recover all pillows in Living Room (8 pillows in all)
6. Finish Tote Pattern
7. Shirley's Foldover Tote
8. Foldover Clutch with Nani Iro metallic fabric
9. Super Tote
10. Social Tote
11. Sewing Machine Cover
12. Sewing Machine Travel Bag
13. Wiksten Tova
14. Washi Dress
15. Flannel Pants for the Misses
16. Studio Cherie Duffle for E, V, O and myself 
17. Orange bins for Miss E's room
18. Living Room bin for knitting supplies
19. Paper pieced letters for spelling
20. Paper pieced sewing room (see here)
21. Laminate bathroom clutches for various people
22. Fix duvet cover which is oversized for my duvet
23. Hem about 20 pairs of pants
24. Oven mitts

I am pretty sure no one else's list will be as bad as this...so don't be shy...go on and really be honest with yourself.  Go take a look at your stash, peruse your Pinterest board, or scan your Flickr favorites and remind yourself of all those things you really do want to make with the fabric you already own!

Fabriholics, I encourage you to create your own list.  If you are so brave as to post it online (blog, flickr, facebook) please add your link to the party below...

Good Luck!

- rebecca lynne

Fabriholics Anonymous

Hi, my name is Rebecca, and I am a Fabriholic.

The time has come where I am admitting that I need help - as in a serious intervention to curb my never-ending desire for new fabric!  I am making this a public declaration so that I have support from real and virtual friends alike as I embark on my challenge to stop the fabric buying madness!

For the last year I have had the greatest respect for Jodi of Tickle and Hide whose Fabric Fast over the last year has had me shaking my head in disbelief...the restraint that Jodi has exercised is amazing!  I happened to mention the idea of a fabric cleanse to Jess of The Elven Garden via Instagram of all places and from there the idea was cemented --- as soon as I made the admission that I knew I really needed to stop, well, once the words were out I couldn't take them back.  

GOALS:

- To use the Stash I already have!

- Finish UFOs without distraction by shifting to other new beautiful fabric.

- Stop the insanity of constantly buying the latest and greatest fabric.

- Save the $$ I spend on stashing.

- Destash the fabrics that I realize I am never going to use.

FABRIC FAST RULES:

1) No fabric purchases for 6 months beginning January 1, 2014.   

2) At 6 months reevaluate status and decide whether to keep going for full year.  Evaluation July 1, 2014.

3) Create a UFO list and complete them!

4) Exceptions

• Backing: purchasing a backing to finish a quilt top is permissible.  However, attempting to use fabric in your possession for a backing is preferable.
• Books and Magazine purchases are allowed as they are not fabric.  Notions acceptable too.
• Swap Mama Fabric: if hosting a swap you are permitted to by fabric to execute swap duties, but you may not join a swap simply for the sake of being able to buy fabric!
• Quilts for Publication: if you are making a quilt for a publication and need certain fabric to execute it correctly then that is a major exception - who can blame you?

So there you have it.

If you think you have got what it takes to join the challenge then by all means do so!  

Grab the button on the right.

I've started a linky in case you'd like to formally pledge to the cause.  Also, by joining the list we can all provide each other with extra support to see how we are all doing with our fabric fast commitment!  Linky will close on January 1, 2014.

I am starting to feel the panic set in!  AGH - FREAKING OUT!  Wish me luck!!!

My next Fabriholics Anonymous post will be the beginning of my Destash which you can preview via Flickr...so stay tuned...

- rebecca lynne

Fabriholics Anonymous Pledge ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Linky Party 1: WIP LIST Share your WIP List for the duration of the fabric fast here: