Ta-da!
I did it-- I completely used up my box! This box would have been a win for me even if I hadn’t already made up my mind to make it. I love Lori Holt and got a sample of her new Calico fabric line. I used every scrap of the two charm packs with the Vintage Kite foundation paper. I also used up about a yard of stash fabric for a thin border, backing fabric, and binding.
Using only the fabric provided in the box forced me out of my usual color picks. I have a beautifully finished table runner ready for gifting in a colorway I would never have tried if left to my own devices!
I loved the pattern this month. "Wheelbarrow." I was somewhat puzzled by the name, but if you look closely, the kites form a wheel between them. The plusses looked a bit involved for me, so I neatly stowed the pattern with the leftover foundation papers-- there are plenty left, and I am eyeing other charm packs I own for the "Wheelbarrow" project. Charm packs are my favorite precut, so I already have plenty of options to use up even more stash fabric.
The pincushion was my next favorite item. I have been enamored of magnetic pin dishes for a couple of years. Then, my pin dish leaped out of my hands and crashed to the garage floor one day-- I’m not sure why I was carrying it out there, but oh, well! The pins went everywhere-- into all the filthy corners, and I didn’t even pick most of them up. So I’m switching back to the old fashioned pin cushion-- this item comes at just the right time. It does have a strap to attach it to your wrist. As addicted as I am to this sport, I draw the line at attaching quilting tools to my body, so I’m going to just cut the piece of elastic off and use it normally.
I’m not sure I need a letter opener, but I’m keeping it by my desk. Heck, it’s shaped like a sewing machine.
The readers-- this item caused the most agita to box subscribers this month. A personal item in a mass produced mystery box that not everyone loves and can use-- HOW DARE YOU??? Maybe if some of these people just tried them on-- they'd realize they needed them. I already have my +250.00 pair, so I'll just donate these.
The Bliss Quilt Along-- I usually don’t partake of these-- a block pattern for a yearly quilt each month. I’m saving up all of mine to sell. The “Sew Sampler Swap” Facebook page is a great place to sell unwanted items, or pick up a box you liked if you're not subscribed.
I did use my coupon-- it was $5 off yet another charm pack.
Is it saving $5 if you spend $7? Rhetorical questions like this don't interest me, people!
I tried to think up a fun way to show the empty boxes each month-- throw them in the fireplace, crush them up, stomp on them-- but the boxes are very sturdy-- you can even turn them inside out to get a cuter box. I’m going to keep mine and use it to store the extra fabrics and half square triangles from my Barn Star Sampler quilt. There’s a lot of wasted fabric in this stitch along-- I have a feeling I could end up with a nice throw at the end of the year.
February’s box has not yet arrived, but my attitude has totally changed. I usually watch a YouTube Spoiler video to see what’s coming. When the box comes, I open it, do a quick look through for a couple of minutes and stack it with the others. This time, I can’t WAIT to get my box and think up a new project for it!
One final tip for those of you who stick around till the end of my blog posts <3. If you are a Sew Sampler member, just post a picture of something from the box on Instagram or Facebook.
"Share with the hashtag #JanuarySewSampler and tag @SewSamplerBox for a chance to win."
You will be entered into a drawing for $50 gift certificate. I’m following this hashtag, and it seems like no one is entering. I’d say we all have a good chance of winning!
One down, eleven to go! Thanks for joining me.
That's BEAUTIFUL!!! XOXO
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