Garage Sale

I'm going off to the garage sale tomorrow morning, so won't be blogging for a week. Hopefully, while I'm gone, the guru will be able to get everything working and once again, I can upload photos.
The garage sale is being held in Browerville, MN in concert with their Browerville Days.
Browerville Days and Garage Sale

I've managed to select about 30 yards of fabric, a bunch of yarn, knitting needles, rubber stamps and books to add to the sale. The yarn was actually the hardest, but I reminded myself that these were abandoned projects and all money I raise from this sale will go for a new sewing machine.

Finally, I started my first toe up sock. It is coming out too big, so I need to rip back and adjust, but hey, I can do it and my toe is so good I didn't want to start again! Photos when I get back.

Total Idiot

I normally don't discuss politics, but I just can't help it. Michelle Bachman. A perfect example of someone who is so completely idiotic and stupid yet a bunch of voters voted her in. Another embarrassment to Minnesota. We shouldn't be worried about carbon dioxide increasing because it's natural? I used to think that this woman was just foolish. Every time she opens her mouth, she reveals more and more how incredibly stupid she is. You folks in Stillwater and St. Cloud who voted for this person absolutely amaze me. Don't you have anybody educated who runs for office there? Or is this the case of the stupid leading the stupid?

http://www.blueoregon.com/2009/04/earl-blumenauer-smacks-down-michelle-bachmann-rcrazyland.html?cid=6a00d8341c2c3f53ef0115704f502d970b

Preparing for the Garage Sale!

The garage sale is now looming, so I'm making the effort to make all the decisions now on the craft stuff. It's tough. Even after going through all my fabric in the storage unit, I only filled one box with non-quiltshop fabric. Ugh.. Going to go through a second time and see if I can't be just a little more ruthless. I already have a lifetime supply of fabric, I need to get it down to a more manageable supply! On the plus side, I finally have figured out what to do with a couple of can't-cut-it fabrics. One fabric with lovely parrots and bird of paradise flowers has hung around since about 1993. Cutting it out tonight so that I can put the leftovers into the garage sale.

Lots of aluminum knitting needles will go. I only use the 14 inch needles in a couple of sizes, so I will keep those and sell off the rest. I use circulars for most things. I have a little yarn, and a few craft & quilting books. It's easy for me to trade off or sell most quilting, knitting and crochet books online, but people want to SEE what's in a craft book, so those are going to the garage sale.

I'm still waiting for my camera software to be reinstalled on the new harddrive. Then I will be able to upload some projects in progress. Until then, you'll just have to imagine.

Things I've Done 2

I don't put too many of these on my blog, so it's about time. Popular on some blogs I've been to - but I did take this from Trish's.

Things I've done 2...

Make anything that you have done BOLD. That's the rules folks.

Started your own blog

Slept under the stars--just the one time

Played in a band--Jr High, HS and some college!

Visited Hawaii

Watched a meteor shower

Given more than you can afford to charity

Been to Disneyland/world

Climbed a mountain

Held a praying mantis

Sang a solo

Bungee jumped

Visited Paris

Watched a lightning storm at sea

Taught yourself an art from scratch

Adopted a child

Had food poisoning

Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

Seen the Mona Lisa in France

Slept on an overnight train

Had a pillow fight

Hitchhiked

Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

Built a snow fort

Held a lamb

Gone skinny dipping

Been to a Broadway show in NY

Ran a Marathon

Been in three states at once

Ridden in a gondola in Venice

Seen a total eclipse

Watched a sunrise or sunset

Hit a home run

Been on a Cruise

Seen Niagra Falls in Person

Visited the birthplace of your Ancestors

Seen an Amish community

Taught yourself a new language

Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

Gone rock climbing

Seen Michelangelo’s David

Sung karaoke

Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

Visited Africa

Walked on a beach by moonlight

Been transported in an ambulance

Had your portrait painted

Gone deep sea fishing

Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

Kissed in the rain

Played in the mud

Been to Grace Kelley’s grave in Monaco

Gone to a drive-in theater

Been in a movie

Visited the Great Wall of China

Started a business

Taken a martial arts class

Swam in the Mediterranean Sea

Visited Russia

Served at a soup kitchen

Sold Girl Scout cookies

Gone whale watching

Gotten flowers for no reason

Donated blood, platelets or plasma

Gone sky diving

Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

Bounced a check

Saved a favorite childhood toy

Visited the Lincoln Memorial

Eaten Caviar

Pieced a quilt

Stood in Times Square

Toured the Everglades

Been fired from a job

Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

Broken a bone

Been on a speeding motorcycle

Seen the Grand Canyon in person

Published a book

Visited the Vatican

Bought a brand new car

Walked in Jerusalem

Had your picture in the newspaper

Read the entire Bible

Visited the White House

Killed and prepared my own meat

Had chickenpox

Saved someone’s life

Sat on a jury

Met someone famous

Joined a book club

Lost a loved one

Had a baby

Seen the Alamo in person

Swam in the Great Salt Lake

Been involved in a law suit

Owned a cell phone

Been stung by a bee

Back On, Sortof

Well, I now have a new hard drive. Plus an old hard drive. Most of the old hard drive is as yet, inaccessible, but I do have internet access anyway.

Mostly, this post is to point out that I've added some additional links in the Quilting Links area about other methods of Quilt-as-you-go. Since I get a lot more done with this method, every time I see something done a little differently, I will include it in my Links area. There simply is not one way to do stuff and there are some ingenious methods that are very helpful.

A recent addition to my quilt-as-you-go therapies are quilt as you go Hexagons, a method that is currently popular in Australia. The backing comes over to the front and is hand stitched down. I bought some templates (shipped from Australia, arrived in about 1 week) and have done one example. My goal is to use leftover batting that won't work in my other quilt-as-you-go projects. I plan to use Halloween fabric on one side, but am struggling what to use on the other that works with typical halloween colors such as purple, blue, and orange. Very likely, I will use some sort of floral to make this multiseasonal, but haven't yet worked out the details. I could use brights - thought of that - but I really don't have many brights in my fabric collection other than yellow and orange. Hmm.. In any case, the goal is not only to use up leftover batting, but also to have a hand project that is take-a-long.

The garage sale comes up at the very beginning of May, so I'm going through books, fabric and gadgets to decide what to get out of my crafting area. Not much sewing going on, as a result. Every day, I try to applique at least one heart so I can get that heart quilt done! My sewing machine goes in this week (finally) for repair and cleaning. My foot pedal is getting worse every time I use it, and I can't machine quilt this way at all, so I need to bite the bullet and git 'er done.

Technology and Viruses

Yes, I've been working on stuff, but have had technical difficulties. My kitties ran off with my camera cord, so uploading photos has been on hold. A few days ago, I went to the BBC site to find out about a couple of series and got a virus that has pretty much brought me to a standstill. Arggggh...

As far as projects, I finished my bro's quilt top now. I'm starting on cutting out my Dad's train quilt. I'm not hurrying on this because I'm really trying to focus on getting stuff together for the garage sale on May 2. I have not picked up a crochet hook or knitting needle since I finished the other afghan and the tendonitis is FINALLY getting better - just in time for mowing season. Current active project is an appliqued hearts quilt. Going better - my inner points actually look kindof pointed now instead of rounded!

It's National Quilting Day!

We have sunlight again today! It is warm enough to go out in a windbreaker or light sweatshirt. Is this the end of coat season? Only time will tell. We still have potential for snow for another month. Also, it is National Quilting Day.

My favorite quilting board is on a Membership Drive now that all the quirks of the new software has been worked out. Originally, we were on MSN Groups which was difficult to stay on unless you had MSN as many features wouldn't work. Since Microsoft was abandoning MSN Groups, we now have a new website. If you like quilting and swaps, come on over and stay awhile. Go to www.QuiltingAroundTheWorld.com and register. Your registration will be approved within a few hours. We've had NO spam or spurious jerks, but we are a somewhat small group all over the country.

Today, I'm working on the border for my brother's quilt AND trying to finish a hearts miniature in time for my Miniatures Club meeting on Tuesday. My inner points look better with freezer applique. I miscalculated when I added only a 1 inch border on my bro's quilt. To have the flying geese end evenly, I needed 1.5 inch inner borders, not 1 inch. So, I'll get to spend a bunch of time with my seam ripper. Arrgggh!

Citrus Quilt Progress

Started my brother's twin sized quilt during a challenge over the weekend. The challenge was simply to get all the fabric cut so that I could sew another day. Here's where I am today. He wanted bright, so I took a bunch of fat quarters that I won several years ago and combined that with a bright green fabric and non-floral white-on-white. I thought the pinks made it a little girly, but when I put it together, it screamed Miami. I'm calling it Citrus Stars. I still have the border to do. I made a mistake cutting my flying geese for the border, forgetting to flip the colors after finishing the stars. Not sure it will work against the green, so will just do one side and see how I like it. I have plenty of the green to make a different border.

Also, this is the first time I have used Blogger's picture storage. Works nice, but I have to use 2 different programs to make the file sizes smaller or I will run out of room quickly. (yes, I am whining).

Finished an Afghan!

My first finish of 2009 is the crocheted 2 Color Striped Afghan! It is wonderfully light and cozy and I love the basketweave pattern (reminds me of baskets made in South America). Here's a photo plus a closeup. The closeup helps show that starburst pattern in the edging. The afghan is about 48 x 68 inches and made from 12 skeins of Woolease in Denim and Wheat. The pattern is a freebee from www.lionbrand.com. This was an ideal TV project. I made much of it while watching several series from Netflix including 4 seasons of Desperate Housewives. On the downside, I seem to have given myself tendonitis, so am giving myself a break for the next month and just crocheting the Ravelry Blocks-of-the-month.




Not yet washed and dried, so it's a tad wavy.

February Revisited

First, I need to apologize for all the problems with the photos. I've complained to Photobucket, and am told they will fix their act so that I can use them again for my blog as Webshots does not seem to be compatible.

Did a lot of work in quilting in February, but finished nothing. After I finish this last swap, I will be done with swaps for a couple of months so that I can work on other projects including quilts for bro and Dad. Not to mention all that Halloween fabric that is screaming to be cut and sewn!

I did accomplish a lot of crocheting. I have completed all but the border rounds of the 2 color striped afghan. However, I think this is the cause of my tendonitis. Fortunately, I finished the Desperate Housewive series and the Inspector Lynley series (murder mysteries) is only 1.5 hours long per disk, so my arm is doing much better. Given the near finish, I am not providing a photo since you'll see a finished one in less than 2 weeks.

Absolutely no knitting in February due to this afghan. So, March will see work on those socks as soon as the afghan is completed. For awhile, I will just be working on the block-of-the-month afghan squares and those only take 2-3 days a month to do.

A cool idea that I'm going to explore was suggested on my Stashbusters group as one way to use smaller pieces of leftover batting. It is quilt-as-you-go Hexagons. It is reversible. The idea is to take 2 different large sizes of Hexagons and cut them out of fabrics. Cut the smaller Hexagon also out of batting. Fold over the larger hex and sew. Sew the hexes together either by hand (like you would Cathedral Windows) or using a decorative stitch on the sewing machine. Each hex on the front has a border. After they are sewn together, you are done as binding isn't strictly required. I have a template that cuts multiple sizes, so I'm going to give it a shot. If I like it, I'll buy presized templates (easier to cut scrap batting)to use with a rotary cutter (I am so spoiled!). This was a current hot idea out of Australia. You can get multiple sized templates here in the US from Marti Mitchel.

Here's a lovely example from a shop in Australia that sells the templates.
http://www.geckogully.com/busyfingers/quilts/floral_hexagons_quilt.htm

In the US, templates up to 4.5 inches across can be bought from here:
http://www.ardcotemplates.com/shapehelp/hex-help.shtml
This one has larger templates.
http://www.quiltcrafts.com/templates.html

Pillowcases

I managed to burn through slightly more than 4 yards of fabric in the last couple of days making king sized pillow cases. I used novelty fabric purchased at least 5 years ago featuring fantasy characters (such as dwarves, castles, elves, wizards) and one yard featuring castle windows. Made a specialty pillow case out of the castle windows and 2 king sized pillowcases for my sister who is into playing Guild Wars (Online fantasy game). Had enough left to make one for my own king sized pillow. Haven't figured out what to do with the leftovers. Click on thumbnail for a closeup of fabric.


My plan was very simple. I chose to use only the one fabric instead of the currently popular method of using a different fabric for the edge. Commercial King sized pillowcases are 19 x 42 inches, so I trimmed off selvedges and cut fabric into 39.25 lengths (includes 5/8 inch seams). I sewed 1/2 inch edge down on one side (do on opposite sides if doing a matching pillowcases) as it prevents later fraying. Sew the 2 sides together leaving one edge open. I use a 3 inch hem and stitch twice, about 1/4 inch apart for a nice finish.

I am frustrated with Photobucket right now, so am trying posting photos from Webshots. Bart was determined to be in every photo, so here he is, checking the softness of a pillow.

Afghan and Cleaning

The 2 color afghan (Woolease) is coming along nicely. I have reached the length of the original pattern, but since I'm adding an extra stripe to make it longer, still have a week or two left to go before I start the edging. Got a lot of crocheting in due to health issues (that danged cold just would not give up the ship!), so I was at least productive in that.

On the quilting front, I've come to slowdown. Still working on my Garden Party swap and had to take the time out to sort through and reduce my scraps. I discovered a couple of boxes of them and have to get them down to fitting only in my plastic scraps bin. Just pressing wrinkled scraps does an amazing job of reducing the space they take up. I've sorted out a number of larger pieces that are really only suitable for crafts, not quilts, and will donate them somewhere as they are too small and chintzy for doll clothing. Once this is done, I can get back to quilt making.


For knitting, yes, I do plan to work on those socks as soon as I get the above mentioned swap completed. I want to send the dragonflies in with the bees to save postage, so the race is on to get them done in about a week and a half. As each dragonfly block takes an entire evening (and that is after it has been pinned!), it is a tad time consuming.

Finally, the new law regarding children's products was stayed for a year. Hopefully some meaningful adjustments will be made to it. When you consider that this law mostly hurt those who were doing the right thing in the first place, it is really annoying.

Afghan and Swap Blocks

I have been having a heck of a time trying to post to Blogger. I know the problem is with my computer, but it is so darn frustrating. Photobucket is also giving me issues, giving a link instead of a photo. Anyway, enough griping.

The 2 color striped afghan is halfway done. While I did have a lot of progress on it in January, much of that was due to watching Desperate Housewives DVDs which averaged 3-4 hours each. Almost done with season 4, so I don't really expect to finish this afghan until March. Currently, it is about 45 inches wide and 43 inches long. I'm thinking about 70 inches long and then I will add the scalloped edging.


Also have been working on swap blocks. Finished an Iris and the sewing portion of the bee blocks. Still have to add attenae (sp?). This is a 3 part swap and my final part will be appliqued dragonflies. They will probably look better than my Iris' since I've had more practice now.

This and That

This lingering cold has advanced to constant sneezing which has pretty much eaten into my needlework time. So, I've been devoting the last couple of days to cleaning, sorting and organizing my craft areas. Ok.. got WAY too much stuff. Even my PIGS (Projects In Grocery Sacks) take 2 Rubbermaid Roughneck containers. They don't all fit. Hmm.. Maybe I should stop magazine subscriptions to halt the new ideas? Dunno. I am definitely making some pillowcases however.

I have continued to progress on the 2 color stripe afghan in between sneezing fits. I'll post an update photo at the end of the month. In the afternoon, when I sneeze the least, I've also been working on finishing part 1 of a 3 part swap. My appliqued iris's look so good! I'm putting the final petals on all 6 blocks, perhaps finishing today. I have a goal to mail out by Saturday, but we'll just have to see. Starting to think what to do for part 2. Do I do another applique? A dragonfly or two would be quite wonderful if I have the right combo of fabrics. Do I have the time, however? Dunno. However, since this is for my Mom, maybe I should go that extra mile? The little voice in me is saying yes, yes, but the other, more pragmatic voice would remind me that I still have my Dad and brother's quilts to start.

It's looking like the sock I made in my sock class is going to be too small. I suspected that when reading the book since the pattern is designed for someone who wears a size 8 (I wear a 10w). Short woman, big feet. I don't want to restart until I get this swap done, but I'm glad I didn't go too far and now I have a fair sized swatch to figure out just how many stitches I have to add.

Socks!

Took a class this morning at All About Yarn in Coon Rapids on knitting 2 socks on 2 circular needles. Here is my progress so far this evening. I'm using Classic Worsted Tapestry by Universal Yarns on size 5 Turbo circulars. I'm getting 5 stitches to the inch (yes, I'm a loose knitter). Tomorrow, I'll check to see how this gauge is fitting to see if I should continue knitting the 'standard basic sock' or rip back and start over with a few extra stitches. I'm not thrilled with my beginning (have some laddering), but if it fits, I'm not inclined to rip back the whole thing. However, I wanted to feel comfortable enough with this new process before considering ripping back. I love this yarn. It's a machine washable worsted and feels really nice to knit. The book used in the class is Knitting Circles Around Socks by Antje Gillingham. If you want to learn this method, this is the book to get. Well illustrated photos and step by step to get you going. Unlike the video I bought, you can use any type of heel with this method.

New Law

Get ready folks. All you people who make donations of hats and blankets, or sell those cute little bibs at craft sales are about to get bitten. As of Feb. 10, your donation may be thrown out or your little business on Etsy closed. The law goes into effect that requires that you test for lead or phthalates if your product is intended for a child under 12. While a notice has been made that small sellers COULD sell without testing, you are still responsible and can be fined thousands of dollars if your product is found to test above a certain level. The only exemption is for second-hand clothing sold through thrift stores. No exceptions for granny making baby cardigans to sell to supplement her meager Social Security or yarn purchases. My sister, a maker of doll clothing, is selling out her stock but that won't make up for the many dollars currently invested in fabric intended for next year's craft sales. I'm not even going to bother to donate the two baby sweaters I made - I don't want them thrown out. So, I'll save them for a future baby shower. I don't know what I will do with the fabric intended for a child's donation quilt for an auction for our hospital. There is no way I can test each fabric dye to find out if it is lead and phthalates free. Maybe trade it with a mom who is making it for her own kid and isn't picky as the fabrics are too childish for a teenager.

Been Sick

I've been sick with a miserable cold most of the last week. Pretty much all I've done is work on getting some swaps done and sent out. Finished the Puss in the Corner swap which was pictured in a previous entry. Also did the blades for the Dresden Plate Swap.


I am also working on a 3 part swap. The first is an appliqued block. The one I chose is an Iris and based on a 1930s pattern. This was my example block. I'm using some darker purples for the final blocks because the light purple doesn't stand out well from the light blue background. I have the greenery done on 2 blocks now and hope to have everything done by early next week. I am a beginner at applique and my points are still not what I would want. Inner points are terrible.

No knitting at all this week although I hope to start on the Rambling Rows afghan to use up Homespun yarn. Crochet has been limited to the 2 color stripe afghan. I've used up 2 skeins of yarn now and it continues to advance while watching Desperate Housewives (season 3 now).

All work has temporarily stopped on the Mystery Quilt. I'll pick it up again on Monday. I need to do a lot of catch up due to being sick AND not running errands because it so darn cold. It was 23 below when I got up this a.m. although it was only 12 below when I ran 3 errands.

Steps 4 and 5

Having problems with printer, so printed out steps 4 and 5 of Bonnie's mystery at the library. Decided to work out of order (easiest first, natch), so I'm already done with step 5. I hope to finish step 4 today AND buy some new batteries for my camera, so you may see it before the end of today, but more likely tomorrow.

I have the awful cold that is going around. Although I'm not terribly sick, I'm really worn down and don't expect to accomplish much over the next day or two. I had planned to spend much of the weekend working on my applique swap blocks, but I prefer not to cough spittle on something I'm going to be mailing to someone else, so I think that will wait.

Step 3 Is Done!

Finished step 3 on Bonnie's Mystery quilt last night. Lots and lots of cute little pink and white 9 patches. Moving on to next step.

Step 2 Done - Whew!

I finished step 2 finally. Lots of piddly work, but it looks good and I'm done. Bonnie's instructions say I needed 1 yard of brown, but it was actually 1 1/2 yards so I needed a second. Oh well, should have gone with the larger yardage in the first place. Both look great. On to step 3!