Crochet Calender Afghan Begins

I have this years Crochet Calender from Accord Publishing and decided to do CrochetDude's Flying Afghan. Various blocks are featured throughout the remainder of the year. The afghan uses Lion Chunky yarn, which I found rather nice to crochet. Fortunately, this project is periodical and completed on December 29th, so I can still keep my goal of finishing all my knitting and crocheting projects before the end of the year.

Flying Afghan

I made the very first block. However, my block came out at 6 3/4 instead of 6 1/2. Given that the center seems to want to pop up a bit, I might redo it and use 2 different size hooks to get that gauge. Otherwise, a 1/4 inch difference doesn't make a lot of difference since the blocks are connected with a sashing anyway. This block features an easy to do double puff stitch. What wasn't easy to do was figuring out how to space the stitches with the stitch count from the previous round. I adapted.


I am currently working the 16th ladybug on the Ladybug afghan! Progress, progress. I ran out of white Red Heart, bought another and discovered that the new stuff has a sheen the original yarn didn't have. Darn it. I'm just going to keep using it, however. Nobody but me will ever notice it. Maybe tomorrow I'll get to doing the next batch of blocks for the Triple Irish Chain swap (I wanted to send 9 and I have 6 done).

Here are links for the Pattern A Day calenders which include pattern corrections.
Crochet Pattern A Day Calender: http://accordpublishing.com/crochet/crochet.htm
Knitting Pattern A Day Calender: http://accordpublishing.com/knitting/knitting.htm

Triple Irish Chain Swap

It's really grey and dreary out there today, but inside, I've been accomplishing plenty of knitting and quilting too! In knitting, I've finished my 14th Ladybug! Only 4 more to go!

I LOVE swaps, but hadn't participated as often as I would like. I already finished my 2.5 inch floral strip swap (just waiting for them to arrive). My latest is a Triple Irish Chain in Florals swap where I'll be using all those strips. Here is what the finished quilt looks like. This quilt top can actually be finished in two weekends.

With random florals, you don't actually need a pattern. You can calculate everything out from the diagram itself. We are using 2.5 inch strips, so the resultant blocks are 14 inches finished. These rows are strip pieced then cut into 2.5 inch strips.

Here's my finished block! They go together very quickly once the strips are done and the correct width! My seam ripper and I are very good friends.

The result is very Springlike. As soon as my 2.5 inch floral strips swap arrives, I plan to finish the blocks that aren't being swapped and plan my quilting.

Springing Into Ladybugs

It's Spring! It's Spring! We still have 6 inches of snow on the ground, but not for long! Although I haven't posted much this month, I have been accomplishing. I have finished another panel of ladybugs and have just started my 14th ladybug on the final panel. Here are the finished rolls. It's going to take a long time to sew this up, so I'll buy a new CD to listen to (something country/beeboppy) while I do all that tedious sewing.


In addition, I've been doing a little quilting. Here's Month 2 of this year's Thimbleberries BOM project. I had to wait until my March meeting because one of my fabrics was wrong in the kit. I'll try to get March done this week.


On a concerning note, my Uncle had cancer surgery yesterday (colon cancer). He came through it well, so perhaps I will see him on Saturday. My Aunt says that the doc is pretty confident that they got all of it, so other treatment may not be required. Cancer is very uncommon on any side of my parent's families. In fact, only one case in all of the 20th century that was actually a blood relative. My Uncle's cancer was discovered during a routine colon screening, so folks, this is just a reminder that even if you don't have it in your family, screenings are important (he is just shy of 63).

Goodbye Kirby

I'm still saddened by the sudden death of my favorite baseball player, Kirby Puckett. I didn't regularly go to baseball games until after Kirby couldn't play anymore, but I did see him play once. My Dad was at the Dome the day Kirby hit his very first Grand Slam. So, goodbye Kirby. We'll miss you.

On the knitting front, I have now finished 10 ladybugs on the Ladybug Afghan. Another 8 to go. Tomorrow, I'll be crocheting lots of those little flowers for my Mom's Rose Afghan. I'm was hoping to get to a little quilting on Saturday, but I guess that will be waiting until Monday. Ah well.

National Crochet Month

This is National Crochet Month! I'm still working on other stuff, but in honor of this month, I started my mom's Rose Motif Afghan. Back in the early 80s, my Mom suddenly decided to learn how to crochet, probably because she saw this motif. A co-worker taught her how to make it, and wrote the directions. Mom never got around to working on it and had forgotton how to crochet. Last year, she finally decided that she didn't want to learn to crochet (she was 70), so asked me to make it. So, after running around buying yarns until she decided what she wanted, we settled on pink and medium sage green. It will also have a white background, but I have not purchased that yarn yet. I am using TLC Essentials yarn. This is a Red Heart yarn that is very soft and flexible and washes well. My Mom doesn't put afghans into the dryer, so that works well as this stuff fuzzes slightly.

The next challenge was figuring out how to make it the same size as her sample, particularly since worsted of the 80s is very different from what is sold today. I ended up making 5 of these motifs in different hook sizes before I discovered that a "K" hook was what gave me the size I needed. I don't think I've EVER crocheted anything with this hook, so at least it will now be used. Another unique thing about this pattern is that after the flower motifs are completed, it is actually the reverse that is the 'front' side. I am still left with the challenge of figuring out why the pattern results in a motif that is neither square nor rectangular. The sample is rectangular. In all my books, I found one granny square rose with 6 petals (most are 8). Unfortunately, that pattern does not use a granny square technique immediately after the flower, so I'm still stuck. I am so happy my Mom had samples, or I don't think I'd ever figure this out! Here is a photo of my 4th flower. I am now pulling the center much tighter so that it is near closed.

As always, I need take-a-long projects and this one is it! I normally crochet when I'm watching TV or DVDs, so this one is ideal as the roses are difficult to do when your attention is split. I have to take a relative to a 3 hour medical appointment on Friday. I wonder how many roses I can get done then?

I have finished yet another Ladybug, so have 9 left to do before seaming the strips together.

Closing Ceremonies

The Closing Ceremonies of the Olympics are now complete. Unfortunately, my UFOlympics project is not. I really underestimated how long it takes to do these ladybugs and the 35 rows between them! However, I do have 8 out of the 18 complete now. It is still looking very cute. My attenae look odd on some of them, but that will straighten out after it's been washed. I'm going to keep on knitting and maybe, just maybe, I can get this project done during March.

What I did finish during the Olympics was the Anubis cross-stitch that I was doing for my other sister's birthday. A birthday that was delayed because everybody here was sick (and several still are 14 days later!).

Design by Julie Hasler. Stitched on 18 ct ivory Aida using DMC floss.

Here is Thoth and Anubis with the frames that they will be installed into. I was really happy to find these so quickly and inexpensively. These designs are by Julie Hasler.

Steered Off Course

I'm way behind on ladybugs, so clearly won't be finishing before the end of the Olympics. However, just like the cross country skiers, I'm just going to keep going! I have two panels to go. I am happy to report that I finally was able to follow the relay skating by the 30th lap. Really confusing before that, but I put down my knitting and could finally follow it. Oh, and happy cheers for the Curling Team (they come from MN)! I still don't understand curling as a sport, but it is a whole lot more interesting to watch than golf!

On the plus side, I did finish Anubis and even found frames for the pair. I will add photos of my completions tomorrow.

Finally, I should mention that although I combined my craft blogs, I do have a separate one for recipes. I started it mostly because MSN offered the space and I wanted to try their product. Here's the link:
http://spaces.msn.com/prettymuchyummy/

UFOlympics Slowdown

I finished the first panel on the Ladybug afghan! I started the next one, but decided, instead, to work on Anubis and get him done so that I can buy frames for the pair this week. This was, after all, a birthday present. So, I worked until Midnight and am about 75% done. I hope to finish tonight. Here's my progress. I should have taken photo before the sun disappeared. That eliminates this moire stuff.

Getting Through The Qualifying Rounds

Fellow UFOlympians! We have now completed Day 8 of the games and I am happy to report my stalled progerss is moving forward again. Much to my astonishment, I found the missing Cherry Red yarn and was able to finally finish the last ladybug on the first panel. I still have another 15 or 20 rows of white to finish off the panel. Today, I get to go right to a ladybug as I had already knit the beginning of the next panel. I'm having trouble getting the darn knitting not to roll, but here's the panel. In the center is the beginning of the next panel. Where are the red panels, you might ask? I've got all of those as well! Safely in a box next to my knitting chair. This cold is still dogging me, but I just continue to do what I can. My concern is that I still have 12 ladybugs to get through. It took 8 days to finish 4. Hmmm....

Anubis is also coming along well. He is more than 60% done. I got an awful lot done on him yesterday (before I found the red yarn) including all the backstitching and the symbols on the side. I figured out yesterday that the Aida is photographing the way it is due to a fluorescent fixture directly above. Why the lines of Aida are distorted today is a mystery as it is straight in the frame.

Olympic Crash and Singe

Just like the athletes, some of us skid off the course and crash while trying to persevere through illness. It finally caught up with me. In the course of watching and knitting with this cold, I dropped one of my needles. Oops. While trying to find it without falling over, it fell out between the cushions of the rocker recliner underneath and look what happened.

This is now a knitting needle that reminds me that I was going to use circulars in the first place just because dropping needles irritate me. However, I in a mind all my own, bought a bunch of knitting needles at a garage sale and was able to rescue the day using another size 7. What I can't figure out is why I have any straight needles anyway? Hmmm... In any case, I was able to continue knitting with a spare. I am on my last ladybug for this first panel. Then, woe and behold, I realized I am nearly out of red yarn in my bobbins! Alas, no red yarn in my bag. Hmmm... no red yarn anywhere. I realized that I must have included it the bag of scrap yarn that I gave to my Aunt to bring to her elementary school for art projects two weeks ago. Gak!

This is still a saveable project.
Number one: I have just enough red yarn to finish this panel.
Number two: Red Heart is pretty good about matching colors .
Number three: Even if it doesn't match perfectly, or I can't get cherry red, it's not a problem as ladybugs are different shades also.

I emailed my aunt (rhymes with haunt in these parts) in the hopes that she forgot it at home. In either case, I will just have to work on the white until I get something on Saturday. I'm not even going to my Thimbleberries group tonight as I just feel crummy.

[update: Did not have enough yarn to finish the final ladybug on the panel. Took off the needles temporarily and am starting on the next panel. I can work on that until I reach the first ladybug. Then I'll be working on Anubis until I can get to the yarn store (too dizzy from this cold to drive!).]

Happy Valentine's Day

Yes, Happy Valentine's Day-- even to you cynics who just can't get around holidays they don't care for. I would say to them - lighten up! Find some joy in the day--do something special for someone else even if you don't have a spouse or Significant Other. In honor of the day, I bought myself some very expensive chocolates. Not many, but a few. Yum! Also bought Mom and Dad a box of sugar-free truffles. Mom loves truffles and turtles and Dad's diabetic, so that seemed a good present. My sister made little flower bundt cakes. Yes, Bundt now makes a flower mold and it looks like it works perfectly. I will try to take some photos of the little roses.

I didn't watch much Olympics yesterday (had to watch 24 and also was cooking), but did get a fair amount of knitting done anyway. I'm about 1/8 through another ladybug. Unfortunately, now that I have a cold and sneezing and coughing, it's taking a little longer. Made a huge pot of chicken soup today, so if nothing else, I can eat that (along with the little rose bundt cakes). The bad news is that everybody is sick. The good news, is because everybody is sick, my sister's birthday celebration will be delayed until next week, so I still have a chance to get old Anubis done in time!

Ladybugs Are Multiplying!

My UFOlympic knitting project is coming along. I have finished two ladybugs since the start of the Olympics. I'm not quite there yet, but the colorwork is getting easier as I figure out what I'm doing. I applied some of the suggestions I received at Knitters Review and it does help. The instructions say to carry all the colors, but that just wasn't working for me. I am using separate skeins of white for each side of the ladybug, a bobbin of black for the center of the ladybug, long, cut yarns for each of the black spots and one large bobbin for the red. Now that I know about how much yarn each color of the ladybug requires, I'll be using a lot less in the bobbins. Here's my ladybug panel so far (I need 3 panels). Each panel has 6 ladybugs. Note to self-set the flash to on when taking photos of white things. As for the Olympics, this is the first time I've watched Snowboarding and WOW is that neat!

Also, Anubis is coming along. Now that I've finished the large upper torso, the rest should go along more quickly. Unfortunately, I am being hampered by a cold in all of this! I just can't cross-stich very well when I'm sneezing and coughing. It's interesting that in the photo, a moire design appears in the Aida. It's not actually there, but just in the photo. Strange. I think if I take it out of the Snapframe, that effect would probably go away.

UFOlympics

The opening ceremonies for the Winter Olympics started off weird (well, to me they were), but the second half was so cool! My favorite scenes were the 'snowflake people' who ended their stint forming a dove and the lighting of the torch. I didn't get a lot of knitting done during the ceremonies except during commercials, but finished 3/4 of one of the ladybugs. I'm starting to get the hang of this switching colors, but it is very different going back and forth instead of in-the-round. Struggled (again) the next day while watching Luge, skating and speed skating and FINALLY finished a ladybug. I kept making mistakes and had to rip back. I've been finishing up the white section so that I can begin another ladybug during my next viewing. A local Minnesotan is up to win a medal in the Luge. Cool!

I also did a little more of Anubis. I might actually get this done before the 16th, but please don't hold your breath!

Fabric Addiction and Other Stuff

It started innocently. I stopped at the yarn store to return my unused yarn (wasn't sure how much I needed for tying the quilt). Two doors down is the quilt shop. "I should get that extra panel for the Thimbleberries Club quilt," I said to myself. Over $100 later (that was with my additional 10% off), I left with their new BOM for the year, including the finishing kit and my panel AND a fabric pack for my bunnies. I bought the bunnies book when the shop was still in Anoka (1 1/2 years ago?) and now finally have the fabric to do it! My fabric choices are romantic pinks rather than Depression Era Repros (as much as I like them, I would be doomed to start another collection). I have a tendency to choose the same fabrics and I'm trying to break out of my box.

Darcy Ashton is my latest book addiction. I also have Claire's Cats and Aquatic Creatures. She just has so many cute poses and of course, it's all easy to do applique.

Tonight I have to finish getting everything ready for the Knitting UFOlympics. I have my yarn and chart, but the pattern has gone awry, so the search is on. Not too critical as I already know how to use the chart.

Anubis and UFOlympics

I've been working again on Anubis, the cross-stitch Egyptian set that I've been doing for my sister (the one who doesn't read this blog). Thoth, of course, was finished and this is the companion piece. I'm doing it on 18 ct Aida. Easy and fast to do. A lot of experienced cross-stitchers forsake Aida once they try new and finer fibers. I find that you simply have to look more carefully for a more sophisticated design that works with it. Aida is perfect for travel as it can easily be done in most motel rooms. If I could actually finish by a deadline, this should be done before Feb. 16 (her birthday), but we all know my ability to meet one of those!


I joined the UFOlympics knitting group (see button on side panel) with the plan to finally finish the Ladybug Afghan! All the red panels are done, but the ladybugs were so complicated for me, having never worked with color like this before, that I keep putting it off. So, during the Olympics, that will be my major project (in between trying to finish Anubis). Once I finish the project, I will be putting up a link to the instructions. I have had quite a few requests for it and Family Circle gave me permission to do that.

Sunshine, Where Have You Been?

We actually have a sunny day again! Hope this lasts. I was going to take a photo of the finished quilt, but my batteries for the digital camera are toast (again). I bought Everyready rechargeables and the darn things just don't seem to hold a charge. Is this the brand or just something wrong with the batteries? I don't know. I'm going to buy more today, but it is darn frustrating!

I've been working on and off on the Banff sweater as well as the long pieces for the Sister's Choice quilt. All these cloudy days seem to make me so darn tired! Fortunately, I have been getting some scrapbooking done, so at least something is getting done.

Had fun going fabric shopping with my sister (and I didn't buy a thing!) yesterday. She was down for my Mom's birthday (Happy 72nd birthday Mom!). Sis bought fabric to make dresses for a couple of her step-grandchildren. They should look pretty cute in those. Nope, she is not a quilter-she's a costume/doll dress maker.

Diamond Scrap Quilt is Done!

I am happy to report that the Diamond Scrap Quilt (formerly known as the Depression Era Quilt) is now a done deal. I do have to make a label for it, a task that must wait until I can find my labels. Otherwise, it's bound, washed and dried. Photo to be provided on the next sunny day. It's so great to have a done thing! I will say that machine binding doesn't look nearly as good as hand binding, but on the other hand, the binding was done in 1 day rather than 4.

I also finished Block 1 of this year's Thimbleberries Club BOM. Looks wonderful. The kit includes enough fabric (except center thing) for 2 blocks. Haven't figured out what I will do with that extra stuff. Maybe I will buy a second panel and make one for Mom? Hmmmm... For now, here's a photo of my block!

Happy Thermal Solstice Day!

Yes, it's Thermal Solstice Day once again. This is where we typically reach our minimum normal temperatures for the year. Here's one of the cookies my sister made to celebrate today. It's a lemon sugar cookie and probably very yummy (too cute to eat yet).


As promised, I took a photo of the Sister's Choice blocks. Although a few 9 patches actually match, most of them will be much more scrappy such as the bottom one.


Today, I've been tying the Diamond Scrap Quilt. Pretty much all day, it seems. All the ties are now tied and I'm trimming. Maybe I'll even do the binding tonight!

Progress Photos!

Yes, more progress! I spent a couple of hours on Wednesday and a whole bunch of hours yesterday just putting in the little yarn ties on the Diamond Scrap Quilt (formerly known as Depression Era Quilt). I still have to tie the suckers. Here's a photo of my quilt while I was working on it at the quilt shop. Kim (Quilters Basket-Brooklyn Park, MN) lets customers use her table to do pinning or tying of quilts when there is no group there. I've also trimmed it so that I can add the binding whenever I'm ready. Tonight, I'm going to park myself in the recliner and see if I can't tie those ties. Otherwise, I'll have go back to the shop and tie them. My knees cannot take doing this on the floor and sometimes a big flat surface is just easier. Alas no kitchen table. Maybe I can borrow a cardboard table. I really do want to finish this during the weekend.


The Banff Sweater is a different story. I've progressed up to the point where I need to start reducing for the raglan. I was working on it while chauffering my brother to his medical appointment. Alas, there was an abbreviation I did not understand. Fortunately, I had some cotton cord and could take it off the needles and start on the sleeves. However, after doing so, I can't help but think that I'm way too loose on my gauge! So, I'm going to have to remeasure this-I would hate to reknit it, but it's best to find out now if I've messed up than if I go further without checking. Anyway, here's a photo of what I've done so far. It's done in the round, so it just looks like a big rectangle. Yes, that ribbing is still there! Oh, and I would love to have this lovely wooden coffee table! This was in the hospital waiting room though, and I suppose they want to keep it, but it's just a great table!


Finally, this year's Thimbleberries Club project is a block-of-the-month that uses panels ("Vintage Stitches"). I'm going to do that this year, but only the front of the quilt. What I haven't figured out is what to do with the extra fabric (as a result of not doing the blocks for the back of the quilt). Questions, questions. These too shall be answered. I just couldn't see making blocks deliberately for the back of the quilt. Normally, you would just put experiements that didn't work or orphaned blocks.

Tied Up

I started tying the Depression Quilt today at the quilt shop. Not even a third done. Tomorrow, though I have more time and don't have to stop for other errands including buying the yarn to tie it (purchased at All About Yarn in Coon Rapids) . I'm using Cascade 220 wool yarn in a light oatmeal with colored flecks. Looks very nice on both sides. If I don't finish the tying tomorrow, I won't be able to finish until next week as I don't have the space at home to spread it out. Wool yarn has several advantages over both embroidery floss and yarn made from artificial fibers. When you tie it, it stays tied just due to the nature of wool. Even better, if you throw the thing into the washer and dryer (gentle please), it felts, further locking in those ties. Don't let this put you off if you want to use specialty yarn! I've seen one baby quilt tied with eyelash yarn-she had to tie it an extra knot, but this makes a very interesting tie to a tot! Also, I can here fellow quilters gasp, "you aren't washing that quilt in the washing machine!?". The answer is well, yes, because that is how my Mom and sister will deal with it (they are vying for the quilt). They know enough to put it on gentle, and most times it will be hung to dry outside. Doesn't work when it's 23 degrees out.

Camp Snoopy at the Mall of America won't be Camp Snoopy after this month. All the Snoopy stuff has to be removed. I can't imagine anything that will be comparable-the Snoopy figures just MADE that little amusement park. I've only been to Mall of America a handful of times (the roller coaster is very tame) despite living only an hour from it, but that was one of my favorite places to see-so much happiness going on there!

Still working on the Banff Sweater. I hope to give you a pictoral update tomorrow or Friday.

Little Stuff

Been catching up on '24' through Netflix before the new season starts on the 15th. However, in the meantime, I've been working on my Banff sweater, a charm quilt, Sister's choice quilt and the Wash-cloth-a-thon.

Banff sweater is just about to the point where I start reducing for the raglan yoke. A 24 inch length was just too short for me, so I've added an additional 3 inches. Although I really like this nubbly yarn, I found I have a tendency to get 'holes' because I'm not pulling the yarn tight enough. So, live and learn. I have to remake the January WashCloth - I need to use a smaller needle in order to get something square-like.

The charm quilt is the 1000 pyramids. I think I only have 600 pyramids. However, I wanted to get started on doing them just because I need to know how many of some colors I need to finish those sections. Amazingly, after all the warnings I've received from others, not a single bias edge was stretched. I'm sure happy about that! The Sister's Choice quilt is my leader-ender project. By the time I've finished the pyramids, I will also have finished half the Sister's Choice quilt!

Photo Finish!

Here is a photo of my completed bug quilt. It's a full-sized quilt, but on a queen sized bed (only place I can actually take a photo of the whole thing). I stitched-in-the-ditch around the red stars and then meander quilted the border. I considered quilting in the center areas where the bug fabrics are but it just seemed excessive. I've quilted a few butterflies and dragonflies, but that was it. It was nice to have another finish, right to the wire (I finished the binding on Dec. 31).



Ok, here is a photo of my completed Depression Quilt queen-sized quilt top. I will finish the quilt during January. It is being displayed (a little kattywampus) on a full-sized bed. This photo was actually taken at a different house than the other one! This quilt emptied 2 boxes of scraps. I have a couple more blocks to make from the squares remaining. These and the other extras(about 5) will go on the back. I'm just trying to determine if I already have fabric that I can use for the back. I've been steadily using up fabric that just doesn't go with anything else on the backs of quilts. Since I am tying, not quilting,I prefer large pieces of fabric rather than a bunch of little ones. It feels nicer.

Top Is Done!

I managed to finish the Depression Quilt top today! Looks pretty nice and I will upload a photo when I can. It went together quickly once the blocks were complete as the blocks could go together any which way.

I now plan to finish the binding on the Bug Quilt. Poor kitties are wondering where all their lap time is going. It's snowing (all day) and no lap? Ptolemy is the worst, so he will be on my lap while binding. He's somewhat moveable (read: lighter weight than the other moose). I also did a few blocks of my charm quilt, finally deciding how to get the look I want when I put these together. They will be color-blocks of triangles. I'm trying to get emerging mountains--yeah, well, the only time that truly worked was when a gal used all blue, but I'll try.

Blocks Are Done!

I've finally finished the blocks for the Depression Quilt!! All 56 of them! Tomorrow, I'll start sewing them together. My sister and BIL's return has been delayed due to an incoming snowstorm. They drove out in one and pretty much had enough of bad weather driving. Maybe they'll find something fun to do tomorrow in Milwaukee? Anyway, this just means more block sewing, but, alas, for you, no photo updates until I get home. So, it looks like I still might get this quilt top done before the end of the year. The bug quilt binding is nearly done. I should get that done tomorrow during the kitty cats' 1 hour lay-all-over-me-and-purr daily event. The kitty that was most timid with me now seems to be my constant companion.

Merry Christmas

Morning all, I hope your day is enjoyable! We have an almost soggy Christmas out there, but heck. That's better than the -25 F (I'm not kidding) we had one Christmas Day. That year, my cousin had to keep starting her car every hour to be sure the engine didn't freeze or it wouldn't start (alas, she didn't have an engine block heater). I made it to my parents yesterday. In the van? Noooo.. wouldn't start (of course). Happily, my brother's vehicle (an old Berretta) worked fine (just lacks working turning signals and a rear view mirror). Drives nice though.

I didn't realize that my Christmas present to my parents (DVD-March of the Penguins) would challenge them. Their television system hasn't been working right for awhile and so, now my Mom is inspired to get my brothers to fix the darn thing so she can watch her DVD. Guess what they are doing this a.m.!? We will be back to our respective rural MN spots this evening.

I just have a few little presents. A miniature, battery powered lava lamp. Very cute. I also have two Magnetic Poetry Kits. One is called Genius (why use a 4 letter word when a 12 letter word will do?) and Country Songs (for them with busted up hearts). I look forward to my daily silly moments. Oh, and this years' Knitting Pattern Day-by-Day calender! More things to knit!

Cat in a Basket!

I finally have a photo of a cat in my knitted cat bed enjoying it! Huff is our model. He and his 3 other housemates love this thing. This basket was felted using Lion's Landscape Yarn and topped with Fun Fur. It's a great yarn for this project with one caveat. The sides just won't remain stable. They wobble over. While filled with one 16 pound cat, it is not obvious. On the other hand, the cats don't care as they sleep on it whatever way it's laying there (and flip it over sometimes as well). The advantages of this basket is that it is machine washable, but I would put it over a round shape to dry. I actually finished this bed in May, just didn't have a good kitty photo of it. Instructions and gallery are available here: http://wendyknits.net/knit/kittybed.htm


I've finished half the blocks for the Depression Quilt. Since the weather is holding up, I will be going to my folks for Christmas, so am not likely to finish it this weekend. I did go on a journey to Brainerd today and bought backing and binding. Alas, I forgot both batting and pearl cotton. Here's a photo of the sewing area my sister set up. Yes, tunes are within easy reach! On the right is a table she bought at a hardware store-really nice wide sewing area and it is stable! There is a clamp light to light the area just behind the sewing machine so there are no shadows. The ironing board is directly on my left. You'll note that I'm using a clear lid from a container across the ironing board and table. I work on this piece and use the block on the ironing board for my leaders and enders. My example block is actually under that lid. Not seen is the large cutting table to the left of the ironing board. For lighting, she is using the greenhouse light she uses in Spring to start cuttings. You have to be somewhat careful-you can get sunburned-but the lighting can't be beat! My sister does not quilt-she makes costumes and doll clothing, so that daylight lamp lighting is pretty crucial for her work.

Quiltings Are Happening!

I am happy to report that I have finished the planned quilting on the
Bug Quilt and am currently hand sewing the binding to the back. Once finished, I will decide if I want to add any additional quilting (such as butterflies and dragonflies). To give myself a break (moving a quilt around is harder than it seems day after day), I am working on making the blocks for the Depression Quilt. I had planned to finish this scrappy top before the end of the year and it looks like I will make it. I have 14 blocks done (need a total of 56) and they are going along well. Although I originally planned this quilt to have a border, I have so many squares that I will likely go borderless. I will likely make this into a comfortor and tie it.

Of course, the van won't start again. I didn't actually need to go anywhere, but it just leaves you with this feeling of being stuck (is that my suburban habit showing through?).

edited to add: Link to Depression Quilt (http://quilterscache.com/D_F/DepressionBlock.html)

It Is Cold!

Today, I woke up to below zero weather. I did what any other smart Minnesotan would do. I stayed indoors and watched movies with the cats. The cats, you say? Well, these babies are very warm heater cats. You place them around you and they stay there, keeping your body parts evenly warm. The problems start when you have a sudden need to use the bathroom because dislodging several roughly 16 pound animals, that don't want to move, is not a thing of beauty and grace. So, thank you Ptolemy, Huff and Puff for your warmth and attention today. And thank you Lady SpitAndStomp for just stretching out on the floor.

I did manage to knit more on my sweater, but I was distracted by my movies (which included DVD version of Beauty and the Beast and several Westerns). Tomorrow, back to quilting.

Snow, snow and snow

It started snowing a few days ago and never stopped! Ok. Now it has. I have managed to quilt about 1/3 of the bug quilt. I have since been worn out either shoveling or just walking to the darn mail box (3/4 of a mile, mostly uphill) in the snow. I've been pretty much snowed in since Sunday. My vehicle (old Mercury Marquis) won't make it up the driveway and my BIL's van wouldn't start. Now it starts (yes!), but the engine light came on. I hope it's just low in oil, which I will check when I have light tomorrow to see. The dairy farmer and his wife next door at least are there if I need other help. At least I made it to the tiny town of Browerville to get milk products, which I was sorely lacking.

Rural Skill Alert: I have now acquired a new skill. Lighting and successfully maintaining a fire in a wood stove. I've been trying to get one going all week. We have had great heat all day and I stoked it again to continue for part of the night (this saves on my sister's heating bill since the temp is down to 7 above now).

I also am working on my other Egyptian cross stitch project and continue on the Banff sweater. Unless I get to a larger town to print out some of the digital photos, alas, you will have to wait until I get back home to see any photos. I've been spending a lot of time doing scrapbooking as well. I have way too much stuff!

A Little Progress

Most of today was spent getting craft things together to go housesitting (yes, delayed until Sunday). I did get a little knitting done last night though. So far, I've done 9.5 inches on my Banff sweater and have completed the bottom ribbing finally. The original length of this sweater is 24 inches, but unfortunately, a sweater that short is not at all flattering on me, so I will be adding probably 6-8 inches to that. Again, I do plan to update, but due to my sister's slow baud rate, that may not be possible. So, if that is the case, look for more towards the end of the month. Merry Christmas!

Things To Finish

I bought the fabric needed to do the finishing for the two quilts I'm taking to finish while housesitting. These quilts are the Bug Quilt and the Fish Bowl Quilt. In addition, I have two tops that I have been piecing to take as well. One is a nearly finished Thimbleberries quilt top and the other is a totally scrap quilt. I am also taking my Banff sweater to knit and my next Egyptian God to cross Stitch (I think it's Hathor, but not sure of the name). It is possible I can get all of this done, but as long as I get the two quilts quilted, I'll be happy. I'm still debating on whether to join the UFO group again this year. The UFO group is a support group to finish Unfinished Fabric Objects. I appreciate the support to get things done. On the other hand, I really want to focus on getting quilt tops done so I don't accidentally use fabric intended for something else. It also shows me what fabric I can piece together for a backing!

Houston Quilt Festival Photos

I am finally starting to connect with my digital photos! Finally, I can share with you a few of my favorite quilts from the Houston Quilt Festival held in Houston in October 2005. As mentioned before, I have a preference for traditional designs. Often done in new fabrics and arrangements, they are still traditionally based. I don't actually have many photos of non-traditional ones.

This first quilt uses friendship stars combined with a new popular style in batiqs. This is mostly a paper pieced quilt.


This quilt was made with the popular Stack and Whack method and includes a stained glass cutaway technique.


I love this quilt and I even have a pattern for it. The leaves are made from your leftover scraps. Lots of bias vines...lots of it. This is also a quilt that can be quilted in sections.


This is a Lady of the lake pattern with an exceptional appliqued border. Spread out, the border seems too busy, but if laid on a bed, the angle seperates that.

A new way to do Hawaiian quilts. Hand dyed fabrics varying color along the way.

This quilt didn't resize well. It's a string quilt featuring flag/Independence Day fabrics. String quilts are not my favorite; I think of them as utilitarian and that's it. This one changed my mind. Coordinated fabrics work very well in it!

Hope you enjoyed my favorite quilts from the quilt show.

Sweater Making

I started my Banff sweater on Friday (Dec. 2). So far, I've progressed with 4 inches of ribbing. I started it on Dec. 1, but just couldn't stand the back and forth knitting so recast on using circulars. TIP-be sure to drop 2 stitches (used for sewing up) when switching a pattern to circulars. I forgot, don't want to rip back, so am just continuing. I am making notes since I will likely make this sweater a second time! I hope to make this sweater again, but in-the-round and top down. Way easier to fit.

Banff so far

The housesitting plans have changed and I will be leaving on Saturday to house-sit and likely not returning until Dec 28th. I will still have internet access, but with my sister's slow dial-up, Blogspot is a little hard to operate. I plan to bring 2 quilts that need quilting, all my scrapbooking stuff and my Banff sweater. My sister and BIL live in rural Minnesota and I will be caring for their 4 cats. She lives 45 miles from the nearest quiltshop. Heck, even Ben Franklin closed up so you can't even buy thread nearby any longer. So, I hope to get lots of stuff done (keeping in mind that cats like to hinder).

Knitting and Holiday Fudge

Today I went to the new yarn shop (less than 1 mile away). Wow, has it changed since they got settled in! I've already made some choices of yarn to buy when I get the next income check! In the meantime, she gave me some tips on working with nubbly yarn (I have Bernat Boucle), that might make things easier. I had to go down to a size 8 circular needle to match the gauge in the Banff sweater. I also bought some wool roving for the sheep slippers (Fiber Trends Pattern) that I would like to start soon. I'll still need a felting needle, but they were not currently in stock. Most of the roving I see for sale are very large quantities. I don't need much!

Fiber Trends Pattern: felted slippers

Here's a recipe that my neighbor gave me nearly 30 years ago. It's a widely used recipe and makes delicious fudge. Easy, easy, easy, even my brother, the non-cook can make this! And it is fast and not affected by rainy days (as is the case for a lot of fudge recipes). Please note: I copied and pasted this from the Southern Cooking section of about.com, but it is exactly the same recipe I've been using all these years when I need EASY and Fast fudge.

Quick Chocolate Fudge

3/4 cup evaporated milk, undiluted
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine evaporated milk with sugar and salt. Bring to a boil; simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in nuts, marshmallows, chocolate chips and vanilla. Stir until marshmallows have melted. Pour mixture into a buttered 9-inch square pan. Cut when cooled. Store between layers of waxed paper.

More Towels

Yes, I have finished MORE towels. Another 8 for my Mom to give to a co-worker. You saw the in-progress photos--here they are completed. Instructions can be found at: http://worldofcrochet.blogspot.com/2004/07/instructions-for-towel-topper.html.





I've been mostly working on scrapbooking stuff since I returned from Texas, but will work in some needlework here and there.

Finish, Process and Stuff

Here it is! My finished Thoth! My first 2005 cross stitch finish! Easy to do, looks great. I can hardly wait to start the companion piece (Horus)! I would also like to stitch Anubis and Bastet, but alas, I don't have charts and haven't found any online either. No reason why you can't do this project on 28 ct, but I wanted a travel piece and 18 ct Aida is what worked in most lighting conditions.


Design by Julie Hasler. Stitched on 18 ct ivory Aida using DMC floss.

In addition, I thought I would provide some step by step on doing crocheted topped towels. It's very easy when you have the proper tools. I start with a good quality towel, although even the cheaper ones at KMart have stood up well to repeated washing. I currently use this marvelous awl that my BIL gave me. You can buy one at a hardware store. This is the best way to make the holes. Alternatively, I used a small nail and a penny nail. The small nail made the initial hole and the penny nail made it large enough to crochet through. There may be other ways to do this (knitting needle comes to mind). Many women use scissors to make the holes. This is a mistake, IMHO. It is NOT worth $150 emergency room visit co-pay! I know 2 women who ended up with stitches and 1 woman who lost the feeling in her finger by using scissors which slipped. So, be warned. Finally, use any acrylic yarn. Test it by making a swatch and throwing in washer and dryer. If the results are acceptable, use the yarn. Even that eyelash stuff works if you like the result after it's been washed and dried. Cotton or cotton blends work also. I did not like the result using wool-but you might. Red Heart is often stiff going through that first row-just use a smaller crochet hook.

To make a crocheted topped towel, cut the towel in half with sharp scissors (you will be making 2). Then fold over a small part of the cut edge and either zig zag (better) or straight stitch. If you don't own a sewing machine, then just hand stitch this over. I do not know if a serged edge will work (I don't own a serger). Test one towel in the washer and dryer--if it doesn't fray, no problem.

Front and back of towel after sewing.

Next step is doing the holes and the first row. I make about 5 holes and then single crochet through using an F or G hook. Once that first row is done, I typically switch to an H Hook. I just picked these sizes-they give me the results I want. Experiment. These are fun to do and once you've established a pattern, you can do several in an evening. I don't do all the holes at the same time as they are hard to find in the fabric. Terry is sortof 'self-healing'.

First row in progress

Once you are done with the first row, use whatever pattern of stitch that you want. I hit on one that I particularly like (it doesn't need a button in deference to my Mom's bursitis), but I occasionally see others that I really like that are unlike mine.

Other notes of interest-my sister asked me to housesit for almost 3 weeks. That means I can not only get my rural fix, but finish quilting at least one quilt (she has a table that makes machine quilting easier) before the end of the year. Now, I already got my partial fix by traveling in rural Texas, but it's so much easier getting things done when I don't have to stop and make meals unless I want to. As some of you know, I'm disabled, so don't have the time constraints of a job (just everything else). Generally cheaper too as the closest quilt shop is 45 miles away. On the other hand, Grubers is right on the way. Happily, sis/BIL have made arrangements to have someone else with a tractor plow if it snows. I just wasn't up to get up close and personal with John Deere.

The Banff Is Emerging

There's a sweater pattern that I've just been dying to try called the Banff Sweater. However, I didn't want to spend tons on this as I don't know how it will look on me. Some oversized sweaters look great while others just never look right even if they have a reasonable fit. If my result works well, then I'll reknit it in a bulky brown or denim tweed. I do plan to add some length as I prefer a longer sweater. The free pattern is available at www.knitty.com (look in the Archives under Pullovers).

To make this sweater, I bought a bunch of Bernat Boucle in 'Earth Tones' today at Joann's. Earth tones is a combination of several browns and soft black. I really like tweedy looks. It is barely a bulky yarn, but I'll do a swatch with larger needles and see if that doesn't take care of matching gauge. Annoyingly, Bernat does not list yardage on the package, so I had to guess. Checked the web site (it's 255 yards), and 8 skeins is roughly twice the yardage required. Well, good thing I can return extra! I sortof debated over the Bernat and the new Joann's Rainbow Boucle in a denim. I'd like to find a review about how the Rainbow Boucle washes up.

Oh, yes, and I also bought some double pointeds and a couple balls of a variagated blue sock yarn to make Wendy's Toe Up Socks. I've been meaning to do these for some time, so at least now I have the yarn to do so. The socks are in a springy blue color, so if I don't get to them right away, not a problem!
http://www.wendyjohnson.net/blog/sockpattern.htm

I already have yarn and needles for Babba's Bed Socks. This was a pattern recommended by a knitting friend and uses 2 skeins of Woolese. This was going to be a take-a-long project, but my yarn choice was a little dark. I'll be working on these as soon as I finish my Mom's latest towel topper request.
http://www.knitlist.com/98gift/babassocks.htm

Interesting tip from Lilly Chin on Knitty Gritty the other day. For garments, she suggests making a swatch, then hanging it (with some weight) to get the correct gauge when worn. Knitting stretches when you put it on, so this certainly makes sense.

Harry Potter Day!

It's Harry Potter opening day and I will be off to that at 1 p.m. show today. I'm very excited. I also plan to see Zathura (sp?) this weekend. Trailer looked good.

I've been making progress in several areas since my last post. All my photos from the trip are developed or printed and I just haven't gotten around to uploading any here. Now, I'm sorting through in order to plan my scrapbook pages. Other than an album and pages, I don't think I actually need to buy anything else as I have so much stuff already.

Finished my cross-stitched Thoth! I have an actual FINISH for 2005!!

Mom has more towels for me to crochet. I have done all but the trim on 4. Still have 4 to go. These towels are for Ena, one of my Mom's coworkers. Ena bought towels that matched her kitchen decor. As a gift, my Mom is having me crochet the towels (yeah, I know, but its my Mom and saying no to Mom just so doesn't work). Ena and her husband, natives of Belaruse, just passed her US citizenship test and thus the gift (she speaks Russian, BTW). Then they will be able to go back and visit relatives without fear of retribution from the dictator state.

Bullriding!

Finally, Justin McBride won the PBR Bullriding Championship! Right down to the wire too--he finished up his 8 seconds nearly upside down on that bull, but held on to the end. You might wonder, what does Bullriding have to do with crafts? Absolutely nothing except that I crocheted while watching it for the last year, so that I could root for Justin (he was the leader last year and broke his leg just before the finals). Now I can move on to other things on Saturday night (especially since my Netflix account has reactivated after vacation).

I spent most of the weekend looking over digital pictures to decide what to print as well as working on my cross-stitch of Thoth. That is going very well. I'm a scrapbooker as well as needleworker, so many days are about to be spent at Archivers, getting these photos into a book pronto. I don't have table space at home to spread out, so I get page packets together and just work on them at the store. Although I own most of what I need, sometimes it helps to be at the store when you find you don't have just the right thing.

I stitched on Thoth while watching the bullriding. Here he is in his current state. I've done all of the figure and just started on the backstitching. I also have the pedestal started. This is quite a fast project, but if you hate color blocks, skip this project! This particular one comes from Julie Hasler's Fantasy Cross Stitch: Zodiac Signs, Mythical Beasts and Mystical Characters. If you really like Egyptian designs in cross stitch, I would recommend purchasing Egyptian Charted Designs by Julie Hasler (printed by Dover). These are lovely, uncomplicated designs that can be done by any cross stitcher on either Aida or some other fabric (over 2 threads). If you prefer more detail, Teresa Wentzler has a great design. As for the book, Fantasy Cross Stitch, I don't recommend it for a beginner. It happens to have some beginner projects, but most require more experience. I bought it mostly for the phenomenal (and complicated) Zodiac designs. I plan to start on Leo (my sign) sometime next year.

Texas Trip Stuff

Now that I've sortof organized since my return, I can post again.

I started my trip at the Texas State Fair in Dallas. Wow, those buildings are awesome--wonderful art deco style. Of course, I checked out the Creative Activities area-plenty of quilts! Not too much cross stitch or knitting and only a couple of crocheted afghans. It took me half a day to figure out what was wrong at the Fair-no kids. Unlike the Minnesota State Fair, this fair starts after the kids are in school, so you don't see any teenagers until after 4 p.m. The evening parade and light show was worth staying for. Wow!

Loved the Ranch Rodeo at the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering in Ft Worth Stockyards(http://www.theredsteagallcowboygathering.com/). I was surprised about how much of the cowboy music I already knew. Also took the time out to visit Cabbage Rose Quilt Shop in Ft Worth (http://www.cabbagerosequilting.com/) and bought lots of western fabric/patterns. I think I spent more than two hours there! They were also very helpful in giving me directions to other quilt shops that also carried western stuff. Unfortunately, I missed out on most due to arriving after they closed.

Meandered my way to San Antonio via rural highways. Much better than the direct route not only for scenery but for a more relaxing drive. Saw the Alamo and cruised the River Walk (some fine Margaritas were drunk as well). Visited Cross Stitch Plus in San Antonio (http://members.aol.com/CrStPLofSA/). This was a wonderful shop and carried a good selection of Western/Texas patterns also.

After San Antonio, I drove to Houston. Unfortunately, due to the Astros, there simply were no hotel rooms to be had for the weekend (if you didn't already have reservations). So, I did the Houston Quilt Festival all in one day (and had to skip my visit to NASA). Exhausting, but doable. Bought lots of stuff, but limited my fabric purchases to small/tiny prints (best place to find them). My most significant impression of the quilts was that there were many more 'artsy' quilts and modern designs than traditional. I tend to prefer traditional.

Returned to San Antonio and visited both the San Antonio Zoo and Sea World (and finally got sunburned). Then chose to visit caves, which were wonderful! I stopped at Cave Without A Name, Natural Bridge Caverns and Caverns of Sonora. Even if out of your way, they are all worth stopping for. I managed to get as far west as Ozana, then started going north to Abeline. If you plan to visit, check ahead. They have fewer tours at this time of year. For more information on the caves I visited:
www.cavewithoutaname.com
http://www.naturalbridgecaverns.com/
http://www.cavernsofsonora.com/

I got the biggest kick out of the guys. As soon as they heard I was from MN, they would immediately launch into the problems the Vikings were having. So, yes, without ever hearing the news, I had the blow-by-blow account of Culpepper's injury. When I get all my photos back, I'll upload some!

Back from Texas

Hi y'all! Just letting you know that I'm back from Texas! Ready to go back to West Texas already. Will be posting more information later, but I did go to the quilt show in Houston, quilt and needlework shops and traveled around West Texas a lot (as far west as Ozana). Got quite a bit done on a cross stitch project also. In the meantime, here's one of my favorite photos from the trip. These cows were in the Boerne, TX area (By the gate for the Triple R Bar Ranch)


For the crafty part of today's post, here's the start I made on the Egyptian God Thoth, a design by Julie Hasler. This is a very good travel project. Design uses 18 ct Aida which is way easy to see in most lighting. It is also all whole stitches. I've completed virtually all the body and have started on the pedestal.


These are some motifs I made on the scrap afghan on the plane. Note that there seems to be some difference in gauge due to different yarn. I don't usually worry about these too much as they seem to work out when put into the afghan. Travel lesson learned. BLUNT scissors. Mine were too sharp ended and had to be dumped before airport security would let me through (they were only $2). So, bought child blunt scissors at Walmart. No problem with security and they cut through yarn and floss fine.