Jammies are Done!

Finally finished my first pair of jammies for my Mom. I know she thinks the pattern of the fabric is a tad wild, but she's so desperate for jammies, she doesn't care. The fabric is Moda one that I think was called Italian Renaissance. Simple pattern taken from taking apart her old, well loved jammies. I had to follow a shirt pattern instructions to get the top done in the correct order. It's also my first more complicated project using my new-to-me serger. I have to make her 3 more pairs, 2 with full sleeves and then I will make some for myself as well as making flannel bottoms for the top I have already completed.


Shortsleeve jammies with pocket in both pants and shirt.

Knitting, yes KNITTING!! Ok.. well, this is the cat bed now that the knitting is completed. Alice is my model (she is the blanket cat - loves being under blankets and fighting under blankets). This is pictured before the felting. I plan to felt tomorrow and hopefully, it will be all dried by Saturday or Sunday. I've done a little bit of knitting and still having a bit of trouble with the tennis elbow (yes, 10 MONTHS later!), but I'm going to try some sock knitting soon to see how that goes.


I'm looking at buying a Bernina 440. This model is being discontinued and replaced with a model that is over $4000. I have to clarify the financing issue. If it really is zero percent interest for 12 months, I will be a Bernina owner this month. If not, well, we'll see what's in store. I hate, hate, hate quilting on my current machine. It sews fine, but the quilting, well, I think you have an idea that I am not that happy with the results. If I do buy the Bernina, I will have to very seriously stop buying fabric for a year because my budget will go for the payments.

Lost My Dad

My Dad passed away on June 30th, so things have been a little awry. He was 79 and he told me himself several months ago that he didn't think he had a lot of time left primarily due to his heart problem. He was buried in Fort Snelling Cemetery as he was a Navy veteran during the Korean Conflict. I was surprised that he got a rifle regiment and bugle - I thought that was reserved for active or career military.

I just don't FEEL like doing stuff, but I am still accomplishing slowly. It's been particularly hard to pick up the Pine Grove quilt to finish it. It would have been done on June 30, including the additional quilting my Mom and Dad asked for (it is for them). I'll likely get it done sometime in August, but for now, I'll let it go. I have continued to work on the Apple Core quilt at appointments. My relative will done with the twice weekly physical therapy and going to once a week, so my opportunities are going down for awhile. On the other hand, I am confident that I will probably finish all the sets needed to make a full sized quilt. I've decided that the apple cores will go right to the edge with a nice wavy binding at the end. It's a challenge I will try to meet.

I am making these cooling neckerchiefs for family members. I bought an example one at a craft show a couple of years ago and finally got the little crystals that are super-absorbing. Here's a photo of the ones I made for my sister and BIL. The Vikings one illustrates that you can use two different fabrics, although I'd go for the same color. If you decide to make these, be sure to go over your stitching twice if you don't have a specialty stitch that does it for you. You do NOT want these crystals leaking out where pets or children could eat them. In addition, this is not an item for children. I have 4 or 5 more to make. I'm also going to make some wider ones that attach with velcro for muscle injuries.



Finally, I will be getting back to knitting when it cools down. Right now, my hands always seem to be sticky due to either sweat or high humidity. I still have the tennis elbow, but if I don't overdo it, I can knit again. I need to get those 2nd socks done! Crocheting is still out, darn it.

Here's Polly earlier today keeping me company while I sewed. The Wall, basic structure anyway, is done, so once it cools down, I'm going to do something about those weeds.

Progress with Photos!

Making lots of progress despite feeling like I go at a snail's pace.

The Pine Grove quilt is part of a QATW June contest, but I'm not quite sure if I will be done by then. Working hard at it though!

Highlights the quilting.

Freeform leaves in border

I've been working hard on my take-a-long project of Apple Cores. After a trip to the ER (he's fine now), I really accomplished a lot! I've made over 200 light-dark sets and need maybe another 50, so I have to start cutting more apple cores tonight to be ready for the next appointment! I'll be able to start rows soon. I'm thinking of hand quilting this using embroidery thread and primitive stitch. I think that will give the North Woods feeling I was hoping for with the plaid. That pincushion thing was too small for use in my chair, but perfect for across my thigh while working at doctor's office waiting areas. Using a larger eye needle also helps to make threading easier. I've recently read that a straw needle is even better for piecing, but haven't seen it sold locally. Will try it. Sometimes gadgets work. Sometimes they don't. Oh, the Mickey Mouse bag is my current project bag. My sister bought it a long time ago and was going to sell it on Ebay. I convinced her to wait, hoping she might find a use for it. In the meantime, it works great for quilt piecing. Lots of pockets and plenty of places for stuff without being bulky. I store my competed units in a salad container (Sam's Club). Yes, they break down over time, but great for storing lots of small pieces and they are free.

Progress on Quilting

Not much going on in the knitting front. I hope to do the cat bed tomorrow, so maybe some before and after photos on Sunday.

I joined a June contest where I have to get an old project done before the end of the month to be included in the drawing. So, I've been working hard on the Pine Grove quilt which was started 6 years ago. I have roughly half the quilting done. It sortof halted a bit while I removed some quilting. Originally, I meander quilted in some of the sashing and then just gave up finishing the quilt because I was just exhausted from trying to quilt a queen sized quilt. Now, I take it in smaller chunks and have advanced to feathers.

So, all the sashing is getting freeform feathers. I still have to remove the meander quilting from 2 more sashed blocks, but I'm glad I decided to make the extra effort. The back, where you can see the actual stitching much better, looks great. Still to do are the trees and the large side triangles. I would like to do a fabulous feather for the border, but we shall see how that goes. I NEED to finish off the sashing, inner border and trees this weekend so that I can concentrate on the outer edges. My binding is already done and ready to be attached, but I still have to allow 4 days to get the binding sewn to the back. Yes, some of you are really fast at this, but I tend to be slow. One of my favorite parts of quilting is attaching that binding.

I'm also spending some time in doing reduction of stuff. I found my box of quilting books in the storage unit a few weeks back. As a result, I am parting with 15 books to make room for those books I really want to keep. It's tough, but I really don't have more space to expand to. Same thing with the fabric, although in the coming couple of weeks, some will become jammies and some curtains as well as a few other smaller sewing projects.

Asian Sidelights

Yes, all that Asian fabric I bought because I had to have it, is now getting some use. I completed the first wallhanging last night!! This design is based on the Karrie Nichols' pattern Sidelights. I did it up based on the photo. If I did this again, I would miter the outer borders. I think mitered borders look much better on a wall quilt and is worth the extra effort there. I used fabric from the Han e mei fabric line from RJR Fabrics to make this. One down, a bunch to go.

Hearts Quilt Sashed

Hearts quilt sashed
Originally uploaded by Tarana5

Finally sewed the sashing on this quilt. Yay!! as I was constructing it, I decided that I'm going to quilt it in 2 sections, attach them, then add the borders and quilt those. I used clothespins to connect them for the photo. I have a light pink marble fabric that is perfect for the back. After quilting and attachment, the separate pieces won't be obvious.

Progress on Hearts Quilt

Progress Hearts Quilt
Originally uploaded by Tarana5

Be patient knitters and crocheters. I'll get to those projects.

Today, however, I'm continuing to work on the Hearts Quilt. I've sewn together 4 of the 10 rows so far. I found this fabric by accident and apparently had intended it for this quilt since the borders were already cut. If it was intended for something else, I can't figure it out. It's a nice reddish purple with coffee berries. I plan to continue to complete the rows and sashing today.

The rest of the day is going to cleanup and decluttering. Seriously, I feel like I'm walking in a rabbit warren and it's all my stuff. I hate to have yet another miscellaneous fabric box, but I see no option right now. Just need to separate those things that are part of projects from the rest, especially since I have yet more Asian fabric!! I will be good now though. No more until I get the planned projects done.

Mystery Top Done

Mystery top done
Originally uploaded by Tarana5

Here's the completed mystery quilt that I did for the Home Retreat at QuiltingAroundTheWorld.com this week. I'm actually glad I got 'stuck' with the brown for the dark color. It makes the quilt pop much better than navy blue would have done. Just shy of 57 inches square. That is the helper cat that you see at the bottom of this photo.

The rest of the evening is dedicated to working on sashing for the Hearts quilt. If I can get that done in a reasonable time, then I'll do the finishing work on the not-yet-felted cat bed that needs to be done before it is felted. I was just bummed - beautiful and perfect week for a felted item to dry and I just could not get to it to sew in some few yarns!

Hearts Applique Quilt Is Progressing

The day before yesterday, I finished the 70th applique heart for my quilt. So, this quilt is ready to be assembled once I have the fabric for it. I also need to figure out a new take-a-long project. I can't really afford to buy fabric to finish this until next month, but I might just buy what I need for the sashing and leave it at that until next payday.

Valentine's Quilt Done!

Hey, another quilt is done! This one was a challenge quilt in the 90s. The goal was to do a quilt over the weekend using just scraps left over from other projects. I had recently done a block swap using this variation of a Friendship Star and it went fast. Forgot about it and it ended up on the bottom of a fabric box. Lori (MissSadie) at QATW quilted it for me.

The quilt is about 67x79 inches. Lori used Warm and Natural for batting and I have Snuggle Flannel from Joann's for the backing (solid red). No high end stuff here. The quilting is a lovely scroll and heart combination.

Edited to add: If you want to make this block, click here. I made the block originally using instructions from Quilters Almanac, Quilt Block Part, Series #3 by Eleanor Burns (c.1991).

This closeup shows Lori's quilting.

Asian Fabrics

I've been on a roll collecting some Asian fabrics in order to complete some projects. Here's some really great choices from Blue Bamboo. I actually bought from them before not realizing at the time that they had a store locally. Great shop to visit! My selections mostly reflect my need for small and medium prints for a Japanese Doll Wallhanging that I will be making. A couple of the fabrics I bought because my brother couldn't decide which colorway he wanted for his Kindle bag. He came into the shop with me and then asked how much the fabric was. I told him not to worry about it, I was only getting a yard of each. Yes, well, I spent $156 today. Didn't take long either. Combine that with my order at the Quilted Crow and you can see that I blew the budget this month.


After seeing this quilt, I couldn't help it. I bought the kit. Went way over budget, but hey, I just could not refuse this one. It is going to go above my TV. This thing is fabulous! You can do this pattern too. It is a free pattern at RobertKaufman.com called 12 Moons.

Photo from RobertKaufman.com

Lots of Stuff

Sorry about not posting recently. I was determined to do it from the Netbook, and then couldn't get the photos on or PixResizer to make them a more maneageable size. All fixed now.

Spent a long weekend working on sewing projects at my sister's while she helped me figure out my new-to-me serger. I made 2 pillowcovers, a pillow case, pajama bottoms and a pj top (another pair).

The first project was 2 pillowcovers. I bought one for my king sized feather/down pillows a while back and all they sold was this satiny thing for $9. It feels really nice, but the pillowcase was forever coming off. I had some plain Christmas fabric with some mistletoe that I've been using for backings and they made perfect pillow covers. This gave me zipper practice as well.

Next is Dad's Train Pillowcase. He is a train fan, so needed this. Didn't have to adjust anything. The trains go the right way for the easy-make pillow case. I used the basic pattern from 1 million pillowcases. I'll be making a couple more to donate to the cause since I used their pattern. I have it laying across my king sized pillow to show you that you do not need to adjust this pattern. Very generous length!

Here's a closeup. I added some stitching on the top. Looks very professional and I did it!


On the quilting front, as always, I have too many projects going. I am doing a quilt-along project with my group at QATW (www.quiltingaroundtheworld.com/) using the book Hop To It by Edyta Sitar. It is an applique project. Originally, I was going to follow her instructions using invisible thread, but after endless adjustments on my tension, I just can't get it right with the nylon and will instead just match thread with the pieces and satin stitch. This photo shows the design for Block 1 fused down. I am using Kona solid in bone for my background. The red flowers with yellow centers is actually a brick color with dark zig zags, not a solid. I dithered as to whether to use something brighter, but kept returning to this. As a stand alone block, I'm not thrilled with my leaf fabric choices. My Mom likes it. I'm thinking of doing a second one with alternate color choices and will then go with whichever one I like best for the rest of the quilt.

As always, what's a blog without including pets? Here's Polly in her box on the cutting table. My sewing machine is there too because the serger is where my sewing machine usually is. Gotta find a new setup that will work with the serger. My biggest challenge right now is finding a food that is lower calorie that makes all of the cats happy. We thought we had one, but it appears to cause Bart to have a skin problem (He licks all the fur off his legs). Cleo-Claudine and Polly are both overweight, Bart and Alice are at the top of the weight chart for their size. Sylvester is the only one who is at a perfect weight. Go figure.

Garden Party Completed!!

My first finish of the year!! Got the quilt back from the quilter (Julie Ann of Fat Quarter Quilting), bound it, washed it and walla, a photo! Quilt is about 79x96 inches. Now, the details. This was from a QATW 2009 swap that included both blocks and strips of pastel fabrics. It was a 3 part swap - one month had to be applique, another was pieced (or paperpieced) and the last month was whatever method you wanted. I supplemented with my fabric supply (and bought a few 1/4 yards) to make the patchwork border. I did the bee, iris, and dragonflies for the swap, but also added a bunny and ladybug to finish it off. Gift to my Mom and Dad. Mom was totally sick of winter before December was even over. Still needs a label and I'll get to it.

Binding A Quilt

I've attached the binding to the Garden Party quilt and am now sewing to the back. I'm about half done. I highly recommend these binding holders. Flimsy metal pieces, but they hold your binding very well and you never get stuck with a pin. I use about 10 of them. It is more of a bother to 'pin' a whole side. Doing about 10 out forces me to stop, stretch my arms and hands a bit, clip, then go back. I use a relatively large needle to do binding because I tend to take too small of stitches with smaller needles. Kindof a waste really, and annoying when you have to remove the stitching to replace the binding. The good news is that soon, very soon, I can start a new section for 2011 finishes!!

Netbooking!

I'm happy to report that I now have a netbook and a WiFi hotspot. This means that I can finally be connected in my quilting area. I will no longer have to print out directions for one block - I can just view on the computer as I go along. More importantly, I can do step-by-step videos close to where I am working and in lighting that allows me to see my stitches.

I have a 160 meg Acer Aspire One. The only complaints I have is that the keyboard is a tad awkward (just a teeny bit smaller keyboard) and it just sucks, and I means sucks, fingerprints, lint and cat fur to every single place with black. In other words, the whole thing except the screen. So, this poor thing already looks likes it's been heavily used for several months and I've only had it a day and a half.

I also have a used serger, given to me by an employee of Hancock's who no longer used it. I had to buy a new foot pedal and bring it in for a once over since it was in a garage for 15 years, but now I'm ready to serge. It is a SergeMate Companion 5040. You've probably never heard of it. I hadn't. Not so easy to thread, but hey, the goal was to discover if I was really going to USE a serger. If so, I can upgrade.

I haven't done much sewing for a couple of days while I prepare to do a couple of projects. In addition to a few clothing projects, I also bought Bambi fabric for a quilt for my Mom (Bambi is her favorite Disney movie) and another yard of another green to let Mom decide which to use for her Spring quilt so I can get that binding attached! For the Bambi quilt, I already know what pattern to use, but need to do the fussy cutting to determine if I need anymore to complete the quilt. The fabric won't be there long.

That's it for now. Typed to you using the new Netbook.

Quilt Came Home!!

I am happy to report that the Garden Party quilt came home today. Julie Ann did a great job of quilting it. It's a custom job and has lots of little details. Looks very whimsical. Now, on to making binding. It usually takes me a week to make binding, attach binding, sew to back, so possible photo soon. I also have a Friendship Star quilt that is getting quilted by another quilter. I expect that to arrive before the end of the month.

I am continuing my NO BUY for quilt fabric for yet another month or two. The next two or three quilts that I may send in to be quilted already have backing fabric, so other than binding, I really don't NEED any fabric. The real tough part is to not join any swaps. I just can't buy any fabric. There is one swap that is going on with flying geese that doesn't require me to buy any fabric at all, but I've fallen behind in my goals for stuff I already have, so am trying to resist.

I have 9 hearts left for the Hearts quilt. That project is in a bit on a slowdown, but I'm still hoping to finish the applique process this month. Have another 2 hour plus appointment to bring relative to on Friday, so no matter what, there will be progress. I still have the tennis elbow, so after I complete the hearts appliques I will move on to continue to piece an apple core quilt for my take-a-long project. Hopefully, I will be again able to knit or crochet in April sometime.

Completed Quilt Tops remaining to be quilted:

Barbie Quilt - to be sent out
Star Wall quilt
Pyramid quilt - dithering whether to send out or not
Courthouse steps
Small Halloween wallhanging - it's in a safe place. I just don't know where.
Pine Tree Quilt - in progress
Witch quilt

Expected tops to be finished this year:
Road To Ahs
2 Halloween Wedding Ring quilts
Japanese quilt (to be tied)

Electronic Cozies

I had a need and made something using STASH!! I got a Kindle and am concerned about scratching the screen when I toss it into my purse. I also have needed a custom armband for my Ipod for ages. I've had this cow fabric since the early 90s. Too thin for a quilt but didn't know what to use it for (it's darn cute). I decided to make a cover for my Kindle and an arm band for my Ipod Nano. Not perfect, but very cute. Less than 1/2 yard of fabric for both with enough left over to make perhaps one more small cozy.



You can see the insides below. Let me tell you my mistake so that you don't repeat it. I made the Kindle Cozy with 2 layers of cow fabric using leftover batting (Warm & Natural). Sewed into a nice rectangle. Folded it up and sewed down. Did not take into consideration that no matter how slim the case is, you still need to allow for that depth. At least I figured this out before I sewed it down, so sewed about 1/8 inch further in on either side. It still looks good, but if you want it perfect, that last fold should be a little wider, say about 1/4 inch.

As for the Ipod Nano holder, I did not line the holder and I think I think I will do that next time. Just gives it a more finished feel. I made a loop on the back to thread the armband through and to make adjustment easier. First time I took it off, the case fell right through and on to the floor. So, I need to tack the band to the case. Lesson learned. Now I can wash dishes and work on projects without the Ipod falling or getting all tangled up in the earphone cords. I want to make one more case, large enough to fold the headphones into a pocket for taking along in my purse.

Slow Getting It Done

Still suffering from that evil tennis elbow issue (and I haven't played in years). So, no knitting or crocheting yet, and a lot of quilting is on hold. However, most every day I have been appliqueing away on Hearts. I have 15 hearts left to applique before I can start assembling this quilt. This will end up being roughly a full sized quilt. Obviously going well. My points...well, that's another story. However, I decided I can live with rounded points rather than redo. They look pretty good from 10 feet away.

I have decided on the patterns for the next two Hawaiian blocks and hope to get them cut out and basted down this week. Since the tennis elbow continues, I also need to cut out the background panels for the Dresden Plate quilt - some piecing, mostly applique. I can manage a few cuts before the elbow screams 'Not Happening!" That will be my next appointment project when the hearts are done. The Hawaiian blocks are just a little too complex for wonky lighting at a medical office and besides, I have several audio books to get listening to.

OK.. that's about it. There will be some updated photos next posting!

New Year's Resolutions

Last year, my resolutions worked pretty good until around September. No complaints there - I accomplished a lot until then. So, here's the 2011 resolutions.

1. Do something quilty every day for at least a few minutes.
2. Complete 6 Halloween tops.
3. Sell or trade 60 craft books and patterns (part of library reduction)
4. Yarn NO BUY for crocheting (need to finish projects!)
5. Complete all sock UFOs
6. NO BUY on fabric except BOM, backgrounds and backing or to finish a project.

Quite honestly, number 6 is clearly my biggest problem, but I plan to pay someone else to quilt 2 or 3 of my quilts and the money has to come from somewhere. By not buying fabic, I can afford it. I would like to do something knitty every day, but due to the tennis elbow (both elbows!), I can't even knit now.

This year, I am also making a goal of getting rid of 2011 items. I have way too much stuff and need to cut back. I'm making a blog of it just to keep me going.

A Finish!

Finished a project!! In the nick of time!! Here's the Take-a-Long Granny square afghan that I've been working on. It's about 45x65 inches (standard afghan size) and based on a photo of a kit that I saw in the Mary Maxim catalog. I used Red Heart yarn in white, sage, time and dusty rose. Yep, it's a scrap afghan. I plan to gift it sometime in January.


Bad photo- it's just been dim and dark outside. I'll replace this with a better photo when I can.

Another Top Done!

Finished the Garden Party top last night. The blocks are from a swap at QATW. I made the bee, dragonflies, ladybug and bunny. It's roughly 75x85 inches. I'm going to have someone quilt it in January, so this will get done early! I'm now going to work on finishing the 2009 BOM. The final 6 blocks have been cut out, but it is putzy piecing, but I still am hoping to get it done before the end of the year. I plan to send both Garden Party and the 2009 BOM out to be quilted. Quilting is not really my favorite part of the project, and I just want to get some of these done.

Snow, snow, snow!

Finally got our puffy winter snow last night. It was a shame I had to drive through it, but not too bad. So today is mostly going to be shoveling out.

Yesterday, I brought my Dad for an all day appointment and got quite a bit done on the granny afghan. I'm on the final row, which of course takes the longest. I'm doing a 9 triple crochet scalloped border. Nearly done with 2 sides, so for certain will have this project done within the next week. I did about half of sewing in ends already, so that won't take as long as usual.

In between, I need to spend some time doing mending. Yes, non-hobby stuff, darn it. ;)

Garden Party Almost

A UFO project is progressing! I've been working on finishing this swap top called Garden Party from Spring 2009. That pieced sashing takes FOREVER. I think I went through 5 short audio books to finish it. Still to do are the borders (and a better photo). I'm definitely thinking of tying this quilt, since the idea is to use it in the Spring (in March, we still have snow, usually). On the other hand, the quilting on this would be pretty simple - just another large quilt to mostly meander on.

Crocheting Near Finish!

Just thought I'd show you some progress on the crochet front. Here's a photo of the Granny Square afghan. I've completed the body. I still need to work in ends and then do the edging. I plan to make some crocheted kitties to attach and personalize this afghan. This is just brainless crochet for someone as experienced as I am, but it sure looks nice. I still have a LOT of leftover green and pink, so yes, I'll be making another one. I cannot BELIEVE how many skeins I bought thinking I wouldn't have enough and of course, Mom then wanted a change of green. I don't know who the final afghan will go to, but it will be my main project in December. I still cannot knit due to my arm pain, so a good time to work on the project.

I use a BASIC GRANNY SQUARE pattern and change colors every row. I'll include more instruction when I finish the afghan. Right now, I'm thinking of going with my favorite scall0ped edging. I'm going to first consider some of the edging options in 50 Crocheted Afghan Borders. I was hoping for something more like a flat braid, but using an H hook, that doesn't always work in a larger size. We'll see. I'll experiment tonight.

Disarming

Well, injured arm anyway. Last week, I fell on the patio rushing around so that I could get to the fabric store before it closed. Didn't seem like a problem in the hour after I fell. It has been a big problem all week. I still can't use a rotary cutter. Picking up a 6x24 inch ruler with the right hand -nuh uh...not happening. Today was the first day I could crochet, and it hurt some, but I got quite a bit done.

So, I decided to focus on applique and machine sewing things already cut out for the weekend. I hope to post some finished blocks tomorrow and Sunday. Lots of snow expected. I'm staying in with my cocoa.

Halloween Cut Outs

As mentioned yesterday, I'm hard at work cutting out two Halloween Wedding Ring quilts. I've finished 82 insides and between 250 and 300 melons. I need 96, so I'm almost done. I hope to finish cutting those tonight and then will move on to cutting the semi-solid arcs to make two samples. I'm not sure if I will be using yellow or orange for the arcs. I have no shortage of both. I'm thinking red for the 4 patches (appear when you assemble blocks). I'm using the Double Wedding Ring template set from Shar Jorgenson (now sold by Omnigrid) and it really makes cutting this out quick, easy and accurate! If you get this set, consider getting something that applies to one side to prevent movement of fabric or your melons will shift as you cut.

Surprisingly, there was a lot less fabric waste than I'm accustomed to when doing fussy cutting for a large quilt. The melons don't have to be spot on like the center piece. After cutting out pieces for my Halloween version of Lucky Stars (Atkinson Designs), the remainder will go into a string quilt. I really thought I would have TONS of leftovers with this project given how much Halloween fabric I do have, but honestly, I'm not going to have any of the quilt shop fabric left and much of the Debbie Mumm will also be used up. So, it is looking like 5 quilts will use up all 96 yards plus I may have to buy backing for one quilt. The 5 quilts are: Witch quilt (top done), Spider quilt (top 50% done), 2 Wedding Ring quilts, 1 Lucky Stars quilt and MAYBE a sampler lap quilt depending on the remainders. My biggest concern right now is that because I have none of these quilts done, and all the nicer fabrics already cut, what am I going to use to cover the table where we give out treats this year?


I want you to know how tough it was to cut a lot of these can't-cut-it-fabrics! I may need beer to get through the next one.

Cutting, Cutting, Cutting

My hand is starting to get a tad sore from cutting for 2-3 hours every day. The big moment finally arrived and I have started cutting into my can't-cut-it Halloween fabric! I'm cutting for 3 quilts - 2 Wedding Rings and 1 Lucky Stars. I need 96 inner rings and have cut about 72. Most also have 4 matching melons to complete the circle, but I know I'll have to use some random fill-in for that. Katier825 over at the Quilting Board provided me the cutting dimensions for Lucky Stars after I misplaced my pattern. It's here somewhere, but at least I can cut.

I had a lot of advance on the crochet project last week due to chauffeuring my Dad to the ER and then his subsequent appointments. Several appointments next week as well, so this project is going along pretty fast. I do want to gift it before the end of the year, so that works for me.

My sock knitting for the annual Sock Scarefest came to a sudden stop, alas. I'm having a little trouble with hand control. Temporary problem, but sometimes it's just best to set stuff down and ignore it for a couple of weeks and then pick it up again. I won't win any prizes, but I have the patterns and the finished sock will be a prize. Speaking of socks, while I am so-so on the LOOK of these socks, they are OH so comfortable and warm. I speak of Baba's Bed Socks made with Woolease. I have large feet (10W), and with my somewhat loose knitting, the size is perfect. They stay on. They don't wrinkle. They fit snugly. Try them! I finished these last April so only wore them a couple of times, but I really appreciate them now that it's getting cold. I plan to make another pair using more leftovers from a completed afghan. The only disadvantage is that two of my cats love the Woolease afghan and love these socks. I often find them in the hallway at night. Cat toys. Who would have thought?

Crocheting and Cat Beds

A 3-4 hour appointment turned into 5.5 hours of solid crocheting. As a result, I was able to get nearly 3 of the large squares done last week. Each large square is about 14 inches and the entire length is roughly 43 inches. Once all the rows are done, I think I'll finish the edging in scallops. I love scallops.



I have a lot of cat help at most times. But what they really do is sleep. Everywhere. All day long unless you are working on something and then they help. Their current favorite sleeping bed are the 2 boxes from the grocery store.
It's not like they don't have other beds. Its there. It's a cardboard box. I'm going to sleep in it.

Cleo-Claudine and Bart (he's the all black one). Cleo and Bart tend to sleep together. Bart is very much a mama's boy. See that ugly chair in the back? I'm hoping to refinish it before it snows. Gotta buy some paint stripper this week.


Polly in grocery cardboard boxes. Too tired to even look up.



Here's the cat bunk bed. I think this photo was taken last Spring. From top to bottom is Bart, Cleo-Claudine, and Sylvester.


Here's Polly sleeping in a chair. Too funny.


We bought these beds for about $6 at Walgreens. Polly was in it so quick, I didn't even have the tag off! This is their winter livingroom bed.

Crocheting Afghan Again

Well, today I'll show you progress on the crocheting project. This is the my take-a-long project granny afghan. It's based on a photo for a kit sold at Mary Maxim. After getting my leftovers from the rose afghans together, I realized that I had only 3 skeins of white and 5 or more of rose and green, so my color arrangement had to vary.



Here's a closeup. Threading in the ends is always such a pain in the neck. So, I just stick in DVDs and watch movies or series while threading in. Star Trek Next Generation is good for this since I've already seen most episodes before, although some were so long ago, I've forgotten them. I'll have to start crocheting the larger blocks now. I do want to finish this afghan (as well as the Ladybug afghan that continues to linger) before the end of the year.

After I finish these two projects, I have 5 more afghan projects for which I have yarn. Planned projects include a dragonfly afghan, an Irish Rose pillowghan, Winnie the Pooh, and an animal afghan.

2009 BOM progress

Yes, you read that right. I'm working on the 2009 Block of the Month from QATW board. I got behind when first the printer failed and then the computer. Since the pattern information for the blocks will likely disappear in January, I thought it was time to get a move on. I have completed all the flying geese parts. Here is the first panel. That first block may get replaced. I couldn't figure out why I had two of them, and now that I can see that the white edging just disappears, I remember why I had made a second one. Oh well. I have six blocks still to make and then complete assembly.



The quilting on the Pine Grove quilt has halted temporarily while I take some bad stitching out.

Template Free Applique

Usually, when I post a new technique, it's because I tried it. I haven't yet, but I am so awed by this applique technique that I wanted to post a link so that you can see this wonderful step-by-step tutorial on it. This is template free applique and the method is just ingenious. I am definitely going to try this on one of my Hawaiian applique blocks that have multicolors.

Template Free Applique

Puff - A Sad Day

My sister's cat Puff died yesterday. He was about 10 years old. He was diagnosed with cancer a couple of months ago and we knew he didn't have a long time. He was finally losing his battle and it was just time to go. Puff the Cat God, also known as the Guardian of the Water Bowl and Keeper of the White Rump Spot was a dedicated quilt inspector whenever I housesat. He and his catmates always made sure that no block went unnoticed.

Here is the Cat God preventing the Barbie Quilt from moving in 2006.


Here's my sister's other 3 cats. That cat in the front is Huff, Puff's brother, followed by Ptolomy and the all black spot in the back is Spitty.

A Loss To the Quilting World

Bonnie Lehmann passed away on the 5th of September. It is because of Bonnie and one of the cover quilts she designed for her magazine Quiltmaker that inspired me to take up quilting in the first place.

Here's a link to additional information on Bonnie.

This photo is the finished quilt of the inspiring cover. My first quilt. The instructions were so clear for someone who had nobody else to ask. As I recall, this pattern came out before rotary cutters became available in my area (1992). I really need to take a better photo of this quilt - it predates my digital camera.

This was my second finished bed quilt - Also from the cover of a Quiltmaker Magazine. I believe both patterns were designed by Bonnie. Both of these quilts were done by me while still a beginner.

.

Tropical Quilting?

My chances of returning to a tropical paradise are slim to none, but I've decided to try Hawaiian quilting finally. I actually started a Hawaiian Style Quilt-a-long over at Quilting Around the World (secretly it is so I can get tips) for encouragement while I work on all these large blocks. Anyway, here is my first block all basted and ready to start appliqueing. Elizabeth Root's instructions were very good and this first one came out correct the first time. Well, pretty close anyway. It's all basted and I'll start doing some of the needleturn tomorrow. The final block will be around 18 inches square - these are based on designs for pillows, but I plan to put them in a quilt, so just a lot of large blocks. I definitely need to make my backgrounds smaller. Didn't think of that when I cut it out.



I've also been completing swaps. I've finished the Goose In the Pond swap, round 1. I also completed the Spooky Attic Windows swap. Here are my participant block! I figured nobody else would have these fabrics as all but one or two are pretty old. Remember, I mentioned before that I had like 97 yards of Halloween fabric? You don't get that over night. Takes several years of collecting! See those orange and black ghosts? I think that fabric must be at least 12 years old (Bernatex). Couple of Debbie Mumm plus a 1930s repro-like fabric. This was my style of the Attic Windows pattern. Two strips of black. Easy. Not sure if I will participate in the Goose In The Pond Round 2 - I've hit that time of year where everything is a struggle, so I think I will focus on things that don't require a deadline. I can meet that.

Working on the Swap

Since I haven't posted much, I thought I would include some photos of my current swap progress, Goose In the Pond. As you can see, Polly came along to help. This is my cutting table. It's one of those resin folding tables sold in some big box hardware stores. Not perfect, but I do ok. That little white container at the end is my 2 inch squares - the current leader/ender project that will ultimately end up as heart blocks.



Of course, I can't accomplish anything with her help, so I had to resort to bribery. Despite the fact that there are several bed choices, all very costly, her preference is a cardboard box with or without a quilt folded into it. Obviously, she needed the quilt for some prompting. I've made a quilted pad for her - just have to add the binding. Unless she is in the box, I can't take the risk of using the rotary cutter - cats move so darn fast.



Anyway, by the end of tonight, I have finished all the rows for this block and will start assembling the rows into blocks tomorrow. I'm hoping to press, bag and tag to mail on Saturday. I plan to do Round 2 of this swap, and then I should have nearly all the blocks I need to complete a large quilt.

Swap Works

Haven't posted in a bit, but I have been working on projects! Currently working on a swap and I hope to have a photo soon. Yes, I really need to stop participating in swaps for awhile so that I can finish other stuff, but couldn't help it. I had always wanted to do this other one and then someone came up with an easy peasy Halloween swap, so just the way it goes. So far, I've resisted joining a charm swap, but it's hard. I was collecting charms for SO many years, but really don't need them now that the Pyramids top is done.

I hope to spend some time soon making my sidebar look a little less crowded. I've seen how some people are linking between multiple blogs in order to streamline. Not sure my stuff can do that, but I'll try. Part of why I have so many links is simply to maintain them for me. At least if my bookmarks go astray, my most important ones are on the blog!

Progress on UFOs

While I still have more work to do, periodically, I go through my links to make sure everything works. I noticed that my list of 'selected UFOs' has shrunk a lot in the last 2 years.

These items have been on there for at least 2 years. Potentially 3, if not 4, will still come off the list yet this year! In some cases, due to a quick cleanup, parts were separated and I'm finding them now. For instance, the Summer Sling bag has been completely crocheted for 2 years. I just found all the parts a couple of days ago. So, I'm going to make an effort to make that lining and attach, so that I can finish assembling the bag. I need to add a zippered pocket to the inside of this bag, so it's great that I have some additional yarn left over, as I don't have enough lining fabric to make one.

July Was A Bust

I got so little crafting done in July. I spent much of it mostly cleaning, cutting up scraps and doing other things. I've made a fair amount of progress on the granny afghan. Photos to be up later this week.

I did start working on a hand pieced Apple Core quilt from the scraps I've been accumulating. I have roughly 500 apple cores and according to the sheet, you need about 900 to make a queen sized quilt. Well on my way, I'd say. Why hand pieced? I have tried machine sewing these and I seem to spend as much time taking some apart to fix than it would take to hand sew these in the first place. It's a mostly mindless task. I have a needle with a larger eye and don't even need my needle threader to do this AND my bifocals aren't driving me nuts while sewing them up. I sew 5 or 6 sets of two during an hour of watching a show. No rush to get it done. It will likely become my take-a-long project when I finish the granny afghan.

August projects include quilting the Pine Grove quilt and continuing to work on the Spiderweb quilt top. While I'm getting progress on the quilting, the Spiderweb has come to a stop given that my sorting areas include the ironing board. Finishing that this week and can then focus on my swap and the Spiderweb. Swap? Yes, bad me. I joined another swap, that again required me to buy fabric because I didn't really have stash. This time, it's a plaids/strips Goose in the Pond block using shirtings as a background. It's a simple pattern - HSTs with 9 patches and rail fences. The fabric choices will make it look very cabin like and homey. We're doing a 15 inch finished block, so that should go fast. Who gets it? Me. All quilts are for me unless I decide I can part with it. (evil grin).