Knitting and Quilting

Sorry, it's been a bit since I posted. Haven't been getting a lot of needlework done, but mostly because it has all been taken up with socks and just feeling out of sorts. I have yet to finish a pair, but I have 4 pair of socks on different needles. Let's focus on the currently active pair. I am making the "On Hold" pattern from Wendy Johnson's Socks from the Toe Up. As much as I love the result, I detest working on lace. I may appreciate the lacemaking after I am more familiar with the toe up process. I do love working on circulars and may never pick up my double pointed needles again.

Progress from July 2009. Shows the pattern very nicely.


This shows my progress today. Sorry for washed out photo. As you can see, I finished the heel and about 3 inches of the ankle of one sock. The other is waiting for me to start the heel. Done on separate circs as I still haven't quite figured out how to work them on one set of circs yet. These are running just a little big. Next time I have a 66 stitch sock, I'm dropping a few stitches. I'm using size 0 circs and just am not going to go to any lower sizes. Too hard to pick up dropped stitches.


As always, a needed pet photo. Here is Polly in the window well of my craft room. That is a Mile A Minute afghan she is laying on. I'm also thrilled to pieces about the new window. I can finally open AND close the window instead of opening and having to use a hammer to close it. Don't have to put plastic on it either - no drafts.


Finally, here is part of the now completed Train Quilt top. This quilt is for my Dad to use in his recliner as he often sleeps there, so it is specially sized. I bought the binding today and still need to sew the backing together and find some red wool yarn. I hope to start tying it some time this week. To you quilters reading my blog: I completely agree with you. I should have cut the square-in-the-squares smaller so that the corners just met. However, non-quilters don't even notice, so I'm not going to either. Next time, I will do it right. I was able to use all but one of my train fabrics in some way in this quilt. The final one is going to be used to make a matching remote control holder. Whatever is left over, I plan to trade off to someone. I have SO much fabric, I decided not to quibble over scraps - trade the leftover novelties off for something I can use and someone else will benefit from these now out-of-print fabrics.

Sock Knitting!

First, I had to abandon my previous socks as they were too big. I still plan to do them with that yarn, but just a temporary hold. In the meantime, I started my sock for the Socks From The Toe Up monthly challenge at Ravelry. This group is devoted to Wendy's patterns, both published and free on the net. This month it is Lace Ribbing. I'm using a Palette yarn from Knit Picks for this first challenge and size 1 needles. I don't know why I had so much trouble with the toe. I restarted 6 times and gave it a rest and then did it again twice this morning before I got it right. It still isn't perfect (I had to add some rows to have 32 stitches on both needles), but damnit, I'm not starting it again!

As I learned from the other sock, I have loose gauge, so am just following the instructions for a regular 8.5 inch sock. Then I'll check the fit and adjust if need be. I just can't knit 8 stitches to the inch and I can't knit with those 00 needles either. So, it's either 1 or 0 and I'll enjoy myself. I do plan to get circs later on so that I can knit with 2 circs instead, but I'm comfortable with doublepointeds. I do find it impossible to knit while watching TV. These no-line bifocals are just at the wrong level for my knitting and it's annoying. I just take my glasses off to knit. I am getting new frames for my other lenses (the ones for cross-stitching) and then I probably will have less problems. Gives me an excuse to listen to my audiobook.

Square In A Square

Yes, focus is my problem. Natch. Anyway, I did 2 sample blocks for my Dad's Train quilt and they look pretty nifty. The red has tracks in it. I like it fine, but it just seems to lack pop. Not sure yet what I will do, but I still have 3 other train fabrics to incorporate into this thing. My Square in a Squares are actually too generous, so I might have to cut that some. As this quilt is for sleeping in the recliner, I'm limited to 50 x 100 inches. A little awkward, but a regular twin is too wide.

Big Busted is Busted!

I have been making the mystery quilt from the Stashbusters yahoo group and the top is now done! Bad time of day to take photo, but as you can see, the graphic (windmill blades) isn't very strong due to my choice of light fabric. Still, it's a nice lap quilt, totally made from stash and scraps. I love, love, love the border! My sister and BIL happened to request a lap quilt at the time this mystery started so when I have it quilted, they will likely get it. If I make this again, I will use a light fabric, maybe a marble, throughout. Behind the quilt is the new retaining wall that has been interfering with my crafting! Lots of skut work still to be done although all but the end cap of the wall is up now. A part of the patio is also being replaced. Everybody has taken a break however, so hopefully it will be done before July heat sets in.



It is no surprise that there are no photos of socks. I will be working on socks tonight and maybe, just maybe, might get one done before the end of the month.

Also, another photo op! I finished a top that was part of a Winter Fun swap at www.QuiltingAroundTheWorld.com. My blocks were the pinwheels and rail fences. I'll have to put this top up and gaze upon it during commercial breaks to figure out how I'm going to quilt it. It needs more than in-the-ditch quilting, but I haven't decided what. I'm hoping for inspiration.

Mystery is Nearly Done!

For those of you working on the Stashbuster Mystery, I am nearly finished with Steps 8 & 9. I have to go to the library today to print out the final pages. This is actually a very good mystery because I have absolutely NO IDEA what this thing is gonna look like and typically by now, you have a good vision.

I had a goal to get these very first toe up socks done before the end of May and I'm not doing so good. I'll post on June 1 exactly what has been accomplished as I plan to work madly over the weekend to try to finish at least one sock.

What has been getting in my way is the new retaining wall. It is now up, but not completed. Further work also has to be done to the patio. Work that needs to be done, but interferes with my crafting!

Citrus Stars Quilt DONE!

Finished the Citrus Stars quilt last night. The photo is a little dark, but I can't seem to get access to my photoeditor. It is a dark blue star background in the border, not black. Extra large twin sized quilt, it measures 72x90 inches and has a flannel backing which features a Debbi Mumm squirrel print (my bro is a fan of squirrels). I used Joann's Soft and Crafty Hi Loft and tied it using Cascade 220 wool yarn. It looks very Miami, but adding the green and dark blue gave it a more male look, which was needed since this is for my brother. The background is various white on white vine fabrics. The strip of green at the bottom was to give just a tad couple more inches. Probably should have put it at the top, but its done and looks great.


The 4 patch stars are a free pattern and I added 1 inch sashing between them. I used my Eleanor Burns Flying Geese templates to make the 6 inch flying geese in the border. While this quilt did use up 5 yards of stash, it really isn't a big stash user as you need a solid background for it and quite a bit (I think I used 6 yards).
http://www.scrapquilts.com/4star.html

What I'm Doing

Sorry, I've been a little light on the postings. First, TV watchings. I'm not a big TV watcher, but there are several things coming on that I do enjoy. The exciting news is that Primeval and Eureka are back!! Primeval, Season 3 (BBCA) starts tonight and Eureka is back to finish Season 3 (delayed due to writer's strike) in July. Since I don't have HBO, I'm also looking forward to getting my DVD of True Blood at the end of this month. I love the books, I hope the series is as good. I also get to work my way through Buffy and Angel series this summer. Picked these DVDs up for a good price, used, so that I could take my time. Finally, I'm getting all of the New Doctor Who and Torchwood series. Lots of stitching time here when it's too hot or mosquito ridden for me to go outside!

Quilting: The Citrus Stars quilt is nearly done. I just started hand sewing the binding to the back, but it will take a few days. I started cutting the fabric for Pirates/Parrots reversible quilt. All but the sashing has been cut for Pirates, so that I can make pillowcases with the remainder. Now, I have to figure out the plan for Parrots so I can start cutting that. This week, I will also start cutting out the trains for Dad's chair quilt. It will be a square in a square type quilt and will likely have train tracks for the border.

I just received my first installment of a BOM. This is called Snowman Collector and this quilt will be for me. I just love these snowmen. Yes, it ends up expensive over the long haul, but so darn cute.


Knitting: Working on 2 different pairs of socks. Had set these down to finish up Citrus Stars and will pick up again as soon as the binding is done. Both are 'basic socks', so nothing complicated about them. I need to get my toe up done very quickly as the monthly KAL starts in June.

Crocheting: the Crocheted Ladybug afghan is really reaching a great stage. I have 31 of the 35 background squares now done. I will be moving on to doing the ladybug parts and the flower parts, all of which get attached to the background squares.

Cross Stitching: Bought a whole bunch of DMC floss from Stashbuster's List Mom, Sandra. Ironically, she works only a mile from where I live, so I got to save on shipping and just pick it up at the front desk. I'll admit, for hand stitching, cross stitching has been taking a back seat for awhile. I will be bringing it back out to the forefront soon and have picked Sunday as my day of the week to just work on cross-stitching.

Ok.. that's about it. I need to go out and finish mowing the back before Primeval starts. I promise - photos - soon!! My Kodak program is back and I think I found my cable to connect the camera (thieved by interested kitties).

Garage Sale and Quilt-A-Long

First, the garage sale was a success. Most of my fabric went the first day and most of my yarn the second. Also sold most of the quilt and crochet books and booklets. What is left are smaller pieces: Millennium fabric, city fabric (looks like Chicago) and some fabric book panels (Beatrix Potter and Winnie the Pooh). There will be another garage sale in July, but all different stuff. If any of my followers are interested, let me know!

I am also joining an EASY quilt-a-long. I wanted to join the Stashbusters mystery quilt, but I have no printer, can't read the darn files (new drive, lots of stuff to put back on) and they are already on the 2nd week (I was NOT gone a week!). So, I'm bummed, but decided on this other quilt-a-long which also uses stash. It's a 9 patch set in white sashing. Really, a nice summer quilt that can be made any size. It's a do-a-block-a-day quilt-a-long. I think I can manage that. Here's the link:
One A Day Quilt A Long

I think I'll include some of that Chicago Skyline and Millennium fabrics in this project unless I can find someone who desperately has been looking for either of these to finish a project.

Garage Sale

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

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

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

Total Idiot

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

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

Preparing for the Garage Sale!

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

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

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

Things I've Done 2

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

Things I've done 2...

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

Started your own blog

Slept under the stars--just the one time

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

Visited Hawaii

Watched a meteor shower

Given more than you can afford to charity

Been to Disneyland/world

Climbed a mountain

Held a praying mantis

Sang a solo

Bungee jumped

Visited Paris

Watched a lightning storm at sea

Taught yourself an art from scratch

Adopted a child

Had food poisoning

Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

Seen the Mona Lisa in France

Slept on an overnight train

Had a pillow fight

Hitchhiked

Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

Built a snow fort

Held a lamb

Gone skinny dipping

Been to a Broadway show in NY

Ran a Marathon

Been in three states at once

Ridden in a gondola in Venice

Seen a total eclipse

Watched a sunrise or sunset

Hit a home run

Been on a Cruise

Seen Niagra Falls in Person

Visited the birthplace of your Ancestors

Seen an Amish community

Taught yourself a new language

Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

Gone rock climbing

Seen Michelangelo’s David

Sung karaoke

Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

Visited Africa

Walked on a beach by moonlight

Been transported in an ambulance

Had your portrait painted

Gone deep sea fishing

Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

Kissed in the rain

Played in the mud

Been to Grace Kelley’s grave in Monaco

Gone to a drive-in theater

Been in a movie

Visited the Great Wall of China

Started a business

Taken a martial arts class

Swam in the Mediterranean Sea

Visited Russia

Served at a soup kitchen

Sold Girl Scout cookies

Gone whale watching

Gotten flowers for no reason

Donated blood, platelets or plasma

Gone sky diving

Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

Bounced a check

Saved a favorite childhood toy

Visited the Lincoln Memorial

Eaten Caviar

Pieced a quilt

Stood in Times Square

Toured the Everglades

Been fired from a job

Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

Broken a bone

Been on a speeding motorcycle

Seen the Grand Canyon in person

Published a book

Visited the Vatican

Bought a brand new car

Walked in Jerusalem

Had your picture in the newspaper

Read the entire Bible

Visited the White House

Killed and prepared my own meat

Had chickenpox

Saved someone’s life

Sat on a jury

Met someone famous

Joined a book club

Lost a loved one

Had a baby

Seen the Alamo in person

Swam in the Great Salt Lake

Been involved in a law suit

Owned a cell phone

Been stung by a bee

Back On, Sortof

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

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

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

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

Technology and Viruses

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

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

It's National Quilting Day!

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

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

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

Citrus Quilt Progress

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

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

Finished an Afghan!

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




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

February Revisited

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pillowcases

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


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

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

Afghan and Cleaning

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

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


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

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