Friday, December 31, 2010

Auld Lang Syne

as well as celebrating the New Year, Auld Lang Syne is very widely used to symbolise other "endings/new beginnings" (from Wikipedia). this was Senior Day at a recent football game. and my sister's Xmas card this year. Nora ♥ Linda ♥ Franco ♥ Frank ♥ and Giancarlo ♥. i sincerely look forward to the New Year. and the much more. or much less. that it may bring. to my family. and to yours.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

i ♥ baby alpaca

The Eternity Scarf by Michele Wang.
#9 circular needle. 3 skeins of Rowan Lima.
84% baby alpaca. 8% merino wool. 8% nylon.
i made 3.
mixed with grey. the sage is mine.
the oatmeal and blue were presents.
my LYS made this with two colors.
then i found the original pattern was written for just one color.
so the possibilities for this one are endless.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

s-Snow

fun {after Xmas} = stuck in a home with lots of activity. it snowed like crazy.containers given were filled with vanilla sugar tied with a wavy wiper. and journal covers made included a pencil.i also gave 3 scarves. 1 flannel patchwork. 2 knitted. with 200 stitches on the needles i didn't quite make it. so this is how they were given. {in case you are wondering i did get them done before i went home}.not much fun {before Xmas} = my sister finding out she needed new tree lights.quiet and peaceful fun {before Xmas} = that would be Nora taking a break from her busy life to trim the tree.

Friday, December 24, 2010

on-the-go-go Xmas

there's no chance i will have this absolutely finished soon. so i must just show you now. it's the next Le Petit project. i will hand quilt with Perle cotton and bind with wavy edges. except i don't even have a wavy ruler. it's a Moda Bake Shop recipe. but smaller like Sherri is making. the prairie points are these selvedges. and although the original layout is perfect. i altered it to resemble a regular tree.late again delivering the bags. but done is done.and speaking of done. i managed to make 10 of these. that would be finished and wrapped. thank you very much.i'm laughing right now. because my plan to keep-it-simple was accomplished. although even simple things can get get ugly if done late. meaning most of this could have leisurely been done in September. hehe. i also managed to put together 10 of these.i live in an old building with a beautiful lobby. somewhere in draft i have a post on this. any-who!! our lobby got a new Xmas tree this year so i made a simple tree skirt. i've never made one before. so it was definitely a quick-and-dirty-version but all that was needed.we might get snow in a few days. but for most of this month and tonight i am happy that the roads are dry. Merry-Xmas-Eve to everyone!

Friday, December 17, 2010

Country Gatherings

Thursday, December 16, 2010

More Advent Days

late again.if i told you what was in bag 13-14. i would have to exterminate you. OMG. peanut-butter-cups without the wrapper. maybe i got this one so i could enjoy them too.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Love A Good Cloth

but i have issues with this one.Spring Time Wash Cloth pattern by I Live On A Farm.
Red Heart Eco-Cotton Blend 75% recycled cotton 25% acrylic.
#5 needles on the orange. 50 sts. 11 pattern repeats.
#6 needles on the beige. 50 sts. 24 pattern repeats.
i knit the beige ones until the yarn was gone.
i washed and tested before posting.
the blend probably makes it stronger.
i did not like the way it felt when washing the dishes.
and i thought it did not absorb water when drying my hands.
so i'll be using them as a morning mat.
the pattern stitch is still lovely and i will knit again.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Christmas Cactus Quilt Along : blocks 11 thru 15.

i managed to get more blue a few days ago. and since i had been working around it. i quickly got these done.all of the details can be found on Piecemeal Quilts.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Mom's Advent Bags

when your advent bags get delivered late. just staple all the extra days on the first one. but you can't see what's in there. gardening balm in a tin. good for cold weather hands.i found this page of numbers in the scrapbooking store. quick. easy.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Words and Circles

i've got selvedges. been collecting them.first i snip the end at 2 in. then i tear them off. last night i fussy cut some circles. and before i put them away. decided to cut some words too. but i was after the colorful dots. enjoy!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Love A Good Cloth

this is Vito. Nora's cousin.
do i need to tell you how much we love him.
i didn't think so.
Baby Bib O'Love from the Mason-Dixon Knitting books.
Rowan denim 100% cotton.
Belle Buttons by Dritz. 11/16 in. made of coconut.
this yarn shrinks and eventually is supposed to fade like denim.
i made 4. and they are so cute i just wanna make more.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Christmas Cactus Quilt Along : blocks 6 thru 10.

that extra grunge color photogs a bit yellow. which it is. but i keep referring to it as lime. and i think i am out of the blue since i used it in Butter Churn. the pace of this quilt along is perfect if you cut out ahead of time. or can stay home for 25 days in a row. or or or. if you don't have to stop in the middle and get more fabric.all of the details can be found on Piecemeal Quilts.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Butter Churn

i love this red and blue oval fabric from Freebird. and i want to explore more of this blending of many background fabrics.me thinks being picky interferes with the creative process. even if the results are good i often wonder what i could have done. but was happy that i agreed on 2 with red and 2 with blue. a mix of Pure, Shangri-La, Rouneries, and a Basics pin dot. the other red and blue fabric is from Boutique by Chez Moi. and then there is that grunge border.most of the time i just try to buy fabrics i love. and when they co-mingle on the table. i often find that some of them just go together. which is what happened with the grunge.fabrics from Quilt Taffy, Pink Chalk Fabrics, The Sproutz Store, and Quilting By The Yard.this is Butter Churn. as a follow-up to A Year of Schnibbles. Sinta Renee of Pink Pincushion and Sherri of A Quilting Life are now hosting Le Petite - a year of small projects. last month's project was to make Paganini. i didn't make mine yet. but i am deciding on some fabrics. check out last month's parade from Sinta Renee and from Sherri.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Christmas Cactus Quilt Along : blocks 1 thru 5.

Sandi has put together some great instructions. there are 25 blocks. and you have to make 4 of each one. i am using grunge from Fruitcake. plus an extra grunge color.i first saw grunge from Figgy Pudding when i made this. i remember my reluctance to use it. but now find it perfectly suited for this pattern. and now even more colors are available. my squares are cut 2 in. and Sandi includes directions for squares cut in other sizes. all of the details can be found on Piecemeal Quilts.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Jelly Roll Classic Sampler BOM

here's Block 9.this is the Jelly Roll Classic Sampler BOM from The Quilt Room. the pdf files are no longer available from the website. but the pattern has been published in their new book. Jelly Roll Sampler Quilts.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Stitches East 2010

i remember not going last year. and that might have happened again. but i volunteered to unpack boxes for my LYS a few days before it opened. and got this handy-dandy-badge with my name on it. Barbara and Richard are the owners of Sit 'n Knit. and their booth included a large selection of Opal sock yarn. and the cutest dolls and clothes that you knit from from AK Traditions. in the past you had to order from Australia. now if you are interested you can just contact Barbara. here's what i got from other vendors. from Ruhama's the Santa Monica Wrap pattern which uses Kauni Effektgarn. a very cool yarn that i would like to work with soon. i got to meet these guys on unpacking night. their booth drew you in and kept you there. from Carol of Sunday Knits the Sunday Scarf pattern and red merino called Eden. her designs are simply beautiful. then i met the lovely Allison of The Knit Princess. Allison wrote a comic-book and was actually wearing a tiara. her Vol. 1 includes a pattern for a beanie-hat-with-knitted-on-tiara. which i want to make. my last purchase was from Mercedes from Kitchen Sink Dyeworks. i liked everything. her colors and her patterns. i wanted a yarn that would resemble a tiara and we decided on a grey fingering merino called Dexter. she also spins her work with small amounts of silver that really catch the light. Stitches East 2010 was held in the CT Convention Center. and i will probably go again next year.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Rainbow Bundle and Single Wipers

the Rainbow Bundle has been won by Lynn. and for leaving a comment, some Single Wipers have been won by Gari, Joan, Susan, Shannon, Tine, and Patchwork Jenn. send me your mailing info and i will get them out to you.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Jelly Roll Classic Sampler BOM

here's Block 7.those big brown points were not supposed to have a seam. but i didn't have the other recommended ruler. and temporarily forgot how to work around it. incidently that's why i skipped Block 6.

this is the Jelly Roll Classic Sampler BOM from The Quilt Room. the pdf files are no longer available from the website. but the pattern has been published in their new book. Jelly Roll Sampler Quilts.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

thank you. and let's do it again.

a sincere thank you to all my blogfriends who have said such nice things about my Wavy Wipers. and for those of you who were curious about the DIY bundle. Rumi put together this extremely thankful post spilling the beans. other thank-you's go to Gari, Melanie, Andee, Kathie, Nanette, and many others. i like seeing something i made on someone else's blog. and it was thrilling to have sold a few bundles in my Etsy shop. i know that some of your friends did come over and take a look.

as an additional thank you i thought you might be interested in my Wavy Wiper pattern for beginners. i've always thought it a bit silly to write out every row. but my sister often wishes a pattern tells you more. maybe you feel that way too.

so. well. hmmm. what now. oh yeah. let's do it again. i made some rainbow wipers for Judy who is my talented-knitting-friend. so up for grabs is that same rainbow bundle. and one for the shop. leave a comment here and i'll pick a winner on Saturday. a winner has been picked.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Country Gatherings

Monday, October 11, 2010

i ♥ knitting

Everyday Cowl pattern by JCasa handmade.
1 skein of Noro Taiyo in color 08 found here.
i have been having little-girl-tantrums looking for this yarn in person. then finally gave up and purchased it online. this blend of mostly cotton & silk is perfect for me and for this time of year.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Jelly Roll Classic Sampler BOM

i used another charm to finish up the corners. there were many other choices. plenty jelly roll strips left. just felt the center fabric needed to be used again along the edges. here's Block 5.this is the Jelly Roll Classic Sampler BOM from The Quilt Room. the pdf files are no longer available from the website. but the pattern has been published in their new book. Jelly Roll Sampler Quilts.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Country Gatherings

Sunday, September 5, 2010

DIY Bundle

Rumi. you have been picked to receive a DIY bundle. thank you for sending in your entry. and. up for grabs. is a Single Wiper made from a new scented yarn. it's a mint green by Sugar 'N Cream. there's nothing terribly awful about it. it's just not for me. do you want it? email me. if you're the first one to do so. i'll send it to you. and i'll include the rest of the yarn not used.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Knitted Bundle and Single Wipers

the Knitted Bundle has been won by Cindy. and for leaving a comment, some Single Wipers have been won by Melanie, Gari, Barbara, Patchwork Jenn, and Nanette. send me your mailing info and i will get them out to you. i'm putting together the DIY Bundle and will announce the winner this weekend. but if you have not mailed me your entry it's probably too late! has been picked.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Wavy Wiper - DIY Bundle

it's time to put a deadline on the DIY bundle. if you remember i told you here. if you have made a wavy wiper using my pattern. just print out a copy onto back-to-school-paper. and send to me by regular mail. if you haven't done so yet. you still have time. pop it in the mail to me by Monday. and i will pick who gets to receive a whole box of goodies. enough goodies to make lots and lots of wipers.but for now i made 3 of these bundles.
one is for a birthday present.
one is hanging out in my shop.
one is for someone who leaves a comment here.
so you really don't have to knit to win.
the picking for the knitted bundle will happen on Tuesdayis over.

the picking for the DIY bundle will happen next Saturday.
or when i am sure all mailed entries are received. is over.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Jelly Roll Sampler Quilt Along

i completed my top.say hello to Nora's friend, Olivia.i might just add another strip around all the edges. and then shop around for the backing. all of the details can be found on Moose on the Porch Quilts. each block is made by a different designer. every two weeks. check the Flickr pool. or my Flickr set.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Medallion Quilt Along

it's over. but Anita's got this other quilt along. and all the instructions are still posted here.i've had my eye on this tutorial. which uses this template. but my center block was inspired by variations like this one. i'll keep this on the wall until i decide which fabrics to use next.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Country Gatherings

Monday, August 16, 2010

Wild Geese Quilt Along

Anita of Bloomin' Workshop saw this. and then EQ'd this.this is a David Textiles fabric. so. i've been unable to make more blocks as i ran out of background. and then i lost my extra geese that were prepped. where are you geese? i need you.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Anti-Pilling!

i often browse the acrylic section to look at the offered yarns. i really don't like acrylic. i just want to be part of the tradition. a bit like that someone who makes so many blankets that everyone they know has one. me got some of those. my favorite is this brown ripple.i really don't mind the pilling. on my old blankets that is. because i respect the tradition. and i know that's what happens. just don't want it to happen to-my-work. but today i touched this especially soft yarn. and it promised not to pill. so i took some home. and i made a guage. so there you go. i'm making an acrylic blanket. go figure. no rushing here. because gosh darn it. with all the free patterns out there. i have my eye on one that i actually have to pay for. the U.S. Open starts August 30th. so hopefully i'll be busy knitting this while i watch tennis. and hopefully i won't have to be knitting with the air conditioner on. i don't ask for much. how about you. have you been gifted one of these blankets?

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Love A Good Cloth

Spring Time Wash Cloth pattern by I Live On A Farm.
Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Dyed Organic Cotton. color #303.
made a bit smaller. #5 needles. only 50 sts. mine measures 8 in.
love the stitch. love the back. you must make this one.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

So Far

this completes week 6 of the crazy mom quilts quilt along.in person this is very cute. but i've had some problems getting a nice photo. here you can see the center and three rounds and also the detail of the prints. so bingo.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Oodles & Oodles

oodles & oodles of inspiration. and little old me just trying to decide on a new scrap adventure. have you been playing around with new stuff you found?

KarrieLyne's quilt along using charm packs. i made a few changes.Marit's bee block called Bee Friends. there's even some cute stitching to be added.Aneela's first recipe called Around the Corner. this would make a great i-spy.Nanette's brand new pattern called Freda's Flowers. it's going to be Autumn before you know it.and then there is Audrie's quilt along with an emphasis on using scraps. it hasn't started yet. but i am thinking polka dots. i can't wait!