Christmas Past and Presents

Merry Christmas!
see my Instagram to see with borders.

Christmas Past and Presents

block 12.
looks like a big candy lollipop.
2011 - 12 Days of Christmas.
2014 - Christmas Past (and Presents).

already had my share of extra calories.
holiday goodies you eat while out doing holiday errands.
oh the delicious treats. wrapped up with a bow.
trying to offset some of the damage.
with a few apples and a fair amount of water.
enjoy!

Christmas Past and Presents

block 11.
X'ing off. what's left to do.
2011 - 12 Days of Christmas.
2014 - Christmas Past (and Presents).

handknits for me.
i took the time.
to work on the tricky parts.
switching colors.
holding 2 yarns together.
provisional cast on.
doing the kitchener on a zig-zag.
just a bit of finishing left to do.
take a wander and discover these awesome knitters.

Nice & Knit.
Kara & Katie.
Nice & Knit DK.
Maritime Cowl.

The Wool Sanctuary.
Suzie.
Rowan Pure Wool DK and Kidsilk.
Nicki Franklin Scarf.

Christmas Past and Presents

block 10.
this one is distracting me.
it's a keeper.
2011 - 12 Days of Christmas.
2014 - Christmas Past (and Presents).

these are my gift wrapping essentials.
cellophane bags.
similar to this one.
single hole puncher.
fancy baby hand puncher.
this is cute on a handmade gift.
black Sharpie ultra fine marker pen.
sometimes i alternate letters in red and green.
manilla tags. 2-3/4 in. x 1-3/8 in. 4-1/4 in. x 2-1/8 in.
any questions?

Christmas Past and Presents

block 9.
it's a nine patch. and it's red. so it's awesome.
2011 - 12 Days of Christmas.
2014 - Christmas Past (and Presents).

look at these little munchkins.
my niece and nephews.
all grown up now.
15. 18. and 21.
honestly an old photo is just the best thing ever.

Christmas Past and Presents

block 8.
classic pinwheel.
2011 - 12 Days of Christmas.
2014 - Christmas Past (and Presents).

dusting off the ornaments.
must stalk Ebay to get missing ones.
i have a small copper tree and keep these up all year long.
1971. 1992. Holiday 2008. Holiday 2010. 2011. Holiday 2011.
Holiday 2012. Holiday 2013. Holiday 2014. Swarovski® Holiday 2014.

come back on Saturday to see more blocks.

Christmas Past and Presents

block 7.
more pieces. more fun.
2011 - 12 Days of Christmas.
2014 - Christmas Past (and Presents).

for presents is a quilting class.
pretty mandatory to learn proper techniques.
it can add to the cost of your project.
but new things learned can be of great value.
this year's sampler at my LQS is another one by Eleanor Burns.
El's Kitchen by Quilt In A Day.

Christmas Past and Presents

block 6.
tie it with a bow.
2011 - 12 Days of Christmas.
2014 - Christmas Past (and Presents).

for presents is beauty products.
my favorite for a few years now.
there are virtually hundreds to choose from.
so strange that we just pick one or two that we must have.
so i add shampoo to an Amazon order every now and then.
my first bottle was a gift and may have come from a beauty supply shop.
It's a 10 Miracle Silk.
Dr. Hauschaka Rose Day Cream.

Christmas Past and Presents

block 5.
xmas-y red.
and xmas-y green.
2011 - 12 Days of Christmas.
2014 - Christmas Past (and Presents).

for presents a xmas movie.
people really love this one.
and actually like to watch it at xmas.
the t.v. people must have been saving it for December.
because it could not be found playing anywhere.
but a few months ago i saw at Savers and gave it to my sister.
so she could watch it anytime she wanted.
because she is one of those people.
now to gather with family and watch a xmas movie.
Bridget Jones' Diary.
Love Actually.
Elf.
The Holiday.
White Christmas.
The Family Stone.

Christmas Past and Presents

block 4.
i made this block a few times.
then i made the next few blocks.
so many choices.
but fabrics chosen simply compliment the other blocks.
2011 - 12 Days of Christmas.
2014 - Christmas Past (and Presents).

for presents a quilt pattern.
everyone wants to make this one.
me too.
just the how.
we know we didn't design it.
but we still want to create a quilt to look like we did.
oh the look on my sister's face.
when a quick-under-$20-trip-to-the-quilt-shop quickly doubled.
only you may understand the need to hold this in my hands.
so the over-thinking has begun.
Moda Building Blocks.

check back on Saturday to see more of my blocks.

Christmas Past and Presents

block 3.
a bit tricky to photog.
decided on this odd angle.
avoiding the glare but revealing my Mom's lovely vintage wallpaper.
can you see my block?
2011 - 12 Days of Christmas.
2014 - Christmas Past (and Presents).

so for presents this wooden advent made &/or sold at Starbucks.
it's no secret that i love this darling coffee shop and all they do.
but i was looking for a break from running around and filling bags.
it's very nice and each tin filled with a chocolate biscuit.
including the one with a $5 giftcard. and it's reusable.
not sure if she loves it. probably not the advent's fault.
so a filled advent for my Mom. and time for me. two gifts in one.
starbucks.com

Christmas Past and Presents

block 2.
day 3 but block 2.
because they are alternating blocks with presents.
and i am posting mine together.
2011 - 12 Days of Christmas.
2014 - Christmas Past (and Presents).

up next for presents is hardcover fiction.
my preference over my Kindle or a paperback.
although i have been thrifty and visited secondhand stores.
my favorite authors always come home as a brand new and real book.
Sarah Waters is one of my favorite authors.
i have read all her books. ok. so there are only 6.
but this one was just released.
quickly read and already on my bookshelf.
if only to serve as a trophy for finishing them.
sarahwaters.com

Christmas Past and Presents

block 1.
so this is happening again.
not that i did it. but.
Temecula Quilt Co. did this last year.
CORRECTION: could it really have been 3 years ago.
so if you hate mysteries.
"spoiler alert".
you can peek at the finished 2011 design.
or follow along the in progress 2014 design.
trust me. seeing the design won't spoil the fun.
2011 - 12 Days of Christmas.
2014 - Christmas Past (and Presents).

and i want to include here a version of presents.
up first is this very nice cotton ribbon.
insert "Italian" after "nice" and before "cotton".
the packaging is really pretty.
and since this may not be ideal for the intended project.
i will keep it wrapped as long as possible.
studio carta by angela liguori.

Little Letters - D

must pick scraps instead of napping.
here for more info on the sew along.
here for little letter D.

Little Letters - B & C

digging thru scraps is so messy.
here for more info on the sew along.
here for litte letter - B.
here for little letter - C.

Little Letters - A

playing around with scraps and color.
here for more info on the sew along.
here for little letter A.

lucky and next and eww

LUCKY.
i had the good fortune to win a few prizes this summer.

SOL HOODIE SEWING PATTERN.
Jamie Christina.
more about this pattern - here.
someone made it - here.
other patterns that were given away - here.

SNEAKER EMBROIDERY PATTERN.
Happy Sew Lucky.
this was an Instagram giveaway - here.
you can find it on Etsy - here.

BEVERLY HAT KNITTING PATTERN.
Kristen Hanley Cardozo.
well i grabbed a code and got this one - here.
you can find it on Ravelry - here.

KATE CALLAHAN MUSIC DOWNLOADS.
kate-callahan.com
just a like on FB a download of her Swing Low track.
also on FB a download of her Archangel track on cdbaby.
Kate wrote this for a friend who passed of ALS. so check that out.

WOVEN SLASHES PILLOW PATTERN.
Amy Badskirt.
i commented. yeah me. and i won.
her Quilt Design a Day photos were extremely interesting.

LADY SUNNYSIDE CARDIGAN PATTERN.
Tanis Fiber Arts.
i grabbed a code just yesterday and got this one - here.

NEXT.
much temptation on the web. thinking about these.

LITTLE LETTERS SEW ALONG.
Temecula Quilt Co. will be hosting this back to school special - here.
the patterns will be free on the blog but they have kits available now.
my LQS has just stocked every color in American Made Solids.
i might opt to do my-buy-as-you-go-method. but kits are better.

NAIL POLISH QUILT.
you must have seen this.
with links to quilts made by other bloggers.
i love them all but so want to make Lori Holt's into a pillow.

SPACE DUST QUILT ALONG.
Quilt Dad.
i got my discounted pattern.
i choose my fabric.
but since this is not in my budget.
i will be purchasing bits here and there.
really ok with this taking forever. all the details are here.

you know there is more. but long want-to lists make me sad.

EWW.
that's how you spell it.
i looked it up.
and this is either amazing or awful.

REUSABLE BATHROOM WIPES.
for many years i have read about using reusable bathroom wipes.
honestly i previously tried them and then stopped.
but for the past year i have and it is not a big deal.
this sort of not a big deal is maybe something you should try.
i only use for number one. which keeps things very simple.
i use a dry system in that i place used ones in a thick tote bag.
and empty tote into wash along with towels and lounging clothes.
i currently have 9-1/2 in. squares of flannel and a dry system.
i have also cut up some t-shirts and added them into the mix.
i remember a post of someone using vintage sheets.
and am thinking i will switch to that soon.
perhaps the rest of your family need not participate in.
search resuable toilet wipes and you will find plenty of info.

so many things to get going on.

Little House on the Prairie Sew Along

deliberately keeping fabric choices to a minimum.
but running out of that blue background fabric.
always in trouble casting scraps in a more major role.


Barn Block.
for third book.

fabrics used:
Denyse Schmidt Picnic or Fairground sold in JoAnn's.
Plum Sweet by Blackbird Designs by Moda.
Alexander Henry Heath.
Fig Tree Avalon Cream on Taupe Dots by Moda.

Little House on the Prairie Sew Along

was going to lay low because i hate multi-tasking in the heat.
but this sew along was too adorable. don't you agree.
Amy and her daughter Lily are reading the books.
and are making blocks inspired by the stories.
i did watch and enjoy the t.v. show.
so does it matter that i am.
~cough~cough~years~old. probably not.
go and see the sew along posts on Amy's During Quiet Time blog.
i am very impressed with Lily's fabric choices.

for me i really liked a Ghastlie mane.
with a Downton body. on a Denyse background.
now i can sit back and search the stash for other fabrics to use.


block 2 : Black Susan.
second block for first book.


block 4 : Pet and Patty.
second block for second book.

Austen Family Album Quilt Along

block 6 : empire state.

my blocks in Flickr.
the quilt along blocks in Flickr.
for more info see Barbara Brackman's Austen Family Album blog.

Great Granny Sew Along

Mama blocks.


and i won this fabulous prize from Fat Quarter Shop.
just for adding my Filled Basket block to the Flickr pool.
pretty funny my sis was just given this old sheet from a friend.
it's always nice using old fabrics when they are yours.
or you know where they came from.
if i say i want something she gets. she usually gives it to me.
i thought it was perfect for this sew along.
it reminds me of a 70's brown variegated yarn.
and hmmm. maybe i also made a summer top.

my sew along blocks on Flickr.
Great Granny Sew Along page.
Great Granny Sew Along Flickr page.

Wishes Quilt Along

Block 5 : Log Cabin.

my blocks in Flickr.
the quilt along blocks in Flickr.
Wishes Quilt Along page.
Kimberly's Make-A-Wish Donation page.

Great Granny Sew Along

Filled Basket block.


Yarn and Crochet Hook block.

you might have seen my basket block on the yarn block post.
it's the fourth photo down and turned on it's side. lol.
well i was one of the winners of that giveaway.
my prize is on it's way and i will show you when it gets here.

my sew along blocks on Flickr.
Great Granny Sew Along page.
Great Granny Sew Along Flickr page.

Doll Quilt Swap 2014

love it!
my sweet little quilt made by Michelle.
i don't patchwork with such gorgeous repro colors.
except the ones i make along with Lori.
so i am making a note to use more on a future project.

included was a magazine and a stitching kit.
appreciate that as i have not purchased many mags lately.
Michelle made my quilt.
and i made a quilt for Judith.
as far as i can tell neither of these quilters have a blog.
Michelle mailed mine well before the deadline.
of course i mailed a bit late.
thankfully it was promptly received ------ pheww!!
and the following is the quilt i made for Judith.

and my label.

a big thank you to Lori for hosting this fun swap.
i think i will create a Flickr album just for Lori's things.

Austen Family Album Quilt Along

block 3 : cross within cross.

my blocks in Flickr.
the quilt along blocks in Flickr.
for more info see Barbara Brackman's Austen Family Album blog.

Austen Family Album Quilt Along

block 2 : sister's choice.

my blocks in Flickr.
the quilt along blocks in Flickr.
for more info see Barbara Brackman's Austen Family Album blog.

WMGGS@DA?

i have a small workspace.
so i tear off small amounts (8 in. - 16 in.). iron. and start cutting.
i saved some ends and set aside for the binding.
before i make more grannies.
must do miscellaneous cutting.
not my favorite thing to do.
only highlighting how much background fabric is needed.
since my solid is really a print from the collection.
i was overjoyed to receive a coupon from FQS.
done and done.

Downton Abbey half yard bundle.
Great Granny Squared book by Lori Holt.
my blocks in Flickr.

Austen Family Album Quilt Along

block 1 : bright star.

my blocks in Flickr.
the quilt along blocks in Flickr.
for more info see Barbara Brackman's Austen Family Album blog.

Wishes Quilt Along

Block 4 : Broken Dishes.

my blocks in Flickr.
the quilt along blocks in Flickr.
Wishes Quilt Along page.
Kimberly's Make-A-Wish Donation page.

WMGGS@DA?

well.

Who's Making Great Granny Square(d)s @ Downton Abbey?

is it someone upstairs?

or downstairs?

or just me?

Downton Abbey half yard bundle.
Great Granny Squared book by Lori Holt.
my blocks in Flickr.

Wishes Quilt Along

Block 3 : Annie's Choice.

Wishes Quilt Along page.
Kimberly's Make-A-Wish Donation page.

Everyday Cardigan KAL

i seemed to have done what Lisa did.
drop 2 cardigans. to work on a pullover
so i will need to knit like crazy later to catch up.
i wish i had seen this yarn before and made a few hats.
but first it will be a pullover.


multi-colored yarn. hope i like it when it gets really big.


for today i only finished the yoke.

for more good stuff visit Lisa on her Polka Dot Cottage blog.
for more about the KAL check the Everyday Cardigan KAL posts.
and for the pullover check the Everyday Pullover posts.

Everyday Cardigan KAL

if you can call it progress i added another rib section.
there are so many stitches at this point.
as promised here is a look at the back of the seed band.


on the front i put a purl stitch to separate the sweater from the band.
which on the back makes a line of knit stitches.
kinda resembles a sewn look when you make a facing.

i went ahead and purchased the Everyday Pullover pattern.
kept going back and forth between a cotton yarn and a wool yarn.
casting on today.

for more good stuff visit Lisa on her Polka Dot Cottage blog.
for more about the KAL check the Everyday Cardigan KAL posts.
and for the pullover check the Everyday Pullover posts.

Everyday Cardigan KAL

a bit late posting this week.
as i had my own bit of trouble with the increases.
first without consulting the pattern i knit 3 rib sections.
only to discover i had skipped an increase row. maybe two of them.
next i thought my "increases with pf&b" were too lumpy.
i think Spud & Chloe Sweater yarn is just not a flat yarn
and this problem would not be an issue with other yarns.
but i chose it. for a good reason. so i must figure it out.
redid on knit side but increased with "make 1's".
found i did not like the way it seemed twisted.
redid on knit side again but worked "increases with kf&b".
not that clever of me. the pattern continues with this version.


all of this happened.
while i was waiting for another color to arrive.
i picked "rainstorm" and it is simply a perfect navy.
this one will have the pattern's seed stitch neckline.
you just can never know at this point which you will prefer later.
so i am just going to commit to both.

did you visit Lisa this week.
she started amd finished a pullover with cap sleeves.
i was excited to find the pattern is ready.
and plan to cast on a pullover soon.
and i would say yes to a cap sleeve version with buttons.

modifications:
making 2 sweaters.
one with rib at neckline.
one with seed at neckline.
6 stitches for the seed button band.
6 rows for the seed neckline.
extra 2 rows at neckline are just extra.
so i can start the pattern at row 1.
completed first increase one row earlier.
i did place a purl stitch between the sweater and the band.
will show you that next week.

for more good stuff visit Lisa on her Polka Dot Cottage blog.
for more about the KAL check the Everyday Cardigan KAL posts.
and for the pullover check the Everyday Pullover posts.

Wishes Quilt Along

sometimes the back is pretty awesome.


Block 2 : Double Windmill.

Wishes Quilt Along page.
Kimberly's Make-A-Wish Donation page.