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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Country Gatherings

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.

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.

Country Gatherings

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Country Gatherings

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.

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?

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.

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.

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!

Jelly Roll Sampler Quilt Along

these are blocks 9, 10, 11 and 12. of course i planned to over-use pink and caramel and then use cream for sashing. but decided it was just all too much. i did find a coordinating print online. so fingers crossed until the postman gets here. because really i am not sure what i will use.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.

All Wrapped Up

this has to be my favorite way to wrap a present.and a great way to show off selvedges. didn't want to put my name tag over them but for this i had to keep the bulk away from the corner.this is the book Susan used to pick her designs for the blanket. i have never bought a knitting reference book. so as a thank you to my knitters i thought they should have one. and a good excuse to get one for me too.i rarely buy cards anymore. but this one i couldn't resist. it's the same card we gave with the baby gift. koochie-koo on the outside. but blank on the inside. so thank you knitters. i hope you wow me with all your practice swatches.

The Brothers Karamazov

i'll just be reading this one.
7/10 - ready set go.
7/31 - pg. 160 - Jill's review of Book I, II, and III is here.

8/21 - Book IV, V, and VI.
9/11- Book VII, VIII, and IX.
10/2 - Book X, XI, and XII, plus short Epilogue.

it's a great day...

....for Andee because she just won my scrappy bundle.

and since it's always nice to win. congratulations! it's also a great day for Nanette, Gari, Sherrill, CindyK, Rumi, and Kathie. they're getting one of these.
check back next month for another scrappy bundle. if you're a do-it-yourself-kinda-girl. like me. i have put my pattern here. i know there are DIY'ers out there. so next month i will also have some scrappy supplies. to win that you'll have to send me a picture of wipers you made using my pattern. you can send that picture any time....starting now. and since i like getting regular mail. here's what you should do. print your picture onto back-to-school paper. write your name on it. email me for my address. then send it to me. happy knitting!

Wavy Wiper - Scrappy Bundle

remember these. i made 3 bundles.in lots of scrappy colors.one bundle was mailed to a secret friend.
one bundle is hanging out in in my shop has been sold.
one bundle is for someone who leaves a comment. might be you.
the picking will happen on Wednesday is over.

Giant Pincushion Sew Along step 2

accidently made two sets. washed fabrics. cut with rotary. half inch seams. no glue. kept papers inside. didn't tuck in dog ears.step 2 is done.

Country Gatherings

Italian Hexagons

or maybe they're just undies that look like a soccer ball.they're not for me. but someone visiting brought gifts from Italy.

My Patchwork Skirt

i was in a hurry last month making this to wear to the baby shower.i didn't like the picture of me wearing it so i just can't show it to you. i thought it looked very nice and it felt good on. i only wish i had the time to make it fit correctly. sized for tweens and teens. i thought i would just make the elastic looser. good plan but. i cut the dropwaist band wider. which made me cut the elastic longer. which made it too big. and since i zig-zag the elastic on instead of using a casing. that usually takes a few hours to rip-apart. so i did not fix. i cut the black strips narrower. partly design and partly not needing all that fabric. and it was smaller by 10 in. but because i lined it and that made it heavy it just puffed out. oh and the hembands are too wide. i would like to do this one over in the same fabrics. Kaffe. Authentic. Joel Dewberry. Riley Blake Wheels. Rawhide. Amy Butler. they really would make a nice quilt. hmmm. it's a new pattern. Pink Fig Patterns Hippy Chick Stripwork Skirt. i got it here. but you can also find it here.

Love A Good Cloth

Theresa Gaffey design #11.
one skein Louet Euroflax Sport Weight Linen.
two linen washcloths. Willow.

Giant Pincushion Sew Along step 1

this is too easy. find 3 fabrics i like together.step 1 is done.

Potholder Pass 3

these are the potholders made for me by susanhs6.and these are the potholders that i made for snippetsofsewingtime.Potholder Pass is hosted by Amy of During Quiet Times. and she might continue them after the summer is over.

lots and lots of siggies

101 blocks for swap hosted by Jaybird Quilts.
mailed July 2010. fabric is Amy Butler Love.101 blocks for swap hosted by p.s. i quilt.
mailed April 2010. fabric is Paula Prass.24 blocks for swap hosted by Cootie Bug.
mailed April 2009. fabric is Thimbleberries mixed with 1974.one swap is being sorted. one is on it's way back to me. one i have already received. still deciding on how to complete them. probably not a quilt. more likely a utility piece that i use in my creative space. to represent all the sewers around the world and all the time we spend loving fabric. if you finish something with one of my blocks. please come back here and let me know.

So Far

this completes week 5 of the crazy mom quilts quilt along.the few prints i did use are light, medium, and dark. which causes the pattern not to show like it would if i picked just mediums and darks. makes it looks a bit old-fashioned and hand-made. which i like.

The Embroidery Project : Beyond Fabric & Floss

it starts next week. so i must go get my supplies.maybe you'd like to sign up too. you could do that here.
that's all i know. except the fun part.
i know it will be very funny. i mean fun.
what i mean is. Mollie is very funny. the classes will be fun.