Oh my...

It has been so long since I posted that I barely remember how it works.

We took our annual trip to Mammoth Lakes and it was as relaxing and lovely as always. I can always feel the stress and worries drain from my body as we spend time in nature. It might be just a tad on the quiet side, only because we've done it so often, but we always manage to find something new-to-us to see or do.

I was working on these socks while we were there and they are still not finished. I'm almost to the toe of the second sock, but that doesn't count as finished. I love the color of this yarn. It felt like Fall in Mammoth since the nights were in the high 20s/low 30s so it was the perfect color.

Take care,

I need to update the following chart, but I'll do that later.

Started 2018 with UFO projects: 23
New YTD:7
Gave away YTD:0
Trashed/dismantled YTD:
Sold unfinished UFOs YTD:0
Finished YTD: -7
So far 2018: 23

Raindrops on Roses... it's finished!

I loved making this shawl once I got the hang of the lace part of the pattern. It helped so much to use markers and I don't know why it didn't occur to me to use them in the first place. Anyway, it's finished and I'm quite pleased with it.

These are the two yarns I used. According to the pattern, I had enough of the Mustang Sally to complete the shawl using just one skein. Although I don't think my gauge was off, I ran out of yarn and had to use the Aubergenius for the last few rows. I think it still looks lovely.

Take care,

Started 2018 with UFO projects: 22
New YTD: 5
Gave away YTD:0
Trashed/dismantled YTD:
Sold unfinished UFOs YTD:0
Finished YTD: -4
So far 2018: 23

Raindrops...

I wish we were having raindrops. Our weather prediction is for a tiny bit of rain this next week, but we'll see how that goes.

Anyway, I purchased some new yarn... BMFA STR Lightweight, of course, although I do have some "new to me" yarn coming soon. Colorways are Aubergenius and Mustang Sally and are they gorgeous or what!! I've decided to make another shawl, this time the Raindrops on Roses pattern. I'll be using the Mustang Sally so it will look very similar to the shawl pictured on the pattern when I'm finished. I like that it uses only one skein of yarn because that's all I have in that colorway.

I'm also working on my Traverse Bag. I'm taking it slow since I haven't made a bag in quite some time and it's so easy to make a mistake that can't be fixed. Especially with limited fabric. :)

I love Sundays... I'll be casting on my shawl as soon as I finish with this post, we've already eaten the glorious Blueberry Dutchbaby I made, the house is clean and chores are done, and hubby just got back from the market with the fresh blueberries, Sure Jell, and lids I needed for the Blueberry Jam I'm planning on making this afternoon.

Take care,

Started 2018 with UFO projects: 22
New YTD: 4
Gave away YTD:0
Trashed/dismantled YTD:
Sold unfinished UFOs YTD:0
Finished YTD: -3
So far 2018: 23

I finished!

I finished two projects this last week! It always feels good to finish a project, but then I feel a little bit lost until I figure out what I'm going to do next.

I'm most excited about the Sunburst Christmas Tree Skirt. It was a blast to make and went together easily and quickly. I decided against heavy quilting since it really doesn't need it. Each "starburst" section was assembled QAYG so it's already quilted to some degree. I just stitched in the ditch between each "starburst" section and I'm happy. Besides, if all goes well, it will not be all that visible behind gifts, right? :)

I mentioned that I was working on the tree skirt as a part of the All People Quilt 2018 UFO Challenge and it did spur me on to get it completed in January. I finished it on the 29th... right under the wire.

I just checked and February's project is #9 on our lists. That's the Traverse Bag for me! I cut it out in October of last year when my friend Pat was here. We were going to work on them together and get them finished the week she was here visiting but that fell by the wayside quickly. We were too busy visiting quilt shops and just generally having fun doing other things. Anyway, I'm anxious to get started on it and get it completed! It's always fun to cross these UFO/WIP projects off the list!

In addition, I got the Go With the Flow socks finished too. I had to rip out at least half a sock two times while I was working on these, so I basically knit three socks! I don't ever mind ripping out and starting again since I love to knit and it's just more knitting! :)

I understand the pattern has been discontinued and that's a shame. I wonder why?

Take care,

Started 2018 with UFO projects: 22
New YTD: 3
Gave away YTD:0
Trashed/dismantled YTD:
Sold unfinished UFOs YTD:0
Finished YTD: -3
So far 2018: 22

Socks... a new pattern for me.

I just realized that I never wrote a post about one of the last pairs of socks that I knit. I started and finished these in August and knit another pair of Tesserae's in November. This one was a new-to-me pattern and I found it interesting to knit. I will definitely make more of this pattern as it fits really well. Waffle Creams by Anne Hanson. Her patterns always make me happy!

I used BMFA STR Lightweight in Pond Scum colorway. To this date, still my very favorite yarn for socks. If you've tried it and like something better, I would love to hear from you.

Take care,

Started 2018 with UFO projects: 22
New YTD:2
Gave away YTD:0
Trashed/dismantled YTD:
Sold unfinished UFOs YTD:0
Finished YTD: -1
So far 2018: 23

Shawls, a finished hat, and the start of socks...

I've managed to block all the rest of the shawls that I made between October and December 2017. These are all made from the same pattern... the Forget Me Not Shawl pattern by Adrienne Ku. It's easy to knit and it's a pretty "fabric" when finished. I used sock yarn scraps for all three of these shawls and just combined as I went along.

Here's the first:

The darker shade is a dark purple, although it might almost look black in the photo. It looks purple IRL.

Here's the second:

... and here's the third one:

Forgive the photos on this one... irl the shawl is much brighter, more blue, more green, and more magenta... if that makes any sense. I'll take outdoor photos and I'm sure they will look more realistic when I take the "pretty" photos of all five so I can list them for sale in my etsy shop. My husband is going to take them into his workplace first so maybe I won't be listing all five. :)

The Liatris Hat is finished and I'm quite happy with it! It's a beret-style and looks cute when it's on. Too bad I don't have a model for the photos! :)

Last, but not least, I started a new pair of socks. The Go With The Flow sock pattern. I've made it before, it's easy to knit, and an interesting design. The yarn is BMFA STR Lightweight colorway Pop Rocks. They're going to be pretty!

Happy Weekend!

Take care,

Started 2018 with UFO projects: 22
New YTD: 2
Gave away YTD:0
Trashed/dismantled YTD:
Sold unfinished UFOs YTD:0
Finished YTD:1
So far 2018: 23

Another shawl...

Yesterday I blocked a second Reyna Shawl. Still using BMFA STR (a Rare Gems colorway) but in a much darker color than I've used before. It's a gorgeous color, but I found it difficult to see my stitches while knitting with it. That said, I got it done (with a little ripping out here and there) and I think it's lovely.

I'm new to blocking so I'm not sure I'm doing it the "right" way, but the first one turned out nicely so I'm doing it the same way I did that one. If someone knows a better way, please let me know.

We were also out in the yard yesterday doing a bit of weeding. It was a bit breezy, but the temperature was just perfect. The ground was still a bit wet from the rains so the weeds came up easy. I love it when that happens, but since we got the two new Queen palms and the rest of the border planted, I've been making a special effort to get them pulled before they mature. I'm happy to say that the herbs I planted at the same time are doing well, as well as the two Bougainvillea we put in.

Oregano... Mmm, love it and use a lot of it in my cooking. It's great on roasted potato wedges with olive oil, salt & pepper.

Now it's Monday and the work week begins.

Take care,

Started 2018 with UFO projects: 22
New YTD: 1
Gave away YTD:0
Trashed/dismantled YTD:
Sold unfinished UFOs YTD:0
Finished YTD:
So far 2018: 23

Blocking and knitting...

I finally received the lace blocking wires and blocking mats that I ordered and now have started to block the five shawls I completed last October through December. I'll post them for you to see when they are all finished and looking pretty! I started one while we were in Mammoth Lakes for a week and while setting it out to block it brought back good memories of a fun trip. I love when that happens.

This is actually the very last one I finished, but it's the easiest to block since there weren't many ends that needed to be woven in. It's the Reyna Shawl and I used BMFA STR Lightweight yarn to knit it. Can't remember the colorway, but it's pretty! It's an easy knit and looks very elegant.

It's what I call "neutral" in color, but it has the very lightest hint of pink in some areas. These photos are taken with a lens I forgot I had and so I'm playing around with it. The little sparkles are water droplets.

While I'm taking photos I thought you should see my Liatris Hat also. It's gonna be a pretty one! I used Ella Rae Lace Merino for this one... only because I had it and wanted to get it used up. I wouldn't have purposely picked this yarn for this hat, but I really like it now that I'm using it.

Ok... I like being a little flexible, but it does mean things change, doesn't it. That's the case with QuiltCon. One minute I'm going, the next I'm not. I'm disappointed I won't get to see my good friend, but other than that it's definitely ok with me.

Oh, a side note... I've been growing out my hair since October. I'm not quite sure how I feel about it, but I'm hanging in there. I haven't had hair this long (it's halfway between my chin and shoulders) since my late 30s and frankly, I haven't found a way to style it yet that I like. It's not long enough to pull into a "ponytail." Naturally curly hair has always been a challenge for me. I told my husband that I would have lived an entirely different life if I had born with straight hair! :)

Also, you probably shouldn't get used to me posting three times a week... I think it's just a fluke that it worked out that way this week. :) I'm also on Instagram as @quilternity if you're interested.

Take care,

Started 2018 with UFO projects: 22
New YTD: 1
Gave away YTD:0
Trashed/dismantled YTD:
Sold unfinished UFOs YTD:0
Finished YTD:
So far 2018: 23

It's been a lovely summer, so far...

Swimming came to an end today. Our group is always a bit sad when we have to get out of the pool and know it's for the last time this session. It's been 8 weeks of pure heaven! :) We've been very lucky and have had the most gorgeous weather, which has assured us of fairly warm water in the pool. Ten months until we start up this class again. :)

My hydrangeas have gone absolutely crazy this year and actually need to be pruned at some point. I went out and picked a couple flowers this morning to bring in the house and they are lovely. I had a range of colors this year from a very light green, through blue and lavender to light and hot pink. They are all still blooming, but it's beginning to slow down a bit.

I'm going to try to knit a pair of socks... a new (to me) pattern. I have missed knitting in the evenings... it helps me to relax before going to bed. As always, I'm using BMFA STR lightweight in this gorgeous green color. I think the pattern I've picked out will look wonderful with this fairly solid colored yarn. I love the STR so much that I don't know if I'll ever be able to try any other sock yarn.

Take care,

I started 2017 with UFO projects: 32
I have found (buried in my sewing room and elsewhere in the house) YTD: 0
I have started YTD: 1 ongoing project (composed of 34 units as of 4/5/17)
I have given away UFO projects YTD:0
I have thrown out or otherwise dismantled YTD: -2
I have sold unfinished UFO projects YTD:0
I have finished YTD: -1 "finished-for-now" project (composed of 41 units as of 4/27/17)
I have finished YTD: -1
Projects remaining YTD: 29

Socks and a little trip!

I started the first pair of these socks in early September so I would have something to take along on our road trip to Lake Tahoe and Truckee. I was originally planning on working on my Lucy Boston blocks but found there wasn't adequate lighting in our accommodations to enable me to see to do hand stitching. So I knit instead. It's relaxing and very enjoyable anyway so I didn't mind at all. This pair is the Tesserae pattern by Anne Hanson that I love so much. Such an easy knit!

The second pair is a pattern called the Roger Sock also by Anne Hanson. I love her patterns as they are always so easy to read/understand. I much prefer written directions rather than a chart and that's what she provides.

Both pairs of these socks will be in the shop shortly.

Our trip to Lake Tahoe and Truckee was fun and both Donner Lake and Tahoe (below) were gorgeous. We had wonderful weather while we were there... it was in the high 70s during the day and really cooled off during the evenings. One afternoon/evening there was a rain/snow storm which left the mountain tops in South Lake Tahoe covered with snow (quite a bit which melted the next day). And, believe it or not, it was 19 degrees the next morning as we left to head home. As luck would have it, we had our nice warm jackets with us! :) It was just so nice to get away for a few days.

Take care,