It's a quiet day...

but I've been busy. I've cleaned my wood floors and the powder bath, done three loads of laundry, taken the trash out to be picked up tomorrow, solved a scary computer problem, blocked my Raindrops on Roses Shawl, and read the newspaper (which I love to do on Sundays). I have a long list of things that need to be done, but I'm taking the rest of the day off.

I was looking around my sewing room and thought it might be fun to post pictures of what it looks like today. It's always piled since I have more "stuff" than room to store stuff!

And, last but certainly not least... I ordered some fabric last week. It's the first time in a very long, long time that I've ordered more than just a yard or two and I don't even do that very often. You can see that I don't need any more fabric. With that said, these are Kaffe, Kathy Doughty, and Anna Maria Horner fabrics that I've been wanting for awhile. Thought the time was right since February is my birthday month! Happy Birthday to me! :)

Hope you're enjoying your Sunday.

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

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

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

Bags and socks... that's my life!

I've been making lots of bags this last year and knitting socks, but I have done practically nothing that I could call quilting. Except purchasing quilt fabric, of course! I have one more commitment in each of these categories and then I am free to do a little quilting. Don't get me wrong - I enjoy making bags and knitting socks and when someone wants to buy them, well that's the icing on the cake. But, I do have a couple (more than that really) quilts that are close to being finished and it would be wonderful to call them done! :)

This is the latest Caravan tote I made. Again, it was fabrics supplied by my "customer/friend" from which I was able to choose. I love doing it that way since then she gets something she knows she'll like and I still get to feel creative.

The Caravan tote is a wonderful pattern. It's the perfect size with lots of pockets and it looks so sophisticated. The only modifications I make are to use Soft & Stable and to make a recessed zipper.

And, these are the latest socks I knit. I've been using the Tesserae pattern over and over because I love it, it fits really well, and it's so easy I don't have to think about it while knitting. As long as it fits the foot it's made for, I'm happy. I used BMFA Socks That Rock Lightweight in the Sassafrass colorway. And... they're for me! :)

On a different note, we have been having the exterior of our house painted and they will be finishing up today. Our painters have done a great job as it looks wonderful! Just in time for the El Nino rains. We also had our gutters cleaned and our drains cleared so we're pretty much ready.

Today I changed to flannel sheets on the bed so it's actually starting to feel like fall. We're still having warm days, but the nights are a lot cooler. Yea!!

Happy weekend!

Take care,

Playing catch up!

Since February is my birthday month I decided I was going to thoroughly enjoy it. So, I sorta took the month off from blogging, and it felt relaxing and rewarding to step away from the computer. But, I certainly don't mean to imply that I didn't do anything creative because that was not the case at all.

I finished the quilting on my Gothic Prairie quilt and love, love, love how it looks. Just simple wavy, horizontal lines across the quilt. I'm torn about this, but I've decided I will be selling this quilt in my etsy shop. It will be listed there in the next couple of days.

I also made the decision to re-start my Goodnight Irene quilt, and I used some of the previous sewn-together blocks to make mug rugs (I forgot to take pics) for friends and this cute little basket (which has already been used quite a bit).

I joined a new mini group. It's geared towards a more "artsy" or at least, less traditional approach to quilting, although we can work on whatever we want. I like the attitude and the sense of freedom that comes with it. We've been meeting a little over a month now and I'm really enjoying it and my new friends. We all have different skill levels and different interests so it makes it educational as well as inspirational - plus it's just so much fun!!

I found that I needed a ironing pad/carrier in order to take my iron with me to group meetings so I searched online and found this pattern. I was able to make it in one afternoon, after I located and purchased the ironing board fabric and the insul-bright. It was easy enough to assemble and sew, although it was slow sewing since it's five layers of batting, fabric, insul-bright, and ironing board fabric. I just used the walking foot and took it slow, being careful to check the backside to make sure it was lying smooth and that I was catching all the edges in my binding. It's clever, don't you think? My husband loves it! I've been asked the question, "is it possible to set a hot iron down on it?" and I honestly don't know the answer. I'm planning on letting the iron cool off somewhat before I pack it up, but if someone does know I would love to hear about it.

I made a new zipper pouch for carrying threads to quilting class. I know I read somewhere what to do when making bags with zippers like this one so that the zipper wouldn't ripple. Darned if I can remember where I read it or what it was I should do. If anyone knows, I would love to be reminded.

I've also signed up for a couple of classes being held in the next couple of months. Two are bag classes and one is a quilt class with Louisa L. Smith. I'm excited!

And, I've been knitting socks again. So fun! I've missed it and so far, it doesn't seem to be a problem for my shoulder. Yeah!! Tesserae pattern in BMFA Socks That Rock lightweight, Purple Rain colorway. Just finishing up the toe on the second sock! 

and, finally... I'm presently working on this... a Scrap Vomit!! The blocks are on the design wall, but I need to make just a couple more before I can sew the quilt top together. I've been working on this on Tuesdays and Thursdays when I'm at my quilt group meetings.

Whew! That was a lot of effort! Both writing this post as well as all the sewing/quilting/knitting, but I'm not complaining. I haven't gotten this much accomplished this quickly in a very long time.

Take care,

I l-o-v-e this scarf!

I really, really love the way the colors turned out on this scarf and seriously considered keeping it for myself, but that seemed a bit selfish since I've already got three, although none of them are blue-ish. :)

Anyway, here are the photos so you can see what you think...

There are some great color combinations resulting from using Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock yarn in Froggin', Foo Foo, Loch Ness, Dixie Chick, & Highway 30 colorways. I didn't plan it at all - just grabbed another ball of yarn once the one I was using was gone. It was fun to see it develop as I knit! It's in the shop, if you are interested.

I've started another one - much more subdued and sophisticated, but I haven't taken a photo yet so that will be for another post.

Take care,

Computer fix was easy / now you can see my scarf!

The computer fix entailed replacing a keyboard. Easy fix and I feel lucky!!

I'm now able to show you the finished scarf... This one was lots of fun to knit since I didn't follow directions in regards to color. I just changed colors whenever I felt like it and didn't have any idea how it would turn out. I'm actually pretty happy with it.

I think all the colors work and I like that it changes coloring as it moves the length of the scarf. It's 63" x 7". I used BMFA Socks That Rock yarn in colorways: Red Clover Honey, Tide Pooling, Watermelon Tourmaline, Sugarplums, Faulty Dyer, & Count Clockula for those wanting to know.

It's in the shop!