Just a test...

This is just a test to see if I remember how to do a blog post. It's been so long and seems like a million lifetimes ago. That might sound extreme, but that's how it's felt.

Take care,

Ventura Harbor

Almost the same photo I take every time we go...

It's a beautiful place, isn't it?

Take care,

As I mentioned last post, I need to update the following chart, but will do it later. I have to update my excel spreadsheet to get the numbers before I can update this chart. Right now, I'm feeling lazy.

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

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

Memorial Day weekend

Today was a gorgeous, lazy, relaxing day... I spent about 6 hours in my backyard today. Watering plants and reading, while my husband kept me company and repaired a large terracotta pot with epoxy. When it's dry (the pot), I'll spray paint it black and plant a Plumeria stem that I cut off our large plant a couple weeks ago and hardened off.

While living in this house, I have never spent that much time relaxing in the yard.  We used to spend hours and hours in our backyard when we lived in Camarillo, but that was mostly weeding, mowing, pruning, etc., etc. We do that in this yard too, obviously, but way less since it's a much smaller yard. We've decided we finally have an adult yard. One we can enjoy instead of constantly having to work to keep it up. I have to say we've certainly earned it and it's heavenly.

Yesterday was gorgeous and relaxing too. The weather was spectacular as we headed over to the harbor/beach for lunch and a walk. It reminded me there is so much to be grateful for.

Tomorrow, Memorial Day, will be celebrated at the local cemetery where my husband will play trumpet in the community band to commemorate and honor those who gave their lives for our freedoms.

Take care,

I need to update the following chart, but I'll do that with my next post.

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

A new bag...

I'm very happy with the way this Traverse Bag turned out. I actually love it... a lot! It was an easy bag to make since the pattern is so well written. Noodlehead and Dog Under My Desk are two of my favorite bag designers and pattern writers for that very reason.

I haven't made a bag like this in a very long time and I admit I was a bit nervous about it. Funny isn't it? You DO lose it if you don't use it!

I didn't have a single problem and although Noodlehead doesn't call for using Soft & Stable, I like my bags with the added structure it provides. This is a great size for a crossbody bag I think, but I think just for fun I'm going to make the smaller size included in the pattern.

This was also the first time I've used a twist-lock closure. It wasn't difficult, but I learned a thing or two I would do different next time. 

This is a UFO started last October (2017) when my friend Pat was visiting. It's also February's project for the AllPeopleQuilt2018 UFO Challenge. (I'm only 4 days late getting it done so I feel good about that.) Anyway, Pat and I spent a day cutting out our bags even though we knew we wouldn't have time to sew them. I actually thought I would get mine done right away after Pat left, but here we are in the beginning of March.  I truly do enjoy crossing those UFOs off the list! :)

Take care,

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

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

I'm a little heartbroken...

Have you seen this? Can you believe this? Found this here at the Craft Industry Alliance and I just cut and pasted it here for you to see.

Free Spirit Fabrics will be shut down by parent company Coats.

A letter sent to designers today Stephanie Leichtweis, who became president of North American Crafts at Coats in October, stated, “We have worked diligently for the past few years to make this a successful part of the Coats Craft business here in North America.  But I am sorry to say that, despite our best efforts, we have continued to struggle with an inherent weakness in the business model and have not been able to demonstrate a profit.”

The letter goes on to say, “We will not be producing new Westminster or FreeSpirit Fabrics from today onwards.”

Orders placed to date for delivery prior to May 31 will be fulfilled. It is unclear at this time what will happen to designers who are currently under contract with Free Spirit some of whom are among the biggest names in the quilting industry including Tula Pink, Kaffe Fasset, Amy Butler, Anna Maria Horner, and Denyse Schmidt, among many others. It’s also unclear at this time what will happen to the company employees.

The full text of the letter is below. We will publish more information as it becomes available.

+++++

I wanted to make you aware that we are going to exit our Lifestyle Fabrics business.  This will take effect from Tuesday 1 May and includes our Westminster Fabrics/ Fibers, FreeSpirit brand and designers.

We have worked diligently for the past few years to make this a successful part of the Coats Craft business here in North America.  But I am sorry to say that, despite our best efforts, we have continued to struggle with an inherent weakness in the business model and have not been able to demonstrate a profit.

It also means we will be moving invoicing and customer service functions supporting the thread and yarn businesses from Greer, South Carolina to our Albany and Charlotte offices in North Carolina.  You will be provided with new contact details for this shortly and in the meantime your contact details for this will remain the same. 

We will continue to fulfil orders placed to date for delivery prior to Thursday 31 May and new orders for existing collections on a first come first service basis. We will not be producing new Westminster or FreeSpirit Fabrics from today onwards.

Coats is particularly proud of its long association supporting our customers and North America based crafters and alternative options have been considered extremely carefully.  We believe that through making these difficult decisions we will create an improved customer focused business for the future, from which you will benefit, and I hope you will continue to work with us. 

It is our intent to support you, our talented and dedicated artist, during this transition. 

Yours sincerely,

Stephanie Leichtweis

President, North American Crafts

Cc: Keith Howard

I'm shocked at this news, to say the least. This company has some of the very best designers (imho) in the business and they weren't able to make a profit. I know I had plenty of problems with them when I had my shop, but this is just really unbelievable.

I feel badly for the designers and anyone working there who was given no notice of this. This is life changing for people. I know it happens every day, but it just breaks my heart. The world is constantly changing and sometimes I just don't feel like going along for the ride. :(

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

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