Thanksgiving Day Fun

Today we spent the day at Crystal and Mike's Little House on the Prairie. They cooked. I love it when other people cook dinner. I made pie and a pumpkin roll for desert.

Aunt DeeDee kept Leland entertained. He didn't get to go outside and play.

These kiddos did. TayTay kept Maemae and Elliot playing outside for quite a while. Crystal and Mike have a fabulous view from their home.

Before dinner, Uncle Doug and Aunt Lacey spent some floor time with Leland and Elliot. After dinner, we were all too stuffed to get down on the floor.

Thanks family for a fabulous day. Now I am going to go put on my pjs and see if I can make it to the recliner.

Tuesday Sock Report

Here they are, Ernie's socks are finished. I finished them Sunday night and now I need to figure out how to make them fit. These things are huge!

Oh boy did I learn a few things on this pair! 60 stitches on size 5 needles with this wool yarn are too many stitches. I should have made a sample swatch, but I didn't. If I did, maybe I could have finished this pair over a week ago. I should have stopped when I realized they were huge and started over, but I didn't.

See the blue pin marker on the toe? I missed a stitch when I was closing the toe. I'm glad I saw that when he tried them on.

So do you think if I wash them gently in warm water and lay them to dry the wool will shrink enough to make the socks fit? Or am I going to shrink them enough for a 4 year old to wear? This is my first experience with socks that are too big. My other experience with (accidentally) shrinking wool turned out not so good.

Now that the socks are done, I'm going to work on my sweater that I started last winter. I think I quit because I made too many mistakes. I'm going to evaluate it this morning and maybe take it off the needles and start over. This will become my new Tuesday Knitting Report.

Happy Monday

The view from my front door.....Happy Monday.
Goodbye fall, I'm going to miss you.

Design Wall Monday

These blocks were made Saturday during my 5 fabulous hour sewing stint. These are blocks 1 and 2 for Tea's Quiltmaker 100 Block sew along. If you don't read Tea's blog, you are missing out on one of the most fabulous quilters in Blogland. The other day I was ready to pack up and move just to join her scrap club. Then I remembered how much stuff I have......

We have a cold snowy week ahead of us so I am planning to stay in as much as I can and keep my sewing machine warm.

Grab something to drink and a snack and visit Judy L and others to see lots of fabulous design walls throughout Blogland.

Stash Report 11.21.10

Despite all of my time in my sewing room this week and all the fabulous progress I made, little counts toward my stash report. I did use 2 fat quarters to back my candle mats and made another mug rug and turned 2 orphan blocks into potholders and that uses little stash. Each yard puts me closer to my goal though, so I'm counting it.

Used this Week 1 yards
Used Year to Date: 234.5 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 150.25 yards
Net Used for 2010: 84.25

If I'm going to get to goal of 100 yards net for the year, I might want to get busy. Oh dear, I just counted, there are only 5 stash reports left for the year. I think I can, I think I can.

Go to Judy L's and see her amazing numbers and then see how others are doing with their stash.

Photo is of Tony on dad duty.

Saturday Happenings

We didn't start Saturday off very good around here. Both of us woke up with the nasty flu. Poor Ernie has it really bad, I just feel like I've been run over by a truck. He crashed on the couch with his quilts, dogs and remotes, I hid in my sewing room. He napped and watched tv, I sewed and sewed and sewed. (He says knee replacement is easier than this darn flu!)

Last night I started Quiltville's newest mystery-Roll, Roll, Cotton Boll. I finished step 1 this morning. I needed to make 172 units, I made 188, just in case. Either I need to make a trip to the quilt store for more fabric for the remaining steps or I need to rethink my color choices. There is a downside to using up your stash, I think that's a downside. I have a few days to figure it out but will probably work with what I have.

Then I started my blocks for Tea's 100 block sew along making the blocks from Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks magazine. I love the flower block but I'm not too sure about the other one. I think it needs more contrast in the center strip and will probably remake that tonight. Or maybe I will take out the center strip and trim it down and add a sashing strip. I'll have to play with it and see.

Edit Sunday morning:
I added the white sashing and I like the block alot better now.


I know I sewed for over a total of 5 hours today because that is how long this audio book is. I had finished making my second block and was almost to the end of this book so I grabbed my little bag of bonus half square triangle/pinwheel blocks and put together this mug rug. The book wasn't quite finished so I found some scraps for a backing and piece of batting and quilted it. I finished the binding just after the book ended. Pretty good timing.

Now I think I'll curl up in my recliner with my quilt and my knitting.

Block 2

Moose on the Porch has posted block 2 for the Layer Cake Quilt Along. I am determined to use up my small stash of batiks so my quilt is going to be very scrappy. Since I'm not using a layer cake, I am changing up the cutting instructions and using my EZ Angle and EZ Companion rulers.

I have been thinking about what to use for sashing on this project and I think I will have to audition some solids but for now, I'm just making the blocks.

Tuesday Sock Progress Report

Here they are, Ernie's wool socks. I just did the last row of the gusset and now I'm going to fly through the foot. I think maybe they might be too big around but it's hard to tell. He is taking some blood thinner medication and has been wearing the sexy compression stockings so his legs are skinny.

I tried one of the socks on him the other day and he thinks they are going to be fabulous and wants me to hurry. He has been paying attention to how much time goes into knitting a pair of socks and is quite impressed that I am still making them. I'm not a speedy knitter. Have you seen the video of the speed knitter? That's not me!

Go to Judy L's page to read about the knit along and in the search box, put in knit along to see all of her posts. I love seeing the progress of other sock knitters like Kathy or Mary or Jill or Denise. I can't wait to see more from everyone.

Design Wall Monday

Design Wall Monday on Sunday Evening......because we get to go to Physical Therapy again Monday morning. That means no time for my Monday morning Blogland tour (insert super sad face here) but I never miss DWM entirely so I'll be here later in the day.

What do you get when you have a healing husband with a good book, a rainy weekend and me that really, really wants to sew? You get things on her design wall. Saturday sewing was in spurts, Sunday sewing started in spurts but after all the company was gone, I got to sit down and sew for a couple of uninterrupted hours. And it was bliss.

So on my wall is my finished Christmas wall hanging because I like looking at it. Below that is my version of Moose on the Porch Layer Cake Quilt Along block 1. I decided to use my batik scraps instead of buying a Layer Cake of fabric, so of course my quilt will be very scrappy.

While following my Google followers, I discovered Erika at Quilts 'n Stuff where she is showing a couple really cool looking candle mats. Following her link to the Candle Mat Swap, I found instructions for the candle mat on the bottom. I used one of my packs from Mr. B's Preview Pack Club at Benartex, Inc. called Ariannna. Then I decided to make another candle mat with the remaining charms and leftover pieces like Erika did. Then there were a few more leftover pieces of fabric so I made mug rugs which seem to be all the rage now and so very cute! I picked out a couple fat quarters from the stash and will use them to the backs of the candle mats. That's the plan for this week......wish me luck.

Grab yourself a snack and something to drink--like a nice tall glass of ice water--and go to Judy L's to check out a bunch of fabulous design walls.

Stash Report 11.14.10

What's a post without a picture? Since I've got nothing quilt related to show, I thought I'd show you a naughty little dog. Louie, Louie, Louie...there is no standing on the table!

I've been able to spend quite a bit of time in my sewing room Friday and Saturday. Sew for a bit, come out, do stuff, help Ernie with whatever and go back in.

I never thought using 2.5 yards of fabric in 2 weeks would be so exciting but for me, right now, it is. I'm working on a couple Christmas things so no pictures yet.

Used this Week 2.5 yards
Used Year to Date: 233.5 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 150.25 yards
Net Used for 2010: 83.25

Head over to Judy L's for a list of other stash reporters.

I Remembered How

I was starting to think I may have forgotten how to sew. I haven't spent much time with my beloved sewing machine in the last 2 weeks. But last night, I told Ernie, if you need me, I'll be in my sewing room, you'll have to holler at me. My book on tape will be on and the machine will be working. Amazing how he didn't need me for a very long time.

I got my wall hanging put together and quilted. I need to stitch on the hanging sleeve but that is a tv time progect. This is the first time I've used prairie points. There are a couple of wonky ones but it the grand scheme of things, is it going to matter??? I didn't think so.

Today's big project is laundry and bedding...ugh, my 2 least favorites but at least I can sew during the process. I have a couple of projects I want to get to and I have quilts that are begging me to get quilted. Send me good vibes for a smooth day..........

Ernie update: Yesterday was 2 weeks with his new knee. Tuesday was the surgeon post op appointment and he was very pleased. The staples were removed and he will see him again in 6 weeks. Yeah! Friday was physical therapy and I needed to stop at the grocery store to pick up some things. He decided to go in with me.......Winco is ginormous! So we did the short, quick version of grocery shopping, he stood at the end of the isle with the cart and I did the go grab what I need thing. LOL Saved lots of money that way and I got some needed exercise! We came home, he sat on the couch with ice on his knee and I did my normal thing. Life is good!

Looking Back

While reading Judy L's post this morning, I started wondering exactly when I started knitting so I went way back in my blog and found my first knitting post. I can remember how excited I was to actually knit something.

And now looking at my chunky legs in my first socks makes me feel like I have accomplished something pretty great. I can actually knit and I can actually follow a pattern.

Here is my first sock post. It really is too bad that the links to Socks 101 are no longer valid. She had some great posts. I am going to have to dig for my papers and see if I can find her on the net. Here is my post on my completed socks. Almost 4 years ago!

These are wool socks and I accidentally put them in the washer and dryer. I cried for a very long time! Then I gave them to my granddaughter. We were talking about these the other day. They no longer fit her. I should get them back so I can keep them. Just because.

I don't know how many pairs of socks I've made, I could keep looking back and count them but I'm not going to today. I think I'd like to sit and knit but I'm not going to do that either. Not yet anyhow.

Sock Progress

I spent quite a bit of time knitting on my socks yesterday. I got in 2 good 1 hour sessions. Ernie had physical therapy and when we got home, he needed a nap and I needed to de-stress.

See the blue marker? That was my starting point on session 2. I get to knit more today while he is seeing the doctor and getting his staples removed. I love seeing the daily progress, even if it is just a few rounds. He thinks I am going to sit down one day this week and finish them up. I think he is excited about getting his own fancy socks.

I hope Judy L posts a linky so we can check on other knitters. Judy L, can you do that in your spare time??? If you want to find out about the sock knit along, go to her website and use her search box at the bottom of the page. Thanks Judy.

Design Wall Monday

I was very happy Sunday when I was able to sit down at my machine and work on this little wall hanging. I am now ready to sew my rows together. This finishes to about 21" x 21".

While shopping with friends last year, Sharlene and I spotted this as we were leaving a quilt shop and had to have it. We wanted to work on ours together but things always seemed to interfere. We decided if they were to be done to use this Christmas, we needed to each do our own when we could. If I work just a couple minutes here and there, I should have it finished before the end of the week. I think Sharlene's is already done. It sure felt great to be in my room and play with fabric, even if it was just a short amount of time.

Head over to Judy L's and see what others have on their design walls this week.

Stash Report 11.7.10

I'm thrilled to tell you that I spent some time in my sewing room Saturday and I sewed!

I sewed for about 3 minutes. I mended my laundry bag! I know, very exciting! So I just copied and pasted my stash report this week from last weeks post!

This week's (and last week's) report:
Used this Week: 0 yards
Used Year to Date: 231 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 150.25 yards
Net Used for 2010: 80.75

Hope we can make some changes next week. In the meantime, head over to Judy L's and see her numbers and numbers from other stash reporters.

A Love Note From Taylor

And she is so right!

Love you girlfriend!

Time Flies

Look at this little stinker! Last Friday, Leland turned 1. I wasn't ready for that but what I really wasn't ready for was this! He took a big box, pushed it to the couch and almost got all the way onto the couch! Today he will probably climb up there without the aid of the box. When did that happen???

Today marks Ernie's first week with the new knee. I tell you what, this has been quite a week for both of us. He has never experienced anything like this. Always healthy with the exception of an occasional cold or flu and you know how men are when they don't feel good...... He is trying really hard not to be too demanding or whiney, but sometimes... Compared to this, his shoulder injury and other things were just bumps and bruises. Each day he gets better and in a few weeks, hopefully he will forget the pain and suffering and look forward to having the other knee fixed.

I am learning alot about myself. I don't feel like I am a good caregiver. I'm very tired and sometimes I am kind of short and snarky. I know I need to take care of myself too but that isn't always easy. After I do a couple more little household chores, he is going to nap and I am going to go in and sew. That will make me feel better. Even if it's just for a few minutes! Then I might take a nap.

555 And A Pair Of Socks

555! This is post number 555! Never in a kabillion years did I think I had so much to say but evidently I do......not that it matters much to too many people but it's my diary so I say it.

I finished my blue socks tonight and they look funny in this picture. I haven't even tried them on yet, that's how tired I am. I have cast on the yarn for Ernie's very first pair of hand knit socks and tomorrow I will cast the yarn on again. I didn't do a very good job because~~~yes, I am tired. At least I knew when to stop knitting.....

I am patiently watching the clock right now so I can give him his pain pill. Today was a trip to town to see the Physical Therapist. Town trips are very tiring when you have a new knee. We stopped at the farm store for dog and chicken food, then came home and rested for a while, had a light dinner, listened to the tv while he read and I knitted.

Tomorrow I need to do some stuff......you know, house stuff. I want to cook a real meal, bake some bread and maybe some chocolate chip cookies......of course I could change my mind when it gets light outside again and just sit in my chair and knit. But first, I want to sleep.........

More Changes

Would ya look at me! I guess playing on the computer instead of folding laundry is paying off. I can add a picture! Now I need to learn how to make the picture the way I want it and to change the title font and color....... And I added a visitor counter. I'm not sure if I want to know how many people visit me or not but it's interesting for right now.

My dad is here visiting with Ernie so I better take the time to do a few things that I need to do without being interrupted.

Changes & Thanks

Thank you all for the nice comments and caring emails you have sent regarding Ernie and his new knee. He is doing very well~not quite up to dancing in the streets yet though. For an outdoorsie guy, staying cooped up in the house is pretty hard. Staying cooped up and not able to do much is really, really hard! But being the sweet, caring, loving, never loose the composure person that I am (excuse me while I stop choking on those words!), we are doing great! Each day will be better and better. And sleep is a good thing.......it's very comforting listening to his sleep noises.

I'm feeling pretty fancy right about now. I've wanted to make changes to my blog for quite a while and this morning I took a ginormous step and did it. What do you think???

Next big thing for me is to figure out how to add a header photo. I'm pretty slow about changing things around. I like constant. I don't move my furniture around much anymore. Please never rearrange the layout of my favorite store--that messes with my get in, get my stuff and get out!!!

Today I will finish my blue socks so I can join the knit along......the plan for yesterday but you all know how plans workout sometimes.

Design Wall Monday

This week my design wall is empty~~except for a massive amount of threads that are stuck everywhere. I'm hoping I can sneak in a minute or 5 once in a while just to put some thread on fabric. Things will settle down around here in a day or 5.

I'm going back to bed now......caregivers, my hat is off to all of you. This is a very hard job.

You won't see anything on Judy L's wall this week either so I don't feel too bad but I bet there are other walls in Blogland that have some fabulous stuff on them so check them out on her link list.

Stash Report 10.31.10

BOO! and Happy Halloween!


Not much activity in ye ole quilting room this week. I unpacked most of my retreat stuff and put it away and I made one lonely 9" quilt block.

I'm thinking not much is going to happen this next week either. I will be chief in charge of Ernie......and yes, I think this is going to be quite a week. Wish us both luck!


This week's report:
Used this Week: 0 yards
Used Year to Date: 231 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 150.25 yards
Net Used for 2010: 80.75

Go over to Judy L's and see her amazing numbers and numbers from all the other stash reporters.

Success!

Just a quick note to say that Ernie is sporting a brand new knee. His surgeon is fabulous, thank you Dr. Greene. I hope recovery is speedy and Ernie will be dancing in the streets before too long. That should be fun since he has never been one to dance much!

Good thing I have lots of knitting and crochet projects to do. 2 afghans and 1 pair of socks in progress and Judy L's Knit Along starts Monday......can't wait!!!


I am working the gusset on this pair and want to have them off the needles before Monday so I'll be taking them with me today to work on while I sit with Ernie. I am loving working both socks at the same time. I hate that I let frustration get to me while learning new things. I'm glad I decided to give 2 circular needles another try. See, you can teach an old dog..........

All I Need....

...are a few more hours in my day! I have so much to do and so many places to go that right now I am feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Thank goodness my list is in order! What if I forget to pick up Taylor. What if I forget to pick up the things Ernie asked me to get for him. What if I forget to get the groceries. What if, what if, what if...........

The library! I forgot to write the library on my list! It's there now. Thanks for reading my vent. I feel better right now......see ya later~too much to do~~~

**Afternoon edit: Everything has been marked off the list. I was early to pick up Tay, had lunch with friends, did the library and groceries. Now to mark a few things off the home list.

Hand Knit Socks Rock

WaaHoo, my socks are done! Isn't it funny how the stripes don't line up! And I love how the right sock has just the seam stitches in white.......I don't care, it's not like I'm going to wear my socks with sandals.

Judy L is hosting a Sock Knit Along starting November 1st. I plan to use this wool to make Ernie a pair of socks. I have never made him a pair so I need to earn some good wife points. I'm thinking I hope he likes them but then again if he does, he'll want more.....such a dilemma I am creating for myself.


But first I need to finish these so I can use these circular needles. These are for me. I'm thinking I need to find a new pair of shoes to wear them with.

Design Wall Monday

Here it is again, my favorite day of the week in Blogland. I have a full cup of coffee, the washer is doing it's thing and I have set the timer.

I put these blocks up on my design wall last night, I had full intentions of taking a picture of them and putting them away but got sidetracked-aka sucked into the recliner. So this is what is on my design wall this morning. These are the first 2 blocks for the BOM Quilt Addicts group and project number 4 on my retreat project list. I have a fat quarter bundle that I have been saving for a special project. I used a little of the fabric for this top and decided it would be perfect for this years project.

There were several of us at the retreat that belong to the BOM QA group and some of us were working on our blocks. How fun it was to see what everyone was using for their blocks. And we got to see how some members blocks and Sonya's completed top looked. Stunning! Each project so different yet we used the same blocks.

Today I really want to continue on my weekend projects but can't. After a weekend away and another weekend full of planned things, I have domestic stuff to take care of today....darn, where is that maid I have been asking for.

Visit Judy L's and see fabulous design walls throughout Blogland.

Stash Report 10.24.10

Today is the last day of the retreat. Yesterday was interrupted with a trip to Urgent Clinic to get Hubby a few stitches in his hand. Just a "flesh wound"-nothing serious. I went back to the retreat center to sew the evening away. After backing up more than moving ahead, I decided to come home and sleep instead.

We played the Greedy Gift game-that is always a hoot! I won/stole/whatever a fabulous bundle of assorted fat quarters........so I included that in my report. Finishing the Hanky Panky top and making the back for another quilt really helped my stash numbers this week.

This week's report:
Used this Week: 13 yards
Used Year to Date: 231 yards
Added this Week: 4.5 yards
Added Year to Date: 150.25 yards
Net Used for 2010: 80.75

Go over to Judy L's and see her amazing numbers and numbers from all the other stash reporters.

Retreat Report

Just a quick retreat progress report. Most importantly, we are having a blast! Lots of sewing, talking, laughing, eating going on all the time. 14 women create no dull moments.

I'm making great progress and have 2 things marked off my list! I finished the Hanky Panky top. I'm very excited about this and wonder why I let it age for 2 years and 2 days. Sad. I'm excited to get this quilted.

Project 2 was the scrappy back assembly and I'm happy to say it is also finished. Sharlene and I will start our Christmas wall hanging in the morning.

Now I'm going to rest my tired brain for a few hours. We had show and tell this afternoon so I know I'll be dreaming of fabulous quilts.

My Bags Are Packed!

After my whining and sniveling on Tuesday, I'm all better now. I'm packed and almost ready to go. The taco soup is in the crockpot--my contribution for potluck dinner tonight. My bags are packed, my bed is made~~I come home to sleep. Royal Ridges is only a few miles from my bed and I'm a whimp!

I want to be super productive at this retreat so I am going with a plan......scary! So I'll write it here and check back in with how I did. With uninterrupted time to sew and talk and eat and be with great friends, I think I can do it all. Really, I think I can.

1~The Hanky Panky in the back...those blocks were put together at this very same retreat 2 years ago and I did nothing with them. Yesterday I laid them all out on the bed, pinned them in rows and found border fabric to go with it.

2~ The right/front package contains a quilt top that was finished in May 2010. I layed out 10 1/2" blocks to make a backing, they are all pinned in rows and ready to sew together.

3~My friend Sharlene and I bought a kit for a Christmas wallhanging last year and we are going to tag team and make ours this weekend.

4~Laying by project 2 is my fabric kit for this year's BOM Quilt-Addicts blocks. I haven't made my blocks yet so that will be caught up!

5~Back/right project bag is full of flannel blocks for the Split Decision Flannel Quilt top that I cut last month from by bin overflowing with flannel.

6~And the Happy Hour book/kit that I bought several years ago and now it's time to make the quilt. Pat from Bell Creek Quilts posted her top for Design Wall Monday and it reminded me I had this kit~Thanks Pat!

So there it is~!~The Plan! Let's see how I do! Oh I put my knitting in case I had time to work on my socks. Hahahahaha

I Can't Get Sick, I Just Can't!

Warning: this post is full of sniveling and whining.

I'm feeling a little blurry, kind of like this flower. I'm cold and achy and crabby! I want a nap and I can't get comfortable because I'm cold!

I have a quilt retreat this weekend. Ernie has surgery next week. I do not have time to get sick! I cannot be sick, he cannot be sick. That's just the way it is!

It's just after 4 and I'm going to put on my pjs, build a rip roaring fire in the stove and cuddle up in my clean flannel quilt. Tomorrow I will pack for the retreat, I will feel great! I have to. This is my only retreat this year......I have to feel great!

Design Wall Monday

This quilt has been named GO! Scrappy 1. All of the pieces for the blocks have been cut with the value die that comes with the GO! Cutter.

I started playing with my block bits yesterday. I have all the 4 patch corner blocks finished and now I'm ready to sew the half square triangle blocks together. Then the real fun begins with putting the blocks together.

I need to decide what to use for sashing and simple borders. Of course it is coming out of my stash. My stash is dwindling down to nothing so it makes it a bit tough at times. That is both a curse and a blessing. Although I don't think my husband would agree with me about the stash dwindling down to nothing.

Visit Judy L's to see what was on her design wall and then visit others to see their fabulous projects. I love Design Wall Monday!

Stash Report 10.17.10

Here she is in all her glory, my BOM from BOM-Quilt Addicts Yahoo group. I have named her "Oh My Stars" and I am in love with this quilt. I wanted to have her all finished before the retreat that is coming up but it didn't work out that way so I will show her off as a top. I need to order black batting and some backing. I'm also hoping to get a good photo this weekend.

I was quite amazed at the numbers when I finally added them up. I designed a similar quilt in EQ7 and used the same number of fabrics that are in the quilt. 1/8th yard pieces add up to a lot of fabric.

This week's report:
Used this Week: 13.5 yards
Used Year to Date: 218 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 145.75 yards
Net Used for 2010: 73.25

Go to Judy L's and see her amazing numbers and how others are doing to their stash.

**Happy Birthday today to my Dear Husband. He is getting a new knee next week-he thinks that's a darn good birthday present. Today he will get cake.

Sock Progress

I did it! I took a giant step in my sock knitting world. Remember the other day when I was all frustrated with the circular needles and switched to the bamboo double pointed needles??? I was happily working along a little each night while watching tv. Then Judy L posted this picture of her sock progress with the circular needles.

I started nagging myself~~~If Judy can learn to use the circulars, why can't you??~~~So I got them out again and transferred my socks back on them. I got out my book and read out loud over and over until it stuck in my head. Then I picked up the needles and talked myself through round 1, then round 2 and pretty soon it was time to make the heel flap. Scary!!! But again, I read out loud and talked myself through the process. Same with the gusset and now I'm headed to the toes!

See where the leg narrows about half way down??? I followed the pattern and cast on 60 stitches knowing that with my size 2 needles, I always cast on 48 but I followed the pattern. They were too loose so instead of starting over, I just decreased and will call it a new design. Yes, that's what I'm doing!

I was having a problem with the stripes not matching but I'm bringing out my younger, hip vibe and saying go with the flow.........these are socks, not a matter of life and death!


Here's my helpful to me hint. See the marker rings on the right? I took 2 rings and attached them with a split ring. When I need to make a decrease round, I slip both rings on the needle and that means to work 2 stitches together (I really do have to think this way!). When I am working a knit every stitch round, I only have 1 ring on. I have no idea where or when I read this but it sure has worked for me.

So today I will try my best to focus on the sewing room and not the knitting and the recliner. We'll see how that works out....

Design Wall Monday

It's been a week since I've done much sewing on anything other than the rug. Yesterday I took in Taylor's pants she wears for PE (why couldn't we wear yoga pants for PE???) and decided it was time to work on my next project.

I got out my bin of scrappy half square triangles that we cut with the GO! and started sewing more of them together. I had already designed my block with EQ7 (I have such cool tools!) and had a bunch of the sewn together. This quilt is going to take lots and lots of little HSTs. All of the pieces for this block were cut using the value die that came with the GO! cutter.

I can't work on a new quilt without seeing what the block will look like so I put this on the little design board and set it up by the machine for inspiration. I just love the crazy mix of colors with a scrappy quilt.

Grab something to drink and maybe a snack and head over to Judy L's and see her design wall and then start visiting other fabulous walls throughout Blogland.

Stash Report 10.10.10

I love a cool number combination, so today's date is a fun one for me. Only once in my life will I get to say today is 10.10.10!

I spent most of the past week either sewing on my rug, knitting or crocheting. My sewing room is lonely since the old Singer lives in my living room still. I really need to fix her a space in the sewing room!

I figured I used 3 1/2 yards of fabric for my rug. Before I started, I weighed the bag and weighed a 2 yard piece of fabric. After some careful Judy Math (technical term for hen scratching!) and a phone call to Crystal, I figured my bag had 5 yards of fabric in it. After I finished sewing and reweighed the bag and did even more Judy Math, I have 1 1/2 yards of strips left. These will be used for trivets or mug rugs or bowls or something.

This week's report:
Used this Week: 3.5 yards
Used Year to Date: 204.5 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 145.75 yards
Net Used for 2010: 58.75

Go to Judy L's and see her amazing numbers and how others are doing to their stash.

Taylor was out with the camera.......isn't this a fabulous photo? Can you find 4 hens? The girls and the dogs are having a blast in the leaves.

The Rug Is A Rug

The rug is finished. It's as large as it's going to be. Before I added the last 100 feet of cord, it measured 22 inches in diameter. It is now 30 inches. I had fun working on it. I made some mistakes, mostly pulling the cord too tight while I was sewing around so there are a couple of waves/buckles/whatevers. But I'll live with it. After all it is going on the floor to be stepped on by my tootsies.

Will I make another one? Probably not but this was a fun project. Now I am going to go back to quilting so I can have something on my design wall for Monday.

Today is a rainy, rainy day. I will set Taylor up with the GO! so she can cut some tumbler blocks and I will work on the last 2 rows of the black and bright stars. It will be a fun day here today.

Decisions

I'm not sure how big to make my rug. I thought I would end here with the diagonal red/yellow rounds. It's not very big but I could stand on it and keep my toes from hitting the cold floor first thing.

I have lots of clothesline and lots of binding left. I'm thinking I'll add at least 100 feet more of clothesline. Or maybe 200 feet because that's what I have left. My big plan (there's that word again!) is to use up all the clothesline. I guess I can always make mug mats or trivets. Thinking out loud or on the blog is always helpful for me.

While I was stitching away this morning and getting a bit wonky, I remembered I have a seam guide in the accessory box and wondered it would help me at all. What a great thought that was. I snugged it up against the cord and now I just go like I know what I'm doing.

I'm going to make more cord while the washer and dryer do their things-multitasking-and then I'm headed out to spend some quality time on my afghan while I chat with my Binding Friends. I missed them last week, they met on the same day as the great paint fiasco. Glad that's behind me now.

I've made up my mind, I'm just going to keep adding rounds until I run out of binding pieces or clothesline, whichever comes first. Wow, that was easy! Thanks for talking me through this. :~)

Design Wall Monday

My design wall is empty. Sad but true. I haven't done much quilting the last few days. I've been playing with these.

One day while blog hopping, I ran across this post at Jo's Country Junction. I bought a bag full of bindings at one of the quilter's sales that I think the lady must have steamed and pounded the crease in. I can't get it out so I put it away knowing that one day I would use them for making a corded bowl or something. And I have lots of cording. My something is a small rug for beside my bed.

I set up my 401A and started covering the cord. I wasn't going to sew the rounds on the 401A but had to try it. She sewed through that thick cord like a hot knife through butter. I love that girl!

I started making my rug oval like Jo did but it was all wonky. So I ripped it apart and started over with a round rug. My advise is to not rip. What a mess of strings and thread! This is where I left off. I have more binding strips and more cord. I'm not sure how big I will make this and probably won't know for a while. When my dad asked why I was making a rug, my answer was "So I can say I did." "Good enough!" he says.

Head over to Patchwork Times and see what others are up to.

Stash Report 10.3.10

I went to Goodwill......I love going to Goodwill. I found a nice stainless steel pitcher for my wooden spoons, a rack to hold my GO! dies, a t-shirt for me and 2 yards of 1994 Daisy Kingdom cotton that I had to bring home with me! Some days its just fun to stroll around the Goodwill Store.

Everything I used last week has already been accounted for. I finished 2 quilts, continued to work on the striped afghan and didn't work too much on the socks. I think I had a pretty good week if I forget Tuesday happened.

This week's report:
Used this Week: 0 yards
Used Year to Date: 201 yards
Added this Week: 2 yards
Added Year to Date: 145.75 yards
Net Used for 2010: 55.25

Go to Judy L's and see her amazing numbers and how others are doing to their stash.

My Sad, Sad Tomato Harvest

Here in mighty Western Washington State we've had the worst garden season I can ever remember. The garden weather just didn't want to be here. Heck, I couldn't even grow zucchini! I got 3 itty bitties and that was all.

Yesterday I decided to be done with the garden. I started picking the tomatoes. I picked them all, pulled off the cages and uprooted the plants. The cherry tomatoes are all going on the dehydrator. Most will become tomato powder, a few will go into bread or whatever. I planted several Roma plants, thinking I'd have a huge crop for sauce......not happening. I'm hoping some of them will ripen after picked but if not, we'll have green tomato sauce or something.

Today the dehydrator will be full of tomatoes, peppers and some carrots. At least the carrot crop is good, the darn slugs didn't get them all. I can't wait to leave the gate open so the chickens can go in and have a party.

**In the top picture the bowl is full of water. The second picture looks rather Christmasie doesn't it......oh, I am not ready to even think that way!!

Breakfast Thinking

Each morning I sit here at the computer and read my pages. It's like back in the day when I read the newspaper.......when news was based on facts, not sensationalism. Anyhow, I read Judy L's Patchwork Times and today she made me go read my flour labels. OK, I read labels a whole lot more than I ever did in the past but I didn't know I had to worry about flour, other than the fact that it gets over processed.

While I was reading my flour bag, I started noticing how few cans and boxes are in my pantry. I've done a pretty good job of doing away with them but there is still lots of room for improvement. I no longer buy boxed pasta or rice mixes, I make my own. If you search the internet, you will find a kabillion recipes for home made mixes. Me, I love Chickens In The Road Cooking Archives. I also use a book from the 1970s (way back when) called Make a Mix Cookbook. Simple, basic ingredients.

The photo above is what I'm having for breakfast--well not all of them, only 2 and that's probably too many. These muffins were made with Quick Mix (recipes from CIR) that I keep in a gallon jar, a fresh egg and blueberries from my freezer. They took about 5 minutes to mix up-including getting the pan out of the cupboard. It took longer to heat up the oven.

Yesterday we got word that our 1/2 beef is at the butcher and to expect the call for cutting and wrapping instructions. Nothing better than good farm beef in the freezer that was raised by someone you trust. Which reminds me, I need to re-organize my freezer next week.....another project.