Tuesday Knitting Report

I knitted these slippers using this pattern.

They knit up really fast.

I used these instructions for Felting In A Front Loading Washer.

I was a nervous wreck while waiting for the first cycle to be done.

After 2 cycles through the washer, they fit.

Now they are stuffed with plastic bags and drying.

I am now going in to put some lotion on my alligator legs.

Design Wall Monday

Not a lot of time was spent in the sewing room this week. I did make a new block to replace the orange and brown one--much better. I cut more friendship star pieces. I made a few more bow tie blocks.

I made a bag for my tablet using an online tutorial but it turned out to be too tight. It will be for the Kindle instead. It turned out really cute so I'll use the same idea of that one and make another for the tablet.

I finished the Trees Left Standing top that I showed last week. I knitted a pair of slippers. I'm going to try to felt them today so I can show them off tomorrow. Now that everything has been documented, I guess I spent more time in the sewing room than I realized. Isn't that fun!

This morning will be spent cutting tumbler blocks and baking zucchini bread/muffins for the freezer. This afternoon, I get to go to the dentist again. Yes, I do know how to have fun.

I jumped for joy when I saw Judy L has a design wall and today she has something fabulous on it. Go check it out and check out other great projects.

Today's Project

My dear friend Marian gave me a paper bag full of scraps from her Mother. The bag was packed with old fabric. Not knowing what was what and what might fade, I threw it all in the washer with a couple Color Catchers. (When looking for the link, I liked them on Facebook and got a free sample. :} ) So the big laundry basket is full of all kinds of fabrics.

My challenge today is to empty the basket. The mesh bag in the chair is a bunch of pre-cut squares that will go into the bin of others the same size. The plastic bag behind that is for strings, the plastic bin is for chucks that will be cut into tumblers. There is also a pile of big pieces that will be used for other things. In the basket is the garbage bag. I don't think there will be much garbage though.

Wish me luck......I'll let you know later how it worked out.

Design Wall Monday

It's fun to have a loaded up design wall. I am loving the new bow tie leader/ender project. I've decided not to use cheddar and use from my over flowing bin of 2 1/2" background squares.

Next up is the last l/e project, Trees Left Standing that I started here using up some of the 1" bonus triangles. When I put the red strip on the wall and looked at it for a while, I knew it had to be lots thinner. So I decided I like it showing 3/4" and the outer border will be 2 or 2 1/2" wide.

On the right are my 2010/11 completed blocks for BOM-Quilt Addicts Yahoo group. That's right, I said completed! Before the newest project starts! OK, so just the blocks are completed but I feel good about that. :0) Now I am going to cut up the remaining fabric from the fat quarter pack into 2 1/2" strips to make up stars for the border and scrappy binding. I'd better make the binding first though......... And I think I will rearrange some of the blocks and maybe replace the brown and orange one. (afternoon edit--The orange and brown block has been replaced with a pink and blue block and looks so much better. )

I love Design Wall Monday, thanks Judy L. Go here to see what other's have on their walls today.

Progress

In my last post, I talked about the Pokey Dot Throw and that I hadn't posted a photo of it. LuAnn (check out her blog!) wanted to see it, so here it is folded in half. Just for you, LuAnn. :0) Hiding behind the throw is daughter DeeDee who laid claim on that throw and it now resides at her house. See the border on it? That is what I am going to do on the striped throw after I put on the last 2 stipe sets that are left.

I spent lots of time Friday sitting in front of the TV with this covering me up for a while-it was kind of chilly in here. I don't know if you can see it or not, but at the bottom of the photo is a little ball of yarn. That's how much is left of the blue that I'm using for the every other stripe. Of course it isn't a color that I can just walk into a store and buy. I had to order from JoAnn's, so this will not be done by Tuesday as I had planned. But I will stalk my order status so I don't loose my finishing enthusiasm.

You all know the rule about ordering a $4 skein of yarn when the shipping is $8, you have to order other stuff, right??? So I had to order the heart die for the Go! because I had a 50% off coupon. (And I saw a photo of an adorable pillow that I want to make for some adorable girls.) It took the discount off the order page but if it doesn't work, I have a set of knitting needles it can be used on. Always cover those bases!!

Now I must make some zucchini bread before it gets too much warmer and I loose all interest in the kitchen.

Tuesday Knitting Report on Friday

This post should really be called Pick A Project, Any Project.

I haven't done a Tuesday Knitting Report all month. The last one, here, shows me working on 2 pair of socks. I had been pretty lax about my reports even before that. I'm trying to do better.

Anyhooo....I have decided I have too many irons in the fire and it's time to get some of them out of the fire and cooled off. I'm trying, really I am, to get some things finished so I can start more things without the guilt. So the photos shows 3 of my in progress projects. Front left is the shawl from the sweater gone wrong yarn. Behind that is the striped afghan using yarn left over from the Pokey Dot Throw I finished last November but didn't blog about-I wonder why I didn't. And then the cute little red, white and black bag (from The Quilting Gallery exchange) that came from Dawn in England, holding my sock project.

So...I finished up my Abracadabra socks. I love them and can't wait until I get to wear them. Sometimes I just smooch them because they are so soft.

I am almost finished with one of the Paraphernalia socks. The cables are kind of hard to see but believe me they are there!! And the second sock will be cast on as soon as this one is finished. I did tear out back to the ribbing and started over on the cables. I have learned the proper way to read a chart and it has made cables so much easier and fun. I'm excited to start on sock 2. I try to work on one of my projects each night while sitting in front of the TV. Or when I just crash in the chair during the day!!

I promise to check in on Tuesday and if everything goes my way, I'll have one of these three things finished!

Design Wall Monday

I am almost to the stage in my current leader/ender project where it becomes the main project and a new l/e needs to be started. Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville fame has issued the Cheddar Bow Tie Leader-Ender Challenge. I wasn't going to do it. No, I wasn't going to start any more new projects. But........

I have a drawer full of 2 1/2" background squares, a drawer full of partial 2 1/2" strips. And I have been wondering what I was going to use for my next l/e project. I do want to make a cute bag for my g tablet. Does it sound like I'm rationalizing something here??? I have had my eye on some cheddar......I don't have any in my stash. I could make the cute bag from my stash and then decide if I need to buy that cheddar fabric......you all know I'm going to. :)

Head over to Judy L's and see other fabulous design walls and wish Judy luck with getting her new wall up and filled with beauty.

Design Wall Monday

Design Wall Monday on Sunday Evening

This morning I went into the sewing room to do a bit of cleaning up and put up a new shelf. I did that and decided to sit down and sew a few crumb blocks from the bits and pieces that were in my little basket. These darn crumb blocks are like those potato chips that you only want to eat one of but you know, even before the first bite, that you will be out of control in no time! So after 1 string block and 17 crumb blocks and a quick photo, I put the blocks away.

I have no clue how many blocks are in the box. Probably enough for a nice sized lap quilt but I'm not counting yet. One day I will get the box out and start sewing the blocks into a top. I already have string strips sewn for the border so it will go together really fast.

A Finish, A Finish, Finally A Finish!!

Can you hear me singing? If so, I'm sorry. I can't help myself. I have finally finished this UFO. I have not been very successful with the 2011 UFO Challenge. I posted about my February project here and here and again here.

Today I will post that it is finished! My new goal for August is to get a couple more of these UFOs marked off my list. I am motivated now more than ever before to reduce that pile of quilt tops. I would love it if I could have a year when all of my planned projects are complete. Realistic? Maybe not but I'm sure going to try. So 2 finishes with 7 left to be caught up. Can I do it? Let's see. I may need a push now and then, but please be gentle.

Now I must do something to get ready for company tomorrow....

Design Wall Monday

Night Watch

Sunset Silhouette Designs, Inc.

By Carol Robinson of Omak, WA.

I bought this as a kit. I started it over 4 years ago, I remember taking the pieces to work with me to cut out during down time. They were quite fiddly but I rather enjoyed the process. This is one of those projects that I really, really want to finish but I was very uncertain about what to do so I put it away only to be taken out, admired and written every year on the UFO list.

Yesterday I got it out and made a decision. I will add the outside borders, then I will layer it and do free motion quilting/raw edge applique all at the same time! If you have an idea that might work better, please share it with me. The bear, pine needles and moon are ultra suede. In some places on the bear, there are 3 layers.......I'm hoping a jeans needle will do the job. I have a few little pieces that will have to be glued back on but I'll wait until I am close to their area before doing that.

It's good to have a plan with this. Finally!!

Go over to Judy L's where others are sharing their fabulous design walls.

Design Wall Monday

Not much sewing room action around here this week.

I did manage to sew a couple more rows to this baby quilt.

I spent some time working on gift that can't be shown yet.

I stitched out this quilt block for my friend Sharlene.

I worked on my Abracadabra socks.

I worked on my Paraphenalia sock.

I discovered I have been reading the chart wrong.

I also discovered I am really making the second sock first.

So I will keep calm and carry on.

Discover other fabulous design walls by visiting Judy L.

All Is Calm

That's life on the farm today.......it's calm. No place to go, not much to do. I quickly got the laundry washed and hung out. Unlike most of the country, good ole Southwest Washington has not had much heat. We have had cooler and wetter than normal days for a while now. I am ready for some summertime. My garden is craving sunshine.

As I was hanging out the clothes, the dark clouds blocked the sun and I got a bit nervous, but I'm going to believe the weather guy today-for a change. The laundry is all hung out now. Mark that one off the list.

My friend Sharlene picked up a project from quilt guild the other day. It was 12 of these muslin preprinted quilt squares. I think she said 2 were finished, 1 was started. I volunteered to do one and now it is ready to return to her. She has all the others done. Now someone will sew them together and hand quilt it for a donation. I was going to press the block but decided not to, I can't remember if Sharlene pressed hers or not. If so, I'll do it when we meet on Wednesday.

I had a couple preprinted candlewick pillow tops but I cut them up to use as the backing for a quilted bag I made. Now I'm wishing I would have make the pillows. Oh well, I have enough other things to work on. Like 2 pair of socks, a pair of felted slippers and a shawl, all in progress and 2 more embroidery projects in the works. I think I will gather them all and put them by my chair. Maybe that will encourage me to finish something. Oh and there are the mittens I want to make.......sigh! I did find this post--the only time I labeled this redwork project. Yes, it's over a year old..........but the last block is almost done and I have all the other fabrics together in the box to finish it. Cross my fingers, I may have a finish this week!

Now I must make potato salad and get the steak marinating. Then it's off to my quilting room for therapy. Hope your day is calm.

Knitting and Other Stuff

I am such a pushover! I am like Dory in Finding Nemo. I see something shiny and off I go! The latest shiny object is a pair of Paraphernalia socks. I tried to be strong. Really I did. But Judy L showed her's here and I had to jump on the band wagon. I went to my sock yarn stash and found this yarn that I bought quite a while back from Knit Picks. It probably wasn't the best choice to use but I'm fine with it. I will have a pair of socks with cables, whether they can be seen or not is fine with me. If they turn out good, I'll be happy to show them to you. LOL

I am not doing the knit along that she is doing but I am getting over my fear of cables. I thought this would be a good pattern to try and with Judy's encouragement, I am doing it. I'm sure there is a mistake or 2 but what sock of mine would be complete without one. :-)

So I can no longer say I am afraid of cables because I'm not. As long as I have my clicker and paper and pencil.

I am back to working on these socks too. It's been a while since I did anything on them and I really want them so I am back to knitting a few rows a night before I pick up the cable socks.

I've been spending some time perusing Goodwill for treasures. One day I found this fabulous curved plate to use as serving dish, 14 wide mouth pint jars and a bunch of forks and spoons.


After talking to the hostess of the hunting club picnic, I decided to get a stack of plates and silverware for big gatherings. Like she says, I can wash dishes but I hate buying, eating off of and throwing away paper plates. Sure got me thinking and now I'm all set.

Yesterday I found this cute little Tupperware child size cake carrier and it HAD to be mine. I wanted to buy Corelle dinner plates but the last time I was at Goodwill, there were none. Yesterday there were 28 dinner plates and 3 salad plates. I think I'm good for now. I'll still keep my eye out for a few more but not 28 at once. And I added a few more jars, forks and spoons to my collection.

My Mondays and Tuesdays are spent with Jonah. His new best friends and our new family members are Dozer and Turbo. Right now they are all cuddled up in the chair taking naps. It's hard to be 7 and get up at 5:30 to go to Gramma's. Some mornings require naps!

Design Wall Monday

Slow and steady wins the race. Isn't that what they say? I hope so, because I've got the slow down pat. A few minutes here and there, I have more rows sewn together. Not many because I've been on a knitting kick. I'll tell you about that tomorrow.

Thank you to everyone that left a get well wish last week. I wasn't going to post about not feeling good but this is my life journal and it had a big effect on what didn't get accomplished. Now I am almost back to my old self and feeling great.

This is my current leader/ender project. I've picked up a few miniature magazines at different retreats and this little quilt has been taunting me. A few Wednesdays ago, I pulled out my little bags of bonus triangles and took them to our Binding Friends day to trim. I got most of them trimmed and am now sewing them together the blossoms for the trees. The finished blocks will be 6" and use up several little half square triangles. I will use the same greens and red that I used on the Crabapple Quilt to finish it.

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

Design Wall Monday

I finished Golden Harvest. She is now a complete top. I just can't bring myself to change her name though. As I was putting the leftover fabric away, I stumbled upon 2 bundles of triangles that I had bought at the Stash Builder's Sale back in April. On one bundle the tag said 40 Kaffee Fassett fabrics 75 cents. I wish the tag was with the other one but it wasn't. I got out some Kona Snow and cut more triangles and soon I'll have a baby quilt for the newest grandbaby.

Not much time was spent sewing though, I decided it must be a good time to get super sick instead. As soon as I started to feel human again, but unable to get up and do much, I started working on my shawl. The one I'm making with the yarn from the dreaded sweater. Simple, straight knit. I'm working my way up to a fancy one but I think it will be a while.

So now I am going to grab my quilt and park in the recliner and maybe go back to sleep for a while. It's been all sleep all the time or no sleep at all, lots of movies have been on and some have been watched. It's all good though, medicine is a wonderful thing. I'll be fine in a day or two.

Check Judy L's blog for fabulous design walls.

Small Appliance Love

I know it's crazy but I love my FoodSaver! If I had to choose only one small appliance to own, it would be this one. I'm spoiled and I like all my kitchen toys/tools. I'm glad I don't have to choose.

Sunday I smoked 4 chickens for daughter Crystal while working on The Pantry Project. They were deboned and but in the fridge to rest while we celebrated yesterday. First thing this morning, I packed them up into 7 packages for her freezer. Maybe I could have gotten another package but while deboning, I ate a lot of chicken and Ernie got a super sandwich today for his lunch. I work pretty cheap, don't I.

Today I get to do pretty much whatever I want to. Yes, I do that most days but today seems to be more special to me. I have the washer going and a load ready to hang outside. The water is on for the garden and the timer is set so I don't forget to turn it off. I am going to finish up a couple more things and spend lots of time in the sewing room today.

I hope you get to do whatever you want to do today.

Design Wall Monday

Almost! It's almost all put together. I just need 2 more 20 minute sessions. I just need to find those 20 minutes. I have no clue where to look for them. I'm not too worried though, I know they will show up soon enough.

Until then, I'm trying to think up a name for this quilt. I've been calling it Golden Harvest at the Bed and Breakfast. That is the name of the pattern and the name of the fabric line. But it just isn't working for me. I think I will call it Stolen Moments because so much of the work has been done in little moments of time whenever I find them.

Happy Independence Day

If you find a few moments today, go over to Judy L's and see other fabulous design walls.

The Pantry Project

Our home used to belong to my Gramma and Grampa Maple. I love this old house. We have done a lot of things to change this house but one thing that hasn't been changed too much is the "hall cupboard". It's always been called the hall cupboard. Always. It was built by Grampa with rough cut lumber. The shelves are far enough apart to hold quart jars.

Right now these shelves hold too much junk. Not all of it is junk. See my canned beef and chicken, my fabulous stock. There are a few jars of jelly left and some other stuff that probably needs to be used up soon. (Ignore the dust on the top of the jars.)

The shelves need to be cleared out and organized. (I have already taken lots of stuff off the shelves. And I'm not done yet!) I had big plans to paint them but that didn't work out too well. Proof of that is right here. I still want them painted. I just don't know when I'll get it done.

With my revitalization of coupon shopping/stockpiling, I needed to make some changes. BIG changes! Today was the day to start. I had bags of groceries on the floor and shoved into what has been labeled the scary room. It has also been known as the middle bedroom, Doug's room, my sewing room, the "when will it become the gun room" and the "if you don't know where to put it, put it in there" room. Now it will be known as the pantry. Well that's what I'm calling it anyhow! Half will be my stockpile side and the other half will be for Ernie's gun stuff. He can call it the gun room if he wants, he'll just be wrong. And probably his half will be more like a quarter.

So after some work, here is one corner with lots of things on the shelves. On the wall are a few of my treasures and on the left is a cabinet piled high with more junk. That's up next!

I know some of you are trying to count, so I'll just tell you. 5 cake mixes, 4 frostings, 25 brownie mixes, 20 pastas, 12 rices, 26 BBQ sauce, 3 A-1, only 3 mustard, 8 salad dressings, 3 ketchups, 8 Miracle Whips and OH NO, I'm out of mayo! 19 peanut butters, 6 cereals, 13 asst. V-8s. On the right is Gatorade and Propel for Ernie's lunch and with it on sale right now, I am going to go buy more. Not one item was bought at full price!

Yes, that's just a start. There is more to be done. I have a grand plan to have the small closet full of toilet paper before winter. Yes, it is still sold in winter but Ernie is having another surgery and I don't want to have to "run to the store" for anything! And it's just something I want to do.

And while all that was going on, these were in the smoker for Crystal and after they are cool, they will be packaged for the freezer. As will the bones and skin for a later stock making session. I don't know if Crystal wants smoked chicken stock but I sure do.

Now I think I'll spend a bit more time in the Pantry.

Design Wall Monday

I've been stealing bits of time--20 minutes here, 20 there--all weekend to work on my Golden Harvest top. I have just 3 more pieces on each of the last 4 outside border strips to sew on and then the final sections can be put together. Exciting!

I've been looking at Judy Niemeyer's website dreaming of making each of these fabulous designs but then I look at my UFO pile and wake up to reality. Really I am going to make 1 more, I just don't know when. In the mean time, I'll continue working on this one 20 minutes at a time.

Check out other fabulous design walls by visiting Judy L here.

In A Few Minutes

I love my timer. Simple as that. I have learned that if I set the timer for 20 minutes when I sit down to sew, I get so much more accomplished. The other day, Judy L wrote about the games she plays. That got me to thinking about the games I play and most often they involve my beloved timer.

This morning I set the timer for 20 minutes--my most often used setting so I will (force myself to) get up and move around--turned on the stereo to some Rod Stewart and started working on the final 4 borders sections for my Golden Harvest. Stitching, pressing, trimming......pretty soon my time is up. While pressing the last strip, I see I have had yet another whoopsie. I have to take that strip off and sew it back on again.

These are my favorite un-sewers. I find the blade on the left to be the best for me when un-sewing while paper piecing. Then I use the rubber end on the red ripper to gently "erase" my little thread bits away. My friend Nadine taught me that and I had to rush to JoAnn's to buy one for myself. Don't you love getting fabulous tips from your friends?!? And a side note to the makers of the red ripper--you need to make a cap for that thing. One that will stay on when it is not in use.

Now my time is up on the computer and my dogs want their breakfast...soon I'll be setting the timer again for another 20 minutes.