DESIGN WALL MONDAY

A few more pieces prepared!  DH is out this afternoon, so I think I'll spend it watching a British mystery and stitching....

Check out all the creativity at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week 0 yards

Used year to date  157 yards

Added this week 0 yards

Added year to date 36 yards

Net used 2014    121 yards

 

I feel like my quilting is at a standstill!  I have been spending more time knitting, but I am still working on some quilting.....

 

 I've been doing some work on my appliqued flowered heart WH.

These are the fabrics that I've pulled from my stash to make all the flowers, leaves, etc.

I have had this neutral print in my stash for quite a while, waiting for the right project.  I have two flowers, along with some buds and leaves ready to stitch.  

I've already stitched each motif together, so I'll only have to sew around the perimeter of each motif.  There will be some individual leaves to add here and there....

Check out the stash reports at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

ON THE NEEDLES

It seems odd to me that I'm doing more knitting than quilting lately!

Today we went to Tweed to visit the cousins who own the alpacas.  At our family reunion in late June, they had given me 9 skeins of lovely hand-spun alpaca yarn to make items for them to sell.  I delivered a whole bag-full of items, from scarfs and mitts to hats and mini-shawls.  They were surprised that they were completed so quickly.  They had been paying a local person to knit some items for the, but she took 20 months to return the few items.  DH is happy that I like knitting, especially with someone else's yarn - less money for us to spend!  When I do knit, it is usually to donate, so I'm happy to help the cousins with their business!

In fact they were so pleased that they asked if I'd like some more yarn to play with.  This is today's haul.  This time, most of the yarn has been blended with some merino wool.  It is hard to tell but the 3 skeins on the left end and the two on the right end of the bottom row are tweed, with 2 shades of tan and beige.  As you can see, the skeins vary in the number of yards, so I guess I'm heading back to Ravelry to look for some different patterns!

They were telling us that last fall they had people knocking on their front door looking for alpaca mitts, in any size!  I just finished winding the first skein into a ball, and the ribbing for the first mitten is started!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

 

This is the first motif for the floral heart wreath project.  I haven't done an applique project for a while, and this one has been waiting much to long!

I have pulled all the fabrics from my stash, so I can work on it at a leisurely pace, and even take the fabric south to complete the quilt.

I have been preparing the pieces using a "Floriani Stitch N Wash Fusible" stabilizer.  I cut the exact shape from the stabilizer, and iron it onto the back of the fabric.  Then I turn the trimmed edges of the fabric piece, using washable glue stick, and then glue the motif together, where it waits for hand stitching.  I still have a couple of leaves to add to this motif.   You may notice a couple of fabric pokies at the ends of the leaves, but this will get tucked under when the motif is stitched to the background fabric.

 Now that I have begun the project, I'm anxious to start stitching! 

Check out all the creativity shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times. 

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week 6.875 yards

Used year to date  157 yards

Added this week 0 yards

Added year to date 36 yards

Net used 2014    121 yards

I finished the second disappearing hourglass quilt, and finally started a new project - applique this time.

I found a lovely heart shaped flower wreath in a book many years ago.  I made a line drawing of the design, and even made one in reverse, but then I placed the whole thing in a binder.  The last few times that I looked at the design I was in the south, while my stash was in the north.  I finally decided it was time to pull fabrics from my stash to begin work on the project.  I have prepared one flower for stitching, but still have to work on the leaves.....

We had a busy week with eye exams, and DH had a procedure on his eye on Thursday.  He had a cataract removed a couple of years ago, but his vision has worsened again.  He finally saw the specialist on Thursday, who used a laser to remove some cells that had grown on the back of the tissue that holds the lens in place.  Happily, he is back to 20/20 vision in that eye!

We also visited both sets of "kids" over the weekend - lots of driving, but well worth it!

Check out the stash progress at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

 

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Finally - two finishes!

Both quilts are made from the same "disappearing hourglass" blocks, but have different borders.  The green version uses the pink butterfly fabric for piping.

 The blue bordered quilt uses some of the backing fabric for piping.  It is a blue and yellow print that has lived in my stash much too long, but made a great backing for this quilt.  
Now I have to get my creative juices flowing, and decide which project will be my next.

Check out all the creativity shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  6.875 yards

Used year to date  150.125 yards

Added this week  0 yards

Added year to date  36 yards

Net used 2014  114.125 yards

 

Finally a finish!  I finished one of the two "disappearing hourglass" quilts, and the second just has to have the binding stitched down.  I decided to do and unstuffed piped binding on these two quilts, so after stitching the binding to the back side, I machine stitch it in the ditch between the "piping" and the binding with monofilament thread.  I'll try to get a picture soon.

 

Friday night, DH and his friend entertained at a "drive-in" for antique and collector car owners.  There were lots of people walking down memory lane, looking a the cars, talking with their owners and enjoying the jukebox favourites.

 

Today we are off to a fund-raiser BBQ, sponsored by DH's music partner's service group.  The guys are entertaining again, and it looks like the weather will be cooperative.

 

Check out Judy's blog, Patchwork Times to see other's progress this week.

ON (OR OFF) THE NEEDLES

I have finally used all 9 skeins of hand spun alpaca yarn, making items for our cousins.  The final two items are another scarf in the medium/dark brown, and a mini/shawl in the darkest colour.

I get bored doing plain knitting, so another scarf with lacy designs and cables.  It takes a little longer to make, but the constant changing pattern makes it more interesting.

 Here's a close-up of the stitches.

 For the final project, I dug out an oldie but a goodie.  This closes with 3 buttons, and is worn with the opening to the back.  It is wonderful to fill in an open neck winter coat.  I still have mine that I made many years ago, although I haven't worn it for a long time - not necessary in the south.  Some day we'll stop heading south for the winter, and then I'll enjoy wearing it again.
Check out all the knitted items shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

My design wall is so empty it almost has cobwebs on it!

I'm trying to get back in the quilting groove, slowly.  I had two quilt tops almost finished, so I added borders to both, and I have one backing prepared, and I'm trying to find fabric for the second one...

I had made a pile of "disappearing hourglass" blocks, planning to make a large quilt, but since the blocks are so large, I decided to make two smaller quilts to donate instead.

Then I have to clean off my cutting table before I can pin-baste the quilts.  Early in the spring, I thought I'd be running out of batting, so ordered more, but I haven't touched any of it since!  My fingers are getting itchy to get back to some serious quilting.  My guild is having a show in June 2015, and I have to get some plans made for projects to show.  I usually enter items already completed before we head south - just easier to provide photos and finished sizes in early March when the entries are due....

Head over to Judy's blog, Patchwork Times for lots of creative inspiration that is shared there.
 

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  0 yards

Used year to date  143.25 yards

Added this week  0 yards

Added year to date  36 yards

Net used 2014  107.25 yards

 

 Still no new numbers!  I'm the first one to admit that I don't like to give in to illness.  I usually work through just about anything that comes my way, BUT, the horrible cough with chest congestion has really kicked my behind this time.  I did manage to finish the machine quilting on the third quilt for community quilts, but I worked in half-hour segments, then had to rest.

I think I'm finally on the mend - managed to bake some bread and do a load of laundry yesterday.  Today is a damp Sunday, so I won't be able to work in the garden, so I'll work on some indoor tasks instead - maybe even some quilting!

Head over to Judy's blog, Patchwork Times to check on others' stash reports this week.

ON (OR OFF) THE NEEDLES

Another scarf blocked and ready to deliver.  I took the design from a hat pattern, and I love it in a scarf!
I just started another scarf in the medium brown colour yarn - my last skein of yarn being knit for our cousins!

My cold with cough is finally on the mend, but I still get tired easily.  I guess I can't expect to recuperate at the same rate I did when I was 30!

DH has been back entertaining at nursing homes and seniors' residences this week - he had to cancel several shows - didn't want to share his virus.

 

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Nothing new on my design wall, but I'm trying to finish quilting a community quilt for my guild.  The top was pieced by a guild member who passed away last year.  Another member added the final border, and I get to quilt it.  What a lovely way to remember a fellow quilter.
Now if only I could stop coughing long enough to finish it!

Head over to Judy's blog, Patchwork Times for more quilting inspiration.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  0 yards

Used year to date  143.25 yards

Added this week  0 yards

Added year to date  36 yards

Net used 2014  107.25 yards

Still no movement on the stash front!  I've been fighting a cold with a hacking cough all week, and I'm sleep deprived.

I've also been quilting 3 more community quilts for my guild.  It is times like this that I'd love to own a long-arm machine, but that is not in the cards.  I'd have to quilt for others to pay for it, and I find it very challenging to decide how to quilt all these quilts - often not my choice of fabric or pattern....

I did managed to block another scarf that I knitted from the cousins' alpaca yarn.  This one is in the darkest colour - brown but almost black!

Hopefully, I'll be feeling better soon, and have enough energy to return to a couple of projects that have been on the back burner.

Check out Judy's blog, Patchwork Times to see how others are doing this week. 

ON THE NEEDLES

This is actually off the needles already.

This is made with the brown shade of alpaca yarn from out cousins' herd.

I'm back knitting on the lightest colour - a caramel shade - making another scarf. 

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I managed to get half of the disappearing hourglass blocks sewn together, but not much else.  I had intended to make a large quilt, but decided to make 2 lap quilts instead.  The first one has the blocks in diagonal runs of colour, but the second will be more scrappy, just using the leftover blocks.

I took one quick picture while it was pinned to my design wall, but since it has bias edges, I didn't leave it hanging - I could already see the edges stretching!  I like this block, but next time I'll make on grain half square triangle blocks - much easier to control!

I took two close-up pictures of some of the blocks too.

I chose colours from the black print with the multi-coloured squares.  Hopefully, I'll get the next set of blocks sewn together before the next set of community quilts arrives to be quilted.

Check out the creativity at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  0 yards

Used year to date  143.25 yards

Added this week  0 yards

Added year to date  36 yards

Net used 2014  107.25 yards

Didn't accomplish much this week.  DH has a virus, with wracking coughs, fever, etc.  Our two sons and one daughter-in-law came for a visit for 3 days, so our time was spent catching up on all the news, chatting, eating, playing games, cooking, doing dishes, watching movies etc.  We had a good visit.

I received a call from the conveners of the community quilts program at my guild, and then have some more quilts for me to machine quilt - they should be delivered in a day or two!

After our "kids" left today, DH and I drove to Wellington to attend the Prince Edward County Guild's annual quilt show.  I didn't buy any fabric, but stocked up on some Superior Thread from a vendor.  I saw some cute panels, but the one I wanted was all sold - they only had the sample......

Check out the stash reports at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

 

ON THE NEEDLES

I've been trying to get another scarf completed, using the alpaca yarn that I'm knitting for our cousins.  I love the pattern I chose, but it has 12 rows to each pattern, and is so complex, I can't memorize it, so can only knit when there are no distractions - which is almost never!

You can see that I have lots more knitting to do....

Can't wait to see it blocked!

Join others at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times to see what's on the needles this week.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I can't believe it is Monday already - the days just seem to fly by....

DH and I attended the concert in the garden last night.  The local band was wonderful, and even better - one of the members was DS2's high school music teacher.  We had a quick chat with him after the concert, and he was happy to hear about our son - he always wonders how the kids turned out, and what they are doing.

 I've been working on a new project - possible a quilt for my next family reunion, or maybe a donation quilt....

It is another "disappearing" block, this one made from an hourglass block.  I can't wait to have more blocks completed, so I can play with the layout.

Check out all the design fun at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  143.25 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  36 yards

Net used 2014  107.25 yards

Nothing has changed in the past two weeks - I have finished all my quilting duties for a while, and am slowly getting back to my own projects.

My hexagon hydrangea project is on hold until I find an appropriate backing in my stash.  I also began cutting and piecing a kid's project, but nothing to show so far....

Holidays and birthdays, mine included, have kept us busy for the past week.  DH and his friend had another guitarist join their group this week ( he plays with them while south during the winter).  He came for a few days, so lots of rehearsal time, and then a performance at a nursing home on Friday, then at a fundraiser for Military Families on Saturday.  Next time he comes to town, he'll stay with us.

I have to get some baking done this afternoon - DS2 and wife, and DS1 will be arriving on Thursday night for a few days.  It is the Buskers festival this week, and they love to come and watch all the entertainment.

Check out Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, to see how other stashes increased/decreased over the past week.....

SOME KNITTING FINISHES

I don't usually knit very often, but when we attended DH's family reunion in June, I volunteered to knit a few items for our cousins who raise alpacas.  I came home with 9 skeins of alpaca yarn, from 3 different alpacas.
I headed to Ravelry to look for some different patterns and started with "Pearl-barred Scallop Scarf"

I love the texture in this one, and I love that I can knit with alpaca yarn, as I am allergic to wool.

Next I worked with the medium colour yarn and made the "Off-Set Diamonds Scarf".  

I still had yarn left from the skein, so I made a pair of ladies mitts, using a basic pattern, and stitching them in a basketweave pattern - I love texture in mitts.

 Using the first skein of the darkest yarn, I decided to knit a hat.

I used the "Mimosa Slouchy Beanie" pattern that is free from the Caron yarn website.  I really like the texture in this hat, with its alternating cable and lacy stitch pattern.

I have a small "shawl" type scarf finished, but it is still drying after its quick wash and blocking.  I'm knitting another pair of mitts in the lightest yarn colour.  Then I'll see what other items I feel like making.

DH has been a great help, holding the skeins of yarn while I wind it into a ball.  I remember doing this with my Mother - she knit many sweaters over the years.  I love to knit, although I'm not as efficient a knitter as my Mother, but I don't often wear a sweater.  Since we head south for the winter, I don't need hats, scarves, mitts etc., so I take advantage of every excuse to knit.

We are planning to visit our DS2 and DDIL in a couple of weeks, so we plan on dropping off all the finished items to the cousins on our way.  They sell both the yarn and finished projects at local markets.  The final picture is "Casino", when he was a baby.