Preparing for FALL!

Yes, it's nice to prepare for fall; wait around for the time when the temperatures cool, leaves turn their magic colors and there is that spring in our steps as we bask in the merging weather change. We are still waiting here! But, there is preparation in the works--the house is decorated with fall colors (lots of oranges, golds and rusts). The hands are turning to fall fabrics and working on fall projects. One of the projects (and finished project!!) is a freebie from The Painted Quilt . She has offered two First Friday of the month projects--great fall projects for September and October (still working on Oct). The background pieces are place mats from a pattern purchased several years ago from High Prairie Quilts shop in Parker, CO. The pattern is titled '2 hour table runner and place mats'. Guess what? It has always taken this quilter longer than two hours to make these.
Waiting, still waiting for Fall! But, happily stitching away with those fall thoughts in the back of the mind.

Is It Tea Time?

Any time is a good time to have a cup of tea, but in our neck of the woods it's still on the warm and humid side. So, the teapot doesn't really need a cozy now. But, the cozy will come in handy when the temps turn to the chilly side. What sort of tea do you like to drink--herbal, flavored or straight up leaded? Our freezer is full of tea--yes, the freezer is our stock supplier; a place to keep it fresh and out of the warm temperatures. Here is the latest creations from that never ending roving art skein that was spun this summer. And believe it or not, there is still about an ounce left--there isn't the faintest idea of how to use that last little bit of handspun.......yet.

Binky Patrol

Yes, we are on a patrol. The Binky Patrol . An organization that began in Laguna Beach, CA in 1996 under the leadership of Susan Finch. What started with five volunteers has now grown to over 160 chapters and estimated 20,000 volunteers. We, who are on this patrol, make quilts or blankets to give to children in the need of comfort. Our small, but industrious group (Expatchers) are always working on Binky Patrol quilts. Thankful we have two gals with long arm machines who work their magic on our creations. The Expatchers met while living in Venezuela. Most have returned to the states to central location. Some have retired, while others are coming in and out of the group, traveling and living in far away places like China, Mexico, Australia. But, in the long run we always come back together to share ourselves with the Binky Patrol. Here are just a couple of the quilt tops that were finished recently and handed over to the quilter genius. This pattern is from a tutorial that Piece N Quilt has so generously offered on her blog.
This fabric just begged to be made into a Binky Patrol quilt! What a fun way to share with young girls who love paperdolls. Thanks Expatchers! Thanks Susan Finch!

Accomplished!

Accomplished--according to the thesaurus this word relates to 'skilled, proficient, able, gifted, talented, finished' Yes, finished fits here! But, just because these two items and projects are 'accomplished' doesn't mean they or myself are skilled, proficient, able, gifted or talented.....it just means two UFO's are off the list and now tucked into the appropriate storage unit and hopefully, they will appear in the near future to be clad upon one's body.
Here are the mystery socks (and yes, they are indeed socks!) and looking lovely lying on the sofa.
This was the Nancy Bush 'mystery' pattern and quite fast to knit. And the other 'accomplished' project are the wrist warmers, using the handspun yarn from a summer art roving from "Orchids" painting. Instead of one large project, this yarn was used on smaller projects. Earlier blog showed the headband "Quant" Interesting that the latest issue of Interweave Press "Handspun" magazine featured several of these headbands with the use of handspun. modeled by granddaughter's lovely hands.
Yes, Finished is a good feeling. Now, to tackle the pile of other UFO's waiting in the wings.

More Good Stuff!

As promised here is more of the weaving exhibit/sale. Wonderful baskets! Even Christmas decorations!
Home furnishings!
linens perfectly suited for any kitchen and a few of the lovely wearables.

Over One, Under One

The weavers in our area have made a great show of themselves and their productions! The Contemporary Handweavers of Houston hosted their annual show and sale this weekend and a mighty fine exhibit it was! Sale was awesome as well. The exhibit/sale was held at Houston Contemporary Craft Center--the perfect location for this function. The lighting is good, the layout is excellent and the space is outstanding--the organization couldn't ask for anything better than that. From the minute you walk through the doors you are amazed! The colors, the fabrics, structures and variety--where does one begin? From the table with handwoven scarves and lovely jewelry to the racks of linens, placemats, you have a hard time deciding what to buy--all this eye candy!
A table with handfelted socks
And more scarves to choose from: Plus a table with handspun yarns! Just too many wonderful things to show here so next blog more photos!

What is a Quilt?

Recently, on a visit to a quilt exhibit, there were several interesting quilts on display. One of the reasons to look at quilts 'up close and personal' is to see 1) the pattern 2)quilting design 3)setting of blocks and borders 4)different layouts of blocks. Here are some quilts of interest
But, there were about three or four 'quilts' that were exhibited that had us questioning, what is a quilt? This is called 'Swedish needle weaving' or huckery or Swedish Huck weaving or Huck toweling. In my younger days, my hands 'wove' a many of these towels; not on a loom but with needle and thread! But, here were 'Huck toweling pieces' displayed as quilts--no two layers or three layers sandwiched together, just one single layer of toweling--of course, it was on the scale of bed size and there was an impressive amount of work, but to call it a quilt? Interesting in fact! Each exhibit has it's own guidelines and obviously, these fit into their 'quilt' category