2019 Here I Come!

When it comes to year long projects, this is one of my favorite to follow:

FatCat Patterns!

In 2019 Sindy will have two different ones to add to your quilting pleasure..

I/m looking forward to Hen Party--I have a chicken lover in our

family--so this will be another chicken quilt for her to add to

her stack.

This one looks interesting--have't decided if I want to continue

with the gnome theme after the Christmas quilt.

Oh well, each month the pattern for that month is free--

I opted to pay $6 to have the blocks sent to me--that way

I won't forget to download the month (which I've done in

the past!)

Here's another Block of the Month to follow along with

'A 1930's Style Quilt'
Garden Sunshine
 

.... join the Quilt Doodle BOM 2019! This year it is a fun Traditional quilt. Sew along with me starting January 1st and have a new quilt to display or give as a gift! Details can be found on the Quilt Doodle Blog. 

Merry Christmas!!

How Would You Like to String Along??

Moda Fabric Designers  are hosting a 'string along' quilting session.

Beginning December 28--the start of sewing weekend

Friday, January 4th--check in with a progress report

Monday, January 7--How many did you get done?

Check out the Moda Website for information on how to

make a string block and other information available

on the subject.

This will be my last post before the holidays!!

Since you in the new year

Happy Sewing!  if you get the chance..

Betwixtmas MKAL

Oh, you  have nothing to do on Christmas Eve?  Or just plain tired?

But, you want to keep your hands involved while you sit

in your relaxing chair?

How about joining in on this--Betwixtmas Shawl Make a Long--

end your 2018 on the right note!

Betwixtmas is the phrase that describes those hazy days between 

Christmas and New Year.  Here comes Black Sheep Betwixtmas shawl, a free pattern designed by Bronagh Miskelly

Look for that perfect yarn and pick up your needles (if you have the strength!)

and knit!

Chopping, Mixing, Baking!

We're chopping, mixing, baking today--lots of goodies to go on our holiday tray.  Each night  after dinner as we sit around to visit, we bring out Dan's famous eggnog along with a tray of baked goodies--oldest daughter has fudge, spritz cookies--have you seen the recipe for that Fireball fudge!  OMgosh--  Our friend, George is a distiller at Shire Distilling CO and he makes a great fireball liquor-- I think this will be added to our tray this year!

Dan has made pralines--I don't make candy!! It never turns out good; most of the time, it is runny and you need to bring out the spoons.

These are so delicious--creamy and smooth!

His recipe is sooooo old!  It's hard to read--I suggested

he needed to write it off so it doesn't get lost in years to

come.  

I'm mixing up my sugar cookie recipe--only because son ask

if we were going to have some cookies to dip in milk--I posted that

recipe last year, I think. 

Don't you just love old recipes that have been used over and

over again?  This is a savory cracker--lots of heat with the cayenne

pepper

And to round out the starter of the evening--Cheese ball.

Plus, I have my world famous chili cheese log to savor as well.

Gee, how we love the holidays and all the foods of

our memories.

Gift from My Hands

Every year our Expatcher group gathers for a Christmas luncheon.

I always hope to have a handmade gift to give each of my friends.

This idea popped into my brain last year--

of course, I waited till the last minute to finish up the

details--why, oh why do I do that?

Anyway, here is my gift for my dear friends.

It is handspun silk stitched on handwoven brown cotton cloth,

which has been handspun as well,

   The silk ribbon and yarn have been dyed

with indigo.

I found the bamboo 3" frames on Amazon--of course.

My hope that they will enjoy this piece from my hands.

2019 Planning

January 2019 brings new challenges!  

It is time now to plan for those upcoming projects .

One of my favorite designers, Elizabeth Ravenwood, aka

dogyarns on Ravelry is hosting another lace knitting

venture in 2019--a different pattern each month--I

finished my 2018 lace scarf but it isn't blocked yet--

Another 2019 knitting adventure is one coming

from Toni L. Lorenz, aka 

stlorenz on Ravelry (oh how I love Ravelry!)

This is going to be an exciting learning experience!

I've begun to spin while watching playoff football games

This fiber is very well aged!  It has been in my stash bin

for years--it's lovely to spin

The singles are doing well but I'll ply singles for 2 ply before

the knitting begins.  I have attached a small piece of velcro

to the wheel and when I stop spinning I can put the

loose end of the yarn to the velcro and it sticks!!

This lovely fiber comes from my friends at

Sky loom weavers.

I sure there isn't any more of this fiber--I love the

name--it comes from her animals, which are all

named wonderful names.

I still need to decide on another fiber to spin........

Mistakes..................Can Be Corrected............

It must be my month to make quilting mistakes--oh, yes, I'm making mistakes in other routines of my life too; But, do you know, all mistakes can be corrected?  Thank goodness!

When I have a few spare minutes, I've been sewing on Bonnie Hunter's 2018 mystery--I'm liking the color combinations.  So far, I've worked on two clues--making mistakes on both clues--oh, well.......I should read the instructions more carefully--really!  Take my time!  Read thoroughly!

Okay--what does this read to you?  2.5" unfinished--my brain

glazed right over that the "unfinished part" and went to download my sewing papers

for half square triangles

Now, what does this say at the top of the page??

2.5" FINISHED!!  (You can find these free half square papers

at quilting and what not--there are several sizes--)

Yes, so wrong!  I sewed several of these papers and the

brain kicked in----oh, no!  these need to be 2" finished!!

So back to the drawing board--I need to square up all these already sewn

to 2.5" unfinished!!

Thank goodness, I have this tool to make that process go quicker:

You line up on the stitching line that size you want the 

square to be--not pressed yet--and trim.

This tool is product of  New Leaf Stitches--it even trims the

'dog ears'!

Oh the joys of a mundane brain working overtime!!

Whew! Finished...................

Well, I thought I was finished---------then, I took a photo of my "finished' quilt top.  The next day I looked at the photo............................guess what??

And there it was!!  a glaring mistake!  A big fat mistake!

Can you see it?

Well, this is the way it's suppose to be--that meant lots of

ripping--goes to prove--you're never finished until you REALLY

look at the finished project!

This was a free project from Fort Worth Fiber Studio and measures

33"X 33"

All About Socks!!

Oh My Gosh!   Free patterns and tutorials on Socks!

I'm in heaven--sock heaven, that is!

You too can become a sock knitter and enjoy

these free patterns--Knotions has this just for you!

How can you resist??

I can't decide which one to knit first.

Then the other day, I discovered this interesting pair of sock knitters

and oh my--the yarn!  where have I been all this time??!!

Taste Driving---Recipes!

Let's Party!!  We are spending the holidays at the Hill Country house this year!  Yeah!  This will be an adventure--it's a much smaller place but we'll have a grand time with the family.
I'm in the food tasting mode now--found some interesting recipes that family might enjoy but first-- there is the taste driving test!

Damn Delicious has this tasty treat for your mouth!  It sounds so yummy!  and Costco had a special on croissant rolls!  Bam!  we're in business! 

I bought this book just for this one recipe--have you ever done that before?

There are many other good recipes too to try but the one below is one of our

favorites

And we have already taste driven this one!  But, I think whipping up

another batch is a go!

Don't they look delicious! Well, they are!

Had to try this recipe, just to use my Instapot, that I received last

Christmas!  Adventures of a Nurse gives us the copycat recipe

of Applebee's artichoke and spinach dip.

when making my list for grocery, I realize that ingredients for

Dip and rolls have the same things!! 

Wonder which one the family will like the best!!  At least,

they will be eating some spinach either recipe!

Advent of Kindness!

Here is a perfect way to celebrate Advent each day--it takes nothing but

Kindness!

Today Is The Day To Begin....................

I know you're not busy today--Right?  NOT!

Busy with cooking, shopping, gift wrapping, etc.

But, here is one that you might want to save

for future sewing times!

Jan Daly Quilts will share the steps on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from the 3rd through the 21st.  The final project is a mystery that will be constructed and revealed in stages throughout the month.  This year there will simple machine piecing (with some smaller patch sizes) making this quilt along suitable for most quilters, including confident beginners.  Check their website for past mystery QAL

I'll be saving these steps along with Quiltville's 2018 mystery

and Temecula Quilt company Secret Santa steps.  So much to sew

so little time--but we'll be ready for 2019 Christmas season!

And don't forget about the New Year's Day 2019

quilt along with Merry Mayhem--every hour a step

is revealed and by evening you'll have a wonderful new quilt--

if you keep up!

AQS Christmas Countdown

Just another reason to sew during the holidays

of if you're like me

save for future stitching.

Join this group through Facebook--

AQS

Each day from December 1-25 we will be posting a block. Please use your preferred construction technique.

Share questions and process images along the way. Be sure to show off your finished blocks with lots of pictures! We may even use your shared images on AQS Social Media platforms: AQSBlog, OnPoint, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, & Facebook. Always giving you credit, of course.

The full projects along with the finishing quilts for 2015, 2016, and 2017 can be found on AQSBlog: http://www.aqsblog.com/2017-christmas-countdown

Our 2018 Christmas project starts here: http://www.aqsblog.com/get-ready-for-the-2018-christmas-cou…. You can even combine all the blocks and make a 100 Block Christmas Quilt!

Blocks are shown in red and white. Please feel free to make your blocks in any color. If you would like to use the same fabrics we are using, look for active links to ShopAQS.com within the blog posts.

Joining this group means you agree to abide by the AQS Social Media Terms & Conditions found here: http://www.americanquilter.com/…/social_media_terms_and_con…

Advent Calendar

It's that time of year when my mind turns to Advent--time to reflect on the reason for the season.  We have an advent wreath--a circle of life--candles are lit on Sundays before Christmas.

I also like to prepare myself by knitting an advent scarf, which I've

done for the past several years.  This year is no different--

Unkatissima hosts this special knit along beginning December 1--Each day a 'window' will open to reveal the pattern for the day--It is my meditation time--yarn in my hands is certainly a blessing.  The pattern is free--knit along!

About the pattern:

1. This year the shawl has
    7 different consecutive lace patterns which mirror each other harmoniously,
    a 20 stitches repeat which allows you to knit the shawl as wide as you like and
    on day 13 a pattern that you can knit as often as you like to adapt the length of the shawl to your liking.
    
2. The pattern
    is a multiple of 20 pattern stitches + 3 start/end stitches + 2 or more edge stitches, and has a total of 386 rows with the day 13 pattern knitted once.
    The day 13 pattern has 28 rows and can be knitted several times if necessary.
    The daily instructions contain each as well charts as written instructions.
    
3. To knit the shawl you need
    yarn with needles in appropriate size (the shawl looks as beautiful knitted in lace yarn as in fingering or bulkier yarn),
    know-how about knitting yarn overs and different decreases and
    if you like stitch markers to mark the repeats.
    
4. If you want to make the shawl
    broader/narrower simply adjust the number of repeats;  shorter,
   • use smaller needle sizes and/or
   • finer yarn and/or
   • knit less loose;  longer
• knit the day 13 pattern more than once and/or
• use larger needles and/or bulkier yarn and/or knit more loose.

Advent Skalender is another shawl to knit during this period.  It began November 20

Wool Work---

Sleep as I will--wish as I would--

It just doesn't get the job done!

I bought this book for some wool applique

sense--I've not done much wool work.  A few small

pieces but I bought this book to make 

This tea cozy!!  I loved this tea cozy!  I have the book

now.  I have wool too.  I have floss to do the stitching--

BUT............A cold spell came along

AND

My tea pot is still naked!!

Not Early Enough!

Every year I think and believe that I will begin gift making

earlier in the year--but here I am in mid November

and just working on a few--and I mean a few!

Not going to have time to create all the gifts

I thought I could--intentions went by the wayside!!

This pattern by Denton Foreman, Cozy Fingerless Gloves

is a perfect mindless knitting project--

knit in front of TV, in the car, in a lecture,

talking to friends--

I found lots of small bits of yarn that will 

work for this easy peazy pattern.

I divided my yarn into two so I can knit both mitts

as the same time on circular needles--and the best

part--it's all Knit!!