And March Rolls Out.......................

Last day of March--it might have come in as a Lion but is it going out like a Lamb--“In like a lion, out like a lamb” has always seemed a straightforward enough proverb: when March starts, it's still winter, and by the end of the month spring has begun.

well, this March has been totally different for many of us............................incarcerate, my son calls it!  Not quite but it seems like it at times--and he works from home ALL the time--

So, what have you been doing during this "Stay Home" and Social Distancing sessions?

Me, I find anything to keep from doing housework or cooking-- I dug through another bin of stash items, looking for silk scarves (which my brain said I've got)--  What I found--was a whole big bin of hand dyed cloth!!  Pulled each piece out and thought "I remember when I did this piece" or I remember that workshop!

Found several shibori pieces that I did a million years ago with indigo

 Look!  Other pieces of natural dyed fabrics--a lot of the indigo was done when I demoed indigo dyeing at the plantation

Ohh, this is just the tip of the bin--I dug deep and found those silk scarves--which is doing some eco dyeing with--hopefully, I'll share those pieces soon. 

Now For Your Amusement, Education or Whatever!

I find this totally awesome!  Notice that the yarn is hanging behind them and they use a sharp knife to cut as they weave...................just unbelievable!  They are making our next Silk/wool rug.
and if you thought your job was hard!

Winter, 2021

Either I'm early or I'm really late--but, I'll be ready for Winter 2021 with

these finished pieces

I worked on this Valentine Quilt top blocks when the pattern was released--

It was a free download from Fort Worth Fabric Studio

When I was working on the X blocks, I couldn't decide which half square triangle 

should be the major X--so I laid out two ways, took photos and then

decided that the bright red would be the best to show 

I didn't order the kit for this one--look for a Spring QAL to begin April 1--

as usual, the steps are free but you have the option to purchase their fabric kit.

Another winter project has been these awesome socks--

haven't done socks in awhile--this pattern from

Knitter's Brewing Company for their mosaic Mystery Sock

XII:  Let It Snow--I did order the sock kit from them for these

socks as if I didn't have yarn in my stash --ha ha!

I finished my socks!  So much fun to see the pattern develop with each stitch!

Place April 1 on your calendar as the begin date for this 2020 Christmas Carols

Sew Along 

Itsy Bitsy...................

I lay before you..............................several small itsy bitsy quilt blocks--which aren't easy to sew--
it's in your best interest, if you decide to make itsy bitsy blocks, to cut accurately!  When it states
1.5" square--be sure you cut that size--it's best to measure twice and cut once-

I started 2019 Mystery along with Kathleen Tracy's in 2019

somehow, it got lost in the shuffle or I just gave up

2020 rolls around and there is another mystery from

Kathleen--okay, I'm on this one--I've even caught up with each month

AND

I'm going back to finish the 2019 blocks--because I've seen the finished

itsy bitsy quilt--I love it!

Here are the 2020 blocks for January -March--

Taking My Own Advice..................

Yes, I give the best advice--so I'm taking that advice.............I pulled out all my stash bins in the studio and begin to look at the odd blocks on hand and I look over to the loom, partially dressed--
I'm ready to tackle what I can--

Found these blocks--they're 'orphans'--but, these will work great together--add borders

around the apron to bring up to 12.5"--then I have all these 2.5" rolls of binding that

I never used--perfect for something  

and the sashing between the blocks are 1.5" strips cut for another project that weren't used--

works here along with the binding cuttings--

Boy, I feel good!  Liberated!  I'm on a roll!  Cleaning up all these small UFO's

I found all these colorful blocks--why didn't I make more?  Anyway, these will work for an orphan quilt top for kids--Also have the start of an alphabet--will check to see what letters are missing--these will work great as borders--stay tuned for the results...........

adios for now! 

Self Containment.................Clears Up Bins

It's Amazing what you can find when you are bored and have plenty of time on your hands--

digging through my stash bins, I've found all sorts of 'lost' projects!

I remember working on this panel many moons ago--it's certainly one

of those forgotten pieces--just need to add couple of borders, quilt and bind--

perfect Christmas gift done!!

and then there are these pieces--ahh, I think I really want to forget about them totally!  What a pain to work this pattern!

But, I began and now I need to finish--there is no way I'm going to paper piece 58

maple leaves to go around the border--that was one reason it went to stationery bin--

finally, my brain said just do what you want!

Decided on 6" blocks--it will work just fine--besides I'm the maker and I can do what I want!

And this!! Oh My--I've been looking for this for months!!

I found it while digging in my scrap bin with all the loose pieces--

Why? was it there?  Doesn't matter-it's been found--just quilt

and bind and call it finished!!!

Hope you have found something to keep you occupied!

In A Holding Pattern...........................

Since most everyone is taking some time off to shelter in place--why not take some time to take stock of what's important to you-- read a good book; listen to some lively music; write down your feelings in a journal; cook some interesting food; facetime with relatives; spend time talking to your spouse (!!!);  binge watch old movies--most of all--do some creative work with your hands.

Here you go:  Quarantine knitting with Arne and Carlos!  they are " designing a mystery knit along that everyone will be able to do, using yarn from your stash, and we will do a video podcast on our YouTube Channel on weekdays, Monday - Friday for the two next weeks.
This page has been created by us so that everyone who joins us can share their progress with each other! The podcasts and Knit Along will start tomorrow at 6 pm Central European time, which is 6 hours ahead of Central Daylight Time in North America until we Europeans move the clock to summer time in the end of March. The patterns and charts for each daily clue will be available here: https://arnecarlos.com/blog/ This is a free initiative and we hope you'll join us stay safe, healthy and sane during these crazy times!"

Here's the start of something interesting! 

Do some hand stitching! finish some UFOs!  Begin another quilt challenge!

like this free Quarantine Quilt Along

designed and presented by GE Designs

OR Listen to a good book....

 I've been reading the Bible--the world's greatest book!  I'm reading it with the aid of

 A short recap of each chapter of the Bible podcast presented by Tara Leigh Cobble--This podcast is awesome!  Love Tara Leigh's voice! Read along with her and others--calm your soul and mind.

And further your relaxation and freedom of boredom, jump over to Calm and take the free seven day challenge--you'll be happy you tried it out!

Luck of the Irish!

My daughter is great at finding four leaf clovers--she took that feature from her grandmother--just walking in a field she would spy that perfect clover without out looking hard! What a talent--guess they always had the "luck of the Irish" 

What makes your Knitting Irish?

When we packed up my mother's house to move her to Assisted Living, I found several lovely
pieces of jewelry; amongst the rings, she had what I called a Celtic knot ring that I wear on my
pinkie finger.  I always wondered what the symbol represented.   I found this website that explains the meaning--

History of soda bread

Though soda bread is now most commonly attributed to Ireland, the first people to use soda to leaven their bread was the American Indians. ... Irish Soda Bread was first created in the late 1830s, when the first iteration of baking soda—or bicarbonate soda—was introduced to the U.K

How About a recipe?

and how about some Corned beef and cabbage to go with that bread?

recipe for corned beef

and why corned beef and cabbage on St Paddy's Day?

Irish workers free dinner

The Irish builders would still have to buy a few drinks in order to get their supposedly free dinner, but the main reason that the corned beef and cabbage dinner is thought to be of Irish origin is not that they were enticed by a traditional meal so much as a cheap meal

Take Some Microchips..........

  When I visited Austin QuiltCon , I picked up some free samples--most often the samples just go
in my stash bin, but this small package of Microchips actually have a free pattern for you--way cool!

Figo Fabrics were handing out these small 'microchips' 

Another company was handing out small samples as well--

These small hangings are perfect for those "microchips"
check out their website for other patterns.

The Tale of Murder....................................On The Links

What a perfect month to read this book--Read book here--

Spring is bounding out and several are headed to the golf course--

Listen here

We watch the adaptation on Acorn TV--not exact as the book

or audio, but I can knit while watching and 

Here's what I'm knitting on

Okay, it's not quite a golf link--but it's a useful item for the kitchen or

bathroom--"Chain Link" Knit Picks has the free pattern--

I even like this color but don't I have anything like this in my stash.

I think I can 'murder' this pattern!

Why Not?

I enjoyed knitting Winter Socks--why not--begin another pair of

mystery socks--

Laura Jenkins, Designer

Mystery socks will be knit top-down with a short-row heel and use increases, decreases and twisted stitches to make your self-striping yarn a little more than just stripey. Four

clues throughout month of March

 and since I didn't knit the February FLG--

why not--make these

Designed by Arienne Grey

There are plenty of little bits of yarn lying around that

will knit up quickly--Lacy too!

Why not? use up more of that stash yarn to knit

this delightful--and easy to knit quick hat

Drips by Bethany Hill 

If I get these knitted, along with my regular March clues,

I'll be doing okay--otherwise,

I'll be saying "WHY NOT"

Awwww, Some Wedding Photos

What a breath taking day it was in Schulenburg, Texas as we

gathered at this painted church, St. Mary's of High Hill--

Bride and Groom on their walk to a new life's adventure 

Hands across hands

At the reception held at Oaks of High Hill

More photos forthcoming from the Professional Photographer when

available--

it was absolutely beautiful day for a beautiful wedding

Celebration!!

Today we are celebrating Texas Independence Day!  Although, the regular anniversary is March 2--most public events are held on the weekend following--


This video will give you the overall facts about Texas Revolution--or visit Remember the Alamo!



Music by Drew Moreland in the dance hall--little dancing, little toe tipping and lots of hoops and hollers

We'll be celebrating at Luckenbach with  an emotional flag

retirement ceremony--

I am your Texas flag!
I was born January 25, 1839.
I am one of only two flags of an American state that has also served as the symbol of an independent nation--The Republic of Texas.
While you may honor me in retirement, the spirit I represent will never retire!
I represent the spirit of Texas--Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow!
I represent the bravery of the Alamo and the Victory at San Jacinto.
My spirit rode with the Texas Rangers in the streets of old El Paso and herding cattle through the Fort Worth stockyards. I have sailed up Galveston Bay.
My colors are in the waters of the Red River and in the Bluebonnets of the Texas Hill Country.
You'll find my spirit at the Light House of Palo Duro and in the sands of Padre Island;
I am in the space station at Houston and atop the oil wells of West Texas.
From the expanse of the Big Bend to the Riverwalk of San Antone--all of Texas is my home!
I wave over the cotton and grain fields of the High Plains, and I am deep in the rich soil of the Rio Grande Valley.
I am proudly displayed under the Capitol Dome, and I fly high above the concrete canyons of downtown Dallas.
You'll find my spirit in the East Texas piney woods and along the Grandeur of the Rio Grande.
I represent Texas -- every Child, Woman, and Man!
The blue field in me stands for the valor of our ancestors in the battles for our country.
Let us retire the blue--Salute!
My white field stands for the purity in all our Texas hearts! It represents the honor that each of us should pay to our state each day.
Let us retire the white--Salute!
The red is for all of the men and women who have died in service of our state--whether as members of the
armed services or as citizen Samaritans.
Let us retire the red--Salute!
My lone, independent star is recognized worldwide because it represents ALL of Texas and stands for our unity as one for God, State, and Country.
Let us retire the lone star--Salute!
Join in the pledge to the Texas Flag:
"Honor the Texas Flag; I Pledge Allegiance to thee, Texas, One and Indivisible."

You Never Know......................

You never know what each day brings--

 I think the best place to meet people is the coffee shop--

You never know whom you'll meet or what you'll learn--

We were in Paris, summer of 2016, and stopped into a Starbucks, sat down next to a young

fellow who was working on a piece of cardboard torn from a box--

simply "hello"--didn't know if he spoke English or not--

that opens a whole new world when you speak to someone with a small comment--

he asked where we were from--Houston, we said--he had a daughter in Houston- he said;

we spoke about the Orlando shooting which killed 49,which Happen June, 2016 and as we are leaving, he hands us the above

cardboard drawing--he said he was a graffiti artist--TMNK was his handle--

we thank him and went on our way--

Just recently I thought about that brief encounter and did some

googling--there he was "Nobody"--TMNK--a famous artist who had exhibits

throughout the world!  Recently, I learned he committed suicide--Sept, 2016--

That brief encounter is one of the best examples of

you never know..........

Another brief "hello" to this gentleman in the coffee shop as I waited for my

coffee

-he was drawing these elaborate Native American designs; I expressed an interest so he showed me several in this portfolio--

I was taken by his watercolor pens--one of several bags he had at home, he said.

Waiting for my coffee just got better and better

You just never know.....Don't be afraid to say "hello"