Beginnings of New Year Ideas

I'm already thinking about the new year and new beginnings--2024 was a lost year as far as new quilt starts--there was not a one began.  The last year was used to wrap up some loose blocks and do some quilting for tops.  Now, 2025 looks to be a year to begin new tops.  I've been shopping for block of the month challenges and found these listed below.  Will I keep up?  I doubt it BUT at least, I have a list and that is half the battle of conquering!  Join me! 

This looked promising as a block of the month.

Aby Quilts always has interesting techniques and uses color wisely.

Giant Bear Paws!  For a quilt top layout is interesting for sure~

?

I've never worked a block of the month from Happy Hour Stitches

I'll give it a try

Here is another one that is new to me--

Coriander Quilts

Let's not leave out the Canadian blogs==this one from Canadian Quilter

Never go wrong with RBD block challenge

Pat Sloan' Grandma Kitchen

Hang on!  That's only the beginning!  2025 looks like a promising year for new blocks!

Treasures

Unpacking my treasures to decorate our tree and house for the holidays.  It’s always a bitter sweet time—we’ve grown older and more sentimental about our treasures. So as I pull things from their year hibernation, , my thoughts go back to those years when….   .

These felted items were from an exchange with many other felters around the world 

So fun! To be creative with wool

Snowman, angel, mittens, boots—oh my! 

 

My first double woven project—not pretty

But—I tried double weave many many moons ago!

Another try—inlay via Theo Morman 

Technique —didn’t do many, but I tried it! 

About 20 years ago, as our weaving group was studying tartans—I researched our family to find our tartan, warped the loom, and wove yardage to construct a tartan Santa for each family unit—it was a fun project.  

Yes, treasures awaken memories! 

 

Celebration!

 How was your Thanksgiving?  We’ve eaten ourselves crazy!  Our son hosted this year.  He loves to smoke a turkey and prime rib roast.  Our favorite dishes accompany the mains.  There is spicy corn casserole, oven roasted green beans with lemon/Parmesan cheese, homemade drunk cranberry relish, fresh made butter rolls and desserts—oh, the desserts!!  Pumpkin cheesecake and mincemeat pie along with assortment of chocolate candies.  Football games for some while others play board games-always a good day!

December 1:  Today is our grand daughter’s birthday!  We try to make this day special.  Our evening included a hayride through holiday decorated area—

Before the hayride, we enjoyed a variety of chilies and soup. there was Mexican hot chocolate, cookies along with holiday music.  A fun day to celebrate this special person! 

As our guests arrived, I asked them to hang an ornament on our major tree—a great way to finish up that task! 

Time to decorate for Holidays!  Psst— already began before Thanksgiving!  That’s our little secret! 

This banner is brought out each year to remind me of friends in far away places—ages ago I participated in a Christmas quilt swap.  This was my receipt—I don’t even remember what I sent but this one is a treasure.  The artist didn’t sign her work, which is sad.  Alas, I think of the hands that created this piece of art. I'm celebrating my friends!

We have a small tree where we place ornaments we are given during the season.  The snow globe is musical and always a welcome addition to our display!

Our little tree is placed on the back patio. 

Only one seasonal quilt—got to do better next year! 

Let’s Give Thanks!

 Here we are—day before our Thanksgiving in United States. Although it’s a national holiday, we like to give thanks Every day!  Even the small things are worth thanks!  

There are so many “thin” yarns in my stash.  I’ve learned to pair yarns together—little thanks here—my brain is still working!

I had a small amount of handspun angora, which I used in the first few rows.  I dropped that yarn off after four rows. Still had three yarns together.  Loved the handle of this hat!  My brain thought maybe it can be used in a pair of socks.

The pattern is from Purl Soho—several free patterns offered. 

Another free pattern—The Simple Thing!

Using a ball of handspun silk/woolblend—easy pattern to knit! 

Finished neck scarf. 

Here we go!  I’ve had this yarn forever!  It’s time to begin another Clapotis.  I knit this pattern when it was first revealed.  It was a beach coverup for daughter—somewhere along its life, it wandered off.  Certainly hope whomever has this Clapotis now—that

 you’re enjoying!  

This another free pattern—just giving thanks for the small things!

It's Time--

 It’s time to think about greeting cards I’ll send out this year.  Most years, if I’m not feeling pressed, I’ll create my own cards.  One year I used my rubber stamp to emboss on velvet—another time I did ribbon weaving to decorate my cards.  This year I’ll use woven samples as my theme. 

Over the years, I’ve participated in several weaving study groups which created hundreds of samples, which I’ve saved—naturally. 

Here are some cards I’ve received from other weavers.  These will give you an idea of how to make your own greeting cards. 

One friend loved weaving with inlay (Krokbragd) 

I have several over the years—always different

Cutouts

Quilted, strips of woven braid, off loom weaving

More cutouts

Ribbon weaving

This year I’ll use photo cards, which I purchased last year during clearance sale

Almost ready to mail to my very closest friends!!

Warm Heads

All year long, there is time to knit and a hat is my go to.  There are so many different techniques to try with an outcome of a useful item.

There stash bin is loaded with various yarns; along with a variety of colors.  Learning the basic concept and construction of a hat, your hands can wander with needles and yarn.  Hat above is a “ wing” it hat—a wide brim leads into plain knit.  Continue till the appropriate length deserved, begin decreases.  La La La you have a perfect pull on warm clothing piece. 

This hat is shaped to be a beret—short brim with burgling knit style.  

Another finish!  

Stack of finished hats—well, not all finished; that last bit of weaving in ends is a chore in my book!

This free pattern will keep you occupied for a few hours

Cookie Cutter Hat

Here is another free pattern from Twin Stitches

Ok, you ask— what to do with all these hats?  Easy!  Gift a hat or two to a friend; give to homeless; seek out children groups in need; look to disaster areas—

I send mine to 

Or needed here

Ready, set, knit!  There is always an outlet for your craft.  

 

Surface Design Issues

There is a box filled with surface designed fabrics—these fabrics date several years—well aged now.  I have been using some of the fabrics for quilt backs

There are rust, sprinkled, scrunched, brunched, etc ones— why were they were not they being used?!  I’ve even cut pieces for quilt tops; but the pile isn’t diminishing any—

At one time I was involved with a surface design group and we would exchange different techniques or I would take a workshop, so the fabrics continue to grow. 

I pulled a few out the other day and decided on a project to showcase this variety.  

Dyeing and stamping on moirés silk was a pleasure—the hand so soft—this will be the back for a pillow!

I found this photo transfer (middle) for center, added other manipulated pieces to the sides, top and bottom—perfect!!  The making of pillow top—

Sewed the backing, stuffed with poly fill and 

You have a nice display of my art work from ages ago!  I’m quite satisfied!!

More forthcoming for sure!!