I Heart Snowmen!

Yes, I <3 (heart) snowmen!  And there is a perfect opportunity to feel your 'hearts' with snowmen for each month--check out this..........................

Bunny HIll Designs is offering free monthly

downloads so you can make this 

lovely heart tree 

This is January heart--available now!

Here is February--available now!

And March--around the fifth of each month 

another block will be posted!

Happy stitching!!

Can't See The Forest For The Trees!

Piece and Quilt is sharing her recent pine tree quilt pattern--

she is using fabrics designed by herself (Natalia Bonner)

and Kathleen Whiting--

Tree is basic squares and 1/2 square triangles--

The gals have done their blocks in white, green and gray

but I think they will look great in any fabric colors--

I'm thinking scrappy!

A great one to make for Christmas--

How About Halloween Mystery Quilt??

This mystery series is brought to you by 

The Quilt Company

and as usual I'm behind in the first clue--

The quilt designer is Kathryn Patterson

Each week you will have the instructions to make

finished 12" x 12" block--to yield 51" x 68" throw.

Of course, as usual I'm behind with beginning this

series.  You can find  Clue One  and sew along with me.

If you don't want a Halloween style quilt--you can use any

other colors--sometimes, I wait to see what the first block

will look like and then make a decision about color choices.

Let's have some fun and make it seem closer to fall temps!

Seeing Stars!!!

Do You like star quilts as much as I do?! 

Well, here is our opportunity to make stars for several weeks

and complete the above quilt, 

sponsored by Happy Quilting Melissa

As usual, I'm behind.......here is the schedule

The supply list has already been posted but

the following is the listing of which star is

shown.

Each star will be a different size....

August 15th - Double Star Block

August 22nd - Curvy Star Block

August 29th - Pinwheel Star Block

September 5th - Improve Star Block

September 12th - Basic Star Block

September 19th - Applique Star Block

September 26th - Piecing Top and Grand Prize Linky

October 17th- Seeing Stars Parade and Grand Prize Winners

Expression Fiber Arts!!

Oh WOW--can you see yourself wearing one of these lovelies? 

Saiki is a knitted shawl that uses unique yarns to 

give texture in six different sections--

You can find both of these patterns

this week FREE at

Expression Fiber Arts

A fun, easy angled/striped infinity crocheted scarf pattern - using

two different yarns.

Primitive Magazine--Fall!

Recently, I received my 2018 fall issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects--Holy SMokes!  This book is stuffed full of things I want to make...............

I LOVE everything about this Fall magazine!

So many exciting items to create!

Like this pumpkin hanging--Anything orange

is my motto--anything fall is the way to go!

The above hanging designed by Suzanne Wenzlick

Here we go sewing.....................

All Cut out and ready.......

Step One complete--I know the colors look off, but

it was under different lighting--the above photo is

more true

Now for the pumpkins--all five!

All finished--yet for backing and little quilting and 

then it's off to Colorado to brown headed daughter

as her birthday gift

Now, to decide which of the other projects in

the magazine I'll sew next--

Stretching The Hands

Procrastination!  That is what I've been doing

with my knitting--Then--oops, it's time for another

clue to be published--

I seem so far behind!

I just haven't felt like knitting--

it's hot and the yarn becomes sweaty in

my hands.

Well, it's time to pick up the needles again

I enjoy knitting, when I begin-it's just getting

started again.  This is year long project with my

handspun wool/silk blend--lots of lace!

This was suppose to be a short project--well,

wasn't quite that for me--it just lingers in my

knitting bag--

 This is handspun cotton and it awaits my attention--

my intention was to do the shorter version so each

clue that came after the first was for medium or larger size

so my knitting became lost--Finally, the small size clue

became available--back to knitting this one soon--

There should be no Procrastination--just a lack of

motivation on my part! 

Gifts Acomin'

When the Son posted a photo of his Texas flag quilt on Facebook,

there were various comments from friends and families--

the one that stood out the most was this one from

Brown headed daughter:

"Gorgeous job, Mom! I love it. Now maybe you want to work on a Colorado flag??"

Why Not I said to myself.

Searching that wonderful WWW- on Etsy-I found a "kit'

for just the right thing--A Colorado State Flag!

perfect!  The price was right--no need to buy a zillion fabrics

that I wouldn't use (well, that's not right--I would use

them in due time)  

Thinking this would be perfect for her Christmas gift, I began

that journey to "be" in Colorado for a short while as I

sewed and sewed!  

Teacup Quilt Along

I love teacups!  I love teapots!  I have a number of

china cups/saucers and when you want to feel

special and pampered, I pull out one of these lovely

teacups to enjoy my tea.

Here is to stitching teacups!!

From My Carolina Home has some good pointers on

paper piecing--she does a step by step and then gives us

some bullet points to follow

1.  Color the pattern.
2.  Shorten the stitch length.
3.  Cut pieces larger than needed, accepting that there will be more waste.
4.  Use squares and rectangles regardless of the piece final shape.
5.  Stabilize the first piece.
6.  Use a thin straight edge to fold the pattern back, trim the fabric to 1/4-inch.
7.  Line up the next piece with the cut edge.
8.  Mark the back side of the pattern to easily see if your orientation is right.
9.  Sew 1/4-inch past the end point of the line on both sides.
10.  Sew 1/4-inch past the edges of the cutting line for pieces intersecting the edge.
11.  Sew a stay-stitch all around the piece before taking the paper off.

She has other information for a successful project--

check in today as her

teacup quilt along begins!

Once a month--you can create and learn paper piecing

at the same time!

Spinning My Wheels

Well,, Tour de Fleece (Tour de France) is over.  The World Soccer games are finished!  What will I spin to next????
I think I did good to spin what I did during those times--

I had this lovely merino/silk blend to spin--there were

other rovings in the stash closet but this one called

my name-

Just lovely fiber!  From Dicentra Designs

I'm stripping the fiber lengthwise to spin in sections,

which is manageable.  Once the bobbin is full, I"ll ply

from the ball.

I like the colors in this!  Now to ply on self--

Leader And Ender..................

I've been waiting for this!  Not that I've finished the leader ender

project from 2015 or 2016--still working on those guys--but

I'm looking forward to getting these blocks together from

my stash pieces.

Quiltville has the directions! 

Magnolia Mystery

In the South, there are Magnolia trees everywhere!

and once again when this mystery was announced

last year--I was there--what can be wrong with magnolia

quilt?

nothing wrong--just let it linger too long

So many bias corners--trying to keep them from

stretching is difficult--and when quilts are placed

on the point, I have a time trying to keep the blocks

in order so I lay it out on the floor.

Now, to decide on the borders.

Actually, her directions would have you lay 

the quilt this way...

I'm so finished with this quilt--I want to get borders on

and forget about it!!  It will be a charity quilt or maybe

a Quilt of Valor as it is red, white and blue.

Borders added!  I like it now!

Some Knitting Involved

I love my monthly knitting projects--knit a little each month; by year's end, If you progress each month, there will be a finished shawl.  There are two of those shawls ongoing at this time--and I'm keeping up to date with each one......................................
                                                                        THEN
my favorite designers throw in a monkey wrench................well, to them, it's not a problem--to me, it is...........................I want to knit those projects as well...........................so, here we go----

SWEET ROSE OF SHETLAND

you can find this pattern on Ravelry.com

Designed by Elizabeth Ravenwood--this shawl is more of the Shetland Lace type as I've been knitting with the regular monthly project-- perfect light weight scarf to add a bit of pizzazz to your warm weather wardrobe. 

Beads are optional, though they do add a bit of sunlight-on-water sparkle to this scarf. 

Shetland Hap Meets Estonia MKAL pattern by Toni L. Lorenz

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16

"Don’t get me wrong here. I’m not saying that Estonia and the Shetland Islands are like Ruth and Naomi.
I’m just feeling a bit like Ruth. While she does not want to leave Naomi, I am not ready to leave the beautiful lace of Estonia. Plus, Estonia is celebrating its 100th year of independence. Let’s join in the celebration by knitting this Shetland Hap inspired shawl. We will follow the construction concepts of the top-down triangle with beautiful Estonian stitch patterns incorporated into the body, the colored borders, and lace edge. This hap, which comes in three sizes, will sure to be warm."

Materials: Finished Size and Yardage:

Small: 58” x 40” x 28” triangle, 600 yards total 
Medium: 87” x 56” x 41” triangle, 1,000 yards total 
Large: 102” x 70” x 46” triangle, 1,800 yards total

Main Color: 400/550/1,100 yards Lace Weight 
Contrasting Color 1: 90/165/350 yards Lace Weight 
Contrasting Color 2: 90/165/250 yards Lace Weight 
Contrasting Color 3: 0/80/125 yards Lace Weight

US size 4 (3.5 mm) 40 Inch Circular Needle 
US Size 6 (4.0 mm) 40 Inch Circular Needle (optional for loose Bind Off) 
40 Stitch Markers, Tapestry Needle 
500+ 8/0 Beads and 1mm Crochet Hook (optional)

I'm using my handspun cotton for this project--think I"ll use

only this one color; although, I do have a few other yarns I

could throw in.  This is step one--fun lace knitting.

There are three sizes but I'm sticking with the small Hap--

not too sure of how much cotton I have.

This takes real talent to catch your marker within the

cast on--which was an I-cord Cast on.  I caught two

of my markers this way--I'll need to break them--or

I could leave them for decorations.

Not much knitting on this Hap, since I'm doing the

small size, I'm waiting for those instructions. 

Happy Birthday Mother!

We are travelling south to celebrate mother's 98th

birthday!  Can't believe that she is doing so well at this

age!

We are fortunate to have good caregivers for her--

and occasionally, they will send me photos of

her activities

She wasn't much for socializing, but I'm happy she is 

getting into the rim of being with others

She loves to eat!  and is a good eater!

That counts in this factor of being healthy--although,

there has been a time or two when she refused any

food they placed in front of her--just showing her

stubbornness!  At least once or twice a month

the caregivers will take her to a local restaurant.

Here's to a happy birthday!! 

Behind Closed Doors

Have you ever thought about how a knitting pattern is created?

Usually, you get the pattern, look at the chart, pick up my needles

and yarn--begin.

This designer, Cassie Rosse, Takes you behind closed doors

as she designs a lace shawl

From drafting on paper to

Drafting on computer to

test knitting the project--she has spent numerous hours of

knitting to create this lovely lace shawl

and she is offering it free of charge! 

I can appreciate the knowledge that designers put into their creations

just so I can knit!

All Is Merry and Bright!

Here is a chance to sew through the next few months--

especially August--which to me is one of the long

boring summer months that lead into the cooler

Fall!

Pat Sloan always has something on her quilting mind--

this one is perfect to finish in time for Christmas.

Begins July 25 through November 25--

You can find the materials list on above website.

Happy stitching! 

Waulking to the Beat.......................

Now that we have seen how Tweed is woven, it's look at fulling that cloth.

I found this wonderful video on Youtube, after I saw them on Facebook, waulking from Sgioba Luaidh Inbhirchluaidh.

It brought back so many memories of the times we would waulk our woven wool blankets.  I don't know how many blankets I wove that were waulked----it was many!!!
what a fun activity it was to sit around the table, pound the cloth with the beat of the song.
The fulled cloth at the finish was blessed--whomever sleeps under will have a peaceful and full life!

Harris Tweed----Outstanding!

Check out how Harris Tweed is produced!  I would love to have a loom that I could pedal!

Christmas In July QAL!

There is a coolness in the air--that's right it's time for Christmas in July--

Not only is Hallmark Channel bring you Christmas movies in

July, Confessions of a Fabric Addict is giving you a free

sew along--

It could be a Quilt of Valor 

or

how about Christmas colors?

This quilt will measure 68" square

Each step will be revealed for twelve days--the designer

states you can do each step in an hour, if you keep up!

Gather your supplies:

Fabric:  Three different fabrics--Fabric A:  1 3/4 yards; 

Fabric B:  2 1/8 yards; Fabric C:  1 3/8 yards  

I plan to use fabrics from my stash--it might look scrappy.

Happy stitching beginning July 14!

Absolute Slouch..................

Woolly Wormhead, one of my favorite hat designers is

offering another one of her knitted hat patterns

free of charge---have fun knitting a creative hat--

The hat is worked flat and seamed; it includes slipped

stitches and basic increases and decreases.

Visit her website to join her Woolly Wormhead Hat Society--

free of charge as these free patterns are exclusive to members

for a month, before being published on the free pattern page for

all access.

The next newsletter goes out towards the end of the month.

Let's Finish This!

There is a bin of pieces for a quilt--almost

looks like scraps--nope--these are the "parts"

for last November's Quiltville mystery

"On Ringo Lake"--it was free for several

months but not now--so glad I saved all

the monthly instructions/directions.

It looks like a mess--look again--there are some

assembled bocks--this clue is more time consuming,

the reason I put the box away

I was tired of working with all those small parts and pieces

Now, it's a go to a finish!  One small problem--can

you find it?

Blaring mistake once I begin again on this conquest--

the blue block in right hand corner is turned wrong!!

glad I found it!  It wasn't the only mistake either--

This is the finished block--all 50 of them!

I Have ONE!!  continue on....................

Here is my stack of 50 complete blocks--

now to find the next step in my files

to carry on!

Well, OKAY--

When I was making this Texas Flag quilt for our son,

I cut WAY sooooooo many 5" squares!  I had a pile of

reds, whites and blues--and I'm thinking--

what do I do with these?

Idea hit me that a disappearing nine patch would be

perfect way to consume all those extras--so

we begin to sew! and sew! and sew!

Till I had a pile of nine patch of positive and negative

patches--next decision, which way to cut those blocks.

I decided on cut through the middle both ways

and now you have more blocks to deal with--

how to set them??

This one works for me--but I tried several other ways

to place them

We're on the track to create a Quilt of Valor.