Autumn Leaves

Just imagine soft music playing in the background "The falling leaves drift by my window. The falling leaves all red and gold". Well, a sock pattern by the same name appeared in Ravelry database and yes, everyone needs autumn leaves socks to wear in the fall. Then magically, as if destiny ruled, there appeared in the fiber closet this lovely fall merino/seacell roving. Alas, the two clash and now the spinning wheel has a purpose!
Here is the latest progress on the October mystery socksThere was a small concern that the pattern would not show with this colorful handspun, but it's looking good!

Pink Ribbon Month

October is a special month and a great time to wear pink. In our expatchers group we have several breast cancer survivors and we cherish them each and every day. Everyone knows someone who has been down that long road and come out victorious on the other end. At our yearly gathering dinner, before the begin of International Quilt Festival, the gals from near and far bring food to share and also bring along 'show and tell'. This year's gathering was Sunday night and one of our members showed her remarkable tribute to Pink Ribbon Month and those who have been along the same journey as she.
In September she completed the 39 mile Avon Walk in California with her daughter. And to assist those who are unable to walk or can not collect the required funds to participate, Judy has made this quilt, which will hang in Avon Headquarters and will encourage all who see the quilt to contribute. Anyone can participate in this worthwhile campaign through their local Susan G Korman Breast Cancer Research location.
Quilters are not the only ones who offer their talents in support of breast cancer research. A group of knitters have designed a wonderful Calendar of Hope. This is their second year to create this calendar of knitted dishcloths. You can see their 2010 calendar at Knit Pink

W. I. P

If you aren't a fiber person, you are wondering what does W.I.P mean? It stands for Works In Progress. There isn't room here to post photos of all those projects that are in progress! But, this month two new mystery knitting pieces were begun--yes, mysteries are enjoyable. Another mystery sock pattern from Ravelry group Through The Loops by designer Kirsten Kapur. The freebie pattern can also be found at her blog Through the Loops along with other good stuff she creates. So far, this week there is a photo of cuff.
Of course, you are saying to yourself, that pair of socks will not match--natch! The handspun yarn was from an marvelous blend of colors on merino/seacell roving. Spinning was a dream and so much fun! No rhyme or reason to color placement. Soon, there will be progress to show on the body of the sock as clue #2 was posted last Wednesday but was not downloaded till Thursday or Friday.
Next W. I. P. is mystery bag designed by She-knits, Sharon Dreifuss. Sorry, but this mystery KAL is closed. It was not a freebie but the cost for the pattern was $6 and will be available to everyone after the mystery bag is completed. Here is the first clue production: Sure, it doesn't look like much now but you just wait!

Birth Day!

Yes, it has arrived again! Another birthday and celebration to a year past and a year to look forward. We have such a wonderful group of stitchers who gather each month (or most months) to sing each other's praises and marvel over the works in progress or those projects that have been completed. This past Tuesday was the October month's birthday celebration--good food, good fellowship and the day comes to a close too quickly. For many years we had given quirky, lovely, cheerful birthday cards but this year a suggestion was made to give fat quarters. Now, who wouldn't want a nice fat quarter? and the recipient could give colors they would like to add to their stash. This birthday, my request was for 'whatever'! and here is the great fabrics received (with a couple of IOU's). Thanks Ex-patchers!!

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!