12 on 12

It's the time of year when we begin Advent events. One of my favorite things to do is knit the Advent scarf. This is the third year to knit one of these scarves--this year I got SMART! Instead of casting on as the pattern suggests--91 stitches, I did half that number!  Why didn't I think of that before!!??

Advent Calendar Scarf 2012 is the place to be !  And believe it or not--I'm keeping up with each day.  I'm 12 for 12! 

The previous two years I was struggling to keep up with 91 stitches--sure it makes a lovely shawl, but this is so much more enjoyable and not so hectic!

Each day's section is divided with a spacer that uses beads.

Some patterns I really enjoy knitting while others not so much.  But, it is a learning process too--some new stitches and techniques for me are thrown into the mix.

and the best part--I'm using my handspun green cotton yarn.  I know it doesn't look 'green' but this is a special fiber that came from my dear friend Jo's garden.  She gave me the raw fiber, which she had hand ginned.  I found a mill that would process into roving and I spun it into this soft lovely yarn--it's two ply and I love the feel and the special meaning.  After 24 days it will wrap around my neck with Jo 'love'!

The Spirit of Christmas Holidays

We began the spirit of Christmas with an open house at one of our favorite places to visit-- Brookwood Community.  Here lies the spirit of sharing, giving and opening our hearts to others.  The last Friday of November and the first Saturday of December is the open house. 

We find our seats in the decorated auditorium as we await the beginning of the anticipated presentation of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" given by the citizens of Brookwood.   



The bell choir is ready and waiting. 

The mice are up first as the story unfolds.....'not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse', but in this play, the mice were very much out and about!

The balleria gives her little dance--remember those jewelry music boxes that had a balleria dance when you opened the lid??

The toy soldiers did their routine

And since this is a God based facility, Mary with child was present with the angel.  Not a dry eye in the house with this scene.

After the presentation, we took a walking tour of the grounds.  There are 125 acres available for dorms, operations, green houses (44) and this lovely chapel sits at the fore front of the grounds.

As we visited each area we received a stamp on our 'passport'.  The citizens were eager to tell you about their part.

Here ceramics are cut out from clay, sanded and readied for painters.

Next up, painters add their special touches

On the table are samples of the pieces that are made and available for sell in their lovely gift shop

Always smiling, always happy! 

Here is the sand cast portion of one of the buildings.

And the rubber molds that are used for outdoor statues

Brookwood citizens work year round to produce the most prized item of the season--these wonderful healthy poinsettias!

When you come to visit, be sure to make reservations in their cafe where you can enjoy some of their famous Mesibov Dressing--made and bottled right there!  It was a super day spent with the spirit of Christmas.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Birthdays come once a year, if you are lucky! For our expatchers quilt group, we celebrate on a quarterly system now. It was Fall birthday celebration party. Judy M played hostess with the mostest and Annette provided this delicious chocolate cake.

We were celebrating Linda Y's and mine.  Linda gave me the honor of blowing out the candles, but we both made our wish.

Just four at the table, from left to right:  Annette, Sandy, Karen and Judy C.  The rest of the gals were in the kitchen:  Judy M, Camilla, Linda, Debby and myself.  Gifts are given in the form of our choice of fat quarter.  I chose purple!  I know hard to believe, but I received some wonderful purple fabrics.

Sandy, right, (hardly recognized her with her new haircut and color) showed the quilt top her sisters had made.

Now Sandy has the honor of adding the finishing touches with her quilting skills.  She also added the prairie points along one border.  This quilt will be a gift for their mother.

Judy M was finishing up the binding on this plaid quilt as a commission.  Pleasing colors!

There is the feel of the holidays in Judy's studio--isn't this one remarkable?!!

"Joy To the World" !  I have this pattern and some day--some day, I'll get it made.

And Mr Snowman is happy to be keeping 'cool' on the refrigerator door.

Happy reindeer is enjoying his outing!

This is the back!!  Yes, the back of quilt--all quilts should look this good on the back.

and there was talk about grandkid gifts--a snuggly flannel blankie for Judy M's granddaughter.

Snowmen reign!

And for the grandson, this smashing flannel plaid log cabin or courthouse steps top to wrap around his little body.

Now, came the discussion about plaids and to match or not to match.  Get Over It! 

 

Annette was working on English paper piecing.  This is a great take along project.

Annette had received this colors for her birthday fat quarter selection--great choice!

Not late!  Just early for next Halloween on this colorful panel quilt that Camilla was working on.

The back was fun fabric as well.

Debby had this fabric panel for her adopted son's baby--she wanted suggestion on how to finish the borders.  We can dish out good advice and suggestions along with delicious food! 

Spinners Gathering

Talk about fibers, spinning techniques and throw in talk about weaving and you have a fine day, especially if you are a fiberists!

We are meeting at Rosemary's (she has recently returned from summer in Michigan and also recovered from a broken leg)  Rosemary showed this lovely alpaca/silk blend roving.  Rosemary, Pat and Connie had bought some fiber for a challenge project and there is still ongoing discussion about which fiber they bought and what they should make for each other.  Is this the challenge fiber?  Time will only tell!

Rosemary was winding off this singles yarn--maybe, this is the challenge fiber?

Rosemary showed off her prize winning skein from Contemporary Handweavers of Texas Conference.  Is this the challenge fiber?
 

Connie had spent the previous weekend demonstrating at Liendo Plantation during a Civil War Re-enactment.  She had her loom set for orange peel overshot from Margaret Salisbury Shepherd's Miniature pattern book. 

The warp was navy blue and Connie used various colored wefts to cross for the pattern.

She was weaving on student day so she let the students choose the color she wove.  This one was picked by the girls.

Knowing the pattern well, she was able to treadle for different patterns

Here she wove just the cross.

Penny from Skyloom Weavers was spinning this funky yarn from silk waste.

Here she has the plying thread at the ready.



Talk about bright and brillant==here we have Butterfly Girl colorful batts.  This will make some very wonderful 'art' yarn

The plying thread will add depth to this fun yarn.

Okay, we also talked a little about knitting too.  Susan was 'tying' up loose ends on this wool/silk shawl that she knitted for her friend.  The yarn came from Discontinued Brand Name Yarn.  Her friend is definitely going to receive a wonderful gift from this talented lady's hands.