Quilting With Pat

"Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present"  Life Lessons According to Regina


Quilt Along with Pat Sloan

February block is titled "Toes in the Sand" but to me it looks much like a heart--so appropriate for February!

 

Here is my January Block--"Down on the Boardwalk".  I've decided to use western fabric.  I think maybe the background is a little too busy, so it might be a redo.
Maybe, you'll want to join along.  The January block was an easy block to construct. 

 

Colorwork knitting--NOT!

"It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it."  Life Lessons According to Regina

Each month I promised myself I would try a new technique (to me).  Last month it was learning the "magic loop".  Needless, to say, I didn't!  So that will go into another month's column of learning.  This month I decided to try my hand at Colorworks knitting!  It was one of 12 hats in 12 weeks patterns from Meagheen Ryan Design on Ravelry.

 

 

Okay, I'll give it a try.  I have some grey alpaca and red wool to give some contrast.  I've marked each section so I can keep up with the pattern.

 

I just think I'm not cut out to knit Colorwork!  my inside is a mess--a tangle of red!  I tried to keep the cross over just at two stitches.  I'll finish the hat, but think I might need more practice--sometime to try in the future--

ALL Thumbs!

"Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck"  Life Lessons According to Regina

 

When it comes to knitting socks on two circulars, I have a mind block!  No, I can do it!  It just takes me some time sorting out the hows.  

I began Buttercup Heroes sock pattern from Ravelry with white (figured I can dye later) on 4 needles.  This is the way I usually begin, thinking I might do one sock at a time.  After the first clue, I know I can knit two on two circulars--okay, here's when the all thumbs problem comes into effect.  I always always get the second one on wrong!  It is never going the same way as the first one!  drats!  I need to go back to short needles and re-add to the circular,  you would think after all these years, I could get it right!

Do You Journal?

"Pay off your credit cards every month"  Life Lessons According to Regina


Do you keep a record of your daily life?  Write down your thoughts?  Save your ideas? 
As a teen, I had a diary!  oh, yes, one of those little booklets that could be locked by a small key--Yes!  But, almost anyone could open that lock with a toothpick.  My brothers could read my most inner thoughts, dreams, inspirations--oh, and heaven forbid, if mother read it! 

Today, we call it "Journaling"!  yes, it's still the same thing, but more accepted.  We can journal all day long and people think you are so insightful!

 this journal is for quilters to keep track of their work!  Me?  I never write down what quilts I made or what fabrics I used.  Probably, would be wise, but I just get lazy. 

I love this journal!  I bought it at weavers' sale one year!

And I use this one!  I saved lots of  print outs, artist cards. etc.

I've turned down pages of things of interest

This was my first journal!  I love this book!  It was given to my by a pen pal, Mary.  She wove the fabric

and made the book!

The bookmark with this journal is special too!

Bobbin lace bookmark that I keep in my other journal.

Just think--how would we know what pioneers ate, how did they sleep, what work did they do, how did they bath, wash their hair, or do any sundry chores--we had their journals to read and digest!

Let's begin a journal of our daily life--we could be interesting to someone in the future.

Handwork for Charity!

"Cry with someone.....It's more healing than crying alone"  Life Lessons According to Regina

There was several yards of flannel bought on sale.  It was time to work on the charity baby blankets.  

Once I cut the two squares for blanket, I have about 1/8 yard left, so I cut 6" squares and use them to make nine patch blocks.

One down!   I do a blanket stitches around the edges after sewing two 45" squares, wrong side together, leaving an opening go and turn right sides out.  

Two more to do--good hand work while waiting!  

Downton Abbey QAL

"You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree."  Life Lessons According to Regina

Love Bug Studios is the host for this Quilt Along.  This is for fans of Downton Abbey, that wonderful Public Broadcasting Show!  Well, I just thought I would join along with this.  Oh, did I mention, it's a mystery too!

Here is the first block of Manor House!

Since I was too late to the party, I didn't buy the fabric kit so I'm using my own stash fabrics that might be close to the actual kit.  Here is how I keep track of my fabric for each step.

Okay, this is as far as I got with the block!

These are on the pressing cloth--and then I've been running the road!

  I've missed three other steps in this mystery--but, I'm keeping the big reveal until I'm finished!! 

Prayer Shawls for Fallen Soldiers

About Prayers Shawls
PS4FS.org is dedicated to the ultimate sacrifice made by our service men and women in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world and for the grief and loss felt by their families and friends. Presenting these families with a prayer shawl in remembrance of their loved one is a small token of PS4FS’s compassion and appreciation. This organization works directly with the Dover Program at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware to support the visiting military families. Their Friends of the Fallen at Dover have asked them to help replenish their supply of shawls, so in response Sandrasingh.com has started this Prayer Shawl KAL. We would like the shawls completed and mailed to PS4FS by June 15, 2014.
Prayer Shawls are Shawls made for centuries and are universal and embracing, symbolic of an inclusive, unconditionally loving, God. They wrap, enfold, comfort, cover, give solace, mother, hug, shelter and beautify. Those who have received these shawls have been uplifted and affirmed, as if given wings to fly above their troubles. To learn more about Prayer Shawls and the blessings that are knit into them visit Shawlministry.com

Size and Pattern Ideas
The finished Prayers Shawls must be 26-30” wide x 60” long. Knit or crochet in patriotic colors such as red, white or blue or neutral colors such as burgundy, off white, taupe, green or navy, variegated yarns may be used as well and designs such as stripes or colorwork. You’re welcome to use your own pattern or one of these complimentary patterns and stash dive for this great cause.
Basic Prayer Shawl Pattern
Yarn: about 550-660 yards (500-600 meters) Bulky, Worsted or Sport held double
Needles: 10.5 (6.5mm) or size needed to get gauge
Pattern: Cast on stitches in odd-divisible multiples of three – (81 or 87 sts). The seed (moss, rice) stitch is used throughout pattern, i.e as the stitches face you, knit the purl stitches, and purl the knit stitches.
Row 1: k3, p3, to end, turn.
Continue as Row 1 until garment measures 60” long
Cast Off

Fringe: Fringe can be an integral part of the prayer shawl. Joan Johnson, coordinator of St Luke’s Knitting Ministry in Bloomington, Minnesota, says they tie each fringe to avoid fraying. While tying fringe, a knitter/crocheter prays for the recipient of the finished shawl. Recipients of the shawls often comment how much they like the fringe. Some have remarked they use the knots for praying – like prayer beads! Thus, the fringe becomes an essential part of the shawl ministry. A favorite fringe design ties three long strands (16″ long making 8″ strands) on every other row, skipping the rows in between.

This is a very basic Prayer Shawl, please feel free to knit or crochet from your heart and add designs as you feel needed. You can also visit Prayer Shawl Directions for more pattern ideas.
Finishing: Attach a Card: Using a small piece of matching yarn, attach a card to the shawl. It should include washing instructions from the yarn band. Include your name and address so the family may thank you IF they feel the need, but please do not expect a thank you. These families are grieving and may not be able to bring themselves to write a note. Just know in your heart they do appreciate the time and love you have given to remember their loved one.

Mail your finished Prayer Shawl to:
PS4FS
1481 County Road 1301
Vinemont AL 35179