Want to Learn Something New?

Pattern Writing Series--Wow!  What fun!  An educational blog that will give you pointers on how to design your own quilt pattern!  The series will begin in January 2016.

The series will take you step by step from a quilt design in a sketchbook all the way through to a fully developed quilt pattern.  To make the series less abstract and more practical, I will be demonstrating each step by working through an actual quilt pattern (that will be available as a free pattern at the end of the series).

There is no right way or wrong way to write a quilt pattern, so a number of wonderful pattern designers will be joining me for round table discussions and additional posts to give different perspectives and opinions on the design and writing processes.  With me will be (in alphabetic order) Amy of 13 Spools, Anne of Springleaf Studios, Christa of Christa Quilts, Lorna of Sew Fresh Quilts, Soma of Whims and Fancies, and Yvonne of Quilting Jetgirl. 

Some topics that will be included are:
Design
Pattern basics
Text
Math
Illustrations
Testing
Finishing

Easy Peasy?

An earlier post on slow stitching shouldn't be discussed here, because

I Heart these two patterns!

What a super way to show off handspun yarn, which I have so much of (well, it is perfectly aged folks!)

These two patterns are in my recipe file

oh, okay, I might be slowly knitting away for some time!

Panorama Shawl designed by Kate Lore for Emerald Lotus Fiberarts

Designed by Caitlin ffrench--Simply Brilliance

Colors of the Season!

Whenever we travel or visit interesting places, I like to look for the most colorful

spot in the place.

I like how the light glows through all the colorful pinatas 

Nothing like the brightly painted buildings--look at all the angles

and the tones of the night accent the slowly sinking sun

what can be better than a setting sun over a city?

Nothing compares to the colors that surround you.

Planning!

Already!  I'm planning for January 1, 2016 NOW!

Here are a couple of interesting Knit Alongs that might be fun.

This one is designed by Elizabeth Ravenwood 

These mitts are the January Mystery Mitt KAL for the Fingerless Glove Fanatics Group on Ravelry. The pattern will be free through the month of January, and will be updated weekly with new clues on January 1, 8, 15, and 22. FGF welcomes all who want to participate! Just please don’t post any pictures of a clue in the thread until the next clue has been released.

This pattern combines lace and texture and works best in a solid, tonal, or gradient yarn. It is perfect for that one special skein of fingering weight yarn in your stash.

Beads (optional) add an extra bit of sparkle! You will need only 120 beads for the small/medium size and 136 beads for the medium/large size making it a great way to use up leftover beads from other projects.

Here we have a crochet and knit along!   This is designed by DeviousRose aka Krystalle Diaz

Pattern suitable for beginner knitters wanting to combine the very basics into something more, all intermediate knitters, and advanced knitters as a relatively mindless knit. Crochet version is suitable for comfortable beginners as well as more advanced crocheters looking for a mindless project. You will need to be comfortable either carrying two yarns along the sides of a work or weaving in the ends from the stripes. If you are not, it’s okay. A photo tutorial on carrying the yarn invisibly for stripes is part of the Prologue and will be available on Clue 1 as well.

Sounds like a learning experience to me! 

Happy stitching everyone!

Traditional Boxing Day

Traditional English holiday extends Christmas giving by David Johnson Despite its name, Boxing Day, which is celebrated on December 26 in Great Britain, has nothing to do with pugilistic competition. Nor is it a day for people to return unwanted Christmas presents. While the exact origins of the holiday are obscure, it is likely that Boxing Day began in England during the Middle Ages. Some historians say the holiday developed because servants were required to work on Christmas Day, but took the following day off. As servants prepared to leave to visit their families, their employers would present them with gift boxes. Church Alms Boxes Another theory is that the boxes placed in churches where parishioners deposited coins for the poor were opened and the contents distributed on December 26, which is also the Feast of St. Stephen. As time went by, Boxing Day gift giving expanded to include those who had rendered a service during the previous year. This tradition survives today as people give presents to tradesmen, mail carriers, doormen, porters, and others who have helped them. The Day after Christmas Boxing Day is December 26, the day after Christmas, and is celebrated in Great Britain and in most areas settled by the English (the U.S. is the major exception), including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Bank Holidays Boxing Day is just one of the British bank holidays recognized since 1871 that are observed by banks, government offices, and the post office. The others include Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Whitmonday (the day after Pentecost), and the banking holiday on the last Monday in August. St. Stephen's Martyrdom The Feast of St. Stephen also takes place on December 26. St. Stephen was one of the seven original deacons of the Christian Church who were ordained by the Apostles to care for widows and the poor. For the success of his preaching and his devotion to Christ, St. Stephen was stoned to death by a mob. As he died, he begged God not to punish his killers.

Christmas!

"Unto us, a child is born!"  

I present to you this lovely, inspiring painting by 

Jenedy Paige.   Please read her story of how she

came to paint this baby picture.

I think about the swaddling cloth--as a weaver and spinner,

I wonder, did Mary need to spin the linen for this cloth to wrap her baby?

Did she need to weave the bands to embroidery?  

And what thread did she use to stitch her symbols?  Was it linen also?

Hand dyed with indigo?  

So many questions to answer.

I have the book by archaeologist, Jeffrey R. Chadwick, 

and now we read with interest the story of the birth of

a Saviour!

To you and yours

Merry Christmas!

December 24--And All is Quiet!

In our household on this day, we gather as a family for the evening dinner.  Some had to work most of the day, but we come together to share this peaceful end to a busy day.

We will snuggle up in our beds and began a restful night 

anticipating the arrival of Santa

Here's to you and your family

a blessed Christmas Eve