From These Hands

Alright!  I'm just a few weeks behind on the 2015 Advent Scarf that began on December 1--

but, these hands finally (!) added the finishing details to this lace and cable scarf, designed by Tricia Weatherston.  It was an interesting knit and I enjoyed it very much.

Only 20 rows a day sounds like easy peasy, but in my world, nothing has been quick and easy lately.

I used a handspun cotton/cashmere blend

Love the feel of this!

Nice and long wrap around the scarf

I'm proud to say--"From These Hands" came this 2015 Advent scarf!

Leap Year!

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo,
we'll just leap over this day.
See you in March!

More Ways To Be Creative!!!!

Okay, I must admit, I want to be creative!  Yes, I've written about it--I think about it--I gather supplies to be creative--and then..........................nothing!
I've been reading "Art Before Breakfast".  The first day of lessons began on a Monday and I was reading it on Wednesday---so, I must wait till a Monday to begin!  Oh, yeah, RIGHT!
Then, here comes another opportunity to be creative and I join....................
check it out--it's free!  Yes, free--workshops.  Hope to see you along the road to creativity!

Workshop 1: Sketchbook Fury - The Art Ninja's Guidebook
Instructor: Graham Smith
Start Date: March 7, 2016

Workshop 2: The Mind of Watercolor
Instructor: Steve Mitchell
Start Date: May 6, 2016

Workshop 3: Colorful Creations with Markers
Instructor: Will Terrell
Start Date: September 5, 2016

Learn techniques from experienced artists through online videos and downloadable instructions. Get inspired by other students in our virtual classroom. Keep motivated with ideas and tips from your instructors. Share all the fun on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter using #StrathmoreWorkshops

2015 Bonnie Mystery Tag Along

I'm tagging along on this mystery--printed off the clues as they appeared on Bonnie Hunter's website

in November.  I did some of the clues right off and others just had to wait

This clue is several steps combined and I'm finally ready to assemble

the block

I like the looks of this block very much--I'm using an assembly line to work.

Sew a few together and then you can sew the whole block

and these wait till I finish with the top block.  Funny thing, see those 1/2 quarter triangle squares?

That was the first thing I made way back when--295 of them!  Well, when it came time to

put this block together, I saw that the clue read "take your 1/2 quarter squares and sew together"

and I thought "Oh, no--I have to make 1/2 square triangle blocks!"

Once, I calmed down--I remembered I'd already made those blocks!

Whew!  My mind isn't what it used to be when I was 30...............

Just A Few Scraps..............................

Yes!  All from my scrap bin of fabrics.  I promised myself I wouldn't buy any fabric,

cut from any fabric--just use the scraps from the messy scrap bin.

Some folks are great at keeping their scraps in order--strips in one pile, 2" pieces

in another pile, 2.5" here, and so on and so on..

but...........

for me, it's all in the big bin and then I have to dig and dig

throw them on the floor, sort, press and I do it every time I

want something from the scrap bin!  

Oh, well, I see lots of interesting pieces when I do it this way!

This "oddment" top came from Facebook group, led by 

Gyleen X. Fitzgerald of Colourful Stitches, LLC.

The group is called Bricks, Cobblestones and Pebbles--an interesting way to build a quilt.

Jack of Hearts KAL

Ahhhh, a mystery!  I love mysteries, as everyone knows and this one also parallels one of my favorite cozy cable series--When Calls The Heart--such a nice show to watch while sewing or baking.  I'm in on this one--I think I can knit while watching--

When Calls the Heart MKAL 2016 hosted by the Alaskan Yarn Co.

Does your heart swoon over Jack & Elizabeth’s romance on When Calls the Heart, like we do? Will Lee and Rosemary get serious this season? What does the future hold for Pastor Hogan?

So much could unfold in Season 3! How much more fun would it be to watch, and knit with a bunch of hearties in a mystery knit-along!

Don’t wait! Purchase your kit here: Jack of Hearts MKAL Kit

Find all the details for the Free MKAL at www.knittystash.com and join our When Calls the Heart MKAL Ravelry group! WCTH

The final complete pattern will be unveiled and available for purchase at the end of Season 3!

For more information, see: Knitty Stash

Combination Knitting

Combination knitting?  Is there such a thing?  Why, Yes, most definitely!  Sometimes, I think I'm in my own little world and not many times do I venture outside my knitting 'comfort' zone.  The other day, at our spinner's meeting (we weren't spinning, by the way!) we were discussing knitting stitches and techniques.  Several of the gals were knitting on their current projects--I had none--what a great time to sit and listen, ask questions and broaden my knitting world!

I made many notes--then I took the time to look up all these techniques:  Russian:

How About Portuguese knitting?

I found the absolute best discussion of various methods of knitting on

The Dude Who Knits blog.

My spinning meeting turned into a very productive knitting meeting!

and I learned something new and different!

See, you can teach an old dog new tricks!