QAL--Let's Dance!

Just Quiltin' has a QAL (Quilt Along) for you!  

It's called Barn Dance but it's Hole in the Barn Door quilt blocks in all different sizes,

colors and positions on the top.

It's also a stash buster!

Dig into that box of fabrics, cut and sew!  

Wednesday--Yarn Along

I'm working away on FLG (Fingerless Gloves).  Somehow, I've misplaced one of my favorite pairs.

This pattern is "Leaves" by Valentina Georgieva 

I have one almost finished

For some reason, I hate doing the thumb, so save it till the very last minute

I've begun the second mitt--still haven't done the thumb on the first mitt!

The fiber is wool that I overdyed-it was an ugly color that I would never use,

so into the dye pot it went--good solution in my book!

Marly's Shawl KAL--

A SHAWL! Something that is rather simple, uncomplicated and gauge isn’t something that is super important. The project for this KAL is a rather easy shawl but it packs a lot of punch. There are many learning opportunities learn while you make this garter stitch shawl.  The official start date is March. 30, 2016 – April. 27, 2016. There will be one video released each week along with the pattern instructions for that section.  Here is a link to the introduction video #1. 

You will be able to find all the videos at: Marly Bird

Crochet To Your Hearts Content

Isn't this the most gorgeous crochet wrap?

Check out Expression Fiberarts for this pattern

Learn to finger crochet this fanciful necklace--looks like fun neckwear!

And this wearable shawl--oh my!

I love finding these interesting websites--

here's to the hook and needles!

Easter!

Easter Sunday

brings forth Spring, Bunnies, Easter finery and bonnets,

Question: "What is the origin of the Easter bunny and Easter eggs?"

Answer: It is thought that the word Easter comes from a pagan figure called Eastre (or Eostre) who was celebrated as the goddess of spring by the Saxons of Northern Europe. A festival called Eastre was held during the spring equinox by these people to honor her. Of interest is the word’s relation to east (ost in German). The name for a celebration of the sunrise and a change of season was eventually applied to the Christian celebration of the resurrection of Christ and the new era He heralded.

The goddess Eastre’s earthly symbol was the rabbit, which was also known as a symbol of fertility. Since rabbits and hares give birth to large litters in the early spring, it’s understandable that the rabbit is the symbol of fertility.

The legend of the Easter Bunny bringing eggs appears to have been brought to the United States by settlers from southwestern Germany. The German tradition of the Easter Bunny or “Oschter Haws” migrated to America in the 1800s, likely accompanying German immigrants, many of whom settled in Pennsylvania. Over the past 200 years, the Easter Bunny has become the most commercially recognized symbol of Easter.

In legend, the Easter Bunny, also called the Easter Hare and the Spring Bunny, brings baskets filled with colored eggs, candy, and sometimes toys to the homes of children on the night before Easter, in much the same way as Santa Claus is said to deliver presents on Christmas Eve. The Easter Bunny will either put the baskets in a designated place or hide them somewhere in the house or garden for the children to find when they wake up in the morning, giving rise to the tradition of the Easter egg hunt.

Should Christian parents allow their children to participate in traditional activities that refer to the Easter Bunny? This is a question both parents and church leaders struggle with. There is nothing essentially evil about the Easter Bunny, unless it is used to promote the goddess of spring or fertility rites. What is important is our focus. If our focus is on Christ and not the Easter Bunny, our children will understand that, like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny is merely a symbol. As with Christmas, Easter should be a time to reflect upon and celebrate the incarnation, the resurrection and the risen Christ.

Just Had To Try It.

No matter how old I am, I love dyeing Easter eggs!  I do the standard dyes that you buy at the store;  I've used cake dyeing stuff; marbling techniques, but when I read about this, I just had to try it!

Does it work?  I'll see for myself.

It takes silk ties--so, I hurry to my hubby's tie selection (he doesn't bother to wear ties anymore) to see if he has any silk ties.  There are plenty to choose from but here are the four I chose.

I'm thinking these will be more colorful for this experiment

These don't look too bad either

So, I take 6 fresh eggs, wrap the tie portions around them tightly.

And not to let the silk dyes run onto the other eggs, I tie up with plain muslin.  Put the eggs into a pan, cover with water, add 1/4 cup vinegar and set to simmer on the stoves for 20 minutes.

Here's the outcome after letting the eggs cool and dry.............

Not bad, not good either

I liked this one

I thought this tie would give more color, so did two eggs--it's okay

Here is my favorite--I was right, this Beatle tie covered the eggs with color!

Okay, I tried it and it sort of worked--it was fun to experiment; now,

back to getting out my store bought dyes--

Amy Is Turning 60--

Amy is turning 60 this year and she is doing something very special to celebrate and we are invited to come along on this adventure.  Amy is knitting socks, creating a series of socks using each of the divisors of 60. 

This is February Sock.  Amy is using this set of rules:

All of these socks will be knitted from cuff to toe.

I plan to knit most, but not all, on double pointed needles, my choice will depend on the stitch pattern I choose.

The main part of leg and foot of sock must be 60 stitches around.

There will be no shaping of leg, so the leg on all of these socks won’t be terribly long, likely all under 7 inches from cuff to beginning of heel.

The main part of leg must contain a stitch pattern using the chosen divisor; the foot must contain part or all of the same stitch pattern.

The cuff, heel, and toe can stray from the divisor rule.

I must use a yarn that is already in my stash; it does not need to be “sock yarn”.

Here is March's pattern--join in this year long celebration of turning 60, even if you aren't 60!