Sew Something Patriotic!

Alycia Quilts offers a free Mystery QAL (quilt along).

Alycia is the Colorado Quilt of Valor co-ordinator.

She makes sure that each veteran receives a patriotic

quilt as a tangible thank you for their service.

January 31 was the day she released the fabric 

requirements for the next mystery, which she is 

calling 'scrappy'!  Finds my stash just fine.

Maybe, you'll join along with me as we sew for our vets!

Fabric Requirements:

This quilt is a really scrappy quilt – so I am going to give you estimates of yardage. I grabbed from my scrap bins and used those first…

Reds:  1 ½ yards  Pick a variety

White: 2 ½ yards   I used a Variety, but one white will work as well

Dark Blues: 1 ½ yards Lots of them – the smallest piece you will be using is a 3 ½ inch square

Light Blues 1 ½ yards  ( ½ yard of 3 different lt blues)

Backing

Batting

Binding

Approximate Finished Size is 62 inches x 80 inches

If you prefer a pdf Head over to my Craftsy store and the PDF will be there for downloads -

Spin-in Treasures!

Sometimes at January spin-in, I have time to shop--

mostly before the participants arrive in the morning

or after they leave in the evening.

I did find this lovely 50/50 merino/silk blend

at Dicentra Designs booth--"Russian Puppet"--

love Lisa's names for her fibers!

This was a gift from my partner (the other half of my brain!)

Handspun natural color cotton!

And a Cowl--although, not purple--it suits me just fine!

Another pretty from Lisa @ Dicentra Designs is

this felted reversible shawl--soft and drapey,

I couldn't resist!

The front side combines many techniques

and textures--wool/silk roving on

silk backing

Yummy! Yummy--colors just like the Gulf of

Mexico waters on Destin beaches

I have three sets of HiYa Hiya interchangeable knitting needles

and love them--when talking with lace maker extraordinary Fran--

 one who knit this fabulous lace shawl.

She said she uses ChiaoGoo Needles 

I just had to try them!  Amazon here I come!

and the needles arrive within two days!

I rarely use needles above size 8--this set is perfect!  

So anxious to try them out on my lace knitting projects.

Time To Say Good-bye..............

Yelp, it's rolled around again--time to say goodbye to our wonderful spin-in friends.  Treasures have been bought, prizes received, nonsense skits, pleasures held, learning experiences gathered and lots of hugs and laughter!  Vendors shelves are little more bare.  Packing is bittersweet--  we'll meet again next January-- and as the carts roll out of the conference room, we say many good-byes.

Just a short time ago, the room was full with laughter,

spinning wheels, and energy!

And this is the way it looked after everyone packed up--

sigh, the energy has left the building along with 

all the beautiful colorful fibers and spinners..

We go away with thoughts of next year's challenge--

Purple Cowl 

I imagine there will be alot of happy people!

Such Creative Folks!

One Hundred and Twenty folks all have the same interest at heart!

Here we are sharing our talents, experiences, creativity and

nonsense.

If a newcomer enters, a circle will widen up to

open their arms to those who do not have a group.

Vendors are enjoying the captive shopping audience plus

we offer 'blue light' opportunities for those sale features.

This booth has their Saori looms warped and ready

to be woven on--maybe you want to take one home.

The vendor is ready and willing to assist you with

your purchase.

One of the challenges from 2017 was 'Green Fibers'

Here is one example of how to combine four different

fibers into a wearable scarf--spun, blended and plied--

all natural fibers.

What to do with an outstanding colorful skein of yarn?  Crochet

this lovely pattern--"Virus"  a free pattern on Ravelry.

We also have a money pig that collects funds for charity.

you add to the pig, name your charity with your name.

on the final day, we pull one name and you get to take

the pig money to your charity.

How about this for creativity?  Embroidery floss jacket!!

She knit this rainbow of embroidery floss--this is the warm side

This is the cool side--how does a mind work that this?

Short Rows!  Knitting with handspun wool using short rows

creates this wonderful lightweight jacket

And the scalloped edge adds additional interest

Talk about lace knitting!!  What a lovely silk shawl worn by

Fran

Beads and all helps with the theme--"Baubles, Bangles, Beads"

What do I work on?  Knitting on this jacket--three days of work=

maybe an inch for the ribbing...

I'm not working on exquisite lace or embroidery floss jacket--

I don't feel so creative...................

Let's Talk ....

Spin rolls around every year at this time and

we have a wealth of fun!  There is also a wealth of good

stuff that are door prizes.

Here is one table with door prizes--our participants are

very giving! Just look at this bounty of gifts on this

one table!

Here is the other table--not only are

the prizes on the table, there are many UNDER the

table.  We use an honor system--if you want to bring

a door prize, fine.  It is not necessary.  

And this is the give away table!!  Take whatever you want!

Lost!  This wonderful cowl was found in the parking garage--

so sad to be lost!  My partner and I were hoping no one would

claim it--it was so soft!  

But, alas by afternoon--someone claimed it!  

It has been a fantastic time with limited problems.

30th Spin-in Anniversary!

It's that time of year again--and our 30th anniversary rolls around--Our Destin January spin-in is off the charts with laughter, merriment, skits, gathering of friends, treadling fibers through our fingers.  Ahh, Spin-in!!  Location:  Destin, Florida!

The white sugary sands along the blue clear Gulf waters

brings back many memories of times spent here--

this location is our favorite hangout for lunch--

 a view of the bay with fishing vessels and sailing

pelicans

Sunsets are a delight!  When the sun hits the Gulf, it

flashes a tint of green--but, you must concentrate to view it.

Joy every night, but alas, we are not always here 

but here...........

in the ballroom of The Palms--spending time with our fiber

friends--thinking up ways to keep them on their toes!

Vendors line the walls as participants spin their time away--

making progress on their fiber stash!  

Road Trip!

I love road trips--planned road trips that is!  We head NE--first stop Waco, Texas!  I know that's not a very interesting place to stop but we are finding the local coffee shop--Common Grounds

Well, look at that--just down the street from Magnolia Silos--

 we'll take a peek and see what all the fuss is about.  And there is even

a bakery on site!  This couple has certainly built a special place in Waco! 

Okay--only 10 minute wait--I've heard stories of waiting an

hour or more to get in the bakery.

Now, that we have our fill of favorite beverages and delicious cupcakes from

Magnolia Bakery--we hit the road again

Our next stop, outside of Waco, is Brazos Valley Cheese--

they were making Ghost pepper cheese when we arrived.

Somehow, four different varieties fell into my basket--

love the horseradish pecan on huckleberry cheddar--

oh, the ghost pepper cheese is delicious too!

Fort Worth here we come!!

Our main purpose from visiting:

Bass Performance Hall is presenting "Something Rotten!"  Broadway play that is a must see

again!  We saw this hilarious play last summer and were glad to see it was coming to a theater in another Texas town-- .

A great road trip so far--now, we venture onto our next destination--

Jackson, Mississippi!  We are on our way to Florida and January

spin-in gathering.