Shhhhhh, Don't Tell Them!

My intention has been to make these soup bowls cozies for

Christmas gifts--didn't get done last year though.  

friend Sandy was sewing several for her family during one expatchers

meeting --and that inspired me to 'just 

do it!'

we have upcoming birthdays--now, that's a perfect

opportunity to get that special fabric under the needle.

Happy Hour Stitches offers a free tutorial

Blond headed daughter has chickens--this

chicken print is great for her soup bowl cozies!

There is even a chicken wire lining!

Brown headed daughter enjoys coffee--

Luckily I had this coffee print in my stash--

All sewn up and ready to turn--now, to find just right

soup bowl!

Storage...............

There are way more ideas for projects than there is time to create--

If one of those project ideas gets away from me, I could spend

hours down the rabbit hole looking for that one idea that 

escaped--in order to capture those projects, I'll make copies--

doesn't mean I'll make the project in the future,

but at the present time, it looks like a good idea!!

To store those UFO's and project ideas, I use the plastic

storage package that comes with sheets or other large

linen items.  These plastic bags are clear so you can see

at a glance what it is--this one is 2017 Pat Sloan's

Grandma's kitchen--Some day it will be finished!

This bag is collecting Buttermilk Basin's free Block of the Month

Mystery blocks--once again, you must get each month as it comes

along; otherwise, there is a charge.  I'll keep updated--in the

future I might-just might- make these blocks!

Those clear plastic bags have pockets on the inside--

I make notes of the projects in each bag

An empty bag just waiting for that special idea to pop off the

printer---

This bag contains Moda Bakeshop pattern designed by Crazy Mom Quilts

I've had a batik jellyroll for years and this pattern

uses just one jellyroll--now, it resides in  pouch

My quilter/knitter friend,  Colorado Judy shared with me

how she stores her projects--she uses these clear plastic bins--

great idea for a larger project, like the latest Bonnie Hunter

mystery.

It pays to keep some plastic items around--someone can always

find a good use for them!  The only problem--I'm must buy more

sheets--I have more ideas!

!! Warping....................

Since my latest cotton towels have been woven, cut off the loom, hemmed, washed, tagged and bragged on--it is time for the loom to be warped again.  What will I weave next?  The obvious answer is more towels!  Especially since there is already a warp there--just tie on and weave!

I know it looks like one hot mess!

but it isn't!  I use this method often especially

when the warping pattern is twill set.

I'm tying on in sections--as I warp a few 

threads--these are my handspun cotton--white, brown

some blue/white combination--I'm also spinning

white cotton for the weft--

I keep my cross as I tie onto the warp--

it's a start--I hope to be weaving within the month--

got more spinning to do..............

Back to My Childhood!

Deep down in the stash bin, I found this pattern!

It had been completely forgotten about--oh, so many

years ago did I begin this journey down

Periwinkle Lane.  

As the patterns surfaced to the light of day, the

challenge was on--can I finish these this year?

Oh, yes--how fun this project was when I begun 

I immediately went to the toy closet to search for

Crayons--I so love Crayons--I have several different ones.

Now, the challenge was--which ones should I use on this

crayon quilt project?  You see, I don't like to mess

up my crayons--isn't that stupid!? 

I picked out this tower of crayons to use--many colors to

choose from..........

such a wonder wheel of fun.  I felt like I was back in my

childhood--just coloring away......in the quiet of the night

I'm coloring to my heart's content--no one to tell me to

use such and such color or to color within the lines!

Being Speedy--OOPS!

I like to prepare several blocks for projects when I had time

to sit and cut--that way I can sew any spare minute I have

Cut out January block for Clementine SAL

provided by Fat Quarter Shop

I'm using bright colors--thinking this will be great children's

quilt.  This is February block all cut and ready to sew up!

I had just an hour to sew and speedily whipped through

February block--oh, it was going really well!

the block is all together--then I take it to the pressing table

and Crunch Berries.......

There is a mistake!  Doesn't help to be speedy--now, it will take

several minutes to unsew this block and right the half square 

triangle in the correct direction. 

Drats!  thought I was getting some sewing done.

March--ing On

Yes!  Here is the another hat--am I capable of getting this

knit in the month of March?  

I like this pattern and I'm using some of my stash yarns

(sock yarns) to make this dandy little hat!  You can find this

free pattern at 

Magpie Fibers

I like to knit at night as TV blares away with the latest 

adventures of whatever.........

Wonders never cease!  I'm  finished with this hat!!

The yarn is 4 ply soft wool Rowan Yarns

Knitting hats is not time consuming--I'm just procrastinating- though-

there are much larger, harder pieces to knit!

I'm Pickling and In Jam!

We came to our Hill Country abode for a few days--traveling through

one of those quaint Texas towns, we happened on their farmer's market.

Now, this is a farmer's market!  lots of organic produce--eggs,

chickens--lamb--beef--fresh baked bread & cookies, etc.

I couldn't resist the watermelon and black Spanish radishes!

This booth had both radishes along with  multi colored carrots (love

the sweetness of these).  There was a bag of various pieces of

radishes, carrots, beets and one turnip--not especially happy

about the turnip but it was included.  Hard to see the Black

Spanish radish as it blends into the black countertop.

I put the small pieces of carrot and beets to cook--these

are going into a jam

Here is a better photo of the radishes--

black radish has a snappy taste, very spicy--

These are going into a pickle along with

the turnip!

Another farmer had fresh microgreens--crisp pea shoots!!

Looking forward to our favorite sandwich--sourdough bread

covered with swiss cheese, avocado and topped off with

these pea shoots--yummy!

Beets and carrots are cooked and run through the food processor-

off to be slow cooked for several hours before I add spices and

sugar for the jam.

Sometimes those drives through small towns pay off--