Saturday, December 7, 2019

Weaving of the Past!

We've been unpacking Christmas decorations and memories of the past
come flooding back as I pull out each item.
When I look at these memories, I'm always amazed that I really
made it!!

This little Santa was woven about 35 years ago--
I wove tartan fabric and then decided to make Santas
for each of the family members--this one was made
for my side of the family--the only reason I have this one
is because that family member passed away and Santa
was returned to me--I was happy to have it as I didn't make
one for our family.

This is the Bailey Tartan--loved the colors!
This was during my tartan phase that I was weaving
tartan fabric!

Each Santa carried in his stocking the Tartan information

This is the first weaving I did for Christmas--about 40 years ago--surprised I
still have it!  It is double weave, woven right after I learned to
weave!  Unbelievable that I tried double weave as a new
weaver--but, I remember I was weaving from Big Book of Weaving
and did each 'recipe' step by step!

\
Here is his backside--I'm thrilled I have these memories from
past weavings--not often I keep anything for my collection.
Guess I'd better write up some description of Santa and 
attach to him for years future.

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Cookie Exchange

I love cookie exchanges!  
You invite 11 of your friends and ask each to bake a dozen cookies--
it can be all the same dozen or variety.
Then you set up a party where you serve cookies, coffee and 
when each person leaves, they take home 12 dozen cookies!!
hopefully, not everyone used the same recipe :-)
But, it's all good! and delicious time with your friends
and your family will devour the goodies.

Picky Palate has a list of the best cookie exchange recipes!

Now, that we are 'dieting'--ugh!  no
cookie exchanges for us
BUT, 
I found this Virtual Cookie Exchange!
This began yesterday--just jump on the wagon
and gather all the calorie free goodies you can!


So many friends participating all week long:

December 2nd

December 3rd

December 4th

December 5th

 December 6th



Let's Read or Listen..............

Here we go--the last 2019 Agatha read!
you can read it for free here
or listen free here

Since I'm working two Advent projects for the month,
that will be my Agatha knit along--


Sunday, December 1, 2019

Advent Knitting


I love knitting for Advent!  It is a daily evening event
for me as we prepare for the joyous celebration of 
Christmas.  This Advent knit along is designed by Julie
Kubitsky in the group For the Love of Haps
This is 3/4 circle shawl with 42" wingspan and 21" depth.
You can either use one solid or low contrast multi yarn,
or 4 coordinating colors of 50 grams each; long color block yarns
or scraps with random color switches. 
First clue is released daily beginning today through December 24


An Advent scarf designed by Tricia Weatherstone--one of my
favorite things to knit this time of year--
This scarf is based on Gansey stitch patterns with lots of knits
and purls and simple cables.  You can find the free pattern on
Ravelry, either in Sock Madness Forever or Mountain Knits and 
Pearls groups.


Friday, November 29, 2019

Black Friday Shopping.........NOT! But Sewing Instead...........

While others are planning their shopping strategy today, I'm enjoying a nice
cozy day in my studio working on Christmas projects--oh yes!
it's time to sew!
This quilt is named "Simpler Times", featuring twenty-five 8" blocks; will
finish at 70" square.  A block pattern will be posted once a day, 
beginning December 1st @ AQSblog.com--today I'll be gathering
my fabrics.  You can also join their facebook group--AQS Christmas
Countdown--lots of clever ideas. 
And of course--the first clue for this mystery was released today!
how exciting to be sewing something so colorful.
This is from Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville

Thermoweb is hosted a Joy Sew Along with patterns
that are quick to assemble--the grouping will make a small
wall hanging 50" x 58"--Here are a view of some of the
patterns:











Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Gobble, Heck Yeah--


WHY?  Yes, why is Thanksgiving so late this year?
 there's a reason the holiday is arriving a little on the tardier side—and it's downright historic. In fact, the story dates all the way back to 1939 when Franklin Roosevelt decided to shake up the tradition a bit in the name of capitalism.
Thanksgiving had been celebrated on the last Thursday of the month since the time of Abraham Lincoln. But, according to TIMEduring 1939, the calendar had been unusual, as the month started on a Wednesday, so there were five Thursdays as opposed to four.
To restore some order, Roosevelt moved the national holiday to the second-to-last Thursday of the month (a change that many were unhappy with). Instead of focusing on the negative, Roosevelt attempted to justify his decision with a pro-shopping response: merchants would now have a holiday further from Christmas to allow for more shopping time. In a way, this birthed the consumer craze known as Black Friday nearly 80 years ago.
Oh Well, here comes the turkey and all the trimmings tomorrow--  what does your dining room table hold on this festive day?
We're gathering at our daughter's ranch--she's cooking!  which means I'm left to do the clean-up--ugh!  
                                                  

Monday, November 25, 2019

Put On This Hat!

In our lives we put on many different hats--
here is one hat that will feel really special!
A hat for hosting!  Or make one to give
as a gift for your party hostess!


Designed by Susan Rainey
It is a very quick knit and the perfect project to learn how to do beaded knitting!
you can find it on Ravelry.com
Hat is knit from the brim up, in the round. Beads are added to create the bold snowflake motif. Bead motif is charted only.
Instructions are also included for the tassel and the Peppermint Stick Twisted Cord.
Sizes
Small S (18”), Medium M (19”), Large L (20”), Extra Large XL (21”)
Slouchy Hat: Overall length is approx. 9-9 ½ inches
Materials
Two colors needed: red and cream or white
Sample shown in Cascade 220 MC (main color) Ruby 9404 (50 gms, about 110 yards) and CC (contrast color) Natural 8010 (25 gms, about 55 yards)
Beads
Size 3 silver lined seed beads (61 total, approx. 17 grams), one source Fusion Beads; two tubes will be needed.

It's Time--

 It’s time to think about greeting cards I’ll send out this year.  Most years, if I’m not feeling pressed, I’ll create my own cards.  One ye...