Winter, 2021

Either I'm early or I'm really late--but, I'll be ready for Winter 2021 with

these finished pieces

I worked on this Valentine Quilt top blocks when the pattern was released--

It was a free download from Fort Worth Fabric Studio

When I was working on the X blocks, I couldn't decide which half square triangle 

should be the major X--so I laid out two ways, took photos and then

decided that the bright red would be the best to show 

I didn't order the kit for this one--look for a Spring QAL to begin April 1--

as usual, the steps are free but you have the option to purchase their fabric kit.

Another winter project has been these awesome socks--

haven't done socks in awhile--this pattern from

Knitter's Brewing Company for their mosaic Mystery Sock

XII:  Let It Snow--I did order the sock kit from them for these

socks as if I didn't have yarn in my stash --ha ha!

I finished my socks!  So much fun to see the pattern develop with each stitch!

Place April 1 on your calendar as the begin date for this 2020 Christmas Carols

Sew Along 

Itsy Bitsy...................

I lay before you..............................several small itsy bitsy quilt blocks--which aren't easy to sew--
it's in your best interest, if you decide to make itsy bitsy blocks, to cut accurately!  When it states
1.5" square--be sure you cut that size--it's best to measure twice and cut once-

I started 2019 Mystery along with Kathleen Tracy's in 2019

somehow, it got lost in the shuffle or I just gave up

2020 rolls around and there is another mystery from

Kathleen--okay, I'm on this one--I've even caught up with each month

AND

I'm going back to finish the 2019 blocks--because I've seen the finished

itsy bitsy quilt--I love it!

Here are the 2020 blocks for January -March--

Taking My Own Advice..................

Yes, I give the best advice--so I'm taking that advice.............I pulled out all my stash bins in the studio and begin to look at the odd blocks on hand and I look over to the loom, partially dressed--
I'm ready to tackle what I can--

Found these blocks--they're 'orphans'--but, these will work great together--add borders

around the apron to bring up to 12.5"--then I have all these 2.5" rolls of binding that

I never used--perfect for something  

and the sashing between the blocks are 1.5" strips cut for another project that weren't used--

works here along with the binding cuttings--

Boy, I feel good!  Liberated!  I'm on a roll!  Cleaning up all these small UFO's

I found all these colorful blocks--why didn't I make more?  Anyway, these will work for an orphan quilt top for kids--Also have the start of an alphabet--will check to see what letters are missing--these will work great as borders--stay tuned for the results...........

adios for now! 

Self Containment.................Clears Up Bins

It's Amazing what you can find when you are bored and have plenty of time on your hands--

digging through my stash bins, I've found all sorts of 'lost' projects!

I remember working on this panel many moons ago--it's certainly one

of those forgotten pieces--just need to add couple of borders, quilt and bind--

perfect Christmas gift done!!

and then there are these pieces--ahh, I think I really want to forget about them totally!  What a pain to work this pattern!

But, I began and now I need to finish--there is no way I'm going to paper piece 58

maple leaves to go around the border--that was one reason it went to stationery bin--

finally, my brain said just do what you want!

Decided on 6" blocks--it will work just fine--besides I'm the maker and I can do what I want!

And this!! Oh My--I've been looking for this for months!!

I found it while digging in my scrap bin with all the loose pieces--

Why? was it there?  Doesn't matter-it's been found--just quilt

and bind and call it finished!!!

Hope you have found something to keep you occupied!

In A Holding Pattern...........................

Since most everyone is taking some time off to shelter in place--why not take some time to take stock of what's important to you-- read a good book; listen to some lively music; write down your feelings in a journal; cook some interesting food; facetime with relatives; spend time talking to your spouse (!!!);  binge watch old movies--most of all--do some creative work with your hands.

Here you go:  Quarantine knitting with Arne and Carlos!  they are " designing a mystery knit along that everyone will be able to do, using yarn from your stash, and we will do a video podcast on our YouTube Channel on weekdays, Monday - Friday for the two next weeks.
This page has been created by us so that everyone who joins us can share their progress with each other! The podcasts and Knit Along will start tomorrow at 6 pm Central European time, which is 6 hours ahead of Central Daylight Time in North America until we Europeans move the clock to summer time in the end of March. The patterns and charts for each daily clue will be available here: https://arnecarlos.com/blog/ This is a free initiative and we hope you'll join us stay safe, healthy and sane during these crazy times!"

Here's the start of something interesting! 

Do some hand stitching! finish some UFOs!  Begin another quilt challenge!

like this free Quarantine Quilt Along

designed and presented by GE Designs

OR Listen to a good book....

 I've been reading the Bible--the world's greatest book!  I'm reading it with the aid of

 A short recap of each chapter of the Bible podcast presented by Tara Leigh Cobble--This podcast is awesome!  Love Tara Leigh's voice! Read along with her and others--calm your soul and mind.

And further your relaxation and freedom of boredom, jump over to Calm and take the free seven day challenge--you'll be happy you tried it out!

Luck of the Irish!

My daughter is great at finding four leaf clovers--she took that feature from her grandmother--just walking in a field she would spy that perfect clover without out looking hard! What a talent--guess they always had the "luck of the Irish" 

What makes your Knitting Irish?

When we packed up my mother's house to move her to Assisted Living, I found several lovely
pieces of jewelry; amongst the rings, she had what I called a Celtic knot ring that I wear on my
pinkie finger.  I always wondered what the symbol represented.   I found this website that explains the meaning--

History of soda bread

Though soda bread is now most commonly attributed to Ireland, the first people to use soda to leaven their bread was the American Indians. ... Irish Soda Bread was first created in the late 1830s, when the first iteration of baking soda—or bicarbonate soda—was introduced to the U.K

How About a recipe?

and how about some Corned beef and cabbage to go with that bread?

recipe for corned beef

and why corned beef and cabbage on St Paddy's Day?

Irish workers free dinner

The Irish builders would still have to buy a few drinks in order to get their supposedly free dinner, but the main reason that the corned beef and cabbage dinner is thought to be of Irish origin is not that they were enticed by a traditional meal so much as a cheap meal

Take Some Microchips..........

  When I visited Austin QuiltCon , I picked up some free samples--most often the samples just go
in my stash bin, but this small package of Microchips actually have a free pattern for you--way cool!

Figo Fabrics were handing out these small 'microchips' 

Another company was handing out small samples as well--

These small hangings are perfect for those "microchips"
check out their website for other patterns.