Virtual Happenings!

 

Sorry! but this event has passed!  But, it's virtual so you can still jump onto the

website and participate in a few events.  If you're a member, you can view several different films--

Shetland Wool Week!  One day I'm going in person! 

Shetland Wool Week is a world renowned celebration of Britain’s most northerly native sheep, the Shetland textile industry and the rural farming community on these islands. Shetland wool is a world class natural fibre, with a long standing reputation for quality, strength and excellence from the fleece to the textile products. Shetland knitwear has a deserved respect gained from many generations of hard working knitters and crofters producing some of the finest lace and Fair Isle knitwear.

Since its conception twelve years ago, Shetland Wool Week has grown into an internationally acclaimed event. Throughout the week there are an extensive range of exhibitions, classes and events, which will cover many different subjects. These usually include; weaving, spinning, dyeing, Fair Isle and lace knitting as well as many other fascinating subject areas. Events take place from the most southern tip of the Shetland, right up to the most northerly island of Unst, famous for its beautiful lacework, with many locations in between.

Here's the free pattern for this year's hat, designed by Wilma Malcolmson

I'm sending out a special thanks go Sheila Dixon, who publishes a monthly newsletter with

hand spinning information from around the world.  I look forward to seeing what other spinners are doing in this mad world.  Hand spinning keeps us SANE!

Thanksgiving Fun!

 Have you begun to think about Thanksgiving plans?  It is definitely closer than you think--our friends have already ordered their meal from Cracker Barrel!  We are planning our family gathering with all the fixings--but, the best part is being with Family!! And this year we'll have the whole family with us on turkey day.

Here are some pre-plans that can be used now for a crafty Thanksgiving!

spark and chemistry has instructions for these de-light-ful jars to decorate your

dining table.

Love this table setting!  Easy to make and a good way to use those pie pumpkins

And while I'm thinking of decorations for the house, I'm also working on these:

Turkey Trot is from Missouri Quilt Company--you can purchase the pattern now but you can also watch the video which gives you instructions.  I have several Dresden plate sections already made and didn't know what to do with them--and then I stumbled across this pattern!!  Problem solved!

I'm liking this little garden flag!  Thermoweb has the directions--this will be our welcome

sign for turkey day!

and to decorate our buffet table from Diary of a Quilter comes table runner ideas.

Oooooh, I'm getting excited!  Planning our menu is easy--everyone brings their favorite dish!

Baby Hats!!!

 I/m so excited!  My great grandson needs knitted hats!  My grand daughter-in-law had bought some of these 'stretchy hats that were made from nylon--and it would not stretch over baby's head.  She has no knowledge of knitting or how knit stitches will work in a hat pattern.  She worried that it wouldn't fit his head if I knitted him a hat--ha, little does she know what I know!!

I have tons of yarn that can be used for babies head--off to find the perfect hat pattern for that little guy.

Basic hat pattern (knitted) 

Shirl pattern by Mandie Harrington--

Vintage Pique Rib hat

Fayerye

I think I have plenty patterns to get me started!  Now, which one should I begin with first??!!

New Projects!

Well, I tried!  Yes, I really tried----to keep my new projects off my list.  But, it doesn't work when 

interesting things come up!  I can not resist! 

Heart Felt QAL begins in February 2022--but, I'm getting excited to see a heart

quilt block to make! 

Pat Speth of Nickel Quilts is hosting this smashing quilt along!!

how can you resist this beauty?!! Party of Six!

I can't!  you can purchase the pattern now on her website--

if you want to sew along check out her Facebook group where

she is releasing a block at a time--free!

Gratitude Quilt is a free pattern by Amy Smart-great for charity quilts or

signature quilts

Since I'm going down the rabbit hole--I'm going to drag you along with me!

Stay tuned for other 2022 projects to add to your list too!

 

One UFO Flew Out The Door!

 Slowly but surely, I'm tackling my pile of UFO's!  Several are being quilted with many waiting for the final stitches for the binding. 

Finally after years of stitching and assembly, the top was quilted—of course, it awaits binding! 

Technically, this was not a UFO waiting in the wings--it was a new project!,

I stumbled! and begin----and finished! this neat Christmas quilt--maybe, one

for my husband who loves old trucks--it's called Homestead Holiday by

Whimsical Workshop

I bought the panel but had all the fabrics to complete--loved my fabric for the stars,

wish I remembered where I bought that fabric!

Ok! OK!  I stumbled again!  Pat Sloan began her Fall Frolic quilt--these blocks

are easy and quick to assemble--so, yes, I jump in with both feet--

Shoe Box For Kids

 Our Cowboy Church is participating again in Operation Christmas Child sponsored by Samaritan's Purse--

Samaritan Purse has several ways you can participate with your family, church or just by yourself and friends. We have enjoyed gathering items for the shoebox.  We choose boy or girl and this year

along with our blond headed daughter, we chose 3 boys and one girl--maybe, next week we'll

see if any are still available and shop again!

Here was our list of items to buy--we had fun roaming the aisle of our local Wal-Mart, Dollar Store and Grocery store to fill our bags.  We'll return the bags to church and volunteers will place these items in shoe boxes to be sent off.  We also donate funds to assist with shipping.

Bags are filled and ready!

Boys bags are filled with cars, puzzles, crayons, coloring book,

deck of cards, personal hygiene items, etc.

Girl's bag is filled with girlie things and a plush toy!

It is a yearly goal of our small cowboy church to fill at least 100 shoe boxes

but each year we do far more than our goal!

What joy it will bring a child!  and this project filled our hearts too!

Small Loom Projects

 Recently, I celebrated a birthday--just another day in the real world.  I do have special people in my life who make the day just a little brighter and joyful.  Two of my friends worked together to create unique gifts for me.  Something I've never attempted or wanted to learn.  And I'm done quite a few crafts in my lifetime.  They gave me these interesting weavings from a small loom.  

Did you ever have one of those little loom for potholder ?  That's not how I started weaving--

it would have been a great introduction though--learning over under, etc.

They worked very hard to find different patterns and of course, got some of my favorite color in the mix--orange!

Stitched Modern has tutorials for this project.  My friends are still learning new and different 

patterns--well, after all they have the looms and all those loops that need to find a home.

Popshop America has several suggestions.  

and I leave you with the best possible thing you can do with a small loom

comes from my friend, Sharon Crary, who has won numerous awards with

her small loom weavings.

"Down in the Valley"

Thank you my friends for sharing your talents with me--I'll enjoy and share my

potholders with everyone!