Quilt Festival Weekend!

Attendance to quilt festival is what is on one's mind this weekend. So much to see! So many aisles to walk down, so many vendors to shop, so many quilts to view--what a variety--large, small, tiny, thin, chunky, textures everywhere. And that's just on the lower floor. Upstairs there are classrooms filled with anxious learners. Here are some winners:





But, every quilt that is hanging in this giant exhibit hall is a winner!

Autumn Leaves

Just imagine soft music playing in the background "The falling leaves drift by my window. The falling leaves all red and gold". Well, a sock pattern by the same name appeared in Ravelry database and yes, everyone needs autumn leaves socks to wear in the fall. Then magically, as if destiny ruled, there appeared in the fiber closet this lovely fall merino/seacell roving. Alas, the two clash and now the spinning wheel has a purpose!
Here is the latest progress on the October mystery socksThere was a small concern that the pattern would not show with this colorful handspun, but it's looking good!

Pink Ribbon Month

October is a special month and a great time to wear pink. In our expatchers group we have several breast cancer survivors and we cherish them each and every day. Everyone knows someone who has been down that long road and come out victorious on the other end. At our yearly gathering dinner, before the begin of International Quilt Festival, the gals from near and far bring food to share and also bring along 'show and tell'. This year's gathering was Sunday night and one of our members showed her remarkable tribute to Pink Ribbon Month and those who have been along the same journey as she.
In September she completed the 39 mile Avon Walk in California with her daughter. And to assist those who are unable to walk or can not collect the required funds to participate, Judy has made this quilt, which will hang in Avon Headquarters and will encourage all who see the quilt to contribute. Anyone can participate in this worthwhile campaign through their local Susan G Korman Breast Cancer Research location.
Quilters are not the only ones who offer their talents in support of breast cancer research. A group of knitters have designed a wonderful Calendar of Hope. This is their second year to create this calendar of knitted dishcloths. You can see their 2010 calendar at Knit Pink

W. I. P

If you aren't a fiber person, you are wondering what does W.I.P mean? It stands for Works In Progress. There isn't room here to post photos of all those projects that are in progress! But, this month two new mystery knitting pieces were begun--yes, mysteries are enjoyable. Another mystery sock pattern from Ravelry group Through The Loops by designer Kirsten Kapur. The freebie pattern can also be found at her blog Through the Loops along with other good stuff she creates. So far, this week there is a photo of cuff.
Of course, you are saying to yourself, that pair of socks will not match--natch! The handspun yarn was from an marvelous blend of colors on merino/seacell roving. Spinning was a dream and so much fun! No rhyme or reason to color placement. Soon, there will be progress to show on the body of the sock as clue #2 was posted last Wednesday but was not downloaded till Thursday or Friday.
Next W. I. P. is mystery bag designed by She-knits, Sharon Dreifuss. Sorry, but this mystery KAL is closed. It was not a freebie but the cost for the pattern was $6 and will be available to everyone after the mystery bag is completed. Here is the first clue production: Sure, it doesn't look like much now but you just wait!

Birth Day!

Yes, it has arrived again! Another birthday and celebration to a year past and a year to look forward. We have such a wonderful group of stitchers who gather each month (or most months) to sing each other's praises and marvel over the works in progress or those projects that have been completed. This past Tuesday was the October month's birthday celebration--good food, good fellowship and the day comes to a close too quickly. For many years we had given quirky, lovely, cheerful birthday cards but this year a suggestion was made to give fat quarters. Now, who wouldn't want a nice fat quarter? and the recipient could give colors they would like to add to their stash. This birthday, my request was for 'whatever'! and here is the great fabrics received (with a couple of IOU's). Thanks Ex-patchers!!

Preparing for FALL!

Yes, it's nice to prepare for fall; wait around for the time when the temperatures cool, leaves turn their magic colors and there is that spring in our steps as we bask in the merging weather change. We are still waiting here! But, there is preparation in the works--the house is decorated with fall colors (lots of oranges, golds and rusts). The hands are turning to fall fabrics and working on fall projects. One of the projects (and finished project!!) is a freebie from The Painted Quilt . She has offered two First Friday of the month projects--great fall projects for September and October (still working on Oct). The background pieces are place mats from a pattern purchased several years ago from High Prairie Quilts shop in Parker, CO. The pattern is titled '2 hour table runner and place mats'. Guess what? It has always taken this quilter longer than two hours to make these.
Waiting, still waiting for Fall! But, happily stitching away with those fall thoughts in the back of the mind.

Is It Tea Time?

Any time is a good time to have a cup of tea, but in our neck of the woods it's still on the warm and humid side. So, the teapot doesn't really need a cozy now. But, the cozy will come in handy when the temps turn to the chilly side. What sort of tea do you like to drink--herbal, flavored or straight up leaded? Our freezer is full of tea--yes, the freezer is our stock supplier; a place to keep it fresh and out of the warm temperatures. Here is the latest creations from that never ending roving art skein that was spun this summer. And believe it or not, there is still about an ounce left--there isn't the faintest idea of how to use that last little bit of handspun.......yet.

Binky Patrol

Yes, we are on a patrol. The Binky Patrol . An organization that began in Laguna Beach, CA in 1996 under the leadership of Susan Finch. What started with five volunteers has now grown to over 160 chapters and estimated 20,000 volunteers. We, who are on this patrol, make quilts or blankets to give to children in the need of comfort. Our small, but industrious group (Expatchers) are always working on Binky Patrol quilts. Thankful we have two gals with long arm machines who work their magic on our creations. The Expatchers met while living in Venezuela. Most have returned to the states to central location. Some have retired, while others are coming in and out of the group, traveling and living in far away places like China, Mexico, Australia. But, in the long run we always come back together to share ourselves with the Binky Patrol. Here are just a couple of the quilt tops that were finished recently and handed over to the quilter genius. This pattern is from a tutorial that Piece N Quilt has so generously offered on her blog.
This fabric just begged to be made into a Binky Patrol quilt! What a fun way to share with young girls who love paperdolls. Thanks Expatchers! Thanks Susan Finch!

Accomplished!

Accomplished--according to the thesaurus this word relates to 'skilled, proficient, able, gifted, talented, finished' Yes, finished fits here! But, just because these two items and projects are 'accomplished' doesn't mean they or myself are skilled, proficient, able, gifted or talented.....it just means two UFO's are off the list and now tucked into the appropriate storage unit and hopefully, they will appear in the near future to be clad upon one's body.
Here are the mystery socks (and yes, they are indeed socks!) and looking lovely lying on the sofa.
This was the Nancy Bush 'mystery' pattern and quite fast to knit. And the other 'accomplished' project are the wrist warmers, using the handspun yarn from a summer art roving from "Orchids" painting. Instead of one large project, this yarn was used on smaller projects. Earlier blog showed the headband "Quant" Interesting that the latest issue of Interweave Press "Handspun" magazine featured several of these headbands with the use of handspun. modeled by granddaughter's lovely hands.
Yes, Finished is a good feeling. Now, to tackle the pile of other UFO's waiting in the wings.

More Good Stuff!

As promised here is more of the weaving exhibit/sale. Wonderful baskets! Even Christmas decorations!
Home furnishings!
linens perfectly suited for any kitchen and a few of the lovely wearables.

Over One, Under One

The weavers in our area have made a great show of themselves and their productions! The Contemporary Handweavers of Houston hosted their annual show and sale this weekend and a mighty fine exhibit it was! Sale was awesome as well. The exhibit/sale was held at Houston Contemporary Craft Center--the perfect location for this function. The lighting is good, the layout is excellent and the space is outstanding--the organization couldn't ask for anything better than that. From the minute you walk through the doors you are amazed! The colors, the fabrics, structures and variety--where does one begin? From the table with handwoven scarves and lovely jewelry to the racks of linens, placemats, you have a hard time deciding what to buy--all this eye candy!
A table with handfelted socks
And more scarves to choose from: Plus a table with handspun yarns! Just too many wonderful things to show here so next blog more photos!

What is a Quilt?

Recently, on a visit to a quilt exhibit, there were several interesting quilts on display. One of the reasons to look at quilts 'up close and personal' is to see 1) the pattern 2)quilting design 3)setting of blocks and borders 4)different layouts of blocks. Here are some quilts of interest
But, there were about three or four 'quilts' that were exhibited that had us questioning, what is a quilt? This is called 'Swedish needle weaving' or huckery or Swedish Huck weaving or Huck toweling. In my younger days, my hands 'wove' a many of these towels; not on a loom but with needle and thread! But, here were 'Huck toweling pieces' displayed as quilts--no two layers or three layers sandwiched together, just one single layer of toweling--of course, it was on the scale of bed size and there was an impressive amount of work, but to call it a quilt? Interesting in fact! Each exhibit has it's own guidelines and obviously, these fit into their 'quilt' category

Mid America!

There is nothing like driving across mid America--We took off east on Hwy. 36 out of Colorado to head across Kansas. Little aside here--do NOT drink two large cups of coffee before heading down the road--there are few towns across that part of Colorado and when you do find a town, there is nothing open at the time of day that you are driving (we were early morning). There are no gas stations, no cafes, no nothin' to stop at. Then we come upon a small park in the middle of nowhere--thank goodness! There sits an out building that looks like a rest room--zoom--of course, we went past it! "Stop! That was a rest room back there". Around we go to the park and it was a small rest stop--pit toilets, but we cares.
And on the back of the door is this sign: Relief!
We crossed over into
where you can find interesting historical events that happen in mid America.

Can't read the sign? It's about Bloody Benders and along the way we spotted several signs for Prairie Spirit Trail and then you know you're in Kansas when you see this advertisement.
We were entertained along Hwy 36 all across Kansas as it was the weekend for US Highway 36 Treasure Hunt We have never seen so many 'treasures' in our entire life! Anywhere there was a town people had put out their 'treasures' for the seekers. Too bad we were on a time schedule and couldn't stop to seek our special treasure. You've gotta love mid America!

Mystery Socks?

"What's the mystery? You know they are going to be socks!" The brown haired kid replied when she heard that 'mystery socks' were the task for the month of September.
Yes, the finished product will be socks indeed, but the mystery is what will each week bring in the way of design. This 'mystery sock' pattern is being brought to us by sock knitters anonymous group on Ravelry . Every other month there is a 'mystery sock' pattern presented each week so by the end of the month, if you have kept up, you'll have a completed pair of socks (that is, if you do two at a time or a fast knitter to do one at a time). September mystery pattern is written by Nancy Bush, well known knitter. What a treat to participate in this free (yes, free) venture. So, here we go--sock yarn on hand, knitting needles poised at the ready and we are working on clue 3 (which is the heel section) this week. Here is what has been knitted so far: front, lacy and back straight forward.

Let The Bugling Begin!

It's that time of year when we head into the mountains to see some golden aspens and hear the bugle of the bull elks as they round up their 'harem' of cows. Why do bull elks bugle? During the September-October mating season, bull elk stage their own passion play of sorts. The characteristic rutting call of bulls can be heard from just before dusk to dawn. We head to Rocky Mountain National Park to view these elegant creatures as they have come down from high country to participate in this annual ritual. It's a cold and rainy day as we drive along the parkways looking for the gathering of these small 'harems'. . This is one elk that is 'bugling' his mating call to warn off the nearby waiting younger bulls.Frankly, these two younger males do not stand a chance with this regal bull with his large rack of antlers. During the winter months when grass is not plentiful the elks will eat the bark from the aspen trees. Here you can see the scarred aspens.
The higher we drove into the park, our rainy day turned to a snowy day! What a treat to see those lovely large snow flakes dropping from the cloudy sky. The temp also dropped to 32 and snow was sticking to trees, ground and unwarmed surfaces.
Back on the plains, we stopped in the small town of Niwot where we ventured into the local coffee shop for some liquid refreshments.
Riding the back seat offers the opportunity to do some knitting and work was done on fingerless gloves, Full o' Win Mitts. Photo to follow on next blog--want to tie up the loose ends and find some nice hands to model!