Challenging Yourself!

Once every four years the Olympic athletes do their personal best to win one of the highly prized medals. They are challenging themselves so why not challenge ourselves? And our medals will be our finished projects.

This is medal one in the finished UFOs.  This is Wingspan pattern from Ravelry: 

Tri'Coterie by maylin.  This was a challenge to knit but the prize was well worth it.

Another challenge is this pattern from veera välimäki designs.  You can find "Color Affection" on Ravelry website.  It was fine working with just two colors but now

three colors are being worked!  and oh, what a mess!  talk about tangle, so to me this is slow going and not something I want to tackle every day.  It is definitely a challenge to finish this project!

Small Works of Art

It's those small things in life that make you happy--a baby's smile, a wave from a neighbor, a polite happening, a hug from a friend, any warm fuzzy feeling can make one appreciate the daily routine of life. These small pieces of work make me happy!

Fat Cat Patterns has placed an Angel BOM on her website!  Hurry over and get your free copy now.  Each month Sindy will have another pattern for you to create a small work of art.  These make me happy!

We are still working on these colorful chickens from Fat Cat patterns website.  These are so fun to make and will make a great wall hanging once completed.

Another small work of art--these Backyard Quilts hangings by Lisa Bonnegan are quick and easy to complete.

This hanging was intented for wool applique, but since we didn't have large scraps of wool on hand, we completed the hanging with fabric, which works just as well. 

Here is July small work of art from Patch Abilities.  We receive the kits from Cedar Chest Quilt Shoppe each month.

This was June small work--we had this hanging displayed for most of the month of June.  Each time, I looked at it--it just wasn't working for me!  So, here's what I did...............

now, my eyes are pleased and my soul is pleased!  This small piece of art works--just by changing the colors of the flip flops--why didn't I do that in the first place???

Love of Charity

Charity? A gift of your hands, heart and skill! Yes, there is a love for charities and one of our favorite is Binky Patrol. We've always heard the term 'binky' and wondered what exactly was a 'binky'. Well, according to Wikipedia: A binky can be one of the following:
•A stuffed animal or similar toy for small children
•A brand name for a pacifier, used to comfort infants or small children
•A blanket, used to keep infants or small children warm
•A kind of twisting jump made by a rabbit at play
•Binky (polar bear), a bear formerly in an Alaskan zoo
•Binky (Harry Potter), a fictional pet rabbit in the Harry Potter series


 

On a recent visit to a Quilting Hands Quilt Shop in Lyons, CO, we found two of these panels in the back room, which is partially a sale room.   These panels were marked down to $3.50 each--what a bargain!  We also found the border fabric in the sale room.  We have two of these quilt tops ready for the quilter.



We had fun working up these scrappy tops.  Cutting several scraps from the bins, 2.5" x 4.5", sewing them together and arranging in these blocks, outline with a 1.25" strips and then frame each block with a wider 2.5" border. 



This border fabric was bought last summer at Wooden Spools Quilt Shop, Denver, CO.  It is Kaffe Fassett designed.

Since there were more than 12 of these scrappy blocks made (once you get to sewing, you just can't stop!), we were able to get two tops.  The borders were reversed to get a different design effect and also solve some boredom.

I really like this version better--but, it doesn't really matter.  Both of these tops will be loved and cuddled by some little person.  There are a couple other thoughts floating around in the brain about the next design for a Binky Patrol quilt. These are fun and simple to make and definitely fills a joy in my heart!

Redwork

Nothing like working on a 'cool' subject during hot summer days.  We came across these stitchery patterns.  This snowman buddy comes from The Little Wool Shoppe blog.  Each month they will be a different snowman buddy for you to download and stitch.  The best way to transfer the pattern is with the use of a light box.



A pigma red pen is my choice.  Of course, the plan is to use red perle cotton for the thread.  But, you could use any color you wish.

The pattern has been transferred to white fabric and is ready to stitch. 

When visiting with the gals at the Wool Shoppe, we had a discussion about the best way to fasten the fabric for actual stitching.  It was recommend to use a batting for backing.  They used a pellon that had the fusible web included, but since there was none of that in our stash, we decided to try this quilt basting spray.  And it worked well. 



No hoop is required using the spray onto the cotton batting. Easy to hold as you stitch.  Now, we are ready to stitch.  Here is June pattern.

This is July pattern all finished.  A little wrinkled due to traveling, but this will press out fine.

Another 'cool' summer project comes from  Bejeweled Quilts and is called 'Reindeer Games'.  Soon we will have all of Santa's reindeer in red work.  Notice the little smudge near the nose--that's what you get when you try to drink coffee and stitch on a plane!  oh, well, it will either wash out or we'll just paint in some more color.

Here is another one of the reindeers that is playing in our games--the neat thing about these guys--you can either do them in stitchery or applique work.

Such a 'cool' smile on this fella!  The plan is to incorporate the snowbuddies with the reindeer into a December wall hanging--we'll see how that works at a later date.  So, if you are looking for something to keep your 'cool', give these patterns a stitch.........................

Needed: New Jewelry Pouch

Yes, a new jewelry pouch is definitely needed!!  This one has been taken on many a journey.

Just look inside--what a mess!

How in the world did it get so stained?  Worn out, we know--just so much use.  First, look for info on web!  and there was a good instructable from Cheryl, TX Not this Cheryl, of course, but a different Cheryl.

Next choose two contrasting fabrics.  Our other jewelry pouch was made from our own hand-dyed fabric collection.

Need a pattern--so these two plates will suffice.  Larger one for outside and smaller one for inside pouches.

In a matter of 60 minutes or less, we had a new jewelry pouch.

The inside holds a few bracelets and the pouches will hold earrings.

Just one problem--it's too small!!  Okay, we're off to find a bigger circle and this one will be a great gift for a friend, who just might need a 'small' jewelry pouch.

Chapungu: The Great Stone Sculpturors of Africa

Just off I-25, near Loveland, Colorado, in a most unique setting is the Chapungu Sculpture Park.  We visited this lovely area, located between a busy highway and a bustling shopping mall.  Here it is peaceful with walking paths, picnic areas. 

On this occasion, we took a walk around the Great Lawn loop--just a short walk this day while we photographed some of the sculptures located in this area.

The first collection is in a group entitled The Family.  This piece is "Lovers" by Tendayi Mutasa

"The Betrothal" by Joe Mutasa

"The First Kicks" by Taylor Nkomo

"Coming of Age" by Joe Mutasa

"Happy Family" Fanizani Akuda

"Togetherness in Family" Faro Mavunga

"Remembering the Years" Joe Mutasa

"He is Mine" Gedion Nyanhngo

"Grandson Protecting Grandfather" Enos Gunja

"Tired Boy Drummer" Jonathon Mhondorohuma

"Welcome Home Sister" Nicholas Kadzungura

"Leap Frog" Dominic Benhura

"You Never Listen to Me Mama" Cephas Mashaya

"I Can Dance" Alfred Gutsa

"Angola Boy" Makina Kamaya

"The Lullaby" Taylor Nkomo
If you are in the area, take time from your busy schedule to walk through the pathways and view the public park  which features 82 African stone sculptures carved by artists from Zimbabwe.