Thursday, December 27, 2018

2019 Here I Come!

When it comes to year long projects, this is one of my favorite to follow:


In 2019 Sindy will have two different ones to add to your quilting pleasure..

I/m looking forward to Hen Party--I have a chicken lover in our
family--so this will be another chicken quilt for her to add to
her stack.




This one looks interesting--have't decided if I want to continue
with the gnome theme after the Christmas quilt.

Oh well, each month the pattern for that month is free--
I opted to pay $6 to have the blocks sent to me--that way
I won't forget to download the month (which I've done in
the past!)

Here's another Block of the Month to follow along with

'A 1930's Style Quilt'
Garden Sunshine
 

.... join the Quilt Doodle BOM 2019! This year it is a fun Traditional quilt. Sew along with me starting January 1st and have a new quilt to display or give as a gift! Details can be found on the Quilt Doodle Blog


Sunday, December 23, 2018

How Would You Like to String Along??


Moda Fabric Designers  are hosting a 'string along' quilting session.
Beginning December 28--the start of sewing weekend
Friday, January 4th--check in with a progress report
Monday, January 7--How many did you get done?

Check out the Moda Website for information on how to
make a string block and other information available
on the subject.

This will be my last post before the holidays!!
Since you in the new year
Happy Sewing!  if you get the chance..

Friday, December 21, 2018

Betwixtmas MKAL


Oh, you  have nothing to do on Christmas Eve?  Or just plain tired?
But, you want to keep your hands involved while you sit
in your relaxing chair?

How about joining in on this--Betwixtmas Shawl Make a Long--
end your 2018 on the right note!

Betwixtmas is the phrase that describes those hazy days between 
Christmas and New Year.  Here comes Black Sheep Betwixtmas shawl, a free pattern designed by Bronagh Miskelly

Look for that perfect yarn and pick up your needles (if you have the strength!)
and knit!

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Chopping, Mixing, Baking!

We're chopping, mixing, baking today--lots of goodies to go on our holiday tray.  Each night  after dinner as we sit around to visit, we bring out Dan's famous eggnog along with a tray of baked goodies--oldest daughter has fudge, spritz cookies--have you seen the recipe for that Fireball fudge!  OMgosh--  Our friend, George is a distiller at Shire Distilling CO and he makes a great fireball liquor-- I think this will be added to our tray this year!

Dan has made pralines--I don't make candy!! It never turns out good; most of the time, it is runny and you need to bring out the spoons.
These are so delicious--creamy and smooth!

His recipe is sooooo old!  It's hard to read--I suggested
he needed to write it off so it doesn't get lost in years to
come.  
I'm mixing up my sugar cookie recipe--only because son ask
if we were going to have some cookies to dip in milk--I posted that
recipe last year, I think. 
Don't you just love old recipes that have been used over and
over again?  This is a savory cracker--lots of heat with the cayenne
pepper

And to round out the starter of the evening--Cheese ball.
Plus, I have my world famous chili cheese log to savor as well.
Gee, how we love the holidays and all the foods of
our memories.

Monday, December 17, 2018

Gift from My Hands



Every year our Expatcher group gathers for a Christmas luncheon.
I always hope to have a handmade gift to give each of my friends.
This idea popped into my brain last year--

of course, I waited till the last minute to finish up the
details--why, oh why do I do that?

Anyway, here is my gift for my dear friends.
It is handspun silk stitched on handwoven brown cotton cloth,
which has been handspun as well,
   The silk ribbon and yarn have been dyed
with indigo.
I found the bamboo 3" frames on Amazon--of course.

My hope that they will enjoy this piece from my hands.


Saturday, December 15, 2018

2019 Planning

January 2019 brings new challenges!  
It is time now to plan for those upcoming projects .
One of my favorite designers, Elizabeth Ravenwood, aka
dogyarns on Ravelry is hosting another lace knitting
venture in 2019--a different pattern each month--I
finished my 2018 lace scarf but it isn't blocked yet--


Another 2019 knitting adventure is one coming
from Toni L. Lorenz, aka 

stlorenz on Ravelry (oh how I love Ravelry!)


This is going to be an exciting learning experience!

I've begun to spin while watching playoff football games
This fiber is very well aged!  It has been in my stash bin
for years--it's lovely to spin

The singles are doing well but I'll ply singles for 2 ply before
the knitting begins.  I have attached a small piece of velcro
to the wheel and when I stop spinning I can put the
loose end of the yarn to the velcro and it sticks!!

This lovely fiber comes from my friends at

I sure there isn't any more of this fiber--I love the
name--it comes from her animals, which are all
named wonderful names.
I still need to decide on another fiber to spin........

Old habits revived

 Years ago I had a habit of listening to podcasts on a regular basis.  That was the way I could listen to classic books that I never would...