Thursday, May 28, 2009

Stitching Police on their way..............

The Stitching Police are on their way to my house. I "finished" this LaDeDa piece and did not include the whole bottom part of the design. I really only cared about the words and wasn't that excited about doing the lady. In addition it seemed like I had been working on this piece much too long and I was ready to start something new. So I carried the border around the bottom and...... the border did not match up. I was two spaces off. Oops! I was not about to go back and figure out where I had goofed. It will be my own imperfect stitchery.
It took me a while to decide on my next stitching project, but you can be sure it is a small project. Here is the beginning. I'm not telling what I am doing because it will be a gift for someone who just might read this blog.


Last night I got this much done on my new knitting project - using my Aunt Betty's knitting needles. The nice bulky yarn, the thrill of using very special (to me) needles, and an interesting TV show kept me knitting for a good while.


Today I am grateful for -
1. Finishing one project and starting another.
2. Many projects and crafts to choose from.
3. Good books to read.
4. Never being bored.


Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Surprise

When I pulled into my driveway this afternoon I was delighted to see an unexpected box waiting for me. What fun to find a box with smiley faces all over it and a return-address label from my cousin. Inside the box was this. Can you guess what it is?
Well, my Aunt Betty was a master knitter and after she died my cousin promised me some of her knitting needles. How wonderful to receive this set of Boyle needles from about 40 years ago, in perfect shape.

Even though I have five unfinished knitting projects, I just had to rush out to JoAnns to purchase more yarn so that I could start a project on these needles used by the best knitter I ever knew. I searched through all the knitting books looking for an easy project and finally decided that I would just knit another easy scarf. Why agonize over a difficult pattern when I could enjoy knitting a plain scarf. Of course I also had to purchase a tote bag to contain this new project.


Now I have six unfinished knitting projects, hundreds of counted cross-stitch projects, and thousands of quilting projects to finish. I will never be bored! ! ! !


Monday, May 25, 2009

Learning............

When others whine and complain about not being able to do something it always irritates me. How do they know they can't do it unless they try? Then I heard myself complaining and whining about not being able to machine quilt. I was looking at the latest AQS Magazine and moaning over all the fabulous quilters and how I could never do what they do. Well, of course I can't. I've never tried very hard. A few attempts now and then, but when my workmanship is less than ideal, I give up. So today I decided to start working at it - practicing. Yes, practicing. If I practice a little each day I just might eventually improve.
I gathered all my books on machine quilting and the things I have printed out from the internet, and I sat down to read and study. Then I went to the machine and practiced different types of machine quilting.
I tried stippling.

I made these stems of triangles


And I worked on doing clusters.


It is a beginning. As you can see, I have a lot of practicing ahead of me. Sigh.


Saturday, May 23, 2009

Christmas table topper

Tucked away in boxes, bags, and corners are many projects and kits. Yesterday I pulled out this table topper kit and cut the strips. Today I put it together and did fine until I came to the borders. The border print needed to be fussy cut and it would be necessary to miter the corners. Oh dear. I hadn't mitered corners in years. These are the corners that came out decently.

It wasn't as hard as I feared.
Now if only all my kits and projects could be done this easily.......................sigh.



Friday, May 22, 2009

Scrap Pumpkins

Yesterday I finished this quilt top, Scrap Pumpkins, a pattern I purchased from quiltsbycheri.com. Once it is quilted I plan to embroider some curly vines at the stems.

Now I'm working on some Christmas projects - a table runner and a table topper.







Last night Kim Diehl was the guest speaker at our quilt guild. She was wonderful. She did her trunk show and I loved every single quilt she showed - some 40 quilts. What a talent. I have several of her books and love to look through them at the excellent pictures and beautiful quilts.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

My new spiffy garden

For those who know me well, garden pictures is most unexpected! My gardening experience is about one hour per year. Hot weather, bugs, digging in the dirt, and weeding are last on my list of things to do.

This year a friend, who is a master gardener, was available to help me. He has cleaned out dead wood, planted flowers, bushes, and a tree, and plans to mulch and hopefully pull out some ugly old bushes that block my street view from the kitchen.

Today he planted a colorful beech tree.

Look at the wonderful leaves on this tree.



The bright green of this little bush will add much needed color along the side of my house.


Yesterday my doorbell rang and it was another friend delivering this wonderful pot of plants and flowers.
At last I can be proud of the outside of my home.

Today I am grateful for -
1. Wonderful, talented, generous friends.
2. The glorious colors of nature.
3. Crossing "garden worries" off my ToDo list so that I have more time to sew.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

I love scrap quilts..........

When I moved into my present home, I purchased some pillows to go with two chairs and the sofa. But now I keep my favorite cuddle quilt on the sofa, always ready for nap time, and the pillow doesn't go with the scrappy quilt. So today I made a scrappy pillow cover to co-ordinate with the cuddle quilt.
On my dining room table I placed one of my favorite scrap quilts - a split nine-patch with black & white border. With the colorful flowers in the center, it makes for a setting that puts a smile on my face.


I love scrappy quilts and thoroughly enjoy having them decorate my home.
Today I am grateful for -
1. Beautiful sunny warm weather.
2. Doors and windows open to let in the fresh air.
3. A screened-in porch where I can enjoy reading.
4. Iced tea in a tall glass.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Playing again

It was time to clean up my cutting table today where a pile of scraps were waiting to be cut into useable squares and strips. However, after an hour of cutting I got bored - very bored. So I started making more 2-1/2 X 2-1/2 X 4-1/2 blocks of my scrap squares. Then I put the blocks up on the design wall to figure out a pleasing arrangement. I think I like the 3rd picture the best.


Today I am grateful for -
1. Friend Rick who is doing a fabulous job cleaning up my gardens.
2. The Internet that allows me to keep in touch with family and friends.
3. Fabric to please my sight and touch senses.



Monday, May 11, 2009

Ahhhhh - back to quilting again

After two weeks of going nowhere near my Quilt Studio because of company, church events, and visiting my sister in the hospital, I finally got a day at home where I could play with fabric.
First I started in again on the scrap piles, cutting useable squares and strips. Then I worked on making exchange blocks - 35 completed.
Today I am grateful for -
1. A day at home.
2. Time to play with fabric.
3. A juicy, crisp apple.
4. No bills in the mail.