Shutter- scraps

I finally joined a quilting guild. It is probably one of the best things that I have done for myself!!!!!

It is great to be around a group of people who have the same obsession as you. One new friend gifted me this book.. I am loving it. I think I could work the whole way through this book and not get bored. I may have to do just that.

One of my other new found friends gifted me scraps. These ladies  knew just how to reach my heart <3 .="" br=""> I got to work and sorted  all of the scraps into color and then on to the cutting process. That took awhile and there are no fun photographs of that step.

After I cut all of the pieces I got to work on the piecing. This part went much faster. I started this quilt on my new sewing machine. I got a Featherweight, Yea!

Learning to use an older sewing machine was odd at first, as I am use to a computerized machine. But after learning all the ins and outs of the machine, it was like plugging away. Finally I had all 110 blocks.

*each of the logs here finish a 3/4 of an inch.

The hardest challenge of this quilt was laying it out in order to get all of my blocks separated enough that there weren't big blocks of color all in one spot. The cat was of no help during this process as well. I think I ended up laying out 5 times because she kept interrupting.

 

 

The finished quilt is just stunning. The picture doesn't do it justice. I am never disappointed with scrap quilts. The more variety the better. Not to mention that all of these pieces have found a purpose.

 

Signs of spring

Slowly we are starting to see signs of spring. There is flowers blooming inside the house. Of course we haven't been able to turn off the heat yet. The nights are just too cold.

I just love daffodils. They are bright and colorful after a long winter.

 

I caught a glimpse of a robin. Of course she was too quick to get a picture. But this homemade one is just as good.

More beautiful flowers I discovered on my walk at a local park. I wondered if they were planted there or just naturally grew there. Regardless they were beautiful. The walk and the signs of spring definately brightened my spirts.

Evidence that the quilt frame is getting more use from the cat than by me. Now if only the temperatures will warm up enough to open the windows and turn off the heat.

It has been awhile...

Since the last time that I blogged. I have run around...

I take this one to floor hockey practice.

With the help of  a fellow blogger I was able to get this finished. I haven't blocked it yet. Too busy wearing it while I run around.

 

Is it just me or is one part of the lace not right? Regardless I am not ripping it out now, mistakes happen.  

 I am still plugging away at these.

So even though there is only a bit to show here. There is still alot happening. Unfornately most of it is cooking, cleaning, small things that just always seem to need done.

Yarn Help !!!

As soon as I typed this title the Beatles's song ran through my mind. Help, I need some body, Not just anybody, please, Help! But really I do need your help. I am just about done with my shawl. But I am afraid that I will not have enough yarn to finish. Do you know anyone willing to sell... Knit picks, shine-sport yarn, in silver sage? Please, Please send them my way!!! I really do need help, yarn help that is.

On the book front I am currently reading Better off. It's interesting to think of living a simpler life. I think it is much harder to accomplish than what the author leads on. I also think that they stumbled upon a very helpful group of people who choose too also live simply. I haven't finished the book so at this point, I am still keeping an open mind about somethings.

Today I am linking up with Ginny.

Do over

Ï am starting over with the Farmer's wife blocks. I had started well over a year ago, and then burned out. I wasn't happy with how mine were turning out. I felt disappointed that I never finished it. So I went looking online and found a way to download the templates in a more reasonable fashion.Then I got to work, again! I am starting over completely. This way I don't have to try to find matching fabric or go back to fix old mistakes.

 

This time I am working on things differently. First off I printed all of the templates and spent time cutting them out. From this point on I traced the needed template on the the fabric. I did a few at a time and placed them in an envelope to keep myself organized.

 

This way all I had to do was have a day of sewing. So far I completed the first 18 out of the book, with much more success. I hope to keep this momentum going.

 

Could I possibly use my ironing board?

 

A bit of progress

Here we are close to the end of January. I really don't have much to show, I haven't had the chance to do allot of reading this week. As we have been trying to get back into routine with everyone being out sick at some point. Then throw in some snow days and errands. But this is the one bit of progress for the week. It is coming together nicely.  Except for my mistakes. I suppose one must make a mistake in order to learn. So this has been quite a learning experience!

Lesson 1: Don't try knitting at the end of the day when your concentration is wavering between knitting and sleeping. Have you ever experienced this?

Today I am linking up with Ginny.

January whine and knitting

This is exactly how I feel about January. Thank you Charles Schulz!

Around here it is cold and blustery. There is no desire to leave the house at all unless you are contemplating running away from germs. In that case Good Luck! I think half of our town has been hit with this.

 You see it sounds as if there is a barking dog within the house. But it's just that cold season had officially hit my house, despite all requested shots. This one has sat with his nebulizer for days. Just about the time that he has started to feel better, hubby is home.

I am trying to distract myself with pleasant things, knitting and reading. I've gotten allot further on the reading vs. knitting. Maybe admitting this to you will give me accountability. I am working on a shawl. I haven't even gotten through the first section yet.

So I'll tell you a bit about the books I've read.
1. The Little Book of Talent, by Daniel Coyle
Everyone always says how talented I am for my handcrafts. I really don't feel that way. So when I seen this at the library I thought it would be good to read. What I need to take from it is to say "Thank you" more often and let it at that. The biggest thing that tugged at my heartstrings was to keep a journal. Just to write something, how I felt that day, what I need to do, a quote, etc.

2. Holy Shit, by Gene Logsdon
I have taken allot of ribbing from hubby on this book choice. But being a gardener and living in a rural area it has really made me more aware of something we don't normally consider a resource. If you keep a garden, or backyard chickens or both you are probably allready aware. But ths does show some insight to larger farmers and use of chemicals.

3. The Half-Stiched Amish Quilting Club, by Wanda E. Brunstetter
This book is purely fictional. I really don't see any of the characters and situations realistic.It reads a bit like a group therapy through quilting. Not sure its that simple.  But none the less sometimes one needs to be distracted  in reading (stop laughing) and this is a nice book in terms of there is no violence or porn. Just a simple story.

If you would like to see more of what others are reading and knitting please checkout this Yarn along.