Saturday, November 22, 2014

FNSI....Friday Night Sew-In

Grab the Friday Night Sew In (FNSI) button 
I prepared so I would have a good meal to fuel my creative endeavors..........split pea and ham soup.......

 and homemade bread.........
which allowed me to get this done...........of course Grace just HAD to get in the picture!
Unlike some of you, I work on the Christmas gifts for others all week so on Friday nights I work on something for me.  My daughter did call though and we talked for quite a while so I didn't get as much done as I thought I would but I love talking to my daughter and you would too if you knew her! LOL!  
I am making little quilts.....above being the first from scratch,  I have the 5 main blocks done and now I will either cut 4 whole blocks to fit in the spaces or I will piece the blocks like I've already done except in the same color.  I'm utilizing scraps for this little quilt and I have plenty more where they came from.  These "little" quilts will be used as table mats, dresser scarves, chair adornments...you name it.....oh,  as artwork to hang on my walls too.  Yes, so FNSI is Fun night sew-in too!  I will be here every Friday night so stop by and bring your projects with you!  I can't wait to see what you've been working on!  Signups are here
Or if you just want to visit and see how others are spending their Friday nights.
Happy Trails!




Thursday, November 20, 2014

I'm quilting again................

I have been putting this off for so long but not any more!
The only problem is..these are 2.5" squares not the 2" required but they were already cut this way so I'll be "winging it" but what a sense of satisfaction to be behind the wheel again, utilizing what I have while at the same time planning projects for down the road.
And of course one can't forget EPP (English Paper Piecing) in all it's shapes and forms............
These are wonderful for using up scraps and for mindless, relaxing in front of the t.v.  They truly are addictive handwork. 
The hat has had another "remake" from scratch again.....reason being that the "changing color" idea from You Tube about running the yarn double for a couple of the first stitches, does not mix well with the jogless stripe method that you incorporate on the second row of the color change.  So, I'm back to a regular color change and the jogless stripe is working and all is well with the world until I make my next mistake. LOL!
Yes, Santa's Workshop is in full swing with the deadline for mailing on December 12th looming ahead.  I may just have to take the pressure off and order a few things.  My goal of making all my gifts for others is a lofty one to be sure.  But each year I get closer!  There's also 4 birthdays around the same time which certainly adds to the frenzy!
It has to remain fun and stress free or I just won't do it.  So far, so good...enjoying it all...even the "remakes".....I learn more each time.
 The plants are loving it out on the sun porch and are either blooming or getting ready to!
This is my Christmas cactus which looks like it will be blooming for Thanksgiving.....it's really just a Holiday cactus as it picks what Holiday it wants to bloom.  I've seen it bloom at Easter time. LOL!
Also, the bulbs of narcissus and hyacinth are popping up already...where does the time go?  The narcissus are up but the hyacinth is just starting. 

Tonight is FNWF's  (Friday night with Friends), an online get together for working on any creative project you have going and then having a "show and tell".   There are several of my blogging friends that are involved and I need to get back into it!  Check it out and join in as you know there's nothing on t.v. on Friday nights! LOL!
Happy Trails!






 

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

The cold came and it's still here.............brrrrrr!

 Not only did the snow and the cold arrive but it got in my head too and on top of that I suffered a groin injury during the game my stretching exercises on Sunday.  I didn't take to my bed but I must admit I found myself sitting still and staring off into space for who knows how long.....I think I might have had a fever...or a stroke.  But I'm better now.....
 I finally finished my daughter's scarf....present #3 done!
I'm getting "revved up" to  do some sewing and quilting.  I spent a bit of time over at Kindred Quilts going through the last few years of Kathy's posts and I am "pumped"!  Her taste in projects, colors, combinations and so much more are right up my alley!
I know I still have Christmas presents to make but I really need to do something for me and I'm tired of the "fiber" mistakes I've been making lately.  In sewing I can see progress so much faster and without tearing out again and again!  So quilting....here I come!  These will be small projects that I can finish and use within weeks, days , even hours if I stick with it!  Stay tuned!
If you would like to see some lovely little quilts and some free patterns visit Kathleen Tracy over at Country Lane Quilts 
Kathleen is a published quilt author and Kathy from Kindred Quilts has done several of her quilts.

I'm off on another adventure!  Thank you to Kathy and Kathleen!
Happy Trails!