WIP Wednesday

This weather has been good for me....forcing me to stay inside and face my WIPs! LOL!  and here they are.........it was actually snowing when I got up this morning

Last night I washed and blocked the scarf for my daughter.  I had 2 towels underneath it and laid it out on a blanket chest and I still had to double it over on itself.  See where the white pins are in the middle.....I didn't realize how long it was.

The snow stopped and the sun broke through but it never got out of the 20's today.  It was really pretty with the ice coating everything.  I don't think there's been mail delivery or school or anything.  I didn't see a car go by all day. 

So, back to my list of WIP's and the FIFO method (first in first out) as opposed to LIFO (last in first out)...those were terms used in queue theory back when I was a computer person before I retired but I digress.  This wall hanging/grow chart quilt has been crying to be finished before the grandchild is too tall to use it!  I've forgotten many of the techniques so I had to refresh my skills before going back at it.  I am making the backing by piecing the material together that matches the front.  If it wasn't for the darn salvages I would have had enough to just have 1 seam down the middle but alas I ended up doing quite a bit of "fiddling" and I haven't even sat down to sew yet.  I did get a new blade a few weeks ago so that's making things much easier.

Here's the right side of the fabric

I also found a REALLY long tape measure that is coming in very handy.  This is the back of the quilt front.

Here's the picture from the McCall's magazine where the pattern came from. I have no idea what happened to the top of that picture?

I'm making steady progress On my giraffe too...heading towards the neck!

I have many more WIPs to go though.....the bottom green dotted material is a big bag that I am quilting the material myself before sewing it into a bag.  The pattern called for quilted material but I couldn't find any I liked at the time so I decided to pre-quilt the material and then sew the bag together.  It needs to be sturdy as it will be big enough to hold my cutting mat and quilting rulers.

The leaf material is the back of my first quilt that I made in my beginning quilting class.  It's been machine quilted and just needs to be bound. The blue material is all washed and ready to be made into pajamas for MOI. There are many more projects in containers and behind closed doors so I won't be running out of things to post on Wednesdays for sure!

I feel good though that I have at least begun to make some progress.  And to all my WIP's I have this to say to you.......... 

Happy Trails!

Snow, sleet, freezing rain but I still have power!

There are thousands, here in Arkansas without power tonight and it is below freezing here.  It is not as bad or as widespread as 2009 so hopefully they will have power back fairly soon...not the weeks that it took in 2009.  Meanwhile, I got some ironing done.  I have some old aprons I've picked up at sales over the years.  I wash and iron them about twice a year.  Don't ask me why as I don't wear aprons but it reminds me of a simpler time.  A time that I could go back to in a heartbeat except for women's rights. LOL!
This apron was entirely hand stitched even the trim.  She must have run out of gingham because the ties and waistband are pieced with other material.

This apron seems to have been a printed panel that you cut out and sewed up

Binding the raw edges seemed to be a popular way of finishing.....

This is a "petal" apron..........
at least that's what it looks like to me.......

Sorry for the blurry picture but this is the back of the next apron where someone mended a tear.  Back then nothing was "disposable" and they took great pains to maintain what they had....

This is the mended apron..........

I saved the best for last...or at least my favorite.........

All hand embroidered...........

 isn't it gorgeous?

Well, that's the extent of my apron collection.  I hope you had a good day and are safe and warm tonight wherever you are.  Happy Trails!

Snow!!!! My favorite precipitation!

 I was in my element yesterday.  It was a "perfect" storm for me  but I didn't have to go out in it either.

 A perfect day for tea and a good book..........

 candles and hot dips............

 some handwork............

 and FOOTBALL!  Although it was not an exciting game to watch at least I didn't feel bad when I flipped the channel to watch Doc Martin and Downton Abbey. LOL!

 Today the sun came out and my Nitty girl was in her glory......she loves the snow!

 As you can see it was pretty deep out there.....

I hope everyone is safe and warm and happy wherever you are......Happy Trails!

YOP Sunday

 I've been knitting quite a bit (for me) this week.  I have other work and projects going but when I take a "break" I pick up my knitting.  I'm on Lesson 3 in my "giraffe class" on Craftsy by Susan B. Anderson.  I  have about 1 more inch to knit before going back to the lessons.  This is the bottom of the giraffe...very similar to knitting a hat from the top down, I imagine, although I have never done it.

 I have no idea why the colors are so different in these 2 pictures taken minutes apart?  The top picture is more accurate although I really like the color of the one below...lol!  I think I'll look for that color next.

  Hopefully this is what it will look like when I get it done.  I have a navy blue yarn for the the dark areas.

I finally bound off this scarf I've had sitting in a bag for way too long!  I need to wash it and block it.  I have some Eucalan Woolwash that I bought years ago when I stopped at a Canadian Sheep farm on my way back from a fishing trip.  I think someone has been guiding me to fibers and wool (and maybe even sheep) for a long time now!  I don't have blocking boards and can't afford them right now but I have a guest bed that I will try and use.  After all, I used to hand wash and block all my wool sweaters when I was in high school....how hard can it be?  And what did people use before "blocking boards"?  Yes, I am "The Frugal Knitter".  Any tried and true advice is appreciated though.
This is going to my daughter who is an art teacher and will love all the colors and so will her students.  Plus, she needs it more than I do....she lives in Iowa....brrrrr!   I made it with Noro Kureyon if I remember correctly.

 Still working on my son, Ben's hat but I only have an inch to go before starting the decreases.  These hats are great to pick up in the evening while watching some television and when I'm too tired to concentrate on anything remotely challenging.  

 Also, I picked my charity to start knitting, crocheting, and/or sewing for.   I was searching through the Ravelry "charity" groups and came upon this one.  It just so happens that my namesake grandson, Sam was a beneficiary of the NICU in Iowa when he was born so choosing this charity was really a "no-brainer".  Even though I no longer live in Iowa, my children and grandchildren do.  Iowa has a great healthcare system and top notch medical personnel.  I am excited and honored to help out in any way I can.  I plan on making crib sheets too as they have a need for those.  I don't have the material right now though so I will have to order some "supplies".  Anything knit or crocheted requires really soft yarn as you can imagine so I will need to order some of that too.  I can't wait to begin and thank you once again to Melody for the inspiration.
The other reason I love this particular charity is that they have everything laid out for you; patterns, items needed, requirements.....ie; they make it very easy to join in and get giving.

Hats, booties, and blankets for premature and critically ill babies

group details

The Preemie Project seeks to provide comfort and support to critically ill infants and their families in Newborn Intensive Care Units in Iowa. We achieve our mission through the support of a devoted group of local and national volunteers.

  So.....that's all for this week folks!  I'm off to enjoy this beautiful day and the gorgeous snow that is falling here!!!!  Snow and Superbowl on the same day?  How lucky can a gal get? Yippee!  Yahoo!
Happy Trails....until we meet again.

Books and Baking.....Food and Friends

I broke down and went to the library yesterday.  I needed to go to the store and the post office and so I decided to stop by the library while I was already "out and about".  I was trying to stay away as I have so many books to read here at home.   I'm SO glad I went as they had Sue Monk Kidd's new book and I've read her others and love her writing.

 Some of you will not believe this but I have never read any of  Jane Austen.  I even have a set of "classics" and none of her books are among them.  I picked up this one and I'm looking forward to reading Miss Jane.

I've been watching this series by Janet Oke on Hallmark on Saturday evenings and love it so I thought I would look into the author and she has written several series that I plan on reading.  I love her style and settings for her books as she was raised in rural Canada in the 30's.  These are the types of stories that are warmhearted like the Mitford books by Jan Karon.  If you read before going to sleep, as I do, these books will give you pleasant dreams for sure yet they keep your interest.

I came upon this one and had to take it home with me too.  It's a journal by a woman raised in New Mexico in the 1800's....a true pioneer woman.  I can't wait to delve into it as I love journals of real people "back in the day".

Wish me luck on the next one...lol!  I would be "hurtin' for certain" if I tried that cover pose right off the bat.  I hope there are some easier ones to start off with although it does say "weekend".  Well, if you don't see me on here next week you'll know I'm probably in traction or laying on the floor yelling "Help, help...I've fallen and I can't get up".  Maybe they were doing yoga when they fell? I've always wondered as they sound pretty pitiful.  Should I get "Life Alert" before I try this?

I'm making a 7-day weight loss soup today although I just think it looks healthy and sounds tasty.  I'll let you know.

I'm making hot spinach cheese dip for tomorrow's Superbowl party with me, myself and I.  Whenever there's something to celebrate I give myself carte blanche on the edibles.  

I wanted to make a bunch of other yummy dishes whose recipes I grabbed off the internet and Facebook but I already had done my grocery shopping so I held back.  Maybe I'll try them for Valentine's Day. 
   Last night I worked on the Valentine's Day bookmark for Sewing With Friends...I'm really enjoying getting back into cross stitch especially with smaller, "doable" projects.

Enjoy your Saturday night....it's cozy and raining here....a good night for soup.
And later some tea and peanut butter cookies that I made.

 Happy Trails!

Clouds on the horizon..........

I should have taken it as a sign when I saw these clouds rolling in yesterday morning...........

 

The vet called and said the biopsy showed that Nitty's breast tissue was cancerous but it had not metastasized and they were very sure they got it all.  But how do they really know?   What now?  I was supposed to take her back to have her stitches out today but they were leaving to go to a seminar in Hot Springs so it will be Monday instead.  I'll discuss it with her then but Nitty seems healthy and happy and strong and living in the moment......my girls continually teach me how to live.  So, we all had a "treat" and celebrated the fact that we are all here together, now and happy and healthy and warm and safe and full.....much more than many in this world have.  We are grateful.

Happy Trails!

Trying to do it all...........

I've been busy as a bee lately and might I add it's about time.  I'm experimenting with all kinds of changes to diet, exercise, projects, schedule,...you name it I'm changing things up.  Some of it has been very positive.  I watched a PBS show with Dr. J. J. Virgin and her 7 foods to avoid  I stopped eating my homemade toasted bread in the morning with my yogurt and now..no dairy, no bread and just oatmeal in the morning and I seem to have more energy and not that tired feeling.  I'll keep switching things around but I am all for more energy!

I've been cleaning and organizing and found this book.  I love Mary Engelbreit and I'm always so inspired by her art and decorating.  I still have all the issues of her magazine when she had it.

I found this little bird planter when I was cleaning the garage.......it's like an archaeological dig around here!

straightening up my dining/sewing room and organizing so I can just sit down and start sewing one of these days............

I uncovered my cutting board and even found a new blade for my cutter...........

The plastic container holds patterns of things I need to do!
The other day I was over visiting Kim at Camp and Cottage Living
 and she had a picture of the cutest embroidery of one of my favorite sayings....

 It's actually a pattern you can purchase at Sarah Jane Studios and she has so much more ....I fell in love with her artwork and patterns and....well, you get the drift.  I  haven't bought it but I'd better before I regret it down the road.  This saying has been passed down from generation to generation in my family and many others families too, I'm sure.  I love the bright colors and red frame.  I think Kim was impatient and decided to paint one for herself.  She blogged about it a few days ago so go take a look and see what she did.  She's redoing her kitchen with lots of RED and don't we just love us some red with some yellow and maybe turquoise too? 
Before I start doing any embroidery though I need to order Alicia Paulson's book since it's been years since Ive done any actual embroidery.  And remember that HUGE embroidery kit I bought for Christmas?  Yes, I need that book and maybe I'll do Sarah Jane's pattern for a "warmup" before I dive into the huge village and farm scene.

Speaking of turquoise...........I've started my giraffe class with Susan B. Anderson!  I'm on lesson #3 and loving it.  I learned kfb (knit front and back in the same stitch) which is an increase which I had never done before....decreases yes, but this was the first increase, can you believe it?  I'm actually further along than the picture as I took that picture yesterday and I can't seem to stop picking it up.  I work a bit then sit down and knit 1 round...just one.  It's my "dangling carrot" reward for getting work done around the house.

Happy Trails until we meet again!