Not Quite Finished...

Here are a few things I have been working on.  

My 'swoon' quilt...the top, anyway.  I was going to make 9 blocks (remember, each block measures 24.5 inches), but decided that I didn't really need (or want) to make a quilt that was 84 inches square (with sashing & borders).  So, I took 4 of my fave blocks and made this nice lap-sized quilt top.  Right now, it measures 57 inches square.  I think I'll probably use the other 3 blocks for large pillows...or I could add borders and make a few nice baby quilts.  OR, I could make one more block and have 4 of them for another lap-sized quilt!  A plethora of ideas!  {grin}  At any rate...I am loving this orange and aqua color combo.     

This is the small quilt I started with Cheri Payne's quiltalong.  But then I veered off in another direction.  No special reason.  Just cuz.  I am ready to quilt it, but have yet to decide how I want to do that.  Ohman, the decisions I am having to make!  {grin}

I finished knitting both heelless (tube?) socks...am now learning how to sew them together.  It'll be a bit before I finish that.  Mostly because I am not concentrating on finishing them.  I do love these summer colors. 

Been working with my hand-pieced quilt...putting the sashing and cornerstones on.  I should be ready to start hand-quilting on this very soon.  Once I decide how I want to do it, that is!  (I told you, didn't I?...decisions!!!)

American Idol is on tonight!

I'm okay with DWTS's elimination last night...how about you?



 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."   Jeremiah 29:11

Can You Say Frustrated?

I have been sewing clothes and following patterns for 45 years.  Yeah.  A very long time.  So, why is it that I am running into snags with my current sewing project?  Is it because the pattern is poorly written?  (Nope.)  Is it because the instructions are incorrect?  (That's what I thought it must be for a long time.)  Or, is it because I think I know everything and don't read the instructions thoroughly?  AH-HA!  That would be it.  The first snag was because I did not take the time to read the pattern instructions thoroughly...which resulted in me redoing most of what was done.  Another snag was hit when I asked someone for a measurement and was given a number that I should have known was not correct.  I am trying to finish up what should have been a very simple sewing project for me.  I still have a few hours left.  I am more than a bit frustrated.  I just hope that - in the end - it's worth it.  That the article fits properly and that it is loved by the recipient.

Here's a sneak peek...

Though I didn't get as much done this past week as I had hoped, I did manage to finish a block for my hand-pieced quiltalong!  YAY for me!

For those of you who are wondering how my knitting is going (I know there is at least one of you out there!), I am on the second heel-less sock and it's going great!

This weekend is all but over...another work week ahead.  Hope this one is easier...last week wore me out!

Have a good week!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."    Jeremiah 29:11

Knitting. Really???

So.  You all remember my post about knitting socks, right?  (click here to refresh your memory)

Well, I told me Mum the story.  She is, after all, the queen of all knitting.  Have I mentioned that before?  She is the one everyone goes to for help with their knitting.  

She, being the queen of knitting, said to me, "I'm going to send you something!"  Know what she sent?  Apparently, she took a class on knitting socks many years ago and never finished the pair.  So, that's what I got...one completed sock...   

 

along with yarn, needles and pattern to complete the other one.  I had to laugh.  I mean, really.  How does she know I can even do this?  She told me she has faith in me...that knitting is like riding a bike.  


I suppose she could be right.  I should try to find photos of what I've made before.  Anyway...we shall see if she is right or not!

We are finally getting some snow.  From temps in the upper 40's yesterday to low 20's today...along with 3-5 inches of snow.  

It took me a long time to get home from work.  If the snow continues, tomorrow may turn out to be a snow day! 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."Jeremiah 29:11

Recycling...

One of the blogs that I enjoy reading is Courtney's Sassafras and Winterberry.  Courtney is a teacher.  Courtney knits socks.  And hooks rugs, etc., etc....you should go visit (click on the above link).  Here are some socks that she is working on...aren't they fun?  I love them.

 

Yep, I snagged this photo right off her blog. 


When I saw that photo, it reminded me that I've been wanting to knit myself a pair of socks.  (Yes, I do know how to knit.)  The main reason being this...when I sit in my big easy chair and put my feet up on the ottoman, there is bare leg showing between the top of my sock and the bottom of my pajama legs.  In the winter, this bare spot is chilled, so I need to cover up with a quilt.  Not a hardship, I promise.  But, sometimes, I am warm enough...it's only one little spot on my body that is chilled.  Anyone else have this problem?  Yes?  No?  Well, okay, I am weird.  But, I already knew that. 


I spent a few hours last night looking online for free sock patterns...wow...who knew there were so many to choose from?  I also looked online at knitting needles.   

Again...wow!  Ya know, back in the day when I learned to knit, there were aluminum needles and plain wooden needles.  Now...so many to choose from!  I was completely enamored of the colored wooden needles I ran across...and would more than likely have felt bereft if unable to knit with them.  I mean, really...look at these.  Aren't they gorgeous? 

Then, I looked at yarn.  Wonderfully soft yarn.  Colors so yummy, you could do nothing but smile when you had those socks on your feet.  Cashmere yarn...alpaca yarn...ohmy. 


Then, I woke up.  I mean, like, you know, it occurred to me how much it would cost to buy everything I needed to knit myself one pair of socks.  Albeit wonderfully warm, soft, colorful socks. 


So.  I rethought the entire 'bare space on my legs getting chilled' thing.  And, decided that what I really needed was leg warmers!  But, again...the buying of needles and yarn was cost-prohibitive.  hmmmm...


My next step was to look on Etsy to see how much it would cost to buy a pair of knit leg warmers.  Wow...I saw some that had a price tag of $54.97 on them.  Plus shipping.  Okay.  That isn't the answer.  

Next thought...what could I make leg warmers out of?  I ran across an article about recycling t-shirts.  Hey...how about t-shirts?  Yeah...recycling t-shirts into leg warmers!  They don't necessarily need to be warm and soft...they just really need to cover that bare leg.  Ya know?  (by the way, thanks for the t shirts Kimmer!)


So.  That was my project for the day.  Making a pair of leg warmers.  Mission accomplished!

The toe & heel of that pink sock (bought at Wal-Mart this a.m.) are orange.  Perfect, hey?

See the little paw prints near the top?  How cute is that!

So, how about you?  What are you working on?

edited to add:  yes, I know buying a pair of longer socks or knee-highs (do they still make them?) would have easily solved the problem.  Just sayin'.  That I do know that.  More fun to go through the above process though, don't you think?


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."Jeremiah 29:11