Ok, so I said at the start of the year that I wanted to make 6 quilts this year. Here it is the first week of Feb and I have nothing to show for my goal. But I definitely have a lot floating around in my head. So I am going to put down my thoughts so that I have somewhere to reference.
1. Double Wedding Ring Quilt
I started this quilt on the weekend in my class, and I am loving how it is coming out so far. I know it looks like a black background but it is actually Kona Coal (dark charcoal grey). This is one that I would definitely like to have finished this year. It is going to be twin size so that it will fit on the pull out bed upstairs.
2. Swoon
Yup, I am getting sucked into the Swoon storm. I just ordered a bunch of vintage sheet fat quarters from JeniB, and I think I will do my Swoon out of these.
3. Living Room Quilt
I have this idea for a quilt for my living room based on a pattern I saw in the road one day. I know it sounds nuts, but I think it will work. I’d like to actually have this one done pretty soon, because it is one of the few things I need to do in order to finish the living room project.
4. Houndstooth
I really love this pattern, and although I have been told the piecing is pretty boring, I still want to do it. It seems like depending on the fabric that you pick that it would be a quilt that could go in almost any room.
5. Paintbox
Oh, how this quilt has hung around in my brain. I even started cutting it out a long time ago. So this one will be a monster to finish. But it will get done.
6. I’ll leave this one open
I have a few other quilts pinned or floating around my brain, and who knows what great pattern I will see this year. So this spot gets to be open.
Anyone else have quilt overload on the brain?
One of the things the SWVA Modern Quilt Guild wanted to do when we started our group was some charity quilts. I showed you some kids quilts that we have done, but one of the larger projects we have been working on it a Quilt of Valor. These quilts are given to injured members of the Armed Forces to thank them for their sacrifice and offer some comfort. Last week I finished up the binding and had a chance to take some pictures.
This quilt has star blocks made by Kathy, Whitney, Lindsay, Melinda, Lori and myself. A few months back we got together to piece the top using some light blue sashing fabric and red borders.
Once the top was together, I pieced a backing and added a label.
Lindsay quilted it on her long arm with a star and swirl pattern.
Once Lindsay had finished with it, I added a patriotic binding.
After a quick wash and dry, it is all ready to go. Once the guild has had a chance to check it out on Wednesday, I will apply to find a recipient. I really do hope that the person who receives it feels a little comfort, and knows that we are thinking of them.
Has anyone else out there been involved with the Quilt of Valor project? Or another quilting charity project?
This week has been one of those weeks where stuff just. gets. done. It has felt so good after what seems like months of being somewhat off kilter.
One thing I have been meaning to do for a while is make a case for all of my scissors. I have a class this weekend and I wanted to have a way to take my scissors with me and make sure that they were not banging together in a box or a bag.
So, I whipped out a long stashed sewing machine themed fabric, pulled a neat scrap out of my neutrals box (I think this was from a guild swap and might have come from Lindsay? Thanks L!) and used some 1001 Peeps as an accent colour.
The outside looks like a typical roll, except with all the scissors loaded it is sturdy and thick. Inside it has lots of different sized pockets.
I suppose I should say this is for my “sharps” rather than for my scissors. I have my rotary cutter, thread nippers, and seam ripper in there too. The roll fits inside the giant box bag that I made to hold my other class supplies, such as the power foot for my machine, pencils, turning tools, small rulers, etc.
I am really excited for this class, it is one that I have wanted to take forever. Carolyn at Old Trinity has taught her double wedding ring quilt class a few times over the last few years, but I have never been able to fit it into my schedule. But this weekend it is! I am using all kinds of scraps (I have boxes upon boxes of them) and I am either going to use Kona White or Coal as the background. I am leaning towards Coal at the moment, but we shall see.
What are you all up to this weekend? Any classes? Any knitting? Sewing?
PS – I restocked the shop with small box bags yesterday. There are toasters involved!
Yesterday was my very bestest of friend’s birthday. And since, as I have been for the last few years, I am too many miles away, I packaged up a present for her and sent it along.
Many months ago I saw this cute quote on Pinterest – “All you need is tea and warm socks”. Since Laura and I often have tea dates over the phone/facetime, and Laura is the person that taught me how to knit, I thought this would be the perfect theme for a gift. And besides, isn’t everything better with tea and handknit socks?
First up was knitting a pair of Monkey socks, in a pretty purple knitpicks yarn.
This is still a favourite sock pattern of mine, because it is easy to remember but really looks pretty on. These of course were done toe up, and I didn’t reverse the chart, so they are upside down I suppose. Luckily Laura and I have the same size feet, so I could model them before I sent them off.
Next up was a mug rug. I love making these! It’s the perfect way to try out a technique or a block without having to commit to a full quilt. (In fact I just finished another one yesterday, but it is for a guild swap, so no peaking yet).
I used some of Lizzy House’s 1001 Peeps from the stash and created an orange peel block. I used fusible web for the applique and then top stitched when I was doing the quilting.
The back is more 1001 Peeps and the border is a teeny white dot on black (not sure where that one was from – it was in the ever growing stash!)
And, if you are drinking tea you need to keep it warm and keep your hand cool, so a mug cozy was next.
This is exactly the same size a disposable cardboard sleeve from Starbucks, so I am hoping Laura can stick it in her purse and use it on her way to work. I lined it with batting so it will hopefully insulate well.
Next up was a little art for the wall – because you have to have it all tied together or the theme wouldn’t make sense, right?
I found a font I liked and printed it out along with a simple clip art cup. I transferred that design to the linen with a transfer pencil, and then added some details to the cup (like the face). It has been a very long time since I have done any embroidery so I really enjoyed this one. It has been a very stitchy 2012 so far.
Finally, I packed up the whole shebang with some tea! Caffeine free, since we are usually having our tea dates in the late evenings.
Topped off with a birthday card….
…and in the mail it went! Luckily I managed to get it to her before she went off on vacation. I was worried it was going to be late! You never know with the post office.
So Happy Happy Birthday to the best friend a girl could ever ask for. I can’t wait for our next tea date!
About this time last year, a friend of mine contacted me about making a sweater for her. She had seen my very old Princess De sweater hanging in my studio, and asked if I could recreate it for her to match her measurements. She said she wasn’t in a rush and wouldn’t need it until the fall (which I later found out was because they were welcoming a family member, which is still possibly the best news I recevied in 2011!). So in late September when I was home visiting my family, I brought her sweater to her. She had a chance over the weekend to take some pictures and send them along for me to share.
For my LOOOONG time readers you will recognize that it is the same colour that I did my Princess De in. This one is done in Cascade 220, still one of my favourite yarns. Thankfully this time when I knit it I was much more experienced, and I fixed the design issues that the first one had.
The body has intertwining cables that run down the front of the sweater, through an empire waist ribbing section, and onto the bodice. The sleeves have the same style of winding cable as well. A short row style shoulder ends in more ribbing.
I think Moni looks fabulous in it (this does not look like the body of a woman who had a baby a few short months ago). I hope that it keeps her warm and cozy for years to come!
Thank you Jay and Moni for sending along the pictures, much appreciated!
(A few people have in the past asked if this is a pattern that I am going to write up – what I realized when knitting it for what was actually the third time, is that it just doesn’t lend itself to a well written, easy to follow pattern. And I do not have the writing skill needed to make it workable. So for now, it will just stay as photos! Thank you all for your interest though, it makes a girl feel good).
