Blogger's BOM #3 and a finish!

The weekend was rather busy with the kids here. My brother and his wife also had Thanksgiving dinner at my parent's house. It was a very nice time. Great food and great company! However, not too much time left to quilt or knit. But I did manage to get a few things done.

I chose these fabrics while trying to work on a Christmas wall hanging. That's not even close to being done yet. You'll see that another time. I chose 2 Kaffe Fassett fabrics as well as my usual background. I didn't have a striped fabric so I chose a marbled aqua.

 I really like the result. My kids both said they liked it too! That's always a good seal of approval! I still have to square it up.

While my kids were home, I thought it would be a good idea to finish the lace cowl since I made it for my daughter. So I blocked it and gave it to her to wear.

It was great fun to make and I love how it looks on her. Her boyfriend liked it too! That means she'll wear it often.

I've been shopping all morning since it is Cyber Monday. I'm almost done shopping for both kids. I love when they give me a list nice and early. Not sure what to get my husband. So hard to decide. I think I'll go work on my dad's socks. I'm almost done the second sock of one pair and then I have another pair to go. Holidays are so busy!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hoping everyone has a wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your time with your family and friends. Enjoy your awesome dinner. There's always time to knit or quilt tomorrow! Let's all be thankful for everything we have. Enjoy!

List

I have been sitting here this morning trying to make a list of my projects and what I need to get done before Christmas. I just hope I haven't added too much of what needs to get done. The project I am working on for Christmas the most are 2 pairs of socks for my dad. I have one complete sock done and close to half done on the second. I also hope to make him another pair. He loves wearing them around the house. He is having health problems and know he would rather have home made socks than anything I could ever buy in a store.

I am also working on a lace cowl for my daughter. It's about half done. She knows I'm working on it. It's not for Christmas but I wanted to use up the nice yarn I had left over from the lace scarf. I will post a picture of it when it's done. It's not much to look at right now. However, I did block my scarf and would like to share the result!

I think you can see the pattern much better. It's not quite as wrinkled looking. This next photo is even better!

The pattern is much easier to see here! I am really happy with the look of this scarf. It's so airy, light and delicate. It's exactly what I wanted.

As far as quilting goes, I have a few things going on there also. I always have my hand sewn hexagons although I haven't worked on them lately. I am making the Blogger's block of the month but that only takes up a day or 2 at the most. I am working on a mystery quilt with my guild. That took up a lot of my time this month! We only get directions monthly but they can take awhile.

Just 100 half square triangles this month! I just have to square them up a bit and then I can wait until next meeting which is in 2 weeks!

I have a quilt to machine quilt. It's all pinned and ready to go but I need a little time I can devote to it. I'm not sure I should even start that before Christmas. Machine quilting is always a big project to me.
And then, finally, I would like to make a Christmas wall hanging. I found one that I hope is sort of quick. I just need a day or two. I always need the time above all else. I have plenty of fabric, thread, etc. I just need to be able to sit down and get to it. Too bad I have to work, clean, cook and all that other fun stuff. I think I can do it and I'm going to give it a try!! Anyone else out there need to clone themselves this holiday season? Suggestions?

Wordless Wednesday

Lace scarf

I am so excited to say that I finally finished my first lace scarf! I love to knit but had never tackled any lace project. I didn't think it would be too difficult but I was wrong! I did have to rip out rows, find where I was on the chart and try to keep going! The yarn is so fine that it was hard to find a dropped stitch. I kept going because I just loved how the scarf was coming out. It is so delicate. I really love the finished product.

However, it really isn't finished. I have to block it. I have no idea how to do that. I have been doing some research and will attempt it soon.  I think after the whole blocking process, the lace pattern will be even more evident. I will post that picture whenever I complete the blocking process. I was just so happy to finish it that I had to post the picture right this minute!

This is the book that I found this pattern. It is written by Kristin Omdahl. I love the projects in this book. Lots of  great stuff to look at!

Happy Veteran"s Day to all! This includes my dad who is a Korean War veteran! Thank you for all your sacrifices!

Drawing Fabulous Feathers

This past Saturday, I took a class with Sue Nickels at A Quilter's Gathering in Nashua, NH. She taught us all about drawing feathers for our quilts. The material in her class can be found in this book which I already owned. Sue is writing a new book with more updated information. I brought the book with me but ended up using her handout for the class.  There were 12 students in the class. I was afraid I would get tired since I worked most of the day, but I wasn't tired at all. I found the class so interesting and fun.

The handout basically had us practice drawing feathers using guidelines that Sue uses when she draws. I was pretty awful at first. Sue was very encouraging. I did improve as the class progressed. I actually enjoyed it and thought the class flew by! We drew feathers on straight lines, curved lines, circles and even hearts! I think this is a technique that needs much practice. We all did seem to improve in just the span of the class. She also taught us how to plan feather and vine placement on our borders. She had some great techniques and the hands on practice really helped get her technique through to us.

This is an example of one of her whole cloth quilts. They are just gorgeous. Her machine quilting is exquisite. However, we all know there is a huge difference between hand drawing feathers and machine quilting them onto a quilt. We all need to practice, practice, practice!! I am hoping to make some time to get the practice into my day. It was so inspiring to see her quilts. Just gorgeous!

If you ever get the chance to take a class with Sue Nickels, take it!! You won't be sorry. Time for me to get back to pin basting my star sampler quilt. My poor back!!

A Quilter's Gathering

It's finally Friday. This past week was rather difficult. We had the snow to contend with as well as the lack of electricity for a few days. Once the power did come back on, I felt I had so much to catch up on. I did get a little knitting done but that's about it. However, this weekend should be much better.

The Quilter's Gathering takes place this weekend in Nashua, NH. I have signed up to take a class with Sue Nickels who will be teaching us Drawing Fabulous Feathers. I have machine quilted before but am rather limited as to what I can do. I can sew an all over meander and can also quilt in the ditch. I would like to expand my abilities and hope I can start to make feathers. I know much practice will be involved once the class is over but hope the basic skill that is taught will get me started.

I have two quilt tops to machine quilt. You have already seen the Puzzle Box Quilt. I also have another top designed by Bradie Sparrow called Star Sampler. I made it last year and used only my stash. My daughter helped pick out the fabric with me.

I would like to use some of my stash fabrics for the backing. I have some great 1-2 yard cuts. But since I am going to the quilt show this weekend, I am keeping my options open and looking for some fabrics that might catch my eye. Quilt shows are so much fun!

I have to go out now and buy supplies for my class. It seems I leave everything for the last minute but this past week was a bit out of the ordinary! Can't wait to let you know how the class goes!!