Happy Anniversary!

Today is the 1 year anniversary of this blog!

I had a slow start but I've enjoyed blogging again. I had forgotten how much I enjoy having a visual record of life in and out of my sewing room.

I spent the weekend in Paducah, Kentucky 

We went to Hancock Fabrics of Paducah.

Fabric as far as the eye can see!

Guicy Guice

Tula Pink

This National Parks panel actually came from Mountain Creek quilt shop in Vonroe, TN and was hand delivered by a wonderful quilting friend who spent the weekend in Paducah with me.

This panel is by Riley Blake

I also added to my low volume whites

And a few new reds for my Red / White quilting obsession

Along with this cute Red / White panel.

It was a great adventure!

Sock Knitting is Magical

Sock Knitting is Magical

November of 2011 I decided that I wanted to learn how to knit, so a took a class at one of the local yarn shops here in town. I made a dishcloth, scarf, and hat but,

I specifically wanted to learn how to knit socks.

March of 2015 I finished my first pair of socks and I haven't stopped making socks since.

Over the years I have finally found a very plain and very easy toe up sock pattern and an equally easy cuff down pattern. I wanted to learn how to knit socks, specifically, in order to always have a project to work on that I could carry with me. Sock knitting is the perfect small portable project.

I enjoy sock knitting very much. It is both relaxing and rewarding.

When I cast on, I cast on both socks at the same time. I don't use the method where both socks are cast on the same circle needle. Both of my socks are cast on separate sets of circular needles. For the toe up sock pattern I use circular knitting needles but for the cuff down sock pattern I use double pointed needles. Why? No real reason it is just how I initially learned how to knit the patterns I use.

Why do I cast on both socks at the same time? Because I like having both of my socks completed at the same time. I knit a bit on one then I knit a bit on the other one until the pair is complete.

To this day ... whenever I reach the heel portion of the pattern and turn the heel while knitting socks ... it is like magic to me.

On minute your are knitting a tube ... and the next minute you have turned the heel and like magic you have a sock. I know that sounds silly but for me it is exciting.

There are so many beautiful sock yarns available these days but presently I really enjoy using Felici sock yarn by Knit Picks. The color of Felici yarn pictured here is called Goth Kitty.

This yarn is machine washable (tumble dry on low).

Each pair of socks takes 2, 50 gram balls of yarn.

This yarn can be ordered online at

www.KnitPicks.com

These days if you see me out and about I'm carrying my current sock project with me. I knit each day at lunch time at work. If I have a doctor or dental appointment, I knit while I wait my turn. If I'm out and about waiting for my turn for anything ... I'm sock knitting. I enjoy having something to occupy my time while I wait. Or just as a relaxing activity after I've eaten my lunch in the break room at work. Last year I had the pleasure of teaching a co-worker how to knit as well.

As Fall and Winter approach I'm looking forward to wearing my handmade socks! 

😍😍😍

Signs Signs ... Everywhere Signs ...

Autumn 2019

This morning while my coffee brewed I stood before my beloved kitchen window.

One of my favorite spots in my house, because of this beautiful window shelf that my brother-in-law built and installed for me.

There they were ... fallen golden brown leaves ...

Signs that Fall is here!

It's still hot outside though ...

😎😎😎

My Pillow Project ... Explained

My Pillow Project

I'm not sure how it happens really but I tend to end up with orphan quilt blocks.

Sometimes I cut fabric for a block incorrectly and end up with a block that is the wrong size for the project that I am working on.

Sometimes I will make a practice block from scrap fabric before I start a big project.

Sometimes I will end up with a block that I don't really like how it looks - the fabrics don't look that great together and I just don't want to use them in my quilt project.

Sometimes while at the KMQG meetings orphan blocks will be offered up and I will snag a few of them.

Whatever the reason for ending up with orphan blocks I have decided to make them into pillows.
I love pillows!

Red Cross Pillows = 2 orphan blocks where I cut the fabric the wrong size

The Blue Star Pillows = the star blocks were orphan blocks obtained at one of the KMQG meetings. I added some low volume fabrics and made 3 pillows 16 x 12 inches.

One of the pillows was gifted to my friend, Gisele, as a going away gift. The other two are in my living room - along with the 2 Red Cross Pillows.

Presently, I have several quilt blocks in my orphan block stack that will be made into pillows. 

I 💖 pillows!

Strolling Along

Strolling along through September,

I have officially survived Friday the 13th and the following full moon.

Safely I might add ... here in my sewing room. 

Finished this beautiful gem ...

Meadow

68 x 78

This pattern is by Lizzy House 

September of 2015 the KMQG hosted the class that Lizzy House 

gave to learn how to make this quilt.

I loved every moment of the class and getting the opportunity to meet Lizzy House.

I had completed all but the final 3 blocks needed to complete this quilt top before putting it away.

Honesty time ... I was in a horrible marriage that was debilitating.

I was left with barely enough confidence to wake up each morning.

The divorce has been final for 1 year now and I was able to finish this beautiful quilt.

Finishing this quilt top is a huge triumph for me.

I feel successful for the first time in a very long time.

And, it feels wonderful!

💖💖💖

It may have taken me four years to finish this quilt top but that's okay.

The quilt top is finished and I am in a much better place in my life.

It feels good ... real good.

During the class Lizzy House signed my practice block 

and I am making it into a pillow.

This block will become a part of my Pillow Project.

💖💖💖

***Now to go back through all of the old posts of talented machine quilters to find 

just the right person to machine quilt this beauty.

I'm so excited!!!

Taking A Little Break

I have decided to take a little break.

A break from what you ask ... a break from my routine.

Here we are in the middle of September and it is still HOT. It is still Summer.

Even though the days are getting shorter and college football is in full swing ... it still feels like FULL ON SUMMER!

I've been on vacation ... 

It was lovely, absolutely lovely.

I even watched college football while I was on vacation!

Hot Summer Vacation!

So, I have decided to take a little break from the every day ... HOT Summer Every Day ... and wait for Fall to catch up!

A peaceful boycott, if you will ...

A time to reflect and wait for those cooler temperatures.

The beautiful golden leaves, harvest, and apple cider ...

I'm so ready!

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

I Think I Have A Problem ...

I think I have a problem ....

This past weekend I completed 5 quilts.

Sometimes once quilts come back to me from my long arm quilter,

they sit and sit until I get motivated to put the binding on them.

Which usually leads to a weekend devoted to doing just that,

... binding quilts.

Moda Love Christmas Layer Cake quilt

72 x 72

Feather Bed

72 x 72

Red / White Quilt Collection

Orphan Block Chaos

72 x 81

Red / White Quilt Collection

Red Brick Road

93 x 97

Red / White Quilt Collection

Moda Love So Ruby Charm Pack quilt

37 x 37

All of this leads to the problem ... quilts ... lots and lots of quilts. Quilting is my joy, my creative outlet but, I (and all of my family members) have more quilts than we need or will ever really us. I should probably sell some of my quilts but I tried that. I had an Etsy page and after a year I only sold one quilt. Having an Etsy page (shop) costs money and it just wasn't worth the expense to keep it open. I also have a few of my quilts and things in a brick and mortar shop, with no real success there either. So ... I now have a closet full of completed quilts and quilt tops that still need to be quilted. I'm not sure what the answer is but I'm sure the problem is only going to get worse because I have no intention of giving up my quilting habit.

😁

Although, I won't be giving up quilting ... I've been considering other avenues of expressing my creativity. Such as watercolor painting, sketching, making my own clothing, luggage, and handbags ...

lots to think about!

😉

And Just Like That ... Vacation Is OVER ...

And just like that vacation is over and it is back to the grind ...

I've been awake since 3:30 a.m this morning...

getting back in the groove of working is hard!

The struggle is real ...

My sister got me some great gifts for my kitchen!

Continuing with the Mexican tile theme. I love all of the color!

It makes me happy!

I also managed to get a couple of knitting projects completed.

This is the cowl ... neck warmer that my daughter started.

I was able to get it completed while on vacation.

Knitted Neck Warmer ... Cowl

Forrest Green, it is very pretty and will keep my daughter warm and snug

this fall and winter.

I also finished this pair of toe up socks ... that I feel like I have been knitting on 

FOREVER!!!

These socks will be very wearable with my work slacks when the cooler weather arrives?

I'm glad that they are done. One color socks are so boring to knit ... and there could not be a more boring color than TAN!!!!