Where has the time gone? I guess it has been a really busy summer. Blogging has seemed to take a back seat to creativity. I've been knitting, cross stitching, quilting, sewing, beading, reading and getting outside whenever possible. My friend is going to be a grandmother for the first time in just a few weeks so that called for the creation of a baby quilt just for this new baby. Since owls are a favorite, I designed a quilt to go with the cross stitch picture "granny" was making. Hope they like it.
I also found a hat pattern I like and hope to make adding beads. But this first one ended up being a trial of the pattern so see if it would work. I think it will so the next one will hopefully have beads. I will have to make it bigger though, because this one was too small for me. It fits my PandaBear, though. :D
What beautiful day it's shaping up to be today. Colorado blue skies and sunshine!!
I’ve really been into knitting lately as you can see from my finished projects: My 2nd pair of socks is finished, just waiting to accompany me with the right outfit.
I am on to socks number 3 so I decided to try a new pattern with a little more design. This circle sock is really turning out to be a fun knit. The pattern is pretty easy so far. I’m on the heel just about ready to start the turn. After knitting a long time yesterday, my hands are crying out for a break. Maybe a trip outside is in order today as the weather is really nice, that pretty Colorado blue sky and hardly a cloud in sight.
Other knitting happy dances include some spa cloths for a birthday gift. These knit up so fast and are so cheerful looking, they're a great break from bigger projects. And one can never have too many spa cloths, can they? I found these patterns online on ravelry.com, along with many more.
Here's my adventure into the world of cable knit: a scarf and mittens. They will probably end up as a gift as well since the mittens are a little snug for me. But I think I have the cable stitch down. It was really much easier than I thought it would be. The yarn is a soft wool/acrylic blend that should be nice and warm.
Cross stitching has taken a back seat temporarily, although I do get a few stitches in every couple days or so. Today may be a cross stitch day to give my hands that afore-mentioned break. The BIG cross stitch is on pg. 4 of 25 and really starting to look like something. I can’t believe how many stitches are in this thing! Alternately, I’m working on a smaller picture of a beach scene. It’s only 2 pages of stitches. :)
On the sewing/quilting front, I recently brought home some sample fabric from work and decided to make this fun tote. It worked up pretty easily and will make a nice variety in my tote collection. I can retire on of the uglier, more worn ones.
Here’s an art quilt I had fun making, adding beads and lots of embellishment. I love the irregular shape of it and it was a good project to practice machine quilting. Look for more of this style as I sort thru my stash of fabric and beads. There’s a blue/green in the works that I show you in coming weeks as it goes on its transforming journey thru the bead stash
That's about it for today. Gotta go enjoy that sunshine!!
The new moon has come and gone, almost unnoticed. HeeHee--get it??. But alas, I have remembered my ORT jar and taken a picture just in time.
Lots of hours represented in this jar!. But not all from cross stitching. I've also been knitting and sewing a lot. That makes for a variety in my threads. I'm also contemplating how to use the ORTs in a creative way in my fiber/bead/quilting art. There might be a picture for that coming soon. Lest I be accused of slacking, there is another pair of socks in the works and I have my eye on a sweater pattern. | I finished my Kindle cover last night. What a learning experience! Entrelac knitting, I-cords, attached I-cords, 3 needle bind off, I never knew there were so many things beyond basic knit and purl. I also started pg. 3 on the BIG cross stitch project. I really ought to get an updated picture to show you. It's beginning to look like something. |
Tootles for now. Gotta get back to my stitching.
What has happened to February? I guess I have been busy. Cross stitching has taken a bit of a back seat as I work on my knitting skills. I've also done some sewing and quilting. Right now I'm working on an art quilt using a new technique. When I get finished with the beadwork, I'll show you.
Meanwhile - here's my first socks. I wore them last weekend--very comfy and warm. Knitted using Berocco self striping sock yarn. Turning the heel was easier than I thought. I'm now working on my second pair in a green/brown wool.
On the cross stitch front, the BIG project is progressing, tho' only a 100 or so stitches a day. I'm over half done with the 2nd page. Only 23 more to go after that. :) Still missing one color so there are some holes to fill in when I get it.
In the evenings when I'm not knitting, I started a seaside window cross stitch that hubby got me for Christmas last year. Not much to show on it yet, I started on the sandy beach part to get it out of the way because it's not very colorful.