 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!!
 Can't believe it's time for the March TUSAL already. I've been so busy knitting and stitching that time has just flown by. I must remember to get the camera out and take some project pictures for you. Meanwhile here's my ORT jar. You can see there's lots of yarn in there from mittens, a scarf, 2 dish cloths and a couple other things. Yes, I'm working on a new pair of socks. Sewing projects included a tote bag and a couple of quilt samples for a local store. Cross stitching finds me working on Page 4 of the BIG project alternating with a smaller-yet big- seaside picture.
I just found a site that has really easy to download cross stitch patterns for free. It's
http://cross-stitchers-club.com/?code_avantage=jovolh. Plus, if you click on this link, you'll automatically receive a gift when you subscribe. I use this site all the time; there are hundreds of all different types of patterns, and there are new patterns added everyday. It's really worth a look. 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.
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. Wow! For a retired person I sure have been busy. My business is picking up a bit, including designings a couple websites. It takes time to get them going, lots of fiddling around with pictures, resizing, and content. And I started a new part-time job at the local fabric and yarn shop. Boy was I tired last night when I got home from my first full day. But it was lots of fun! I have been stitching in the evenings and some afternoons. I have decided to work on the BIG cross stitch project in the afternoons and save evenings for smaller things that don't take so much concentration (DH expects me to be watching TV with him). I did finish a WIP a couple nights ago.  I picked this kit up at a garage sale early last summer and thought it looked like a fun project and the price was right - I think it was all of $.50, maybe a dollar. Everything was there and I got busy sorting the floss colors right away. After finishing all the crosses, the daunting task of outlining began. So many lines on the pattern was confusing but eventually it got done. In looking back, I think I should have done some of the outlining as I finished a section then I wouldn't have put it off and the picture would have been finished much sooner.
 I know it's January but my cherry tomato plant seems to be so happy taking over the dining room table that it keeps giving me little tomatoes. I don't have the heart to get rid of it when it's doing this well.  And finally a day early, my ORT jar picture for TUSAL. I can't believe how many old ratty threads I've collected this month. If you're wondering about ORT's and TUSAL check out this link.
It's already several days into the new year but the cross stitching has gone on. I have also been doing some work for a local fabric/yarn shop. The weather has been pretty mild and the snow is hard and crusty. My driveway is like a skating rink at times. So it's probably best that I stay home and stitch. And my ORT jar is getting a good start for 2012. I'll be posting a picture soon.  Here's a cute little Sock Monkey I finished for the store I sew for. Kept thinking of my young friend, Hannah and her crazy socks as I was making it. I also finished a small sample of a flannel rag quilt for display at the store.  I decided to jump into a large project I found online. If I have calculated correctly I will need to do almost 68,000 cross stitches to finish this. I don't think I've ever done anything so big! Check out www.intricatestitching.com . They have a good selection of free patterns.  This is what I've been working on in the evening while watching TV. I needed something easier and requiring a little less concentration than the "big" one. It's a pattern I found online somewhere, can't remember where, but you can be assured it was probably free. :) It was stitched in just a couple evenings.  And one more, I finished stitching this book mark on Sat. and just need to trim it with lace and iron on a backing. It's always fun to add a little sparkle with beads . This was also a pattern I found in a magazine somewhere. I really should write down my sources.
It is so windy here today, I'm really feeling edgy. Hope nothing blows apart, especially my roof! I finished stitching the cardinal placemats last night. Here's a picture of them. I now have to find some border and backing to make them into quilted placemats.
I've been making up a couple cross stitch kits to work on next. I found patterns online (free ones!) and am using up some of my leftover floss from other projects.
Since this is the last day of the year I'd better get my ORT jar for 2012 ready. Off to find something to use. Well, at least for me. I woke up to about a foot of snow this morning and still coming down. Looks like I can stitch to my heart's content today and not feel guilty. I'm working on placemat no. 3 now and will post some pictures later. For now just wanna get on with my snow day. Time for hot chocolate! 
| Vickie MorganI'm a retired music teacher always looking for outlets to satisy my creative needs. Here in the mountains of Colorado, nature provides lots of inspiration. 
The view from my house, can you see the angel?
FREE CROSS STITCH PATTERNSCLICK HERE
Plus, if you click on this link, you'll automatically receive a gift when you subscribe. I use this site all the time; there are hundreds of all different types of patterns, and there are new patterns added everyday. It's really worth a look. TUSAL 2012Totally Useless Stich-A-Long. Join the fun here
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