Showing posts with label Quilt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quilt. Show all posts

Friday, July 25, 2025

End of the week catch up

 I meant to write on Wednesday. Really, I did. This week ... it's been something. 

Between the weather, faffing about, and some work stuff that has been going on, I am a mildly tired girl. 

On the bright side it's Friday. Or, should I say "Fri-yay!" Ha!

Wednesday I completed a project that's been going on for around two years.  Can you even guess what it is? 

Dancing Stars!


Holy Hannah! When I hung it up on the clothes line to take a photo, I stepped back and took it in. It was a moment where I was a bit gobsmacked that *I* -- me -- made this. 

I am pretty sure I know what kind of batting I want for it. I still have to figure out the yardage for the backing and the binding.  Oh, yeah, and the color. I'm thinking I'm going to go with a black binding, to help those colors pop. Anyone have any suggestions for the quilting? I'm debating on tying or just going with cross hatch. I've never tied a quilt before. 

What else ... earlier this week my hubby and I installed a new fancy radio in his truck. I don't have any photos.  Now he can connect his phone to the radio and have all the fun apple play things that I have in my car, including a much bigger screen for his back up cam. We learned just how easy-ish it is to swap out the factory radio for something aftermarket.  If we had only known that 25-some years ago. When I was younger I had the impression that swapping out the radio was some mysterious thing that you had to be specially trained in on, or something. 

The weather has been all over the place this week. We've had sun, clouds, wind and rain with thunder.  It made it a wee bit hard to get out to the garden and record a garden update, but I eventually got it done. Look for a video on my Youtube channel this weekend. 

I did a bit more crafting. The last time I was at Michael's I saw butterfly charms and thought "Those would make pretty needle minders.  

So that's what I did! 





While I had the fancy expensive (not really) E6000 stuff out I also finally made some magnetic needle threaders that I've been wanting to make for *ages*. 



My friend Patty sent me a little care package a while back. In it she included this cute needle threader


and I was so inspired by it that I wanted to make some and that way I have them all over my crafting spaces and maybe even in my project bags. 

In other crafting news ... I have almost all my organizing done.  I spent some time moving my yarn around and trying to find a spot for everything that was on my yarn shelf before I decided it was a mess and something needed to be done. 


It's SO much better.  I'm not completely done. I may move some of those totes to a different spot.  My hubby and I were talking about it this evening.  He felt it was important I had my work space freed up.  I thought I'd just be shoving those totes around. Ha! He gave me a few ideas. 

I need to expand the storage I have for my DMC floss, too.  I have a few containers that I can add to my two towers of floss.  

The thing with "airing the stash," so to speak, is that you also get a fresh impression of just how much stuff you have. Along with seeing some things you may have forgotten you had **whistles innocently** I'm definitely set for Aida fabric.  Now that I'm feeling more confident about dying fabric I've definitely got enough materials to start with ... 

Speaking of dyeing, I'm thinking of some bare sock weight yarn that I think I have. If I have it, I bet it's sitting in the closet of the craft room. Yay, more sock yarn. Ha ha ha ha, heh, heh, *groans* oh boy. 🤭

I tell ya, I have stuff squirreled away all over the place. 

Work. Well, when isn't there something going on with my work, right? I love my job. I've been there for more than 22 years. However, there's stuff going on that is not in my control.  It's just ... frustrating. We've had this cloud hanging over us for years and years.  Longer than I care to admit, really. As I told someone this week, you can't really explain my company, you have to experience it. Really, the structure of the organization is definitely one of a kind. When I do try to explain it some are like "huh?" and "Wow."

So, if you would be so kind, please send some positive vibes and prayers my way. 

On the health front, I'm still feeling pretty good.  I've been taking it easy when I can, and pushing myself when I feel I can. Yay! I've been walking out to check the game cams each morning and I can walk out there and back without feeling very much discomfort. It's a win I'm happy to have. 

Why am I checking game cams? Well, hunting season is just a few months away. 


I love how the path into the back 20 looks. To me it is so inviting.

The trail in the woods. Hard to believe that in a few months all that green will be changing to fall colors. 


Really, it feels like summer started not that long ago and the Fourth of July was just last week.  We are heading to August in like a week. 

With August just around the corner the school supplies have started hitting the stores. 

The last time I was at Walmart, I was kind of bumming around and went around the school supplies aisle. 

I saw this: 


... and was hit with memories of when my son was just starting his school years. He wanted *all* the Mario things. He still loves Mario. Is it weird that I miss buying school supplies? He's been out of school two years now. 

Sometimes I think I need to write notes for stuff I want to write about on the blog. I could have swore there was more stuff I wanted to blather about ... Can I remember? No. 

I'm still continuing the trend of "taking it easy" this month.  I don't think I've really touched my knitting this week.  I've knit a little bit on my Red Panda cross stitch and my Christmas ornament piece. 

Weather is supposed to be nice this weekend. We'll be fishing in the a.m. Which, if I want to fish with some of my own ties, I need to get this blog published so I can go work on a few. 

Have a great weekend, dear readers! I appreciate every one of you who takes the time to read my blog. 😃

Friday, November 8, 2024

Episode 24 - What I did in October


 

Hello!  Thanks for stopping by!  Show notes are below


Knitting - Finished Objects




Project Name: Passenger Princess Socks
Started: June 3, 2024
Finished: Oct. 31, 2024
Designer/Source:Vanilla sock pattern I use.
Yarn: Patons Kroy Sock Yarn
Colorway: Midcentury stripes
Colors: Peach, blue, cream, vintage looking colors.
Needle size: U.S. 1, 2.5 mm
Made For: myself.

Previous update: 


*************************************




Project Name: Autumn Hunting Socks
Started: Sept. 1, 2024
Finished: Oct. 19, 2024
Designer/Source: Vanilla sock pattern I use.
Yarn: Malabrigo
Colorway: 858 Arbol
Colors: browns, oranges and olives
Needle size: U.S. 1, 2.5 mm

Previous update: 





**********************************************

Knitting - Current Works in Progress




Project Name: Bly Cardigan
Started: Sept. 3, 2024
Finished: 
Designer/Source: www.Berroco.com
Yarn: My own handspun corriedale, purchased from paradise fibers
Colors: Grey
Needle size: U.S. 6 (4 m.m.) and U.S 7 (4.5 mm)


Previous update: 




*************************************

Knitting - new cast on





Project Name: Blue stripe vanilla socks
Started: Oct. 31, 2024
Finished: 
Designer/Source: Vanilla sock pattern I use.
Yarn: Patons Kroy sock yarn
Colorway: Blue Raspberry
Colors: Blues and white
Needle size: U.S. 1, 2.5 mm





************************************

Cross Stitch - Finished Object



Project Name: Black Cat Sampler
Started: Early Oct. 2024
Finished: Oct. 31, 2024
Designer/Source: Just Cross Stitch magazine Halloween 2024 issue
Nancy Wahler, Faithwurks designs
DMC Floss: 310; 645; blanc; 3822
Fabric: 14 Count Aida purchase from hobby lobby, spa color, I think. 
Needle Size: 26



***********************************************

Cross Stitch - Current Works in Progress




Project Name: One Piece 
Stitch count (via pattern keeper) 
Started: March 30, 2024
Finished:
Designer/Source: Cross Stitch Bay on Etsy. Chart no longer available
DMC Floss: 310
Fabric: 14 Count Aida purchased at Walmart
Needle Size: 26
Making for my son. 

Previous update




*************************************************

Cross Stitch - New Start




Project Name: Sweatervest weather
Started: Oct. 30, 2024
Finished:
Designer/Source: Lindy Stitches
DMC Floss: 434, 310, 801, 157, 22, 680, 3347, 3824, 316, 976, 435, 3346
Fabric: 32 count light taupe Lugana
Needle Size: 28



*******************************

Haul

Signed up for the Dragon Fruit block of the month club



New cross stitch chart



Needleminder from Sweet Autumn Stitch


Youtube channels mentioned:


Tuesday, August 6, 2024

Episode 19 - Chatty

 Complete show notes for Episode 19. Thank you for watching!



Knitting



Project Name: February Lady Sweater
Started: May 2024
Finished: July 19, 2024
Designer/Source: Flint Knits.  I still had my copy from the last time I knit this sweater.  I guess it's no longer "published" but I'm sure you can still track down a copy. 
Yarn: Yarn purchased from Temu and the label has Chinese written on it.  So ? I can tell you that it's 95 percent alpaca and 5 percent acrylic.  It is SUPER soft. 
Colors: Red/burgundy
Needle Size: US #8, 5 mm; US #10 (6mm)
Made For: myself. 

LOVE this sweater and the yarn. 




Project Name: Monkey Socks
Started: Nov. 12, 2023
Finished: 
Designer/Source: knitty.com
Yarn: Forbidden Fiber Co.
Colorway: Tale as old as time, on the Fortitude base (Superwash Merino).
Needle size: U.S. 1, 2.5 mm
Made For: myself. 

What it looked like at the last update:



Up next is my passenger princess socks




Project Name: Passenger Princess Socks
Started: June 3, 2024
Finished: 
Designer/Source:Vanilla sock pattern I use.
Yarn: Patons Kroy Sock Yarn
Colorway: Midcentury stripes
Colors: Peach, blue, cream, vintage looking colors.
Needle size: U.S. 1, 2.5 mm

Made For: myself.

From previous update. I had to rip back a bit because I was creating holes in the fabric by accident.


Cross Stitch 

Fully finished: 


Project name: Bunny stitch "The Meadow" kit

Started: March 3, 2024

Finished: July 3, 2024

Designer/Source: Bothy threads


I debated with myself about passing along the chart but I think I'm going to hold on to it, just in case. 


Up next is 




Project Name: Love and Prickles
Started: July 20, 2023
Finished: July 23, 2023
Designer/Source: LindyStitches.com
Floss: Called for DMC
Fabric: 28 count evenweave in "Ivory." Fabric purchased from Hobby Lobby.
Made For: myself. Maybe ... 

I have a tentative plan to finish it on the top of a trinket box from Hobby Lobby, #299743L


The other Love and Prickles I started ... 


This is the variegated floss I'm contemplated on using for the one flower. Still undecided if I keep using this fabric or go with an 18 count aida. Now that I've had some time to sit on it I think I may be leaning towards the aida. 

***************************




Project Name: One Piece 

Stitch count (via pattern keeper) as of Aug. 6, 2024: 2,582/9,029 (28.6%)

Started: March 30, 2024

Finished: 

Designer/Source: Cross Stitch Bay on Etsy. Chart no longer available

DMC Floss: 310

Fabric: 14 Count Aida purchased at Walmart

Needle Size: 26

Making for my son. 


Previous update




What the finished piece should look like:



---------------



Project name: Crested Porcupine

Stitch count (via pattern keeper) as of Aug. 6, 2024: 601 / 64,152 (0.94%)

Started: June 27, 2024

Finished:

Designer/Source: Purple Stitching on Etsy.

DMC: 167, 168, 169, 310, 317, 318, 413, 414, 415, 433, 437, 451, 452, 453, 524, 535, 611, 612, 640, 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, 762, 779, 840, 841, 842, 844, 927, 928, 934, 935, 939, 3021, 3023, 3031, 3032, 3041, 3072, 3371, 3756, 3787, 3799, 3828, 3863, 3864, 3866

Fabric: Half yard of 14 count Aida purchased from Forbidden Fiber Co. 

Needle Size: 26

Stitching for myself.  I know it is going to take years. Story about Porkie is here. The follow up post is here. The story is towards the end of the post. Scroll down. 





Quilting



Project Name: Sandpiper quilt
Started: Jan. 21, 2023
Finished: Let's call it July 12, 2024. 
Colors: A different color palette each month.
Made For: Myself

i would definitely make this quilt pattern again. I think it would make a great scrap buster. 

Youtube channels I mention: 


I ordered my needle minders from Sweet Autumn Stitch at https://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetAutumnStitch

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Episode 18 - July 2024

 I *finally* recorded a video.  It's been a moment. Shownotes feel a bit scattered to me, but I think it's all there. Enjoy! 




Current cross stitch WIPS. 


Project Name: One Piece

Started: March 30, 2024

Finished: 

Designer/Source: Cross Stitch Bay on Etsy. Chart no longer available

DMC Floss: 310

Fabric: 14 Count Aida purchased at Walmart

Needle Size: 26

Making for my son. 

What the finished piece should look like:


Easy enough stitch.  I'm using patternkeeper and taking my time to ensure I don't have to rip back much. 




Project name: Crested Porcupine

Started: June 27, 2024

Finished:

Designer/Source: Purple Stitching on Etsy.

DMC: 167, 168, 169, 310, 317, 318, 413, 414, 415, 433, 437, 451, 452, 453, 524, 535, 611, 612, 640, 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, 762, 779, 840, 841, 842, 844, 927, 928, 934, 935, 939, 3021, 3023, 3031, 3032, 3041, 3072, 3371, 3756, 3787, 3799, 3828, 3863, 3864, 3866

Fabric: Half yard of 14 count Aida purchased from Forbidden Fiber Co. 

Needle Size: 26

Stitching for myself.  I know it is going to take years. Story about Porkie is here. The follow up post is here. The story is towards the end of the post. Scroll down. 


Recent Cross Stitch finishes



Project name: Bunny stitch "The Meadow" kit

Started: March 3, 2024

Finished: July 3, 2024

Designer/Source: Bothy threads

Given to me by a dear friend. I want to find a natural wood frame, then hang it up on my wall until the time comes that it will hang in the nursery of the first grandbaby.  Which will be many years from now. 




Project name: #723 Snowflake

Started: Jan. 1, 2023
Finished: April 17, 2024
Designer/Source: Tiny Cross Stitches
Fabric: Aida cloth 14 count Hobby Lobby Zweigart. Aida has silver threads running through it. 
DMC floss in called for colors
747 ; 964 ; 995 ; 996 ; 3756 ; 3761 ; 3843 ; 3846 ; B5200
Colors: blues
Needle Size: 26
Made For: Myself. I've decided I'm keeping it for myself. Will go on display year-round.

Current knitting WIPs




Project name: February Lady Sweater

Started: June 2, 2024

Finished: 

Yarn: Temu 

Color: Deep red
Needle size: U.S. size 8 / 5 mm

I'm cruising along faster than I thought I was.  The sleeve feels like it's taking forever. 




Project Name: Monkey Socks
Started: Nov. 12, 2023
Finished: 
Designer/Source: knitty.com
Yarn: Forbidden Fiber Co.
Colorway: Tale as old as time, on the Fortitude base.
Needle size: U.S. 1, 2.5 mm
Made For: myself. 

Yarn is a pleasure to work with. 





Project Name: Passenger Princess Socks
Started: June 3, 2024
Finished: 
Designer/Source:Vanilla sock pattern I use.
Yarn: Patons Kroy Sock Yarn
Colorway: Midcentury stripes
Colors: Peach, blue, cream, vintage looking colors.
Needle size: U.S. 1, 2.5 mm

Made For: myself.

Other works in progress mentioned


Project Name: Sandpiper quilt
Started: Jan. 21, 2023
Finished: 
Colors: A different color palette each month.
Made For: Myself


DMC floss project


It was Erin Elizabeth who did the master floss set by colors according to the DMC card. At least that is how I understand it.  If I'm not correct please let me know. 


Spinning




I haven't actually started my spinning but I did give my wheel a spa and put on a new drive band. 

WIP bags

Fabric is now cut and ready to be sewn. 



Flosstubers I mentioned

Jackie - https://www.youtube.com/@ComfortStitchingJackie

Celia - https://www.youtube.com/@VulcanStitcher1701

Erin Elizabeth - https://www.youtube.com/@erinelizabethdesigns

Other podcasters mentioned

David Reidy - https://sticksandstring.wordpress.com/about/

Brenda Dayne - https://www.brendadayne.co.uk/