Quilting on my mind

With quilt month quickly coming to a close I find myself with three quilting UFO's and a three works that are "in process". This photo is of the first quilt top I ever pieced; the purple monster that has been hanging around my fabric stash for, oh I don't know, like 3 years. I have finally gotten around to getting some backing fabric and batting. The second UFO is a wall hanging that I am almost finshed with. I have the perfect spot to hang this one, just above the staircase. I am also supposed to be finishing up my quilt for the quilt-a-long. Just have to find the time, somewhere, to do it.

On to the three "in process" pieces. here is a photo of the fabric I sent off for the BTRS lap quilt swap. I can't wait to see what my partner sends me in return! Then I purchased some Amy Butler (see below) and assorted solid fabric. Coupled with my FFF fabric from Sew, Mama, Sew I have enough to make two more lap quilts - this way I'll have one for each of my girls. These are the three "in process" pieces as I haven't really even started on them yet.

Quilt month has definately shown me that I am interested in quilting; and I am able to make a quilt from start to finish.

COMFORT FOOD!

Tigerlily Tinkering is looking for some good comfort food recipes. Go on over and share! She's posted a wonderful family recipe for Tomato Bisque in hopes of enticing you to post one of your own. I think I'll add a family favorite from around here: Cheesy Herb Risotto.

Time to play catch-up

I took a break from helena - even though the entire body of the piece is finished, sleeves too. I decided to take a little break before the edging and ties, however, because I got frustruated. It is WAY TOO BIG for my little one. Ah well, she can wear it next winter...and maybe this spring. It is a lovely sweater, but I failed to measure her and compare to the pattern before starting. Even though she is only turning 1 next week I decided to make the 2 y.o. size. My husband looked at me and laughed. He reminded me that in woodworking there is the phrase, "measure twice, cut once." In my case it should have been "Just measure."

During this break I went back to the advent calendar and decided that I had better get a move on with making the rest of the stockings before December rolls around. Here's progress on the newest one. If memory serves me I think I have 7 more to make before the holidays.

Once I finished up that little one I cracked open the Ann Budd book, Getting Started Knitting Socks, and proceeded to work on a pair of socks for myself. I'm up to finishing the leg of sock #1. I am using a worsted weight wool/silk blend, a cheap find at Joann's last week, in a purple hue and am loving it so far. The look and feel of the sock is making me much happier than my recent mango creation. The book has provided clear and simple instructions so far. She gives basic instructions and measurements for every weight yarn. This allows you to customize your socks as you want. Since the yarn has great variation I am working the sock in a k3p1 rib around the leg and down the top of the foot. This lets the yarn to take center stage, rather than a pattern.

I also received a package this week from KnitPicks. I bought some wonderful sock yarn during a recent sale and it finally arrived. Four skeins of green: two solid (Essential Sock Yarn in grass) and two handpainted (Imagination Hand Painted in Frogprince). I can't wait to knit these up too! I think for the solid I am going to work the Embossed Leaves pattern from Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs from Interweave Press. I can't wait!

Quilt-a-long: Week 13

Week 13: The top is finished! I went with a nice white background and will use the backing fabric to make the binding. Since all the other squares were made from fabric in my stash I didn't have enough of any one color to do a binding. I also don't think that a mixed-pattern binding would look very good on this quilt - given all the colors and patterns in the blocks. For this one, simple is better I think. Next week: the final construction. I am coming close to the end of my tutorial...it has been a wonderful journey.