Why this journey?

I've been retired now for over a year. Husband has been sick but is now doing quite well with new pacemaker. I continue to knit and knit and crochet. Recently I became friends again with my sewing machine so you will see some of those projects, too. Thanks for reading.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

It's still Christmas

By most Christian traditions, the Wise Men appear on January 6, the Day of the Epiphany, the day when we recognize Christ as a gift to all of the world.

So I am finishing gifts and mailing just as if I were trying to make a Dec 25th deadline.

This is a Cat in the Hat quilt bound for great grand-daughters in Maryland.  They already have a Berenstain Bears quilt in the same primary colors.  This one will create a set for their twin beds.

Another great kit from Nancy's Notions
and quilted by the talented long arm of
Heather Spence Designs.

Here's the Berenstains Bears Quilt so we can see the set. I hope the bears and the cats get along!
Now that I think about it, I reckon I didn't photograph
this one after quilting and binding.  I've been told it
looks great on the bed in Maryland.

Close-ups of the Cat in the Hat quilt.  I really enjoy these kits from Nancy's Notions.  The directions are clear, the fabrics wonderfully coordinated, and the colors are bright and true.  It's a great way to create a kid's quilt -- especially with the specialty fabrics.



The backing is the striped fabric that
also appears as the final border on the front
Binding is a collection of scrap squares
sewed together to make a long strip.

In progress -- two more cross stitch crib blankets.  Two more babies arriving in 2013.



Monday, December 24, 2012

Twas the night before Christmas . . .

. . .and like all knitters out there, I have "just a bit more to do."  Why do we do this to ourselves?  Every year?  Too many people we want to knit for and even toward the final date we are adding folks to the list.

Confession:  (and you'll be making the same one, I bet)  I didn't get it all done.

Here's the last bit that will be wrapped tomorrow before dinner at 4pm.

Hats --


backside -- before all the weaving




Grandson and his friends will each receive their own Grammy Knits hat, pattern courtesy of Tanis Fiber Arts free pattern.  I bot lots of Patons Canadiana worsted acrylic and mixed it up as I knit each hat.

The first one was fun; the second one, okay.  The fifth one?  Not exactly a "Ho, Ho, Ho."  But they are all done.  PS  I do not like duplicate stitch.  It's tedious and sloppy no matter how carefully you work it.

Enjoy your family time.  Drive carefully.  Eat what you want.  Laugh and hug and let the Light shine.