Mackinaw City

We were able to get away Sunday night, and came home on Monday. We met up with some friends from Ohio in Mackinaw City. Here are the first few pics:

These are 2 of the ferries headed over to Mackinac Island. And here is my sock in progress, I got to sit on the beach and knit!

Monday we went to Ft. Michilimackinac (http://www.mightymac.org/michilimackinac.htm) and I spotted some yarn and some drop spindles:
More pics to come, we certainly had a good time!

Random thoughts early in the day!

I work today and tomorrow and I am off for 5 in a row. I am excited about that because it's been quite awhile before I was off for that long and it's going to be nice to be off for Jim's birthday. I can bake his cake, I wrapped his gifts yesterday. I can make homemade spaghetti sauce Busia style.
And of course I will knit. I almost have a pair of socks done and I am anxiously awaiting the information on level 1 of the master knitter's course. I have wanted to do it for years and finally ordered the materials last week. (www.tkga.com). I am looking forward to the challenge, and the fun of it!

Sock Yarn Addiction

Ok, I have a problem. First, a completed pair of socks I gave to a co-worker.

Now, for the problem. Here are the balls of sock yarn I have.

Yes, quite a few. Opal, Regia, etc, etc. Some to knit boy socks, some to knit girl socks. The next ones are Lorna's Laces, but they are special because I designed the colorways when I lived in Ohio for the local yarn shop and they were dyed for the shop. Sunsets, from left to right, Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.

Love Lorna's. See all of my Lorna's Laces together:

And then for the rest of the handpaints and odds & ends:

Yes, a bit of an issue when I count it all up. Enough yarn to knit 71 pair of socks, plus some. But I love sock yarn and can't quite stop myself. :-) And there are worse things.

Busy weekend!

It has been another busy weekend, quilting and cleaning and getting ready for another week at work. Last weekend we were able to go to Ohio to visit, we went to a graduation and then an open house. I also got to see my Godson and his brother, my Godson by proxy. I have no idea really what that means, just that what I do for Bradley I do for Zac.

That is Bradley on the left and Zac on the right. We also hit a deer on the way down on I 69,

Amazingly enough the car was still in good shape to drive, and we were able to continue on our way. The estimate came in at $2800, and the car will be fixed next week after the parts come in. Thankfully we were not hurt and Jim was driving, which was a good thing. And thank goodness we have insurance!

Today I accomplished a bit...

I washed and ironed the backing for our new winter quilt, so now I can get that dropped off to Chris at the Quilted Moose. I pin basted my bargello quilt that will be a wall hanging in our guest room. I finished sewing 2 pillowcases, I knit on my tank top, and started repairing a sweatshirt that had lace on it, the lace was wore out so I am crocheting new and sewing it in wear the old lace was. That project has top priority, so it will be completed by Tuesday night. It's still chilly here (47 degrees when I drove past the locks a bit over an hour ago), and I am sure the owner wants it back ASAP. :-) Tomorrow it's back to work, but I don't go in till 11:30 so I will be able to get some extra sleep in the morning.

Winter Quilt

I have finished our winter quilt top, just need to get the batting and the backing and get it to Chris at The Quilted Moose for quilting. I started this in our mystery star class, we learned how to use the Easy Angle 2. I love it! It makes piecing stars easy. The top is about 88 x 95, and it has 5 stars, one large one in the center and 4 smaller ones in the corners. The blue fabric is a Debbie Mumm from last holiday season, I must have liked it because I bought 5 yards when it was on clearance after last Christmas! It has polar bears on it. I have plenty of fabric left to make a cover for our large pillow and some pillowcases.

Nothing better than a cozy quilt to cover up with in the winter.
This weekend the weather is gorgeous. We are meeting Paige & the kids here in a bit to go bowling, should be entertaining...and then probably dinner.

Coming up, a three day weekend!!!

I am really ready for a 3 day weekend. Until I started working full time I never realized how important weekends are. You can rest and get caught up on things for the coming week. I love weekends. I have started reading a new novel, The Kill Artist, by Daniel Silva. Had a hard time putting it down last night to go to sleep! So this weekend I will be spending time on the deck (weather permitting) reading that. And we'll be grilling out as much as possible. And I do have plenty of knitting and quilting to do also!

New on the needles

I have started knitting a tank top for myself, in Alaskan Blue. It's this one:
http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/PATTsoleil.html. I think it will be a quick knit, in the round and only 2 seams to sew at the end. I made a top for the senior dinner earlier this month and I rather enjoyed wearing something that I had made for myself. I have made so many things and given them away, I think it's time I started knitting for myself.
This weekend I am taking a quilt classs at the Quilted Moose. It's a Mystery Star, and this quilt shall be our winter quilt for our bed. Jim is going to the shop tomorrow to finish picking out the fabrics for it, so it shall be a bit of a surprise when I get home tomorrow to see what he has picked out. He is very good at matching fabrics for quilts, so I know I will be pleasantly surprised. :-)

Cell Phone Cozies

I had a question about a pattern for the cell phone cozies. There isn't a "pattern" there is a panel you can buy from Chris at the Quilted Moose (http://quiltedmooseshop.com/?page_id=4), the panel isn't that expensive and you can make 3 cozies from it. You just iron it on your fabric and sew on the lines...very nice! :-)

Graduation weekend!

Well, another year has gone by, hard to believe we have been here 2 years, and another group of students are on their way to start careers. Jim and I both are very proud of the students, I have met alot of them and it's nice to see them excited about starting their lives, careers...some are engaged, we've been told to hold some dates on our calendar! We are really blessed to be able to share in the lives of so many wonderful people.
We spent part of today cleaning up the yard, I started digging up the raspberry bushes in the back corner. That area of the yard is such a mess, and it's time to get things cleaned up back there. Jim cleaned up the side of the garage, and now we just have to clean out behind the garage and it will look so much better.

The weekend is coming to a close

So yesterday at the Moose I finished 3 projects

A pillowcase and 2 bags, not bad. The little bag in the corner, this one:

Is a cell phone bag. It has 2 inner pockets and it's very cute! I liked making it some much I made 6 more! They only use 1/4 yard of fabric and you iron on the interfacing and it has the lines on it, you just sew on the lines! The bag is held shut with velcro. Only $3.50 a panel and one panel makes 3 bags. Chris has more of the panels, http://quiltedmooseshop.com/. You can find her contact info on her website.

The yellow one has a whistle attached, for when you are walking and if you need help. The bottom 2 are for the neighbors' twin granddaughters, the bag is just big enough to hold a new box of crayons. :-)

Gorby has been acting strange, even more odd than usual.

And yes, she was purring. Strange one. That just doesn't look comfy but she was happy as could be.

Another finish up day!

Today is another finish up day for me. I have Diva at the Quilted Moose, and we're making a little bag. In addition I am taking fabric for a pillowcase, and the felted bag I have been working on finishing. I decided to put a lining in it, couldn't stand not to. So I have those projects to work on, and hopefully get finished. It's nice to get things finished up so I can move on to new things without the guilt of UFO's!

Reason 9,999,999 why I love my husband..

Because the St. Louis Blues just scored and he reached over and kissed the cat. :-)

How many projects?

How many projects do you have the yarn for? I was cleaning out my knitting basket last night in anticipation of starting a new sweater for me this weekend. The Central Park Hoodie was to be on my needles this weekend. Until I cleaned out my knitting basket. And there where UFO's. A prayer shawl. One sock of a pair. Another sock of a pair. And a partial first sock of another pair. So this weekend will be devoted to finishing projects already underway. Because that knitting basket is not the only place I stash partially completed projects.
Then I started to think about all the yarn I have stashed for other projects. And how it makes me feel guilty when I buy new yarn because I already have all that yarn. So now I am debating challenging myself to not buy new yarn. For a year. Yes, a whole year without new yarn. I have plenty, enough yarn for probably 100 new pair of socks, several sweaters, baby yarn in case of a needed baby shower gift.
So I shall take the plunge. No new yarn for a year. I can put it on my wish list for birthday and Christmas. But no new yarn for a year. As of today. And as I type this, I'm feeling a bit whoozy.
Wish me luck! Anyone else want to join me?

Ian's quilt

I have finished a quilt for Ian, who is going through chemotherapy at the present time. I hope that it keeps him warm when he is not feeling well, and that it brings a sense of comfort. I have never met Ian, but I have met the people who love him dearly. Every stitch is a prayer for a quick recovery and a long life full of laughter.

Dental Work

I had dental work yesterday and then came home. Hard to talk with both sides of my mouth numb, and answering the phone at work would have been impossible. Went to bed for 2 hours, woke up at 3 and the tingling was still there but barely. Sore today, but that will pass. Just glad it is over. And today is Wednesday, we're on the downhill slide to the weekend as of noon today. Heather is in a skating show this weekend and I am going to be doing hair and makeup for her, say a prayer please. Heather is a girly girl and I am not, and this should be interesting.

Socks on the feet

I snapped a pic of Cindy wearing her socks,

And I also snapped a pic of Phoebe, one of her dogs.

Phoebe didn't like me much. But she's adorable. And she loves her mommy.

Thankfully Monday is over and it's on to Tuesday. Which means work for a few hours and then go to the dentist for dental work. Then it's on to the rest of the week. :-)

I am a stacker

I admit it. I am a stacker. I can't help it. I just pile things on top of each other till I don't remember what all is in the stack at the bottom. This weekend I am going to clean the stack off the chair in the dining room. I sew in there, and I stack patterns and fabric and I have no idea what else is in there. But this weekend I am cleaning up that stack. And I am going to finish the quilt I am making for the neighbors' nephew. And I am going to knit on my shawl I started last night. My yarn came for the Fountain Pen Shawl, and I actually cast on last night. Couldn't wait. So that is what I did. Tonight on the way home from work I shall swing by and get a pizza, we can eat and then I can clean up that stack and start sewing and knitting. Tomorrow is quilting at the Quilted Moose, we're making bags. I have no idea what the bag looks like, but I will get my fabric together tonight for that. Not sure what else I will work on, but I have plenty of projects, that's for sure.
Here's to Friday! (Even if it is Friday the 13th! :-)

Next project

So this morning I ordered this:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18343878

Isn't that the best blue? It's a cashmere/wool/synthetic blend to knit this:

The Fountain Pen Shawl from the Spring Interweave Knits. http://www.interweaveknits.com/preview/2009_spring.asp You can see bonus photos there and also some other great designs in the current issue. I love the shawl though, and once my yarn gets here I can get started. Which should be in about a week, since it's coming from New York.
The weather here is stunning, so bright out. And we'll have to wait and see if we get more snow, we have lost quite a few feet it seems out of the backyard. I would love to be able to get to the clothesline so I can hang out the curtains! They need a washing terribly.

TGIF!

I am glad it's Friday, it's been a very busy week at work. But a good one. I get to work and before I know it it's time to leave, and I really like that. I don't like to just sit, and I certainly don't do that! :-)
I am working on a top secret project, and I am taking my time about it. I will say that there are 3 steps, and I am on step 1, about 1/4 of the way done with that step. Stay tuned for updates on this!
It snowed last night, about 5" maybe. The fresh snow is like a blanket, so pretty.

Baby quilt in a day

So this morning I woke up, realizing that my cousin's baby shower is just a week away. Which means I had to get the quilt done today so I could ship it. I had the fabric washed already, so I was off and running.

First I went through my book of block patterns, and I picked a simple block. I decided to make 12 1/2" blocks, which would finish to 12", 3 across and 3 down would give me a 36" by 36" quilt, a nice size. So then I cut the pieces.

Then I started piecing, make 5 blocks with the blue fabric and 4 with the white.

Then I put them in rows,

And sewed the rows together. Then I pressed the backing, which is the same fabric as the center of the squares. (Also, by keeping the quilt 36" by 36", it fit on to a piece of backing fabric without having to piece it). I pinned,

And started quilting on my machine. I have a Brother, and I love it. Today there were some tension issues, but it looks good. I am starting to look for a machine with a larger throat area so I can quilt larger quilts, I am finding I really enjoy doing all the work on my quilts, including the quilting. I was able to do the whole quilt in one day, including the binding. Not bad!

Socks for Cindy O and the mystery quilt

I finished knitting socks for a co-worker, she certainly has earned them with all the hard work she has been doing! I set them on her desk this morning.

By the way, I have given up knitting matching socks. It's boring. :-)
I do have the mystery quilt quilted and the binding machine sewn on, just have to handsew the back. I very much enjoy using my sewing machine to quilt, it's like painting with the thread to me.

And here it is, all rolled up and ready to start quilting:

Tomorrow I will try and get pics of the quilting.

Last Night

Last night we went and watched the kids' race for the I500. It was great. Daniel raced,

He did well and it looked like he had fun. And it was relatively warm, 20 degrees about, instead of below zero.
Heather was playing in the snow, but she paused long enough for a picture.


Michael was off and about somewhere. It was a good time.
Today I got to sleep in. I'm missing Diva club. But Jim is sick and I didn't feel well, so I figured rest was the way to go today.

Air Mask Covers

Today I made air mask covers. Jim needed them for training the students to do search and rescue. They cover the air mask so they can't see, to simulate doing search and rescue in a fire situation where the visibility will be nill. You can buy the covers, but they are expensive. So I made 9 of them, in 3 different styles. For less than $15. They aren't pertty, but they will work. Here are pics of 2 of the styles.

Like I said, not pretty, but they will work. Now I am going to knit and watch the super bowl. Not rooting for a particular team, but waiting anxiously for the good commercials.

A few odds and ends

First of all, Jim finished his painting and I have been neglecting to post pics of it!

It turned out wonderful and it's hanging in Jim's office. It's sharp. :-)

And at the quilt shop this past weekend we did another mystery quilt. It was alot of fun and they came out great. I will post pics of that in a later post, but a woman did bring her quilt in for Chris to quilt on her long arm machine. It was stunning.

This picture does not do it justice, the fabrics were wonderful and the workmanship was excellent!

What I want to accomplish this weekend

Yes, it's finally Friday. And we have a three day weekend. I have some goals for this weekend. Just things I want to get caught up on. Like get all the junk mail shredded that I have been putting on top of the shredder, and I want to shred some of the old bills. Time to clear out for the new year! I want to sew 10 more blocks for my Peace Quilt. I want to finish reading A Spoonful of Poison. I want to work on a prayer shawl. I want to work on the entrelac socks. We will also be going to 4 hockey games. I think I can work on the prayer shawl at the games, it's just K3P3. Oh, and I want to get ready for the mystery quilt class next weekend. There is some homework. Boy this list is getting long! We'll see what I accomplish by the time I go back to work on Tuesday. Stay tuned for pics!!!!

Entrelac knitting

I picked up the Winter issue of Knitter's, and the entrelac sock pattern just looked like a fun thing to try. The pattern is by Sandi Rosner, and it's good. I have never tried this technique before, and it's coming out very well. I wish I had used a different yarn, and I think I will try a handpaint next.

Up here in the north it is cold. And getting colder. Our new washer was delivered today, the old one died on Friday night. I have to let the new one sit over night to warm up before I use it. I have pulled all the curtains shut to keep the heat in the house. I'm bundled up with a quilt, sipping coffee and waiting for NCIS to come on. Shadow has discovered one of our Christmas gifts, a sherpa pillow. I had leaned it against the dresser and it slid down. Didn't take her long to figure out that was a good comfy spot.

Funny, when it's on the bed she doesn't pay any attention to it. Silly cat.

Finished up some projects today!

I finished up some projects today and it felt really good! I made new pillowcases for the boys, fish for Zac and hot wheels for Brad.

I made a purse,

And here is how far Jim got on his painting today,

I mended a sweater for Cheryl, 2 pair of pants and a t-shirt for Jim. I have no idea what got in to me today!