I really should be posting more often on my blog but for some reason I just don't. The biggest reason is I have the attitude that nobody really reads my blog anyway, so why bother? Today I bothered to post, because I need to concentrate on my crafts instead of the news, that has become so toxic!

Anyway, here are some of the projects and things, that I've worked on over the past six months:

I made a cat bed for my daughter's cat:

I crocheted a blanket, titled "Leaves"

These were orphan blocks that were given to me in pieces. 

I put it together for our Community Service group in the guild. 

Our Christmas tree this year was smaller:

I did a major de-stash and reorganized my studio at the same time. These are all the before and after pictures:

 

  

  

This was another quilt top that I received in an uncompleted bag of fabric and only half the directions. I finished several rows, added embroidered faces, rabbit ears, and the sashing:

Speaking of the rabbit ears that were put on, when I trimmed the blocks I accidentally nipped off part of one of the ears. Thankfully, I was able to repair the ear and now it's not noticeable, unless you were looking really really hard for mistakes.

  

I crocheted another pair of socks:

I started this quilt last year and am finally getting back to it. There is no pattern for it and I am going to call it "Not Your Grandmother's Fan". It has proven to be VERY challenging. I'm trying out different layouts now and we shall see if I can pull it together and make a quilt with this crazy idea.  Here are some of the layouts I've toyed with:

  

I had made a bunch of swap blocks for a quilting thing I was going to go to but got most of them back because not that many people signed up for this swap. 

I ended up making a sewing machine cover for one of my machines:

I recieved another bunch of blocks to assemble into a quilt top. I only had to do a little appliqué work on two of the blocks. I added my own white fabric so I could put these blocks on point. They are all called Sunbonnet Sams. 

(I think they all look like they are peeing. hahaha)

  

We have had two snow events in February. In spite of frigid weather, our daffodils are blooming:

Here are two paper-pieced blocks I made for a guild challenge:

I crocheted this piece, using cotton yarn, to make a square table runner/doily type thing:

I'm sure I have missed a lot of projects to report on. I'll finalize this posting though, with the view from the deck on a lake house that I stayed at overnight. It was a quilting retreat with ten other quilters that I know from my guild. I have never ever gone to a retreat and was so nervous! I ended up enjoying it and would go again, if asked.

Roxy says it's time to get moving. It's her turn to go for my morning walk with me.

So, until next time, whenever that happens, happy crafting y'all!

Hot Yarn for Hot Days

 It's been crazy hot weather here, for the past month. I avoid that heat by staying indoors with the AC running and crocheting. I am almost done with my Mister's cardigan:

I also took the time to go through my closet. Here is the pile of clothes I set aside to donate to a local thrift shop that helps those who are less fortunate. I've been lucky enough to lose enough weight, this past year, to need some smaller clothes!

This is a new-to-me Canna Lily in full bloom, in my flowerbed.

I forced myself to go in to my studio during the long weekend we just had. I made a mug rug (approx 8"x10") for our guild meeting tomorrow night. It was a challenge from the new challenge coordinator.

That's all for today. I am going to go finish the pockets for the cardigan while at the same time, I'm thinking about the next crochet project! Happy crafting y'all!

Mount Magazine State Park - June 2024

Ahhhhhhh, Life!

It's been a busy spring. I have lots to share, some crocheting, some quilting, and some life events.

I made a cardigan! This is crocheted. I kinda like it, but I probably won't keep this one. I learned a LOT about stitches and making a garment.

This isn't much to brag about. It's a challenge block for our guild. I am no longer the challenge coordinator but did it to be supportive of the new person who is doing challenges this year.

I did make a quilt top. This was another challenge in an online group I belong to. There are seven blocks that we swapped out with each other. I also made an eighth block and added more squares and borders. It's simple, but colorful. I will be donating this to our Community Outreach gals in our guild.

I have started another cardigan. This one will be for my husband. He picked out the yarn. I shared several patterns with him and he also picked out the pattern. I have finished the front two panels so far.

 

I'm really learning how to work with cable stitches on this one! I DO like how it's turning out.

I started this book as a challenge for me this year.There are a lot of creative prompts that are really stretching the imagination.  Let me tell you, it has been QUITE the challenge for me! 

I hope I can keep it up for the year.

On one of our daily walks we were treated to a brilliant rainbow over our home.

Actually, nature has shared a bunch of interesting moments with us this spring. This bloom is some type of squash. I don't know what kind. It might even be a pumpkin. I tossed a bunch of pumpkins and gourds and the like, in a part of my garden that had nothing in it last fall. I can't wait till I find out what I'm growing! hahaha

On our back porch we were surprised to find a wren had built a nest in one of our planter baskets. The basket was hanging off our flood lights, up above our porch chairs. In spite of our human activity, Mrs Wren decided it would be ok to have us in the area. She laid three eggs, tossed one out, and hatched two babies! We were present when the babies took their first flights. It was a real treat to watch this all happen. 

  

We've done a lot of camping this spring. I'm sharing a couple photos that I like. The first one is not a fire, it is the sun setting behind the trees, on the mountain we were camping on. The same area has some spectacular sunsets.

 

Here's one way to keep the bugs off you, while making S'mores:

Roxy came back to the house with a 'toy' one day, last week. Turns out it was a wee box turtle that she'd picked up in our yard. Did you know they can pull themselves into their shells this tightly? I didn't. I kept thinking "Did she (Roxy) bite the poor thing's head off?" I released the turtle on the other side of our fence and it seemed to be ok.

 

Mother's Day happened and as usual, I was spoiled a bit by my kids and of course by my sweet husband. (btw, I made that tablecloth)

That's about it for today. I want to get back to work on the cardigan or the socks that are ready for the heel turns. I find the heels are the hardest part to do, but I'll get them done....eventually.

 Till next time, happy crafting!!!