Progress

I really am terrible about posting regularly, but I'm trying to find a life/work/home balance - which as many of you can imagine is challenging at times.

Though -I have been doing a bit of sewing and knitting, which makes me happy. We've spent the last few weeks adding some organizational fixtures to my sewing room. Primarily two big peg boards to hang my rules, scissors, thread, etc. and felt for a design wall. I love it all! It makes it so much easier to spend 1/2 hr or so sewing and not have to spend time hunting down everything.

As a result of the reorganized sewing room and a recent trip to the Quilt Odyssey in Hershey, PA - I've been doing a bit of sewing.

Binding for two quilts that recently returned from the machine quilter:




Crayon/Doodle Bag(s):
Free online pattern (http://www.edonyourown.com/crafts/ColoringBookCrayonTote.pdf). It's pretty easy and quick to do. I made a few modifications (used lightweight fusible interface to help give more structure, 1/8" seam on both sides of handles, attached handles in my normal fashion - nothing major). I found the perfect fabric grouping at Joann's - it's all crayon/coloring related. They were a perfect inexpensive alternative to my regular quilt fabric. Here is a picture of one:



I've finished a few others as well. They are pretty cute and will make good b-day and x-mas gifts for my nephews and friends.

I've been working on the three classes that I took at the Quilt Odyssey. Fabulous!! Highly recommend it to anyone who likes to quilt regardless of your skill level. It's fun and you can always learn. Mom and I went from Wed to Sun and had a wonderful time together.

This quilt I've almost finished (it's about lap size) - I just need to add two more borders:

The layout make it look like circles, but it's really just snowball blocks set around a 4 patch star. Pretty neat. The start was a bit of a pain (paper-piecing - not my favorite), but well worth the effort.

The other two classes are in progress. I have a preliminary photo of one:

It looks much more complicated than it is. My favorite method... The teacher is coming out to teach a class locally next spring and I plan to try and sign-up if the date works. She's going to do a class on using her method to do a pineapple block (it has no triangles or set-in seams).

Knitting -
I've been doing a few small projects...

Dotty Hat from Itty Bitty Hats


I fully lined the hat with no-pill fleece and it is really soft. I also made fleece lined mittens to match:


Olive You from Itty Bitty Hats (ravelry link)
Anna was kind enough to model the hat (it's a gift - but I might just need to make her one), though I probably should have put on a clean bib. LOL


I also started a sweater, but there's not much to look at yet. Hopefully, it won't take me so long to post pics of it. Enjoy the last few weeks of summer!

FO, Stash Enhancement & SP 11 Contest #2

A few random things for today. I finished my mittens today and Tuesday I finished all the pieces for my FFBE bag! Yeah - feels like its been forever since I finished something:






























To add to my joy - the postman delivered two packages today----

My recent Loopy Ewe Sneak Up Order:

Fleece Artist Merino in Mermaid - Yummy & 2 Wendy Knit's Sock Patterns















The other package contained the yarn I'm going to use to make the Bacardi Cardigan from No Sheep For You for my Mum for Christmas. I decided not to use the cotton in the original b/c I wanted something softer and more drapey -- I'm using RYC Cashsoft DK (love how it feels and it makes a really beautiful fabric).




SP 11 Contest -
Shelby our lovely Sp 11 hostess is hosting Contest #2 for SP11. We are to post pictures of our stash - a little crazy right now - as I'm working on the 2nd package for my SP11 pal and my FFBE package, but here it goes..... If you are on ravelry you can check-out the details of my stash on the site - my username is "kamcole". It's pretty up-to-date its only missing the cashsoft for the fore mentioned sweater and the cashsoft I'm using for the never ending blanket.

Progress Update

I haven't been blogging much lately since our lives have been a little nutty. We have a large project launching this week at work and I'm the project lead. This means that my life is going to be extremely busy for the next few months. But I'm excited because it is a project that I'm really interested in. Despite the work craziness and the usual business of the volleyball season (DH coaches & I help with any computer/administrative/socializing/parent stuff), I have been able to get to a bit of craftiness. I've been hard at work on my felted bag for the Fall Felted Bag Exchange. The front, bottom and back are completed. I'm about 1/4 of the way into the front pocket. Then just the strap and on to assembly. Sorry no pics - wouldn't want to spoil the surprise. Once it's done and off in the mail -- I'll post some package pictures.



The fluffy cuff mittens are coming along. The cuff is finished and I started the main color of the body. I have to say though. I REALLY hate working with the GGH Esprit. Love the feel and look of it -- it's soo fluffy it's a pain in the but. I frogged it back once because I realized I forgot to do it in garter stitch (which in the round is knit/purl alternating rows ---- not knit, knit) .... then I picked up two extra stitches somewhere along the way....Riiiiiiiiipppp. Darn it all... I'm almost afraid to start the cuff on the second -- I wanted to alternate each section and knit two at once since I'm less likely to have second mitten syndrome that way, but UGGGHH dreading the Blue Fluff. I'll take a picture once I get a bit farther into the body -- not much to look at right now. Not much different that the first progress picture.


I signed up for a new class at the LYS. I decided to take the magic loop sock class that is being offered for Fall. I was going to teach myself socks with 2 circulars - but I figured since this is being offered and there is no guarantee that they'll do it again - I"ll try it out and the transition to two circulars from this point might be much easier. Or maybe I'll just like ML ... we'll see. It starts 9/29 and runs for three weeks. I've picked out my yarn -- I'm going to use my DIC smooshy that I got from the Loopy Ewe. We can do any pattern that we want -- so I think I might do Monkey Socks. I want to try something interesting and help will be available if I need it... :O).


























Pretty isn't it.... Can't wait to try it out --- especially after working with the scratchy felting wool for the last few weeks. I have to say while I like how Lamb's pride felts - I don't really like working with it as much as manos or cascade.

Well the bad news for the evening is that I'm having a great deal of trouble with my left arm. I think I pinched a nerve in my neck again. I've been having quite a bit of pain knitting and typing on the computer. Not that it stops me (which is probably not a good thing). I purchased a Handeze craft glove for my left hand (on now). It seems to help a little bit, but still stiff and painful. Tomorrow, I'm off to the chiropractor/physical therapist to see if they can help again. Plus, to top it all off -- my DH has to have surgery on his eye to remove a cyst on Friday. Very minor, but troubling all the same.

Well enough of the depressing news. I think I'm going to be able to send my owl post off to my Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap parter - Craftlily by next Monday. Yeah! I'm really pleased with how everything is turning out. Should be able to finalize it all on Sunday during football. Saturday I'm taking a class at the Pfaff dealership -- the Indygo Junction Metropolitan bag. Hopefully, my Amy Butler fabric from the Fat Quarter Shop will be here in time (scheduled to arrive on Wed). Wish me luck through the craziness this week!