Monthly Archives: March 2015

2015
03/12

Category:
Knitting
Life
Schedules

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Misconceptions and socks

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What a lovely day.   I had the opportunity to sit on the deck and watch the waterfowl as I knitted for awhile today.

I have heard from a few of you that I get a lot done in a day.   You might think that, but what really happens is that I often do things over an extended time.   For instance, I could tell you that I canned 8 pints of salsa and 15 pints of split pea soup, which is all true.   What isn’t in that sentence is that I started simmering the tomatoes, celery and peppers (which were from the freezer) on Sunday.   By Wednesday they were simmered to a good thickness, so I pressure canned them, took them off the heat and let them set overnight.   Yesterday, we made a large pot of split pea soup, jarred it and last night, pressure canned 10 jars of it.   Again, I let it cool while I went to bed.   This morning, when I got up, I took the last 5 jars out of the refrigerator and canned them while I made breakfast and started walking.   They have to be under pressure for 45 minutes, so sometimes, I get my DH to watch pressure while I do something else.

The little dress that I posted last night was cut out at Christmas time and just finished late the night before I posted it.   These socks that I am making were cast on a week ago.   Each night before going to bed, I have knitted 2 rows minimum.   I have started crocheting a baby blanket which is a learning process for me.   I have started some Christmas gifts which are getting done a bit at a time.   They are cut out and yesterday were embroidered.   They will eventually get sewn.   So when I post something, remember, it could have been awhile in the making.   This is how it appears that I get so much done.    So please don’t be discouraged by what you are achieving.   We are looking through different glasses.   If you make a list of what you have done, you’ll be surprised at how much it is.

Having said that, there are times that I really push myself to get something finished by a certain time.   It’s just not usually the case.

And now back to this over packed, squished down, box of fabric that I must make into blocks and strips that will eventually warm someone.

2015
03/11

Category:
Life
Sewing

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A cute small dress

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I love this dress, so it is staying here for my doll who now will no longer have to be either without clothes or in a nightie.

2015
03/11

Category:
quilts

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Cutting remnants

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Today was mostly cutting remnants. only if you look very closely, you will see that the box on the right has a small cap of fabric.    Here is what was produced in ready to use pieces.

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     There are several quilts – in pieces – sitting here on this table.   It just takes a looooong time to cut them all into squares and strips, that I usually just toss them in the box to deal with later.    Because the box wouldn’t hold anymore, today was “later”.    There are several more days work here.   At least now, I could toss in some more remnants.   However, I think I will stay with this job until the box is at least half empty.  Then I may let myself quilt again.

2015
03/10

Category:
Sewing

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A new nightie

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I haven’t made doll clothes for three months.   It’s time to think ahead.   So today I made this little nightgown.

I’m thinking tomorrow I should start going through the scrap box and cut some into squares since it is now over flowing onto the floor.

2015
03/09

Category:
Life
quilts

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Edison’s cousin

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 In this life, I have learned many things that do not work.   Eventually I may have some of these things worked through.    Today’s  “didn’t work” was trying to put this small baby quilt on fleece without batting to keep it light.   First these frogs are stuffed, which makes the fabric want to pucker.   Secondly fleece stretches a lot and I knew that but didn’t think about it.     I have not yet figured out a way to keep this little top straight because anything I put under it should be soft.

PS.   I took off the narrow border the pattern called for and put on a wider one.  I think this will help.   Then I decided to put a heavier batting in it as it will probably be something they lay on the floor so baby can play with the frogs.   Tomorrow is a new day.   I will try this new solution.

2015
03/08

Category:
Life
quilts

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Triple Play quilt

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All three of these quilts were  made to test the patterns for the online “the Quilt Pattern Magazine”   After cutting out the Arrow Throw quilt, there were a good number of triangles left from the arrows which were then used to make a baby quilt and the wall hanging.  I think it was a good use of the leftovers.

  The Arrow quilt measures 64 x 72.

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 This is the quilting on the border.

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 The runner/wall hanging measures 21.5 x 44.5.  And the crib quilt measured 41.5 x 50.5

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2015
03/07

Category:
Knitting
Life

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Day of rest

IMG_1493Today was another lovely day, so after church and lunch our daughter and son-in-law came over and we spent some time walking in the park.

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I only wish cameras could show how beautiful this river is.

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Zach, the son-in-law, brought several hats over for me to put in with my charity items.  Most of the hats will fit babies, but this one was smaller and I’m sure he won’t mind if this little girl wears it.   She doesn’t have one yet.

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I joined a Monthly dishcloth yahoo group and this was an extra one we could do.  On this one, she sent out lines of the pattern each day, so I don’t have a name for this pattern.  Tonight, I had just a quarter of this cloth left to do.   I like the lacey pattern it has.   When I make another, it will be just a wee bit larger.  Making dish/washcloths is  so useful and quick.

 

2015
03/06

Category:
Life

COMMENTS:
1 Comment »

A washcloth plus bits and pieces.

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This Almost Lost dishcloth so pretty in variegated blues.

The bits and pieces included working on binding the arrow quilt and potting some tomato and pepper starts I have growing.   Starting seeds is not my calling, but I do work at it.

 

2015
03/05

Category:
Knitting
Life

COMMENTS:
3 Comments »

Finished socks and new curtains

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They are finished.   This is the House of Targarven pattern with Elan sock yarn.

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After far longer than should have been, we have curtains in our bedroom as opposed to a faded sheet hanging on the window.   When we painted we removed the old blinds, and it has taken a very long time to get around to finding something.    Now I need to find homes for many of the items in front of this window.   DH was putting up the finials as I took this photo.

 

2015
03/04

Category:
Life

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Wednesday run around

IMG_1485A day of appointments and shopping.   First the doctor, then to retrieve my sewing machine, JoAnn’s (no luck on the half price Seahawk fabric), another doctor’s office to try to ask where to get the shoe inserts he wants me to use, Office depot for a good price they gave me on ink and finally the grocery store.IMG_1487

The nice thing about the grocery store is all the beautiful flowers I get to walk by on my way in.  It really reframes my mind until I start shopping.  With prices like these, you know why a garden is important.

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So transplants and new starts will be first on tomorrow’s agenda.   Then of course, I’ll need to decide which recipes to make for the week.   The good thing is that I can do all this running around and that I can make the meals.   Life, though at times hectic, is good.