Friday, February 22, 2008

Free from Time Out

Well I botched the quilt top big time and I wasn't ready to craft for a while.  Through in a few hormones for the third trimester and life was difficult!  The major error was using a 1/2" seam instead of a 1/4" seam.  DUH!!  So, after a little time out I took apart all my rows.  Now I need to steam iron the heck out of the squares.  Then cut down all the 5" squares to 4 1/2".  I'm learning patience.  Growing patience is my new mantra.  

I also made progress on a baby sweater that I've been working on for a few years.  A little embarrassing.  But I have the front and back down, throw on a few sleeves and seam the bitch up!  I did break my February finish up rule and start a sweater last night.  I'm using some handspun that I made this summer.  So yummy.  In my defense, I'm back to riding the bus and I need a project that's pretty mindless.  I do have a bunch of sleeves to make, but I'm hoping with a movie and a weekend I can crank those out.  I'm feeling optimistic about all this craftyness.  

Another project that is making it's way to the end is a bag from Lantern Moon.  This bag here actually!  I through it in the washer last night after much fear and I'm happy to report the bag survived!  I just have a photo of the before.  I'll get a photo with the handles and all finished up in the next few days.  Drying is going remarkably fast.  So the big dilemma with the bag was using the wrong yarn.  I used a sportweight 55% mohair 45% merino for the bottom and a merino worsted for the top.  The bag looks a little smaller than the picture, but the stripe thing is amazing.  I couldn't even have planned that!  And I was really worried about the mohair just being fuzzy.  Instead it's nice and nubby.  Texture is really fun.

Why do photos take so long to upload in blogger?  grrr.  Well forget the picture, use your imagination.  I'll put before and after photos next time.  Well, I'm off to steam or knit something.  I'd love to start some baby socks, I bought a pattern from knitspot that I'm dying to start.

Enjoy the weekend!


Friday, February 8, 2008

I'm a winner!

I can't believe how excited I am, but nothing like winning a prize to make me feel like I'm in 3rd grade again!  I was reading my morning blogs and I saw my name here, what a thrill!  I have decided not to buy crafty supplies for Lent and this is such a treat.  I can pet my new fabric and it can fill a little shopping void.  I'll take pics when it all arrives.
I was planning on posting knitting project photos for finish up february but I'm too into the quilt I'm working on.  I did finish the bag I was knitting, I just have to felt it, possible line it, and sew down the handles.  I'm also working on finishing two baby sweaters.  They're pretty small and I'm about 65%+ done on each of them.  Pretty manageable goals if you ask me.  So on to the quilt progress.
You can see from the pictures a nice pattern forming.  I can't fix this (there is no link here).  I'll post some pics later of the top all put together.  This line thing sucks.




Friday, February 1, 2008

Almonds and Pregnancy

They don't mix.  At least not for me.  I'm glad to have them gone and won't be visiting them again.
I'm now ready to blog nicely and share some links.  First my breakfast.  Every day.  I'm ready for round two in fact.
On the english muffin is the best jam ever!  Sweet Creek Strawberry is so good.  Like as good as my mom's from our huge bed of strawberries.  Yum.  
On to other crafts.  Today is the first day of quilt month with Sew Mamma Sew.  Last night I had Eric help me pick out which project to start with.  There were four or five to choose from and I'm planning on starting with the easiest building to harder.   I like building some confidence up.  Building on skills if you will.  So the first two patterns I'm going to use are from Bits n Pieces.  I think I purchased both patterns from Fabric Cheapo.  The first one I'm making is called Square Dance.  Here are the fabrics I'm using, all purchased at Boersma's.  I'm a sucker for fat quarters.
Later this morning I'm headed to Cool Cottons for a backing piece.  The quilt should turn into a large enough piece for the baby.  Or at least for his dollies, but most likely him for a while.

Next time we'll cover all the things I want to finish up for Ravelry's  February is for Finishing group.  I'll have to round up all the projects!