January 2022 ~ Week 3

MONDAY 1/17

This morning was rather discouraging. I was working on my crochet shawl and made an error very near the beginning of the row I was working. I just didn't realize it until I got to the end of the row - well over a hundred and fifty stitches later. Most of the row had to be pulled out so I could pick up the stitch I dropped. I was so bummed that I just dumped it into the bin and went off to start my day. I need to get back to it before too much longer now. I really want to get at least two rows done each day. 

Today on the design wall: Partially done blocks that will be a wall hanging for over the bed in the main bedroom. The block is called Taos by Vanessa Goertzen. It's block number 9 of the Moda Block Heads 3 collection. Only the two blocks at the top of the photo are complete. 

The centers of the blocks are all scrap pieces. The surrounding sides are made from just two fabrics that I purchased because I loved the colors. I had no idea at the time how I would use them. As it turned out I barely had enough to make all the pieces for the number of blocks I planned. One of the dark corner squares is actually pieced out of two end scraps from strips I cut to get the squares. 

I started the Taos blocks as leaders/enders back in August while I was working on a baby quilt that I did with my friend Kathy for our friend Annalisa and her firstborn. Here it is in the baby's nursery. Somehow it got finished without my getting a picture of it before I took it to the baby shower. 

I continued using the Taos pieces as leaders/enders while I worked on a quilt for my great-nephew Colin. His quilt was finished September 29th and sent off to him in Florida. It was so nice to get a picture of him with the quilt I sent and to see his smiling face. I also got a little video of him with the quilt and a sweet thank you from him. Made my day. 

Well, it's time to get back to my crochet shawl and see if I can get my two rows done for today. 

TUESDAY 1/18

Not much done today, I was out of town for a good part of the day. I was able to get my 2 rows done yesterday after having pulled out that row. Today I got 2 more rows of my crochet shawl and two rows of my knit baby blanket done. 

WEDNESDAY 1/19

I was able to get more done today, 2 rows of my crochet shawl and 2 rows of my knit baby blanket. 

Worked on the Taos project. Got all the blocks finished and sewn into rows. 

THURSDAY 1/20

I got a couple of rows done on my crochet shawl and a couple done on my knit baby blanket. I also got the Taos top finished. Tried a few options for a border and decided not to do one. 

FRIDAY 1/21

Today is my sister's birthday and the "Peppermint Patty" quilt I've been working at on and off for years was finally complete and sent to her. She was surprised, and she loves it. Pink is her color! 

This photo is the first one I took when I began this project, it's dated January 2014. I started this quilt as an experiment in paper piecing. I had done a couple of quilts in the traditional paper piecing way but then saw a tutorial on using freezer paper which eliminates the need to sew through the paper and the hassle of getting the paper off the pieces. It worked very well for me. I used the Square in a Square pattern from Paper Piecing with Alex Anderson.

There were many different times I had the pieces on the design wall trying to figure out how to arrange them. I had a really hard time because as nice as the blocks were individually I didn't like the way they looked together. 

One day by chance as I was looking at the blocks on the design wall I caught sight of a star that was formed within a "9 patch." I hadn't put it up there like that on purpose and looking around didn't see other stars. So once again all the blocks came down except the one that showed a star. I put the blocks back up in the 9 patch arrangement and stars appeared, more noticeable in some than others. That meant dividing the blocks up and arranging them by value. It also meant making some substitute blocks, and extra blocks to get enough blocks for the needed 9 patches. Not all the stars are obvious, but they are all there and once I got the pattern arranged that way I fell in love with the project. 

Long story there, but not as long as it took to finish that quilt and get it to my sister. It's my first finish for 2022.  

I got a couple of rows on the crochet shawl done today and did some work in the sewing room. I quilted the table runner I pieced last year. I also chose the fabric for the binding and cut the needed strips. It's scrappy and not my favorite but will be fine on top of my hutch.

SATURDAY 1/22

I relaxed this morning with my knitting project, the baby blanket that I started when my now 6 year old great-niece was born. Do not know who will get this little piece but it will be nice to have ready when the next baby in the family comes along. 

I got the binding attached to the table runner and also got it sewn down on the back - that that is my second finished project for 2022. I'm happier with it now that the binding is on, I think it helped pull the whole thing together. 

SUNDAY 1/23

Today I'm set to avoid the sewing room and simply work on my slow stitching projects. I will do some crochet, some knitting and get back to my little hand quilting project that I've been neglecting for far too long. 

I'm linking up with the following linky parties:

Judy Hansen of Small Quilts and Doll Quilts for Design Wall Monday

Beth of Love Laugh Quilt for Monday Making

Dione at Clever Chameleon for Color and Inspiration Tuesday

Jennifer at the Inquiring Quilter for Wednesday Wait Loss

Susan at Quilt Fabrication for Midweek Makers

Cynthia at Quilting is More fun than Housework for Oh Scrap!

Kelly at My Quilt Infatuation for Needle and Thread Thursday

Angela at So Scrappy for Rainbow Scrap Challenge

Nina Marie at Creations - Quilts, Art, Whatever for Off the Wall Friday

Kathy at Kathy's Quilts for Slow Sunday Stitching

Slowing Down

After almost two years I've finally begun working on my Feather and Fan baby blanket again.  I started it several years ago and did pretty well to about the half way mark of the project. But I messed up just as the first wave of Covid lockdowns hit California. The fix was beyond me so it's been sitting in my closet all this time waiting for me to get the help I needed to get it fixed. 

Our local yarn shop moved to a new location recently and I went in to see what the new shop was like. I found out that I could have a one on one session with one of their teachers to help me with my knitting problem. So I set up a time and got my project out of the closet. The woman who worked with me was very kind and obviously an experienced and knowledgable knitter. She got my mess up all taken off and got me back to a place where I could continue the knitting for myself. I want to take classes from her. I'm very much a knitting novice and know I have lots to learn. 

I'm also working on a crochet shawl. This is a new project for me, using the shell stitch. It goes pretty well until I get to the last stitch where I need to add the last shell. That part is a hassle every time. Otherwise the project is coming along nicely. I get a couple of rows done most mornings while my husband and I have our coffee time together. We are early risers, and enjoy the cozy togetherness with our little kitty Suzette by the fireplace. She plays, Dan reads, and I stitch while the sun slowly rises. 

I've crocheted two other projects recently. One was a new poncho for my great niece's birthday. The child pattern I have has three sizes. I made her the small size in purple a few years ago and this time made the medium size in pink.  The other one was a simple beanie for myself. 

I have other slow stitching projects that need my attention and I hope to get busy with them soon. 

I've been working on lots of other projects throughout this past year, and perhaps I'll make some posts about them in the coming weeks. I'm purposely slowing down for now, I've started numerous projects for myself over the years and most of them have gotten put aside while I've worked on things for others. I've been happy to do this and it gives me joy to gift my quilts to people I love. I just think it's time to turn my attention to some of the projects I've been neglecting. 

Suzette

I'm linking up with Kathy at Kathy's Quilts for Slow Sunday Stitching.