A Day at Table Rock State Park

 

We had a great day in the sun, catching fish, watching wildlife and swimming with the fishes. The catch of the day was 8 or 9 fish, I think. Then the boys took a dip in the swimming hole. Afterwards we stopped at Aunt Sue's for ice cream. A new tradition in our house. :-)

I spent most of the day driving the boat since it was super windy on the lake. We had fun though. Lots of geese, bugs, bees and fish. I actually even got to stick my toes in the sand at the swimming hole....ah, it felt so good. The boys ran into a neighbor boy while we were there too, of all places. Well his grandparents are neighbors and he visits several times a week.

All in all, it was a great day!

Oh Happy Day.....

I finally got my laptop fixed and running smoothly again. I am soooo happy.

Now just to keep kids off of it and keep that virus/spyware software running and I should be in great shape. Yahoooooo!

Red Rosie

Here is my little red rose bud all open and smiling. :-) Isn't she pretty? I had to clip her this morning and bring her to work. With all our rain yesterday and last night she was hanging upside down on the rose bush.


 

Strip Twist Block Update #2

I finished sewing all my blocks together and I am 1 block short....grrr. My fault. I broke into this bundle and made a bunch of cool headbands from the same fabrics. I am hoping to squeeze just 1 more block out of what I have left but not quite sure I can make it. Worse case, I make a matching pillow and make the quilt 1 row shorter or I go buy another jelly roll. ;-)

My Rose Garden

The boys bought me four rose bushes this spring and although they are still tiny we have our first few roses in bloom. The creamy strawberry roses have a wonderful aroma that can fill a room. I cut one bloom off and took it to work and my office smelled incredible all day long. I can't wait until next summer once they have a good year to set root and continue to grow.

Sewing Weekend

I don't have any pics to share this morning but I will be sure to add some tonight or tomorrow.

I started a strip twist quilt and finished 7 blocks and have another 4 ready to assemble. You can see pics on my prior blog post by clicking on the "7 blocks".

I didn't get quite as far as planned since my 9 year old decided he wanted to learn how to sew. He grabbed my 5" square bin and started putting squares together. His seams are not 100% accurate but I told him it will be fine. We can square it all off later, his seams will just be tilted. He said they will be dancing - so guess we will have a dancing quilt for our sofa soon. :-)

Strip Twist Block Update

Yay - my twists/twirls are working! I've not sewn the blocks together yet but laid them out to see if it really "moves" and it does - how exciting! LOL Now I'm even more anxious to get this top done - it's gonna be a cutie.



Now I'm undecided on how to finish it; traditional or raggie style? Decisions, decisions.

Strip Twist Block

I started my Strip Twist blocks today. Not like I need another project to do but I just can't stay focused on anything lately.

I made 1 block from start to finish to make sure I did it right and that I liked it. The final size is 15" so they are nice and big to make a quick top for some lucky little boy or girl. Girls like blue and frogs....well some girls do. :-)

I'm off to use up the rest of my strips and get them made into blocks tonight and hope to have a quilt top done before the morning. The one block doens't show the "motion" this block creates until I start stitching the blocks together so I'm anxious to get it all done.

Not sure if I'll quilt and finish it myself or just sell the top...I'll have to sleep on that one.

Sewing Room "Disaster"

Well, I am once again cleaning up and reorganzing my sewing room. I have a rack of plastic shelving in the corner that held all my bolts and some boxes. I moved all of that into the large hall linen closet. I was hoping to be able to remove those shelves but no such luck. I reorganized my pre-cut squares (personal stash) into plastic bins and put those on the shelves. Once I clear out the closet in the sewing room, I bet those shelves will fit in there nice and neat.

Here is a work in progress pic of just a view from the doorway:


My "new" organized fabric squares & remnants, etc.


Made more space in the china cabinet storage too, still refolding fab to stuff in there.


And last but not least; my new closet - still rolling bolts to stuff in there too.

Loop to Loop Crochet Dishcloth

LOOP TO LOOP DISHCLOTH

MATERIALS:

4 ply Cotton Yarn
Hook Size I

Stitches: ch, sc.
Note: the front loop is the loop closest to you.
the back loop is the loop farthest from you.

Difficulty: EASY/MEDIUM

R 1: Ch 30, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each rem ch. Ch 1, turn.

R2: Sc in front loop of first st. * Sc in back loop of next st. Sc in front lp of next st.
Rep from * across. Ch 1, turn.

Rows 3-26: Rep R2.

Edging: Work one sc in each st and row end around, placing 3 sc in each corner.
Join with a sl st. Fasten Off.


This pattern courtesy of Crochet 'N' More
Click below to learn more about CNM:
http://www.crochetnmore.com
Copyright 2001
Tisa Enterprises, All Rights Reserved

More Diaper Bags & Totes - WIP's

I am trying a new strategy with my sewing/quilting. Rather than making something from start to finish, I cut out several bags at once, then got the outer shells all sewn together last night. Tonight I hope to quilt them all or atleast a few. Then focus on the linings, straps, pockets in another step.

Sure hope this works out for me.

Here's a few WIP pics of what I did last night...3 of them still need the top border but again, they are WIP's!. :-)

Lacy Stripes Crochet Block

Lacy Stripes

Worked in one color, this block would add an interesting texture to an afghan, but it can be easily adapted to work in stripes of contrasting colors. For an interesting afghan edging, crochet one repeat.

Special abbreviation: mb make bobble (popcorn) -- 4dc into the next ch, remove the hook from the working loop, insert it under the top loops of the first of the dc sts just worked and draw the working loop through, prepare to cont to work right to left across the block.

Foundation chain: Ch 29.

Row 1 (right side): insert the hookinto the 3rd ch from the hook, work 1sc this completes the first 2 sts. 1sc into each of the ch to the end -- 28sts. Turn.

Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1sc), 1sc into each st. Turn.

Row 3: Rep row 2.

Row 4: Ch 3 (counts as 1dc), 1dc into the base of the ch, *sk 2 sts, [1dc, ch 1, 1dc] into the next st, rep from * 7 more times, sk 2 sts, 2dc into the top of the ch. Turn.

Row 5: Ch 3 (counts as 1dc), 1dc into the next st, ch 1, sk 1 st, mb into the next ch, ch 2 * sk 2 sts, mb into the next ch, ch 2, rep from * 5 more times, sk 2 sts, mb into the next ch, ch 1, sk 1 st, 1dc into each of the next 2 sts. Turn.

Row 6: Ch 3 (counts as 1dc), 1dc into the base of the ch, sk 1 st, 1dc into the next ch, *[1dc, ch 1, 1dc] into the next sp, rep from * 6 more times, 1dc, into the next sp, ch 1, 1dc into each of the next 2 sts. Turn.

Row 7: Ch 2 (counts as 1sc), 1sc into each st. Turn.

Row 8: Ch 3 (counts as 1dc), 1dc into each st. Turn.

Rep rows 3–8 once more.

Rep rows 3–7 once more.

Row 20: Ch 2 (counts as 1sc), 1sc into each st. Turn.

Row 21:

Rep row 20.

Fasten off yarn.

ABBREVIATIONS / REFERENCES
ch(s) = chain(s)
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
st(s) = stitch(es)
rep = repeat(s)(ing)
yo = yarn over

Pattern by permission from Crochet Blocks in a Box by Luise Roberts, St. Martin's Griffin, 2007

WIP Pink & Green Camo Frog Tote/Diaper Bag

I am really anxious to finish this wip - I started it over a week ago and not had time to get back to it but I think it's going to be super cute. Might even make a matching car seat rag quilt (my own special design).

I'll keep you updated on the progress. It's just sitting there waiting for me. I can hear it calling me at times. LOL Well, not really but you y'all know what I mean. :-)

Scrappy Baskets Quilt Block

I really love scrappy and found this wonderful free pattern from Janet Wickell. Click on the link for full detailed pattern instructions.

Scrappy Baskets from www.scrapquilts.com

15" Finished Quilt Block

Quick pieced half square triangle units make up the majority of this scrappy basket quilt block, with rectangles and single triangles mixed in here and there.

The block goes together easily when you use quick piecing techniques. Follow the instructions to make two scrappy quilt blocks. Repeat to make the total number required for your quilt.

Instructions and Graphics
©Janet Wickell, 2000-2006