Carrot Table Runner Pattern

This pattern is courtesy of AllPeopleQuilt.com

This is a quilt-as-you-go project so when you're done, you're done....except for binding! It's cutting it close but wouldn't this look great on your table for Easter?!

Backyard Bunnies Quilt Pattern

Backyard Bunnies Quilt Pattern
Super cute for Easter and Spring.

Finished quilt measures 55" x 55"; intermediate skill level.

This free pattern is courtesy of Quilters World.

Quilting Tip: Prevent Ruler from Slipping

I stumbled across this tip while browing the internet and thought it a great & affordable way to prevent your rulers from slipping. I know we have fine sandpaper in the garage all the time.

"Glue small pieces of sandpaper on the backs of your rulers to keep them from slipping on the fabric when rotary cutting." - Marti in Mexico

Knitting Tip of the Day - Straight Needle Storage

"Storing straight knitting needles in a vase looks pretty and they never get lost this way."

-- Kelly Promnitz --

I do something similar but not with a pretty vase. I use a tall coffee mug & it sits right on the back of my Grandmother's old Kenmore sewing machine cabinet in the dining room. My cat (and children) tend to knock things over and I've found that my coffee mug (I don't drink coffee anyway) is a little more durable than a pretty glass vase. Although I'm sure any household that is cat free would have a beautiful display of colorful straight needles in a vase.

Tip of the Day for Knit/Crochet: A bit interesting.....

Interesting tip for anyone that knits/crochets at school or maybe even work. Well for the ladies anyway with longer hair.

"For those of us that knit in school -- instead of putting your knitting needles in your bag and pray they don't poke a hole put your hair up in a ponytail before school and just stick them there while your stitches are in a stitch holder. It works for crochet hooks too!" -- Winter Warr --

Moda Charm Pack Giveaway

I am so excited to offer you my very first giveaway. The winner will receive a Moda Nostalgia Charm Pack by April Cornell. The pack includes 40 different charms and are 5" square.

To enter, simply leave a comment here. I will draw and announce the winner on April 1, 2010. If you have any trouble commenting here, simply contact me from here & be sure to leave a comment regarding this giveaway in the box provided.

Thanks & good luck! :-)

Crochet Tip of the Day

"If you want to try out a new crochet stitch pattern, but feel like it's wasted effort, just use cotton, and make up a dish cloth! Even if you don't like the way the stitch turns out, you still have a useable item for your time! And who cares if the stitches aren't perfect???"

-- Brenda Main --

I thought this was a great tip by Brenda and just had to share! Who couldn't use more wash or dish cloths?

Tulip Nine Patch Quilt Block Pattern

Tulip Nine Patch (click here for pattern)

A fresh & pretty quilt block just in time for spring. Starts with a nine patch and turns into a pretty little tulip.

The photo shown is not made by me personally but is a sample block made by Jeri. She did a great job, love the purples!

Hope you enjoy this free pattern!

Dragon Boat Upstate Festival - General Donation

Dragon Boat Upstate Festival - General DonationMy friend, Cindy and I have had to switch teams for the Dragon Boat Upstate Festival. We are now on the Winn the Fight team. This is our first time for this event but it looks like lots of fun & hope that we can continue being a part of this important fundraiser.

This charity event raises funds for the Cancer Centers of Greenville. Although Cindy and I are raising funds and awareness for ovarian and breast cancer, the funds are used for research on all types of cancer. One life lost to cancer is one life too many!

Thanks to all of you that have already donated, your generous contributions are greatly appreciated! If you are local, come watch us row & cheer our team on, the event is Saturday, April 17th on Lake Hartwell at the beautiful Portman Marina, just 30 minutes from downtown Greenville.. Visit the website for location details and directions.

Dragon Boat Upstate Festival - April 17th 2010

Dragon Boat Upstate Festival - General Donation

I just joined Team B-Aware for the SC Upstate Dragon Boat Festival. We are raising funds & awareness for ovarian cancer. My dear friend & co-worker was diagnosed last fall but thankfully she is on the mend with a bright future ahead of her. Help us reach our fundraising goals by visiting my Donation Page.

These funds are for all types of cancer research here at Greenville Cancer Centers in Greenville, SC.

No donation is too small so don't feel bad if you can only spare $1, it all adds up & goes to a great cause that has touched EVERYONE's life at some point. If you are in the Greenville, SC area, come on out to the Festival for some food, fun & hopefully sunshine. :-)

Thanks so much for your generosity!

Clo Petite Poncho Crochet Pattern

Another great free pattern from Caron Yarns.

Clo
Petite Poncho

Click here for the website link & downloadable PDF file.

Technique used: Crochet

Sizes:
6-12 (12-24) mos
Finished Measurements:
Shoulder Opening: 19 (20)”/48.5 (51)cm
Length: 7 (8)”/18 (20.5)cm
Materials:

One skein of Caron International’s Simply Soft® (100% Acrylic, 6 oz/ 170g/ 315 yds/ 288 m): Shown in Iris
or NaturallyCaron.com 'Country' (75% Microdenier acrylic/25% merino wool; 3oz/85g, 185yds/170m skein)
Size US J-10/6mm Crochet Hook (or size to obtain gauge)
Size US G-6/4mm Crochet Hook (for embellishment)
Scraps of Worsted Weight Yarn in colors: Yellow & Black
Yarn Needle

GAUGE
10 sts by 4 rows tr = 4”/10cm.
STITCHES USED
Chain (ch)
Slip Stitch (sl st)
Single crochet (sc)
Half Double Crochet (hdc)
Treble Crochet (tr)
DIRECTIONS
With a DOUBLE STRAND of yarn, ch 60 (62) tightly. Taking care not to twist, sl st in first ch to join into a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), hdc in next ch and in each ch around. Join with a sl st in top of beginning ch-2—60 (62) hdc.

Rnd 2: Ch 4 (counts as tr here and throughout), tr in each st around. Join with a sl st in top of beginning ch-4.

Rnd 3: Ch 4, tr in each of next 15 sts, 2 tr in next st, tr in next 29 (30), 2 tr in next st, tr in each st around. Join with a sl st in top of beginning ch-4—62 (64) hdc.

Rnds 4-6 (7): Repeat Rnd 2.

Rnd 7 (8): Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in first st (first shell made), *sc in next st, 3 dc in next st (shell made). Repeat from * around, ending with sc in last st. Join with a sl st in top of beginning ch-3—31 (32) shells. Fasten off.

Finishing
Leaf Embellishment (make 2)

With a single strand of yellow, worsted-weight yarn, ch 7.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch. Fasten off.

Using yarn needle and yellow yarn, sew leaves on on Rnd 2 of poncho following photo for placement.

Using black yarn and needle, make 3 French Knot berries above leaves.

Weave in ends. Block if necessary.

Crochet Hook Roll

 
 
I decided to finally make something for me. So I made this crochet hook roll using my stashed UF Gator fabric. :-) It was pretty fast to make but I think I'll make a few revisions/improvements to future rolls that I hope to add to my selection of inventory items I sell. Next will be a knitting needle roll, maybe in black/white fabrics and a red ribbon or button closure.

Crazy Daisy Rag Quilt Preview

 

Here is a preview of my Crazy Daisy rag throw I've been working on. It's finally all put together, I just need to clip away at the seams on the front. The photo here is of the back on the quilt.

I sure hope the buyer likes it as much as I do...really makes me think spring/summer; something we are ALL ready for after this crazy winter.

March MADNESS Fabric Sale - BOGO 50% Off!

It's March & a time for renewal, cleaning out, starting fresh for spring, starting new quilting projects; you get the picture. On that note, Ragamuffin Quilts & Ragamuffin Fabrics are having a March MADNESS sale on all fabrics in stock!

For the entire month of March, buy 1 fabric item & get a 2nd for 50% off of equal or lower value. This is good on yardage, charms, fat quarters and more.

Simply visit either site (click on store names above), select your items & contact me for a reserved listing & custom invoice. If you forget to contact me prior to payment, no worries, I will simply reimburse you the difference through PayPal automatically.

Knitting Tip of the Day: Dental Floss Container Cutter

A container of dental floss to use as a yarn cutter is not only airplane-friendly, the floss itself is useful for "tails" on a stitch marker so that it follows the pattern as you knit, to use for a provisional cast-on in place of a contrasting yarn, and as a "lifeline" threaded through a row of stitches so that if make a mistake you have a "good" row to go back to.

-- Carol Telsey --