Zoom ... Zoom ... Chookshed party

 It was a hectic work night ... short staffed, busy as all heck ... I didn't think I was going to make it to Chookyblue's zoom party. But after a way too long work night, I finally said enough is enough .... 2:00 am (ET) I turned off my work computer.

Went downstairs, made myself a drink and joined the party ... Chookshed's 10th Anniversary Celebration!

It was great catching up with everyone. I so enjoy these zoom gatherings. I find them inspiring. 

Thank you Donna for hosting these ... Happy Anniversary!

UFO reduction mode

 After the "Next Door Neighbor" semi completion/flimsy stage, I decided to pull out another project to work on. Many many many moons ago (May 2010) I started Trick or Treat by Blackbird Designs. I just love that quilt.  It's from the book When the Cold Wind Blows

I must have been in a block prep mood before I put the project way because I have lots and lots of basket prepped and ready to machine appliqué ... Bonus!

I quickly got to work and started machine appliquéing

I will admit, it gets a tad tedious machine appliquéing baskets after baskets, which is probably why I put it away. After a while, I tend to get sloppy, which is an indication that I need to pull away. In the space of a couple of days, did manage to complete this pile.

It is a gorgeous quilt and I do intend to finish it. It's just going to take some time.

For those curious to see the finished quilt ....

Now I need to get busy on the Churn Dash SAL. 

Catch you all later! Cheers!

Channelling my inner Martha Stewart

Quite a few years ago, I had purchased some beeswax blocks at a rummage sale. They were a bargain ... four (4) blocks for a song. 

Given how hard these bees worked to make the wax, I wasn't about to throw them out ... I love the smell of bees wax .... so I thought of candles.

I didn't want to invest in another hobby so I started to keep my empty tea light containers; bought some wicks and a wax melting container ... I was ready to melt.  

The thing about bees wax, it's not as easy to clean off. It's best to have it's own container and I used freezer paper to protect the counter. 

I read up a bit on the subject, didn't want to blow up my house lol ... and voila ... a lot of tea light candles.

 

I still have 2 1/2 blocks left for the the next batch.  Hum ... I could make small shapes to use as thread conditioner ... but hat would involve investing in a mold.

Thanks for stopping by. Catch you all later ... Cheers!

Churn Dash Sew A long

Donna from Chookyblue blogspot is hosting a Sew-A-Long and I thought I would join in. Heck, you must have read yesterday's BREAKING NEWS! lol

I decided to open EQ8 to work out the layout. I am not that fond of EQ8 but it is what it is. Sometimes updates are not always a good thing. I've owned EQ for numerous years, since EQ2 ... let's just say I had to update due to Apple's recent change in their system ... we'll leave it at that.

Back to the quilt. The suggested block size is 9 inches ...

I love small blocks and have been thinking about doing a 6 inch block. I'm going for the crappy look. This is what the layout would look like. 

That's a lot of blocks to piece ... but so pretty. I do like small blocks, they require smaller pieces. It would certainly put a dent in the scrap fabric stash. My bins are overflowing!

Now, this is what the quilt would look like with a 9 inch block ... less blocks to piece!

A different look, but pretty none the same.

Well, I guess I have some thinking to do. 

Catch you all later! Cheers!

BREAKING NEWS!

 Are you sitting down? Last weekend I turned on my sewing machine and actually worked on a quilt. That's right ... You heard it here first! LOL

Back in the Fibre Junction days, I hosted historical clubs. It was a gathering about The History of Women via the Needle and Thread and used Pam Buda's Prairie Women Sewing Circle (PWSC) club packets for the projects. 

There was a project in PWSC 2 Gathering 5 that I loved and had actually started cutting on August 25, 2012. The only piecing that was done were the flying geese and they still needed trimming. I love that quilt/pattern and had been meaning to finish it.

It's quite a challenge to pick up a project where you left off after so many years and more so if it has a gazillion pieces. I started by organizing the pieces. I needed to figure out what I had and perhaps what was needed to construct the block.

Once I figured it all out ... I started piecing and of course .... I was missing one block! lol Thank goodness for my stash!

After hours and hours of piecing, I finally I had a finish .... Voila!

Hum ... The photograph really doesn't do it justice. It's a pretty pink and brown quilt. The pattern is called Next Door Neighbor and measures 27 1/2 x 34 1/2.

I even have a Make-do in that quilt. I do love to make-do ... it gets me thinking outside of the box ... why run to the store or cut a large piece of fabric just for a few pieces. I enjoy using my scraps and I had just enough of a scrap piece for this block. Besides, it just adds to the story of the quilt .... I love stories don't you?

Now .... if I can only get Penelope turned on .....

Thanks for stopping by. Catch you all later! Cheers!

Blocking a scarf or a shawl

 As I've mentioned in a prior post, blocking a knitting project is my least favourite thing to do. I was not looking forward to blocking my Hap. 

To assist me with this task, I had recently bought a pack of Premium Lace weight wires by Friendly Products. (Made in the USA)

They are 3 feet in length and come in a lovely tube. If in your youth you were a baton twirler/majorette, this tube will bring back lots of memories ... asked my friends when I showed them the tube! LOL

You interfile the wire on the border edge of your work and I used T pins to hold/arrange to the size desired.

They work like a charm. Certainly reducing the number of pins you would need to straighten the edge of the scarf/shawl.

Full view of the blocking.

The pattern for this asymmetrical shawl/scarf is called La Bise designed by Espace Tricot. It is available on Ravelry as a free pattern. The yarn I used is Sunday Morning DK by wonder yarn co. It consists of 75 % BFL (Bluelace Leicester) and 25% Masham sheep. It is soft to the touch.

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

The Forest Path Hap

Yesterday I finished a knitting project. I am participating in a Hap Kal on Ravelry and having lots of fun. It's my first time knitting a Hap, some might call it a Shawl, but do not say that to the Shetland historians! lol

The pattern is called Forest Path Hap by Patricia Fortune. For the yarn I used Rauma Finull a wonderful yarn from Norway.

The Hap is finished using the Picot Pinecone edge bind-off. OMG ... the longest bind-off I have ever done in my entire life ... but it does give it a pretty edge.

Yesterday, I blocked the Hap. I had bought these thin wires specifically for this. I'm glad I did, otherwise it would have been a "pin the crap out of it" event. 

Looking at the photograph with a fresh set of eyes, I'm realizing that I should have used the wires for the top edge also. Note to self!

It's also my first time using these foam blocks and I must say I like them. Since I have other similar projects in mind, I bought another set of foam blocks. They are pretty and come in a lovely case.

Voila! We have a fini

Thanks for stopping by. If you are looking do knit a shawl, I strongly recommend Patricia's pattern. It is well written and easy to follow. 

Catch you all later!

Aerogarden

Last week, given that we were expecting lots of warm days, I decided it was time to transplant my Aerogarden plants outside, into containers. What I had not ever considered was the root growth size.  As you can see, it's a huge mess and I had already taken out a basil and parsley plant! 

The root base was much to large to fit through the plate base. I had to cut off quite a bit of the root system.

This is what I was left with once I had taken all of the plants out of the base.

It's been a little over a week since I have transplanted the basil, chive and parsley. For a while there it was touch and go, but I think they are going to make it!

Note to self, do not allow the plant to get this size before you decided to transplant ... it's a friggen tree!

I'm enjoying my Aerogarden. What I have learned so far is that not all plants do well in that system. Oregano, chives and tarragon do not thrive in that environment. Basil and parsley on the other hand are a hit.

Thanks for stopping by. Cheers!