Shocked It's Still Here

Wow! I am surprised the blogger peeps haven't taken down this inactive blog.

As always, this blog is a sporadic hot mess. I'm not a good blogger or journaler and I knew that when I started this blog. But occasionally I feel the need to post an update.

I'm still knitting as my main hobby but I have picked up the needle to do some cross stitch. I actually started a new piece Suffrage Act by Little House Needleworks. It's a sweet piece celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the passing of the 18th amendment. As a history teacher, I knew this would be a way to add a little stitching to my classroom.

I've also worked on a small quilt project I started last year. It is in blue and green batik fabrics and it has a variety of log cabin blocks. I'm piecing the last of the border blocks and soon I'll start sewing all of the rows together.

I'm typing this as I sit at home during a global pandemic. I find that I am having a short attention span as I self isolate at home. During my normal summer routine I stay home a lot, but I do get out twice a week to go to knitting and church. During this time, I can't do that and so I'm doing this as a way to temporarily get my mind on something else.

Reading has also taken up a lot of my time. I started getting back into reading two years ago when I was staying with my uncle during his last few weeks fight lung cancer. I've kept my kindle full thanks to kindle unlimited and the local library. If anyone actually reads this blog, I suggest you read Kathleen Brooks and Penny Reid for some romance and belly laughing. Both authors have a wonderful way with words and setting the scene.

Off to do a little reading and occupy myself with something else. :)

Day Two of Rabbit Holes

I'm into sewing, knitting and cross stitching, although the stitching took a back burner after bifocals came into my life. I have a small stash of fabric and a when knitting came along project bags took on a new look and place in my life.

When I was stitching I really enjoyed vinyl mesh bags, most of my projects are still in those bags. A new design was popping up for qsnaps and projects that has stitching incorporated into the bag. I haven't made one of those yet but those are on my radar.

This is my latest creation. Fell in love with the Fringe Supply Co. Field Bag and l really like the size and canvas fabric so much that I own two. I decided to surf Etsy and see if others were making similar bags. Many many bags popped up and after getting a feel for the bag size and construction I pulled out what little home decor fabric I had and made the bag. I have another bag cut out and after test driving this one I'll make any necessary tweaks and make the second bag.

I also make bags with matching DPN needle minders and notions bags. I may have shown these before. My sweet sister keeps asking how many bags do I need? But I like to change them up frequently.

My favorite style is a wedge bag and I have material for several more. It fits several skeins of yarn, a project, and notions pouch. I am also addicted to purchasing them from The Fat Squirrel, Amy Beth's bags are really nice. The construction is top notch and I love her fabric choices. There is a retreat coming up and she will be vending. I'm going to have a hard time not purchasing more. Ordered the retreat bag already.  :)

I made and use this bag all the time. 

Several other bag makers will be at the retreat market and I've been saving my purchase $$ for a bag from Hopkin's Studio. I want to see her bags in person, they are a little more expensive and she has so many fabrics I can't choose which is just right. 

So many bags, so little time to make and use them all!

Poor Little Blog

I haven't forgotten this blog exists. I'm just a horrible blogger. (:

Knitting update for 2016 - 7,036 meters in 22 projects

Quilting - not one quilt quilted and this makes me sad

Sewing - unfortunately I didn't count the number of project bags I made in 2016 but I'm guessing 10+ bags and 5+ needle minders

Reading - I read 39 books, nine were repeated books 

Reading stats were really low, I've already read ten books in 2017 and read two books 1/3 through before deciding I wasn't interested enough to finish them. I'm hoping I will continue on this reading kick throughout 2017 because I've really missed reading for pleasure.

I've currently have three knitting projects on the needles, two pair of socks and a set of knitted knockers (breast prosthetics for cancer patients). I have a goal of twelve pair of knockers for 2017. This summer I will be attending SSK in Nashville and I'm looking forward to meeting lots of knitters. I've been attending the Cookeville Sock Club for over a year and have really enjoyed getting to know these ladies. I hope to be able to go to a Thursday night meeting soon.

Kitties are doing well and are waiting patiently for me to get off the computer and give them some cuddles.

Pray all is well with all who read this.

Socks Are Wonderful

I'm loving my summer of socks. I've actually finished two pair and I'm through the heel of the first sock/third pair. I've learned the OMG Heel - One-needle Mock Gusset. I like the heel so far. I've only worn them around the house.

 I am sorry for photo placement. I can't get blogger to lay them out in any other manner. :(

I'm now learning the Fish Lips Kiss heel and I've knit the first sock and I loved how it fit when I tried it on.

I'm working to finish my Drachenfel before I start another shawl. I'm doing Stash Dash again this year and I really want to pull two other projects out of hibernation and get them finished. We'll see how that goes.

Summer has started off well and I have a professional development tomorrow and a two day workshop next week. I'm looking forward to both and hope to learn a lot.

My 2016 reading challenge is a little slow. I've clicked off several parts of the challenge. I've read two books published this year, a book I previously started (several of those actually) and reread a book (more than one actually).

I've planned several books to fill in the other gaps. I plan to read Grapes of Wrath for my banned book, To Kill a Mockingbird as a book suggested by my BFF, and Anne of Green Gables as the book published before I was born. Several books would fulfill multiple categories but I want to read as many books as possible. It is a reading more challenge. :)

Summer of Socks

Last year I had a summer of shawls. I did a personal Stash Dash (via the Knit Girllls) and knit 3000 meters of yarn with the majority being used in shawls. I wasn't going to try to Stash Dash again, but if I complete the projects on my needles I can easily obtain that goal. Last summer I was casting on almost entirely new projects.

I am planning on participating in Little Skein's Sock School. I purchased two skeins of the Sock School's ode to Pippi Longstocking yarn. One speckled skein from Highland Handmade and a striped skein from Must Stash. I was actually able to order when the presales went up. I've never been able to catch an update from either store. Cast on day is May 15.

I'm also participating in Must Stash's Droid Wars. I was able to get a pre-order of "The Droids You Are Looking For" companion set which included 2 skeins 50g each of different colorways representing R2-D2 and C-3PO. We cast on May 4th.

I've also been working on Hermione's Everyday Socks as my softball park knitting. I had an OMG heel put in (One needle Mini Gusset) and I put it in 1/2 inch too short. So I've ripped it back and planning on putting it in again today. I need to work on the leg tomorrow while we are playing.

Catching Up

Once again, I have let time slip away. I've been working, knitting and sewing. No quilting has been done. It's been a fast moving spring and summer is almost here. School is over in a month!

We are in the middle of state testing and my students are so ready for it to all be over. We are all suffering from spring fever.

I've been knitting away and have finished several pairs of socks and another Weigh It Shawl. I haven't blocked the shawl, so no photos. I have started a special pair I work on when I watch GHS Softball! It is a great yarn I picked up at Stitches South from Twisted Owl Fiber Studio. It has splashes of royal blue along with my favorite beach colors.

 

I made this lovely bag from scraps I had left over from the house quilt and I have several more half squares I plan on making into bags or more needle cozies.

 I've also dabbled in making stitch markers and I'm very happy with the way these turned out. I need more beads. The ones I purchased do not have consistent hole sizes and I had done my research on what types/sizes to purchase for markers.  These are some of the lovely socks I've been knitting. I've purchased my first yarn from Desert Vista Dyeworks and I love her yarn! 

 This is a lovely skein of Star Wars complimentary yarn from Must Stash Yarns. Droid Wars socks will be cast on May 4th. As you can see, it is kitty approved. The last photo is some of the yarny goodness I purchased at Stitches South. 

Snow Days

Before the snow, I had fun at our local sock club. We meet the third Saturday of the month at Dunkin Donuts and have a wonderful sit and knit. This is a pic of the assortment of project bags that were on the table in January.


We had a wonderful 9" snowfall at the end of last week and this was after a brief icy snowfall on Wednesday. We've been out of school for 7 days. Even though my roads were clear Monday night, county roads were still iced over three days later. It was one of those winter wonderland snows and I enjoyed watching it snow all day long. The snow and ice did cause us to miss one night of the Redeemed taping. I can't wait for the bible study to come out. I know it will be wonderful.

My church has an always open policy and I was slotted for media team on Sunday. They decided to have the later service so I had plenty of time to drive in. I left extra early because I wasn't sure of the road conditions. There was a freezing fog that morning and it was gorgeous to look at but not quite fun to drive in. Once I was on the state highway all of the roads were clear. Driving down the interstate was just amazing. The trees were absolutely gorgeous.

Lots of volunteers and staff had come to campus on Saturday and cleared the south parking lot. The road leading to the church was completely clear of snow. The city road leading to the church campus was icy but I had no trouble getting to church. It was the first time I had ever put my car in 4wd and I have to say I'm very proud of how well my Nissan Rogue did on the iced and snowy roads.

While I've been off for the snow, I've done lots of knitting. I finished a pixie hat for the new fairy grandbaby, made my sister a new hat, made a pair of baby mittens, started a new pair of socks and started the Yowza Weigh It Shawl in Miss Babs Perfectly Wreckless colorway. My hands are wrists are a little tired from all of the knitting. But that's ok. Here a few pictures of my accomplishments.

End of the Year Review

I can't believe it's been over six months since my last post.

As the title says, I'm going to do a review and it's all about knitting today. This was a year of firsts for me. Being fairly new to knitting that isn't hard to do but I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone. I started the year with a lace cowl and when I gave it to sister I knew I was making progress. She commented on how nice it was and I know she loves anything I make but she's also honest about what things look like.

The next really big first was my first pair of completed socks. I finished those in February and they are wearable. I reworked a heel over the summer and I'm still not happy with the fit but again they are wearable and I will wear them if we ever have cold weather. Today's temperature is 70+. I had started and ripped out several socks before completing the first pair. This included a successfully made diagonal lace sock that took months before I decided to create its mate. The mate still isn't finished.

I entered Stash Dash 2015 and it was the first time I've pushed myself to knit so many projects. I did knit 3000 meters from the beginning of summer break to the start of school. I did my first side to side shawlette - Saroyan and my first applied edging on Piper's Journey.

I completed my first lace shawl - Pebble Beach and I love it!!! I started a second shawl as apart of a mystery knit along. But school was wearing me out and I needed to have an alert brain to knit the second one - Summertide.

I knit my first colorwork at the end of November - beginning of December. I finished my first ever sweater - 5 Hour Sweater. It did take more than 5 hours. I followed it up with a Newborn Vertebrae that went so fast I didn't have time to make a project page while working on it. I knit it in 4 days, really more like two. I started it Christmas Eve and finished it early on the 28th.

I'm going to spend the next few days reading and giving my hands a rest from knitting. I hope to post again tomorrow about my year of Bible challenges and for the most part failings. More on that tomorrow.

KAL Update

just a little knitting update

Sometimes I really don't like working on my iPad or on blogger. They often don't play nice together. I'm having trouble loading photos. So we'll see if these work.

As you can see I've been knitting on my Piper's Journey and it is blocking now. It has been very cool here in TN and it has taken a little while for this shawl to dry. I finished it and it counts towards the Knit Girllls Stash Dash 2015 KAL and the Around Your Neck KAL in the Suburban Stitcher group.

I also got very creative this week and ordered my own custom designed labels for my project bags. I used Winchester Lambourne on Etsy to design my label and I purchased labels from Ananemone. I am so excited to about them. I am waiting on delivery before I start making a few more project bags.

This a my Pebble Beach Shawl. It's had very little knitting because I've been focused on my Yowza Shawl.

The Yowza Shawl is almost ready for the ruffle and bind off. 40 grams more to knit before I begin that part of the shawl.


That's my Update. ;)

End of Year!

Yes, just two more days and this school year is in the books!! I'm very glad it's over and I look forward to next year.

My summer includes knitting, quilting and I'm really hoping cross stitch. I have new glasses (bifocals) that seem to be fit correctly. I really hope I can see to stitch. I'm also hoping to find a new recliner to stitch in but that's not high on my summer list of things to buy. Tires, new laptop and a vacation are at the top of my list.

My shawls are well underway and Pioneer Girl on the left is almost halfway through the garter rows. I splurged on some gorgeous Miss Babs Yowza skeins/cakes and cast on Yowza Weight It Shawl 2 by Susan B Anderson. Love it!!!

I'm heading to Mid TN Sheep and Fiber Festival Friday and I have no idea what to expect. But I'm sure I will have fun. Will post photos when I get back!

Summer of KALs

Last summer seemed to be a quilting summer and I do have quilts planned for this summer. But I also have been planning my knitting.

I have a thing for shawls and thanks to a trip to Stitches South, I have some gorgeous yarn to knit . I purchased a really pretty plum to knit Balsam Hollow by Paula Emons-Fuessle. It is in Bugga by the Verdant Gryphon.

I'm currently putting the applied edging on Piper's Journey, also by Paula. It is out of  Lana Gatto Super Soft in a beautiful Lilac. I was hoping to finish this piece soon, but I am being sucked into knit alongs, particularly Stash Dash in the Knit Girllls group. I'm thinking of trying for the 3K this summer. The timing aligns perfectly with my summer. So I'll finish this shawl after May 22, the beginning of Stash Dash.

There are three other KALs that play nicely with Stash Dash, the Around Your Neck KAL with Suburban Stitcher, the Little House Pioneer Girl KAL with Little Skein in the Big Wool, and the Pebble Beach KAL with Paula Emons-Fuessle Knitting Pipeline. It is kind of like a pyramid with Stash Dash as the peak.

I have to purchase more needles to be able to knit all the things! But I hope to cast on my Pebble Beach this week, having also acquired yarn for this shawl at Stitches. :)

New Year

2015 has rolled in and I remembered to write about it! Last year's blogging effort was a fail. I didn't do well journaling my days. I realize once again that I'm not a good journal keeper.

Four months have flown by since my last post. This school year has sped by and in a lot of ways I'm glad. I really enjoy my eighth grade classes. The others, not so much! But I'm determined it will be a good year.

Knitting is going well. I've spent Christmas break finishing WIPs before I allow myself to start on new projects with my Christmas gifts. Quilting has stopped while my machine is in the shop. It is ready to be picked up and I plan on making a few project bags as soon as my machine returns.

The pets are good although Asher gave me a scare during mid terms. He ate 20 inches of elastic ribbon and the result was extreme vomiting, dehydration and kidney failure. Thankfully, we have a fabulous vet who got him rehydrated which stopped the kidney failure. He passed the ribbon the evening he came home. It took almost a week before he got his bounce back. Still shaking my head over the entire situation.

I leave this post with a few pictures of projects and pets.
Stitch Markers
Fingerless Mittens
Baby Hat for Jaxon
Project Bags
Socks with a slightly bent needle, don't know how that happened.
Multnomah Shawl
One IV owie
Sister's Christmas Tree shirt
PomPom Hat minus the pompom to match my mittens
Lovely scarf that almost doubled when I blocked it!

Beautiful Weather

I decided today was finally the day to pressure wash the house and get it looking nice for fall and winter. I spent four hours washing and now my hands and feet are killing me. But boy it looks so good. I just need to wash off the porch furniture and then the evening porch sitting will begin.

Here's an update of my latest knitting project.

August and today:

This is a Hitchhiker shawl/scarf. Love it!

Poor Little Blog

I've deserted you! Actually, no one really reads this blog and it's just for my pleasure. LOL

But I need to get back to blogging and posting pictures of my latest projects and my journalling. I have uploaded photos from my phone and will make this post very photo heavy.

These are some of the things I've worked on in the past few months. I'll post summer project updates later.

Checkbook Cover

This project was easy, I took apart a "purchased" fabric checkbook cover after it had seen it's better days. I used it as a pattern, following the stitching and folding lines and soon had a new cover!

I finished Suburbs quilt and it is at the longarm quilters!

 I started a toe-up sock, my first ever and I'm halfway to the heel.

I started a new applique quilt but ran out of the right color threads. I've purchased more colors and I hope to get back to this project soon. I've also been making little ditty drawstring bags for my knitting. While in the bag mood, I've taken apart a few older stitching projects that were in tuck pillows and some frames. I've begun making project bags for my needlework. I haven't finished those yet, so no pictures to show.

I made this little cutie for a dear friend's first birthday. My mom made lots of these when I was growing up and I found a freebie pattern online at Lil Blue Boo  and I love him. I left off the crown and quilted the frog. I got the idea from Fat Quarter Shop's video Baby girl loved the frog! He got cuter after I pinked the edges.

Last year at this time my hair was between my shoulder blades, very long and I didn't realize how aging it was until school pictures were taken. I started cutting it then and it kept getting shorter and shorter until you see what happened two weeks ago. Love it!

That's enough updating for now! Off to enjoy the day!