Feelin' productive

 

After some sorting and reorganizing of my craft corner, I managed to quilt a couple of more blocks. I now have five finished and one half finished. 

Mom had a doctor's appointment in the afternoon, so no more crafting was done until after dinner.

I recently ordered Harry Potter Self-Striping Scarf Yarn from Michigan Fine Yarns. The pattern is super simple, and I'm sure that my Harry-Potter-loving grandchildren will snap these right up. This color combo is Gryffindor, and the yarn is by Sirdar. It's the perfect project for knitting without thinking!

Good start

 

Yesterday morning I sorted the backing fabrics for my Christmas quilt. I was pleasantly surprised to see so much variety, with two pieces of each fabric. I have enough to back two Christmas throws!

I also quilted four of the blocks before heading off to school. My crafting corner is starting to look a bit messy, so I think I'll need to take some time today to sort everything out. I really do work better in a more organized space.

When I got home from school, I put together a meat pie for dinner. After that, I was done for the day. I looked at the knitting and tatting projects by my chair, and then I decided to read instead of picking up a project. Maybe I'll feel more motivated today!

Busy week

The week of the play is always busy, and this time was no exception.

I did manage to put together my four patch blocks for my Christmas quilt, but that was the extent of my crafting this week.

Wednesday, I helped out with dress rehearsal. Thursday, I had to take my sewing machine in for repairs. Friday, I had a lot to catch up on around the house.

Saturday and Sunday, the middle school students performed Disney's Descendants. They did a fantastic job, and I'm glad everything went well. Now, I can get back to a more normal routine!

Starting something new

 

Since I finished my patchwork jacket on Sunday, I felt free to start a new project... a Christmas quilt! I had purchased some fat quarters at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago, so I decided to work with them. Unfortunately,  I only had enough to make 28 blocks. I need 30 blocks for the quilt I'd like to make. 

Luckily, I had some Christmas fabric upstairs just waiting to be used. So, tomorrow I will cut out the remaining squares I need for my project. It shouldn't take long. I only need to cut nine 5.5" squares. The square you see on top will not be used. I just pieced together some scraps. I'll use it for something, but not this quilt. 

Tomorrow will be a busy day. The middle school production of Descendants is this weekend. Daughter Carol asked if I would be willing to work with the boys in charge of the spotlights at practice tomorrow. It's nice to be needed, so I said yes!

Weekend crafting

 

I've been knitting in the evenings while watching t.v. with Dave. At the rate I'm going, this should be done in time for cold weather!

I finished the patchwork jacket this afternoon. It looks nice, but it doesn't fit.

I'm able to get it on, but it's tight across the back and through the arms.

Lesson learned: make sure the oversized sweatshirt is truly oversized! I might make another, but it won't be for a while. I'd rather make a quilt. At least I know that a quilt will fit someone!

A little bit of progress

 Another day got away from me. I did get a little tatting time in this morning.

This afternoon I worked on strips for the back of my patchwork jacket. Right after I took this photo I realized that I need to add one more piece to each strip. That will be a task for tomorrow!

Thursday crafting

 

Before heading off to school this morning, I managed to fit in a little tatting time. This is another Curds & Whey bookmark that I started a long time ago, but I have no idea how long ago! I'm pretty sure this is size 40 thread, but I don't know what color it is.

Mom and I ran errands this afternoon, so I didn't work on anything until after dinner. I knit four rounds of my Vanilla Sweater, and it is now about 5" long. Not bad for a busy day!

Baking, knitting, and sewing

 

Today was bread baking day. I love fresh baked bread!

Yesterday was pretty busy, so I didn't sit down to do any crafting until after dinner. I decided it was time to start my Vanilla Sweater from The Wooly Thistle. I've had the kit for four years, so I figured I was long overdue for knitting it. I'm off to a good start!

This afternoon I sewed the second front panel for my jacket. I'll need to do some more piecing before I can start the back. My project is taking much longer than I anticipated, mainly because I keep getting distracted by other things!

One more

 

One more bookmark is finished from my stash of UFOs. I'm not sure what this thread is, but I know it's not Lizbeth. It's kind of fuzzy, which made it a little more difficult to close the rings. My bookmark stash is growing!

The middle school production of Descendants is coming up soon, October 17 and 18. Daughter Carol (aka Madame Director) asked if I could do some costume alterations today. Luckily, they were fairly easy and it only took me about an hour.

Daughter Joanne and I have been discussing Christmas quilts. We have fabric chosen. Now will come the hard part... deciding which pattern to use!

Bookmark day

 

Angela and I managed to do quite a bit of reorganization yesterday, and while working I found a bag with unfinished bookmarks. So, today I finished tatting bookmarks!

This one is in size 20 hand-dyed thread "Sky and Field". I'm pretty sure it's one of Marilee Rockley's threads. The tag looks like her hand writing.

I think this one might be size 20 Lizbeth #127 Butterfly Breeze. I'm not positive, because I only had the thread on the shuttle, no ball.

Yesterday was a great mail day! These two beauties are from Rita Richmond of Shuttle by Design. 

I also received Martha Ess's two latest books. I'm eager to get started!

Finished!

I am so happy with this quilt! Actually, I finished it Thursday evening right before heading off to bed, but I forgot to post yesterday.

This pot holder method really works for me. I think I may return to machine stitching the blocks together so that I can work through all of my ideas more quickly.

Today will be organizing day. Angela and I are making great progress upstairs, but there is still a lot that I would like to sort through before the holidays. I think my family will be very surprised to find fewer craft items taking up space!

Time flies

 

Another week seems to be getting away from me, and I don't have much to show in the way of crafting. I did manage to finish one front of my patchwork jacket. I took a different approach and pieced the section before sewing it on. I'm not sure which approach is better, but this was definitely an easier way to align the pieces. 

I realized I didn't have enough of this jelly roll fabric to finish the jacket, so I ordered another. If I like the way the jacket fits, I plan to hand quilt, embroider, and/or add embellishments after it's finished. If I don't like the way it fits, I will donate it... I think!