Quilted Duo

One, two and I am through!

Lena approved the quilt on the floor because I won't let her

lay on them when they are on the frame!

These are all identical triangle log cabin blocks

and make the secondary interaction because the blocks are turned 

this way and that until they made a pleasant design to me.

She was determined to look up at me when I tried to get a close-up! 

 The second lap quilt is the combination of rail fence

and log cabin blocks.

The quilting is just a simple star and banner pantograph that I like

for patriotic lap quilts.

Ups and Downs!

Another installment of the DarnGoodYarn silk yarn-making headbands...

perfect kind of project for me right now!

And the new shipment just came so I am reminded that I am behind!

We took the boys to the County Fair yesterday;

it was a crazy wonderful time!

It's a Finished Object Alright!

So here's the little girl's cardigan before blocking

...and after.

It's much easier to block wools than acrylic but it is possible with a bit of steam.

I had such high hopes for this cake of yarn

but 

I think it is made for scarves 

and NOT for sweaters.

I didn't realize when I bought it that it is DK weight so that was the first bummer.

The colors are just too jarring and not the look I can admire for a sweater.

Maybe I would use this for a Brioche project when the 'other' color would be a dark solid.

Anyway, I used almost the full cake of yarn, Lion Brand in DK weight, #6 needles.

Goodbye to this project!

(It is destined to my fancy dressing 5 yo granddaughter who will love it!

But first I need to knit a vest to match for her brother! lol)

Finding the Sunshine!

 We had another  morning of 30F this morning which meant we had lots of cats inside,

all scrambling for the warmth of the sunshine!

This is Nyki.

 And Lena with me while I sat to sew on those borders 

so I could load on the second quilt.

And it is loaded on and stitched down just waiting for me!

(I am late to post because I woke up with an allergic reaction

to the latest antibiotic in trying to treat this never-ending UTI!

I have Benadryl and steroids in my body to fight the reaction;

count me impaired but improving!!!)

Fancy Ribbing

 The last dishcloth ready for use!

These were clever pattern from Annie's

and new-to-me stitch patterns which were nice to learn.

I had just enough to make a coaster!  

Now to finish that child's cardigan....

Rolled Up

 I managed to quilt the triangle log cabin patriot's quilt this week.

I used a star and banner pantograph for this lap quilt.

When I finished doing the first one, 

I loaded on the second little rail fence and log cabin blocks quilt

then realized I had not added the blue border on this one.

So a little setback I hope to remedy during today's nap time!

(I had purchased enough backing to do both quilts without having to load again-

it worked out great!)

Project Bag

 I had an hour in the sewing room 

so I thought to make one of my sweater sized project bags;  16" x 14" .

I  added a matching notions bag later in the day.

I think my Mom will enjoy having this set to take back to NY with her;

the departure day is fast approaching, unfortunately.

Parts Make a Whole

 Another dishcloth made;  it wasn't enough yarn to make a whole one

 so I used a bit from a new skein to add borders top and bottom.

This one is knit in seed stitch;  

I thought I wouldn't like doing a whole dishcloth in seed stitch 

but I didn't mind the rhythm of it at all and I like the texture of it in my hand!

The pond lawn is covered with these wildflowers again this Spring.

The camera wanted to focus on the ones in the background

 instead of the one right in front of me! 

 I saw some color in the tree back there and found this......

the hurricane had tangled it beyond repair 

so I cut all the parts from the string and I am going to build it again!

I have been saving colored bottles to make one of these

and now I don't have to cut the bottoms off-I can just enjoy this one!

This one was tangled , too, and I almost just tossed it

 because they are pretty common

 but I saved all the disks after I cut them apart

 and I will decide if I am going to rebuild this one later!

Always New

 A new to me stitch was used to make a knit dishcloth-yarn and pattern from Annie's Catalog.

A goodnight extravagance sent last night.

A Visit to a Natural Wonder!

 Blue Springs State Park here we come!

  It was crispy cold today but sunny and bright

 and just right for spotting manatees along the Blue Spring where the water is a constant 72F. 

 In the background of this photo is the St. Johns River. 

 This is in the DeLand/DeBary area of Florida.

 My niece and her friend are down from Syr., NY,

 for a visit and we took them on a day trip!

 The spring is full of fish

 and if you look in the sunny spot in the foreground, 

you will see a fish ''swishing a nest.

 Here is a manatee mama and her young one!

 A closer view with a visitor swimming along for a chat!

 The mouth of the spring and you can see why it has its name!!

 This is my husband (L) and my Dad (r) on the boardwalk .

Boys, their dad (my middle son) and my Mom!

We have taken this same picture so many times and love to compare them for the generations!

 And I blocked this early this morning and had it drying in front of the fireplace so I could wear it today!  

Nothing like some stylish woolens on a chilly day!

(This broke the curse of this Jacob's wool yarn which has been knit and ripped out from 4 garments I have tried to make out of it!!!!  This vest fit perfectly and I had only a little bit of the yarn left which I tossed so that it's really a finish-gone, done, the end!)

Nature's Visitors ...

 Now we have eight...
Nemo, Boy Wonder's cat we have had for a month,

has now been joined by his 'brother' since they became victims of this home disruption, too!

Everyone is settling in amazingly well;  

our main residents are being very resigned to our growing cat sanctuary!

Bill and the boys spotted this print at the pond.

It is about 6-7" from toe to heel-

it is a young bear print!

Thankfully, no cats go back that far and bears do no like people contact!

                                        The temperatures have been chilly enough with this

very cold, northerly wind!

We hit 32* again this morning....I really hope it is the last one like this!!!!
Of course, the fire makes our home nice and snuggly.
Lots to be grateful for....

A Pair of Mittts

A pair of lady-like mitts for my granddaughter!

I still have plenty of the yardage left in this skein....

what shall I do with the rest?  

Another pair of mitts but with a different pattern and needle size-this one is on a #1.

And amidst all the dead foliage from the frosts in January, the banana grove is recovering and even has a flower and a bunch of bananas growing-right at the top of the stalk on the right!

A good indication to persevere!

A Hand for You

 I finished the plain little fingerless mitt.

Our driveway looks like it could glow in the dark!

The azaleas are all in bloom!  

The mitts would blend right in with all these shades of pink/fuschia! 

And then the swamp lilies are in bloom but much less showy than the azaleas! 

And  I am very excited about this budding bloom!

(amaryllis to be!)

Circled!

Sewing them together is a bit time consuming

but yields good results!

I am enjoying the simplicity of this 

Accuquilt Rag Circle design!

Sleeved!

Well, one sleeve is finally completed at least!

I ripped it out so many times because the colors left in the skein after knitting the body 

were not the full selection so I could make a match to the body.

I did take what colors I could match,

 halved the amount of yarn so I can have the right amount for the second sleeve!

  (Thank you , Nancy , for the idea!)

The colors are way off in this picture because it is late at night-

I wasn't going to bed until I got it right!

The second sleeve should be a breeze after this!

Soup Bowl Warmers

I was digging around for something else and came across this trashed project Mom had started

last year-

I ripped what she had started out-

then started over and now there are two nice bowl warmers for her to use!

Shhhhh!

She doesn't yet know I finished them for her!

I can see why people like making them and get so creative with the fabric choices!

Traditions!

Mom and I went to the 

AQS Quilt Show in Daytona today!

It was our third annual attendance!

It was wonderful on every level and so good to laugh together

 and catch up on all the things we don't have time to sit and talk about as easily any more!

It was chilly enough to wear my new vest for the first time! 

I'm glad to say it was comfortable and added just the right amount of warmth

needed in those big convention centers!

I know it was cold and snowy up north

and so I have no right to call 63F morning temps chilly!

(It did reach a sunny 80 on the ride home!)

Squared Away!

I managed to place all my applique pieces in place 

and then stitch them down with invisible thread.

The borders are selected but not sewn in place yet

but it sure is nice to see the conclusion is going to be a good one,

if I do say so myself!

(I had this scheduled to post at 6;30 this morning but I clicked the wrong button
and it was scheduled to post at 6:30 this pm....sigh.)