What's Blue and Red . . . .

. . . why it's Ron's new sox.

They're made with Zitron's Life Style, 100% Merino Wool Extrafine Superwash.

Knit Cuff Down with a K2P2 ribbing and K1P1 leg.

It's been a couple months since I've had my circular needle in my hands. Holiday and class samples prep have kept them in the knitting basket with several wonderful skiens of yarn that are just waiting to be put into action.

I'm following suggestions in KNITTING RULES by Stephanie Pearl McPhee and using just a basic recipe so it's fast going.

Here's their profile showing the heel.

Hope to have 'em on feet by Friday. Since we are back to listening to audiobooks chances are that I'll meet that goal.

Impulse Projects

Felt like I had to play with some color and some new techniques so I got out one of my new books and some colorful fabric and went to play. Then as I was scanning some new blogs I found a tutorial for a five-pointed star and tried it out. Am working of a smaller version of the 14" square sample. This'll just be a little wallhanging.

And since Christmas is over it makes my seasonal tote was out of date. So I got out a new pattern I bought at the Quilt Show in Columbia last November, That and my online purchase of animal skin print fabric made up this little beauty.

The flap is removeable so that with a different flap it could give it a entirely different look.

On Schedule

Here they are - the last of the class samples. The Crazy Quilt Pillow Top, Paper-pieced Tablerunner and the X-Block Flying Free Wallhanging. That makes six projects completed - with the seventh already hanging in the shop along with a second Stained Glass quilt top hanging.

Am going to finish the 'Blue Quilt' for Dean and Debi's after-Holidays Gift. I realized this morning that this blue quilt will be the third quilt I made based on the Straight Furrows blue quilt kit Ron and I purchased on the first mid-MO shop hop. The second quilt was the quilt guild Block Lotto blocks and now this quilt for D & D. Sure got our money's worth from that one purchase.

We're looking forward to Christmas Eve Dinner tomorrow afternoon with Deb and Ryan and his gf Paige. Deb sez Mr Tom is ready for his big day. And we'll be ready for D & R coming Christmas afternoon for Ham Sandwiches, homemade Chicken Tortilla Soup, and maybe even some homemade Walnut Raisin Pie.

Stay warm !

Under Control

Last evening we installed a new printer to go with the new laptop that goes with cable internet and new e-mail addresses.
Tonight I tried out the different features on our new 3-in-1 printer-scanner-copier. Think a few more times and I'll be up to speed.
Finish my latest X-Block project - Flying Free wallhanging - will provide a pic next time. Well, finished to the point that it's ready to be used as a class sample - just the top, not quilted.
AND my sewing area is still looking good. Everything cleared away from the X-Block project. Will bring out the next project's fabric and pattern tomorrow. AND I can walk into my Stash Room the floor is mostly cleared.
Ahhh, made a resolution to clear out some of my seldom used winter sweaters and tee's. Hope to stick to this resolution and make some room. Hope, hope.

Hey, it's the season

Yes, yes, I know - I'm way behind . . . . on everything.
Hey, I've been occupied.

New laptop with Vista
new cable Internet
attempt to acquire new email address for new provider.
That took until late yesterday evening, but mission accomplished. So all is well.

Today was the last Thimbleberries Club meeting for year [and the last meeting in Columbia before begining the new year of TB Club that will now be meeting here in Jeff]
This Christmas TB Meeting was by far the most memorable.
What a flurry of gift exchanges. Two of our good TB friends went home with Teeny Meenies. I know the guys will be treasured - even though their faces will not reflect their happiness.

Have been writing Class Descriptions for the upcoming first quarter of 2009 at our lqs. Still have Supply Lists to conjure up. Yahoo! ! ! I'm excited about the classes I've chosen to teach. The projects are great to make up for display.

Opps, I'm going downstairs to dial-up my other account. Talk with you later

Turkey Dinner

After a quick bath and rub down the bird was ready !
















A session in the newly repaired oven gave the bird a golden tan.


















Ron gloved up while the bird rested for a few minutes
















then put his carving skills to use.
















Everyone enjoyed the results of the day's activities.

Keeping Me Out of Trouble

I can't make just one, had to make an entire family of them.

The Teeny Meenies

Oh? You don't think they could grow on ya?

This small placemat was made with Thangles - you quilters know what I'm talking about when I say. {Thangles are a pre-printed paper template used for making half-square triangles - a square made of two triangles usually of a light value and a dark value.

A nice way to spend an afternoon.

These tablerunners were made with Charm Paks. The pink and green are from Thimbleberries Charm Squares [5" square]

This orange/green runner was made with Moda charm squares.

A quick and easy pattern - another nice afternoon at the sewing machine.

Oh, My ! !

These beautiful placemats are a wonderful surprize gift given to me last evening from a generous friend who has a very big heart.

I know for certain that she is on Santa's 'Nice' list.

Honk If You See Santa

Honk-honk, honk-honk ! ! !

At one-thirty this afternoon we spotted Santa and his Mrs. strolling downtown on High Street. Yep! right here in Jeff City ! ! ! !

When we gave them a toot of the horn - they gave us a friendly nod and hardy wave - ho! ho! ho!

We sure hope this puts us on his 'Nice' list.

The Other Side of Autumn

This is the front yard the second day after Ron raked the yard clean.

Rain is expected for tonight and Ron is out raking the front yard again. We love Fall ! ! !

More Dashboard Art

The Old Brick House - a perfect place for a delish lunch. [Deb works in the building on the far right.]

The scenery on the way isn't too bad either. This stretch of Hwy 179 is a lovely road to travel.

Dashboard Art

This time of year all I have to do is point-n-shoot right out the windshield.

The is the view down West Main.

This is the reason I left the Southwest. The turning of the seasons.

Kwik Kar Wash

Here it is - life in the fast lane:

Waiting in line with perfect Fall weather.
Let the fun begin -

Suds,

more suds,

A good brushing

Waxing -

and now rinsing

and now for the spot-free Rainex

Light at the end of the tunnel

That's it - that's all

Keeping Busy

Ran a few chores yesterday morning and brought home a sandwich for lunch.

In the late afternoon Debbie and I went to Pam's Visitation. During the drive we discussed our Thanksgiving. When and where to have it and who was bringing what. That all decided I suppose I should begin straightening and dusting - only have a little more than three weeks to accomplish the task.

Evenings have been occupied creating some 'little beings' using various scraps from my stash. They're based on Kumiko Sudo's babies. They're so cute ! Will also try a 'Pocket Baby' while I'm at it.

Pam you are always in our hearts.

Borders, borders, borders

Boy, did we do borders! ! ! Cindy, Connie, Dianna and Dori made my afternoon. We had a regular confab. One idea bouncing off the other. Everyone contributed and we all came away with new ideas and inspiration for more. And now I'm ready to put some of these insights into action as I have three quits ready for borders. The rest of our ideas will be written and drawn in my notebook so I'll have them for future projects.

What a great way to spend the afternoon.

Purse Party !

What a time we had making mesh totes !
Seven ladies showed up last evening and did we have a time. Mesh, fabric strips, handles - all were flying during our four hour marathon. Everyone, save J.B., left with a finished tote by the end of the evening. J.B. was involved with adding embellishments to her tote.
Every tote as individual as its owner.

Tomorrow will be the second half of the Stained Glass Quilt class. I've spoken with two of the gals - they've been cutting and sewing and planning for tomorrow's class when we attack the last step before quilting, that is - - - borders ! ! ! We'll explore mitered borders as well as square, and squared borders. D.L. has been using EQ6 designing one border after another. Hopefully we'll be able to see those results in class as well as her final decision on her border.
I've not made as much headway on my Stained Glass [made from three Moda Charm Paks]. I had hoped to have at least four panels completed.

Today is a sad day for our quilting community. We lost a very good friend. Pam, you'll be in our hearts forever.

Classes at the LQS

What fun it is to be teaching classes at our local quilt shop. www.specialtyquilts.com
I've taught the X-Block Mo's Basket quilt, Strip Clubbing's Stained Glass, a Seasonal Mesh Tote Bag and two Quilting 101 classes. The first was Rotary Cutting - all about using the rotary cutter and the mats, rulers and shortcuts that go along with it. The second Quilting 101 class was all about Flying Geese, triangles, half-square triangles, Thangles and the like.
Tomorrow evening will be another Mesh Tote Bag class. This is similar to the last bag I posted.

I've finished one Lap Quilt and working on four others in various stages.

Have also been corresponding with a new Norwegian Cousin who found me via my genealogy blog. Anita and I have been learning about each other and really enjoying the exchange of email

MESH BAGS

Bags, Bags
How do you like my latte bag? It's roomy enough to hold all I carry and more.

Jazzed up the zipper and the bag with hot-fix crystals.

Loved this bag ‘til - - - - - my bag for Autumn.


Added a few sparkly leaves that we all know will be falling from the trees from now ‘til February.
Made this bag a little shorter but just the same width as the Latte Bag.
There’s a Ghee’s closure that will keep this baby shut tight when necessary.

In The Backyard This Morning

Autumn is here in mid-MO. There's dew on the grass and leaves in the morning with the temps in the mid- to hi-50s.

Here's what we saw this morning -

The spider that built is wondrous web began sometime yesterday morning, worked throughout the day and was there again this morning repairing the damage caused by last night's insects. The dew showed off her work to perfection.

This Seedum plant has exceeded my wildest expectations. Thought it would grow to a foot or so tall - but has instead grown to be at least twice that tall and way wide. I love these plants as they produce pale green buds early in the summer that turn to light pink in mid-summer. Now that Fall has arrived they're this beautiful rich pink that will eventually turn to brown. Sometime after the first of the year when we're certain to have snowfall the flowers will turn to snowflowers.

And, they will do the very same next year. Wonderful

Great students ! ! ! I enjoyed the afternoons spent with these two gals.

Aren't these two quilts showing off the weave pattern in Mo's Basket to it's best advantage?

Ambitious Janet will enlarge her green with blue floral into a bed-sized quilt while Dianna's pink and yellow baby quilt will no doubt comfort the baby that receives this gift.

X-Block - Mo's Basket Pattern

Don't remember if I'd posted these before so I'll post them today.
Both used fabrics already in my Stash. The top - Autumn Gold - is a throw-sized quilt and right now is hanging at the lqs as a class sample. This red/green wallhanging is Ready for the Holidays and is loaded with hot-fix crystals. It really sparkles as the sun changes positions during the day.

Both quilts have the left-over wedges from cutting the blocks into the X-Block configuration in the border. Don't use anywhere near the entire lot of them but just enough to add a little more interest in the borders.

Welcome Home, Renee !

She's home after being on the road fourteen months !

X-Block Class

Our First Class at our lqs - Specialty Quilts & Fabrics

She Cuts !
She sews !
Instructs !
Results !

A Fun Project

These are a fun project - dosen't take that long, but does take a bit of thread for the Satin Stitching. One of these hanging at the chiminey with care would be a welcome sight at our house. And, of course, it's big enough to hold lots and lots of goodies.! ! ! ! !

These went to Miss Millie's Quilt Shoppe's annual contribution to Missouri Girl's Town.