Baby Ripple

Here's BABY RIPPLE, don't you agree it is lovely ! ! !

DH and I picked the yarn and the color [what else beside pinks would do?] and I set to work crocheting, crocheting and then, crocheting some more.

It ended up be 36" x 40"

Wasn't too certain how to finish the edge until I picked up my old standby [there are some that think it's publishing date of 1959 makes it OLD, OLD]

Found what I was looking for on page 18:

Ahh, a Shell Stitch Edge.

What fun ! ! !

My very first ripple blanket completed.

Certainly is a Lucy-style ripple blanket if I ever saw one.   Please, take a moment to drop in for a visit with Lucy and leave her a comment.

Why it's a box covered with hearts!

Just the right box for:

A Gift-From-Our-Hearts

topped off with a pink bow.

Ready for a girly-girl.

Vintage Ladies

A while back I made a couple of pillows using patterns take from 

Ladies of Leisure - Vintage Quilts - Linens & More!

The book was published by Design Originals.

Suzanne McNeill 2003

After transferring the pattern and embroidering I colored with Crayola Crayons.  

Just the regular school box crayons.

Using a hot iron and parchment paper [to keep the crayon wax off my pressboard] they were heat set.

Here they are!

How 'bout her nose.

I adore each of these two gals and smile every time I pass by.

Knit Nite

About a dozen of us showed up last night to have a wonderful couple of hours to compare, exchange and show off just about any kind of fiber creation we could imagine.

Blogs were part of the discussion.   I think we're in agreement that blogs are here to stay and are an excellent way to explore all the possibilities of fiber creation.

Fer sure, with the weather still in it's winter mode we put our knitted hats, scarfs and sox to good use.  Brrr ! ! ! 

Here's what I'm hoping to win when Sandy picks the winner in her Giveaway [me!].

  521 Lake Street

Sandy sez:

"Cath Kidston Labels and Stickers, a journal with a lot of fun pages, and a lovely box of stationery…..So here is what you need to do to win this fun group of lovelies:"
Better get over to Sandy's blog !

An Unusual Quilt

And lucky for us it is offered in a very generous Giveaway at
   Lila Tueller Designs 
Lila says, "This quilt was made from my newest line of fabric out called "Eden". It's a really fun, textural flouncy thing that I have talked myself into parting with as the GRAND PRIZE for this contest!"
This Giveaway began Saturday the 20th.


My 20-Minutes-A-Day Challenge is a big factor in the number of placemats I'm finishing.  And my pile of Junk Stash is disappearing.
The No Strings Attach Challenge is a big factor also.  I knew I'd get around to using all those strips one day.  Well, that day is upon me.
I think placemat number sixteen has been completed.  Have already given six away.
My QAWM* project is on the wall being considered.  Have a couple of idea suggestions that I'm mulling.
Also finished Baby Ripple and wrapped and ready to go.

Busy Saturday

Today was busy.

First thing this morning was our monthly Thimbleberries Club.

This month's program was 'Color Theory' given by a member of our local quilt guild.  Great presentation.  Can never get enough color theory.

Daughter Debbie finished a quilt top using Scout T-shirts acquired during the years of Ryan's scouting.  Sashed with Boy Scout themed fabric.

After lunch at the bbq [pulled chicken and pulled pork]

Deb and I sorted out a project we began more than eighteen months ago.  At least we now have a plan of attack for our next 'quilt day' together.

I have the body of my QAWM* quilt together.  After a number of trials I decided on this configuration.

Have no idea what to border it with other than beginning with a narrow yellow - then ????

Will leave it up on the wall for a while for an inspiration.

Now, it's time for cookies ! 

All Wound Up

Spent the afternoon in wonderful company.  

We gave the yarn ball winder a good workout.  Must have wound a dozen balls.  

All I had to do was make sure no knots got pasted me, easy peasy.

Got the job done.

You can see my QAWM* on the table.  

Finished cutting and just laid them out on the table.  

Think I'll put up a design wall in this room so that I can see 'em for a while before any piecing is started.  

Lots better on the wall than on the table, a different perspective.  

New Blogger

Found a new blog from the group of the No Strings Attached Challenge.

Mayleen

hasn't been blogging for long and is already providing us an opportunity to win one of her string projects.  Plus ! ! !  ? ? ? ?

If you want to know more just click the link. 

Quilt Guild Goodies

Our Quilt Guild does have the best Treaters and Greeters.
Here's a sampling of what we were offered at last night's monthly meeting.
There was way more than this, but I want to show you what caught my eye.


Wasn't able to put in any time at 'creating' yesterday and plan to make up for it today.


My motto for this week:
Make Progress ! ! ! 

QAWM* on the wall

QAWM*
Finally got a set of blocks up on the wall.  Will do some cutting tomorrow.
I'm certainly using up my string stash.  These are more to my liking than those blah TB blocks. The block I thought would really work what with using three values - lite, med., and dk.  Looks ok as a blah tablerunner.
Anyway, I've made headway.

Time to relax now.
Bought a copy of(apron-ology)
 I picked it up this evening at B&N.  
Boy, was that place busy.  
Lots of customers and many of them families.  
What a place to take the family on a Saturday evening.


Ah, my feet are up and a cup of cocoa and cookie at my elbow.

Southern California Snow

Sure it snows in sunny Southern California !

My brother sent me photos of the snow

they have received during the last storm that came through his area.

He and my s-i-l live in the mountains in the San Bernardino Mountains between Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake at an elevation of over 7,000 feet.

This is the view of the neighbor's cabin.

Yep, that hump of snow is the cabin.  It is completely hidden by the snow.

The building at the left is my brother's garage - it looks like it has three to four feet of snow on it - this is after the roof has been cleared off once.

The house on the right is his house.

His has had to shovel the snow off there also. He says the snow is between SIX TO TEN FEET !

Below is the view out his bathroom window.  The bottom of the window is eight feet above ground level.

They've been lucky so far and have been without power only once and that was for only eighteen hours.
They do have a generator.
Talk about cabin fever.

QAWM and the rest of the Challenges, and Knit Hats to boot

Here's my first QAWM project.

Pathetic isn't it.  Just does not do it for me.   Makes a great table runner, but no ZING, that's fer sure.

Not one to be thwarted, by this afternoon I will have a project with some ZING

You can just bet Thimbleberries will not be featured ! ! 

Anyway - - - - -

Here's a couple of knit hats worthy of the weather.  I know my pal DJ got her hat pattern off Ravelry, but am not certain where AMW got her pattern.  AM, where'd you find your pattern?

So here they are toasty as can be.

Okay, enough chit-chat I'm off to start the day  - - -

hope to do

20-Minutes-A-Day

with

No Strings Attached

and end up with a GREAT beginning of a QAWM ! ! 

Followers, Commenters, Subscribers

I want to thank you all for reading my blog.

Thank you to those who have become Follow-ers

Thank you to those who have let me know what you think when you read what I have to say.

Thank you to those who have Subscribed and keep up on my latest post.

You all make a difference.

I attempt to respond to every Comment because I want you to know how much I appreciate you remarks.

Most of my Follow-ers I know who you are and I attempt to visit your blogs and leave a Comment now and then just to let you know I am reading your posts.

However there are a couple of Follow-ers  who have no blogs listed - Heather Stanley, Siobhan Toner, Mrs. Treasure Field, Michelle Comeau and Myrna Ayscue - thank you for Follow-ing.

YOU

are

MY VALENTINES.

Fininshed Scrap Strings Projects

I've been working at eliminating ALL my leftovers, still.

The pile is shrinking.

And, my stack of String Placemats/Tabletoppers is growing

Here are six more.

The Thimbleberries scraps are mine,

the colorful are a mix of mine and given to me.

Fat Quarters that need to be gone were used on the reverse.

These mats are quilt-as-you-go and have triple stitching at edge and trimmed with rotary cutter with pinking blade.

Just when I thought I was seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, I found another bag of scraps.  I peeked inside and it looks as though it's all Floral.

So, right after we have lunch 

[home today for a change as there is a bit of snow and ice out there and we did put on a Chuck Roast yesterday] That new-found bag of scraps will tumble out on the table and perhaps there will be no usable pieces.  [fingers-crossed]

Double Dealing

This is what I've been working on.  Between sorting, straightening and organizing it seems as though the time spent on the actual sewing/constructing was nothing at all.

I picked through the two stashes, the one given to me and my own stash.  Came up with enough of a choice to come up with these.

Some quick, simple table/place mats.  Utilitarian, yet something to brighten my day.

If one side isn't pleasing, just flip the thing over and there's a whole different attitude.

See, what I mean

Used leftover string strips {No Strings Attached Challenge}
and odd-ball FQs
AND
created at least 20-Minutes-A-Day
Now it's off to my Thimbleberries Stash.


Hope to do a triple play by
creating 20-Minutes-A-Day
using Strings
AND 
participating in Melody's QAWM*

In Time for Valentine's Day

Diane Knott's Musing is having a Valentine Give-Away

Wonderful creations abound on this talented gal's blog.

Even if you don't want to enter her give-away  for Valentine's Day take a look at what you'd be missing.

P.S. I am probably going to win this one ! ! ! ! !

Use-It-All-Up Quilt Project aka QAWM*

Melody has come up with a terrific idea for the month of February.

Here's Melody's concept: "I  am Going to make a very simple quilt block that has lots of possibilities and I am not going to use any other fabric except what I have in my house at this minute, which includes loads of hand dyed fabrics too. (Yesterday I spent two hours online fabric shopping and stopped myself just at the point of making the purchase.) I am certain that I have enough here for several quilts."

For the entire skinny on her idea trip on over to her blog - Fibermania

I just came from there and four of us have signed up to QAWM* ! !  

The Ultimate, at last

The Ultimate Caramel!

Ordered the Ultimate in place of my favorite - Lemon Bar.

This is what we're talking about:

  

My Ultimate Caramel, his Vanilla Bean Cheesecake.
Take a look at the luscious-ness -

Oh, yes, it was wonderful.

You know you want to a little taste -

here it comes:

Just about there - - -

Opps, nope, not sharing this time. It's mine, all mine.   :^0

If you're in town
B.K.Bakery

20-Minutes-A-Day is still goin' on.  

I've been faithful [mostly] and have finished a couple of projects, tossed useless stash, using string strips - enjoying each session at the machine. It's been a long time.
Pics of a couple of finished items will be coming in the next few days.  Must launder them first to check out the quick-quilting.
Baby Ripple is progressing right along.  Just a few more border rows. 

My question: should I block this crocheted blanket?  It's acrylic, will it block?  I've never blocked acrylic, so should I or not?

DH and I are ready to re-arrange our computer areas by moving our computer tables and desks upstairs [with help].  Hoping that by tomorrow evening at least all will be in place up here so we each can settle into our own spaces up here.

Now it's time to check out the yarn I bought today.

Eye Candy

Yummy treats for your eyes!

Pop over to to see Nigella Lawson create some loveliness

Vanessa - A Fanciful Twist
provided the link to Ms Lawson

Both women put a smile on my face and visions dancing in my head.

The Day Began With A . . beep . . beep . . . beep

 the darn carbon monoxide alarm began it’s beeping at 4:30 a.m. It was not a steady beeping 
–
we couldn’t decide whether or not it was a malfunction. 
Dialed 911 and the fire department was here in four minutes with their carbon monoxide detector. 
Luckily, none was detected and it was deemed the alarm malfunctioned. 
Here and gone in under ten minutes.  
If only I could have gotten back to sleep that quickly.

Bright side,
Baby Ripple is now in the bordering stage.
I could not get back to sleep.
  Nothing like quite time in the early morning hours to get some crocheting accomplished ! ! !
Photos tomorrow. 

After my morning nap, DH and I took a ride up to Columbia to the yarn shop.  After all, I’ve had that birthday gift certificate from Hillcreek Yarn Shoppe twenty-seven days. 
It was time to buy, buy, buy ! ! !




Left there a happy hooker
AND sock knitter.

Last comment of the day, especially for Kate
This is the story of how I was lucky enough to receive a Roly Poly Beanie




A couple of years ago the corporate offices of Roly Poly Wrapped Sandwich Shops decided a change in decor was needed. 
Well, DH and I liked the status quo 
–
so got on the Internet and left a note on their website stating my opinion.  This began a short exchange of emails with the two inventors/owners.
They responded to my email saying their customer-based poll revealed a desire to have a more up-scale decor.  No more bright, primary colors.  In came the muted greens and maroon.  The menu would remain the same, just the walls and menu board color would change. 
Well, guess we’d live with it but felt better for stating our opinion nonetheless. 
As a result of our corresponding they asked if I’d like one of the two remaining Roly Beanies they had used in a promo. 
Boy, would I.
That’s the story.

If you look real close you may even catch a glimpse of me.
 

20 Minutes A Day and Stringing

. . . I’ve been trying to stick to it.  And, have been pretty darn successful doing it.  The twenty minutes each day is the easiest part of these two challenges.  Completing a String Project is a bit more to stick to.  First off, remember the twelve foot long strip of String pieces?  Well, the last time I saw it was when I photographed it so I could blog it.  Have looked high and low for it.  Nowhere to be found ! ! !   It’s twelve feet long and six inches wide.  HOWEVER, I’m certain it must be folded to a much smaller size - so much easier to hide from me.

In the meantime, there was a six foot length that did not get away and I have been working with it.  But haven’t completed even one tiny project using them.

I have, however, used an orphan block that was constructed from leftover 2.5" strips that were pieced side-by-side then cut into 2.5" strips.




  



From that I made block and had a long strip leftover.  Anywho, used this block and leftover strip to make my netbook a sheath/envelope to protect it while it’s in my purse.







Finished two totes that have been setting around for months.




 
I am still straightening and organizing as I go along.

Have signed up for a class at our lqs.  Dawn Heese, a local quilter/designer from Columbia, MO, will hold a class based on her quilt Geese In The Rose Garden from her book by the same name [published by The Kansas City Star].  It’s pieced and appliquéd.  I’m most interested in the hand-appliqué and Dawn is darn good at it. I want to learn as much as I can from this class.

Let’s see, what else has been happening . . . .
attended our local quilt guild meeting for the first time in a number of months.  It was great seeing everyone and truly enjoyed the program which was Dawn Heese.

Today we met for coffee with out-of-town friends. . . well, yes, we did meet at the Bakery.  They have great coffee ! ! !  Yes, we did have a Pecan goodie to go with the coffee.

Baby Ripple is moving right along. Still a ways to go before the border.

Oh, that’s it, that’s all for now.