Saturday Something

Sometimes you just have to do things old school!  Such as this little Christmas quilt I'm working on. 

Usually I would fire up EQ and have it mapped out in a flash. But today we watched a movie and the doodles just came out. 

I can't wait to start cutting fabric and getting lost in this new project.  I hope you are all enjoying this weekend as much as I am!

Sunday Something

Well I tried to get this up yesterday but it just didn't happen. In reality not a lot happened yesterday!  The morning was pretty lazy and the night ended with selling concessions at our county fair. I don't want to look at another hamburger for awhile!  

Now the this week is beginning and the rush will begin again!  I'm hoping to get the borders put on this little beauty before Tuesday!  

It has 3 borders and they really should be mitered. Eeekk!  I've never attempted anything mitered before. I've always been too nervous.  After reading a dozen tutorials I'm ready to tackle this challenge!

 The background of this quilt is not what I'm accustomed to using but I absolutely love it. I can't wait to see the final project!  If only I had more time in a day. A girl can dream right?

Halloween Hangin' Around

Hey hey!  I just wanted to let you know one of my designs is featured on Fort Worth Fabric Studio's blog today!  This little wall hanging tutorial finishes about 44" square and is a quick project!  Head on over there and check it out as well as all the other fantastic projects they have going on.  

Saturday Something

Hello everyone! I know it has been forever since I posted anything. I would love to get back into blogging and this is just the time I should!  

Just a few updates since last January!  Holy cow it has been a long time.  Here is the short version!

*  I did graduate with a Master's degree!  Wahoo!!  It got intense at the end but I'm finished!

*  My kids are doing great!  Big L just turned 14, Big K is 10 and Little A is almost 7.  It is crazy how fast the time has flew by.  They are amazing kids and I'm blessed to be their mom.  

*  Let's talk about school.  I just recently moved to a 4th grade position.  Yup, no more wiping noses and tying shoes.  We have been in class 2 days and I'm amazed at how wonderful my class is.  In some ways I'm sad to not be with little kids but this is going to be a wonderful adventure.  

*  Still on the school note, my husband went back to school this past year.  He has handled everything with so much patience and a level head.  Right now he is planning on getting his RN and working as a nurse after he retires from his present job.  He is on a 20 year retirement and will be able to retire in about 8 years.  That makes me sound really old, thinking about his retirement!   

*  I'm still quilting and knitting sometimes.  Not a lot of knitting going on, but more quilting.  It seems I go in spurts!  Right now quilting is on my mind.  I recently bought a Sweet Sixteen quilting machine and have been in heaven quilting my own quilts.  

My plans for this blog are to keep it up and post more often.  Please check back soon!  I will be sharing my latest creation on Fort Worth Fabric Studio's blog next week!  I'm seriously excited and honored to be a guest on their blog.  Check out their website too!  They have such cute fabric!  

Well I've gotta run!  Life is busy but I'm so excited to be committed to blogging again and hopefully catching up with all of you!  

On The Needles 1-17-14

I am famous for starting projects, not liking the progress and then just stopping.  Or I don't know what to do next so I just put it away.  I'm afraid this is happening with my sweater progress.  I need some advice.  

I have never knitted a sweater before so I made some swatches, thought I had my gauge right, started the sweater and happily knitted away.  Put in a life line, tried it on, felt good about it and kept going.  Put in a second life line, tried it on and now I'm not so sure.  I chose the pattern Ease because it looked comfy and easy to wear.  It is supposed to have 3-4 inches of positive ease for a more baggy look.  I am not getting that look so far!  I measured myself and everything pointed to a medium.  The pattern called for size 10 needle, I got my gauge on a size 8.  Here is what I have so far, disregard the white line!

And the back.

I know it is really hard to tell when it is not finished but if I need to start over again I would rather do it now than when I get 5 more inches.  Here are my observations.  My gauge should be 18 stitches / 4 inches.  Right now it is about 20.  The shoulders fit well, I will pick up stitches to finish the neckline.  The underarm area is in the right place, but not too baggy.  It doesn't pull open at the bust, doesn't stretch it to the extreme but definitely looks different underneath the bust.  I don't have a large chest so I am not used to anything gaping in that area (or looking different at all).  It doesn't look bad on me, just different than what I was expecting. Do I keep going, rip it out, change needle size.  I'm open to any suggestions.  What would you do?

Okay, light up my inbox!  I don't want this to become an unfinished project!  Until then, I will mosey on over to Patchwork Times and find some inspiration there!  

On the Needles 1-10-14

Hello again!  I am excited to share what I started yesterday, dun, dun, dun . . . a sweater!!  Have I told you I love knitting!

Since last week I finished the first gray cable sock and cast on this Ease sweater.  I have been eyeing this sweater for a few months and my sweet husband (and inlaws) gave me a gift certificate for yarn as a Christmas gift.  I happily bought enough for this sweater.

The color is a heathery purple.  It doesn't look like much yet but I'm going slow because I have no idea what I am doing!  But I figure if I follow the pattern, which is well written and pretty easy, I should be okay.  And if not I can always take it out and try again.

I like a good challenge, and honestly learning how to knit has been really good for me while I am in my master's program.  I actually had to bribe myself to finish the class I was working on before I cast this on.  I am glad to say that I have finished it and now I am enjoying this knit before I have start on the next class.

Head over to Patchwork Times to see what everyone else is working on!

Back in the Game?

Hello, I hope everyone is doing well.  I haven't posted for so long probably no one checks my blog anymore.  I apologize in advance if this post gets really long.  There is so much to catch up on, if you just want to get to the knitting projects just skip to the bottom portion!

First, we are all doing well.  All of the girls are back in school, and doing well.  In fact our year is half over and I can't believe it has gone by so quickly.  I have a wonderful class this year I am thoroughly enjoying every day.  It is such a joy to be teaching Kindergarten, I learn so much from the kids I am supposed to be teaching.  They make me a better person and teacher.  

Second, I am halfway through my master's degree.  Wahoo! I usually don't toot my own horn but it has been really hard to get back into college thinking again, and I'm looking forward to being finished.  I am going through Western Governor's University, which is an online college and it has been hard to be self motivated and force myself to do homework every week.  But, it will be a good thing once I am finished, a better pay check and personal satisfaction that it is finished!  Hopefully I am finished by June, but I'll just have to see how it goes.  Wish me luck!  

Third, and most exciting thing is I'm a knitter!  I am been a long time follower of Judy at Patchwork Times.  She always shares the most amazing knitting projects and while I have crocheted stuff I have never knitted.  So I gave it a try in August.  I started with a dishcloth, which I did a little post about, and the first attempt was a total failure.  I didn't know you turned the work like crochet so I taught myself how to knit right handed and left handed.  It was really hard and I almost gave up.  Thankfully I didn't.  Next, I moved onto making a few scarves.  

This one is a long skinny scarf for my sister.  I should have taken a better picture before I gave it to her. It is made from Berroco Vintage, with a slight lacey feel.  She loves it and it fits her personality perfectly.  

I also became addicted to Ravelry!  I probably spend more time on there than Pinterest.  Anyway, this eternity scarf is Arbutus.  It was really fun to make, but I found I don't like short rows and it is a good thing the variegated yarn hides a lot of the mistakes!  It is made from Cascade Eco Highland Duo in Zebra.  It is so fluffy and warm I would wear it every day if I could.  

The real reason I wanted to learn how to knit was because I wanted a pair of knitted socks.  They looked really hard so I had to get a few projects under my belt before I attempted a pair.  

This is my first pair, yea, clap for me!  I was really excited to have a pair and I love them, except they are a bit loose and I like a little tighter sock.  I think it was the ribbing on the leg.  It did take a few hours for my feet to get used to the different feel they have.  I love the way they look and I can't wait to have enough so I can wear a pair every day of the week.  

This is my fourth pair, weird to go from the first pair to the fourth but I didn't get pics of the 2nd and 3rd.  The second pair was given to a friend because they didn't fit me, and the third pair didn't get a picture taken before they were taken over by my daughter!  We have the same shoe size and she believes I made them just for her.  Once they are washed they just might be hidden in my drawer where she will not find them!  Hehe I am so sneaky!  I really like the lower "no show" sock design they are just right to wear around the house and they work up pretty fast.  

These socks are my second attempt at a higher leg sock, and I wanted to put a little more detail in them. This is the right sox, with one cable on the outside edge, the left sock will have the cable on the outside as well.  It will run to the toe and then stop.  

It is still pretty fast but more interesting than straight stockinette stitch.  The more I work on them the more they look like a pair of old man socks.  I still like them and maybe the color choice will make it less likely Big L will leave them alone!  

This final picture is our first knitting accident.  I have learned my lesson to not leave my projects sitting on the floor.  Little A jumped off the couch and stepped right on a needle.  It went in pretty far at an angle.  You can see how far with the little arrow on the picture.  Poor girl cried and walked around with a wash cloth on her foot for most of the night.  Hopefully it will feel better in the morning.  It's only the third day of the year and I have already lost the mother of the year award.  

I know that was super long post, but I thought it best to get caught up all at once.  Check out Judy's blog for other knitting projects and check back soon to see what else is going on!   

Thanksgiving

Well hello!  I am alive, okay, but really busy!  Between teaching school, finishing my masters degree and being a mom and wife I have had little time for sewing, let alone blogging. 

We did have a really nice Thanksgiving with both sides of the family. We ate lots of food and my favorite pumpkin pie. 

We also took a few pics, most if them didn't turn out but I wanted to share one with you. 

I have many things to be thankful for, but most of all my family!  They are amazing!!

Instagram Overload

If you follow me on Instagram these pics will be a repeat, but not necessarily boring!  Cause they are of my cute family!  

I haven't even turned on my sewing machine for weeks. I'm trying to finish some college stuff, which I am stressed about right now. It is not helping that school is starting and I'm stressed about juggling everything. I'm trying to take it one day at a time and one class at a time. Wish me luck, I'm going to need it!

Well, enough whining!  Onto the cute pictures!  

School shopping with Big L. She is growing up too fast!  It was really fun to go shopping with her. 

Little A enjoying the last few days of summer. 

Big K and I waiting for our food. I'm pretty sure the other customers at KFC thought we were weird!

The girls painting Andy's toes!  He was quite fashionable for a few days. He cursed at the glitter polish while trying to take it off. 

It has been a great summer!  Maybe someday I will get back to sewing!

 

Design Wall Monday

Not much was accomplished this weekend. That is the way it has been going lately, lots of items on my list, hardly anything crossed off!  Here is what I have so far.

First border option

This is what originally had in mind when I was designing this quilt. When it was all laid out I didn't really like it. The borders are too light compared to the center and they don't compliment each other well. 

Second border option

Even though you can't see the whole picture I like this one the best. Look at the one complete section with the gray curly thing and the feathers, that section will be repeated around the quilt. 

Maybe someday I will have a "real" design wall!  Until then I will have to work on the floor and have the pieces scattered everywhere and the occasional dog toy in the mix!  

Head over to Patchwork Times for other quilty goodness!  Happy quilting!

A Little Bit of Fun

During the last week the girls and I had a little bit of craftiness going on!  They have been really interested in sewing so I printed off some sewing sheets and let them go for it!  These sheets are just to let them practice sewing on a line and turning a corner. They didn't use thread but they absolutely loved it!  

Little K was a bit apprehensive about using the sewing machine but once she got the hang of it she couldn't get enough. In fact she had to sew something "real" together. Since we have an abundance of fat quarters she sewed a few together and was completely proud of herself. 

Little A wouldn't be left out of the loop but she practiced her cutting ability, since it was practically non-existent. 

She cut out little square letters and did a pretty good job. Now I have little pieces of paper littering my floor because she wanted to do more and more!

I guess they are my children or just want to be involved in what I am doing because they love to start projects!  Now if I could only teach them how to finish!

To Knit or Not to Knit

I have frequently linked up with Patchwork Times on Design Wall Monday. And if you have never visited her site she is not just a quilter, she may be Wonder Woman!  She is not afraid to try anything, from raising chickens, to knitting and much more.  So in the spirit of Judy I have tried knitting. I have crocheted in the past, not very well, but I can read a basic pattern and make a few things. I have never tried knitting. I don't remember either of my grandmothers knitting or seeing my mom knit so I have never had the desire. 

After reading Judy's blog and all the stuff

she knits I wanted to give it a try. I love the idea of homemade socks but once I looked at a pattern and saw that I would have to use 4 needles I was immediately intimidated and gave up any notion of knitting. That is until yesterday.  For some reason yesterday was the day I was going to learn how to knit, so I did. I found an easy dishcloth pattern, ran to my local grocery store (yes, my grocery store has a whole section dedicated to crafty stuff) and grabbed some circular knitting needles and my adventure began!  

We were traveling north yesterday afternoon so I had to teach myself in the car. Thank goodness for good cell service that allowed me to watch a few YouTube videos along the way!  Since I picked an easy pattern I only had to learn how to cast on and the knit stitch, and whatever I didn't know I looked up or made up!  Here is what I have so far, please remember this is my first project!  

It kind of looks like it could be part of a bikini!  I really don't know what I'm doing, but I am on the decrease now. This next question will show what a beginner I am! Do you have to knit both left and right?  I cast my stitches on the right needle but every video I could watch showed the stitches in the left. So I just reversed the stitches and knitted in reverse until I had all the stitches on the left, then I knitted until I had them on the right and then continued back and forth. In crochet I would just flip the project around and then continue working from that side, but I have no idea how to do it in knitting!  Someone please straighten me out!  

Other than that it has been kind of fun, but them again I am one of those people who love a challenge. Hopefully I will learn more so I can do it the "right" way. Who knows, maybe someday I will attempt a pair of socks!  As for right now I'm having fun. 

I'm linking up with patchworktimes.com with this post. I can't figure out how to make a link to her site on my phone so if you want to go there you will have to go old school with cut and paste. Have a good weekend!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July to everyone in the United States!  We are grateful to live where we do and have what we have!  

Our family attended a local concert last night and parade this morning. 

We enjoyed catching candy and watching our three little ones dance. Thankfully it was a little overcast and not as hot as earlier in the week. 

My dad used to own a bicycle shop when I was younger. He would sell Schwinn bicycles exclusively and we always used these sacks on the 4th of July. 

This is the last year we will have these sacks. We have depleted all the reserves my parents have. Twenty three years after my dad sold the store they are no more. 

Last night we went to the park and attended a concert by Charlie Jenkins. It was great and fun to be with a lot of the community. My sweet sister made shirts for my our girls!  

I only snapped a pic of 1 of the 5 girls in their shirts. They were so excited to wear them last night and they loved them so much they wore them again today!  It is a white t-shirt with slits cut in the side and a wide ribbon wove through it. They turned out pretty cute. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend!  I'm planning on taking a nap this afternoon and hopefully finish my quilt!  

What Now?

I've been working on my latest design and I finally have the center finished. 

Now I just need to figure out the borders. I want to do something a little different. Usually I would have a little border and then a wider border of the paisley type print for the final border. 

This quilt needs something different, something special. I want to incorporate the appliqué pieces, but I'm not sure about in between the appliqué border and the center. I'll keep playing around and hopefully come up with something fabulous!  

Fancy-schmancy Wrist Rest

Try saying that title 5 times fast!  

I'm trying to work on some college stuff, but I had to quickly share this pic. 

Pancho thinks he has to be right by me. So I have turned him into my wrist guard. It really isn't that comfortable or helpful but I just let him snooze on. 

I'm not getting a lot done anyway. I am kind of stuck and I'm never productive when this happens. Sometimes I wish I wasn't such a perfectionist when it pertains to school stuff. I wish the perfectionism would move over in other areas of my life, like cleaning the house!  

Oh well, wish me luck!

Thankful

I know we all have things to be thankful for and I am guilty of taking things for granted. One thing I am very grateful for is my parents and in-laws. They both live around the corner from us and we love it!  They may not love how we ask for favors at the last minute, or how we don't visit as often as they would like but we love living as close as we do.

Each set of grandparents loves our kids so much. Check out this cute pic of my parents and my kids. This was taken last weekend in Panguitch. We were enjoying one last treat before heading home. 

Today I am thankful for all the help and support my parents and in-laws give our family!  

I encourage you to find someone you are grateful for and let them know. You just might make someone's day a little brighter. 

Fun in Panguitch

This past weekend we traveled to Panguitch in southern Utah for their annual Quilt Walk Festival.  I wrote about it a few years ago, you can find the post here. Of course, Westenskow and Sons were there selling our wares. We have been to this show as vendors for 12 or 13 years (does it really matter?).  In a way it feels like we are going home. They have seen my kids as tiny babies and then each year as they have grown up. It is a really fun atmosphere and there is something for everyone, from tractor parades to quilt classes.

They had an area for kids which we took our girls to this year. They absolutely loved it. 

They made butter with whipping cream, salt and a marble (it was boiled or so they said). Shake, shake, shake and then it was done. They also had boiled wheat to try. Needless to say my girls were not too impressed with it. 

All three of them took a ride in a handcart, pulled by some very nice young men.  I don't think we would make really good pioneers.  We have been coddled too much with air conditioning and cars!

They also had a petting zoo with various farm animals.  Little A & Big L's favorite animal was a baby chick. Big K's favorite was the puppy. Really?  We have one at home she gets to pet everyday!  It was a different breed and really cute so who am I to judge!  

Their favorite part was the quilting station. They had little quilt sandwiches stapled onto little wooden frames that kids could try hand sewing with. All three of them jumped on this activity and did pretty well for their age and ability. 

Little A could handle a needle without poking herself!  Her stitches were all over the place and were about an inch apart but she was so proud of herself!

Big K's quilt stitches were pretty even and she was soon threading her own needle when she pulled too hard. 

Big L had it down in just a few tries!  She had even stitches and was able to stay an even distance from the edge of the triangle. 

 I can't believe the amount of prep work that went into all those stations. The girls enjoyed every minute if it!

I entered my heart appliqué quilt into the show this year. It was kind of fun to see it hanging next to other fantastic quilts. 

I need to find a spot in my house to hang it, but also somewhere that is will not be touched by little (sometimes dirty) hands everyday. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Design Wall Monday

Hello everyone again!  Wow, two posts in one day and it isn't even lunch time yet. I can only study for so long before I either fall asleep or zone out and can't remember the last 3 pages I read. To combat this I have been sewing a little.

Recently my mother acquired a Go Baby die cut machine. I didn't think I would use it much but I have loved it!  I recently came up with this cute little block. 

I am trying out raw edge appliqué just so I can finish some projects. I don't like it as much, it is not as pretty but I have too many ideas and can't finish them all.  This is not sewn down yet, but I will be using invisible thread with a small zigzag stitch. I'm not even sure if this is the "correct" way. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. 

I am pairing this block with a log cabin type block to give it some interest. Here is what I have so far. 

I really love this quilt. I'm trying to decide if I should add a couple more rows or leave it square for a wall hanging. 

I hope you stop by Patchwork Times and check out the other projects!  

Morning Dilemma

I really should be working on some college stuff but I don't want to move a sleeping puppy!

Notice the strings on my pants?  I have already been sewing and ran 3 miles this morning. I don't know why I am using the dog as an excuse for not working. I have plenty of other excuses. Here's to a productive college day from now on!

Just a little something

We have a new addition to our family!  This cute little puppy. 

I never thought we would have another dog, let alone an inside dog!  His name is Pancho and we absolutely adore him. He is a chihuahua and we expect him to get about 5-7 pounds. The girls have been really good about taking him outside and keeping their stuff picked up so he doesn't chew it up. 

Welcome Pancho!!