A Pleasant Surprise

I am a big fan of Tasha Tudor books, videos, anything! I have recently been collecting as many of her books as I can. I especially wanted to find a copy of Becky's Christmas, but alas, when I looked on Amazon.com, I realized that they were rare, and the ones listed I just couldn't afford. Today, my dear friend Barbara, at the College, gave me her copy. I am shocked...stunned even. She said she had bought it used from a school library a few years ago, and that she didn't want it anymore, and wanted me to have it. I am so thrilled. It was the last Tasha Tudor book that I was hoping to get ahold of. Although there are many more out there, I have found a copy of the ones I especially like. Thank you Barbara. Your kindness with always be remembered!!

Valentine's Little Quilt

Happy Valentine's Day!! It is not a day I choose to celebrate, but thought I'd show a small "challenge" quilt I made from some FatQuarters I got at walmart. The Challenge is from SmallQuiltTalk, a Yahoo group and it measures 16 & 1/2 inches square. Click to make bigger, if you wish. The coffee cup came from a dear friend of mine a couple of years ago.

February Sock

I have finished the "plain vanilla" socks for February Stash Sock group. I used Happy Feet yarn by Plymouth and size 3 needles. I have really been trying to get back into knitting socks because I have a large stash of sock yarn, but the truth is I HATE KNITTING SOCKS!!! I have to force myself to work on them. I'd rather be doing most anything rather than knitting socks, well, maybe not ironing. Guess I'm just burned out on socks, probably permanently. I have GOT to find another use for sock yarn, any suggestions (other than small shawls)?

I also knit socks

Having a large stash of sock yarn, and having not knit socks in quite awhile, I decided to join the Year of Stash Socks 2011. The first sock is the above, called "St. Brigid's Carnamoyle". I love Aran cables and this one was fairly easy and was knit from worsted weight yarn and I think the name of it is "ella rae". Although they don't fit me (I have diabetic feet), I'm sure they will fit my daughter. Anyone interested in the Stash socks group can click on the box in the sidebar. There is also a group on Ravelry.com. Heavy rain this morning, and they are predicting it will change to snow by noon. Bah humbug!

It is quilted and Earl helped

The first photo is of Earl Grey. It just appeared on the camera when I went to download the picture of the quilt to the computer. My son must have taken the photo, or maybe the house elf. Who knows. It is cute though. As far as the quilt goes, it is quilted, but not hemmed. I used the "swirl" pattern and orange/rust thread to match the backing and is about 60 X 72. Just a good cover-up size. I'm going to hang onto it awhile and just look at it. As much trouble as it was to find the last Fat Quarter, I hate to give it away right now. I hope to get the St. Jude quilts quilted soon, but as long as it is so cold in my office trailer it is difficult. The machine won't work until I get the room warmed up! No more robin-sightings, oh well...

Fat Quarter needed, an UPDATE

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UPDATE: I found one! Just got back from the walmart (getting food items) and happened to go thru the "limited" crafts aisle. They must have gotten more of the FQ's in because there was about six or so on the shelf. So I got the ONE I needed. Praise God!!!

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I am still looking for one Fat Quarter of the lighter fabric in the photo (click to make bigger). I only need one more FQ to finish making twenty blocks (I have 18 now cut out and 16 sewn). The fabric in question came from the walmart in Elkin and it is a square Fat Quarter. The sticker says MD-G-PC514 Pink Assorted by Fabric Traditions LLC. It isn't really pink, but a flesh color. If anyone has one they don't want please let me know. I'd love to finish this quilt. By the way, the pattern is a "quickie" one I got off the internet. All the blocks are the same, and seem to "swirl" when put together. Just cut eight 3 & 1/2" strips, if using yardage, recut to 6 1/2" and sew together (12 blocks). This will be a charity quilt when (and IF) completed. Thanks!!

Robins, I saw robins!!

The trip to the walmart in Mt.Airy yesterday went well. So well, that this morning, my son and I ate b'fast at Mickey D's, took the trash to the recycling center and went to the Goodwill and walmart in Elkin. (I'm still looking for a fat-quarter of fabric I need to finish my quilt). On the way back, we saw TWO small flocks of robins. I couldn't believe my eyes! This early! Seeing robins usually means that the winter is about over. We can only hope. Wow! I am encouraged and overjoyed. Now if I could just find that small piece of fabric I need to finish the quilt. (Above photo from internet.)

More Snow

A small kid's quilt using 6 inch squares of old St. Jude fabrics from Hancock's Fabric Store.


Last year we had over ten snow storms. This year they PROMISED we would have a warmer winter with less snow. Yeah, right. Bah-humbug. So far we have had three snow storms, complete with driving wind and piled up snow. This is the Foothills of North Carolina, not Michigan!!! I haven't been out of the house, literally, since last Friday. Talk about cabin fever! Sheesh! You see, I don't walk too good and haven't for years. I am fortunate that my son lives here with me and takes care of things. But today I am going to get out. Me and the Nissan are going out inspite of the ice on the driveway. The kitties need tuna, and I am on a mission....get to walmart and buy tuna and catfood. I am lucky that my son rides to work with a good and kind friend, but I will pick him up today and to walmart we will go. I know that this isn't at all interesting a report, but since I've been cooped up for a week, working on kid's (charity) quilts, it's the best I can do. I'll let you know how it goes later.........