Friday, November 23, 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Quilt for Sweetie
Earlier this summer, right around the fourth of July, I started to get the itch to make another quilt. This time a shirt stripe box quilt. Or some riff on that idea.
I sourced fabrics from three different shops because no one seemed to have all of what I was looking for. So annoying, because don't they know it's all about me? I mean, come on people!
And if I were a better blogger I would have posted daily with my progress. With lovely snaps and witty commentary. My lovely pile of fabrics. Little pieces and blocks along the way. Ha!
But unlike a hundred other projects I've begun this year. I finished it! How utterly astonishing is that?
We (me and the sweetie) went to Fisherman's Terminal to take a few snaps on a hazy morning in August.
This is a working terminal. Not too many pleasure boats here. It was very nice of the heron to pose for me.
And the back of the quilt. A smidge less busy than the front.
I used a combination of linen, ticking, shirting, dress, and quilting fabrics on the front.
I took over the floor in the sweetie's office laying this out for the better part of a month. He carefully tiptoed around it as it grew larger and larger.
And looking at it everyday, he decided he liked this one and asked if it could be his. Not one of the pile of all purpose quilts lying around the house for anyone to use. His.
Of course! It is just the right size to wrap up in to sit at the computer, read a book, or take a little snooze.
Ta dah...the sweetie's quilt. And wasn't it nice of him to hold it over his head until the blood drained from his arms for the countless photos I took! You betcha.
I sourced fabrics from three different shops because no one seemed to have all of what I was looking for. So annoying, because don't they know it's all about me? I mean, come on people!
And if I were a better blogger I would have posted daily with my progress. With lovely snaps and witty commentary. My lovely pile of fabrics. Little pieces and blocks along the way. Ha!
But unlike a hundred other projects I've begun this year. I finished it! How utterly astonishing is that?
We (me and the sweetie) went to Fisherman's Terminal to take a few snaps on a hazy morning in August.
This is a working terminal. Not too many pleasure boats here. It was very nice of the heron to pose for me.
And the back of the quilt. A smidge less busy than the front.
I used a combination of linen, ticking, shirting, dress, and quilting fabrics on the front.
I took over the floor in the sweetie's office laying this out for the better part of a month. He carefully tiptoed around it as it grew larger and larger.
And looking at it everyday, he decided he liked this one and asked if it could be his. Not one of the pile of all purpose quilts lying around the house for anyone to use. His.
Of course! It is just the right size to wrap up in to sit at the computer, read a book, or take a little snooze.
Ta dah...the sweetie's quilt. And wasn't it nice of him to hold it over his head until the blood drained from his arms for the countless photos I took! You betcha.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Paul's Quilt
I began this quilt shortly after Christmas. The batiks were purchased the day after Christmas at Eshter's Fabrics on Bainbridge Island. Love this shop!
I am especially fond of the back. Seems like a party!
I had wanted to work with the Dresden Plate pattern, but something really fun. Not too girlie. Not overly traditional. So I used a black batik as the background fabric.
And I had this crazy idea for the back using some of the extra 'blades' from the front. I love how saturated the colors are.
I used a wool batting. I wanted this to be a super toasty warm quilt as it was going to a very special person.
It is a "lap/take a nap with room to tuck in" blanket.
I am especially fond of the back. Seems like a party!
Because it always is!
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Labor Day
The end of summer. So sad. Summer seems to dash by so quickly in the Northwest. But we had a lovely sunny weekend.
Jupiter was enjoying the spirit of the holiday, finding a warm, sunny spot on the rug. Yes, the picture is in focus. Jupiter is so fuzzy he has a halo about him.
I wrapped up a knitting project this weekend. Whoo Hoo! The White Caps Cowl, featured on the Purl Bee blog.
There was some travel in my August and this was the perfect project. It was a quick knit and I worked on it on the bus, in the car (as a passenger, silly), on the plane, before everyone awoke in the morning, in the evenings. Before I knew it, it was finished.
I used Malabrigo's baby silkpaca for the blue. This is a lace weight yarn of 70% baby alpaca and 30% silk. The color is called Azules. The purple is a beautiful merino wool by Madelinetosh. It is a sock weight yarn called Flashdance. I used used #4 circular needles.
I love the variegation in the Madelinetosh. Both yarns are very soft and the piece has a wonderful drape to it. This will be nice on the cool fall days to come.
Jupiter was enjoying the spirit of the holiday, finding a warm, sunny spot on the rug. Yes, the picture is in focus. Jupiter is so fuzzy he has a halo about him.
I wrapped up a knitting project this weekend. Whoo Hoo! The White Caps Cowl, featured on the Purl Bee blog.
There was some travel in my August and this was the perfect project. It was a quick knit and I worked on it on the bus, in the car (as a passenger, silly), on the plane, before everyone awoke in the morning, in the evenings. Before I knew it, it was finished.
I used Malabrigo's baby silkpaca for the blue. This is a lace weight yarn of 70% baby alpaca and 30% silk. The color is called Azules. The purple is a beautiful merino wool by Madelinetosh. It is a sock weight yarn called Flashdance. I used used #4 circular needles.
I love the variegation in the Madelinetosh. Both yarns are very soft and the piece has a wonderful drape to it. This will be nice on the cool fall days to come.
Monday, August 6, 2012
No yarn or fabric today
Went to the Sounders game yesterday. Had great fun with the camera.
Sky divers delivered the game ball. A little weird but OK.
The crowd was chanting
The Open Cup Final is this coming week. If they win it will be four years in a row.
Bad day for the LA Galaxy keeper. Eddie Johnson goal for the Sounders!
Not having a good day....
Should have stayed in bed!
It was a super fun game. Even better that we won. It's fun not taking pictures of flowers, fabric and yarn!
Sky divers delivered the game ball. A little weird but OK.
The crowd was chanting
The Open Cup Final is this coming week. If they win it will be four years in a row.
Bad day for the LA Galaxy keeper. Eddie Johnson goal for the Sounders!
Not having a good day....
Should have stayed in bed!
It was a super fun game. Even better that we won. It's fun not taking pictures of flowers, fabric and yarn!
Have a great week!!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Hiya - Finished Quilt!
I began this quilt ages ago.... last March.
The top went together very quickly. A couple of charm packs and some muslin. I like working with muslin.
And then I was stuck. It didn't speak to me. I don't know if it was the fabric, the layout, or what.
So it sat. And sat. And sat.
I bought some fabric for a border. Pieced it and sewed on one side. Didn't like it so off it came.
And it sat some more.
Then an idea struck. Completely different than the front. The more I worked on it the more I liked it!
Time to quilt. A simple diamond shape grid.... It was so-so.
The top went together very quickly. A couple of charm packs and some muslin. I like working with muslin.
And then I was stuck. It didn't speak to me. I don't know if it was the fabric, the layout, or what.
So it sat. And sat. And sat.
I bought some fabric for a border. Pieced it and sewed on one side. Didn't like it so off it came.
And it sat some more.
Then an idea struck. Completely different than the front. The more I worked on it the more I liked it!
Time to quilt. A simple diamond shape grid.... It was so-so.
More rows of quilting were added. And I really liked it. I hope you do too!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Back from the Dead
Sounds a bit extreme. But I haven't vanished. It just seemed like things got in the way.
Travel for work. Phoenix. Anchorage. Chicago. Madison. Los Angeles. San Francisco. Palo Alto. Washington, D.C.
Kidlet came home. A couple times, I think.
Soccer games. I caught another goal on camera so now I think I'm 'all that and a bucket of chicken'.
Saw Loretta Bennett of Gees Bend speak at an exhibition of her work at a local gallery. That was a real treat.
Busy working on projects, I just haven't had a moment to chat about them.
There are 2 finished quilts. Yes, 2. And another I started this weekend that I am super excited about
A little penny rug thingy.
A sweater I am stuck on, so it has been banished to the bottom of the works in progress pile. I need to rip out the sleeve for a third time. Banished, I tell you!
One wrist warmer. Really. Orphaned. I like the pattern but it turned out much smaller than anticipated. I even worked up a gauge swatch first! I need to find someone who is very skinny then I will complete the second.
Another sweater in progress.
And ideas and drawings for about 500 hundred more projects.
We have had a cool, wet spring and early summer... unlike the rest of the country. We complained about it bitterly. It seemed like temperatures were stuck in the 50's and low 60's for months. The upside (because there is usually an upside) is my garden is gorgeous. So many flowers. So full and green. I can hardly believe it. So many weeds... because they like rainy and damp too.
I need an extra week in my week just to work on projects. Nice problem to have. Life is gooood.
Travel for work. Phoenix. Anchorage. Chicago. Madison. Los Angeles. San Francisco. Palo Alto. Washington, D.C.
Kidlet came home. A couple times, I think.
Soccer games. I caught another goal on camera so now I think I'm 'all that and a bucket of chicken'.
Saw Loretta Bennett of Gees Bend speak at an exhibition of her work at a local gallery. That was a real treat.
Busy working on projects, I just haven't had a moment to chat about them.
There are 2 finished quilts. Yes, 2. And another I started this weekend that I am super excited about
A little penny rug thingy.
A sweater I am stuck on, so it has been banished to the bottom of the works in progress pile. I need to rip out the sleeve for a third time. Banished, I tell you!
One wrist warmer. Really. Orphaned. I like the pattern but it turned out much smaller than anticipated. I even worked up a gauge swatch first! I need to find someone who is very skinny then I will complete the second.
Another sweater in progress.
And ideas and drawings for about 500 hundred more projects.
We have had a cool, wet spring and early summer... unlike the rest of the country. We complained about it bitterly. It seemed like temperatures were stuck in the 50's and low 60's for months. The upside (because there is usually an upside) is my garden is gorgeous. So many flowers. So full and green. I can hardly believe it. So many weeds... because they like rainy and damp too.
I need an extra week in my week just to work on projects. Nice problem to have. Life is gooood.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Throwdown
The sweetie and I are season ticket holders for the Seattle Sounders. The Seattle who? Sounders - Major League Soccer. It is way fun. Especially as the days get longer, warmer and drier. And today was a rock star day for a soccer game.
So you ask, "What does this have to do with crafty stuff?" I'm getting there. Bear with me.
What? You don't care for soccer. Never heard of it? I get it. But this is about more than that.
It's about at the game the sweetie making a casual comment that catching sports in action and whales in Maui are more challenging that taking pictures of flowers, fabric, and yarn.
WHAT?!? How could he say that? Sometimes it is hard to take pictures of flowers... especially when the wind is blowing. I have no defense for the fabric and yarn portion of his statement.
Sweetie, you were right on that one, minuscule point.
OK, well I can't just let a statement like that lie there... I'll show him action (mutter, mutter, mutter...)
Pre-game fun with flags waving
A header by Zach Scott... (see Sweetie?! Action!)
Which resulted in a Sounder's goal! See the ball crossing the plane of the goal? Holy smoke!
A save by the Colorado Rapid's keeper, jumping over the head of Fredy Montero. Can't believe I caught this shot (or frankly, the goal!)
Not too bad for someone who only takes pictures of fabric and flowers. I'm waiting for my call from Sports Illustrated. Just kidding.
What great fun this afternoon.
So you ask, "What does this have to do with crafty stuff?" I'm getting there. Bear with me.
What? You don't care for soccer. Never heard of it? I get it. But this is about more than that.
It's about at the game the sweetie making a casual comment that catching sports in action and whales in Maui are more challenging that taking pictures of flowers, fabric, and yarn.
WHAT?!? How could he say that? Sometimes it is hard to take pictures of flowers... especially when the wind is blowing. I have no defense for the fabric and yarn portion of his statement.
Sweetie, you were right on that one, minuscule point.
OK, well I can't just let a statement like that lie there... I'll show him action (mutter, mutter, mutter...)
Pre-game fun with flags waving
And chanting...
The national anthem... admittedly, not much action (or focus) in this shot.
A header by Zach Scott... (see Sweetie?! Action!)
Which resulted in a Sounder's goal! See the ball crossing the plane of the goal? Holy smoke!
A save by the Colorado Rapid's keeper, jumping over the head of Fredy Montero. Can't believe I caught this shot (or frankly, the goal!)
And the Sounders win 1-0!
What great fun this afternoon.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Easter on Bainbridge Island
Mount Rainier, yesterday on the ferry en route to Bainbridge. I would love to take credit but the Sweetie took this one. For scale, there is a tiny, tiny sailboat in the foreground.
It was a stunning day today. Warm. For the first time this year I didn't need a jacket to go outside. And sunny.
Looking over to Seattle.
Low tide
See the bee? No rest for him today.
Not everything is in bloom
Flowering Quince
This is why we put up with months of rain. Happy Easter everyone!
It was a stunning day today. Warm. For the first time this year I didn't need a jacket to go outside. And sunny.
Looking over to Seattle.
Low tide
See the bee? No rest for him today.
Not everything is in bloom
Flowering Quince
I love the lacy effect of lichen in the Northwest
This is why we put up with months of rain. Happy Easter everyone!
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