Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Shop Hoppin' in Ohio


The Material Girls spent a few days last week shop hoppin' in Ohio.  We traveled to Amish country and boosted the economy of the area.  What fun!  I was choosing fabrics for a quilt for my son #2.  He wants a quilt that looks like the Scottish flag.  He's very particular about what he wants so I hope what I come up with will make him happy.  
I will begin that project when I get my boys off to college.  Right now I am making lists and checking them twice.  It's keeping me busy and my mind off of the fact that the house will be empty after the weekend.  I think that might be something I can get used to...I'll let you know...stay tuned...

Friday, August 15, 2008

A New Knitting Project (or two)

Yesterday I stopped at a yarn shop on the other side of town, just because I was out that way and wanted to see what was new. I ended up signing up for a jacket class!  Now, I have to explain that it must have been fate, because I saw the sample for this jacket well over a year ago in said shop and had missed the class.  I purchased the book at that time figuring I would do it on my own.  Then I got their newsletter and saw they were repeating the class, but it was on my birthday so I didn't sign up.  Well, here's the fate part, the class had to be postponed so it doesn't start until Tuesday.  Ta da...meant to be!  
It's the Sedona jacket (which looks terrible in the booklet photo and great in person), a short, boxy jacket with a little stand up collar. It uses three colors of Manos del Uruguay, two solid and one varigated.
I had some hot pink Manos and thought I could use that...nope...didn't like it...had to buy more.
I ended up with a more muted mauvey color and a dark purple.  Here's the swatch (which also looks better in person).
I got out my favorite knitting reference book to refresh my memory on a long-tail cast on (I usually do a knit cast on) and have to tell you that if you don't own this book you need to.  If you are a beginner it is great and if you are advanced you will love the easy projects and they are all done with the knit stitch (duh) no purling anywhere in sight. If you want purling you need to buy her next book The Purl Stitch. Oh, by the way, the author of these books is Sally Melville. Her last book so far is on color...I own that one too, but won't get it out right now because I don't need any other ideas for knitting projects! 
Like this one:
and this one:
and this one:
Yikes, I'd better get knitting, I have a lot to do...stay tuned...

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

More Vermont Quilts

Here are some more of my favorite quilts from the Vermont Quilt Festival.  Click on the photo to see a larger view.  Can you tell I love the scrappy quilts...probably because I have so many scraps!  Maybe I'll have some beautiful quilts someday too!




For Goodness Sake

Lots of goodness around here today...

mail goodness...Jalie patterns


Farmer's Market goodness...fruits and vegetables

.

and a $10.00 bouquet...lovely!


Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Thinking About Sewing

I may have never mentioned this before, but I am a great thinker.  I'm a better thinker that a doer (are those even real words?!).  And all I can think about right now is garment sewing.  The problem lies in finding good quality fabrics to make these garments that are swirling around in my head.  I have ordered some french terry from the fabric fairy.  Don't you just love that name!  Yesterday I went to a local fabric store that carries some garment fabrics and purchased an embroidered linen and a white worsted wool that were in the remnant bin.  I also got a 4-way stretch to try a new t-shirt pattern.   Now all I have to do is stop thinking and start sewing.   Stay tuned...

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

A Milestone


Yesterday I celebrated a big birthday.  I spent the day with one of my sisters at the spa.  I had a facial, a pedicure and, of course, lunch!  Wonderful gifts came my way and this video which came from my kids and will tell you how old I am and will make you laugh!  I'm still smiling!!
Ever since I created my entries into the ASG Creativity contest I have been thinking about sewing some more garments.  These came in the mail a few days ago...
I have been eyeing these patterns for a long time and finally decided to order them.  I also placed an order for Burda's World of Fashion magazine.  Anywhere I go to read about people sewing things BWOF is mentioned so I'm going to give it a try.   I'll let you know...stay tuned...