Checking it off the list

I have a quilt almost ready to go on the frame. First though, I want to get some things crossed off my 'list of list things to do.' The list is sewing and knitting related. It's not a neat list by any means. There are times when I cross off one thing only to have to add two more things. I'm almost finished for the time being because there are some things that can wait.

These are fabrics that will be made into aprons for the little ones. Apparently, Patric, my grandson, needs a new apron. I asked his mom what he would prefer and it's either the pickles or the pretzels. I have some dark green double fold bias tape that I can use to finish the edges of the pickle fabric and I may have enough brown for the pretzels. The apron just takes one fat quarter and has no waste.

I purchased some of this fabric.

I thought one of my grandsons would like a new pillowcase.

Fabric with construction vehicles caught my eye and so I got enough for another pillowcase.

Flannel was on sale and so I decided to get some co-ordinated fabric for two more pillowcases.

Here's a close-up of the fabric. Teemu is now in a big bed and since I don't have time, right now, to make him a quilt, I thought he might like his very own fun pillowcases.

I have this pattern. It's an older pattern but it's come in handy lately. For Christmas, I made most of the little ones their own hooded towel. My youngest daughter, who lives in England, has a little boy and I asked her if she wanted a half circle pillow.

It's all sewn up and in the mail. I left part of the side open so she can stuff it once she gets it.

I repaired one doll carrier and made another using it as a pattern so now the twins each have one. I thought I took a photo of them but I can't find it so maybe I was dreaming. I also hemmed some drapes and now my list is a fairly short one. I just want to get the quilt on the frame.

More later...

Lately...

I have been doing a bit of knitting lately. My middle daughter, Maili, wanted a headband (I showed it in a previous post) with a twist in the front and made with reflective yarn. The only place I know of that sells it is Lens Mill store and so I picked up a couple of different colours because I also wanted to make some arm bands for those bicyclists and runners in the family.

This is the yarn label.

This is one of the headbands I made. It's a turquoise colour for my youngest daughter.

It's an easy pattern and you can make it with any chunky yarn. I made one with 20 stitches but Maili liked the one I made using 18 stitches better. The pattern I used stated that you make the cable in the front after knitting straight (in stocking stitch) for 10.5 inches but I tried it on my own head while I was making it and 10 inches was enough. The looseness of the yarn and stitches gives it enough stretch and I didn't want it falling off.

This is what happens at night when light hits it. The yarn is woven with reflective thread and hopefully, will alert night drivers that there is a person under there. I have made arm bands for the male members of the family and I have more yarn to make more headbands or arm bands. The yarn comes in lots of different colours - bright orange, lime green, gray, black, off white, etc. so there is something for everyone's taste. Since it's a chunky yarn, the knitting (or crocheting) will go quickly.

Here's a shot of my knitting basket for the past couple of months.

As you can see, the flash from the camera lit up the reflective yarns.

A New Quilt

On New Year's Day there was a one day quilt along called Merry Mayhem Mystery. After I looked at the requirements, I realized that it needed only four fabrics and that you could make it in the size that you wanted and felt would work best for you. Since I have a lot of fabric in my stash, I was hoping to use some of it up. Each colour needed less than one yard/metre of fabric and so I chose my four fabrics and waited until the last clue was released. Then I got to work and started the quilt. I wanted a new quilt on one of the twin beds in the bedroom that the grandchildren use when they visit.

These were my four chosen colours.

Sometimes it pays to wait and in this case, the instructions were a bit off so I saved myself some figuring out.

There was some cutting, some sewing and then more cutting.

Of course, the iron was put to work too. 

Here's the finished top laying on one of the beds.

I have enough of the fabrics that I could add borders to make it a tad bigger. I finished this just today and now it's folded up and in the closet waiting to be worked on when I have more time to devote to it. 

I don't usually do well on quilt alongs. Something usually happens in my life and I end up having to get other things done.

Now I have to cut and prepare some background pieces for another quilt. I'm also knitting another headband with reflective yarn. I just hope there's enough yarn left in the ball.

Psst free shipping

"Only in Canada, you say..."

Forgive me, that was a throw back to a tea commercial.

Anyway, Sew Sisters quilt shop has free shipping in Canada from now until January 7th. It saves postage, wear and tear on your vehicle, gas... You get the picture.

Hop on over. I have no affiliation to the store at all. I am just letting my Canuck followers know that they can shop postage free.

Here's some random photos of fabric (not what's on offer at Sew Sisters.)

I don't know where this came from.

Another bundle.

Older fabrics from a friend. I guess I should us the doggy one in a child's quilt.

See? Lots of fabric in my stash so I don't think I'll be purchasing anything. However, there was a really nice bundle...

Enjoy! Maybe you will find something that you can use in one of the BOMs that I listed in the previous post.

Blocks of the Month

Quite a few of us eagerly wait for January and the beginning of a Block of the Month program. There are several out there. Here's a few I have come across and feel free to check them out. It's one way to use up your stash.

Oh, and by the way, these are BOMs with no charge. Most are free for the whole month and then, if you missed that month and want to catch up, you can pay for the block.

This is a Fat Cat pattern called Gnome for the Holidays.

You can get it here. The first block will be posted in February but the fabric requirements have been posted already.

It's a "Wild" Life BOM has various quilters designing a block for their designated month. 

You can find the list of participating designers here. This too starts in February.

Kat, of Next Step Quilt Designs has an interesting star-themed quilt.

Sew Can She had a year of mini quilts in 2017. You can still get the patterns (that's where the link will lead you to) and Caroline had so much fun, she is  doing it again for 2018. This too will have different designers for each month.

Edit: I forgot to add, if you are into a lot of hand stitching, Jenny of ELEFANTZ has a year long embroidery BOM.

OK, I was going to tell you about the colourful bears but here's a link where you can find even more Blocks of the Month. 

HAVE FUN!!