UFO Attacked

I sometimes "wonder" why I start certain projects, but usually I have a "I want to try this" objective.  This was the case with a Christmas Tree skirt I started in 2010.  I wanted to get rid of/use up Christmas fabrics I wasn't particularly fond of anymore and I wanted to try a strip pieced Christmas tree.  I did both and completed the top of the skirt and started work on the backing.  The project stalled because it was too big.  I had no use for a tree skirt that big and lost interest in completing it.

So, I attacked it and ripped it apart and, as I looked at it in pieces, thought it could be redesigned into tablerunners that might be presentable after all.  I like to anchor my ripping/unsewing under the machines presser foot and then it goes much faster.

Found enough "junk" fabric to make a lot of binding.

The Last of the 1930's Quilts

I love the 30's fabrics and bought some fat quarters intending to make one small quilt.  I kept cutting and one turned into four!  As mentioned before, I regret not making at least one of them with 1930's block patterns and I think that is why it took me so long to finish them.

Anyway, here is the last one.  I regretted right away cutting and sewing the disappearing nine patch blocks and then even more regretted putting sashing between them.  Oh, I did not like this quilt at all and it sat and sat.

I found, on sale, some kite fabric that I liked for the back and thought it I used it it might rescue the whole quilt.  After I quilted a kite with a cloud design in the blocks, I appliqued three yellow kites with rickrack tails, applied binding and it was finished.  No, I still don't like it, but am happy it is finished.

Four quilts and I wasn't happy with any of them.  Some day I may buy more 30's fabrics, which I love, and try again.

If you look closely, you can see the free motion quilting of a kite.

One Hard Puzzle

 Occasionally we do a puzzle.  I enjoy doing them and Miss M. is getting better.  She usually received some new ones for Christmas.

Miss M. received this puzzle for Christmas so we set out to do it two days later.  She helped with the border and did a good job; but then left it-never to return.  I finished it the next day and, even though it was only 300 pieces, it was not easy.

Christmas 2011

Tree with presents under it

Christmas Eve the presents arrive!  (They can't be out before that on account of dogs...

Baked French Toast and Ham Brunch after church 

       
Wonderful late breakfast!  Beth made french toast in the oven and served it with ham and fruit.

Dogs with their presents.  They loved the doggie doughnuts.

and ate them right up1

Dickens finished his and has to watch Dugan eat, much to his disappointment.

My last dishcloth for a while....

I found this nice and easy leaf lace pattern on Jessica Tromp's web site.  I did think I would use it in my afghan, but changed my mind.  I decided no leaves or flowers this time.  I think I was pretty tired of trying to design around "nature" theme.  I chose another lace from her site and a simple, super simple cable.  Now, I'm knitting it and it will probably be the last afghan I ever knit.

Medication

I began taking medication the first part of December and it has really laid me low.  I totally lack energy and motivation.  I just do what I have to do, which is get Miss M. to and from school and walk the dogs.  Nothing else has been touched, so my ufo list is not diminishing.  Hope to feel better soon.

Miss M.'s gymnastic award ceremony

Here she is!  I need to get better with this I-Phone.  Afterwards she showed me how to zoom in, but it was too late.  Maybe I will remember for the end of the next session.

After the award.  She is proud of it, but threw it down somewhere when she got home and didn't give it another thought.

A Finished Project

Finally finished my green wool sweater!  The little bit of knitting is done, the sewing of the sleeves, neck and buttons is done and the soaking and blocking is done.











 And, best of all, it fits!  I still am not totally happy with the color, but that is what happens when yarn is ordered on the internet-otherwise, the pattern and fit are satisfactory.  I especially like the sleeve length as it is not too long.  All my purchased sweaters have sleeves that are very long on me.

I am ready to plan another one in Sweater Wizard.  It really works!

I completed a swatch and for the first time, I soaked it and blocked it before getting my gauge.  That must have contributed to the great fit.  For sure, I will do that next time also.

Wedding and Sisters

 Beth, Miss M. and I went up to Mequon for Beth Bliese's wedding, December 3, 2011.
It was an overcast day but not cold.  The wedding, chapel setting and music were all very nice.

Here are three of the six Stevenson girls:  Betty, the bride's grandmother, Grace and me, her grandaunts.
Grace and Richard didn't arrive early as I hoped so we could have a little chat time, but it was nice seeing them all.

I should have taken more pictures.  I still am not used to having a camera in my phone.