Where I've Been
I have mentioned I'm trying to spend less time in front of screens and playing on the internet (I'm SO guilty of that one) and as a result, I'm not opening my laptop at all, which in turn means the blog suffers and I'm not caught up on ANYBODY'S lives right now. :oS
But, I've been keeping busy and crafty instead.
Last Friday GG and I really got a good start on piecing our quilt. Here is where I set up to sew with her. After using the Free-Westinghouse machine for so long, I had to relearn the subtleties of my Jenome. Eep!
But, I've been keeping busy and crafty instead.
Last Friday GG and I really got a good start on piecing our quilt. Here is where I set up to sew with her. After using the Free-Westinghouse machine for so long, I had to relearn the subtleties of my Jenome. Eep!
This is the view from my seat. :o)
I see GG and we listen to classical music and the sound of the sewing machines humming, and really, it's a lovely lovely thing. :o)
I see GG and we listen to classical music and the sound of the sewing machines humming, and really, it's a lovely lovely thing. :o)
Here's a closer look at what I was working on.
The pattern is Shakespeare in the Park by Judy Martin. I'm working on the Virginia Reel pieces while GG works on the stars. :o)
The pattern is Shakespeare in the Park by Judy Martin. I'm working on the Virginia Reel pieces while GG works on the stars. :o)
GG has a bit more practice than I and has been zipping through the stars. :oP That, and the fabric is living at her house. ;o)
Because the pieces are at her house, I wasn't certain what had already been cut and what hadn't.
Which, as I'm sure you can imagine, led to a bit of trouble. I cut way more "F" HSTs (half-square triangles and "F" is the triangle in that pattern) than I needed and managed to run out of blue fabric before I've cut everything I need.
Doh!
So, GG and I headed to JA Saturday morning to correct that mistake. Yes, yes, I "measured twice and cut once", but I didn't count...
While we were at JA, I needed to check into some yarn. This reminded GG she had wanted to look for a pattern to make a scarf she had seen.
We found all sorts of fun Red Heart yarn and fabric and before I knew it, I was whipping out my phone to scan the QR codes on the skeins to see if they provided the patterns necessary to make the scarves we saw.
Because the pieces are at her house, I wasn't certain what had already been cut and what hadn't.
Which, as I'm sure you can imagine, led to a bit of trouble. I cut way more "F" HSTs (half-square triangles and "F" is the triangle in that pattern) than I needed and managed to run out of blue fabric before I've cut everything I need.
Doh!
So, GG and I headed to JA Saturday morning to correct that mistake. Yes, yes, I "measured twice and cut once", but I didn't count...
While we were at JA, I needed to check into some yarn. This reminded GG she had wanted to look for a pattern to make a scarf she had seen.
We found all sorts of fun Red Heart yarn and fabric and before I knew it, I was whipping out my phone to scan the QR codes on the skeins to see if they provided the patterns necessary to make the scarves we saw.
The first we found was Red Heart Boutique Sassy Fabric. (I seriously couldn't resist the skulls...)
We watched the video featured on the page, and discovered the fabric comes with these handy holes along the top and all you have to do is knit using those.
We watched the video featured on the page, and discovered the fabric comes with these handy holes along the top and all you have to do is knit using those.
(I haven't knit in 9 years or so, and forgot how giant my needles were, so these are too big but they got the job done.)
You are simply knitting four back and forth and back and forth. It took me maybe three hours tops to finish it.
Who wore it better? ;o)
As you can see, from a distance you can't even tell they're skulls.
It makes a delightfully fluffy, ruffly scarf, and seriously, I think anyone could manage it from just watching the video.
I had it almost finished when we had to leave for our monthly dinner with our friends so I just brought it with me. I sat and chatted and knit and finished it up.
Hey look! I procured appropriately sized needles! ;o)
Because I wasn't content to knit just one scarf (I do so love having handwork to do when watching TV or listening to an audiobook) I picked up a skein of Red Heart's Boutique Sashay Yarn.
There was a QR code on this as well, so I of course had to pull it up to watch the video. (You should have seen is crowing around my little phone screen, totally blocking the aisle...)
It looks rather like a flat ribbon, and then you discover this:
Oh!
It opens up to be all sorts of crocheted looking. See that "train track" looking area at the top of the ribbon? You use that as your yarn loop with which to knit. And, again, you're simply knitting back and forth and back and forth until you finish up.
It opens up to be all sorts of crocheted looking. See that "train track" looking area at the top of the ribbon? You use that as your yarn loop with which to knit. And, again, you're simply knitting back and forth and back and forth until you finish up.
Honestly! These models of mine!
I was able to knit this in maybe three or four hours--it's not quite as fast going as the Sassy Fabric, at least for me.
I was able to knit this in maybe three or four hours--it's not quite as fast going as the Sassy Fabric, at least for me.
Isn't it lovely? Another fluffy, ruffly (SPARKLY! It has sequins!) scarf! I picked up numerous skeins because they're so fun to make and FAST. :o)
I have to tell you, I'm a visual learner. There'd be no way in the world I could figure out how to knit these simply reading paper directions. YouTube and videos are my best friend in the entire world! There are a couple of other Red Heart videos on YouTube, demonstrating using the same products and going into a bit more depth. I mention this, because I truly believe they make it simple enough to follow anyone can do it! :o)
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Lissie is in town for the next couple of days, so I'll definitely be MIA until at least Wednesday, if not Thursday.
For those of you in the path of the Big Blizzard of 2015 (does it have a name yet?), my thoughts and prayers are with you. Hang in there.
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Sparklies:
1. I got a haircut last week!
I have to tell you, I'm a visual learner. There'd be no way in the world I could figure out how to knit these simply reading paper directions. YouTube and videos are my best friend in the entire world! There are a couple of other Red Heart videos on YouTube, demonstrating using the same products and going into a bit more depth. I mention this, because I truly believe they make it simple enough to follow anyone can do it! :o)
************************
Lissie is in town for the next couple of days, so I'll definitely be MIA until at least Wednesday, if not Thursday.
For those of you in the path of the Big Blizzard of 2015 (does it have a name yet?), my thoughts and prayers are with you. Hang in there.
**************************
Sparklies:
1. I got a haircut last week!
I'd never seen it straight with this cut so I asked her to blow it out. B came home, freaked and said, "You look like my sister!" Because I can go two-four days without washing when my hair is straight, he just had to deal until Friday morning. He thanked me for the entire family when I styled it like normal.
As I said on Instagram, I prefer my curls. They're who I am now. :o) Straight works, but given B's rather visceral reaction, it's best if I don't. ;oP
2. Dinner with the SCG Saturday. I really look forward to them!
3. Liss is here!
4. Card time!!!!!!!
5. Crafting.
6. Less screen time. (But that leads to not being with my friends. I need to find some balance.)
No milestones.
As I said on Instagram, I prefer my curls. They're who I am now. :o) Straight works, but given B's rather visceral reaction, it's best if I don't. ;oP
2. Dinner with the SCG Saturday. I really look forward to them!
3. Liss is here!
4. Card time!!!!!!!
5. Crafting.
6. Less screen time. (But that leads to not being with my friends. I need to find some balance.)
No milestones.
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