Monday, February 16, 2009

Lessons Learned & Weekend Update!

This weekend I was able to spend some dedicated time to my fiber addictions. It's really rare that I get more than a couple of hours. First up, I finished up the block from my Egg Money Quilt class and cut out the next 3 blocks and bagged them up. The first block is called Christian Cross.
Then I worked on the little heart blocks from my paper piecing class. After I had done 2 of them, things started going wrong. I got frustrated. 3 partially finished blocks ended up in the trash. I decided to take a break and ended up reading a few blogs and surfed Ravelry. Then I decided to come back and things went well. I'm slow at this and am very happy with having 6 of the 9 blocks needed completed. I used 2 of the fabrics I received from Diane. Can you pick them out?

Lesson Learned: Sometimes you just need to walk away.
Then I cast on for the Cap'n Crunch neckwarmer using some yarn that was handspun as a gift for me from Kim of Palm Valley Fibers. It's a delicious color! Here is where I was when I realized that I should have put in 2 button holes 1.5 inches into the project.
Lesson Learned: It's in my own best interest to read the entire pattern before getting started.
I hope I have enough of this yummy yarn!
I also spent 2 hours sorting out yarn barf (leftovers from the mitts below). In the bathroom (why I set up the ball winder there I have no idea)!

I also finished weaving in the ends of my Fine Cabled Mitts.
Pattern: Fine Cabled Mitts (Ravelry) From Knitspot
Colorway: Black
Needles: US 2
I got everything accomplished that I set out to accomplish except finishing the binding on my first free motion quilting project. More on that later!
You should see my studio/dining room. What a big mess. Then I have a ball winder in the bathroom to take down and a ton of knitting stuff by the bed. Tomorrow night will be all about cleaning! Besides it being Valentines Day (I can't go wrong when I spend the whole day with G), it was a good weekend - when I was quilting, I sat at the table with the window open, the sun shining in, and listened to the sounds of the kids biking, skate boarding, roller blading and walking outside the window. When I was knitting, I was watching a movie with G with a dog at my feet and a dog snuggled between me and G. Doesn't get much better than that!

17 comments:

Beth said...

Super cute colors, all, and I especially love your little hearts! Good thing you walked away because they turned out great!

Barb said...

You are so right it just doesn't get much better than that....you sure accomplished alot!!!

Debbie said...

WOW!!!You definitely had a productive weekend and accomplished so much. Your quilting and knitting are just beautiful. Love that yummy yarn.

Anonymous said...

Wow! You did so much and it all looks great! What a wonderful weekend.

Simone de Klerk said...

Wow, Jackie, you have been very busy! I just love your little hearts and it suits the fabric perfectly. The top block is very nice too! I hope you have enough of the yummie yarn!

Kitty said...

My goodness you've been busy - I love everything you showed here. It all looks so professional. x

Candace said...

Fabulous colors, Jackie! Your lessons learned are great - the best one for me has always been walking away for a bit -works every time!
Cheers!

Anonymous said...

I had to learn paper-piecing to do some of my "Dear Jane" blocks, and I understand your frustration! It seems necessary to "reverse" some of my thinking to get this process right, and that's hard for me. What I have learned is that like most things, the more I do it, the easier it becomes, so hang in there. Your hearts look beautiful -- you are on your way!

Karen said...

I love the hearts! I made a Dresden quilt from the Egg Money book and am hand quilting it now.

Lynn E said...

I love the hearts and your right the yarn is very yummy

Unknown said...

Great blocks! You were a busy lady!

Zlaty said...

I love the paper pieces hearts. Very cute fabrics! I have that book too, but haven't used it yet :) You inspired me to try it :), just have to collect more pink and red fabrics!
Your knitting is stunning!

Unknown said...

I really like your heart blocks. I find quilting rather challanging (mainly cause I cant count).
Also your mystery beret is lovely. Good choice of colour.

Found your blog on Ravelry.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jackie,,

I am impressed you've already started using that fabric. I was reading your blog today. I will be taking a beginning paper-piecing class on Wednesday, and guess what were making...... hearts. This must be a basic class. I'll post about it next week. Have a great weekend.
Diane

Unknown said...

Your hearts are super cute! Great job. I was getting frustrated with my hearts last night!

pwl said...

Those paper pieced hearts are lovely! And your knitting - wow! I'm envious. Most of my yarn work is simple crocheting. I'm hoping to try a pair of socks some day soon - if I can find my patterns. LOL

Chris Daly said...

Ooh, I love that yummy raspberry yarn!