Sunday, November 15, 2009

Last Few Days of Vacation

Where did the last couple of days of vacation go? Vacation time just seems to breeze by. It wasn't a productive few days at home but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The only thing I did remotely quilting related was to get these 2 projects ready for quilting and pull the binding fabrics. I never even pulled my machine out. It's still packed in the travel bag from my last class.
A couple of weeks ago, I attempted Swirl Quilting from Green Fairy Quilts. She made it looks so easy! I always have trouble with round shapes looking round. Loads of practice needed (and maybe a bit more breathing)! Check out her video though because it really is cute. I'm going to keep at this and hopefully improve!
Saturday was KnitWitz's 5th birthday so I spent most of the day in the shop. The day was so busy that there was literally no more room to sit and knit! It was wonderful to spend the day with knitty friends. Happy Birthday Knitwitz!
I'm making progress on my Dragon Melody Shawl (Ravelry link here)....about 180 rows to go in the bind off. Considering that the bind off is over 1100 rows, I'm close to getting done and I'm ready for it! Stitching is coming along albeit slowly. I've been in a reading mood lately so I've been doing more of that and less of other things. I'm not really giving much in the way of handmade gifts for the holiday this year so there isn't any pressure for me to finish anything. It enables me to really enjoy the process of quilting, knitting, and stitching. I love the finished products but the process itself is very satisfying to me and I'm glad I get to enjoy it without feeling the pressure to just get it done. It's a good thing too because if I was all about the finished products, I'd surely be disappointed! There isn't much getting finished these days!

Happy Stitches!

12 comments:

CA FROM SLC said...

I think your swirls look pretty good. I've done some just by themselves on my regular sewing machine with a regular foot. Sometimes they do get pointy. I'll have to try it free motion and see if I can do some. I get a little afraid of free motion. Don't know why!

Loris said...

I like your fall themed quilt.

Barb said...

You are more brave than I am....you tried her circle swirls....

Mandy said...

Those two quilts look great, I especially like the red and white one! You did much better on your swirls than I could have - I'd love to learn to quilt like that, too - maybe some day!

woolwoman said...

I think the swirl attempt looks awesome - Wasn't the KW birthday party fun - I'm glad I decided to go but I must admit - when I first walked in and did not see you and Teresa - and NO place to sit - I started to just go home - Talk about unproductive time - I had to rip that Damson back to row 4 (was on row 19) because I was rolling back and forth and doing the yo's incorrectly (sigh) - like you said - you have to love the process of doing the handwork itself. The finish is just a bonus! Hope your first days back at work arent' too stressful - just remember you can't catch it all up in one day. Mel

julia said...

I gasped when I scrolled down and saw your scrolls. I love them. I am so impressed with how quickly you learn new stuff all the time. You are truly talented.

Siobhán said...

The swirls look great! So do the other tops. Sorry to hear about the LHN disaster--give it another go before the disappointment becomes the thing that you remember.

Zlaty said...

Hi Jackie,

I think with more practice you will get better! keep on practice! I still like your projects!

happy sewing!

Zlaty

imquilternity said...

I love that red and white quilt and think the binding fabric is just perfect! I find the process of knitting, quilting, crocheting, to be very satisfying too. I'm always grateful that I feel this way of these things wouldn't be much fun!

Simone de Klerk said...

I have never tried those swirls and am not sure I ever will. Straight lines is my thing. But I guess it's just laziness, not daring to learn other ways...

Unknown said...

Wow, Your quilting looks great! That B-Day Cake is Fantastic!!

Vals Quilting said...

I LOVE this cake, how cute!! Perfect!!
Valerie
http://www.pastimesonline.ca/vals-quilting/