My 6th Picture

Julie from I Wonder What Would Happen If and Tammy from Hot Flashes in the Desert both tagged me for the 6th picture meme. I had to go to my 6th folder and post the 6th picture and tell you the story behind it. Since I got tagged twice I picked one picture from my computer files and one from my 6th flickr set.

The picture above is for a pair of socks I knit for my mom. They're called Watermelon Tootsies. They were the 2nd or 3rd pair of socks I knit and were a lot of fun. I gave them to my mom at Christmas. Guess what?! They were too small so I get to rip them out and do them over. Good thing it's a project I enjoyed! If you're on Ravelry you can find the pattern and other details here.

The picture below is something I was planning on blogging about but just hadn't gotten around to it. Last weekend I took a binding class at the Olde Green Cupboard. As most of you know, I'm a new quilter. I'm trying to take classes to learn as many techniques as I can. I've heard a lot about binding and if you're a quilter, it's a necessary skill. I read a lot of blogs and it seems that there are a lot of different techniques out there and some people just don't like binding. So I was a bit nervous. There was no need. Carolyn (seated in the dark top) is a fantastic teacher! I loved it! I didn't finish the hand sewing in class but later that night (while curled up with G watching the worlds 2 worst movies) I finished it up. Nothing scary at all! I haven't taken pictures of my final "project" but will later.

One thing I've found with both knitting and quilting is that classes are a must for me. It takes all the frustration out of trying to figure out something new. I've been knitting for a year and I don't think I'd be as far as I am skill wise on my own. I believe I'm going to have the same level of progress with quilting. My next quilt class is a technique class where I'll learn a lot of things I haven't done before - triangles, curved pieces, one block has applique, curved border, etc. I'm very excited and hope there is the required level of participation so the class won't get cancelled!

Oh! I'm supposed to tag 6 people too! If you're reading this, consider yourself tagged!

Happy Friday!

KIP Winter Edition

Today in North Florida, we had a Knit In Public Event organized by Kim. The event was held at Memorial Park which is located on the beautiful St. Johns River. The park is full of old oak trees that have Spanish Moss hanging from them. It's such a beautiful location and I forsee that we'll be taking the pups there for a walk along the river soon.

The event also included a raffle for wonderful yarny things. All funds raised are going to Hubbard House, which is an organization that provides safe shelter for abused women and their families. Kim and Corrina worked the raffle table.
Jennifer is an amazing spinner and a knitter who truly loves to share what she knows about knitting, spinning, yarns, etc. I'm very fortunate to know her.
About 50 people attended. Unfortunately, I was very remiss in getting a shot of the whole group. But here's a few of us.

I Don't Know How You Do It

I love looking at winter scenes on the blogs I visit. The snow always seems so pristine and crisp. I especially love pictures of evergreens laden with snow. Something about the deep green and sharp white that just makes me want to see it in person.

I live in Florida though. It's been cold for us this past week. My heat has been on overdrive. It's been windy. My skin is so dry that I applied moisturizer twice this morning before putting on my makeup for work. I've taken to using my electric blanket to get warm - even though it's not bedtime. I'm drinking sugar free hot cocoa. I wear my fleece jacket most of the day at work - and I don't work outside. I'm wearing socks and closed toe shoes!

I have a new respect for those of you who battle snow and extreme cold while going about your daily routines. I don't know how you do it.

Just one week of what most people would consider extremely mild winter weather. And I'm over it. Early spring anyone?

Down the Road Finished!

We're having a sunny windy day but I managed to get G and C outside to hold my finished quilt top so I could take a picture! This is my 2nd quilt top and the first one to have borders. I actually enjoyed them! I'm much happier with this one (it looks a little wonky but it's not). My Ravelry friends from the Quilters Knitting group said that big blocks are more difficult than small ones and I believe them! They also gave me some excellent tips that I was able to apply from the beginning of this process. Every single tip was valuable. Thank you all!

Down the Road

My second quilt is done! It's called Down the Road. I wasn't planning on finishing it today but once I unpacked all my sewing stuff, I couldn't seem to stop. My first project didn't have a border. This one has 2! It was easier than I thought it would be. It was SO nice to be back in my sewing studio (snort) also known as my dining room! It's late and I don't have a picture of the complete quilt but I'll try and post one next weekend.

I fell in love with this fabric. I have no idea why as it really isn't something I would normally like. It's Kansas Troubles Wildflower Serenade. I have a 1/2 yard left over. I bought everything my LQS had left. I had wanted to use it for the backing but there wasn't enough so I used it for the inner border.

Now it's on to scrap management!

Meet the Teacher

Today was Meet the Teacher at my favorite LQS, The Olde Green Cupboard. This is a time where you get a chance to see the projects and quilt classes they're going to offer for the upcoming quarter. I'd been warned to arrive early and even though I arrived at the shop almost an hour early (and just 15 minutes after they opened), there were only 2 seats left! Two hours later and I had a whole list of classes I want to take.

Later this week all the quilt class samples will be hung on the wall.I I didn't get any pictures of the quilts for the classes that I want to take. My camera went kaput. I'm taking a technique class that will teach me a lot of new techniques (from Egg Money Quilts) and might take a 2nd one. I'm also going to take a binding class, Machine Quilting 101 and 102.

Sitting at the back of the room, looking at the class schedule I realized that my job is getting in the way of my hobbies. I need to find a way to quit my job, pay my bills, and give me the money to fund all my knitting and quilting.

AND....I'm going to a rug hooking expo next weekend! I need another fiber habit like I need a hole in my head but I *need* to go!

New Beginnings!

It's the beginning of a new year. I don't usually make resolutions and this year isn't going to be any different. No plans to exercise more, lose weight, use stash only or finish a bunch of WIPS. So I'm starting this year by casting on for something new! How about you? What are you starting new this year?!

8 Things....

Julie from Quilts From Down Under/I Wonder What Would Happen If tagged me! I've never been tagged it might be a good way to share some things about me you may not know.

But first...Here are the rules to play the game:

1. When you are tagged you are asked to list eight random facts about yourself and post them on your blog for visitors to enjoy. This is gonna be fun!

2. Tag eight of your blogging friends and leave them a comment that they have been tagged and to join in the fun if they have the opportunity. (If not, that's okay. They can still enjoy the random facts everyone shares:) Be sure to list a link to your eight friends in your posting.

Now for my 8 facts:

1. I started knitting almost one year ago. I love it!

2. I started quilting in October. 2008 was a year of exploring my creative interests!

3. I lived in Africa for 2 years as a child. In Libya. I can remember heat well above 100 degrees, scorpians, riding a camel on the beach, and water like you would not believe (and I live near the beach now!).

4. My very first job was in a library. I still love to read today and I get antsy if I don't have a book to read.

5. I've been "on" Weight Watchers for 2 years this week. It's changed my life.

6. Until April 2008, I had not been on a plane since the 1989. It wasn't as bad as I remembered! There will certainly be more planes in my future!

7. I'm a sugar addict in recovery. Seriously. Don't get between me and a Reeses - especially if it's been frozen.

8. I would have NEVER thought I would have started a blog. Never!

I'm not tagging people but would like to share with you some of my blogging friends that I think you'll enjoy. If you're reading this and would like to join in, please do!

Corrina at PicnicKnits. She is a knitting pattern designer and a fabulous mom. Don't miss checking out her pattern shop too!

Simone at Simone de Klerk is a fantastic stitcher and quilts too! You're going to love her!

Chris at Greetings From Shady Grove is a fabulous artist. She quilts, designs and makes jewelry, and is an amazing stain glass artist.

Paula at A Latte Quilts is a fantastic quilter and loves scrappy quilts.

Jill at Knitterella is a knitter, a graphic designer, and a fantastic photographer. I've been following (stalking) her blog for almost a year.

Tiennie at Tiennie.com. She is a knitter. Her photography is extraordinary. My two favorites are a peek into her home (Finished Objects of a Different Sort post) and a picture of her kids socks on a log (Boys Will Be Boys post). Don't miss these 2 posts! I'd post the specific links but my brower is showing the same page for everything.

Bea at Baa Baa Black Sheep. She knits, sews, and has 2 amazing pups - Gus and Abbey.

I hope you enjoy these blogs as much as I do!

Books, Bird, and Plucky!

I'm back to work today after being off since Christmas Eve. Needless to say, I didn't win the lottery! I keep getting told "You Are NOT a Winner".

Some good things are still going on. Today's mail brought me this:

PLUCKY!!!!
Colorway: Nicholas & Alexandra

Here's a picture of the bird C roasted yesterday. He wanted to use his new roaster he got for Christmas. He also made mashed potatoes with garlic he roasted himself and slices of fried tomatoes and eggplant with basil and mozzarella tucked into it. Absolutely delicious!

I also got these in the mail today. Another "free" purchase by using my reward points from work.

Top to Bottom: The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook, First Book of Modern Lace, Second Book of Modern Lace, Victorian Lace Today, A Gathering of Lace, and a Yarn Lovers Guide to Hand Dyeing.

So while I'm back at work, creative ideas are still floating around and I'm working on a couple of new projects. No pics as yet as there really isn't enough to photograph but there will be soon.

One thing I'm going to miss with being back to work is not being able to post as frequently as I was able to being off. I was able to post more than normal and I found that I really enjoyed it! It kind of surprised me!

Class on How to Dye Yarn - Part 3

As I've previously posted, in November I took a yarn dyeing class at SugarBee Studios (here is where you can find part 1 and part 2 of the series). I promised in Part 2 that I'd post pictures of the reskeined yarns so you can see how different they look. The picture above shows the 4 skeins I dyed (the other 2 were overdye's of yarns SugarBee had). The picture below shows the 4 of them reskeined. They look much nicer.

My son's girlfriend really likes the one second from the left. Her favorite color is orange. I must admist that it's not my favorite and I'm not necessarily fond of the one I call "Easter Egg". Bet you can guess which one that is! I'm going to continue to explore dyeing my own yarn. I love the process and I love that I have a medium I can enjoy and still get a useful product out of it. G gave me a bunch of acid dyes and bare yarn for a Christmas gift and I have a crockpot I never use so I'm set to go! Now I just need to remember what to do !!!