Grand Illusions Parts 3 and 4

I missed last week's link up of the Grand Illusion QAL by Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville's Quips and Snips.  I don't have any part completed yet, but I have worked on a bit of each one.  This is part 4 which has two different color configurations of the Broken Dishes block.

This is part 3.

That's it.  It's a busy time of year and sewing is a relaxing activity for me.  

God Bless You.

Grand Illusion Part 2

I am making it under the wire to link up this week to Bonnie Hunter's Grand Illusion QAL Part 2.  I am having problems with this section and unsewing about as much as I sew.  

I'm not clear on whether or not these 2.5 sections get sewn together now, but the bottom set above are and the points are okay, so that's good.  But 200 singles to make 100 sets are called for.  Yeah, this will be a long project for me for sure.

This is my stack of the first block; 60 done out of 100.  

Section 3 comes out tomorrow.  

I may catch up in time for Easter:)

God Bless and have a wonderful weekend.

My Grand Illusion Mystery QAL Block 1

Unlike me, most of you are on top of what's going on in blogland, so I'm pretty sure you know that Bonnie Hunter began her new mystery qal this past Friday.  I think you will enjoy reading the opening post which describes how Bonnie arrived at the colors she chose.  I was sorry I missed last year's beautiful Celtic quilt, so I'm in on this year's.  We can link up tomorrow so this post is my link up post.  Edit:  This is the link:

I'm using the same colors, and although my constant yellow is a pale fabric I had enough of it so it's in.  

Some of the bloggers configured this simple block into many different designs, so block one is very versatile and it'll be fun to see what Bonnie makes of it.

I'm testing border fabric for my Quilt Doodle Doodle 2014 quilt.  For some reason I'm having a hard time finding the right border fabric.  Just being finicky, I guess. 

God Bless, and I hope we all have a wonderful week. 

Ben Franklin Mystery Quilt Gentleman's Fancy

Gentleman's Fancy  is Block 25 in this Eric Homemade ezine qal.  I'm not going to worry until we're up to block 50:-)  Here's my stack of block:

This is going to be a most beautiful quilt with all of its many different traditional blocks.  

I've also been working on an American Girl Doll dress for my grandniece who made her First Communion in May.  I couldn't find lace to match that on her dress; it is very unique.  So the style matches, with the two purple flowers at the waist that she added.

I need more fabric flowers for her headpiece, but it's essentially finished.  Only 7 months late.

God Bless You and have a wonderful weekend.

My Sew Sweet Simplicity Block 1

 I mentioned I was joining Jacquelynne Steves' Sew Sweet Simplicity QAL, and this is my version of Block 1.  I'm using her fabric line, Country Charm, except for the white.  The snowball middle on my block is different in that I used my Sizzix to cut a bluebird.  It has a sweet, gentle look that I like.

I finished the afghan that I'm donating.  I put a kind of picot edging on it, and the cream yarn works very well.

I have the sleeves on my cardigan half done.  Let's hope I get to wear it this year:-)

That's it for now.  Have a nice day.

God Bless!

Quilt Doodle Doodles 2014 BOM October Block

I'm amazed that this project is almost finished, just like the Sew Kitschy qal.  This October block is the last one and I need to size up my blocks and sew them together.  I love this row of Christmas lights.  I need to add something to represent the light cord, but it's essentially done.

I think this was a very creative and fun design from Cindy of Quilt Doodle Doodles.  Check out the flickr pics from other quilters; some of their blocks are just too cute.

I haven't given up on my cardigan, but I have not worked on it as much as I would like because of other things that have come up.  However, I did abandon the instructions and resorted to making the sleeves as individual pieces and then will sew them in.  They'll be the same length this way as well.

The Sodality I belong to at my church is putting together young children's clothing to donate to a local organization, and I've made a baby quilt and am crocheting a baby blanket to add to my other items.  

I had the quilt panel and yarn in my stash so I'm happy to be able to use them.  I backed the quilt in cream flannel.  The crochet blanket is still a work in progress.  

That is it for now.  I have the last block of the Knitter's Gifts qal to make and then that qal will be almost finished.  But, since I have a weakness for QAL's I will be starting the Jacquelynne Steve's qal next week.  You'd think I'd know when to stop, but I just can't:)

Enjoy your crafting time and God Bless You.

Being Lazy

Well, not exactly this lazy.  But I haven't gotten much accomplished in the quilting or knitting areas.  I have completed the October blocks for the Knitter's Gifts QAL, which are mittens.  Mine are plain, but may get dressed up later.

The last four spaces will be filled with more mittens, next month's block.  My blocks are not sized up, so I'll me doing some fudging.  

My knitting got stalled when I ran into a problem with the two circular needles on one sleeve business, but I'm going back to it this weekend, hopefully.  

I think it's time for another break.  Have a wonderful time with whatever you are doing.

God Bless!

Sew Kitschy's Betty Block and My Knitting

She's done.  I didn't see the sloping counter until all was sewn together, so it's staying.  Isn't her apron cute?

Thanks to Quiet Play for this sweet design.

My first section of the Caron KAL.  Each section of the scarf will be different and you have three choices of stitch to choose from.  This is the double seed stitch.

 Right side or wrong side?

 Wrong side or right side?  

I finished the body of my cardigan.  Now, the sleeves are interesting.  I need to use two circular needles on each sleeve.  That should be a good brain exercise.  This is a Berroco design.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend.  I'm so happy that autumn begins this week.  

God Bless.

September Tree Block and KAL

The September Block for the Quilt Doodle Doodle QAL is a pine tree.  I am pretty sure that October will be the last block and then we sew it all together.

If you are interested in joining a mystery Knit Along or Crochet Along using Caron United yarn, it began this week and the item we are making is a scarf.  A portion of every sale of Caron United goes to a scholarship fund for the children of Fallen Heroes, military personnel who die in the line of duty.

Take care and God Bless.

9/11 Never Forget

I found beautiful prayer and poetry for this day at A Concord Pastor's site.  

God Bless Us.

My Book Shelf Border

I think the border on my Mix 'n Match quilt looks more like books on a shelf than piano keys, so I'm going with that name.  And, wouldn't you figure, I ran out of white fabric in big enough sizes to use in the corners so I used the owl fabric to make book ends.  I think it works.  So, the quilt top is finished.  I hope I get right on making the quilt sandwich and quilt it, so it doesn't join the other UFO's I have stacked up.

Doesn't that look like books on a shelf?  Or is it just me?

Thank you to Denise Russart of Justquiltin' for this pattern and the sew along last weekend.  I surprised myself by joining in, but have enjoyed my week of sewing.  

Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

God Bless You.

Mix '`n Match Sew Along Progress

I've added the sashing and sewn the blocks together.  I omitted the cornerstones, even though I love how they look.  I thought the top looked busy enough with this fabric and didn't have an appropriate fabric to use anyway.  

If I had had enough of the brown leaf fabric I think it would have made a nice sashing.  I have some fabric left over so I might play with it to see on a smaller project.  The piano key border will add about 6 inches on each side so this will be a nice size when finished.  I'm thinking of backing it in flannel, but that's not certain.

Hope everyone enjoyed Labor Day 2014.

God Bless.

Sew Along II

Today just flew by, but I have eleven blocks made.

What will tomorrow bring?  

God Bless.

There's a Sew Along Going On

I lost my mind and decided this morning to join in the Sew Along hosted by Denise Russart of Just Quiltin. I have this sweet fabric collection of owls and trees and think it's perfect for the design that Denise is giving us to use.  It shows off fabric beautifully.

If you are looking for something to do for the next few days, join in.  It is a really cute quilt design.

This is my sweater progress.

Doesn't look like a sweater, does it.  The left front is done and now I'm working on the back.  I didn't realize how much I like the relaxing rhythm of knitting.  

I'll be posting my block progress, so see you later.

The Scarf is Done

Just a quick post to share the finished scarf, per my earlier post.

I used yarn for the fringe; much easier.  

Big sigh of relief here:)

God Bless.

Oy, This Endless Scarf

I've been working on the August block, the scarf, for the A Knitter's Gifts QAL designed by Denise Russart of Just Quiltin.  How many hours to accomplish this much?  So far I would say 6 or 7.  Admittedly, I did some ripping out of seams and finally got into the rhythm of paper piecing, but still it took a long time.  And I still need to add the fringe and applique it to the background. 

 

I'm making slow progress on my sweater as well, but I find that's how knitting and crochet are like.  You seem to be stitching and stitching and then suddenly you see it coming together.

 Enjoy your weekend.  

God Bless You!

Knitting and Stitching

I am knitting a sweater, but I'm not sure if I am going to be part of the Very Shannon KAL.  I'm a bit intimidated by the projects I'm seeing there.  I don't enjoy knitting a complicated pattern and haven't made a sweater since the '80's so I chose a very simple project of a design I like that I know I will wear.  I love cardigans so I'm making the Sawtelle sweater from the Berocco site. 

You may have read in this blog the comment that in my family we don't throw anything away.  As an insight into how that works the yarn I am using for this project was purchased at least 30 years ago.  That's right, in the 80's most likely, by either my Mom or myself.  The beige is Patons' Princess, no longer made, and the green is a wool from a store no longer open.  Unused yarn just waiting to be unwrapped.  I was happy I had some nice yarn I could use without having to make a purchase.  Are you laughing or shaking your head?  Both?  Believe me, the term "stash" in some variation is very familiar.

 I also began to stitch another house, so when I need to get away from the knitting I am picking up the stitching.  It's the April house, thus the bunny.

Enjoy your weekend projects.

God Bless!