Sew, a Needle Pulling Thread

Believe it or not, learning to quilt has been on my "bucket list" for some time.  More often than not, I have these little desires rumbling around in the back of my mind, and late February was the perfect time for one of these ideas to germinate.  I was lucky enough to find an opening in a quilting class at a local sewing studio the night before it started, so I jumped right in! With the expert guidance of our teacher, Annlee Landman, we were pressing, cutting, piecing,

sewing, quilting,

and with a little help from a furry friend,

binding.

Within no time at all (a month total), a new quilt was created, but even better, a love for a new craft had been firmly planted and an idea had been carried to full fruition!

I'm already looking forward to the next project that is taking shape in my mind and nurturing it to life!

What little desires will inspire you to SPRING into action?

"Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy." ~ Dale Carnegie

Cooped Up

We've been getting our fare share of snow, for which I am grateful.  I do love the fresh blanket of white covering the brown of mid winter.  As long as I can get out in it, I am happy.  Lately, the below zero temps have made that a challenge!

 

But as always, I am grateful for my silly birds, and the small lessons they share.  They set a great example for me the other day. Regardless of the cold and snow that was literally surrounding their coop, they happily perched outside to take in the fresh air and sunshine.

It wasn't long before I followed suit, and I was rewarded for my effort.

Thank you silly, pretty birds!

While inside, I am pursuing other endeavors, like this blanket.

The stitch is rather simple, try it if you like!

CO ODD multiple of 3 - say 63, not 60 not 66 stitches.
K3, P3 to the end.

Yup that's all, not much more to it.  Because of the odd number of stitches cast on, you will get varied ribbing both vertically and horizontally.  So far, I've knit up three skeins of Lionbrad Homespun colorway Lagoon.  Soon it will cover me as I knit!  I plan on going until I run out of yarn, only 3 more skeins to go!  Then I'll bind off, and use the last skein to fringe.

I hope you're happy and healthy and doing whatever it takes to get through this longest, shortest month of February!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year indeed!  2013 was filled with unexpected surprises, some welcome, and some not so much so.  After a busy summer coming up to speed with my husband's business, we were hit with a historic flood in September.  Our neighborhood backs up to a creek that became a roaring river that spread beyond it's banks threefold.  We helped evacuate our neighbors across the street as the river washed away their acreage and engulfed their home.  Luckily, the house remains standing and the owner, who is a builder, has been working feverishly to rebuild his land and home.

This fall we also helped out daughter apply and get accepted to three universities, but we're still waiting on my Alma mater - CU! I would love her to join the ranks of forever Buffs!!

Our neighborhood welcomed a new baby this year! This is a third child for my lovely, little German neighbor and her husband, and their first girl!  I luckily got to spend some of my winter break knitting for her, NOT in pink, when not skiing.

I'm counting my blessings as I count my stitches.  I hope you can as well.

Here's the Stay On Booties Instructions for the little wee ones in your lives:

Yarn: I used up leftover sock weight yarn
Needles: size 3 double points

CO 9 stitches
K in st st for 32 rows, or 16 ridges
Now you should have a little rectangle swatch of knitting.
Pick up 16 stitches along the longer sides, and 9 stitches on the shorter side. 50 stitches in total on your needles.
Join together by Purling 4 rounds, Knit 4 rounds, Purl 4 rounds, Knit 4 rounds, Purl 4 rounds.
You should have a little basket shape, where the little foot will go!

Now to shape the top of the foot:
From the 9 stitch end, Knit and Purl ROWS back and forth, knitting or purling the last stitch (depending on the row you are on) from the 9 stitch needle with the first stitch from the next needle, decreasing as you go. This creates the top of the booty.  Keep going until you have 32 stitches left on the needles. This will be the ankle.

Ankle:
Knit 3 rounds. On the fourth round create the eyelets for the ribbon or Icord:
Knit 2, YO, K2TOG all way around.
Now knit 22 more rounds then BO.

Sew in ends. You can use a ribbon or knit an I cord for the tie.

Here's a link for the Baby Hat as well, so quick and fun!

Hope you stay cozy!!