I got sidetracked

I've been admiring the frilly knitted scarves that everyone seems to be wearing around here. But I really don't remember my knitting skills enough to make one. However, this week I had someone show me how to make the same scarf using a crochet hook. That I can do!

So I stopped at Ben Franklin Crafts and bought some of the Sashay yarn used in these. So many yummy colors to chose from. And the good news is how fast it goes. This one is half done already. And I can work on it while curled up on the couch under a quilt.

Help . . . I need a THEME

I need to come up with a theme for a Row Robin quilt. Our local quilt guild is going to do a Row Robin quilt project, which is similar to a Round Robin and should be lots of fun for those of us who choose to do it.  The Row Robin will require us to provide the sashing and the initial center row for our quilt.  The center row will be 4 blocks (12.5") plus the sashing. Then the next person will add a row based on specific guidelines for size and a sashing strip, and then the next month another person adds a row and sashing. There will be 7 rows on the quilt.

 Right now I'm kind of leaning towards a summer theme or patriotic . . . something that I can enjoy before, during, and after the 4th of July.  Or a fall theme with lots of rich fall colors.  But there are so many other seasons, holidays, and color schemes to consider.  

So I'm asking for some ideas.  How about it readers?  Can you suggest some other possible themes for me to use?   

First 2013 finish

Blue Stars is done and is on the bed in my guest bedroom.  This means I can mark a UFO off of my challenge list. Our guild is doing a UFO challenge this year and I'm determined to get some things done. Since this one just needed binding and a label it should not have taken me this long.

These were blocks I won at Saturday Sampler a couple of years ago. I still have a couple of blocks left that I can use for something else too.

Getting old

My hands and eyes are showing their age, and I don't like it one bit. Lately I've noticed my hands ache when I do a lot of hand sewing like binding. So I bought a package of these cute little binding clips and have used them on my most recent binding project. Love them - I don't need to grip the quilt as hard so my hands don't hurt.

And the old eyes? Well I've learned that even with my Ott Light I do better with navy blue (and black) thread in bright daylight. I just see it better. I set this quilt aside a week ago when I had company here because needles, thread, and sharp scissors don't mix with toddlers. So today I'm finishing up the last side while watching football.

Scrappy Trip Around the World

 I recently saw a tutorial online for a Scrappy Trip Around the World quilt. It uses 2.5" strips and I had the perfect jelly roll of batiks sitting in my stash.

So this Island Batiks jelly roll (in Ocean Mist colors) is becoming a quilt finally.  I know I shouldn't start a new project, but I did finish 2 UFO's and a new baby quilt top over the last month so this is my reward.

And on another topic - blogspot was giving me fits this morning when I tried to upload photos. So I had to try again over my lunch break and it finally worked.  Just a little technology glitch!

Binding, binding, binding

This is the quilt I'm binding this week, but it will probably take me all week to actually finish it . . . or maybe longer.  The binding and thread are navy blue and I'm finding that even with my OttLite I have trouble seeing that dark thread in the evening after work.  I really hate getting "old eyes".  

I have to figure out a label for this one too. It needs to include the information that I won these star blocks at a Saturday Sampler session.  I really, really LOVE how this quilt turned out and I love the idea that the blocks were all made by other people - except for the ONE that I made.  And I also love the colors in this one.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to everyone!

Our kids and grandkids were only here for 1 day right before Christmas, and it wasn't really enough time.  But they are all coming back this weekend.  It will be wonderful to have them here for the weekend and spend some relaxing time with them.  Plus it is great to have those grandbabies around to spoil just a little bit.