Taming the Monster

After thinking about how to continue with that pile of colorful spaghetti I put it downstairs and went on to other projects. Yesterday I decided it was time to tame that monster.

After lots of silly mistakes I was able to get it wound on using the trapeze.  I'm half way done threading and hopefully soon I will be weaving.

Part of the delay for getting to this project was driving up to Long Island and bringing Jackson back.  We spent lots of time exploring in Valley Forge, along with the zoo.

The ruins of the old Colonial Springs Bottling Company

Relaxing on the "relax" bench

Green Iguana

We even had time for a selfie on his last night!!! I look ridiculous but he loves it -- probably because I look ridiculous :-)

He wants to come back for two weeks next summer.  I better start storing up energy now!!

Little Presents

Fiona is growing slowly but steadily. She came off the ventilator a few days ago, right after her one month birthday.

I haven't finished quilting her big quilt but she won't be able to use that for a while so I made a little embroidered blanket that can be used as a lovie, burp cloth, and even a doll blanket when she's a little older.  I backed the embroidered cloth with pink flannel and they have it hanging right above her crib.   (The white balance is off on the first photo.  The embroider was done using Moda snow, which is a creamy white.)

I made peanut butter ice cream last week and Jacob couldn't wait for his bowl!!

I Need to Set a Date with My Machine

I've been out of school for a couple of weeks but I've been lucky to get lots of grandchildren time so the sewing and weaving have been on the back burner.  It's pretty quiet around here now which means it's a good time to make a dent in my TBQ (to be quilted) pile.  I hung all of the tops in the garage and took pictures, unfortunately not with the best lighting.  I wanted to use Adobe Ideas after Mary, mentioned being able to draw over her quilt photos and try out different quilting designs. 

I also wanted to check on backing/binding, choose threads, and take measurements so I can make sure I have the batting ready.  I thought I had three or four but ended up finding eight!! Yikes.  Here's the first one in line.

Cute as a Bug!! This was a impulse buy because I thought it would go together quickly and I could practice machine quilting on it.  The pieced border took longer than I expected but once I got the hang of it the rest went together like a charm.  It is straight but I'm not so great at adjusting the hanging rod :-)

I've been out of school for a couple of weeks but I've been lucky to get lots of grandchildren time so the sewing and weaving have been on the back burner.

Cousins - Ella and Jacob

 Gates are so much more fun when they're not closed!!

Jackson shows us how it's done!

Home Sweet Home

While I am on Facebook and I use Twitter for educational resources and updates I feel most at home here.  I'm sure that most of my readers have gone by the wayside but as many bloggers have mentioned the writing and documenting is the top reason most give for blogging.

This hit home when I was trying to remember how I made a huck lace baby blanket way before I had my own grandchildren.   I spent an hour or two trying to remember where I got the idea and how many threads I'd need, etc.  before I got the brilliant idea to check my blog!  Oops, here was everything I needed.  I love the reference to my mp3 player.  So old school.

This was from July 2004.

 I love the little insets of huck that surround the purple. 

 

The new incarnation will be pink, green, and a very pale yellow.  Why do I need to weave a new baby blanket you ask?  Here's why ....

After a false alarm round-trip to Long Island on Saturday evening to Sunday afternoon I found myself back in the car driving up at 1:00 AM Monday morning knowing that this little sweetheart had arrived.  

Totally worth the drive, I'd say!! And how is Jackson taking to this new addition?

It's exhausting work being a big brother.

But, again, totally worth it!!!!