Some progress to report

I finished the knitting for this Berocco knitting tote.  Now I have to wait for the bamboo handles I ordered to finish it.  I plan to crochet the trim around the top with a hot pink suede and use that for the tassles as well.

   

   

I am moving right along with the Wildfell cardigan.  I'm knitting both sides of the front, and I have only 10 rows to go until I start the armhole decreases.  Then Sleeve Island, the collar, and I'm finished!  It will certainly be just the right accessory for these chillier fall days we've been having!

Still trying to finish the cheerleader costume.  I am having a heck of a time with the skirt hem.  I promised the kids they could try on their costumes October 1, so I'd better get cracking and finish it!

Simplicity, my ass!

Any knitting and quilting projects are currently on hold until I finish my daughter's Halloween costume.  She wanted to be a cheerleader with a purple and pink outfit.  Simple enough...  I made a cheerleader costume about 15 years ago for my niece.  But wow, this little skirt alone has 18 pieces!  The skirt, the top AND the little panties underneath all require inserting a zipper - ay-yi-yi!  The skirt is done except for the hem, which is basted into place.  I started work on the top last night, but was stuck when I realized I needed a zipper I didn't have!  I also need to buy some knit fabric for the panties.  Will pick that up tonight so I can get motoring on this.

I did find an online source for chenille letters and got those ordered.  I am going to use M L E for the name of her elementary school.

Wildfell resurrected

With the weather turning colder and more fall-like here in the Seattle area, I picked up my Wildfell cardigan once again.  Love the easy stitch pattern and the Kochoran yarn knits up so quickly!  I have the back finished and now I'm working on both the front pieces at once.

Quilting is on hold as I slog agonizingly through the sewing of my daughter's cheerleader costume.  I can't quilt because i have purple thread in my machine.  I will keep purple thread in my machine until I finish the durn costume.  Then I can reward myself by going back to my quilting.

A coworker wants to commission me to make him a quilt.  I have no idea even what to charge him, but I told him to sketch out what he had in mind and we can discuss it.

Old Rowan magazine

I got an older issue of Rowan magazine from a blogger who was destashing.  There were three projects I just LOVED, using a discontinued Rowan yarn called Fine Cotton Chenille.  I did some searching and found this internet seller with their version of a fine cotton chenille at only $1.95 per skein!  I was able to order yarn for all three projects for only $35!  The shipping was a little steep (over $9), but get this - I ordered the yarn on Friday and received it MONDAY!  Very, very cool.

The stash, she keeps a' growin'

Monday

I feel like I got a lot accomplished this weekend.  Nothing knitting related, but I did work out a test block for a quilt I'm wanting to make.  Here's a picture - I just LOVE these fabrics.  I've got all the pieces cut and this will probably be my retreat project for this fall, assuming we get in <fingers crossed>!

I also made good progress on my daughter's Halloween costume (she wants to be a cheerleader).  This despite the every five minute "are you done yet?" questions.  Ay-yi-yi!  It's been years since I've put in a zipper, I forgot what a pain that can be!  And next the waistband.  I already know it's too big.  Hopefully I can move the hook closure and it will fit her waist a little better.

A week? Already?

Again I must apologize for my lack of posts.  I haven't been making much progress on projects, so there is not really a whole lot to blog about.

I settled on a pattern to use with this fabric collection that I've had for a couple of months.  I saw a tiny picture of a traditional quilt block pattern in a magazine ad, and although my color palette is not as dark as the one pictured, I think it will work out great.  I made a test block using the fabrics and loved how it turned out.  I took a pic, but it's still in my digital camera.  I will try and download it this weekend.

In knitting news, I'm making this tote with Berroco Suede in Clemantine (bright orange).  I plan to do the crochet edging and tassles in Belle Star (hot pink).  It is a very easy stitch pattern, but very boring to knit!  I am into the 4th of 5 balls of yarn, so hopefully will soon be finishing this.  Now I only need to hunt down some handles like the ones pictured!

My baby started kindergarten on Tuesday.  She is so grown up, I can't believe how fast that happened!  And to top things off, she lost her first tooth on Wednesday.  Such a big week of firsts for her!  Here are a couple of pictures of all 3 of my babies from the first day of school...

Yay! It's Friday!!!

Sorry for the lack of posts.  My knitting is not so exciting, but with the long weekend, I should progress enough on both my projects to post photos.

I'm also extremely excited about quilting again, after spending last Saturday afternoon with my SIL and quilt-buddy Jan.  We submitted our applications for our guild's retreat in November, and fingers are crossed that we make it in.  Retreat is always a HUGE source of inspiration.  One part I also love is that we have "sewing room sale" tables, where you can lay out all those "why did I ever buy this?" fabric from your stash.  It finds a new home, and you find $$$$.  I've always seemed to make enough to pay for my retreat weekend, which is totally awesome.  Of course, it would be even more awesome if I stopped buying these fabrics in the first place!