Hello? Is this thing on?

They are going to take away my blogger's license unless I start updating more regularly.  Problem is, I haven't really done anything blog-worthy!  I am working on a quilt, making 245987688 quarter square triangles.  But nothing actually sewn together that I can show my blog reading audience.

I will say that I love, love love, this little quilt tool for making quarter square triangles, which are something that I have avoided in the past.  I have this thing for making my triangles "perfect" and this helps me to put that anal-retentive smile on my face by making square after perfect square.

My next quilt, I intend to conquer the flying geese block using this other quilting tool.  Flying geese are something else that I've always avoided and am anxious to see if the tool works as slick as it appears to look.  This could open up whole new avenues of patterns for me!

Long time, no update

I had bronchitis last week, which knocked me flat for a week plus.  The last time I used that many sick days at work, I came home with a baby!  But lots of sleep and good drugs, and I'm feeling much better.  I think it will take a while for my lung capacity to return, so I am going easy on the exercise for now.

My last 3 days of being home sick (thank goodness for the 3-day weekend!), I finally got the urge to work on a quilt.  My current project required a lot of up and down with ironing, cutting and sewing each piece, so I started something new that I could sit and cut or sit and sew for long periods.  It's this quilt, and there are so many pieces!  But they are coming together.  I really should go back to my Asian print fabric quilt, but I'm having just too much fun with this one, and loving the colors!

Gosh, 2 resolutions broken before the end of the month - that must be some kind of record!!!

That was fast!

Well, my new year's resolve didn't even make it past the first day of the new year.  But my best friend and mom have both agreed that "the first WORK day of 2006" is a good enough starting point for my resolution.

The fact that one of my favorite quilt fabric stores had their 25% off everything new year's sale *AND* 50% off Christmas fabric was reason enough for me to spend money to buy the backing fabric for my future Moda Maison de Noel quilt (at 50% off!).  So, the resolution starts today - or rather yesterday, since I didn't buy anything fabric or craft related!  ;-)

Resolutions

I'm not one to make New Year's resolutions, but this year I thought I'd give it a whirl.

My fabric and yarn buying addiction is getting out of hand.  I have a long list of quilt projects, especially, that I have planned and I can't just keep buying fabric!

My resolutions are:
1.  Buy no more quilt fabric unless it is to finish a project for which I already have most of the fabric.

2.  Finish one of my pre-cut projects before starting any new project.

OK, let's see how long my resolve can last!

Knitting update

Two updates in one day???   Well, I have actual KNITTING content today, as well!  I finished my first sock on 2 circular needles and just love the technique.  No more double pointed needles for me!  Although I don't think I'll ever be skilled enough to knit 2 socks at once!

I used Vesper sock yarn in Neopolitan.  I made a shortened version of the Lichen Ribbed sock from Knitting Vintage Socks, but used a different heel.  I love the star of three points toe, and this sock fits me perfectly!  I have already cast on and knitted about 25 rows of sock #2.

Quilting update

I finished these 2 quilts I was making for my parents, and got them off in the mail on Friday.  My mom has seen pictures and knows that I made this quilt for her, but she doesn't expect to receive it this year.  I think she will be surprised!

And my dad and stepmom have no idea I am sending them a quilt.  I hope they like it!

Ho ho ho!

Trying to get holiday preparations done.  I have the house cleaned and (mostly) decorated.  The kids are itching to decorate the big tree, and I hope to do that tonight.

I'm still sewing on the binding of my mom's quilt and hope to finish that tonight as well.  I need to get it mailed, for sure!

I baked 5 kinds of cookies in the last few days.  Four are from the Martha Stewart cookie magazine that's on the news stands now.  My reviews:

Cashew Caramels - very good cookie, like a very rich shortbread

Cream Cheese Walnut Cookies - best dough I've ever tasted.  Easy to make, too

Pistachio Lemon Drops - disappointed in the texture and the flavor.  Not very lemony and salty from the salted nuts

Double Chocolate Coconut Cookies - not very good flavor - maybe if I'd have used "dutch process cocoa" as Martha recommended rather than Hershey's!

I have 2 more cookies that I've bought the ingredients for.  Hopefully they'll both be good.  Why do I always seem to experiment with holiday cookies instead of going for the tried and true?  Well, there are always the office scavengers that will eat anything for the rejects.   ;-)