12" Black & White Block

Remember these?

They became this.
I used a puff stitch pattern from Leisure Arts leaflet 2330 Quilt Afghans 2 and my hand had a cramp by the time I was done since it's worked in a tight space. Each block measured 3 inches square.

Now I just need to brave the masses and go to the post office to send it to Northern Utah.

This morning we had a wee bit of sun which was nice. It shines through my bedroom window and hits right on the very spot of my bed that I sit on while I'm on my laptop.
I promised pictures of my last project yesterday...and I lied. So you get it today instead.
This is the pattern I used

Photo courtesy of Google

I fell in love with the fabric mostly because I love the colors but even more when I saw that it was 60% off at JoAnn's. Love the fall leaves.

The pretty green has gold glitter flecks shot through the fabric, the kind that doesn't shed. Those are the yellow spots you're seeing. It's just so pretty, I love it!
It's got a spot for crochet hooks and you can fit a LOT of crochet hooks in there.
And it fits up to a 14" long knitting needle and it's roomy enough to fit big needles, those two blue sets are US size 13 and you can see they both fit in the same pocket.

What would I do differently? I think it would benefit from two sets of ties at the ends rather than one center tie but other than that I think it's great.

In crochet news...
I'm remembering how much I don't like joining a bunch of little blocks... Pretty though aren't they.

Random Bits

I think I may have angered the fiber fairies. They don't seem terribly happy with me at the moment. I went to start a project that called for a size 6 knitting needle... usually I'd have three or four pair laying about but no, this time I could only find one pair with a project already on it.
Not a big deal, I'll just move on to a different project. This one I wanted to find my Leisure Arts 99 crocheted blocks (I don't know the exact title and I haven't yet found it so I can't check) book for. Is it anywhere to be found? All my other crochet and knitting books are where they usually are...not that one.
*Sigh* Ok, plan C. I found another crochet block pattern to use then went to get the recommended hook, US size H. I have three each of G, I, J & K. Do I have a single H? Nope, not a one. Arrrrgggh!! Luckily I managed to get gauge with an I so I'm ok there but still... Just crazy.
In happier news I took a "Getting to Know Your Serger" class tonight. Best $15 I've ever spent. My serger is over 6 years old and I've never really used it because I couldn't get it to work. After enough failed attempts it got set aside and after three moves, forgotten. Until now, I've got my new sewing machine, my dressmakers form and a desire to do more fashion sewing (as well as a daughter requesting items. ) I figured one last try.
After tonight I'm looking around for projects to make! It turns out that the manual instructs you to thread the machine wrong. ?!?!? Wrong you say? Yes, wrong. My instructor tonight chalked it up as being written by engineers that don't really know anything about serging. At this point I could care less, I'm just thrilled to be the proud owner of a functional serger at last! Now to figure out where to put it.
I have a little project I will have finished up and ready to show you tomorrow. I'm pretty pleased with how it came out. Until then take care!

Project Satchel

The other night I made my first ever, off the top of my head, project satchel. I know they're usually project bags, but this is most certainly a satchel as far as I am concerned. I made it I get to decide right?

I have plans to make one as a gift now that the initial flubs are worked out. Overall I'm pretty pleased as punch with how this turned out and I think it will work up pretty quickly too. I heart quick and easy projects don't you?

Side A

Being the first of it's kind I certainly made some blunders. I'm going to list my good's and need to remember to's so I don't forget to learn from this.

Side B

Good:
It actually turned into a bag...er, satchel!!
All my corners matched up on the patchwork.
The lining fit perfectly the first try.
All the fabric but three 5" blocks and the muslin lining are from my stash

Need to remember to...
Layer in some batting and do some quilting on the patchwork
Measure better for the straps
Interface the straps
Plan better for the inside pocket.
Make two inside pockets
Start and put it away at a decent hour...I stayed up working on this until 2am.
Lining with the pocket facing in with the body inside out (right sides facing) slipped inside, leave a space to turn and sew around perimeter to connect the two.

Look What the Boyfriend Bought Me!

Isn't he a wonderful boyfriend?! I'm so lucky to have a guy that not only puts up with my space taking, clutter causing hobbies but actually contributes to them as well.

But seriously, With a title like that how could I resist?!? It was screaming at me from the book shelf.

I adore anything with a retro feel and these jackets have it in spades! My Darling Daughter saw them and said "That's so Lucy!" (as in I Love Lucy)

And these skirts... *le sigh* Totally love that she's used quilting cotton, they just scream spring-y/summer to me.
The book comes with full sized patterns in the back but right up front Kay Whitt gives a very detailed intro to custom fitting, sewing accessories and notions as well as providing valuable techniques and tips for personal touches to "make it your own". I also love her diagrams for construction. The whole book is just put together in an excellent way.

Kay Whitt has a blog as well, it's titled...Sew Serendipity of course. I'm very excited to peruse it at my leisure. I'm almost a little star struck. Forget the seven steps to Kevin Bacon, I'm one blog from Kay Whitt! :D


**photo's from google images

My Bobble-less Tea Cozy

Oh dear, my Ravelry project list says that I started this little beauty back in May! QoP (Queen of Procrastination) didn't get around to weaving in the ends and sewing on the buttons until Nov 29th.

This is my first tea cozy and I'm not sure how in the world I ever managed without one. As we speak I am enjoying a hot cuppa from the pot I made almost an hour ago! No more cold tea for me!

This was so simple to work up and I loved how quickly it came together (except for the end weaving/button part) and lets face it, you can't beat a free pattern, many thanks and gratitudes to Amy at Lollipop Knits!

Check out these adorable buttons by Favorite Findings, aren't they just perfect?

What I really love is how perfectly it fits my elephant tea pot that Dear Heart Boyfriend bought for me.

Fall Apron

I adore aprons. It doesn't matter whether they're old or new, half or bib, I love them. I'd like to say I have a huge collection of them but I don't. I have one purchased, a couple inherited and three or so that I've made myself. I thought it was time to add to the collection so I decided to make another.

I wish I could say that I whipped this up in the course of an evening, but I'd be lying. I am after all, the Queen of Procrastination. I managed to drag this lovely out for almost two months, don't ask me how.

I used this pattern pattern. I made view A minus the trim because I was trying to just use things I had in my stash. I plan on getting a little bit of lace and using it to put the pocket on though. They must have used some pretty awesome starch or tulle to boof those babies out back in the 50's mine looks a bit limp by comparison (and we won't even get into those itty bitty waists).

Photo courtesy of Google

Weather says I need to make a winter apron now.