New Grandson

Off to Texas to help out...

Oh No!

I finally put everything together -

I have a new foot for my mega quilter, new leaders, read lots and lots, did some practicing,
loaded Mary Beth's quilt,

quilted two rows perfectly!

And then, my mega quilter went out of service. AJ helped me take it over to Delaware Sewing Center where Mr. Reed promises to fix it up.

Knitting for Baby Barrett Steven Marks

Tiny tube socks!

Baby Quilt

Monday - President's Day - I went to Peggy's quilt shop for UFO day. I decided I better start a quilt for my new grandson. His birth date is March 9th. I am doing a trip around the world - quilt in a day.

The fabric is an old Thimbleberries line - Kids Under Cover. I was so organized, I even had a paste-up sheet.
Here is what I have finished so far. I really want to hand quilt this one.

My Tips for the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt

I started to make these 61/2" blocks last November. They are addictive!. I bought the book with a 40% coupon at the JoAnn store in 7 Corners VA. I bought 3 sets of Marti Michel templates on eBay (don't bother with these). I pulled out a container of scraps and decided to make the blocks with all the same background (less decisions that way).
First, I printed out a set of templates that I found in the files of a yahoo group. Then I went through the book and photocopied all the easy blocks. I try to match my fabric with the colors in the photos. So if the picture shows background, brown and blue, I pull fabric that is brown & blue from my stash. Again, this makes for less decisions.

I use three rulers: Fons&Porter Half and Quarter, an Omnigrid 3" x 9", and a 61/2" square ruler.

I find the templates that are used in the block in my printed template master. I measure the width strip I need with my ruler. Then I cut the # pieces I need.

So far this method has worked for 30 blocks!

Valentine Gifts

What I mailed out --

I made potholders, appliqued heart towels, and I knitted dishcloths using the Martha Stewart pattern on the Lion Brand yarn site.

Thrifting and Ice Storm

I did not go anywhere this weekend. We had snow Friday night with ice and freezing rain on top. I stayed in my pajamas all weekend -- organizing my stash, cutting fabric, and getting ready for the quilt retreat this week. I did get some good deals last weekend. Red, blue & tan wool spindles, a hand painted round container with sheep made from sheep wool, a signed watercolor titled "Kent Island Geese", and a bucket full of crab hammers.

I found an iron at the dollar store to take to retreat -- $9. I read about it at Jo's Country Junction.

When I was reorganizing my stash (the downstairs stash excluding the flannels), I pulled out this notebook with directions to Thimbleberries projects from 2003 and 2004. I am making the watermelon placemats.

My son is the artist! Thanks Brian, I love it.