Cooler Weather Means Sewing Time

The temps have been cooler here which means I've been spending time sewing in my studio. I had a swap package due last week and I got the urge to make a knitting needle case for my partner. Since she loves to spend time by the pool I used this adorable Fun in the Sun fabric to make it.

The case has lots of spaces for straight needles and three pockets for circular needles.

I've been following Kelly's Make A Bag Sew Along. Here is the completed bag.

Here is the inside of the bag. And what is that hiding inside?

It's the matching zipper pouch.

This morning I sewed this little backpack for Mr. E. Isn't it adorable?

And here is Mr. E wearing his backpack.

What kind of sewing have you been doing?

Sweet P

Chain Link Samples

Here are a few of the samples from my Chain Link classes two weeks ago. The first one is from Aran Braided Cables taught by Karen Klemp. The pattern is Easy Double 8-Stitch Braid. It was tough to get it started. Once the first row was done, the pattern was fun.
These samples are from The PULAD Method of Crochet in Two Colors, also taught by Karen. The top sample is Two Colored Checkers. The bottom sample is Outlined Shells. I used two different weights for this sample. The red is a DK weight and the blue is worsted weight. If I made this pattern again with different weights I think I would make the frames the lighter weight
This is a Vertical Shells design. This sample is destined to become a Christmas present, but I'm not saying for who (and I will tell you it is not for Mr. E).
And this sample? This was a quick lesson on remembering to put away my crochet when I leave the room. Who knows? Maybe Mr. E will become a crochet designer one day.
The heat is still here. I'm tired of being hot all the time. I'm tired of being too tired from the heat to not accomplish any real cleaning. At least this morning I spent 90 minutes cleaning my studio while Mr. E napped. The floor was covered in ongoing projects, swap packages, vacation purchases and Chain Link projects and purchases. I was able to organize all my crochet projects and prep a canvas for a needlepoint project. Next step is to clean my prepping table and, maybe, the closet.

What are you doing to keep cool this summer?

Sweet P

A Hot Summer Afternoon

How do you stay cool on a hot summer afternoon?

If you're Mr. E, you share a strawberry milk shake with your mommy.

Finished Vacation Projects

I've finished three projects since the first of the month. The first two projects are quilts I made for DS #2 and his GF. I started these quilts 18 months ago for Christmas 2008. I started stitching the binding them while we were driving to NYC and then took one more night to finish them.

This is my son's quilt . . .

And this is his GF's quilt . . .
And here is the happy couple with their quilts.
I won't tell you that it was 98 degrees outside when we took this photo.
But I will tell you we were sitting in a well air conditioned hotel room.

Yesterday I showed Cascade Soft Spun yarn I bought at Purl.
I crocheted an Urban Shells scarf for my DIL with it.
I started the scarf on July 3 and finished it on July 11.

Here's a close-up view of the scarf.
The coolest part of this pattern is the scallops on the ends and the edging are crocheted along with the scarf. When you're done stitching the rows, you're done with the scarf. How cool is that?

I'm happy to have a few finished projects. I'm working hard to get a few more done. My list of WIPs is getting a little long.

Next time I'll show a few of my class projects from the Knit and Crochet Show.

Sweet P

Back From Vacation

Well, I certainly didn't intend to disappear for nearly all of my vacation. Between laptop screen problems and enjoying vacation I wasn't able to post. Now I'm home, enjoying my last day of vacation before going back to work tomorrow morning.

Today I'll show you my yarn, fabric and thread buys. While in Brooklyn and NYC I visited four yarn/fabric shops: Fiber Notion, Stitch Therapy, and Knit-A-Way in Brooklyn; and Purl Soho in Manhattan. I came away with three impressions of all the shops there:

1. The shops are small. I know how expensive NY real estate is and understand the size issues.
2. Many shops carry a little bit of everything. Except for Knit-A-Way, which carried only yarn and knit and crochet tools, the shops had yarn, fabric, notions and tools for knitting and crocheting. At Stitch Therapy there was a small scrapbooking section. Purl also carried needlepoint canvases and threads.
3. Apparently no one shops for yarn, fabric, etc before 11 am in the morning and stops shopping by 6 pm. I like to shop in the morning and was a little frustrated having to wait until almost lunch time to shop.

Would I shop at any of these stores again? Of course. Would I consider any of them my local LYS? Probably not. The selections at the stores was limited and would not satisfy my creative streaks for a long time.

Anyway here are my yarn purchases. The pink is Cascade Soft Spun yarn from Purl. It's soft and a dream to work with. I bought three hanks of it and had already used one in a scarf for DIL (photos tomorrow). The blue and red balls are alpaca and are also super soft. I bought them out of the clearance bin at Stitch Therapy. At Knit-A-Way I bought the green and blue Plymouth yarns.

I couldn't leave Purl without buying a few FQs of fabric and silk threads for doing needlepoint.

Now for my purchases from the Knit and Crochet Show. The conference was a blast and I'll have a report on it in a day or two. This yarn is Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece. I bought four skeins of each color. One color is mine and one color is for a swap. I won't tell you which is which.
Newton's Yarn Country was at the show and they were selling their yarn at 50% off. I found this orange Newton's Bulky Softball 100% cotton yarn. I've already started a pumpkin sweater for Mr. E with it.

From Newton's I also bought 2,200 yards of this cashmere/merino blend for a secret project.

I was free on Friday afternoon and decided that since I was half way there I would go to ABC Stitch Therapy in Grantham, NH. I needed a few more threads and stretcher bars for a needlepoint project that I hadn't been able to get anywhere else. The drive was nice and was able to get all but one of the threads for the project. Now I just need to make the time to work on it.
That's all my purchases from my vacation. I plan to be back tomorrow to show you some of the projects I did work on while I was gone.

I hope you're having a great summer. We are!

Sweet P

Vacation Day #1

My 13 day vacation started today. What was on the agenda? A day with Mr. E of course. Can you think of a better way to start vacation?

After his breakfast he took a three hour nap. Mommy and I played a couple games of Banagrams and then she helped me finish winding yarn for my crochet classes next week. When Mr. E woke up we went to have lunch at the office with Grampa Boo and Daddy. Then we went to the bank, Joann's and the grocery store. Of course he had to have a sugar cookie from the deli. He knows he gets one every time we go there.

When we got home it was play time:

Pool—$7; 50 plastic balls—$7; balls and gadgets from other toys—who knows. Watching him twirl round and round and giggle and laugh? Priceless!

A wonderful start to my vacation.

Sweet P

Almost Finished Projects

I've been working on a few projects trying to get them done before we go on vacation next week and then the Knit and Crochet Show.

I recently showed a stack of granny squares I was crocheting. This is what they became - a Blooming Granny Squares Bag from Margaret Hubert's new book: The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet. The blocks were fun to stitch and the whole bag didn't take long to make. I need to make a lining and sew on a handle and it will be ready to use.

The back side

I mentioned a scarf I'm crocheting using Mochi Plus yarn. I'm following Nancy's Waves Scarf pattern on Ravelry. The yarn is perfect for the pattern. It's another quick and easy project. Although I've run out of yarn and need to buy at least one more ball of yarn to finish it.

Here's a close up of the stitches. Isn't this pattern cool?

I'm desperately trying to finish the quilts I started 18 months ago for DS #2 and his GF. The first one only needs binding. The second one needs to be tied and then bound. Hopefully they will get done before we leave to see them on vacation.

We have been watching World Cup and are excited to watch the US/Ghana game tomorrow. Are you watching futbol too?

Sweet P

Happy Summer!

Happy Summer Everyone!

It was a hot, hot weekend here and we celebrated Father's Day and summer with Mr. E, his daddy and two of his grandpas yesterday.

He arrived looking very fashionable and ready to party.

But the real fun started when we introduced him to the sprinkler.
Mmmmmm . . . what is this?

Yeah, this is fun!

Can you see the little rainbow?

Mmmmm . . . up close it's still fun.

Ahh . . . a wonderful way to keep cool.

Would you like to join Mr. E in the sprinkler?

Sweet P

Time for Food and Goodies

Mr. E started walking yesterday! Just a few steps at a time, but definitely walking. Yesterday he was in a "hold me" mood and sat in my lap between games of Banagrams with mommy. Mommy was being silly and spelled his name out for him.

It's been a while since I posted photos of my food explorations. This past Saturday we invited mommy and Mr. E over for breakfast before Grampa left for Asia.

I made a sausage, egg and cheese pizza. I used a Pillsbury pizza crust, browned and diced sausage links, scrambled eggs and cheese. It was on OK pizza, but would have been better with onions and peppers on it.

I also made Cinnamon Roll Pancakes from the Big Red Kitchen.
These were a delightful change from regular pancakes and everyone enjoyed them.

I received my swap package from my Cookbook Lovers Swap on Ravelry. My partner sent me two skeins of hand spun yarn, a pound of locally roasted coffee, hand made buttons, a cookbook of Canadian recipes and a gorgeous plate. Thanks, Mimi.

I've started a quick and fun to crochet scarf using the Mochi Plus yarn I bought in April. I should have photos in a day or two.

What are you up to this week?

Sweet P

My Creative Nest

This is where I sit and do handwork, my creative nest, if you will. Come along while I take you on a brief tour.

Let's start on the sofa table on the left. If you look close you can see a few milk stains from Mr. E. I haven't scrubbed the front of the sofa and it's due. On the table is the stack of crochet somethings I'm working on, a drink and Wally, the Red Sox mascot. Under the table you can see my laptop peeking out. It's never far away from me.

My Ott light is there and I couldn't create without it. The shades are nearly always down. The parking lot is right outside the window and I'd rather not have everyone looking into my living room.
The bookcase on the right is my bookcase. There are four baskets on it right now, two filled with crochet projects, one with embroidery patterns and a general catch-all basket. My ball winder is attached in the front. The middle shelf has various patterns and miscellaneous papers along with a couple of doodle books. There is another basket of crochet projects behind my bookcase.

In the back right is Mr. E's bookcase. This is for his toys, diapers and books. In front of it is my keyboard that he loves to play. He has learned to leave my bookcase alone and play with anything on his bookcase. Peeking out from the love seat on the right is Mr. E's toy bucket.

What does your creative nest look like?

Sweet P

Condo Buildings

A great photographer I'm not. I try though. Earlier tonight we had thunderstorms roll through town. When DH and I were outside I was struck by how white the peaks on the condo buildings looked against the dark sky.
Someday I would love to take a photography class. Maybe, someday . . .

Sweet P

Current Projects Around Coffee Time

Believe it or not, I do still sew!

Here is a Sleepover Bag made from a pattern by Melly & Me.
It's on its way to Treasured Threads to be a show sample.

Mr. E needs new bedding for his new room that is fit for a little boy.
He is getting two quilts: an emergency vehicle quilt . . .

And a road construction quilt.

And curtains.
The colors don't match in the photos,
but the stripe fabric is the same fabric in all the pieces.

I changed my fabrics for em ay kay ee's {Make} A Bag Sew Along.
I have a package of Moda's Summer in the City charms.
Right now these fabrics are speaking to me more than my previous fabric choices.

I started working on the bag today and I'm up to the quilting step. I'm trying to decide what color to use for the quilting. I'm going to outline quilt the seams so I don't want the color to jump off the fabric. I'm thinking of using white thread. I tried pink, brown and turquoise, but none of them seemed to work.

The crochet hooks are still flying around here too.
I crocheted a journal cover for a swap gift and it's on its way to my partner.

And here is a stack of crocheted items waiting to become something.
Cryptic, I know. They are for a swap gift and the partners are not secret.

I guess that's all the news for today. The weather has been gorgeous. Mr. E is delightful as ever. Life is good.

What's happening in your studio these days?

Sweet P

I'm Going to {Make} A Bag

I'm going to join em ay kay ee's {Make} A Bag Sew Along. The bag and accessories look like a fun summer project and gives me a reason to use these fabrics that have been aging in my stash. I don't remember whose blog I led me to this project, whoever it was, I send a rousing, "Thank You!"
On the yarn front, I must send kudos WEBS Yarn. I need yarn for my upcoming adventure to the Knit and Crochet Show in July and WEBS is having a great sale through May 31st. I bought 10 hanks of Cascade yarn for $4.99 each. What a great deal. The best part is I placed the order at 10 pm on Tuesday night and the yarn was in my mailbox this afternoon! How cool! If you need yarn you better check out their sale before it ends.
The temps have cooled off here. It is a gorgeous May day and will be a great weekend. Do you have any special plans for the holiday weekend?

Sweet P

A Quick Project On A Hot Day

It was hot and humid here today. The first hot and humid day of the summer. I wanted to work on Mr. E's bedroom set, but it was too hot to be in the studio.

I had to create something. So what did I make? I made an Itty Bitty Anything Bag from Mary Grace of Hooked on Needles. It took me all of an hour to make one. I used Cascade wool yarn leftover from my socks.

And for what am I going to use my Itty Bitty Anything Bag? It's the perfect size for holding my stitch holders and little scissors.

It is a fun little project and I plan on making a few more in different sizes. Thanks for a great tutorial Mary Grace!

Sweet P

Design Wall Monday

Take these three fabrics. . . .

And the construction fabric on the right . . .

Plus a coordinating stripe fabric . . .

And what do you get? A new bedroom set for Mr. E!

Photos soon.

Sweet P