Cheshire Stripes

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas (I sure did)!

The first gift I've gotten done was my sister's Striped Glass Mitts. I decided to use some of my Red Heart Multi in Plum Pudding and I bought a skein on Red Heart in Lavender to give them the perfect colors of the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland.

She loves how they turned out and so do I. This is the first project I've ever had to put thumbs in and, suprisingly, they were pretty easy. I may have to make myself some at some point.

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The project I'm working on now is my dance partner's Sweeney Todd Scarf. I'm probably about 80% done with it. I'm in love with the yarn I'm using too, Waverly by Bernat in Classic Navy. It's super soft for this type of yarn. I can't wait to have it done.

Where did that hiatus come from?!

 It's all school's fault! The fault is not on me!

I have been so busy with school I haven't even looked at any of my quilting stuff and haven't done a darn thing other than that. Anyway...

I did make one thing while I was "away". October 14 was "I Love Yarn" Day 2011 and I decided to celebrate by knitting something up. So I went through my yarn stash and found some super pretty off-white yarn I had bought when I was making a hat before (which never turned out). I wanted to do something simple (because I only really had a day to work on it), but I wanted something that could catch your eye. I, ultimately, chose to do a cowl in a basketweave stitch.

Basketweave Cowl for "I Love Yarn" Day

It's so warm and soft. I wear it almost everyday, especially now that it's getting cold.

I'm also in the process of making a pair of above-the-knee legwarmers. I'm probably around half way through with one of them so far. These are definitely going to be heavily worked on over my winter break.

Calculations

I did run into a problem when I started making them though. I did some basic calculations so I could figure out how much stitching I would need. That all went out the window when I actually strted making them. So I'm doing a little bit at a time and then trying them on and going from there.

What I have so far...

 As far as Christmas goes, I originally planned not to make anything this year, so that I could have a break, but...I can't help myself. Two of my friends and my little sister will be recieving a knitted gift from me. (Yes, I am on a kntting kick. Thanks for asking.)

- Friend #1 (male): Flurries Slouch Hat (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flurries-slouch-hat), scarf unknown (Matrix: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/matrix-2 or Sweeney Todd Scarf: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sweeney-todd-scarf)

- Friend #2 (female): Gathered Scarf (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gathered-scarf) [Hopefully, I can find some super nice yarn for it.]

- Little Sister: Striped Glass Scarf (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/striped-glass-mitts) [I have 3 skeins of Red Heart: Plum Pudding that I plan on using. I'm not sure what I'll use for the darker stripes yet, maybe a dark purple.]

My friends' gifts don't have to be done by Christmas, so I'm not too worried about those. But I would like to get my sister's done by then. We'll see...

Starry-Eyed

Last night, my first Quilts of Valor quilt was returned to me...quilted! This is actually my first quilt ever that has been quilted using a longarm. And it turned out so beautiful! I would like to thank my quilter, because she did a fantastic job.

1st QOV quilt with star stitching

As you can see in the picture, my quilt got some star stitching which matches my pattern very well. For more info on the picture see blog post: The Ol' Red, White, and Blue. All I have to do now to put on a binding and a label.


Also, like I said, I started on my second QOV quilt.


2nd QOV Quilt

I was going for more of a patchwork look this time. I think the patchwork style make it look more home-y. I have more done than what is shown in this picture, but not by much. But since I have a break this weekend I plan on working on various projects, so there will likely be more done soon.

Starting Early

 This year, I've decided to start working on my Christmas gifts/ projects early. I always same to have so much to do near the end. I need more time spaced out. Anyway, I've made up a list already of what I what to make for everyone.

Mom - Pillows (to replace ones I made a while ago)

Dad - Airplane Quilt (once I find all the fabric for this, I'll be sure to post)

Sister #1 - Thick yarned scarf, Pygmy Puff (Originally, I was going to make her a tea cozy, but she told me she wanted a scarf. If I have time I might try to tackle the tea cozy)

Sister #2 - Coral Necklace (Hopefully the necklace will work out. I have never made anything close to this before)

Nephew - A CATS tail; in the style of a tiger

Niece - Baby Quilt (I really need to finish this. And I'm so close too!)

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On another note, I have made up my list of Christmas movie marathon. I'm very excited to dive head first into the movies. The first movie of the season is...."It's a Wonderful Life". It will kick off the first week of October. I haven't seen this movie in a while so I figured it would be a good start for me.
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NOTE: I've been working on my second Quilts of Valor quilt, so I will have pictures of that soon hopefully.

And on to the Next One

 I have finally finished my first Quilts of Valor quilt! Yay! Now it is on its way to being quilted and then once I get it back I'll bind it. I'll update with pictures then.

Quilts of Valor #1 Quilt Top

I have also designed my second Quilts of Valor in the process. I wanted to have a much easier quilt for my second one so I can really push it out. But I think it will have the same impact and be just as beautiful.

Quilts of Valor #2 Design

Sneak Peek #1

 Here is a sneak peek of my first Quilts of Valor quilt. I feel like I'm taking forever on it, but I'm super happy on how it is coming out.

Sneak Peek #1

Originally, I decided on only making 12 blocks and then putting maybe 2 borders around them, but now that I have finished the blocks it doesn't seem like enough. So I'm going to put on another column and row. I love how it is coming out, but I'm definitely going to do a simpler pattern for my next one.

Also this week, I'm going to my first Quilt Show. I'm super excited. The bad thing is I'm going to be working there, but hopefully I'll get some time to work around. But really either way, I'd be happy. I'll take pictures!

Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats

I'm going to let you all in on a little secret. Well, it really isn't too much of a secret, but I've never wrote about it in the blog.


I love CATS the musical. I adore it. My love of crafting came partly from CATS, because I also love to work on making costumes for the show, and whatnot. I haven't made a whole costume yet, but I hope to some day.


A few years ago I was heavily into the costuming, but with school and life I stopped and didn't think much about it. But recently I have started to love it again and I really want to start making stuff. So you will probably start seeing some of that stuff along with all the other stuff I usually put up on here.




The Cast of CATS (Moscow 2005-6)



My favorite charater, Mr. Mistoffelees (Hamburg, Germany 1998)

Binded Up

 Today and yesterday, I have working on binding up a quilt for my Quilts of Valor group. The thing is that I did not make the quilt to begin with. It was donated to us so we could fix it up and then give it to a veteran. So my first task for the group was to add a border to the quilt and then, once it was quilted, bind it all up. I have never done a normal binding like this before so it was a good learning experience and I'm super glad with the outcome.

Work in Progress Binding

Close Up of Binding

Finished Lap Quilt

Close Up of Finished Lap Quilt

A Cut Above the Rest

So I finally have all my pieces cut for my first Quilts of Valor quilt. I can't wait to go to this month's meeting so I can work on it.

All of my cut pieces

I don't really have anything else to say. But I hope to update a lot this summer, because I have a lot to do.

Time for Spring!

Yesterday, I went to a sewing class with my aunt and we made made purses. We didn't get very far due to the fact that the kit my aunt had was super confusing. I, thankfully, got to pick out  my own fabric. Here's pictures of what I have so far:

The front two pockets

The back pocket

This pattern is called "Veranda Tote" by Penny Sturges. I can't wait to finish it. I'm going back in a couple of weeks to finish it with the instructor.

The Ol' Red, White, and Blue

I am now officially part of the organization Quilts of Valor. For those who do not know what Quilts of Valor is allow me to explain. Quilts of Valor was set up to provide quilts to injured servicemen or veterans. As a member of this, it is my job to make (and help make) the quilts which will be given to them. I'm so proud to be a part of something that can bring joy to those brave men and women. The women I'll be working with are so nice as well and are willing to help me if I need it.


Anyway, as soon as I got home from the meeting I got started on designing my first quilt. They said it didn't have to be super detailed or anything, but since it is my first one I figured I would start off with a really nice design.

My design

The block design come from "Quiltmaker's: 100 Blocks" magazine (from 2010). The name of the block is by Diane Nagel. I changed to design a bit by taking out some corner triangles, but it is pretty close to the original.


I'll be sure to keep you guys updated. I'll update with my fabric choices next.

First Quarter - Check!

I have finished my blocks for the first quarter of the Thimbleberries Quilt Club. I have a lot of fun put them all together, because they ended up looking really nice (well sort of)

Block One

This was the block (Thank god it was the first one) where I realized I had to follow all the directions, even if I thought my way was better. I usually iron open seams, but the directions showed exactly how they wanted it. But like an idiot I ignored tham and did open seams anyway. So I ended up with a bulky uneven block. My aunt (my quilt club buddy) said it was fine, but I really want to redo it. I'm worried that it won't fit with the other blocks.

Finished first block

Block Two

Thankfully, this one was turned out a lot better. I really liked this design. It is probably my favorite from the three. But the orange-ish fabric was the coolest, but it didn't take away from the beauty.

Finished second block

Block Three

This one turned out good was well. The fabric for this block was really pretty so I enjoyed working on it.

Finished third block

Join the club

A couple of weeks ago I joined a quilting club at a local quilting store. Yay! It is the Thimbleberries quilting club, in which you get a couple of block every few months to put together and by the end of the year, you have enough blocks to make the quilt. The quilt for this year is called Border Blast.

So far I only have to pieces cut out, but I'll show you what they will look like.


Fabric for Thimbleberries block #1



Fabric for Thimbleberries block #2



Fabric for Thimbleberries block #3

  I have also done a lot more on the baby quilt. I have already put the "blocks" together, so now I'm making them into diamonds. They look really good! I can wait to get it all together.

My sister is doing good too. But I think she may be having twins... or an elephant baby.

The intial block

The block with sides to make a diamond

Little Baby

A new project I am working on is a baby quilt for my older sister. The pattern I am using is "Floating Blocks" from the book "Glorious Patchwork" by Kaffe Fassett.


The colors are a light lime green (background), yellow, redish-pink, and light blue.

Cutouts so far

Close-up of colors

I'm also working on some crocheting. I have found that it reduces stress, which is something I really need to do right now.


The pattern is from Lion Brand Yarn and it is called "Tivoli Beret".

Working on the band

Finished band

Starting of sides

A long time coming

Don't judge me! I'm sorry I didn't put up my project when I said I would. But it's better late than never, right?




World War 2 Quilt



This quilt was made for a project for my History class. The project was a photo project, in which we had to pick a topic (that fits in the time frame: America after the Civil War to present day), and then we had to write captions for each of the pictures, and how the thing in the picture formed your topic.


My topic was the War Effort on the American homefront during World War 2. The sub-topics of my ten pictures are:


~ Women in the Workplace
~ War Bonds
~ Movies
~ Propaganda
~ Rubber/ Metal Collecting
~ Canteens
~ Food Rationing
~ Rationed Items
~ Production Corps of the Red Cross
~ Air-Raid/ Blackout Drills


The quilt block is also from the 1940s, but was published in the 2008 book "Victory Quilts" By Eleanor Burns.


NOTE: I received a 100% for it.

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I also have another project in the works, so watch out for that!