Sewkrzy Quilts (and now I Knit, too!)

I am sooooo addicted! But, I have been doing a little quilting, too. I am working on a jacket. All done in Black & white (black with white designs & white with black designs). It looks very nice... can't wait till I can wear it. I still have my 2011 fair quilt hanging on the design wall... with the same 9 blocks done. When did I start that? June 2010! Oh my... I GOT to get busy!

Once I get the knitting projects done that are waiting... I should be able to devote my full attention on my quilting. The knitting projects include hats, scarves, wool socks... those can't wait till summer. In the summer, the recipients won't need them!

I also have to figure out what else I am going to enter in the fair. I want to add more than last year (3). Not that I am trying to be over-zealous... it is just a goal for myself. My personal goal eventually, is to enter 10 things. I want to work up to that. And, maybe it'll never happen... who knows! I usually do an embroidery project, and a knotted quilt. I'll have to look at last year's book to check out all the other categories.

I love the snow, and am pretty bummed that all the 'big storms' are passing us by. But, we have a little bit on the ground... and we are having flurries right now, so... till the 'big one' hits us, I'll be happy with what we have. In the meantime, I'll be praying for the blizzards!!!

Well, better get finished up here and go and do something constructive. Maybe, I'll finish Cody's scarf that I am working on... or, there is always the sewing room. I have some postcards that need to get made and in the mail.... see... always something to do! Never a dull moment!

Happy Stitching on this great Friday!

Chris in PA

Yes, I am ready to settle in for the long winter now since the Christmas season has come & gone. It is definitely time to relax!!

I have gotten requests from family members for some knitted items... I went & got most of the yarn needed. I do need to go to Michael's and get some black yarn for the toes & heels of the wool socks. I have finished Jennifer's hat... I gave it to her today, though, you can tell I am new at this... I made the body too long, then when I added the crown part... well, let's just say it is a little big. I did go to the yarn shop today while I was in town and got another skein... I'll try again and shorten up the body this time! I will be starting her a scarf to match in the near future.

Quilting... well, I want to start working on my UFO's... which is my normal routine for January & February every year. I am also working on cleaning some things out! That is a long process! But, when it is done, my sewing room will be greater than it already is! Now that I am knitting as well as quilting, I am going to make a schedule... picking 2 days a week (or more) for quilt days, and I do most of my knitting before bed while watching TV in my bedroom.

Well... bedtime here.

Goodnight all!

Happy Stitching & Knitting!

Chris in PA

I actually got to relax and watch the game today! Well, most of it anyway. I started watching in the 2nd quarter. I missed most of the touchdowns, but, I still enjoyed the rest of the game. Now... let's see if they can get to the Superbowl! GO STEELERS!! I will definitely be glued to the TV for the play-off game!

Penn State didn't make out too well in the Gator Bowl... but, at least they made it to a bowl game! Great job!

Sunday is winding down... I think I'll be going upstairs to knit a bit and watch TV. I am trying to finish the shawl at present. I am on the down side of it... ready to start my 3rd skein of yarn on it. The pattern calls for 4 skeins... I am not sure if I'll need all that. I am a small person, and if I make it that long, I would probably be able to wrap it around me several times! I'd be warm, that's for sure! I have gotten several requests for the wool socks from family members... I want to go back to the yarn store tomorrow to get more wool so I can start the next pair. I want to make several pairs now, so I remember how to do them. So I can ingrain it in my mind! I am surprised, they are really not all that hard!

OK... goodnight all. Have a great night.

Happy Stitching!

Chris in PA

And, may it be a Blessed one for you!

Christmas has come & gone, though, my tree is still up and will remain until mid to late January. I love my tree now that I have time to actually enjoy it. The preparations for Christmas keeps me too busy to appreciate the beauty of the tree. So, I take time to do that in January.

Christmas was a great one for our family. Our son, Scott has moved home from Washington State (He also lived in Oregon prior to that). But, I am a happy Mom, having my kids nearby. When Cody got up Christmas morning and checked out the tree with the gifts, he told me, "Mimi, I think Santa unloaded his sleigh!" LOL... Ahhhh... to be 5 again with all the magic of Christmas morning! But, I am grateful now to watch it through Cody's eyes. It is a magical time of year... my favorite holiday. First, because God sent His Son to us as our Savior... secondly, it's the time for family to gather & share with each other.

I am PLEASED to announce.... (ta-daaaah!) ... My (knitted) Fireside Socks are completed! I finished them last night. I haven't taken them off, yet! They are so cozy & warm! I did have to get on YouTube to refresh my mind with some of the steps involved in doing the heel. But, all in all, I enjoyed making them. I am excited about starting the next pair! I have also posted pictures in my knitting folder of the hat & scarf I made. A picture of the socks is there, too.  I have also made about 6 dishcloths. Though, I didn't take pictures of them. But, I did share some of them with family members for Christmas presents, and I kept some for myself. I have been buying up the cotton yarn, in various colors, to make more! I even bought a book last week that has about 12 different patterns for the dishcloths. I can't wait to start them!

Today, will be a day of laziness, relaxing, and some visiting this afternoon with friends. We will be going to Jennifer & Jon's for supper, having the traditional pork, sauerkraut and hot dogs! And, will probably watch a movie and visit afterward. It will be a great day, indeed!

May God be with you throughout 2011!!

Chris in PA