Sewkrzy Quilts (and now I Knit, too!)

Today is such a beautiful day in PA!! It is a bit breezy, but, that is all part of Spring here. The temperature is in the 60's! YIPPEE!!  I love the change of seasons. And, I am ready for Spring to arrive. I want to get outside again and enjoy it!

OK... to update all of you who are following... NO, I did not get the church quilt done... I know, I know... what have I been doing? Well, this past week, the answer to that is being sick. I spent from Tuesday night to Thursday morning in bed! Not fun. But, I slept so much, I couldn't believe it! I am feeling a bit better, until I eat... maybe I should stop eating and 'live off the land' for a week! Though, I am not a big person, so I couldn't do that for long. I have been having tea, toast and ginger ale. Last night, I did have a small portion of Tuna Noodle Casserole that Dennis made. I was so hungry, and it really tasted good. That seemed to settle OK. But, today, I had cereal with milk... which after I ate it, I found that it wasn't the best choice. I had better leave the dairy products alone for a few more days or so.

I am itching to get to the sewing room. Maybe today when we get back from the butcher shop. I want to get my jacket done, and my fair quilt. I also have a quilting calendar hanging on my sewing room door, and I really like the table quilt picture for March. I want to make that. The calendar comes with the directions for the quilts that are featured each month... easy, peasy! Now, JUST DO IT!!

OK... better get off here and do something. Maybe I'll take the dogs for a quick walk around the block before Dennis gets back and we have to leave for the butcher shop.

Happy stitching to all!!

Chris in PA

I can't wait to see the church quilt all done! After church, I plan on going and sewing on the binding, then, have the afternoon to hand stitch it down. I am hoping it is done by this evening, so I can take it to the church tonight and surprise everyone! They will be so happy when it is completed, because a lot of ladies have been working very hard to see this come to fruition! They are already talking about the next quilt!! LOVE IT!! I think the quilting bug has bit them all!

I am working on the church's silent auction quilt this afternoon. The ladies in the church & I put it together & did the hand-quilting. I have it to fix a few mistakes (toe-catching stitches), and to put on the binding. The church bazaar is in a month. That is when they will open the sealed bids, I guess. I am not sure.

OK... back to the quilt! I have made a pot a tea, so I am ready to move ahead! I'll post pictures of the quilt...

Happy Stitching!

Chris in PA

This is 2 positives today! Let me explain... Yesterday, I went and had 6 injections in my back at the pain clinic... today, I am recovering. I did get a few minutes, maybe 20 to 30, in the sewing room and worked on the jacket I have in progress. I couldn't set anymore and the leaning over to cut the fabric was not going to well, so I gave it up until maybe tomorrow.

See you later... I am going to rest!

Chris in PA

PS... I'll give you a peek of my jacket!!

Well, I finally made it! I did get to spend a short time playing in my sewing room today making, or catching up on, fabric postcards that should've been in the mail 2 or more weeks ago! OOPS! Well, right now, my philosophy is, better late than never! I did add more postcard pictures in my gallery... check them out!

On my To-do list in the near future includes: finishing the quilt I have started for the fair... finishing a jacket I have started done in blacks & whites... and curtains for Jennifer & Jon's new home. That should keep me busy for a couple of weeks, once I get to spend more time in my sewing room at any given time. I also have 2 more postcards to do. I have an idea on what I am making,... hopefully, I'll get to work a bit on them tomorrow.

My knitting has slowed down at present. Though, I am working on a project. A scarf for me, done in that fun yarn (I call it hairy yarn). But, I am NOT impressed with that stuff, so it will probably be a long time till I make another one. I am almost done with it, thank God!! Then, on to Cody's hat and socks for Scott. Spring will be here and they won't need them anymore, if I keep this up! Becky did get her socks and she likes her gift. I'll have to check to see if I put them on my knitting gallery page...

OK... I can't sleep, (I was already in bed, dozed off and am now wide awake... now killing time on here)  so I guess I'm off of here to go watch a movie & have a cup of tea. Then maybe, I'll be good to go back to bed to slee

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

Here it is... December... less than 25 days left until Christmas... and the question is... "Am I ready"? The answer is simple... NO! But, I am prepared somewhat in the tasks to come... I have the ingredients bought to make the cookies... I have Cody's present bought. It just needs to get wrapped. I have a gift I found for my brother, which I have to ship it to him. Jennifer & Jon gave me their list, which I need to just make time and get to the store. I bought fabric today, for mom-in-law... just need to make the gift. I need to get a gift for Scott, and make him some cookies, then ship all of it to him. Now, what is left... OH... Dennis... I am not sure what he needs. We usually just go and get something for the house for both of us. We need a new personal computer as the present one is 8 years old... it has been a great one... never a lick of trouble... but, I better not say that too loud. I just may jinx myself. And, my Pop... I bought him some clothes. I think that is it. Can I do all of this in 20 days?? Well, I really do not have a choice in that matter. I MUST do it in 20 days. There are other things that I have probably forgotten that need to be on the above list... I'll think about them tomorrow!

Did I write in my last blogging that I was taking knitting lessons?? Well, if not, Yes, I am! And, I am really loving it! So far, I have made about 4 dishcloths, a wool hat and scarf to match, (which I have been using since winter has set in!), and one sock... I started the second sock last night and am hoping that the pair will be complete long before Christmas. This pair is mine, and my feet and toes will be most appreciative during the winter season! Dennis might even appreciate them, too... because I won't have to put my ice cold feet next to him (usually ON him)...  in bed, to get them warm again! Oh... it's the little things in life that keep it interesting! I also have a list of things I WANT to make in the upcoming months. I am definitely addicted to the knitting thing! Now I'll be going to Quilt Shops and Yarn Shops!! Such a rough life I have!!

We have 2 dogs... both miniature, short-haired dachshunds... both are 12 years old. Both are sick right now... seriously sick... like I am down to the last treatment for both of them and if it doesn't work, the next step is putting them down. No, they do not have the same ailments, and I won't go into details. But, the medication and vet bills are killing me! Today was my 3rd trip to the vets office since Monday! Not good! Especially when I have to travel about 30 miles one way and gas prices are on the rise... So, I'll let you know in 2 weeks how they are doing. That's the trial period for the medications... if they work, fine... if they don't... we'll be dog-less, because we have decided that we will have no more animals until Dennis retires... maybe 20 years...

Well, I am going to go get some comfy clothes on... watch a movie and do some knitting. AAAAHHHHHHHHH.... that sounds like a won-der-ful plan!

Happy Stitching!