Knitting

Dish clothes.

Not only are they are functional, they are pretty, and they make nice little gifts. And, I know how to  make them! Because someone took the time to teach me how to knit.

When I was young my family had 2 sisters who babysat us - me and my 2 younger brothers. The sisters were knitters. I remember being fascinated, watching them knit. I remember wanting to learn how to knit. I must have begged enough that one of them finally taught me how to knit using pencils and some scrap yarn. I don't think they knew what an impact that made on my life.

I remember knitting some in high school. I made a hat and matching scarf for a friend for Christmas. I made a red, white and blue crew neck vest for 4-H. I made a few other sweaters after college. Then I stopped knitting. I'm not sure why.

But, it recent years I have started again. Right now I have on my needles - socks, 4 sweaters, a cap, a Christmas tree, and dish clothes, and probably some other things that I have forgotten about. I like to keep simple things that need no thinking, like the dish clothes with me all the time.

They are great for keeping my hands busy, but still be able to carry on a conversation.

And, they make great little gifts, especially with a hand lotion or bath gel.

And, knitting is a great stress reliever, at least for me.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I can't believe it is the start of another new year. 2012 went by so quickly!
I don't make resolutions. I used to, many years ago, but I never kept them.

So I won't make any resolutions this year.
But, maybe, a goal... or two. :)

I started making quilts for Quilt for Kids in 2012. I will continue with that.  QFK sends you the fabric for the top and back of the quilt. All I provide is batting and my time piecing and quilting the quilts.
My son has spent some time in hospitals. He was given a quilt during one of his stays. It was comforting to him, and us his parents, to know that someone we didn't even know cared enough to take the time to make something that would bring comfort and a smile. Being in the hospital can be scary for children. Being in the hospital for days at a time can also be boring and a little lonely. One of us was always with him, but having a bright quilt can help make the days a little better.
My goal? To try to get the quilts finished and returned in a more timely manner.

My other goal is to try to be more positive this year.
I tend to look at the negatives in my life. I need to change that.

On that note, I am posting a picture today of the snow that fell yesterday. My husband and I had left the house to stock up on groceries. We had about a 30 minute drive to the town that we shop at. It had just started to snow at home, but wasn't snowing the closer we got to the town we were going to. Good! I don't like to drive in the snow. I usually drive since my husband gets pains in his right leg and foot from sitting in one position too long. But, by they time we were finished shopping the snow had caught up to us. Bad! I got to drive home behind a state truck spreading salt, making us all go slow. There was a guy in a pickup behind us who REALLY wanted to pass. We were on a 2 lane road with traffic coming from the other direction. He did try to pass and had to pull back behind us at the last minute. A few miles later we turned, thank goodness.

We ended up not getting too much snow. My positive? I don't like snow, don't like driving in it, don't like people who are not save drivers in the snow, don't like the cold that comes with the snow, but the ground needs the moisture. So I am thankful that we were not in an accident, that we got a small amount that is easy to manage, and the ground is getting some of the moisture it needs (well, maybe not right NOW, but when it warms up enough to melt that snow :) )

And, today it was sunny which made the snow look really pretty. Oh, look, another positive!

Out my front door Jan. 1, 2013

Design Wall Monday...

... last one of 2012.

To see what others are doing visit Judy here.

On my design wall is this:

Our niece is expecting a girl in February. 

I still need to applique the eyes. Then I will quilt it before I embroider the facial features and add the bow at the neck.

We think it is a cute pattern and we LOVE the Minkee/Cuddle type fabrics used to make the bear.

I have made this pattern one other time for a co-worker's daughter. 

That one was for a boy. 

On the back I put the information about the baby in bear paws.

My husband liked it so much he requested I make one for our niece.

Design Wall Monday

Check out what others are doing here.

I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. I hope you all find the peace and joy that is Christmas.

I know I haven't posted in a while. Between school/work, being very sick, and having a quilt project to finish up before Christmas I just haven't had the time.

Now I am trying to post pictures of what I have been working on, but I can't seem to find them on my computer! :(

I did finish up this QFK. I do not care for the Rail Fence pattern, but the Pooh fabrics are very cute.

Quilts For Kids - Rail Fence with Pooh fabric.

I also finished this T-shirt quilt and delivered it Saturday morning. They seemed pleased with it.

T-shirt quilt quilted with Zig-Zag design.

I used the Zig -Zag design board by R&S Design. I didn't quilt them evenly spaced. I like the look of random spacing. I stopped at the designs. Some of them are pretty heavily printed and I was nervous that quilting through them would mess up my machine or cause thread breakage.

I have been doing some knitting.

This:

And this:

I am pretty sure I am ADD. I can't seem to work on one project for very long before switching to another one. I really think I need to retire from work and just work on projects at home! Don't think that would go over well. :)

Again, Merry Christmas to all of you!