Wednesday, February 26, 2014

DaGMT 26 - A Bit Of Fun

I missed a few days of my twenty minute challenge. I didn't seem to be in the mood to do anything but knit. At least I did something creative.

Today, I seem to be back in the groove. A friend is having an un-birthday soon (immediately following her birthday), so I decided to make her something, to mark this auspicious un-occasion.  If you don't buy anything, I think you can count it as an un-present.

So, after a small amount of stash diving, I produced this.

From the picture, they look kind of like fabric toast. However, I am hoping they will become cupcake oven mitts. I just need to "ice" them.

I finished the second clue in my mystery knit-along, on Ravelry, called Me and You.

My cable is 40" long, but it still seems to be short for the size of this shawl, so it is hard to see what it will look like. I like the way the grey and red are working together to make a nice contrast. Three more clues to go.

Meanwhile, we have a new little girl staying with us, until she is ready for adoption. She is very shy and came to the shelter as a stray so she doesn't have a name yet.
She was hiding when I took her picture, so you can't really see how lovely she is. We are considering names for her. So far, we have Shyrose, Ramona, and Harriet. There seems to be a strong Beverly Cleary theme for some reason.




Thursday, February 20, 2014

DaGMT - Day 20 Some finishes

My husband wanted a case for his Kobo. Since the stores are asking $40 for Kobo cases, I said I would make one. Since it took me about 5 hours to complete, I don't think I am valuing my time very well.

I let him pick the fabric from my stash, and I love his choice.

Poor Kitty ended up with Velcro across his face!
I added a little designer label.




I also finished the first clue in my mystery Knit Along.

I think the texture is very interesting. I can't wait to see what comes next. Next clue arrives tomorrow, about noon.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

DaMGT Day 18 - Posies Complete

Due to my actually sewing for at least 20 minutes per day, I have completed all 24 sections of my table runner and the top is now complete.

I have about half the papers out. A bit more picking and it should be ready to quilt. I think I will work on another project today.


Friday, February 14, 2014

Valentine's Day

I got a sweet treat today, from an unexpected source. The mailman (postal person) brought me a parcel today with goodies.

I received several boxes of "Fruitfull" for Christmas, because my family knows they are a favourite.  Sadly, one of the boxes was stale. The good people at Ganong sent me two boxes to replace the stale box. I love to see such fine customer service.
For those who don't know, Ganong is a Canadian company, based in New Brunswick. They make an Eastern delicacy called "Chicken Bones", that I am convinced you have to come from the East Coast to appreciate.

Meanwhile, I cast on a new shawl today.
The shawl is called "Me and You" and is a Knit Along on Ravelry. The pattern suggests that you choose 2 colours to represent you and your significant other. I think the red and the grey look very nice together. 

Of course, I now have that song stuck in my head... Me and you, and you and me...



Sunday, February 9, 2014

DaGMT - Day 9 One Down

I have managed to sew everyday, except yesterday. Not bad!
Here is the result of this weeks effort. Each section takes about 15 minutes to complete, so I am averaging 2 per day.

Polly's Posie in Purple. I am hoping that it will look a bit better, once the paper is out (yes, that papers are still in it, until I sew on the corner blocks.) It is really hard to sew through the centre with all the paper in place.

Meanwhile, the Olympics give me lots of opportunity to knit.
I finished my Pussy Willow Socks.


As you can see, I haven't managed to sew in the ends yet. My camera was also insisting that the yarn is blue, when it is actually Lilac. The second picture shows it better.

With the Olympics coming and a scheduled doctor's appointment, I cast on a new pair of socks on Monday. I am making good progress, thanks in part to the 50 minute wait at the doctor's, and my enjoyment of skiing and snowboarding.
A simple K6 P2 rib in a yarn that is purple, navy and dark teal. The picture just can't capture the colour. I am nearly finished the heel, so I should have it done by the end of the week.



Tuesday, February 4, 2014

DaGMT 14 - 4 Test Pattern

I like the results from paper piecing, but I don't do it often. So, whenever I do paper piece, I have to try to remember how it is done. I find it best if I make a test block, just to see if I really know what I am doing.

My twenty minutes today was closer to 90, as I tidied my sewing room a bit, ironed fabric, cut some strips to try the block and challenged my brain on how this is done.

Tada! I even think the colours work together, although I will leave it where I can look at it for a day or so, before I commit to the whole table runner. Just 23 more to go!

After I finished my project bag on Sunday, I was picking up the scraps and found myself playing with them and my machine. Heather, over at Books and Quilts, inspired me to make this.

I am sending it to my orange grandkittens, in the East.

I am linking to Needlework Tuesday and Needle and Thread Network.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

DaGMT 2014 - Day 1

I am off to a fine start. I went into my sewing room to play and managed to get most of this knitting project bag finished.





Don't you just love those cats? I used another couple of fat quarters from my stash, and a zipper from my zipper stash.

Meet my new helper.


It is really hard to get a good picture of a black cat! It was a sunny morning so the image is a bit washed out.  His name is listed as Haldir, a character from Lord of the Rings, but we are calling him Hal (a character from the movie 2001). He is as sweet as he looks and he likes to sleep on my batting.