Nelson's Victory

It was Tinner's Tuesday, and I made this block, called Nelson's Victory.

I like it, and it was quick and easy to do.

It was a beautiful day, the Tinners Ladies had a picnic. Not much hand work got done, the weather out on the deck was too nice for that, so we just sat and enjoyed the breeze and the company.

The weather has been rather nice lately, although there has been an occasional thunder storm. The gardens are looking great.

I was playing with my camera on the patio the other day.

Who wants to be indoors on days like this!

Wingspan - Part 1

Number 5 on my Ten Things For Summer was to knit a shawl. This isn't it! I am still planning to knit a lace shawl, just to prove to myself that I can do it.

However, I was looking for patterns suitable for my beginners, and I thought this one might appeal to the Moms. Just to make sure it was doable, I had to make one myself.

I found some yarn in my sock yarn bin, that I thought would do the job. The yarn is not my usual colour palette but I think it followed me home from a sale bin.

I am using 3.75 mm needles, since the pattern didn't specify a guage, but I think it is a bit loose, so I was not going to have enough yarn. I was trying to be very frugal and shop my stash, but I had nothing that would go with this yarn, so, off to the store.

I wasn't sure the green was exactly right, but it looks pretty good in the picture, so I guess it will be fine.

This is not my colours, so I wonder who will end up with it. I am sure it will find a home.

Knitting Club

I have joined a little knitting club, as the "resident expert". There are 4 beginner knitters in the group. They are 2 mother and daughter teams, with the daughters being 8 and 10 years old.

Last night was our third meeting, and everybody is doing really well.

Everyone was finished their first project (a square for felting, to become a clutch purse, or a dolly blanket.) The second project (a fancy scarf) was started.

For completion of their first project, I presented them all with a "badge".

They all thought it was perfect!

Knitting Girls Rule!

Ten Things This Summer

Pam, from Mad About Patchwork, has inspired me to create a list of goals for the summer. so Here goes:

1. Finish my Tipsy Socks.  I am nearly finished the first sock, but I suffer from second sock syndrome. I was feeling the pull to cast on something new, last night. Must finish both socks!

2. Get Ahead on My Reading For My Book Club  I have a list of 5 books, all good literature, I am sure, but I am prone to read cozy mysteries and the like, during the summer. I have started "The Imposter Bride", but it isn't backyard, under a tree reading, in my mind.

3. Actually Quilt One of my Many Quilt Tops I have a pile of them that need two more layers to be complete. I think first up should be the last one finished (LIFO), so I will put my Maritime Beauty first on the list.

4. Clean Up My Office, and Get the Filing Done I am so far behind in my filing, that you can't see my desk, for the filing pile. If I can get this all cleaned up, I have promised myself a new desk, with room on it for my computer and my printer. I have it all picked out, at Ikea, but I am not moving my mess onto a nice new desk.

5. Knit a Shawl I have been wanting to do this for awhile, and summer seems like a good time to knit one. A little elf gave me some yarn and beads, so I just need to get out my needles and go. (after completing #1)

6. Get to know my Vintage Singer Machine A lovely old Singer (I think it was built in 1939) followed me home one day, 2 years ago. I took it to the sewing machine hospital, to be cleaned, and otther than sewing on it for a brief time after it came home, I haven't really used it. I think it might be great for quilting, so I need to pick a quilt that needs straight line quilting, and give it a go.

7. Find My Sewing Room, Again. I am embarrassed to show you a picture of what it currently looks like.

8. Visit Mrs Pugsley's Quilt Emporium  This is a new quilt shop, scheduled to open sometime this summer, in Amherst, NS. I expect to be down that way, in early September. More information can be found here.

9. Write a Pattern for my Halloween Placemats  Some of my friends want to make similar placemats and asked me for the pattern.

10. Make Another Bra I made some mistakes on my second one, so I need to make another one (or two).

An ambitious list, I hope I can get through it all. Of course there are about 10 weeks of summer left, so I have a chance.

Foundation Piecing?

My bra making course came with the supplies to make 2 bras. Since I only managed to cut out my second one at the course, I have been working at making the second one.

It is starting to look like a bra. A bit more elastic, and I will be finished. You will notice that I have my course notes right beside me, as I try to remember how it all goes together. I added lace to this one, because one should have lacy things now and again.

I am linking to WIP Wednesday at the Needle and Thread Network.

Happy Canada Day

Okay, it's the logo on my shirt today. Compliments of Northern Reflections, I am dressed for the day.

The weather is not bad, although the sun is hiding at the moment, and over here at Arts and Socks, the livin' is easy.

Every one is hanging out on the screen porch, enjoying the breeze.

And, of course, I am knitting socks!

I am taking a pattern for a test drive. Looks pretty so far. Of course, the yarn is purple!