BSJ Completed

Spring is still hiding from us. In the past week, we have had snow, ice pellets, freezing rain, and then back to snow. My view of spring has been limited to my kitchen counter.

The picture was taken just before the snow started, yesterday, so it is kind of dark.

So, I put a push on and finished my Baby Surprise Jacket (BSJ). The BSJ has been knit nearly 30,000 times by the people who actually report it on Ravelry. The pattern was created in the sixties by Elizabeth Zimmerman, and holds the fascination of knitters, still today.

You knit a wildly lumpy block of garter stitch.

Then, you look carefully at the picture in the pattern, fold your piece, and you end up with this.

You must knit your first one, completely on blind faith, following the pattern exactly, and trust that all those other knitters can't be wrong. I have knit 5 of these so far. It still amazes me.

You need to seam the shoulders to complete it.

This time, I crocheted my shoulder seams, and I think it makes a nice match to the i-cord bind-off.

 Mitred corners!

This one is a bit large for Bear. I should make him his own, in fingering weight. This one is in DK, SMC Bravo Color, which I found in my stash. It still needs a button and a loop.

Bear thought this was a good choice. It was handmade by Cheryl of Grandma Coco's Designs.

Meanwhile, I have started making kits to go to my retreat weekend. I have learned that one should start two weeks ahead, in case something needed is missing, and must be ordered. I need some interfacing, and with luck it will arrive, today.

First two kits. They contain the fabric, hardware, zippers, a picture of the pattern, and the cutting list. The goal is to have everything cut and the stabilizers fused, before I leave, a week from Friday.

This one is still in the maybe pile. I am not sure I like my fabric choices, yet.

The zipper and the fabric are actually purple, but the dull day was working against me. I want to make a tote bag, but I think the panel is too white to use as an outer fabric. I love the polka dots, with the Kona panel, so they may have to become something else.

Pat Sloan Interviews Karen Neary

On Monday, Pat Sloan had Canadian quilt designer Karen Neary on her show.  You can listen here.

I have been a blog fan of Karen for quite awhile. She has inspired me to work outside my comfort zone. I have made 3 of her patterns.

In 2013, I made her Maritime Beauty pattern.

I did a test block first, and turned it into a mug mat.

I made the full pattern, but it took me quite awhile to actually get it quilted.

Just for fun, I also reduced the block and made it into a post card.

I actually cheated on that one and used fusible applique. The other two are paper pieced.

Next up, I made Polly's Posies.

I actually got that one finished in about 6 weeks. Miracles do happen.

Finally, I bought Karen's book quilting Beauties Come in All Shapes and Sizes.

I made "Thistles in the Heather" from the book.

Sadly, it has not yet been quilted. Obviously, I need a better list of my UFOs.

Easter 2018

In case you were wondering, the forsythia did flower for Easter.

Free flowers, with just a bit of patience and faith that it will work yet again.

You can see the Easter table cloth under them. For reasons that I do not understand, the table cloth is a totally different shape than the table, and every year, I fight to get it onto the table. I use it for Easter dinner, then put it away clean for next year, when I will fight with it again. The cloth is oval. The table is oval, and the silly thing doesn't fit. But it is really cute with bunnies, and flowers all over it. So, I keep it, and complain that it doesn't fit.

The church ladies were asked to make a quilt in record time. I was sick, so I could only cheer from afar. However, I was asked to make a bag for the quilt. I was asked for pink florals, and thought, my stash? I am not a pink floral kind of person. Surprise, I found exactly the right fabric, in my stash.

My usual flat bottom tote, stabilized with quilt batting, in an oriental print. I guess at some point I planned an oriental quilt, but I never found all the fabric I might have wanted. The handles are a fat eighth of a tulip print.

More pink florals, who knew I had this much in my stash.

Of course, the zipper pocket needed a surprise. This are the last of my "dogs doing yoga" fabric.

And a button, to tell the recipient that there was love and prayers involved.