Robots in Outer Space

Oliver was a little bit early and I was a little bit late with this one.  I couldn’t decide on fabrics, even after I saw a great pattern idea at Karen’s blog.  I am still not 100% sure of the fabric/color choices, but I am overall happy with the design.  I also pieced some maverick stars on the back, and was really happy with the outcome of that.  I will have to try that again, maybe on the front and back next time.

Project Birthday Aprons may be underway shortly, however I seem to have lost a piece of fabric.  Granted I have thousands of pieces of fabric, but I don’t really lose things so I am a little concerned.

Today I walked to Bloomingfoods in a tshirt, jeans and flip flops.  Yay Spring!

Community Kitchen Quilt

Thank god that February is behind us and we are into March.  Even though today was sunny and beautiful, there is STILL snow lingering.  This makes about 80 days in a row that we have had snow on the ground.   Today I walked (IN THE SUNSHINE!) down to the Indiana Heritage Quilt Show today and while most of the quilt there aren’t really my style, the colors alone are inspiring enough.  I bought some fabric and gearing up for a long overdue robot/space quilt.  I have had a hard time picking the right fabrics, but think it is time to just start cutting.   The quilt above is finally finished and is for an auction to benefit the Community Kitchen, where a friend of mine is on the board.

Knitting Olympics are officially over (as are the real Olympics) and I ended up with three hats, also to donate.  My goal was four, so sort of fell short but it was also the end of February of which the last two weeks were horrible gray hell.  So what can you do?

Gray Days

I do love the fresh snow fall, and who can complain of an unexpected day off work…but damn all these gray days.  February is the worst month and I am already anxiously awaiting March when we might see the sun again.  Today I cranked up the music and got out some bright blocks that have been languishing in my drawer.  The top is complete and the back is cut and in the process of being sewn together.  This is for an auction for The Community Kitchen.  Next quilt will be for baby Oliver.  I have a general plan, but probably need some additional fabrics.

Also so far, I’ve been to two cha-cha classes.  I love them, but don’t think that I am a very good follower.  Heh.

Peaceful

This has actually been finished for a few weeks now, but finally got a chance to wash and take photos.  This is for the daughter of one of my coworkers, and I love all of the juicy colors!  Super cute. Its hard to tell from this picture, but all of those stars are made up of fabric with tiny little dots on them too, to compliment the big polka dots around the border.  #33 of Year of Making Stuff. Woo!  I am definitely slowing down though…think I need a few quick projects.

Last weekend Cynthia came in town to visit and we were able to meet up on Saturday afternoon to catch an IU football game with Abby, Erik and two of their girls.  The weather was beautiful and we had a great time.  Of course, we had an even better time late night at the Vid, but there is mighty little photographic evidence of that, for which we are lucky I think.  It does make me sad though that so many of my beloved friends live so far away!

Speaking of friends, Jenn and I went climbing today and I did even better than last time by far!  I reached the top on all of my four attempts and generally felt stronger and more confident as to what I was doing.  I think Jenn is also getting more comfortable with me as her partner!  It is scary to have to hold someone up at that height!  Again, my hands and forearms are a little sore, but it was a lovely way to spend a Sunday morning.

Vibrant Fall Color

Sunday I strolled around Rosehill Cemetery and took in some beautiful fall color on a glorious day.  In about a week, the leaves will be done and the grays and browns will be here all winter.  Not very inspiring to look forward to, but I am still relishing the seasons and love the chill in the air.  It means knitting, tights, soups, quilts, scarves and gloves.

Baby Berry quilt is finished, but needs a wash and dry before I take photos.  I am rather slowly working on the same knitting project and am starting to outline yet another baby quilt.  They were thinking it might be a girl which turns out to not be the case, so I am thinking of robots.

Halloween is right around the corner, I have plans, a costume idea, candy, and pumpkins still to carve.

Indy and #29

I finished this quilt last week for the Community Quilts Project for the Bloomington Quilters’ Guild.  I had been cleaning out some of my fabric/craft/quilt storage recently and came across the top of this quilt, fully put together.  As part of my using up fabric that I already have, I quickly pieced together the back and was able to finish this up pretty quickly and have item #29 done for my Year of Making Stuff.  Now I just have to finish that twin sized one too!

Even with working on Saturday, I was able to drive up to Indianapolis to visit Stephanie and enjoyed a hilarious night out at the Rathskeller.  And as a bonus, I stopped and met new baby Stella at Abby’s on the way home. She was thrilled to meet me too.

Year of Making Stuff: Week 24 and 25

Between 12 Hour Comic Book Day and the two other programs, last week was a bit of a blur.  And now I can’t believe that tomorrow is Friday and this week is almost over, and that July starts next week.  Crazy!  I love summers here, but it is going too fast.  Last weekend was Taste of Bloomington and a fun night out with the girls.  And tomorrow I get to see Steph who will be down from Indy!

So this was finished somewhere between last week and this week, but it is a gift to be delivered next week for Cyn (very late Birthday), so here is a sneak peak.  I bought the lemon fabric while we were in Chicago.  So cute!

And since last week was running so late, I am ahead of the game for this week.  Sharpie Tie Dye!  Ok, so it was a program that I did with some teens at Ellettsville, but I love the way it came out and  I was in desperate need of a new night shirt.

Year of Making Stuff: Week 11

I found this fabric in a big panel at Goodwill and decided to make pjs.  I love a good pair of pj pants, but often can’t find any cute ones that are long enough.  The solution?  Make them!  The pattern I used was fairly easy, but I think I will have to fix the waist band in the future.  Making clothes just isn’t my calling, but these are comfy, if a little funky.  Tim is already calling them curtain pants.

Maybe if he is lucky, I will make him a pair of Cubs pjs.

Year of Making Stuff: Week 10

Back in November, I started drafting this quilt and shopped for just the right purple fabrics through December.  Sewing took place through January, and I had it professionally quilted in February.  Today I finished by adding a little more than 400 inches of  binding.

This quilt is a generous queen sized, and made from a heavily adapted Julie Popa pattern in the March/April 2008 Fons and Porter magazine.  The wide borders are a really smooth cotton sateen fabric that is a beautiful rich purple color which was sort of hard to photograph.  I am really happy with how it came out and after a quick wash it will go in our bedroom.  This is the fourth quilt I’ve made for us, and I might just like this one best!

Year of Making Stuff: Week 6

I bought this gray and black floral fabric on clearance to make some lounge pants from Amy Butler’s In Stitches.  But yesterday looking at the pattern, and not feeling the color and print for pants, I remembered I had a pillowcase pattern.  These pillowcases are made using a really easy roll up method and french seams so everything is clean and neat, even on the inside.  Once I figured it out, it only takes me about 15 minutes or so for each.  The purple cuff is left over fabric from the queen sized quilt for our bedroom that is in the works.  I can’t wait for it all to come together!

I hope everyone had a lovey Valentine’s Day yesterday.  Tim and I had a late lunch at Esan Thai, then did some shopping downtown.  Last night we watched the beginning of the John Adams HBO series based on the David McCullough book.  Its fantastic!  It was a lovely day spent with my favorite valentine.