Barely Spring

Despite the ice on Lake Griffy and the small patches of snow left on the ground, spring finally made it here late last week.  My days off coincided perfectly with two of the most beautiful sunshiny days yet.  Saturday Elizabeth and I took her two dogs out to the lake for a long hike and it was GLORIOUS.  There are even crocus up in my neighborhood and downtown.

And Baby Oliver’s quilt has finally been started.  I was getting worried that by the time I had it all figured out perfectly (which I totally don’t), he would be a teenager.  My interest in quilting can be very up and down and right now I am inspired and working hard on two at once (which is sort of rare for me).

Off to give Going Bovine one more chance.  It is one really strange book.

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.

Wicked Cold

Finished just in time for the quilt guild meeting on Tuesday, this is a donation quilt for our Kids Community Quilt project.

Despite having a finished project, I have been feeling a little like a slacker in the making things department.  However, I was sick for part of the time in December and then had either a new or recurring wicked cold again in early January for over a week.  Now Tim is in the middle of it, and let me tell you, this was probably the worst cold I ever had.  Cold (sick) combined with cold (weather) has taken a little skip out of my step.  And I still have February to face.  Sigh.  I am going to start taking a cha-cha class on Monday nights, so hopefully I won’t be terrible and will be one of the fun things to add some happy to the last few weeks of crappy.

3/50 Project and Quilt/34

Tim’s boss and his wife recently had a baby girl, what better excuse to make a super sweet modern quilt AND Year of Making Stuff Item #34?  I made 6 different blocks with 7 different fabrics and played with the layout.  The fabrics are a nice mix of mellow pinks I had on hand and some fat quarters I received from Regina as a gift, which includes the browns and golds.  I love the total effect.  Today is a gorgeous sunny day…the kind where it was sort of hard to take a good photo of a quilt with lots of white in it.  As always, it looks better in person.

My mom recently told me about the 3/50 Project.  There has been some arguments recently in our city council about banning chain stores downtown.  Some arguments against maintain that chain stores are beneficial to our local community because they are employing people who live here.  We want people employed.  However, this website claims that out of $100 dollars spent in a chain store, $43 stays within the local community.  Compare that to $68 that stays in the community if the $100 is spent at a local brick and mortar store.  Nothing is contributed locally if that money is spent online.  I am lucky to live in a city that does have great local stores and restaurants, but I could do better at supporting them, especially the stores.  I very rarely eat at a chain restaurant, but again I am lucky that there are great local eateries within walking distance to my job and home.  I am trying to do more grocery shopping at my co-op instead of Kroger, and thinking about holiday gifts purchased at local stores.  Think about where you spend your money.  It really might make a difference.

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.

Berry Baby Quilt

I thought I was sworn off 1″ squares in quilts, but I sketched up and idea I had to use the peace fabric I bought on etsy and low and behold, 1″ squares were part of the design.  I will be making those friendship stars in orange and red too and they will form a frame around a big square of the peace fabric in the middle.  I hate to do the math, but even with only 44 friendship stars, that totals 572 pieces.  Maybe I should just stop adding up like that.  At least I am 1/2 done making the stars.  I do really love the juicy colors of this quilt and all the peace symbols and dots…it is just too cute and will be perfect for baby Berry.

I also realized how out of date my book list is.  After doing that for YEARS, I’ve fallen off.  Should work on that, but tonight?  GLEE!

**UPDATE!  I worked on my book list and it is more or less up to date.  Yay books!**

INDIEana

After the huge million pieced quilt, I forgot how quickly a baby quilt can come together.  Bliss.  This is the same pattern I made last year for Mark’s baby, and same situation where the parents, who are SLIS friends of Tim’s, don’t know the gender of the baby.  The Beatrix Potter blocks work perfectly for pulling in lots of different colors.  I will never get sick of this pattern.  Year of Making Stuff?  Number 32!

Today Kyla and I drove up to Indy to go to the INDIEana Handicraft Exchange.  We got massively lost looking for lunch, but after being fully fed from the Old Lady Cafe, we both made some pretty significant purchases.  Most of what I bought will be holiday gifts (so no pictures), except for a cute little poppy bobby pin for myself and a signed print from Jeremiah Kuch that I LOVE!  It will probably live in Tim’s office.  I scored a deal on this one.  I crossed a lot of people off my holiday shopping list, so overall a very nice and productive afternoon.

Also, is it too early to get out Halloween decorations?

Finally Finished and #31

Its done.  I feel like it is a little anti-climactic as its been done for a few weeks now, I just hadn’t washed it and hung it to take a proper photo.  Even then, its a little dark at the bottom.  This is the 1200+ piece twin sized quilt that will go to the new shelter for the Middle Way House.  I wrote more eloquently about this quilt back in JUNE!  Heh.  I am glad it is done.  Now I am on to making three baby quilts for friends who are due this winter.  Also, smaller projects. Things I can actually finish!  I am way behind in my YOMS…this is only #31!

I did my last bit of Lotus stuff yesterday, went to the park to watch Ugandan drums and song and check out the parade.  I think the marching bands just aren’t measuring up to the one three years ago.  I did my unorganized volunteer shift as a door watcher at the Methodist Church (vacuuming between pews after included!) and went back to work today.

We also picked new dates to meet up for the Cutters Craft Brigade!  Third Sundays at 5:30pm at Fountain Square mall (at least for October and November).  Join us for craftiness and possibly snacks.