2010!

I kicked the year off back in the hometown with my brother and was able to spend a wonderful week with my family.  The food is the best at home.  I was also lucky enough to visit with some high school friends, go to the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, see a Genghis Khan exhibit and visit the Tattered Cover (two locations!).  I also spent a few days when I got back with Tim before his new semester started up again today.  10 degrees and snow won’t stop us!

So while I did make a bunch of stuff in 2009, I didn’t make 52.  I did make a twin sized quilt for Middle Way house and several other baby quilts for donation.  I made a few gifts, and tried new things.  And that was the point really.  I can get stuck making quilts with tiny little squares and be in my comfort zone, but exploring other fiber/art/craft possibilities out there is what is important to me.  I did also knit a cable scarf for my mom, cuz she is the best.

Holiday Knitting

So yes, here it looks sort of like a knitted blob, but in real life it is actually pretty.  My one Christmas gift that I made is finally finished, boxed and wrapped.  This totally counts as part of my Year of Making Stuff, but who is counting (I am actually awarding myself extra credit for the huge Middle Way quilt from this summer – so there).  I will post full photos once the proper owner gets to see it first.  Now I have to go and make one for myself.

Holiday shopping is 95% finished and boxes will be in the mail Tuesday.  We haven’t put a tree up since we’ve been back in Bloomington, but I did hang some indoor lights and stockings are hung on the bookcase.  Oh, and of course there are paper snowflakes too.  Dave’s Paper Snowflake Patterns are the best free ones online, and I’ve used them for years.  Many a library display has been graced with Dave’s snowflakes.  Why let the tradition die?

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.

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.

Monday

Monday afternoon we had a party to celebrate the library garden and the approximately 100 pounds of produce that we’ve grown and donated.  The tomato plants are still out of control, squash is coming in and the peppers look delicious.

After that, I met up with Tim for a SLIS function at Farm.  It was fun to see all the SLIS kids dressed up.  Farm isn’t very veggie entree friendly, so neither of us had been there before, but the Root Cellar has summertime appeal.  It was also Jenn’s birthday, so later I met up with her at the Bishop, a new bar/music venue where the Cinemat used to be.  Good times.

I still have yet to wash the twin sized quilt, take photos and be done with it so I can stop talking about it.  Next up come three winter baby quilts and a certain unnamed Christmas knitting project.

Lotus and concerts galore this weekend!  Must rest up.

September Fading Fast

Finally finishing the twin sized quilt with 1260+ pieces took up most of my craft time in September.  It’s done, I am so relieved and ready to move on to other things!  Faster things!  It isn’t washed yet, so hence, no photos but soon dear Internet, soon.

I realized today that I have taken very few photos this months.  I need to get back in the habit of taking the camera out at any old time and snapping a few photos.  Don’t know why I haven’t.  Fall in Indiana is glorious.

Today I went with Jenn to Nashville and Gnaw Bone for a lovely outing and to do some shopping.  We had good luck at the flea market on 46, where I bought this perfect little sewing box for 10 bucks and two softball bats for Tim for 8.

Labor Day Weekend Fun and Work

Labor Day weekend…worked 1 out of 4 days, not too bad.  We went to Bedford for my first time jumping in the quarries.  I had a grand time, though I didn’t jump off the highest ledge like Tim did.  Also?  Finished a quilt top for a donation quilt!  Yay! All I have left to do is quilt and bind it.  Shouldn’t take too long.