Hot Hook

I am so excited.  My Tunisian crocheted afghan is a little more than half way done.   And it has gotten easier and easier: this means that I am going a little faster than when I first started.  Staci suggested stopping, when that larger section is done, to do a cross stitch name.  However, I can’t decide if I want to do a name or not so I will probably wait until I have the afghan done and blocked and by then maybe I will have decided what I want to do.

 

And I have decided what my next knitting project is going to be.  This is the cowl Judy just showed.  I have found that my neck really likes being warm when I am out in the winter and this cowl pattern looks great and will provide me a terrific challenge (new stitch and cables).



I still have to get back to knitting on my short sleeved cardigan, right after the afghan is finished.













I have been doing some sewing.  I made this twin sized throw.  It took me over a year to find the red fabric so I was very excited to be getting this project donel














And I did get some Step 1 blocks done for Grand Illusion.  I still have to make parts for many more of these but I think that I will devote this weekend to Step 2 (Step 3 comes out tomorrow so I don’t want to fall much more behind. 









One of the reasons I think I will be able to get a lot done this weekend is that DH is again dancing in the Nutcracker: he is Drosselmeyer and does not really dance but since he has been doing this for over 35 years he does make an impression with his entrance: children remember him all year long and recognize him when they see him out and about.  They have already done a school children’s matinee and now have two evening performances as well as a Sunday matinee.  See why I will have some studio time?


I hope you will have time to work on your projects as well as checking out what others are accomplishing  over at Patchwork Times.  Gari

Ever Onward

Here are half of the pieces for Step 2 of Celtic Solstice.  I decided I would do some of each step, just like Bonnie suggested, so I cut about half of what I eventually will need.





Then I sewed some these units together.  Would you believe that there are 7 seams to each one of these 3 1/2” units?  And 5 trips to the ironing board.









And, of course, there is the necessary sewing mistake that I must do for every project I start.  I couldn’t believe it when I opened up this unit and saw that even though it was perfectly sewn it was wrong and had to be “unsewn” and done right.

Now the funny part.  With all the sewing I got done I only completed 10 units so I only have 90 more to go.  AND, Bonnie released Step 3 Friday.  But I won’t be starting it until the rulers I ordered arrive.  Maybe this will give me some time to catch up on Steps 1 & 2………maybe.





Today was the last performance of the Nutcracker in our town.  And here is DH who has played Drosselmeyer for over 30 years.  Even though he has been a teacher for 45 years and has put on numerous musicals and plays, he says that this part is his claim to fame.











And he came home from this performance with this nutcracker, a gift from the director and owner of the Andalusia Ballet.  I think this is just stunning and I must say that DH is very proud of it, kind of like his Oscar.












My contribution to our Christmas directions is my wonderful cactus.  It is almost bursting with buds and soon will be covered with flowers and Christmas will be here.




But before that happens there will be sewing and knitting (socks are still being worked on).  That’s what I will be doing.  So everybody, have a great week.    Gari

It Must Be Christmas Time

This is how we know that it is almost Christmas. DH has played "Herr Drosselmeyer" in the Nutcracker for the 27 years of performances by the Andalusia Ballet Company.

And the funny thing is that he is recognized by children and adults all over our area. Even in the summer, little kids come up to him and call him Drosselmeyer and want to talk to him. Needless to say, he loves the attention.

And at home, the children are trying to be good for Santa. Can't you see Abby saying " We're just playing!" Buffy, on the other hand may be saying "Get this lug off of me!" I guess "good" is in the eye of the beholder.

I decided to show one of the quilts I made for Christmas as my granddaughter does not read the blog. And, no, this is not for her. It is for her 1 1/2 year old son, Sky. It is flannel, back and front, with batting between. It is done with 11" and 5" strips and after sewing it all together I quilted it on the frame. And then, of course, came the clipping. Somewhere along I did think, "who came up with this idea?" But then it was fun to watch it fluff. I washed and dried it three times and will send washing and lint instructions with it.