Randomness

Fall is officially here and I couldn’t be happier! The weather has finally chilled to a crisp 60*, the clouds have come out to stay, and the leaves are falling faster than they can change color. (though I wish they would stay on the trees for at least a little bit so I can marvel at the beauty)

A lot has happened on the running front. I have completed my training and am now in taper mode. I successfully completed my 12 mile run on Saturday. I must say, I did not enjoy it. I’m just hoping and praying that I get a little bit of that joy I felt during my 10 miler. It was absolutely amazing and knowing that I am not feeling the same way during each run is just heartbreaking. I’m officially 12 days away from running my first half marathon . I feel like a manic-depressant… One minute I’m over the roof elated and so excited to know that I am so close, then the next minute I’m in a sweaty panic thinking OMG What the hell am I thinking?! It’s been a journey- that’s for sure. But hopefully in 2 weeks, I’ll be able to give a full race report as a half-marathoner! It will definitely be an experience to never forget.

On the knit front, of course I have started some new projects. The socks I began back in April have returned and I’m now on the foot. Hopefully not too much longer and I can be wearing them officially without needles poking me. There is also a gorgeous set of mittens that I started using the new wool I bought from A Wool Gathering. They are proving to be a challenge with the teeny tiny charts and twisted rib the entire way. But they will be awesome once they are finished.

On the sewing front, I finally completed my first ever quilt. It was washed without issue (ie it didn’t fall apart!) and gifted to it’s rightful new owner. (rather it’s new owners future mommy) I lost my camera the day of the shower so I’m waiting on the pics I took with her DSLR (Totally jealous!) Along with the quilt I whipped up 2 adorable baby bibs using the leftover fabric and some towels. I hope little William gets lots of use out of them! I also managed to dissect and recreate an interchangeable needle case. I found an amazing case that I absolutely loved but didn’t want to spend the $$ on and figured I could try to make a worthy imposter. It turned out fantastic if I do say so myself. Obviously it’s imperfect and I could make a few adjustments, but my KnitPicks Harmonies are loving their new home!

More tomorrow. I’ve got to get back on a blogging schedule. I prefer organized- topic focused posts and lately it’s been a hot mess.

At least I get to go to Ma’s tonight for some spaghetti!

Quilting? Kinda

So I did a bit of sewing on Saturday. I had to catch up with my quilt class. Month 4 kind of got away from me but I managed to get caught up in time to go to Raven’s and pick up my next month’s patterns and fabric.

My first attempt at flying geese. I think I did well once I got the hang of it and visualized. The first block I didn’t iron anything- I was feeling lazy. BIG MISTAKE! I sucked it up and ironed everything on the last 3 blocks and managed to get those done in about the same time as the first one.



I’m still enjoying the quilting but I’m not in love with how precise you need to be. And taking time to measure and cut every single piece and iron every single line that you sew just really irks me. I’d rather cut a couple and sew sew sew. Maybe I should hire someone to come do my ironing and pinning.

I’ve got months 5 and 6 now so I’ll be attempting my first log cabin blocks. I’m told they are pretty easy. We will see about that.

I think I'm just in love with the background fabric I chose for this quilt. Black with little gray stars all over. Something fun, something different!

Weekends...

They seem to get shorter and shorter don't they?

Perhaps they are flying by even quicker considering they are the only time I've gotten to see the Mr. for the last 3 weeks. Work travel stinks. But at least we were still semi-productive this weekend.

First up- WE DID IT! WE BOUGHT A COUCH! (Yes it is the same couch we were looking at last month but just never went and bought it. Stupid, I know. But what matters now is it is done!)

Here's the pic from the website but in reality the couch is a much darker brown leather. (Did I say leather?! YES! I did!)

We got the configuration above. changing 3 things. Take out the little cup holder thingie on the left side, remove the armless chair next to it, then put the armless chair where the recliner on the right is. Essentially it is Recliner, corner, armless chair, chaise lounge. It is going to fit perfectly in the room, look great with the dark furniture, and it's super duper comfy! Too bad we have to wait until June for it to come in :(

ETA: Found a picture that better represents the color (click any pictures for a larger view):

We did a little bit of shopping and the rest of the time was spent at home. I was itching to get into my sewing machine. I did sew 1 pillow but I bought the wrong zipper foot so that proved to be a hot mess. They are on hold till I can find the right one that goes with my machine. So I set off to make a quilt instead! My first real quilt! and it didn't take too long at all. The hardest part was placing the blocks in a way that I liked them. I even had the Mr. subbing and flipping blocks so I could make changes from far away. All that is left is the binding and the backing.

No batik patterns are "touching" each other. Diagonal was okay, but not touching. I'm a weirdo like that. I really enjoyed this pattern and will definitely be making it again. And only 6 fat quarters were needed for the top so it's a very cost effective project as well!

Fabric Monster

So Christina over at Lambikins Hideaway had a spring cleaning event this weekend. Of course she tried to get me in trouble by expanding my stash! But luckily I was good- for the most part.

I managed to only buy 4 skeins of yarn, a pack of velcro, 8 fat quarters, and another 1.5 yds of fabric... on the first day.

But then I had to go back on Sunday. And of course, my wallet magically opened up and more stuff made it into my bag. 4 more fat quarters, 2 yds of tear-ease so I could transfer a few patterns, 2 yds of lightweight interfacing, 4 balls of Sundance cotton, oh and 7 skeins of Cool Wool for a new springy/summer cardigan thing I'm apparently making. Like I don't have enough projects already? But we all know I'm ADD when it comes to projects so of course I was happy to take it on.

So I got home last night and set up a cutting station for myself. I didn't end up cutting as much as I wanted but I did cut 3 more blocks for my block of the month quilt, the pillow fabric, and the wallie pattern on Tear Ease. I was slightly distracted by Jacob Black's inability to keep a shirt on to keep going. (Yes, I set up the station in front of the TV- Duh!)

So I suppose ya'll want to see the fabric goods right???

My lovely little cutting station:


Damage from Spring Cleaning sale... (all except the black star fabric- that's quilt block fabric!)


Awesome Amy Butler August Fields Home Decor fabric. 30% off!
These will become pillow covers for the living room. I love them!


Fat Quarter awesomeness. I have plans for these guys :)


Wonderful Batik fabrics that will become a "Yellow Brick Road" Quilt

I'll share the yarn goods later this week!

Happy Monday ya'll!

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Ahem, Steph- I'm one of the RESTRAINED ones! It was hard but there was self control you have no idea! I saw multiple people buying literally hundreds of yards of fabric and bags and bags of yarn. It's an illness but it comes with the territory and we are all in support of each other in the fiber and fabric community :) Deals like this make us go crazy. (I mean seriously 30% off EVERYTHING and even more on other things!)

And let's not forget that Lambikins is my happy place- of course I need to bring some more happy home with me every now and then!

Bags Wallets and Sunshine!

So yesterday was productive if you consider I made (and finished!) a few things. I know I said I wanted to go outside but I got close. My Mama wants to trade sewing machines because she claims hers doens't work (I think it's just because she has a brand new one and I have the circa 1990's machine and she is scared of new technology :) ) Alas, I spent yesterday sewing. And what do you know, the machine is fine. Looks like I'm getting a new sewing machine. I can't say no to Mama- and she wants my machine!

Anywho, I opened all the windows and screen door and set up the machine. I sat listening to the birds and feeling the wind all day. And while doing that I whipped up these 2 little gifts for Mariah's Birthday.

It's a little Ditty Bag. 2 handles that are 2 lengths and they slip into each other to make for cute forearm carrying! It was my first time using the pattern and it was easy and turned out adorable! I found a cute purple and white diamond print for the bag and fun apple dot print for the lining.





and another Wallie. I realise I haven't shared the first one I made but I will eventually. Anyway, this cute Wallie has 3 pockets for cards, change, etc. It even fits a phone or a deck of cards!




Oh and what is that?!?!



It's my socks!!!! My first ever PAIR of socks! and they are finished! and they fit! and I'm so excited to be a cool kid like Mindy and Hallie who wear their handknit socks all the time! YAYAYAYAYA!!!!!!!

Yes, I realise I'm excited about socks. But seriously, I started those babies on August 10, 2009. And they are completely wearable now. This is a big deal!

Happy Easter Weekend to you all!