From Sewing machine to Knitting machine...

Well, I've wandered a bit from my sewing machine to my knitting machine. My wrist are a bit achy lately so I've put the quilting aside and I am trying my hand at knitting with my Brother KX-350 machine to make wee hats for preemies at the hospital. I only have to sew up a seam and it is done. I will keep the task of sewing up the seam for when I go to the UFO's. I have so far made 16 of them with a lot more to come once I get more yarn.

Zeller's will be closing it's doors in March, so I am hoping that the baby and sports weight yarn will be lower in price.

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We have been hit by two snowstorms so everything is nice and white. The sun is shining today and it makes for nice bright light coming in the house. Man, we sure need the light as it has been quite grey for way too many days. 

                                       

Views from my studio on the left and my bedroom window on the right. 

I think we are in for a long winter.

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The son of a friend of mine is going through tough health problems at the moment so I would like to ask that if anyone is so inclined to please add them both in your prayers. 

Dear God, make us strong and guide us in prayer for all that need you at this very moment. We all need your holy hands to touch our hearts with your everlasting love, Amen.

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I did a little booboo last evening, I had my iPad on the keyboard of my laptop and when I moved the iPad, the cover got caught on a key and it popped off. I tried putting it back on but no luck and I sort of need the comma. I guess I will have to bring it to the shop for repair.

Sort of looks like a lost tooth! lol

An update on the keyboard... :-)

Jan 2nd, although the warranty was over it was fixed at no charge... very good service from Ordinix!

That's it for today, I really must go sit by my window and enjoy the beautiful view of the sun on the snow. 

Latest Fabric Frenzie quilt. 60" X 51"

Loved making this one. The colours were chosen by the receiver. He likes the Baltimore Orioles, hence the black and orange. 

For those of you that know me, you understand why it is difficult for me to go out shopping and living in a small town does not help matters. It was a challenge getting the different prints with no flowers but I got lucky and found a seller on Etsy from San Antonio, Texas that was very understanding and she found all these wonderful prints. Got it within 2 weeks of the purchase. 

Here are the links to Judy Chain's Etsy shop and blogspot:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/sewfunquilts

http://sewfunquilts-sewmeow.blogspot.ca/

Place mat with no batting. 

I found this method on YouTube and I tried to get the pattern but the link no longer exists. So I fudged around a bit and came up with measurements that works for me. They are very easy to make and fun to use. I like the no batting aspect of it. A personal preference. 

Fabric Frenzy...same pattern, different colours and assembly. 

Finally finished! Whew!

It was so nice to put the very last stitch in this quilt after over a year of planning, cutting, basting and assembling the over 1700 pieces of fabric. Cynthia Robinson did a wonderful job of quilting it. 

New quilt tops using small bits and pieces.

It's been quite a while since my last post. Been busy and also recuperating from all the hand sewing for my 2nd hexagon quilt. I just got it back from the quilter and might I add that she did a wonderful job with it. As soon as I have the border done I will post a picture. 


I've also been using up my bits and pieces of fabric and making quilt tops. I found the pattern on Eleanor Burns "Strip-Tzz 2010 Block Party" September video called Fabric Frenzy. Although it looks complicated, it is very easy. 

Mine are not fancy but it is nice to be able to use up fabric that otherwise would have just been stored up not doing anything. 

How to cut a perfect hexagon picture tutorial.

The following pictures gives an example for a 6" hexagon. This method can be used for any size you need.  I came up with this method when my search for a template did not give me any satisfactory results. I guess paying attention in math class did pay off :-)

All Assembled!

The top of my 2nd hexagon quilt is all done. I only need to add a border, assemble the pillow shams and then have it quilted. As much as I am sad to see it completed, as I love to hand piece, I am anxious for it to be on my bed. 

My next project is slowly forming a picture in my mind. 

Added a border.

Family supper...

I had my brothers and their spouses over for supper yesterday and I made this recipe. http://southernfood.about.com/od/bakedchicken/r/bl30623f.htm

OMG! It was so good. Who needs recipe books when we have the world open to us via the internet. 
I served it with baked potatoes and veggies. 
We had a wonderful get together with loads of laughs while reminiscing about our youth.  

B-B-Q Spareribs with orange sauce.

I found this recipe while waiting in the reception room of my dentist quite a few years ago. It has been one of our favorites ever since then.

B-B-Q Spareribs with orange sauce

2 cups ketchup

1 cup orange marmalade

2 tbsp tomato paste

2 tbsp Dijon mustard

2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 medium onion minced (approx 1 ¼ cup)

2 cloves garlic minced

2 slabs lean spareribs (about 3 ½ lbs) (I prefer pork)

Mix all ingredients except spareribs in a bowl, cut spareribs in 3 to 4 inch portions and put in sauce. Marinate overnight or at least 4-5 hours.

Put in a roasting pan and cook 2 hours at 325F stir after 1 hour. Stir again and then cook approx 1 hour at 350F. Keep an eye on it during the last hour. Once they are fork tender, they are done.

This can be served hot or cold and makes 6-8 servings (depending on who is eating!!!)

A new project...

It will be a basket to hold my other projects! :-) I saw one of my friends at the UFO making one and I instantly fell in love with the idea of having a nice big one to hold my quilts in progress! 

I will post more pics as it grows and grows... 

Working on another quilt!

I love looking through my stash and finding fabric I forgot about. 

All done!

My 1st attempt making the snappy coin purse.

Thanks to this wonderful tutorial by Rashida Coleman-Hale.

http://sewtimeless.net/?p=502

Sophie's quilt...

Making a quilt for my friend Sophie in England. 

Now I am anxious to get the backing and batting so I can start the quilting.

Found the backing and batting at Christie's today

and the Stitch in the Ditch foot.... I'm on a roll.

All done!