Happy turkey day

I wish you and yours a happy thanksgiving. I'm looking forward to family, fun and food. My grandmother has been ill, but is getting better every day. We've convinced her to stay out of the kitchen and let everyone else in this year. My contributions will be a green bean casserole (using Pioneer Woman's recipe) and my favorite garlic smashed potatoes.

I'm looking forward to a few days off of work, and some knitting time as well. Lately, I've been plugging away at this shawl for my grandmother.

Please excuse the poor picture. As you all know, daylight ends so early, and I've been struggling to take satisfactory pictures once I get home from work. The pattern is Followill, and I'm using the same Valley Yarns Northampton I used for my Muddy Maroon Cardigan earlier this year.

I hope you can enjoy some family time, and if you're traveling, be safe.

FO: More Quick Sewing

Needing yet another quick FO, I sewed up two pillowcases the other night. In under an hour, I had two finished standard-size pillowcases, giving me the perfect punch of color I'm craving these days.

Laura Gunn's Poppy fabric has long been on my list, and I snagged a few yards at the quilt show. Each of these pillowcases takes just less than a yard (1/4 yard for the opening, less than 3/4 yard for the body). I only had one yard of each fabric, hence the non-matching cases. I may have to buy some more of the "Big Poppy" type, as I just love it. You can't see in the picture, but the blue background looks painted on, and has great texture (after looking at her website, that's probably because she paints, and the fabrics she creates are based on those paintings.).

These go perfectly in my room, but I'm left wanting some sort of artwork to hang behind me bed.
Any suggestions on DIY or frugal choices for that?

#6

The winner of the three-year giveaway is... Knottygnome! Congrats, Sara! I've been reading Knottygnome's blog for about a year now. Sara spins, sews and knits. She is a very productive crafter, and I've enjoyed getting to know her virtually. I can say the same about most of you that entered, and I was happy to see some new names as well. Thanks to you all.

I will definitely be having another giveaway next month. It's fun to share crafty goods.

Sara, please send me your address and I'll get your package ready to send.

FO: Pick Me Up Pouch

A case of the Mondays. That was me today. I found a remedy, though.

This quick pouch, sewn from a few pieces of lovely vibrant fabric. As you can see, it coordinates with the bag I sewed for myself earlier this year. I've been using it as a purse for a few weeks, and needed a pouch for lip smackers and miscellany. Ah, to finish something. It's been a while.

One more day to enter the giveaway!

So.much.fabric

For the first time this year, I went to the Quilt Show here in Houston. I went twice, once on preview night with Rhonda and Julie, and then Saturday, Julie and I went for round two. I was astounded by the beautiful quilts on display (I took a few pictures, but most of them were not to be photographed), but let's be honest. I was mainly there to buy more fabric.

Hello, my name is Jacey, and I have a fabric addiction. Here's (most) of what I bought this weekend:

I scored more Tula Pink Ladybugs! These are hard to come by.

/end fabric addition transmission

Wordless Wednesday

Giveaway: 3 years of blogging

When I started this blog three years ago, I never dreamed how much joy it would bring me. I've loved being a part of the crafting community, and I have big goals for the upcoming year.

To celebrate, I'm assembling a package of goodies for one reader.

The package is still in the works, but it will definitely include this skein of indie sock yarn, by the Family Pendragon, with a generous 560 yards of soft 100% superwash merino wool. The colorway is Fezzik, and it is perfect for fall. The package will also include this HiYa HiYa sock needle (it's a US size 1, 9" needle, perfect for sock knitting!). Some fabric and/or notions may creep into the box as well.

To enter, just leave a comment. Simple. Please enter by Tuesday, November 16th, 6:00 PM CST.

P.S. I've felt a little pressure (self-induced) in pulling this giveaway together. And since I like having giveaways every so often, I may do another one with better planning, sometime at the end of the year (maybe to celebrate my golden birthday next month!).

What's in the box?

A blogibirthday post is still forthcoming, but in the meantime, I have something to show you.

Olias is very curious about what this box has inside. He respectfully requests that I remove the contents quickly, so he and Bella can conquer the box.

I obliged. Meet my new sewing machine, a Janome DC 2010. It sews like a dream.

I felt like it was time for a step up in my sewing tools, and I'm glad I made the investment. I was out of town part of the weekend for a family funeral, but I worked a few hours yesterday to finish the top of my table runner.

I've got a plan for the back, and hope to work on it some this week.