Would you like to help?

My friend Elizabeth (even though we've never met, I feel friend is the right word) blogged today requested 8" blanket squares knit or crocheted in cotton yarn. These squares will be made into blankets for the devastated community of Birmingham and surrounding areas, after this week's brutal storm system. If you're able to help, please click over to Elizabeth's blog for more information. I'll be pitching in. The deadline isn't until September, so there's plenty of time to knit!

Thanks for your help.

FO: For Peter

Back when I posted about Chicken Julie's mug rug, Peter commented that he wanted one, and well, I decided to make that happen. It took me awhile, and I originally had a different plan for his gift, but I whipped this one up, and he liked it. So I gave it to him. I've been following his blog for quite some time, and I even won a contest he held for his birthday. So, really, reciprocation was involved here.

Making a mug rug is like making a mini-quilt. It is tiny and easy to finish. I should make a few more to practice binding, as I definitely need the practice! The idea for this quilt just popped into my head, and I knew it would be fun. If I was a better artist, I would have created an actual person holding the kite, but instead, I simply hid the string behind the flowers. Mug rugs are also awesome because you can use up scraps or special fabrics.

I hand wrote the phrase and traced it in embroidery. It was fun to do, and I'll definitely do this again.

If you're interested in more mug rug goodness, Erin recently posted Mug Rug Madness, complete with tutorials and lots of finished mug rugs.

Speaking of contests, I won a skein of Sundara's luscious Silk Lace! Incredible! As you know, I've been on a yarn-buying hiatus since December 31, but winning yarn is okay! The Silk Lace is in the Beach Glass color, and I plan to knit High Seas with it! Thanks, Sundara!

FO: Apple-y Apron

I never shared this with you here, but I made another apron with the Pretty Ditty pattern. Actually, I made two more.

I made this one for my sister, in a fun print she picked out sometime last year. It was a little late for her birthday, but still appreciated. I also made one for Brooke (also for her birthday), which you can see here.

The apron pattern was really fun, and definitely easier the second (and third) time around. I think I've had my fill of apron making for the time being, though.

Received: Pretty Little Pouch!

Amber is awesome.

I had no idea she was making this pouch for me, but it arrived Wednesday, and it's mine! I love the scraps, I love the linen, and I love the quilting. I also love the yellow zipper. All in all, I think it's safe to say, I love it.

Amber didn't stop at the pouch. She sent me these extra goodies:

Some colorful yarn (she used to knit), some fabric scraps, and a super fun little hexagon flower.

I will be using this little guy pronto! it's so much fun, and so very me!

I have to say, seeing her hexagons sewn up so neatly, well, I have a lot to learn. My hexagons look fine, but I tried sewing them together the other day, and my stitches were very visible. Hers are not. I ripped back and will try again! So don't worry, my partner. Invisibility is what I'm striving for!

I hope you all had a fun Easter weekend! I went out of town and had a very relaxing weekend. Later this week, a knitting FO to share!! What?

Pouch Progress

I've started working on my pouch for the Pretty Little Pouch Swap.

I assembled this rainbow from the stash, which I think my partner liked very much! I decided this swap is a perfect excuse to try handsewing hexagons for the first time.

Hexagons are pretty addicting. I made this stack one evening this week while watching some Gilmore Girls. It's my ultimate comfort show.

I'm either going to use a linen or a gray fabric for the body of the pouch. I've got a few more weeks to finish up, so I'm right on track!

FO: Plane Solids Pillow

When I got up this morning, I was thinking of all the projects in progress I've got going at the moment, but then, this stack of fabrics popped onto my cutting mat.

Before I knew it, strips of the Echino plane patchwork fabric and the solids from Pink Chalk Fabrics April Solids Club were being cut and sewn together. Then, I had this finished patchy pillow.

This is my April entry for Rachel's Blogger's Pillow Party. I love the solids and how they work so well with the Echino fabric.

I quilted the top with straight lines, and the back is an envelope closure. The fabric was the real inspiration for this pillow, and I'm so pleased with this pillow. I've been hoarding my Echino prints, and I'm happy to see some in a finished object! I especially like the piece of selvage that I worked into each side of the pillow case.

Here's the back. I love the multi-color strip, using one piece of each solid (back is safety pinned right now, as the envelope is just a little open. I might add a ribbon or button).

do.Good Stitches quilt blocks

Somehow, I forgot to share my March blocks with you, and now I've finished April's blocks as well.

For March, the Comfort group of do.Good Stitches made these stacked blocks. They were easy to make, and a fun way to use scraps (or in my case, cut into some lovely yardage).

For April, we made these Shoo-Fly blocks, based on Malka's free tutorial. It was another fun block to make, and luckily, Bella approves.

Olias and the Pips

I'm convinced that this would make a great band name, and Olias would certainly make a dapper front man. So, I didn't work on everything on my weekend list, but I did have lots of crafty fun.

My Sherbet Pips quilt top is nearly done. I'm using Kona Medium Gray and the pink/gray print is one I picked up from the Quilt Festival last fall. I think it works well with the Pips colors, and I needed a supplement to make sure I had enough HSTs.

I got all but four rows sewn together, so I'll be ready to piece a backing in no time. I actually contemplated hand-quilting this, since it will just be a wee-sized quilt.

I also worked more on my tangerine Bottled Rainbows block, although I didn't finish it.

I'm okay with that. I really enjoy this process, and I'm not trying to rush it. Working with teeny tiny scraps is really fun and satisfying.

I'm also only about fifteen rows from finishing Ishbel the third, but I didn't take a picture, since unblocked lace is pretty blobby and unphotogenic.

Did you have a fun weekend?

Weekend List

I've got a lofty list of goals for the weekend, which is pretty normal:

-photograph fabric for swapping on flickr

-finish my second Bottled Rainbows block

-Make these again (with blackberries)

-Block this

-Work on my Single Girl

-Make more HSTs for my Pips quilt

-Try this
-Knit on this
-Grocery store
-Take boxes to Goodwill
-Clean
-Laundry

Yeah, that should probably fill out the weekend pretty well! What are you doing this weekend?

It's the last of them (for a while)

First off, thank you so much for the embroidered cat name suggestions. I'm going to finish her up soon and make a name decision. I'll let you know what I decide!

Okay, I joined two more swaps, but really, I'm not joining anymore for the time being! The two I added to my list just sound like so much fun, and they're pretty quick swaps, so I should be able to handle it.

I'm joining the Pretty little Pouch swap. A smaller than 12" pouch or clutch is all that is required for this swap. Here is my inspiration mosaic:

Half the fun of joining these swaps is probably dreaming up the moasic to show my partner what I'm hoping to receive.

I also whipped up this boxy pouch over the weekend to get the ball rolling. I used some of my favorite Amy Butler (and a fun diagonal stripe print for the interior). The pattern came together much faster this second time (first time here, and I used a sturdier interfacing.

THe other swap I joined is the Goodie Bag Swap, in which we make a purse/bag and then send along a bag of scraps. I've been wanting a new purse so this works out perfectly!

Here's my mosaic for the purse/bag swap, where you can see that I'm definitely in the mood for pleats!

You can click on either of these mosaics to see original photo sources.

I've actually been knitting lately, also. I'm working on my third Ishbel, and am finishing up the stockinette portion. I should have a few knitting FOs to share soon, proof that I still knit!

Embroidery in Progress

I've been working on this piece for a little over a month. I devote an hour to it every now and then, and had a nice stretch of time in the car with Elliott on Saturday to stitch.

This is a Sublime Stitching pattern by Ryan Berkley.

I just love this pattern (I have plans to make the fox next!).

I'm trying to decide on a name for this very elegant cat.
Any suggestions?

When I'm finished stitching her, she'll either live on a pillow or in a frame on the wall.