FO: A quilt for Mom

If you don't follow me on Instagram, this quilt is new to you.

I haven't shared it here or on flickr, because my mom wanted to be surprised with this gift. She knew I was making her a quilt (I started earlier this year), but didn't want to know anything about it. No sneak peeks! I took pictures along the way, though, so I could share them here.

I gifted it to my mom this weekend, and she loves it. She's a purple lover, to the max. She's been patiently waiting for a quilt, and I wanted to make her something really special. I love a good log cabin, but I have never made a light and dark or "lights and furrows" version. It was fun to limit myself to just two colors on this project, and yet, it is still very scrappy.

Working with several eggplant and light gray fabrics from the stash (with a few additions over the months), I started making blocks.

I finished the top (approximately 60" square) in June and it sat for a few weeks while I contemplated quilting.

I finally decided to quilt it with two threads: a dark eggplant and a light gray. Quilting with two threads allowed me to maintain the contrast of the quilt blocks.
I love the density of the quilting, too.

I used a variety of purples for the back. My mom said she loves the back just as much as the front, so it worked out well. A scrappy back is always happy!

And even though there were no tears (a mark of a good mom gift), I know she truly loves it. And I love her.

FO: Popsicle Trivet

The great thing about moms is is they understand how busy you are. They really don't want you to buy them expensive things. A handmade gift is enough to make them smile (although, most crafters feel the same way about that!). We celebrated my mom's birthday last week, and I managed to finish one gift on time. The second gift is waiting patiently to be completed. Maybe this weekend?

When I first purchased Ayumi's popsicle pattern over on Superbuzzy, I immediately knew I had to make a watermelon popsicle for my mom. Which I did. Since she and her husband just built a house together, I thought it would make a fun gift for the kitchen.

I added some borders of Summersville, a red(-ish) solid and a Riley Blake Domestic Diva print. To bind, I used an older Timeless Treasures print. The batting is Insul-brite.

I guess it's sort of silly to have a trivet (hot) with a popsicle (cold) on it? Ah, but it's cute and fun. She loved it. Win, win, win.

Thanks, mom

I see my mom almost every day. We work together, and although I have moments of frustration, I know I'm lucky to have so much time with her.

Remember the pillowcases she made me? Well, I finally got around to taking some detailed shots of her embroidery and thought it was a perfect time to share, right before Mother's Day.

Just look at those lazy daisies. Incredible!

Mom is so busy, between work, and building a retirement house in the country with her sweet husband.

I know she spent hours on these pillowcases, getting them just right before the shower.

She has crafty aspirations, but never seems to find the time for execution.

I've already got them on our bed, and enjoy looking at the stitches in close detail.

Thanks, sweet momma!

A winner (and also, my mom loves purple)

Before I get to the FOs, we have a little business to attend to! The winner of the Malabrigo Sock yarn and a ravelry sock or shawl pattern is... lucky # thirteen! Congratulations, Huei Sei! This yarn will be on it's way to Malaysia very soon!

I'm sorry I couldn't share with all of you that entered, but take heart;
I'll be sharing more goodies throughout the month. Promise!

Speaking of purple, if my mom could be completely surrounded by the color, I think she would. Her husband might not like it, but that would be her choice!

My mom recently celebrated a birthday, and I came up with three projects I thought she would enjoy, each in purple fabrics.

I made her an iPad pouch for her new toy, using Joel Dewberry's Aviary 2. [Side note: I'm such a huge JD fan. I can't recall a line of his I haven't loved, and I can't wait to get my hands on some Heirloom!]

I didn't use a pattern for the pouch, and I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out.

I also made her a Jane Market Bag. I've now made at least four of these, and I thoroughly recommend the pattern.
I'm not sure what the exterior fabric is. It's from my grandmother's stash, but it's a really soft cotton. It kind of looks like a Kaffe Fassett print, but I'm pretty sure it's several years old. The pocket fabric is by Kitty Yoshida.

Finally, I've been working on the amazing July mini quilt from the purl bee. I should be finished with it in a week or so, but now that I've shown my mom her last present, I can share it with you.

Geese! This is my first experience with flying geese, and I. am. hooked. Seriously! Geese are so much fun. The cutting is a little intense, but the result is just. Well, it's satisfying. I've since finished the top and pinned it (I'm using a very PLAIN backing). I hope to finish the quilting this weekend.

Happy birthday again, momma! I love you!

FO: Mother's Day Multnomah

Last fall, I knit this shawl, and immediately wanted to knit another in a semi-solid yarn. I loved the variegated effect, but I knew it would really pop in a semi-solid.

Enter version 2 of Multnomah, a gift for my mom. In Shibui Sock, which is fast becoming one of my favorite yarns, it knit up quickly and is just as lovely as I dreamed. This Mulberry color is right up my mom's alley.

I gave it to her a week early (after scheduling myself rigidly the few days before), so that she could take it on her California trip.

She loved wearing it, and she took pictures of the shawl, draping it carefully in each one, to get the photos "just-so".
She commented that she got some strange looks, and I'm sure most of you can relate. We get some funny looks taking pictures of yarn, FOs, food, etc. But we know what we're doing, so who cares, right?

I used about two skeins of the Shibui. I broke into a third skein, but little cat played with one of the original skeins, so I may have had a little less yardage than I expected. I really need to weigh the shawl to know my exact yardage. I used the recommended size 3 needle, and finished it in just two weeks.

I adore the pattern, and definitely recommend it to lace knitters of any expertise. I learned my lesson from shawls past and bound off very loosely, which allowed me to block more aggressively.

Raveled

Newlyweds

Chocolate covered bride and groom

My mother got married last night. Bill and my Cindy have been together nearly five years, and they couldn't be happier.

Bliss

Since Jill is leaving in a month for the peace corps, the wedding was only two weeks after they announced their engagement. My mother's boss even asked if she was pregnant, or if there was some other reason for a shotgun wedding.

Neither Bill, nor Cindy wanted a big wedding, so it was a simple ceremony, in their backyard, with dinner, wine and cake afterwards.

Chocolate sin

The chocolate cake was so rich, but delicious, but my favorite was the amaretto cream white cake.

The wedding was so sweet and simple. I'm so happy for my mother, and Jill and I were glad to be a part of it.

Of course, there was plenty of silliness during the day.

Like mother, like daughters

Dean was there, as well as my new extended family.

Love

Thanks, mom!

I know I posted about my mother's venture to Turkey and Paris, and shamefully, I haven't posted about her return, or the very sweet gift she brought me back. It doesn't mean I'm not appreciative. Given that my mother knows virtually nothing about yarn, she did really well. I can imagine her walking around in the open markets, telling random vendors that she's looking for yarn because her daughter is a knitter. So cute. :)
My mother had a fantastic trip and discovered things she never even knew existed. I'm so proud of her, as this was her first international trip (except a quick trip to Mexico when she was in high school).

Here's a picture of the yarn she brought back for me. I'm thinking I'll make some hats (including one in purple for my mom). Mom, thank you so much for thinking of me on your trip, and always.