Saturday, September 19, 2009

Crafty Ramblings

At least that's what my mind seems to be doing. The brain waves keep flitting from one idea to another right now. Being sick right now isn't helping me stay focused on anything at all.

One minute I'm gathering images and making sketches for Ara's swap, the next I'm stitching a gift for Holly's upcoming birthday. For those of you who just recently started following, Holly is one of my dearest friends. I tend to stitch gifts for her when I find something that fits her taste. Last year I made her a patriotic themed sampler with teddy bears on it. This year it's something a bit more nautical and will fit the decor of her bedroom.
As you can see I've got the main body of the lighthouse done along with the roof of the keeper's house. I've been working on this at night when I need to relax. Fortunately I have a true color lamp that can still next to me while I'm on the couch or move into my room if I need to stitch in bed.

The Rendezvous sewing is still lurking throughout the house. I'm maybe a quarter of the way through it. But I haven't touched it in a few weeks. My mental reset button with quilting started with this purple and blue quilt top. I am waiting for a chance to take it, the batting, and its backing to my friend, Donna's, house so she can help me get it layered and basted. Currently I'm fiddling with making appliques to go on this wall quilt.

Here is my bag of templates:I had tried to avoid it, but I believe I have to put up the sewing accouterments this week so I can use the kitchen table to work on the swap. My work room (read: glorified closet) is in too bad of a shape for me to try and work in there, not to mention I need as much natural light as I can get for this project. [Are you curious yet, San? ;- ) ] So the fabric gets to be piled neatly against the wall and in plastic boxes while I get the swap item under way.

Obviously I won't blog about that until Ara posts on her blog about all the pieces.

Since autumn is right around the corner I decided our spring-themed wreath needed to get changed out for something more appropriate. So I reclaimed a chunk of kitchen counter and set to work.I'm quite happy with it and the Fuzzy Husband was pleasantly surprised when he came home to it. Autumn is his favorite time of the year.

Last week also found me at a gathering of the quilters from the Peoria Stitcher's Guild. We were helping another member baste a quilt top. I didn't think to take my camera with me. Perhaps the artist will allow me to get a picture of it at the next guild meeting in October. The most amazing thing about the completely hand stitched quilt top was that she used only the leftovers from other projects to piece it. The colors all blended perfectly and it truly looked like she had purposely selected the fabrics to match. Other than the batting, she just had to buy fabric for the backing.

Next week the "surface stitchers" from the guild are having their meeting. I'm driving Donna and myself there, as our other friend who usually drives has a work obligation out of town. I may pack the blue and purple quilt in the car in case we have time to play with it after the meeting. As far as a project to work on at the meeting goes I will most likely take the lighthouse if I haven't finished it this weekend. I still need to sit down and finish that baby layette too.

I got the jacket finished, minus trim and buttons, moved on to the second bootie and started swearing under my breath. Apparently I discovered during the first bootie 5 years ago that there is a mistake in the pattern instructions. Of course something happened back then so I didn't work the second one while the changes I made were fresh in my mind. So now I have to sit down and count out how I did the first one so they will match.

Did I mention my nephew and his wife are expecting their third child next month? Yes I said nephew... I'm all of two months older than him. Gotta love huge families. I have fabric for a crib quilt to throw together but I haven't touched it since I washed the sizing out of the fabric.

Oh and I almost forgot to mention the new blog background. I love purple! Even better with a touch of black and grey.

So that's it for the moment. Once projects start getting done I will blog more about them. Hopefully I will start feeling better soon.

12 comments:

kathi said...

Hi Kathleen,
I enjoyed reading your post. I can relate to the multitude of ongoing projects, template bags and claiming spots on the kitchen counter!
I love the lighthouse you're doing.
I want to do some stitching for my dollhouse, but am having trouble seeing those tiny stitches!
Hope you feel better soon.
Blessings, Kathi (Kathleen too!)

Crafts From The Stash said...

OMG Kat you aint half got a lot on the go and you are feeling poorly too xxxx
All your things are looking lovely and I love that wreath.
Take care of yourself (((((((( hugs ))))))
Debie xxxxxx

rosanna said...

Hi Kat I'm sorry you feel poor and even ashamed since I did not comment for such a long time. Seemingly I had a sort of reacion to blogsphere and I have quieted down a bit.I'm also busy with Ara's swap... You have done so much in these few days. I love the lighthouse and the autumn wreath, it's brilliant. I see why FB was so pleased with it. Hugs and get well wishes.

Alice said...

Gosh, you have been busy! Lots of irons in the fire!

I love your wreath! I put our autumn tablecloth on the table, and put autumn flowers in the vase, so I decorated for autumn too.

nikkinikkinikki72 said...

Hi Kat. I hope you feel better soon!
You have so much on the go and you sound just like me thinking about all you have started and need to finish.
I can not remember which is your email address and i have also lost my notes so have to message you this way.
Your gifts for Debbie arrived a few days ago and thank you for sending. I will not say here incase she reads this but they are beautiful and she will love them.
Thank you also for the beautiful teapot you sent as a gift for me.
I shall put it in my witches house when i ever finally get back to working on it. Thank you very much.
In a few days i am going to do a post about the gifts people have sent to me and ill put your teapot in too.
I will keep you updated on my blog when i send the gifts to Debbie. Hopefully it is going to be this coming week.
Hoping you are better soon. It's horrid to be ill.
Best wishes, Nikki xxx

phlegmfatale said...

Lovely wreath! I am looking forward to having my studio sorted out so I can get back to the business of creating things. I'm feeling a little anxious to plunge my hands into a bowl of beads again.

I love that you're Elinor Dashwood- as portrayed by Emma Thompson, she's one of the great film heroines, IMHO. :)

Sorry I've been such a poor blog bud. I hope to have things more sorted out and make my rounds more regularly very soon.

Cheers, m'dear!

nikkinikkinikki72 said...

Hi Kat. I forgot to say your wreath is beautiful and must look lovely on your door.
I wish i could put one on my door but it would more than likely be pinched or vandalised.
Maybe i could make one in mini form!
Nikki xxx

Kim said...

The wreath is beautiful! You are a little like me- so many projects going on right now! I look forward to seeing more of the wall hanging and I hope you feel better soon. ♥

MiniKat said...

Thanks for the well wishes, ladies. They mean a lot. :-)

Sans! said...

Oh dear, I have missed so many of your post and I am reading all your latest posts backwards. This is the one before the last time I visit your blog. You have templates for the swap?? WOW!

I am also struggling with it because I had one too many fancy idea. I have to give up one now. This swap has taken me all of 3 weeks to make and leave me zero time for anything else ..LOL! Not because it is complicated but I have to junk the mistakes.

No matter what it is, I will treasure what you make. But nothing will make me happier than to hear that you are well :)! So take care of yourself!

Karin F. said...

you go girl!
I'd be panicking as I usually do thinking about all the things that need to be finished on time. But it always seems to work out.
Are there any miniaturists alive without a full plate in front of them? LOL

Nice to read everyone's comments & finding out where they all are with Ara's swap.

Get healthy soon & remember it's a good excuse for rum toddies be they hot or cold with coke. Just don't do any needlepoint while drinking your toddy.
hugs K

JDayMinis said...

I love your wreath!!! Hugs, Jean