Tatting AND Quilting, Oh My!

Round 6 of Renulek’s Spring Doily 2018 - done!  I’m really enjoying tatting this doily so far - it’s been simple rounds, and is going well.  I’m not sure where to add some plain cream thread yet, but that’s the plan.  And then eventually another round of the variegated.  We’ll see where each color seems to fit.

I also got my pink squares mailed off for the Tat a Brussels Monument project.  That is such a huge project - it will be fun to see how it is displayed this summer.  I can’t imagine putting all of these little squares (10,000?!) together - I have a hard enough time completing a doily!  It’s been fun to follow along and see the submissions from all over the world.  I only managed to get 6 squares completed, but a submission nonetheless, and with heartfelt wishes for all women.  What a wonderful project to bring attention to tatting, and how so many from all over the world can come together with a common interest.

And [as if I don’t have enough projects and interests already]  I saw this wonderful collage quilt in my local quilt shop last fall.  I’ve been watching for classes ever since, and finally they had one!  I thoroughly enjoyed learning this new technique, and though I’m not thoroughly satisfied yet, here’s my start:

I am continuing to add to the seahorse’s tail, and I’m going to cover the orange fin with flowers - that orange is really bugging me!   I also tried a small Minnesota shaped collage - another collage style with strips of fabric covering the image.  This small one, of course, is a little quicker - and can be used on smaller items or glued to greeting cards.  I see a few of these in my future, not sure what I will use them on, but they will be handy for something!

My sewing room is a disaster, so tonite I think I’ll tat.  HA!

Tatting, Quilting and Photography = My Life!

Wow - it's been over a month since I was last here, typing away!  How fast time flies.

Last weekend, our Twin Cities Tatters met and had the biggest group ever!  I think we've had 6 or so before, but we had 9 (count 'em - 9!) tatters join us and filled the table + more in the corner of Caribou Coffee.  Such fun to have so many tatters in one place to chat and tat and teach and share! We are so looking forward to our tatting retreat this summer - it will be fun!

I've been tatting away at some ice drops - I really do love Diane's creation.  I don't usually like to tat so many of one item, but they are not only enjoyable to tat, they are somewhat addicting!  I haven't branched out much from the original pattern much - I like the simplicity of the original pattern, but there are some really nice variations out there.  So I'm a bore, ha ha.

All that fabric Mom and I gathered last month from my Aunt's sewing room has been sorted and resorted.   I spent a few days with Mom just going through the fabric and sorting it into colors and groups and donations.  We ended up with 3 large totes to donate to mom's church and a couple of other churches as well. Mom shared with her quilt group also, and my daughters collected fabric for their projects, too.  I'm sure my Aunt would be thrilled to know it's being put to good use and enjoyed by so very many.

I've also spent a considerable amount of time sorting the fabric that ended up at my house - but it's been good to go through my own stash and clean that out to make room for the additional fabric.  It's crazy what we can accumulate without even realizing it!

My Sorting Room (or Cave #2 as hubby has dubbed)

Looking good better!

Yardage!

I really do save every piece of fabric, thinking it  will be put to good use in SOMETHING.  Haha.  I have enough projects and fabric to last me at least 10 years!

My Zentangle practice has been suffering lately - I haven't taken the time I'd like to for drawing.  I've been playing with camera settings instead, and have taken a few refresher classes for digital photography - so on top of work, my time has been limited.  I am so anxious for wonderful spring weather so I can get out and play with my camera again - I've been a big baby this winter, avoiding going out in the cold weather trying for frosty photos.  I did enter my 'frog in the lily' photo in a local Nature Center contest, and won a spot on their wall! I've titled this photo "Frog Spy".

Frog Spy

 I need to get over there to see it and all of the other winners displayed!

TGIF!  I'm tired after a busy week, and ready for some power relaxing.  Or crafting, whichever occurs :)

Slow Year of Blogging?!

Well!  It's been a loooong time since a blog post - almost 3 months!

Originally, I started blogging just to keep a record for myself of my progress with various hobbies, and it was a bonus to meet and get to know others. It's so enjoyable to interact with others that have the same interests! It turned into so much time reading everyone else's blogs and wanting to try absolutely EVERYTHING I saw, that I really spent more time browsing the web than actually working on the hobbies. But honestly, I just don't think my life is interesting enough to blog about too many details.  And there are times when I feel like every blogger or Facebook friend is trying to sell me something.  (Yes, I tried that too - not my bag.)

Truthfully, I miss keeping the sort of journal it creates of my own life - to look back and be able to say "wow, I really did that and it's really nice!" is so gratifying.  But, it does take some time, and leads me to other unnecessary surfing (ha ha!)  So, I guess I will keep on blogging, but will keep it more journal-like.  Maybe I will figure out a system for just posting pictures and not trying to write so much.  (But I need to explain!!)  

So, for the past few months, I have been doing a little of everything.  I've done a little tatting of cross bookmarks to have on hand - they are so handy to have to pop in a card to someone I know that will truly appreciate it. Our Twin Cities Tatters will meet tomorrow - that always inspires me, though I can't seem to tat and talk at the same time, so I make many mistakes. I have so many patterns I want to tat, but . . .

I've been doing a LOT of drawing, (not to mention gathering pens, pencils, blenders, sketchbooks, and spending time in art supply stores!)  I really do love the "zen" in zentangle.  Check out what ZENTANGLE is - anyone can do it! Even us perfectionists, with a little practice :)

I go through stretches where I read alot, and then I don't read for a few months.  I'm on my 3rd book in about month right now - another stretch of reading underway.

I'm still having some fun with photography, though I've stopped the photo challenge I started.  It was getting to be too many staged photos that I just don't either have the time, the equipment, or the location to get the assigned photo.  I don't want to take photos just to fulfill the assignment, I want the photos to be good ones, and ones I can be proud of or maybe hang on the wall.  But, the challenge did give me some other perspectives to think about when taking photos, so not all is lost.  So, I just enjoy looking back at some of the fun photos I've taken in the past, and just try to snap a few more when the opportunity arises.

Wedding plans are moving right along, and the next 4 months are going to go FAST.  I will be cutting into my wedding dress soon to work on a hair piece/veil. Yikes.

And, did I mention I'll be going on a quilt shop "shop hop" with my mom the end of July?  Imagine the inspiration.  I haven't been sewing much lately, but I'm sure I'll find some irresistible fabric.  Or pattern.  Hee hee!

More another day.  Maybe just a picture or two.  Enjoy the weekend!

January is Done? What?

I thought I should at least try to post SOMETHING for January!  Holy moly - the month has flown and here we are, ready to get on with February.  I have done plenty, but haven't blogged about anything, so here's a summary:

* Still working the body AND the mind at the YMCA after work;

* Doing a little adult coloring; 

* Got through another 30th birthday celebration and quilt (did I mention I'm feeling OLD?); 

* Took a Zentangle class and have been practicing (a lot!) ;

* And I'm keeping up on my 52-week photography challenge so far. This week's challenge was to find a landscape with good contrast for a black & white photo. I love this challenge, as it forces me to think about what I want to photograph rather than just randomly taking pictures. This is strictly a personal goal and challenge - I plan to make a Shutterfly book of my 52 photos with the challenge descriptions at the end. Hopefully I can stay on course for another 47 weeks!

I made it to our Twin Cities Tatters gathering last Saturday too, but have not accomplished enough tatting to take any photos of THAT :)

On with February!

Secret Project - Done!

Remember the Secret Quilt from my post back here? I just finished sewing the binding on it. Yay! The birthday is exactly one month from today, so I am so pleased and relieved to not have to rush in between wedding preparations.  I love it when plans come to fruition without setbacks!

Can you see the quilting?  Fish jumping.

Here's a better look ...

I was so excited to see that option when I was choosing the stitch pattern for the quilting - a perfect finish.  The only thing left to make is the label for the back with the date and quilt info, along with the birthday message.  Just need to get the right permanent pen. There is a new Hobby Lobby that just opened nearby that needs some investigation anyway ;) 

A Little Quilting

After all that doily tatting, I'm taking a little break to finish a lap-sized quilt.  This is a fun, secret project for my oldest daughter's boyfriend - he's turning 30 this summer.  A significant birthday, and the first of my kids to hit this one. With all of the wedding plans for my youngest daughter, he'll never suspect anyone is even thinking of his big day - which is just 2 weeks before the wedding.

I tell this young man that he is going to turn into a fish. If he's not working, he's usually fishing. Summer or Winter.  Cold or Hot.  He doesn't care, he just loves to fish.  

So, it was only appropriate to find some FISH fabric.  

Now I'm questioning my choice to add so much of that very light fabric.  I won't go back and change it, it really looks fine.  I'm just kind of wishing I would have used a little less of it. It does add some contrast! What do you think?

I'm adding a border of wonderful matching colors, and then it will be off to the quilter so I can get it back in time to add the binding and tuck it away until August.  Then I'll be ahead of schedule, and can get back to tatting and wedding planning stuff.

State Parks and Fabric

One of our recent state park trips was to another northern Minnesota bog area - Big Bog State Recreation Area.  A few photos from that trip:

This is our friend Chip - the chipmunk that lives under the cabin deck.  It was SO hot and humid this day, that even Chip just laid on the deck most of the time. He looks quite tired, doesn't he?  Perked right up for a snack, though.

We went for a quick walk on this mosquito-infested trail (and I do mean infested! The mosquitoes were ruthless.  It's a bog area on an extremely humid, tropical day.)

This park area has a river on one side and a HUGE lake on the other.  At the river, we watched this doe for quite awhile just cooling herself in the water and eating wet grasses.  

 This was a great moment - the doe didn't see the boat and the boat didn't see the doe.  In the end, neither one cared anyway.  It was too dang hot.

And then our friend Peter rabbit stopped by for a snack.  I just love seeing these little creatures pop on in to see what we're doing, spying on us to see if we brought anything good to eat.

We climbed the fire tower for a good view of the lake.  It was actually cooler up there, so it was worth the climb.

 And the view was beautiful with a clear blue sky and the sun sparkling on the water.

We climbed back up there later in the evening to catch the sunset. The clouds were rolling in, so unfortunately we couldn't see that beautiful sun set right on the water.  We had to settle for this glimpse just before the clouds took over.

Which brings me to today's fabric shopping trip. Woo hoo!  State Parks and fabric - some of my favorite things all in one!

Each year, many of the Minnesota Quilt Shops participate in a two-week shop hop featuring Minnesota themed fabric designed just for this event.  I usually admire the fabric and get a few pieces, but today started the 2013 event and has this beautiful state park themed fabric.  I think it was designed just for me.  I wanted needed some.

I have lived all but about one year of my life in good old Minnesota. I love my home.  I am a city girl, but I do love the outdoors and our beautiful state parks for hiking and taking photos.

So how could I resist?  Looks like a beautiful start to a quilt of some kind.  I haven't made a quilt in a few years, but these soft, blended hues are inspiring.  I think I'll be digging in some quilting books over the weekend.

Wine Wednesday?

I LOVE having vacation with no plans.  Just staying near home and doing whatever I want.  Well, anything I want within reason. 

Yesterday I took a little trip to visit my folks, who live about 2-1/2 hours away.  I brought along my Glee CDs and my new Adele CD, and sang at the top of my lungs for most of the way from eastern Minnesota to northwestern Wisconsin.  I brought tatting to share and we spent the day digging in fabric and thread and doing a little sewing. And yak, yak, yak.  It was a fun visit with no real schedule.

Mom quilts.  A lot.  All the time.  She makes beautiful quilts, and has an abundance of finished quilts and oodles of fabric.  (I follow in her footsteps with my oodles of thread.)  She was showing me some recent quilts, and I expressed my love of a Christmas lap quilt's fabric.  "The binding isn't done", she said.  "If you want to finish the binding, you can have it."  Didn't take me long to say "Really? Heck yeah, I'll finish it!"  It's a beautiful lap quilt that will be fun to have out at Christmastime.  I was really attracted to the lighter green for some reason - it adds a shade of color that isn't typical of Christmas.

And it's quilted beautifully.  It will be a treat to get this finished - and better yet, I have until December to do it!

So, my doily needs finishing and I have hankies to tat edges for.  Not to mention some other various sewing projects and this quilt to finish.

 But hey, I'm on vacation and I can do anything I want. 

Right?

Maybe it's time to start Wine Wednesdays.

Where'd June Go?

Holy Cow - I can't believe June is almost over!  It's time to pick strawberries here in Minnesota, so after work today, the English Major and I picked 15 lbs. of them.  Yum!  I'll be making strawberry bread, strawberry jam, and enjoying as many fresh strawberries as I can before I need to freeze some.  

Now that July is looming, the sign-up sheet to work the county fair booth has gone around at work, and has reminded me of last year's NOTE TO SELF to get some tatting entered in the fair.  Last year, there was not one tatted item entered.  As Wanda (tattrldy) said last year, if nothing else I could be preventing tatting classes from being eliminated from the fair altogether. I am going to enter what I can - a doily, a bookmark, and hopefully I can get an edging on something QUICK! (I'm a slow tatter - any suggestions?)   Actually I have a month - but with grad parties, a wedding, sewing projects and the veggie and flower gardens that have an over-abundance of weeds, I will have to get myself organized.  (Not to mention, I do have a full-time job that interferes with these things.)  I have two doilies to post and get some opinions on which one to enter - just have a little to go to finish them and get them blocked first!

And, my 9-patch project is moving along nicely.  In order to keep up with the goal of one 9-patch block per day, I've been doing several at a time because I KNOW I won't get to it every single day.  I am ahead on that project for the moment - I have 42 blocks done and only need 23 as of today.  We'll see how long I can stay ahead.  This scrappy project is giving me thoughts of attempting a crazy quilt with tatted embellishments.  Just a thought at the moment, but on my list of things to do someday.

On with enjoying our short-lived summer here in Minnesota - Art festivals & baseball!