Check out this giveaway... it's awesome!

The fabulous Lila Tueller is giving away a quilt! You have to go to her blog and check it out! I just love her designs, and I really want to win, but it's only fair to spread the word.

Edit:For some crazy reason, blogger won't let me post the picture of the quilt. hmmmm, I guess you'll just have to click on the link, I promise it's worth it!

A little more knitting...

I have clearly been bit by the knitting bug in 2010! I purchased this Noro sock yarn last summer, and was waiting for the right pattern to make a sweater with. While at my LYS, I found a book (Noro Collection Book 3 by Jenny Watson) at 40% off (bonus!), and started knitting this last week. It is being knit on size 2 needles, which feel like tooth picks to me! LOL This is the right front side. I started the left side last night, and have been watching A LOT of the olympics at night. With a few old episodes of 24 mixed in, gotta love Netflix!This is my amarylis bulb I planted around Christmas. I bought it on clearance, so I was hopeful it would bloom.... I wasn't successful last year with my discount purchase. It is so neat to watch it grow, and has me itching for Spring!

Working More = Crafting Less

Last month I started working as the charge nurse on a new unit in the hospital. I've always worked in Oncology, and this floor is a mix of Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant. I also increased my hours, therefore I have much less crafty time on my hands. My sweater is complete (YAH!), but there isn't anyone to take a picture of me wearing it. It actually fits, which is a plus! I also started another knitted item, since I can bring my WIP's on the way to work. So, that's why it's been a few weeks since my last post. Hopefully, I'll get used to the new work schedule, and if not, I'll be sure to pop in when I can.

Some petals and a win!

These are the first twelve petals, of I don't how many.... They are for the Don't Look Now ~ Joseph's Coat Quilt Along. I am WAAAY late for the party, but that's okay! I haven't sewn them down yet, and they looked so pretty, I just had to take a picture to share! My fingers still feel sticky from the glue stick method, but the shapes are nice and crisp, so it seems like it's worth it! :-)

Aren't my pups too cute! Usually when they see the camera, they start wiggling and sniffing, so it's not often I get a picture of them asleep. Dogs have quite the life!!!!
And I forgot to mention, I was the lucky winner over at V and Co., and she sent me this awesome Gypsy Rose charm pack. Fig Tree Quilts + Winning = Happy! Have a great day!

p.s. For those who asked, and are curious... I'm one sleeve (and a lot of seeming) away from a completed sweater. Hopefully soon!

New projects

I got the cutest panel at my LQS for Valentine's Day... it actually says Happy Valentine's Day on the bottom, but I don't think I'll keep it. They had a sample in the store that had patchwork around it, and I'm sure I will do something around it too. I don't have any quilts for Valentine's, so I couldn't pass it up! I also decided to try the Don't Look Now Quilt Along block! I've been contemplating for a while, and now that the holidays are over, I figured why not? I just bought a lot of background for my stash (Kona white), and a slew of Kaffe's pinks, blues and purples to add to my ever growing stash! I'll post a picture once I get them prepped. I bought a stabilizer, but it isn't fusible, so it doesn't work quite how I had hoped. I ordered the Floriani Fusible recommended by Kellie, and hopefully it will arrive soon. Oh, and I just love my new cutting mat! It was only $19 at Joann's, and it's the largest one I've have now: 24x36 ~ and of course I love that it's pink!

sweater, oh sweater

I'm not sure if I'll ever end up with an actual garment. I knit, and purl, I do~ I keep trying to make a sweater. I blogged about my sweater before, and I said maybe third time was the charm. Not so... As I was knitting, I thought it seemed a little big. Well, truth be told, it was HUGE. My daughter, bless her heart, suggested that I shouldn't worry, "maybe you'll grow into it?!!!!". I kindly explained to her that I was done growing, (hopfully ;-) and that I didn't WANT to have to grow anymore to make the sweater fit.

. The lovely lady at my local yarn shop tried to help me. She did, but they didn't have the yarn called for in the pattern. So I bought the other yarn. Bad idea for my first "easy sweater project" That's what she called it. I then decided that I should buy the yarn that the pattern suggests New yarn+New year= Good, so far. No guessing about gauge, needle size, or how much to buy. I browsed on the internet one night, and found just the right yarn, called for in the pattern, and it's a beautiful blue/purple/black alpaca. With free shipping, too! *i love free shipping, don't you* I also ordered a few books so that previously mentioned yarn won't be a waste. Here is the back of the sweater:
so far so good. Wish me luck, 'cause once the front and sleeves are done, and it might be while, I then have to figure out how to put it all together. I might need to head back to the yarn shop.

Happy New Year!

I have an annoying cold, sore throat, cough "thing" going on.... and it's kept me pretty much on the couch all week. It snowed unexpectedly today, AND I have to scrape myself up and get pretty! Our friends are getting married tonight; a big, beautiful, snowy wedding. On New Years! I've never been out on the town for New Years Eve before. I'm not a complete home body, well, maybe I am ;o) I just never like the thought of freezing, and being worried about driving, and... well... I don't know, I guess I just like to cozy up at home with family, and eat take out, and watch the ball drop on TV. I also have worked the last 7 out of 10 years, so when I finally had the night off, I was happy to be at home. So here's to the New Year: Welcome 2010! I hope I am not a total drag tonight, and that I can keep the nasty cough, sneezing, blah, blah, at bay for the night.

Here's a look at my repro siggy swap blocks. I love 'em. Add this to the list of things to do! I'm going to stop worrying about UFO's, or WIP's, or whatever we call them. I enjoy starting new projects, I really enjoy buying new fabric, and I really, really enjoy all of the fun that goes into the planning, and finding just the right fabric. I'm not going to sweat it. That's my resolution for this year. Now I just have to find a new spot to stash the "new" stuff. 'Cause my husband actually gasped (out loud) when he saw it all in the cabinets in the basement. ****I should have known better than to let him help me search for a missing Christmas present. Ha!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas! Since I like to post a picture when I can, this is my Winter wallhanging that I made last year. It's all basted and waiting patiently to be quilted. If you celebrate Christmas, I hope you enjoy your day and spend it with people you love.

Favorite Things!

Here a few of my favorite things... Lots and lots and lots of snow! I haven't yet opened the front door, and as you can see, we got a ton! (Well, really more like a foot, but it TON sounds so much cooler!)
Gingerbread house, all decorated. I'm a little sick from eating, I mean, using the icing, but it's my own fault for finishing decorating before eating dinner! I saw a sign while shopping that I should have bought- "Life's unpredictable, Eat dessert first!" I agree.
Our nutcrackers... There will be two more after Santa comes. I'm hoping to snag the floor size one on sale after Christmas. My kids love them, and look forward to adding to the collection every year.
The tree. With colored lights. How could I say no? Although, I kept the white lights on the mantle. I can't change all at once!

Still Knitting

I'm almost finished with one of my recently started knitting projects, and I'm very happy with how it turned out. I have to sew the lining in, and maybe add some ribbon or embellishments. It worked up pretty quick, and I have almost another ball of yarn left over. I'm thinking maybe another one will be great to have a present on hand.

Today is my son's 10th birthday! If I say it feels like time has flown by, that is an understatement! He is such a great kid, and I'm hoping the next 10 years go a little slower. Unfortunately, I know that probably isn't possible. Gotta go get ready- bowling, pizza, cake, lazer tag, and some arcade time for 12 rowdy boys is in my very near future... (like in an hour, who has the tylenol?).