Lots Of Handwork!

The quilts for Lap Robes For Veterans are all quilted!  Now for my favorite part...hand stitching the bindings!

And on this Memorial Day...

"Love your country and live with pride

And don't forget those who died

America can't you see?

All gave some and some gave all

And some stood through for the red, white and blue

And some had to fall

And if you ever think of me

Think of all your liberties and recall 

Some gave all"

Silent Sunday

Changes

For the past 15 years I have been a stay at home mama and grandmama and I truly enjoyed every minute of being able to help out with the grandkids while their parents worked.  Now the oldest grandkids are able to do the babysitting, so I've been looking for something more than quilting to occupy some of my time.  That opportunity came a few weeks ago in the form of a part time job at a local thrift shop.  Change is never easy, so it's taking some time for everyone to adjust to me working outside of the home again, but I'm really enjoying this job!  There are added benefits of working at a thrift store too...like fabric!  I found reproduction fabrics in the photo in one of the first boxes I unpacked!  Yes, I'm really going to like this job!

Hot Mess Preemie Hats

I came up with this simple pattern for preemie baby hats using Red Heart Buttercup yarn given to me by a friend who declared it "hot mess" yarn. They may look like a hot mess, but they are also the softest little hats ever! Once I get them all finished, the hats will go to the Janet Weiss Children's Hospital in Danville, PA.

 

Hot Mess Preemie Hats

 

Size 13 double pointed needles

 

One skein Red Heart Buttercup yarn yields several hats

 

Gauge is not important...preemies come in all sizes!

 

Cast on 24 stitches. Join to knit in the round being careful not to twist the stitches.

 

Knit to 5 inches from cast on edge

 

Decrease for crown

 

Round 1: knit 2, knit 2 together, repeat around 18 stitches

 

Round 2: knit

 

Round 3: knit 1, knit 2 together, repeat to end of round, 12 stitches

 

Round 4: knit

 

Round 5: knit 2 together around, 6 stitches

 

Cut yarn about 12 inches from last stitch. Thread tail through tapestry needle and through remaining 6 stitches. Pull tightly to close top of hat. Tie off. Weave in ends.

*To add a top knot 

Round 6: knit 2 together around, 3 stitches

Knit around on these stitches for about 3 ½ inches. Bind off the stitches, weave in ends & tie the top tube in a knot.

Silent Sunday

Still Quilting

I'm still working on quilting the quilts for Lap Robes For Veterans.  Just a few more to go and then I'll be in binding mode!

Almost Finished

Checking the gauge was well worth the time it took, because the little Bug Warmer sweater is turning out to be just the right size for my friend's new grandson!  I just need to bind off the hem and sleeves and it will be ready to go in the mail.

Silent Sunday

Silent Sunday

On The Frame

Now that I have all of the veterans quilt tops pieced, it's time to get them quilted!  I really enjoy quilting these Quick Strippie quilts.  It goes fast and it's fun to quilt something different in each strip.

Dust Bunnies!

Yes, there has been some serious stitching going on in my sewing room and I've got the dust bunny colony living in my sewing machine to prove it!  Yikes!  Time for a little spring cleaning...

Silent Sunday

Photo Credit: Debbie Pascale