New Socks, Two Socks

The lil' cowboy liked his camouflage socks so much that he asked if I could make socks for a couple of his friends too. How could a grandmama say no? These Jeannee baby/toddler socks really do work up fast...I'm using size 5 needles with worsted weight yarn and can finish a pair in just a few evenings, so I shouldn't have any trouble getting these finished before Christmas.

Lovin' From The Oven

I spent most of the past few days in the kitchen making everyone's favorite dishes (including a few of my own) and it seems like the time that wasn't spent cooking was spent eating! Just how much weight is it possible to gain in just three short days of feasting? I don't think I really want to know the answer to that question, so I'll be eating rabbit food and putting in some extra time on the treadmill for a week or two before I dare step on the scales again! It was worth it though, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with our children, grandchildren and extended family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We interrupt the usual quilting and crafting to bring you this important message...
Happy Thanksgiving!
Our family has so much to be thankful for as we gather around the dining room table this Thanksgiving. Not only will our USMC son be home for his first family Thanksgiving in 5 years (two of those Thanksgivings were spent in Iraq), but this year we also welcome three new members to our family...two new precious grandbabies who were born last December and a very special gentleman who my mother married in May. Along with the new members to our family, my sister has been given a new lease on life by just completing her last round of chemotherapy for treatment of Hodgkin's Lymphoma and is doing well. Yes, our family is truly blessed!

I wish for you all the blessings of joy, laughter and good health as you celebrate this Thanksgiving with your family and friends!

Bargello Waves

This quilt was made in the spring of 2008 for my husband's brother. He had suffered a serious stroke and because of the miles between us, there wasn't much that we could do to help, but the one thing that I could do was make a quilt for him. My brother-in-law loves the ocean and sailing, so Bonnie Hunter's Scrappy Bargello pattern made with all blue scraps made the perfect bargello wave quilt for him. At the time I sent this quilt to my brother-in-law the doctors were all saying that he would never have full use of his right arm or walk again, but the one thing that they didn't know was just how stubborn McConnell's are! He now has full function of his arm, can walk on his own and has very few side effects from the stroke. We were in hopes that he and his wife would be able to come home for Thanksgiving this year, but an unexpected heart bypass surgery last month has delayed the trip home. We're going to miss them both at the table this year, but we are just thankful that the surgery went well and that he is well on the road to recovery once again!

Fleece Selvage Dust Mop Cover Explained

I have had several requests for a tutorial for the Fleece Selvage Dust Mop Cover, but because there are so many different shapes, sizes and styles of dust mops it would be difficult to show a tutorial with proper measurements for each kind of dust mop. However, I am happy to share the technique that I used, then all you have to do is adjust the measurements to fit your particular dust mop.

Measure your mop head to determine the size for your cover. Cut your selvages at least 1 1/2 inches wide (2" is even better). It is not necessary to sew the selvages to a foundation, but a fleece foundation could be used, if desired. Sewing the fleece selvages together for this project is done a bit differently than sewing regular cotton fabric selvages. It is important to leave the rolled edge in tact. (It's this rolled edge that gives this dust mop cover it's "exceptional cleaning ability"!) As shown in the above photo, place the rolled edge of a selvage piece next to another rolled edge and stitch the two pieces together. Continue in this manner until the piece is the desired width. Trim the ends of the piece to length. Now you need to decide how you will attach your cover to your dust mop. I suggest that you use the original cover for your mop as a guide for how to attach your fleece selvage cover or you can just add fleece selvage ties on each end as shown in the smaller photo. Simple as that!

Self-Patterning Yarn

I just love self-patterning yarn! It's so much fun to watch each new pattern develop as you are knitting and there's no hassle of changing colors. This yarn is Classic Worsted Tapestry in the Rose Garden colorway. It's an acrylic wool blend, so completely machine washable and dryable...perfect for these toddler socks!

A Use For Those Fleece Selvages

Remember those fleece selvages that I couldn't part with back a couple of weeks ago? If you need to refresh your memory, you can find the post HERE. Anyway...I found a use for them! The credit for this idea goes to my sister, who suggested making them into dust mop covers! Have you ever noticed how your fleece jammie pants attract every thread and pet hair within a 50 yard radius? Fleece is the logical material for dust mops, not those flimsy "specially treated" disposable dust cloths. This cover only took minutes to make and the rolled edges of the selvages are perfect for picking up and trapping those unruly dust bunnies! When you are finished cleaning the cover goes right into the washer and dryer and can be used over and over!

A basic "How To" for the Fleece Selvage Dust Mop Cover can be found HERE.

Chocolate Chunk Blondies

Just a little something to hold you over until Thursday's big feast!

Chocolate Chunk Blondies

3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chocolate chunks

In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar, melted butter, egg and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder and salt just until blended. Add chocolate chunks. Spread batter into a greased 9 x 9 pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

This May Be It

Yesterday someone suggested putting the dark squares on point and using the background fabric for the triangles in the harlequin pattern. I think this may be the one or at least it's the one that I like best so far! Again, a case of "less is more". It still needs something (maybe a colored border on each side of the pieced border?), but I'm definitely getting closer to the look that I want.