King sized quilts are not my forte. I won't tell you how many hours I spent over the weekend preparing and attaching the binding for my daughter's quilt (which was supposed to be ready by Christmas!).
It's a big bear, a giant of a quilt! Now that the binding is on, I can turn to the meditative process of hand stitching it into place. I enjoy this quiet final bit of sewing.
I've made my peace with garter stitch.
Discovered and fell in love with Tina Givens and her beautiful repertoire. She has sent me back to my sewing machine, which is a very good thing, indeed!
Hexipuffs knitted from leftover sock projects ..
Koigu which straddles the line between sport weight and fingering ...
Blue Moon Fiber Arts Medium weight - perfection. When it's right, it's just .... Right.
The Beekeeper Hexi-puffs are multiplying. I've run into a small problem though; one that I think I have almost resolved. The smatterings and snippets of sock wool that I've been using are lovely, yet varied. It's the variations that have me bothered - the different sizes and textures of the woolens have not endeared themselves to me yet. Nowhere was this more apparent than when I broke out the Blue Moon Fibers.
Gorgeous. Terrific stitch definition. Colors that defy description. I have some Koigu coming and when it arrives I will be able to make a decision - to go with the motley crew of leftovers, or open the purse and buy only Blue Moon medium weight wool. What to do ..
The inside-out pajama trick worked!
The snow has been falling since early morning. Love it.
The cardinals have returned to the feeders - although this image, taken from indoors, is too dark to discern the scarlet beauties. You'll have to take my word for it.
On a different note - I discovered (late to the party, as usual) the Beekeeper's Quilt from Tiny Owl Knits. I've already fallen in love with this pattern on so many different and potent levels!
First of all - I'll have the chance to use up all of my small leftover sock stash and PURCHASE MORE!!!!
Secondly - this project may promote the finishing of the 1/2 dozen socks that are lying about waiting for their mates(so that I can use up the leftovers!!!)
Third - I'll get to use my favorite Wendy basket that I've had for at least 15 years - I plan to fill it to the brim with yarny goodness before I even begin the construction of the actually 'quilt'.
Fourth - more sock yarn (did I already mention that?)
There's lots of other reasons - all of that leftover poly fill that I haven't been able to part with will finally realize it's destiny! And this is a totally portable project - small enough to carry about and keep on hand. And hey, a shout out to my sock-knitting friends - join me? There's a group on Ravelry for support! You could also choose to decline and instead send me your small sock leftovers! Oh Pauline, don't you have a little of that glorious yellow stored away?????
Have to go now, onion soup to prepare and hexagons to knit!
I'm already looking for another holiday. The space between New Year's and Valentine's Day is filled with peril. Cold days, dark nights, chapped skin, flu bugs, bad news.
This morning I was standing at the sink and I found myself humming that little ditty from White Christmas. "When you're troubled and you can't sleep, count your blessings instead of sheep .." you know the one. I do count my blessings, at least twice a day. I offer up prayers and go over my gratitude list in the frosty dawn when I take the dog outdoors and again at night, under the stars - always with the dog. And I've decided that his is the face of love.
In the spirit of canine worship - I've knitted a few snoods for my sister's little cavaliers. They have those long silky ears and short snouts and a snood comes in real handy, especially after they've been newly-groomed.
I've been having fun with my knitting - nothing too serious or complicated. You wanted another look at my snoods?
And the outdoor shot with good lighting -
Can you believe the green boxwood in the background? Indecent without a covering of snow!!! I am wishing for snow. Maybe I'll wear my pajamas inside out tonight.
Mandatory overtime draws to a close. Good packages arrive in the mail.
Knitting into the wee and tender hours of dawn return -
How can one sleep with these delicacies in the cupboard?
I will admit that I went back to bed this morning. I was tired from waking at 3:00 am, when sleep eluded me entirely. I wasn't feeling well - too many back-to-back days at the job without a break had worn me out. So I laid there in the dark and waited for sleep to find me again.
This house is winterized as much as an old 1860's structure can be, but if you lie quietly you can hear the animal sounds tiptoeing in, slipping under the drafty window sills; an owl hooting to the dawn, a dog howling at the disappearing moon, an opossum family brushing against the dried hydrangeas shrubs and triggering the motion lights in the shed. Something is missing.
The sound of the snow plow. We have not seen a single flake of the white stuff since our freakish October storm. These abnormally warm days are unsettling. Where is the snow? I feel cheated.
There hasn't been a lot of time to spend with the things that I love. That's about to change. I've made Resolutions.
My 2012 list grows daily. Bind Hilary's quilt. Finish Sandy's daughter's present. Cast on the exquisite Quince & Co worsted. Finish socks. Finish Chrissy's hat. Finish Scott's socks. Deliver Christmas gifts to MIA friends. Walk Harley longer and faster. Remain calm in traffic. Pray for snow.
Stay away from the fabric store, the online fiber shops, Amazon books and the Sundance catalogue. Spend more time with family.
BE HAPPY.
It's a big bear, a giant of a quilt! Now that the binding is on, I can turn to the meditative process of hand stitching it into place. I enjoy this quiet final bit of sewing. 
I've made my peace with garter stitch. 
Discovered and fell in love with Tina Givens and her beautiful repertoire. She has sent me back to my sewing machine, which is a very good thing, indeed!
