Hats and Booties

Here are 4 of the hats I made and the two pair of booties. The hat patterns are from P2Designs. I love all her stuff. The little ruffled hats and the blue and white checked hat can be found here and the other blue and white hat can be found here. Thanks Chou Chou and Annabelle for being models!

When I was in Penticton,BC my mom and I went to the quilt shop there, Poppin's Quilt Parlour. She really has a nice store with lots of japanese fabrics and patterns. I bought some fabric to start a Brandywine pattern I bought when I was quilt retreating a few weeks ago. Nothing like a new pattern to get fired up to quilt! I've started the first block.

We went to the parade this morning. It was pretty chilly at first even though the sun was out but withing half an hour we had our sweat shirts off and sunscreen on.

Back Home

We had a wonderful vacation ... relaxing on the beach, knitting, sitting in the airconditioning when it got too hot, knitting. I managed to make 5 hats and 2 pairs of booties.

My two daughters enjoyed the beach each day we were there. They loved the water but I think it was too cold. I only swam once.

We saw this buck in my parents back yard one day and a doe another day. They have a pond so the wildlife comes to have a drink.

On Tuesday we went to a different beach to meet my sister and her family for swimming and dinner. There was a forest fire quite a long ways away but the sky had a smoke haze. My youngest daughter spotted the sun behind the haze with a very eerie red glow to it.

Now back to reality. Cleaning and making meals. My DH left this morning on a motorcycle trip with a couple of friends so my daughters and I are heading to the community parade and festivities by ourselves. The sun is out and it promises to be warm by this afternoon.

Caps to the Capital

Do you know how to knit or crochet? Here is a neat program that Save The Children non-profit is promoting right now. You can knit or crochet a baby hat and send it to the President by January 7, 2007. You can find all the information here and there are some patterns on this page as well. I hope you will join me in helping babies around the world one hat at a time!

I am going on vacation this week and am taking yarn and sticks. HAIN Washington is in need of preemie and newborn hats and blankets for the hospitals they serve. I hope to get a few done while relaxing on the beach!

Top Done

My friend Shannon came to visit today (all the way from FL) and we spent the day sewing and chatting (probably more chatting than sewing). I finished the top for the star quilt I started at the retreat a few weeks ago. I am really happy with how it turned out.

I also worked on one of the Women of the Bible quilt blocks ... Rizpah. I had never heard of her before now. David had her two sons killed because of something their father (Saul) had done. Rizpah stood vigil over their bodies day and night, protecting them from birds and beasts, until David decided to allow the boys a proper burial. She was there for nearly 6 months. Wow!! What amazing perseverance. You can find her story in 2 Samuel 21.

More Baby Stuff

Over the weekend I cut out a gown and a boys outfit for 2 - 3lbers. I managed to get the boys outfit sewn up and the girls is still in pieces. The pattern is from Newborns In Need pattern set #3. The binding on the sleeves and neck gave me fits but I finally managed it. I think it was because I made it quite narrow. I am also planning on making a brimmed bonnet to go with it.

On Saturday I was rooting through one of my charity bins looking for fabric to make the boys outfit and girls gown and ran across this bag of knit squares. I have 26 squares knit and I think I need 36 to make a half decent size blanket ... more UFOs ... accckkkk!! I found the pattern on Sarah Bradberry's website. I think this is one of the patterns in the Mason Dixon Knitting book that is really popular right now. I have a hold on it from the library but still am waiting for a copy so I can see what all the hoopla is about LOL!!

Baby Piper

There was a request to provide clothes and outfits for baby Piper who was born at 29 weeks and weighed only 2 lbs 9 oz. That's pretty tiny!! I had cut out some rompers yesterday and then got this request today so I sewed them up and will mail them off tomorrow. You can find the romper pattern I am using on Barbara Wampler's website. It is so nice to know that there is a demand for these small items.

Not much new going on here. Am still working on putting a couple of borders on the star quilt I started at the retreat. And I forgot to mention that I won one of the sets of lotto blocks at the retreat. They are split nine patches and I have 17 of them. This is how I laid them out, but I am liking the way they are laid out on the Quilters Cache website. Any comments?

Quilting Retreat

Came back yesterday from the quilting retreat I attended to a very hot house. It was about 36C here with no airconditioning ... made me want to go back to the airconditioned retreat.

I got a lot accomplished, made some new friends and enjoyed visiting with old friends. Had lots of yummy food to eat and sewed my heart out without any interruptions.

I made this really cute 3D pinwheel quilt top. I had always wanted to try this pattern. You make the triangles for the pinwheels by folding squares into triangle shapes and then catching the raw edge of the triangle in the seam allowance. This leaves the pinwheel free of the background fabric. It should be fun for a little girl or boy to play with.

I also started this star wallhanging quilt for myself. The stars are from a Roxanne Carter book called Star Studded Quilts. I still need to add some borders to it and haven't decided what I want to do. I have this beautiful autumn maple leaf print fabric that I want to use for the outer most border but I think it needs something else in between. Just not sure what yet. Maybe something with triangles.

Onto shopping ... I bought a Brandywine Design pattern called Amy's Sampler. It is so cute with little hedgehogs along the bottom. I want to do it in the Three Sisters fabric line Faded Memories. I love the soft colours. I also bought some fabric (of course) and got a couple other patterns from door prizes.

Had a wonderful time and can't wait to go back next year!

Leaf Scarf Started

I couldn't help myself and started the leaf scarf for my MIL. I really like how it is turning out.

I am off to a quilting retreat tomorrow for the weekend. There are 11 of us who are going to Leavenworth, WA to stay at Mrs. Anderson's B&B. It is an awesome place with Dee's quilt store, accommodations, and a large room to quilt in. I probably took way too many projects (am always too ambitious) but at least I won't get bored!

One of my email lists posted a note about a project that Save the Children organization is doing. Basically, you make a knit or crocheted hat, fill out a form and send it to them. They in turn will be sending them to President Bush to encourage him to help all the infants around the world that die within the first month of life. They have a few patterns on pages 5 and 6.

Heavenly Angels In Need (HAIN) just published their newest newsletter with lots of really interesting articles and inspirational stories. You can find previous newsletters on this page.

More Yarn

I finished up the green and white baby sweater (newborn size) yesterday sans buttons. I will need to go to the local fabric shop to get some. You would think with all the containers of buttons I have I would find some that would work but I didn't .... this is my DHs thinking anyway. So off to the store later on today to find some lime green buttons. You may want to check out this story (very funny) if you have projects falling out of the closet and yarn and/or fabric stashed all over the house.

Speaking of yarn falling out of cupboards, I bought more a while ago from KnitPicks, an online yarn shop with lots of gorgeous yarns at really great prices. My MIL gave me the green yarn (that I made the baby sweater out of) as well as some cream yarn. About 12 balls in all with the condition (though she didn't really say it that way) that I would make her a brown scarf. I have been searching for scarf patterns over the last month (she would like a triangle shape) and found a few that I thought would work. Mostly lace patterns. My favourite lace pattern I found was on the Magknits website and are actually shawls. I was thinking I could make one of them smaller for a scarf.

Then I got some books from the library and was perusing through them and found a faux entrelac scarf pattern that is recangular in shape (but would be easy to make into triangle shape) and another one with knit leaves sewn on. I think it would be beautiful if I combined the two ... decisions, decisions .... maybe I will make both and give one to MIL and keep one for myself. The book is Vogue Knitting On The Go - Scarves.

Another FO

Yesterday I finished quilting and binding that rail fence quilt top that I had pictured before. This top was made by Anna who doesn't like to quilt. I think she should try it especially on charity quilts. The kids are always sooo excited to receive something special just for them that they wouldn't see the mistakes in the quilting. I am just happy that it is done and one more child will have some comfort.

Onto knitting ... the little green and white baby sweater now has two sleeves and just needs the crocheted edging that creates the button holes and some buttons sewn on. I think it is turning out really cute and I may post a picture of it later on today.

The wool sweater (that was supposed to be baby size but is turning out to be about size 4) now has one sleeve attached with another sleeve left to knit, edging for button holes and buttons left to do. I don't think I will have it done for the deadline of July 24th for the Afghans for Afghans mailing. If not I will send it to Burma through HAIN. There is someone who is affiliated with the Free Burma Rangers and delivers wool items to the people there when they go over. You can read more reports about the tragedies happening there and the people who are caught in the middle.

I love this quote on Bev Qualheim's website:
Every one of us is just one person: we all have dreams, hopes, trials, cares, and responsibilities in this life. We may feel there is just too much to be done, and we have too little to give. We're usually short of everything, especially time and money. When we leave this earthly shore, there will still be 'millions of starfish stranded on the beach'. Maybe we can't change the whole world, but there isn't one of us who can't help change one person's whole world... one day at a time, and one person at a time. One tiny hat will warm a premature baby's head, a cozy quilt will keep a mother and her child warm, and a kindly smile will touch a sorrowing heart. We can make a difference.
My heroine is Mother Teresa-- look at all she accomplished in this life and she was but one person, just like us. Never give up helping others. "We can do no great things; only small things with great love. "

Thanks Bev!

Patterns for Charity

When crafting for charity it is often hard to find projects that are simple enough to complete quickly and pretty enough so you feel comfortable giving them away. Here are a couple of websites that have wonderful, easy patterns that turn out beautiful.

Project Linus is a non-profit organization that provides love, warmth, security and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized or in need through gifts of handmade blankets and afghans. They also provide a rewarding and fun opportunity for individuals and groups to help these children. You can check to see if there is a branch in your area.
The Kansas City branch of Project Linus has some wonderful knit, crochet and quilted blanket patterns available for you to use.



Bev's Country Cottage has dozens of free patterns for preemie babies all the way to seniors. She lists some of her own patterns as well as tons of links to other free patterns on the internet. You can find any kind of pattern you are looking for on her website. She does such an awesome job. I use her resource a lot when looking for something new to make.



Knit and Crochet Hats ... Most people I know who knit for charity like to knit hats since they work up quickly. I found this chart for knit hats on the internet that shows different weights of yarn, different sizes of hats and the pattern to make them in an easy to read chart format. I use it all the time. There is even chart for those who crochet.

Baby Sizes ... I really enjoy making preemie baby items. Mostly because they are small and there are many charities that distribute them to hospitals. Here is a size chart based on the number of weeks gestation, how large a preemie is. I use this if I want to adjust a newborn size item to fit a specific sized preemie.

Caved

Accckkkk ... I couldn't stand it any longer and had to start something new. I actually started two new things, can you believe it! I am sure you can ... have you been there? So you could say I caved into my desires of starting new stuff and not finishing UFOs.

BUT I did work on a UFO ... I sewed the borders onto a quilt top that I had started at least 6 months ago so now we will see how long it sits before it gets quilted. This quilt will go to Encompass when it is done. It is made with the Jacob's Ladder block and is about 40" x 55".

And I finished another block for my Women of The Bible quilt. This one is for Michal (one of David's wives) is 6 1/2" and made with my hand dyed fabrics. And I am still not done with Ruth's block but I am a bit closer.

So, onto the two new projects I started. I found this wonderful baby set with sweater knit from the top down, hat and booties designed by Lenore English. The catch is that she doesn't have a picture posted of the set so it will be a mystery until I get the pieces finished. I am about half done the sweater in a very bright lime green (the label calls it Spring Green) and white Patons Astra yarn. My MIL gave me this yarn so this project hasn't cost me anything yet. The only stipulation she gave was that I make her a triangle shaped scarf so I already bought some yarn to make it in (haven't started yet).

The second project is a shawl from the Shawl Ministry website. Just the basic shawl pattern in Red Heart Symphony, 5.5mm needles in color Ice Blue. This yarn I purchased yesterday when we were at Walmart. You've got to love the prices at that store even though the one I go to doesn't have much of a selection.

Kids are bugging me to go out and ride bikes with them! Enjoy your Sunday.

Global Outreach

I found this website about making shawls for the Jewish women in Israel while surfing this morning. What an awesome cause and it always amazes me how one knitter can really make a difference in the world. Being a Christian I am excited that I can bless the Jewish people through a craft that I really enjoy. What are Jesus' roots and the basis of the bible? All come from the Jews and their belief in an Almighty God.

Jerusalem Peace Shawls
In an effort to reach out globally with a gesture of peace, we invite you to knit a shawl to be given to a woman in Israel by the Interfaith Encounter Association. This association fosters dialogue among people of different faith traditions on a grassroots level to bring about understanding and, hopefully, peace! As knitters and crocheters of shawls which embody prayer, compassion, and a desire to pass on a blessing, we thought that this would be a wonderful way to connect with the world beyond the borders of our country....hand-to-hand, heart-to-heart, person-to-person. Copied from the Shawl Ministry Webpage

At the bottom of the Tip Sheet on the Prayer Shawl Ministry page they have many knit and crochet patterns for shawls.

There are all kinds of free shawl patterns at Knitting Pattern Central.

Bonus Day

Today has been an awesome day! I finished two UFOs, the cabled shawl and the pink floral quilt. I think this blog thing is good for me ... it holds me to finishing up some things. I just need to keep up the willpower and not start anything new ... well maybe just one new thing since I did finish two projects. That means I am still ahead of the game right?!?



I really should be outside working in the garden (the weeds are taking over) since it is sunny out and not too hot. I would rather be inside crafting, but duty calls ...

More UFOs

We had a wonderful 4th of July celebrating at a neighbourhood party around lunch time into the afternoon and then an evening party at our Pastor's house with good friends and awesome food! My daughter (who had the flu) slept for 2 hours inbetween the two events and manage to stay awake til 10pm and watch the fireworks. The kids did a bike parade for all the adults!

Onto more crafty stuff ... I haven't had much time to work on my crafts (but found a little here and there).

Cabled Shawl: I am more than half done the top border on the cabled shawl and hope to have it finished and being blocked in the next few days.

Women of the Bible Block: I am slowly working on this block. For someone who like instant gratification this block is very, very painful!! I am determined to finish it though (maybe by the end of the week).

Another UFO: I started this Christening outfit about 4 months ago and ran out of yarn. Ordered more yarn but haven't picked it back up again. As with most of my UFOs I only have a little more to go on it. Just the yoke and I am done. Do want to make a bonnet for it but will see how tired I am of the pattern by then. I am using Sirdar's Snuggly 4ply and size 2.75mm needles. Again I have no idea why I chose this (other than I liked the look) because projects that take a long time to finish don't get there.

Happy Independence Day!

I figure in a few weeks you will have seen pretty much all my different UFOs. Can you tell that I don't have a very long attention span and jump from one project to the next? I can't seem to finish anything ... the project gets close to being finished and for some unknown reason I get tired of it and can't finish it.



On that note, I found this shawl that I had started over 2 years ago and decided I want it finished. It is a pattern from Knitty called Tri-Aran-Angle I am knitting it in one of Rowan's 100% wool yarns (worsted weight) and 5.5mm needles. I just have to finish the top row of cabling and it is done. Any guesses on how long that will take?

The quilt underneath the shawl is currently on my sewing machine being quilted. Another project that I have had for at least a year (top completed) but never finished. It will go to Encompass' preschool program in September. When I found I didn't have any thread to quilt the green rail fence quilt (picture in a previous post) I layered this one and started quilting it.

We have two 4th of July parties to attend today but my younger daughter has the flu so it may be a stay at home (and finish some projects?) kind of day! Be safe out there and enjoy the fire works.

Food and Preemie Boy Outfit

Saturday we went to the "bigger city" to get some groceries. I live in a small town of a couple thousand people with not much shopping, mostly an outlet mall. My wonderful husband decided that he was going to make a delicious meal for us so we went and got all the ingredients he needed. He made beef tenderloin with grilled asparagus, goat cheese encrusted with pine nuts, and crusty bread. Yummm!! Thanks honey!

I am finished the outfit I was designing. I think it turned out pretty cute. It is only 10" long and should fit a 1 to 2lb preemie. I used Bernat Softee Baby which is a sport weight yarn and 3.75mm needles. If you want the pattern you can find it here:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/3627/knitpatterns.html



The rest of today (Sunday) will be spent relaxing and not working on too much.

Personal Work Day and Shopping

Today I worked on mostly my own stuff ... after shampooing the carpet because the dog pooped on it. What a yucky, stinky mess! I think he will be relegated to the laundry room from now on!

Ok, on to more fun stuff ... as I was saying I worked mostly on my own stuff and had to go to the local fabric/yarn store for more supplies ... yippeee ... the best thing was my girls wanted I mean really wanted to go. It may have to do something with "If you come and behave I will buy you some new knitting needles and some fabric for your projects" but ssshhhhh, don't tell Dad. I am sure he won't be impressed. Now, instead of only spending money on my stuff I am also buying my kids fibre stuff too! AND encouraging them to take up the hobby!

So, what did I buy. That quilt that I layered yesterday ... well I realized that I didn't have any dark green thread to quilt it with and the boys knit outfit that I want to design ... I didn't have any baby blue yarn so had to buy some of that too. And the pink yarn was pretty nice, so bought some of that. Both are Bernat's Softee Baby ... so soft! And I "needed" some more ribbon in blue and white for ties on the preemie outfits I "plan" on knitting.

Alright, back to the project I was working on. In October I started a year long project. It involves 52 (and more if you want to add more) women of the bible. There is a study book and a 6" quilt block that goes with each women.

The project is designed and moderated by Carol Honderich. You can find an article about her project here:
http://www.mennonitemission.net/resources/news/story.asp?ID=780
She also has a couple of yahoo groups.

I am very, very behind in making the quilt blocks. I have made 17 and the group is now on women #36. My goal this summer is to "catch up". Hah ... with two kids, vacation, hot lazy days I am not sure that is a reality. These blocks are tough! I am currently working on Ruth which has 28 pieces sewn together using English Paper Piecing, pretty daunting if you ask me. It has been a challenge, but one that I am enjoying and will be thankful for when it is complete.

Finished and Started

I finished up the knit preemie dress that I had been working on. I think I made the skirt a little bit too long but it should still work. Babies come in all sizes so I am sure the dress will be used. I think I will make a bonnet to go with it.



Here is a great webpage that shows different measurements for different size preemie babies.
http://www.newbornsinneed.org/html/size_chart.html
I am using these measurements to design a boys knitted burial outfit. I can't seem to find any free patterns that I want to make on the net.





Quilting Projects:
I am currently working on layering quilt tops that I have made (and others have made but did not want to quilt) so that I can get these finished and off to some good homes. Here is one made by Anna that is layed out on the floor. I use masking tape to hold the backing down on the floor while I pin baste the layers together. So far I can still get up off the floor once I am done. Three more to go ...

Welcome to my blog!

Welcome! I will be posting different crafting items that I am working on for charity and probably a few that are for my family or gifts.

A bit about me ... I am a SAHM of two girls. Married to a wonderful caring guy who puts up with all my ongoing craft projects for 10 years. We currently live in western WA where it has been very very hot for the last couple of days! I enjoy quilting, knitting, and sewing. You can find my website here:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/3627/

Current Knitting Projects:
Currently I am working on a preemie burial dress created by Mary Glynn for Heavenly Angels In Need. You can find the patterns here
http://heavenlyangelsinneed.com/members/ANGEL%20WINGSBUNTINGGOWN.pdf

I also have a wool cardigan sweater on the needles size 5-6. This will be for Afghans for Afghans. This organization sends wool sweaters, hats, mitts, vests and blankets to the people in Afghanistan. The pattern for the sweater I am making can be found here
http://www.p2designs.com/images/patterns/LonestarLayette.html
I love all of Patti's knitting patterns ... the directions are very clear and the project turns out beautiful!

Recently Completed Items:



The hat and sweater set (newborn size) was designed by Patti at P2 Designs. I used Patons Astra yarn. The label says it is a DK weight but it seems more like a worsted weight to me. Anyway, I am happy with how it turned out. The set was donated to HAIN. You can find the pattern (with socks to match) here: http://www.p2designs.com/images/patterns/CheckedMates.html


The dress and bonnet were made with Patons DK yarn. This yarn seems more like a DK weight. The dress is only 10" long to fit a 1 - 2lb preemie baby that has passed away. The pattern is designed by Mary Glynn of HAIN. You can find the pattern here:
http://www.heavenlyangelsinneed.com/patterns/heart2heartgown.pdf


Hope everyone has a blessed day!
Cheryl :-)