Thursday, June 26, 2008

Blue jean pillow



When I was in the attic the other day I found a box of jeans left over from making Kylie's jean quilt. I want to get rid of things so made this pillow to go with the quilt. It takes longer to snip the seams than it does to actually sew the pillow. I have been making these quilts and pillows for over ten years. I never seem to run out of jeans.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Knitting Class

Tomorrow night I have my first class in purling. It is the second step towards knitting socks! A few months ago I took a beginning knitting class and this is the next level. In the first class we learned to cast on and to knit. The project was a scarf. I never finished mine and thats okay because I really took that class and this new one because they are required before you take the sock class. I have been looking at patterns for awhile but I don't understand them, so this class will be good for me. The project is a shawl or wrap. I am more interested in the techniques than the project. I am really looking forward to tomorrows class.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Du Barry pattern

I found this pattern at an antique store yesterday. I had never seen a Du Barry pattern before. They were put out by Woolworths during the 30's and 40's. The pieces are in perfect condition and the instructions are included. I would like to make the hooded jacket some day. If I do I will copy the pattern pieces and keep the original in their present condition. Now that I've discovered these patterns I am going to keep looking for more.

Monday, June 16, 2008


I started crocheting this blanket on the car ride to the Outer Banks last month. I had three skeins of yarn that I had found in the attic. It didn't last very long. I looked everywhere for more, here and North Carolina. I finally found some on-line. I am back to working on it at night. It is for a little girl Amanda knows . She has leukemia and will have many months of treatments. Amanda asked if I could make something for her to carry around at home and at the hospital. I hope to have it done by July so Amanda can bring it to her.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Chairs

I found these chairs at a garage sale on my way home from the grocery store. I want to refinish them for Brittany's apartment at school. I would like to paint them bright colors and use a fun print on the seats. Here is the before picture, stay tuned for the after pictures.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Antiquing

Today Barb and I spent a long while at the antique store going through linens. The store is closing so all the linens were 50% off. I left with five embroidered towels and a silk screened towel. I need to wash all the towels, then I can hang a couple of them in my kitchen. One is for my laundry room and the silk screened one will find it's way into a quilt. I love it. It's red and green flowers. All the towels are in very good condition. I would like to go back next week. I also bought a milk glass punch bowl with twelve glasses. This will most likely become a Christmas gift for someone.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Market Bag


As I said before I am trying to use what I have to make as many projects as I can. Today I made this market bag with ticking I bought five or six years ago. Everyone is trying to go "green" and using cloth bags to grocery shop is a good idea. I wanted mine to be a little fancy so I added the trim. My friend, Jen, gave me the idea to make the bag as a gift for another friend. I wasn't able to make it for our friend but I was encouraged to make it as soon as I had the time. I would like to make myself another to match and maybe a few to give as gifts. I'll make them as long as the ticking lasts.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Back in my routine


I went back to my needlepoint group today. I haven't been there in a couple weeks. I really miss it when I don't get to go. Most of the ladies were there, I was very glad to see them. I worked on my flipflop picture during class. I also bought the fibers to work on the Birds of a Feather ornament. I hope to finish these projects this summer.

Old Patterns


My friend, Barb, gave me this pattern for my birthday yesterday. I love old patterns like this. I know there is a world of things you can do with old patterns beyond making the sewing projects. I haven't decided what I am going to do with this one. I would like to make some of the outfits to give to my granddaughters for Christmas. I might even make one for Barb's granddaughter.