Tuesday 28 April 2015

Needlework Tuesday - Merrily stitching along

As I was preparing to write this post, I didn't think there was much I had to share.  My last week had been busy and it cut into my stitching time.  Next I needed to take some photos and that got me thinking about the projects I had worked on.  It still surprises me how much can be accomplished by a few minutes of stitching here and there.  That is exactly how it happened with me last week.  I started a new crochet project.  I had bought the yarn early in the winter and was looking forward to making this poncho up for spring.

 Now that the rumours of spring approaching are becoming true, I wanted to get started.  The pattern is Dudonnet Poncho and it's free from Red Heart.  It calls for three balls of Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable.  I choose the colour named Tidal.  I've finished the front collar and already learned two new stitches, cable and arrow.  The row of grey near the bottom of the photo is a cable.  The arrow runs along the middle of the panel, though it's hard to see in this photo.   I'm using a 5.25 mm crochet hook, so it will be nice and lacy.


 Needlework Tuesday is a regular weekly post where I share the progress of my various needlework projects over the past week. I enjoy the encouragement that I receive from my readers and in return visit their blogs and cheer them on with theirs. You are welcome to grab the cute little mouse and create your own Needlework Tuesday post. Leave a comment with a link and I'll be sure to visit with you.
 Since September, my local quilt guild has been doing a block of the month program.  We had themes to select from, and I chose the Japanese one.  I have ten blocks complete and two more to go.  Then we are to use them in a project.  We can make additional blocks and use the ones we like and leave out those that don't fit in.  I'm not sure where this is going to take me, but it will be fun to figure it out.
I've found a bit of time to work on Sophie's Universe.  I've finished row 39.  I am loving the challenge of this project.  Some rows are much easier than others.  I stopped at this point as row 40 looks like it needs much more concentration that some of the others.  I usually knit and crochet while watching television.  that will be too distracting for this next row.  No fear though, I will get at in the next few days.

One row doesn't seem like much in this afghan, but it does bring me that much closer to finishing.  I am definitely the tortoise in this race.

Are you a  tortoise or hare when it comes to your projects?

Mister Linky is waiting below for a link to your current needlework post.

Sunday 26 April 2015

For Your Listening Pleasure - Songs Remade for Readers

Orange Public Library
Bruno Mars "Uptown Funk" Parody - "Unread Book"




Nashville Public Library

"All About the Books, No Trouble" parody of Meghan Trainor's "All About the Bass, NoTrouble"



Dowell Middle School
"I like Big Books"


 Ocoee Middle School (this one brought tears to my eyes, way to go kids)
"Gotta Keep Reading" parody of "I gotta Feeling" by Black Eyed Peas

Wednesday 22 April 2015

Earth Day - Go Solar

Solar Installation on my front roof. I think it looks great and it's like magic, it makes something from apparently nothing.
#earthDay  #solar

I spied this installation at a school in Waterloo, Ontario.
#earthday  #solar


Tuesday 21 April 2015

Needlework Tuesday - Why make a 5 pointed star blanket for baby


 I am so pleased to have finished this blanket.  I was worried that I would run out of the variegated yarn before finishing, and I did. I still had two double crochets to go, and I was out. If only I have left shorter ends to work in when joining colours etc. No big deal, you can hardly tell where I used the darker green to finish up.  The free pattern can be found at the Yarnspiration site.

Needlework Tuesday is a regular weekly post where I share the progress of my various needlework projects over the past week. I enjoy the encouragement that I receive from my readers and in return visit their blogs and cheer them on with theirs. You are welcome to grab the cute little mouse and create your own Needlework Tuesday post. Leave a comment with a link and I'll be sure to visit with you.
 You might be wondering why a five pointed star blanket for a baby.  They are easy to snuggly wrap the baby without too much bulk.  Place the baby, or his cute substitute in the centre with his or her head aligned with a point.
 Flip up a bottom point.
Flip up another bottom point.
 Flip over a side point ensuring it doesn't cover baby's face.
 Do the same with the other side point.
 Final point can now be flipped over the top of baby's face as a sun shield.
I was feeling a little antsy and needed to sew a quilt block.  As I've been planning a pink and purple quilt for some time, I wanted to stitch a sample of this block.  Bonnie Hunter featured this block in her "Addicted to Scraps" column in the January/February 2015 issue of Quiltmaker. To accurately cut the pieces, I used my Marti Michell templates, Set A templates 2 and 6.  This block finishes at 6 inches.  It would take forever to make enough blocks for an entire quilt, so I am considering piecing a simple pinwheel for the alternate blocks.  I'll have to play around in EQ7 to see how that might look.

Of course, I didn't need to start a new project as I am still sewing together the blocks for my One Block Wonder.  Slowly, methodically I am working my way through them.  Hubby has been warned not to the open the window in the room where I have the blocks laid on the floor.  Oh, it would be a disaster if they got mussed up at this point.  (don't even think such thoughts).  I promise to post a photo as soon as the top is complete.

I am wondering about quilting magazines.  Quilters Newsletter used to be my favourite.  I learned so much from it in the past, but lately it has left me wanting.  The quilts featured don't seem as fresh and innovative at they have been in the past and several of the columns I don't even bother to read.  I generally like the advertisements, they provide lots of websites to browse.

Last month I purchased a copy of "Quilts from Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks" Spring 2015.  19 quilt patterns and 4 bonus table runner designs.  First of all, how is anything that is included in the magazine a bonus. It's part of the original magazine.  A bonus is an extra, such as something you send away for or a special web address to a part that only purchasers can access.  Once I started reading, I found that all but one quilt pattern is by the person who originally designed the block. That is boring and un-impressive. Of course they can design quilts for their own blocks.   I was expecting that designers would be showing us how they used the blocks that others had designed for earlier editions of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks. Now that would be exciting.  Only Denise Starck designed a quilt with a block that had earlier been designed by Susan Nelson.  Way to go Denise.   Quiltmaker staff designed one quilt using a block by Tina Curran, though all they did was increase the size of the block from 12 inches to 48 inches. So much for encouragement if designers can't even manage to use the blocks from the magazines.

Do you have a favourite quilt/craft magazine and why. I am curious, I think I'm in need of a new magazine to try.

Mister Linky is waiting below.


Thursday 16 April 2015

Tangled Thursday - No Paper Allowed

This week's challenge is to use a medium other than a flat sheet of paper or a traditional Zentangle tile to draw your tangles.Go wild. Use fabric, flower pots, glass window, if you can draw on it, then it's fair game.

Last visit in New Zealand, we visited the Sculpture Gardens north of Helensville. 
We learned about it from a random online search and were pleased to find this hidden gem.

 This large installation, made of stone and wood chips, reminds me of Zentangles. It's kind of hard to see with the shadows and sunlight, but worth taking a look.

Welcome to Tangled Thursday.  A few of my online friends have joined me in an occasional Zentangle challenge.  We'll take turns choosing a theme which I'll post here on my blog.  At that time, I'll add Mister Linky and invite you to add a link to your drawing using that them.  I'll leave the linky open till the next challenge is posted, usually two weeks. Any one who participates could be contacted to decide our next challenge.

I didn't have a garden to play with, but the wooden dragonfly was fun.  I decided to use the same tangle, Fingers variation, on each wing. The central body is Twizted, from the challenge issued by Elaine two weeks ago.  To fill in between the wings, I used Florz.

I am quite pleased with how my Tanglefly turned out.

I have second one waiting to take flight, hopefully by next week.

Did you have a chance to tangle not on paper, Mister Linky is waiting below.  If you don't have a blog, email me your photo and I'll post it below.

Tuesday 14 April 2015

Needlework Tuesday - Layout for One Block Wonder Quilt

 I've been working fairly steadily on my One Block Wonder quilt.  All 91 blocks are pieced. One spare, you can see it to the right of the photo.  Ignore the gap at the bottom of the quilt, those blocks really do exist but have been pinned and are at the sewing machine.

I was asked in last week's comments for hints on going from blocks to a pleasing layout.  I'll be addressing that in this post.

Needlework Tuesday is a regular weekly post where I share the progress of my various needlework projects over the past week. I enjoy the encouragement that I receive from my readers and in return visit their blogs and cheer them on with theirs. You are welcome to grab the cute little mouse and create your own Needlework Tuesday post. Leave a comment with a link and I'll be sure to visit with you.

Close up of an area that looks like popcorn, the white circular areas with black back ground
 The most helpful hint I can give you is to study the photos in the book One-Block Wonder by Maxine Rosenthal. In my spare time, I would pick up the book and study the quilts within.  I didn't just look quickly, but would spend ten minutes or more carefully examining each quilt.  Looking at the colours, that the spot where the blocks abut their neighbours.  I noted how similar or different each was from it's neighbour. 

 Next, examine your blocks and the fabric; what colours are pre-dominate, what visual textures standout.  I noted four colours, light green, medium green , black and white.  The teal blue is the background and is pretty much every where.  There are two definite leaf shapes, long narrow and rounded. There is also the popcorn shape shown in the previous photo.  Sort the blocks according to colour and then further sort them by shapes. similar shapes sit better side by side than do radically different shapes.

 At some point, you have to place different colour blocks beside each other. That's were the shape and back ground filler help to cover the gap.  I feel that I handled this well in the areas surrounding the light green. ( Click on the photos and they should open in a new window at a larger size.)  Where I  couldn't match the pattern, I paired it with a block where the white/black/teal where of equal weighting.

Most important to remember, is that you are making the quilt for your own enjoyment.  For the majority of quilters, the quilts we make are for our family and friends and to be enjoyed and even loved.  They are not going to be hanging in the world's top art galleries and museums.  So relax and enjoy the process. Take your time, but do set a time limit on the re-arranging.  It took me less than the week time limit I had set. There are a block or two I might have wanted to change, but not major enough to make me stop and re-consider at this point.

 This final photo shows three blocks with their corner triangles, trimmed and then sewn together.  I can barely notice the seam between blocks two and three.

update: I forgot to talk about the initial arranging of the blocks.  As the book suggested, I started with the blocks that were my favourite colour.  First I arranged them in a block, but that was rather boring.  I looked at the book again and noticed that the centre colour blocks were often arranged in a more linear fashion.   I then arranged the light green blocks in a wiggly line. i was much happier with that.  Next I added the darker green blocks and then worked out in all directions from there.  One block at a time.  I took days to get all 90 blocks laid out.  

On to knitting.  I started one new project last week to help a lady in the knitting class where I am volunteering. She is making a sweater for her little boy.  In the effort to finish the outfit while it still fits, I offered to knit the pants. I am working both legs at the same time to ensure the increases/decreases are at the same places. working from the waist down, I have reached past the crotch and run out of yarn.  Unfortunately, that lady wasn't able to make the class this week, so I'll have to put that project aside till next week.

I have had the pattern and yarn sitting aside for this next project for ages.  The pattern is "Cosy Neck Warmer" leaflet #332 from Patons & Baldwins (Canada) Limited. It is made with beehive Astra, 2 balls.  The pattern suggests that an adult will need 22 points, though I am thinking that would be somewhat snug and that a few more will be required.  Each point works up pretty quickly, though does require much counting.  I have add a marker at the point where the neck band meets the ripply part.

This is an old pattern and is not currently available from Patons, though i am going to contact them and ask if they'll add it to the patterns they offer free online.

It's going to be hard to stay inside the next few days as true spring weather has finally arrived.  Today it's expected to reach 25C and sunny. Wow, makes me want to walk and walk and walk.  I like to listen to audio books while outside which works really well.  I can't imagine me walking and knitting.  too dangerous, I'd probably walk off the edge of the world that way.

Mister linky is waiting below for a link to your current needlework project, or a link to a photo of your One-Block Wonder quilt.


Wednesday 8 April 2015

Fluency by Jennifer Foehner Wells

We all know that governments keep secrets, but the American government has been keeping a big one, a city sized one in fact.  In the 1960s they discovered a city size alien space ship orbiting far beyond Mars.  NASA has finally sent a six person team to investigate.

Linguist, Dr. Jane Holloway, is expected to learn how to communicate with the aliens, or should the ship be deserted, decipher their artifacts.  What she does discover, is very different indeed. The voice of an alien, speaks to her in her head, making her question her very sanity.

This is a very enjoyable book that pulled me in from the opening chapter.  I liked the unease of Dr. Bergen, an aeronautics engineer, when he first meets Jane to convince  her to join the program. It made him seem real and approachable.

The concept of a city size ship to explore is a great setting for the novel.  It provides all sorts of opportunities for author Jennifer Foehner Wells to take the story in any number of directions.

The six person crew is interesting.  They were all selected as the best people for the venture, but they also have to get along for the lengthy trip.  There is a good mix of friendship as well as the expected tensions of people who have no say in working together.

All in all, this is classic science fiction, it comes close to being fantasy, but  stays just within the realm of possible.  I look forward to reading more by Jennifer Foehner Wells.

Thanks to Virtual Author Book Tours and author Jennifer Foehner Wells for my review copies.   For additional stops on this tour, including reviews, interviews and contests, visit Virtual Author Book Tours.


Tuesday 7 April 2015

Needlework Tuesday - Random Patterns

I've had busy fingers this past week.  Knitting and crocheting that is.  I do like little projects that work up quickly and give me the satisfaction of finishing something.  This dishcloth pattern is one of the easiest patterns I've knit and it looks good and is very satisfying to make.  You can find the pattern at this link.  I have been volunteering teaching knitting since the beginning of March.  As a group, we are starting a wall hanging for our meeting room.  We've selected this easy square to make in in six inch size.  Mine is too big, so I'll have to make another and try with one less row before I start the decreases.

Needlework Tuesday is a regular weekly post where I share the progress of my various needlework projects over the past week. I enjoy the encouragement that I receive from my readers and in return visit their blogs and cheer them on with theirs. You are welcome to grab the cute little mouse and create your own Needlework Tuesday post. Leave a comment with a link and I'll be sure to visit with you.

Over at the Kingdom of Coco, Cheryl has been hosting a pincushion contest.  It started in response to a contest in the United States that limited entries to Americans only.  She decided to host a contest open internationally.  I thought this was a wonderful idea and offered to sponsor a prize.


The response may have been limited, but they pincushions are great.  I had a hard time selecting a winner.  Finally, I had to ask myself which pin cushion I'd enjoy having on my sewing table.  I  decided on Balle Rose by Regina.  Regina wins a book of her choice, up to $20. Cdn value from Bookdepository.



 I've been looking for the perfect slipper pattern.  I still haven't found it.  I tried "Chili" from Drops Design.  It looked very promising, but the instructions were so poorly written that it destroyed my enthusiasm for making them.   I persisted and finished the pair, but won't make another.  I made the right size, but they are way too long for me.
Enough of that and on to another project.  I've been knitting a lot for my daughter and wanted to make something for son.  He said he didn't need anything at the moment.  We decided that I would make afghans for two of his friends' whose wives are expecting babies in the summer.  I have started the first one and am loving it.  I selected Super Saver yarn from Bernat.  I like using yarn that is easily machine washed. It stands up to repeated washings and somewhat rough handling/loving.
I found the pattern free at the store, though it can also be found at the Yarnspiration site. Note: I am using a heavier yarn than called for and a larger size crochet hook.  At this time, the afghan measures 19 inches from the centre to the end of one of the points.  I have eight rounds yet to stitch. When I do this pattern next, instead of the chain 2 at the star points, I'll do chain 3.  The chain 2 makes the spine oft he points too short and keeps the blanket from laying flat.

What do you do when you start a project and the instructions are confusing or inaccurate?  Do you continue and make your own instructions, rip it back and move on to another project or ????

Mister Linky is waiting below for a link to your current needlework post.

Saturday 4 April 2015

Tangled Thursday - Time to try Twizted

Wow, time sure is flying when it's a holiday weekend and the kid(s) are home.  I had planned to have this ready on Thursday evening, but one thing after another, and family does come first...

Our challenge is to use the tangle Twizted . That's it, give it a try and use it somehow.  Thanks Elaine, I haven't tried this one. To me it looks like braided hair. This tangle looks like one where it will make a difference whether I do it large scale or tiny scale.

Welcome to Tangled Thursday.  A few of my online friends have joined me in an occasional Zentangle challenge.  We'll take turns choosing a theme which I'll post here on my blog.  At that time, I'll add Mister Linky and invite you to add a link to your drawing using that them.  I'll leave the linky open till the next challenge is posted, usually two weeks. Any one who participates could be contacted to decide our next challenge.

I'll leave this challenge up for two weeks and then we're on to another.  I'll give you a head start on that one.  Use any tangles you want, but use a medium other than a flat sheet of paper or a Zentangle tile.  Use fabric, paint, flower pots, wood, your window, whatever you want.  Have fun and play.  my plans are to work with these wooden dragon flies.  I bought them ages ago and have been holding on to them awaiting inspiration.  I'm sure I'll find it in the next few weeks.

Have fun playing with Twizted , create a post, them come back and link up with Mister Linky.  If you don't have a blog, then send me an email ( heatherdpear at hotmail dot com ) with the photo attached and I'll add it to this post.