Whoot!

Hi Knitters,

Whoot! Whoot! A completed wildflower crown is being sported about. We picked and wove the flowers and greenery together late yesterday. That's a proud little mama.
The lighting is poor in my family room where my quilt is on the floor but you can get the idea. There is no rhyme or reason which is perfect. I am so excited about this project. My mind is all over it. I am going to be adding more columns in between the columns above with different fabric so it will end up looking different. I need to finish my columns first then press the seams and sew the columns together. It is big. I am not sure of the exact measurements yet. I am totally winging it!! My kinda project, make it up as you go. I'll take better pics in better lighting when I can haul it around in one piece. I am so excited about it that I had to share.

So I've learned that you can do stippling by taking the foot off of your machine completely and lowering the feed dogs (which I just found the lever for after much searching). I'm definitely going to try that on some practice fabric first. I think I can do it! I can't even tell you how much I love it when people write and tell me sewing answers. I love it so much. It makes my day and I am learning at a fast rate. Thank you to everyone who emails and comments with sewing tips. I take them all to heart. You're the best.

Whoot! Whoot!

Just had to say it one more time, forgive and forget.

best, susie

Winner & Swap Goodies & More

Hi Knitters,

Hope you are all having a good weekend. I am having a fun weekend because I had a visit from my new boss lady. I don't why but I think "boss lady" is funny and I always will. She is comfortable and funny and cool and smart and inspiring. I even got to meet her parents and her son. Plus she liked my coffee which some say is too strong. What more could a girl like me ask for? 

I've got a winner for some fabu Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille! Four watermelon colored skeins are coming to.....

Barbara Chrisman in Waco, Kentucky!!!!!

Thanks to all who purchased the Watermelon Washcloth pattern at the sale price (it is still on sale by the way). This has been a popular pattern for sure. Thanks, too, to the fantastic Susan Druding, the owner of Crystal Palace Yarns, for the support of my washcloth project. I have to say it every time because she has made it so fun by including the yarn giveaways as a part of the new patterns. Thank you once again.
I know, I messed up the link on the fabric bundles I was talking about in the last post. Look here to see a fantastic selection of fabric bundles. I can't even say enough how thrilled I am with the fabrics and colors. They are playful and different and I even got some Jay McCarroll (season one winner on Project Runway) garden friends fabric in the bunch. Love his tomato fabric. The frog is my new free pattern that you can find here! There is a bouncy surprise knitted right inside.

Now I am scouring books and online resources to try and figure out how to make a quilt. I literally am clueless but I think I am going to start by making strips of varying widths and lengths of squares. I can keep making different strips all the same length and keep going with the strips to get the width I want for the total quilt. I don't want anything too precise because that doesn't work for me. I want it to be a little crazy and not too thought out. I have my fabrics all washed and pressed and ready to cut, so maybe later today I will start.

The other thing is that I love stippling or free motion quilting that is done on a machine. Can I do this with the regular foot on my machine? I want to figure this out. I love all of that crazy stitching that is neither here nor there. I may end up doing straight lines for the quilting every inch or so. I don't want to get bogged down in precision. A girl just wants to have fun! Right, Cyndi?
I got a sweet little treat dropped off on my doorstep a couple of days ago. Remember I posted the ribbon hat I made (you can find out more about this swap on the link) and sent to Canada? Well, this is the hat that was sent to me and I love it. The funny thing is that my sender lives in Stoughton, Wisconsin which is really close to Madison. She had her friend who lives nearby drop off the package to me. Look on the table and you will see a little patterned chicken dish, fantastic, and dove dark chocolates, yummy!
The ribbons are fresh and fun. There are sheep and cows in the midst of the green and yellow. It is sweetness. Jill knit the hat in Spud & Chloë Sweater yarn on a size 8 needle. It worked great. I love the entire package and I already have a baby in mind for the hat. Thank you, Jill.

I need to get over to Stitcher's Crossing to take photos of my trunk show they have on display right now. This is a terrific quilt and yarn shop that is on the west side of Madison. You should pop in there if you get a chance. That is one nice shop with a super helpful and kind staff. The Itty-Bitty Nursery trunk show is going to be displayed for the entire month of July. They are having a cupcake theme throughout the shop. Love that.

There was a wonderful article about Madison in the New York Times a week ago so here it is if you are interested.

Here is a fabric flower technique that I am going to try.

At some point I am going to try all of these, very soon I am placing my order. 

I have been thoroughly enjoying the story of this blog, you might, too.

Here is one more simple quilt that I probably should do as a first project but I like to make things painful for myself for some reason. I think I will make this quilt for my kids sometime soon. Love that fabric.

One more crocheted item I think The Collector would enjoy is this. I could see her taking this with her everywhere. 

We are headed out today to collect wildflowers for a wreath for her head. She saw this in Family Fun magazine and has to make one. I couldn't find the link for this specific craft so I'll take some photos to share. My friend Betz has a craft in the current issue called, The Foamerator. We made these yesterday and they are fun.

Betz also has a new fabric and pattern line coming out that looks like winner! Can't wait! One last thing, Betz sent me this incredible flooring idea and I want to share it with you.

Phew! Once I started I couldn't stop, so much to share with you. Have a good Sunday, Knitters.

best, susie

It's All About the Grout

Hi Knitters,

I am amazed every time at the dramatic change a mosaic piece undergoes after it is grouted. I think it is absolutely all about the grout.
I also think that a mosaic piece can be ruined if the pieces on the surface are not properly buffed out of the grout. The grouting step and the buffing can make or break a project like this. Sloppy grout work is a big no-no. 

I spend so much time on the cleaning up the grout after it has slightly dried on the pot. I take an old hand towel and I buff and buff and buff. One of my goals is to get most all of the edges of the buttons, in this instance, to show. Also, for the buttons I wanted the thread holes to show. I still have some work to do before the buttons are showing in their best light. Buttons have a lot of ridges and whatnot. I think I may go after the button pot with a toothpick to clear away any grout from tight spaces that I can't get with my towel. When I started buffing the pot all of the buttons looked white, you couldn't see any color at all. It is coming along.
Do you see the huge difference the grout made? It looks like a completely different piece. I love the way the grout softens the look of the surface, giving it a dusty sweetness.

I haven't made a mosaic pot for a long while and although I didn't think I was missing it now I am thinking about making more. I simply think the little mosaic garden pot is fantastic. What a gift. This pot was made with a beloved mother's buttons and will be given to her beloved daughter. A pair like this I have never seen before and I am honored to make a handmade gift to share between the two of them.

I know. I'll be back soon with some knitting. I have been knitting lots and I need to share it with you. Soon.

Have a great Wednesday everyone. I hope you are clocking some knitting hours this summer. 

best, susie

First Patchwork

Hi Knitters,

I want to quickly share with you the completed patchwork project I had talked about briefly a week or so ago. Instead of a quilt I put together a tote bag, fully-lined, every piece backed with interfacing, skinny shoulder straps with two generous lined pockets inside, one divided.
The fabric is all Anna Maria Horner's fantastic Chocolate Lollipop and Drawing Room collections combined. I love both of these collections so much and had ordered fat quarters of each a long time ago. It feels so good to finally put these to use. I used brown thread and did some fun quilting lines throughout the patchwork outside. Some lines are straight and some are squiggly on purpose. I think it adds interest and it just looks cute to have the extra stitching.
I did use the advice of many of you sewers who responded to help me with my lack of knowledge. I thought it was funny how the sewers are just as bad as the knitters. There are basically as many ways to press your seams as there are sewers. This is exactly what knitting is like, preferred technique is all based on what works best for you. I ended up pressing one row of squares one way and then the next row the other way. I don't know, I just did that and it seemed to work. I need to get more work under my belt before I decide what works best for me. You know, try different things. That's how you form smart opinions, just like all of you have, through time and experience. Thanks again for chiming in.

Basically, I didn't even look at a pattern for this at all. I made the two outside pieces using 4-inch squares and continued on from there. I did squared off gussets instead of rounded. The straps are skinnier than the other bags I made and I love them this way. It really could be reversible but who wants to hide all of that fun patchwork? Not me. 

Now, I am going to start working on a small-ish patchwork quilt. We'll see what happens. I literally have no clue. I ordered a bunch of new fabric stacks from Spool. The bundles are unbelievable, a burst of color. I will share before I start washing and ironing and working.

Take care. Tuesday's almost over already. Whoooosh! And it's gone.

best, susie

13

Hi Knitters,

Thirteen is my lucky number this year. My daughter turned thirteen. She is my sweetest, juiciest peach on earth. Peachy. Every year my dear sister hosts a birthday bash for Peachy at her fantastically old lake house. Since Peachy was very little she has held a great adoration for my sister. Peachy is a shy, quiet girl. She always wanted to quietly stand by my sister and soak in her every move and word. She would want me to tell her things she was too shy to say herself but wanted my sister to know. My sister is a loving aunt and she has always understood Peachy. It is only appropriate for her to host her birthday party every year.

Well, the day was picture perfect. I did some of the above. I swear I saw a dinosaur in those fluffy clouds.
The day ended with a view to remember. Gorgeous.
And in between Peachy opened gifts. She may be thirteen but she is still sporting skinned knees like a little kid. Love that.
She played with cousins galore. Aren't those awesome steps to the lake? My sister got a new shed that you can see at the top of the steps, it's not quite done. It may not seem like a big deal but living on a lake without a garage and four kids, a shed becomes a big deal.
Our little cousin fished while wearing his super-cool Star Wars swimsuit. Heaven.
Bathing beauties had silly fun by the shore.
Peachy and her best buddy lounged lakeside.
Swimming at dusk was magical.
Boys, boys, boys.

Peachy is delicious and I am proud of the teenager she has become.Have a good Monday, Knitters. I am in recovery mode from a hectic holiday weekend as I am sure many of you are as well. You would not believe the state of my house: total, gross, wreck.

best, susie

p.s. I am making a button-fillled mosaic pot for a special someone. I was going to add some other little items on the pot but the buttons overwhelmed me with joy so I am sticking to it, pure and simple. Grout is coming later today. I will share my finished button pot when I am done. Do you remember the mosaic fruit I made ages ago?

Watermelon Washcloth Pattern!

Hi Knitters,

Today I am offering you a big, juicy slice of a watermelon (washcloth). Watch the seeds. Here are some things you might like to know if you are interested in knitting a slice or two for yourself:

Yarn: Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille (100% combed cotton; 98 yards/50 grams), 1 skein each in Bougainvillea #1219, Bleached  1058, Fern #2342 and Christmas #0517 and Black #9598 (optional for seeds)

Note: Any worsted weight cotton will work! Also, if you just wanted to use pink and green and no seeds you will only need two colors.

Needles: US size 6 or size to obtain gauge

Finished measurements: 9 inches wide by 6 inches tall

Gauge: 4 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch

Skills:

cast on 

knit

ssk

k2tog

slip stitch

chain

single crochet

As you can see, this one is a beginner level pattern! If you don't want to crochet the edging, you could easily pick up and knit one row of each color for the edging and then bind off and repeat in all three colors.
And because today is my 20th wedding anniversary, I am putting up the Watermelon Washcloth on sale for awhile. It is available for purchase, for now, at $3.00! This will be for a short while only.

Also, if you place an order through July 13th at the sale price, you will automatically be entered in a drawing to win 4 skeins of Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille in the watermelon colors! That is a good deal!! It is so beautiful and squishy, you will love it.

To order the Watermelon Washcloth Pattern click here! The pattern will always be available on my sidebar in My Pattern Shop. It's the perfect summer treat.

Remember that I personally send out all orders through email with an attached pdf of the pattern. Please be patient if there is a slight delay.

Have a good Wednesday, Knitters.

best, susie

p.s. Please hop over and help yourselves to my new free pattern on Spud & Chloë for a cute little frog named, Ribbit! Let me know how it goes: )

What's Mine is Yours

Hi Knitters,

First off I have a quick story about my second son who is 15 years old. He has always been a firm believer of what's mine is yours. He also believes what's yours is mine. Mi casa es su casa y su casa es mi casa. Meaning, he will give you the shirt off his back with no thought at all but if your shirt is lying around he'll help himself to that as well. He just assumes that he can wear, eat, loan out, give, share, take, enjoy anything he sees just because he sees it. He is generous to the core which is great but he thinks everyone is the same way.

He will wear things that he finds around our house and he doesn't care at all if it is his or if it is on the feminine side of things. He couldn't find his flip flops so he started wearing my daughter's flip flops that looked, well, girly. Of course they broke, he has huge man feet. He also took over a pair of my daughter's Ugg boots, which his cousins then call MUggs (Uggs for men=MUggs)). He found a pink Adidas sack, like those back packs with the drawstring, and wore that for a couple of years. He found this pink bag on a path near our house and I kept thinking the owner was going to see him using her back pack. 

He has come home from school with a couple of sweatshirts and winter hats, usually found on a sidewalk outside of the school. He takes and shares all of his brother's clothes. They don't really differentiate their wardrobe at all. It is funny and strange at the same time. Every clothing item is swapped between the two of them. Share, share. His brother did get a little mad when he took over a new North Face fleece that was a gift. A few arguments ensued over this one ending with me making him take off his brother's new fleece and finding another. This usually happened when they were running late for school in the morning.

He has found various towels at the pool lost and found and then all of a sudden I am washing other people's towels in my laundry, which is all I need. I try to return all of these towels to the pool when I notice they don't belong to us. Honestly, I have trouble keeping track. Sorry to any neighbors reading this, I am trying. He is so good-natured about this, it is not done with any bad intention. He is just fun and goofy. He still wears a little hoodie towel that my mom sewed him with his name appliqued on when he was maybe preschool age at best. He doesn't think for one minute that he may be too old to wear a baby towel around. 

Added later: I forgot to add that the other things he always helps himself to are other family members' bikes. He will take any bike he can get his hands on in the garage and ride off. Then when that person goes to get on their bike it is gone. He has a bike that was a hand me down and he doesn't like it much so he prefers to ride everyone else's bikes. It is always a battle to make sure he doesn't take his brother's or sister's bikes in the morning for swim team. He took my bike this morning then called me to tell me it had a flat tire on the way home. Too much. 

He loves having friends over in big and small groups. He opens up the kitchen like it's a restaurant, which I love. It is fun having all of those big kids eating their hearts out like it's their own home. They help themselves digging in the cupboards and fridge. It makes me feel good that he is such a giver but I get concerned that he assumes everyone is like that. They aren't. He may help himself to something someday and it may not go over well. 

I hope he can continue to think that the world is his oyster and your oyster, too. That's a good way to live.

Now on to some other sharing. Kristin Nicholas was sharing her brand new sock yarn at TNNA a couple of weeks ago. I had no idea she was creating a new sock yarn line so what a fun surprise. It was all very hush-hush. The yarn is called, Best Foot Forward and you can read all about it here. The colors are fantastic and similar to her other yarn line, Julia. The label has Kristin's painting on it and her signature. I especially like how the label shows the different colorways knit up. That is always helpful. I can't wait to knit up this new sock yarn fresh off the presses. I'll share once I get going on a project. I really love this colorway with the purple, blue, black and green. Can't wait to dig in.

Kristin has also just announced a new opportunity for knitters to come to her farm to learn and knit right beside her while enjoying her home. Her home looks beyond dreamy in the photos. What a treat and if I lived any closer I'd be signing up right away. What a treat Kristin is offering in holding workshops and opening her home to interested knitters. She has a designated site about the classes here. Even if you can't attend the retreat you should hop over to see the photos of her farm and home. Spectacular.

Another new thing I want to share is a fabulous new website called Petite Purls. It is a new site featuring adorable free patterns for babies and kids. The first online issue just came out and the patterns are top-notch. They are taking submissions for the fall issue and here are the guidelines if you are interested in submitting. It's all cute and well-done so be sure to take the time to check out this new offering. 

Thanks for the star washcloth love. This juicy treat of a washcloth is up next. I just have to find time to write up the pattern over the next few days. Watermelon is always a favorite of mine. The colors are simply fresh and perfect. Stay tuned.

A couple of last goings on, The Collector had a birthday bash last night with friends to celebrate her 10th birthday. I think we had about 15 kids in all. All day she and her sister filled water balloons for the party. They had buckets and buckets filled to the brim with water balloons. My kids have always loved water balloons. They like different shapes like the long skinny balloons or the squiggly balloons or the huge balloons that fill up your whole lap when filled with water. They pretend the big balloons are babies and carry them around in their arms until they burst and they are soaked. It's funny. We had pizza and watermelon and huge cupcakes with ice cream. Then came water balloon time and lastly we headed up to the pool for a night swim. It was fun. Ten years has gone fast.

I have been gathering up and collecting lots of knitterly stuff lately. Stuff I want to share with you. I need to clear out a bit. I think I'll be having a few giveaways in the near future with loads of cool stuff. Keep your eye out for this.

Sharing is always good on both ends. 

Monday is here.

best, susie

p.s. Did you see the sneak peek for my next free pattern on the S & C blog?