Fairies & Watermelon

Hi Knitters,

How's that for a summery title on a blog post? 

First off, I have just made a new free pattern available for download on the Spud & Chloë blog. It is going like hot cakes already! 

Click here for the free download.
Click here for the Ravelry information page.

Have fun making juicy little watermelons! It's a quick and simple summer (or any time of year for that matter) knit.
I have to give you a fairy update since I have talked about my daughter, The Collector's, deep and abiding love for all things fairy. The Collector and her trusty friend scrimped and saved their every last dollar and penny for about a year to save up for their very own fairy house planter for the yard. The girls stored their dollars in a shoe box in The Collector's bedroom and every once in awhile they would pull it out and meticulously count their treasure. The excitement built for months and months. There is something to be said for earning, waiting and wanting. It is a good thing for appreciation building.
Finally, after months and months of chores and saving the amount had gotten close enough where I felt I could chip in a little to help them along with their fairy dream house. I didn't mind adding to their pot because I love the planter as much as they do. It is a beautiful hand-crafted addition to my yard.
Watching the little girls set this up in a back corner of our yard and plant the flowers was about the sweetest thing ever. I happened to have 3 pots in my garage that fit just right. They are so excited about it. They made a pathway out of flat stones and broken mosaic pieces. The Collector painted a bird house to hang from the fairy house.
They carefully sprinkled a few fairies in and about the fairy house. Some are so hidden that it is impossible to see them with the human eye alone:)
The Collector even wove a special rainbow mohair blanket for the fairy house. She leaves the blanket outside rain or shine. It's been a particularly cool summer around here and fairies need a bit of homemade warmth, too. Isn't that twig ladder incredible? 

This was a special once in a lifetime purchase and it is a beauty that was worth the wait. We will cherish this for years to come.

Find out the details of the Fairy Garden Planter here.

Okay, don't stop reading yet. Along the lines of a fairy related theme today there is an incredibly sweet and wonderful little giveaway going on at a blog I enjoy. All you have to do is leave a comment to enter. I am lowering my odds of winning by telling you all about it but I like to share! Go quick to enter.

Click here to check out this handmade felty giveaway.

Here is another blog I love and I love her book, too. I am definitely going to sew a few items from here.

Now, I've had some emails about my quilt progress. Unfortunately, my life and work have taken over and I haven't found any length of time to get to the quilt shop by my house to buy the backing and the batting. Soon.

I have been reading a whole lot on making quilt sandwiches and all other sorts of quilt-related things here:

I think I'm in love.

Is that a little too strong? Sorry about that. I mean this is a seriously great blog and her tutorials are beyond fantastic. Her entire tutorial offerings are all bookmarked now and I will be referring to them often. I will be linking them specifically as I go on my quilt. One more thing, I absolutely love her reason for the name of her blog. You have to read the information if you are interested.

Enough already, right? I'll be back soon with lots more. Good luck in the giveaway if you enter.

best, susie