. . . and a few other needle work things

. . . Talk about a UFO (For those not acquainted with the lingo, that's "Unfinished Object"),

I hate to admit just how long this unfinished needlepoint project has been hiding every so cleverly in my closet.  Well, really that would have to be several closets, 'cause this is the third house I've lived in since I started it.

Let's see now, I'm guessing that I started it somewhere in the late 70s or early 80s.  Wow, can that be possible?  Yep, it is.  I'm absolutely amazed that the moths didn't start eating the wool -- either what's already on the canvas or in the bag waiting to be worked.  I guess those little insects just decided that I really needed to finish this project . . .

. . . so I would finally have the matching pillow to go with this one that sits on a wandering dining room chair in a corner of our living room.

I'm hoping to figure out how to use that frame so that I can do some stitching while lying on my back.  (I'm having foot surgery next week and will be out of commission for a while.  Hmmmmmm, should be an interesting 10 days until I get the approval to let my feet rest BELOW the level of my heart.

So if you don't see anything here for a while, know that I'm following doctor's orders and not sitting at the computer desk.  (Sadly no laptop in the household.  Bummer, now would certainly be a good time to have one of those electronic devices.  Oh well, I'll get caught up on some long overdue reading.)

See you soon.

FOR TOTS, TEENS, AND 'TWEENS . . . .

Just when I thought most of the blue fabric was out of my stash, I came across quite a bit of turquoise.

I think I am about finished with the blues now.  I was able to get this little project finished for a toddler.

I took the quilts to the drop off spot yesterday.  The lady who organizes Project Linus in our area says that the biggest need is for older boys.  So that's what these next couple are for.
Still a bit more blue  . . .

And this leftover PJ fabric for another teen quilt.  These are 9" blocks and I really like this for a teen.  I just zig zagged the seams on this one.  To me, really makes it more of a "pieced comforter" instead of a "quilt".

 And so the knitting doesn't get left out.  I guess this is for a "tween".  My granddaughter who will be 10 in August.

Yep, I'm ahead of schedule this year.
So much ahead in fact that the yarn I ordered for another August, an October, and a January birthday just came yesterday.

I should be set for a while, don't you think?

A COUPLE NEW TOYS

I thought I would share with you a couple new crafting/quilting toys I purchased a few weeks ago that I am really happy with.  (Sorry about that preposition placement, grammar teachers.)

On the right is my Steady Betty ironing pad.  It's basically a board covered in a special heat resistant foam.  Keeps fabric from slipping while pressing.  I like it as it helps me press and not "iron".  I also like its size -- about 14x14.  My iron went on the fritz a couple weeks ago so I was forced to use my little craft iron until I purchased a new regular iron.  I've got to admit that once I got used to the seemingly left handed placement of the cord, I do like that little iron for the small quilt pieces blocks.

On the left is a rotating cutting mat.  It fits perfectly on my cutting table beside the Steady Betty so it makes a perfect set up for the early stages of the quilt.  I must say, though, that unless I have a ruler that is the exact size of the block I am cutting, I don't really use the rotating feature much.  But I love the size since it fits so well at my "work station".

Oh, and the block I'm working on in the photo.  A red and white churn dash.

My on-line quilting friends and I are doing a churn dash block exchange -- any color of red with white on white background.  Mine are finished and all mailed out and I have received about 1/2 of the 36 (9") blocks.  These are the first few I received.

I'm undecided quite how I will put it together -- with sashing,without sashing, on point. with star blocks; .  I just don't know.  Decisions, decisions . . . .