Harley Quinn Headaches

The pattern for Harley Quinn is fairly simple.  I did a muslin mock-up one afternoon a few months ago to test the fit.  Easy-peasy...

Well, maybe.

You see, there is a very DEFINITE order to the red and black.  Red is on the right and black on the left.  Ok, got it.

Except...

When you do the hooded shrug.  There, the shrug is black on the right, red on the left and then the hood is back to red on the right, black on the left.

So, because I tend to get distracted and am lucky to the the right side facing out (especially if listening to/watching Tour de France coverage), I have to do this.

Lay it out on the table, label the sides and get up and do one thing at a time.

It's a bit more time consuming, but this way (hopefully) I will not be ripping out seams to reverse colors.

Of the five pieces to the costume, the tube top, skirt (complete with the diamond appliqués) and the bustle.  Shrug and corset left to do and two weeks to go.  My plan is to do the shrug after work today and then the corset over the next couple of days.  Then I will have it done about 10 days early!  Which will make Texter very, very happy.

After this?

Lady K is demanding "PANTS, grandma!"  So pants for her and an article of clothing for me or Savvy.  She needs some summerish clothes for work.  And catching up on some quilting.

April Progress

Between the coughing and hacking and general funk, I have managed to start catching up on some of the projects I need to get done.

I finished up the fourth block for the Bee Hive Swap (it's the top left one).  So staying on track there.  Should be interesting once I get all the other blocks done.

I finished the blocks for the RSC16 for April.  Although I did do them slightly backwards, but it's still the same pinwheel effect.

Since I decided to make a wedge based on the monthly colors, I have kept up.  I think this will be a great circle of color which I will appliqué on a white background as a large throw.

But best of all, I have started on Harley.

It's all cut out and I have finished the top.  The really simple part.  I have the bustle, skirt, corset and hooded shrug left to do.  But it will go quickly - maybe.  I am zigzagging the seam edges to make the finish a bit more polished.  So we will see how it goes.  I also have to stitch in black on the black and red on the red where it shows on the outside.  So not really that simple a sew.  AND I have to make sure I have black on the correct side and red on the correct side throughout the costume, as it makes a big difference.

My knit and swirl sweater is going slowly.  Really slowly.  But getting there.  And the Sari scarf just needs fringe added.

So things are getting done....slowly.

A Little Catch-Up

Spring has sprung and today is actually a rare, rainy day here in Helena.  Wish I was off work today, but maybe later...

Yesterday, I played a bit of catch-up on some stitching.

This is the mini-quilt for the Big Stitch Swap 2 I am participating in.  I used Hoffman's Digital Prints as the fabric for the front and quilted in a 1/2 inch grid.

Yesterday, I watched a couple of TV shows and stitched down the binding.

So here it is all finished.  I need to put a label on the back and get it ready to ship out in the next couple of days.

Another project I knocked out was my block for the Bee Hive group swap.

The April Queen wanted novelty animal fabric and bright yellow.  I realized just how little (as in none) yellow I actually had in my stash.  I didn't realize the yellow I picked was a reproduction print also, so the square has a very 'vintage' feeling.

I do have my pieces cut for the April RSC16 blocks and I made my color wedge (orange), but didn't take any pictures of it yet.

Well, off to work...in the rain!

Two Bags Full

One thing about being a seamstress/quilter/crafter, is when anyone offers you free fabric you take it.  Doesn't really matter what it might be, you haul it home.  I was gifted a couple of bags of fabric recently and brought it home, like a stray dog or cat, to take up residence.  

One of the pieces was about three yards of this...

Not sure what I could do with it and then it hit me!  I don't have curtains in my room and the green in the pattern matches the green of my walls.  My window in my bedroom is long and narrow, horizontally.  I really didn't want curtains to block out the east light completely, but needed something over the bare window.  

So with a few thumbtacks and about 10 minutes, it was hung over the window.

As Savvy says, very 'bohemian', a look I was going for.  Free and pretty are a great combination any day.

There are several pieces of upholstery fabric which I will hold onto to make bags or journal covers.  And a couple of pieces which might be turned into a Victorian-looking suit for cosplay.  The colors don't thrill me, but a package of dye might solve that problem.  And a lot of 'silky' fabric.

This is what I have planned for these two pieces.  And the lighter piece is about 5 yards, so I have plenty to then do this...

Out of some of the other pieces, I will make Savvy some little tees to wear with slacks and skirts, under a jacket or sweater, for work.

The downside to all this generosity is I now have several additional projects on my list.  And now I really want a serger for the seams on the tops, to make them more polished looking.  

I was strong and sorted out the fabric I don't want.  Now I have about half a bag to take to the thrift store for someone else to take home. 

So I am off to rearrange my project pile to accommodate the new projects.

Cleopatra's Fan Quilt

I had seen a quilt using the Cleopatra's Fan pattern and had pinned it to my board for future reference.  Then one of my local quilt stores, Creative Stitches, offered a class on it out of the blue.  Needless to say, it seemed like an omen.  So I gathered up my Joann's coupons and purchased my fabric.  (I couldn't buy it at the LQS as she has a small inventory and none fit my 'vision'.)

Not a great picture of the fabrics being used, but almost all of it is metallic.  The cream/gold on the left is my background and I have two constants I will be using, with the others filling in.

The green patterned fabric is one of my constants. The cream/gold, by background. There are 10 pieces in each half of the fan, so 20 total for each block.  A bit of curved seams and some planning involved.  This is not a block you can just sew on mindlessly.  In fact, I will probably draw up a template of the block so I can lay the pieces out on to be sure I have the right fabric in the right spot.  This will be a quilt I work on over an extended period of time.  No rushing here.

This is my finished block.  I'm not trimming it until I get all of the blocks done just to be sure.  But I think Cleopatra would approve.

I Finished A Pair!

I have had the 'one sock syndrome' for ages.  In North Caroilna, in storage, is an unfinished pair, I'm sure.  But last night I did it!  I conquered the single sock and actually made a pair and have them on as I type this.

The pattern is Fiber Trends Railroad Rib Socks using Plymouth Yarn Encore Colorspun Worsted Weight Yarn in a purple variegated.  The pattern and yarn were recommended to me a couple of years ago by Pam at Pam's Knit and Stitch in Great Falls.  Luckily, I don't get to Great Falls often, otherwise I would have a ton more knitting projects on hand.

While this was done in a Plymouth Yarn, I just bought a really cute hat kit for Lady K, also from Plymouth Yarn.  The eyes, nose, and ears are already done for you and you knit the hat.  Really cute.  But the worsted weight yarn is, well, thin.  I started working with it and am really, really disappointed with the feel of it.  It would do for a hat for someone in Florida, not in Montana.  And in talking to Plymouth Yarns about my disappointment in the weight of the yarn, I was told to take it back to the place where I got it.  Problem is, it's two hours away and don't think I will be back there anytime soon.  When I advised them of this, they told me to call the store and make arrangements to mail it back.   No more Plymouth Yarns for me.  

So will have to pull out a Lion Brand yarn in a similar color I have on hand (I think) to knit the hat.  But that's for another day.

(Note:  this is also a project off my goals list for this quarter!)

Fibers and Fabric This Past Week

Despite feeling under the weather (or maybe cause I was under the weather), I have managed to get some projects moving forward.  

The first, and one that had a definite deadline, was my block for the January Bee Hive Swap.  

I made two blocks, one to send, one to keep.  Mine, I sewed together and used the less than perfect blocks for it.  This way I will have a second quilt top by the time the swap is over at the end of the year.  One that is all my blocks and another one block from each month I sent out.  I love the deadline requirement and the color requirements the other "Queens" will come up with.

The second challenge I am involved in is the Rainbow Scrappy Challenge 2016.  The first month is blue and a Twinkle Star.

My shadow is involved with the picture and I was too sick to care.  My center block is a dark blue batik with the words 'create', 'imagine', among others on it.  Then the dark points are a purple/blue batik.  The light points are a blue/grey batik.  I wanted/needed to do six blocks for the quilt and I ran out of the light blue and subbed a darker blue on one block.  This was a fun block to put together once I got the measurements right.  Now I need more white background fabric for next month.  And I want to make another block with the white a dark color and the blues a light fabric in color.  In other words, swapping the light/dark in the block to see what it looks like.  May this week.

Another item I am working on for my goals for this month is this piece of knitting which I started, abandoned and have picked up to finish up in January.  I now have one sock finished and the second one started.

The picture of the sock on my foot is the true color of the yarn.  It's a worseted weight yarn and the pattern is Railroad Rib Sock by Fiber Trends and was recommended by my LYS in Great Falls as a go-to sock.  The pattern, so far, has been fast and easy, even finishing off the toe with a Kitchener Stitch which I have not done before.  Texter thinks the yarn is too stiff for her, which means I might be able to keep them for myself.  They will make a good pair to wear around the house to keep my feet warm.

While I hadn't planned on adding to my stash, I did pick up a hat to knit this weekend.  It's going to be a fun knit, and hopefully, a quick one.  At the yarn store they had some of the Plymouth Yarnimals which are super cute and I can knit it in an adult size.

.

It comes with the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and ties already made.  All you have to do is knit the hat.  Can't wait to get started on it.  They also have an owl one, but Lady K wanted the monkey.  

Another fun thing coming up is I have a couple of friends who want to learn to knit and have asked me to get them started.  Can't wait!  More people speaking my language of fibers and needles.  I need to round up the rest of my needles I have 

The Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt is still in pieces.  Pieces being combined to become larger pieces.  I am so tired of pressing and trimming and trimming and pressing.  Since I feel like I want to 'get it done', I have set it aside for a couple of days and then push forward again.  Hopefully, this week I can mark it off my to-do list and move it to the next stage of 'needing border fabric'. 

Another thing I can't wait for and I will be lending a hand on (so I can take advantage of it), is my friend Kathleen is setting up a studio.  A studio! For Quilting!  And a large design wall!  And access to it!  And to her expertise! And a possible long arm quilter in the future!  It's like saying I have access to Aladdin's Cave.  But I have at least one quilt I need a large design wall to set out the pieces on and ask for suggestions on how to get the pieces 'together'.  My Geisha Garden Walk quilt I have designed for Savvy has the background fabric being cut on the bias and panels set into it.  A bit tricky on that part and will need some guidance and a large design wall to put it up on to mark and view.

Also, this week starts the Modern HST QAL.  Hosted by Alyce of Blossom Heart Quilts, who is also the host of the Bee Hive Swaps.  I have a lot of this owl fabric collection and will use it for the QAL. I will probably need to buy some solid background fabric, but can't wait to get started.

So are, 10 days into January, I am pleased with how my fabric and fiber tasks are being accomplished.  And I'm having fun doing it, they are not just things to check off a list.  The end of the month should be fun recounting where I am with my goals in this category.

100 Day Challenge

Since I find I work better with goals and breaking down projects into steps, I decided to join in with yet another challenge.

Sponsored by Jen at Quilter in the Closet, is a 100 day challenge to get three projects done and off your to-do list.

My three projects are as follows:

• Finish the Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt top.  Right now I am about halfway through and really so close to the end it hurts.  But, knowing me, I will let other projects get in the way.  So I want the top finished so I can start looking for borders and backing. 
• My thick purple socks.  The first sock has been in a state of suspended animation for a couple of years now.  I want them done so I have them to wear around the house this winter.  Texter doesn't like the yarn, says it's too rough, so hopefully they will remain on my feet.
• "Harley Quinn" cosplay outfit for Texter.  I have the pattern and I want to do a muslin rough draft before I cut into the fabric (which I have, but some incidentals I still need to get).  And it's something I need to have finished by the end of May, but I also want to do a cosplay outfit for myself and for Lady K (and probably Savvy).  So I need to get sewing on this one first.

With reference to my sock project, the couple of socks I have started already...well, I have second-sock-syndrome.  So hopefully this challenge will cure me of it.

So 100 days and three projects.  Wish me luck!

Thinking About 2016 (Already)

I have been thinking about where I want to go in 2016, especially in regard to my work with fabric and fibers and such.

A couple of things I am thinking about:

The Rainbow Scrappy Challenge 2016 hosted by Soscrappy.

Another challenge I am interested in is making a dent in my WIP's and UFO's.  I really admire Vicki Welsh and her variety of projects she works on, not just fabric things.

Of course, I am working on the 1930's Farmer's Wife QAL and the Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt 2015 and will probably do it again next November/December if she offers again.  But part of my 2016 is to reprioritize my projects and start moving through some of them.

I also have signed up already for the Bee Hive swap this year and have been assigned a "hive" and will start in January on this monthly swap.

With Lady K being in day care starting the first of the year so Texter can go to school and I can go to work, I will have some 'alone time' during the day to work on my projects (can you say excited!).  

Stay tuned for my plans for 2016!

Fox Cowl I

I had originally thought about this cowl for Lady K.  She has gotten demoted on the list, so to speak.  Texter decided she wanted one first.  And I am making one for someone else's daughter.  But Texter did not want the 'fox' colors, but loved this color, Aspen Tweed, when I picked it out.  I call it my Tundra Fox Cowl.

The yarns I am using, Lion Brand Heartland and Lion Brand Hometown USA, are so soft and cushy and a dream to work with.  Texter snatched it from me the minute it was done and has been wearing it ever since.  Yes, indoors too.

Texter is my cold natured child and anything below 80 degrees is chilly to her.  She has been wearing it inside to keep her neck and head warm.  For some reason, her bedroom is colder than mine.  Bummer for me.

The Failynn Fox Cowl pattern is a dream to knit also.  The instructions are easy to read and simple.  This is a great pattern for curling up and watching TV while knitting.  Nothing to really involve a lot of attention, like a lace pattern would. And if you don't have to contend with a Lady K, it would only take a weekend (or less) to complete.

So one down and at least one more to go.

Another Off the To-Do List and Onto the WIP List

Back when Lady K was still a small thing, I purchased a panel of flannel and the backing for a quilt for her.  And it languished in the 'to-do' pile.  So when a friend announced she was going to be a grandmother, it seemed like the perfect time to pull out the panel and move it from 'to-do' to 'WIP'.

It's not going to be a huge quilt by any means.  But it will be a nice size to throw on the floor or tuck in a stroller.  And being flannel, it will wear well.  Lady K has talked to me about the animals as I've started working on it.

But this is one of the reasons why I originally bought the panel.  I wanted to quilt it using embroidery floss and big stitches.  I plan on outlining the animals and the borders which should give it some 'quiltiness'.  I also doubled the batting to make it nice and soft and puffy.

It feels good to have embroidery floss in the needle again.  It has been years since I could rattle off the color just hearing the DMC number.  I am using all 6 strands and just outlining, but it is fun.  Enough fun I will be digging out the Christmas stocking and working on it.  But I don't plan on having it finished for this year.  

So off to knit before off to write.

Mystery Quilt and Stash Enhancement

I have committed to a friend to do the Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt this year.  One, because wherever KE leads, I just need to follow.  Second, it's based on Italy!  Italy...what could be wrong with a quilt based on one of my favorite countries.  So I am batik seeking.  I decided I would do it in batiks.

So the grey to the far right is my 'constant'.  Then I have my golds and I need some more black.  I have discovered one problem with my batik plan is the fluctuation in tones throughout the fabric.  So I will probably get a bit more fabric than called for by Bonnie Hunter in order to do a bit of picking and choosing for the correct look.  Now I need to get 1 more yard of blacks, some brick red and the biggie - whites.  And not just any whites.  This may be an issue too.  But I'm up to it.  KE also said I could come raid her stash and she has a stash very raidable!

In addition to the gold and black I picked up yesterday, I also found a couple of fabrics on the clearance table.

I have to double check, but I think the far left piece is part of a collection I have some fabrics to already.  And the smaller flower matches pretty well.  With them being on the clearance table I was 'forced' to buy a yard of each.  Twist my arm why don't you!

Now I need to start thinking about what colors I want for a quilt if I get accepted for the Bee Hive Swap 2016.  I'm thinking bright!  Purple and yellow maybe?   Those should be fairly easy for people to get their hands on.

One Project off the "List" - Canyon Cowl

Ok, so it's taken me several months to actually sit down and make this cowl.  Which is a shame, because it is actually a quick and easy project.  But I did it.  Even with having to find an additional skein of yard (thank you Ben Franklin Crafts) and a button for it.

I took it into work on Friday and handed it off to the person I was making it for.  She reluctantly allowed her picture to be taken in it.

Then I got a message later in the evening she had made it home and inside the door and then it 'disappeared'.

Someone else was happy with the cowl.  But now that one is finished, I can turn to the Fox Cowl for Texter.  And maybe, just maybe, the cowl above can be returned to it's original owner when she receives one of these...

The Failynn Fox Cowl by The Velvet Acorn is also where I got the pattern for the Canyon Cowl I have now made two of.  (oh, no, Lady K just saw it...so I guess now 3 fox 'hats' are in the works!)

It's a Mystery to Me!

November is my 'writing' month.  It's all about NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month).  So that is my excuse for agreeing to participate with a friend in a Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt.  This is KE's third year at doing it and my arms are very sensitive and I was distracted, so I quickly agreed.  It also helped my decision knowing Lady K and Texter will be spending two weeks at Christmas in South Carolina with the other grandmother.  Two weeks of FREEDOM! And no little hands helpin'.  So I will be able to spread out and leave things out.

Anyway, I decided to do it in batiks.  And I love the fact Bonnie gives you the 'color swatches' from the paint store as the colors for the quilt.  It really makes selecting fabrics easier than just saying 'two yards of grey'.  So I have a file folder with the initial directions printed out and the swatch cards glued to it (KE also brought me color swatches to push me over the decision edge.  Have to love enabling friends!)  I also snipped a bit off the cards and put them in a little notebook I am trying to keep all my sewing info in for reference and ease of carrying to the fabric stores.

I started with the grey, because that is suppose to be the one constant in the quilt.

I thought this piece captured the spread of the shades of grey and also the pattern would give some movement to the quilt.

Unfortunately, the whole process has me thinking of 2016 quilt plans.  Let's not think about the stuff I already have, that's stupid.  On my wish list of quilts are the following ideas...

Fancy Forest Quilt is one I would love to do.  Texter would also love for me to do it (hint, hint).

I also have my eye on a Jen Kingwell design.  (We will not discuss the several Judy Niemeyer patterns I have all ready to go!)  Gypsy Wife is what I have my eye on.

And the Tokyo Subway Map quilt is still on my 'want-to-do' list.

Needless to say, none of the quilts I want to do are 'quick and easy' in category.  And my fabric stash is very limited, which means I HAVE to build it up.  Right now, when buying fabric for anything, I usually round up to the nearest yard in order to have extra to add to my stash for future quilts.

But December will also find me combing through my bins and updating my 'project' list.

I have a couple of 'ideas' in my head for a couple of quilts.  One is my "Tree of Life" quilt.  I have a panel I need to finish calculating the borders around the panel and stitch it all up.  It will be similar to the Asian themed quilt I just did for Savvy (which needs to be quilted, by the way).  I also have fabric for and an idea for a "Batman" quilt for Texter.  I want do to a design on the quilt which looks like the old "Pow" graphic design on the TV show and comic books.

But right now, it's a search for batiks and a lot of writing.  See you in December!

Block #20 - 1930 Farmer's Wife QAL

The block was released on Thursday, two days after I had spend the morning playing catch-up.  So I was a little peeved and thought about waiting until the next one was announced so I could do two at a time.  But the current block was #20 - Caroline. Looking at the block I knew it was HST (half square triangles) and didn't want to do it as FPP (foundation paper piecing).  

Let me stop and interject here - this is not a book a complete newbie could pick up and figure out.  There are no 'step-by-step' instructions. I consider myself an intermediate quilter, but I am glad I am in this QAL for the tutorials.  I looked at the first couple and they weren't going about it the way I thought I wanted to do it - HST's.  Then I looked at Jess of The Elven Garden tutorial.  She constructed this using HST's.  And boy, did I learn a few things!

• This block reinforced the premise there is no quilt police coming after me if I don't do it a certain way.  There are alternate methods on each block (at least up to this point).
• I can press seams open!
• Jess showed me how to line up the seams so the points come out sooooooo good.
• As the leaders have said from the very start, this quilt is a learning process.  I can't wait to see what tips I pick up on the rest of the blocks.

There is still a bit of work on the points, but, boy, it's so much closer than it would have been if I had done it my usual way.  Plus, I probably wouldn't have figured out the big blocks are QST (Quarter Square Triangles) rather than HST.

Once I got my measurements figured out for the blocks, with Jess' help "Caroline" was a breeze!  I can't wait to see what I learn next.