A Piece Claudia's Tatting for Sophia

I am fortunate to belong to FMS, a wonderful quilt group that started in our living room a number of years ago. We meet every other week at the Betty's house which is almost like a sewing shop! Over the years as we have honed our skills and shared our joys and sorrows, we have also made many quilts for the local Ronald MacDonald House and sometimes for each other. Claudia, one of our members, is a very talented needlewoman who also tats and embroiders beautifully. She did a hanky for Jill's wedding and just recently gave me two lovely pieces to use on "something" for Sophia. Stay tuned and maybe you'll see what....and someday I might even reveal the meaning of FMS!

Two Quilts Finished at Last!

This has been a productive week thanks to our rainy weather. I finally finished two quilts that I've been working for a long time. David's snowman quilt got derailed by last winter's windstorm that knocked our power out for almost a week just before Christmas. The quilt for Sophia, Puss in the Corner from The Quiltmaker's Gift, was put on hold because I thought the colors were way too feminine for a little boy, but now it's finished, complete with a lavendar fleece back, and ready for our sweet little Sophia.

Advent Calendar

Here it is, already the eighth day of Advent. I made an Advent calendar for David and Sophia from a kit that I purchased in Cannon Beach, Oregon, on one our visits there. It was a fun project, and the pockets seem perfect for Jill's Jesse Tree items or maybe even some goodies to help pass those long days before Christmas. I remember how the days that now whiz by used to drag along unmercifully slowly.

The Santa Suit Fiasco

Most of my projects are coming along nicely, but I did learn a hard lesson with Sophia's Santa Suit, the one that started out with 3 sleeves. I should have taken the hint then! I was so worried that the suit wouldn't fit that I modified the pattern by adding a collar, and changing the hood into a bonnet. Unfortunately, Miss Sophia has a very long torso, and it still didn't fit. One of my choir friends suggested that Jill outfit Sophia's teddy bear, but at least she can still wear the hood/bonnet. Note to self: No more one piece outfits, ever!

Gifts from India

Catherine has traveled to India several times this past year in connection with her work at Unitus . She brought back these very well made shirts and a very pretty embroidered purse for me. The purse has several great examples of the shisha stitch around the little decorative mirrors. You can see a closer view of the stitching on my Flickr or by clicking on this photo.

Project Central Report

Before we left for Rio Rancho, I finished a couple of sweaters: one for David and one for Catherine. Now all that's left (for now) is Sophia's Santa Suit, the one that almost had 3 sleeves.

This is Catherine's sweater that's made with Noro Silk Garden yarn. Every sweater will look a bit different, depending on the colorway and starting point on the skeins.

Here's David's "puppy" sweater as Chloe calls it.

Back from Rio Rancho, New Mexico

It's been a while since I last posted, but we just returned from visiting my stepmother in New Mexico and our good friend Nancy in Colorado. This is a picture of Nancy's wildlife! The buck was lounging very comfortably under a tree just outside Nancy's dining room window until Dick started taking his picture. Isn't he regal? It looks like he's resting up for Santa's holiday trip!