Quilt Shop Hop

This week is the 2013 Western Washington Quilt Shop Hop. This will be my second shop hop, after my first last year. While my mom and sister got their quilt squares finished within months, I hadn't started my squares by the end of last year. Early on this year, I decided to do two things to prepare for this year:

1. Take Friday off (2 days out of 5 isn't long enough). While the shop hop goes Wednesday - Sunday, I knew adding one day would make a big difference.

2. Get the squares done before the next hop.

Well, item 1 was pretty easy... but item 2 has been a challenge. I decided to really challenge myself when I was noticing there were only 3 months left, and I had only done one of the 18 squares I wanted to create.

I decided to do 18 and create a "U" shaped quilt that would end up being a tree skirt. The reason behind this is that last year's secondary fabrics were red, green, blue, and white. These are perfect colors for Christmas, and I had been wanting a tree skirt for a while. Once I picked out the 18 (of 30ish choices) patterns that my Mom, sister, and I gathered, I was set to go. The squares are each 8", so it will be a pretty sizable skirt. I already have a great Christmas blanket (my very first quilt), so I wanted to do something a bit different with it. Here's a quick idea of what it's going to look like:

The sad fact is... I didn't make it. Here I am on the verge of my first shop of the 2013 shop hop, and there are many squares unfinished. Granted, I was able to get 17 of the 18 pieced, but 7 of the 17 need applique. What was a valiant effort, ended up not being enough. However, it is still my plan to get the tree skirt done in the next month or two. I have some Halloween fabric calling my name, but I have to get one project done first...

Hitting 100!

I just logged my 100th project on Ravelry. I feel such a sense of accomplishment at this fact. It has been right about 10 years since I started knitting and it has been such a great time! I owe my sister Katy such a debt for teaching me this fabulous craft.

2009 - Piles of hand-knit socks. The pile is now triple this size!

While the number says 100, I almost feel that the number of completed items is closer to 200! Between the 50-odd sweater ornaments over the years, and the fact that socks are a pair, I could probably get by with a good 200. However, project-wise, 100 is pretty impressive. Other than the cat hats, AK hats, fingerless gloves, and ornaments, I try not to repeat patterns more than once or twice. This is a testament to how many wonderful patterns there are out there.

Thanks to all that create new projects! I have tried small things in the past, and am amazed by the creativity that continues to come out. Here's to another 100 projects! Let's just hope it doesn't take me 10 years to finish them!

Adventures in quilting

Years before I learned to knit, I learned to quilt. I was taught by my mom and sister, who are avid quilters. This spring, I learned to knit on a long-arm machine. It was a bit of a fluke that I even took the class. My sister signed up, but ended up being out of town. So, here I was, a replacement quilter... taking the class with my mom. Well, I am officially hooked. We have gone to rent the long-arm twice now, and today I finished quilting my first project on the machine. Oh my goodness! The possibilities!

A couple of years ago, we also took a class about quilting on smaller machines, by not engaging the foot. Well, this blows that class out of the water. Granted, the project I completed from the first class was a lot of fun, but my machine is just no equal to this beauty:

This machine is at a cute quilt shop in Tacoma called Calico Threads.

Taking the quilting class has definitely renewed my passion for quilting. I have just completed the quilt from oh... a class I took in 2011ish for quilting. It was a lot of fun to make, but really time-intensive. It was one of those projects where I just had to force myself to finish it.

This quilt is a fun technique where you just start sewing new pieces onto the main piece of fabric as over-sewing, so it can have really random edges and curves. It was a lot of fun to do, and somehow in the process of making it, a bird started appearing. After I realized the bird was there, the rest of the quilt started to take shape. I started where the lower of the birds is and added a second bird. It turned into a great wall hanging that will soon be hanging for all to see.

While my next quilt will be from a pattern, this quilt catered to my more abstract tendencies. Now all I have to do is finish the quilt from today... whee!

Vacation knits!

I love knitting on the plane, in cars on the way to destinations, while sitting beside a pool and relaxing, and pretty much any other opportunity that vacations allow. Vacation knitting started early for me. One of my first scarves was made on my way to visiting my friend Jessie in Japan, then later that year, my first pair of socks were knit while in Australia.

I do tend to knit socks on vacations more often than any other projects because of their portability. Also, it helps that the needles are so small that they are even less dangerous than a pencil. Oh, and no... I have never been asked to check my knitting needles. I know other countries have issues with people knitting on planes, but thank goodness the US isn't one of them. Also, if I did go somewhere with problems, I have in fact knit with the insides of a pen before. It is a bit odd, and I wouldn't recommend it for most projects, but hey, if you have a 40 minute bus ride and have left a needle at home, you might have done it too.

My most recent pair of socks, now almost 75% finished, were knit on the way to and in Florida. This trip was so much fun, for it was a girls' trip with friends from High School. We may not be the rowdiest bunch, but it was a lot of fun. It was also fun that of the 4 of us, 3 of us are now knitters. It's always fun to have a friend learn to knit, then we have that much more to chat about. I am hitting my 10 year anniversary of knitting this year, and now have a good number of friends addicted as well! Long live knitting, vacations, and definitely vacation knits!

Crazy about Diamonds

So, I am not too crazy about the precious stone. Yep, diamonds aren't this girl's best friend. That's a long story and not one for this blog post. However, making diamonds in patterns is a whole different story. A few short (or long) years ago, my sister Katy made me a gorgeous short-row hat in Noro. I made Josh one as well and it was so much fun.

Here's the hat in all it's super-rainbow glory. I get so many compliments on this hat, and every time I say that... "No, I didn't make it...". I decided (after being given 4 partial skeins of Noro) that I wanted to make a scarf to match. So, I went to a fun modular knitting book that I got for Christmas called Modular Knits. I didn't have enough Noro for a full scarf, so added a neutral blue for the edging. This is what came out of it:

The blue didn't last long enough for the length to be a great scarf, so I decided to make it into a circular loop, by sewing up the edges. It now goes on as a 2 loop, and is incredibly comfortable. As mitered squares in the middle, the Noro still pops, although not quite as much as the original does.

So, here I am with the hat and scarf together! And, to attempt to finish the very last vestiges of the Noro that I was given, I am planning on doing a mitered squares patch for fingerless gloves. Winter in the northwest is always changing, so you never know when you'll need a hat, gloves, and scarf to keep out the chill.

Time to get going on those gloves! The knitting awaits...

RED! Sweater

For the longest time, I have wanted a red sweater. I haven't had any rules about what it needs to look like, just a longing for a warm red sweater that I will wear for years. I never really found one in stores that I truly loved. Apparently I am a picky shopper...

So, after years of debate (in my head), and after knitting my first few sweaters (to lots of compliments), I decided to buy some red yarn. Buying yarn for sweaters is a bit of a commitment. Usually it requires many skeins. I often don't buy enough yarn for sweaters because of this fact. It also doesn't help sweater-making when I am a little bit obsessed with making socks. However, I had a bit of holiday cash last Christmas and decided to take the plunge.

Last December, my immediate family went to New York to have the quintessential "Christmas in New York". We saw the Rockettes, the tree in Rockefeller Center, and much more. We of course had to check out Purl SoHo, a wonderful yarn store. It was there that I found the gorgeous red yarn that would be my sweater. The ironic part of the whole thing is that it's from Cascade Yarns, a Seattle company. Yes, I went from Seattle to New York and ended up buying some Seattle yarn! :-) It called to me... make a sweater... you always wanted a red sweater!


So, after a year of knitting other projects, I finally decided to pick up the red yarn and knit my red sweater. I started the project about a month ago, and am having so much fun with it. I found a really simple pattern that will show off the yarn. In my "never fully following directions" way, I did add a gorgeous cable pattern down the arms of the sweater to add interest, but also to add enjoyment in the overall knitting of the project. I am currently in the NEVERENDING knit phase, so can't wait to get back to the arms for some cable fun. The sweater is being knit in the round, top down.

Here's a picture of the sweater in progress!

Designs for others

I enjoy very much doing things for other people. Whether it is quilting for Lutheran World Relief, knitting presents for friends, or even knitting for non-profits. Last weekend, the choir that I am in (Cora Voce) had a benefit concert. It was a great evening of entertainment, and I love that we over-sold the event. We had people packed into the church in Tacoma.

To help generate donations, a silent auction was held. It was a great success for all who donated or walked away with the donations. I ended up donating a few items, and yes, they were knitted. While they were nowhere near the top bidders, I feel like I helped make a difference when I donated them.

Here's to donating for good causes!!!

Taking time to update and finish what I started

Lately I have been starting more and more projects. It has gotten to the point that I have more projects on my hands than hands or time. I have been trying to clean up the "list" by doing those things that I have started and need finishing.

Some items have been on the "list" for years, including creating/revamping some student projects to fill out my portfolio. Some are time-sensitive, including knitting projects that will be donated next week. Some are much needed, like updating my website.

I have spent the last few days working on these items (yay!), as well as thinking up new ones (d'oh). It only took 8 hours of coding and photoshop, but I now have updated my website, adding 6 new projects and updating old projects. My hope is that this update will showcase my design skills as being well-rounded. I also added analytics, so it should be fun to see who's viewing my site.

I must continue to push my designer self to keep my designs coming regardless of my job. Here's to that success!

A little inspiration

Between watching Julie and Julia last night and my ever-changing work situation, I feel like I am in need of a bit of inspiration. While I don't find it hard to fill my time with projects (canning, knitting, quilting, reading, carding, applying, swimming, etc), I feel like my focus has dropped by the wayside.

What am I intending to do with my time? What really makes me happy?

Every once in a while it is good to stop and think about your own personal purpose. I think the thing that keeps me questioning my world is that the things I like to do most are not the things that pay the bills. While I love to do so many things, they tend to cost money instead of make it. I do really enjoy Graphic Design, so I need to find an inspiring way to succeed. It's time for me to step up and make things happen!

Anniversary Quilt

Thanks to my renewed obsession with quilting, I decided to make a quilt for my husband and I as a first anniversary present. I had bought the fabric oh so long ago when In the Beginning closed (yep, people still remember that place even though it was about 5-6 years ago). I decided to pull out a pattern I had done for a friend's wedding, and started cutting away!

I finished the top with about a week to spare (our anniversary was May 30th), got it machine quilted by a great couple up on Camano Island. Thank you so much, mom, for having it quilted for us!!! I gave it to Josh unfinished (without the binding) with a promise to have it done soon.

Well, about a week and a half was spent hand-sewing the binding on, but it makes the quilt shine! Our bed is looking great, and even the cat likes it!

New Knitting Pattern - Lace Medallion Slipper Socks

I have added a new pattern once more to my ravelry page. These fun socks include thicker soles and circular cables. I know it's just the start of summer (at least in Seattle it is...), but these socks were inspired by cooler climates.

Here's a blurb about them:

Fall is the time of year that really starts changing my footwear style. It is a time of transition between flip-flops and slippers. Socks play a fun part of fall because they can keep feet toasty even if the weather is still nice enough for shorts.

These socks, with their thicker soles that mimic thermal undergarments, are great for evenings on the porch or out in the yard. The lace upper allows for the cool breezes to tickle the skin. The purl circles remind me of harvests and fall foliage.

Quilt Fridays

In January I joined a quilting group that my mom belongs to at University Lutheran Church in Seattle, WA. I felt like with the large amount of free time that my random work schedule allows, that I should spend some time making things for other people across the globe. Through joint efforts with Lutheran World Relief, the quilts we make get shipped to much-deserving countries all over the world. The quilts get made throughout the year and then we have a "Quilt Sunday" at the church to bless them and send them on their way. Here are a few pictures from the quilts that were sent off this week:

Rainy Day Knits

Aah, the beautiful Seattle weather means curling up on the couch under a blanket on one of March's forever rainy days. Unfortunately, I must curl up on the couch and do work. Oh, what a world ;-)

I would love to go crazy, start tons of new projects, and get my stash down a little. Something about the count on my ravelry page makes me want to start more projects. Only 30 projects... that's just not right (especially counting all of the presents that I never got pictures of or the projects that aren't worth photographing). My only problem is the inability to finish projects if I have too many started. But yet, to try and not spend all December knitting, maybe this year I will start Christmas presents early. Oh well, I can always use a good excuse to start a new project.

Reclaiming Sweaters...

This morning I attempted to start reclaiming the wool of a sweater I have had for years. The arm cuffs are shredded from use, yet something was stopping me from giving it up. The first pull of the shoulder showed a much larger issue than I expected. Not only is it going to be the most difficult sweater to take apart (seams everywhere), but it is also knit as two lace-weight threads per stitch. So far I am through the first sock's toe and onto the foot going toe-up for knee socks. Hopefully this crazy project will work! If so, I might have to look at Goodwill to reclaim and make myself a new sweater!

Knitting with Harry Potter

Aah, what a lovely day for knitting! Here I am on President's day with a full day ahead of me! I am continuing to push myself to finish the unending pair of knee-high socks. Maybe with 6 movies ahead of me, I can put a good dent into my progress! Oh, wouldn't it be nice to have self-knitting needles like Mrs. Weasley!

Fingerless Gloves Frenzy! (part 2)

Whew, what a challenge getting projects written out and posted everywhere they need to go. I am hoping that the first project is the hardest, and will eventually become quite a snap. As promised from previous posts, the pattern for the fingerless gloves is available either through my ravelry page (in process, not there yet), or my website:

www.christychristine.com/extras_02.html

Check it out, and feel free to cast on!

Resolutions

Every year at New Years, I attempt to make a grand jesture resolution. Up until last year, I didn't really think of good ones or picked things that were unreachable (including the year I tried to get rid of that nectar of the bubbly gods - soda). Last year (2009) I decided to expand my brain in a way that seems odd to the digital standards set in this decade - I was going to read books. Yes, books! By setting myself a goal of 20,000 book pages to read in the year, I intended to read more books than buy. I am lucky to have many opportunities to buy books, but my shelves were filled with books I hadn't read yet. There I was on 1/1/09, reading like a madwoman, and there I also was on 12/31/09 reading like a madwoman.

It was a success! I read 20,065 pages last year! I kept it to relatively light books as well as many series. I am still working on finishing Terry Pratchett's discworld novels. It feels good, though, knowing that I read way more books than I had ever read in one year. This year, I plan on keeping a similar goal, but will be a bit more picky in my selection. I have decided that 2010 is the year I will read at least 100 of the top 200 books selected in the BBC Top 200. By making my resolution this way, I can avoid truly bad book choices and can have a bit of a selection. Also, because number 1 is The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (and that's a lot of pages in itself). One stipulation is that I can count any books previously read (currently at 33) towards the total. Regardless, that's a lot of books.

Here's to reading more books!

Fingerless Gloves Frenzy!

This year for Christmas, I decided to go a little nuts about knitting. I wanted to take on knitting projects, but I also needed to keep reading to finish my New Year's resolution (to be discussed in the coming days). I decided that to make something for every girl in the family (Mom, Katy, Becky, Anne, Emily, and Orinthea), I'd have to plan it out a bit. Thus started the monthly knitting goals. One pair of fingerless gloves every month from July through December. I ended up making my goal only by finishing the gloves into the late afternoon on Christmas Eve. It was worth every stitch and end to tie in. The bounty was plentiful:

Merry Christmas to us!

Thanks to the need to work for a living, we tend to not get as much time around the actual holiday as we like. Josh and I decided that this year we would make some new traditions for our newly wedded bliss. It started last week with making a Gingerbread house out of Rice Krispie Treats instead of Gingerbread.
































After creating the house, we decided to take all of Wednesday for Christmas (2 days early). The day was filled with food, games (Josh beat me at Risk), and a dinner of Game Hen by the fire. All in all, it was a wonderful evening! (And the treats were tasty too!).

Oh Mistletoe!

This year I wanted to have some mistletoe for kisses! Instead of buying a plastic or plant type, I decided that knitting one would be more fun!

By making a knitted mistletoe, Josh and I can have years of kisses underneath. It is knitted with a fuzzy green yarn, white berries and a yellow I cord to hold it all together.

If you come over to our house, watch out if you're going into the kitchen... kisses may be on their way. SWAK!