No post for a while

Hi fellow stitchers,

I am in the middle of a house move into a RV none the less. So the RV is a mess and the house is still a mess. Hopefully will have a internet provider some time later next week. Have a great week everyone.

“Furisode” (big sleeves) Kimono for an 18” Doll

I had planned on spending a quiet weekend basting my sister’s quilt but instead I helped my husband put up a shed and then on Sunday made a Kimono for my granddaughter’s new male 18” doll that she wanted, and found on the website:Runo dollmaker. Runo makes dolls and clothes, and offers the patterns free at her website. I really recommend it. It did take me most of yesterday and finished today. The pattern is not easy, but doable. I love how the finished project looks and have photos below.

I also used a pink fabric for the lining for a nice contract and here's a photo of it

,and the finished kimono, I really will have to make myself a 18" doll now, so I can make clothes for her too!!

My HOE was received by Erin so I can post now to my blog, it's a free pattern from 2009 at Gigi's, titled V Comme Valentine from 2009. I made a hanger type ornament with fabric and here’s a photo of the finish. I really love it too and hope to make one for me to hang next year maybe…

Valentine HOE Exchange Ornament received

Monday evening, I received my Valentine HOE ornament from Ellen. She stitched a February Stamp design for me and it's really cute. I plan to hang it at work since my work area is a ugly gray cubicle. It should really brighten up the area. She also included some really cute Love post-it-notes, which I love to collect and floss from Weeks Dye Works, can't wait to stitch with it (Turkish Red)!!

A busy Saturday yesterday

I am happy to report that I finished the back of my sister's quilt so next week I can baste with the batting to the front and get ready for some machine quilting and hand quilting. I also finished my Valentine HOE exchange piece to mail on Monday, and I really want to post as my blog photo as I really love it and of course, want to stitch one for myself, but can't do it. I watched a really neat documentary titled, Team of Sky Adventurers (balloonists) on RT.com this morning on Dish network. It's the local TV station for Moscow I think. It's quite refreshing with all the garbage we see on American TV during government campaigns..Hope everyone has a restful Sunday out there. Happy stitching, sewing and knitting too...

January Has Gone By...quickly

Well, dear stitching friends, it’s been almost a month since my last post and I’ve been busy working on a lot of projects. I’ve provided some photos below except for the Valentine HOE exchange piece that must be mailed by February 14th (Valentine’s Day of course) – I hope to finish this weekend and mail on Saturday morning, or at the latest Monday the 13th.

First off is a photo of our Knit-a-long project we’re stitching at Black Mountain Yarn Shop. We have all been confused by the designer’s instructions, so I and others have had to take out and “knit back in” – multiple times. The photo is hard to see but it’s quite interesting to knit – I just hope that I can finish it.

The next 2 photos are of my 1st Fair Isle knitting project that I am so excited about. I have sold it to a co-worker who loves it and has already worn it a couple of times - for a little less than the cost of the yarn, since I knit for fun, not for profit. I’ll use the money to buy more yarn since my sister and nephew want a hat too...it’s just so much fun and I realized, you can use any cross-stitching pattern and yarn colors of your choice to knit anything! How cool is that – you just can’t sell it (depending on copywrites, permissions, etc.)!

I have also managed to work on the back of my sister Deb’s quilt and posting a photo since she’s already see it and loves it too. I hope to finish the back this weekend and hopefully baste it and begin the quilting process next week some time. I hope to machine and hand quilt it.

Lastly, I’ve started working on my oldest son’s remaining sock and once it’s finished I can mail to him to wear. I also finished and mailed the headband for my niece, Christy. I was late mailing, as sometimes I just hate to go to the post office, don’t really know why, just procrastination I guess.

Happy stitching everyone - Diana

Knitting a little

I have managed to finish one of my son's socks so I'm at 50% completed and here's a photo. It's not easy to see though.

We're starting a knit-a-long at the Black Mountain Yarn Shop with a project from the Interweave Knits Winter 2011 on page 78-79, called Leif Slipover, designed by Adrienne Larsen (I won't be knitting the hood). I purchased the yarn in the photo since I have gray hair and can't wear as many colors. I'll post photos as we go to see the progress. It's my first knit-a-long and it should really be fun. We have 11 ladies signed up and we start officially next Tuesday night.

MY Stitcher's Choice Ornament Received by Hazel

I mailed my ornament by regular mail to Hazel in the UK on December 14th. The Asheville, NC post office assured me that it should have been delivered in 10 working days which would have been by Christmas. I am sad to say that Hazel didn't receive in the UK until a few days ago. It's not surprising with all the Post Office rumors of closings nationwide - I'm glad she did finally receive it and she liked it too. I really enjoyed stitching it and used beads from my giant stash for the snow instead of white thread. Here's a photo. Have a great weekend everyone