I had a wonderful time with my daughter while in Arizona. I didn't have 7 days of sunshine though, it actually rained 2 of the days I was there. Rain is always welcome in the desert so I'm not going to complain.
I did knit a couple of dishrags. They are always easy and mindless. They were a nice change from applique.
I had taken embroidery along but didn't even take it out of the bag. I worked on it before I left for Arizona and since I've returned home. Several years ago I made embroidered pincushions from patchwork loves embroidery by Gail Pan.
Last summer I decided it was time to make more projects from this book and prepped several projects. But I didn't have time to work on any of the projects. I've started working on needle book covers. It's interesting what we can see in pictures that we don't see in real life. I'm see that the bird doesn't have a beak or an eye. I'll add those today. I'll be embroidering until the applique border for the Pastor's Attic quilt is ready for applique.
In December 2016, I purchased two more embroidery books, Christmas Patchwork Loves Embroidery by Gail Pan and Stitches from the Garden by Kathy Schmitz. I don't know when I'll get around do embroidering any of the projects in the books but I have the books. As you can see, I've had both of them spiral bound too. One time, on my blog, I mentioned that I have books spiral bound when I want them lay completely flat. Someone asked me if places still do that. Well, I don't know about where you live, but I had these two books spiral bound last December at the Staples store on the northwest side of Goshen. I used to do a lot of embroidery but applique seems to have taken over my world the last several years. I'm hoping to find a balance between the two skills.
Are your knitted dish rags made of cotton? I notice that many knitters make them. Mindless projects rest our mind. Great idea to have a sewing or craft book bound. Print shops also spiral bind. I shall remember next time I purchase a book.
I love doing embroidery and should start another project sometime. When I retire, I want to learn to knit. I have a couple of friends who told me that they will teach me.
I love that Sue Garman pattern, such a pretty quilt-glad you had fun in Arizona - yes they need rain too but I'm sure you were thinking it could do it after you left for home
Dishrags are so easy, I have a dishrag going all the time. Whenever I do want to do other handwork, the dishrag is there ready to go. I give them as small gifts, people are so thrilled to receive them. So much easier than making a quilt for them.
Edith's quilt top is glorious, you're right about her colour selection. I really like the look of your book 'Stitches from the Garden' - I have a thing about birds and that cover design looks lovely. Have fun giving your little bird a means to sing this afternoon!
What pattern do you use for your dish cloths? Our Copy Works print shop in Cedar Rapids, Ia ares do the spiral bound for $3.95+ tax. I've had several done there and they do a good job and have good customer service.
When I learned to knit, we started with dishrags. You start on point than added a stitch each round. I did those for years and then just couldn't make that pattern anymore. I went to several yarn sites and checked for free patterns. Out of the many dozens I collected, I've been happy with this one. Someone of the patterns you really needed to pay attention and count the stitches. I wanted something easy. I also knit my dishrags on smaller needles so they are more tightly knitted.
I'll see if I can find the original pattern and link to it next Sunday.
I started a basket weave dish cloth and somehow I messed it up - ripped it out and will start again soon. I have also wanted to do some embroidery. I have a Kathy Schmitz kit (something I never purchase -quilting or otherwise) but really liked this one - Block one is almost finished - only started it about 4 years ago and it is patiently waiting on me. Think I need to get the Vitamin D lamp out or sit in the sun. Edith makes some beautiful quilts! Pretty Pretty. You also makes some beauties!
So glad you had a nice visit with your daughter! I live in Southern NM and, yes, rain is always welcomed by me! I’m a new knitter and also curious about your pattern and yarn! :)They are really pretty! Your embroidery books look so interesting! Great idea to have them spiral bound! I’ll check out my local Staples! Oh My! Your friend, Edith, did an amazing job! I wish I had even a pinky’s worth of her sewing and color selection talent! Glad I found you on Love, Laugh, Quilt!
Are your knitted dish rags made of cotton? I notice that many knitters make them. Mindless projects rest our mind. Great idea to have a sewing or craft book bound. Print shops also spiral bind. I shall remember next time I purchase a book.
ReplyDeleteI use cotton yarn. I like the Lily brand Sugar 'n Cream yarn. Around here the lowest price is found at Michael's.
DeleteI love doing embroidery and should start another project sometime. When I retire, I want to learn to knit. I have a couple of friends who told me that they will teach me.
ReplyDeleteI love that Sue Garman pattern, such a pretty quilt-glad you had fun in Arizona - yes they need rain too but I'm sure you were thinking it could do it after you left for home
ReplyDeleteI love to take a break with knitting or crochet of dish cloths. It just eases the mind and you get a great useful item at the end.
ReplyDeleteDishrags are so easy, I have a dishrag going all the time. Whenever I do want to do other handwork, the dishrag is there ready to go. I give them as small gifts, people are so thrilled to receive them. So much easier than making a quilt for them.
DeleteEdith's quilt top is glorious, you're right about her colour selection. I really like the look of your book 'Stitches from the Garden' - I have a thing about birds and that cover design looks lovely. Have fun giving your little bird a means to sing this afternoon!
ReplyDeleteWhat pattern do you use for your dish cloths? Our Copy Works print shop in Cedar Rapids, Ia ares do the spiral bound for $3.95+ tax. I've had several done there and they do a good job and have good customer service.
ReplyDeleteWhen I learned to knit, we started with dishrags. You start on point than added a stitch each round. I did those for years and then just couldn't make that pattern anymore. I went to several yarn sites and checked for free patterns. Out of the many dozens I collected, I've been happy with this one. Someone of the patterns you really needed to pay attention and count the stitches. I wanted something easy. I also knit my dishrags on smaller needles so they are more tightly knitted.
ReplyDeleteI'll see if I can find the original pattern and link to it next Sunday.
Love those dishcloths
ReplyDeleteI started a basket weave dish cloth and somehow I messed it up - ripped it out and will start again soon.
ReplyDeleteI have also wanted to do some embroidery. I have a Kathy Schmitz kit (something I never purchase -quilting or otherwise) but really liked this one - Block one is almost finished - only started it about 4 years ago and it is patiently waiting on me. Think I need to get the Vitamin D lamp out or sit in the sun. Edith makes some beautiful quilts! Pretty Pretty. You also makes some beauties!
Looked at the books closer - I like them! Neat to have around in case you get the "bug"
ReplyDeleteI love knitting dishcloths, too! Our LQS just started a BOM using the Christmas Loves Embroidery book--the Christmas baubles project.
ReplyDeleteSo many beautiful projects! I find it hard sometimes to fit in all the various kinds of stitching I enjoy!
ReplyDeleteWith the block of the month at the quilt shop they always have spiral put on the books for us.
ReplyDeleteWhat pattern did you use for your dishrags? I enjoy knitting them too, but need to get some variety. Also, what yarn do you use?
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had a nice visit with your daughter! I live in Southern NM and, yes, rain is always welcomed by me! I’m a new knitter and also curious about your pattern and yarn! :)They are really pretty! Your embroidery books look so interesting! Great idea to have them spiral bound! I’ll check out my local Staples! Oh My! Your friend, Edith, did an amazing job! I wish I had even a pinky’s worth of her sewing and color selection talent! Glad I found you on Love, Laugh, Quilt!
ReplyDeletevisiting from crazy mum quilts. Looks like you had an amazing visit and productive
ReplyDelete