I Lost....

Good Evening Internet Friends!

Wednesday morning I woke up with a head cold.  As the day progressed it got worse, but of course I practice some sort of medicine every day so take the Vitamin C and the pain relievers and get some chicken soup and I will be fine......NOT!!!

 By Saturday morning it was a full fledged something so I decided to take a sick day and try and sleep and medicate it.......I LOST!!!  Today with a fever and chest full of mucous and cough that seals at the zoo only wish they could attain I had to see a Doctor.  Seriously.  Now I am on antibiotics and of course 2 doses in I want to think I am better but really it has taken me most of the day to get to this point.....

Recently I wrote a pattern for a Knitting Sack.  I consider myself a fairly new quilter only having quilted now for about 15 years but I have always sewed.  My grandmother taught me with her treadle sewing machine and of course she never used a pattern.  Even for my jeans as a child because I was extra skinny thanks to my Juvenile Diabetes.  

Thanks to this kind of upbringing I do not do well with patterns.  I rarely follow them properly and usually decide how to make something.  This is the case with the Knitting Sack.  I have a few of them that either came with yarn or from Local Yarn Shops but none of them were what I EXACTLY wanted.  "Sew" I came up with my own.

Writing the pattern was not easy, and so in an attempt to clarify how I made the bag the following brief descriptions and pictures will hopefully fix that.  I have not included measurements for this as the pattern is now copyrighted......I am only showing the steps. ☺

Cuff, Lining and Main Fabric Cut.

All three sections sewn together (lining is upside down compared to the rest so that kitty's are not upside down for the bag lining) 

Pocket Pieces.  Place Right sides together and sew around outer edges leaving a space for turning.

One corner stitch at an angle to make turning easier.  

Corners are cut using my favourite Kai scissors.  You will also see my version of the Purple Thingy that everyone uses.......

In the pattern there will be instructions for where to sew and draw lines.  

The horizontal lines in this picture are for pocket folds.  The vertical line in this picture is if you want to have one larger front pocket with 2 hidden pockets behind. ☺

However many pocket compartments you choose to have you will place the pocket on the lining following the measurements from the pattern.

Pocket placement for 4 equal sized compartments option.  Vertical line will be sewn through all 5 layers (2 front pocket, 2 back pocket, 1 lining layer) for the 4 compartment option.  Choose either the step above or this one NOT BOTH!

Top Stitch the pocket edge to the lining (this will close up the open turning point on the pocket)

This is my option with the one larger compartment in the front.

Two hidden pockets behind.  

Stay stitch a couple of stitches in each corner to keep flap in downward position (so you don't lose your little treasures)

Mark on one side of all three sequence pieces the draw string opening.  Made sure you do not sew this area closed when you lay the other piece right sides together to close the bag.

Leave an opening in the lining as well for turning the bag.

Inside of bag (1 larger compartment with 2 hidden compartments (or could be 4 compartments if I had sewed through top layer of pocket).

4 full skeins of wool fit inside.  Knitting needles position in center so that draw string secures them.  

TAH DAH!!!!

All done - I love the cat buttons that comes with this kit ☺

These of course will be making their debut at the Claresholm Fibre Arts & Quilt Fair this coming weekend ☺

Hope this answers all your questions and inspires your own creativity....

Kathy

The Cat is Definitely Out of the Bag....

Good Evening Internet Friends.

Busy tonight with extracurricular activities so not a lot of crafting time tonight, I did a bit of knitting while out with my son but not enough to show here.

After getting my son to bed and a few things around the house tidied and ready for tomorrow I took a few minutes to myself in my craft room and made:

Another Tabby Road Quilt Block. 

The more I work with this fabric the more I like it!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Howling Good Times...

Good Evening Internet Friends!

Back to work and school today.  Thankfully it is only three days for me as I work the weekend and four for my son who has a PD Day on Friday.  I think we can make it although by today we are both feeling ill with head colds.  YUCK!

This evening my neighbor and I attended a Paint Nite where the proceeds were to benefit an animal rescue agency (I forget which one......).

We had a lot of laughs and an awesome evening.  This is my painting and yes my Artist son told me where all my shadows are incorrect and where my dimensions are off.......I thought painting was supposed to be fun ☺

Might have to do some more of these as I may need remedial help with painting but I like it and that is what I think is supposed to count ☺

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Sock It Up!

Good Evening Internet Friends!

The weekend is over and I accomplished a few little things and managed to finish up these beauties:

These are my March 2017 Sock Crush subscription and one of my favourite yarns; Sweetgeorgia Yarns.  These socks are so soft and comfy and fit my feet amazingly.......almost like they were made for my feet ☺

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Cat Crazy!!!

Good Evening Internet Friends.

Busy day of running errands and doing a few things that needed to be done including installing the new over the range microwave!!!  Over a week since the old one exploded....had no idea how many times a day I use that appliance until it was gone.

This evening I took a bit of time to work on a few knitting projects and to sew the medium blocks together on my Tabby Road Quilt:

Tomorrow hopefully I will have a bit of time to sew or at least start sewing blocks together.  

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Holy Cats!

Good Evening Internet Friends!

The busy week is finally over.  Now to prepare for a busy weekend ☺

This evening I went out with some friends for a dinner party.  Great food, and friends made for a wonderful evening and a way to unwind after the week.

Arriving home, but not too late cause I am getting old.......I decided to sew some of the Tabby Road blocks together: 

The large rectangles are now sewn to the small rectangles.  Tomorrow I will try to sew the medium rectangles to the other medium rectangles.  ☺

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Block 16!

Good Evening Internet Friends!

Good News!!!

I am all caught up on my Flock of Geese Blocks!!!!

TAH DAH!!!

Now off to see what else I can get into this evening.  

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Another Knitting Project

Good Evening Internet Friends!

I started yet another knitting project this evening.  Seriously!!!  I must not have enough on the go.....

The yarn is not only very pretty in colour it is fun to work with because the yarn thickness changes throughout the skein 😺!

It seems to be pretty quick and easy to work with so might have something ready to show you all soon.

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Block 15!

Good Evening Internet Friends!

Back to school for my son and work for me.  A busy day in general along with extra curricular activities.

This evening I took a wee bit of time in my craft room and made Block 15 of the Flock of Geese Challenge from A Needle Pulling Thread Quilt Shop:

I am still a week behind but hopefully I can catch up this week and maybe even get a couple more of last years Star Blocks done!!!  😸

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Holiday Over......

Good Evening Internet Friends.

The Easter Holiday is over and it's back to work and school tomorrow.

My Grammy is a huge influence on my life and who I am as well as still my cheerleader despite having a stroke almost two years ago as a side effect of her atrial fibrillation.  She is a woman who was always ahead of her time.  She is the reason that I knew at three years of age I wanted to be a Registered Nurse.  She knew that she needed a post secondary education, she inspired her daughter to get post secondary education and myself as well.

She is left handed and sometimes lacks fine motor skills as throughout all of her education she was forbidden to use her left hand.  As such she did not perform a lot of fine art activities but at one time she did do two paint by number paintings.  These paintings are still in the living room of her home.

When I saw these fabrics I was reminded of those paintings!  So, I got not one but two bundles of this fabric!

This one will be made into a quilt and sent to Grammy because the colours are bright and she adores bright colours.

This bundle reminded me of Grammy's paintings ☺

This evening I took some time in my craft room and cut up the orange fabric so that I can start sewing it together tomorrow ☺

It really is cute fabric!

I know Grammy will love it!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Happy Easter!

Good Late Evening Internet Friends!

I hope that each of you had a wonderful and blessed Easter Day.

My son, the dogs, and I slept late again.  

Had freshly toasted Babka for breakfast and searched the house for chocolate.  I am positive that I found it all - but at my age - who knows????

Then we went for brunch.  It was a wonderful brunch.  

I did a bit of knitting this afternoon while dinner was cooking, but then a random nap occurred. 

After dinner I decided to go down to my craft room.  Had not been there all weekend.

First off I decided it was time to perform the finishing touches on the yarn I dyed at Vogue Knitting Live Las Vegas:

The colours are now set and I gave it a quick rinse in Soak wash. It is now haning to dry over the laundry tub.  Hopefully I can get started on it later this week ☺

Next up I decided I should tidy up my quilting desk for some serious quilting tomorrow.   There was a lot of scrap fabric from the 2 sheep Knitting Project Bags I have made of recent so rather than putting it away I made:

A lined, zippered pouch!!!!! I happened to have a zipper and some mystery interfacing that made this a Top Drawer Project as my son would say ☺ I did not use a pattern, but think that later this week I might make another one from some scraps and show you how I did it!

It's "SEW" fun!!!

That's all folks.

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

A Big Day of Not Really Anything

Good Evening Internet Friends!

I would like to tell you I accomplished something absolutely AMAZING and over the top today, but alas, I did not.

I slept late.  I played around on the computer for a bit after breakfast.

After lunch I knit a bit but nothing worthwhile to show you.

Then I got the brilliant idea I should cut the Shih tzu's hair.  So, I did and it took almost three hours.  Is it done well???  Easy answer: NO.  I figure since everyone today is an expert in something due to You Tube that I can be an expert at trimming the dog.  My son did point out though that I did not watch a You Tube video on cutting a dog's hair I just do it.  That being said, I think I did better this time compared to last year ☺  

Dog does not like this - I think he knows the other dogs will taunt him ☺

Then I did decide that I should bake some Ukrainian Babka since both Easter celebrations coincide this year. It will be a little odd seeing Babka and the Lindt Gold Bunny on the same table.  Of course there were no raisins in the hous because I personally hate the little things with the exception of in Babka.  I found a bag of trail mix and had my son raid that for 1 cup of raisins.  

I added extra Turmeric so that it would be a really pretty yellow!  So Yummy!

This evening I spent some time working on a Ukrainian Cross Stitch Towel:

It's coming along nicely and I hope to be able to start on another of these projects I have been contemplating now for awhile.

I hope you as well had a wonderful day and as always

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Good Friday...

Good Late Evening Everyone.

Today was a very relaxing day for my son and I.

First off we slept late.

We had pancakes with berries for breakfast:

Yummy!!!

After lunch and finding out that the microwave exploded - seriously - made a loud spark - some bright flash and now it sits there hanging above the stove looking sad.......I'm sad though too - we headed out in the snow to the Lindt Factory!  I LOVE that place and there always seems to be a really good sale on!

Helping out the Easter Bunny this year as not sure what kind of financial situation he is in with the current economy ☺

This evening I spent time sewing another Knitting Project Bag and writing a pattern for it as well. 

Another day I will post some of the how to's for this project in case there are questions about how I create this bag ☺

"Sew" that was my relaxing Good Friday and I hope everyone had one as well.

Hope this inspires your onw creativity...

Kathy

Trying to Catch Up....

Good Evening Internet Friends!

Worked my evening shift for this month today so now I get to start the Easter Weekend.  

My son and I are both off now for the next four days and we really have no plans except to enjoy ourselves.

This evening just so that I could declare I had been creative I spent a wee bit of time in the craft room and made Block 14 of the Flock of Geese Block Challenge from A Needle Pulling Thread Quilt Shop:

I was then planning to do a bit of knitting before going to sleep but apparently the Lab/Lap dog had other plans:

Off to sleep then I guess...

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

FUN Mail!

Good Evening Internet Friends!

Busy day and busy evening so other than a little knitting after I got my son to bed not much creativity.

Arriving home this evening I did a wonderful surprise - okay - I knew it was coming, but it was still fun to get!!!

This is my April 2017 Sock Crush:

TAH DAH!!!!!!!!

I love the colours and the texture of this yarn and will try the lip balm later.

Now to knit a bit more on last month's sock so that I can get started on these pretties ☺

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

A Two for One Kinda Day...

Good Late Evening Internet Friends!

This evening I had the opportunity to spend some time in my craft room as usually I am out at Boy Scouts with my son.

Today however, I had to have an eye exam that involved my vision being distorted for several hours.   As such my son and I wandered the mall close to my appointment and even ate dinner at the mall until I could see clearly ☺

Arriving home he finished the filming for his Language Arts project and I stayed out of the way in my craft room!  A perfect solution and such an awesome parent I might add.....

Here are Blocks 12 & 13 of the Flock of Geese Challenge Blocks organised by A Needle Pulling Thread Quilt Shop:

TAH DAH!!!

Now off to knit a bit before bed and back to work tomorrow.  

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Knitting Bag

Good Late Evening Internet Friends!

No doubt I should probably be in bed, but I am just getting a few last things ready and then will retire in my cozy bed with my knitting for the evening right away.

Today I was able to spend a bit of time in my craft room while my son did his video animation of his language arts project.  My entire kitchen floor was filled with various toys to create the story.

I am pretty excited about this bag because I even put a couple of pockets and a flap pocket inside it to keep my knitting needles and stitch markers in while my projects are in transit.  ☺

I think that my very own skein of hand dyed yard will be my first project in this bag. 

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Sock Knitting!!!

Good Late Evening Internet Friends!

Well,  I finally did it!!!   I had a fellow knitter that I met in Vegas (yes, not everything stays in Vegas) over this evening to knit with me!  I have never knit with someone else.  Sure, I have knit in public and with the family at home, but never with another knitter.

It was a very productive session as I was able to finish one of my March 2017 Sock Crush socks!!!

I really love these socks because of their bright colours - you might be able to guess from this picture that I love bright colours [socks, tuffet, needles]☺

The yarn was a Sweetgerogia special dye for the subscription.  I thought that the pattern enclosed for this colour way was too busy and so I opted for a picot cuff and just plain stockinette stitch so that I could see the colours!  

I LOVE it.  Now to see if I can get the second one done before this month's subscription arrives later this week ☺

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Marshmallows A Plenty!

Good Evening Internet Friends!

I actually made two batches of marshmallow today.  One as reTREATs for the retreat my Guilt Guild is participating in and one for my son just for fun.

Here are the quilt reTREATs:

Toasted Coconut Marshmallows ☺

The batch I made for my son.  These ones have spring seasonal sprinkles on them to make them just a little bit more fun for children and that includes almost teenagers!  ☺

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Baggin' It!!!

Good Late Evening Internet Friends!

Super busy the past couple of days with work and all the things I manage to get myself into.

Did assemble one of these tote bags:

TAH DAH!!!!  It's done.

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Colouring....

Good Evening Internet Friends!

Today was a great day, not only because I had no real commitments or obligations but I found this line of products that not only cater to my love of knitting but also my love of colouring.  Now, these are not wax crayons, but it is still colouring and I think that is pretty "Top Drawer".

I spent a fair bit of time this afternoon colouring on the Tote Bag and the two knitting cases.  One case is for my single point needles and circular cables.  The other is for my double point needles and some of the smaller circular cables and tips!

I had so much fun colouring on these items!  

I know it is bedtime, but part of me wants to colour just one more area.....

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

I'm DONE!!!!

Good Evening Internet Friends!

Today was a whole lot of little nothings that managed to take up the entire day but now that they are done I hope to have a more meaningful Kathy day tomorrow ☺

One of the little things as such that I did accomplish today was the final assembly of my Anne of Green Gables Quilt Kit.  I had hoped to be able to deliver it for long arming while I was on vacation but alas I only sewed 6 rows of blocks together.

This evening all the rows became the quilt centre and borders were added!  ☺

I am really excited about this one as not only do I really love Anne of Green Gables but this story is a Canadian classic and as you likely know Canada is celebrating it's 150th Birthday this year!

Here is my quilt sort of stretched out (kid and dogs keep moving it):

TAH DAH!!!!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Resume....

Good Evening Internet Friends!

Very early this morning we arrived home.  By the time we unpacked the car to make sure nothing perished it was just before 0300 hours ☺

We had a wonderful vacation and over the next few days I will show you some of the things we saw and collected on our Road Trip.

This evening though I will show you what I managed to accomplish in 930 miles (1497 km) yesterday.

First off I finished the Team Canada Hat Trick Yarn socks for hubby:

As you may know hubby works in a remote fly in Campsite job and spends 12+ hours a day in safety shoes that are not known to be especially comfortable or that warm.  He LOVES the wool socks that I "custom" knit as he says for him. ☺

Once I finished these I started on March 2017 Sock Crush subscription socks:

I am not following the pattern that came with the yarn as I found the pattern very busy with the yarn colouring.  I have opted for a picot cuff sock and a smooth but reinforced heel for the sock so that the yarn colours are able to show.

The yarn is a Sweet Georgia colour way and since I love the feel of these yarns I decided to take it with me for the trip in case I had time to start ☺

Now it's time to head off to bed as the real world resumes tomorrow....

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy