Great Giveaway

I am so excited to be a small part of Handmade Christmas Cheer by Pat Wys.  When Pat started writing this book, she knew that she wanted to include several wool projects and wanted me to supply the wool!!!  I couldn't believe it.  What an opportunity, I was soooooo excited.  I was even more excited  a few weeks ago to see a copy of the book.  Every project in the book is absolutely over the top.  If you are going to purchase a new Christmas book this year, this is definitely the one to buy.  I received a copy of the book from Pat's publisher, Martingale, to use in a giveaway.  So here goes.  To win a copy of Handmade Christmas Cheer and a bundle of 4 fat quarters, one each in red, green, blue and white.  Perfect for any Christmas project.  For an opportunity to win, go over to Pig in a Blanket Wools  and leave a comment about your favorite type of handwork, wool applique, applique, stitchery or something else. The winner will be announced on Sunday.  Good luck.

Love my new bag

Just finished my new bag, the pattern is Victoria by Sue Spargo.  I bought the pattern several years ago with intentions to  make it and just never did.  When I started dyeing wool I knew that I would one day get around to making it.  The wool section is all my hand dyed wools, the green corduroy is from a pair of my dad's pants, along with the brown corduroy.  The buttons are from  my mom's button box, I have no idea how old some of them are.  The green and bronze upholstery came from old pillows from the house where I grew up.  This is going to be my new knitting bag.  Can't wait to show my mom.

Busy day at the dye pot

 Monday was spent at the dye pot, first time since school has been out.  I love to dye when I have all day and don't have to worry about time r estraints.  I came up with a great new red, and a new gold I am calling Sunflower.  My new green is called Jade.  It didn't turn out quite the way that I wanted, I was aiming for a darker green but it is a pretty shade.

Sunflower

Blue, gold, red.

Great retreat

Austin Blue Bird, BJ's version

 Last weekend I went to the Charlie Elliot Center for a great sewing retreat put on by Leisa and Nancy.  They did a great job, can't say enough about how nice it was.  It was great to see everyone, since I am still working and most of my sewing buddies are retired it was great to spend the weekend with all of them.  Even more it was great to be inspired by all of their great projects.

Over the River by Teresa

Disappearing Pinwheel by Julie, love this one, might have to try it.

18 years and counting

 Eighteen years ago yesterday, DH and I were married in Las Vegas, seems like yesterday.  It has been the best 18 years ever looking forward to many, many more.  While dyeing wool yesterday, DH came home with these beautiful flowers.  I only get flowers twice a year, my birthday and our anniversary.  Love them.  We went out to a nice dinner at our favoirte Italian restaurant, Alfredo's.  If you live in  Atlanta, give it a try; it doesn't look like much on the outside but it is great.

DH asked what I wanted for our anniversary, we just happened to be at Costco at the time  and I said that I would like the Outlander book, which I have never read, much to my surprise I got the whole series, can't wait to get started.

Schools out

School's out for the summer!!! Short as it is.  Got the summer off to a great start my DH's family reunion in Virginia.  This was the view from our lunch on Sunday.  Love the mountains.  The last couple of days have been spent cleaning my sewing room, I don't know how I let it get so messy.  I am really going to try to keep it in order after this deep cleaning.  Hopefully I will be able to do it.

 The last few months at school were so incredibly busy I did very little hand work of any kind.  Several months ago I started Pine Tree Ridge by Jan Patek, I had put it aside until this week.  I finished the angel block tonight.  Can't wait to get more of the blocks done.






I also discovered a great book a few weeks ago on facebook.  It took me a while to locate a copy of it, and just got it in the mail a couple of days ago.  The title is Desert Trader, The Life and Quilts of Goldie Tracy Richmond.  I have just started reading it and it very interesting.

One of Goldie's quilts.

A Me Weekend

I had the house to myself this weekend, and definitely made good use of my time.  Did some yard work on Friday afternoon, went out to a wonderful dinner with my 86 year old neighbor who was lonesome.  It was great to spend some time with him.  Yesterday made a trip to Marietta to Little Quilts to sell some wool to Mary Ellen, came back and headed to my sewing room.  I have been working on this quilt for over a year.  I have vowed every month this year to get it finished and it just hasn't happened.  Finally it is finished, just need to press it and trim some stray strings.  Really like the way it turned out.  Now for a new project.

Too a break from sewing and went to an estate sale down the street, found this great stool, don't know exactly where I am going to put it but absolutely love it.

 Finally had time to make some pincushions.  I have started collecting egg cups and turning them into  pincushions.  I used some of my hand dyed velvet for these two.  I love the one on the right, it is one of a pair that I bought in Alabama at a flea market, they are Minton.  Love the pale pink velvet.  The one on the left is Pennsylvania Dutch from a flea market in North Carolina.