23 and me

Behold, I have finished another flower! I had a nice few hours yesterday morning of finishing an audiobook and sewing, and so completed the orange flower while making progress on others as well. 

I also got an unexpected phone call from a lovely friend, and so used my one free hand to pull out the pieces for ~10 more flowers and arrange them in pairs so they're ready for sewing. Not picture worthy, but it'll save me a minute or two once I open those packets back up. 

And yes, Margie - I work on these during "Arts & Crafts" time (with Mom). Some weeks it's the only time I work on them, so good to keep things moving along!

I have done some research previously on local long arm places, and the websites have lots of good information. The quilt I was working on at the time was my giant heart, which did not have a lot of extra fabric (which is what they typically require), but I should have more flexibility with this one. Still, I would rather just make sure I have all the rules and regulations down before subjecting my handmade quilt to the machine. And it'll be a nice change of pace. :)

So much knitting!! You can't be stopped. Happy anniversary, and have fun in Austin!

Full flowers: 41/64 (5 started)

- Catherine

Car knitting

Go flowers go!  You are making good progress!  Do you work on them when you're with Mom?  They are so cute and cheerful.

If you find someone who does long-arm professionally, I don't think they'll make a mess of it, and they should help you with information needed to prepare the quilt?  They might also have suggestions about quilting patterns.  I bet you could also google it and find some ideas.

Next year - put it on the calendar - International Quilt Festival.  Houston.  It's earlier next year! Oct 9-12.  The quilts are amazing.  There are classes too, if you are so inclined.

I finished the socks for Middle.  One might be smaller than the other?  But the bigger one might be stretched out because I've tried it on?  I need to check.

I'm working on socks for Jeff now, and I realized that I've made him exactly the same socks before.  Oops.  He said he doesn't mind, so I'll put a different colored toe on them and I'll do something different next time.

I got some yarn for Sarah's mittens, but it was the wrong color to go with leftovers I had from their hats, so I've ordered more and will commence knitting.  I will swatch tonight and start tomorrow.

I also finished the blanket, but I need to give it a bath.  I like how squishy it is.  I also need to get Katie's address so I can send it along.

I've started a sweater for Smallest, because she is in a cold place now.  It's cotton, so not terribly warm, but I had the yarn already and needed to get it done.  There might be discussion at Xmas of warmer sweaters.  She has a wool one but she confessed that she doesn't like it a ton because it is a little itchy.  Alas.  I'll find something better for the next one.

We had a nice dinner for our anniversary.  Rice Homecoming was fun, I saw lots of people.  We're heading to Austin this weekend for the Texas Woodworking Festival.  This means I'll have at least five hours of car knitting.  Yay!  Mittens are quick, so I am hopeful that I can knock out some mittens.  The only downside to car knitting is that Jeff keeps pointing things out to look at, and we play a Whataburger spotting game, so he's always winning that.  Ah well.

Other than that, and overwhelming existential dread, things are pretty good.  I hear you got some snow!