Too tired to knit?

I remember back in grad school in Kentucky talking to one of my professors about my quilting.  I brought her some blocks I was working on for the Civil War block of the month quilt, and she mentioned how it must be so nice to sit and relax and quilt.  I told her it definitely was a relaxing endeavor, but was NOT a sitting endeavor.  There's a lot of standing involved in the piecing of a quilt--at the ironing board, at the cutting table, and somewhere for planning and laying out the fabric.  I remember piecing and being quite sweaty.  She was surprised at this and said that she clearly had no idea about piecing a quilt because in her mind it was a sitting activity.

Now, knitting is a sitting activity.  One of the reasons I wanted to learn so badly is so that I could knit in the car on long drives.  I like knitting in the evenings because I want to wind down and not have to get up and down a lot.  Knitting definitely lets me do that, and it's really nice.

But, last night, I found myself too tired to knit.  As I stated that out loud, I kind of laughed.  I mean, really, physically it isn't much work.  And sometimes mentally it's pretty much just mindless knitting.  But...last night, I was actually too tired to think about mindless knitting. I didn't thing I'd be able to do much other than just sit last night, so that's what I did.  I knew that if I knit, it would be messy and I wouldn't be happy with it...so I abstained.

It was nice to relax, but my hands felt itchy, restless, and like that didn't know what to do with themselves.  It's funny how my hands are so used to moving that being still is uncomfortable--even painful.

I read about yarn instead (Clara Parks' book "The Knitters Book of Wool."), and in doing so realize that I want to make every single pattern in the book.  I want to knit my way through the Knitters Book of Wool, using the yarns recommended in the patterns, so I can try out different kinds of wool, different kinds of techniques, and explore new items to make (like pillows and bags).

I also find it funny that even when I'm too tired to actually knit, and even though I have 10 projects started...that I want to start more, try different things, be creative in so many different ways.

I definitely think I'm crazy!

Today's picture is of me knitting at the quilt bee.  I worked pretty hard on this blanket, especially on Saturday, and made some pretty good progress.  I still love the colors, the pattern, etc.  It's not difficult, but isn't straight knitting either so isn't boring.  I also put it on a bigger circular needle, so now it looks like an even bigger hat...a hat for a giant instead of a blanket for a baby!

Back to Work

It's always a shock coming back to work, even if my vacation was during my normal time off.  During the summers we get Fridays off, work longer days Monday-Thursday, so it's tempting to do the 3-day weekend thing.

The 21st Thornton Thimblers Quilt Bee was amazing as usual.  We had such fun talking, playing games, and quilting.  We went out to eat, planned fancy meals, and just enjoyed each others' company.  Every year that I go I'm amazed that we can have a group of women between the ages of 17-73 and we ALL have fun.  Every single one of us.

And I realize every year how blessed I am to be part of such a wonderful family who can laugh and support each other and enjoy being together.  Truly deeply blessed.

I knitted a good bit on the baby blanket during the bee.  I'll show a picture of that later.  Today, I know, you want to know about the quilt.

It was designed by my Aunt Janice (our Queen Bee) for Emma and Elizabeth, the two youngest quilters in our group.  Janice asked last summer what Elizabeth's favorite things are, colors, things, etc., and from that she designed Elizabeth's side of the quilt to be lady bugs.  Big circles of lady bug fabric along with red and white and black and white polka dotted fabric make up the pattern of that side.  This quilt is special because it's reversible.  The other side, Emma's, is sunflower and royal blue fabric stripes alternating in diagonal stripes.  We quilted from the lady bug side because it had the most design elements, but either side could be considered the "top" and the winner would have the "top" declared as the name of the quilt.

On Saturday night we drew and Emma won.

Here is our group picture.  It's always sad to leave and go home, but we know that next year we'll get together, come up with new games (or repeat the old ones), and again enjoy being together.

Sing along with me!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

I have had the song in my head all morning...lalalalalalalala.......

I was thinking of being really clever and writing new lyrics, but I've been crazy busy all morning with orientation and haven't had time to be clever, BUT I'm singing the song in my head all the while.  I'm a little worried people are going to look at me funny because I'm going to say something and they aren't going to "get it."

But it is.  The most wonderful time of the year!

BECAUSE.....(drum roll, drummer boy named Ted)...

THE 21ST ANNUAL THORNTON THIMBLERS QUILT BEE STARTS TODAY!

And around 3:30 or so I'll be on the road heading that way.  I'm so excited.

Because you know what.  I have a wonderful family that I love being around and enjoy so much spending time with them.  The bee has done so many things for me that I can't help but singing along:

it's the most wonderful time of the year!

Back in 2009 I won this quilt.  I cried when I won it. You can't see it in this picture but my eyes were all red rimmed and teary.  It is a truly special quilt, and me winning it was truly special.  This year Elizabeth might win, or she might not.

If she doesn't, she's dancing in a coconut bra and grass skirt.  And really and truly...I hope she doesn't win it this year because THAT's something I want to see!

All Dressed Up

 Here we are at the end of the bee.  The quilt didn't quite get finished, but almost.  There was just a border left and a few diagonal stripes.

The quilt is called "All Dressed Up" and is a pattern by Jan Mullen of Stargazey Quilts and is called "Dressez." It's a crazy piece kind of construction where you design as you go.  Each dress is individually designed.  Alyssa picked colors and dress style to reflect each member of the bee.  There is one "hula skirt" in there as well with fringed fabric to mimic a grass skirt. The dresses are posed an a mannequin or dress stand.

At the bee we each decorated our dress with buttons and beads and floss.  That was very fun.

I think that Alyssa did an amazing job for her first finished quilt.  I can't wait to see it all finished up!

Today's the Day!

Woot!  I'm so excited!  Today's the day for leaving for the bee.  Tomorrow we'll gather shortly after lunch and Alyssa will unveil the quilt soon thereafter.  I don't have the full agenda, but I know there will be lots of games, some stories, shopping, fabulous meals, and of course some quilting.

Did I mention that I can't wait?

I'm even excited about the drive because it means I have uninterrupted knitting time.  I'm planning to work on the baby gift and daddy's socks if I can.  I've never knitted with needles that small in a car, so that could prove a challenge.  We'll see.  I'd love to have the socks finished so Daddy can try it on and I can get a sense of whether I've made them way too big or not...they seem kind of big but David assures me they aren't.

This afternoon, after the car is packed, I'll post a picture of all of our stuff...and then I'll be signing off until next week!

Last Night, Tonight, and Tomorrow!

I'm so excited about the quilt bee...it's just a day away from when I'll be leaving.  Long drives, but I get to knit on my cool new baby project, so that's ok.  Hopefully it'll be light long enough for me to get a good bit of the road behind me.  I don't like riding in the car with nothing to do...

Last night I didn't get much knitting.  I did get the gusset stitches picked up and start knitting the descreases.  Somehow I ended up with 2 extra stitches on each side, so either I counted my rows wrong (possible) or picked up the same stitch twice (also possible).  Either way, it was the same on both sides, so I posited that it'll work out in the end.  Guess we'll see.

But I didn't get to do much knitting because I had to pay bills last night.  That's always a drawn out process at the beginning of the month and even more so because I decided that last week I didn't need to do the bills since nothing was due right away...one must "pay" for procrastination! ha!

And normally I do bills on Tuesday, but I had to do them last night because tonight... I PACK!!!

So very excited.  Trying to figure out what I need to bring clothes-wise.  All the other stuff is packed...and we do spent a good bit of our time lounging around, but there's shopping, and dinner out...and of course I have to bring knitting to do when I'm sitting around with nothing to occupy my hands...and for the car ride there and back (I think the one project I've started will be finished by the time we get there...)

And tomorrow...David and Alyssa will pick me up around 4 and we'll hit the road.  I'm hoping we're in Houston by midnight.  We'll spend the night and on Thursday it's Wimberley bound!  Keep those quilt bee clouds a puffing!  It's going to be a rocking good time!

Today's picture is of a proud Alyssa taken (with the quilt underneath her, but I've cropped that out!) after she finished the bee quilt!  I cannot wait to see her glow when she unveils it to the family on Thursday afternoon!

I'm Driven

Currently I'm working on socks for my daddy.  I've read about making socks for men...how their feet are bigger and wider and how it takes more time...and I didn't really think about it until I kept measuring the leg to see when I was ever going to make 8"...I finally did which means that I could finally turn the heel last night.

Isn't it the pretties blue green you've ever seen?

I'm so driven to finish this thing, though, I spent all day working on it and not weaving like I'd planned.  I rationalized that decision by the fact that I wouldn't get anything but "maybe" the loom dressed (warp all tied on and tidy) and certainly wouldn't have time for weaving, so I decided that I should really just focus on the sock.  I even contemplated bringing it to work today but feared I might forget it and then be in trouble for the whole "working on it tonight" part of my daily expectation.  So, I left it at home, but that was a struggle...

It's awesome and I LOVE working with this yarn, and I'm trying to decide if it might fit me instead of daddy (only if I made the foot too short, but I would never do that on purpose).  And the funny thing is I already have a pair of socks out of this yarn which I'd wear every day if I could.

(Note to self, must make more socks for self...quit being so generous and giving everything away!)

This weekend I also started a gift for my friend Aaryn who is preggers.  It's adorable and I'll work on it in the car, but needed to get started before I left so that the whole troublesome casting on and making sure no stitches are twisted part of the process if out of the way.  I almost couldn't stop.  I love the yarn (Berroco Weekend) and I love the colors, and I love the pattern, and it's so darn cute I'm sure I'll have it finished before we hit the Louisiana Texas border, which probably a good thing because it'll be dark by then and difficult to see to stitch...but still...I felt the pull of it saying to me, "you could work on something else...you know, all those other 20 projects you've started and the 20 others that you want to start"...but I ignored it for the sake of having something to do in the car on the way there.  Must figure out in the next two days what I'm going to do on the way home.

On a side note: Elizabeth tried to convince us to unveil the TTQB quilt to her early since she won't be there for the unveiling...we weren't swayed.  Heartless we are!

7 days!

My phone buzzed a few minutes ago to alert me to the fact that there are only 7 days until the 20th Thornton Thimblers Quilt Bee!

I didn't need to be reminded.  It's just about all I can think about these days.  I can not wait to spend time with my family and revel in being so incredibly lucky to be part of one of the most amazing things I've ever heard about.  (and to hear people's expressions when I talk about it you'd think they think it's pretty darn special too!).

This year is going to be a little bittersweet, though.  And on my drive every day this week, I tear up, sometimes really cry, thinking about how Grandma isn't here anymore to be part of it.  While she only came to a couple of bees (and that was at the very end of the weekend or for a short visit, she never participated in all of the festivities and quilting), she truly truly enjoyed hearing all about it.  We'd call  her several times during the bee and always after the drawing.  She would have her "pick" of who was going to win.  And she was always happy about who won.  The winner would get to talk with her for a few minutes and enjoy being the star of the show.

So, while she wasn't actually there, she was there, and this year she can't be there and it is really hard for me to put my mind around how this can be so.

I've missed her so much this past year.  It will hit me at the weirdest times, and I'll be all teary and sad thinking about how she won't be able to see this or hear about that.  This week I read one of my blog entries from A Peek in  the Cupboard that I wrote shortly after she passed where I commented on the fact that everyone thought she was such a wonderful person. The reason I thought they thought that is because she made each and every person she met feel special.  She always touched and hugged and told you you were great.  She asked 100 questions about what you were doing and what you thought about it and how you liked it.  She would respond with "I swear" or "I'll be" or "Isn't that something" and you know she felt exactly as you did about the situation.  She knew and remembered your birthday.  She remembered things you talked about before, even if it was months or years ago, and asked about that again.  I remember one time being surprised that she'd remembered something I'd forgotten. Sometimes she got things wrong, like thinking David was President at USM...we couldn't convince her that we didn't tell her that, so we let it drop...:)

I know that this year we'll dedicate our special 20th anniversary to her.  I know that we'll think about her and talk about her quite a bit.  While we usually laugh until we cry, I have a feeling that this year we'll cry until we laugh reliving memories of what a wonderful person she was and how we are all better people for having her in our lives.

Today's picture is of our group picture last year.  We're a good-looking happy group.  I'm so proud to be part of this tradition and family.  I'll raise a glass to all of you tonight!

One-Sock-Itis

I read somewhere one time that there is a big problem with people just knitting one sock.  They get that one finished, never cast on the second one and therefore have a lot of one-socks.  I'm sad for those lonely socks going through life without their mate.  Unless they have an owner like my daughter, Elizabeth, they will forever sit in a knitting bag or closet and not ever be worn.  I'm a strong believer that socks like to be worn out.  I agree with Stephanie Pearl McPhee that one of the exciting things about knitting socks is knowing that they'll be used up.  I have a very practical side of me that only wants to make things that will be useful.  Quilting was fun, but after a while impractical.  A well-made quilt will last for generations.  After everyone I know has two or three quilting simply becomes decoration (and there's nothing wrong with decoration, I just don't have that many spaces left on my walls!).  But a sock, even well-made, will wear out with sturdy wear.  And that means that I get to knit another one.

And I LOVE knitting socks.  I may love knitting socks more than anything else.  I do love knitting hats, but I don't have much practical use for them in my climate, so they go in the same category as quilts.  After everyone has 2 or 3 then I must find something else for them.

But sock knitting is eternally fascinating.  Knitting in a tube means that there is almost no finishing.  Weave in ends, wash and (maybe) block and then put on feet!  To be honest, though, putting on feet is blocking, so really not a necessary step in the process.  Because socks have so many different components, I don't get bored, and then voila! I'm finished!

And as I mentioned yesterday I love finishing things because it motivates me to get started on something else.  And here's the little trick I played on myself last night.

I'm about 10 rows from finishing the toe of the sock.  Then I get to learn a new way of closing the toe (Kitchener's stitch, which many people hate, so I guess I'll learn why).  I could have finished knitting those 10 rows in about 20 minutes had I decided to stay up a little past my bedtime...I could have learned that new toe-closure in about 5 minutes with the video that's available with my e-book...and I could have gone to bed knowing that today I'd get to start a new sock.

INSTEAD...

...I decided to wait and finish tonight so that I could immediately start the second sock.  I'm excited about starting that second sock, so I'm going to dig in and get that accomplished tonight! yea!!!

And, let me tell you, Mama, you're going to LOVE these socks.  I'd keep them if I hadn't already promised them to you.  I'm on the hunt for more yarn just like this so I can make myself some soon!

Today's picture is of the drawing for the Thornton Thimbler's Quilt Bee in 2011 when Alyssa won the quilt.  I think it's so cute that Auntie J is dressed like the quilt squares.  I wonder if she'll dress up for the drawing this year too?  While I'm sorry that you didn't win, Auntie J, I'm very pleased and proud that I had the opportunity to quilt with my daughter over this year.  Her first quilt is going to knock your socks off!

I kinda disappeared

Whew!  What a week.  I feel like I kinda disappeared for a few days.  It's been a good week:  Busy, but not too much so. I've gotten a lot of work, had some freedom to do some fun things.  I've planned a few things for the end of the summer--I really do like thinking long-term and knowing I have plenty of time to get things done.

I've also been avoiding warping my loom for some reason.  I really really want to weave my project but I just can't seem to get to it.  Lots of other things are distracting me.

Like this awesome hat I finished on Wednesday night.  It's so soft and cuddly and I just love it to bits!

I also worked on knitting something else for the quilt bee...it didn't work out too well so it's been ripped out.

I had Crafty Vixens last night which was quite fun. I do enjoy hanging out with those ladies!

And I started some socks for mom for Mother's day.  I know I'm late, she knows I'm late, but she seems ok with that.

Maybe I'll get to that project this weekend...that's my plan, but we'll have to wait and see!  I'm also hoping that I can finish up my thoughts on "finishing" things.  I was thinking about that during our college graduation on Tuesday.  There's a lot that can go into finishing things and I'm trying to cull out the good parts so that I can have an interesting post.  In a few days I'm sure.

Until then I'm going to go start another project...this one little and knitted for the bee.  It's going to be SEW cute! :)

Trying not to panic

I'm trying not to panic.  I'm really putting my mind to the task of "digging in and finishing what I started."  I'm also rationalizing that if I don't finish what I started that I can "make do" with what I have (and I can stretch things a little)...but I won't to do that.  The other part of my brain that is trying to calm me down is saying..."deep breaths, you can do this, and if you can't, give people swatches of yarn and tell them what it's going to be."

And I really really don't want to do that.

But here's reality:

• there are 30 days until the start of the 20th Thornton Thimblers Quilt Bee
• which means that I will leave in 29 days
• which means that I have to pack in 28 days
• which means that every single thing below has to be finished in 27 days
• I still have one project on the loom--2-3 hours worth of work
• I have another project to get on the loom that I am NOT going to NOT bring--probably 5 hours of work
• I have another project that will finish out everything nicely--another 3 hours or so of work, maybe longer since the threads are pretty skinny on that one
• I have one last project that I'd really really like to get done for symmetry and to make sure that everyone in my game gets something handmade--3 hours max on that one
• which means that I have to weave an average of two hours per day until the bee in order to finish things
• and I don't think that's possible.
• (and if you want to see where all this got started, go back to my 3/12/12 entry "Everything's turning up Yellow")

For one, I work

For two, I have a husband who would probably like my company 

For three, I need to walk everyday to be able to hike in Switzerland without trepidation

For four, Alyssa still needs to finish the quilt (!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

For five, weaving is hard work and sitting at it for 2 hours a day would be difficult

For six, I'm going to New Orleans this weekend (fun!) for dinner and a date (see number 2, I wasn't making that up)...

So, I'm thinking that somebody is going to get a swatch with a description of what would be their lovely yellow-ish item...Here's hoping there's a miracle in my future.

Today's picture is of the sweater sleeve (that took my focus away from all things yellow this weekend, which is one main reason I'm in this pickle).  I love this detail about the sweater and is the primary reason I chose to knit it as my first sweater.  I've always had large arms for my size, so getting things to fit around my arms usually means I have to go up a size in ready-mades...unless the sleeve is butterfly and then I can get shirts/dresses that fit me elsewhere.  What a great feeling.  But on this sweater, what a pretty pretty details.  I also like whatever trick of the camera was at play that makes me look slender! :)

36 and 59

...those are the number of days until the 20th Thornton Thimblers' Quilt Bee and my trip to Switzerland!  And I'm very excited.

As you know, I've been working diligently on all my gifts for my game.  I picked up THE GRAND PRIZE gift last night.  And let me say that it doesn't have anything to do with bananas, and isn't yellow.  In fact, I may have to change my "yellow" game to include some pinks and greens...and creams, and a little bit of blue.  I'm so proud of this gift and it kills me that I can't show you a picture, but that would ruin all the surprise and fun of my game, so I'll just tell you that I'm very very proud of it.

In fact, I brought it to work this morning to show everyone and decided on the way here that I'll just leave it here, in my office, until we leave for the bee.  That way I'll get to enjoy it for a few weeks (36 days minus weekends and holidays to be exact) before it goes off to its rightful owner, and my daughters can't see it...it's way to big to hide.  In the meantime, I'll be thinking of each person at the bee and how they'll enjoy being "the last" in my game.

And in celebration of the 59 days until Switzerland, today's picture was taken from our hotel room...as David laid down for a nap he realized that THAT view is not something you see every day.

Everything's Turning up Yellow

Last week my Aunt Betty asked me if my "White Elephant" game that I put together every year was really called a "Yellow Elephant."  After looking at my studio this weekend, I have decided that it should indeed be called a "Yellow Elephant."

For those of you in the know, this should excite you that there are many hand-made gifts to come.  For those of you not in the know, I make/buy "bee" or "banana" themed items for the Quilt Bee almost every year.  I'd started working on one great secret several months ago.  I will finish it tonight (even if I have to stay up until midnight to do so). 

I was all excited about almost finishing this and went to look at my little stash to see what I'd created and how many more things I needed to get.  Well, the news was kind of sad, actually.  I, who thought I was almost done, was shocked to see that I only had 5 items, 6 if you pushed it, and I wasn't willing to do that.  4 of those items are hand-made, one of them is just hilarious, the other is adorable. 

And since:

• I was going back to the drawing board,
• had just finished with the major secret conspiratorial project (which is coming along most adorably I'm proud to say now that it's out of my hands), 
• was about to finish my most recent weaving project, and 
• weaving projects move along fairly quickly considering,

I decided that all the gifts this year would be hand-made.  *(Editors note:  This is a very typical Leslie reaction to things.)

I started pulling yarns from all over the place, seeing yellow things in places I didn't know they existed.  In 15 short minutes I had pulled all the yarn I want to use, was VERY excited to see that I didn't need to buy anything and had loosely (read: in my head) planned out 8 more projects for the bee this year.  That means that EVERYONE will get a hand-made gift, some better than others, but all handmade.  Isn't that just the coolest thing ever.

Now we'll see if I can pull it off without losing my mind again.  2011-2012 will go down as the year of weaving for the bee.  But it's SEW worth it considering that this year is our 20th!

All that means that I won't be able to show actual photos of my projects in progress on the loom.  I'll have to start showing more knitting, or old projects because these are going to bee top banana secret!

Today's picture is of the scarf that I just finished the moment after I took it off the loom.  Weaving on the loom has a sort of "ugly duckling" quality to it.  One of the scariest things a first time weaver does is cut the project from the loom.  It's sort of like the moment of delivery.  Here is this thing that you've put lots of sweat and energy into:  Will it live up to your dreams?  BUT once cut from the loom, the fabric starts to show its beauty.  This one was washed, attacked by the cat (no damage thank goodness), and is now safely stowed away in a bag to send to its new owner.  I'll have pics of it finished on my next post.