Princess Quilt for a Princess

Over the Christmas break I kept myself busy with piecing, and quilting, so that I could finish a princess quilt for this sweet princess.



I'd started this quilt well over a year ago (princess is now 9 months!) and would only work on this project sporadically.  As Christmas approached I decided to kick it up a notch and try and get this one finished and over to its intended recipient.  There were lots of blurry eyed late nights invested... but soo worth it.



For the quilt design, I wanted something that would allow me to feature the princess pictures out of this Alexander Henry 'Once Upon A Time' fabric.  I came across the 'Oh My Stars!' Quiltalong, which looked straight forward enough my for beginner quilt skills and would allow me to fussy cut those princess images for the center of different sized stars.  It is a great tutorial, and if you check out the Oh My Stars Flicker Group you will see some creative and diverse applications of this approach.



I composed the layout as I went along.  It took me a few shuffles of stars before I landed on a composition that was pleasing to me -- having a large central star surrounded by medium and smaller stars.



After I had pieced the quilt, I knew that there would be a strong probability that I would not be able to get it out to a professional long arm quilter for completing over the busy Christmas period.  So, I decided that I would quilt it myself!  I spray basted the quilt together and started by shadow outlining the stars in a Pearl DMC top thread - using this great tutorial for guidance.  And then further echoed that outline with Aurifil thread, until I reached the edges of the quilt.  It was a lot of work but well worth the effort.  I am enormously pleased with how this turned out.





I have my next quilt in the very early planning stages... more to come in a future post.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.  What fun plans do you have?
Sam xxx

Stitch People: Cross Stitch Family

After seeing the birth announcement cross stitch, one of my family asked if I would make a family portrait with cartoon type people and an uplifting statement underneath as a daily reminder to be grateful for all that you have. Well, of course I was going to say yes to that!

I enjoy the research process almost as much as the crafting itself, and it wasn't long before I found the Stitch People site. What a fantastic source of inspiration with numerous customized family and wedding portraits. Plus you can order their book to guide you through creating your own custom versions: The book includes the designs for multiple different hair, outfit and accessory types, plus it has a great section for different dog and cat types. Naturally I now own a copy.

I started by picking out some photographs of the happy family, and then looking in the Stitch People book for those characteristics and outfits that would represent the family members. Once I had the selected design elements I copied them onto graph paper - this became my 'pattern'. From there it was a case of picking from my supply of threads to create the portrait. I cant tell you how much fun I had with this process, trying to make sure I reflected some of the details of this family:

• Ooh she likes sparkle - let me stitch her a pink sparkle top
• I rarely see her without heels... yep, these ankle boots with a heel are perfect!
• Now for him, a black t-shirt is a frequent go-to top
• One of his arms is a multicolour sleeve tattoo and the other is sepia, let me build that in ...making sure I get the arms correct (yes, there are even hints and tips for how you add details such as tattoos into your design)
• The dogs are both German Shepherds but with their own distinct colouring that I was able to build in

As for the saying, I found this one on Pinterest - it is short, simple, but really conveys the desired feeling behind the original request.

I am grateful that I get to spend time with my family very soon, and deliver this one in person.
What are you grateful for?

Big hugs,
Sam xxx

Pretty in Pink Baby Cardigan

I cant even begin to tell you how much I love this project! It started with the yarn...  this pigeonroof studios gradient yarn is soo beautiful.  I had an idea in my mind of what I was aiming for, and used my 'go to' pattern for baby girl sweaters - Elizabeth Zimmerman February Baby Sweater - as the basis for the project.  It turned out exactly as I had envisioned... don't you love it when that happens!



Here are the modifications that I made to EZ's pattern:

• EZ calls out a number of stitches to cast on.  Instead of casting on this amount, cast on the number that it recommends that you should have after the first round of increases.  
• Follow the pattern for the garter stitch neck band and spacing of buttons
• Instead of using the lace pattern that EZ recommends, knit a simple stocking stitch, retaining the garter stitch edging and button spacing.  (I love the lace pattern, but really wanted the color gradient to stand out with a simpler stitch pattern)
• When starting a new color mini skein, work the first row as *Knit 1, Slip 1* repeated across the stocking stitch portion of the pattern - this results in a subtle zigzag between the 2 colors (vs a hard line shift from one color to the next)
• For the sleeves, work 4 ridges of garter stitch and cast off.

It's very simple, but I think quite effective as a result of the beautiful yarn.



The final touch was to add buttons.  These are a simple transparent, pale pink, gem-like bead from Joanns Fabrics.  Aside from being a gorgeous button, I liked that the transparency picked up on the color of the yarn that it was placed on.



All in all, it was a really enjoyable knit, and I am excited to gift it next month.  Ooh and who doesnt love buying dresses for little girls?  I found this super cute ballet pump design dress which picks up on some of the pinks in the cardigan.

I hope you are having a great weekend.  It finally turned into summer here, so I've been enjoying time outdoors.  Take care,

Love,
Sam
xxx

Pretty in Pink

A few weeks back I picked up this gorgeous gradient sock yarn from Pigeon Roof Studios.



The colors are precious, and perfect for a princess. I had an idea that this would make a gorgeous baby sweater and toyed between the Tea Leaves cardigan design and my go-to sweater: Elizabeth Zimmerman's February baby sweater.



The go-to pattern won, albeit a modified version of the original, using stocking stitch instead of the lace pattern. I chose to keep it simple so that the gradient yarn would be the star of the show.



This was a perfect project for this last week's plane journey to see my step daughter graduate from the University of Central Florida with a Biology degree magna cum laude. We are incredibly proud of her, and excited for what comes next as she embarks on a summer of research projects before heading onto post-grad study.





Congratulations to all the recent grads!  Happy Mother's Day!
Wishing you a great week ahead,
Love,
Sam
xxx

Birth Announcement

Have you seen how cute the penpals patterns are from Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery? These are beginner friendly, and a big part of that appeal is they are small enough that you can finish fairly quickly.

I had been working on Penpals 202, which I believe was originally a Valentine's release.  I bought this as a kit, with the polka dot linen and delightful cosmo threads, from The Cottage Needle on Etsy (I highly recommend them for your stitch goodies).  While I was working on this, I received the good news that a dearly loved couple were expecting a baby girl.  As the months went by I saw that they were decorating the nursery with pink and hearts.  That triggered an idea - this cross stitch pattern would make a cute birth announcement.

Once I worked the penpals design, I needed to add the personalization.  A quick Google search later I came across Stitchpoint - a site that lets you pick a font and type in the letters and characters that you want to stitch.  I opted for the Monaco font - I wanted the lettering to be delicate and not overpower the penpals design.  For the name I used the darkest of pinks from the design.  For the birth details I used the medium pink.  My thought here is that the name would stand out a little bit from the rest of the details.


For the finishing I found a frame at TJ Maxx that would work with the furniture in the nursery, and also complement the cross stitch design.  I cut some card and batting that would fit the frame (I like how the batting adds some 'poof' to the finished design, centered the design over the top and then laced up the back.  (There are a number of online tutorials showing how to do lacing...  this was my first time finishing/framing a project myself, and I was pleasantly surprised at how well it turned out).

Have you tried something new this week?

Wishing you a great week ahead.
Love,
Sam xxx

Delicate baby booties and hat

I started the baby booties and hat again using the new yarn. It was a good decision!


The previous colours were nice... they just didn't feel really special. These new yarns however - Wow! First the colours - I feel that they are classic and delicate. Perfect baby colours. The cream yarn is Blue Sky Alpaca Royal, and to use their description: A very rare quality of luxury alpaca fiber. You just want to snuggle with this. (Or as friend of mine would say, you want to have a complete body suit made out of this!) The peach yarn is Louise Harding Orielle in color Blossom. This one is 97% baby alpaca (more snuggly softness) with a silver princess sparkle that runs through it (and the sparkle does not detract from the softness). If there is any downside it would be that the stitch definition is not as crisp in the alpaca yarns compared to the cotton. But you could argue that this just adds to the charm of the alpaca. Always a silver lining :)


The pattern is Knitting Baby Set by Elena Mitchell (Solnishko43 on Etsy). The pattern is extremely detailed with a couple of size options: Excellent written instructions and accompanying photographs for each step. As I was knitting I felt that this must be a very talented knitter that created this design - there are some steps in the design, such as how each row starts and stops that give a very professional finish. If you have some baby knitting in your future I recommend checking out her patterns on Etsy. The finishing touch was to add the pearl beads as a final decorative element. These are fit for a princess!


Now, if only this snow would let up I could go and get them in the mail :) 
I am taking full advantage of the snow day - crafting, blogging and quality family time. It is a good day! How would you/do you spend your snow days?


Stay safe Coloradoans, and wishing everyone a great weekend,
Sam xxx

Road trip

Over spring break we took a road trip to visit family in Arizona.  The timing was perfect because we were able to catch a spring training game with the Rockies.  That's a win:win for my husband and I...  He gets to watch the game while I get to enjoy some great weather and solid knitting time :)


It was really good to get away for a few days, see family and enjoy some delightful weather (thankful to have missed the blizzard back in Colorado). I mainly worked on the Clapo-ktus scarf on the road trip and have been making good progress - almost at the half way mark!  I have since flitted between the other projects on the needles:
 The Habu Gauzy scarf (now on the 3rd colour):

Some baby booties:


Although I am not loving the dusky pink and have since been reworking them in this glittery peach and cream combination.

In addition to the knitting I was able to pick up some fabulous Blue Moon Fiber Arts yarn, which is soo bright and happy! I'm eager to get one of these skeins on the needles! But first, I need to finish those baby booties.

Hope you have had a wonderful weekend,
Sam xxxx

Snuggly Soft Baby Sweater

In our group of friends it seems that there are a whole slew of babies due in the coming months.  The first is a baby girl that is due in early May, and my go to pattern for baby girls is Elizabeth Zimmerman's february baby sweater on 2 needles. 



This one is worked up in ArtYarns Cashmere sock. The yarn is devine!  So deliciously soft and snuggly.  You can almost see the fuzzy halo of the yarn in the picture below.  I also love the slight variegation on colour from baby pink through peach.  Soo pretty. 



The pattern is great too.  It's a really easy knit, but with fancy results.  There's very little finishing involved too, which in my books is always a winner.  My favourite part is that I'm able to put some of my sock yarn stash to good use - this cardigan uses up about the same amount of yarn that it takes to make one pair of adult socks.



I modify the pattern slightly for the sock yarn.  I use a needle that is 1-2 sizes larger than the sock yarn recommends.  So for the cashmere sock they recommend a needle size 3, and I used a US 5.  Also, the pattern calls that you cast on X stitches, knit for Y rows, then increase until you have Z stitches.  Instead of casting on X stitches, I cast on Z number of stitches - the number of stitches that you would have after the first round of increases if you followed the pattern as written.

Do you have any go to patterns for babies?
I would like to make something for a baby boy and a 'TBD' baby.

Hope you are having a lovely weekend,
Sam

Happy March

February flew by, didn't it.  The 2nd month of New Year resolutions... how did you do?

For me, the health related resolutions took a back seat this month.  Must do better:  My goal weight/size date is 2 months today.  The target is still doable... if I work hard at it.  I need to get my butt in gear!  ;o))

I have been making reasonably good progress on the crafty resolutions, but ultimately they are still out of kilter:  intake is exceeding output :)

Yarn:

• I completed another 3 squares for the Berties (hospice) Blanket (in addition to the square from last month that is also included in the photo below.)  I've found a local hospice who are eager to get their hands on these knit blankets, so trying to get this completed ASAP.

• And there was Naomi's pink sweater dress (which I am totally counting even though my Mum did a bunch of the work... but using yarn from my stash... so that counts, right?  :o)))
• I also started a cute baby sweater using stash yarn

• However, I've also picked up a couple of skeins of sock yarn including Skein sock in La Mer (yup, still need to cancel that subscription)

• Handspun sock hop yarn (so pretty!)

• Hello Yarn sock

moving swiftly on...

Fabric:

• On the output front, there's the monster bags that I just blogged about.  And although I purchased about 5 yards for some of the monsters, I also used about 10 yards from stash.  So all-in-all pretty good going there.
• There is the 2nd converging corners square that I made for a quilt guild swap

• And 3 stained glass squares that I made for a WIP quilt for Naomi

• I've also signed up to do the Local Quilt from Carolyn Friedlander with our local quilt guild.  I picked the following from my stash, and only needed to pick up an extra yard (ish) for the blue dots that will form the sky.  Good intentions here too :)

Cross Stitch:

• I am far behind on the cross stitch front
• Jan, Feb and March installments for Once Upon a Time are in.  I have the materials needed (and they are so pretty) but haven't yet started

• Jan-March are also in for the frosty forest, and my January block is still in progress. 

• To end on a positive note :)  I did get my 12 days of Christmas back from the framers this weekend, and oh my, I am in love!  I've liked everything about this project - the design, the materials, the theme... and now the framing! 

Well, thats it for me today.
Hope you are having a lovely Sunday,
Sam xxx

Daphne and Delilah

I had quite the shock last week to find out that the baby knit I was working on - the Daphne and Delilah monsters - needed to be complete this week.  I have no idea how these things sneak up on me so quickly.  It was time to get cracking this weekend.  The Colorado weather helped - it was cooooold with a little snow.  Truly a lock yourself indoors with the fire on type of a weekend.  Hmm perfect.  (Well, not entirely perfect - seems some bug is working its way around the family so we've all been a little ugh!)

But, in the words of Dora the Explorer "I did it!"  (Erm, yes this was the type of show that was on the box.  Not in my top 10 choices, but an under-the-weather girly was soothed by this, so who am I to complain :)

Proudly presenting the quite festive Daphne and Delilah pair:



I'm learning that my choice in colour can often be influenced by the season.  I hadn't intentionally picked the colours, but I am pleased that it does feel a little Christmassy.

Pattern:  Daphne and Delilah by Rebecca Danger
Yarn:  Lion Brand Cotton Ease  (I did not use the yarn doubled as the pattern suggests, but did go down 2 needle sizes)
Needles:  US 6 dpns
Mods:  I use felt for the eyes and teeth, and blanket stitch these onto the monsters.



I had some yarn left and was able to whip out another hat for Project Love.



But now I shift my attention to Bertie's Blankets:  the 3 blankets that I'd like to put together for Trinity Hospice in memory of my Dad.  Thanks to all who offered to help.  You can follow the progress over at http://BertiesBlankets.blogspot.com.  I started the coastal-coloured afghan:



Mum, if you are reading this, I am still working on your quilt too :)))  All the squares have been made for the quilt top, I'm now in the process of assembling them (while trying to ensure that I keep the layout intact).  Getting close now xxx



Hope you had a lovely weekend,
Sam
xxx