Blogathon, Canada

I can't believe fall is almost gone and snow anticipated tonight!  But with fall comes Blogathon, Canada and Flo from Buterfly Quilting here is the host for Saskatchewan.  Thanks so much Flo.  The event starts November 18 - 23 so be sure to check out all the bloggers.  I have taken most of the year off and this is a perfect opportunity to get back connected with the quilting world and my friends and followers.

I am just finishing up the final touches on my Christmas charity project of my doll (pixy girl), bed and storage chest.  I have had so much fun with this and she is collecting quite a wardrobe.  I found most of my patterns on the internet, some I paid for but that is okay because everything doesn't need to be free!  I am new to knitting and have learned so many new techniques that I feel brave enough to try something a bit bigger this winter.

In January I am having my second hip replacement and that will be a perfect time to start a new knitting project.  This is my right hip so I may not be able to cruise along sewing string blocks.  I know right now that one of my first outings will be to the knitting group at the library.  The building is easy access with good parking and they have a wheelchair for patron use.  I am making some sewing kits that I can sew on one of my vintage machines without destroying the house with cutting scraps.

I have one small quilted bag started that I am going to work on tonight once I sign off here.  I'll be back with some pictures.

Here are some recent shots of Pixygirl.  Have a great weekend everyone.
She is sooo cute!

New Project

I have a new project that I am literally falling in love with.  This fall I joined a knitting group and we meet the first and third Wednesday each month.  This is such a fun group of ladies and it is more a social than a structured meeting, but there is always someone there to help you with a problem in your knitting.

This winter I broke my leg so I knitted a sweater that isn't quite done.  I enjoyed this so much.  I remembered forgetting to plan an item to donate to the Salvation Army Christmas gift baskets.  In past years I have either purchased or made a doll and a wardrobe.  Now this year I decided to plan well ahead so I would have everything ready for Christmas.  Last summer I purchased a set of doll bunk beds for $5.00 and handmade of oak.  This spring I started looking for a nice baby doll to go with it.  I ended up with 4 nice dolls, one has ink on the face and it will live with me.  I have been having a lot of fun knitting clothes for the dolls.  I am also working on the little quilts for the bunk beds.  Oh yes, I also purchased a small 3 drawer storage unit on wheels to store all the bedding a clothes.  What fun!

Here is a little peek at the doll that will go with the bunk beds and the quilt tops for each bed.

I think this doll is soo cute.  She is about 12" and I knitted the romper and hat for her.  She needs some booties to match.  She has weighted beads inside her so she can sit up nicely and on the edge of items.

I plan on attending  a Christmas Craft Show in November so I will be back to my quilting soon.  I like a bit of a summer break and these little items are just perfect to work on.  I will post more pictures of the new kids at my house as I get clothes made for them.

I belong to a Doll Quilt swap over at the Quilting Board and I received 2 quilts last week.  The first was from my partner Linda in Ireland who sent me this lovely Celtic Knot along with a magazine and a coin purse.  Just look at the beautiful fabrics in the coin purse, fabrics sure differ from what I see in stores in Canada.  We were suppose to tell something about where we live and I did an elevator with a border of wheat for Saskatchewan. 

My second quilt was from Leslie in WI for February.  Her mini log cabin is so outstanding with the dotted background she used.  I made a mini Pineapple Quilt and bordered it with a black/red fabric.

I also got a new camera for my upcoming birthday.  It's a Cannon and quite an upgrade from my little Kodac.  I am doing a lot better learning this camera than my first digetal. 

It has been a  bit since I have been online.  While getting right into my gymn workouts, I pulled something in my hamstring and have been suffering with nerve pain.  It is really hard to sit or sleep but I am hoping it will go away soon. 

Hey, all you wonderful Canadian shoppers!  I want to tell you about a new Online Shop I came across recently right here.  It is so great to see more Canadian Online Shops and I needed a bit a fabric that Jennifer had so I placed an order and received it in 5 days.  She also just had a fantastic giveaway, but I didn't win, but that's okay because I just love visiting her blog and shop.  I hope you will stop buy and do some shopping, you will be so happy with her fabric and service.

I have been doing the Doll Quilt Swap over at the Quilting Board for a few months now.  It is just so much fun and the creative ideas post as so fabulous.  Here are my August and September quilts I received.

They are both sooo cute.  I plan to display these in my boring sewing room, as my daughter tells me.

I did another thing I shouldn't have this month.  I bought a Singer model 404 with attachments, manual, automatic buttonholer, automatic zigzagger and in a nice little cabinet for $35.00.  I haven't taken any pictures yet.  Got the little machine shinned up and she runs like a dream.  I am still working on the cabinet and now it's ready for the Danish Oil finish.  I have another purchase from this spring I haven't shown  and it weighs close to 40 lbs, solid cast iron, a japan clone called "Fabric".  I plan to put this one in the cabinet just because it is too heavy to lift up and down off the table.  The new 404 is about 18lbs so it will become a portable.  I will get some pictures done this weekend.

I need to get off my sore butt!  I see that Dragonfly has joined as a follower, thanks!  I love to see new people and some comments.