Dear Jane and Crocheting

I've been working diligently on Jane.  Trying to catch up because I'm so far behind!  Bad me!

But I love my crocheting right now!  I've been working on a crochet-a-long with Bernat online. 


We're done with our weekly crocheting and I think we will begin to assemble them next week.  Can't wait to see what it will look like all put together!

Cooking

Also, I've been dying some of Fin's fiber.  This is my first foray into dying and I have to admit I'm loving it!  Put white in the crock-pot and take out beautiful colors! 

Drying

Draining

Fin before and after

Four colors so far!

Got a few more colors at the store...some orange and blue.  Can't wait to try those!

ttfn
Beth

Now, where were we?

Not that you could tell from the blog updates, but I've been very busy!  I have, however, been finding the most fun apps on the right of my blog...the Flickr carousel and as of last night, my Jane layout.  I'm very proud of my Jane picture.  Used a free photoshop program called Gimp to transfer my pdf graph into a jpg file.  Love it!

Now...here is an update on Jane!

 I think that's all of them!

I've also been working on some crochet and trying out some new joining methods for granny squares.

Have a great day!

Has it really been a month??

Apparently it has been an entire month since last I shared my projects with you!  I've been busy, busy, especially on custom projects to be ready for Christmas.  I'm chugging along and have a few to share!

For my cousin, a hand-spun, hand-crocheted hat and scarf set to match the convertible gloves I made her last month.  The yarn wasn't ready, so a-spinning I did go!  Used up the rest of Matar's fiber and produced about 800 yards of yarn!  So pretty!



I wanted to add a little color accent on the hat so worked up a bit of Marco's dark fawn fiber.  I hadn't worked with his fiber yet and I have to admit that I think the next project will be all mine!  His fiber is so fine and soft.  Its like a dream!

Made a pretty machine-embroidered Christmas tree for a friend.  This are popular around here, but time-consuming.  And I really do like hand-work best of all...but once in awhile it's fun to try something new.  Have at least two more of these to make, but in different colors, so that will be exciting!

 

Three little beaded, crocheted purses all in a row!  These were an order for a friend.  They are made of nylon crochet thread and glass beads.  I've been making them for years for myself.  They are becoming very popular this year and I've made about a dozen for other people.

I especially like the little natural one with its green beads mixed in!

Another custom order for a friend who needed something handmade in Ohio for an out-of-state gift swap.

I could make anything I wanted, in any color, so I chose to sew up this little set of four coasters with two matching potholders using some of my shop's fabric.  I just LOVE how they turned out and am considering a set for myself after the holidays.


Also, for the same friend, a crocheted pair of booties for her little one...

A set of 11 machine-embroidered shirts for my oldest daughter's quiz bowl team...

And finally--

#100-Weathervane

I have been working on my Farmer's Wife Sampler and my Dear Jane, although it is hard to fit them in!

 (Don't you just love the way the wind blows across the block?)

I will have to be extra diligent after Christmas--even though the mill called and the fiber is ready for pick-up...

ttfn
Beth

#83-Spider Web

This week's block for the Farmer's Wife Sampler is the Spider Web.  I started this block the day after Halloween--appropriate!!  I know, it's purple again, but don't you love the dew drops in the fabric?  And the pink has just a hint of frost!  There is a bug caught in the web--I like to think its not a true ladybug, but those nasty little Japanese knock-offs that congregate in the corners of my house this time of year.  You go, Spider!

After a lovely trip to Ohio Amish country last week on the annual quilt shop hop, I found a great layer cake with fall colors to make this silly turkey!   I love this guy!  Pieced his feathers in a day and spent the next day machine appliqueing him down.  The third day and a half was devoted to machine quilting.  I used my alpaca quilt batting and 1/2" echo quilting.  I love the effect of the fans.  Was going to make him a table mat, but I think I have to hang him on the wall and enjoy him all month!

ttfn

Beth

#4-Basket Weave

I just love the Farmer's Wife Sampler quilt!  It just moves right along.  The piecing is simple and quick.  I think it takes me more time to pick out the fabrics for a block than to actually sew it together!

This week's block is #4 Basket Weave.  As promised, it is not purple and green.  However, if I can't use purple, you'll probably get pansies instead!  You'll discover its my favorite flower!

Might have to work on next week's block too, considering the holiday--Spider's Web!

Happy Halloween!
Beth

Dear Jane Catch-up!

Today I'm going to update all the squares and triangles that I have finished for my Dear Jane quilt.  I am so behind in showing you what I've done!  And I need to get them off my sewing table and into their book.

A-9 Cabin Fever

I-3 Family Album

H-4 Abbey's Eyes

E-12 Mary Ruth's Corset

D-9 Uncle Richard

H-5 Michael's Motorcycle

H-7 Bennington Star

E-9 Quilt Jail

TR-5 Michigan Dunes

LS-10 Megan's Cathedral

And the pain in my bucket-RS-6 Tumbling Blocks

I worked on RS6 today.  It took me ALL AFTERNOON!  I'm mostly pleased with the bugger.  I'm hoping none of the others are as impossible as this one-this project is supposed to be fun!  I used a combination of inset seams on the sewing machine and, when that didn't work, hand applique as I went along.  Won't be doing this one again!

Well, it is all supposed to be a learning experience.  I'm still a couple blocks behind, but moving right along.  Finished three this weekend and have 3 prepped for hand applique, so all in all, doing GREAT!

ttfn
Beth