WIP Wednesday

Yesterday I signed the papers to accept my promotion at work. Who knew that leaving school would open this door? I will be losing some free time but will adjust once everything is settled. The trade off is an increased income to help Chad and I make our dreams a reality.

I hope you bear with me a little while as I find the right balance here. I decided to set small goals each week on what I want to accomplish. It can be finishing an item or just working on it. One goal this week is to get some blocks finished for my Drunkard's Path quilt.

I do start my new position and schedule today and have to be off to work shortly. I'm linking up at Freshly Pieced and will be working on checking in on your progress as well.

Finished:

Piper's Journey Shawl - more details here.

Progress Made:

Drunkard's Path Quilt - trimmed pieces are slowly becoming blocks. I decided to get them this far because I did feel like turning on my iron the day I worked on them. Anyone else do that?

Camp Loopy Project 2 - I nearing the finish line and would love to have this come of the needles by the end of the weekend.

No Progress:

Hand Quilting Challenge

Cachou Cowl

Garden Tote

Garter Stitch Scarf

Hand Pieced QAL

Sewing Machine Cover

Quilt Challenge of the Month: February/Cathedral Windows Apron

(Late) Wedding Present

Dessert of the Month: Jan-July

Zig Zag QAL

Kaleidoscope QAL

Embroidered Ornaments

Zakka Style projects

Curves Class projects

Ranrike Shawl

Dogwood Blossum Medallion Quilt

Reverse Applique Shirt

More Handstitched Class projects

2-in-1 Challenge

Modernista Swap

RATZ Swap: July

Camp Loopy Project 3

New:

Nothing is coming to mind.

FAL Quarter 3 Finish: Piper's Journey

Forgetting my camera yesterday seemed to have paid off. Today was slightly (only very slightly) cooler and overcast. I prefer to shoot photos on overcast/cloudy days so that the sun is filtered. Colors are true to life and there aren't any harsh shadows to deal with.

I drove the few blocks it takes to get to a dirt road and pulled over to take these. My allergies are acting up today so there is only one photo I liked of me wearing the shawl. It is smaller than I would like to wear around my shoulders so I settled on wearing around my neck.

The pattern is Piper's Journey by Paula Emons-Fuessle. My Ravelry project page can be found here. I will be making another one of these in a silk fingering yarn. I will be increasing the size a bit more for that one I think.

A very quick knit and the yarn is a dream to work with (Quince and Co Chickadee). I will also be using the Quince and Co yarns again very soon.

Miscellaneous

Even though it was in the mid-90's with humidity nearly as high, I had planned on shooting photos of my most recently finished shawl. I was going to suffer for it and don wool but after arriving at the location I was going to take the photos, I discovered I left my camera at home. I totally blame the heat. So now this is on deck for tomorrow.

I did finally get the last of my swap fabrics from the handprinted swap I was in. Now I can think of how to cut into them and use them up.

More yarn came today. I ordered for the third and final project for Camp Loopy. The requirements are that we knit more than 500 yards, has to have at least two colors (a single variegated yarn doesn't count), and it has to be a pattern we haven't done before. Considering that I mostly have knit my own designs or just basic items the last is a piece of cake. It was hard to narrow it down as my queue on Ravelry has grown to way too many items. I did settle on a two color shawl that is going to be a challenge for me. The start date is July 27th so it is some time before I will start knitting it. First, to finish project two.

The yarn for that shawl are the three skeins on the left. The middle two skeins are going to be a pattern of my own design. The colors are the exact same as what I see out the window at work, looking out onto the prairies and farm fields (bonus to working on the outskirts of town). I know what I will be doing, I just need to figure out stitch patterns to get there. This is going to be a long time coming. The two skeins on the right are going to be another shawl/scarf.

I am trying to only buy yarn with a project in mind but I fear that I will soon start stashing without anything to use it with. Much like we all start with fabric.

Since we cancelled our satellite service, I have been watching more things from my Netflix queue. I zipped through Army Wives and am not so patiently waiting for season six to be available. Now I'm getting into a show called Land Girls. Any tv shows that you are obsessed with? (I've seen Downton Abbey already which I know is one of the biggest crazes right now.)

Because of being out of town on Saturday, I lost my Sunday of sewing due to working on my normal Saturday tasks. I'm thinking I'm going to have to work in some make up time this week. I do have swap items to get cracking on, after all.

A Magical Moment

These photos have nothing to do with this post. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me, so you will have to imagine the magic I experienced. Plus, you have to admit my dogs are adorable and so gracious to be modeling my shawl for me. Photos of me wearing it will come soon.

Today I experienced a little magic. Amazing considering my mood and the fact that I didn't want to be around anyone (save for Chad and my dogs). But, Chad's family had planned a little milestone birthday celebration for him (40th) and a couple other family members who hit 30 and 50.

The party took place at a lake in Minnesota. One day I will share the lake country with you some more. It is beautiful and green, with gently rolling hills. So unlike the flat plains that I reside on. This landscape change is just miles away and holds all of the lakes that Minnesota is famous for. (Seriously, forget the Twin Cities [Minneapolis/St. Paul] if you come visit. Please visit the state parks and enjoy the outdoors. If city life is in your travel plans, I do recommend Duluth, which sits on Lake Superior, housing the amazing Splitrock Lighthouse.)

The big highlight for me was not the party at all. The heat and humidity truely ruined any chance of me wanting to be outside. But then we were told of a bald eagle's nest on the lake that has three young eagles. A trip out on the pontoon was in the plans and I couldn't wait.

This is where I wish I had a camera. Imagine looking ahead and seeing water as still as glass. The reflection of the lush, green trees are mirrored in it's surface. The only sounds are the gentle purr of the pontoon motor and the sporadic loon calls (my favorite sound). You are the only vessel on the water.

Slowly, you pass by secluded cabins and bunches of dead trees still clinging to the earth. You are taken around a corner and nestled in one of the dead trees - a massive truck with branches still reaching to the sky - is the largest nest you have ever seen. Surrounding the nest are three eagles with their wings slightly spread, motionless like statues decorating a building. Nowhere to be found are the mother and father eagles. It is still silent. The sun is starting to set, casting a glow upon everything, amplifing everything - the colors, the reflections, the eagles standing proud on their tree.

Trolling along the lake shore, you go back around the corner and are finally able to breathe. Magic, pure and simple. The kind that probably couldn't be captured with a camera and an experience you are not soon to forget...

Seriously, if I could have had all of you with me today, I would have jumped at the chance. I am still in awe and will continue to be for some time. This is life and how I want to live out my days. Finding magic and seeing it with my own eyes.

WIP Wednesday

I am beat after working an 11 hour day yesterday. Sleep seems to have made me more tired so I will make this quick as I have to head back to work shortly.

Linking up with Freshly Pieced.

Finished:

Nothing this week.

Progress Made:

Piper's Journey Shawl - the knitting is finished but I still have to block it. I'm not counting it done until then. My goal is to get this done by the end of the weekend.

Drunkard's Path Quilt - the trimming is done so these are ready to sew up on Sunday.

No Progress:

Hand Quilting Challenge

Camp Loopy Project 2 - I can't believe I didn't touch this for a week! I only planned on putting it down for one day and that turned in to finishing the other knit I was working on instead.

Cachou Cowl

Garden Tote

Garter Stitch scarf

Hand Pieced QAL

Sewing Machine Cover

Quilt Challenge of the Month: February/Cathedral Windows Apron

(Late) Wedding Present

Dessert of the Month: Jan-July

Zig Zag QAL

Kaleidoscope QAL

Embroidered Ornaments

Zakka Style projects

Curves Class projects

Ranrike Shawl

Dogwood Blossom Medallion Quilt

Reverse Applique Shirt

More Handstitched Class projects

2-in-1 Sewing Challenge

Moderista Swap

RATZ Swap: July

New:

Camp Loopy Project 3 - the project was announced today and I will be ordering my yarn Friday. First to decide on a pattern to knit up.

Alright, that's it for me today. Hopefully I have something else to share the week, otherwise, I am planning on sharing some things over the weekend. Have a great week!

Little Quilt - Sew, Vote, Swap

I vaguely mentioned finishing a mini quilt a few weeks back but couldn't share what it was. It was for the Little Quilt - Sew, Vote, Swap group on Flickr. If you aren't familiar with it, you make up a mini quilt and it gets posted annoymously. Then after the submission deadline comes, everyone who entered a quilt votes, and points are tallied to see who gets what. You don't know which mini is coming your way until you open the package.

I came upon this swap months ago but never had the time to whip up something until this past round. I had a lot of fun just playing with ideas and finally decided to use the mini charm pack of Simply Color I won in a giveaway. The solids are all Kona and it is backed with a mysterious (selvege is gone) fabric from my stash.

I have a small love affair with HSTs so that is how I approached this. I paired them up randomly and sewed them together. Then played with the arrangement until I liked how they looked. I decided to name this "Missing Pieces" because of the white areas. I quilted an outline on a couple of the prominent zig zags and then did straight line quilting in the white areas.

Yesterday I received the mini I got in the swap. This one was pretty high on my list so I was excited to see it in the package.

I plan on participating in this swap again in the future, time permitting. I think this is a great way to play around with ideas and get a little surprise in the mail. If this interests you too, check out the group. The next swap is slated to be around August/September.

Success!

I did it. I completed my challenge for the One Thing, One Week Challenge over at Amy's Creative Side. Nary a long thread to be found hanging off of these blocks.

Aside from being happy I only have this to say: I HATE TRIMMING! Especially 200ish blocks of it.

However, despite my hand still aching today, my biggest hurdle on finishing this quilt is conquered. Now I just have to work on sewing up the individual blocks into their bigger blocks, and then sew together the top. I'm not sure yet how I will quilt it but I have time to think that over as I work on getting there.

WIP Thursday... or Early Friday

I decided this week to truely take Independence Day off. I spent the day watching documentaries on the Founding Fathers with Chad and knitting. It was way too hot and humid outside to do anything and I really am not that fond of fireworks, especially the ones my neighbors have been shooting off at all hours of the day for the past week (and will continue for another week). A pretty good day and I hope yours was as well, if you are American (and happy Canada Day to you if you are Canadian).

I am trying to settle into a new day-to-day routine that will hopefully be able to continue once my position at work changes. Yep, still waiting for it all to be official.

Onward with my update. I have Army Wives to watch and a little more knitting to do before heading to bed. The perfect way to relax after a long shift at work.

Completed:

Nada this week.

Progress Made:

Hand Quilting Challenge - progress is minimal as I failed at my attempt to quilt. Still need to get my hands on curved needles to give this another go.

Camp Loopy Project 2 - I am about halfway done with this one. I haven't touched it in the past couple days because I needed a break from the looooong rows but I am aiming to have it finished by next weekend.

Piper's Journey Shawl - I have started the border and have quite a ways to go yet. I did increase the size of this so I am not sure yet if I will have enough yarn to make it all the way.

No Progress:

Cachou Cowl

Garden Tote

Garter Stitch scarf

Hand Pieced QAL

Sewing Machine Cover

Quilt Challenge of the Month: February/Cathedral Windows Apron

(Late) Wedding Present

Dessert of the Month: Jan-July

Drunkard's Path QAL

Zig Zag QAL

Kaleidoscope QAL

Embroidered Ornaments

Zakka Style projects

Curves Class projects

Ranrike Shawl

Dogwood Blossom Medallion Quilt

Reverse Applique Shirt

More Handstitched Class projects

2-in-1 Sewing Challenge

Moderista Swap

RATZ Swap: July

New:

Nothing.

Well, that's it for today. I still want to share some of the things that I have been meaning to the past couple months. Time seems to be slipping away from me right and I have so much to either catch up on or just forget about altogether. Until next time!

FAL Quarter 3 Goals

I am a little early posting this considering the linky doesn't start until Sunday, but to me, the third quarter started on the 1st. If you haven't checked out the Finish-a-Long going on at Quilter in the Gap, do so now.

My goals are pretty much the same since I only got one project done last quarter. My mission is to change that this time and actually finish all of these. I must resist the allure of new projects a little more.

1. Garter stitch scarf.

2. Sewing machine cover.

3. Late (very very late) wedding present.

4. Drunkard's Path quilt.

5. Line Break shawl.

6. Piper's Journey shawl.

I will at least have the last two done for this. My DP quilt is the biggie for me and then I can concentrate on the other large quilts in progress I have already.

Be back after work with my WIP post.

One Thing, One Week Challenge

We all know Amy hosts the Blogger's Quilt Festival twice a year on her blog Amy's Creative Side, but do you know she also hosts a challenge once a month? That challenge is the One Thing, One Week Challenge. I have participated before (and failed my goal for the week) but this time I am determined.

My goal for the week is to trim every one of my blocks for my Drunkard's Path quilt. I'm sick of being stalled on this project and would love to have this fall themed quilt done for fall. Of this year.

Why don't you join me? All you have to do is post in the comments on her blog what you goal is and then link of next Monday with your success. There is a small prize up for grabs too, but really, the prize is getting your goal completed.

To Do First: July

First, I'm going to recap my list from June. This idea for a monthly to do list was all Charlotte's idea and hopefully she is settled in after her move to have a link up again. If not, check our her blog anyway. She comes up with some beautiful things that will make you wish you thought of the idea first.

Must Do:

1. Camp Loopy Project 1 - done!

2. Hand Quilting Challenge - started but right now it's a failure until I get my hands on the right needle to do it.

3. Handstitched Class - I have finished one project and have materials set aside for the others.

4. Garden Tote - this is in the same status as it was at the start of the month. I have all the thread out on a side table still (collecting dust) and am pretty surprised Chad hasn't said anything about it yet.

5. Embroidery projects for the online classes I am taking - well I started a project for each of the two classes but haven't made much progress. One is done and over and the other is finished but the class materials are available indefinately. I will get to working on these again.

6. Drunkard's Path quilt - ha!

Might Do:

1. Nesting Place needlebook - the embroidery is staring at me every time I sit down to sew but I haven't stitched any more on it.

2. Hand Pieced QAL - I have the second block cut out and ready to be stitched together. Erin is settling in after moving to her dream home in the country (totally jealous!) and hasn't posted the finishing instructions, giving me time to catch up.

3. Dessert of the Month Club - the supplies are in a project bag ready for when I have time.

4. Garter stitch scarf - ha ha ha.

So, now on to July. I mentioned before that I am settling on having Sundays for my sewing days. Today is no exception, except for some cleaning that does have to get done. I also will have Wednesday off for Independence Day, so I'm planning on working projects all day as well. Not gonna lie, but I will probably knit all day and watch Army Wives. I'm completely hooked after resisting all the time. No satellite means more online streaming.

Must Do:

1. Camp Loopy Project 2 - I have no doubt this shawl will be finished in a week. The deadline is July 27th to finish so I do have time, but I just can't put it down once I start working on it.

2. Handstitched Class - I want to catch up with the projects so far, especially the class quilt.

3. Drunkard's Path quilt top - trying this again in baby steps to finish for the Finish-a-long.

4. Hand Quilted mini - since it is in the quilting frame already, I can do this one this month.

5. Garden Tote - honestly, I haven't had time to plant my garden (either I work too late the night before to plant in the cooler mornings or it is raining) but I want to finish this so it doesn't lie around until next year.

6. Modernista Homemade Swap - I need to come up with a design for my partner still and find fabrics in my stash. Mailing is by July 30th.

7. RATZ Swap - I haven't received my partner info yet. Mailing is by the end of the month.

Might Do:

1. Piper's Journey - there is an informal knit-a-long going on Ravelry but I have been only working on this during my dinner breaks at work so I am behind the suggested pace. If I finish CL project 2, I will probably work on whipping this one out before the third project cast on date.

2. Hand Pieced QAL - like stated above, Erin hasn't been able to post finishing so I can catch up on this and finish it when the instructions are posted.

3. Garter stitch scarf - I have it in mind to work on this once my CL project is finished.

This list is completely doable if I stick with it. The trump card is once my position changes at work I will be working more (still not official but the job is mine). It's a salaried position and it is expected that I work 45-50 hours a week. I just have to be productive with my free time and it should all work out.

What do you have planned for July?