Rain! Rain Came Today!

Wonderful glorious rain!

Straight rain & sideways rain washing my windows & boy-howdy did they need it!

We caught the edge of that sever storm covering most of the mid-west. The skies have stayed overcast all morning so, we know there is more sever weather to come. Storm shelter is ready andwaiting.

  But right now..

The Garden is happy Happy HAPPY! 

The birds are happy & feasting on worms

The birdbath has been filled…

then nearly emptied due to a morning bird party.

I

The garden was watered well saving my water bill. Right now I can almost watching it grow

The down side… once it stopped raining the humidity level has shot up to 80%

So I’m inside for the afternoon working on another table runner

playing with Christmas color & sewing, thinking cool thoughts.

What are your plans for the day?

Katie

Technorati Tags: Katidids,weather,sewing,handmade,sever weather

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Sunshine and Sewing

A while back my girls were giving me a hard time about my pot holder situation.  Most were nearly 20 yrs. old ugly and pretty ratty.   Most were cheap dollar store buys that were not very protective from the get go and quickly started falling apart. Why have I bothered keeping them all these years I’ll never know other than just to have pot holders

I’ve been having fun using scraps from quilting making myself a few, but then I found these fun prints

And went a little crazy cutting out potholders.  I have a dozen or so nearly done so I’ve decided to list a few in the Etsy Shop.

I Love love love these prints! How fun are those peppers and the spice print…I’ll be keeping a few of those as they match my kitchen perfectly.

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We’ve had beautiful weather this weekend!  High 60’s and I think it even hit 70 for a few hours yesterday.   Mr.Fix-it gave the main garden another once over with the tiller and also tilled the melon bed so I think I’m nearly good to go.  I’ll let it set a day or so to dry any weeds, rake and start planting.

This morning looks just as sunny so I’m off to PT and then hone to plant peas, a bit of laundry and more sewing!

Have a great Monday

Katie

Technorati Tags: Katidids,sewing,potholders,quilting,gardening,random

Had to try it again

One thing you may have caught on to in my few years of blogging is, I have very little patience with myself.  If I can’t do something correct (or at least OK) the first time I rarely try again.  I’d get frustrated with myself, the waste of resources,the time and… it made me feel really stupid.   What ever “IT” was, became like the big hairball dust bunny under the bed…you knew you really should get it but, just shut the door instead.

Well, for Lent I’m doing instead of ignoring avoiding. Let me tell you I’m so ready for Lent to be OVER!!

I’ve had all kinds of things I’ve avoided the past few years smack me in the face these past few weeks. 

You can laugh if you’d like but this pile was one of those “things” .Triangles were one of the design blocks in quilting I ‘tried once’, screwed up royally and never attempted again.  I was snickering as I started to sweep these suckers into the waste basket thinking “so long fare well you stinkin triangles”  (that’s the clean version any way) And then I realized this was one of those things …..cause if it wasn’t I would have tossed them as I cut.

Instead of working on the quilt today, I had to mess with the triangles because I didn’t want to…sound crazy?

Anyway, I pretended like it would be fun. Like you would with a kid sending them to do a chore they didn’t want to do?  Make a game of it blah blah blah…   

And you know what?

I really had fun!

I wasn’t worried about producing anything, I just played with shapes to see what would happen

Perfect didn’t matter, playing and learning did.  Some came out pretty wonky, others only “kinda wonky” I’m still catching on to which points to match on the second seam but I’m pretty pleased with the progress

The "best of the lot I made into a Rug Mug.

Anyone need a Mug Rug?

Now, if only all the “things” I’m running into would be this easy…

Katie

Technorati Tags: Katidids,quilting,Lent,sewing

Are you sick of this quilt yet?

Just tell me when enough is enough because I ‘m so tickled with the way its turning out….well, I’m going on and on.

While I had to wait for the blue to work on the bottom panel, I wanted the work on the quilt to continue some how.  And because I’m a cheap penny pincher  frugal person (bahahahah)

I took this pile of scrap & started sewing them together. 

Just randomly grabbing pieces and sewing them together willy-nilly which gave me this

and then this

Binding ready and waiting when (if ever) I get to that point!

Last night I was able to get the “trees & trunks”

made & will sew those panels together, and then on to the main quit this afternoon.

I hope.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Katie

Technorati Tags: Katidids,quilting,sewing,handmade,homemade/handmade,progress

Nearly There!

I can’t get over how quickly these braids make up.

I started with 5 but went with 7 braids 75 inches long.

Last night I had the main body completed. (Yes, there was a happy dance!) I need to add the upper boarders

and the panel of trees below. 

I wasn’t able to work on the lower portion till I picked up more blue, which I did today while out running errands.

I started PT for my shoulder today.  It seems I’ve been in protective mode for so long the shoulder has started to freeze/lock up.  I could slowly raise my hand as high as my head but no further.It wasn’t just the discomfort…it just wouldn’t go any further  All the muscles had basically quit talking to each other..after PT today I already have a tad bit mobility. Thankfully we have access to a wonderful Core wellness center who understand if there is a problem in one area of the body,  it will effect others & treats the whole body. Like a car that has one part go bad, it in turn wears on the others.  I know I’ll probably be sore as all get out tomorrow, but today I’m enjoying the ability to pull my own pants up!!

It’s the little things that make me happy!

Katie

Technorati Tags: Katidids,healing,health,handmade,quilting,sewing

Playing With Color

Our son Aaron has been asking for a quilt for quite awhile.  I’ve had in mind a land scape or rather, a beach scape for him as he LOVES the beach & the climate.  It’s one of the main reasons he’s stayed in San Diego after leaving the Navy. My thoughts are hills in the background, beach in the foreground with a rock formation and then the ocean showing the tide flowing out to sea. His favorite beach to run with his dog. I can see it… and almost smell the salty air.  But I know I need to work my quilting skills back up to where they were…that and, I want to have a flannel board for the piecing.

  When I was explaining all this to him he said “Mom, that sound really great but in the mean time, could I just get a home made quilt?”!. And of course my heart just swelled….my baby boy wants a blankie…a Mama made blankie!  . 

He rarely asks for anything…so after sending a few e mails back and forth with various quilt patterns, he chose a “Friendship Braid”

Friendship Braid Quilt photo taken from Pinterest

There are so many variations and this simple style is what he chose….queen size! In earthy colors…think beach and mountains. After stash diving I realized I was pretty shy of oranges/golds and brown so over the weekend I took advantage of a few fabric sales and picked up a few. 

My “plan” is to sash between the strips in a royal navy with an overall border of the deeper green.  But, since it’s a queen size and will take f.o.r.e v.e.r,  I’m thinking to add a 10-12inch landscape border on the bottom with pine trees & blue sky. 

One benefit of all the colors is using up all those odd thread colors I have.

Once I had his approval of the color choices, I started cutting strips this afternoon and had 1/3 of it cut out when it was time to start supper.

Tonight was spaghetti…sauce canned from our summer tomato’s, meat was half (hubby hunted) venison and half (bought 1/2 a beef this fall for an average $1.20 lb)  Pasta I bought on sale this past summer in bulk for .69 a lb. If I don’t count the jars and lids/power It was a meal for 5, for roughly $1.50 with enough sauce left over for lasagna tomorrow night.

Woot! More sewing time! Which I’m going to need every bit I can get with spring right around the corner. Which, for you means there will be quite a few progress posts in your near future!

Think Spring!

Katie

Technorati Tags: Katidids,quilting,projects,family,handmade,homemade/handmade

 

Decisions…

OK, to clarify, here is the inspiration…..a simple quilt I found on Flickr…http://www.flickr.com/photos/56295730@N04/5384823681/in/pool-sunflowerseedsimadeit/ I’ve taken a few liberties with the design

I felt the over all red was a bit to much.  It was taking on a Christmassy feel

so I went back to the store and found a compliment turquoise (of course they were out of the original) to use as a 1 inch border.

And then more of the smaller print for the binding. Anything I have left of the prints will be a scrappy back with the turquoise as the base

What do you think….Mama Pea, do these photos help?

Now I have been known to get a tad bit carried away with color…so don’t be shy about speaking up

Katie

Technorati Tags: Katidids,quilting,sewing,handmade

Saturday

Beautiful 43 degrees and sunny today.  I was able to dry 3 loads of laundry outside on the dry racks today. First time this winter!  Nothing better than sheets that smell of the outdoors when you lay your head down at night.  I don’t at all envy those in the north east keeping warm by shoveling snow!

I made a run to the thrift store to drop off another box of “stuff” and popped inside to check for tablecloths.  I like to find the large heavy woven kind and cut them down & repurpose for napkins.  I can easily get a dozen out of a good sized cloth. ( For $3.95 it’s a pretty good deal as the same fabric new is $6.00-$8.00 a yard in the fabric store.)

But,what I did find was the dollar bin! 

The bin was full of men’s shirts

Perfect for a Split Rail quilt!  A few had been washed but most are 3X (HUGE) and have that stiff new fabric feel & smell.  I almost felt guilty purchasing perfectly good shirts to cut up but…from the dollar bin they get shipped out of the country in those big rag bundles so…my guilt flew out the window.

I did buy the light green stripe on the far left as I needed one more lighter shade…for $2.95 LOL!  So, when I’m done I’ll have right at $13.00 in a quilt top. 

The other quilt I’m stuck on.  I have all the borders on, the squares *squared up* laid it out,  and I’m not happy with it.  Each block was to float on the red polka dot with about 3 inches between each block. The polka dot really makes the reds pop but it looks blech.  something’s missing yet I don’t know what else to add…

Blocks squared and waiting to be placed

Your in-put is requested!

And, is any one else ticked off at these gas prices?  Ours has been bouncing up and down in price .10-.15 any given day.  Yesterday it was $3.43 & I thought Pfft!  I’m waiting a day or so, it’ll go down again….(because every darn time I fill up it drops .10 a gallon the next day) Well, today I’m at 1/4 tank & it’s up to $3.65!  *Palm to face*….& of course I’m down to one bucket of flour &  1/2 bucket of sugar so a run to town is in order tomorrow.

And a rant…..I’m watching the news this morning and the entire 1/2 hour segment is on the Grammy awards…well let me correct myself.  Not the actual awards but the dress code!  What?  A list of about 15 “rules” such as ..No bare buttocks, no bare breasts, no open lace cut outs…What happened to the days of pride?  Not the pride where you show off all God blessed you with!!  The super bowl half time was another disappointment to me.  I’m not a prude but Beyonce could have done more than just whip & flip her hair around.  A friend of mine made comment with all her crotch thrusting, sighs & grunting all she needed was a pole to dance around.  Gah!  Prime time! Family viewing time people!  How about an appropriate performance?!?!?! I was so disgusted.

I guess I’m a prude.  I have no problem with women showing a bit of cleavage or bare back in the appropriate environment but, prancing on stage in what equals lingerie with a bare butt is a bit much for me.  *Sigh* And this is the type of person young girls think they need to emulate!

Off to make coffee and calm down

Katie

Technorati Tags: Katidids,quilting,repurposing,thrifting

Staying Inside Sewing

is my plan for the day.

Yesterday was a surprising 71 degrees and I was out running errands in my shirt sleeves.  Today it’s 38 and getting colder.  Balmy weather for you up north with chattering teeth becoming buried in snow I know. I think I would rather have a sustained cold than this roller coaster weather.  So I’m hibernating inside with a bit of sewing

My project this morning, working on a quilt.

The blocks are all cut to size, ready and waiting for me to cut & add the upper & lower borders.  How I’ll actually place the blocks I’m not sure.  I had a great design in mind and accidently trimmed a bunch of blocks 3/4 of an inch to short.  The adage “measure twice cut once” comes to mind!

I think quilting is a bit like life. It may not always turn out as you planned but by using what you have it’s still good!

What are you working on today?

Katie

Technorati Tags: Katidids,Katidids Knits,quilting,sewing,handmade

Swap Revisited

OK, I guess I didn’t think this swap through.  5 handmade in 3 months could be a bit dicey for some….so after receiving a few e mails and a comment on the quantity and time frame… anyone want to swap 1 on 1?  My thought of the 3 month had to do with spring gardening coming up for many of us and being a  major time suck free time will be limited but, it would/could be extended for 6 mo.  And the time frame is really there so I get my rear in gear and don’t forget!

It’s a good way to use up those trial quilt squares, knits that just are not your color, scraps of this and that. Canning labels you printed that you didn’t use, gift tags or soap you made, dish cloths etc.k

 

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On Facebook there have been quite a few “Pay~it~Forward posts.  I thought of participating but thought it would be more fun to do do it here. 

I’m not sure how others are run but here is what I was thinking….

In the next 3 months I’ll send something handmade to the first 5 who post that they are interested in participating. It could be a tote bag, fingerless mitt’s, dish towels, dish cloths,

handmade soap or lotion,  seeds you’ve saved even!…just about anything I could pop in the mail without missing a mortgage payment. 

But here is the deal, you have to do the same for 5 others and post on your blog.   Please link back so I know you did.

As for most of us it’s the quiet time of the year with the gardens sleeping so it’s the perfect opportunity to complete projects. I’ve seen some swaps where they just go over the top in what is sent.  Lets keep it fun, affordable and simple.

What do you say…it could be really fun!

Wanna play?

Katie

Technorati Tags: Katidids,swap,handmade

Sometimes the beauty

Is in the simplicity. 

Such is the design of this kerchief

 Age of Steam & Brass

combined with a color way from Lunabud Knits

Designed to be worn as a kerchief or a backwards shawl with the length draped in the front.  The ends are long enough to wrap around the neck comfortably. 

A kerchief to wear in the *v* of your jacket to keep your chest warm & leave on as an fun accessory…..

I think I need to make one for me!

Katie

Technorati Tags: Katidids,Katidids Knits,The Ages Of Steam & Brass,knitting,hand knit,handmade

Midnight Knitting

So many projects I start for gifts family knits and they end up set aside for customs. Don’t get me wrong…. I’m not complaining about the custom work,it pays my bills. 

But, this time I’m bound and determined to finish this The Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief  in the next few days.

I cast on late last night and got this far about  inches in.

I’m thrilled with the color flow, no heavy stacking or pooling at all…AWESOME dye work!

Today we needed to travel to Indy (2 hours each way) and I was able to compete all but the last section.  So tonight, my rear is plopped in a kitchen chair knitting away with a fresh cup of coffee at my elbow. 

We’ll see how far I get!

Have a great evening

Katie

Technorati Tags: Katidids Knits,Hand Knits,Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief,Lunabud Knits

Playing Un-supervised in Fabric Stores

I’ve been having fun making a bunch of these little dresses

and some sweet little skirts. 

Only a few have made it to the Katidids Etsy shop & Little Trunks Knits . 

Last night I decided I needed some color inspiration & to feed the fabric addiction fabric stash.

So, soon to be skirts and dreses…

For some reason I just can’t pass owls or birdies!

It’s been a fun way to blend my 2 favorite activities, sewing and knitting. I think the garden clean up may have to wait for an afternoon or 3 longer!

Katie

Technorati Tags: Katidids,Katidids Knits,stocking,knitting,sewing

Protein & A bit of Sewing

Yesterday, I saw this post on Facebook by my youngest daughter Erika (Evie & Isaiah’s mom)

 Erika:FYI: There are 3 grams of protein in a Hershey's Bar.

Last night’s supper was fridge clean out, so just incase our protein intake was low we decided to give it a boost….

Chocolate pound cake

With just a little bit of icing

On the crafting front…

Still finishing up the bedding for the girls room.

The quilts we put together from my fabric stash.  Having worked in a fabric store for 8 years I learned that fabric breeds (because I won’t admit I purchased all that is in the basement!)

Simple bright shades cut to 3 inch strips & each quilt bordered and backed in different shades of purple.

These have been done for a few months, Erika’s patiently waited for the rest.

I pulled all the scraps from the quilts together to make a bumper pad for Alix. I’ve sewn all the strips/scraps together and will cut the new “fabric” to face one side of the bumper & the quilt print backing for the back side

If there are any scraps from this, I’ll piece those to make a tiny quilt for Evie’s doll bed as a birthday gift.

Keeping my fingers crossed!

Technorati Tags: Katidids,sewing,crafting,homemade/handmade

 

Black Rainbow Skirties

The twins skirts are done!  Lanolized and drying right now. Lots of ends to weave with these but I think they turned out cute!

“Mixed Blues” Shorties,knit on a Cascade 220 base is  another custom ready for tomorrow mail.

I think I have enough left for a small to medium pair of longies

And a pair of small shorties with a soft ruffle cuff. 

Shades of purples and greens. I dyed this yarn last summer and just got a chance to use it.

These should be listed in the Etsy shop this evening. 

Currently on the needles is a tunic for Marguerita I should have finished in the next day or so.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Mothers Day!

Technorati Tags: custom knits,shorties,rainbow skirties,Etsy,Katidids,tunics