Hooked on Needles: March 2011

Crocheted Bright Squares Baby Blanket is complete!

Here's one more project I can check off my things-to-do list! This one was fun and interesting because of all the color changes, and it was relatively quick because of the easy granny pattern that I used, right off the Lion Brand website. You can find it HERE if you like. I used the pattern for the basic square, but changed up the arrangement of the colors and number of rounds of each color to accommodate my blanket. So what do you think of my Bright Squares Baby Blanket?

It's not looking too finished here...but keep looking...

...each block got a single crochet round of the variegated yarn...

...and then I crocheted them together using the same variegated yarn and THIS METHOD of chain piecing them together. It's really the only way to go!

I used my very favorite reverse single crochet stitch for the border since the recipient of this blanket does not want anything too girly or frilly.

And there it is! All bright and cheerful and ready to cuddle around some lucky little baby who has yet to be born!

Editor's note: A few readers have asked what brand and colors of yarn I used in this blanket so here is that information: the yarn I used is Red Heart super saver and the color names are Bright Yellow, Pretty 'n Pink, Lavender, Spring Green and the variegated is called Sherbet Print.

Happy Stitching!

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Labels: baby blanket, crochet, crochet pictures, Granny Square

Easter Mug Rug Swap goodies

This little package should have been delivered by now so I think it's safe to show off what I made for Mary (no blog) as part of Aunt Pitty Pat's Easter Mug Rug Swap. It's another fun and quick project that I thoroughly enjoyed designing and making. Do you think it's cheerful enough for spring?

This is the mug rug which measures 8 x 10 inches...the perfect size for a cuppa something hot and a little treat to go along with it.

And here you can see all the other little goodies included in the package...a mug with Easter eggs all over it, much like the mug rug itself, so now you know where I got my inspiration! Also included were a package of springy sticky notes, a Reese's Peanut Butter Bunny (yum!), a package of chocolate dipped Peeps (double yum!), some pretty spring ribbon, a few packages of hot chocolate, a pretty cotton dish towel all wrapped up inside the mug, and a recipe for Lemon Glazed cookies that are so springy and delicious. I hope Mary enjoys receiving her little package as much as I enjoyed putting it together for her. Happy spring to everyone!

Happy Stitching!

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Labels: mug rugs, quilting, swap

Giveaway Win from Debi

George the mailman was good to me yesterday! I received a package from Debi which included all the wonderful goodies I won in her giveaway recently. The main item was a bag that she made herself, and you all know how much I love bags! This one is even cuter in real life...

Don't you love the fabric? So fun and happy, and the black and white polka dots for the lining...fabulous!

A sample pack of Gutermann thread, a few spools of spring ribbon and a charm pack of my favorite fabric designer's L'amour line...what a great giveaway to win!

Thanks so much Debi!

Happy Stitching!

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Labels: giveaway

Friday Night Sew In

This past Friday night was another "sew-in" over at Heidi's place. This is what I accomplished...

It looks like a lot for one night, but actually I just crocheted the outside rounds on each of these blocks!

I'm excited to get this all together into a bright and cheerful blanket for a lucky little baby!

Happy Stitching!

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Labels: baby blanket, crochet, Friday Night Sew-in

Layer Cake Quilt-Along Block Ten

Here's another favorite of the Layer Cake Quilt Along blocks - block 10 already! I just love how this one turned out, and I could see using this design for a whole quilt. What do you think?

This block was designed by Kari Ramsay from Fresh Cut Quilts. It was super fun to do, the instructions were on the money for measurements and very easy to understand.

I think there are only two more blocks for this quilt-along so I'm getting excited about finishing it up and seeing how everyone starts putting their blocks together. Some solid color of sashing is necessary, but I don't have anything in mind for mine. Any suggestions would be welcome!

Happy Stitching!

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Labels: quilt along, quilting

Log Cabin Quilt ~ 18 year Work in Progress

What a thrill it was to put the very last stitch into this quilt that has been in progress for about 18 years! I pieced this Log Cabin quilt top along with Lisa who was making her quilt for a gift. We went fabric shopping together and prepared our fabric by ripping it into strips as the directions in her book indicated. Then we got together at my kitchen table and pieced our tops while our little girls played all day. It was so fun and such a nice way to spend a day together.

Lisa finished her quilt, but I folded mine up and put it away knowing that someday I would pull it out and finish it. Well, that day has finally come! Hooray!

What do you think of it? The fabrics and colors are so dated, but I still love them anyway.

I had to wait a few days for the sun to come out so I could hang it over the deck railing for some good pictures!

You can see how crinkly and cozy it is after being washed! I love that about quilts!

I had enough of the top fabrics leftover in my stash to piece the backing and make the binding, even after all these years!

This quilt shows off my first attempt at long arm quilting a pantograph design. The design I used was recommended by Kathryn, whose machine I rent time on, as being good for a beginner panto-er, so I went with it and really like it. I should have asked the name of the design, but didn't. It was so fun to do and I love how it turned out!

A nice ball of coziness!

What happened to all the green? Funny how folding quilts a certain way makes some colors disappear!

Do you have any old projects taking up space in your sewing room that you would like to finish and put into circulation? Go for it! It's a good feeling!

Happy Stitching!

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Labels: log cabin, long arm quilting, quilting

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I can't think of a better way to celebrate the Feast of St. Patrick than by getting all dressed up in hand embroidered step dancing dresses and performing a jig for the local nursing home residents. Well, I myself cannot do that. But my daughter used to when she was a bit younger and I hand embroidered the dresses of quite a few of the girls that she danced with. They used to take a day off school around St. Patrick's day and go to nursing homes and senior centers performing for anyone who wanted to watch them. It was wonderful to see the smiles they brought to so many people.

Here are some pictures of some of my handiwork from back then, and in THIS POST you will find links to all the information on how you can do embroidery just like this!