The tale of the kitten who used to knit

As some of you may know, we have a new kitty in our house, she will be a year old late this Spring.

Her name is Tabitha or as my husband likes to call her when she's in his office, (causing trouble) the
"little rodent"!

This is my sock knitting basket, notice the magazine "lid" ?
The lid to keep little furry paws away?

This is Tabitha knitting when the basket lid isn't working too well.

Notice her smile?
After retrieving my knitting from furry little paws way too many times, I made these.....

A big knitting bag for larger projects and a small knitting bag for sock knitting.

I just love those knitting sheep!
Especially, because they are doing their own knitting and not mine ;0)

This is Tabitha caught in the act of trying to figure out the new knitting storage situation.

So far she hasn't been able to paw her way to the knitting and has taken up a new "hobby".....

drowning her toy mice!!

Best wishes and stitches everyone!

Tammy

Jubilee Stitching

One good thing about having a cold, is towards the end of it, when the fever and chills are gone and you are just kinda feeling BLAH, but need to do something or you will go INSANE....you can stitch!

I started my Jubilee quilt!
If you aren't too sure what I'm up to, check out the post here

I was able to stitch the center hexagon and then the surrounding 6 hexagons for the center of the quilt.

And this is what the center of the quilt looks like :) As I make more hexagons I will stitch them to this "start" and the quilt will "grow" :)

I did stitch the hexagons a little bit different than the pattern suggested (pattern info is on the linked post) and some of the stitchery patterns are my own design and others are designed by Barri Sue Gaudet from Bareroots.
I will be using the "The Tree of Life" pattern stitchery designs for most of the rest of the quilt.
I added batting to each hexagon and found that this quilt pattern is another that uses the quilt as you go method, and for a person like me with fibromyalgia it is a blessing, as I don't need to handle a large quilt in order to quilt it.
I also love to hand-stitch, so this quilt is certainly "my cup of tea" :)
I understand that some quilts were made years ago using this method and they were called "potholder" quilts. Here is a link for a little bit of info about these quilts by Pamela Weeks, that I found interesting.

If you would like to read about other quilters who are making GORGEOUS Jubilee quilts check out this blog
I will be posting on that blog also as my Jubilee quilt progresses.

Well, 7 of the 68 blocks are finished...WOO HOO!!!

Best wishes and stitches everyone!

Tammy

PS I'm waiting on back ordered wool in order to complete the Pennies from Heaven quilt :(

Counting My Pennies

WOO HOO!!

I have finished stitching all the Pennies from Heaven blocks!
Now I wait for the next block of the month shipment which should have the rest of the quilt in it (setting triangle blocks and borders)

I have already quilted the blocks and will show you how I will stitch them together as soon as the other "pieces, parts" arrive. Many of you probably already know the "quilt as you go" method but just in case some of you missed it, I'll share.
I decided to quilt the blocks before I appliqued them because I felt it would be easier for me to meander quilt on the blank open space of the block opposed to dodging around applique pieces.
I really like  love how this quilt is coming together!

The UPS man was good to me this past week and left all sort of "goodies" for the Jubilee quilt.
Hopefully, I will start stitching the first block tomorrow :)
Stay tuned!

Best wishes and stitches!
Tammy

A Jubilee Quilt!

Definition of Jubilee....A specially celebrated anniversary, especially a 50th anniversary.....The celebration of such an anniversary.....A season or an occasion of joyful celebration....Jubilation; rejoicing.... In the Bible, a year of rest to be observed by the Israelites every 50th year, during which slaves were to be set free, alienated  land to be restored to the former owners, and the lands left untilled.

A blogger friend of mine, Karen from  Log Cabin Quilter told me about Lori over at Humble Quilts who is also celebrating her 50th Birthday this year and making a Jubilee quilt to celebrate, Karen suggested I join in.

Well, I did!  :)
Here's my story about my Jubilee quilt.
I have had this picture saved on my computer for the last few years, I know it's just a partial picture of a quilt but I loved what I saw. Stitchery, hexagons and hand piecing!

I searched and searched it seems like forever and I was never able to find the name of the quilt nor the designer.
Just in casual email conversation, I showed this picture to my dear friend Kelli from And then there's rustic  about the beginning of January, and she said her jaw dropped when she saw the picture!
Not only did she know the name of the quilt but she knew where to buy the pattern and has also always wanted to make the quilt. She had the picture saved too!
Imagine that!?
I just love divine intervention, don't you?

The quilt is called "Tree of Life" and designed by Vivian Robinson (c 2005) and available at  
Candleberry Country quilt shop in Australia.


I was telling this quilt pattern story to my husband and the sweetie that he is not only listened to my quilt story but asked if I would like the pattern for my birthday gift?   =D
I took a deep breath and tried very hard not to squeal with delight as I said "oh yes, please".
The pattern is a block of the month design but the entire pattern is available to buy at once (which is what hubby did)
The pattern arrived just a few days ago and I'm loving it even more!
As I said the quilt is made up of all hexagons with each hexagon having a embroidered quote/saying or drawing in the center. Then the hexagons are hand pieced together to form the quilt top.
I ordered a few yards of Moda primitive muslin called "Pie Crust" and as soon as that arrives I will begin the quilt. (Please hurry Mr. UPS man!)
The hexagons will be made with 1800's repro looking prints in the deeper blues, mauves, greens, golds, plums and rusts, which I love. Most of those I have in my stash but unfortunately (yeah right!) I might have to buy a few fat quarters at the LQS.
So with a big shout I say "Thank You" to Karen, Lori, and Kelli for "leading" me to my Jubilee quilt.
A quilt about me and what a great way to spend my Jubilee year, stitching!

Best wishes and stitches everyone!

Tammy

50ish

Last Friday I turned 50.

I haven't gone into panic mode.
I'm not seeking out the latest wrinkle cream, or fad diet or even the latest "younger looking" fashion....does that mean I have given up on looking the best I can?
No, turning 50 has me looking at life the best I can.
I'm watching my grown sons begin their adult lives..
I'm watching my grand-child grow...
I'm reaquainting myself with my husband.
Again, I'm seeing the deep blue sky, the trees, the mountains and all the gorgeous awesomeness that God has surrrounded us with.
I'm feeling the soft wool I knit with and seeing the beautiful colors I sew with.
I hear the thread running through the fabric as I hand sew.
I feel like a child again rediscovering the world!
Turning 50  has made me feel a more deep profound love, not love of things and self-beauty but all of life's beauty, God's beauty...not that I didn't appreciate it before but there just wasn't that much time.
I was busy....
busy raising my kids..
busy taking care of my husband so he could work and provide for us...
busy taking care of a household...
busy finding myself too.
There just wasn't any extra time.

I'm looking forward to my 50's ...
to sit back and relax a little, to embrace the physical changes of my body, embrace who I am...
to reflect, to praise and thank God for ALL that I have experienced and will experience while I'm 50ish.
Woo Hoo!!
I'm 50!!!

Best wishes and stitches,
Tammy

PS Please go here (click on here) and read Quilt Hollow's post....thank you :)

City House/Country House

I guess my first post for 2012 should be about resolutions (been there, done that), but it's not... it's about finally settling in at what we like to call our "city" house. (the city house only because it's not in the middle of the woods)
As you may remember, back in August we decided to once again use the cabin in the woods AKA the country house as a weekend get-away only.
Quite a few of you were "horrified" at this decision, that I would leave my sewing studio behind.
I want to assure you that I have not stopped using my sewing room.
See....

...a new table quilt for the "city" house kitchen :)
The pattern/design is from the book "Sew One and You're Done"

And now that the "city" house bathroom is remodeled and has fresh paint in each and every room and no more pizza boxes stacked in the kitchen by the college kid (that has always lived and still lives) at the "city" house ....I'm able to sneak in a few hours each day and knit, something I have been wanting to do more of for quite a long time.

I started this lace scarf about a year ago, in a class, and decided to finally finish it as a Christmas gift for my Mother-in-law :)

I also knitted another pair of socks for myself, this time using alpaca wool.
These socks are so comfy, warm and soft, I love wearing them :)

So you see there are things to be done at both houses, a little bit of "city" knitting and a little bit of "country" quilting and for both of those I am SO thankful :)

Best wishes and stitches everyone!
Tammy

Holiday stitching

I have been preparing for the holidays by stitching a little wool applique =)

I wish you a.....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Best wishes and stitches!
Tammy

Do you remember?

Remember our new addition to the family, Tabitha?

Turns out we have the same interests...she enjoys watching classic black and white movies and knitting.
Do you see that smile of hers?

BTW In case you noticed that Tabby's fur looks a little funny around her belly, her fur hasn't totally grown back in yet since her spaying.

Best wishes and stitches!
Tammy