Threadbenders

What a good hubby!

2011-11-19T19:22:00.002-07:00

When we got up, the first thing hubby asked was where the motion sensor light was. We have had it for more than 2 years, and it was supposed to go up at our old house. He put it up this morning at our new house!! Another thing to cross off the honey-do list.

And that's not all!

I tweaked my back, and my dear hubby weed wacked the front yard for me.

And he gave me half of his Hershey bar!

Love that man!

Cathy B

Yardwork

2011-11-17T13:28:00.003-07:00

You know, when we lived in northern Minnesota I only had yard work for 3 months of the year. Here in SE Arizona, there is yard work of some sort 12 months of the year.

Good thing I like yard work. It is exercise that changes frequently, and I feel in touch with my roots. (In touch with my roots! I crack me up!)

In 2.5 week we are hosting a luncheon for a bunch of friends and a visiting minister and his family. The inside of the house is pretty good, except for putting up new curtains in the livingroom. (Waiting on hubby to help me put up the rods.) The front yard, however, looks like a very successful weed farm. At least my neighbors are mostly in the same situation.

During and after the monsoon season, the weeds went crazy and I had major fibromyalgia pain. Not a good combo! The weeds are winning! At least they have mostly stopped growing, as the weather is a little cooler.

Today I started spending 15 minutes a day weeding and trimming bushes. That should get a lot done. On the day before the luncheon hubby will go wacky with the weed wacker and rake everything up for me. Yay!

In the midst of this, our son sent back the Lone Star king size quilt he has had for about 10 years. He 'borrowed' off of my bed when he moved out on his own. The front is perfect, but the backing is torn and 'rotted'. I thought it was good fabric, but I guess not. I was going to just put a new backing on it and quilt over the old quilting (wreaths of leaves and roses), but the backing is all wonky, too. Much as I don't want to, I think I may take out all the quilting and treat it as a new quilt top, sandwiching and having it quilted. (I can't quilt big quilts anymore, my shoulders won't take it.)

Sigh. It has been loved for many years. It deserves to be lovely again.

Cathy B

I've been blog hopping.....

2011-11-09T15:17:00.003-07:00

and as I have been blog hopping, I have noticed a trend. People are overbusy and overstressed. Many bloggers are so overwhelmed by life that it leaks over into their bloggy live. They don't blog as much as they used to, and some posts seem like a burden.

This seems to be boiling up to a massive information overload, where we can't keep up and don't really WANT to keep up.

What do we do?

I think it all goes back to Thoreau. Simplify, simplify.

Do you really NEED to know what is happening on each blog, by each designer? I don't think so. I have a lot of blogs I follow, but I don't read all of them every day. There is no need. I have a life to live!

Simplifying makes the blogs I do read more enjoyable, not a burden. And I don't feel compelled to post on my blog every day.

Just sayin'.

Cathy B

Finally some pictures!

2011-11-05T19:46:00.004-07:00

I just took pictures of a couple of projects. They are taken with my phone camera, and are not very great.

First is the Indian Star block I am using for the 100 HSTs I got in the Pickle Road yahoo group swap. I only had one of the fabrics that were in the swap blocks. Amazing, huh? I made tons more of the HSTs, so I have enough for a small quilt. In the pic you can also see the lime green I am using for the sashing.

I also have posted a photo showing the fabrics I am using for the purple commission quilt I am working on. These are pieces for the pieced border. I will try to post a pic of the actual quilt top tomorrow when I can put it on my bed and use the good camera.

Have a quilty night!

Cathy B

I'm hopeless in the face of fabric!

2011-11-03T13:36:00.003-07:00

I did a HST (squares made with 2 triangles) swap on the Pickle Road yahoo group, and got my 100 pieces back this week. I am supposed to be working on a commissioned quilt, but the HST's got to me! I found Indian Star on Quilterscache, which would allow me to use them without re-sizing a block. Soooooo....

I took today as a Pajama Day. I am sewing in my pjs all day (until we go out tonight!) I had to make a lot more HSTs, but it is so much fun! I will post a pic when hubby gets back with the camera.

Wheee!

Cathy B

What a nice Sunday!

2011-10-31T15:01:00.002-07:00

I got the napkins and dishcloths and potholders done for my friends' anniversary. They loved them! I never got around to getting pictures taken, though. I will try to take my camera with next time we go to their house.

The dinner turned out wonderfully! We all over ate, it tasted so good. Hubby even like the cake, and he is not a sweets eater! A great time was had by all.

I have changed my mind about the backing for the Purple Quilt commission I am doing. I found backing I like even better, and it is (supposedly!) on its way from the online store. I will let you know what I think when it gets here.

I just had a massage, and am kinda floppy. I don't think I can trust myself with a rotary cutter, but I can iron a little before taking a nap.

Happy Monday!

Cathy B

What have I been doing?

2011-10-29T20:33:00.003-07:00

I have been working on a purple quilt. It is a commission for a friend, who is giving it to his wife for their anniversary. I am going to be putting borders on it, but have taken the last 2 days off for another project.

Our closest friends anniversary is on Sunday. They were going to go to New England for a week to celebrate, but she got laid off of her job and the extra money isn't there. Soooooo.....we are having them over for an anniversary dinner on Sunday. Just the 4 of us! I thought of having a party, but I want to be selfish.

I am making them a set of 8 napkins, 2 potholders, and a couple of dishcloths for a gift. They both love to spend time together in the kitchen, and watch Rachel Ray while they cook! A kitcheny gift is just right for them. I will post pics tomorrow.

For dinner I am making Hellman Chicken (recipe below), cranberry sauce, steamed vegies, smashed garlic potatoes, salad, homemade bread, and a Jello Poke Cake for dessert. Yumm!

Hellman Chicken:

4 chicken breasts
Hellman (Best Foods) mayonnaise
1-1 1/2 cups Dry bread crumbs (I crush seasoned dressing mix--the kind you stuff turkeys with)
1/2 cup grated parmesan--the real kind, not the powdery stuff

Preheat oven to 425 degreees. Mix bread crumbs and parmesan in a pie plate.

Put 1/2 to 3/4 cup mayo in a ziplock bag. Put in a chicken breast, squish around until the breast is covered. Place in the pie plate and roll around to cover the chicken with the crumb/parmesan mixture. Place coated chicken on an ungreased baking sheet. Repeat with the other chicken breasts. There should be enough mayo in the bag to do all 4 breasts.

Bake for 35-45 minutes. Check at 35 minutes to see if the chicken is pink inside. You want to cook it long enough for the pink to disappear. The high temp for cooking makes the crust 'fry' itself.

Yummy!

Cathy B

Retreat weekend

2011-09-05T09:58:00.006-07:00

I did get a lot done this weekend! First, I finished the Faux Cathedral Pillows I was working on. I love the button details!

Next, I made a set of potholders for a friend. I had gotten a goody scrap box from Linda on the Stashbuster list. Some of the bits included 2 pieces of knitting chicken fabric, and a large piece of fabric with chickens on plates. I have a friend, Cookie, who LOVES chickens, so these had to be a set of potholders for her. She loves 'em! Thanks Linda!

By the way, I know my photos are in the wrong order, but I don't want to mess with them!

I then made up a bunch of napkins. Our old ones were worn and icky. I will post pics of the napkins tomorrow.

This afternoon I am hitting the Labor Day Sales at Hancock Fabrics. I have a quilt commission, and need some purples. Hopefully we are going out to dinner with friends later.

This has been a good weekend!

Cathy B

A product of the monsoons....

2011-09-01T13:01:00.003-07:00

Weeds. Lots of weeds. And, being in southeastern Arizona, weeds that want to hurt you. Prickles, thorns, brambles....I grow 'em all!

Hubby sprayed weed killer, but got too close to my zucchini plants. Grrr! They may make it, but most of the leaves turned brown. Don't get me wrong, the weeds turned brown, too. But it just isn't worth it.

I have taken to soaking the ground for 10 minutes with a little sprinkler, then pulling up the whole weed by the roots. Yay! But I hurt. Really hurt. Makes it kinda hard to sew (or clean for that matter!)

I figure an hour a day would get rid of all the weeds in less than 2 weeks, so I will continue to work on weed abatement. But I have to go out early in the day. I am currently a little too pink for comfort! Hopefully the cooler temps will make it so I don't collapse, and can sew. I have so much stuff I want to sew!

Think of me when you do fibery things!

Cathy B

Working on a Found UFO

2011-08-28T14:54:00.005-07:00

Now that I have made a commitment to myself to work on things I love, I have been sorting through boxes. I am sorting the things I love from the things that are 'eh'. In the midst of the sorting I found pieces for 2 pillowtops I worked a little bit on when we lived in Minnesota. They have been entombed for about 3 years, and I didn't even remember that I had them!

They are based on the old Cathedral Windows pattern, but the updated version with circles and squares. You can find my tutorial at: http://www.puppetsandprops.com/BlueJeans.html

The first picture is closer to the actual colors. Deep chocolate brown heathery fleece, and autumny velvet. They are both upcycled fabrics. The fleece was from a thrift store blanket, the velvet from a size 6 skirt from a friend (yeah, like the size 6 was gonna work! lol). In the photo you can see that I have some of the border placed around the pillow top. The border and backing will be chocolate suedecloth that I have JUST enough of to finish!

I was going to finish these and put them in my Gifting Cupboard. DH saw them and claimed them for our sofa. I love it when he feels strongly about what I make!

I am showing these, even though they are not finished. I have taken the Process Pledge (see the button on the right), and want to show things as they go along.

I am fighting a bug of some kind, so will close for now.

Take care!

Cathy B

Sometimes I Just Get So Tired.....

2011-08-26T23:11:00.003-07:00

Tired of making things to sell instead of making things for the enjoyment. Tired of making things I don't particularly LIKE to make.

Enough! Enough, I say! (Dramatic, huh?)

After talking with hubby, I have decided to stop. No more making things for etsy or other venues. (Well, I did promise to make a quilt on commission for a friend....but I get to pick everything about it! More about that later.) I will let the items on the venues stay until the end of the year, but I'm not gonna promote or list more items.

I have been making stuff to help out financially. Dear Hubby said it isn't worth it for me to lose my enjoyment of what he calls my 'gift'. He said we should make enough when he finishes another couple of new projects for the business that it won't be necessary. And he said that he needs me to run the office and shipping parts of the business anyway. And I sew the arms and legs for the puppets. And he wants me to be happy.

Boy, I love that man.

So.....expect to see projects that I love instead of what sells. Scary thought, huh?

I have some pics to post, but will get to it tomorrow.

Take care!

Cathy B

OOPS!

2011-08-24T16:06:00.003-07:00

If you are interested in any of the books, email me at:

cathy@threadbenders.com

More Destash

2011-08-24T16:01:00.006-07:00

I have culled some more books on sewing and quilting. If you are interested, they are:
A Quilter's Companion by Dolores A. Hinson. Softcover, 282 pages. Some wear, my name on a bookplate on title page. All pages firmly in place. $6.00
Quilt in a Day Pioneer Sampler. Softcover, 88 pages. Good condition, cover has mark where price tag was taken off. $6.00
Picture Quilts by Joan Masters. Hardcover, 122 pages. Good condition, dust jacket has a few small tears. $9.00
I am trying to organize everything. Whew, what a job! Organizer Peter Walsh says that you can't have more stuff than you have room for. You can't put 10 pounds of stuff in a 5 pound bag! I have WAY more stuff than I have room for. A lot of it is my fibery stuff. I want to make a bunch of stuff for gifts, and I want to finish decorating our new house (moved in April). After that, I need to access what is reasonable to keep.
For every item that comes in, at least one other like item needs to leave. Yesterday I bought the Audrey Hepburn dvd of Sabrina (love it!!), so 4 vhs tapes are leaving. That's a start!

Take care!



Cathy B

Weekend Pillow Sewing

2011-08-22T09:11:00.005-07:00

I finished a bunch of pillows this weekend. Yay! They are made from some silkscreen panels I got in the 90's. The design has been percolating in my mind for weeks. I knew I wanted something simple and asymmetrical, and this is what I got!

Sometimes I like working on simple designs. It is a visual break from the crumb blocks I usually like to work on.

Do you find that you need a break from your usual techniques?

Take care!

Cathy B

Inherited Quilt Magazines--Woo hoo!

2011-08-06T09:58:00.002-07:00

As promised yesterday, I will tell you about the quilting magazines I am going through. Lots of quilt magazines. MOUNTAINS of quilt magazines.

A dear older friend of mine is at the point, healthwise, that she needs to be by family to take care of her. She is 'gifting' things she isn't going to move. She has been a quilter longer than I have been alive, and has the stash to prove it. I got all of the quilt magazines and quite a few books. I will probably get fabric when her daughter in law comes out next week to help sort stuff.

Now, getting her magazines and some books was great! But wait, there's more! She also had the complete magazine and book stash of a fellow quilter who passed away 3 years ago. And that quilter had complete sets of 8 different quilt magazines, as well as tons of other quilt magazines. 9 big shopping bags, each at the limit of what I can lift. And guess who has them all now.....

I am sorting to fill in my own collections, and the rest will be sold or swapped to other quilter's to fill in their collections. It has been so interesting seeing the history of modern day quilting as it has changed and progressed. And the international quilts!

It has been fun. Thankfully I am keeping less than I am passing on. My dear husband paled when he saw how many bags I was bringing into the house!

Take care!

Cathy B

Truly Baking in this Heat!

2011-08-05T15:21:00.002-07:00

Really, I am! A dear young friend made strawberry jam and peach jam. I make killer bread. We traded a loaf for 2 jars! I truly love barter.

The bread I make takes a fair amount of kneading, which I can no longer do because of lack of strength in my hands. I do the mixing and kneading in my bread machine, then plop out the dough to pat and shape. Tastes great, and it has real bread loaf shape, not a weird bread machine shape.

Baking at 425 degrees is kinda icky in this Arizona summer, though. I should have made it last night. Next time!

Well, I have a stack of quilt mags to go through. I will tell you all about it tomorrow!

Cathy B

Re-Post of Artichoke Trio Dishcloth pattern

2011-08-04T09:51:00.001-07:00

Artichoke Trio Dishcloth

This is a dishcloth I designed in 2007. It went over quite well! I am quite fond of it.

Artichoke Trio Dishcloth

Dishcloth cotton
Size 6 needles

(MB) means make border—at beginning of row, k1, p1, k1, p1. At end of row, p1, k1, p1, k1
K2tog means k 2 stitches together

Cast on 41 stitches
Work seed stitch for 5 rows--k1, p1, ending with k1

Row 1-(MB) K across to last 4 stitches (MB)
Row 2- and all even rows-(MB) Purl to last 4 stitches (MB)
Row 3- (MB) K across to last 4 stitches (MB)
Row5-(MB) k10, s1k1psso, k2, yo, k5, yo, k2, k2tog, k10 (MB)
Row 7-(MB) k11, s1k1psso, k2, yo, k3, yo, k2, k2tog, k11 (MB)
Row 9-(MB) k12, s1k1psso, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2tog, k12 (MB)
Row 11- (MB) k11, s1k1psso, k2, yo, k3, yo, k2, k2tog, k11 (MB)
Row 13- (MB) k10, s1k1psso, k2, yo, k5, yo, k2, k2tog, k10 (MB)
Row 15-(MB) k11, k2, yo, k2, s2tog as if to knit, k1, p2sso, k2, yo, k2, k11 (MB)
Row 17- (MB) k10, k2, yo, k2, s1k1psso, k1, k2tog, k2, yo, k2, k10 (MB)
Row 19- (MB) k11, yo, k2, s1k1psso, k3, k2tog, k2, yo, k11 (MB)
Row 21- (MB) k12, yo, k2, s1k1psso, k1, k2tog, k2, yo, k12 (MB)
Row 23- (MB)k13, yo, k2, s2tog as if to knit, k1, p2sso, k2, yo, k13 (MB)
Row 25- (MB) k2 * s1k1psso, k2, yo, k5, yo, k2, k2tog, k3* Repeat from * to *, ending with k2, (MB)
Row 27- (MB) k3 * s1k1psso, k2, yo, k3, yo, k2, k2tog, k5* Repeat from * to *, ending with k3, (MB)
Row 29- (MB) k4 * s1k1psso, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2tog, k7 * Repeat from * to *, ending with k4, (MB)
Row 31- (MB) k3 * s1k1psso, k2, yo, k3, yo, k2, k2tog, k5 * Repeat from * to *, ending with k3, (MB)
Row 33- (MB) k2 * s1k1psso, k2, yo, k5, yo, k2, k2tog, k3 * Repeat from * to *, ending with k2, (MB)
Row 35- (MB) k3 * k2, yo, k2, s2tog as if to knit, k1, p2sso, k2, yo, k7 * Repeat from * to *, ending with k5, (MB)
Row 37- (MB) k2 * k2, yo, k2, s1k1psso, k1, k2tog, k2, yo, k5 * Repeat * to *, ending with k4, (MB)
Row 39- (MB) k3, * yo, k2, s1k1psso, k3, k2tog, k2, yo, k5 * Repeat * to *, ending with k3, (MB)
Row 41- (MB) k4 * yo, k2, s1k1psso, k1, k2tog, k2, yo, k7 * Repeat from * to *, ending with k4, (MB)
Row 43- (MB) k5 * yo, k2, s2tog as if to knit, k1, p2sso, k2, yo, k9 * Repeat from * to *, ending with k5, (MB)
Row 45-(MB) k10, s1k1psso, k2, yo, k5, yo, k2, k2tog, k10 (MB)
Row 47- (MB)k across (MB)
Row 49- (MB) k across (MB)
Work 5 rows of seed stitch—k1, p1, ending with k1
Bind off.

As always, feedback is much appreciated. Take care!

Cathy

A Conundrum

2011-07-31T20:52:00.005-07:00

I have been having a discussion with my husband about where to sell my wares. I have an Etsy store and an Artfire store. I get tired of the changes, and also tired of being buried in all the listings. I'm certain those of you who sell on these venues know about this.

So, do I stick with them because they bring in traffic, or do my own website to have control? Right before winter shopping is a bad time to be considering this, but it needs to be decided.

Anyway, here is a pic of a purse I am quite fond of:

It is in my etsy store at threadbenders.etsy.com.

Take care, and please comment with your venue opinions.

New Projects!

2011-07-30T23:01:00.004-07:00

I have been making potholder sets for my etsy and artfire stores. They are the perfect project when the Southeast Arizona weather is doing its thing. I feel productive while still not having fiber sticking to me!

I hope y'all are enjoying your summer!

Cathy B

Found some yummy eye candy!!

2011-05-30T09:09:00.000-07:00

In browsing through etsy I found this store:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/retrofemme?ref=pr_shop

It is about shoes. Beautiful shoes. Wonderful shoes. Fantasy shoes.

Sculptures and pictures.

I need them.

Cathy B

Still unpacking....

2011-05-25T10:21:00.000-07:00

I have been doing really well at unpacking boxes from the move. My efforts have been hindered, however, by the fact that my husband has to rewire, insulate and drywall his shop. Everything that was in the shop is now in my livingroom. It looks like I am living in a storage locker!

In theory the shop should be done by Monday, and all of the stuff removed from the livingroom. We will see.

I have been spending more time than usual in the family room in my husband's recliner (if he can take my unpacking space, I can take his recliner!) I am working on a new line of scarves for my etsy store. I want to have a decent stock for winter. Is knitting scarves in southeast Arizona this time of year crazy? Maybe.........

I have also been baking bread. I used to bake bread all the time, but my hands no longer like the kneading process. A friend gave me a bread machine, so I have been experimenting with some of my bread recipes, letting the machine do the mixing and kneading and rising, then I dump the dough out and shape & bake the loaves myself. A nice synergy, I think!

Happy day, all!

Cathy B

Finally moved....kinda

2011-05-01T22:29:00.000-07:00

The boxes are not all unpacked, but I've emptied enough that we can conduct our daily lives.

Man, I've got a lot of stuff. And I have been de-cluttering since 2008! I need to do a brutal purge of stuff. I have already pulled almost 100 crafty books and 3 boxes of yarn to either sell or give away. I will keep y'all posted as to what I decide to do.

I spent Friday with my mom and all 3 of my sisters. One sis has a timeshare in Phoenix, so we all drove or flew there to have a Girls' Playday. Lots of food, playing with my baby niece at the park, and hanging out by the pool. Not long enough, but it was so much fun!

The pic above is a lapquilt that one of my sisters made, with me quilting it. She said she got it bound the day she received it back from me. I love it that my sisters quilt and sew and bead and knit. Is it in the genes?

Take care!

Cathy B

Busy, Busy, Busy!!

2011-03-05T15:03:00.000-07:00

We are getting ready to move again!! My sister is moving into our mobile home, and we are moving to the house she was living in! And hubby's workshop is moving to the garage at that house. Confusing, yes!

It is only 10 miles between the places, so we figure 1 small moving truck is all we need to rent for the day. And a lot of friends!!!

Contents of shop to house. Contents of mobile to house. Contents of house to mobile.

Sigh.

Sis and I are moving all the boxable stuff in my van, over the next 3 weeks. Or rather, I am moving all the boxes. She has MS and walks with canadian crutches, so can't carry boxes.

Sigh again.

I am looking forward to being in the house, but not the move.

Cathy B

It's not supposed to be this cold!

2011-02-03T12:52:00.000-07:00

Okay, we moved from Minnesota to Arizona to get away from the cold. And here we woke up to 9 degrees. Whole neighborhoods without water due to freezing pipes in their homes and in the streets. No one is certain if the pipes have burst.

Thankfully we have water (I left water dribbling in the farthest faucet from the water main), but many others did this and have nothing. A lot of friends will be coming over tonight to take hot showers if their water hasn't started by then. Hope they bring their own towels!!

The ceiling to hubby's workshop fell in. Thankfully the landlord was right on it and should have it fixed today, but no chance of him working on any vent figures. He is at the shop seated in his little recliner with 3 space heaters pointed at him. He's working on his next book (yay! He has been procrastinating on that!)

The picture is of our yard in Minnesota. Beautiful but COOOLLLD!

On a fibery note, I am ironing a bunch of fabric bits to use in crumb blocks. I found 4 bags of scraps I had set aside, and am culling what I want and what is garbage. The ironing puts out a lot of heat, which feels great!

Happy fibery stuff!

Cathy B

Have you seen these?

2011-02-01T18:38:00.001-07:00

Have you seen the checkbook covers I make? I love the pen holder on them. You can see them at:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/threadbenders

Who says useful can't be beautiful?

Speaking of beautiful, that's my baby girl. What a cutie!

Cathy B

A New Month!

2011-02-01T10:59:00.000-07:00

Well, February is here, what did you do in January? On the last day of January I worked on my sewing room. Well, it isn't really a sewing room at the moment, more of a storage locker. And that isn't right!

Yesterday I dragged most of the contents into the living room so I could cull and organize. Most of my stuff is at my husband's workshop/studio (he makes vent puppets for a living), so why is my sewing room so stuffed?

One reason is that I was storing everything horizontally, so I couldn't walk into the room. This made for one reasonable difference: vertical storage. I have some great 12" X 12" X 8" boxes that are sturdy enough for me to stack them 8 high. Fabrics are now stored in there, and the boxes are labeled by color. I even have enough room to snag some more of my fabric from hubby's studio!

Next will be boxing other fibery things in the same boxes. Not certain how to label the categories, though.

Books and mags will be the hardest, but I need to be able to use my room. I'm tired of monopolizing the kitchen table!!

Happy fiber day!

Cathy B

Be Careful!

2011-01-26T10:49:00.001-07:00

Hubby and I were at a seminar Saturday. I took my usual pain meds (arthritis and fibro), and a decongestant to ward off reactions to perfumey people. An hour into the program I took a mild muscle relaxer for pain. (The seats were VERY uncomfortable).

Wow! I fell asleep, and when I got up to go to the bathroom I fell down! (Thankfully into the chair.) A friend got a wheelchair for me (still had to pee!), and wheeled me there and back. The doctor at the first aid station checked me and said it wasn't dangerous, but NOT to do it again. I missed almost the entire program, and was not 100% recovered until Tuesday!

Scared my hubby, scared me.

Be careful about combining meds!

I don't remember where I got the pic above. Dover clipart, maybe?

Cathy B

My favorite quilt basting technique

2011-01-18T11:40:00.001-07:00

I really like Sharon Schamber's quilt basting technique. I can sit at a table, a plus for my knees! And starching the back makes it slide easily on my sewing machine, and NO PUCKERS!!!

The url is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhwNylePFAA

I really like it, and wanted to share it with y'all!

Cathy B

The pic is Jim Parsons from The Big Bang Theory. He won a Golden Globe the other night. He cracks me up!!

More projects done!

2011-01-17T12:03:00.000-07:00

I was on a dishcloth binge last week. Too much stress to do anything taking brain activity!

These are the easiest knitting I know. Just a diagonal increase and decrease. I keep dishcloth cotton in a bin that I can just grab and knit away. There are a lot of earthy dishcloths because that seems to be what a lot of my friends have in their kitchen.

These make great hostess gifts when we go to dinner, and they have come to expect them! lol

I keep trying to find a day with no outside obligations, but they don't seem to appear! Oh, well, back to carving out time for the projects I want to finish.

Take care!

Cathy B

Did I tell you?

2011-01-14T10:14:00.000-07:00

I belong to a yahoo group that is all about using up our 'leftovers' from other projects. Actually, I'm the listmom. The group is Bits and Bobs, and the url is:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bitsandbobs/

I am posting links to knit and crochet projects that take less than 150 yards of yarn! It is amazing what you can do with that small amount of yarn.

I will be posting these links for the rest of the year, and beyond that if I can.

Join us if you will!

Cathy B
PS: I love this dishcloth, but can't remember where I got the pic. I will post the link when I find it! ;)

Earache!

2011-01-09T09:15:00.000-07:00

I have an earache, so I am working on something mindless and simple--dishcloths. I make a diagonal garter stitch square, work in the ends, and it is done.

I will post pics when I can lean over without pain.

Happy Sunday!

Cathy B

And it goes on.....

2011-01-05T11:02:00.000-07:00

This is another fantastic giveaway. I love the quilt pattern she is giving, and the fabrics to make it---wow.

http://straystitches1.blogspot.com/2010/12/lets-celebrate-2011-with-giveaway.html

Yay!

Cathy B

'Nother Giveaway!

2011-01-05T10:54:00.001-07:00

This is a great time of year, isn't it? Go here for another giveaway:

http://welovequilting.com/january-give-a-way-2/

Enjoy!

Cathy B

Notice of a great giveaway!!

2011-01-05T10:41:00.000-07:00

Leona is having a great giveaway. See details here:

http://oneygirl-myquiltingadventure.blogspot.com/2010/12/lets-ring-in-2011-with-new-bloggy.html

Yay!! Free stuff!!

Cathy B

Got some projects done!!!

2011-01-04T10:13:00.001-07:00

Yay! The photo above is Lacy V Scarf, a pattern from Pegg Thomas. You can find it at:

http://www.twinwillowsfarm.com/lacy_v_scarf.html

I got it blocked yesterday. It is made of Woolease, which feels great but does not block as crisply as I like. The scarf looks cool, though, doesn't it?

This is a pic of Allie's quilt. Allie is my baby sister, and she did the piecing on this one. She had some ripples and volcanoes, though, and was not comfortable quilting it. I did an allover squiggle, and you would never know there were any problems. She is gonna do the binding, thus the batting edges.

Off to work on RRCB now!

Cathy B

Goals for 2011

2011-01-03T08:40:00.000-07:00

Today is much better than yesterday. I am cooking a meal for the family of my dear friend who died Friday. It feels good to do something concrete to help them. They were at the band practice my hubby had last night, and seemed to enjoy the music (and distraction).

I got about half of my RRCB step 4 done. Hope to finish this step today. I will have to wait until tonight to take pics, as I can't find the cord that goes from the camera to the computer.

As for my goals for the year, I want to finish projects that have been started. Sounds simple, but there are so many!!! I will let y'all know how it goes.

Cathy B

Cuttin' strips for RRCB

2011-01-02T16:12:00.000-07:00

Well, hubby is at his jam session. I begged off, 'cause I'm working on a migraine. Those old guys are good, but BOY are they loud. I sent over cookies and mozzarella sticks (the fried kind that you dip in sauce) instead of me. They played a gig a couple of weeks ago for a friend's 35th anniversary. The man who owns the venue asked if he could give their number out, that they were a whole lot better then the people that usually play there. Nice, huh?

Anyway, I'm doing the ol' caffeine treatment to try and curtail the migraine. I will be up 'til all hours, but it usually works for me.

Since I know I will be up late, I am cutting up strips for step 4 of RRCB. I will get some pics of my colors up tomorrow!

Happy Sunday, and don't you look pretty with that migraine aura vibrating around you!

Cathy B

PS: The pic at the top is a 12" square quiltlet I made called Floating City.

RRCB

2011-01-01T19:27:00.000-07:00

I haven't kept up with the mystery this time. Spent as much time as I could with a dear friend who died Friday afternoon. It was a release from pain for her, and a deep pain for me.

People are more important than quilts.

I plan on working on RRCB (Bonnie Hunter's mystery for 2010) this next week. I had gotten through step 3, so I still have a LOT to do!!

Goals for 2011 and Quilter's ADD

2010-12-29T11:05:00.000-07:00

Okay, I had an epiphany this past weekend.

Whenever hubby asks why I have so many fibery projects around the house, I've always told him that the colors and textures make me really happy. He gives me a hug, and walks away muttering to himself that he could never get any work done with so much stuff around. I shake my head, knowing that he doesn't understand my creativity.

Sunday afternoon: I realized that I have trouble finishing projects because there is too much visual clutter!!! I get majorly distracted. I told this to hubby and he literally, LITERALLY, fell to the floor laughing. Okay, so sometimes he is right.

My goal for 2011 is to have only 2 projects visible at any one time. One for quilting/sewing and one for knitting/crocheting/beading/paper stuff. Anything else has to be contained in a bag, box, or bin. I figure one year is long enough to REALLY know if I am more productive that way. I am also going to keep a journal with projects in queue, and projects finished.

This is kinda scary. I've always worked with my areas looking all Kaffe Fassett colorful and cluttered. We will see how it goes!

Cathy B

PS: Fishies Rug is on hold until I can order the yarn I need to finish.
PPS: Remember when saddle shoes were cool? I wish cool shoes were that comfy now!

Fishies Rug

2010-12-17T17:12:00.000-07:00

I got the gauge figured for my Fishie Rug. Size 8 needles, 2 strands Peaches and Creme dishcloth cotton, loose tension. Only problem is that I only have one of the colors I want for the rug. Need to do some serious online shopping!

FishAlong! 2010/2011

2010-12-10T19:51:00.000-07:00

I do love me the FishAlongs! We are starting tomorrow, December 11, 2010. Instead of making the afghan, however, I am making a Fishie Rug for my guest bath room. I need to experiment to get the correct needles and strands of yarn.

I will let y'all know the progress.

Cathy B

What am I working on now?

2010-12-07T20:44:00.000-07:00

Well, I am knitting a shawl for my sister, working on Bonnie Hunter's Roll, Roll Cotton Boll mystery quilt, finishing a few dozen potholders, putting borders on Mary Johnson's pattern Tessalating Pinwheels, planning out the finishing touches on 6 quilts, and REJOICING that my husband finally went to the doctor after having bronchitis for 5 weeks. Men! Can't live with 'em, can't do really heavy lifting without 'em! No, really I am so happy he finally went and got the meds he needs. I love that ol' puppet maker.

The pic above is Blue Jeans and Flannel Shirts. It is a pattern I wrote up a few years ago. Email me at cathythreadbenders@gmail.com if you would like a free copy.

Take care!

Cathy B

And he thought it was his idea....again!

2010-08-10T11:34:00.000-07:00

I often make suggestions for projects that I would like my husband to do around the house. Not nagging, just suggesting.
One recently was my suggestion (last fall) for him to tear out the closet in the sewing room (it is only 7.5 ft by 10 ft) so I could have a wall of shelves for storage. "Too much work!" he said. "It's a bedroom and needs a closet." Okay, I let it go. Then we were watching Hoarders and I asked if he thought I was a fiber and craft hoarder. He hemmed and hawed, but didn't actually say anything. I took him by the hand and led him to the sewing room. "Where do you propose I store my stuff? I only have cardboard boxes and a card table." He looked around for a minute and then said "You know, if we took out this closet, we could put a bunch of shelves here!" Brilliant! And he truly does not remember me mentioning this last year! He has an artist's brain, (and keeps it in a jar in the closet! lol) Anyway, the room is done except for new flooring(!) that will go in next month.

The most recent event was this past week. I do all of the office work for our business, which is a lot of paper! I haven't had a desk to work at for the 1 1/2 years we've been here. I work at the kitchen table, on the couch...wherever. And I have stacks of papers and things to file in almost every room of the house. I suggested in January that if the piano was gone from the office, I could set up my desk there (yes, I have a desk. It has been in the shop since we got here, as there was nowhere for it to be.) He didn't want to move the piano because he MIGHT sell it. Anyway, last week I spent an hour looking for a receipt. DH said "You know, you really need some office space and a desk." Arggh! Yeah, I know! He looked around the office a bit and said "We need to move the piano, then you can put your desk there!" Yay for the idea! He wanted to put it in front of the bar in the livingroom. (You know, those old dry bars from the 70's?) Thankfully, it wouldn't fit there. So on Saturday we ripped out the bar. Can I get a hallelujah! That is another project I wanted done since before we moved here! THREE projects done!!!

Result: The bar is out. The piano is in the livingroom. My desk is in the office. I have a bookcase to assemble to put all the file boxes in.

Life is good!

Oh, I got rid of a ton of stuff too. Yay, YAWYK!

Oh, and since so many of you enjoyed the David McCallum eye candy, here's another one!

Cathy B

I'm in love with my shredder...

2010-08-05T10:35:00.000-07:00

I just finished shredding a box of paper. Some of it was junk mail, but a lot of it was receipts, old checks and check registers, credit card statements...stuff that I don't want anyone to get their hands on.

In the olden days I would take all such stuff to the credit union and they would put it in their shredding bin. After I got my own shredder, I really went to town! Shredders don't cost much for the peace of mind they give. I think I our shredder cost $39 at Walmart.

I had my identity stolen 20 years ago, and occasionally something still surfaces. Don't wanna do that again.

As for what to shred and what to keep---I keep anything that may concern our taxes for 10 years, sealed in a box with the year written on the outside, after taxes are done. We have our own small business, so documentation is very important! After 10 years I shred all the contents of the box except for the tax return copies. I only keep credit card statements that have to do with the business. The others are shredded when the next statement comes in.

We use the shredded paper as packing material when we ship puppets. I put the shredding in a plastic grocery store or walmart bag and tie it firmly closed. Free packing, going green!

Today's pic is of our backyard where we lived in Minnesota until last year. Beautiful, isn't it? DH just couldn't take the long northern MN winters anymore.

Well, time to alter shirts to fit puppets. Quilts are more fun!

Cathy B

More stuff gone, and a bonus pic!

2010-08-03T14:15:00.000-07:00

Well, more stuff is leaving.

48 cassette tapes (trash--I don't even have a player any more!)
3 clothing--donate
2 clothing--trash
2 clothing--sold

It is so liberating to get rid of things! My favorite de-cluttering gurus are Peter Walsh and Marla Cilley (Flylady). I love to get into the psychology of keeping and getting rid of stuff.

My current 'eureka' is that I only have the space I have. If I have more stuff than will fit in that space, something has to go. Simple, but profound.

Today I have been sewing arms and legs. DH makes ventriloquist puppets (puppetsandprops.com) and I do the sewing and altering of clothes. We send 'em all over the world, which is kinda cool.

Now for the bonus pic: David McCallum from the mid to late 50's. No reason to post this other than he was so cool looking. This pic is from a great movie called Violent Playground.

Enjoy!

Cathy B

More stuff Gone-gone!

2010-08-02T19:08:00.000-07:00

Well, more stuff is out of my house. Yay! I got rid of:
4 planks, 2 to the trash and 2 to a neighbor
10 pieces of clothing (6 to trash, 2 donations, 2 sold)
4 cupboard doors (to the neighbor)
1 dvd player (donation)
1 window screen (trash)
1 bag recycling (trash)
4 boxes of expired food (trash)
4 cell phones (donation)

So 29 more things gone.

I have a lot of sewing projects I am doing for other people, which will really up the total when they are done. If only it weren't so stinkin' muggy right now! That's an Arizona monsoon for you!

YAWYK day 13

2010-07-19T06:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I got rid of the following:

1 giant icky lazy susan from my kitchen--this thing was 3 tiers high and wobbly!
1 magazine-yeah, I know, big deal. But it does add up!
18 skeins of yarn--still trying to sell my stash
1 hose--I have a new one, why is the old one still here?

It was hot and muggy yesterday, and today looks to be the same. Didn't know about monsoon season before moving to Arizona!

I will have to sew potholders with the ac pointed right at me!

Quiltingly yours,

Cathy B

Day 10 of YAWYK

2010-07-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been doing a lot of sorting, but the following have actually left the house:

1 bag of recycling (trash)
1 old door mirror (trash)
2 knitting books (sold)

Not a lot, but gone!! I have tons of stuff in piles, and just need to dispose of them, or finish them (those potholders, and rag dolls for my nieces, and LOTS of quilt flimsies!)

I am also giving away Dresden Plate plates on the Stashbuster Fling It All group at:

 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stashbuster_fling-it-all/

Well, back to sorting.  Oh, and maybe some housecleaning!

Cathy B

My, how this week has flown!!

2010-07-15T18:53:00.000-07:00

I was away for 3 days, coming back to a computer that would not recognize my sign-in! Hubby fixed it all, but being computerless for several days is traumatic!

I have been going through stuff, sorting it into piles--trash, donations, and for sale. I'm not going to post the stuff on the counter (to the right) until it is actually out of the house.

I'm working on some more crumb blocks, to empty a bag of scraps I have. My daughter has 6 friends that are having babies before the end of the year, and I thought that baby blankets made with crumb blocks would be so nice and colorful! I will back them with flannel, 'cause that's how I like them. I posted a crumb quilt I made for hubby. He calls it Art Gallery Crumbs.

There is a yahoo group that I listmom that is specifically about crumb quilts. The url is:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/threadbenders/

And I have more followers! Hi everyone!

Take care!

Cathy B

Followers

2010-07-08T13:05:00.000-07:00

Just noticed I have only one follower. I know a lot of people are reading the blog, because they write to me. Anyone else want to follow so my one follower isn't alone. (Picture a sad puppy face here.)

I am now on my way to make potato salad with my sister, using my mom's secret recipe. Well, it really isn't a secret, she just doesn't remember how much she puts in of the ingredients. My sis has a more scientific mind, and has been measuring and adjusting. She finally got it right!! And this potato salad is my husband's favorite food in the world, so he is gonna be so thrilled at dinner. And breakfast. And lunch tomorrow. And.....well, you get the picture.

Happy Thursday!

Cathy B

YAWYK-Day 2

2010-07-08T08:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I got rid of 49 items!! I cleaned the refrigerator and freezer for a whopping 22 items into the trash. 5 clothing items to donate. 2 wire storage racks to donate. 20 old icky video tapes to the trash. Yay!

I did bring something in. A new skirt DH bought me. But more is going out than coming in. That's progress in my book.

I have a bunch of potholders I'm making for family members. Need to get them assembled (they are all cut out) and sent to their new homes. Out of my house, into theirs!

As Peter Walsh says, You only have the room you have. If it doesn't fit in your existing space, you need to get rid of stuff. And as Flylady says, You can't organize clutter, you need to get rid of it.

Anyway, happy flinging!!

Cathy B

You Are What You Keep

2010-07-07T11:37:00.000-07:00

Hi all! I found a nice blog and challenge for my continuing declutter fest. It was started by Tabitha in Arizona. The goal is to get rid of 2010 items by the end of 2010. She started about a month ago, so there is still hope for all of us to purge 2010 items by the end of December. There are 177 days of the year left, so that comes to 11.35 items per day. When you start cleaning desk drawers and kitchen cupboards, that's easy peasy!!

I am particularly thinking of my quilting cohorts. Besides our household stuff, could we get rid of quilting stuff? You know, the tools you never use, the books that are gathering dust, the fabric that just doesn't move you. And if you are a member of the Stashbuster yahoo group, you can sell, trade or give away your quilty stuff on the Fling It All group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stashbuster_fling-it-all/

You can see Tabitha's blog by clicking on the icon on the right.

Happy Flinging!

Cathy B

What a nice day!

2010-06-25T16:16:00.000-07:00

Today I got to do volunteer work with friends in the morning, take lunch to a friend who just got out of the hospital, and got all my errands done. Gonna go pick up husband in an hour, and then we get to have dinner and replace electrical outlets!

All good, all happy.

Cathy B

Just when you think it's safe.....

2010-06-24T08:39:00.000-07:00

Had a frustrating time yesterday. One of the outlets in our house felt hot when I went to plug in a lamp. Really hot. DH checked it out, and disconnected it and turned off the circuit for safety. Unfortunately, that was the circuit that the office runs on. And the window AC in the livingroom and the office. Bummer. No AC, and can't work on the computer. Spent most of the day in the bedroom making dishcloth patterns, eating chocolate chips cookies, and watching old dvds. Not as productive a day as I would like, but what can you do?

He put a new outlet in last night, and things are turned back on. Yay! We found out we need to replace all the outlets on that circuit, that the existing ones are not up to snuff for the load we put on the line with our computer and AC. Our place is kinda old, but it's ours! And replacing outlets is better than a fire!

Today looks to be MUCH more productive.

Take care!

Cathy B

It's a Hot Time in the old town today!

2010-06-22T15:09:00.000-07:00

Well, we moved to Arizona from Minnesota to get away from the cold. And we did. It has been warm enough here to run the AC every day for a couple of weeks. But at least I'm not fighting ticks and mosquitoes!

We have been re-doing my sewing studio, and I am very excited to have enough shelving to actually store things! It makes me feel more creative than I have felt since we moved here a little over a year ago. I don't like working when I have to dig for what I need!

A heads-up: I am in the middle of writing 3 pattern books for knit dishcloths. I will be selling them primarily as E-pattern (you download the pdf from your computer and print out each pattern as you work on it), but will print up books for those that want it. The advantage to the E-patterns is that it costs so much less, and you get it immediately. My husband sells his book on making ventriloquist figures that way, and people have been thrilled. Especially people in other countries where the shipping from the US costs more than the book!

Keep posted, and I will let you know when these are released!

Happy fiber fingering!!

Cathy B

Conversation Hearts Scarf

2010-01-30T14:02:00.000-07:00

Is this just the greatest heart pattern ever? I love it. It is by Alison Grenier, and the free pattern is at:

http://crochetme.com/media/p/94308.aspx

I hope to make up a bunch of these to use up bits and bobs of yarn. Anyone else need to make a bunch of these? One of the great things about this is that you make up all of your hearts before assembling the project. Great take-along project!

Cathy B

New Fish Along!!

2010-01-25T12:10:00.000-07:00

We are starting a new FishAlong on February 15, 2010. If any of you would like to join us in knitting or crocheting a Fishie Afghan, you are welcome. The link is to the left, under the Fishie Afghan.

Wheee!!!

Did you miss me?

2009-09-08T11:26:00.000-07:00

I realized I haven't given any attention to my blog in a year! How time flies when you're falling out of a plane!

Let's see, what's going on? DH had another coronary procedure, we moved from Minnesota to Arizona for his health, I'm having health issues (being attended to, thank you!), my parents sold their house and downsized to a mobile home, my sister moved from California to Arizona so I can help take care of her (she has MS), and my father in law passed away after a rollercoaster ride with Parkinson's. The funeral is this weekend, and DH has been overwhelmed with writing his part of the eulogy and burning cds for the music the family decided on.

I can't wait for next week to come. I want this all over with!

Arizona is beautiful. We live in a little town at about 3500 feet, so it doesn't get as hot as Tucson or Phoenix. Our nearest town is Tucson, so I go there for any 'real' shopping or stuff. The view of the mountains around our place is breathtaking. The sky is so big! DH feels 1000% better here.

I hope to get my etsy store updated and productive again later this month. I have a line of art quilts and purses that I am itching to done! I will post pics as they are available.

Well, take care all!

Cathy B

Morsel Roundup

2008-08-05T12:48:00.000-07:00

I finished a tablerunner called Morsel Roundup last week. It looks like a crazy quilt, doesn't it? I really like working with little scrappy pieces, whether you call them crumb, morsel, ort, or bittles blocks.

The pattern is one I made for the Threadbenders yahoo group, which you can find at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/threadbenders/

It is a group for sharing about crumb quilts. I will be posting a free pattern for using these blocks every month. Morsel Roundup is the August project. Come join us!

Take care!

Cathy B

Workin' on the Brown Crumb Art Gallery Quilt

2008-07-16T13:48:00.000-07:00

I rented time on a longarm machine yesterday to quilt Michael's quilt. I've been calling it Brown Crumb, but he insists I start calling it Art Gallery. Okay, it IS his quilt. I did a scribble quilting pattern with wonky outlining on the stars. I had intended to quilt it on my domestic machine, but I am having a bout of tendonitis in my right arm and even brushing my teeth is painful. On the longarm machine I can do most of the work with my left arm. It ends up costing $, but that's the way it is! Thankfully I have been selling off all my spinning fiber, so I had a little money to splurge. Oh, if anyone is interested in the fiber, it is in my etsy store at:

threadbenders.etsy.com

The old joints don't want to cooperate with me spinning or weaving, so the supplies and equipment are all going, a bit at a time.

I will post a pic of the Brown....er, Art Gallery all quilted and bound as soon as I can.

Cathy B

Stuff I got done!!!

2008-07-05T20:45:00.001-07:00

Well, got the top done on the Boxy Stars. I am sending it to the longarmer on Monday. This is the one that is a gift for a friend. This pattern goes together so quickly!! Thanks Bonnie!

Also, I got the Crumb Quilt top done. Michael (DH) has claimed this as his. Only his. No one can touch it. He wants to call it Art Gallery, or something like that. He says it looks like modern art framed. Isn't it great that he likes it? I will quilt this one on the longarm machine I can rent time on in Duluth.

Happy quilting!

Cathy B

Getting ready for Boxy Stars...

2008-06-25T15:08:00.000-07:00

Well, as soon as I finish the crumb quilt top I'm working on, I will be ready to start Boxy Stars with the QuiltvilleChat group. The planned start date is July 1st. Woo-hoo!

I decided to make this as a sofa quilt for a dear friend who let me bring almost 30 young people, along with their children, over to her house to have a party for my daughter and her husband who were visiting from California. It was a marvelous party, no damages done or tears cried (except for joy!). My house is too small for that many people, so my friend offerred the use of her house. Is that a generous friend or what!!!?!

I am making this quilt as a thank-you gift for her. She chose the colors. I just need to find 2 more green or gold fabrics, I'm sure they will be found in my stash. The ivory will be the background. The berry tones the stars. The greens and golds the boxes.

I think it will turn out nicely. I KNOW it will be made with a lot of love.

Hope to see you all in our virtual chatroom!

Cathy B

Lots of interest in Boxy Stars and Chunky Churndash!

2008-06-11T12:24:00.001-07:00

Boxy Stars has a cousin, Chunky Churndash! A lot of us will be working on these as summer projects on the Quiltville list. There is a database to sign up, and a photo album. (Both are named Summer Projects). So exciting! Now if only DH would make up his mind on colors he wants for the Boxy Stars...it will be for him. I give him a week deadline to decide, then I'm gonna make it for someone else! No pressure! lol

We are going to a family gathering this weekend. People I don't see but once a decade. How wicked am I that I would rather spend the time playing with my fabric. I know, I know! Pure-D Wicked!

I will be cordial and smiley, and play with my fabric when I get home.

Take care!

Cathy B

Boxy Stars--a project between Quiltville mysteries

2008-06-10T15:05:00.000-07:00

Well, so Bonnie can have a rest we are gonna quilt on our own this summer. The first group project will be Boxy Stars from Quiltville.com. The pattern can be found at:

http://www.quiltville.com/boxystars.shtml

Bonnie's stuff is so great!

We will be starting July 1st, so everyone gather their 2.5" strip! I'm gonna do mine 'planned scrappy' as opposed to 'real scrappy'. It is for dh, and he prefers more order. I will post pics of my chosen fabrics as I get them.

Everyone is welcome to join! You can join our quiltville group at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/quiltvillechat/join

As we go along, please feel free to post links to your blogs and progress in the comments section on this blog.

Anticipatorily yours,

Cathy B

Go Fly a Kite--KiteAlong!!

2008-03-31T17:02:00.000-07:00

We are having a new knitalong on the Bits and Bobs 2 group. Since April is National Kite Month, we are doing kites! A KiteAlong! This is a great project for using up bits of yarn. We have members who are gonna use baby yarn, worsted weight, sport yarn, dishcloth cotton...almost anything will work! A complete kite takes 11-12 yards of yarn, but you can use more than one color per kite, so smaller amounts of yarn work! You all are welcome to join us at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BitsandBobs2-SpecialProjects/

This pic is on my blocking board, as the outside weather is not cooperating for an 'artistic' picture. Anyway, you get the idea!

Please spread the word. Our FishAlong was great, and the KiteAlong is just as much fun!

Cathy B

Carolina Crossroads Finished!!

2008-03-31T16:57:00.000-07:00

I finished this in January of 2008. I set it out to be quilted by a longarmer in an allover clamshell pattern. I really love this! Now the problem will be to keep it here when the kids come to visit!

Carolina Crossroads

2007-12-07T20:03:00.000-07:00

Started a mystery quilt, Carolina Crossroads, by Bonnie Hunter. The site with the instructions is at:
http://quiltville.com/carolinacrossroadsmystery.shtml

The yahoo group is at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/quiltvillechat/

I am still cutting strips to make my Rail Fence portions. It is gonna be a scrap quilt, with tan for the neutral and black for the accent. I had to buy the black (3 yds.), and I bought the tan because it was on sale for $2 a yd! It is a nice tea-dye look tan. I got 10 yds, because I never seem to have enough neutrals.

I will be posting pics as I go along, but it isn't very exciting at the moment. I will also be posting pics of other projects, as I am no longer making the drive to Duluth for work!!! Yay!! It took a friend of mine 2 hrs to get home on Tuesday because of the snow, instead of her usual 20 minutes.

Well, fiber fiends, I am back to the cutting board.

Cathy B

Starting a new job

2007-10-10T16:11:00.000-07:00

Well, tomorrow I start my new temporary job. It is office work, which I have done before. But working at the family business has its perks. I sleep in if I have been up late. I can start my work (computer stuff) in my jammies before I go out to the shop. And I don't have to drive in the snow.

The new job will be 8 to 5 office attire. Better make sure I've got the clothes ready. And that I get to bed on time. I feel like a kid starting at a new school!!!

I'd rather stay home and knit. But I will survive. Probably even like it.

Later!

Time Goes So Quickly!!!

2007-10-08T14:56:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been almost 3 months since I posted. Ill health has taken a big chunk of my summer. And we are 'restructuring' our business (amazing how much time making puppets can take!!) I have a store on etsy.com (threadbenders.etsy.com), and am in awe of how much time it takes to promote stuff. How can I be MAKING things to sell if I spend all my time promoting my stuff? What a quandary. If you get a chance to look at my store, let me know what you think. I am still wanting to 'fill' it, but am just so busy!!

As if that isn't enough, I had told a friend last spring that I would fill in for one of her co-workers this fall when she goes in to have her baby. Fall is here!!! And they are taking the baby early, so I start work on Thursday.

Anyway, I will be needing my fiber stuff to keep me sane over the next 2 months. And my fiber groups!!

Here is the pic of the dishcloth cotton Fishies Afghan I made. It has been done for more than a month, but.....I really have no excuse for not posting the pic! lol

The Fish-Along is still going on at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BitsandBobs2-SpecialProjects/

Come see us. It is a great project for using up your little bits of yarn.

Cathy B

Blue Jeans and Flannel Shirts quiltalong

2007-07-15T17:02:00.001-07:00

Hi all! As if I didn't have enough to do, we are starting a quiltalong on Monday July 16th for the quilt pictured here. It is called Blue Jeans and Flannel Shirts, and you can make it out of those materials. But you can also see the table runner I made out of cottons! Love this pattern. The quiltalong is on the Bits and Bobs group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bitsandbobs

The pattern is available for free at this link:
http://www.puppetsandprops.com/BlueJeans.html

If you would like the 32-page pattern booklet with full-size photos and expanded coverage and ideas, it is $6.95 including shipping in the continental US, actual postage added for international orders. Contact me at: cathy@threadbenders.com.

Take care!

Cathy

Stuff besides Fishies!

2007-07-14T17:46:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am a Fish-Along-er. But I do other stuff too. Here is a picture of a quilt I did for a friend of my daughter. I have never met the girl, but she just had her first baby, a girl, and she and her husband don't have mothers. No grandma's!!! So I had to make her a grandma quilt. It is called Cobblestones, and I really like the low contrast colors. They are the colors she has chosen for the baby, so I actually had to buy fabric instead of working my stash. But I do like it. Do you?

Cathy

2007-07-08T15:02:00.000-07:00

Here is the week 3 progress report for the Fish-Along. I have done 73 tropical Fishies! It took me almost as much time to lay out the fishes as to knit one!

Well, take care all!

Cathy

Fishies Hummm

2007-07-03T08:17:00.000-07:00

Here is a little fishies song in the manner of Winnie the Pooh's little hums:

Love them little fishies
Swimming in a row
Love them little fishies
Only 99 to go.

Swimming on the table
Swimming on the floor
Swimming on the ceiling
I've got to make some more.

When I lay my head down
On my pillow in my bed
The fishies keep on swimming
In my dreams, in my head.

Everybody loves them
They want to join along
So we all can sing a friendly
Little swimming fishies song.

Enjoy!

Cathy

Fish-Along Progress Report Week 2

2007-06-29T17:25:00.000-07:00

Love these little fishies! This is a photo of my pile at the end of week 2. Pretty good, considering we had out-of-state visitors and tons of Real Life work to do. The original Fish-Along grew so fast on the Bits and Bobs group that we started a sister group--B&B2. You can join through the regular Bits and Bobs group (link under the Fishes Afghan to the left).

There are 28 fishies in the pile. I am gonna knit them all before I start seaming them together, so I can have a certain color balance.

I think I need about 120...not sure yet.

Take care!

Cathy

Braided Crochet Seaming

2007-06-16T11:03:00.001-07:00

I have been asked for instructions for the seaming I used on the Fishies Afghan pictured to the right. The link for instructions, including photos, is at:

http://www.puppetsandprops.com/Files/CBBC.pdf

The Fish-Along is going great! Lots of fishes, lots of enthusiasm.

Not too late to join us!

Cathy

Correction to Artichoke Trio

2007-06-13T16:35:00.000-07:00

I am soooo grateful to Carol for finding a typo in the pattern. On row 37 there is an extra k2, repeated twice, which could really goof up your count! The pattern below is corrected, so please re-print it if you are going to knit the dishcloth, and throw away the old one.

Thanks again, Carol!

Cathy

Aqua Sky

2007-06-12T13:48:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not, knitting is not the only thing I do! Here is a pic of a wallquilt I did last year called Aqua Sky. It was a challenge using 'ugly' fabric, which is the hills in the background. It is all done in raw edge applique. It measures about 2 feet across. The beads on the hanger are Mexican pottery from the 1950's. Love 'em! The clouds are cotton roving. My DH snagged it to hang over his computer desk. Nice to be appreciated!

Everyone ready for the Fish-Along starting on Friday? Info at the link to the left under the fishies afghan pic.

Take care!

Cathy

Closeups of pics

2007-06-07T20:48:00.000-07:00

If any of you would like to see closeups of the pictures, to see more stitch definition, just click on the photo....it will open up a bigger pic.

Cathy

Artichoke Trio Dishcloth

2007-06-07T09:28:00.000-07:00

Hi all! Boy, the Bits and Bobs yahoo group is growing like crazy. I think everyone is excited about the Fish-Along fish afghan KAL we are gonna start next week. If anyone else would like to join us, come to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bitsandbobs/.

I have a new dishcloth pattern I did this past week. I am quite fond of it.

As always, feedback is much appreciated. Take care!

Cathy

BitsandBobs yahoo group

2007-05-30T18:05:00.000-07:00

I have received a lot of inquiries about where to get the Fishes Afghan pattern. It is available, for free, in the files of the Bits and Bobs group. This group is for using up stash and bits and bobs of yarn, fiber, fabric, and beads. The link is at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bitsandbobs

This is a small but fun group. It is growing fast, and we hope to have a lot more activity. We are discussing a KAL for the fishes afghan, which I am going to do in dishcloth cotton, or cottonease. I haven't decided which yet. The date I suggested for start is June 15th, then a leisurely knit until the end of summer. I am one of the moderators on the group, so I am quite fond of it!

Take care!

Cathy

PS: I just got my first email from my mom! My sister just taught her how!

Definitely Diagonal Stole finished!!

2007-05-30T16:32:00.000-07:00

Hi all! Wow, 2 patterns posted on the same day! I finished the Definitely Diagonal Stole, and I do love it. It is a great pattern for stash-busting, and also because it is adjustable for both petite and ample women. And, there is no shawl-point directing attention to the posterior!!

I hope you all enjoy this pattern, and as always, comments are appreciated!

(Yes, that is me with no makeup, and with my eyes closed. You are supposed to be looking at the Stole!!)

Definitely Diagonal Stole

I used size 8 32-inch circulars

20 oz. stash yarn--I sorted my worsted weight light and medium colors. It works better if you have a yarn 'theme'. Pastels, earthy, darks, jewel tones, or monochromatic. Cut all the yarn into pieces from 12 inches to 3 yds. Tie them LOOSELY end to end and roll balls. As you get to each 'knot', untie it, knit 4 stitches using both strands. This is an easy way to make your color transitions. Periodically, pull all of your yarn ends to the wrong side. Even rows are wrong side.

4 oz. anchor yarn. My anchor was a smoky gray worsted weight. This makes the shawl look more put together, less 'knit in a dark closet'! lol This is all done in garter stitch.

Cast on 1 stitch with stash yarn.

Row 1: Knit in front and back of same stitch. This is KFB, and is your increase stitch.

Row 2: Slip first stitch as if to purl, with yarn in BACK. KFB.

Row 3: Slip first stitch as if to purl, with yarn in BACK. KFB. Knit 1.

Row 4: Slip first stitch as if to purl, with yarn in BACK. Knit to last 2 stitches. KFB. Knit 1.

Repeat row 4 until you have done 30 rows. Then attach 'anchor' yarn and continue in pattern of increasing by KFB at end of each row for 6 rows.

The pattern now will be 30 rows of stash yarn, 6 rows of 'anchor' yarn, then repeat. Do this until one leg of the stole measures 24 inches. (If you want the stole more narrow, have this measurement be how narrow you want it) A leg is the part of the stole NOT on the needles.

When you get to 24 inches, end on an even-numbered row.

On next row, an odd-numbered row, slip first stitch as if to purl with yarn in BACK, and place marker. Knit to last 3 stitches. K2TOG (decrease). K1.

Even-numbered rows: Slip first stitch as if to purl with yarn in BACK, knit to last 2 stitches. KFB (increase). K1.

Odd-numbered rows: Slip first stitch as if to purl with yarn in BACK, knit to last 3 stitches. K2TOG. K1.

Repeat these two rows until the long edge of the stole measures 75 inches. You will know when to increase and when to decrease by your little marker. If the marker is there, increase. If the marker is not there, decrease.

At the same time, you are gonna keep up the color changes between stash yarn and 'anchor'yarn, 30 rows of stash, 6 rows of anchor.

When the stole measures 75 inches, work each row as follows: Slip first stitch as if to purl with yarn in BACK. Knit to last 3 stitches. K2TOG. K1. Remove marker when you come to it.

Keep decreasing until you get to 2 or 3 stitches. K all together. To finish, either weave in all your little ends (oh my!) or cut the ends, all pulled through to the wrong side, to about 1/4 inch. I dab a little soft fray check on ends to keep them on the wrong side if I am working with acrylic, as it tends to slip. Just a LITTLE bit. Wool sticks to itself enough to not be a problem usually.

Anyway, enjoy! If there are any questions, comments or corrections, please let me know.

Meringue dishcloth pattern

2007-05-30T09:36:00.000-07:00

Hi all! I finished a dishcloth pattern last week, and want to share it with you all. It is called Meringue, because of the peaks in the rows. Let me know how y'all like it.

Meringue Dishcloth

1 ball dishcloth cotton

size 6 or 7 needles

gauge doesn't matter--it's a dishcloth!

MB means 'make border'--knit 4 stitches

Cast on 41 stitches

Knit 5 rows

Row 1-(MB) *K2, YO, K2, S1K1PSSO, K2TOG, K2, YO, K1* Repeat from * to *, to last 4 stitches (MB)

Row 2-(MB) Purl (MB)

Row 3-(MB) *K1, YO, K2, S1K1PSSO, K2TOG, K2, YO, K2 * Repeat from * to *, to last 4 stitches(MB)

Row 4-(MB) Purl (MB)

Repeat rows 1 through 4, 12 times

Knit 5 rows.

Bind off.

I also am almost finished with my Definitely Diagonal shawl--actually, a stole. I will get the picture and instructions for that done tomorrow.

So much fiber, so little time!!

Cathy

Stepping Stones dishcloth

2007-05-28T14:18:00.000-07:00

Just finished the May midmonth dishcloth KAL. I like it quite a bit.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MonthlyDishcloths is the groups this pattern is from. Love that group!

I have been working on too many projects! Need to get some FOs done. Let's see.....a shawl that is almost done, just need to weave in the ends. That would give me a sense of accomplishment, even though I won't need to use the shawl until next fall, I think. But it would be another picture to put up, and a free pattern for y'all to use, if you would like. I will try to get that done tomorrow.

Take care!

Fishy Afghan Done!!

2007-05-11T11:12:00.000-07:00

Fishy Afghan Done!!! Hi all! So much for good intentions to post each day. Life interferes, doesn't it? Anyway, I finished the baby Fish Afghan I was working on. It turned out beautifully, and the young woman I made it for is thrilled. The best part is, she GETS it. The hours of my life put into the afghan, the love as I thought of her first baby, the fact that I would only put this much time (and money) into this project for VERY few people, people who GET it and appreciate what knitting means. Other people get stuff from Penneys! lol My young friend is also knitting her first sweater, a baby sweater, for her coming baby. She is working from a 1950 Bear Brand pattern, and I am helping her. A knitting mentor! It is working out really well, and she is thrilled.

On the subject of GETTING it, I took a load of stuff up to Goodwill this morning, and there was a pile of knit and crocheted afghans on a table, obviously all by the same person. Perfect workmanship, lovely colors. And marked at 2.99 each. So sad. I left them there, as I don't need any more afghans, and I know some young person with very little money will be excited to get them. But still, so sad. So many hours of the creator's life, not to mention the cost of the yarn. Makes you think, huh?

First Posting

2007-04-27T10:08:00.000-07:00

Hi all! This is my first post on my first blog! Technology catches up with us all, doesn't it? This week I have been working on a baby Fishes Afghan. The pattern can be found on the Bits and Bobs yahoo group. It is a group for using up the small bits of yarn, fabric, beads, and whatever else you have in projects that look really good! The colors didn't come out well in this photo. The yellow and purple are accurate, but the blue should be a greenish teal. Yummy!

I have also been working on the Heartbeat Sweater with the Ample Knitters group on yahoo. Doing it in ww cotton, which I know will stretch out. I am going for the tank-top under, slouchy-off-the-shoulder look, to wear with capris this summer. I will post a photo when it doesn't look so much like a giant dishcloth!

Will write more tomorrow!