I’m super excited because I get to go to a hot place and lay in the sun for a bit!  Even though it has been such a great winter in Saskatchewan, I am still looking forward to a change of scenery and warmer weather.  :)

I’m taking along some hand sewing to keep me occupied in the evenings.  The sun goes down early, so this leaves time in the evenings to watch DVDs or TV.  I like to hand sew… I can’t  just sit and do nothing!

While away, I hope to take in a quilting class.  I’ve done my research and have found a nearby quilt shop that has a one-day class on Judy Neimeyer’s paper piecing method.  I LOVE Judy’s quilt patterns, so hope I can get into the class.

Here’s a photo of the quilt that I am currently working on…Stars ‘N Boxes.   Since the picture was taken I have added another border (in coral).  I pieced the binding using some of the “leftover” scraps from the jelly roll of fabrics used in the quilt centre. I downloaded a free pattern called “Boxy Stars” that I stumbled across on Bonnie Hunter’s Quiltville website.  This was the perfect pattern and it was so quick and easy!  Thank you, Bonnie!

I made this quilt with fabrics that I had  left over from a jelly roll of French General – Garance – fabrics that I picked up from Hamels Fabrics at their booth at the Saskatoon Quilt Show last October.  (The quilt that produced these leftover fabrics is waiting to be bound….I will post a photo of it once it is finished.)  I really like the bright reds, carmels and soft browns in this collection.

We now have lots of snow, which is kind of nice except for having to drive in it.  What a change!  We are expecting pretty cold temperatures for the next bit.  Makes we want to hide inside, drink hot chocolate, knit and quilt.

I finished knitting the wee beanie for my new great niece, Victoria. Right now it looks very plain, but I plan to do some embroidery around the cuff to dress it up.  Photos will be posted soon!  Over the next few days I hope to get some photos posted on my gallery pages so that you can see what I do.

January 13, 2012

It is beautiful; sunny and warm for a Saskatchewan winter day.  We have been blessed with such mild weather lately.  It makes walking the dog so much more fun! 

Okay, my son, the computer guy, is a comedian, too.  Just because I said I would knit him an icelandic sweater does not mean that I want to define myself as an icelandic sweater knitter!  I said I would give it a shot — and only if we could find a pattern and the correct yarn.  Don’t get me wrong — I do want to knit a sweater for him (it has been about 20 years since I last made one).  He has grown a bit, that’s all.  LOL.

I have been doing some quilting.  ’Been trying to finish up those UFOs that accumulate no matter how hard I try.  I’m making some headway.  I have also been thinking a lot about picking up my paints and brushes once again…it has been about a year since I have done any artwork.  I have lots of ideas that I am itching to try; it is just so hard to get started again.

My hands have been better lately, so maybe the bit of  knitting I have done has helped them limber up.  I find that, for all things, I have to switch tasks often in order to avoid major pain.  This is really hard to do when you just want to get on with it!  Oh well.  It could be worse!

I will post some photos of my recent projects soon, so if you are new to my website you will be able to see what kind of art and quilts I make.  Check out my “About Me” page for a sampling.

Thanks for stopping by!  Be back soon.

Sheila