I know.. I literally just said I needed to curb my spending. But then Lens Mills (my fav place to buy fabric) sent me notice about a sale in the clearance department. You know that clearance department where I always find awesome finds for quilt backs and remnants? Yeah – well now it’s an extra 50% off… how could I not go???

I got these three little pieces from the remnant bin. And that pretty bird fabric actually isn’t that small – it’s about a yard and a half.

I don’t really feel bad about this one – it’s going to be the back for the Autumn-a-whirl quilt. (And probably another small quilt, because I got lots!)

Same with this one… it’s the back for Swan Princess. I did want a flannel for the back – but this print at a crazy low price – I’m not about to get too fussy.

These two are another story. The first is a gorgeous big print cotton (there are also large pale pink hibiscus on it). I got enough for the back of a full-size quilt even though I don’t have a quilt for it yet! But for $20… well I’ll have a quilt top eventually!

The second is flannel – there’s only a couple of yards, but it’s enough for the back of a baby/child’s quilt. And there’s always another baby around somewhere!

 

I made a little promise to myself that I would be better about my frivolous spending this year. I say it every year, but as I creep closer to retirement age (yes it’s still a long way off, but each year brings me that much closer), I’m thinking more and more about needing a nest egg. I have RRSPs through work, but I don’t think it will be enough, so I need to squirrel away as much cash as I can. So this is the year to make a REALLY good start.

But  before this year rolled in (like literally the day before), I went on a little last blast spree. I ordered  a few new dresses from Old Navy (and by few, I mean four…)

And I placed an order with Knit Picks. I was very excited to discover they now not only accept Paypal, they finally have free shipping to the Great White North!

Burton was very excited too!

In that box was several luscious skeins of Chroma Twist Bulky

They will be used to make myself a Carbeth Cardigan. You may recall that I started one about this time last year in cotton, but it got put in a permanent time out. You may also recall that I said I didn’t want to knit myself any more cardigans until I lost some more weight… but… this cardigan is worn with a fair amount of positive ease, so it shouldn’t be too bad if I do lose the weight (unlike my favoured style of cardigans, which are all worn with negative ease). Plus the yarn was a great price – and do you know how hard it is to find inexpensive bulky superwash  wool? Really hard.  I wanted superwash because I find it much less itchy than regular wool.

Mom helped me get over the minimum for free shipping with these pretty balls of Chroma fingering.

They were also an excellent price. She loves gradient and stripers for her circular sock machine – she can whip out a pair in no time.

And, what actually brought me to the Knit Picks site was an offer of a free canvas tote with orders over $50. Another goal is to cut down on our plastic consumption, and I do love a good tote bag. They had lots of prints to choose from, but you can bet your bippy, I went with cats!

Because why would you not??

Here we are, almost half way through January (how did that happen), so it’s time to get a handle on quilt projects. You’ve seen glimpses over the past few weeks, but here’s a full list of what’s on the go:

• Marseilles Stars: Slow going, but I love it. I’m trying to do  at least two stars a week, and so far, that’s working out
• A quilt for Ty: This one is a commission and it’s in a still inholding pattern until we can get out and get more fabric for it.
• Butterflies, and bunnies, and birds, oh my!: This is the second commission quilt for Sam. They are scrappy nine patches that come together quick – I’ll have an update post soon.
• Cat Fancy: Still cutting It’s a big job, but I hope to be piecing soon.
• Leader and Ender HSTs: All the HSTs are done, and now we’re assembling crazy pinwheels! (Pictured above). This one is coming together quick, so it’s going to lose it’s L&E status soon… and I have to start thinking about a new L&E project…yikes!

“Yes human… you may worship me now…”

While I showed you a glimpse of the first new project on Sunday, I still had another box empty. That meant I could still start something else (especially considering the nine patches from Sam’s quilt are stacking up fast – that quilt won’t be on the go for long).

Ever since Mom gave me the Cat Fancy kit for my birthday…

I’ve been dying to get started on it. And at the same time… I’m absolutely terrified. I’ve never made a quilt from a kit before. I’m much more of a fly-by-the-seat of my pants quilter. This I have to follow instructions.

I also use a lot of pre-cuts… this has what feels like eleventy billion pieces that need to be cut. But fretting about it wasn’t going to get it finished, so there was nothing to do but get to it.

That’s all I was able to get done before my back started protesting. But like the HSTs in the crazy pinwheel quilt… if I cut a few every day, I’ll be ready to start piecing in no time!

Work continues on the Marseilles Stars. As mentioned, I make them two at a time, but they are still fairly time-consuming, so two is all I’m usually able to do in one session.

I have six done so far (with eight more to follow) and as I mentioned, I’m really thinking about laying them out on point with a plain white block in between them.

I laid them out on my hall floor (please excuse the hideous vinyl tiles) and I definitely think that’s the way to go. Of course that won’t be happening any time soon… there’s still eight more stars to make!

Here we are, only eight days to the new year, and I’m already meeting my New Year’s goal!

Last night I hit publish on the Seamless Kitty Cat Hat!

The adorable little Wren is modelling hers for me – looks like I picked the perfect colours to go with her winter coat.

It took a little figuring, but I was able to work all the shaping with increasing, decreasing and short rows. Lots and lots of short rows. But the result is a completely seamless balaclava that’s not only warm, but crazy adorable too. It’s knit with worsted weight yarn, and it’s always been our tradition to knit with varigated yarn, but this looks just as cute in a solid!

As you know, it’s been adapted from an old out-of-print pattern, soI’m happy to share this one as a freebie. Happy knitting!

The first slip-stitch sock is done, and I’m loving it.  As you can see, it’s just a little shorty, sock, but the pattern can be knit to any length. It would be great for using up part balls. And I’m think it would look amazing with a solid black and a really wild, colourful skein… really, the possibilities for combinations are endless!

I’ve got to get motoroing on the second one… I really want ot get this pattern released!

My bestest friend Samantha has commissioned me to make another quilt – this one to be a gift for someone. Back in November, we poured over fabrics and patterns and finally decided on a simple random nine patch.

For fabric, she chose the Up, Up and Away collection (which I had in my stash already) and I filled it out with a few other fabrics from Mom’s stash.

We also added in that little bunny fabric on the end, which will have special meaning to the recipient. I didn’t start sewing, but I did get all my squares cut, so it’s ready to go on the next free afternoon.

This will be another lap-sized quilt, and I think it’s going to be just fabulous!

Back in November, I mentioned there were two new babies coming into my circle. First is the impending girl to my coworker. Second is a little boy to my cousin. I had intended to make a quilt for both, but I probably should have started my cousin’s first… because her baby shower is only a week away.

Bad planning on my part (though I do have a knit blankie already made I can gift), but I think I can make up for it with something even more special.

The pattern is Bear Essentials, and its from the January 1994 edition of Canadian Living. Honestly, it’s not my favourite stuffed bear pattern… it’s tricky to seam and assemble, and I’ve knit nicer, easier stuffies… but this one is special.

When I was a teen, we lived three streets over from my aunt and her two girls, (the oldest of which is having the baby). I used to walk them to school and babysit, and as a result we were quite close. And of course, Mom made them many knit things  – including these bears – which for some reason, they called Bearby, and carried everywhere.

So it seemed only natural that my cousin’s baby should have a Bearby of his own. He’s knit entirely from leftovers of Stray Cat, and while I wasn’t thrilled with the construction, I’ve got to admit, he’s pretty soft and cute!