Wooly update

This last week has been working with wool, both wool applique and knitting.
First up, I stitched the fifth Moon Garden block, from Primitive Gatherings, a BOM. So I am all caught up. No new stitches for me with this one. I love the fly stitch down the center of each petal, at least to look at, my hand got sore pulling the needle through, although the Colonial knots through several layers of wool was harder yet.

To take a hand break, I worked on the first of Shabby Fabrics Wooly Mug Rugs, a new one is available each month, to make for the following month. I just found them, so made the January block to use next February. I did learn a new stitch with this project, the little scalloped edging around the heart, AKA the scroll stitch.

Then, knitting, I am still working on the Feather Chic sweater, started the front, although the back is not done yet. I wanted something I could stick in my purse when I went to Santa Cruz Shakespeare. It was a lovely long weekend spent down there, and we took in three plays, Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet", "Loves Labours Lost", and David Ives' "Venus in Fur". A gem of a company almost in our back yard. While it is only about 30 miles away, we opted to spend the weekend there. Along with theatre, we discovered Kelly's French Bakery, the Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard tasting room, and rediscovered Lundberg Glass studio. All in all, a lovely weekend.

Tuesday update - 14 August 2018

The big news this week is that I finished my "Goblin King: a Labyrinth quilt"!

This was a quilt along with Fandom in Stitches 2017. I wanted the black fabric to look like a stone wall, and the walkway to be pebbled. Thanks to Lori Kennedy's tutorials (The Inbox Jaunt), I think I succeeded.

I am still working away on the Moon Garden BOM, and got month four done over the last couple of weeks:

This is a Primitive Gatherings/Lisa Bongean BOM. I just got month 5 in the mail, but won't start it until I get caught up (again) with the Patchwork Barn BOM. Cutting out the rest of August's blocks now.
Then I have been knitting. I finally finished the scarf I have been working on for months, off and on, mostly off. This was the leftover yarn from my Old Shale Shawl I made last year, using a Caron Big Cake (Blue Macaron).

And I finished a pair of simple socks. These were knit on size 00 needles, using a skein of Opal's Harry Potter yarn (Harry and Ron colorway) from a long time ago. It was released along with the Goblet of Fire movie. I still have several skeins to go.

I have been trying to make my way through James Joyce's "Ulysses", hence all the handwork, my book club meets this Thursday, one long chapter to be discussed, so more knitting in my future. I read about the chapter, then listen to the chapter, sometimes following along in the book, sometimes doing handwork. It has been on my bucket list, but I will be so glad when I am done! Currently knitting on my Feather Chic sweater (cast on this week).

A Bit of This and That - Tuesday 7/24/2018

My husband and I had an eventful day 36 years and a week ago, we got married. Last Tuesday we celebrated our anniversary. And then on Saturday we attended the wedding of a dear friend. My son and younger daughter both came home for the wedding, so that was nice. And the older daughter and her husband came to dinner so we could all visit. A lovely weekend. The picture is me and mine, 36 years ago, photo by my Dad.

This week I was trying to make a dress to wear to the wedding, but it was not to be, here is the mock-up, so far.

With only three unique blocks to go for Patchwork Barn, it was fairly easy to figure out next month's assignment. I used these blocks as leader/enders when working on the dress.

And finally, got started on the Moon Garden BOM, this is month 4, so far. I am listening to Ulysses while stitching. I will finish the block before finishing Ulysses, so I better prep another handwork block after this one is done!

I also read Hadrian's Wall, which made me want to go visit it! Another thing to add to the Great Britain tour.