2014 Is Going To Be LEGEND . . . wait for it . . .

and I hope you're not lactose intolerant because the second half of the word is DAIRY! LEGENDARY!

Yes, I am quoting Barney Stinson. :)

Suit Up!

I'm super pumped for 2014! Lots of awesome things are happening!

Miss A is turning 3, and that means some sort of "school" for her . . . and more naps for me;)

Matching block necklaces!

BOTH of my nieces are turning 1, which is an AMAZING thing to say . . . BOTH and NIECES. I am an AWESOME aunt!

Santa Kisses!

Also, I will turn 30! Hurray! I've hit some sort of milestone! And I plan on CELEBRATING! You know, by quilting and knitting and stuff. (I'm a party animal!)

I started a Sky Scarf today! It's a scarf pattern by the amazing people at Leaf Cutter designs. Every day for the entire year I will knit one stripe. Each stripe will show the weather for that day. On December 31, 2014 I will have a VERY long scarf that shows me the weather for my 30th birth-year. Pretty cool, huh?

Blue skies!

I am also in a Simply Solids bee with the Dallas Modern Quilt Guild. Super Pumped about that! Something different every month!

I am doing another year of Don't Call Me Betsy's Lucky Star BOM. (and I am still 9 months behind on 2013). Maybe I'll do a different color pallet for 2014 and make one big quilt out of the 2 years!

I think this was March of last year . . . I'm about 9 month behind on 2013

Finally, as I am RUBBISH with New Year's Resolutions, I have made a commitment instead, to LEARN. I want to learn to crochet (I bought a book), I want to re-learn the piano (bought another book), and for PETE'S SAKE I want to learn to quilt using something other than stippling!!! (I need a book on that one!)

Maybe along the way I'll learn organization and eating healthy and all the things you're supposed to resolve, but I feel right now that this year is going to be FUN! SO THERE! :P

Happy New Year Ya'll!
See ya!
EL

Christmas Gifts!

Merry Christmas! I hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing holiday!  As we have a 3 year old, it started out amazing, but quickly deteriorated with a few tantrums. She's still talking about what an awesome day it was, though, so I guess it's a win!

Her new house, and her Princess Dress, and her Pirate Spyglass.

She is a girl of many tastes!

Santa was VERY good to her, and she is very appreciative! She wrote him a thank you note! (Hurray for manners! Let's hope it lasts!)

I made very few gifts this year . . . I learned my lesson a few years ago and just do what I can.

I made my grandmother a Rainbow Quilt from a kit from Pink Chalk Fabrics. The quilt sewed up REALLY fast!

 So bright and happy! :)

 The backing (From Camille Roskelley's Scrumptious) was picked out by Miss A because "Flowers make Oma happy", and how do you say no to that?

backing

I also knit my grandfather a blanket; I've been working on it off and on all year, but I think it turned out very nicely!

Knitted!

When I finally cast off, it was 65" x 25" . . . yes, I almost cried! But after blocking it (thank goodness for tutorials on the Internet!) it ended up 65" x 45". I'm told he fell asleep on Christmas day under it, so I think he likes it!

I made my awesome SIL a quick scarf from a kit and tutorial from The Purl Bee.

Just me . . . posing (I changed shirts so I looked presentable!)

It turned out really well! I had a hard time giving it up! I got to try something new, elastic smocking, which was easier than I thought it would be.

Smocking

Finally "Mrs. Clause" made Miss A a baby doll quilt for her new baby and baby bed!

Baby's Quilt

Thankfully I have a stock of It's A Hoot from before she was born and was able to whip up a quick quilt that matches the one on her bed.

Kirsten's bed

It's an amazing bed. My Opa (who got the knit blanket) made me this bed and a matching trunk when I was a kid for my American Girl doll (Kirsten).  Santa found it in the attic and thought it would be perfect for a new baby doll grandma was getting her. Baby has slept in that bed every night since Christmas. It makes me smile!

Those are the only gifts I made! I took it easy this year and it ended up being a great Christmas! I hope you all had one just as good!

Happy Holidays!
See ya!
EL

Quilt Stats:
Name: Oma's Rainbow
Size: 64" x 64"
Design: Line Art Kit from Pink Chalk Fabric
Fabric: 2 Robert Kaufman Kona Jelly Rolls (one white and one multicolored)
Back Fabric:  Aqua Summer from Scrumptious by Camille Roskelley
Completed: December 16, 2013

Make Me Happy Monday

So today, what makes me happy is . . .

YARN!

And not just any yarn, but yarn from my L.Y.S. (local yarn shop), Shabby Sheep! These ladies are wonderful! I walk in at 10AM on Saturday, almost in tears because I don't understand a pattern. Perren immediately sits down with me and walks me through it. After an hour of both of us not getting it, she enlists the other 2 ladies in a search for a comparable pattern. We find one, she gets me started, and I knit for about 1/2 an hour to make sure I get it. I'm so proud of my new project! (I wish I could go into specifics, but, you know, Christmas and all!) After I am sufficiently practiced, I pull out another pattern that I need to buy yarn for, and Leah drops everything to help me find the right type and amount (at the right price, none-the-less). I was in there for 2 1/2 hours, and the ladies made me feel right at home! Even though they were busy doing a million other things, they made time for me. That is why I take the extra time to drive further than I have to (there is a yarn shop closer to me, but they were never as helpful). I guess what makes me REALLY happy, is good customer service. I LOVE SHABBY SHEEP!

Purling . . .

Look out kids . . . this girl can purl!

I know its a horribly pic, but I promise, there are purls! Thanks to the awesome Sister in Law who showed me how! She is so patient, and I am a horrible student (the yarn ended up half way across the room most of the time) but she stuck with me! Now I just have to figure out how to control it. I'm off to start on hats and socks!

Hopefully next week I will have pics of quilts to show you! I just have too many irons in the fire to focus on one right now.

See ya!