Livin' La Needle Loca

...and a couple of finishes. First, I finally finished the Teal No-Noro Hat [ Ravelry ] that has been my car project for a while. Also when Cassia decided she needed to be in my lap, I'd work on the hat since I couldn't work on anything else.   Specs: Started 11/12/2024 Finished 5/12/2025 Pattern: Noro Spiral one-skein hat by Manuèle Ducret On Cinco de Mayo, I started working on another cat quilt, this one based on a Day of The Dead quilt panel from Timeless Treasures. I made a quick trip to the quilt store to get fabric for an additional border. Yesterday, I finished adding the borders. This is La Cat-trina: Specs: Started 5/5/2025 Top completed 5/13/2025 Fabrics from the Day of the Dead line by Timeless Treasures; additional raspberry batik fabric for border WIPs Roll Call Worked On: Color Chaos quilt, formerly Brighter Day (quilting) Still rearranging the blocks; switched some fabrics in the blocks Sea Merch...

...I finished a couple of things. I finished the Hooded Cowl (formerly called Balaclava) [ Ravelry ]: Specs: Started 12/6/2024 Finished 2/15/2025 Pattern: Hooded Cowl by Rosann Fleischauer Added additional stitches to fit a larger head; applied i-cord finish I also finished Sea Dandelion: Specs: Started 2/1/2025 Finished 2/15/2025 Pattern by Barbara Ana Design  Then, I went down the rabbit hole of quilting. I'm currently working on two quilts at once: Herding Cats: I've been collecting cat fabrics for years (read: 20+ years), wanting to create a quilt with nothing but cats. Some of the fabric is old-fashioned and very soft. Fabric quality and printing have improved a lot over the years. I'm determined to include the older fabric with the new fabric. I;'m working on the layout and  just need to make sure that the older fabrics are spread throughout the quilt. Brighter Day: I purchased a fat quarter pack from the local quilt store. It's a 1...

 ...and I'm trying to get back to blogging and regular crafting. First, today's sunrise: The last few months have been challenging. I haven't been able to concentrate on anything other than very small projects. With all the stuff for mom's estate, the traveling back and forth, and trying to continue a "normal" home life, my routine is all messed up. My studio is disorganized and I don't have enough space to store everything. It's not really conducive to working on big projects. I'm hoping that I'll get back into some semblance of order with the new year. The Husband and I are talking about remodeling the studio, the last remaining room to be done in the house. I need new flooring, lighting, and a new slider to replace the atrium door.  The new window is essential as the current one sticks. It also cannot take a cat door insert, which would be helpful. It's something to look forward to!

 ...I've been busy on little projects.  Here's another item that I finished. This is Bumble Bee Buddy [ Ravelry ]: Specs: Started 11/16/2024 Finished 11/17/2024 Pattern: Bumble Bee Buddy by ChemKnits Yarn: scraps I need to get back to the larger WIPs. WIPs Roll Call Worked On: Mom's cookbook (cooking) Continued to add recipes No Work This Week: Finishing work Look Through My Window quilt for me (quilting) Peaceful Night (cross stitch) Teal No-Noro Hat (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Queued: The Sea Merchant's Wife (cross stitch) Ready to start. Finishing Work In Progress: Collector's Heart 2024 (cross stitch) Crystal Heart mini (cross stitch) Dreaming Cleo (cross stitch)  Frost Flower mini (cross stitch) Jasmine Mix mini (cross stitch) Pearl Orchid mini (cross stitch) Tulip Time mini (cross stitch) Underwater City mini (cross stitch) Winged Dreams (cross stitch)  Witchy Dreams (cro...

 ...so fun to do! My friend Jane asked for a replacement catnip mouse for her kitty. I made one for her in 2018 and it's finally on its last legs. I decided to do two because there are now two cats in the household.  Specs: Started 11/15/2024 Finished 11/24/2024 Pattern: Catnip Friends by Barbara Albright Yarn: scraps My cats love the little catnip fish that I made them last year, so i made two for Jane: Specs: Started 11/17/2024 Finished 11/23/2024 Pattern: Rybka (Wee Fishie) by Kino Knits Yarn: scraps Just about the time I was finishing these toys, Fuzzy Mitten (Barbara Prime) published their free Christmas pattern, Little Penguin. I decided that Jane needed a pair of penguins. Specs: Started 11/26/2024 Finished 12/3/2024 Pattern: Little Penguin by Barbara Prime Yarn: scraps These projects were fun to do. I love doing quick and cute projects!

 ...catching up. I finished Mermaid Lagoon socks [ Ravelry ] for the WIPs Wrestling event for Ravellenics 2024. Specs: Started 10/3/2023 Finished 8/4/2024 Pattern: Mermaid's Lagoon by Sadie Bellegarde Yarn: Socks That Rock Lightweight in Mermaid From Blue Moon Fiber Arts (Started with Pattern: Jellyfish by Cookie A Knitwear Designs) I was hoping to finish a second project for Ravellenics 2024, but I'd forgotten that we were going to a concert on the last day of the challenge. Oh, well! This is Forest Flowers [ Ravelry ]: and the close up: Specs: Started 8/9/2024 Finished 8/13/2024 4.0 oz. Merino-Tencel from Greenwood Fiberworks 226.1 yds. chain-ply 14 WPI WIPs Roll Call Worked On: Witchy Dreams (cross stitch) Working on the background motifs No Work This Week: Chaca II (needlepoint) Look Through My Window quilt for me (quilting) Ocean Ripples Wrap (knitting) [ Ravelry ] Sky Lanterns Shawl (kni...

...and I'm looking forward to a new year. This last year was very difficult. My mother's decline followed by her passing in July really impacted how I handled my day-to-day and reduced my attention to my crafts. In what's becoming an annual tradition, I tried blasting out one more project for the year. This is Mom's Turquoise Handspun [ Ravelry ]: and the close-up: Specs: Started and finished 12/31/2023 Falkland (4.1 oz) from the Yarn Wench in Navajo Turquoise Plied  with Rayon thread in Turquoise and 10/2 Mercerized cotton in Blue Turquoise beads from Mom’s collection 54.2 yds 3 ply, Super-Bulky weight Mom had a bunch of beads in her jewelry collection that were intended to be used in craft projects. I restrung them on thread and incorporated them into this art yarn. Also here are the additional projects that I completed as Christmas Gifts. This is Navy Bankhead Hat [ Ravelry ] that I made for The Husband: Specs: Started ...

 ...making progress on a few things. I painted additional Mid Century Modern coasters. I still had a paint leakage problem, but overall I'm pretty happy with them. I may back them with some felt to add another level of absorption. Specs: MCM Painted Coasters Started 5/9/2023 Finished 5/12/2023 Based on an idea from the internet I had been struggling with how to pin the two quilts in my finishing queue. We installed wonderful new floors with the remodel and I did not want to scratch them up with safety pins. Enter puzzle mats! They provide enough protection for the floor and give me a cushioned surface to work on. I ordered two sets on an Amazon timed deal. When they arrived, I laid them out and sandwiched both quilts. They were barely big enough for the larger of the two quilts, so I'll order another set to have on hand when I make big quilts. My biggest problem now if where to store them! I really need to do more purging in my studi...

 ...Happy May! I saw some cool pillow covers on a home furnishings site, but didn't want to pay $60 for the cover and pillow insert.  I bought some velvet upholstery fabric that was on sale at Joann plus an invisible zipper. I had one remaining pillow insert from an Amazon order, and I had some cream canvas fabric in my stash that I've have for about 10 years.  It took me a bit to figure out how to get the pillow front the same size as the the back. The invisible zipper was still a pain to install, but it was the right zipper to use with the orange velvet. The pillow is a little smaller than I wanted because the velvet had no give. At any rate, I like the way it turned out! And it cost me less than $19.00 for the whole thing. Specs: Cream and orange pillow Started 4/29/2023 Finished 4/30/2023 Based on a pillow cover seen at West Elm Cream canvas fabric from stash Orange velvet upholstery fabric  I've been working on a simple cardi...

 ...double-whammy. :) First up, the eye candy. The daffodils are starting to bloom in several places in our backyard. I finished the hat that I started in December. This is the Bankhead Hat [ Ravelry ]: Specs: Bankhead Hat [ Ravelry ] Started 12/13/2021 Finished 3/17/2022 Bankhead pattern by Susie Gourlay The daffodils are starting to bloom in several places in our backyard.

 ...they're OK. I'm glad they are both done. First up, Pocket Kitty [ Ravelry ]. It doesn't really look like a cat, though. Specs: Started 12/6/2021 Finished 1/16/2022 Pattern: Pocket Pets from Fuzzy Mitten Next, is the first spinning of the year. This is Grapevine [ Ravelry ]: and the close-up: Specs: Started 1/24/2022 Finished 1/31/2022 Alpaca-Silk (4.0 oz.) from Greenwood Fiberworks 91.7 yds chain-ply, 11 WPI

...and the last finished objects from 2021. Here is the first photo of 2022 - the sunrise: The Daughter prefers a white and gray color scheme for her home. That includes her Christmas tree. I've been wanting to make her something for her home, but hadn't figured out anything until I ran across some  fabric in my stash. I found 1/2 yard of a cream-based Fairy Frost and 1/2 yard of a white-based Fairy Frost. After a quick trip to the fabric store, I had some Moda Grunge fabrics in whites, silvers, and grays. I kept the pattern simple as she prefers clean lines and since Christmas was just 9 days away, I kept the machine-quilting simple as well. This is Shades of Winter: Specs: Started 12/16/2021 Finished 12/20/2021 Fabrics from the Moda Grunge By BasicGrey and Michael Miller Fairy Frost No pattern It's hard to take a good photo of a mostly white quilt so this was the best I could get after about 30 tries (gotta love digital cameras!) ...

 ...a small one. I saw a free pattern on Ravelry and thought it might be fun to make a few. I pulled out some leftover white yarn that had a shiny strand running through it. This is an easy star ornament [ Ravelry ]. Specs: Started 12/7/2021 Finished 12/9/2021 Pattern: Easy Start Shape Ornaments by Gina-Michele After doing one, I decided that I didn't want to do any more. The pattern is fine, but there were way too many ends to weave in--not my favorite thing to do!

...and WIP-it Wednesday. I finally finished my first adult sweater! This is Pure Comfort Cardigan (knitting) [ Ravelry : Specs: Started 1/29/2020 Finished 10/10/2021 Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers in Red Wine Heather Pattern: Pure Comfort Cardigan by Andrea Yetman WIPs Roll Call Worked On: Hark Christmas ornament (cross stitch) Working on the center person. Illusion hexagons [ Ravelry ] Working on another hexagon. Noche de los Muertos quilt (quilting)  Working on the machine quilting.  Pacific Waters tapestry (weaving) [ Ravelry ] Started adding sari silk ribbon Secret project Started 10/12/2021 Singularity Shawl (knitting) [ Ravelry ]   Added a few more rows. No Work This Week: Look Through My Window quilt for me (quilting)  Malachite (needlepoint)  Queued Ready to machine quilt: Mermaid Songs (quilting) Ready to start - Lilith of Labrador mermaid (cross...

 ...more cat toys, this time for other people's pets. I made 7 catnip miss for a friend and some relatives. I need to mail two of them and another two will go to a local friend. I the feeling of accomplishment. I can now swap over and work on some of my larger projects.

 ...I'm still here. A week ago on Saturday (7/21), I went to my Mom's for a few days. It was a mentally-intense 5 days and it took me a couple of days to recover from it. So, what's happened in the last week? The Daughter visited us the following Saturday (7/28) to celebrate my birthday early. My birthday always falls around Labor Day weekend. (I was actually born on Labor Day.) As a result, people always have plans so we frequently celebrate early or late. This year, we celebrated with fresh peach pie and lemon meringue pie (my favorite). I worked on a few more catnip mice. A friend asked for 4 of them. When my sister saw me working on them, she asked for one for her kitty, and my great-nephew wants one for his new kitty. I love knitting these mice because they are a fast knit. I love seeing quick results! Yesterday, marked one year since we adopted our cats, Canela and Cassia. They have brought so much joy to my life! Canela is the...

 ...because kitties need toys! Having several large or time-consuming projects in process can be a little daunting sometimes. Yesterday, I just couldn't deal with any of them, so I looked for something quick to do. I notices that the old catnip mousie that I'd made for Sombra (my sweet angel kitty) had a hole in it - Cassia can be quite rough with her toys! I decided to make two new mousies, one for each of the cats. I found some left-over teal variegated yarn and some leftover fuchsia yarn. Here are the new catnip mousies [ Ravelry ]: Specs: Started 8/15/2021 Finished 8/16/2021 Pattern:  Catnip Friends by Barbara Albright in “Odd Ball Knitting: Creative Ideas for Leftover Yarn” Yarn: leftover worsted weight These knit up quickly and were perfect for that sense of accomplishment!

...Happy August! I finished my Ravellenics WIPs Wrestling project! This is my Marionberry Shawl [ Ravelry : Specs: Started 6/13/2020 Finished 8/1/2021 Pattern:  Asbury Park Shawl by Sarah Punderson Yarn: Yummy 2-Ply in Livid by Miss Babs Today, I placed the last few beads and finished Summer Stroll: Specs: Started 7/22/2021 Finished 8/2/2021 Design by Just Nan

 ...and the secret project can now be revealed! On Saturday, I attended a Zoom baby shower for a friend. I made sure to finish her present and get it mailed so it would arrive in time for her shower. This is my present, a Hooded Baby Cardigan [ Ravelry ]: And a look at the hood and i-cord ties: Specs: Started 8/8/2020 Finished 10/14/2020 Yarn: Dream in Color Classy in Deep Seaflower and Summer Sky Pattern: Easy Baby Cardigan by Diane Soucy It was a challenge for me to knit because the recipient is an excellent knitter and I wanted it to be as good as I could possibly make it. I think it turned out very well and I'm pleased with my work. (I don't say that very often!) In other project news, I finished the machine quilting on the Gatitas quilt and attached the binding. I'm in the process of burying all of the threads on the back. I should be able to finish it in the next day or two. Yay!

 ...and starting to stack up the next set of cross stitch projects for finishing. This is Hocus Pocus, a freebie pattern with purchase of button. Specs: Started 10/4/2020 Finished 10/17/2020 Chart plus button from Shepherd’s Bush I like these mini projects because they stitch up pretty quickly. In other news, I finished knitting the secret project on Thursday and blocked it. I took photos of it yesterday and packaged it up to mail to the recipient. I'll post photos of the project when it arrives at it's destination.