"baby", bags and blocks

I wanted to introduce you to my new "baby".  My lovely new BabyLock Ellisimo sewing/embroidery machine.  And I am in love...  Love love love this machine.  I have only had it for a couple of weeks - in fact have not even been to the new user's class - but I have already fallen hard for it. I know we will be friends for many years to come.  Best part?  I can just download embroidery designs right from the computer now.  Did I tell you I love it? 

Since this will be mainly a sewing post, I wanted to introduce you to The Bag Tree.  Michelle, of  The Bag Tree, is making these awesome, multi functional bags.  While I can see their purpose for holding lots of knitting projects, etc., they are gorgeous and fun to carry!  Stay tuned for more designs as Michelle completes each one with the quality and beauty that is seen in these bags.  You can find her on Etsy by clicking on the link above. LOVE!!  And just for The Yarn Grove readers, enjoy a 10 % discount on your first order by entering the code YARNGROVE10 upon checkout.  Please checkback as she add more and more bags.  More on The Bag Tree to come!

Now to my pickle dish.  I have had trouble with putting my pickle dish blocks together because, as you can see by the photo, you have to match up ends.  So I went on a mission of researching quilt walls and found one here at Sewingmachinesplus .  I had seen this Cheryl Ann's Design wall at a Sewing Expo a couple of years ago and loved the idea.  So I set out to order one.  Why not get the 72"x72" since the difference in price was about $9.00?  Ummm, when it arrived, it took my husband and I to assemble it.  Once I got it up, it was about the size of a drive-in movie screen.  I'm not kidding.  So I called them and they kindly said I could exchange it for the 54"x54", which is what you see in the photo here.  Love it.  I can assemble it myself and it fits into a very small bag, believe it or not.

The Yarn Grove is buzzing busy with Hiya Hiya Sharp needles - both circulars, DPNs and interchangeables.  If you haven't already tried them, you need to.  They are absolutely amazing.  More sizes in the SHARPs should arrive early summer.  Yay!

Shop update

I just wanted to tell ya'll about  The Yarn Grove update today.  It includes a replenish of the Hiya Hiya Interchangeable Sharps in both 5" and 4" US 2-8 sets.  These needles are wonderful! You can also just purchase the tips and a cable or two if you want to try them out. 

Also in are brand new SHARP circulars in the US 1/2.25mm size.  AND they have a teal/turquoise bright blue cable.

I have finally blocked a couple of shawls but since I am leaving in the morning to see Island Girl and Mini Island boy, I have already packed my camera.  I promise to take pictures of my latest projects...

And I will show you a picture of my new sewing machine - when it arrives - which should be next week sometime.  It is a Babylock Ellisimo sewing/embroidery machine and I cannot wait to get my hands on it.  I have been looking and studying new sewing/embroidery machines for a while... My old machine was a Husqvarna Viking Designer I and I loved it.  However, it has a new home now and is in very good hands!

See ya'll soon!

Putzing along...

It's February and I am enjoying not having any deadlines to finish sewing or knitting projects.  In fact, I have finished another Summer Flies (actually about 3 weeks ago) and have yet to get it blocked.  Why?  Because it's for me and I'm not in a hurry.  Feels good too, I might add. Can't say enough about this pattern and it would be perfect for all of you who do not enjoy knitting from a chart (like me!)

I am finishing up today a quilt I started out of all Kaffe Fassett fabrics .  I have wanted to do this Plus Sign quilt for the longest ever since I saw it on one of my very favorite quilting blogs, Film in the Fridge. Why she does most of her own quilting, I will probably send this off.  Not sure just yet.  I only have 4 more rows and I'm done!  This one's for me...

In knitting news, I am working on a large cable wrap stole and I am enjoying every single stitch.  For the yarn, it's Blue Sky Alpaca's worsted Organic Cotton in natural, doubled.  So yes, the needles I am using (size 13) feel like broomsticks compared to my previous projects. This one is for me too.  I have been wanting to knit this for a very long time since I saw Susan knitting one at our knit group. 

And I found a picture of my mom holding up her Neck Down Summer Cardigan from Knitting Pure and Simple.  I love Diane's patterns.  Love love love them.  I started this about 1-1/2 years ago - put it down and picked it back up this past December 1st to finish in time for my mom for Christmas.  I only had the sleeves to finish and I did make them a longer.  I just knit until I used up all my yarn.  I honestly can't remember the name of the yarn but I do remember it was an awesome twist, superwash 100% Merino and I had bought a bag of 10 skeins from my LYS during a huge sale they had.  I know I didn't pay over $3.00/skein for it.  And Mom loves it.  I added some great pewter buttons and there you have it.  I'll try to get a photo of her in it. 

The pin I made from a Felt Flower project on Pinterest.  I haven't been on Pinterest in a while because when I do, I am on there for a long time.  Love it though.  A very inspiring website and I made several gifts for the holidays from it.  And most will do again!

News from the Shop:  The Hiya Hiya SHARPs needles are extremely popular.  If you have not tried them, do your knitting a favor and do so.  The Yarn Grove carries all the sizes that are currently available in the SHARPs, including individual interchangeable tips in both 4" and 5".  LOVE them.  Especially for all those K3togs, etc...

Did I mention I love the new Hiya Hiya SHARP needles?

Happy New Year!

What a wonderful holiday I spent with all my kids and grands.  It was marvelous!  Now that I have a little downtime, I am tossing around a couple of ideas for knitting projects.  I am still knitting on Sothia - she stays in the car and is for the hours I spend taking my mom to doctors appts.

I was going to show a few of my projects I made for gifts this year.

First up, I bought a vintage Bucilla Felt kit off ebay (my second one) and made this adorable ABC wall hanging for mini Island Boy. Mini Orange boy got one last year for Christmas and loves it.  All the ornaments are hand sewn.  Only thing machine sewn is the rick rack around the edges.

Second, I made these adorable ABC letters and a bucket to put them in.  My only regret is that I did not do numbers.  Didn't even think about it.  Got it off PINTEREST .  Here is my photo of the ones I made.  Loved loved loved this.  Will most certainly make again -  great gifts. And, by the way, if you haven't been to PINTEREST, you are missing A LOT!  Love that website.

Next up I found these adorable tea mugs w/sidekick from Angela Ingram on Etsy.  Bought one for Cheryl and one for my mom.  Then I found a "tea wreath" to make on PINTEREST which I thought was the coolest thing.  I made mine a bit smaller than the one on the tuitorial but let me tell you, they were a huge hit.  I bought 2 boxes of assorted tea bags - mainly for color - and used those.  I painted the clothespins, covered them in scrapbook paper scraps and voila!  I love it so much that I just ordered my own mug from Angela's etsy shop on Monday!

I made some cute little felt citrus coasters for Island Girl. Here is a link to the Purl Bee tutorial.  Adorable!

I Island Girl a blanket out of Minkie fabric and Citron and Gray bird material on the back from Michael Miller but no photo; I made a slouchy hat for my niece and no photo.  I forget to take them sometimes!

Off the blocking mat this morning,  a plain old cowl I made from Cascade Yarns Eco Duo which is a glorious combo of baby alpaca and Merino wool that is undyed.  Seed stitch border and just plain old knit. 

Finally, here is a photo of Mini Orange boy who absolutely loved his car/train track quilt.  I had shown it in a previous post .

A few other handmades but this was about it.  Some I forgot to take photos - others the photos did not come out. 

OTN now is Summer Flies - again - this time in a cashmere blend.  AND the wonderful new Hiya Hiya SHARPs needles.  If you haven't tried them, you don't know what you're missing. 

Wishing each and everyone of you a most joyous, healthy, crafty and peaceful 2012...

Psssst... They're here...

Of course I am talking about the new Hiya Hiya SHARPs Needles!  They arrived yesterday here at The Yarn Grove and already they are a hit with lots and lots of you knitters!  In stock, currently, are the 4" and 5" Interchangeable Sets in Steel US size 2-8, Sizes 4" and 5" individual tips in US sizes 2-8 and also fixed Circulars (US sizes 2-8) in 16", 24", 32" and 40" lengths.

Some sizes of circulars are already sold out but rest assured, there will be more on their way soon.

These needles are of the same exceptional quality as all the other Hiya Hiya needles and products - and let me tell you, they are pointy tipped for all those lace projects you have been procrastinating about.

Any questions, please send me a message on Ravelry (janiegirl) or janeATtheyarngroveDOTcom.  Try them - I know you will love them.  I sure do...

Happy Holidays everyone!

Apples, fabrics and some yarn...

I cannot believe it is the middle of October already.  I sit here trying to gather my thoughts for all the little gifties I have in mind for gifts by December end.  My mind is frozen - so I decided to update on what I have been doing.

Apples galore.  Every year this time finds me heading to North Georgia for my delectable Winesap apples.  We will be blessed with Grandson #3(aka micro orange boy) in just a couple of weeks so it was necessary to restock my homemade applesauce! 

One day, whilst visiting my Trader Joe's, I came across an over abundance of apples.  Cortlands, MacIntosh, Jonathan, Rome, Delicious, and the list went on.  What if I didn't go to NGA for my apples and bought locally instead?  That is exactly what I did.  I bought the equivalent of one bushel (7 square bags) of Cortland apples and made from it:  5 quarts of canned just sliced apples, 9-1/2 pints apple butter, and 7 pints of applesauce, no sugar please.

I was thrilled.  So I treked back to TJ's and bought approximately one more bushel - this time Honeycrisp and MacIntosh.  Little Mommy came over (yes!  Orange boy and family moved to Marietta from the Rocket City which also took place end of September/1st of October) and we made more applesauce with the MacIntosh.  The Honeycrisp I put up for apple desert delights over the next year.  I. love. canning...

Next up I finished a quilt for Micro Orange Boy (see blue quilt below left) who should arrive on or around November 3rd.  Each of my babies has to have their own quilt.  I also found this adorable panel at my local quilt shop with trains and roads on it.  I added a border, some flannel "nuts and bolts" fabric for the back and my long-arm quilter quilted it right up for me. Mini Orange Boy will get this at Christmas time. 

As for the knitting front?  I finished this hat for which I bought 2 kits.  It is Techno Hat from Blue Sky Alpacas and I got them at KPixie. Love the yarn - so soft, fluffy and alpaca! 

And to end it all are some most precious Baby Booties.  This pattern hailed from Churchmouse Yarns and the pattern is Stay On baby Booties .  Fun, quick and easy, I made these with Karabella Aurora 4 which I had leftover in my stash.

In shop news, I have put in a pre-order with Hiya Hiya needles for their new Sharp needles - both in fixed and interchangeable.  Hiya Hiya anticipates that these needles should be ready for distribution on or around the first of December or shortly after...  I have a pair and let me tell you, they are the best yet...

So I guess I have been busy. I'll end this by saying the next items up on my sewing/knitting agenda will not be able to be shown until after the holidays... 

A lot of quilting...

I sent 4 quilt tops to Hazel, my longarm quilter. (click on the photos to see them larger). 2 are small Moda Halloween square quilts (about 36" x 42") which Mini Island Boy(with the Riley Blake spider fabric on the back) and Mini Orange Boy (with the Alexander Henry Pumpkins on the back)are already the recipients of.  The 3rd Halloween quilt is quite a bit larger and stays here at Gaga's house.  The 4th quilt is not finished yet - by that I mean I have to bind it.  I hope to do that over the long weekend.

In other news, I have been working on Sothia and I am using the exact combination of Madelinetosh light yarn that Robin used.  Why?  Because Tern is my absolute favorite color and this is not the first piece I have knit in that colorway.  Please don't pay attention to how ugly the colors look in my photo - look at the link above.  This has been a fun knit and I look forward to blocking it.

I lost my sweet sweet Aunt Ruby last week.  She was 91 and up until about 2 years ago, she was fully aware of everything.  My Aunt Ruby is the one who got me canning and sewing and I swear my family used to say I was more like her than my mom (at least in the crafty sense).  The weekend before she died, I had picked so many tomatoes from my garden.  Since I have already canned about 22 quarts and frozen approx. 10 quarts, I did not need to can anymore so I decided to make my Aunt Ruby's salsa.  When I spoke with her on the telephone a couple of days later, I was happy to share that with her. I know she heard me. Next weekend I will take my mom to Annapolis so we can attend her memorial service.  I loved my Aunt Ruby...  She will forever remain in my heart.

Here's hoping all of you have a splendid Labor day and a safe one too!  And if you have an "Aunt Ruby" hug her real good...