Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Quickie: Where am I? Updates & So forth. . .

Hello Everyone!
"HI!". . . No, I didn't abandon Bloggerland, I've just had computer problems out the wazz-zoo! [might be a technical term...lol]. Still don't have it all sorted out yet, but there is now light at the end of the computer-tunnel! lol.
So, here's what I've been up to:
Knitting update:
First, thank to you everyone who has written me about the shawl I'm knitting. I didn't know there would be such interest, but now that I do, I'll post my progress.
Mistake! Watching a movie on TV while knitting a new-to-me lace pattern was probably not very smart. hehehe. I made too many mistakes to easily correct, so just yanked the circular needle out of all 288 stitches, pulled the knitting back about 10 rows or so and put them back on needle to resume knitting. Oh yeah, that was a lot of fun. lol. Not! All's well that ends well, though, and I'm clicking right along. Have almost finished the main lace pattern in the central third of the shawl -- a more recent picture to follow soon.
Friends, Vacations & Play Time:
Last Wednesday I met a friend and her family at Disneyland. They are visiting from Alberta, Canada. We've known each other through emails, photos, & a couple of phone calls for several years, but never met until now. Over time we have become good buddettes. It was so much fun to finally met! We spent the afternoon strolling through the Park, taking a few rides, and visiting the Blue Bayou Restaurant in the New Orleans Quarter for an early but sumptuous dinner. Their little boy got a real delight watching the boats from the Pirate's of the Caribbean ride floating through the water that runs through the restaurant. What fun! I love that place. They brought me a box of special Canadian cookies -- YUMMO! Wow, do I love these cookies, or biscuits as they are called on the box. I am sad to say the cookies didn't last long as DD and I ravaged the box! lol. It was hard to save ONE for the picture, but I plan on snacking it off this afternoon... wouldn't want it to get lonely just sitting in the box all by itself. You believe that. . . ya?! lol

A couple of weeks ago we began exploring some dyeing possibilities at my Tuesday afternoon quilt class. First we did scribbles with markers and the following week we did 'direct dyeing' using Procion Dyes. The pic above and below are two of my efforts. The assignment was to make something in USA patriotic colors to be later incorporated into a wall-hanging appropriate for July.
I still have a bit more piecing of bits and blocks, plus borders to add, but these are the two pieces of dyed fabric that I'm starting with. I'll post a pic of this quilt later when it is complete. I'm still fine-tuning my design and will probably add a silhouette as well.
Well, that's it for now. I sincerely hope that your summer [or winter for our Southern Hemi friends] is wonderful and that you've found some time to stitch or knit. . . thank you for stopping by,
Hugs,
Cyn;-)

8 comments:

Karen said...

That is going to be one beautiful shawl!

Susan said...

That shawl is gorgeous. So pretty and light looking. Something I've not considered making!!!

I think the dyed fabrics look fabulous. They will look great worked into a wall-hanging. The second one with blue in the corner then red around it would look gorgeous as a dresdan plate/Grandma's fan style block with both colours already on the fabric.

Crispy said...

Oh that shawl is so soft and heavenly looking. Makes me want to reach in and stroke it. I could never knit and watch tv either LOL.

Crispy

Cattinka said...

Your shawl is growing quickly, even after ripping a few stitches....
I like your died fabrics you did great, and I can´t wait to see the wallhangings you will be making.
Isn´t it great to meet people you just knew by e-mail of phone before? I´m glad you had that opportunity!
KATRIN W.

Gill - That British Woman said...

you are a very talented lady that's for sure.

I look those cookies as well, we get them with a lemon filling and other fillings as well. The Maple Syrup filling though is very "CANADIAN!!"

Gill in Canada

Elly D said...

WOW! Cyn, love the dyed fabrics! can't wait to see how you use them. hugs Elly

Terry said...

OMG...That shawl is going to be absolutely gorgeous!!! So dainty and lacey, wow! The dyed fabrics look like fun too! Hope to see more :)

Scrappy quilter said...

Being Canadian, I love those cookies too. I love your dyed material. Hope you're having a wonderful summer.