Happy New Year

I hope this entry finds everybody in good spirits and hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season. I would like to start out this blog entry in typical new year style. I, like many other people, have some resolutions that I would like to make in 2011. They are as follows:

* Blog at least once a week
* Include pictures more frequently on ongoing projects
* Have a more formated style type of blog

So here it goes for my resolutions. Hope you like the changes and any input would be very helpful.

On Pins and Needles
I had planned on making a quilt for my husband to go on our bed. The design is done and planned but I wasn't able to finish the quilt top let alone the quilt in time to give it to him. The main fabric line I am using is Montana Modern and Mayfair by Benartex fabric. I plan for it to go on our queen size bed.

I am also finishing a civil war quilt for my uncle, who has no idea he's getting one. It's the Civil War Tribute Quilt done by Marcus Fabrics. I still have a long way to go.


In the Loop

I still have some knitting projects left over from Christmas. I'm knitting my mom a pair of basic socks along with a pair for my son. I'm also knitting the Speckled Shrug by Lion Brand. Still on the needles is my sons cardigan called Steggie, a dino inspired cardigan.

Book Worm


I'm reading Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross, it's a novel based on the rumor of a woman being pope in the 9th century. It's a very good read and is written mostly from Joan's point of view. I'm am about half way through and would recommend this as a good book to read.

Music to My Ears

I have been listening to several podcasts lately, mostly Spin Control by Shilo aka A Joyful Girl and the Quilted Cupcake by G. Spin Control tells a lot about not only spinning but knitting, crochet, some sewing as well. Quilted Cupcake is mostly about quilting but also a tad of knitting, crocheting and cooking. I recommend both as a good listen

That's all for now and pictures are coming as soon as there's decent progress made.

A Productive Week

I'm happy to say that I have a FO (finished object) with pictures and a couple more projects that almost done.

While at Jo Anns I had a little falling down, yarn was on sale and they had just restocked their free projects sheets. So I picked up a couple skeins of Bernat Satin to make a Satin Prayer Shawl it's a beautiful pink color and supports breast cancer. It will be given away as a Christmas present but I don't know to whom. That is done and completed. I also bought a couple of skeins of Lion Brand Fisherman's wool to do a Speckled Shrug.

While shopping the yarn section the Red Heart Holiday yarn was discounted too. I'm usually a Red Heart snob but this yarn was very pretty (white with a metallic yarn plied together) and soft. I'm making their Mobius Shawl and am about half way through. Also while at Jo Anns I picked up some black fleece (the fabric kind) to back my mother-in-laws frog quilt. That has yet to be sandwiched and quilted, I plan on just stitching in the ditch.


I have one of my fathers socks finished and just turned the heel of the other one. Once I finish that one I plan on knitting my moms other sock (I'm using the same neeldles to do both).

A Sad Goodbye

To the owners and employees at the Quilt Cottage in East Jordan, Michigan:

You will be sorely missed and I wish you guys all the best. I'm sorry to see the doors to your beautiful quilt shop close but look forward to seeing you all at quilt guild. I wish that all your future endeavors are fruitful and bring you joy. In next years shop hop there will definitely be a void without your shop participating.

I thank you for all the friendship, great advice, superb support and wonderful inspiration.

Your Sincerely,
Shannon

Michigan State 26 - 6 (Illinois)

As you can tell by the title Michigan won the game against Illinois. Little man made it through three quarters and the first play of the fourth. Here are pictures from his very first football game.

The Holiday Start Up

I don't know if you're anything like me but when Halloween comes around that's when I gear up for the holidays. For those of you counting there's only 10 weeks until Christmas. The good new is I have already started making gifts, bad news I'm maybe only half way done!

Now that the weather has turned cooler and the leaves have changed color and falling I'm really in the mood to get my projects done. Projects include socks for my dad,mom and sister. (They don't read my blog so I'm not worried about them finding out.) I find that after little man is in bed I sit on the couch and listen to my knitting and crafting podcast and get in the groove.

Podcast that I have been listening to are:

Anatomy of knitting
Stash and Burn
Cloudy with a Chance of Fiber
Getting Loopy
Yarncraft by Lion Brand Yarn Company
Sticks and String
Creative Mojo
LibiVox Audiobooks
Stitch It!

This weekend I have a chance for some quality knitting time too! My mom, little man and I are headed down to Lansing for the Michigan State game. A three hour car ride there and back! I love football so I will probably be too engrossed in the game to even think about knitting, plus it's little mans first football game. Picture to follow.

Back to School or New Begginings

Well it's that time of year again. Back to school time! Little man is going to preschool three times a week this year. He is now in the 4 year old program. It's hard to believe that next year he goes to Kindergarten! The thought is both terrifying and exhilarating. With little man in preschool this year that means three days a week I have about a 3 1/2 hour time block all to myself.

With that said I have made some back-to-school resolutions for myself. Due in part because my UFO's are calling to me, mocking me. I have UFO's (unfinished objects) in crochet and knitting but especially in my quilting realm. I'm not setting deadlines for finishing my UFO's but I do plan to work on them and eventually finish them. Now that the temperature is no longer the surface of the sun I have the inclination to once again start quilting.

What is it about the fall weather that makes you think of doing nothing but curling up on a comfy chair and doing what you love? Which is definately a motivator for finishing my UFO's I have a quilters retreat at the end of this month in the UP. (That's upper pennisula of Michigan for all those not from the area.) I will definately show pictures once I have them.

UFO's I'm getting back to include:
Little Man's Socks
Over the River and Through the Woods by Crab apple Hill
Frog Cross Stitch Blocks
Little Man's Sweater out of Lion Brand Homespun

I also want to do better with my blogging. I plan to be more consistant and provide pictures. Again I'm not setting any specific deadlines. That's my homework I will be working on.

And the race is on!

Last weekend started the Northern Michigan shop hop. We went to seven different quilt shops over two days. Mom, Dad and I went to five on Saturday then took little man with us on Sunday to the remaining two. I will post pictures of the shops and their quilts as soon as I can. Right now I'm charging my camera, it died. Bought some souvenirs at each of the shops and had a wonderful time. The shop hop ends this Saturday. I will be working.

Hubby is over in Wisconsin picking up his units equipment from Iraq. He will be back Friday. Little man really misses his daddy.