182 Day Solstice Challenge

I decided to join the 182 day Winter Solstice challenge that Pat Sloan is hosting. There is a blog for the patterns and a Facebook group to show off your blocks. The blocks come out every Wednesday and we are six blocks in so far. Plenty of time to catch up if you want to join.

No surprise that I'm going scrappy with my version.

 block 1

block 2

block 3

block 4

block 5

block 6

Block 5 is supposed to have a basket in the center but I'm not sure if I will add it or not. Some people don't want to do applique but I love applique. I'm just not sure about the basket. While I was sewing the block, I kept thinking that it needed a bird in the center instead. We'll see what I decide as time goes on.

I haven't been sewing precision blocks in awhile so it took me a few times to find the 1/4" on my machine again. I might need to make the first two blocks over again so they fit accurately into the quilt.

Looking forward to Wednesday...

Wips

Like any knitter or crafter, I have several WiPs (Works in Progress) going at any given time. Right now these are my two main knitting projects.

This is a pair of socks for Robbie. That boy has fallen in love with hand knit socks which is wonderful for him. For me not so wonderful lol. He has a wide foot and wears a US size 13 shoe. While I love the process of knitting it does get a bit boring when working on the same pair of socks for what feels like forever. In reality it takes me about a month to knit a pair of socks whether they're for Robbie or my US size 9 foot. I tend to knit while cooking dinner and before bed. I'm sure if I spent a good chunk of time on them I could knit a pair in a week.  I'm actually enjoying working on these socks because the yarn is so fun. I'm always trying to knit a bit faster so I can see what color or pattern is coming next.

My other project is a simple slouchy beanie for Robbie's girlfriend. She's been lucky enough to receive a few handmade gifts from Robbie and me.

I have a handful of other knitting projects that are just sitting. I'll pull them out soon so ya'll can see what's languishing in the WiP pile.

Steering Wheel Covers

I've been playing with a new design for my Etsy shop. Steering Wheel Covers.  

It took me a few tries to figure out how to make them reversible and still easy to sew. They are quilted with a nice wide band to keep them in place. Of course these are not for use while driving. They just help keep your steering wheel a bit easier to hold on a hot Summer day and there's been a lot of those lately.

It's not only hot down here in Florida this Summer but it seems all across the Northern Hemisphere the heat is extreme this year. Most days are in the high 90's with a heat index in the triple digits. Our house was getting too hot inside even with the a/c on so we had our attic re-insulated and thankfully that dropped the inside temps by almost 10 degrees. I'm hoping it drops our electric bill quite a bit too.






This Pokeball steering wheel cover is one of my latest designs. I'm trying to decide what I want to place on the reverse side. I also want to make some with quilt blocks on the front. Lots of ideas but never enough sewing time, right?

So, what are you creating today?

Always

I started another cross stitch project this month. This one will be for my oldest Justin. All three of my kids love Harry Potter. They were at the right ages to grow up with the books and then movies. Justin and Mandy either have HP tattoos or are planning on getting some. Unless he has changed his mind, Justin plans on getting an "Always" tattoo.

I found this cross stitch pattern on Etsy.

Justin's favorite colors are orange and lime green so I dyed some fabric with kool-aid. My first time dying with kool-aid and I think it came out pretty good. I wanted it to be a subtle background color and not over powering. 

This is a piece of even-weave fabric that came in a cross stitch kit that I worked up earlier this year. I had never worked on even-weave before and didn't want to try at the time so I used some Aida instead. I've spent several hours cross stitching recently and thought I would be brave and try the even-weave. That and I didn't want to spend any more money on cross stitch fabric. It's not too bad to work on but I think I will stick with my usual Aida. Even-weave seems like it would be good for something that has a lot of detail not something as simple as this. I definitely have to use a magnifier and pay close attention to which hole(s) I'm putting each stitch. Aida uses every hole where even-weave uses the corner holes from a set of 9 holes. 

When this one is done Mandy has requested this design by Clouds Factory.

This Epic Pokemon one will be for Robbie.

I think those should keep me busy for quite awhile.