The Reason for the Season

Like Mama quilters everywhere, I'm basting underneath the Christmas tree late at night. And quilting while Sprite busily tangles spools of thread or during her blessed but all too short nap time. But stitch by stitch fabric becomes a quilt to cover my Grandma with love and maybe, just maybe, make her hated wheelchair a happier place.

Knitting in the Sun

Today was the sort of magical cool-but-sunny first of December day that makes Florida an incredible place to live. So, I sat in the sun and watched Sprite play while I knit. This linen scarf in my favorite feathers and fans pattern was originally intended as a Christmas gift. It doesn't look like it's going to make it, but it's several repeats longer tonight anyway. And my spirit is lighter.

Tag, You're It

A partially hand made Christmas is feeling more realistic this year, and so I've been working on a few small things.

First up is this little Taggie Blankie for a sweet baby boy. I used two pieces of gorgeous fabric I've been hoarding since a quilty friend sent them to me. Fishing is the big theme in his life, and I think the turtles will add a bit of variety without straying too far. And I think this cuddly blankie was just the right project for those special fabrics.

I had planned to quilt it, but half way through the top stitching I realized that was the wrong plan. It wanted to be soft and drapey. With flannel giving it a soft weight, that was what I had, and extra stitching was just taking away from it. So, I ripped out the top stitching and used an invisible ladder stitch to close it up.

Now, I just need to wrap it up!