All over, creation*

There's been much making going on around here lately.  When I am supposed to be doing something [writing] I find it only works when I can also procrastinate doing other stuff. Thankfully this time around, mostly creative stuff rather than watching TV.

In the midst of Nano, I decided that my daddy is too lovely and indeed too good to me to not get socks for Christmas.  Here's hoping he actually does like the ones he's had in the past because he's getting another pair. I asked lovely Jon of Easyknits some very silly questions about yardage trying to work out how to do my normal top-downs before finally giving in and going for toe ups.  I'm trying the Sherman heel - really, Lucy, I'm trying, I promise. Hating it.  Having lousy problems with the k enc and p enc stitches, I think I'll need a live tutorial.  The good thing is that I'm being a supercheat and these have gone up really quickly on 3.5mm needles.  Here's Dad's chocolate lime socks.

I'm casting on a second pair - in plums and custard - for the present pile.  Maybe a present to me.

I stayed up far too late on Friday night trying to work out the heel.  The next morning I was probably a bit distracted when I was packing up for the long awaited quilting course. I'd thought the sewing machine would fit in my wheelie bag, but no. So a big blue bag from the nation's favourite Swedish retailer came to the rescue.  I repacked everything and jumped on a train around to Kew Gardens.  Tikki Patchwork is a lovely little shop, worth the hour long train trip each way even if I spent the journey there screwing up the crochet cast on for the the Plums and Custard sock, just too tired. 

So I arrived on time, even after getting a little lost out the wrong side of the station.  Started unpacking and realised I'd forgotten something rather important - yup, you guessed it.  The bloody quilt top.  The tutor suggested I get my husband to run it over and it took quite the limit of my self-restraint to politely say "that's not an option". 
As for the class itself,  I had used most of the techniques before but it was a nice group of girls with some lovely projects to look at and would be great for beginners.   You can probably find most of the stuff on the internet but sometimes you need someone to show you in person (see Sherman heel above).   I don't think I picked up very much that I didn't know before but the whole point was that I spent some time on the quilt and feel inspired to do the next steps.

I trimmed, cut and basted it when I came home.  I'll give machine quilting another go.

Tiina helped me to cut the binding.  I think it's going to be very cute.

In the background of the first photo, you might see the fabric that's for another baby quilt.  I'm thrilled to say that four more beautiful bouuncing bambinos have arrived this week.  Hello to JR and Kelly (same day, in Munich and Blackpool), Mia and Sophie! All here safe now after some difficult births. Can't wait to meet them.

The other thing that sprang to life this month?  I won Nano.  My fingers are sore. But I'm happy.

*Almost the title of a novel by one of my favourite authors, Ruth Ozeki.  (she seems to have lost the middle initial between her first and second books)

Comments

[Lucy]

Oh sweetie, the "encs" shall be explained in full on Wednesday (or before that if you like). They're really much easier than the written description would have you think and I agree it sounds baffling.

Well done on Nano! x

[Cassandra]

Can't wait to see the finished quilt, it's lovely so far!

The WORLD'S favorite Swedish retailer, isn't it?

[Thimbleanna]

Whew! You've been VERY productive in my absence. All those gorgeous socks! And the corset is looking lovely. As is the quilt -- I've always loved your "strippy" quilts. Did you get any interest in a fabric swap???

[Denise]

congrats on the Nano - not an easy feat!

quilt looking lovely, making a dent in the fabric stash yet ;) ?

[Denise, again]

Meant to say, I love the colours in the "dad socks" - the lime& chocolate reminds me of those yummy Colleen sweets with the lime outside and choc inside, mmm, they'd be in the shops in Ireland now, in time for Christmas...

[Leslie]

First off congrats congrats on winning Nano!!! That alone is huge and then to show us such tempting pictures of your divine quilt--well it was almost too much for me! And I love love LOVE your bias tape binding. It's going to be gorgeous!