Wedding Ring Quilt Class @ Broadway Quilts

It's been a while since I took a sewing class.  Although I counted on my retirement as being a time to take many classes, seems like so many other things are happening that there isn't the time.  

When I walked into Broadway Quilts and saw the Wedding Ring Quilt hanging on the wall, my dream of making this quilt pattern came true.  Well at least learning how to do it, Judy Niemeyer style.

The class was informative and intense.. My fabrics are cut and ready to be constructed.   This is a formative project..need to make the time to complete it.   I'll keep you up to date as the project progresses.  

Wedding Ring Quilt, I aspire to....

It's

Simply Soft Baby Hat

It's strange but I learned how to crochet by looking at the pictures of doilies in the pattern books.  Crochet for me is such a visual and hands on experience.   My design--toddler cap. Sept. 2015

I really should write things down.

Patterns on my IPad

 Do you have an IPad?  I do and It's really only a tiny place to store millions of patterns.    It's truly a gift to be able to find a pattern, purchase or get for free and store it in this tiny book (I have a mini iPad).  I carry it with me all the time and if I get bored an want to search for a new idea or inspiration this resource is at my fingertips.



This is a sweater knit for my lovely daughter.   Knit scene Winter 2012  Great issue and there are at least 6 other patterns there that I would love to knit...Easy.... must look through my stash.

Isn't she lovely?

Mitered Square Poncho

My Challenge- love the mitered square technique.  this is just one side of a poncho from Knitter's Magazine.  I've had my eyes on this piece for a long long time, finally purchased the yarn at Stitches and few years ago and love knitting it.  I had to make some adjustments because I ran out of a color and the dye lot don't match...so it's more mitered squares for me... ...more pics to follow

Tapas in San Sebastian

Now you understand I love to knit and find yarn wherever I go but I also love good food.  Eskerne (www.discoversansebastian.com), is a excellent tour guide to the best places to eat.   Actually that is her specialty.   So for just a taste of the spot where we had lunch.  

Hotel de Londres y Inglaterra   

San Sebastian--Yarn shop Established in the early 1900"s

What a charming shop.  Our tour guide in San Sebastian took us to all the beautiful sites in this city on the Bay of Biscay.  As we walk to one of the many parks, I asked if she knew of a yarn shop in town.   Well of course Eskerne (eskerne@discoversansebastian.com) did know of a place, she knows all the places to go in San Sebastian.   So we walked to this shop, just around the corner.  Large space with classroom, sitting area and many yarns and notions.   I loved it and I guess I was beaming because in addition to the lovely yarns, gadgets and patterns I purchased, the owner threw a few goodies into my bag.   She was very proud of the shop and of the fact that the shop had been located in the same place and running successfully for the last 110 years!!!!  Wow.   Now all I need to do is return to this beautiful city and find that shop again.   It is near Plaza de Guipuzcoa.  

A little bit a breakfast in San Sebastian

Minions

September 2015- I know a little man who loves Minion's.  After checking on-line for patterns for an afghan and mittens, I created my own. (sorry I just crocheted and didn't write anything down)  

I found this little poster at the craft store to use as a model to follow... I'm not up on all the features of these lovable little guys

The Afghan--child size

Knitting down South- Biltmore and a train ride through the Smoky Mountains

The Biltmore Estates is a wondrous place.  Visited at the end of May (2016) and found myself in a truly beautiful part of the United States.  The amazing structure, gorgeous landscapes and beautiful gardens..

Biltmore Green House

Biltmore House Gardens

Smokey Mountain Railway Ride

We took a train ride through the Smokey Mountains, stopped to enjoy the river...and sat to knit a bit. 

Catching up: A collection of Seamlessly Simple Knit Sweaters

The ballet slippers are done in a duplicate stitch.   

Memories of Spain

So the plan was to make a chevron tube scarf, 

but after knitting 40 or so rows, it just didn't work for me.

The colors represent the beauty of Spain.  The yarn was purchased along my travels in Spain and Portugal during April 2016. All 100% fine cotton, fine gauge. 

Oviedo Spain, Kings, Castile and Cathedrals

Traveling through Northern Spain was a wonderful experience.  Through villages and tall snow capped mountain ranges to the city of Oviedo.   Historically beautiful.   Our Hotel Reconquista was a palace hundreds of years ago.  

Around the corner I found this lovely yarn shop.. so different from what you see in USA.  The shop carried fine children's knit items and socks.   A tiny place but much to choose from. 

Portuguese Douro Shawl

My Douro voyage ended and then we were off to Spain to visit family.   I had no time or the frame of mind to sit and knit the lace work during the trip, so I finished it at home...

By the way I'm on my way to Cape Cod today..let's see what I find to knit there..Looking forward to spending time with my Friend who also loves to knit..

Knitting on the Douro River Portugal

2015 & 2016 were eventful years for me.   After my surgery I was more determined to travel and spend time enjoying life and the wonder around us.   Fortunately I had the opportunity to take a river cruise on the Douro River in Portugal.   We staying in Lisbon for 3 days, and as is my practice I visited a yarn shop and found a variegated merino yarn.   So as the ship cast off, I cast on a top down shawl.    The voyage was amazing, mountains, vineyards and so much history.  

 Slowly working on this piece.

Massive vineyards

Knitting and travel break

Tiny mountain top fortress of Rodrigo

getting further along on my shawl.   

Grapes Knit in Sonoma

Baby set--knit using Knit Picks and one of my designs.   ElizSCknits on Ravely

A little Mink

Have you ever knit with Mink?   It feels wonderful in your hands and the finished garment has a soft flowing drape.  Short version of Nebula by Vera Sanon.   I used Pure Elegance yarn from Great Yarns (shop)

A little Mink

Lake Louse 2015

Flash back to Lake Louise, Canada

At the end of my Vogue Knitting Cruise to Alaska, I met with friends and rode the Rocky Mountaineer to Banff.   The ride was incredible, beautiful valleys, majestic mountains and a river ran through it all.    Beyond a doubt the most inpactful location was Lake Louise..such a special feeling, the colors and icy water,  sounds of running water and wind flowing through the trees.   I definitely plan on returning to this lovely place. 

A little road-trip Nashville to Louisville

June 2016 - traveled to Nashville, enjoying the sounds and sites.  Of course had to stop at this shop.  American Pickers one of my favorite TV shows. 

Driving from Nashville to Louisville, all on back roads.  

Goodlettsville , Kentucky

Passed Fort Knox and then found this lovely quilt shop.

I love to Sew (too!)

I teach sewing to kids (ages 9- up) during the summer @ Broadway Quilts in the town of Sonoma.   It's wonderful to see the excitement and pride that the kids show when they are learning, doing and finishing their bags.   It's especially rewarding when a student becomes so enchanted with their success and accomplishment.     These a pincushions that I made for the goody bag each receives the last day of class.