Making progress

I missed writing an October round-up or what my goals are for November, although I think last week's post about all my knitting projects kind of counts. I've been making progress on lots of things the past few weeks which included piecing a quilt top that's a gift and can't be shown here. You'll just have to trust me that I did it.

I ironed this stack of fabric and made 3 quilt backs. One for the surprise quilt, mentioned above (it's roughly twin size). I also made backs for the advent quilt and the Made-in-Cherry quilt. That was a lot of work but glad to have it done.

I finally wrapped these twigs that had been sitting on my desk for months. The little ones will probably end up as gifts. The bigger one is supposed to be for me, but I might gift it too. We'll see. They are already attached to the canvas. Just need to knit the little critters that sit on the branches.

The advent quilt. Ironed and cut all the white strips and got half of them sewn on. I set this aside to finish the surprise quilt which needed to get finished. 

I moved the books to be hollowed out to the kitchen so I can work on them whenever I have a spare minute while cooking. The counter is higher than my desk so I prefer working on them here anyway.

I should have some finishes to share later this week. Blocked the finished Savanna shawl this morning. Had to use pins so it is drying in my daughter's room, away from the toddler. 

Writing Wednesday : Getting Distracted

Trying to settle down and write while the Little Guy naps can sometimes be difficult. There are so many other things around me. There's housework to do, books to read, sweaters to knit, quilts to make, and food to eat. I also found redecorating my space to be a great distraction this week.

My kids made these R's for me for my birthday last year and I finally framed them and put them up. I'm just glad I got them up before my birthday rolled around again. It's next week.

I attached these owls onto a canvas several weeks ago and they've been waiting to go up on the wall ever since. Now they look down on me while I work.

 Had to move a couple things around to make room for the Owls and R's but I have plenty of space for more kid creations. I've got so many quilt projects on the go right now (which is great) that it's hard to find space on the desk for the computer, printed off first draft and my notes of what I'd like add/ delete. 

 But I did eventually work. And what am I working on? After writing down pages of notes for the idea that just wouldn't leave me alone, my brain was open and wanting to work on the "Lucy" rewrite again so that is what I've been doing. I've also been toying around with ideas of how to grow an audience for the novel as it is part of a planned series but those details will have to wait for another day.

More Yarned Twigs

I finished knitting this little guy a couple weeks ago and made him a place to perch.

I painted the background then sewed the branch to it. He now lives on our wall. I really like him and wanted to make a whole bunch more but forced myself to work on other projects instead. My passion for these are waning only because I feel there are so many other things I should be doing instead. I love looking up and seeing this guy though.

Sticks I've collected with the two I wrapped earlier waiting to be used.

I wrapped this branch, made some leaves and an owl for it but still need to put it all together. I painted this background as well. 

This is such a simple fun activity. I really like knitting the owls too. 

Getting Twiggy with it.

Saturday afternoon, my daughter and I went to a workshop taught by Anna Hrachovec of Mochimochi fame. Find her patterns on ravelry here or on her website here. The workshop we went to was about wrapping twigs in yarn and then knitting little creatures to go with it. Some of the people there knew how to knit but most spent the time wrapping twigs. My husband may have made a few jokes about taking a workshop for something so simple but it was really an excuse to spend some time with my girl and to meet the author. And to have a fun afternoon of crafting - which it was.

My daughter putting her yarn into a bobbin as instructed by Anna to make wrapping the twig easier.

My pile of yarn and twigs.

My daughter's branch and some of her yarn.

Wrapping.

Daughter wrapping. 

Finished my first twig and was able to knit a leaf and attach it. 

Daughter's finished branch. I knit her a blue leaf and she knit herself one as well.

There was a big branch in the middle for everyone to work on as a group project. I added the purple in the middle beside the blue. Anna tweeted a picture of it later, which you can see here.

Anna has written 4 books. I bought one of them.

And of course I got her to sign it.

Later that night I got out lots of needles and yarn and played around. And had a little chocolate.

Wrapped this twig I found in our yard with yellow yarn and made some leaves.

Here is my finished piece made during the workshop. Still needs a creature or something on it.

I made this Saturday night. The green is a knitted icord.

 And I may have become addicted to twig wrapping. We were out for a walk this morning and I wanted to bring almost every branch/ twig I saw on the ground home with us. This was super fun and simple and I encourage others to try it. Not sure what I am going to do with the finished pieces. Christmas presents, perhaps?