Knit, QUILT, Sew

I decided to start a quilt this weekend.  I cut the squares on Friday afternoon while the kids were taking a nap.  Since I recently finished knitting a dishcloth, I figured I'd go for the trifecta of knitting, quilting, and sewing (a matching valance?) to keep me occupied during these long days of winter.

I used Cath Kidston fabric that I purchased last year and grouped these colors together because they best match the room.  It took me a while to lay out all the squares and get the pattern just how I wanted it, but once that was done it was easy to piece the quilt together on my machine.  Then I tested the length on the bed.  (I bought the bed on Craigslist last week and painted the headboard to match the dressers already in the room.)

The next step is getting the quilt front, batting and backing attached to my maternal grandmother's wooden frame so that I can hand quilt it.

Knitted Dishcloth

This knitted dishcloth is a great project for beginning knitters.  The pattern comes from my paternal grandmother and is very easy to follow.  Experienced knitters should be able to finish in 3-4 hours.

PATTERN

Cast on 4 stitches.  Knit 2 rows.

Next row, knit 2, yarnover, and knit to end of row.  Continue this step until you reach 43 stitches on needle.

Going down, knit 1, knit 2 together, yarnover, knit 2 together and knit to end of row.  Continue until 4 left.

Cast off by knitting 2 and taking 1 over the stitch before.  Pull yarn through last stitch and sew into body.

Matching Outfits

Winter is the perfect season for sewing projects.  A few years ago, I made a pair of matching outfits for my daughter and I.  The pattern for the dress is New Look #6468 and the pattern for the romper is Simplicity #5115.

The straps of the dress are attached with buttons, making them easy to adjust, and the ribbon is woven through a series of button holes.

Both patterns were easy to work with so I duplicated them in another fabric.  The second time around, I added a tie for my husband and a bib for my daughter (pictured below).  The coordinating outfits worked great for our family photo that year and a family party.

Gingersnaps

My maternal grandmother passed away on Christmas Eve.  She was an incredible baker and always had a feast prepared when you came to visit her.  For the funeral luncheon, I framed her recipe for gingersnap cookies and made several batches for the dessert table.  The recipe was written out in her hand-writing, which made it very special.  These are incredibly delicious cookies that turn out perfect every time.

GINGERSNAPS
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. ground ginger
2 tsp. soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup Crisco
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses

Sift all dry ingredients.  Cream shortening and sugar.  Add eggs and molasses.  Stir in flour mixture.  Shape into balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes.  Let cool on sheet for 5 minutes before removing.  Yield 4-5 dozen.

Christmas Ornament Tradition

My paternal grandmother started a tradition in the 1970's of making a Christmas ornament each year for every member of our extended family.  Above is my collection of 35 ornaments. 

Below are some of my favorites...

1976 Liberty Bell

1999 Change of Millennium

2002 Painted stone from the creek at our family camp

My grandmother has 6 children, 22 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.  That is 48 ornaments each Christmas!

Craft Room Photos

Here are some updated photos of the craft room.  We've been putting it to good use lately.  Lots of fun holiday projects are created inside these four walls!

Sugar Cookies

I recently purchased a Christmas Cookie Cutter set from Crate & Barrel and decided to put it to use this weekend.  For the cookies, I used Pillsbury Sugar Cookie Dough.  For the icing, I mixed 1 box of powdered sugar with 1/3 cup water to make Royal Icing.