Binky Quilt

Here's a peek at the baby quilt I'm making for my dear friend's daughter who turns 1 this month. I used up almost all my fabric scraps (yay!) for the top, and the back is minky- every tot's favorite fabric. I'm using my Sublime Stitching supplies to stitch around each square in a different color. I'm almost done...I just have to find that final motivation! Everytime I near the end of a project, I want to start a new one!

The quilt was super easy to make. I just cut several squares of fabric 3.5 in wide, in varying lengths. Then, I stitched the squares together along the 3.5in side, then stitched the strips of squares together. Then I layered the top, cotton batting and backing and safety-pinned it all over. Then starting from the middle, I began stitching aroun the perimeter of each square. Easy! Now I just have to finish stitching around the squares, and fold the backing over to the front to make the binding.

Sock-tastic Activity

Hiya! I found a link to this wonderfully fun website called This is Sand on Jessica Jones's blog, HowAboutOrange. Use your mouse to drop different colors of sand to make designs. Doesn't it look like sock yarn??!!

Whew, one down...

Whilst I love Pagewood Farms Denali, it seems these socks have gone on forever. They are my true designated take along project and always ready and waiting in my knit bag. They have traveled with me to many a doctor appt for my mom and also my fun group, Noble Knitters. One down, one cuff to go...


New at The Yarn Grove... Stitchjones! A delightful, delectable yarn - hand dyed by Sharon of Stitchjones. Stop by for a look and see these brillant colorways...



I have also begun my Casablanca shawl again and am loving it... thanks to Pat, my knitting lace guru friend from Noble Knitters. I interpreted Clue 2 way wrong and she helped me so much! Pat, as always, thanks! By golly, I think I've got it!

Oh yeah, and I've been busy putting up tomatoes from my garden and also made a large batch of my famous salsa. I grew just enough jalapenos for this batch - which in my opinion - makes it taste even more delicious.
Also made some hot pepper jelly from the remainder of my bell peppers from my garden and leftover jalapenos. Haven't tried it yet but I'm sure it will be great - plastered all over some cream cheese.



Thank you all for your lovely emails, comments and notes about the baby. We are all so very excited. Any ideas for a baby project? Everyone asks me if I'm knitting for the baby yet and ummmm... I'm not. I don't really want to knit a blanket but maybe some booties? Suggestions and ideas will be greatly appreciated my friends!

My Greatest Project

I know I've been absent lately, so I wanted to give you a peek at the project I've been working on. It started as small as a sesame seed, but now you can see I've added arms, legs, a heartbeat, and even a little brain! It hasn't been easy, I've been working on it 24 hours a day for about 9 weeks now, and let me tell you...its taken a toll on me! Chris has been great about bringing me supplies: Triscuits, chips and salsa, pickles, lemonade and Tums. He even does the laundry and vacuums. He's the best. I'll keep you updated on my progress. My deadline for completion is February 18th.

A mish mash

I've just returned from a lovely visit with IG. I did not want to leave but alas... I had to.




I got a little knitting done on the plane - still working on my Pagewood Farms Denali socks. Love this yarn. It is great and can't wait to see how it wears. With 20% nylon, I know it will be a winner! Since I usually knit my socks from the toe up, you would think there would *never* be a time when my socks did not fit. Last night I decided to try them on... well, part of the way on since they would not go near my heels! So I will finish them and put them in my gift drawer for someone who does not tread on Number 10's as I do!


And finally, a sad goodbye to Big Girl aka Lucy Girl, our beloved black lab. She left us on July 1st. Her rear leg finally let her down. She knew it. I could tell by the way she looked at me when I came home that day around noon. All the trying in the world to make that back foot/leg work - and nothing. I spent the rest of the afternoon with her until my husband came home and together we took her. I love this picture of Lucy and Junior. That bed was actually our previous dog, Charlie's bed, but Lucy took it over. And on this particular day, Junior decided to join her. Junior, Shorty and Woolly Boully (aka Mulley the Cat) are still looking and waiting for her. She was the queen, the leader of the pack.



We adopted Lucy when she was 5 years old. Found her for free in the ATL newspaper from a couple who was having triplets and already had a 2 year old at home. The husband had her since she was a puppy and I don't know who cried harder that night we left with her - me or the husband. We stayed in touch daily for about 1 week during the transition. The wife was on complete bed rest but ventured out to meet us before we left with her. I remember her words: "Boy, my neighbors sure won't be sad she's leaving because Lucy always licks the kids ice cream cones". That was Lucy - who hated the rain, lacked for manners, was the best trash picker we had ever seen, greeted everyone with something in her mouth, and loved life to its fullest. Lucy was just a couple months shy of her 15th birthday.


Big Girl, you were loved and you are missed by us all.

Shorty 0, Yarn 1

Yep, Shorty lost the battle with this ball of yarn that he snuck from somewhere. Where? I am still trying to figure that out. He must have had a "ball" with it because when I found him, the yarn was wrapped tightly around him in so many places, I had to literally cut it away. It was everywhere... Cats are not the only ones who love yarn - I can clearly attest to that!

I have been knitting on Casablanca KAL. However, last night I became disenchanted with the beads I had chosen for it and frogged the whole thing (which sounds dramatic but in actuality, I have only finished Clue 1 and 3 rows of Clue 2). So I shall begin it again - sans beads.

Shipping News at The Yarn Grove: Any orders received after Wed. July 2nd at precisely 7:00pm EsT will be shipped on Monday, July 7th. Why? I'm going to see Island Girl!

Have a happy and safe 4th of July...