SHARPs...!

Well, once again, Hiya Hiya did it just right.  Their new release of 4" and 5" Interchangeable tips in Large SHARPs US 9-15 are fabulous.  They arrived here just in time to ship before Christmas holiday.  Currently, the only color the cases are available in are teal.  I am currently using a US 9 SHARPs and love love love them! 
I also had on order Large SHARPs Interchangeable tips as well but because of the shipping schedule, I had to put that order on hold.  I did not have time to put those items on The Yarn Grove.  I do expect all sizes that Hiya Hiya North America has in stock for the individual 4" and 5" tips sometime the first full week of January. 

I sent three of those quilt tops I had shown in a previous blog to my longarm quilter and they turned out wonderfully.  These 2 photos do not do them justice because I am not a good photographer.  The David Butler - Parson Gray - Curious Nature quilt was everyone's favorite.  It went to my son.  Even my husband commented that it was the best quilt I had ever done.  I have enough fabric left to make another one.  Love love love this one. 

The Batik quilt came out equally as well - just very bright. The Pickle dish, not shown, is already on my side of the bed!

In my knitting world, I have another Little Shells on the sticks. I'm using 2 different weight yarns, held together.  One is 100% alpaca and the other mohair/silk blend, both from Shibui yarns.  Scrumptious.  In a cream color. 

Wishing you and yours Peace. Love. Laughter in 2013.

Affliction, affection, attention, whatever its name...

I have finished my Color Affection shawl.  I have called it everything but its right name as have several in my Noble Knitters knitting group.  Love this shawl.  For anyone knitting one, I highly recommend a stretchy bindoff.  My bind off was too tight so I have to tink back, reknit a couple of rows and bind off with a stretchy one.  It worked like a charm.  This shawl has already seen lots of wear.  Great for wrapping around your shoulders and hitting the pavement. Mine was made with Miss Babs in 3 different colorways which I purchased at Stitches South.

In The Yarn Grove news, Hiya Hiya SHARPs continue to be a very hot seller in both fixed circulars and interchangeables.  Love love love them. I am currently fully stocked in all the interchangeable cables as well.  Time to be thinking of gifts for others as well as yourself.  I still have no updated news on when the Hiya Hiya LARGE interchangeable SHARP sets will be available.  I'll continue to keep you all posted as my list grows and grows of customers wanting these.

My sewing machine has been going full steam ahead. Last year I made each of my grandboys a Halloween quilt and this year decided to make them a Charlie Brown Christmas quilt.  Now that I have 3 grandboys, two, who are brothers, will have to share.  I bought these as a kit from my local quilt shop Intown Quilters and let me just say, the pattern was a challenge for me.  Lots of measuring and I even had to enlist hubby for his math skills.

Once the tops were assembled, I decided to stich in the ditch on the actual "film" strip and begin my jaunt into Free Motion Quilting.  Why?  Because I had just sent 3 rather large quilts to my longarm quilter and I know they will cost a small fortune.  2 are gifts and I will show when I get them back in 2 weeks.  Anyway, on to my first Free Motion quilting projects. I first watched a youtube video and read a lot of info from my machine workbooks.  Finally I just dove in it and while it took me a little while to try to get the stitches even, I was happy with the look.  I think my next one will be perhaps a pattern that I draw on the quilt and follow it.  I had virtually no puckering on the back because I used 505 spray to sandwich together.  Worked like a charm.  No gunk on my needle or fabric either.

The only thing left is to embroidery my quilt tags for my babies and I'll be done.  You know the holidays are creeping up on us rather rapidly...  Scary stuff....

So Sew...

While I have been busy knitting up a storm and sewing, I have failed terribly in the area of taking photos.  So I thought I would play catch up on a couple of quilt projects I have finished - although their next stop will be the longarmer.

This is David Butler's Curious Nature quilt, pattern free on Free Spirit Fabrics.  While it is free, you do have to enlarge it immensely but it was worth the cost for that.  The fabric is divine.  I LOVE this quilt.  So much so, that I have ordered fabric to do another one. This photo does not do the fabric justice.  While my local quilt shop, Intown Quilters has been sold out of this fabric, I did manage to find enough of the colorways I needed on line.  They should be here by Friday.  Did I tell you I love this quilt?  David is the husband of Amy Butler, just in case you were Curious...

The paper that is adhered to the bottom right here is a numbering system I developed to help my old brain when sewing this together!

And here is Pickle Dish top finished.  Love this one too.  Pickle Dish will be for me!  It was fun once I got the hang of putting these together on my new quilt wall.  Couldn't have accomplished it without the wall.

In knitting news, Hiya Hiya SHARPs continue to be extremely popular.  Anyone who tries them, loves them.  I am working on a Wingspan currently and am enjoying the heck out of it.

Other than that, life gets in the way of all the crafts I would rather be doing 24/7 !  Hope this finds you all happily crafting along...  More photos and projects finished soon...

Here Kitty Kitty....

Lots of new items from Hiya Hiya at The Yarn Grove today!  The ever adorable Kitty Snips that join the Puppy snips.  These are ideal for your knitting bag - and ever so handy.

9" Sharps have arrived.  These are available in US 0- US 8 and have teal colored cables.  Try one if you haven't already.  Also in a replenish of 9" Circular cases.  These have handy pockets to put all your 9" neeedles.  Of course, needles are not included : )

  

New in are Hiya Hiya interchangeable cable connectors.  These can be used to join cables and make them longer.  Can also be used as stoppers.  Just remove your tips and screw in each end to the cables.

These are sold in sets of 2 with a needle grip included.  Small and large sizes are available.

New in also are Hiya Hiya interchangeable Tip Adapters. Using a large interchangeable tip and all you have is a small cable available? No problem now.  Get the Tip Adapter and connect your large tip to a small cable.  There you go!  Available at this time in the Large tip to small cable size. 

Lots of new sizes also available in all circular sizes of STEEL SHARPs.  Also, Hiya Hiya is beginning to migrate to teal colored cables, therefore your needle may be teal or clear in color.

I am also carrying empty Interchangeable cases now in assorted colors.  This is for all of you who have multiple tips and need extra room. 

Enjoy shopping around and as always, I appreciate each and every one of you!



"baby", bags and blocks

I wanted to introduce you to my new "baby".  My lovely new BabyLock Ellisimo sewing/embroidery machine.  And I am in love...  Love love love this machine.  I have only had it for a couple of weeks - in fact have not even been to the new user's class - but I have already fallen hard for it. I know we will be friends for many years to come.  Best part?  I can just download embroidery designs right from the computer now.  Did I tell you I love it? 

Since this will be mainly a sewing post, I wanted to introduce you to The Bag Tree.  Michelle, of  The Bag Tree, is making these awesome, multi functional bags.  While I can see their purpose for holding lots of knitting projects, etc., they are gorgeous and fun to carry!  Stay tuned for more designs as Michelle completes each one with the quality and beauty that is seen in these bags.  You can find her on Etsy by clicking on the link above. LOVE!!  And just for The Yarn Grove readers, enjoy a 10 % discount on your first order by entering the code YARNGROVE10 upon checkout.  Please checkback as she add more and more bags.  More on The Bag Tree to come!

Now to my pickle dish.  I have had trouble with putting my pickle dish blocks together because, as you can see by the photo, you have to match up ends.  So I went on a mission of researching quilt walls and found one here at Sewingmachinesplus .  I had seen this Cheryl Ann's Design wall at a Sewing Expo a couple of years ago and loved the idea.  So I set out to order one.  Why not get the 72"x72" since the difference in price was about $9.00?  Ummm, when it arrived, it took my husband and I to assemble it.  Once I got it up, it was about the size of a drive-in movie screen.  I'm not kidding.  So I called them and they kindly said I could exchange it for the 54"x54", which is what you see in the photo here.  Love it.  I can assemble it myself and it fits into a very small bag, believe it or not.

The Yarn Grove is buzzing busy with Hiya Hiya Sharp needles - both circulars, DPNs and interchangeables.  If you haven't already tried them, you need to.  They are absolutely amazing.  More sizes in the SHARPs should arrive early summer.  Yay!

Shop update

I just wanted to tell ya'll about  The Yarn Grove update today.  It includes a replenish of the Hiya Hiya Interchangeable Sharps in both 5" and 4" US 2-8 sets.  These needles are wonderful! You can also just purchase the tips and a cable or two if you want to try them out. 

Also in are brand new SHARP circulars in the US 1/2.25mm size.  AND they have a teal/turquoise bright blue cable.

I have finally blocked a couple of shawls but since I am leaving in the morning to see Island Girl and Mini Island boy, I have already packed my camera.  I promise to take pictures of my latest projects...

And I will show you a picture of my new sewing machine - when it arrives - which should be next week sometime.  It is a Babylock Ellisimo sewing/embroidery machine and I cannot wait to get my hands on it.  I have been looking and studying new sewing/embroidery machines for a while... My old machine was a Husqvarna Viking Designer I and I loved it.  However, it has a new home now and is in very good hands!

See ya'll soon!

Putzing along...

It's February and I am enjoying not having any deadlines to finish sewing or knitting projects.  In fact, I have finished another Summer Flies (actually about 3 weeks ago) and have yet to get it blocked.  Why?  Because it's for me and I'm not in a hurry.  Feels good too, I might add. Can't say enough about this pattern and it would be perfect for all of you who do not enjoy knitting from a chart (like me!)

I am finishing up today a quilt I started out of all Kaffe Fassett fabrics .  I have wanted to do this Plus Sign quilt for the longest ever since I saw it on one of my very favorite quilting blogs, Film in the Fridge. Why she does most of her own quilting, I will probably send this off.  Not sure just yet.  I only have 4 more rows and I'm done!  This one's for me...

In knitting news, I am working on a large cable wrap stole and I am enjoying every single stitch.  For the yarn, it's Blue Sky Alpaca's worsted Organic Cotton in natural, doubled.  So yes, the needles I am using (size 13) feel like broomsticks compared to my previous projects. This one is for me too.  I have been wanting to knit this for a very long time since I saw Susan knitting one at our knit group. 

And I found a picture of my mom holding up her Neck Down Summer Cardigan from Knitting Pure and Simple.  I love Diane's patterns.  Love love love them.  I started this about 1-1/2 years ago - put it down and picked it back up this past December 1st to finish in time for my mom for Christmas.  I only had the sleeves to finish and I did make them a longer.  I just knit until I used up all my yarn.  I honestly can't remember the name of the yarn but I do remember it was an awesome twist, superwash 100% Merino and I had bought a bag of 10 skeins from my LYS during a huge sale they had.  I know I didn't pay over $3.00/skein for it.  And Mom loves it.  I added some great pewter buttons and there you have it.  I'll try to get a photo of her in it. 

The pin I made from a Felt Flower project on Pinterest.  I haven't been on Pinterest in a while because when I do, I am on there for a long time.  Love it though.  A very inspiring website and I made several gifts for the holidays from it.  And most will do again!

News from the Shop:  The Hiya Hiya SHARPs needles are extremely popular.  If you have not tried them, do your knitting a favor and do so.  The Yarn Grove carries all the sizes that are currently available in the SHARPs, including individual interchangeable tips in both 4" and 5".  LOVE them.  Especially for all those K3togs, etc...

Did I mention I love the new Hiya Hiya SHARP needles?

Happy New Year!

What a wonderful holiday I spent with all my kids and grands.  It was marvelous!  Now that I have a little downtime, I am tossing around a couple of ideas for knitting projects.  I am still knitting on Sothia - she stays in the car and is for the hours I spend taking my mom to doctors appts.

I was going to show a few of my projects I made for gifts this year.

First up, I bought a vintage Bucilla Felt kit off ebay (my second one) and made this adorable ABC wall hanging for mini Island Boy. Mini Orange boy got one last year for Christmas and loves it.  All the ornaments are hand sewn.  Only thing machine sewn is the rick rack around the edges.

Second, I made these adorable ABC letters and a bucket to put them in.  My only regret is that I did not do numbers.  Didn't even think about it.  Got it off PINTEREST .  Here is my photo of the ones I made.  Loved loved loved this.  Will most certainly make again -  great gifts. And, by the way, if you haven't been to PINTEREST, you are missing A LOT!  Love that website.

Next up I found these adorable tea mugs w/sidekick from Angela Ingram on Etsy.  Bought one for Cheryl and one for my mom.  Then I found a "tea wreath" to make on PINTEREST which I thought was the coolest thing.  I made mine a bit smaller than the one on the tuitorial but let me tell you, they were a huge hit.  I bought 2 boxes of assorted tea bags - mainly for color - and used those.  I painted the clothespins, covered them in scrapbook paper scraps and voila!  I love it so much that I just ordered my own mug from Angela's etsy shop on Monday!

I made some cute little felt citrus coasters for Island Girl. Here is a link to the Purl Bee tutorial.  Adorable!

I Island Girl a blanket out of Minkie fabric and Citron and Gray bird material on the back from Michael Miller but no photo; I made a slouchy hat for my niece and no photo.  I forget to take them sometimes!

Off the blocking mat this morning,  a plain old cowl I made from Cascade Yarns Eco Duo which is a glorious combo of baby alpaca and Merino wool that is undyed.  Seed stitch border and just plain old knit. 

Finally, here is a photo of Mini Orange boy who absolutely loved his car/train track quilt.  I had shown it in a previous post .

A few other handmades but this was about it.  Some I forgot to take photos - others the photos did not come out. 

OTN now is Summer Flies - again - this time in a cashmere blend.  AND the wonderful new Hiya Hiya SHARPs needles.  If you haven't tried them, you don't know what you're missing. 

Wishing each and everyone of you a most joyous, healthy, crafty and peaceful 2012...

Psssst... They're here...

Of course I am talking about the new Hiya Hiya SHARPs Needles!  They arrived yesterday here at The Yarn Grove and already they are a hit with lots and lots of you knitters!  In stock, currently, are the 4" and 5" Interchangeable Sets in Steel US size 2-8, Sizes 4" and 5" individual tips in US sizes 2-8 and also fixed Circulars (US sizes 2-8) in 16", 24", 32" and 40" lengths.

Some sizes of circulars are already sold out but rest assured, there will be more on their way soon.

These needles are of the same exceptional quality as all the other Hiya Hiya needles and products - and let me tell you, they are pointy tipped for all those lace projects you have been procrastinating about.

Any questions, please send me a message on Ravelry (janiegirl) or janeATtheyarngroveDOTcom.  Try them - I know you will love them.  I sure do...

Happy Holidays everyone!

Apples, fabrics and some yarn...

I cannot believe it is the middle of October already.  I sit here trying to gather my thoughts for all the little gifties I have in mind for gifts by December end.  My mind is frozen - so I decided to update on what I have been doing.

Apples galore.  Every year this time finds me heading to North Georgia for my delectable Winesap apples.  We will be blessed with Grandson #3(aka micro orange boy) in just a couple of weeks so it was necessary to restock my homemade applesauce! 

One day, whilst visiting my Trader Joe's, I came across an over abundance of apples.  Cortlands, MacIntosh, Jonathan, Rome, Delicious, and the list went on.  What if I didn't go to NGA for my apples and bought locally instead?  That is exactly what I did.  I bought the equivalent of one bushel (7 square bags) of Cortland apples and made from it:  5 quarts of canned just sliced apples, 9-1/2 pints apple butter, and 7 pints of applesauce, no sugar please.

I was thrilled.  So I treked back to TJ's and bought approximately one more bushel - this time Honeycrisp and MacIntosh.  Little Mommy came over (yes!  Orange boy and family moved to Marietta from the Rocket City which also took place end of September/1st of October) and we made more applesauce with the MacIntosh.  The Honeycrisp I put up for apple desert delights over the next year.  I. love. canning...

Next up I finished a quilt for Micro Orange Boy (see blue quilt below left) who should arrive on or around November 3rd.  Each of my babies has to have their own quilt.  I also found this adorable panel at my local quilt shop with trains and roads on it.  I added a border, some flannel "nuts and bolts" fabric for the back and my long-arm quilter quilted it right up for me. Mini Orange Boy will get this at Christmas time. 

As for the knitting front?  I finished this hat for which I bought 2 kits.  It is Techno Hat from Blue Sky Alpacas and I got them at KPixie. Love the yarn - so soft, fluffy and alpaca! 

And to end it all are some most precious Baby Booties.  This pattern hailed from Churchmouse Yarns and the pattern is Stay On baby Booties .  Fun, quick and easy, I made these with Karabella Aurora 4 which I had leftover in my stash.

In shop news, I have put in a pre-order with Hiya Hiya needles for their new Sharp needles - both in fixed and interchangeable.  Hiya Hiya anticipates that these needles should be ready for distribution on or around the first of December or shortly after...  I have a pair and let me tell you, they are the best yet...

So I guess I have been busy. I'll end this by saying the next items up on my sewing/knitting agenda will not be able to be shown until after the holidays... 

A lot of quilting...

I sent 4 quilt tops to Hazel, my longarm quilter. (click on the photos to see them larger). 2 are small Moda Halloween square quilts (about 36" x 42") which Mini Island Boy(with the Riley Blake spider fabric on the back) and Mini Orange Boy (with the Alexander Henry Pumpkins on the back)are already the recipients of.  The 3rd Halloween quilt is quite a bit larger and stays here at Gaga's house.  The 4th quilt is not finished yet - by that I mean I have to bind it.  I hope to do that over the long weekend.

In other news, I have been working on Sothia and I am using the exact combination of Madelinetosh light yarn that Robin used.  Why?  Because Tern is my absolute favorite color and this is not the first piece I have knit in that colorway.  Please don't pay attention to how ugly the colors look in my photo - look at the link above.  This has been a fun knit and I look forward to blocking it.

I lost my sweet sweet Aunt Ruby last week.  She was 91 and up until about 2 years ago, she was fully aware of everything.  My Aunt Ruby is the one who got me canning and sewing and I swear my family used to say I was more like her than my mom (at least in the crafty sense).  The weekend before she died, I had picked so many tomatoes from my garden.  Since I have already canned about 22 quarts and frozen approx. 10 quarts, I did not need to can anymore so I decided to make my Aunt Ruby's salsa.  When I spoke with her on the telephone a couple of days later, I was happy to share that with her. I know she heard me. Next weekend I will take my mom to Annapolis so we can attend her memorial service.  I loved my Aunt Ruby...  She will forever remain in my heart.

Here's hoping all of you have a splendid Labor day and a safe one too!  And if you have an "Aunt Ruby" hug her real good...

A little Autumn Flutters

Gosh, I bet most of us would love a little of that Autumn feeling about right now.  Just got through watching the news and so many places have had record breaking heat. 

Speaking of Autumn, here is a finished photo of Autumn Flutters.  Loved this pattern - just like SummerFlies.  I knit this with Malabrigo Sock yarn in the Terracotta colorway.  I used one full skein and about 1/2 of another.  This one is for me.  The only change I did is a picot edge instead of pleated edge.

Where have I been?  I actually have been up to my eyeballs in textbooks, workbooks, stethoscopes and the like.  I have just finished - today actually - a nursing asst. class.  This class was great but very accelerated and intense - especially for someone my age!  It was a lot of class, then most nights I had 2-3 hours of homework.  Written final was yesterday and lab finals today.  I passed.  Now I am a candidate to take the state test which should be in about 2-3 weeks after I apply.  Not a lot of knitting has been done I can promise that.  Or sleep for that matter!  What will I do with this?  I have no clue at the moment but I hope to eventually work in a hospice setting on a part time/as needed basis.  We'll see...

The only other thing going on is the PGA golf this coming week - one mile from my home.  Directly - straight shot.  Do I care?  Yes because traffic is going to horrendous.

Tomorrow I am going to my quilt shop for a little fabric therapy...  I have 4 quilt tops ready to go to my long arm quilter but haven't had time to get them to her yet.  3 are Halloween ones and one is from an Amy Butler kit I bought over 2 years ago...  I'll post soon...

One Charlize, Two Pickle Dishes, Salsa and a baby...

It's that time of year when my hands get twitching to can something.  Anything.  Little Mommy called me to tell me she made the most awesome Mango Salsa and that our grocery store had mangoes on sale for $1.00 each and we only needed 4-5.  Yep, I got the canning bug.  So last weekend I put up only a couple of 1/2 pints of Mango salsa and boy is it good.  Recipe here:  .  Also that is a great website to use as a resource if you have questions about canning, water bathing, or pressure canning.  This did not require pressure canning (although I can't wait to use my pressure canner again) - I did use it for the water bath.  

Then I saw blueberries on sale last weekend.  I looked up a couple of recipes for blueberry jam and decided to make some.  What I originaly was going to can was Blueberry Syrup which can be used on anything.  Well guess what.  My jam did not gel like it should have (I used less sugar like the recipe called for) but let me tell you, it is delicious.  I now have a blueberry syrup!!  Will be great on cereal, oatmeals, cheesecakes, icecream etc.  I am more than thrilled with it now.

I finished my Charlize.  It is on Ravelry for those on there.  Loved it.  Will most certainly knit this again. Madelintosh Sock in Logwood, bought at Stitches South.  OTN now is :  Autumn Flutters .  I am knitting in Malabrigo sock in Terracotta which is more like an orange.  Love the patterns by Holly and Ella.  I will knit Summer Flies again which I knit last fall.

Already in queue is Cambridge by Sunday Knits.  This is a brandnew pattern and you can purchase it through Ravelry.  I don't see it on her website yet.  This is modeled after Princess Kate's Shopping Shawl with the ruffles.  I'm not sure about my yarn choice yet.  I'm thinking gray alpaca....

In sewing news, I took the Pickle Dish class and loved it.  It is so fun but when putting it together, is quite fiddly.  It will be a work in progress but I try to do a few every week.  I also made Mini Island Boy his own softie blankie out of Minky(ie?) fabric.  When I visited him for his first birthday, I noticed he didn't have a softie blankie like Mini Orange Boy does to rub when falling asleep.  He does now and Island Girl says he loves it! Now Island Girl says she wants one...  I'll be looking for a sale on it.

 I leave you with a photo of Mini Orange Boy who was here for about 5 days during the tornados that took out power in the Rocket City.  We had so much fun!  I know Little Mommy and he were glad to get home but I have never had him for so long and was able to do fun stuff.  Train museum, fountain playing, and picnic. 

And it is with great gusto that I announce there will be a Micro Mini Orange baby!  Yep, Mini Orange Boy is going to be a big brother.  We currently believe the baby to be a boy!!  One more ultrasound and we will know for sure. Expected November 3rd...

And a photo of Mini Island Boy where I went to celebrate his first birthday the middle of May.  He is walking everywhere.



  



Could I interest you in some felt fruit?

I saw this book and knew I had to have it.  After it arrived I read it from front to back.  Then I started looking around for some felt - different than the squares you get 4/$1.00 at some of the bigger box stores.  Not that there is anything wrong with those, there isn't.  But once you sew and play around with the Wool blend felt, there is no comparison.  I bought just a couple of sheets from a crafter on Etsy and loved them all.  Glorious colors - beautiful to hand sew with.

What I love about these patterns is the fact that a lot of them are halves that you can "put together".  Such as the banana, apple and the watermelon. The book tells you how to do all this!  Love love love it!

Little Orange Boy (2 in Feb) came to visit and he loves them too! His first pretend food!



I also finished a quilt that I recently gifted to a friend having her second baby, first girl and it's all about pink. I chose these fabrics from Riley Blake Designs and it is the Baby Hip to be Square pattern.

I also decided to do an "I'm One" tshirt for Mini Island Boy who, yes believe it or not, will be One in just a couple of weeks!  His theme will be baseball so Little Mommy helped me with some hints on how to make this little tshirt.  Tshirt was $4.50 at Target and I couldn't resist the little plaid shorts.  It took me less than an hour to sew everything together.  He will look adorable!  At first I was going to put the "1" beside the baseball but I think it looked better like this. 

 

Oh and one more thing, I am taking my first quilt class Saturday am for the first time in a very long while. My first class ever at Intown Quilters and I couldn't be more excited.  It is the Pickle Dish Quilt pattern out of the Kaffe Fassett Quilt Romance book .  Here are the fabrics that I will begin using in my quilt - this time all Kaffe fabric scraps.  I'll let you know how the class goes.  This is actually a paper piece class.  The Pickle Dish pattern is the one shown on the front of this book.

So  yes, I have been busy.  On the Yarn Grove side I have pre-ordered the new Hiya Hiya Bamboo Interchangeables and they will arrive as soon as Hiya Hiya releases them.  I don't know an exact date yet.  I have started Charlize (on Ravelry for those of you that are) and I am loving it.  Using Madelintosh Sock in Logwood (refer to Stitches South staff photo).

I hope this finds all of ya'll crafting it up and having a great spring...