I have a Surprise and it is called STITCH ...

It has been VERY quiet here for the past few months because I've been working on 

Something Special!

a Good Bit of Stitching ...

 

 

LOTS of Machine of Quilting ...

Some Designing ...

(designed by Abigail ... stitched by Me)

More ordering then I ever imagined ...

 

STITCH ... studio & shop LLC

opening August 5th, 2013 

 

Words cannot describe how I am feeling right now!!!!!

In 29 short days my lease begins and I start painting, building furniture, and stocking shelves, so that in 50 days, I can Open. For. Business.  

Dutch Girl Yarns

We had a four day weekend and I spent some time in the Dye Studio.

  

 Some lace weight yarn for Wexford Dry Goods

But the most fun to create ... The Extended Rainbow of Sock Yarn.

This is going to Painted Trillium Yarns in my home town of Hudsonville, MI.  =)

I don't talk about my little cottage business of dyeing yarn very much as I do not want this to feel like a Spammy Blog.  Ick ... don't like those Blogs.At.All.  =(  

But I do like color ... just look at my hooky, knitting, and quilty projects.  =)  Dyeing yarn is just another way for me to get my Color Fix!!

A bit of Recycle AND Crochet

My scissors and rotary cutters used to be stored in a lovely milk glass vase.  The base chipped badly (more like a CHUNK) when I was cleaning up my Work Room last week so I needed a replacement right away.

So I rummaged around in the recycle bin, found my Stylecraft Stash, and pulled up Attic 24 for some inspiration.  I was very happy to use my collection of buttons that I bought at the Thrift Shop.

Best $1 I've spent in a long time.  =)

Hourglass Pillow

Hot off the sewing machine and slightly overstuffed with a down pillow insert.  =)

This is the first time I've used Essex Linen (solid color) and it was a Very Nice Experience.  

Next up ... Chartreuse or Aqua.  =)  Oh yes that will be Pretty!

Hope you have a Restful and Relaxing Weekend!!

PS - Bonus points to anyone who can name the painting in the background

Stripey-Stripe Tomten

I was in Garter Stitch Heaven while knitting this sweater!

The only seam in this entire sweater is the three needle bind off on the top of the hood!

Buttons ... they make or break the project.  

Elizabeth Zimmerman's Tomten Jacket 

#7-32" circular (I switched to a 60" cable on the buttonband)

Stash yarn - all worsted weight wool

Size - 4/5ish??  I sent it to my sister for her daughter to wear.  

She just turned 3 years old and it fits her well.  =)

Corners of my Home

Antique Desk ... Chair and Cushion ... Granny Square Blanket ... 

Thrifted Treasures ... Favorite Project Basket 

Granite Stitch Baby Blanket

This pile of yarn ...

Hooky, hooky, hooky ....

(I see a stray yarn I forgot to clip, LOL )

Finished ... =)

Inspiration - Kristen's Beach Stripe Surf Blanket  

Yarn - Northern Wool and Baritone (deep discount @ Webs)

Hook - Size I/5.5mm

Border - Crab Stitch (the crochet version of I-Cord)

I am SMITTEN with Granite Stitch!!!!!!  It looks Really Intricate but is So Simple to do.  =) 

This hook/yarn combo is perfect ... not to stiff and not too floppy.

Baby Levi is now wrapped in this blanket.  He is the 5th child of Mr. K's high school buddy.  It was pretty exciting when he was born ... he has FOUR big sisters.  

A New Job =)

Just before Thanksgiving I discovered that there was a new yarn and quilt shop in the area.  A mom at school told me about it because she knows yarn is my Thing.  =)  Abigail and I stopped in one day after school, started chatting with the owner about my projects, and I walked out with a job.

LoL LoL LoL!!!

The store is called Wexford Dry Goods and it is the Loveliest place to work!

YARN

FABRIC

SITTING AREA

(Hi there, Abigail!)

DISPLAY CASE

(that scarf on top is my own design!)

 This book was one of the first things I saw when I walked into the store.  I knew IMMEDIATELY that there was a Kindred Spirit here. 

 GIFTS and PRETTY THINGS

So what exactly do I do at WDG besides drool over beautiful fabric and pet pretty yarn?!

I teach classes ... mostly crochet with a bit of knitting and quilting. =)

I've always wanted a little job like this!!  It fits me to a T.  =)

So Dear Carolyn, the Other Erin, Sherri, and Marianne ... thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting me be a part of your shop family.  

XOXOXO

Erin's Favorite Shawl

Half Granny Square Shawl
by Anastacia Zittel
(Ravelry link) 

One Skein of Lang Yarns Mille Colori - unknown colorway
 Ultra Alpaca Fine - border (from the All Shawl pattern)

Size 7/4.5mm hook



In Progress ... working on it whilst I wait for Abigail to get out of school.  Yes, I am That Weird Mom that sits on the steps knitting or crocheting All The Time.  =)

Do you see the little duck up by my shoulder?  That is my grandfather's tie pin that he wore every Sunday for as long as I can remember.  I use it as a small shawl pin.  

This shawl is 100% Erin and I could wear it Every Single Day.

Orange and white polka dot cardigan ... it matches.

Green Max Studio dress ... it matches.  

100% wool LL Bean sweater ... talk about being cozy warm!

(that's the sweater I am wearing in the pictures - $2 thrift store find)

Khaki, Jean, or Grey ... it matches.

I think everyone should have a shawl like this in their wardrobe.  =)

Low Volume Patchwork Pillow

I've sewn quilts ... lots of those.  =)

I've sewn tote bags, messenger bags, market bags, and knitting project bags.

I've sewn clothing ... well, sort of.  Does the baby variety count?!

I've never sewn pillows covers or drapes.

I don't ever plan on sewing drapes.  Perhaps curtains, if I really must.  =)

But Friday afternoon I sewed a pillow cover ... 

Leftover prints from a Low Volume quilt 

 Stash fabric for the envelope back

 Ikea pillow form kicking around the Work Room.

Start to Finish in less then one hour.  

I am seriously in LOVE with the Built-In walking foot on my Janome!!!!

    

Waiting for me in my Favorite Chair.  =)

Have a Lovely Weekend ... Stay Safe and Warm! 

New Year ... New Look!

DGD has been Spiffed Up!

I deleted any posts that had broken links.

I changed the background, clipart, and text to something Dotty, Colorful, and Happy.

Do you like it?!?!

This fall I got a new phone (the smarty-pants variety) and it was chock-full of pictures.  I successfully downloaded them all to the desktop and now I Can Not Find them!!!   Hopefully, Mr. K can locate them tonight. 

I was able to rescue this picture of my Work Room. =)

(yes, I tidied it up for the picture ... because I know you will ask)

Outside my window ... it is sunny but shivery cold.  I should not complain as it is actually warmer then yesterday ... 15 degrees instead of 7 degrees.  LoL  =)


I am thinking ... I want to blog LOTS MORE in 2013.  Last year was pretty skimpy here @ DGD and I am really sorry about that! (eta.  There are only 5 posts in 2012 ... that's pretty pathetic.  =(  )


I am thankful ... for all the lovely people who became followers of DGD last year even with the lack of blogging.  XOXOX


In the kitchen ... the dishwasher just finished running and I need to unload it.  Why is it that I so dislike that job?!


I am wearing ... a staple work outfit.  Cardigan with t-shirt and a Lacy Baktus on the top.  Skirt with tights on the bottom.  Would I be a total dork if I wore TWO pairs of tights one on top of the other so that I can stay warm?!?


I am creating ... a crocheted entrelac blanket for Abigail's 9th birthday (lots of hooky time yet as it is not 'til April) out of Stylecraft Special DK.  It is in Lucy colors + a "few" more that are coming from Deramores. 


I am wondering ... what to make for supper???  I made Zucchini Corn Chowder last week.  It was so YUMMY that I want to make it again.  =)  Thank you, Meg, for sharing the recipe with me!!


I am reading ... through the Bible with Mr. K and Abigail.  One chapter every night (when we remember =) ).  


 I am hoping ... that Abigail's presentation on the Netherlands goes well.  She made a poster and everything! 


I am looking forward to ... teaching the second session of Beginning Crochet today at Wexford Dry Goods.  I will tell you more about my new job sometime soon.  =)

I am hearing ... the hum of the furnance and not much else.  It is So Quiet when I am home alone.


Around the house ... lots and lots of baskets of yarn.  It is hard to keep them contained to the Work Room.  =) 


One of my favorite things ...Ravelry.  I've been tooling around it quite a bit lately and finding so much inspiration.   


I hope you have the Best Thursday Ever!

Erin