Toddler Surprise Jacket and Cupcake Hat

I finished the toddler surprise jacket which is just a toddler size version of the Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman.  The yarn is Baby Bee Sweet Delight Baby in Meema’s Blue.  I gave this to a 6 yo niece for Christmas.  The color is not a bright as this photo suggest.

Here is a closer view of the buttons.

Now for the cupcake hat.  It was sent to me by an old friend (she was an OR nurse at Lahey Clinic when I rotated through there during my plastic surgery residency) who made the hat.  She also sent me a copy of the pattern so I can make more.  I gave this one to a 2.5 yo niece for Christmas.

Preemie Garments

I had trouble finding preemie garments at the local stores to give to my niece for her twin girls so I decided to try my hand at making a few.  I found a great source for patterns for preemies here.

They are not perfect as I am not used to machine sewing such small garments.  Also, my I broke my serger several months ago and never replaced it.  The edges of the garments would be much easier to finish with a serger rather than bias tape or hand embroidery blanket stitch.  Anyway, here they are.

These two are made from a soft flannel I happened to have using the preemie serger gown pattern.  I used bias binding to finish the edges and Velcro for closures.

These two are from the same pattern using some fun cotton print fabric.

These two are made from flannel fabric using preemie shirt pattern.  I finished the edges by hand using embroidery thread and a blanket stitch.

Baby Surprise Jacket

I made this BSJ for a grand-niece.  It is the second I've made  (you can see my first one here).  The pattern is Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Baby Surprise Jacket.   This one uses some sock yarn whose label I had lost and Lion Brand LB 1878 fingering in a dark red.

Here is the back view

I used heart buttons

I've started a new jacket in a toddler size for a niece.  I’m using Baby Bee Sweet Delight Baby in Meema’s Blue.

Scrappy Wonky Log Cabin Baby Quilt

I made this baby quilt for my friend @gastromom's first grandchild.  Her son and daughter-in-law are expecting their first baby this coming spring.  I used the scrappy wonky log cabin block, trimming the blocks to 10.5 in square.  The finished quilt measures 33 in X 44 in.  It is machine pieced and quilted.

This next photos show some of the interesting items to be found in the quilt fabrics.  This one shows the Arkansas fabric, flowers, trees, a steamboat, and lots of colors (pink, yellow, green, blue, red).

In this one you can find dogs, trees, strips, plaids, Oklahoma, a blue steer.

This one has more dogs, a cat, signs, and a car.

In this one you can find an owl, another car, stars, flowers, and leaves.

More Knitted Hats

I've completed a few more hats.  These are adolescent or adult size.  These first two I am donating along with these previous ones to my father-in-law’s Church’s homeless ministry.

This one is knit using Marsan Watchcap by Staceyjoy Elkin.  The yarn is Vanna’s Choice.

This one is a slouch hat knit using Intuitive by Julia Zahle.  The yarn is Paton’s Classic wool.

This one is adolescent size.  I may give it to one of my nieces or nephews.  It is knit using Lucky Seven by Robin Melanson.  The yarn is Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted Solids & Heathers.

This one is adult size knit using Noro spiral one-skein hat by Manuèle Ducret.  The yarn is Vanna’s Choice.   I may give it to one of my nieces.

Finished!

I have finished this small charm quilt!  It is approximately 42 in X 54 in.  It is machine pieced and quilted.

I thought that since the quilt was only 42 in wide that I wouldn't need to piece the back.  After all most fabric these days are at least 45 in wide.  Mine wasn't quite wide enough by about 1 in, so I sewed a single strip along one side.

I still have to add the label.  I haven't decided what to do with this one.  I may donate it to the Alzheimer's Study Quilt Program  or save it in reserve for when a friend/acquaintance needs one.

Sandy Quilt Blocks

Recently received an email the Quilting Gallery asking for help.  Michelle has organized a Quilt Block Drive matching up those that want to make quilt blocks with those that will assemble the finished quilts for donation. She is asking for scrappy wonky log cabin blocks and has  provided the tutorial too. If you want to lend a hand, you can find the Info and registration here (link removed 3/2017).

I made four blocks and have mailed them to my team leader.

I cut off some of the black strip in this photo but it is as wide on all sides.

More Premie Knitting

I knit two small blankets with matching hats for my niece's twin premies from Plymouth Yarn Dreambaby DK Prints using Just My Size Basketweave Preemie Baby Blanket by Cathy Waldie.  The hats were knit using the pattern Ali's Premie/Newborn Beanie by Tajie Maxedon

Here is a photo that shows the yarn (white with pastel dots) better.

Here are nine more I have knit using left-over yarn from other projects.

From top left to right, then the second row, then the third row; here are the corresponding projects the yarn came from:
1.  Lacy Leaf Scarf/ Drops Top with Lacy Pattern
2.  Monkey Fingerless Mitts
3.  Sunrise Chevron Socks
4.  re-su yukata Sweater

5.  Brambles Beret
6.  Kernel Scarf
7.  Swirl Jacket
8.  Cross-skull Hat  (hat with this yarn not in photo)
9.  Intuitive Hat

Progress Note -- Charm Quilt

I finally have the charm quilt pieced.  It is basted and I have begun the quilting.  I looked through my copy of Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns but did not find this pattern.  So I still don't know the name of the pattern.

Here is a close up to show some of the quilting

Brambles Beret

This is one I may very well keep.  This beret is knit using  the pattern Brambles Beret by Amanda Muscha.  The yarn, Cascade Yarns Eco Duo,  is so soft.  It was a pleasure to knit.

Here is a closer view to show the lovely cables.

Here is the underside

Expedition Hats

These two hats were knit using the pattern Expedition hat by Maude L. Baril.  The two color one uses  Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in a color called Little Rock Granite and Lion Brand Hometown USA Tweeds in oatmeal. 

This one is made using only the oatmeal Tweeds.

Both are adult size.  I plan to donate them to my father-in-law for their homeless outreach as winter will be here soon.

Charm Quilt -- WIP

I was inspired by a recent article in the American Quilter magazine (November 2012 issue) -- "Building a Palette by Seeing Fabrics in a Different Way” by Weeks Ringle -- to use sample fabrics I had been saving over the years.  The fabrics were mostly 5 in X 5 in squares.  Seemed perfect for inclusion into a charm quilt (see info in post after pattern info).

The article did not give the pattern names or directions for the quilts featured, so I drafted my own (still don't know the name of the pattern).  Here's my drafted pattern and the photo which inspired me.

The pattern consists of two basic blocks.  One block is simply square A.  The other block consists of the three pieces:  square A, rectangle B, and rectangle C.  The measurements of the pieces:
square A:  2.25 in squares (finished square will be 1.75 in)
rectangle B:  2.25 in X 4.5 in (finished size 1.75 in X 4 in)
rectangle C:  1 in X 8 in (finished size 0.5 in X 7.4 in)

Here is one of the finished composite blocks:

Here are some finished blocks laid out on my design wall.  Notice the layout of the blocks, one upright and the next one rotated 90 degrees.  The single block A will sit in the “hole.”

The fabric packs I am using are two from Benartex, one labeled the Modern Mix by Jennifer Young and the other not further labeled.  Another fabric packets from Merryvale -- the Fine China Blue designed by Bonnie Benn Stratton.  Other fabrics used will be just whatever I have in my stash.

The big difference between a charm quilt and a scrap/scrappy quilt is that each fabric is only used once.   As I am using the white muslin repeatedly, mine is not a “true” charm quilt.

Here are some nice articles on charm quilts:

A Brief History of Charm Quilts by Robin Brisson

Charm Quilt History: The Ultimate Scrap Quilts by  Judy Anne Breneman

The Charming One Patch by Janet Jo Smith

Premie Hats

One of my nieces recently had twins several weeks premature.  I had not done quilts for these two as I had already made baby quilts for her first two.  I have decided to use leftover yarns to make her twins hats.  I have bought yarn to knit small blankets.  Here are three hats (the duplicates aren't shown but exist).  All were made using the small pattern/needles but different yarns so ended up slightly different in size.  The pattern is Ali's Premie/Newborn Beanie by Tajie Maxedon.

This first one is made using the Noro Taiyo yarn leftover from the swirl jacket.

This second one is made from the Artyarns Ensemble Glitter Light  yarn leftover used to make the date night sweater (which I gave to a sister who gave it to a friend).

This third one is made from leftover Artyarns Supermerino yarn used to make the undulating leaves scarf.

Finished -- My First Swirl Jacket

I finished!  It only took me two months of knitting most evenings.  It's not perfect (I can point out a few errors), but it looks good and I like the way it fits.  I am already thinking about making another one in a monochromatic color scheme (red).

As mentioned in this earlier post, the pattern for my swirl jacket is  Sheer Beauty by Sandra McIver.    The two yarns:  Noro Taiyo (color #28) and Malabrigo Lace in Damask (#13o).

Here's a front view:

Here's a side view, isn't the drape nice?

Here's the back view:

Another of the back with the arms raised (and my dog Rusty who tried to sneak into the photo):

You can see photos of my blocking  here and here.

Four Friends

Updated 3/2017--all links removed as many no longer active.

I wish I had @zdoggmd talent, perhaps I ‘d have a better title with a play on say “3 men and a baby.”  Three of these friends are women with breast cancer, the other is a man with pre-Alzheimer's.   All have/are facing their diagnosis and life with amazing grace and strength.  All are raising money for their causes.  I want to share their links.

Two are local friends who are doing the local Race for the Cure and  raising money for Susan G. Komen.

Noor Kabani, MD works for Baptist Medical Center in their eICU.  Baptist put together Team Kabani for her.  Here is the link to join her team or donate in her name.

Heather Owens is the daughter of two friends, one a local ED physician.  I went to her wedding a few years back.  She is just 29 yr old.  She is writing about her journey with breast cancer at Fighting Fancy.  She is featured in the October 2012 issue Soiree magazine.  Her Race for the Cure team is Fighting Fancy (click on link to join her team or donate in her name).

The third woman is the wife of one of our medical bloggers.  I have not meet her in person, but have made quilts for two of her children and given her one.  She is doing “Making Strides for More Birthdays” and raising money for American Cancer Society.  Click here to join her team or donate in her name.

My fourth friend, DeWayne Nash, is a friend from medical school.  He lives near Austin, TX and is a retired Family Medicine physician.  His blog is Organic Green Doctor.  He is doing Walk to End Alzheimers (click on the link to join his team or donate in his name).  Here is a  link to the video   which features he and his wife, showing their involvement at the Alzheimer's Disease Center.

My Heart Stopped When Quilt

I finished the small quilt which is a "repeat" of one I made a few years ago -- "You Melt My Heart."  It was inspired by Movin Meat’s post:  Fearful Symmetry.  As before, I took the EKG, printed it out, enlarged a small segment and used it for the quilt.  The center design was machine appliqued, the dark red fabric was then hand sewn into place.  I then machine quilted it.  When I was sewing the binding in place, I noticed that even though I had carefully zigzagged the EKG design twice, some areas were trying to come undone.  I had to then hand embroider inside of the zigzag to make sure the fabric stayed in place.  The finished quilt measures 17.5 in square.

Here is a close up of the center heart.   Notice the Victorian window fabric behind the black with the “rose” in the upper area.  The Torsades de Pointes featured in the EKG is a beautiful but deadly rhythm.  I tried to do a play on the beauty of the EKG and the Victorian fabric when I named the quilt:  my heart stopped when (you walked in the room).

This one shows the chalk quilt marking before the quilting was done:

Here is the back before the sleeve and label were added.  You can see a "ghost" of the quilting but not as well as in the above photo.