Boneyard Shawl

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Boneyard Shawl
Boneyard Shawl
Boneyard Shawl
Boneyard Shawl
Boneyard Shawl

It seems like spring has arrived around here. Everything has started to bloom and develop new growth. Yesterday we had the most wonderful spring weather. We got a little break from the rain and as you can see on the photos my peach tree is exploding with pink blossoms. It looks like a big cotton candy.

I finally finished my Boneyard Shawl. I started it back in January and it has been such a fun knitting experience. The progress was slow; only knitting a couple of rows a day. I still can't believe it is finally finished.  While at times it felt like a long process I enjoyed every bit of it and I learned so much from this project. Halfway through the shawl I discovered that the technique I was using to do the yarn overs along the spine and the edges was not the right one to get a perfectly shaped decorative eyelet. But I've done so much I didn't want to frog the whole thing and start over. So I decided to keep going and finish it anyways. And I'm glad I did. I love the way it turned out even with its little imperfections. To finish it off I used a sewn cast off technique (which until then I had never heard of it before)  that I learned from this book. If you are interested in knitting or learning how to knit it is a great reference book to add to your library.

 There is so much I still have to learn about knitting, but slowly I'm gaining more confidence to try more complicated patterns.  I'm really looking forward to starting my next knitting project.

Have a lovely week!

*Linking up to Wool on Sundays at

Rainbow Hare Quilts

*

XX

Martha. 

February Moments

February 2014

February was a fun month. I'm looking forward to see what March will bring; specially all of the Spring flowers. 

I hope you are having a lovely weekend.

XX 
Martha.

Friday Link Up: A Picture... A Moment

A picture... a moment

Sunday bliss: prepping breakfast. And one of my favorite things about living in California: finding local berries in the market year round. 

How about you? Did you capture any special moments this week?

Weekend Doings

Join me at sharing your special moment from your week. Please visit others and promote the link up with a text link or with the button.

XX
Martha




Lately

Pyramid Quilt - Progess
Pyramid Quilt - Progress
Pyramid Quilt - Progress

It feels like I haven't quilted in ages... My last quilt I finished was last December. So it really has been a while. It is crazy how time flies! 
At the begining of the year I made a list of the quilts I wanted to accomplish in 2014 and   a Pyramid/Triangle quilt was one of them. I bought the triangle ruler almost a year ago (that's how long it has been on mind).  So finally a couple weeks ago I started pulling fabrics from my little stash and put together a selection that I thought would look good together. I have been cutting a few triangles each night and a more on the weekends and on Sunday I finally cut all the pieces a need to start putting the quilt top together. I can't wait to put this quilt together and finally check it off my list :)
I hope you are having a lovely week.

XX
Martha.

Friday Link Up: A Picture... A Moment

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Spring is in the air! The first peach blossoms started to make their appearance. Oh spring is such a magical time. 

How about you? Did you capture any special moments this week?

Weekend Doings

I'm looking forward to seeing your special moments. Add your link and visit others. And please promote the link up with a text link or the button.

XX
Martha


Adventures in Dressmaking: My First Finish

Stylish Dress Book Volume 2 - Top A
Stylish Dress Book Volume 2 - Top A
Stylish Dress Book Volume 2 - Top A
Stylish Drees Book Volume 2 - Top A

So here it is, I finally finished the top I have been working on.  My first addition to my handmade wardrobe. The pattern is Top A from the Stylish Dress Book Volume 2. The pattern is actually very easy to follow and extremely  user friendly; especially for beginners like me. All the instructions are put in a few easy steps and it includes pictures to illustrate the construction.

 I really like the way it turned out. However there are some things that didn't come out as planned. The fit is a bit loose but I think this gives me a good starting point for sizing when using this book. Although, I been debating whether or not I I should take a few inches from the sides. Finally the fabric, while I love the silky texture and amazing drape it has, it had its challenges working with it. It frays very easily so I had to be careful at not handling it too much before ovelocking the edges. And hand basting became my best friend since the fabric is very slippery. I wanted to make sure the pieces didn't shift while sewing them. Specially the pleats and the neck binding.

My friend Nat has the same book so we had decided to make the same top and share our adventures (I'm a bit late sharing mine, sorry Nat). You can see her top here.

 She shares her insights about working with this pattern and a mini tutorial on how to make the gathering for the sleeves. 

Overall I think  my first experience in dress making was a success. I'm really looking forward to adding  a few more handmade items to my wardrobe. 

Have a great week!

**Linking up to New To Me in 2014 over at 

Celtic Thistle Stitches

 **

XX

Martha.

Friday Link Up: A Picture... A Moment

Bird Watching

Bird watching... After a storm I went out to the garden and found a flock of these little guys feasting on the flower pods from the birch trees. It was such a joy to stand under the trees and watch them move from branch to branch and listen to their chirps. I hope they come back soon.

How about you? Did you capture any special moments this week?

Weekend Doings

Now on to the link-up. Add your link and  visit others how link-up. And please promote the link-up with a text link or with the button. Thank you for stopping by.

XX
Martha.