Finally, I have once again picked up the sweater I've been working on for the past two years. It takes awhile, I only work on it for a few months after Christmas. This is a shot of the back, the front is done, and I have finally started the sleeves. I hope to get it done this winter. It is the Willow Tunic from Jamiesons Shetland Knitting book 2. The yarn is Berrocco Ultra Alpaca that I got a few years ago on my annual trek to Webs. Last year, actually in January 2009, I got enough yarn for two sweaters, a vest, two pairs of socks, a hat and mitten set, and two scarves. I haven't started any of these yet, and January 2010 is just about here. Can I justify more yarn? Hell, yes!

This is the quilt I worked on this last trip to Kalispell for a Judy Niemeyer retreat. It is her paper piecing pattern called Dancing Batiks, set a little differently. I will be making a bed size and work on it after Christmas. It was pulled together and cut about 2 years ago, and it is not as "warm" as I thought, so I will try to add some colors to balance out the many "cool" fabrics.

So glad I've finished working for the holiday! This is the first year since I started longarm quilting in 2001 that I've had more than 2 days off to get ready for Christmas. Now to clean, move furniture, decorate and shop, cook, wrap, and in my spare time I hope to hem the curtains I bought last year and hang them up!

I made this kindling box for the porch. Roger installed a cute little wood stove out there and this is perfect for it. It took only one day to paint the designs on it in a workshop at the Quilted Acorn in W. Newbury, MA. Of course Cynthia makes it very simple to do.

This UFO was from a Jan Krentz class at the Gathering a few years ago. The points get lost here.

This view is much better. I wonder what I did with all that background fabric?

Found another UFO in the pile under the cutting table. This was very dull without the cube blocks.

Now the quilt show is done til next fall, and this retreat is over, with lots of projects left to finish. It's time to drag out some ufo's to work on. This is one of my favorites. It was from a Strips That Sizzle workshop with Mimi Winder.

The mountains in Montana are breathtaking at every turn in the road!

The first stop this week was the Buggy Barn for Brenda and I. It is a tiny little carriage house, but when we walked in, we had to just stand there to look at all the quilts on every inch of wall and ceiling. Great fun!

This is the completed Dragon Star pattern. It won a first place and a Viewer's Choice at the Cocheco show this past weekend.
This is the last quilt I was working on. It won a red ribbon and a Judges Choice. I also showed the small quilt "Green River" and it got a blue ribbon.

Alrighty, now we're cookin! Got this ready to put together yesterday. Blocks are done, and paper is off! I wasn't sure about the green in the small border, but lime was too bright and olivey green faded away. I like this the best.

I was working on this quilt this spring for my cousin's wife, who was diagnosed with cancer. I finished it a few weeks ago, unfortunately on the day she died. Why do we think we always have time? I'm sending it to my cousin tomorrow after it gets a label.

Been working on this Judy Niemeyer paper pieced quilt this weekend. It's hot out, and I can't go anywhere for awhile. Have to take care of the dog, she's confined for 3 months after knee surgery. And the kitten is crazy. And the other dog hurt her hip. So I have been happily stealing some hours in my air conditioned studio. I have to go take care of everybody right now, I really don't want to stop. I think I will keep going on this tomorrow, can't wait to get this on the machine.