1930s triangles

 A month or so ago I went to a quilt shop that was going out of business and got a grab bag of 1930s (I suppose) half-square triangles for $1.87.  Not sure exactly what I'm going to make with them (well, baby quilt, as everyone seems to be expecting, but not sure the pattern yet), but I figured I could at least make squares out of them.  I have enough to make 132 of these and 19 solid white (perhaps I have enough of my own scraps of this batiste-type cotton to make 20).

So I've been sewing squares.  

 

All in a row, so I'm sort of making bunting, at least until I iron them.

Bunting seems appropriate, if you can see what's on my little TV...

Yes, it's a Royal Wedding special.

I also went to the British Consulate on a break from work (it's right across the street) and signed the congratulations book.  (Most exciting thing ever!)  I felt a little less silly when I saw that the Mayor had signed just before we got there!

What books have you read?

I've read 56 of the books listed here, and 1 (Shakespeare) unfinished. Not bad. Minus: several of the read books (Suitable Boy, Life of Pi, etc.) were school assignments or tutoring self-assignments (as students had to read them). Plus: most of the unread books are of the modern/trendy/"read the book of the movie!" variety. (Admission: I have read Bridget Jones....)

So.... have an English teacher as a mother and you'll read most of the classics at home; have two advanced degrees and you'll probably get most of the rest!

How about you?

Wallpaper

So, in my grandparents' kitchen, out in the country, this wallpaper was in the kitchen back in 1977. They replaced the rest, but not in the utility closet.

The best part? It's held together with electrical tape.

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Two-ball simple baby blanket

Simple baby blanket pattern:

Cast on 5.
Purl one row.

Increase section:
Odd rows:
P2, yo, K to last 2 sts, yo, P2.
Even rows:
P across.

Work until one ball of yarn is complete (I like to leave a few yards in case of uneven skein sizes).  Attach second ball.

Decrease section:
Odd rows:
P1, P2tog, yo, K2tog, K to last 5 sts, K2tog, yo, P2tog, P1
Even rows:
P across.
Work until 9 sts remain.
Next row: P1, P2tog, yo, K3tog, yo, P2tog, P1 (7 sts).
Next row: P across.
Next row: P1, P2tog, K3tog, P2tog, P1
Next row: P across
Bind off.

(Works with any yarn, any needle, any gauge, as long as you have two balls of the same size.  Have done this with bulky fluffy yarn and size 15s a few times.  Currently working with Bernat baby jacquards - florals, from Wal-Mart, as I was stuck with no yarn recently.  And size... 10? circulars.  Enjoy the way it works up, actually.  If I remember, I'll post a picture once it's finished - I'm halfway through.)

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Miniature quilt!

That's what I've been working on!  Miniature quilt from Terrie Sandelin's Miniatures in Minutes.  Didn't exactly take minutes - more like 2 days - but it's SO COOL how everything lines up so beautifully!  I've since picked off all the backing paper (used just computer paper - wasn't sure if I'd even like doing it, so didn't buy fancy supplies - but I think her recommendations of alternate materials are probably wise) and am waiting to figure out what to do with the finished product.  And how to quilt it.  A few of the seams are borderline not there (I wasn't sure how to place the triangles, as all the illustrations showed only vertical seams and then just said to keep piecing the rest, so some of the seam allowances got too large in some places and much too small in others), so in-the-ditch quilting is probably not wise.  Perhaps just along the grid (in the middle of it)? or diagonally across the triangles?  Either way, it was fun!

Guess what I've been up to?

Any guesses?

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Still plugging away

Number two in progress. Deadline: next Friday.

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