WAYWO: The q, the k, & the w

What Are You Working On? is a weekly community series for all things crafty and hand-made.  Our dear emeraldmaiden is away from her computer this afternoon.

In my user name, there is a q for quilt; a k for knit; and a w for weave.  Long ago, yahoo limited a new user id to 8 characters.  And those were my three favorite hobbies at the time.  I still quilt and knit.  About the time I got a grip on weaving, I finally became and stayed pregnant.  I dropped that hobby before I became overly involved, to simplify (ha!) my life.

I also recently tried a new medium of self-expression and art, and have pictures below the fold.  So come and share - what you're working on, what you finished (yeah!), and any questions . . .

Near our house is a location of a franchised studio, Color Me Mine.  Our family went on a recent Tuesday 2-1 night, and I chose to paint something for my new kitchen.    

It was so much fun!  I am thinking about painting the tiles for the backsplash, or at least some of them!  It was kind of weird, trying to fit the butterfly around the outlet openings, but I do really like the effect.  I had no idea I would enjoy this medium so much, as I usually prefer the softer textures of fibers.  As you can see, the outlet cover is installed in the 100% functional kitchen.  Cabinets, countertops, sink, and appliances all in place; walls, ceilings, and floors in progress.

Here is my first finished quilt:

It is a 14" circle.  Booneslick Trail Quilt Guild in Columbia, Missouri, has an annual quilt weekend at a retreat center.  I began this small quilt at a "learn to hand quilt" workshop at the annual retreat in the mid-90's, using a fan template (straight lines and curves included).  I had such a good time, I copied the template three times into the complete circle.  One thing I really like is that I have the learning-progression of my quilting stitch and how it improved.  Here is a closeup of a rosette along the edge:

One thing I don't like about this project is how difficult it is to take decent photos!

The next project isn't technically a quilt.  It is the fastest and easiest gift or project for babies and children.  Take two lengths of inexpensive flannel (it ravels better).  Put them wrong sides together.  The lengths can be about 36" square for a newborn.  For my kids, I kind of lay it out for their length and arm-span.  My son is just now big enough where I need to stitch the individual pieces together before the main construction.

Next, using a triple stitch if you have it, or zig-zag three times around the circumference, about 1 or 1.5 inch in from the edge.  I like to use contrasting thread.  Next, fringe the outside edge - be careful not to cut through your stitching line.  If you do, you will just have to stitch it closed again.  I mean, you should cut perpendicularly to the edge, about every half-inch or so.  This is something to do while watching TV.  

To personalize this gift, I use free-motion stitching, with my darning foot and no feed dogs.  I spell the child's name, or "draw" giant stars or flowers.  You can put a dot of no-fray or fabric glue on any thread ends, but I usually sew continuously over the entire work.  Then wash it a few times, and watch the edges curl up.  

My son scored a picture in last night's Saturday Night Losers' Club, toward the end of the comments.  So here is my daughter with her blanket, and a closeup of the work.  

While I had the camera out, I took a few more pictures.  At my children's preschool, the child draws a special picture which is transferred to a dinner plate.  When my son was 3.5 years old, this is the plate he drew, and it's our first one from the Jewish Community Center Early Childhood Education.  

I was kind of puzzled by the plate when I first saw it.  I dropped down to one knee and look son in the eye and asked "what is this, honey?"  He said (sniff sniff)  "Mommy, it's YOU when you were pregnant with me!"  No morsel of food has ever touched this plate!

My daughter became old enough to figure out that her brother had a plate on the wall, and she didn't.  She asked about it, and I told her if she drew something really special, we'd put it on the wall too.  Since she drew this, we have stripped our kitchen walls, but it is waiting to be hung up in a place of honor.

It's US!  I'm in the pink dress.  She doesn't like to draw hands.  :-)

Join us this evening for some sharing and chatting - - -