Carpet Bags

I made this pair of carpet bags for my cousin and her beau for Christmas. They were inspired many months ago (probably years if I think too hard) and were a lot of fun to make.

I had in mind that they might occasionally get a weekend away and these would be fun bags to check into a B&B with. They are focused around tapestry scenes, 3"x5", that I found and thought they would like. I rounded up several pairs of jeans from thrift stores around the state in coordinating colors and belts for the handles. Originally I intended to put something stiff in the bottom, but couldn't find anything to fit the bill when the time came.

I also could not decide on a closure, so I left that up to them to add as they are crafty people and were delighted with this. They are lined with a different batik, one has seashells and one reminds me of the ocean. Both have an inside pocket and the front of the top of a pair of jeans on one side and the back on the other. Then I just added pieces as I saw fit until they were a size I thought appropriate.

Weiner Dog Vest

I'm very excited that Christmas presents have been arriving and I can finally start posting about them. I made this fleece vest for Smokey's mom. She got a little weiner dog, Lola, last year and I picked up some fabric from my girlfriend's quilt shop in Cooper's Landing that had weiner dogs on it that reminded me of her. I've had this piece of blue fleece since I lived in Fairbanks over 10 years ago and always had in mind to make a vest out of it. The two pieces cames together just right. Smokey helped me pick out striped ribbon to finish of the edges. He was even gracious enough to undo the first round of binding with it on the collar. The gift was a success and is on it's was to Texas for vacation.

Fishbasket Quiviut Hat

The ever handsome Smokey is kindly modeling a hat I think is finally done. I knit this for a SAR friend of mine, starting back in September or October. I just added an inch or so to the band and reduced it by a few stitches so it would cup the cranium slightly. It was a joy to knit and I can't wait to finish my quiviut hat in a light smokey purple with cables.

Quiviut is spun from the underfur of the musk ox, which are raised and roam wild here in Alaska. It is super soft, eight times warmer than wool, and really really expensive. My friend insisted on paying me to knit this for him and though I refused at first when he offered to buy me a skein as well, I couldn't hardly say no. The pattern is a traditional version from a book I allowed this project to provide an excuse for purchasing, Arctic Lace.

Christmas Table Topper

The only real decorating I did this year was a little on the dinner table. We had a bottle of wine I had been saving for a special occasion.

And at the other end of the table I put my pretty box of frankinsense and myrrh. It smells good.

My friend, KAES, made the pieced table runner and gave it to me a couple years ago. I had candles and spruce cones on hand. I love red berries; Smokey and I saw a bush with red berries a couple weeks ago in a store parking lot. He was gracious enough to retrieve some spruce sprigs for me from outside. I believe they are ones he knocked off a tree in the yard while attempting to retrieve a Tatonka toy that was lodged in a branch.

Card

I took my first stab at making a card since I was in elementary school. Mostly I have been collecting pretty paper and fun stickers and the occasional paper crafting magazine. But somehow a pre-made card wasn't good enough for Smokey's mom. So I flipped through the mags and ended up with something looking nothing like anything I looked at. And I really like it. I'm not seeing handmade Christmas cards in my immediate future or anything, but I may make another one soon.

Autumn Pumpkin Jumpin

I am determined that as long as there is no snow in the office parking lot, it is still Autumn. Therefore, to celebrate Autumn, I finally 'finished' this cute wall hanging enough that I could bring it in and hang it in my office. I started it a couple years ago on the island, where I bought the pattern and fabric and started tracing the shapes. Last year I got the background and pieced border sewn. This year I got all the shapes cut out and ironed on to the background and got the other borders added. In keeping with this trend, I think next year I will do the fancy stitching around all the cut outs and the following year I will quilt it. So with the binding and hanging sleeve I figure it will be another 3 years until it is truly done, but it makes me smile. I hope the snow holds off until I can get the snowflake one ready to hang. That one has been waiting much longer, but is finally cut out.

Tatonka is a great quilt weight

I recently found the most perfect solution to having my quilt take flight while I'm trying to work on it. Place one 82.5 pound black lab on the end of it.

Tatonka was gracious enough to demonstrate this for me. You can see that he is fully tortured by this task, but being a good dog he does as he is told. No more pesky flying quilt! Thanks Tatonka.

This is a quilt for my Dad. It's about 10 years in the making. Smokey is currently working long hours for a show so I downloaded an Elm Creek Quilts book from audible and I listen to it and quilt after the dog park/dinner hours. Last night I got to move the frame over a section. I hope to finish the flying geese border some day too. One side is on and the other is about half done.

Tatonka now lays under the frame on my feet since the roll at the end is smaller.