Making Stitching into a Quilt!

I finally finished Liberty Bears and when I say finished, I mean FINISHED. I decided not to frame it, but to make it into a mini-wall quilt. Since the fabric is a muted tone, I think it can handle not being protected by glass. Also, there's the cost of framing that I have saved. Yay, me. AND, everything I used was from stuff I already had. Stashbuster Alert!

So, I'll take you through the process.
I found a backing large enough and laid it out. (It had to have these additional features: not clashing with the binding fabric I'd already chosen and not being so dark it could stain the wall.)
Then I added some batting. (Leftovers from Cielo). Then I laid out Liberty Bears on top.I used a square ruler to shift the fabric over. As it was a loose weave, it complied without blocking: yay!
I cut the whole thing--top, batting, and back 1.5" from the edge of the stitching. No question that this was the scariest part!
I pinned around the whole thing every inch, as Theres recommends.
I machine-sewed down the binding, like these instructions at About.com.
I flipped it over and sewed down the binding by hand, using the invisible stitch.
I sewed down two large and otherwise useless stitch markers on the back for hanging it up.

Stuck in My Head: "Topaz" by the B-52's

Okay. So that last post looked like something I would delete from my inbox. But really, can you believe that the only things I wouldn't try again are salted lassi and Krispie Kreme doughnuts?
I finished up "On the Riverbank." Yay! Now I can put that project to bed. (har!) You see, it's a quilt and I punned on the... never mind.
And here is "Cielo." It's another double 4-patch swap quilt. I made about 4 of the blocks in it. Pictured here it is laid out for pinning. The medium blue back is peeking out around the top. In other words, please don't think I'm putting 3 borders on this!
And here is "Liberty Bears" in progress. I've decided to leave the checked border with just the navy. You can see where I've started in on white, but I'll pull that out shortly.
Gotta big day. I'm going to a moving party, playing mah jongg, and participating in an interview about funny women. If it's as cool as it sounds, I'll tell you all about it.

Listening to: "On the Sunny Side of the Street"

Whoa. I begin to realize that I'm not just blogging for me. I love being part of the online crafting community! Valerie asked that my "Way Too Many Projects" section be converted to something clickable. I put it off because it seemed like a real time commitment. It wasn't. But I had to think it through. So feel free to click away, kids!

I sat in the window this morning and sewed on the binding for "On the Riverbank," below. You can see I'm almost halfway done. I provided a pic of the front, because it's honestly more interesting. And during another "Escape From the House," I went to see "House Bunny." As the socks are doable without any attention (PLEASE don't say boring--I'm trying not to think it... Oh, now you've done it), I knitted through the flicker. It was just what I had hoped: innocently crass and even a little charming. So I've completed the gusset on sock #2. (Click for the definition of a gusset) So I'll call 'em 60% done on my ravelry page.

And here's the first pic of Sleeves Without a Sweater. Okay, Sleeve Without a Sweater. It's pretty basic: stockinette in the round until the last six rows where I'll put some ribbing.

Liberty Bears got a little attention, too. I added some backstitching to the bears. All that's left is the numbers and finishing. I think I may finish it soft. What I mean is that I'll make it into a mini-quilt for the wall. Border, back, binding, and some kind of stiff batting to help it keep its shape. I'm thinking of sewing two little rings on the back for hanging it up. Has anyone done that? I'd appreciate any tips on the subject.

... and the Red Thread Continues!

Here's the February installment of the Red Thread. Gosh, I like this project! I almost want to start March now, but discipline is a good thing. You might be able to see where I used the hand-dyed threads as opposed to the standard DMC colors: The hat & little heart and the red thread itself. It's nice to have options. Especially less expensive options!Warm Water Wash is moving right along. The trunks are a little like my DH's, and I've had a black bathing suit with a gold buckle--how funny is that?And here's Liberty Bears! I'd like your opinion. As you can see, the pattern calls for a checkerboard border around the whole thing. I'm thinking of deleting the border and just framing it without. The border seems awfully busy and will just underline the country theme which is not really my style. Will the no-border look just kinda bleed off the edge? Am I just trying to finish it sooner?

Washing Liberty?

As you can see, I've started Warm Water Wash. These threads are a bit tricky to work with. I want to preserve the striations that come from the deliberate unevenness of hand-dying so each stitch must be completed on its own rather than running a row in halves then coming back over it. Some of the color runs show variety better than others. Also, this one is another that requires good lighting. I can only sit in Starbucks so long to sew! Longer if I can get a window.
Also, Liberty Bears is showing some personality. I decided to focus on the bears so they can keep me company. Their names are Troy and Zelda. This one is huge count--I don't know, maybe 7 stitches to the inch! Sometimes that gives a simple piece a more primitive feel and, as the fabric looks almost like natural burlap, that seems appropriate. Happily, it doesn't require great lighting!