Thank God I finished the red and white quilt. I’ve been busy making things for Einav.
First, fitted crib sheets. The pink umbrellas are for her, the yellow animals are for her brother. It’s not just about her.
I was at Michael Levines’ and I saw this fabric. Those look like mountain goats to me, so I had to get that fabric for Eyal. Btw, I’m very concerned about Michael Levines. They aren’t doing well. The shut down the home decorating store across the street. The main store just doesn’t feel right. They used to have a monthly flyer – a different sale every day. Now it’s just 20% across the board. They still have nice fabrics, but… Something felt very off. It appeared to me that there is less fabric. Even in the quilting cotton section, there were some empty shelves. I hope they aren’t going out of business, but.. I don’t know. It just didn’t feel right.
I went to Michael Levines’ rather than Candy’s because I thought they’d have a larger selection of cuddle fabric and double gauze. They didn’t, I’m very pleased with this pale pink and delicate print. But that was about all the choice I had. These blankets are easy to make and so wonderful. Eyal has two and he uses them all the time.
How cute is this fabric? It is so much fun sewing for girls.
So, here is the pile for Einav, crib sheet, soft blanket and something called a Swaddelini. Over a year ago I heard a podcast with the woman who invited this thing. Most newborns love to be wrapped very tighty in a swaddle. Most come loose quickly. This is a knit item that doesn’t come loose and grows with the child. I kept the info about this in the back of my mind. As soon as we got home, I placed my order. I’ll have to get reports to see if they use it and if it helps. She is beginning to get fussy, as all babies do by the time they are two weeks old.
I also started knitting a blanket. This is a cotton/bamboo yarn, so it won’t be very warm, but I just can’t knit with wool right now. I had just finished that sweater, and yes, while knitting it I was sweating.
Soon I’ll be done with the first border, most of the blanket is just stockinette, then the same border again. The yarn is very soft and comfortable to knit with.
At the farmers market, I took pictures of grapes. This will be the basis of my color scheme for the quilt I am planning. I have some ideas of how I’ll go about with this quilt.
It is so wonderful being busy making items for a granddaughter!
It’s been over 9 months since I started this quilt. Of course I can blame the sewing machine table fiasco for the length of time it took to finish this. I didn’t want to start quilting until I had the large table. So it sat and sat.
I am thrilled with the result. I started with an oval mariners compass pattern from Judy Mathison, that was paper pieced. I really loved Edyta Sitar’s Alaska quilt. So I took elements from there as well.
I did a lot of ruler work on this quilt. The thread kept breaking. I know this has to do with moving in one particular direction. At some point I slowed down and that helped. But often when the thread broke, I’d just start again. Also, turns out that the white fabric I used wasn’t pure white. You know what they say about choosing White House paint… So the back and border are a brighter white. Oh well, that is just how it is.
Here and there I’d get a birds nest with the red thread on the back. That happened when I just rethread and started quilting without pulling the bobbin thread through to the top. Oh well. Once again, this quilt is for me. I’m not anxious to put it in shows. It is quite stunning and I’m not looking for perfection.
I am very pleased with the quilting. It was a lot of work, ruler work isn’t easy, but I love the results.
Here you can see some ruler work both on the red and on the large white area. There is also plenty of free motion quilting. Moving the quilt rapidly in all directions certainly prevents thread breakage. I also realized, don’t get too creative, repetition of pattern is very pleasing to the eye.
A white backing is lovely, it also shows all the mistakes.
I just love the quilting in this section. the squiggles, the circles, even the ruler work outlining the red patches. It came through here.
Fitting the oval into the overall pattern was a challenge. I just went for it, and it worked out beautifully.
While sewing on the binding, I looked up at the mirror across the room, had to take a picture of course.
Artistic photo. I used wool batting, I love the puffiness of the quilt. I still need to embroider a label. Basically, this is done, I’ll probably make Einav a quilt before I get around to labeling this one. I won’t be washing this one. I didn’t prewash the reds, some are old and from donations, they will probably bleed. So no washing.
With the arrival of a new granddaughter, I have a list of things to make here quilt, a knitted afghan, a stuffed animal. But first I want to finish projects I’m working on. I don’t want to set them aside.
First done is this sweater. Right off the needles. Before being blocked.
A more artsy picture, you can see how the ribbing is funky and the knitting isn’t smooth.
An artistic shot. You can see some of the reverse side of the FairIsle, nice smooth and loose.
I tried the sweater on before blocking. I didn’t even notice that the cuff is turned up. It is really hot and here I am outside with a wool sweater.
Fixed the cuff, but you can see how ‘unfinished’ this looks. Sort of like what happens if you sew a garment and don’t iron each seam as you go.
The sweater has soaked, I have laid it out flat and pushed it into shape. No need for pins here, this isn’t lace that needs to be stretched out to show the pattern.
Mostly dry. Everything is much smoother, the ribbing isn’t rolling up, the I-cord on the neck line is lying flat.
Sorry about the dumb, there is a tie on this dress and it is poking through. Everything about the sweaters smoother, more relaxed. I am so happy with the results.
It’s been a very long time since I’ve knit a pullover. The last few sweaters I knit didn’t please me all that much. I probably chose poorly designed patterns. I’m sorry this photo has my shoulders in the sun, but boy was it hot and I wanted it off quickly. The short rows really allow the back of the sweater to fit nicely. No, I’m not anxious for cold weather, I am still loving summer, but when it cools I will love wearing this.
Life changes in an instant, this time a good instant. I had been babysitting Eyal, his dads’ got home and I left. Half an hour later, a phone call. They had just heard from their adoption agency – a woman was having a c-section and chose them, could they come up to NorCal right now??? Not at that moment but the next morning they could. They asked me to come along to with what would very soon become big brother.
Early in the morning at the airport, sorry, part of the picture is blurry. This is the last picture of a family three.
Big helper! That is just my bag, next to it, the carseat for the new infant. Along with a lot of other crap. As soon as we got to the hospital, the two of them ran upstairs, I walked the neighborhood with Eyal. We weren’t sure if we’d be allowed up. Mother’s choice. Within 40 minutes, we were upstairs and there I am, holding my newest granddaughter.
Healthy, small, beautiful and a redhead! Just like one of her fathers.
There were even moments of open eyes.
Big brother meeting new baby sister. Sorry about the booger under his nose, I’ll blame all the excitement. Yes, it was cleaned off quickly.
First picture with family of four!!!
And with Savta (grandma) in the picture as well.
She is sooo tiny! This newborn stage doesn’t last long.
Eyal and I didn’t spend too much time at the hospital. We went to playgrounds, the hotel pool, the library and the supermarket. I love these carts, later I saw one that was like a firetruck. Oh well, pink is now a big part of their new family.
The Dads’ got a room in the hospital so they could stay with her. Eyal and I had a room together in a hotel. He was so good and well behaved. Really the only meltdown was at the TSA line on the way home. He expressed what all of us in line were feeling. I love it that we were recipients of one of those hats that ladies knit for the preemies. No, thank God, she isn’t preemie, but they had a hat and she got one. Pink of course!
We went to the local Farmers market, look at the size of the watermelon! It is purely coincidence that he is wearing his watermelon shirt. Right now this is his favorite fruit.
We made it home safely, traveling with a 3 day old, that is an experience. She was so good. Not everyone noticed her, those who did wondered if I was carrying a doll. It is so rare to see a newborn, especially at airports.
Here she is! One week old, she is eating, pooping and sleeping so well. So she’ll fill out those chicken legs. Also, in week, she will exit the blob stage, at two weeks babies start with issues, hopefully no colic, but more crying.
Oh, her name, she has a name! Einav Danielle. A- Nov – as in the start of the word novice. Emphasis on the second syllable. She is named for my grandmother Arlene, who was also a red head. Einav means grape in Hebrew, which connects in other ways to the families. My crazy maiden name Lozowick might mean branch of the vine, that is what Israeli relatives told us when they Hebraicized that name. My last name Kabaker could be a derivation of Inn keeper, so we’ve been told. So the grape is filling. Danielle is in honor of Yoch’s father who passed away years ago.
Now, to revel in another grandchild and thank God for all my blessings.
My poor quilt has been languishing again. Mostly because of the sleeping bag.
I need to get my head back into this project, this is the longest it’s ever taken me to get a quilt done. Since I put this down, I figure it is easy to pick up some garment sewing.
I put one one of the skirts I made. The other is the same simple pattern, but it is in the laundry right now.
A while later I took another picture, yup, cotton gets wrinkled.
Skirts are very easy to sew and not easy to find in the stores. Yes, I enjoy shopping for clothes as well as making them. The other day someone commented on how cute this skirt is. I think part of the reason is that one can’t find a skirt like this in any store. I’ll be honest, I shop the TJ max and Nordstrom Rack type stores, and they carry skirts, but never something like this.
I knew when I bought this shirt that it would probably be too big and boxy, and it is. But it is made out of linen, I am such a sucker for linen. I love wearing it, it really is the most comfortable fabric in hot weather. Looking at this picture I see how boxy it is, way too boxy. Not flattering at all. Even if the color does look ok on me.
So I went inside and served the side seams. Still boxy, but better, I’m not swimming in a tent. Also, I now use my phone as a remote control and I’m trying to figure out how to use it without the phone being front and center in the picture.
At least in this image, the phone blends in with the background.
Look how cute this fabric is, old fashioned floral, but look closely, there are bees! I love the bees!
Last time I showed you my knitting progress, I was finishing up the yoke. Since then I’ve knit the whole body. I just didn’t take pictures.
This pattern uses short rows to make the back higher than the front. I love that. I’m sure the sweater will fit nicely.
A number of friends have commented on the color choices. It is unique. I love the green.
If I wear wool tights with the cotton yellow skirt, I’ll be able to wear this sweater with the skirt. We shall see, they would look very nice together.
I can’t believe that Eyal is about to turn two. Where does the time go? He is also moving on from day care to Nursery School, yes there will be a component of day care as well. He will be napping there and needs to bring his own sleeping bag and pillow.
I had just gotten an email about this new pattern. I have enjoyed Melly’s patterns before, mostly toys. So why not, give it a try.
Since Eyal means mountain goat in Hebrew, I went looking for goat fabric. I found some!! It was the end of the bolt, but I was going to make it work!
One of the first things I did was make the ears. The pattern is ok, I think she is writing it for people who don’t really know how to sew that well.
I made a matching pillowcase. As you can see, I only had enough of the goat fabric left for them to run perpendicular to the pillow case. Hey, at least they are there.
Here is a better view of the side opening with pillow case. I think it will make it just so much easier to use. I like this better than a zipper.
Since I’ve been on an animal kick, it wa nice to showcase them together. The elephant stays here, even though I think all the grandkids would want him.
The pillow case functions as a bag for the sleeping bag. It will up to his dads to get him a pillow. I know his will be the best sleeping bag in the whole school. I rarely sell my work, but boy do I love having it out in the world with people I love.
Spending a few hours with my granddaughter doing those fun things together. We went to the Farmers market for Sushi
…and ice cream. Summer is here, we needed ice cream. I’m not sure anyway pays any attention to this travel angel. He’s got to be close to 30 years old. This is from back in the day when NYC had cows all over the place, so LA chose angels. There are fewer of them still around. The reason this guy looks so good is he is protected from the elements, and to be honest I don’t think most people even see him
She wanted a hot pink LA hat! She also wanted some books. We did go into the American Girl store, just to look. Even though she probably would love one of those dolls, she knows that it is waaaayy too pricey.
Yes, she thought the Grove is amazing! Was mesmerized by the fountain. This is her book bag. Since we were walking around a lot I told her to only bring one book. But we did buy a couple of books at Barnes and Noble, no she didn’t need a bag for them, she brought her own book bag.
One of the benefits of being a docent at LACMA for so long is that I have free parking. There isn’t much to see at LACMA these days, they are getting ready to tear down the old and build new. But in the park behind the museum is the Page Museum, they have expanded with all kinds of displays about the tar pits and what they are finding in them. No, we didn’t go there either. We were looking for this.
This installation is called Second home Serpentine Pavillion. It will be here for a couple of months. It is some sort of collaboration between a British group and a Spanish artist. I guess there will be events taking place here.
It’s made out of tubing, plastic, mylar, and a lot of what looks like rubber bands.
Here is the central ‘room’. Bright, colorful and very hot.
Shira had enough of me taking pictures at this point. Which is unusual, she is quite a ham when a camera is around.
The bands create an interesting affect.
Especially if you look down on the ground to see the reflections.
Now here a great image. Good model, mylar walls and wonderful reflections.
Selfie time!! We had a great time, I won’t be waiting for her next birthday to do something like this again.
This year the flowers just won’t stop, my roses keep pushing out more gorgeous blooms. Usually by now they are putting their efforts into just staying green.
This time I combined them with some succulents from the garden, who are also having a field day.
An iris I haven’t seen bloom in years popped up. I probably need to transplant these to an area with more sun. But even the shade won’t stop these this year.
Not my gladioli, but look at those deep intense colors!
They go perfectly with the hot red Cannas.
According to the calendar, we are deep into summer. Here in So Cal, it has still been quite pleasant. August and September are our very hot dry months. But the flowers don’t bloom by the temperature, I think it’s the length of the day that signals to them to bloom.
I think of Naked Ladies being here in the heat of summer. As you can see, these bright pink lily’s bloom on bare naked stalks. That leaf in the background is from another plant.
Usually these are like cacti flowers, so ethereal and delicate in the hot blazing sun.
They are showing up and blooming on time. I just so happens that as the east and the midwest swelter – we are still having temperatures in the 80’s. That changes next week, hello mid 90 degree weather.
I don’t know what this is, but it is very unique.
OMG! Look at this butterfly! especially the last picture where I actually captured all of him! I know, as bright as he is, he gets lost in the lantana. I am loving my camera so much. It allows me to get pretty sharp images of this guy.
Sorry, not a great picture, took it on my phone through glass. I did want to scare this fellow away, but I wanted the picture. This little hummingbird has become quite territorial. He sits out here all day and scares all the other humming birds away. So where I used to have four birds on the feeder, now it’s only this guy. I guess all creatures can become nasty given the chance. I’m calling this guy my little socialist, he didn’t provide the food, all he’s doing is hoarding and keeping all other hummingbirds away. I guess he feels that he has the right to control the distribution. Oh well, even nature isn’t fair. If he is still doing this next week, I’m naming him Bernie.
I glue basted the quilt, it might very well be that I will end up with some folds and kinks on the back, I don’t care. This will be pretty heavily quilted, it will be lovely.
I know, you can’t tell, but I did some basic walking foot quilting with monofilament. That is a good way to stabilize the quilt so I can move wherever I want along the surface. This is the first time I’ve stood back from the quilt and looked at it carefully. Yes, I had it up on my design wall when I finished the top. That was a long time ago, and the room the design wall is in doesn’t give me much distance. I love the design, I love how I placed the lighter and darker reds. Yes, there were many rip-outs as I went along. I didn’t have the whole design mapped out before hand. Just a general idea. As it grew I ripped out and changed fabrics. I’m sure I could have narrowed the selection down some more, but I do like the scrappy red feel
A shot from the back with the light shining through. You can see my basic grid with the monofilament. I love the shadowy look of the red.
It is very different quilting with a large table. I don’t have that heavy drag of a quilt falling over the edge and causing all that stress and pain in my shoulders.
Having the quilt on the table, all the same level, it’s heaven. I also love the acrylic insert that keeps the machine flush with it’ surroundings.
First of all, I quilted the compass rose with red thread. I tried to leave the lightest areas un-quilted – to give that wonderful dimension. I’m using wool batting which helps a lot with that affect. Then I drew a simple grid with my frixon pen. I want the orange peel pattern, which isn’t too hard to do – unless you have all the ins and outs of the star rays.
I’m doing some ruler work, I love the echo affect. Taking pictures really helps, made me notice that I forgot to quilt a certain area, so back under the machine! I’m quilting the red areas in red and the background in white. Yes, there are a lot of starts and stops. This isn’t about speed, it’s about enjoying the quilting process and having a quilt I adore.
I think I’ll be quilting most of the red before I decide how to fill the white.
It was fun to stop, put the quilt on the garden wall and take a picture of the progress.
I am loving this so much. I ended up doing some ruler work on the inner border of stars. I want to think carefully about the quilting designs as I move out to the edges.
In keeping with the red and white theme, the back is solid white. So it’s interesting to see the quilting on the back, both the red and white.
Ok, I got some birds nests in the back. Even though I’ve been bringing the bobbin thread to the front, I guess I missed it a few times. Also, I now see that I missed an in the ditch seam. No, I won’t be going back, unlike the orange peel background, this is really not noticeable.
And now for a break, while I make my grandson a sleeping bag for pre-school.
