stitching with one needle

Looking over my last few blog posts, you would think that the only craft I pursued regularly was knitting and that my only other hobby has to do with my iPad!
 It is true that that I use my iPad a lot, every day in fact. Why buy one if not to use it?

It is also true that it would be a rare day if I didn’t knit at some point – usually in the evening while watching television with WM.

I have a knitting deadline which is coming up fairly soon so I am knitting during the day. Technically my deadline is 20 October but I am aiming for 6 October, just one week away. For those who knit or hand-stitch, I am making a dark-coloured item so knitting this particular project under artificial light at night is not an option!

As explained in this post, sewing projects require much more preparation than knitting so when life gets hectic or I'm feeling overwhelmed, knitting is my choice of craft.

However, this post is not about knitting. It’s about works in progress that are being made with one needle.

My current class project is another bag. On Monday I completed the lining.

I’m pleased with the inside although I don't think I’d make those saggy pleated pockets again. This bag won’t stand up by itself so I had to pin it to the lounge and hold it open while I took the photo!

I am away at a conference all this long weekend, but next week I plan to make the outside of the bag and the handle, then on Monday 8 October I can put the two parts together in class.

At Caring Hearts Community Quilters yesterday, I completed one heart and started another.You'll have to look closely on the blue heart, the thread is a really good match! LOL

It was a slow sewing day because we had lots of Show and Tell. More importantly, it was our founder’s 70th birthday so we had a party! Happy birthday, Margaret! Even more excitingly for me, DD was able to attend her first meeting because SIL had the day off and was able to look after the Grand-Boys!

I have prepared my next embroidery project and will get started on it next week (after conference). Because I used a blue marking pen on a white background, I can't show you my preparation. Here is a picture of the pattern sheet.

I have also started another bag project (or maybe two) with these, my first foray into English paper piecing (and includes some fussy cutting):

The hexagon with the pink coloured spots (top left) was tacked by WM – wouldn’t it be fun if we worked on a project together?

And now, even though I’d like to work on my hexies or my embroidery, I need to get back to that “dark” knitting project before the light completely fades with the incoming storm!

Come back on Sunday to see some real-honest-to-goodness machine piecing!

iPad as a knitting tool

Last Sunday I shared about using an app called "Errands" on my iPad to help me get organised. The post generated more than the usual number of hits on my blog for an individual post and a wide range of responses from those who left comments. 

Thank you to those who were concerned that I would become too "addicted" (my word not theirs) to my iPad and related technology. The truth is that it is very easy for me to spend several hours on the computer or iPad -- I just love the things I can do on both. 

But it is also true that since I found the app and loaded my projects into it, I have been on track with all the things I wanted to do and have even managed to finish some ahead of schedule. Now I just turn on my Ipad, touch the app and voila! I know exactly what I should be concentrating on today. The app may not be necessary or even useful to others but it sure works for me and I have felt a great sense of accomplishment in the last week.

So today, I want to share another free app which I have found useful in my knitting. This one is the "lite" version but it does what I need it to do so i don't feel any need to buy the "full" version.

Therefore, fellow knitters, may I present to you Knit Counter Lite? (It’s actually an iPhone app but works just the same on iPad).

This is what it looks like on my iPad right now.

The row counter tells me I have done 104 rows since I last showed you a photo of the Intarsia Blanket in progress and that I have done a total of 514 of the 700 rows needed to complete the project. When I hit the top plus sign (to go to 105 rows), the bottom one is connected so that it turns at the same rate. I programmed it to do that – making such “modifications” is very easy using the edit button (top right of screen).. 

There are other functions built in too but I have no need of them at the moment so have not fully investigated them.

The app writers say that the full version is needed to keep track of different projects. If the projects were complicated I suppose that would be so but I have used this counter to count rows on other projects without losing track of my intarsia blanket. 

Say, for example, I was knitting a sock and wanted to know how many rounds I had completed from the cuff to the heel (so that the second sock would be the same). I would just add another row to this counter, like this:

This shows that I have so far completed 43 rounds of the sock -- notice that it has not affected the row count for my intarsia blanket at all! 

This app has been on my iPad for some time and takes no time at all to use – it took much more time to take photos and write the post!

So there you have it friends - the iPad is not just a toy, it's a very useful tool!

What have you read lately?

In between baby sitting and knitting, I have finally caught up with all 113 blogs that I follow. That is probably a bit misleading -- there are blogs on my reading list that have not had posts published to them for months. But there were also blogs on my reading list that I have since deleted -- I found I wasn't really reading their posts, just skimming to see if there was anything interesting, then moving on without commenting. It was time for those blogs to go! It's hard enough to keep up with the blogs that really interest me and still find time for my other hobbies!


I have discovered a site called librarything.com where I can record what books I am reading and get recommendations for further books based on the books I read. Of course, the site can do other things too, but at the moment I use it as a database of what I'm reading and have read.

I have finished The Distant Hours by Australian author, Kate Morton. This is probably the best piece of fiction that I have read in a very long time. If you haven't read it, and you like mystery/suspense (it's not a detective story nor is a "horror" story), then I can highly recommend this. I certainly look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Since then, I have read several ebooks which I have borrowed from my local library and read on my iPad.  The rest of this post is taken up with a  list of books I have read and my 'review' of them.

Feels Like Home by Maggie Shayne was listed as a "Silhouette Sensation" which meant nothing to me -- but I soon discovered it meant the author was a bit more detailed in descibing the couple's intimate moments than I feel is necessary. One particular scene could easily have been omitted and the main story would not have lost anything. Obviously, this is why the book is called "sensational"! The basic story line (romance/thriller) had me reading as fast as I could to the last page to find out how the story worked out. Of course I knew it would but just how was what kept me reading! Even though I enjoyed the plot, I will not be in a hurry to read a book by this author or from the "Silhouette Sensations" collection again!

Then for a change of pace I read Anh Do's biography, The Happiest Refugee. Ahn Do is an Australian comedian of Vietnamese descent. The book was his life story from his birth in Vietnam, through coming to Australia as one of the "boat people", to his childhood and teenage years in Sydney and finally to his successful career as a stand-up comedian. The book was always positive and upbeat, despite including some tragic stories; a light-hearted read that I easily finished in less than twenty-four hours.

After that, I read a detective story, Gently by the Shore, by Alan Hunter. This series of books has been made into a television series, starring Martin Shaw as Inspector George Gently. I quite like the TV series but I think the books are more rounded and bring more depth to the character. In this particular story, Gently's assistant isn't anything like the character we see on television. Nor is the story set in the north of England as the television series suggests. I enjoyed reading as Inspector Gently did his own thing, quietly and methodically collecting clues, following leads and finally, of course, catching the killer. I plan to read more of this series.

Not being one to stick to one genre of book, I then went on to read the novel, The Help, by Kathryn Stockett. For some reason, I had thought that this was a light-hearted book, but it was soon apparent that this was not the case. It had me riveted to the storyline and I couldn't wait to read what happened next. I can see why it was turned into a movie but I don't think I'll ever see it -- movies of books I have enjoyed rarely turn out to do the book justice!

And finally, last Wednesday I finished an autobiography, Choosing to SEE: a journey of Struggle and Hope by Mary Beth Chapman, wife of Christian singer/songwriter, Steven Curtis Chapman. It is her life story but is centred around the loss of their five-year-old daughter through a terrible accident. I found it hard to put this book down. It has very short chapters and I would tell myself: "just one more chapter then bed". But I just couldn't stop reading -- and I finally went to bed at three in the morning!  I cried and cried while I read the second half of this book; real, heavy, sobbing tears. But that was okay, I had stuff I needed to deal with myself that I hadn't cried about -- so it was good to finally let go. The book is sad but it is, as the title suggests, a book about hope -- hope of eternal life and seeing their little girl again one day.
 
On Thursday evening  I downloaded Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. It's hard to believe that it's six years since this book was published -- but perhaps it only became popular after the movie came out in 2010. I haven't started reading this yet therefore I can't make any comment. I guess it will be a little like Under the Tuscan Sun; I found the movie a bit disappointing after all its hype so never read the book.

Well, that's what I've been reading -- what about you?

still not blogging regularly

I have finished the course that kept me away from blogs and crafting for three and a half weeks. I know many of you out there won't believe me, but the course was life-changing and I will never be the same!

Now my DD has started the course, so for the next three weeks, except on weekends, I will be looking after my two grandsons while she has her life changed! Consequently, there may not be much time for blogging or crafting in the next twenty four days or so.

In between my course finishing on Tuesday and her course starting yesterday, I have managed to read all the blogs I follow – up to their posts of 3 August. Some blogs I have read beyond that but I am working through them slowly and systematically and, thanks to that wonder called iPad, I will get there eventually. 

I don't want to disappoint the followers of this blog. It's a craft blog and you come here to see some stitching - right? So stitching you shall see…

During the period of the Olympic Games I did manage to frog two items for the Ravellenic Games. However, I never got around to adding them to Ravelry, and it's too late now so I didn’t qualify for any medals.

Nevertheless, here are the before and after photos of the Infinity scarf which I frogged because I thought the yarn was too dark to show the lace pattern well and, being pure wool, it was a bit to scratchy for being worn around the neck. The picture on the left is the true colour.
 
And here are the before and after photos of the pilchers I knitted when DD was pregnant with Older Grandson (who is two and a half today -- where does time go?). She was sure that she would be using cloth nappies but convenience won in the end and she used, and still uses, disposables. Neither of my grandsons would have got their thighs into that tiny leg hole, now I think about it! The pilchers were frogged and the yarn will be dyed and made into something else –– some day. The picture on the right is a truer colour.
 
The eight pieces that were my bag are now just three pieces. I have to bind the corners and base of the bag (the hardest part of the job I believe), then I can sew on the last two pockets, one on each side and the bag will be done. Hopefully I will have it finished by the end of the month since I only ever seem to work on it in class.

Speaking of classes, last month I teased you with this and asked you to guess what it would become.

Here is the finished article. I love those little colonial knots!

It is part of a triptych. The second one was started last week. (I know it needs ironing but I don’t want to set that wash out pen!)
 
I'm sure I’ll have all three finished and bound in time to decorate our house this December. (What’s that? Christmas is less than nineteen weeks away? Get outta here!)

I’m off to prepare for the arrival of my grandsons (yes, I did remember to move that glass-topped coffee table out of the living room).

Catch you soon!

temporarily not blogging

Hi friends

Since last weekend I have been doing an online ministry course which is effectively taking up a lot of my time that used to be used for hobbies. I was a little slow in getting started. The course officially began on Friday but I didn't get started until Monday and I was quite a few sessions behind by then! I have been trying to play "catch up" ever since!

As I understand it, the course runs for two weeks but the course videos stay online for an additional week for those who need to review (or catch up). So, you may not hear from me from now until 13 August when I no longer have access to the course material.

If you have an iPad, could you please tell me what app you use to take and store notes and what you do and don't like about it? Currently, I am using Evernote (I have just lost a couple of hours worth of typing, no autosave that I know of!)

If you're using an app for a Bible, could you tell me what app you are using and whether you are happy with it or not?

I am using Tecarta for my Bible which I find easy to use and very quick. The free version only gives me access to KJV so I may install both the NKJV and the NIV. Does anyone use Olive Tree App? What's it like?

I also have The Glo free app, which is fun if you want to play with maps, art works and other media but for serious study it's too cumbersome. I typed "greater is he that is in you" in the search box and got over 1,000 scriptures! I only wanted one! Funnily enough, when I typed only the word "greater", I got 66 hits! When I typed the same phrase in Tecarta I got eight scriptures - much more manageable!

The Ravellenic Games begin in just a few hours and I think I have four items for the Frogging Trampoline and at least three for WIPS Wrestling so I'll be head-down, b* up for the next little while!

See you at the other end!

PS I am still reading and commenting as much as I'm able - thank goodness for iPad!

What's on your current reading list?

Just as with my knitting, quilting and sewing projects, I also have more than one "reading project" on the go.

On my iPad I was listening to The Wise Woman by George MacDonald, who was a favourite author of C. S. Lewis. This story was published in the nineteenth century and is described as a 'parable' or 'fairy story'. It was a little hard to get into because MacDonald's language is very descriptive but once the story got underway it was hard to stop!I finished it while doing some embroidery in Friday's beautiful spring-like weather.

I have since downloaded The Amazing Mind of Alice Makin by Alan Shea (read by Zoe-Anne Phillips), which is billed as historical juvenile fiction. Set in post war London, it follows Alice's imaginative life to which she retreats when her home life becomes unbearable.

Also on my iPad, I am reading The Distant Hours by Kate Morton.  This was recommended by Renee of "Sewn with Grace" and I am thoroughly enjoying it. It is described as a gothic novel but I'm not sure that's how I would describe it.

All three of these books were borrowed from my local library, as was the audiobook downloaded to my computer: Teacher Man by Frank McCourt (the author of Angela's Ashes). This as an autobiography about how he came through teaching to become a writer. It is a little hard for me to understand because it is being read by the author who has an Irish accent and I have to listen carefully - not ideal when I am using my sewing machine at the same time! Nonetheless, it is an interesting read.

My Kindle has all but been forgotten in the excitement of owning an iPad but there are books there too. I am in the middle of reading the classic Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift. It's interesting but not compelling reading; perhaps that's why I left it several weeks ago. There are many other books stored on that device when I get to them.

And, yes, I still read books in print. At the moment I am reading two autobiographies: Mao's Last Dancer, which was loaned to me by a friend in my sewing class and Be Your Best, by Australian swimmer Geoff Huegill, which WM and I bought for DD. She has finished it and kindly loaned it to me.

I have dozens of books on my library wishlist, in my Kindle and on my "to be read" shelf. Oh for a few more hours a day! LOL

The current favourite book in these little guys’ house is The Red Tractor.

What's on your current reading list?

too much fun!

If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, you would know that the computer is my biggest “time-waster”.

Well it was until last Friday, when WM came home with this for me:

It’s an iPad 3, 16GB. I love it!

My poor desktop computer will probably wonder where I have gone. I use the iPad to read your blogs, write comments, search the ’Net, look around Ravelry, and as an e-reader for the books from the public library which I can’t read on my Kindle. I did, however, type this post on my PC (using Windows Live Writer which I can heartily recommend if you haven’t tried it).

I may not go missing from the blogisphere but my sewing machine and knitting needles might wonder what’s happened to me – at least till the novelty wears off!