Happy New Year

Dear Friends and Family, I hope you had a lovely Christmas and a wonderful New Year's celebration.  We had LOTS of house guests for the week and we served dinner most nights.  We offered lobster for dinner on New Year's Eve and that was a blast . . . with Jimmy Buffett music in the background and a casual theme at the dining room tables, everyone enjoyed the feast!

Vintage Knits for Modern Babies

     It's the new year and my mission "Operation Finish-It" is officially kicking off.  I just finished a sweet little hat for our great-niece, Lexi  . . . she's "Little Lexi" and 4 months old; Alexis is called "Big Lexi" to keep from us all being confused!.  I couldn't resist starting something  around Christmas (I had the yarn on hand) and it was a quick project.  From the book, Vintage Knits for Modern Babies, the hat is knit in simple stockinette and a band with a button for securing under Little Lexi's chin.  Below is a picture of the yarn 'cause I can't find the hat!  I have until the end of January to find it when Little Lexi comes to visit! 

Extra Soft Merino in Lavender

     We were lucky enough to have a snow storm on Wednesday (12" of new powder, yes!) and I got quality time with my sewing machine! I pulled out the flannel fabric and pattern for pj pants that I planned to make for Alexis for Christmas (opps, missed THAT deadline).  Even with interruptions I actually got them cut out and sewn in the same day (unheard of for me).  I had to have Alexis try them on to measure the hem and check how much elastic was needed at the waist . . . she was a total giggle box every time I checked the waist band . . . what a noodle head!  She got to wear them that night, though, and she was delighted!  Cute flannel with girlie stuff on it for my girlie-girl!  So that's 2 finished projects so far . . . can I keep a running tally somewhere on this blog?  Hmm, I'll have to look for that feature! 
     Here's my helpful 411 for the day . . . Gingher scissors are the industry standard for quilting and sewing.  Forged from high carbon cutlery steel, the scissors are finished with hand tuning to ensure the precision cutting and high performance we are all accustomed to having.  And, though they are a bit pricey, they are well worth the investment  . . . I've had mine for over 15 years.  But, I keep dropping them (usually on the concrete floor in the basement) and they just don't work so well after that!  I've sent them to Gingher for sharpening and repair several times now.  It's a bargain at $7.50 per pair (which includes return shipping) and it is a whole lot better than buying a new pair of scissors!  Here's the link for the address and the details: Gingher sharpening and repair.  The link also includes some helpful info on general maintenance to keep your scissors in top working order.  Mine "take a lickin' and keep on tickin'" . . . or cutting actually!
      And one last word about scissors . . . keep your fabric cutting scissors AWAY from the paper  . . . it's really true . . . cutting paper with your good fabric cutting scissors will dull the blades . . . get a separate pair for cutting paper and keep the Ginghers out of reach of your children, husband and visiting friends/relatives who might not know that it matters!

Phin attacks the yarn! ^..^

     Hope you are having luck finishing your own projects.  Hope, too, that all your stitches are happy ones!
     All the best,
     Kim                           
p.s. Phin likes yarn . . . who knew!