I submitted a picture of one of my lap quilts to the Fat Quarter Shop website and it is now showing on their website under "Amy Butler Jolly Pack Quilt by Vicki Suan of Sacramento, CA" . Click on this link. Scroll down to the middle of the page. I didn't follow any pattern. It's my own creation!

woo hooo!

I can't believe how unbelievably fast time flies. My oldest daughter turned 17. The year 2006 is almost over. I feel sad but I learned so many new things this year.

Quilting soothes me. Unlike knitting, I do and finish my quilting projects one at a time. I have this urge to finish before I start a new one.

I finished my gift to Angela, the Swallowtail shawl from Interweave Knits. I knitted it with cotton/rayon blend yarn because of her allergy to wool. The yarn was handpainted by me a year ago, and sat in my stash forever. I knew somehow that it will turn into a project. Pics to follow.

I dropped off the guild library books with the guild President last night. It felt like I finished that chapter and finally closed the book. Why do I feel so darn dreary??? Even I'm depressing myself, he,he.

I need to go visit some quilt stores and drop by Knitique. Danielle never fails to lighten my mood.

And thanks, Beth!

Wow! Christmas is almost here. Time flies. Last year, we were in Vegas and did not enjoy the coming of Christmas. I've finished shopping, something I really do not enjoy at all. Except when I'm shopping for fabrics.

I'm knitting too much, to fulfill orders, and I'm missing my quilting projects.

Next year, I will write more freebie patterns to share.

Next year, I plan to take more quilting classes and perfect my technique. I want to sell more baby quilts.

I have a decision to make. To rejoin the knitting quild or not. I have been away for two months, missed a couple of meetings including the Christmas party, and did not get an email or phone call from even one of the members I call friends. I wasn't missed at all. I'll quit whining and make a decision soon.

I'm currently the co-librarian for the guild and because of the 2 missed meetings, it does look like I haven't been fulfilling my duties. There might be several people interested in taking over my job so I think I will give it up.

So there, decision made (at least one of them).

Now I know how it feels to be unwanted, he, he.

Knitter/crocheter For hire

I've finally realized that since I've been doing this for a while, I'm officially a knitter (and crocheter) for hire!



I was commissioned by a friend, Angela, to crochet the Winnie the Pooh collection. I've finished Winnie several months back. Tigger is also finished.




So is Piglet.



And this month, I finished Eeyore. Angela is giving the whole set to her granddaughter for Christmas. Just in time.



And, last month, my best friend, Janet, came for a visit. She bought all the materials and I finished this quilt for her. First time I made a quilt using polyester and fleece fabric. Now I know why guilters only quilt with cotton!!

I am also knitting hats and mitts for Yolo Wool mill and will soon be knitting a lace shawl for Hand Jive Knits for TNNA. I get to do what I love and get paid for it.

Signing off, Vicki, soon-to-be Quilter for hire.

One crochet designer I really admire, Jocelyn Sass, has some free patterns on her blog.

Crochet Cafe.

Do check it out.

More sewing, some crochet, less knitting

Sorry for the lack of knitting posts. I've done some crocheting. I finished Tigger for my friend, Angela. I will post some pics soon.

I am addicted to Japanese Craft books. No, I don't read or speak Japanese but I can understand graphs, diagrams and schematics. Here's one of the books I got from YesAsia.com .


I've finished the purse out of the pink polka dot fabric in the background. Pictures to come.



A tote bag for my niece, Christina, 15 yo, with accompanying zippered make up case. She picked the fabric herself.


A table topper for my mom.



2 coordinating table runner and topper for me.

Small enough to finish quickly.

TV shows, Knitting, sewing

How long has it been since ER (the TV show) premiered? It must be over 10 years ago. I have not missed an episode. Never. I'm so happy it's back.

My DD made a comment that all these new Fall shows are keeping her stressed. There are so many new ones that you don't know which one to watch.

Some of the new ones that stand out:
1. Men in Trees (Anne Heche and that gorgeous guy, Jack) - very endearing and funny although some scenes are predictable. Reminds me of Northern Exposure.

2. Jericho - very intriguing. Let's see how it progresses.

3. Heroes - rather weird. Again, let's see how it does with the ratings. I can't keep up with the subtitles since I was knitting at the time.

4. Studio 60 - I'm so glad Matthew Perry is back. Fast paced (in the West Wing tradition), funny, and sometimes confusing.

5. Shark - Oh my gosh!

That's it! That's it?

I'm glad these shows are back:

ER
CSI (the original one, in Las Vegas)
Amazing Race
Survivor
Ghost Whisperer

Some shows I miss:

Lost (when is it coming back?)
Invasion - lasted only 1 season but I watched it every week, no fail

Yes, I watch too much TV.

Some projects I finished:
Tigger of the Winnie the Pooh fame, crocheted (pics later)
this Amy Butler bag and the Kona Bay bag:

2 skeins of Candy Corn and the last Watermelon yarn are all SOLD.

I'm off to the dye pot!

Yarns available:

Candy Corn sock yarn, approx 4 oz, 495 yards, wool/nylon blend (75/25), fingering weight sock yarn. $15 per skein plus $1.75 shipping. 2 skeins available.



Halloween sock yarn (orange and black), approx 4 oz, 495 yards, wool/nylon, fingering weight. $15 per skein plus $1.75 shipping each. 2 skeins available.



All of the above are not self-striping.

I also have 1 skein of my self-striping watermelon yarn available, same contents and yardage as above. $23 per skein plus $1.75 shipping.

Please send me an email at vdsuan at juno dot com. I can send you an invoice via Paypal. thanks.

Blogger will not let me upload pictures again.

Second week of the Sacramento County workers' strike. We're getting nervous but still hanging in there.

I will miss the Crochet Guild's monthly meetings. I signed up to be a group leader at our kids' church AWANA program. Every Wednesday starting tonight 'til May 2007. Priorities.

Knitting: socks from TheKnitter.com's SOTM. Trekking yarn. Love it!

Handpainting: I dyed several skeins of Watermelon yarn, Halloween yarn, Candy corn yarn and Christmas colors! Finally.

Sewing: Finished several bags, Christmas stockings, 1 quilt, and working on a new one.

Crocheting: Tigger for Angela!

Note: All of the above seems overwhelming. I don't do them all at the same time. I cannot sit still without using my hands at some craft or another. Another thing: I'm running on adrenaline and caffein. (just kidding)

Anyone out there like me?

Where were you on 9/11?

I remember waking up early that day. Before my husband left for work, he came and told me something has happened in New York. One of the Twin Towers is on fire. I turned on the TV in the bedroom. Hubby then quietly left for work.

I see the destruction. Just then, the second plane hit. But I didn't see the plane, just the explosion. Dear God. What is going on?

Our bedroom has wide windows and just outside, I can see the 2 big trees in our backyard. This really stuck to my memory. The wind started to blow, strong, fierce. Not uncommon in Sacramento but at that moment, it was ominous. It lasted for a few minutes and then, it died down. I started crying...

I apologize to those who might read this and not be able to handle the recollection. This is my way of dealing with it. Remember 9/11 and it's heroes.

So, where were you on 9/11? If you have a blog, write something about it.

Too surprised that Blogger is actually letting me upload pics, I am hurrying. This is a table topper I made for my mom. Small project, fast to finish.



Caitlyn's bag! Sweet Caitlyn is my daughter's boyfriend's little sister who turned 10 last month. I whipped up the bag the same afternoon they went to the mall to buy her gift.



Christmas tree skirt. Boy, am I way ahead of schedule. All these years we've been living in this house, we never had a passable tree skirt. We've been using one of those raggedy felt ones that I can now throw away. Either I'm too cheap to buy a new one or I knew that the day will come when I can sew one myself.

These yarns are now available in my ETSY store.







If you are also interested in handpainting your own yarn, I have some off white yarn, in approx. 4 oz skeins, 495 yards, wool/nylon blend (75/25), available in my ETSY store. Each skein only costs $8.50 plus $1.75 shipping.

Quilting and stuff

I am like a woman possessed. I am weird in that way. When I get into something new, whether it’s a craft or hobby, I put my all into it. Before July, 2006, I was quietly knitting, crocheting a little, handpainting some yarn and wool. One night, while teaching a crochet class, a fellow knitter and friend, Beth C., commented on how I’m able to do all these and have time for other things. I mentioned to her that there is something I “can’t” do and that’s sewing.

I don’t remember Beth’s exact words but she said it’s because I haven’t learned it YET. Who knows, I might like it too.

So, I learned. I took a class, bought some books at garage sales, got some fabrics, and started sewing some purses. This past month, I finished these:



My first quilt. It’s not perfect. The points on the triangles are not really pointed (that is, if you can see the triangles!). More like lines that don’t meet—lol! But it’s my first one and I love it. It’s for my youngest, Emily.

Here's another, for my son, Matthew:



This sewing thing is addictive.

I just now figured out why I was having a hard time uploading pictures to blogspot and my picturetrail album. It's this stupid AOL. I really hate AOL. I was happy with Netzero but I had to use up all the free 20,000 points I accumulated towards AOL or they get wasted. I AM the only person in this whole world who has dial up connection!!

Anyhoo, here are some pics:



Tiger stripes. I knitted the sock about 3 weeks ago. I have 3 skeins available. 330 yards, 4 oz, superwash Merino, $17 per skein plus shipping. Email me at vdsuan at juno dot com.



The beginnings of Winnie the Pooh. He's already finished but I want to show you how he was crocheted. An odd way of putting him together. You crochet the muzzle, arms and legs first. Then, you start on the butt and crochet your way up, adding the legs and arms as you go. Really different indeed.



Fast forward and here's what he looks like.

We're off to the CA State Fair today. Our Crochet Guild has a display/teaching area to help promote the art.

More later.

Sewing Machines

No pictures today but lots of happenings.

Pictures are in the digital camera but have not been downloaded to my computer.

Hubby bought me a new sewing machine last month. He has an old Kenmore sewing machine that sounds like a blender when in use. But oh, it may be old but it was reliable. All the feet attachments are gone and all the extra gadgets. I don't think I can break it (yes, I tried). I love old Kenmore.

Now, the new one was on sale at Joanne's, brand name: White. Up 'til then, I've never heard of White sewing machines. It's not expensive but it serves my purpose. I tried to break this one too and I think I succeeded. Luckily, it was still on warranty. The Country Sewing Store fixed it for us FREE.

I've taken a basic quilting class at the Country Sewing Store in Elk Grove. That's where I met Husqvarna Viking. He's another sewing machine. He purrs, not like a blender, but he purrs. And they tried to sell me one (but I just bought a new one!!).

I was steadfast. Mr White is fine for me right now. Eventually, I will get a Viking. I will save my teaching money.

I can shop at Joanne's for hours and never get bored. I now bypass the yarn isle and head towards the fabric isle.

I will join yet another guild. The quilting guild.

Watermelon yarns are being handpainted. Will be available soon. The wool/nylon sock yarn is back in stock.

KPIP (knitting projects in progress)
1. Lace Shawl
2. Lace stole for Knitique
3. 4-5 socks in progress.

Yikes! School will be back in session next week. I now have 3 kids to homeschool. Blessedly, Danielle will be graduating high school one semester early (Jan 2007). Matt will be in 4th grade and Emily is itching to start Kindergarten.

More bags

This bag was requested by my teenager. She picked the fabrics and the colors. No pattern used. She just gave me the dimensions and I added a little pink color. Have you ever stared at polka dots for a long time?? Up 'til now, I still see spots.



A knitting bag for me, from the book "Bag Boutique" by Indygo Junction. I like their patterns. Very easy to follow and understand for a beginner like me.



Another favorite of mine, from the same book. I must have now sewn 4 patterns from this book.



A little bit from the Orient. I love using brocade on purses. This is a freebie pattern from Connecting Threads, a sister company of Knitpicks.com.



A design called Sara Louise by Indygo Junction.

I've been busy...

Some more bags and totes I've sewn this past week. Danielle from Knitique was right. Immediate gratification. I can finish a bag in 3-4 hours, forgetting to eat (sometimes).


Patchwork bag from the QUILTS AND MORE magazine. My first attempt at a quilted bag. It says a seam allowance of 1/4 inch. I got careless and wanted to finish fast, did not follow that instruction, and sewed on... Needless to say, the strips were uneven. I'm learning, I'm learning. But still, I love the colors and will use the bag myself.


Here's another. I got the idea from
Autum's website. Mine is still not perfect but I'm getting there.

Knitting: I finished my Tiger sock and Emma's Lace scarf (pics to follow).

I will have a table at our church's Show and Tell Boutique this coming Saturday, July 22nd, from 10 am to 1 pm. It's at the First Baptist Church in Elk Grove on E. Stockton Blvd. Come and visit us if you live in the area. There are several home-based arts and crafts businesses participating. No selling or buying involved. Just a show and tell venue.

This is a huge crocheted fabric basket using cut up strips, 4 inches wide, from 2 flat, full-sized bed sheets. There are 2 handles on opposite sides for easy carrying around the house. And there's a lot of carrying involved since little Emily acquired it for her own. Her stuffed animals carry-basket.

4 tote bags I've sewn using scraps...







and a pillow.




Sadly, I haven't knitted a thing.

Can't Sew?

I keep telling myself that I can't sew. One of the crafts I can't master. My mom is a very talented seamstress. My just a tape measure, pencil and piece of paper, and of course, a sewing machine, she used to sew me and my sister beautiful dresses when we were growing up. My interests focused on fiber, hooks and sticks to make my own creations.

Being a totebag lover, I decided to make my own. With the numerous unfinished projects I have lying around the house, I need a lot of tote bags. So, with a free pattern on the internet, I decided to sew one. No fabrics handy, I used bedsheets (ha, ha!). I have a ton of them. I used to go to thrift stores, buy lots, cut them into 2-4 inch strips and crochet them into bags, baskets and rugs.

And this is the result. Purple striped tote bag, and lined too!



I made several, including a crocheted fabric basket. Pictures coming soon.