New Stashbuster topic: What kind of quilter am I? I like the traditional machine piecing and applique. I have not tried paper piecing yet. It seems fiddly and requires more work. I like working with scrap quilts and folksy designs. I admire Pat Sloan's and Nancy Halvorsen's patterns. I also like the Australian Country Threads magazine. I wish I can subscribe.

On the knitting front: I finished Angela's lace top. In my excitement, I gave it to her without taking a picture. She's going to wear it in Hawaii.



Here's a picture of a charm quilt I gave my mom, backed with flannel. I used several 5 inch squares. She has been using it since I gave it to her. Music to my ears.



This is the charm quilt I made in class at the Country Sewing Store in Elk Grove. The center of the stars is a collection of 5 inch charm squares, a Valentine collection from Sandy Gervais.

I have decided to shut down my Suanknits.com website. It is not generating enough income for me to justify paying Geocities every month. What an experience trying to close the account. Have you heard of people trying to cancel AOL? This is somewhat a similar experience. They give you a link to click on to cancel but this takes you back to the homepage. No instructions, no telephone numbers, no contact persons. I had to do a Yellow pages search for their phone number in San Jose, CA.

Finally, after being forwarded to 2 more numbers, I got a real live person. One good thing though is that I was able to cancel it immediately, no questions asked. They didn't try to sell me anything or persuade me to stay with various offers.

I'm glad that was over.

Latest topic for the Stashbuster's list (Quilting):

How many UFO's do I have? I have 4 quilt tops finished right now, waiting to be quilted. And they will get done. When it comes to quilting, I like to finish them before I start a new one. That's why I have 4 (he, he, he).

How old is my oldest UFO? November, 2006. I'm pretty much a brand new quilter (I started in July 2006) and don't have that much fabric stashed away. (yet)

Now, when it comes to knitting, I must have about 20 UFOs. I have to start getting rid of them. I have lots of crochet and knitting magazines and patterns that I want to sell. I know I will never ever do those projects.

This is a mystery quilt I finished this month, a Dorothy Young design. The group is called A Pocket Full of Mystery. I used several fat quarters to complete the quilt. It was an exciting project and my first mystery quilt. I do have a tendency to pick Fall colors in my quilts.

Once in a while, on a good day, Blogger lets me post pictures. I think it's conflicting with AOL. I really, really, REALLY hate AOL. But since I'm getting it for free, I shouldn't complain. AOL and COMCAST should be banned from the face of the earth.

This quilt was from a QUILTMAKER magazine pattern. I used mostly scrap fabric in the blues colorway. One of my favorite quilt styles is the scrappy style, fun, funky, ecclectic. But again, once in a while, you get this urge to create something classic.

On the KNITTING front, I'm working on a lace shawl (2 in fact) for Hand Jive Knits. The project that Southwest Trading wants me to work on has not arrived yet. I also have to finish off some projects for Yolo Wool Mill. And, my friend, Teresa Simons, who moved to Oregon and opened a Fiber shop there, will also be carrying my patterns.

yeee hahhh!

My hearts and patches quilt, from a class I took at the Country Sewing store. I used mostly stash fat quarters.

Here are some details of the Swallowtail shawl.

I think I'm going to like this new and updated Blogger. It's letting me upload pictures!

I'm angry with Walmart for phasing out their fabric department. It's true that you do get what you pay for. They have some horrible fabric but I got this Sponge Bob fabric that I turned into a quilt for Matthew, washed it several times, and it's still perfect! No fading, no pilling. I still buy quilt fabric at Joann's and at several quilt stores but the thought of losing Walmart fabrics makes me mad.

Speaking of quilt stores: I found some really nice batiks for 50% off at the Country Sewing store in Elk Grove. You have to go all the way to the back of the store to locate their sale fabrics. I will soon be taking some more quilting classes this month and next.

One of my knitted designs will be carried by Artyarns. woo hooo!

I need a jumpstart to finish my new lace patterns.

See you soon, Danielle! (Knitique) I have to visit my other favorite yarn stores in the area (I love them all). Frog Pond Knits, Babetta's, Rumpelstiltskin. There are other new stores that I still have not visited. Can you believe that??

The finished Swallowtail Shawl, designed by Evelyn clark, in the Fall 2006 issue of Interweave Knits. I totally enjoyed knitting this one for Angela, even with the nupps. I simply used a crochet hook to purl the 5 stitches together. With Angela's wool allergy, I used my own hand dyed cotton/rayon yarn.

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.