Today is...

 xoxo, Karen. 

Rock painting

You can find lots of ideas here, if you need a little inspiration.  Happy creating + xoxo, Karen.  

Hello!

Inspired by this post, I worked on some fresh canvases for our entryway:

Instead of sponges, I used a wooden "I" to stamp the letters and a spouncer for the tittle : ) What are you working on?  Happy creating!  xoxo, Karen. 

KnitNight fun!

Want to learn how to knit or improve your knitting skills?   Are you stuck in a project and need a little help?  Learn more about KnitNight and HAVE FUN with me while learning something new! Happy knitting + xoxo, Karen.

Off my needles : baby bonnet

Here's another fantastic design by Jane Richmond.  This earflap baby bonnet knit up in a flash and I'm so happy with it!   You can find the free pattern here.   I picked up this Spud & Chloe yarn (shown in Pollen) at Nina, here in Chicago.   Happy cozies + xoxo, Karen.

Quilt blocks

This quilt is coming along!  After choosing fabric, gathering my tools together, and cutting squares, it was time to head to the sewing machine and make a test seam:

Aunt Joan explains the importance of a test seam, but basically it has to do with making sure your seam is precise at 1/4" before you start sewing your blocks.  I equated it - kind-of - with checking your gauge when knitting.  It took me a couple of tries before sewing a precise 1/4" seam, but the mistakes I made were helpful and I got there in the end.

Next, it was on to sewing the blocks for my quilt.  I followed Aunt Joan's tutorial and had my own little assembly line of blocks going in no time.  

I couldn't stop at the four blocks required for our project, so I kept going, making another nine blocks for another larger quilt.   Typically, I like to make two of something and this is no exception.  

What's next? I can't wait!  Follow Aunt Joan's Quilting 101 to see, and I'll be following up here. Happy April + happy quilting!  xoxo, Karen.  

Happy Easter!

xoxo