Gifts for my niece

The below items are for my soon-to-be niece. My sister loves (and I mean LOVES) toys from our youth. I found these 'babies' at the local antique mall. How sad that I'm finding toys from my youth at an ANTIQUE mall. I really don't think I'm antique....yet.

my three purchases

jingly rolley-bell sounding thingy

out of focus telephone WITH eye movement (Youth readers, if you are confused as to what that big round thing is on top of the phone, it's part of what was once called a 'rotary phone'. Sorry kiddos, no text messaging here.)
Sesame Street record player. There are supposed to be five records. I could only find four. One of the green I'm thinking should be yellow and there is a missing blue. I guess she'll have to learn to live with disappointment. Sorry kiddo, I did my best.

somewhat odd looking teddy bear

close up of odd looking teddy bear

Kitty Fabric

My Aunt Judi won some fabric and thought I might like it. She was right. Definitely different that what I would purchase, but I think it will be fun to work with it. I'm always up for a challenge.The fabrics on the right are what Judi sent me. The fabrics on the left are what I purchased to accompany them.The top three fabrics were purchased at Joann Fabric and Crafts and the bottom two fat quarters were purchased at the Cosmic Cow, my new FAVORITE fabric shop. (Incidently, Cosmic Cow is also the name of the cartoon character Henry Rush created in the television show "All in the Family". Just a bit of trivia.)

New Fabrics

In the past two days, I have been to four fabric stores. I have really been drawn to browns, greens, and salmons lately. Surprisingly, I'm impressed with how well they go together. You've gotta love blended families!Purchased at Joann Fabric & Crafts.

Purchased at The Quilted Kitty.

Purchased at The Calico House.

One big happy family

I'm not sure if I like the purples mixed in the group. I'll have to think about that one.

Buckeye Beauty

This will be the quilt that hubby & I will have on our bed. The fabric is a combination of things I have purchased over the years. I thank my Aunt Judi for telling me to purchase a 1/2 yard of fabric if I like it. I did that and had more than enough to make my quilt a KING size. It's so big, I couldn't get back far enough to fit the entire top portion in frame. I have only assembled the blocks so far. I just purchased the border fabric yesterday. (Pics below).
Book: Quilts Through the Seasons, by Eleanor Burns
Pattern: Buckeye Beauty

quilt top (notice the bag in the bottom right with the knitting project in it)

close up of quilt top

recently purchased border fabrics

another picture of recently purchased border fabrics

Knitted Projects

The following are the knitted projects that are on my list. The first one to finish is the snake stuffed animal. My goal it to have it completed BEFORE my niece is born. Wish me luck. Twelve days until due date but I'm thinking she'll be early!Fiber Trend clogs (pattern is a gift from hubby). Cascade yarn. Yes, I have more I didn't think I needed to take pic's of all of it.

Stuffed snake for my niece. I had more done, but realized I didn't knit in enough stripes before decreasing. Whoops, one of the drawbacks of knitting late at night. Live and learn. I'm whipping it up with extra cotton yarn I have.
Monkey socks knit with sz. 1 dpn using Cherry Tree Hill in Java. Mmmmmm. Perfect fit so far too!

New Yarn

These are the yarns I got from my hubby for Christmas. I'd like to think I have been busy and that's why I'm so late in posting CHRISTMAS GIFTS! Wasn't it worth the wait?Lorna's Laces

Jitter Bug