In the Works, and a Little Finish

I have several projects in the works, and only one little finish. What has my interest now? What I'm spending most of my time on? Yarn-y things.

I know this looks like a lot of yarn, and it is. But it wasn't my intention to purchase so much. Little did I know when I placed my online order through the Etsy shop EbabyShop, that this Alize Bella 100% cotton yarn, which qualified for free shipping, would come from Turkey! I was notified that an additional $24 US customs fee was due. Or, I could purchase more yarn and the custom fee would be paid by the seller. I opted for more yarn so as to ensure I wasn't giving away $24 for nothing.

I'm using the gray yarn (top row) to crochet Summer Cardigan that's found on KnitcroAddict's YouTube channel.

I'm following Wan's video instruction, to make this practical summer cardigan using a fun stitch called the drunken granny stitch. Ha, ha!

I've nearly finished crocheting the back section that measures, for me, 19½" across. This is the first time I'm attempting to use yarn to make a garment for myself. (Oh dear.)

The stitch is pretty though, isn't it? There's no RS or WS. (Right Side or Wrong Side) See how I'm learning the pattern lingo?

Also, being a big fan of Jo Avery designs, I started another of her hand appliquéd and embroidered pieces. This one is called In Full Bloom, and appears is the current issue of Today's Quilter magazine. Again, my digital public library has this publication available for patrons so I was able to check it out, print templates and get started. It looks wrinkled because I rolled it up to take to Big Cypress Quilters' Tuesday open sew where I was able to get several pieces appliquéd.

My only finish of late is this 7" X 9" string-pieced mug rug.

I sewed it on Sunday after spending time on Saturday with the our county's "Basics and Beyond" 4-H Club kids. As I guided two girls, ages 8 and 12, through cutting and piecing their quilt blocks, I encouraged them to keep their scraps. At the end of our sewing time, the older one handed me her half-square triangle off-cuts and said she didn't want them. So, I brought those home along with some of the strips that several of the children had tossed into the trash. Yes, I went dumpster-diving! 

I added a couple of my own fabric strings to the front; the backing and binding are my fabrics.

I'll take the mug rug to next month's 4-H Club meeting to show the kids what can be done with their scraps. I'm thinking to give the mug rug to either the club leader, Barb (who isn't thanked as often as she deserves to be) or the 12 year-old girl I worked with. Linda