Wyoming Breezes

Has someone sprinkled you with kindness lately?

JoAnn's Stars Quilt of Valor 57 x 71 inches The center of this quilt was a UFO that LuAnn W. purchased at a local estate sale. LuAnn sent the UFO and the extra fabric, and I couldn't resist starting on it the day after it arrived in the mail. UFO and extra yardage The first step was to give the UFO a good press and a touch of spray starch. Then, I squared the piece and began adding borders. Quilts of Valor have size requirements, so I needed to add length as well as width. Keeping an eye on the yardage available, I decided to use the top and bottom border idea from the Stars and Stripes pattern (Villa Rose Designs). I asked LuAnn for the name of the woman who made the stars so I can put her name on the quilt label. She did some research: JoAnn O. from Ramsay, MI. I found her obituary online for the correct spelling of her name. After reading how kind-hearted and generous she was, I'm extra sure now that she would be thrilled with the Quilts of Valor. ...

food and drink to close the week I had annual medical appointments two days in Casper last week, and after a long day of waiting, being prodded, and some shopping, I decided to treat myself to a margarita and a good meal. I seldom take photos of my meals, and I rarely imbibe in alcohol, but Thursday night was the exception. A toddler from the table behind me giggled, and I turned to smile. Just as I turned, the little girl threw me the biggest kiss. I caught it, and threw one back to her. Our brief exchange made some of the tension from my day diminish. I snapped the photo shown above and sent a text to Marilyn and Brenda and asked about their day. Brenda called, and we chatted as I ate. When I was finished my meal, the waitress said the party at a nearby table had paid for my meal and drink. Again, more of the day's tension slipped away. Thanks to the kindness of strangers, I walked back to the motel with a spring in my step and a lighter heart. Have you "paid i...

Cherry Tree Hill yarn (Pesto) Regular readers of this blog know that I love to knit socks - nothing fancy, just plain Jane socks and that I occasionally offer to knit socks for one or two readers a year. Judy ( Cranberry Morning ) left the comment, shown above, on the Blackjack Socks post , and I offered to knit her a pair of socks. She told me her shoe size and that her favorite color was Kelly Green. As luck would have it, I had a hank of Kelly Green yarn (called Pesto) in my sock yarn stash and began knitting. Judy's socks women's size 9 I also had a pair of short-cuffed socks already knit from some scrap merino, so I included those in Judy's package as an additional surprise. Judy's post about her green socks can be seen here . When I told Judy, I would love to knit her a pair of socks, she generously offered to send me five bars of her remarkable soap in return. Since Judy has such a wonderful variety of soaps, I asked her to chose for me. I...

The Humbags are packaged and ready to mail to the winners.         Camouflage bag - Dee         Black and White checks (gingham) - Katherine         Floral - Sissy Sees         Black and White windowpane - Crafts on the Go (Crafty One)         Small, cloth Humbags will be given to: TamKnots, Pumpkin, and Leah Winners, please send me an email with your mailing address.

Oilcloth Humbug bags I was recently invited to sew with a group that meets at the Lander library each month, so last week, I loaded my sewing machine and supplies and drove to Lander. The project for September was Humbug bags . The bag was inspired by an English sweet, called a humbug . I'd seen the bags before, but had never made one. I completed a small bag from the supplies I took to the sew-in as well as bought some kits for larger bags from Mary, the group's coordinator. Some of the bags were made as gifts, and the ones pictured above are my gifts to four lucky readers. The bags are approximately 12 inches long and are constructed with oilcloth. They are a good size for knitting or other crafts as well as a ditty bag for travel. If you want to be included in the drawing for a bag, tell me in your comment which one appeals to you. The winners will be posted on Monday, September 22, 2014, so you have until noon on Sunday to enter the drawing.

February 3, 2014, I wrote about my hand-knit socks  and was struck by two of the comments that were written that day. Both ladies are frequent readers who leave comments. To show my appreciation, I decided that they each needed a pair of hand-knit socks. Click on Connie and Ann's names below to see the reactions to their hand-knit socks. Connie said: Connie's socks knit with Opal yarn on size 2 needles women's size 9 Ann said: Ann's socks knit with Patons Kroy on size 2 needles women's size 9 Ladies, I hope you enjoy wearing your socks. Update : December 2014:  Ann sitting by the fire in her socks. source

Loot from Bridget's 7th blogiversary Recently, Bridget at The Ravell'd Sleave  hosted a giveaway to celebrate her blog's 7th anniversary, and I was one of the seven winners. Check out what was in the squishy package I received last week: a great book, filled with wonderful ideas, tips, and patterns, two skeins of green Khroma (Baby Alpaca and Merino - total 200 yds), and Rowan's purelife Revive (recycled silk, cotton and viscose - total 274 yds). I'm considering knitting a scarf from the Revive and a cowl, hat, or mitts from the Khroma. Any pattern suggestions? Thank you, Bridget for these wonderful goodies, and Happy Blogiversary! Pop over and check out her blog.

Doniene's socks knit July - August 2013 Several months ago, Doniene commented on one of my sock-knitting posts that she'd like a pair of hand-knit socks. It was fun to knit this pair for her. The package should arrive in today's mail, Doniene. Enjoy! Yarn: Opal (#1913) Needles: size 2 circulars Stitches: 56 cast-on Size: 8 - 9 women's Pattern: Ribbed-cuff socks

Kathyb's comment was the one selected by the Random Number generator. I'll send the headband to her this week. Congratulations, Kathyb

gMarie is the winner of the Swirl hat pattern and yarn Jay in Nebraska is the winner of the Quilting rulers and FQs gMarie and Jay, please send me an email with your mailing address by Monday or a new winner will be selected. Thank You to everyone who left comments, and Congratulations to the winners.

Today's give-away includes 4 Fat Quarters and a Triangle in a Square Rulers Since yesterday was post 1,000 on Wyoming Breezes, I am having two give-aways this week: a knitting-related one yesterday and a quilting-related one today. You may enter one or both of the drawings. Package includes a Triangle Ruler and a Square Ruler for 3 & 4 inch squares. To win these Rulers and Fat Quarters, leave a comment on today's separate post. The winner's name will be drawn on March 2, 2012. The winner can be found here .

My knitting has almost slowed to a crawl, but I am nearly finished with this Swirl Hat. The hat is knit flat and seamed. Stitches are picked up around the edge for the ribbed band. The pattern includes directions for infant through adult sizes. Since this is post 1,000 on Wyoming Breezes, the pattern  (sorry, it's still chilly here, so I am keeping the hat) and a skein or two of yarn will be sent to someone who leaves a comment on this post. The winner's name will be drawn on March 2, 2012. Look for a quilt-related give-away tomorrow. You may enter one or both of the drawings. The winner can be found here .

Kathy B. organized another swap, but this one had to contain specific items - sock yarn, a pen, and a $5 gift certificate. The sock yarn will make colorful and fun, striped socks. I'd start knitting on them now, but I must finish some other projects first. Katherine was my swap partner, and she included extra items - tea, two sets of double points, and stitch markers in her box. Thank you, Katherine for these fabulous items.

I received the nicest surprise in the mail on Thursday from Merideth in Wyoming. She was a " If the Sock Fits " winner and felt compelled to send something in return. My pottery cake pan fits perfectly in the casserole carrier she made.  Notice Merideth added loops to attach a serving spoon, too.  If you want to make a casserole carrier of your own, follow these directions  on Merideth's blog. It was great fun to receive this surprise in the mail. Thanks, Merideth.

Size 5 -6 fits Cheryl (no blog) (prize has been claimed) Size 7 - 8 fits Chris (prize has been claimed) Size 8 - 9 fits Merideth (prize has been claimed) Ladies, please send your mailing address to  pinnut3200@yahoo.com  before May 6th. If I don't hear from the winners before May 6th, a new name will be drawn. Thank you to everyone who entered the "If the Sock Fits" drawing.

For the last week, I've knit socks from the larger balls of scrap, superwash wool, resulting in three pair of short-cuffed socks. I like to wear this style of socks around the house.  Part of the reason scrap yarn hangs around my house longer than normal is that I don't have enough to knit socks for my size 10+ feet; however, these socks may fit some of my readers. They not Cinderella's slippers, but if the socks fit, they could be yours.  Woman's size 7 - 8.   Woman's size 5 - 6. Woman's size 8 - 9. If these socks will fit you or someone you know, leave a comment stating what size you would like to win. The winners' names will be chosen on April 28, 2011.