Lisa Kay Knits... and Quilts!

Mitchell started 4th grade this week. Happy Knitting, Lisa Kay

I returned to a UFO (unfinished object) that has been in its project bag since I took a class at the 2011 AQS show in Nashville. It was a class called "Curing Curve-a-Phobia," and we basically learned how to make the quarter circle blocks for an old-fashioned "Drunkard's Path" block. I had made nine blocks. I pulled them out and put them together with two borders. Here is the quilt sandwich, ready to be basted: I started hand quilting. Here are the first two circles quilted. I'm really pleased with how the quilting is going. I purchased a TJ's Quick Quilter spoon, having seen an article from Jenny Beyer saying how well it worked at resolving the problem of sore fingers from sticking them with the needle. (I also recommend the video. I never would have figured it out, otherwise.) In addition to solving sore fingers, it also helps gauge stitches. I am very pleased to say that I'm getting ten stitches per inch. I recall that I used to get ar...

A couple of weeks ago, we went to the Hummingbird Festival at Lewis and Clark Memorial. It was on my mom's 70th birthday. The Lincoln Land Association of Bird Banders catches and bands (or records previously-banded) hummingbirds. Visitors can adopt a bird and then get to release it. Vernon Kleen (below) is one of three people in IL licensed to catch hummingbirds. Once a person adopts a bird, they receive a note whenever the bird is later caught again. I learned some things in the presentation before the banding began. Did you know: 1) There is mainly one type of hummingbird in Illinois, the Ruby Throated Hummingbird . There is another that is seen occasionally, the Rufous Hummingbird , and a few others that are seen only very rarely. 2) Hummingbirds arrive around April 15 and depart again around August 15. 3) It is OK to leave feeders out well past August 15, even past Thanksgiving, giving the best opportunity to see other species. Birds will come to feeders even w...