this is what picture-in-picture was made for

No, we don't have picture-in-picture TV. Do they even make that anymore? I'm stuck using the "swap" button on the remote.

I've watched almost every World Cup game so far. For anyone who doesn't know, that's 3 games per day. Today was the Portugal v. N. Korea game, and I was actually hoping Portugal would lose and get knocked out of the tournament. I also really wanted to see the Switzerland v. Chile game, because I think it's going to be good. With 15 or so minutes between these two games, I just leave the commentary on the TV to wait for the next one. At which point my husband calls.

"Are you watching Wimbledon?...because you should be." I had already decided in the morning not to bother with Wimbledon today, since it's only the first day, and nothing much exciting happens on the first day. I turn on the TV, and Federer is 2 sets down!

This whole thing has the tension of a final match. Since Falla, Federer's opponent, is getting worked on, so I don't doubt Federer will pull through.  But part of me is really pulling for Falla to triumph, even though Federer is my favorite in tennis.

All this exciting TV watching has really made me into a craft machine. So far I've knit the Aspen Hat and Balthazar Vest from Twinkle's Big City Knits: 31 Chunky-Chic Designs with the Art yarn I got back at the Ally Pally show. I've pieced, quilted (by hand and machine), and bound a disappearing nine-patch lap quilt. And I'm about to start up the Marilyn Sweater from Twinkle with some Misti Alpaca that's been sitting in my stash for quite awhile.

I'm also excited I finally get to post some pictures of the two baby sweaters I knit. I've been waiting to put them up until I finally sent them off to the parents-to-be.

The first is a tiny one from Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac. This baby has already had its due date past, but is still hanging around in the womb.

The second one is for my sister's baby. She already knows it will be a boy, but he won't arrive until sometime in October.

I've been really busy this week!
I just finished a big tufted pillow from Amy Butler's In Stitches: More Than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects.  It will really come in handy when we host our USA v. England cook out.

It also matches the curtains I recently made up for our spare room. The fabric is from Ikea, and I just love its big print.
 
I've also been doing a ton of quilt piecing. Here are all the squares I finished for my 12" Storm at Sea quilt. I also finished all the rectangles that go between them, so I just need to get all the units sewn together. I LOVE having the pre-cuts. John Flynn and family are geniuses.

It was my birthday last friday, and we went to the roller disco in Vauxhall. I think everyone was nervous it would be over crowded, and the skating wouldn't be very fun. But it was a good number, and everyone was really great on their skates! And best of all, there were no major injuries.