Friday, May 29, 2009

NEW ADDITION TO BLOG

I've added a new button to my blog. On the right-hand side, just under the freekibble and freekibblekat buttons is a pretty purple button for The Animal Rescue Site (http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/). Go to the site everyday and click on the button there to provide free food for abused and neglected animals. They are partners with Petfinder.com. So one more click everyday won't take much of your time and will help feed needy animals. Check them out!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

DOGGY LOVE?

I've had so many posts about cats that I thought I'd talk about dogs. My latest dog-themed tote to be exact. I just listed this cute tote on ebay and etsy. The outside of the tote is a patchwork of cute doggy drawings and phrases. Inside is a coordinating paw print fabric. All of it is accented with topstitching/quilting in red. There are two roomy inside pockets and a magnetic snap to keep everything secure. This is the perfect year-round tote for any dog lover.

OUTSIDE

INSIDE

Monday, May 25, 2009

YOUNG LOVE?



This is a series of pictures I took of a squirrel who seems to have come courting one of my kitties. He sits in the tree outside the kitchen window, watching Katie. She often goes to the window to look out at him, too. (Sorry I don't have a picture of her looking out the window - I'll keep trying.) Their eyes meet and there's some sort of facination going on here.





He's such a cute squirrel and, yes, he is a he. lol He just sits or lays on that limb and looks in the window. Sometimes he's there for half an hour or more. That's a long time for squirrels who seem to be always on the go.






I'm not sure he liked having his picture taken, though. He was giving me "the look."

Katie has a history of cross-species crushes. For a while she was enamoured of a little lizard that spent time outside the kitchen window. When he was there she would come and get me and show me that he was there. She would fuss and fuss, looking at him and then looking at me. I think she wanted me to bring him inside. I don't know if she understood my explanation that lizards don't belong in the house. At least she hasn't asked that the squirrel come inside yet. lol



Katie

Saturday, May 23, 2009

QCG RED TAG SALE - LAST DAY!

Today is the last day of the QCG Red Tag Sale on ebay. There are still lots of bargains available so go take a look. You'll find more than 80 items including fabric, patterns, kits, quilts, totes, home decor items and lots lots more. You can go to ebay and search QCG Red or just click on this link http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37.l1313&satitle=qcg+red&category0=

Thursday, May 21, 2009

IT'S FINISHED!!

I finished my first disappearing nine-patch rag quilt last night and got it listed today on both ebay and etsy. It turned out even better than I expected. What do you think? It measures 47" x 47" and has a nice brushed denim on the back so you can use it as a quilt or a picnic blanket. I'm definitely going to try this style again. Maybe with assorted rose prints?

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

QUILT PROJECT UPDATE

I now have my patriotic disappearing nine-patch quilt all sewn together and ready to clip. Hopefully I'll get that done and have pictures in a couple of days. It's really coming together nicely. I've used denim on the back with white flannel in the middle for a little punch.

Another great thing has come out of this project - I now have figured out where to put my temporary design wall. I bought a flannel-backed vinyl tablecloth at Walmart a while back, but with little spare wall space, I couldn't figure out where to put it. Yesterday I was in the small entry hall I have and the proverbial light bulb came on. On the one wall without a door I had hung my first quilt project - an Ohio Star wallhanging. I have it on a dowel, hanging from a couple of cup hooks. I thought, "ok, I can work with this." I found a longer, narrower dowel, attached the tablecloth with some safety pins and hung it on the cup hooks. Just the right amount of space and good lighting, too. Here are a couple of "before and after" pics.

This is the wall as usual with wall hanging.

This is the "design wall" with patriotic quilt inital layout.

Monday, May 18, 2009

CHARITY QUILT SALE

My dear friend and fellow ebayer, Lisa (lisacb2005), has listed four children's quilts with the proceeds going to either the Make A Wish Foundation or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Lisa is a member of two ebay groups, Rag Queen Quilters and Quilter's Corner Group. Another group member has a lovely little girl who was stricken with leukemia last year. She is doing well with her treatment, but is not yet in remission. Lisa wanted to do something to help out and asked the mom about it. Mom said they had been helped out by both organizations mentioned above so Lisa decided to make a quilt to sell on ebay with the proceeds going to the organizations. She put her idea out to her two groups and members responded with donations of rag quilt squares, fabric and appliques, all in teddy bear prints. Lisa organized the donations, was able to make four quilts - two twin sized, one crib size and one tag quilt - and she did the listings. You can check them out and bid on them at http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZlisacb2005. I am glad to have been able to play a tiny part in this endeavor, but the lion's share of the work was done by Lisa and she deserves all the credit. Good show, Lisa!!!

Now go check them out and bid, bid, bid!!! You can also check out the listings of the groups who participated in this project by searching RQQ or QCG.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

MAY QCG RED TAG SALE

It's time for the May QCG Red Tag Sale. I just looked at the offerings and wow!!! All sorts of kits, fabrics, handmade items. And the prices - double wow!!! I have listed my remaining inventory of totes and crib quilts at close out prices. Just go to ebay and search QCG Red Tag or click on this http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37.l1313&satitle=qcg+red+tag&category0= If you don't see what you want there will be more listings later today and even tomorrow.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

DISAPPEARING NINE PATCH PROJECT - PICTURES

I'm working on my newest disappearing nine-patch raggy quilt. Here are some pics showing the process. I think this will be all the pictures until I get it finished. I want the completed project to be a surprise.


Laying out all my squares & coming up with layout.




First block - initial assembly




Initial block cut in four parts


New block resewn
This is a fun project to do as it ends up looking a lot more complicated than it really is. I plan on joining the blocks raggy style which will add more interest. More to come!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

NEW PROJECT

I'm starting a new quilt using the disappearing nine-patch blocks. It's going to be a patriotic quilt in red, white and blue with denim on the back. Just getting the squares cut out; I'll work on the layout tomorrow and try to post some pics of the process.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

AUTO REPAIRS

Today has been so non-productive! The A/C in my Jeep was no longer cooling so I took it in to the dealer thinking it just needed coolant. After a wait of an hour and a half, they tell me it needs some new part whose name I can't remember (the price I can remember!). The good news is the part is in stock. The bad news is that they will need the rest of the day to get it installed. I was at the shop, hadn't arranged for a ride so I called around and found someone who would come and get me and take me to the shop when the Jeep was ready. I signed up for the shuttle to take me home. After more than 30 minutes, I was able to get ahold of my neighbor and he came and got me. I had called a dear friend for the evening ride, but my neighbor said he could take me back. That's all settled, but I HATE being here without a vehicle, even tho I don't really need to go anywhere. Of course, what I hate worse is hanging around the shop waiting to get the car. At least at home I can get stuff done. So that's what I'll try to do.

I so enjoyed making the disappearing nine-patch totes, I'd like to try a raggy disappearing nine-patch quilt. Sounds like it might be very interesting. I'll keep ya' up to date on my progress, how about that?

Friday, May 8, 2009

DISAPPEARING NINE PATCH TOTE BAGS

Hey, I got the totes finished today. I had to scramble for some fabric for the pockets and straps, but I think they turned out pretty good. I love this combination of fabrics. MODA always has beautiful prints and colors and this collection, Gypsy Rose, is no different. Here are pictures of both totes. The fabrics are different on each side since it's from charm squares.

This is the Gypsy Rose 1 tote, side 1.


This is the Gypsy Rose 1 tote, side 2.


This is Gypsy Rose tote 2, side 1.

This is Gypsy Rose tote 2, side 2.

DISAPPEARING NINE PATCH PROJECT

I should have started taking pictures of this project sooner, but, oh well!! I'm making two totes from a charm pack from MODA of the "Gypsy Rose" collection by Joanna Firueroa of Fig Tree Quilts. This is a beautiful collection of fabrics with soft, rich colors and sort of boho florals and prints. This project used 36 of the 38 squares in the collection. Not enough for even a small throw quilt, but good for two mini totes. The lining will be a very pale shell pink floral. I'm not sure about pockets, but there should be at least one interior pocket. I also need to come up with something for the straps. Anyway, this is a picture of the four blocks I created. I really love this look and I'm sure I'll try it again. I want to thank Fabricsnquilts for the tutorial she posted in our Quilters Corner Group. You can also find other tutorials/instructions on the net. It's a very easy way to make very interesting blocks.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

GOOD NEWS

My momma cat, Goldie, went to the vet today to have her jaw xrayed to see if there was any root left from the tooth she lost. If there was they needed to go in and remove it to prevent infection. Luckily it had been resorbed (?) so no surgery was necessary. I had to have her at the vet between 7:30 and 8:00 this morning so we all got up extra early. I got to pick her up around 12:30, after she recovered from the anesthesia. She seems to be feeling fine if just a little miffed that I left her at the vet with no breakfast. She was all better after spending a bit of time at the food dish. lol She's a real sweetie.

Momma Goldie

Monday, May 4, 2009

ALL GROWN UP

I thought I'd post a couple of picture of the "big guys" Kurt and Oliver and their sister, Katie, from when they were kittens. Oh, my, how they've grown!!!!


Katie, Kurt & Oliver


Katie, Oliver & Kurt

Kurt, Oliver & Katy - the latest in desk ornaments!

The first two were taken in June of 2006 and the last in August of 2006. Such tiny little guys, weren't they? Do you see those big paws in the second picture? Compare them with Katie's paw. That was my first clue that they would get so big. They are a lot of fun, though, so I guess I can't complain.

Advertisement: The Rag Queen Quilter's group is having a Customer Appreciation Sale this week with items either starting at $.99 or having free shipping or both. Go to eBay and search RQQ and you'll find the sale items and a whole lot more. Go!! Go now!!!

Sunday, May 3, 2009

PLAID TUTTI FRUTTI MINI TOTE

Here's the new tote. The pictures just don't do it justice. I think I need to get a new camera. Anyway, it's a very sweet little tote with this super summer plaid and vintage button trim.





Saturday, May 2, 2009

GREAT GIVEAWAY

Check out Magnolia Bay Quilts new blog and her great giveaway. I've added the blog to my list and you will want to add it to yours, too.

http://magnoliabayquilts.blogspot.com/2009/04/time-for-blog-give-away.html?showComment=1241281860000#c6074351458203835047

By the way, I just finished a new mini tote with button embellishments. I'll try to get a picture up tomorrow. I was looking at it when I finished and it just didn't look, well, finished! I thought and thought and then it came to me - BUTTONS!! I got out my big button stash and managed to find enough white buttons to add that final touch. Kinda cute if I do say so myself. Well, I'll let you be the judge tomorrow!

Friday, May 1, 2009

SPECIAL REQUEST

Someone requested a picture of Buddy so here it is. He's doing very well. He's staying on his current meds and doesn't have to go back to the vet until July. He still has his vision in both eyes and is just as wonderful as ever!!

Got the results on Goldie's blood work and everything is normal so we are going ahead with the radiograph of her jaw on Wednesday. Hope oral surgery isn't required.

Doesn't he have the prettiest eyes?

HAPPY MAY DAY!!

I can't believe it's May 1st already! I guess summer's on its way for sure now. It was in the low 70's this morning and on the humid side. At least there's a breeze and I can have the windows open for a while to air the place out.


No vet call yesterday regarding Goldie's blood work. No surprise there. They will call the minute I leave the house. Never fails!! lol


Thought I'd post a few more cute cat pics since people seem to like that sort of thing. Catch ya'll later!!




These two are Barney and Charlie. Can you tell they are brothers? They have a third brother, Twitty (formerly known as Junior), who is also black and white. They aren't always this loving; you know how sibling rivalry is.


This is Twitty watching his favorite TV show, "Rachel Ray". He really loves chasing the "crawl" across the bottom of the screen.

This pair is Ben and Jerry (can you tell who makes my favorite ice cream?). They are cream point boys and were my first rescues back in 2000. They are the sweetest boys in the whole world!