NEW BABY CLOTHES QUILT

I just finished another baby clothes quilt and I think it's the best one yet! Of course I feel that way about just about every project. My client and I had to compromise on the backing color and I think it turned out great. My client wanted green as it's the recipient's favorite color, but I thought blue would be better as most of the fabrics were in or had some shade of blue. So we compromised by using both and I just love it!!!

One of my favorite things about making these quilts is making appliques out of some of the embroidery on these clothes. I also try to transfer any cute little pockets, too. So much fun!

Here are some pictures of the quilt. And, of course, it's even better in person!

front

Love the dinosaur!!

Pockets and puppies

Back

I'm now working on one more quilt for this wonderful client and this one is for a girl with lovely shades of pink. I'm hoping to get it finished by the end of the weekend and will post pics as soon as I can.

MAX UPDATE II

Sorry I've been so long with another update, but life has been crazier than usual. I had several urgent projects to get done and chose to get them out of the way. Now that they are finished, I can, hopefully, get back to normal.

First of all, Max is doing great. We had a not eating issue about a week and a half ago, but that's been resolved with some assisted eating for a day or two and a further realization that Max does not like change. I put down a bigger water bowl and he quit drinking water. Same with the food bowl. Crazy cat!!!

Max is still taking his insulin well and tolerates the twice daily ear pricks to check his glucose levels. They are still higher than I would like, but are gradually coming down. I expect another dosage increase when we go back for another check-up this coming week.

I need to get a video clip of Max fussing at me. His voice is soo squeaky like a haunted house door. And he's so loving. He's actually becoming a lap cat of sorts, though his body is almost too long for my lap.

I've received a ton of cat print fabrics from my quilting buddies and hope to have some made up into quilts and stuff soon. They will be offered for sale to try to raise some money to pay Max's considerable vet bills. What great friends I have!! Y'all know who you are!!!

I'll be back with some more pics and, maybe, a video clip, shortly.

MAX UPDATE

Just a quick update on Max. I can't believe he's been home a week today. The improvement is amazing!! He's eating like a horse and is so much stronger. He's getting oral liquid meds - an antibiotic and one for icky poops - and he's not happy about them, but he's taking his insulin injections like a trouper!! He goes back for a check-up next week and I can't wait to see how much weight he's gained. So it's "so far, so good" for Max.

I'll try to get some new pics done and posted this week. I can't wait till all the shaved places grow out. Right now he looks like he got a particularly bad poodle cut!

Just a reminder for all you cat owners - keep an eye on your cat's habits. If she starts drinking more water and, as a result, peeing a lot more, whisk that feline to the vet - she may have diabetes. As a veteran of now three cats with diabetes I can tell you that it's manageable and worth the small extra effort. Getting the diabetes under control at the beginning can be frustrating, but when your efforts pay off, it's easy to deal with. There are a lot of good sites that have good info about feline diabetes. My best tip is to invest in a good glucometer and learn how to check your cats blood glucose levels from time to time. It's easy peasy, as they say.

MAX

As I stated in my last blog, my cat, Max, was in the hospital. He was diagnosed diabetes and has possible problems with his pancreas and liver. Below is a picture of him in his cage at the hospital. He had all sorts of tubes attached to him including a feeding tube.

It all began on a Friday night when I found him in the bathtub in the middle of the night. I thought he was dying right then and there. Max has always been very antisocial and when he let me pick him up and hold him I knew he was very sick. I watched over him and when he was still around on Sunday morning we went to the emergency vet clinic. They kept him overnight and my vet referred him to Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists for evaluation. He stayed there for two very long weeks.

Max in the hospital

I knew if anyone could save Max, these people could. I've had pets treated there many times. I think Gulf Coast is one of the top vet clinics in the country. They let me come and visit Max every day except Sunday. I hope it helped Max and I know it helped me.

I'm not sure that Max is totally out of the woods, but he's ever so much better. Max is now home, but he's a long way from being 100%. He's probably lost a third of his body weight and is still very weak. He's on insulin twice a day. But he's eating and drinking water and purring like crazy when I pet him. He's got shaved spots all over him - legs, neck, tummy - looks like a bad poodle cut.

Max at home

Having him in the hospital was very, very expensive, but I couldn't let him die without a fight. Not after he struggled to stay alive. Soon I'll be listing some pet-themed quilts and other items to raise money to help pay Max's hospital bill. Meanwhile, Max could sure use your prayers and positive, healing energies.

BACK ON EBAY

Well, y'all, I'm back on ebay. I only have two listings right now, but plan on a lot more soon. My kitty, Max, is in the hospital and I need to raise some money to pay for his care. I'll post more about him later. Right now I'd love for you to check out this cute little lap quilt I made from a MODA layer cake in the "Wee Woodland" collection by Keiki. It has the fall colors that are so perfect right now. It has one layer of flannel to make it the perfect weight to snuggle under on these cool autumn days. Go see at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBaylSAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320611380651&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

My next listing is a cute little holiday table topper in the Christmas colors of red, green and gold. I made some little four-patch blocks using two holly prints in green, red and metallic gold and framed them with a beautiful red, green, metallic gold and black paisley. The back is a green and red holly print on black. There's a middle layer of red flannel to add body and extra color. Check it out http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBaylSAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320611724902&ssPageName-STRK:MESELX:IT

Guess I'd better get back to sewing!! Thanks for stopping by.

NEW ETSY LISTING

Just wanted to let everyone know that I've posted a listing in my Etsy store for a custom baby clothes quilt. Followers of my blog can get a 10% discount on any item in my store. Just convo me and let me know what you've purchased or are interested in. www.grandmabarbara.etsy.com

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS QUILT

I just wanted to let everyone know about the beautiful, queen size breast cancer awareness rag quilt that's up for auction on ebay. A whole bunch of ladies from my two online quilting groups contributed blocks for this quilt and one fantastic lady sewed it all up. The proceeds from this auction will be going to another dear friend who was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. She is currently undergoing chemo and radiation therapy and, frankly, could use some help with all the medical bills. This quilt has beautiful blocks of breast cancer awareness prints and awesome embroidery. There's lots of time to get your bid in on this one of a kind heirloom quilt. Check it out at http://cgi.ebay.com/Breast-Cancer-Awareness-Rag-Quilt-Queen-Size-Fundraiser-/310260419328 This is your chance to help someone one on one.