A Friday Finish

I can't believe it's been almost two months since I posted here.  Spring just flew by in a busy flash and we are now in the long warm days of summer.  We are all fine here; I just haven't gotten around to blogging in a long while.

I finished this small lap quilt recently quilted, bound, washed, and de-cat-haired (for all of five seconds).  The pattern is Charm Box Quilt, a free pattern by Fat Quarter Shop.  I used two charm packs of Persimmon by Basic Gray and a Moda Bella solid in Prussian Blue.

I quilted it myself using the ever-so-easy squiggly stitch using Aurifil thread.

The backing is from the same fabric line.

We are slowly adding Southwest art and colors to our house and this fabric line seemed perfect for a quilt to throw over the chair in our living room (which is actually a quilt for cats to sleep on, of course).

This quilt matches nicely with the Native American ledger art we bought last year at Indian Market.

I have several other projects in the works but was inspired to start a new project (left).  Perfect colors for summer :)

Late August Already?

Summer is zooming by here in Santa Fe.  Summer is a big tourist season and I have been super busy at Starbucks with all the extra people in town.  This week is Indian Market week  and the population of Santa Fe more than doubles.  Mr. SBQ and I will go downtown tomorrow as soon as the market opens and before I have to work in the afternoon.

I've been working on a few quilting projects here and there.  I did finish my second Charm Pack Cherry quilt. I just love the bright colors of Kate Spain's Daydream line with the periwinkle Moda Bella solid.

Purple was my favorite color as a child and this quilt just makes me happy. Stella and I can fully attest to the fact that this quilt is perfect for summer afternoon cat naps under the ceiling fan.

For the back, I chose the purple daisy print from the line.  I quilted it myself with my go-to Bernina wavy stitch.  This is a quick and easy way to quilt a quilt.

 More happy purple things at my house include these flowers blooming away in our back patio area.  The flowers we planted in early summer are doing well with the cooler and rainier summer that we are having in Santa Fe.  This is salvia and calibrachoa.

Late summer also brings an abundance of yummy blackberries to the farmer's market.  I made a blackberry-raspberry pie this week and it was divine!




















On warmer days, Stella likes to sprawl out on the cool wood floors.  

How are you spending the last weeks of August?

A Finish Just in Time

 I finished quilting and binding the baby quilt for my soon-to-be-new-niece-or-nephew.  The baby is due any day now.

I quilted it myself using a "wavy" stitch in horizontal lines across the quilt.  It reminds me of the clouds in some of the blocks.

The quilt is all washed and crinkly and in the mail.

Here's a view of the back and a close-up of the fabric and quilting.


I just love this fabric line from Kate & Birdie for Moda called Storybook.  The pattern is Charm Pack Cherry by Fat Quarter Shop.

I had lots of cat help on this project from beginning to end.

I woke Gomez up from a nap by snapping photos of him.  This is his usual sleeping spot every night--on the pillows above my head. We both like fun quilting fabric pillowcases :) 

Quilty Daydreams

I will post more about my parents' visit and sightseeing around New Mexico tomorrow.  I just *had* to post this quilt top I finished today because the fabric just makes me happy happy happy.  I think it's all the purple.

As you know, I am a BIG fan of Kate Spain's fabric lines (if you click on the little label link at the end of this blog post, you can see all my posts about her fabrics).  I whipped up this version of Fat Quarter Shop's free pattern Charm Pack Cherry. I just love this pattern--it is fun and quick and makes great use of fabrics.  You can see my first one here.

For this version, I used 2 charm packs of Kate Spain's Daydreams line and Moda Bella Solid in Periwinkle.  This is going to be a bright and cheery summer quilt for my living room chair.  I need to get some binding & backing fabric and Aurifil thread to match the purple soon to get it finished.

Here's a couple of thrown-over-the-coyote-fence shots.


Yes, that is the real blue of the sky today. No need for Instagram filters in New Mexico :)

The invisible plants are growing nicely in my clay pots aren't they?

And here's some shots with Mr. SBQ

as quilt holder.

I finished up a couple of other projects that I'll show in another post.  My quilting assistants were a big help as always.  Do you think Edgar Poe, my quilting assistant, is dreaming of new quilts to sleep on? 

Sewing with Cat Assistants

 I enjoyed my day off of work by finishing the Charm Pack Cherry baby quilt today with LOTS of assistance from the cats.  They must have missed quilting during the time we were moving as much as I did.

Even if you do not have cat assistants, this is a super fun and super fast quilt to make.

In fact, it may be quicker to make without cat help.

Edgar Poe is alway a big help. Check out this post for his tutorial on pin basting a quilt. 

In this photo, he has all the pinned blocks stacked up and ready for me to sew.

Here he is listening to the gentle hum of my featherweight, or contemplating a snack, or getting ready for a snooze, or getting ready to pounce on something.  It could be any of these.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Zen sewing kitty













The second part of the pattern required Gomez's assistance.  Here he is supervising cutting the blocks are resewing them together.

Gomez excels at supervision. With his assistance, I successfully sewed all the blocks together without any duplicate patterns touching and with the castles and sailing ships right-side-up.

Looked who showed back up to take all the credit for the finished quilt.  It seems as though we may have another interloper assistant making an appearance.

Remy and Edgar are carefully checking out the seam allowance and making sure the edge stay-stitching is adequate.













One last photo before the whole gang jumps on the quilt.  I changed the pattern a little from the original.  I reversed the blocks in rows 2 and 4 so the motifs would be right-side-up.  I ordered the backing and binding so I could quilt this up soon and be ready way ahead of the August due date..  Another adventure with the cats, I am sure.

A New Project

My sewing space is still unorganized and full of boxes but after sorting through boxes of fabric and UFOs and missing my sewing friends back in Georgia, I decided it was high time for some sewing (mental health) therapy.

I decided to start on a new project with a deadline.  In August, a new niece or nephew is going to arrive!!  Yes, a new sibling for Mackenzie and Cameron who needs his/her own quilt.

Since I had just packed up (and moved) all of my fabric, I knew I did not have anything for a new baby quilt.  Really I didn't.  Hard to believe I know but nothing I had was suitable for a new baby quilt.

I was inspired by the Fat Quarter Shop's Charm Pack Cherry Quilt floating around in my favorite quilts blogs (click on the link for the free pattern).  The new Storybook line by Katie & Birdie for Moda is sweet and whimsical without being overly cutesy IMO.  I am pairing it with Moda Bella Solid in Off-White from my stash.

I watched the YouTube video yesterday and whipped up the first two steps between loads of laundry.  

I think this is going to be a great baby quilt and is a fun quick project to make.

Remy's Box: FQS Version

Astute on-line shoppers will note that Remy's current favorite box is from Fat Quarter Shop.

Thanks Kimberly for sending Remy a box (p.s. there may have been some fabric in it too but let's not talk about that).

Bits and Pieces

It's been a busy Sunday with working at Starbucks, wishing Happy Father's Day to my dad, and grocery shopping for the week.  Now I need to get a few chores done and get ready for another week.

I was so excited to get the first block and the finishing kit in the mail for the 2012 Designer Mystery Block of the Month from Fat Quarter Shop

The Moda Vintage Modern fabrics are to die for--gorgeous saturated colors. YUM!

First block is done.

Next up is my first finished block for this month's Schnibble--the brand new pattern called Leap Year.  I just love 16-patch blocks. I love them better than 9-patches; don't know why.  I am using 2 charm packs of Little Apples fabrics. Cutemous!!!!!!  Look at the little fussy-cut squirrels. Adorable. 

In another (ahem) package from Fat Quarter Shop this week came a fat quarter bundle of Lily Belle by Bari J. in the cool color way for the Hexy Quilt Along on the Fat Quarterly blog.   The manufacturer is Art Gallery Fabrics and the silky hand of the fabric is just wonderful.   Beautiful fabrics that computer screens don't do justice too. You need to see in person.  It is nearly too pretty to cut up.  

Saturday: More Catching Up, Le Petite for April, Worthy Cause

OK I am all caught up on sleep after traveling, storm watch, general insomnia, and a too busy partial week at work. Whew!  Hopefully life is back to its normal hecticness. 

I don't like to advocate for causes in this blog because that's not what you readers are here for so skip down to quilt photo if you want.

First up, now that the Royal Wedding is over with, please consider refocusing your attention to the storm victims in the Southeast.  The devastation is horrific and residents need help.  I humbly ask you to do what you can for the organization of your choosing and thank you for anything you do good thoughts, prayers, donations, quilts, whatever. Thank you.

There are too many worthy causes in this world and I am often overwhelmed by the great need out there and feel helpless with the inadequacy of my "discretionary" income each month (or lack thereof). But when I think that I have an extra $5, $10, or $20 when others do not, I know that every little bit helps.  My choice:  I follow @HomerBlindCat on Twitter.  Homer is the blind wonder-cat from the book Homer's Odyssey who has captured my heart.  Homer's mom and author Gwen Cooper has set up a donation account for Canat Veterinary Hospital in Tuscaloosa, AL.  Read the blog post here. 
Many vet clinics and animal shelters in Alabama were damaged by the tornadoes and the heroic staff of Canat Veterinary Hospital is taking care of any and all animals hurt or lost by the storm. Donation page is here if you so choose.

OK onto Le Petite project for April. 

 I took my Le Petite project for April to Michigan with me and was able to complete it there during a couple of sewing days with my mom and SIL.  The pattern is a Schnibbles called Brocante by Miss Rosie and the fabric is Bliss by Bonnie & Camille for Moda.  (I used leftover charm squares to make Mackenzie 2 bibs.)   The background fabric is from my mom's stash because I forgot to bring background fabric.  Thanks mom and I owe you some fabric!

The square-in-a-square pattern is more subtle in my version of Brocante. I'll be interested to see the other versions in the parade. 

 While I was gone my goodies from Fat Quarter Shop came.  I was so lucky to win a FQS gift certificate from the Eventide quilt along and here are the resulting goodies:  Fig Tree "Strawberry Fields" jelly roll, yardage of Christmas owls and sweet kitties on gray, and 2 patterns.  HUGE thanks to Thelma at Cupcakes n' Daisies and Kimberly at FQS!!!

Another package arrived while I was gone. Thelma who did such a wonderful job hosting the Eventide quilt along, made and sent mug rugs to all the participants.  How sweet is that???!!!??? I will send Thelma a proper thank you but I just want to say a public thanks for such sweetness.  Thelma--Really, the fun of the quilt along was more than enough and I will cherish this cute mug rug as well as the resulting quilt from the quilt along. You are too kind!

 As frequent readers of this blog know, I love to help out the Michigan economy when I visit and save up my fabric acquisition money especially for the trip.   Here's some goodies from my favorite quilt shops in Michigan:  Lake Street Mercantile, Guildcrafters, and Mabelena.  These are for my Civil War Block of the Week (that I am now behind on...)

Happy Mail

 
Don't you just love getting happy mail in the mailbox?  Happy mail like....

Pips!!! 

Oh Sherbet Pips how I love you so!

I pre-ordered this layer cake from Green Fairy Quilts and it arrived last week. Every time I walk by this fabric sitting on the ironing board.  It just makes me smile. 

Another happy package arrived today from Fat Quarter Shop courtesy of peer pressure from Karin and an irresistible offer from Vickie at Spun Sugar Quilts. 

I really didn't need another jelly roll and really, sincerely tried to talk myself out of getting a Lilac Hill jelly roll just like Karin had.  But when I saw Vickie's coupon, I lost all willpower and

with a voila....


and a Bob's your uncle....

Poof!  Goodies from Kimberly and the good folks at FQS.  

Thank you all my quilty enablers ;)

Back from AWOL with a loooong post

I can't believe it's been so long since I last posted.  I guess I hit a blogging slump.  Hope I didn't lose any readers out there in blogland.  Things were busy but not really busier than usual. Here's a short run down of what happened that past 12 days:

Lots of work bother. What else is new??

Valentine's Day--very nice dinner, wine, and dessert at home with S.on the Friday before V-day.

On Valentine's Day itself (should have seen this coming since it was a Monday...), experienced the joy of a plumbing repair bill due to tree roots growing in the main sewer drain line and causing "issues".  Now I usually do my own plumbing repairs but this was a little beyond my DIY capabilities as it required a big machine to go into the pipe and cut and pull out roots through the bathroom. Lovely--not. I am rethinking joining the plumber's union.    

I finally saw the movie The Social Network.  Great movie but not Oscar worthy IMO. My vote is still True Grit although I haven't seen The King's Speech yet.

The cats did lots of this as always. Although it is unusual to have all four of them in one spot. 

Civil War block of the week: log cabin.  Not much other sewing completed.

 A Fat Quarter Shop delivery of some wonderful Kate Spain Central Park fabric and the pattern for the Eventide quilt along.  I think I'll use a fq bundle from my stash and I'll dig it out and post on Tuesday. 

I was going to show the rest of the Kate Spain fabric but somePoe wanted to be in the photo.  In this photo you can see Edgar's elaborate whiskers.  He has crazy long whiskers, which reminds me of Victorian-era sideburn fashion this Wikipedia link has some great photos.

It snowed again with a light dusting and now it's 70F.  Global weirding at its finest.



I missed all my sewing friends who were at retreat last weekend. Maybe I can get wait-listed again for next year.

On Tuesday the 15th my new BFF arrived.  OMG I love this phone!!!!  Now you need to know that I have had the same phone (a Motorola Razr) since 2006 (I thought it was 2002 but checked on Wiki and the Razr wasn't made until 2006--fact-checking seems to be a dying art in the media...anyway where was I....).
Texting with my old phone was time-consuming, to put it lightly, with the standard phone keypad (but I did it with proper punctuation because I'm a grammar nerd!). So I decided to jump into the whole smartphone scene.

I am now crazy obsessed with my new toy and its inky black screen
and I just love that it came in its own cute little sarcophagus (am I the only person that was reminded of sarcophagi when this arrived?  wonder what the Apple marketing people would think???)  

This whole smartphone thing is great (yes I know everyone else on the planet already knows this...).  It's like having a little personal assistant. I wanted to name my new assistant iVan (get it iVan the iPhone haha! I crack myself up) or maybe iGor (pronounced eye-gore) but S. thought that was just silly. OK please tell me someone else out there has a name for their smartphone...
Of course having this phone probably means I'll just be taking even more photos of the cats.  I'm such a nerd.

But a nerd with apps!

hipstamatic app