Weekend Sewing

Because it was another hot, humid weekend, I stayed inside and sewed (well except for Friday night when we had a BIG thunderstorm and lost electricity AGAIN for about an hour or so).

First up was the Civil War Block of the Week.  I've always loved this block--it's called Barbara Frietchie Star--so I picked some of my favorite fabrics to use. 



I decided to start sashing the blocks together in the order that Barbara Brackman has released them.  I had bought some sashing fabric but then decided it didn't work so I dug through my sash until I found ooooooodles of a great purple print.  I was going to use this as borders and backing for another quilt.  I think I have enough to still use for borders and will find a different backing for the other quilt. 



The fabric was designed by Barbara Brackman several years ago for the Conestoga Calico line and I bought oodles of it because it is the Perfect Purple. 

Not too dark, not too light, not too red, not too blue.  Perfectly purplely in every way.

Morpheus, who is Perfectly Purrfect in every way, enjoyed helping me lay out the blocks.

 Here's another view.  I used one of my favorite shirtings for corner squares--it's a slightly grayish off-white with black design and a tiny speck of red to reflect the sashing fabric--subtle yet interesting.

Morpheus is usually not subtle (he likes everyone to know he is around and always has something to say) but he is always interesting and always interested in what I'm doing. 

I also started and finished a project that I was supposed to do before all the house repair craziness.  Carol at Brown Quilts asked if people would help out a friend of hers and make pillowcases for servicemen and servicewomen.  I am more than pleased and honored to help out with this worthy project.  I sewed these up and off they went to Carol this afternoon.  Love and gratitude in fabric form. Perfect. 

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...)

ASPCA Day--Go orange! (and Morticia update)

A cause near and dear to my heart. Do you know that the Empire State Building in NYC will be lit in orange today in honor of the founding of the ASPCA in 1866? The famous Wall Street bull sculpture will sport orange ribbons too. Visit http://www.aspca.org/ for ways that you can help make the world a better place for animals. One year when I was "volunteered" to be in charge of the Yellow Daisy Quilt Guild's holiday party, my co-chair and I decided that the theme would be cats and dogs and we made cookies in the shape of dog biscuits and made little catnip favors out of four-patches. The favors went home with people who had cats or members could put them in a basket for donation to the local humane society.

If anyone has leftover four-patches from the Orange Crush quilt, you can make really cute cat toys by sewing two four-patches wrong sides together and leaving a space to turn rightside out. Stuff with leftover cotton batting (you know all those little scraps you have everywhere) and add a couple of spoonfuls of dried catnip (organic is best since it has the best catnippiness). Sew up and voila a quilty cat toy! My cats LOVE these little quick, easy toys from scraps. I made a bunch and donated them to the local humane society and gave out to my friends who have cats. And it's a great way to use up scraps.

OK Morticia update. The news is not good. She most likely has soft tissue cancer in her nasal passage and the vet had to remove some of her teeth where the cancer had eaten away her jaw bone. Dr. Harris took biopsies and sent them to the University of GA vet school. We'll get the results back next week. The lump means that the cancer has become aggressive and Dr. Harris said that maybe she will have one to three months, six at the long shot to have a comfortable life. I didn't know it would be so short but I knew that her prognosis was not good. I am going to make sure she is comfortable and pain-free and when it is time then it will be time. I know that she has had the best life possible for the past 10 years. Morticia was adopted from a humane society at the age of 6 months and the other 4 are strays. They really have the best life. My cats eat better than I do, have better health care, have a zillion toys, and are happy to be indoor only cats safe from dangers outside. That's all I can do for them.