silly kitty

Where Skyler's food bowl wound up last night. Note: he shares with his friend Mz. Mouzie who normally lives on or near the couch.  Also note cat, waiting for his treat bite.

Where his bowl actually belongs and enjoying said treat.

The other silly thing he does:  gets out of the litter box in the adjacent area in the laundry room, comes back to food bowl and tries to cover it up as he would the litter.  He often flips the placemat over the bowl contents.  I need to get another plastic type as he uses for his water bowl here in the sewing room but it is interesting to see how things look when I get up in the morning.   Silly boy!

Sewing and UFOs

One row of 5 is done on this stack and whack 60 degree triangle deal though I am not assembling it like the book says.  This way gets trimmed down on the top and bottom once the rows are joined and I don't have to fool around with piecing half hexagons, diamonds or a bunch more equilateral triangles of the same colored fabric.   Much better plan, I think.

I would be much further along with this if I would not disassemble the blocks that had a less than stellar piecing job at the center.   I've taken three of them apart and started over.  I've decided that will just take the center seam out and try to align it better there but not the whole danged block.  I might be able to replace a wedge if it is badly cut but it might be problematic anyway.

I would be much further along if I didn't think that I need more variation in the colors in this.  I made two more blocks at this writing.  Once the borders were cut (should have waited)  I decided that I needed a block with more rosy red in it and a less packed design.  At that point, I had little fabric left and what there was had already been "Swiss-Cheesed" once ( to get the butterfly block at the top squeezed out).  I actually had to take some of the border fabric ends, piece it a scrap piece to it on two sides get out one of the wedges.  I had enough for the other 5.

I would be further along if I had not cut the triangles over-sized but I preferred to do this rather than miscalculate on the math and have to re-cut a whole pile of them and waste even more fabric.  Plus, I never did find whatever ruler it was that I used on this umpteen zillion years ago.  I am using the Marti Michell #8962 "2 to 6 inch" 60 degree triangle ruler which measures by the finished edge size more than the size of hexie it fits up against.

I would be further along if I would remember just how far to off set those joins and my machine would sew through more than 4 thicknesses without balking.  I DO get it now that the join area is overlapped by the same itsy bitsy equilateral triangle at that spot and the triangles make the same shape at the ends too.   I only had to take out two and try again.  It is getting better but I better quit bragging or the next one will be way off!

Silly girl.  Really I am NOT a perfectionist but I DO have standards that I try to meet in whatever I sew or make.  I try to do my best work and what's more, I want my work to look like I did.  I don't do "wonky" because that just looks, to me, like I didn't try to do it "right"  If you want to, fine, go right ahead.  I would rather that my work reflect the lessons I hope that I have learned over the last 25 years or the sewing lessons I learned from my mom before that.  Crumb or string blocks will be as close to unplanned as I will get, to this point.  Never say never.

And the other thing I don't get is someone saying that the Amish would make a "mistake in their quilt as only God is perfect", like they deliberately planned to make a mistake.  To me, that whole thing seems like the height of arrogance.  Your work is so perfect that you pieced in a mistake, on purpose??  Honey, that is a design decision!  I can make mistakes without trying but I DO try to fix them.  A few threads off maybe not so much but the ones that glaring to me, definitely!  When is the galloping horse theory just an excuse to be sloppy in your efforts?  Guess you are the only one who can decide what you can live with.

Since this thing has waited so long for me to work on it, best estimates 2001 or 02, what is another extra day or so.  Hopefully it will be done by early next week as I still need to quilt and bind my hexie entry.  I am NOT going to hurry up to pin and quilt this before my assigned day of August 26th anyway.  I'm shooting for done by Monday evening.  Best quit yapping and get to sewing, right?

Oh, did I tell you that some of the Belles want to try a stack and whack?  I suggested we try the 4 patch stacked posie version just to learn the technique.  Some have already done the stack and whack fan and don't need a lesson but it might be fun.  4 little squares versus equilateral triangles, yes, let's go for squares! Besides you can use those in other fun ways.  I said I would bring the 4 patch stacked posie top for them to see what it could look like.  Yeah, I have one, still needs pinned, personal project so it waits.  April 2009 on that one.

In case they want to see it before next meeting and to remind myself of what it looks like, LOL, since it is buried in my closet.  I have long admired a version that I found on this website----
http://www.augustwindquiltdesigns.com/page13.html    scroll on down to 4 patch posie in a BQ setting of ctrl+F to zero in.  Get a load of the stacked circles version too---rounded shapes but wowie!  I will not make another with this skinny sashing stuff every again though.  Giant ugh there.

THX for stopping by-------seriously this time,  back to sewing for me!

sew-in, quilt meetings and the stuff in between (EDITED)

Always playing catch up lately it seems.  I've been busy sewing so hey, it happens.  More on that in a minute.  I had planned to tell you about the Christmas in August Sew-In that I went to this past Thursday and Friday!

This is the 2nd year that Friendship Quilters had a holiday themed sew-in for three days.  I normally just go to these things for two days as I get complaints about my being "gone all the time". Uh, 3 meeting days a month ordinarily is NOT being gone all the time but perception is reality???   DJ, recalling all the times I skipped out on his birthday to go to the AQS show in late April, could not believe that I would want to go to the sew-in on MY day Saturday.  While on one hand it was my birthday and I should be able to do what I want, I opted to keep peace and attend on Thursday and Friday instead of the usual Friday and Saturday.  My buddies signed up for the same dates since we share rides.  A friend pointed out that it was sweet that he wanted to spend time with me so that really changed my perspective from resenting his telling me what to do.  Smart friend---you know who you are!

Anyway, the wonderful program gals pick some things that could be given as gifts and stocking stuffers displaying them at our previous meeting.  We sign up for what we are interested in making so kits or partial kits can be prepared as needed.  Peggy led us through a microwave cozy bowl. I used some of the leftover backing from my PopStix quilt and shared some of my batting bits too rather than the kitted stuff.  Here we go posed with what we will have for one meal today,  leftover turkey pot pies from last night.  I probably should make a few more since I know they will have to be laundered.

Denise did a wallet and mug rugs.  I messed up and had to use another kit to replace the pieces and then the backing check wound up on the front.  It still needs quilting and a replacement backing, LOL.  However I got it this far!   She also did a magic wallet but I needed to work on my hexie project.

Judy S led us throw a cup painting session passing out stencils, graphite paper and markers for this purpose.  They were baked in the oven the next day so I'll be picking mine up at the next meeting.  Mine is that white one between the clear glass and the soup bowl with a stylized L on it.

Then Shelia did a session on making a mug carrier similar to this one that Norma had made for me several years back.  I love 30's fabrics and she knows it!  I was signed up for this but they called a short executive board meeting.  I'm the secretary so I have to do notes.  By the time that was finished, my three pals were packing up, it was close to 3 and when we said we were going to go.   I have a kit to finish up and it would coordinated with the mug rug.

I HAD planned on doing the Magic Christmas Stocking that Erika was leading the group in making.  That got moved to Saturday and I was not going to be there.  Erika said she would get me the pattern at the next meeting.  I think I may have found a tutorial for something similar or at least one I like and would consider making, LOL.  Of course, it was on pinterest but try this link from Diary of a Quilter.

I don't bake my own birthday cake but I DO occasionally bake a few days before my birthday.  After all, I needed a dish to pass for the sew-in.  This time I made a Peanut-Cola Cake with a cooked Peanut Butter Frosting.  I thought when I first looked at the recipe that it was supposed to be baked in a jelly roll plan as you do for sheet cakes BUT nope, 13 x 9.  I did it in the sheet pan anyway and just baked if 20-25 instead of 30-35 minutes.  The icing is cooked and you put it immediately on the still warm cake, just like all the other sheet cake recipes I have made.  Strictly for quality control we did test it out on Wednesday afternoon, LOL.  Uh,  the cake was still too warm and we had to sort of chase the cake bites in the frosting puddle.  Yeah, I know you should not try new recipes on folks without testing it out first but I figured if it was a flop I would just grab some chips or something at the store instead.

Well, that was the only piece of cake that HE got.  I'll make one for Bama Belles later in the month and be sure more of it stays home for him.  One girl told me to never, ever make that again as she could not make herself quit eating it.  I also made our youngest members day when I handed her a printout of the recipe on Friday morning.  Shelia had shared the link I had posted on Facebook so I knew Mallory was looking for it.  I think it was a hit since the pan came home empty.  I should say to store it in the fridge.  Someone had put the leftover in a ziploc bag and the frosting got watery come Friday morning.  NOT that people quit eating it, LOL.

DJ took me to Panera Bread for lunch since that was my request.   He had been hoping that I would pick his favorite, which was located across the road but it was not his turn to chose.  Besides, he could go to Golden Corral's buffet anytime he wanted to pay for a meal out or wait till I am gone to Illinois in October.  The day was pretty quiet.  I did some sewing (no surprise there, I am on deadline), listened to the ball game, spent a peaceful day at home.

I got my hexie project finished up late Monday evening taking the last seams in the borders and backing about 11 pm.  Constant unsewing and re-arranging trying to keep various prints away from each other---well, you'll see soon enough.  Let's just say that it was more time consuming that it needed to be.  I was determined to be done so I could pin it at Bama Belles yesterday.  Bev helped me, I helped her pin one of hers but I had yardage to iron.    Some of the others had come in by then and she had help for the 3 tops she needed to pin.  We had a good turn-out in spite of the 5 girls that were not there.  Some of them went out to lunch but I had brought mine for a change.  I kept Janet company while they were out.  (EDITED: Because my reason for ironing at the meeting site was not clear.  While I can iron at home, it was easier to be able to let the fabric fall on both sides of the table. You see,  my ironing board actually lives at the meeting place and I just use the table top with a covered board.  Drawback: the table has to sit in the corner of the room so I end up rolling up the just pressed yardage.  That okay for smaller yardage but not 6 yards of fabric.)  

The girls were so kind to give me a lovely card with some birthday money that I will put in my serger purchase fund along with what DJ gave me.  He asked if I had room for another machine.  Uh, probably not but I could probably part with the one I use the least and/or  make room.  I have been doing so much non-quilting sewing lately that I want one again, low end model that I can afford.

One of the reasons I signed up for the hexie hop was to jump start that old Stack and Whack 60 degree Triangle Magic from way back when (2001 or 2?)  I posted about it back in January of the this year.  Norma and I both had blocks but she has turned hers into 3 different projects.  Mine are still sacked up.

BUT I have a plan.  I know what I am going to do.  That is why I was ironing all that fabric.  I made a template of the hexie shape by getting out the trusty compass and drawing pad.  I know how I'll cut the 60 degree equilaterals and it won't necessarily require my following Ms. Reynolds instructions.  Ready all that confuses me a bit but I know what it is supposed to look like in the end.  I was doing some cut and pasting on something I had copied from the book for my mock up at midnight last night.  I don't have to make any extra blocks so other than cutting those triangle units in a bit, I am good to go.  I can talk about this project because it has already been featured on here and is NOT a fresh, made specifically for the hop project.   The blocks are in THIS POST for a preview of coming attractions.  I may not get it quilted for the hop but I will get it moved forward.  I'm stubborn and will get it that far, you know I will.  LOL

DJ and I will be heading into town to get our car tags, library drop off, lunch at KFC with that "BOGO" coupon from the Sunday's Parade section---lunch for 5 bucks for two of us.  I can't cook for that most days.  He also has another stop in mind but I hope I can put that off for today.  I have things to do and the affect of it is a year away, to my mind, it could wait.  He won't see it that way probably.

And sew it goes-----

PopStix comes home!

I have more to add to a post---after all, I had a sew-in and a birthday between posts---but I wanted to share my recently quilted Popsicle Sticks (PopStix) bed quilt. Pattern source:  Atkinson Designs.  I still need to bind it and that is on my "to-do" list, right after the hexie items are finished up for the next hop.  I jokingly told my pal Norma this morning that I may never see daylight with all that is ON that list.  I may post it just to keep myself accountable but trust me, my previous goals list needs to be tossed.  Blog hops happened and I have not done one thing on it!  Oh, I have gotten lots done, just not THAT stuff.  You may see what a sorry confession that is. Or to put a positive spin on things, maybe I should make a list of what I HAVE managed to get done instead or in addition to what was listed.

I took one of this from this angle hoping you could see how pretty the back is and what a great job Denise did with the quilting.  She is a friend from Friendship Quilters Guild who long arms.  I had taken it to the last meeting and she had it done in time for me to pick it up at the sew-in.  Not knowing which pantos she had,  I had said to use something like a big stipple or rounded since the top itself is all strips.  This bubble shape and the variegated thread was the perfect choice.  THX Denise!  I love the fabric too which I found for a good price at thousands of bolts.  Good thing too since I needed like 9-10 yards of it.  Habitat by Jay McCarroll for Free Spirit but it also says Westminster Fibers #JY 34 For the Birds.  There is probably enough left to bind the quilt and maybe make a couple pillow cases for my bed.

I must tell you, that I had to make the bed to even get to this point.  Skyler was NOT making it easy either.  A rousing round of "where's the kitty?" ensued with each layer.  I thought the coast was clear when I pulled out the quilt and the camera.

But, here is the quilt complete with kitty lump.  He had taken a tour of the bedroom clothes closet between bed making and my getting dressed.  I thought he might be done playing and settling in for a the morning into afternoon nap.  You think that they have built in radar when it comes to quilts??

Looks like I should have lightened up the pictures a bit before I posted it.  I'll be sure to do that when I take the final glamour shots instead.  Too late now!

From another angle.  Again I hope that the quilting shows up.  All my favorite colors.  But even better, the quilt does not feel like an army blanket with all the cuddle mashed out of it by over quilting.

I have some more sewing to do this afternoon as I near completion of one of my hexie hop projects.  I hope to pin it tomorrow at Bama Belles so that will push me to finish up sometimes this afternoon.  I'm close!

With that more immediate action plan in place, I best make it happen!  Tell you about the other stuff later.

THX and checking in

The HO HO HO  blog hop continues for a few more days, ending on Friday August 9th.  Today is Day 5.  I hope you are enjoying it as much as I have.  Such inspiration and creativity from this group of participants.  I have been late getting around to see everyone till later in the afternoon the last two days but would not miss it if it meant looking at midnight, or the next day!

I sincerely appreciate everyone who stopped by Friday and a few since then leaving such sweet comments about the tree skirts I have made for family members' holiday decorating plans.  I do try to answer each email but am a little bit behind if it arrived yesterday or today.  I'll get to it though! 

There were quite a few no reply bloggers, more than usual it would seem.  I replied there but I don't know if anyone ever goes back to look at that.  Please see our most excellent cheerleader Carol's note on how to fix that!  It is not hard and really you have two options around it.  It is particularly disheartening to me when someone has asked a question about something, I have an answer to share but is it a one way conversation.  Not only that but you miss out the blogger's giveaways, those who chose to do so,  and the ones offered by Mdm. Samm from our lovely sponsor (this round Timeless Treasures. )  

So what have I been up to besides answering email?  More stuff I can't really show you, LOL.  A few ideas for the hexie hop actually. One thing is completed.  Another, I am more or less winging it and designing/working it out as I go---up to a hand work part.  Another, well let's just say, I've been nubbing off corners and now I need to vacuum up the floor in the sewing room.

Also I was making an early birthday present for my friend Norma.  One thing she knows is coming as I previewed the fabrics choices with her.  I cannot tell you what either as I made one for me first---that entry that is done.   I asked what color.  Silly me should have known she would pick Lime Green, to her green is the new neutral.  The item will need to live at her house so I wanted to sure I was on the right track, LOL.  All the main components are completed but I cannot join them till an ordered supply comes in.  I'm in a holding pattern for a few days longer, it would appear.   Then because I ruined her surprise, there is an add-on or two. She will get the item I am designing IF it works out, that is.

Today I spent a goodly amount of time out in the kitchen.  Starting off with  a Southern Peach Cobbler using this recipe, on All Recipes  but halved since I had just 4 fresh Alabama grown peaches on hand and some soft spots to work around.    It was good but I thought at first that I had over browned it.  I believe that was the half brown sugar called for in the recipe.  It made the peaches look darker too.  

Then I had planned on making Fish Tacos with Avocado Sauce and Fresh Salsa  from Taste of Home.  The fish is slightly marinated in lemon juice, garlic and oil.  It looked like rain so I baked the fish instead of grilling it as I often do for this, good with tilapia.  DJ does not like avocados as much as I do but he was using the sauce and even using some of the chunked up avocado!   Just a nicely flavored, different kind of meal.  All that took some time to prepare for chilling and then eating!

Lastly, I have some clean out the freezer type vegetable beef soup in the crockpot.   That means you just dump stuff in but the next thing I knew the crock pot was overly filled.   DJ said "how did that happen?  Don't you measure?"  Yeah if I am baking and the amounts are critical to the success of the dish.  Who needs a recipe for soup, after all these years?    I had to take some out to simmer on the stove instead.  Lots for the freezer, LOL, once completed.  

Tomorrow I'll be back out there again though it will be making something to like sheet cake to take to the guild sew-in on Thursday-Friday.  I thought I would try this Peanut Cola Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting from my recipes.  Sheet cakes bake on a jelly roll pan and usually only need about 20 minutes of baking time.  Maybe I won't get so over heated, or have to spend 2 hours out in the kitchen without benefit of a/c.   He turned it on once it hit the normal 81 in the house and after I was done----grrrrrr.   As it was, I had two fans on, cooked in my pj's and had to wait to shower till after the dishwasher was done running.  Oh the life of the domestic goddess, LOL.

Oh, when I was talking about tree skirts I have to tell you that I will be making a third one.  My niece who will be celebrating/did celebrate her 2nd or is it her 3rd anniversary will be getting one as well.  I did not want Kristine and Andy to be left out when I had made one for her cousin and one for her brother and sister-in-law.  I asked if she needed/wanted one and she will take me up on my offer.  I will doing something similar to Allison's jewel toned one since she liked it best but picking another block.  That sort of look but not a clone using my Patience Corner idea but scaling it down in size---more like 46 inches finished.    Sort of like this-----but ignore the block colors, being lazy there.

The blocks will be on point--24 of them.  The corners will be notched not squared off but that is the only way I can draw it in EQ.   The center is the cutaway for the tree and the slit will go directly out at the halfway point of the quilt horizontally, as the others did.   I can use some of the leftover fabrics from the other two but had to order more backing and background materials. 

BUT first the hexie things MUST be done!!  I mentioned the guild sew-in.  It is a "Christmas in August" theme, make it/take it format or work on your own stuff.  I am signed up for a few things--some things they are providing kits, others I need to pack for.  That and laundry are my plans for tomorrow though I had a pile of towels to do today after the cooking chores.  Skyler loves warm from the dryer towels  <VBG>  He was looking at me so cutely, till I got the camera out.  Then he flopped and started rolling all over it absorbing the warmth.   Lacking any quilty pictures, we'll go with it.

I may be sewing a bit after supper,  getting started on my main hop entry and thinking about what to  pack up for Thursday.  Should be fun!  THX for stopping by!

Day 3 HO HO HO Christmas in July Blog Hop---my day!

Are you having fun with this hop so far?  I sure am and not only because today is my day to finally show you what I had been working on much of July.  Such creativity! Such sense of fun and whimsy too.  Quilting I can only dream of doing!  Such holiday themed eye candy.  What's not to like there, huh?

Last fall my niece/godchild Allison asked me to make a tree skirt for her.  Well, more like she hinted and I volunteered.  Actually she had seen a picture of my twister wreath  and asked if I could cut a hole in it.  Anyway, we hammered out some details and I agreed to make her own but NOT for Christmas 2012.   I had made two false starts and had other patterns on hand under consideration but nothing seemed to click.  Allison requested something scrappy that would go with any future home decor she might have and either a white or cream backing.  Sounds easy enough, right?  Uh, see the previous comment.  Anyway, along came the HO HO HO blog hop and just the jump start this project needed.  Give me a deadline and I'll meet it!
I dug through my stash and found some traditional prints but also went with some more modern colors.  Some playing in EQ finally worked what I wanted to do, though even then I tweaked it.   I decided on a sashed block with sashing in side the block, on point.  It sort of reminded me a bit of a Christmas package.   This is my own design with an inspiration source that you will see in a minute. 

Trust me, I wanted to get out our artificial tree to stage this but my husband looked at me like I had lost my last brain cell.   I would have gotten the box out of the storage shed but HE would have been the one who had to assemble it, more or less, on a whim.  Bedroom floor, it is for this shot.

My girlfriend suggested seeing who might have an outside round deck table for photos when I mentioned wondering how I could accomplish that.  Two of my quilt group volunteered and Bridget was able to help me out on Tuesday.  Still can't see the whole piece properly and now it looks like a table topper, LOL but definitely scenic, looking down hill.  Other than being hot outside, it was a Chamber of Commerce day on Tuesday.

You can see the colors and quilting better in this one but we couldn't get it to hang just right, being held up.   Maybe between the three shots you have an idea of how this turned out??

When Allison had asked about making this item, my mind sprang to the newlyweds in the family.  My nephew Blake and his lovely bride Julia were married in October 2012.  I contacted them to see if they too could use a tree skirt and/or Christmas stockings, though no way would be done for Christmas 2012.   Go for it, I heard.  I selected the "Star Bright" Design that was offered at Connecting Thread but shown in a lovely blue palette.  Julia preferred a more traditional red and green.  I could do that!  The fabrics were purchased months and months ago. 

First the floor shot.  The binding is the same dark green/black gingham print as the cornerstones which is blending into the carpet a bit.  Now you you can see how I came across the idea to "notch the corners"  on Allison's design. 

I will say that I did not follow the piecing directions--- at all!  The pattern called doing the quilt in a 3 columns,  3 x 3 block set, for  what can best be described as Square in a Square strippie set of Puss in the Corner blocks.  I hate doing Square in a Square blocks, well not hate, but strongly don't like.  I cocked my head to the left and put this all on point, laid out just as you see it.  The large star points are just big half square and two quarter triangles.  Easy peasy. 

If you look at the quilt below than you can see how the originally designed skirt may have been pieced.  BUT there would have been seams breaking up the large red triangles.  Makes me dizzy looking at it, LOL.   It is also how it would look once it was placed under the tree.  Bless Bridget for standing in her plant and wearing a black shirt so the center pops.  

Now if you will indulge me, I want to share what the silly kitty of mine did while I was getting ready to take the first indoor shot.  It was my idea to put on three ties, not just one.  Skyler spotted me tying them closed---oh goodie!  Strings!  Up he hopped on the cutting/pressing table.  First, he just sat on it but soon the front side went into the skirt opening, leaving that back end protruding. 

A 5 inch opening must have been enough to get down inside.  Then he turned around so he can hide but it was not working.  I see you in there, Buddy!  (Now you can see the fabrics a little better.  Some is Nancy Halvorsen's holiday fabric while that red is a Debbie Mumm Holiday print a stylized dot and the green from Connecting Threads. cornerstones and binding, my stash)

  And because I was laughing so heartily by then he had enough of the noise and got out!

I hope their cat does not think this is what you do with a tree skirt!  I am planning on making them each a special holiday bag to hold the skirt with the fabric leftovers before I mail them off to their new owners but with things to prepare for the next hop, it will wait just a tad!

As always a big thank you to the creative mind of Mdm. Samm of sew we quilt but also to our cheerleader this round Carol of just let me quilt.  Thank you as well to our sponsor Timeless Treasures.  You'll have to pop on over to Mdm. Samm's to see what treats (a clue there!) are being donated for top 2, most creative and commenters.

I appreciate your stopping by today.  Now will you please show the others who are featured today some bloggy love too?  Here are the links---

Friday, August 2

Quilt Doodle Doodles

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

Ridge Top Quilts

Editha

Stitchin By the Lake

Quilts, Fabric and Thread Tales

Sew Many Yarns

Kwilty Pleasures

Kris Loves Fabric

52 Quilts in 52 Weeks

Robin’s Fabric Nest

Day 2 HO HO HO Blog Hop

Here is the list of today's participants as we turn the calendar page to August:

Thursday, August 1

Vroomans Quilts

Abyquilt

MacDonald’s Patch

Life and Everthing Around It

Hill Valley Quilter

Traveling Quilter

Quilting Lines

The Reluctant Quilter

Pig Tales and Quilts

Teatime Creations

Ravelly1