Friday Surprise!

Those snowflakes in my previous post turned into a messy, icy three-inch snowfall.

I know, for many of you that is nothing.

But here, the world pretty much stops turning.

My office closed mid-day on Wednesday and Thursday was a snow day 

with courts, many government offices, LOTS of doctor offices, 

and so many school closings that the list went on and on and on.

Things will be back to normal by the weekend with temperatures well above freezing.

So what did I do with that time at home?

I can't show them to you, 

but I pieced and finished the two backs for Lynne's two quilts.

double click for more detail

I also made the final six socks for Sock Swap II with Mary Lou's Yahoo group.  

All 12 of these will go in the mail to CA today!

Let's see ~ I pre-wound bobbins, sorted fabrics,

washed/dried/pressed those wonderful fat quarters,

planned at least two or three quilts while I was stitching,

did some stuff around the house, baked apple cinnamon muffins,

and I made something special that I can show you.

What do you do with orphaned orphans?

There were lots of leftover strips  after I finished the two quilts for Lynne.

I used them all together to make more fabric!

There were only a very few pieces left from the squishies Lynne sent

and I used them to make the top of the "something special."

Back

Ta - Da !!  

Yes, it is a quilt for Lynne's cat, Millie.

We had three of her Gizzy quilts here at one point ~

one for Rufus, one for Star, and of course, one for Miss Angel.

When Angel crossed the rainbow bridge, her quilt went with her.

When Rufus and Star (MIL's cats) were adopted into their new forever homes

 their Gizzy quilts went with them.

Front

I figured that since Lynne is going to get TWO quilts

from her stash of orphan pieces, her Millie should also get one.

Not to worry, Millie ~

your quilt will be freshly laundered so there will be no traces of snow.

I'm pretty sure you have enough of that at your house already.

Have a good weekend!

Quiltdivajulie

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“We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have,
but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.”  (Frederick Keonig)

Giggles Ahead

Double click to enlarge

Hope you enjoy a smile or two

in the midst of these last-minute frazzle-days . . . 

No time for stitching and

super extra-busy at the law office . . .

Trying hard to savor the good

and push aside the frantic . . .

Quiltdivajulie

Work in Progress AND a Finish!

In the design studio, I've started painting the binding tree!

The yellow, orange, and pink were edited out

after the first coat ~ poor coverage

and just not what I envisioned

(reminded me a bit too much of

the early Fisher Price toys).

This will take several more days ~

multiple coats + drying time.

I'm excited that it is underway!

Over in the sewing studio, I decided to work on

one of the PIF quilts that just returned from Chris.

I bought this kitty panel a long time ago,

intending to make something for my late MIL.

Not only is MIL gone now,

but my own Angel kitty

is no longer here

to quality test my work.

So, this lap throw will go to one of the

Alzheimer's Study Group participants ~

hopefully someone who needs some

comforting visual purring.

Chris used a wonderful panto

and the most perfect variegated thread.

The quilting lines look just like kitty fur!

Now I can start a stack of quilts waiting to be sent off!

Quiltdivajulie

Fare Thee Forward

Yesterday was the day no pet owner wants to arrive. Miss Angel had slowly stopped eating over the past few days, no matter what kinds of tempting food we offered (the desperation in her eyes as she sniffed the various aromas was difficult for us to watch, to say the least). As we promised when we learned of her cancer diagnosis, she is now free of earthly constraints. After fifteen loving years together, we are going to miss her gentle nature, her sweet disposition, her heartfelt tummy purrs, and her steady companionship.

As if the Goddess of Serendipity knew that we would need something good to soften the edges of our loss, we have an answer that we never expected to receive. Last fall, we reluctantly surrendered MIL's two senior cats (Star and Rufus) to the Bartlett Animal Shelter after it became clear they could not live with us (despite our best efforts). The staff at the shelter assured us they had "a good track record" of adoption for older cats, but we feared the worst. Lo and behold, Star AND Rufus were adopted (we didn't know that our shelter lists each of their adoptable animals on Petfinder.com rather than rely solely on walk-in visitors). How wonderful to know that Rufus and Star did not have to live out their remaining time in wire cages ~ MIL would have been thrilled to know her cats had new homes.

Thanks for understanding.

Quiltdivajulie
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"It began in mystery and it will end in mystery, but what a rare and beautiful country lies in between." (Diane Ackerman)

Friday Notes

I'll be meeting up with Chris Saturday morning to swap No Words Needed (medallion-pieced back shown above) for the freshly-quilted Welcome Home gift quilt. As soon as I can get the binding finished, WH will be gifted to my co-worker (but not until after I take pictures).

Like so many others, I received my pre-ordered copy of Kaffe Fassett's new book this week ~ such glorious eye candy and such wonderful inspiration. I have a small stash of his fabrics and I've been itching to work with them ~ this book has re-ignited those desires; but I've also come to accept the fact that whatever quilt I make with KF fabrics will not be like any of the ones in his books. His directions give me fits so I will honor my liberated spirit and allow the inspiration of his quilts and quilt photos to guide, but not control, my options. Time will tell what happens.

Before that can happen, I need to get back to work on Spirit Song (or was it Soul Song?) for our master bedroom ... and I need to make a new a wall quilt (the gentle pastel quilt currently hanging on the wall at the head of the bed does not play well with the boldness of SS). I'll use the colorful scrappiness that has been trimmed and set aside as work on SS has progressed.

The winners of the Post 600 Giveaway were chosen by random number selection . . . the Color book goes to Julie at Floribunda Quilts while the Julia Cameron Artist Way books go to Denise at Count it *all* JOY. Thanks so much for your kind comments ~

Finally, on a sad note, we've found out why Miss Angel hasn't fully recovered after her recent bladder infection/tooth extraction. The vet found a mass under her tongue, sedated her to do a better examination, and told us that it is cancerous. No estimate on time remaining, but we will not make our sweet kitty endure significant pain or suffering. For now, we've switched her from cat food to stage 2 baby foods. Gerber ham and ham gravy in a jar was a big hit, as was their beef in a jar and chicken in a jar (but the Beech Nut turkey/sweet potato combo & the Gerber mac and cheese were total duds). I haven't shopped for baby food in 25+ years ~ I had no idea there were so many stages and varieties and options.

What a roller-coaster kind of post . . .

Quiltdivajulie

Paper Schmaper ~ Give Me COLOR!

This was the scene when we woke up Monday morning (remember, we live in the mid-SOUTH). Schools were closed, the courts were closed, doctor and dentist offices were closed, & at least one local university was closed . . . but were DH's or my office closed? Nooooooooo . . .

Over the weekend, we had finally figured out why Miss Angel hadn't been eating well . . . a broken/infected tooth! So, we were off through the snow to the vet for a 9 am appointment. Diagnosis? The tooth had to be removed (they cleaned the tartar and plaque off the rest of her teeth while she was sedated) and her bloodwork indicated a mild bladder infection. She will be getting an antibiotic daily for 14 days. Here's hoping she feels better soon!

My office finally closed at 3 pm . . . now, I don't know about ya'll, but I am NOT going to deal with paper when I get off work for snow! Unfortunately, the snow changed to rain, then to sleet, then to snow again, then more rain . . . with the temps hovering at the freezing mark. By 6pm it was very soggy and NOT so pretty.

I used my bonus hours to machine stitch the binding to this little gem. Back in early September, several of us made liberated blocks in solids for what would become a get-well surprise quilt for Tonya. MIL was in the hospital so I just tossed the leftovers into a basket. After they turned into a scrappy 40" x 50" flimsy nicknamed Liberated Leftovers (click to enlarge), my original plan was to hand quilt using Tonya's freehand fans ~ my wrist and hand let me know in a hurry that my plan needed to change, asap. (Oh, Chris . . . I have another one for you . . .)

Today, as I attached the binding (with doo wop playing in the background), I just knew there HAD to be a better name. Then, all at once, there it was ~ Antidote. Is there any better antidote for cold, sloppy wet weather than COLOR? I think not.

Once I have hand stitched the binding in place, Antidote will hang on the wall in my studio ~ beside my grandmother's Flower Garden quilt. I hope her work made her as happy as mine does me!

Quiltdivajulie

Furry Friday

Guess who got a Snuggie for Christmas!?!

(Keep in mind that Tippy weighs all of maybe six pounds...)

And guess who is back in her favorite spot under the tree? Miss Angel circled the entire time I was decorating, waiting for "that" moment when the skirt was put under "her" tree...

Here's to a restorative weekend ~

Quiltdivajulie

Not Quite So Furry Friday

This is where we've been for over three months now . . . devoting countless hours, significant dollars, and considerable effort of all kinds to help MIL's cats Rufus and Star thrive and become full-time members of our household.

Sadly, despite our best efforts, the kitties themselves have helped us make the final decision. Angel is losing weight and has become tentative and evasive. Despite his early adventures, Rufus has been staying in the laundry room and kitchen, rarely venturing more than a few steps into any other room before racing back to his hiding spots. Star, at 18, seemed to handle the transition better than either of the others but she has also had several ongoing issues.

So, in the best interests of each of the kitties, and for our own long-term well-being, we have very sadly surrendered Rufus and Star to our local shelter knowing that they have a good track record and a high adoption rate for healthy cats. Our prayer is that they help Rufus and Star each find new homes where they will be happy, healthy, adored, and loved. And our other wish is that the freedom to move around her house again without being intimidated will allow Miss Angel to return to her former sweet self.

Tough choices are never easy . . .

Quiltdivajulie

Wordless Wednesday

* * * * * * * * * *

p.s. If you have any available selvages from DOG-themed fabrics, please leave me a comment (if you are a no-reply blogger, please include your e-mail address). I have lots of CAT-themed selvages (for obvious reasons), but the quilt I'm working on is to be gifted to a DOG owner . . .

Intervention and Beyond

This was step one of the intervention ~ moving my quilt books from the small bookshelf just outside my studio to this closet shelf inside my studio.

This was step two of the intervention ~ a trip to the big box store with our utility trailer in tow.

Step three of the intervention required taking our new purchase upstairs . .

Step four involved DH installing this new screen door at the entrance to my quilt studio. Late last week, Mr. Rufus decided that the fabrics in my studio were preferable to his spacious new litter box in the room next door ~ needless to say, he and I vehemently disagree on this subject.

So now my studio is by invitation only for those with four furry feet. Star is ready and waiting when I'm there and happily curls up in the second chair . When I get up and turn off the lights, she hops down and goes to the door. DH and I are surprisingly pleased with the new arrangement (the existing solid door was removed and put in storage) ~ the new screen door not only solved the immediate problem but it also defines my "space" ~ much like DH "going out to the workshop."

By Monday evening, after umpteen loads of fabric-related laundry, I felt safe enough to pull out part of my stash . . .

. . . and create the first 2 blocks as I participate in Pat Sloan's Red Zinger Mania. Stay tuned ~ there's more to this selvage quilt than currently meets the eye!

Quiltdivajulie

Furry Friday

MIL's china cabinet has been moved to our house to store/display some of my quilts. The furniture was originally dark wood, later antiqued with 60s burnt orange, and finally painted this age-yellowed cream. The glass doors have been stored and, at some point, we'll move the cabinet outside so that it can be re-painted (color to be chosen after we live with it for a while). My original plan was to remove the lower doors and also have quilts in the bottom section, but I'm not so sure we want to create a cozy kitty-nest.

Look up on the balcony . . . do you see him? That's Rufus in full contemplation mode. What is he contemplating? Whether or not he wants to repeat his recent leap to the brown chair. The first (and so far only) attempt surprised him as much as it did the two of us ~ especially since he neglected to factor in the fact that the chair rocks and swivels. Talk about a freaked-out cat! [and yes, that is newly-quilted Quiet Elegance hanging over the balcony railing ~ waiting patiently for me to work on the binding]

This is the view from the balcony . . . the plant is strategically positioned to discourage intermediate-level jumping and we're trying to discourage Rufus from any further full-story leaps, but he is truly a three-dimensional fellow so it won't astonish us if he makes another attempt.

Meanwhile, Star continues to control the chair to my sewing machine. I forgot to cover the seat the last time I finished sitting there, so the lint roller will be required before I can sit there again.

Here is Angel enjoying the early morning "after breakfast" sunshine.

This is the first corner of my hand quilting project . . .

And here's one last "furry" photo - taken as we walked to a neighbor's house for their annual Halloween party ... DH went as Thing One and I was Thing Two.

Life goes on, one purr at a time . . .

Quiltdivajulie

Furry Friday - Pay It Forward

I actually spent some time in my studio Thursday evening. It was the first time since Rufus has come to live with us ~ and oh, my ~ he is retraining me in a hurry!

Funny boy ... so curious ...

He's working hard to live up to his new title of Assistant Quality Control Manager (Angel will forever retain her position as QC Manager).

He's discovered the windowsill . . .

And he's discovered the table for my original machine ... this is his "keeping an eye on the arrival of another kitty" pose.

I did my small part to help keep USPS in business this week.

MIL's hearing aids and stash of replacement batteries have been sent to Hear Now based in Eden Prarie, Minnesota.


Two of MIL's quilts, Kitty Chaos and Feline Fancy (Laurel Burch Fantastic Felines wholecloth), have been freshly laundered and sent to Margaret's Hope Chest of Grand Rapids, Michigan. What a terrific volunteer effort to provide quilts to children and others in need as the Michigan winter approaches.


And MIL's glasses have been donated to OneSight through our local Lenscrafters store.

Paying it forward is a good thing. Now, here's to the weekend!

Quiltdivajulie
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"To many people, spiritual healing sounds rather exotic, something only very holy or evolved people can do. The truth is spiritual healing comes naturally to all of us, and is achieved every time we open our hearts fully, speak our truth, see the beauty in all things and desire to share this joyful energy with those around us. One needn’t take any specific training in order to be a healing force in this world. It only takes a generous heart and a willingness to share it with others. It doesn’t take power or money or even time to be a generous and loving force in the world. It just takes the desire to make the world a little brighter with your heart." (Sonia Choquette, Ph.D.)

Weekend Notes

I finished the binding on Colorful Coins ~ this is another quilt for the Mountain Baby Blanket project. As of September 30, 425 quilts have been donated and distributed to children in Appalachia. I have three more in various stages that should be completed before Thanksgiving.

I snapped this view of the scrappy back to show the Stars and Loops quilting Chris added.

And this is the "hanging on the fence" view . . .

On the kitty front, it appears that there is some degree of acceptance happening (although all it takes is the twitch of a tail, the movement of a paw, or the nod of a head to return to the growling, chasing, singing stage). Angel appears to be stalking Rufus (on the windowsill) but we suspect this is because she's always been an "only child" and is fascinated by having other cats to observe/chase/investigate.

This is Star, who finally stayed put long enough for me to take her photo. Her fur is much shorter than Angel's and Star has a lot more gray, especially around her eyes (Star is 18, Angel is 15).

The weekend was not nearly long enough to get through even 1/2 of my to-do list . . . but at least we had some sunshine (and our first frost of the season).

Quiltdivajulie

Let the Games Begin . . .

Rufus (on the corner of my ironing table) and Star continue to explore our house and appear to have chosen my quilt studio upstairs as their preferred hangout.

This is the first place we look for Star . . . once I get the seat lint-rollered and de-haired, I'll re-train myself to cover the seat with a small towel whenever I leave the room (and we've found that she has already learned to walk "just so" when she crosses the top of my Bose radio to reach the windowsill ~ I may have to learn to unplug it so she can't turn it on so easily).

And this is where we found Rufus Friday night ... curled in one of my project boxes atop a strippy work-in-progress. (his eyes were glowing from the flash, so please pardon the clumsy edits to the photo)

Rufus actually sat still long enough Saturday afternoon for me to snap a couple of photos. I haven't been able to do this with Star (yet).

Angel (our "resident" kitty) hasn't altered many of her routines now that all three cats have full run of the house. There have been several stare-downs, a bit of hissing, a few growls, but mostly they just avoid each other.

We took time Saturday afternoon to visit House of Mews (in MIL's obit, we had mentioned this feline rescue organization as an alternative to flowers). There are currently 140 kitties there waiting to be adopted including a few kittens, several 18-20 year olds, lots of calicos and tortise-shells, plus black cats, white cats, and gray tiger cats. We were glad that we didn't have to choose one over the other!

Maybe some stitching one day soon . . .

Quiltdivajulie