Eating Crumbs

We've been spending a few minutes each day working on crumb blocks a la Bonnie Hunter.

Since Bonnie explains it best, here's a link to her tutorial.

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2005/06/crumbs-crumbs-crumbs.html

There's a drawer in the sewing room dedicated to scrap pieces that are either little, partially pieced or haven't been cut down yet. Orphan blocks also wind up there. Ever since Momcat attended a Bonnie Hunter workshop, she doesn't throw out much of anything. She saves anything that is 1" or larger.

Yesterday she pulled out the drawer of scraps and just started sewing pieces together at random, with no thought to color or pattern. I sat atop the ironing board in my usual spot to supervise. She worked on three blocks at once, using areas that were trimmed to add to the next block and so on.

Our blocks are trimmed down to a 4.5" size. The trimmed bits will be used in other crumb blocks.

Here are the five blocks completed over the course of about an hour of sewing time.  Now imagine another 25 similar blocks all joined with a fun tone-on-tone sashing such as orange, coral or lime green.

If you look closely at these little blocks you'll see batiks, orientals, Halloween novelties, flannels, Christmas, florals and 1930s reproductions. Anything goes! Feel free to add some ribbon, or bits of clothing or wide rick rack (just make sure your materials are washable and dryable...these are quilts that are meant to be used).

Sundance and Trouble cozied up on the sewing room daybed while Momcat and I worked. Typical!

Have you created for 15 minutes today?

Piwacket

Rip Van Piwinkle

I settled down for a cozy catnap only to wake up 14 months later, which is about 8 years in feline time..and no other kind of time matters.

While I was sleeping Momcat kept up with several quilting projects, some of which are pictured below.

 From Atkinson's Designs Let's Do Lunch, Taco Salad table mat using batiks.

 Quilt made for a co-worker. Momcat called it "Moroccan Breeze" in honor of her friend, Mouna.

 Apparently Sundance took over my quality control duties in my absence.

 Hot pads for 2011 Pay-It-Forward gifts.
  

Hexing Around block for Friendship Swap exchange.

Very country hot pad for one of Momcat's co-workers.

Momcat also managed to stop working two jobs and paint the kitchen. Future decorating post will come.

Even I was sad to hear that my little brother Butch passed away quite suddenly. He was not yet two so we lost him far too soon to a mass on his kidneys. RIP little Butchie. I'll see you when it's my turn to cross over the Rainbow Bridge.

I'm overdo for some kibble and scritches.

Purrs, Piwacket

A Thousand Words Thursday

The Holly Bandana Pattern

My friend, Jen, the Cre8tive Quilter, developed a great bandana pattern for her big girl, Holly. I'm now using this pattern to make Maggie's bandanas. The plus is that they slip easily over the collar, are very durable, and are super simple to make. Here's a link to Jen's pattern:  Holly Bandanas by the Cre8tive Quilter.

Maggie is wearing her new patriotic bandana, red covered in white stars.

She just saw her reflection in the sliding glass door. Look at that tail going!

She's bringing momma her dragon. She's quite the dragon slayer. This is her very favorite toy.

All tuckered out.

Three more bandanas for different seasons. Watermelon, fall flowers, and winter are ready to go.  I also made a duplicate red starred bandana for Kim's vizsla, Scout.

Butch and Sundance, my support staff.


BFF KIM and HANNAH

Kim and I have been best friends for years and years. I now get to share her granddaughter with her. Being Auntie Linda is loads of fun, especially when Hannah is so adorable.  Yesterday we grabbed some Wendy's and headed to Winton Woods for a picnic and walk around the lake. Weather was a glorious 85 degrees with a breeze.

Just like her Nana, Hannah thinks I'm pretty funny.  She is such a happy baby.

The Canadian Geese and ducks were abundant. Especially once they found out we had French Fries to share.

Hannah was fascinated, and despite her love of food (this little one can EAT!) she was attempting to throw her Cheerio at them after she saw me throw my French Fries.

Nana Kim and Hannah watching the fowl.

After we left the park we headed to the Greenhills Creamy Whip. Just look at this beautiful heirloom quilt from Kim's family. It's so soft and perfect for the baby to roll around on. I'm tellin' ya, a lovely summer day under the shade of a tree on a quilt with your best friend, a baby, and some ice cream. Can it get any better than that?

Kim's quilt. Yeah, I'm jealous.

Just look at that smile. Nana's got some yummy vanilla creamy whip to share.

I'd like you to notice the bench in the background. This is in memory of the daughter of one of my teacher friends. Jeni Miley died tragically from a fall and a seizure a few years ago shortly before she was to be married. Her mom, Linda, has turned her death into a legacy of compassion and giving. The Hugs from Jeni Foundation supports animal welfare, education, and children....all the things that Jeni loved. I didn't realize that I'd captured the bench in this picture until I started to edit. It makes a perfect day even better to be able to send Linda this picture and let her know what an inspiration she is to all of us.

Purrs and hugs,

Momcat Linda

9 Patch A Day Challenge Progress

Karen Montgomery of The Quilt Company is mom to the 9 Patch A Day Challenge that started on June 1. We've completed 14 scrappy red, white, blue and tan blocks.  The picture below is NOT indicative of any final design. What a fun way to use up those 2.5" squares from scraps.

My siblings pay me in kibble for the privilege of coming up to snuggle in my throne with me. Sundance has paid the proper fee....for now.

Purringly,

Piwacket

1 Million Pillowcase Challenge

Are you participating in the 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge sponsored by American Patchwork & Quilting Magazine?

Here's what we've donated so far.  Pillowcases are so fun and easy to make, and they use up your stash in a hurry!

Naturally, one of my quality control assistants had to make sure they were ready to go.

Thank you, Sundance!

We hope to get a few more made in the next couple of days.  If you've never made a pillowcase before there are a lot of free, simple patterns on the web.  I use a couple of different techniques depending upon whether or not I'm using a directional fabric.

Happy stitching,
Piwacket

Agent 99's a Winner, Even Without Maxwell Smart

Congratulations to Agent 99


You've won our Week #4 Giveaway of all the scrapbooking materials. Now you'll have a spot to put those pictures and notations for all your creations! Send me an email with your snail mail address.

Sundance picked your name out of the bowl.

She's heading back to the bowl for more. Almost as if there was a treat hidden underneath all those papers. Hmmmm.

Christmas Table Runner

Sundance is also serving as our model on the Christmas Table Runner we finished last night.  This was SO easy to make.

Happy Sewing,
Piwacket

Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner!!

First of all, I've been overwhelmed with the interest in our seven fat quarter giveaway. Momcat and I, as well as the other warm-blooded household members, have been blessed with many things. It's exciting to see that our crazy little piece of this world is bringing some fun and joy into yours. Thank you all for visiting. I think it really is more fun to give than to receive (although it sure is fun to win occasionally, too!)


For this drawing, Sundance volunteered to pick the name. Notice we needed a bigger bowl this time thanks to all of you lovely people. First she sniffs out the winning slip of paper.



Then she has to give it the taste test. Hmmm, is this person worthy?




Apparently, she's happy with her choice.




I know the picture is really blurry. Sometimes it's hard for the Pi-cam to keep up with Sunny!
So you'll have to trust me when I tell you the name on the paper is Swooze.


Congratulations, Swooze! According to Sundance, your name smells like catnip.

Swooze has a blog also. You can visit her at Swooze's Quilts and Tall Tales.

Don't forget...we'll have another giveaway next week.


Weekend Plans

Although it's a holiday weekend in the US for Labor Day, Momcat has lots of hunting and gathering to do outside the house. Tomorrow is Open House at Best Friends Quilt Shoppe. Right after work she's meeting friends for dinner. Then back to work all day on Sunday. Thankfully, we'll have her at home on Monday. I plan to follow her around all day so that she'll give me some laptime in between catching up on vacuuming, dusting and laundry.


Sometimes We Sew

Most of the posts lately have been of household happenings or promoting giveaways. Momcat spends a minimum of 20 minutes everyday working on some kind of craft project. Sometimes it's quilting, other times it's cross-stitching or needlepoint. Occasionally it's scrapbooking. And she's going to take a knitting class soon.

One of the things we're not so good about doing is taking pictures of projects in process. Especiallly since there are times that Momcat puts her own projects away because it's time to make a sample for the shop.

Although quilting is our primary hobby, I'm thinking we might start to blog about and picture some other creative passions as well.


Always a holiday for me,
Piwacket

(s)Crappy Christmas Quilt - Part Deux

I'd like to thank you all for your advice and words of encouragement about the (s)Crappy Christmas Quilt. As you can see, my team has been working to make it salvageable. But alas, I think it's a lost cause.


Butch and Sundance just aren't big enough to cover it up as much as it needs to be. They did manage to run away and play with some of the blocks, but Momcat retrieved them and put them in the wrong place. By that point she'd lost heart so much that she didn't even change them back.

Tried two borders. Yuck. Tried one black border at 4.5" which is what the pattern calls for. Yuck. Think we're sticking with the current 2.5" black border.

I'm doubtful that this quilt will find its way onto the shop's wall. Momcat was considering donating it to Project Linus but then thought, haven't those kids suffered enough? Perhaps a home for the blind???

This quilt can best be viewed from a hill in Missouri if you're standing in Finland.

Momcat and I have been mewling about what to call it. As in the previous post, Figgy Pudding Explosion is one thought. Here's a few more:

• Yuletide Muckabout
• Christmas Gone Awry
• Was I Bad?
• Santa's Angry
• When Elves Go Wrong
• Noel NOOOOOO!
• Cruel Yule
• You'll Poke Your Eye Out!
• Clean Up in Aisle Four
  

Feel free to submit some of your own labels for it here. I think it would be some fun reading!

I took a close-up of Butch and Sundance using the Pi-cam. Butch's ears are laid back. He just can't rest on a quilt this ugly.



Yours,
Piwacket

Great Weekend

We put that balance of "Mary and Martha" into practice over the weekend. Plenty of productivity, relationship work, reflection and joy.

First of all, another project is being readied for the St. Jude's retreat, which is now less than two weeks away. Portugal is a fabric line by Moda and Linda purchased this as a kit while vacationing last fall in Myrtle Beach, SC with bff Kim.


That's now a total of four projects going to retreat. There's no way that they will all get done, but what a great way to get some chain piecing done!

Linda's also been programming her IPOD with music and books (currently listening to Bare Bones by Kathy Reichs).

Friday morning Linda met dear friend Monica at Panera's to catch up. (Friends for over 25 years are worth celebrating!) Friday evening Butch and Sundance rejoined our household. They went for a visitation to CatDaddy's apartment. It's been quite an adjustment to have them back. Trouble, their nurturing mother-like cat, has been hissing and swatting at them for days. I'll be glad when things get back to normal and we can just ignore each other again.

Friday evening Linda and CatDaddy attended Philip's concert at Miami University. The Cheezies were magnificent!

Saturday morning Linda puttered, kind of tired and still coughing. Saturday evening Pal Judy came over for pizza and a movie. They had such a good time talking and looking through quilting books that the movie never was played.

Philip came home for Easter Sunday and returned to school today. Always good to have him here.

Linda's over pneumonia. We've heard of three other people who have had it this past week. Strains that are growing resistant to antibiotics, perhaps?

The grass had its first cutting of the season yesterday, just in time for the downpours here today. It was important for Linda to see that she can manage the house by herself. It was a glorious sunny day!

In Focus - "Ethan's Star"

Once a week or so I'm going to focus on one particular pattern or book.

This week's pick is from the March/April 2004 edition of Quiltmaker magazine. It's entitled Ethan's Star and was designed by then QM Editor, Caroline Reardon.



I've made this pattern at least four times using the gorgeous flannels that are available at your local quilt shop. The finished crib quilt measures 42" x 42". One large block is 30". By making nine blocks and adding the borders, you have a quick and easy king-size (102" x 102") comforter.

It is such a simple pattern and fun to make. The beauty of it depends upon the four (yep, only four) fabrics you choose. Although it's illustrated as a baby quilt and I've made it as such, you can easily select a more sophisticated or masculine colorway for the special adult in your life.

Here are just two of the baptismal quilts I've made from this pattern.




This pattern might be available directly from Quiltmaker in one of their back issues. You might also consider accessing your public library's periodicals section, order a back issue through Ebay, or visit your local HalfPrice Books. They sell magazines for only $.50 apiece.

One of the ways I stay organized is to go through my magazines every couple of months, tearing out the pages that I want to keep as a reference. You know, those "someday" projects. I then put the torn out pages into clear sheet-protectors. At that point they go into my Idea Binder, which has tabbed dividers by project genre. All of the baby quilt designs are in one place. I'm then able to clear the magazine clutter by putting the used issues into the recycling bin. If you have young children, grandchildren or a local nursery school you might want to consider letting them have the torn up issues for arts & crafts projects.

When it's time to make one of the patterns, I simply remove it from the 3-ring binder. The sheet protector keeps kitty claws from tearing the page and can be easily wiped off on those rare occasions when Linda spills her caffeine-free Diet Coke.

On a different topic, Butch is back to being a very busy, bothersome younger brother. Sundance is also back to her old self, with nary a cough. Here she is doing her daily jigsaw puzzle.



I leave you with this quotation from I-don't-know-whom,

"Asking a quilter to mend is like asking Michaelangelo to paint your garage."

Trouble

This is Trouble. Trouble is 17 months old, but even this picture, taken when she was much younger, shows that she was going to be a whiz at quilting quality control. This is a baptism quilt that Linda made. Wonderful warm flannel and cheerful kitten design. Trouble gave her approval and off it went to church.
Trouble came to live with us when she was eight weeks old. She and her mother had been dumped at a shelter when Trouble was still nursing. No idea what may have happened to the other kitties in her litter. Naturally, she was too young to remember. Anyway, Linda just brought her home one day much to the surprise of the entire four-legged and two-legged family members. Amazingly, she fit right in. I liked her right away, as did Logan. The picture below proves it. We all like to share the kitty condo.

That's me on me throne, Trouble on the shelf below me and Logan on the next shelf. The three of us get along great and always have.

Trouble is a huge help to Linda in so many ways. Not only is she a terrific quilting apprentice, but she is also Linda's companion when it's time to cross-stitch. Linda doesn't like it when I try to critique her needlework. I am insistent that I can thread the needle, separate the floss, or stitch better than she can. Trouble, on the other hand, likes to just snuggle and watch. She always approves of what Linda is doing. These humans and their need for validation. Sheesh!

Trouble also likes the new babies in our house. Butch and Sundance were rescued the day after Thanksgiving when they were only six weeks old. They were really hard to catch and came out of a hole in the wall. Butch is the orange tabby and Sundance is another dark beauty like me.

Logan and I are not too crazy about sharing our home with kittens, although we're starting to get used to them. Butch has an especially winning personality and one does have to feel a bit sorry for him since he's the only boy. But look how Trouble treats them! Not only does she care for them as if she were their mother, but she's shown them to the pinnacle of the crow's nest and sleeps with them there. That is just not right! That's my throne and I really don't like sharing it with these young whipper-snappers.

So excuse me. I need to give Trouble a talking-to immediately.