Not Kitten Around Progress

 I'm making 2 versions of Not Kitten Around. One version uses the fabric that came in the kit but the other is just similar fabrics I had in my stash. The stash version will be going to my daughter and her boyfriend. It's a little bit of a challenge keeping the fabrics separate but I've caught myself before I made too much progress. Here are the cat heads and bodies.

Here are the two tails.

Here are the two pumpkins the kitty will be sitting next to.

These leaves will be placed at the top of this piece, above the kitty. This pattern is from Riley Blake and will measure about 12.5" X 14.5". I think it will be a cute addition for Halloween!

I Like Thursday #284

 It's once again time for Thursday Likes! Please visit LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color to link up with more participating blogs. I love how my Facets quilt is coming along! This pattern is found in Victoria Findlay Wolfe's latest book, The Quilting Experience. I'm using my fabric stash but still buying a few fat quarters to infuse a little color where needed. Each block is 6.5" square. Each round focuses on a different set of colors. Fun!!!

I bought this little kit from Riley Blake. It's a series of monthly banners or can be made into a quilt using all 12 months. I'm just making this one for October. It came with enough fabric to make one quilt but I'm also going to make another one at the same time for my daughter and her boyfriend. They'll love it! Both of them are cat lovers!

Our tomato plants are bursting with tomatoes! It took awhile. I thought I'd share the largest ones! I love how tomato plants smell.  The smell reminds me of nature and the great outdoors! Such a clean smell!

The question this week is which do you prefer, creamsicle or fudgesicle???? As a child, I would have chosen the fudgesicle. I have always loved chocolate especially when I was a kid. However, now that I'm much older, I think I would choose the creamsicle. I'm not sure why but that's my answer! I would never say no to either one!!

Have a great weekend and stay cool!!!!!

Facets Round 4

The heat is back again and I seem to be moving much slower! My house is cool but if I have to go out to do anything, I get pretty hot. I did manage to finish the blocks for the 4th round of the Facets quilt. This round featured red as the main color with light pink contrast. The middle is made up of a flower motif of any color. The blocks measure 6.5" square. I use paper piecing for some of this block which helps me go a little bit faster. I love the contrast of the rows. My next color is purple! It's supposed to be dark purple but I plan on using what's in my stash.

I couldn't find anything in my stash for the binding of the Halloween table topper. I had to go to my local quilt shop to buy a few replacement lights for my longarm and I bought this fabric for the binding.  I only had to cut 3 strips so it was quick to prepare the binding. I'm hoping to sew it on tomorrow. If the heat doesn't get to me!!

I Like Thursday #283

 It's Thursday so it's time to talk about all the things we like! Please visit LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color to link up with more participating blogs. I've been working on this peacock for ages! I finally finished needlepointing the peacock yesterday. I still have the background to work on but I'm thrilled that all those feathers are done! I hope to make it into a 16" pillow. 

I machine quilted my Halloween table topper. I wanted to make a spiderweb in the large light triangles. I looked online for ideas but didn't see anything that I thought would work with this shape. I came up with this idea and like it! It's not perfect but it works! The machine quilting is all done so I just need to make the binding.

I got new couches back in May and put quilts on them to add some color to my family room. I switched one of the quilts to this one, Arcadia Avenue. It measure 72" X 90". I love how it looks on my couch. It adds some really great color. This quilt really showed me what paper piecing was all about. I became very comfortable with this technique after making this quilt.

Our question this week asks if we used a hula hoop when we were younger. I certainly did and I loved it! I remember a few of us would get together in our neighborhood and just use our hula hoops for awhile. We thought it was so much fun!! When my kids were younger, we bought one. I couldn't wait to try it. Was I ever disappointed!! I couldn't get it to even stay up!! It just kept falling down. I never tried again! I guess things just aren't the same once you're all grown up!

It's been a much milder week here temperature wise but things are supposed to heat up once again. Ugh. Have a great weekend!!!

BOO!

This is the August block for the Frightful Fun Block of the Month. It's appropriately named BOO!. It measures 12" X 24". The letters are actually purple even though it looks blue in the pictures!

The directions recommended we make the skulls first since they were going to fit inside the two O's. Although small, these 2 blocks weren't very difficult except for those mouths! Each mouth starts as a square with tiny triangles sewn on each to corner to round it out. Mine didn't come out perfect but close enough. I attempted one mouth 3 times until I liked the result. Done is good!!!

I was afraid I wouldn't be able to center the skulls properly but it really wasn't too hard. I saved the exclamation point for this morning. This was the fastest part of the block! It was nice to finish earlier than expected.

Next month is the final month of this BOM. I have really enjoyed working on this quilt. The patterns were so fun to work on. I can't wait to put it all together and see the end result!

I Like Thursday #282

It's time for Thursday likes! Boy, the weeks just seem to be flying by. Please visit LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color to link up with more participating blogs. The August directions for the Laurel Ridge BOM were out a few days early so I started working on it. I have to make 32 Cat's Cradle Blocks. I'm working on the portion of the block made up of 4 triangles. The pile on the left are the side triangles. The pile in the middle are half square triangles that have to be ironed open and trimmed. The pile on the right are my finished pieces. It's coming together nicely!

We went out to eat last weekend and I got the best drink ever! It was called simply Pineapple Rum Drink. It was so good! It tasted like a pina colada and even had a little nutmeg sprinkled on the top. I don't always finish drinks but I finished every drop of this one!!

I thought Lily looked uncomfortable sleeping on her couch like this. She stayed in this position for awhile so I guess it couldn't have been too bad! Silly kitty!!

The question this week asks if we worked during the summer when we were younger. I worked as a cashier as soon as I turned 16 years old and continued until I went to college. Once in college, I got a full time summer job to help pay for my tuition. I never enjoyed the summer once I was old enough to work. That might be why I'm enjoying my retirement so much! It's so nice to have time off and be able to do whatever I like!

Have a wonderful weekend!! Stay cool! It's been so hot up here in the Northeast. We're finally expecting cooler temps.

Halloween Stratford

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I had a few busy days at the end of last week. I had to take my mother to the doctor. I didn't have a lot of time to sew but somehow, I managed to finish this Halloween version of Stratford Table Topper. It's a quick project so one step every so often adds up quickly.

These are just the diamonds before I sewed them together. I moved them around until I liked the layout. I just alternated black and orange so it didn't take too long. Plus there are only 6 diamonds so there aren't that many variations. 

I found a background in my stash that I liked. I just barely squeaked out enough to finish the topper. I like the lines and little bit of gold in the fabric. Its not really a pattern but adds a little bit of interest to the background. It's just what I wanted! I had to order the batting. I sure miss running to JoAnn's with a coupon! This will give me time to figure out how to quilt it. Hope I think of something good!!

Stratford Quilted

 

I just finished sewing the binding onto the Stratford Table Topper. I tried to find something in my stash that would work. I'm glad I found this tucked away in my purple drawer and love how it turned out.

I took this picture while I was still quilting it on the longarm. I quilted feathers in the points of the star. That middle seam made a great spine for the feathers. The diamonds have ribbon candy surrounded by echoing lines. The smaller triangles in the middle have echoing arcs with round arches along the edges. It's nothing too difficult but gives a nice effect.

The texture really looks great on this small piece. I plan on making a Halloween version for someone special. These table toppers are cute and fast and make great gifts. 

I Like Thursday #281

It's time, once again, for Thursday likes! It's been a quiet but hot and humid week. I've been sewing and pretty much staying indoors as much as I can. I've been working on my Facets quilt and am making progress on the 4th round which is red with light pink accents. I have to make a total of 28 blocks for this round. Each block measures 6.5".

The cats have been comfortable indoors with the air conditioning on. I thought it was funny to see Lily sleeping right next to her favorite toys! Ahh, the life of a cat!!!

We don't see too many pigeons around our house but this one seemed to love my husband's car! He sat on it for awhile, would walk around and then go back to sitting at that same spot. So funny!!

This one is a bit hard to see but a doe was in my yard with her 2 babies! They were so cute to see. I was a little nervous seeing them cross the street but all three of them made it safely across.

Please visit LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color to link up with more participating blogs. Have a great weekend and keep cool!!!

Stratford Table Topper

I've been wanting to make a table topper and wanted to use my 1930's fabrics. This pattern, Stratford, by Doug Leko fit the bill! This pattern was found in his Tabletastic! 2 book. I have all 3 of his Tabletastic books and love them!

The first step to gather your fabric and cut them into rectangles. 

Each set of rectangles were cut into diamonds. I used a 60 degree ruler but there were templates in the book. 

I cut the triangles for the background also using my trusty 60 degree ruler. I sewed one triangle on each side of the diamond. And then, all blocks were sewn together. The topper measures 32.5" X 28.5".  Now, I'll have to figure out how to quilt it. I'm sort of proud of myself getting something finished during a hot and humid summer day! Time to rest now!!

I Like Thursday #280

It's once again time for Thursday Likes!! Please visit LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color to link up with more participating blogs. I finished my Scaredy Cat for the Frightful Fun Block of the Month. This cat was fun to make but there were lots of points that had to meet so it was slow sewing once each section was completed. This block is 18.5" square.

This picture just gives you and idea of how the sections were made and sewn together. 

I received a gift subscription to Just Cross Stitch so I got the Halloween edition early! There are so many fun patterns in this issue. It's going to be difficult to pick which I should make first!

I bought this pattern last week. It does remind me that we're halfway to Christmas but I also thought I could make these wreaths for different seasons. I would love to make a topper for Fall but I have a lot going on right now so we'll see!!

The prompt this week asks us if we prefer a hammock or digging in the garden. I would say I think I'd like the hammock! It looks comfy and perfect for those hazy and humid days of summer. My husband loves doing all sorts of stuff to the lawn and plants. I'll leave him to do the digging!

Have a wonderful weekend! It's cool and rainy today but still humid. I'm hoping for better weather for the weekend!

BOM X 2

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July! We had a great holiday but I did manage to find time to sew! I finished my blocks for the Laurel Ridge BOM by Lynn Wilder featured by The Quilt Show. I used chain piecing and every quick technique I knew to get these blocks done quickly. I made 12 blocks of each colorway. I do feel I get quicker every month!

Scaredy Cat is the block this month for the Frightful Fun BOM. Today was hot and sticky. My sewing room is nice and cool but I just couldn't finish this guy today. I ran out of energy. I'm hoping to finish him tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest. Isn't he cute?? He will finish at 18" square.

I'm hoping for some drier air in the next few days. We shall see!!! This humidity just saps my energy.

I Like Thursday #279

It's time for Thursday Likes! Please visit LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color to link up with other bloggers participating in I Like Thursday. I received my July clue for the Laurel Ridge Block of the Month sponsored by The Quilt Show. I have to make 24 blocks, 12 blocks in 2 different colorways. Here you can see my flying geese being chain pieced. I had to make a total of 96 (Yes, 96!!) flying geese. It took a few days. I use the 4 at a time method so I guess that's a bit quicker than doing them individually. I'm in the process of sewing the blocks together. I've made 4 so far. Sort of slow!!

I had to go to the library yesterday to log in my tutoring hours for the month of June. The sun was shining when I walked by this window. So gorgeous! I love our library and am happy to be a part of it even in a small way. 

Our vegetable garden seemed to be going nowhere. Nothing seemed to be growing. In the last few days, it finally looks good and healthy! No vegetables yet but it looks very good now.

Our prompt this week asks us if we like picnics as well as what type of picnic. I suppose as a kid we always had our lunches at the beach right on our beach blanket which is a sort of picnic. I did the same thing when my kids were little. That beach sure makes you hungry! Now that I'm older, I love to sit on my deck, at a table, and eat outdoors. I try to do that often in the summer. It's so nice to enjoy the fresh air while eating dinner. 

Have a great holiday weekend! 🎆🎇🧨

Facet - Round 3

Here's my Facet Quilt so far. Round 3 is complete! It measures 36.5" square so far. Each round is a new color combination. The corners on each round are a little different as well. Each block is the same pattern but color placement is changed. Each block measures 6.5" square.

This is the start of the next round. The main color is red with a contrasting light pink. The middle is a flower motif. 

I placed my two red blocks just to get an idea of how the quilt will look with the next round. Victoria Findlay Wolfe comes up with some great patterns. I have the next block all ready to be sewn together but I just received my new directions for the two BOMs I'm working on. I wish the days were longer! Too much to do!!

I Like Thursday #278

Welcome to I Like Thursday! A bunch of us bloggers post happy and fun content every Thursday. Please visit LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color to link up to more blogs. I bought this Wooden Insect House for my husband who's always outside planting something. It's supposed to attract beneficial insects as well as butterflies. I haven't seen much action yet but it's only been up a few days.

It's been so hot all week but I did manage to cook a few light meals. This is my crustless paleo quiche. I also added some turkey bacon. 

I made a crustless custard pie too! You need a few sweets to get you through the heat.

We went out for sushi last weekend. I always get the cooked one. This one is shrimp and crabmeat. So tasty!

That's it for me. Today is so nice and cool. I'm really enjoying having the windows open. Have a great weekend!!