Another Visitor

My (indoor) cats often take me to the window and try to tell me about something that they can see, but I cannot.  Today, I spotted him (her?)



As both my cats and I looked through the (dirty) window, he stared back. Johnny stood up on his hind legs, scratching at the window with an urgent need for me to open the window for him.  (It didn't happen).  When I stepped outside to try to get a better photo and see if he had a color, he took off over the fence.

This was my first real look at what I think is the third cat that regularly visits my yard and sends my cats racing from one window to another around the house so as to keep an eye on them and intimidate them as much as an indoor cat can.

I wonder if he wishes he could come inside as much as Johnny and Grace would like to get outside to take care of him?

He is definitely curious about what's inside.  I regularly see his shadow on the window shade as he perches on the side of the house outside the bedroom which has become my home office.  He also regularly leaps from the top of the fence to my roof–I suspect the metal roof on this house becomes quite warm and cozy even on a cold day. The frequency with which I hear him (and his friends) on the roof makes me wonder if I should consider them more squatters than visitors.

He looks to be healthy and well-fed.  I hope he has a warm home to return to when the sun goes down and the storms arrive.

Missing My Big Design Wall

I have some ideas about how/where I can put a big design wall in my little sewing room, but until that happens, I have been making do with the living room floor.



It seemed like it would work OK, until one of my cats decided to have fun and kept passing through, messing things up and nonchalantly leaving the scene of the crime.



When caught in the act, he quickly switched gears and tried to distract me with flirting ...

Incredibly, I did get the blocks sewn together.

I haven't yet decided on borders, binding or quilting design ... but I figure I have enough time to make those decisions and finish this in time for Spring's arrive in 6 months.

Sharing my adventure with the list for Design Wall Monday.

Cats on Quilts

This quilt is Mi Case es Su Casa by Ardith Alumbaugh.

I love the feeling of New Mexico in this quilt ... and the cats that are found in each of the households.

Each day in June, I am sharing my photos and thoughts from the Fiber Arts Fiesta that took place in Albuquerque last month.

Click any of the images to go to the original on Flickr for a closer look.

Free Motion Quilting ... with Help

The only thing Grace Hopper likes more than helping me change the bed linens is helping when I am layering and pin basting a quilt on the work table. It usually ends up looking something like this.

Grace is also a chaser of light and shadows, so as soon as she noticed the small red light coming from my camera as it auto-focused, I had no chance of getting her to look up at me and away from where she had last seen the red light.

I basted the flannel quilt on Saturday and started quilting it on Sunday.  At the end of the night, I folded it, with the pins on the inside so that neither cat (but most likely, Johnny) wouldn't try to help me remove them ...

I came home from work on Monday, ready to quilt, but found myself in a stand-off with Grace, who didn't want to give up her new soft perch.  She refused to even acknowledge me, she was so insistent that I didn't need to quilt right now ...

After I displaced her, she played another game with me which involved her running to the far end of the studio, meowing up a storm until I got up to see what was wrong at which point she raced back to my sewing chair, jumped into the seat and held on tight.  Apparently, I had taken her seat and she was now taking mine ...

Some quilting did happen Monday night, in spite of the kitty antics ... at times, both cats settled into a spot on the large quilt on the table, as I worked my way across it and were irritated with me when I needed to shift things around.

My approach to quilting this big flannel zig-zag design is:

1. Stitch in the ditch along the edge of the white strips (done)
2. Quilt feathers in the white areas (done) 
3. Switch thread color and try something new (a sort of pod shape) in the plaid squares (in progress).  

THEN, I'll figure out what to do about the borders.

I'm joining the list for WIP Wednesday on Freshly Pieced. What's in progress at your house: something new or are you, like me, working to finish an old project?

Another Sunrise

I work up so early this morning that you could almost call it last night, but felt so well-rested and refreshed, there was no going back to sleep. I know I'll probably start fading soon after dinner, but it's nice to be up and about before it's fully light.

As the sun started its daily ascent, I let the cats out on the roof deck, then went downstairs, made a latté, grabbed my camera and joined them.

I failed to get a good picture of Grace Hopper, bug hunter, in action, but it was entertaining to watch her chase down any insect that happened to be crawling or flying over the roof.  Johnny mostly just watched, being a bird man, until she had downed one of her prey ... then he went over to have a look and give it a swat himself.

This morning, I gained a little insight into why Grace usually comes inside and curls up on the quilt folded on a corner of the desk in my bedroom or on one of the wing chairs in the den and sleeps through the morning.  The little girl (cat) insect hunter really gets a good morning workout out on the roof.

Johnny, on the other hand, usually comes in side, suggests that the food bowls be topped of and then insists he needs more outside time.

Speaking of sunrises ... Last night I stitched along with Longmire and finished another hand-pieced sunrise block for the Block Lotto.

The background of the block is a white-on-white print ... the sun isn't up enough for good natural light in the studio.

One of the differences between hand-piecing and sewing it on the machine is that you don't need to press after every seam and so instead of the familiar rhythm of sew a seam, hop over to the iron and press it, go back to the machine and sew another seam, you can sit, relax and sew.



The more I play with color/fabric placement in the June lotto blocks, the more difficult it is becoming to make a decision about what I want to do in my mod-mod-sampler blocks. It's probably time to pull the blocks I have made out, put them on the wall and decide what will play nicely with the rest.

Smells Like Spring

My followers on Flickr have noticed that my big, male tabby now goes outside on a leash.  Despite the sounds of birds singing all around, he is usually most interested in tasting the various desert plants growing in my backyard.

Until recently he showed no interest in the evergreen piñon trees.  This morning, he couldn't get enough of it and stood on two legs to get a good whiff.

I figure it must smell like Spring.

Johnny's little calico sister, Grace Hopper, still stays inside, stares out the glass door and complains loudly ... but makes it clear there's no way she's going to wear a harness and doesn't really seem to want to go outside herself.

My own reaction to the near arrival of Spring is thinking about unpacking the summer clothing that is packed away and an attraction to spring-colored and themed fabrics like these–part of the latest giveaway from Spoonflower.  (Follow the link to sign up for your own chance to win this Spring FQ Bundle of Spoonflower fabrics.)

I'm joining the link on the Block Lotto–this month's topic is Let's Blog about Spring (or Fall).

Snowy, Sleepy, Scrappy Saturday

It's not Spring yet ... I woke up to a gray sky and a frosting of snow ... perhaps the last before Spring?

The snow has since turned to a light rain and washed away the snow ... but the sky is still gray. The cats have joined me in the studio and settled into their morning cat naps on their perch. Seeing them in silhouette in front of the glass doors makes it obvious that Johnny Be Good is the big brother and Grace Hopper, the little sister. They are so alike in many ways ... but size is not one of them.

You can also see the result of some recent mysterious middle-of-the-night catastrophe.  I have no idea how the more desirable, tall perch broke off off from the pole base–I can only imagine that involved both cats claiming ownership before it came tumbling down.   I just came down stairs earlier this week and found it that way.

They settled in and were cat-napping away while I spotted the first bunny of spring hopping within a couple feet of the door.

The tea towel challenge quilt has been my quilting focus for most of the week, but I did make a scrappy teal oak leaf to add to my collection earlier this week.

These leaf blocks are 10 by 15 inches–one of the sizes I didn't originally include in the block pattern ... so I updated it to add the measurements for cutting the squares and rectangles needed for this size as wall as a large 16 by 24 inch leaf that could be make from charm squares.

You can download the updated block pattern here:

Oak Leaf Block Pattern in 6 Sizes

I love how these blocks, made in such unlikely colors for an oak leaf, are turning out.

This weekend, I plan to decide upon and sew borders on the tea towel quilt and play some more with teal scraps.  It's just too wet and gray to be out-and-about and just right to stay inside and put something in the crock pot to cook while I quilt. 

Merry Christmas

A most un-Christmas-y image with my heartfelt wishes for a Merry Christmas.  It's not a white Christmas in Santa Fe, but there are a few leftover dashes of snow.  Nonetheless, it's promises to be merry and bright, as I hope yours is, too.

The Christmas Starburst pillows were finished in time yesterday, in time to go onto the bed before I settled my brains for a long winter's nap.

As usual, Grace helped.

Later the Same Day ...

By the time I had finished my earlier blog post today, Johnny was fast asleep with three feet in the air and not a care in the world.

I had folded up the Holiday Baskets quilt and left it sitting on the corner of my work table and was puttering around the studio, thinking about some of the things on my Wish-I-had-a-Honey-to-Do-it list and deciding what I could take on this afternoon.

Before long,  I noticed Johnny had moved to the other end of the studio and was re-asserting his claim on that quilt.

Can you tell that he knew that I didn't want him there?  I couldn't get him to look at me.

And he didn't budge an inch, even as I covered the table with books so that I could (finally) move the bookcases as part of my re-organization of this space.

What do you mean, you want me to move?  As usual, when all else fails, he attempts to charm his way into getting whatever it is he wants.   He's such a smart boy.

I felt like such a meanie when I finally lifted him off his new quilt so I could move it and use the table.

It's Still Snowing ... I'm Still Quilting

A new storm blew in last night and the big fat snowflakes are going to continue to fall for a while.

And I'm still quilting the Holiday Flannel Stripes with some loopy texture. Linking this simple example to Leah's FMQ Friday.

The cats have been hanging out with me, each in their own way.

Johnny wants a quilt that stops moving around as I quilt it, so he can settle in for a nap. 

Grace Hopper thinks I ought to stop and go upstairs with her and provide her with a warm lap–the studio is cold today as the temps outside drop again. 

Somehow, I have managed to finish the center of the quilt ... and now, onto the borders. 

I know both cats will be happy when I'm sitting in a comfortable chair with the quilt on my lap, stitching down the binding.  Me, too.

Updating this post with a link back to the Year of Lovely Finishes mid-month check-in. 

It's My Own Fault ...

One day I was headed outside with my morning latté and, on impulse, picked up one of the cats and held it in my arms while I sipped and walked around and enjoyed the sun, the sun, the view and the fresh air.

My cats are eight years old and have always been indoors only cats.  They go out on the roof deck, where they are safe from the coyotes and other critters in the backyard and the arroyo beyond.

But since my one impulsive act, both cats have decided this is a habit worth practicing and will insistently nag ask for a trip out and about in my arms.  I have no one to blame but myself.

This is me, this afternoon, juggling Johnny and my iPhone to grab our shadow on the wall outside the studio.

After the Storm ... Puddles to Play In!

This morning, as the sun rose over the neighborhood, there were few signs of the violent thunder and lightning and rain last night.

But there were puddles ... and Johnny Be Good found them.

Johnny usually takes his morning surveillance role very seriously and is constantly on the hunt in case a bird comes too close as they fly to and fro around and above the house.

The roof is also a good place to keep an eye out for the dogs and people on the ground.

But the puddles of water on the roof turned him into a kitten and he was soon splashing up a storm.

His sister, Grace, found the wet deck so unpleasant that she didn't venture far before going back inside. These two may be the best argument of nature versus nurture.

I'm blaming it on the Moon

I figured it was close to a full moon when I couldn't sleep the past couple nights. The lack of quality sleep is making my days less creative/productive, too.  The bird quilt is still not basted ...

Last night, before I went to bed, I stepped outside onto the roof deck for some fresh air and a glimpse of the moonlit landscape.

I wasn't thinking when Grace followed me out, like a shot and went over the wall to the roof beyond the deck.  Johnny soon followed her ... and I was left to watching for glimpses of their white spots as they wandered.  After a while, when it was clear they were not coming in anytime soon, I went inside for my camera and a package of cat treats that I knew would be interesting to Johnny ... he must have heard the fridge door, because he was already inside when I came back upstairs, with treats and camera in hand.

Believe it or not, both cats usually come inside when I call them ... but not under this crazy-making full moon ;-)

In the dark, all I could see of them was the occasional flash of white fur in the moonlight.  Since I couldn't take a photo of them, here they are a couple days earlier ... I think Johnny is threatening to groom her to death if she doesn't get off his wall.

FYI, Feedly ...

Last night, I happened to update a bunch of apps on my iPad, including Feedly.

This morning, my plan to take my morning coffee out on the deck and catch up with the blogs I follow was foiled when I tried to log into the Feedly app.

If you use Feedly, migrated there from the "retired" Google Reader, and encounter this error, know that trying to refresh will not necessarily help.

Google made a change in their interface and so logging in using your Google account may fail depending on the device you are using.  If it happens to be an iPad or iPhone, although the fix has been made in a new update for the Feedly app, it will take a few days for Apple to test it, bless it, and make it available to those of us that need it.

You can read more about it on the Feedly blog, here:

Update Regarding "Feedly is Over Capacity Message" on iOS

In the meantime, the trick is, if you are connected, DON'T LOG OUT.

This morning,  I enjoyed my coffee, watched the cats surveilling the neighborhood and listened to the birds singing while Johnny cackled at them and got ready to pounce if they came near.

... then I realized I was probably still connected in the Feedly app on my iPhone and could use it for reading blogs when I'm out and about until the update is available.

The photo of Johnny Be Good was taken with my iPhone.  The one below was taken a few days ago with the iPad–it's not good, but I have managed to take so few of the two of them together.  They are not unlike models–it takes a skill I don't have to take a photo in which they both look good :-)

A New Playmate for Johnny?

Yesterday evening, while I was sitting at my desk at one end of the studio, doing something on the computer, Johnny be Good was energetically playing around with something at the other end.  This wasn't unusual activity.  Even though Johnny and his sister, Grace, are 7 years old, they still play like kittens and continue the tradition of seeing everything as a toy.

At some point, Johnny came over to the desk ... a long tail hanging out of his mouth.  I thought he was bringing me a (dead) gift, but it was clear when he dropped the lizard and started playing with it at my feet, he just wanted to introduce me to his new friend. 

About the time I was figuring out what was going on, he picked up his new friend, carried her through the kitchen and into the living/dining room and resumed their game of catch and release on the sisal rug.

This New Mexico Whiptail Lizard (I think) must have followed me inside when I was carrying in groceries earlier in the day.

While I was thinking up a plan to separate cat from new lizard friend and lizard from my house, they played on.  At the point I grabbed the camera and took these photos, I think the lizard was stunning ... and perhaps thinking up a plan of her own to get away from that cat.

I knew it was strictly play for Johnny when he picked up an edge of the rug so that the lizard could run underneath.  He was teaching her how to play over/under like he and Grace play with rugs (and quilts on beds).

The lizard clearly didn't understand how the game was played and never popped out from under the rug to attack the cat.  (Imagine that).

Play (and the lizard) slowed enough that I was able to capture him under a plastic storage cup.  While I went into the studio to grab some thin cardboard to slide underneath so I could pick up cup and lizard and carry her back outside ... Johnny continued to play with her and slide her (inside) the cup) around on the floor.



This morning, after breakfast, I found him sitting on the rug and looking around as if expecting to find his new "friend."

If you are curious about the NM Whiptail lizard–the New Mexico State Lizard–I found her (they are always female and reproduce parthenogenetically, without a man) on this state symbols site.

Johnny's sister, Grace Hopper somehow missed all the excitement–she was upstairs napping through the commotion and didn't come down until it was time for her to come into the studio and remind me to grab some handwork and head upstairs to the den to hang out with her.   I don't think the little lizard would have lasted long had both cats been part of the "game." 

Finding My Way - More about the Scrappy Geese Quilt

The second round of quilting in the borders and another trip through the washer/dryer last night did the trick. My quilt, Finding My Way, no longer has friendly, waving borders.

 

About the Quilt

It measured 60 by 80 inches before it was washed and dried; now it is closer to 56 by 75 inches.

90 flying geese units were arranged into trios of geese with light, medium and dark values (relative to one another), ordered light to dark. The individual units were from a block exchange–a great way to collect geese made from 90 different fabrics and almost as many cream sky backgrounds. The thirty trio of geese had 2 inch strips added to each side to create 9 inch (finished size) blocks. The six star blocks added at the top are 8 inches. The the borders was created by sewing 40 two inch width of fabric (WOF) strips together for 60 inches of wide scrappy striped made fabric. After cutting the made fabric for borders and trimming the edge even, I had a 3 inch strip left, which I used in the pieced backing.


The free motion quilting (on my old-as-me Singer 301), was designed to create a soft, crinkly texture.  There's a bendy, loopy feather in each of the goose triangles, a soft meander in the sky and loopy squares in alternating directions in the tan sashing strips, continuing around the stars  The border was quilting in the ditch between the strips, with more curving lines with loops added within each strip to better balance with the rest of quilt.

Although this quilt is VERY scrappy, made from more than 200 fabrics,  the design could easily be made from a precut layer cakes, charm squares and jelly rolls ... the idea has caught with me and I'll be looking for the right fabrics to make a bed-size version (maybe with bird blocks instead of the stars).  For more information about how to make the blocks, check out my Tip Sheet for making Flying Geese and my directions for making the Square and Points Star block.

If you love the look of the scrappy geese blocks, we're making them for the block lotto this month–come check it out and join us ... you could win a set of your own.

Here's the quilt in action on the chaise in the studio.  Notice how Johnny Be Good first photo bombs my efforts to take a photo, then claims the quilt and glares in my direction, daring me to just try to budge him from his new quilt.

Ultimately, he settled in and had a nice long snooze, giving this quilt his kitty seal of approval.

Don't finishes feel great ... even if they aren't exactly on time?  Can I have (another) Whoop for this one?

I'm also linking with Pat Sloan's Show & Tell,  Fresh Sewing Day, FMQ Friday (when Leah's post is up) and Link a Finish Friday.

Nature Abhors a Vacuum ...

My design wall was all but blank for a couple days and I couldn't stand it anymore.

This afternoon, I pulled out these hand-pieced blocks from 2010 and put them up, to give those two unused butterfly blocks some company.   (My cotton robin project is also on the wall ... but since it's a secret, I cropped it out).

 

These blocks were made were block-of-the-month patterns some friends from my small group in Michigan were piecing and I wanted to play along.  I think they all finished their quilts from these blocks, while life and a few moves got in my way and I only got as far as "June"  These blocks, some fabrics and all envelopes with the block patterns have been packed away far too long.

My original plan was to make three blocks from each pattern for a total of 36 blocks for a wall hanging that would be approximately 50 inches square. For Slow Stitch Sunday, I'm picking this up again. 

While I continue quilting the challenge quilt  (here, with Grace Hopper's help), and develop some FMQ technique on the Singer 301, I think some hand-piecing will provide a relaxing balance.

And who knows? I might actually make some progress on this three-year-old work in progress.

Early Morning Photos

After staying in bed long enough to watch another beautiful sunrise, I decided the sky was so beautiful and the light so lovely, I'd take the new pillows outside for photos. My two Feline photo assistants were there to help.

Since surveilling the deck–and the roof beyond if he can get away with it–has become part of Johnny's morning routine, it was a win-win idea. Grace doesn't like the cold deck, but the morning's excitement was enough to bring her outside to join us.

The pillow covers are 24 inches square, quilted simply in-the-ditch, backed with an old Hoffman Challenge fabric and bound with the darkest purple used in the half-square triangles.

They'll be going onto my bed, but these photos make me want to make something like them for the deck chair ... it looks so much cozier with quilty pillows.