A Quilt Finish, an Anniversary, and a (gasp!) New Kitten

A quilt finish....

This was my second pieced backing.  My lazy self says it was a pain in the rear end, and made my brain hurt trying to figure how to make it work.  My other self likes the way it looks, and I may do it again. 


An anniversary...

The hubs and I celebrated 11 years being married.  That sounds like a lot, till I think about the fact that we were together for 6 years before that, and realize we have spent 17 years together.  Wow.  This picture is actually from 2 years ago, because it's the only one we possess that we both look good in. 

And this one is from the big day 11 years ago. 

Aaaaannnnd.....the new kitten!!

My 9 year old is best friends with a little girl named Sarah.  They have been like peas and carrots since kindergarten.  There is a farm, and a huge soy bean field behind Sarah's house. Every now and then, a stray mama cat will show up, and have a litter of kittens.  The kids became instantly smitten with them as soon as they saw them.  Since the mom is somewhat feral, it's very hard to approach them.
However, Sarah's mom was able to corner a couple of them into her tool shed, and catch them.


How convenient...and kitten for each kid. 

We took the little tabby girl, and she somehow ended up with the name Lulu.

The little black fella's name is LeBoo. 

Lu and Boo.  Too cute.

Right now she lives in the ginormous dog crate, because she is very small, and very quiet, and I'm afraid we'll lose her.  The hubs was a very good sport about it.  (At least it wasn't a dozen chickens.....)  And my boy is already quite enamored with her. 

Oh, Gee, It's another patchwork squares quilt...

Kinda starting to see a pattern here, but I just love 'em. 

I started with a Plume by Tula Pink layer cake I've had forever, and then went nutso with the 70's-ish bright prints.  Not what I'd consider my normal color choices, but I do like the finished product.  This one's in my Etsy shop, too.  ~Sigh~  and I like it...

Things I Did While My Camera Was Away

I did quite a bit this week, but my camera was camping with the cub scouts, and posts without pictures are really boring, so....  Anyway, here's what I've been up to.

I finally got this guy finished.  I swear, I feel like it's been hanging around forever.  I'm oddly not that fond of it, so it's definitely one for the Etsy shop.  I made it using a Boutique by Moda layer cake. 

The main thing I did that I am so proud of was...

I. Conquered. The. Minky.

Minky is wonderful.  Minky is soft, and silky, and plushy, and  pretty much a must have for baby items.  I decided I would try  new things, and make a couple of these awesome minky blankets for my Etsy shop.  I soon found out,

Minky is awful. What in the blazes is up with this stuff?!   Minky is soft, and silky, and stretchy, and slippery, and fuzzy, and it sheds, and it shreds......So much for just sewing 2 layers of fabrics together, and calling it a day.

I was getting frustrated, but I knew someone out there in internet land surely has figured this stuff out. 
And lo and behold, I found the most helpful tutorial for dealing with Minky.  The only thing I did differently was to use my walking foot.  I figured I have it, might as well use it. 

So I made a few things to also put in the shop...

Sweet little baby things.  Ha!  Take that, Minky!!!!

My Baby Boy Is Five Today

My littlest man is 5 years old today.  Right now he is playing with the gobs of art supplies he got this morning.  He is a happy kid.

And since my camera is on a camping trip with my older son, I'll leave you with a pic of me.  This is a few hours before he was born.  I really don't know how I was still walking around...

And here he is at a few days old.  So sweet......

I have lots more to share, but no camera to take pics of anything!  So-I'll be back next week....

Lookie What I Got Today

Karen at Sew Many Ways hosted a red & white squares swap, and I got my goodies today.  There were 125 participants, so I ended up with 125 different red & white 5" squares.  How fun!

There are too many to show every one....

There are some hearts,

stars,

some paisley,

lots of dots,

 stripes, checks, squares and gingham,

and some miscellaneous fun.  The Eiffel Towers are really cute.

If I didn't have 18 billion other things to do, I'd be sewing them into a ginormous quilt right now. 

What Quilts Are Really For

Really awesome forts that take up the entire living room.....

I Hate Summer

That's right, I said I HATE summer.  I always have.  Even as a kid.  So many people look forward to it, and all the fun they have, but for me, it's absolute misery.  The heat makes me cranky and crabby.  (Even more so than usual, heh heh.)  The kids are cranky and crabby, and they don't want to play outside, which they usually love to do, and they can get out their 'ya-yas'.  But, this is what is going on today:

Kids on floor watching TV....

Clothes hanging limp and damp, because it's so disgustingly humid, they won't dry....

Dog refusing the leave the porch, and silently pleading for me to let her back into the house...

And did you know that chickens pant?  Well, they do, poor little things...

And I have a quilting deadline, but it's just too darn hot to sit under a quilt, and hand-sew binding. 

So there, I've gotten it off my chest.  I'll be in a better mood come October....

Finally finished something

Yay!  I got my second block done for the Clover and Violet Stitch and Quilt Along.

I used variegated perle cotton for the bigger butterflies, and I like the slight color variation it gives.

Oh, and I also finished this one, for my cousin who got married recently.  Please forgive the awful photo quality, and all the wrinkles.  Had to give it to my mom to frame for me.

Other than that, I have barely had time to do anything.  The Hubs is working out of town, and the kids are on summer vacation.  And it's ill-advised to ever assume that you can leave your kids to their own devices for even a short amount of time without hurting themselves, someone else, or something that belongs to you.  ~Sigh~ 

Summer Fun

The boys' new toy, courtesy of their Grandmas.  It is already getting used A LOT.

By the way, it's a lot harder, and more tiring than I remember....a few jumps, and my legs felt like jello!

First Quilt Along Block Done

Good grief...what I had to do today to get just a few minutes to do this block.

Kids home for the summer = no time to one's self.

I have to say, I LOVE this quilt already.  My pics don't show the colors very well, but it's really going to look nice when it's all done.  Bring on the next block!!

I've also put this on Clover and Violet's Stash Project , because I'm using all fabrics from my stash!  I did cheat a little, and buy some pretty new perle cotton for the embroidery, though.


Clover and Violet stitch and quilt along

Lots O' Stitchin'

I'm on a bit of an embroidery kick this week.  It started with me practicing stitches for the Clover and Violet Stitch and Quilt Along.  Today, got my tracing of the design done,

And started stitching....

But earlier in the week I started this part for fun, part as a gift...

And yesterday, I finished this up as a teacher gift for someone who likes ladybugs.  This tutorial from Polka and Bloom was helpful in making the hoop frame. 

I seem to be adding and adding to that WIP/UFO stack, and not actually getting anything done!  Need to work on that! 

Quilt Along Progress

Clover and Violet Stitch and Quilt Along

My fabrics are cut, and pretty perle cotton purchased.  As I am trying my darndest to use what I have on hand, I'm using some leftover backing fabric for the 'white' embroidery blocks.  I have light purple and aqua.  I like it.  Can't wait to start stitching!