Cats and Fabrics, Who Can Ask For More? (Spokane, WA)

It has been a slow week for outings and photos.  I did get one good one of Max and Dusty.  Max loves to cuddle with anyone that sits still long enough for him to sneak up on them.  Apparently, he wasn't very sneaky.  Dusty woke up and decided to give Max a bath.  

Max and Dusty

That's when I showed up with the camera...of course, he stopped bathing Max and actually posed for me.  That doesn't happen very often for me.  They usually scatter as soon as they see me with the camera.  Uh oh!  She's got the camera...Run!!

On The Cutting Board

Spokane's weather:  cold winds, overcast, and a little bit of rain.  

My weather:  90 percent chance of heat from the iron with many hours of digging for that one piece of fabric, extreme project planning that will keep me going all day long.   WARNING!  Do not expect to see the fabric piles to fade away by evening.

2 snowmen and a Welcome Cat

I can see on the horizon many projects ready for embroidery and embellishments...

I love Laurel Burch's material

Snow day!

Tomorrow's forecast:  extreme chance of great satisfaction of getting many wall hangings ready for sewing.

Made in U.S.A. Minis

sigh!......Happy Quilting!

Recycling Feathered Friends (Spokane, WA)

There is a tall tree right outside our motorhome's door with a nest that looks like it is made of fuzzy feathers.  For the past week, the Western Kingbird couple has been building the nest.  They have been quite entertaining while I am sitting outside with the cats.  

Western Kingbird

 Squirrels find out the hard way that the birds do not want any visitors in their tree.  I have seen them chase two squirrels away and I'm pretty sure there are no eggs yet since they are still working on perfecting their little nest.

Oh, and speaking of the nest...it is made of lint from the dryer's vent!  I found a piece of lint on the ground under the nest and thought...maybe I should get a closer look at that nest.  Sure enough!  It is lint.  This baby bird is going to have one safe and cozy nest to grow up in.

I read this quote online a while back.  I liked what she said and decided to keep it.  I just found it again in my documents.  I tried the link and it is no longer available so I will just share what I saved that day.

Birds are important because they keep systems in balance: they pollinate plants, disperse seeds, scavenge carcasses and recycle nutrients back into the earth. But they also feed our spirits, marking for us the passage of the seasons, moving us to create art and poetry, inspiring us to flight and reminding us that we are not only on, but of, this earth. ~ Melanie Driscoll, Director of bird conservation for the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi Flyway

On The Cutting Board
Whoo Hoo! The "Let Freedom Ring" wall hanging sold within 24 hours!  Thank you!!!

So, I decided I wasn't quite done putting together the quilt kits.  I dragged out all my material and put together a bunch of wall hangings. I have four 4th of the July wall hangings by Nancy Halvorsen and one tea party theme by Urban Threads. Urban Threads has unique designs in machine and hand embroidery patterns. I have ordered a few and have way too many favorites!

I slipped in the snowball/penguin quilt too.  I just love the penguin material!

There is still time to vote at the Blogger's Quilt Festival.  I want to thank my friends and family for voting for me.  Much appreciated! 

Okay, back to the piles of fabrics and making more wall hangings.....or mug rugs....oh, and I have to cut some more fabric from my scrap bags......

Happy Quilting!

Saving For A Rainy Day (Spokane, WA)

Saving fabric, that is...and we are certainly getting our fair share of rain.  We have been in Spokane since last Friday.  The weather has been decent up to yesterday afternoon when the wind picked up and blew in a cold wet front.  Time to dig through my stash and get started on some quilt kits.

5 new quilts to work on

I have been wanting to do this for a while, but you know how it is...I think about it before bed and forget about it by morning.  I finally wrote myself a list of projects I wanted to get setup into kits.  So, far I cut the Sunbonnets' borders, printed foundations and cut fabric for two Tumble quilts, cut fabric for another Crazy 8's quilt, and last but not least, a snowball quilt with a penguin theme (not in photo).

I have also been working on some wall hangings and mug rugs.

With the kits, I don't have to worry about all the time it will take to find the right fabric or to setup and breakdown.  I do need to spend more time this week putting a dent into my scrap bag that I just added to...again!

Here's a couple of photos of my last quilt project.  This quilt along with the kits (once they are finished) will be donated to a children's charity.  I am finally making a dent in my stash!

Ocean Blue

with otters, whales, and dolphins

I finished and just listed this morning a Nancy Halvorsen's "Let Freedom Ring" wall hanging in my Etsy shop.

I have been busy visiting entries in the Blogger's Quilt Festival.  I have seen some gorgeous quilts.  I think I have seen about a third of the entries.  So many quilts, so little time.  On 24 May, Amy will open her link for voting, so I need to start taking notes of the ones I like the best.

The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

Gosh!  I'm a little lost for words. *Wondrous*Enchanting*Mystical*Magical....I found myself craving cakes and I'm not that big on cakes, but I could almost smell the sugar in the air...my mouth watering...mmmm.  Sarah's stories always ignite my imagination and she never fails to entertain me right to the end.  Her books are like a comfort food....so relaxing and she always leaves me begging for more!

17 year old Emily comes to live with her grandfather in a small southern town in North Carolina filled with unusual characters and secrets after the death of her mother.  Emily's mother never spoke of her childhood home or about her own father.  Emily sets out to learn about her mother's past and what the charming people of Mullaby are hiding.  All I can say is once you start reading this one, you will not want to leave..I mean stop reading it!

Sarah Addison Allen has a new book coming out this year called "Lost Lake" and I haven't read "The Sugar Queen" yet.  I'm saving it for later.

“Books can be possessive, can’t they?  You’re walking around in a bookstore and a certain one will jump out at you, like it had moved there on its own, just to get your attention.  Sometimes what’s inside will change your life, but sometimes you don’t even have to read it.  Sometimes it’s a comfort just to have a book around.” 

~Sarah Addison Allen, The Sugar Queen

Blogger's Quilt Festival (NE Oregon)

I am entering Cuddly Critters into the Baby Quilt category in the Blogger's Quilt Festival held and hosted by Amy's Creative Side.  Thank you Amy for hosting this festival.

My husband and I retired in 2009, sold our house, and have been traveling in our motorhome with four cats.  I still manage to get in some quilting time.

Thanks to the internet and emails, I am able to keep up with all my friends and co-workers.  This includes my one and only student intern.  Recently, she sent me the good news that she and her husband were expecting their first child.  I knew the exact quilt I wanted to make for their little one. 

42x42 inches

This pattern is a perfect cuddly quilt for her baby with four little critters hugging stars. Actually, the name in the magazine is "Starbear Friends", but I like Cuddly Critters better.

All the embroidery and appliqué is done by hand.

close-up of kitty's eye

Ready for the quilt. 

It is a challenge to live and travel full-time in our motorhome.  Space is limited, so the quilt moved around the motorhome as it progressed.  From the dining room table...

The Hugs Squad shift change

....to outside...especially when there is a lovely view on a gorgeous day.

...to our front window on a folding table....Nothing gets between me and my quilting!

   

Here are some close-ups of all four Cuddly Critters.....

bear

dog

raccoon

cat

and one of the waiting couple!  Such a sweet family photo!  Thanks you two ~ for letting me post your picture.  I cannot wait to see photos of  the little one.  hint! hint!

Baby due mid-May....about now

Want to see some more beautiful quilts?  Please click on the link below.  Thanks for stopping by!  If you leave a comment, I will be happy to return the favor.

Blogger's Quilt Festival

So, if you will excuse me, I am off to do some blog hopping!
Happy Quilting!

Glamping 101 (Idaho)

We spent 4 days in Boise, ID and now we are on the road again today.  Speaking of traveling, I have added a new page for our Travel Map 2013 and it is up-to-date...well, until this evening.....so you will have to guess where we are until my next posting...

A couple of days ago, we were heading downtown Boise when we drove by a park filled with Canada Goose.  Photo Op!  I spotted some goslings with their parents.  I am so glad I packed my telephoto lens.

mama guarding her babies

whatcha lookin' at?

lots of warm fuzzies

tails! I won!

Glamping 101

Over the years, I have seen Mary Janes Farm magazine on the shelf.  It wasn't until recently that I picked one up to see what was inside.  You can probably guess which title caught my eye..."Fanciful Quilts"...of course, you know me so well.

Once I brought it home, I found I liked and read quite a few of the articles after I devoured the quilt article.  Has anyone heard of "glamping"?  Yea, me neither until I came across this ad "Glamping with Mary Jane".   Looking a little closer, there were photos of vintage trailers, women in evening dresses with cowboy boots.  In Mary Jane's book, she gives you recipes, ideas for the backyard, advice on housekeeping on the road along with much more advice.  

Curious, I did a little researched online.  This is what I have learned:  Glamping = Glamour + Camping.  Glamping adds glamour to any outdoor activities such as camping, barbecues, and other gatherings. 

According to Mary Jane, this kind of glamour camping started with the African safaris.  Yep, I can see that especially in the "Out of Africa" movie.  I would love to go on a safari with huge tents, gourmet meals, and comfortable beds.  Ernest Hemingway's safari style.  Of course, the only hunting I would do is with a camera.

Apparently, you can now rent outdoor tents setup like the one below around the world including USA.  Doesn't that look grand!  There are even tree houses to rent.  I would love to do all of them.

source: West Elm

The reason I am bring up Glamping is the inspiration I got from seeing all the renovated vintage trailers.  They did such a wonderful job of not only making them functional as well as adorable.  I do believe I got bit by the Glamping Bug.

source: UrbanFarmGirl

There's an International Glamping Weekend coming up in June.  I'm looking forward to seeing all the glamping photos and more vintage trailers.

source:  Get Campie

On The Cutting Board

Below are some examples of my Glamping inspired mug rugs.  I thought the small trailers would make for a cute mug rug and I had a lot of fun making them.  Oh, did I mention - they are my own design.  No clipart.  No pattern.     

Okay, so my plan was to introduce you to my latest listings, but both of the trailers sold within 24 hours!  That certainly made my day!  Whoo-hoo!!

I have two more in my projects folder.  I just need to get busy and get them done.

Happy Quilting!

The Hugs Squad Manages Patchwork Time (Somewhere in Idaho)

We left Utah two days ago.  We are back on the road heading north to Spokane, WA with a few stops along the way.  We will take our time by staying a few days here and a couple of days there along the way.  Plenty of time to relax before getting back on the road.  A no stress travel plan.

I got in a little sewing time during the last week.  As you can see, I have lots of supervision from the Hugs Squad.  The Hugs Squad's official job is to make sure I do not spend too many hours sewing without a break.  Break time must include a cat in the lap getting undivided attention...usually with a big bear hug.  If only I can get through to them that 15 minutes of sewing is not a long time in human life.

Shift change with the time managers

Before we left Utah, we did a quick trip to downtown Salt Lake City to visit a new/used book store.  This was on the side of the building.  I just had to share.

There were so many ornate buildings scattered throughout the downtown area, but we did not have much time to walk around after spending most of our time browsing through the bookstore.  I love the balconies on this one...........

and the face on this building.  Maybe next time I will be able to view and take photos of some of the temples in the city.

This little guy came running right up to Dan's feet looking for a handout while he was setting up the motorhome for the night.  So, Dan came in for a couple of nuts and told me that I had a great subject just waiting to have his picture taken. 

nom! nom!  almond...gooood

 He is one friendly fellow or very hungry.  He got so close that half my photos were a blur.  And the more I think about it....he was probably just hungry because he left as soon as realized I wasn't going to give him anymore nuts.

no nuts...no photo!

A Patchwork of Poison by Karen Lowe
This is the first book I have found since Barbara Michaels' "Stitches in Time" where the mystery is center around the quilt and its maker.  This one is even better!  As a teenager, I read a lot of Gothic mystery/romance books.  Some of my favorites were Victoria Holt, Phyllis A. Whitney, and Barbara Michaels. Karen Lowe takes me back to those days with a different twist.

Set in present England, Bron is getting ready for her first fiber/quilt art gallery exhibit when she is approached by a young goth girl named Cat with her family's heirloom quilt.  Soon Cat and Bron are busy unstitching the secrets and history behind the quiltmaker and her quilt.  Mysteries abound as one person goes missing and another is found dead.  Are they all tied to this one quilt?

Karen does a wonderful job of merging the past and present.  The description of the historical quilt has my imagination going big time!  Great historical mystery story.  My fingers are crossed that Karen will make this the first book of a new series.
Happy Quilting!

A Patchwork of Kindred Spirits (Hill A.F.B., UT)

This posting is  filled with a variety of kindred spirits.  There was a lot going on this week, so I will bring them all together to make a scrappy patchwork blog.

A Quilted Kindred Spirit
First, I want to share this wonderful block made by Julie Fukuda.  This block represents me and my lifestyle.  How cool is that?   Okay, I sound like a kid, but no one has ever made a block with me in mind.  Take a good look at the fabric - birds and cats...yep, sounds like my world and welcome to it!

This block will join other “followers” blocks to be made into a memory quilt.  A major undertaking! Follow the link to read Julie’s description of how she decided on pattern and fabrics:  My Quilting Diary 

Center block - Wandering Foot ...yep, that's me!

We have never met in person, but I feel a very close connection to Julie. I have talked to friends and family about Julie from Japan and her quilting.  Usually, I confuse them because I always talk like we were just together yesterday.

Julie and I met through a group blog for quilters who love to sew and quilt by hand.  Julie shares the beauty of Japan through her blog and photos, so checkout some of her other posts while you are visiting.  I have learned quite a bit about Japan's culture, traditions as well as meeting the people.  Often we exchange emails along with our blog comments finding out that we have more and more in common. Despite the fact that we have half-a-world between us, we are kindred spirits.  May our paths cross someday.   Thank you Julie!

A Furry Kindred Spirit

Jay and Beverly made it back home, but not before they picked up a hitchhiker.  

I go with you!

They came across this little guy running down the middle of the road in Colorado's back-country.   Worried he would get run over, they tried to find the owner even though they were pretty sure he was homeless from his condition.

Colorado looks very attached to Jay

Dirty and half-starved, this little guy needed help as soon as possible.  After talking to one local rancher about people dumping unwanted animals in the area and a trip to the Vet, they decided to adopt him.

Meet Beverly's new cuddlier - Colorado

Colorado (isn't that the perfect name for him?) knew he had found the perfect couple to adopt him. Isn't he a sweetie?  Not only does he look quite happy, he also looks like he is going to be quite comfortable with his new family.  Of course, we have yet to hear the opinions from Jay's cat Charmin and Beverly's dog Mojito about the new family member...

Hello You Handsome Devil!

Hugs to all!  (photos by Jay and Beverly)

Fictional Kindred Spirits

Another kindred spirit is Marie Bostwick and her characters.  To celebrate Marie Bostwick's latest published book "Between Heaven and Texas", Michelle is hosting a blog hop with 12 free star pattern tutorials for you to download.  The blog hop started on April 29 so stop by Quilting Gallery  to view the stars and enter the blogs' give-aways.

I have all of the Cobble Court Quilt books.  I love the way Marie sews her characters' life into a colorful patchwork quilt with warmth, understanding, and friendship.  I'm waiting for Marie's book to be sold in September on Audible.com, so I can spend my quilting time listening to Mary Dell tell her story.  Can't wait!!

On The Road

In the meantime, we are getting back to our old schedule, dusting off projects, and catching up on all the things we were ignoring while in Zion.  I'm already missing Zion and our walks, but this area does have some nice views.  Here are a few photos from Hill A.F.B. near Ogden, UT.  Below are two photos of Salt Lake from the air base.

 My favorite view is from our front window.   Nothing like a panoramic view of snow-topped mountains.  Yes, I do prefer the snow there and not here.  Just in case you were wondering.....

Feathered Kindred Spirits:  The Ravens and the Magpies tend to gang-up with an aggressive, not to mention, possessive attitude when we are outside.  They actually follow us around as we walk the cats.  All heck breaks out when Hitch climbs a tree.  They definitely do not like a cat in one of "their" trees.  The funny part is seeing a variety of birds landing in one tree to squawk at Hitch.  Hitch usually runs back to the motorhome with his tail all fluffed out.  Hmm, I wonder if he speaks "bird".

Happy Trails!