Light, Colors, and Textures (Key West, FL)

We like to visit one of Key West's most beautiful gardens built by the Key West Garden Club inside the old West Martello Tower.  A Civil War fort that was never finished, but was used later during the Spanish American War, WWI and II.  

 

The link gives you a brief history about the fort and how the Garden Club became the owners.

What it doesn't mention is the amount of time and loving, yet back breaking work went into making this garden.  All the dirt had to be hauled in and distributed around the fort.  If you are in Key West, this is a must see.  There is no charge.  They only ask for donations.

One of the volunteers made a comment along the line that my camera would be like wearing blinders in the garden and to look at the whole garden not just the flowers.  He said this because we asked if Key West had a better floral season over the others.  The answer - all seasons are different, but just as good due to the mild climate changes so flowers bloom year round.

That one comment rather bothered me and it isn't the first time I have had someone say something similiar.  People seem to think the only way I view the world is through my camera lens.  That is so far from the truth. 

I tend to look at the world from many angles and quite often I don't have my camera when I'm doing it.  I also get a heck of a kink in my neck from all those odd angles and from whipping my head around to take in every thing around me while walking.

I do love to focus on the unusual textures, the light, and colors, but then I pan out my view to include the overall effect.

Sometimes, I just have to focus on that one tree to see the forest.

On The Cutting Board

I am making new covers for our living room's throw pillows.  I have been looking online for the past couple of years for a southwest applique design when I came across this pattern on Pinterest.  I followed the link to QuiltWoman.com.  I did not think twice about ordering this pattern.  It was exactly what I had been looking for!

There are some very small pieces, so I decided to do the needle-turn applique.  I'm marking the pieces as I go.

I bought the Fons&Porter hand applique needles just before we came to Key West from JoAnn Fabrics store.  This is the first time I have used them and they are the best....Ever!!  I plan to stock up on them when we go back to the main land.  They are so slim that they do tend to bend if I am not careful.

But that is the best part about them.  The needle is so slim that it just glides through layers of fabric and grabs the smallest part of an edge without fraying.  Can you see the difference?  The red is stitched with my old needle and the gold circle is stitched with the new slim needle.  Well, I can and the best part is how much easier it was to stitch with their applique needle.  I hear John James needles are very good too, so I might try them too.

I picked out four block patterns from the quilt: the horse, the wolf, the rabbit, and the bear.  It took me awhile to collect the perfect colored batiks from different stores to match our motorhome.  Did I mentioned I had been planning this for a couple of years?  Finally, it is coming together!

I'm loving this so much that I might have to make a wall hanging or a quilt....hmm, I wonder if I could turn one of blocks into a mug rug.  Well, something new to think about...
Happy Quilting!

Cuddly Critters (Patagonia, AZ)

Recently, I spent some time going through the last couple of months of photos and realized that I had not shared some of my most prized bird shots for this winter...so far. 

This Gray Flycatcher has been spending quite a bit of time in the wetland area. I do believe he is posing for me.

Gray Flycatcher

This little guy was a big surprise for me.  I had been watching another bird along the creek when I saw a flash of yellow go by me.  He landed on a limb just a little too far away, but I managed to get one decent photo of him.  I never did see his rump for the yellow marking, but none of the other birds fit his description.

Yellow-rumped Warbler?

I spent most of last winter chasing Green-Tailed Towhees.  They are not easy to photograph since they spend most of their time hidden in bushes and thickets.  I would see flashes of them in the underbrush, but I never got a clear shot of one. 

Green-Tailed Towhee

I could not believe my luck when I came across this little guy busy eating out in the open on the trail.  I was even more surprised at how close I was able to get to him.  He must have been very hungry or he was use to humans being around him.

you looking at me?

On The Cutting Board

I have been looking at this one baby quilt (cover) since I bought this Quiltmaker's All-Time Favorites magazine in Spring 2001.  It is so cute with four little critters hugging a star.  There is a cat, a dog, a bear, and a raccoon.  I can't stand to just look at it anymore.....I have to make it!  

It has been a long time since my last traditional quilt.  My star's points are far from perfect, but it is coming out a lot better than I had hoped.  I have one more star border to add and then I need to gather some browns to applique the cuddly critters.  Gotta go...the quilt bug is alive and well!

Happy Quilting!

What's Smaller Than a Placemat, But Bigger Than a Coaster? (Branson, MO)

Mug Rugs!

Okay, I'm starting to see some results on all the time spent on the sewing machine.  I finished two Reindeer and three Santa Claus mug rugs.  Yep, thinking about Christmas in August.  Why not....

I'm working on a few more for the fall.  I hope to have them done soon.

I have linked the photo's description to the individual mug rug or you can click here to see all of the mug rugs on Etsy.

  

Reindeer Mug Rug with plaid scarf

Reindeer Mug Rug with blue scarf

Santa Mug Rug with stripes

Santa Mug Rug with polka dots

Santa Mug Rug with snowflakes

And back to quilting.....I finished appliquéing the larger Kokopeli and added the borders.  I really like the way Kokopeli comes out of the border.

Large Kokopeli

I'm using the same border material for the back.  I plan to use black cotton batting so the batting will not show through when I quilt it.  I'm thinking of doing swirls instead of my usual meandering.  This one will take some time to finish since it is a lot bigger than the other lap quilts.

Well, back to sewing...oh, wait...I have to feed the cats first...THEN back to sewing.

Open For Business on Etsy.com

Day 1 of 365 days ~ Dusty

Many of my friends have suggested I should sell my quilts.  Well, I finally did it!  I have opened a quilt shop on Etsy.com.  Please take a moment to browse through my shop.  Link to QuiltinCats Quilt Shop on Etsy.com.  I know a lot of you think the prices are very low, but I would rather sell and share my quilts than let them collect dust waiting for someone to buy them.

I finished the two Baby's Choice quilts. Since I used fabric with teddy bears, I decided to appliqué
teddy bears hanging hearts and stars on the quilt.  I love this pattern!  It is amazing what a difference color placement can make on the same pattern. I might have to make another one since I thought of a third color variation while playing with my EQ6 program.


Pink Baby's Choice Crib Quilt



A better look at teddy



Blue and Lavender Baby's Choice



Teddy helping to hang the stars

We are making our way north along the East coast. We have made it as far as southern Georgia. It is soooo Hot and humid here that I can no longer sew outside. Even in the morning and in the shade! Whew! If I take one of the cats outside, they immediately look for shade and start panting. Since I cannot sit outside, Dan suggested I setup my folding table inside so I could keep quilting. There's just enough room to slide by if one of us needs to go outside. Now I can sit up front in the passenger seat and quilt until I drop! I have a great view out the front window and air conditioning!

Sizzling Hot! Day 2 of 365

I have also taken on the challenge to post one picture each day for 365 days on 365 Project website.  I think this will help me to improve my photo taking and to become a little more creative.  Okay, it is just another excuse to take more pictures!  LOL!

I have been working on 4 lap-size tops during the summer. I added some appliqué to each one to make them a little more special. Here are some pictures of the tops ready for quilting. I'm using the campground’s Rec Center for more space. They have the sturdy lightweight folding tables. Perfect for spreading out!

The Bug Quilt

Painted Cats

Where's the Cheese?

Flowers & Hearts

Happy Halloween!

Scary Buddies - Isn’t this cute?

This monthly mini took me only a week to make. The pattern is from Patch Abilities by Julie Bohringer. http://www.patchabilities.com/index.html Julie has some wonderful patterns that you can see on her website. I got this pattern from Quilt Corral Too in Rapid City. I used the Lite Steam-A-Seam2 to fuse the pattern together. While working on the hand embroidery, I watched a couple of my favorite Halloween movies like Practical Magic, Hocus-Pocus, and Under Wraps. I love a good laugh and of course, the movies get me into the mood for the season. I got a few more to watch, but I will have to work on my appliqué or my Christmas potholders instead.

I needed to get a small dowel, so I could hang my new mini in the window with a suction cup. I also needed to look for some batik for finish my pond quilt. Dan & I went to V & S Variety Store in Elma, WA. They advertised the store was an old fashioned variety store with candy, toys, housewares, and fabric. Oh, what a pleasant surprise! It is like Hobby Lobby or JoAnn’s only independent with over 5,000 bolts of fabrics. The employees were very nice and very helpful. I plan to visit again during our long winter stay.

Here’s my mini hanging in the window of our coach.
I found the perfect batik! It looks like little flagstones. A great finish edge for my pond.

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!

Quilts From My Past

Misty’s "Grandmother’s Flower Garden"

Pepper loved to sit on the hoop while I did my quilting.

Cathedral Windows - good traveling project

Double Wedding Ring for Misty. Six years and two countries later, I finally finished her wedding present.

First granddaughter - Bry’s "Peek-a-Boo" baby quilt
Pattern from QuiltMaker

I took a picture of Squirrel while he was watching a bird in our backyard. I blew it up and made a pattern out the picture. The hummingbirds and trumpets came from Carol Armstrong's books.

Squirrel thinks he knows that cat.

Finished wall quilt "My Garden Visitors"

Bry’s "Appalachian Trail " Cat approved for comfort!

This quilt was made for a friend of mine. She did not think she would ever have a child. I wanted to give her a special gift for her precious gift. This pattern came from P.S. I love you.

Second granddaughter - Vi’s baby quilt "How does your garden grow" Sunflower pattern from Carol Armstrong and Sunbonnet Sue is from P.S. I love you.

Max approves of the butterflies.