Home from the UK

My trip back to Florida was uneventful. I had a wonderful day at Quilt Sue's enjoying the Christmas QAL yesterday. Today someone me has to do some housecleaning. One would think Ms Cha Cha Cat could have started the laundry while I was out!

Thanks for having us Sue. Your hostess skills are amazing!

Before the housecleaning starts I'm going to party with The Henry Glass designers. Blog hop starts today. Check it out .....

November 11:

Linda Lum DeBono www.lindalumdebono.blogspot.com

Little Quilts http://www.littlequilts.blogspot.com/

November 12:

Dawn Heese http://www.dawnheesequilts.blogspot.com/

Jill Finley http://jillilystudio.blogspot.com/

November 13:

Shelly Comisky http://shellycomiskeydesigns.blogspot.com/

Wilma Sanchez http://racoonillustration.wordpress.com/

November 14:

Leanne Anderson http://thewholecountrycaboodle.blogspot.com/ 

Beth Logan http://artstuff.typepad.com/

November 15:

Kari Ramsey http://www.freshcutquilts.com/ 

Heather Mulder Peterson http://ankastreasures.wordpress.com/

November 16:

Brenda Pinnick http://brendapinnick.typepad.com/ 

Jana Nielson, http://www.izzyandivydesigns.com/?page_id=154

November 17:

Kim Diehl http://www.kimdiehl.com/

Lizzie B Cre8ive http://dreamlaughcreate.blogspot.com/

Ms Cha Cha Cat is being very cautious of the kitchen. She is unsure of what caused the loud noise yesterday (the fire alarm) but she does know she is very, very scared of whatever it it! lol 

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

A New Pattern Just for ME!

Look what I ordered! This amazing pattern designed by Lynn of Sew'n Wild Oaks is one I have admired since I first saw Lynn's design. I had this on my Christmas Wish List but decided I needed it NOW. I'm dreaming of dusty blues and greens on cream, with perhaps a touch of muted purple for my version. I placed my order with In Between Stitches and hopefully will have this beauty in my hands soon. 

My apple pie is safely tucked inside a carrier awaiting tonight's party. I made good progress on my Christmas gifts today and am rather pleased with my results. Now I'm thinking a quick nap before my evening pot-luck at my friend's home would be perfection. Ms Cha Cha Cat is already curled - a position she does frequently and very well!

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL

Happily Chugging Along

The sewing machine is humming and I am happily chugging along. The day is beautiful in sunny (no rain, Yeah!) Florida - perfect for Ms Cha Cha Cat to perch in the window enjoying some fresh air. There is an apple pie in the over so the house smells like heaven.

My projects for today are for gifts so I will not be showing what I am doing. I will show you my newest fabric purchase ....

These are intended to become Drew's Windmills - page 48 of Quilt Sue's "Pick Four" book. I love Sue's book!

Go follow the links here to see what all the Christmas Quilt-a-Long gals are up to today. Sue, our hostess, has some great Christmas project links on her most recent blog update.

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

Heading Off to the UK

I'm heading off to the UK .... well, via cyberspace! The Christmas Quilt-A-Long is being hosted by Quilt Sue of Quilt Times today. Sue generously designed our Mystery Christmas Quilt. Come join the fun.

One cup of coffee down -  One more and I will be ready! I'm looking forward to catching up with all my cyber pals.

Have you ever seen a Blue Mouse? We have one. Our good friend, Phyllis, found this adorable little creature at The Dollar Store.  Ms Cha Cha Cat worries Phyllis spent all of her savings because this is the best mouse ever!

Does anyone know exactly how fast a cat can run? Should you honestly want to know, burn a piece of toast setting off your fire alarm and watch the cat run! You will be amazed!

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

Out of Hiding

Not one stitch has been sewn at this house today. Our new neighbor is finally all moved in so Ms Cha Cha Cat has been able to come out of hiding.

I love my new food bowl!

I've missed you mouse!

Chubby Ms Cat attacks her mouse.

And, I'm off to my friends for some good food and great company. Ms Cat is on her own should the new neighbor decide to "get her!"

Thanks to Elizabeth for hosting the Christmas QAL today. I did not sew. I did keep up with those who did and greatly enjoyed the day.

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

How to "Terroize" a Cat

Today is the Christmas QAL! Elizabeth of Sand and Sunshine is our gracious hostess. Sue of Quilt Times designed the pattern. Head on over to check out the fun. My plans are to start cutting blue and white fabrics to make a Jacob's Ladder quilt for a special new baby boy. The fabric selection is the same as the curtains my sister stitched for him. I probably won't get much beyond the cutting today. My friend is cooking a fancy mid afternoon meal and I intend to enjoy the fun.

There has been little quilting or sewing at my house in a few weeks. My time has been spent working and planning new and unique ways to terrorize Ms Cha Cha Cat.

How to Terrorize a Cat!

1) I purchased new bed sheets - plain, beige, same kind I had. I put the new sheets on the bed. Ms Cat was afraid to even get under (her favorite spot in the house!) the bed for a solid week.

2) I moved things around in the bathroom. Ms Cat was horrified! She avoided the room for days.

3) This one I didn't do. A lamp, book and other assorted items were on the floor when I got home from work. Burglar? No - CAT! It seems the Gulf Power meter reader turned on the power for our new neighbor on the other side of the duplex. My guess is Ms Cat was sitting in the window when he arrived and had to make a hasty retreat.

4) I purchased Ms Cha Cha Cat a new food bowl ---- 

This cute little bowl has provided for a full week of TERROR! She hissed. She spit. She did the Halloween cat dance. She cried. She screamed. She tried a starvation diet which lasted almost 24 hours. She reached a trembling paw into the bowl to swoop the food onto the floor. She ran past the bowl at 100 plus miles per hour and proceeded down the hall with her cheeks stuffed like a squirrel to dump a mouth full of food on the bed. I objected and put the food back in the bowl. Last night the Cat admitted defeat. She is eating out of her new bowl. Actually seems to like the bowl!

5) The new neighbor is, at this moment, moving in. The good news is the sheets have been accepted. Ms Cat is safely hiding under the bed!

Perhaps I will wait until tomorrow to introduce her to the new water bowl! Ha! Ha!

Did you notice a theme to terrorizing Ms Cha Cha Cat? I strongly suspect she dislikes change or any kind! Poor kitty ..... but oh so funny!

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

Stray Stitches Giveaway

Fat Quarter Shop!  How would you like to win a $25 gift certificate to spend any way you would like at their wonderful online store? Then check out the giveaway opportunity on Stray Stitches blog.

Go on over and check it out. Some nice, friendly competition is welcome as long as you know I need to win. Just saying.

Ms Cha Cha Cat has a Thing about shoes. Wonder what she would do if I put them on her paws? Have a wonderful day.

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

Broken Needles

My Christmas gift sewing got off to a bad start - two broken needles. I put that project aside until I can get a really heavy duty needle for my machine. So I went on to this .....

It is part of a panel designed by Jacquelynne Steves of The Nobel Wife which I won in a giveaway Sandi of A Legacy of Stitches had a while back. Now this project did not break any needles and turned out quite cute. Since it is a gift I cannot tell you what it became part of.

I finished another project with red felted wool. And, made headway on a Christmas mug rug.

Ms Cha Cha Cat bonded with the fusible fleece. She had a touch start to her day. The darling kitty thought she had a new trick. Screaming in my ear yesterday at 7 a.m. earned her cat treats. A repeat performance at 4 a.m. today woke me. She was doing a Victory Dance when the bedroom door stranded her all alone in the hall. Cat treats were served at 8 a.m. - back on our normal schedule!

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

Laid-Back Day

We've had a laid-back kind of day. Ms Cha Cha Cat had to get her mouse under control. The rest of her time was spent sleeping - on the couch, under the bed, in the chair and behind the chair. I find it amazing how she gets up from one spot, stretches, yawns, walks a few feet and curls up in another spot.

Me? Well I did a bit of Internet window shopping, some prep work for Christmas projects, browsed favorite blogs, checked on my Christmas QAL friends (WOW! were they productive), read a book and took a nap. Overall we had a quiet, pleasant Saturday.

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

Simple Christmas Star

I've been following a fantastic blog hop for Barbara Cline's "Simply Triangles" book this past week. The front cover GOT me! I love, love, love the quilt on the cover. Winning a copy of the book would be great. If not, "Simply Triangles" is definitely on my need to purchase list.

Barbara has graciously shared a tutorial for a Simple Christmas Star on her blog. I have my fabrics selected and am simply (I do so like the word simply) and am waiting on the postman to bring ...

Creative Grids 60 Degree Ruler

 my online order from Jackie of I Have a Notion.

You can find Barbara at QuiltinGal. The blog hop line up was ...

Click on the stops below and see if you can still add a comment.

  Sept. 2   Canton Village Quilt Works   

Sept. 3  Polly the Patch Worker 

Sept. 4 Cherry House Quilts

Sept. 5 Jan Krentz 

Sept. 6 Connecting Threads 

Sept. 7 Coleen Sr. Xanga 

Sept. 8 Quiltingal (Barbara H. Cline)

 

I do intent to actually sew today!!!!  Later!

 

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

Project Day

I'm getting a late (for me) start. The rain - again! - in "sunny" Panama City, FL made for the perfect day to sleep in. That was until Ms Cha Cha Cat decided a loud, mad meow in my right ear would get cat treats in her bowl. It worked. My ear is still throbbing.

Today is Christmas QAL day. Hazel of Hazel's Quilts is hosting the party. which is fancy dress. I suppose I should put on my good pair of slippers. Ms Cat refused to wear the green ribbon I selected. She is currently hiding under the bed!

My thanks to Hazel for hosting and to Sue of Quilt Times for her Festive Christmas Quilt pattern. My plans for the day are Christmas gifts so I won't be sharing pictures. I can show you some of the "things" I may be using .....

I've got Insul-Bright, Pellon fusible fleece, feed sack dish towels, warm & natural in a craft size pack, a pillow form, some new Batiks and a brown sack the raisin bread from Panera Bread came in. Use your imagination! I see lots of projects.

After the cat treats and before Ms Cat had to hide under the bed, she had a quite busy morning ....

Sneaking Up on the Mouse!

Making New Friends

I'm off to link to the Christmas QAL, check out what everyone else is doing and, once I have procrastinated as long as I can, I will start my project day. Rainy Saturdays are meant to be lazy, do what one wants days!

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

Thank You, Christin!

FRIENDS SWAP 2012

What I sent to Christin of chchris Quilts. She has received the package so I can show you. I had such fun gathering the little gifts and wrapping each.  

WHAT CHRISTIN SENT ME ALL THE WAY

FROM SWITZERLAND

 Thank you, Christin. I love my goodies.

The package arrived in Panama City, FL yesterday. For some unknown reason the post office left a slip of paper for me to come retrieve the package and, of course, the post office was closed when I got the slip. I had to wait overnight!!!! The post office where my goodies were opens at 9 a.m. - the exact time I am supposed to be sitting at my office desk. Good thing I have an understanding, wonderful boss. 

I got my package. I so wanted to open the box but made myself wait. My great boss does expect me to work! 

Once I was home I tore into the package. Ms Cha Cha was very insulted - I opened gifts before she got her afternoon kitty treat. 

She tried but could not stay upset when there was pretty pink paper on the floor needing her expert inspection ......

Ms Cha Cha found nothing I had missed. Silly cat. As if I would miss a goodie from Switzerland. 

Thank you again, Christin. Everything is so great.!

My thanks, also, to Khris of Sew Prim Khris who organized the Friends Swap 2012. This is my third year to participate and I have had a wonderful, exciting time each and every year.

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

Outgoing Mail

My FRIENDS Swap 2012 is colorfully wrapped and now residing in a brown manila envelope, which will - hopefully - slip right into an international envelope as soon as the post office open tomorrow. These gifts are on the way to Christin of chchris quilts in Switzerland. This is my third year to participate in the FRIENDS Swap sponsored by Khris of Sew Prim Khris. This is such a fun swap. I hope Christin enjoys what I am sending. Much thanks to Khris for organizing all the fun!

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

Rain & Curtains OR Curtain Rods & Cat Paws

Panama City, FL is rainy and gloomy today. We have had quite a bit of this unusual weather recently.

What is one to do? Lucky for me my sewing machine is perfect for such days. I worked on swap gifts. Those are surprises so no pictures. I just thought I would let Christin and Dara know I was thinking about them!

I'm making progress on the living room curtains. The curtains are not hemmed and need "fiddling" across the top. I'm loving the look and the fabric - Bread & Butter by Kaye England.

The picture is a bit dark .... no sun! 

Ms Cha Cha Cat is unimpressed with curtain sewing. The large pieces of fabric are not fun to chase. I rarely left the machine - no jumping up to press or cut fabric - making "cat theft!" difficult. To add insult to injury Ms Cha Cha Cat was unceremoniously removed from the sewing table three times.

Did you know curtain rods are sneaky, dangerous, cat chasing contraptions! Amazing - round objects roll and metal on wood is loud - add a cat paw and things happen! Fast! Frightened cat hit the floor seconds before the rod. Ms Cha Cha Cat spent an hour under the bed after the encounter, which is, trust me, how I got the curtains this far along.

Move forward about 5 hours and ......

 

here is Ms Cha Cha Cat giving her version of the curtain rod story. She is really, really, really pissed! I wish you could hear her. According to her, my laughter is insulting! Poor kitty! I told her she has the same paws to get happy in.

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

The Mouse Recovered!

For any who might have been concerned ... The mouse made a full recovery from his his near drowning experience. He still squeaks. He is all dry and fluffy. He has a lovely scent from the soap. The mouse is ready to get moving.

Enter happy cat and the mouse is off and going ....

Into the jaws and paws (I wonder if this is what the mouse had in mind?) of  Ms Cha Cha Cat. Yes, the same cat who tried to drown the poor mouse in the toilet. Ms Cha Cha Cat is very, very happy. I'm unsure about the mouse. He was last seen flying toward the bedroom with the cat in full pursuit.

The Christmas Quilt Along was a success yesterday. I saw Sue of Quilt Times won the drawing for the fantastic fabric our hostess, Lynn of Sew'n Wild Oaks generously offered. Click here to see Zinnie the amazing, talented, awesome random generator dog in action. I see some Christmas stitching in Sue's near future!

I want to extend a big thanks to Lynn for hosting and to Sue for designing the mystery quilt. The day was wonderful! Thanks!

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

QAL #6 - Finished Flimsy

Ta Da!

Wish I had a better place to get a picture - One Day!

 

Now off to clean the toilet that had the stuffed mouse floating in it earlier. The mouse is drying! I'm unsure the squeaky noise it used to make will be there when dried. The poor thing has been emitting a pitiful sound during the drying process. We shall see.

My next project - living room curtains. I was wanting to get more blue into the room and found Bread & Butter by Kaye England which has the blue background and the antique looking flowers from my couch plus enough of the Burgundy to blend in nicely with my favorite chair. Whittle's Fabrics is well worth you taking a tour. I paid $5.00 a yard for the fabric and $5.00 shipping. You cannot beat that!

I have had a wonderful day. Hope you did also. Much thanks to Lynn of Sew'n Wild Oaks for hosting and Sue of Quilt Times for providing the mystery quilt design.

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

QAL #5

You are probably getting tired of this ..... I'm not! I am enjoying these borders. Some of the diamonds aren't exactly "right." When I stand back I can hardly tell and quite frankly I'm liking this quilt top.

One more to go! First I have to stop for lunch and do a bit of cleaning. Or maybe not. The last border is calling my name. I want to see the completed quilt top.

My mail came. I ordered fabric for curtains from Whittle's Fabrics Wednesday. The package was in the mail. I will show you next time I get the camera out.

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

QAL Post #4

Two borders down - two to go! Too bad I have to go run a few errands.

Be sure to drop by Lynn's blog - Sew'n Wild Oaks. She has the cutest free pattern just for us, just for today! Thanks, Lynn for hosting. The party is such fun!

I'm seeing some fantastic quilt tops --- all so wonderfully different ---- all from the same pattern. Who would have thought? Quilt Sue of Quilt Times did super great with this quilt along pattern.

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

QAL Post #3

Border #1 attached. I do love the movement in this quilt.

If you haven't already link up with Lynn of Sew'n Wild Oaks and join us in the Christmas Mystery Quilt Along.

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

QAL Post 2

I've got the borders stitched together. Some of the diamonds look pretty good. Some are iffy but I like the overall appearance.

Come join the sew along - Christmas Mystery Quilt Along. Link up with Lynn of Sew'n Wild Oaks our hostess for the day.
 
Ms Cha Cha Cat is taking a nap. It is hard to sew without a helper!

On a different note - all Kindle owners should check out  info@bookbub.com. Once you are signed up you will get a daily email of "free" or really inexpensive Kindle books waiting for download. I have gotten some great reads from the link.

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

Back from Hibernation

I was amazed to see it has been over a month since I visited my own blog. Summer is in full swing in Florida - relatives and friends visiting, gallons of sand to vacuum (sand loves to come indoors!), crazy work days, lots of outdoor grilling and well, unfortunately not much sewing going on.

Check out my lovely win from Quilt Sue of Quilt Times - Little Gatherings by Primitive Gatherings for Moda. I won the drawing last month in the Christmas Mystery Quilt Along. I'm very lax in saying thank you to Sue. The mail came. I stacked it on my computer desk-unopened and ran out for a family gathering. I found the package and some other mail items crammed between my desk and the wall yesterday while doing some serious cleaning. Can anyone say Ms Cha Cha Cat? My assumption is she was searching for her mail or trying to be helpful. Thank you Sue. I love the charm.

Speaking of the Christmas Mystery Quilt Along - today is the day .......

Our lovely hostess is Lynn of Sew'n Wild Oaks Quilting. Lynn has an exciting day planned for us. I hear she has an adorable free pattern available just for us - today. So go visit Lynn and link up. You will be glad you did.

My morning has been exciting already. Ms Cha Cha Cat has a favorite stuffed mouse. She tosses, attacks and frequently loses said mouse. Should it fall behind or under something she, being lazy, meows for me to retrieve the item. Should this happen when I am not at home the mouse stays lost until I discover it cleaning. Today I was home. Meowing cat is peering into the toilet! The poor mouse is now drying. I did wash it first!

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

Mystery Solved!

Oh, Yeah! We are going to sew. I see the top off our machine. I'm ready to HELP!

23 blocks (1 of the 24 was done yesterday) waiting for some chain sewing.

Some layout FUN! Will it be option #1? Ms Cha Cha says definite NO! I agree.

Could it be option #2? I do like this. It needs an additional 4 patch in each block. Maybe later.

Option #3? Getting Warm.

What will the Festive Mystery Quilt Become?

The Winner! I wanted the green plain to stand out and I love the movement in this layout.

I'll close with a picture of the center. I Love the Green Plaid!

The Festive Mystery quilt now awaits borders.
I am now ready to see what everyone else created!

 Ms Cha Cha cat after a hard weekend of sewing.

Ms Cha Cha after the camera flash disturbed her beauty rest.
Disclaimer:  No cat was harmed in the taking of these pictures - I swear!

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

All Done Until Tomorrow

The Cinnamon Caramel Crunch ice cream revived me for a short time. The tuna sent Ms Cha Cha into a serious grooming routine. I have a big fur ball of clean, fluffy, sleeping cat. I, also, almost all of the first two rows complete on my blocks.

Everything is stored away out of the reach of black paws - no, the sleeping fur ball does not deceive me! She is capable of going from zero to 100 in the blink of an eye.

Such a fun day I have had. Paulette of Sweet P Quilting and Creations has been a delightful hostess. Be sure to get your hands on her Nanaimo Bar Recipe and the wonderful tutorial for creating Christmas tree napkins. Thank you, Paulette, for keeping us happy and productive today.

Thanks, also, to Sue of Quilt Times. Sue designed the Festive Mystery quilt we have been working on today.

Time to read a good book. I'll be sleeping shortly. Fun days can be so exhausting!

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

A Pressing Evening

I have a pressing evening awaiting. All the 9 patch rows are stitched together in strips. All sits on the ironing board ready for a lot of press-press-press!! action. I want the rows joined so I can play with block layout. But, I am out of steam! It is a bit past 2:30 p.m. in Panama City, FL and me and Ms Cha Cha have been stitching since about 11:30 a.m.

Ms Cha Cha has been of great assistance. She took the spool of thread off the machine in mid seam. Next she grabbed a mouth full of pins The scissors missed my big toe by a smidgen after a black paw swatted. And, she was beyond valuable in unloading my plastic storage tubes - she missed the table once or twice and I had to retrieve pieces from the floor. She is now sleeping. She got completely exhausted helping me!

I do believe I will run to the store in the rain and get me some ice cream. Ms Cha Cha put in her order for tuna when she saw (how is it sleeping cats never miss anything?) me looking at my shoes.

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!

Canada Smells Like Heaven Today

Can you smell the wonderful, sweet, heavenly aroma coming from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada? Paulette of Sweet P Quilting and Creations, our lovely host for the Christmas QAL has been baking for hours and hours. The aroma is outstanding.

Sue of Quilt Times has posted the June installment of the Christmas QAL. Just so you know - I guessed correctly that my guess of the layout for the mystery quilt was incorrect! I had either too many or too few pieces whatever I thought of. The good news, for me, is thanks to the Random Generator thing I won a prize!

Here is my first block -

My background fabric has a lot more gold in it than I can get a picture of. Sunny Florida is rainy and grey today - perfect, of course, for spending my day inside working on the QAL. I have a few errands to run. I will be fast so I can get back to my more important agenda for the day.

Quilt Sue is still being a wee bit naughty. She says make 24 of these blocks and then complete the blocks by laying out the blocks as desired. I wondering what every one will come up with! I am wondering what I may come up with????

HAPPY QUILTING TO ALL!