Sunday, March 31, 2013

He is Risen

Matthew 28:1-10
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." (NIV)

1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... (NIV) 

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Scrap Basket Sunday


I'm linking up with Kim of Kim's Big Quilting Adventure to use my beloved scraps. Quilt pattern as well as fabrics are totally up to the quilter. We are going to share our progress on Sundays and cheer each other on. Click the Scrap Basket Sunday linky picture on my right side bar to learn more. Hopefully, you will decide to join us. You would be more than welcome.

I have not selected a pattern - yet; although I am leaning toward a Granny Square. I will decide after the Easter weekend and be ready to share the first Sunday of April. Hoping to see you there.


Thursday, March 28, 2013

La Belle Fleur by French General

Le Belle Fleur - pretty name! Beautiful fabric!  By French General for Moda.
I won a $25.00 gift certificate to Southern Fabric, a wonderful online fabric shop. The giveaway was sponsored by Jennifer of Ellison Lane Quilts. After debating, debating and re-debating over the awesome selection of fabrics offered by Southern Fabric I selected La Belle Fleur. Absolutely lovely name for a lovely fabric!

Thank you Southern Fabric! Thank you Ellison Lane Quilts!



Sunday, March 17, 2013

Shamrock

NOT A SHAMROCK!!! OH, MY!
Until today I thought the four-leaf clover was THE SHAMROCK. Live and learn! I was surfing the Internet for a picture of a four-leaf clover to post with a Happy St. Patrick's Day message and found this ...

Wikipedia says - The four-leaf clover is an uncommon variation of the common, three-leaved clover. The three-leaf clover or shamrock had been used by St. Patrick as a metaphor for the Christian Trinity. According to tradition, such leaves bring good luck to their finders, especially if found accidentally. In addition, each leaf is believed to represent something: the first is for faith, the second is for hope, the third is for love, and the fourth is for luck.[1]
 HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!
 

Friday, March 15, 2013

Goodbye Google Reader

Google Reader is going away - July 1, 2013. I definitely mumbled some not for publication words when I heard the news. I enjoy Google Reader. I have Google Reader setup like I like and spend quite a bit of time keeping up with my blogger pals there. But I cannot change the situation. Acceptance was my option so I decided to find a new reader.

I'm trying out feedly. So far I really like the program. I signed up, gave permission for the site to pull my information from Google Reader, made a few preference adjustments and the process "migrated seamlessly" just like they said it would  I'm thinking I might enjoy feedly as much as, if not more than, Google Reader. Time will tell.

And, since blogs must have a picture ....
Ms Cha Cha Cat knows NOTHING about the notebook or fabric I found on the floor when I got home from work. She tells quite a tall tale - something about discovering this mess when she got up from her afternoon nap. She claims to have been shocked! Likely story!

Please vote -
1) Do you believe the cat? Yes or No. 
(I do NOT) 
2) Does the cat get cat treats tonight? Yes or No. 
(She did - spoiled cat!)


Monday, March 11, 2013

I Have Been Retrained!

All of you who have cats know cats do NOT adjust to the "fall back" time change late in the year. Ms Cha Cha Cat has a weekend routine consisting of 1) politely requesting, 2) begging, 3) behaving increasingly Naughty! and 4) finally loudly demanding her cat treats. The show starts at 4:30 p.m. - which is 5:30 p.m. according to her internal clock. Sunday was no different except ...
Did she say it is 5:30? Are you ready to eat?!!?!!?!!??
 
Ms Cat was so shocked - surprised! she let me get to the kitchen first. That never happens. 
Tonight, after me making it home from work - once again on CAT time she has decided her retraining program finally worked. The human is back on track.

Please don't tell her daylight saving time will "fall back" come fall. Let the sweet kitty enjoy her victory - for now!

 

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Scary Things or Silly (Brave!) Kitten



Sun Gazing's video: kitten vs TWO scary things :).

The above video is all over FB. I laughed till I cried and decided to share with my cat lover quilting pals.

I told Ms Cha Cha Cat the kitten was being silly. Ms Cat was rather insulted. She says those apples look very scary and the kitty was being Brave! 

Monday, March 4, 2013

Sashing and Inner Border

I spent Sunday morning auditioning fabric for Country Charmer sashing and borders. I came up with a dark tan Kona and a small scale navy floral for the sashing/four patch units. I'm thinking the combination looks good with all four background fabrics and picks up the colors from various scrappy fabrics in the blocks.

The paisley Dark Chocolate by 3 Sister for Moda will definitely be the inner border. I love this fabric - I do not think I have ever seen a 3 Sister's design I wasn't immediately in love with! - and the paisleys are the perfect size for the cut of the inner border.
I plan (at the moment) for the outer border to be a navy - hopefully tonal and slightly darker than the sashing. My stash will need to be increased to find the piece I'm seeing in my head. Nothing I had was quite right.

 For all who were wondering (ha!), it looks like Ms Cha Cha Cat's new cat bed is going to become her new toy box. She takes one or two out, puts different ones in, rearranges, etc. If I toss one in or take one out, she rushes over to inspect and correct, if necessary! And Ms Cat gives me her special "you are so stupid!" look when I say "I thought you were scared of the cat bed?" Cats!

Sunday, March 3, 2013

The Cat Bed

Friday after work I made a run through Pet Smart for Ms Cat's food and other needs. They had cat beds on sale. She did not need one. She reclines on the people furniture! But I thought the bed was so cute! In my basket it went.

Arriving home I proudly removed off the tags and placed the new cat bed on the floor for Ms Cha Cha Cat to enjoy.

Ms Cha Cha Cat was SCARED!!!! She hissed and spit. I tried to coax her in. No Go! I tried to put her in. She became stiff as a board while howling! I tossed one of her toys in. She threw a Cat FIT! -  until I got her toy rat free. She immediately took said rat, along with several others, under my bed for their protection. I gave up but left the offensive cat bed on the floor.

Early Saturday I finished block 20 for my Country Charmer. Ms Cha Cha Cat avoided the cat bed - walking far away from it - hissing!  I ignored her. The cat bed remained on the floor even when I left to spend the day shopping and dining with my sister.

The shopping trip was a late birthday present. I came home with quite a haul - skirt/top, Capri pants/shirt, an extra shirt and two pair of shoes. On top of that I was served crab cakes and chocolate cake at Uncle Ernie's. Talk about a fun day!!!

I got my new clothes tucked neatly away, fed Ms Cat her treats and set down at the computer. I hadn't even thought of the horrid, scary cat bed. Imagine my surprise when I noticed this ....
Either those stuffed rats are really smart and have found a way to get away from The Cat or this cat bed is no longer scary. I know for certain the gray mouse is one of the ones Ms Cha Cha hid under the bed Friday. She and I are pretending we don't see the cat bed at the moment. I bet by Monday evening she will be in love with her new bed and be wondering why I would think that funny. Cats are strange!

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Friday, March 1, 2013

Country Charmer Update

Country Charmer Block 19
Country Charmer Block 20 - To Be
The little pile of fabric at the top of Block 20 are extras. I auditioned each fabric for each block and found I still changed at least one fabric once I put them on the layout sheet. Some I used in other blocks. The little pile will wait to become "something" another day!

Speaking of the LAYOUT SHEET .... this piece of paper Lynn of Sew'n Wild Oaks provided with her wonderful Country Charmer pattern is OUTSTANDING!!! My seam ripper was active enough during the sewing of the blocks. Pieces occasionally have a mind of their own and switch places when I am not watching carefully! Lynn's LAYOUT SHEET kept the switching to a minimum! And I loved being able to see what the block would look like, so I could re-select fabrics millions of times! Thank you Lynn!
Here are the 19 completed blocks - in no particular order. I'm sure it will take me months to come up with a final layout. I'm going for the chain effect to read blue/purple and mauve/brown. Regardless, Block 20 in the collage will be replaced! Ms Cha Cha Cat graciously agreed to "fill in" - for today only! - but she says she has much more important things (nap/sleep/eat treats!) to do than be a "quilt filler block" full time LOL!

Today is the day to link up with quilters around the world to see their progress on their Country Charmer. Lesley of The Cuddle Quilter has setup a fun linky party on her blog. Go link up if you are working on this quilt. There is always time to join in. Hope to see you there.