2/6/15

Cats of a Different Color

Yesterday I was able to get caught up on the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. These are the first blocks for the quilt I'm calling "Cats of a Different Color". The original pattern was called "Cats in the Attic" and it was created by the late Pam Bono. Here's what her original quilt looked like:


My plan for this quilt is to make three of each of the four cats, but I'm not making the "attic window" style block. I'm just floating my cats. The blocks finish up at 12 inches (12-1/2 unfinished). I have an idea of how to set it with paw print cornerstones that I'm going with for now. February's color was pink:


January's color was blue:


That background fabric is "Artisan Batiks Kalahari". I found it in my stash, and it seemed a good choice for a cat quilt. I only have two yards, and I'm afraid I'll come up a skosh short. I looked online and was able to find a "last chance" supply at Fabric.com and so I ordered two more yards. 


Tomorrow, I'll be linking up to:

RSC 15

and that will bring me up-to-date with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.

Today I need to spend the morning doing some housework, and then I'm going to get to work on the Quiltmaker's Garden quilt that has been so woefully neglected over the past year.


My goal for the month is to complete the three 16-patch blocks at the top of the gazebo and the pinwheel flowers along the top of the vine. My hope is that I can finish them today, and that might be overly optimistic. But nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? 

Our weather is wet and nasty, and we're expecting the rain to continue into next week.


Nice, huh? The temperatures are warm enough, but what's the use of warm temperatures when it's raining cats and dogs? All I can say is that it's excellent sewing weather, and I just happen to have some sewing to keep me busy. 

Speaking of cats, he's keeping one eye on the mousies at all times.



32 comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

She was a huge loss to the quilting community. I think it will be lovely tribute - I have one of her patterns that I hope to add to the list this year. At least you are warm albeit wet. Cold and miserable and more snow on the way.

Anonymous said...

Is the pattern no longer available anywhere?

beaquilter said...

Love your cat blocks. I should find a pattern where I just make one per month like that too. hmmm

Debra said...

We won't be around this weekend, so I won't be linking up to RSC - glad I got a sneak peek at your kitties. It is going to be a great quilt!
P.S. -4 this morning in NJ. MINUS 4.. how can that be?? Enjoy your sewing time.

Lyndsey said...

I love the cat blocks, they will make a great quilt. I working on my pink RSC blocks this evening.

Dana Gaffney said...

What a good idea to do the cats, I'm so sorry to hear her patterns have disappeared it would have been a nice legacy to still have them out there.

WoolenSails said...

I love the kitties and I love the idea of making them in fun fabrics. I do have laurel burch kitty fabric, so will have to come up with something fun to make with them. I do have some of her books, so maybe I will model them with her designs and a few changes;)

Debbie

Lynne said...

Cute cats (Smitty included, of course). I was thinking about Attic Windows in relation to RSC myself today!

quiltzyx said...

The cats are looking fine for the beginning of your rainbow scrap quilt. Lucky that you could find more of the background fabric - it's lovely!
Good of Smitty to keep an eye on stuff for ya...

Quilting Babcia said...

Love those cats, especially Smitty!

Kate said...

Very fun kitty cat blocks. It's going to be a fun quilt.

I wish you could send some of your rain in our direction. We'll see 70 F today, but with extreme fire danger. It's been incredibly dry the last few years.

Scrappy quilter said...

Oh my, your cat blocks are so cute. Love those batiks!

Nita said...

You have the most amazing pattern library! And you actually use it ... The cats are great, of course (aren't they always?) but that stitchers garden made my heart go thumpity thump. My friend Paula would love it. I'm keeping an eye out for just the right pattern for her. Something along those lines, I'm thinking :)

Mari said...

Love the cats! What a great idea! It's going to be a very fun quilt. I also love the garden quilt. It looks great! And I'm jealous of your weather. We're having a heat wave at 20 degrees!

Dar said...

Love your kitty blocks. What a great RSC project. Of course I think Smitty is the BEST kitty ever. I love all the cute poses and captions he comes up with. Makes me miss my Lucky a lot more, but I always love seeing Smitty in your posts.

Edith said...

I was posting at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge and your little pink cat caught my, love your cat blocks, what a great idea.

Sally Trude said...

Wonderful cat block! And that's a great background. I'm glad you were able to get more.

Deb A said...

Wonderful cats! Love your live one all curled up. Rainy weather is purrfect sewing weather.

Jennie in GA said...

Adorable cats....perfect background . And I love Quiltmaker's Garden. Looks like Spring.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

THose are Great blocks!!!

Magpie Sue said...

I agree with the others, your cat quilt plan is very fun. Too bad Pam Bono's materials have been removed from the internet.

Brown Family said...

Your cats od many colors will be wonderful/

Nell's Quilts said...

The cats in the attic windows is a wonderful pattern. They look so content watching the world go by. Your colourful kitties with paw prints will tell a different story - rest after playful adventures.

Sheila said...

I love the cat blocks. She was apparently a very talented lady.

Mama Spark said...

I love these cats! I would be willing to re-draft the pattern and send it back to you electronically if you are willing to share it with me. Please email me at mamaspark@gmail.com if you would like to work together. You can choose to re-share at that point or not. I am down to 3 (from 5) cats and love to make cat quilts. Thanks for your consideration!!

Unknown said...

Does anyone have a copy anywhere? I love this pattern and am so upset that it is no longer available!

Barbara said...

Pepper, I have the pattern, but you are no reply, and so I can't send it to you. I'm hoping you'll see this response and email me. Click on the link in my right side bar.

Barbara said...

littleorphanskein, I have the pattern, but you are no reply, and so I can't send it to you. I'm hoping you'll see this response and email me. Click on the link in my right side bar.

Unknown said...

Would you be able to send the pattern to me as well?

Barbara said...

Kristen, you are no reply. Email me.

Unknown said...

I would love a copy of this pattern. Can someone send it to me at Sherrylostrowski@gmail.com?

Verlene said...

I didn't read all the comments, so maybe someone has already posted this. Here's the free pattern online: http://web.archive.org/web/20130904230803/http://pamsclub.com/free-for-everyone/57-miscellaneous/233-cat-in-the-attic