Oh my goodness! It's been a long time since we've had such a young kitten in the house. Even George and Gracie were six months old when they came to live with us way back in 2002. Little Smitty is a bundle of energy. Last night, he was awake the entire evening exploring and getting into everything. He was the same way this morning until later on this afternoon when I noticed him spending more time cleaning himself and sitting looking out the window.
Later on this afternoon, I took him out to the greenhouse with me while I watered the tomatoes. I doubt he's spent much of his life outdoors at all, and he won't be going outdoors here . . . certainly not alone . . . until he's quite a bit bigger. He was a little anxious in the greenhouse, mewing nervously and loudly, but it didn't stop him from exploring.
He was nervous about the water running, and gave it a lot of drip room.
He still needed to explore all the nooks and crannies, keeping a watchful eye on the running water at all times.
After that, his cat batteries were completely discharged, and he curled up for a nap. Whew! I needed a nap too after all that activity!
His nap lasted all of three minutes, and then he followed me down to the sewing room to help me finish up the July Free-Motion Quilting Challenge. We had a little talk about what was helpful and what was not at all helpful. I'm not sure he grasped the concept.
But I did manage to quilt this square with Smitty's helpful assistance.
I've been following the tutorials only loosely, since the greatest benefit I'm getting from this (aside from gaining new ideas) is just getting comfortable with moving the fabric under the needle and experimenting with different filler designs. I want to learn how to do a better spiral. The one I did in the upper left corner is a little sad. I haven't quite got the rhythm of it yet.
With that done, I put the embellishments I wanted on my little Irish door block. Sorry for the fuzzy focus on this image. I had the camera as close as I dared trying to make it possible to see the little 2 mm hot fix crystals in the lanterns. Also, I added the nail head for the door knob.
And that was about all the quilting that Smitty could stand without destroying the sewing room.
Gracie hid under the guestroom bed this morning. She was pretty put out that little pip-squeak was still here this morning. I finally dragged her out this afternoon and brushed her, which is one of her favorite things. She managed to purr while I did it, but she is still mad at me and has let me know that she will never forgive me for bringing that unruly urchin into her domain.
Never. Not ever!
Edited to say that I'm linking this post to:
Edited to say that I'm linking this post to:
19 comments:
I can see Smitty is feeling right at home, he is adorable and I love his name, fits him perfectly.
Debbie
Oh what a little cute pie!!! I love kittens and their never-ending curiosity! It's been a long time since we had kittens too - we got Gypsy and Sable in 1996 when they were kittens. We've been talking about whether we will get another when Gypsy goes over the Rainbow Bridge. Seeing little Smitty brighten up your life makes me think it would be a good idea :*) The way he was poking his nose in all the corners of your greenhouse, he's going to earn his name with lots of dirt on his nose I'm thinking ;*)
It makes me tired just looking at the pictures of all Smitty did today.
I'm cracking up. We too are experiencing the joy of kittenhood, even though Riley is probably about 10 months old. He and Oliver love to chase each other up and down the hall, leaping and racing from chair to chair. And then there's Multi, who like Gracie, is none too happy that Bob has decided that he likes to sleep in our room too. I'm already enjoying the Smitty updates!
Isn't it amazing what a difference a kitten can make. My two cats were 18 and 12 when I had to say goodbye to Misty due to her having mini strokes. That left me with Bandit who is 12 this year. A stray had two kittens on my back deck last August and left them to die. I hand raised them from birth and adopted one out. The runt was so cute I couldn't part with her so I've had Cricket for almost a year.
I had forgotten how much energy they have and how much trouble a kitten gets into as well as how much they can make me laugh with all their antics.
Bandit took about six months to accept the fact that the little striped attack monster was not going to go anywhere and now treats her like a long lost sister. I'm sure Gracie will accept Smitty once he learns HER rules of the house. And I'm sure Smitty will become a great quilt inspector.
I love the picture of Smitty's back & tail! Your embellishments really set off your Irish Door block wonderfully, and your FMQ looks great to me.
Poor Gracie, but never say never, once he calms down a little she may give him another chance. It must be wonderful for him, so many places to explore and new things. Exhausting for you though.
Oh, he's adorable! I wish I could have a cat.
No...never!!!! But...it sure is a cute little bit of activity.
Your detail on the door piece looks wonderful and the FMQ is coming along so nicely.
You are rocking the FMQ --- so much better than my practice pieces! Your Irish cottage looks wonderful, and Moses and I love the Smitty update. I can just see his personality shining in those pictures! (You know you will miss him next week; have a fun and safe trip, tho!)
Your FMQ came out pretty good considering you have a helper. I boxed myself in quite a bit on this one. I didn't practice enough. Really like the door block. Looking forward to the others.
Ha, love Gracie's look "never!" too cute, and Smitty, well just awwwww.
A caution when he's in your sewing room with pins, needles and threads! My little babies were very curious too so I decided to make sure those items were well-secured from their incessant desire to chew on everything...but you probably already know that :)
I love this picture of Gracie. Yep, she looks mad. LOL She will get to where she tolerates the young whipper snapper. LOL
Great job on the FWQ challenge! I have painted a piece of fabric to use this month, but haven't started yet!
Smitty is such a cutie! It has taken almost 6 months for our 2 older cats to accept our kitty. Poor thing, no one to play with! I hope Gracie accepts him faster!
My dogs were like that, when I brought the little one home. Now, they are glued to the hip. Gracie will get there, too, and, one of these days, the new one won't mind your quilting longer periods. I'm liking that Irish door quilt.
Looks great!!! I love them!
Awww what a sweet little helper you have. Gracie will come around some day, maybe :) Love the FMQ, I did the same thing a different filler in each box and spirals, when you get th hang of it let me know, I can't get them either.
Love the cat, the FMQ and the little house. Thanks so much for linking up to QED!
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