7/11/12

Sewing at Last

Yesterday I wanted to get into the sewing room to make at least one block, and I did.  But first, I wanted to show you the fabrics I won in a recent giveaway.  Anna at Pink Padme had her very first giveaway and I won her fat quarter bundle of these pretty Parisville fabrics.  Aren't these colors beautiful?


Anna says I have to show her what I end up making with them, and the mind simply reels with possibilities.  I haven't made any decisions yet, but I'm betting they will end up in a quilt of some kind.  Thank you, Anna.  I'm honored to have won your very first giveaway.

And this must be my week to win, except for losing my cat(!), because I received notification from Sue at Alderwood Quilts that I'd won her giveaway in May.  Sue sent me this little mini cutting mat from Olfa along with a cute little ruler to use with it.  


This will be handy to have next to my sewing machine!  Thank you, Sue.

And now I just have to say something about the Squirrel Civil War we are currently waging.  We keep plastic garbage cans in our breezeway for storing the birdseed we use to feed our many feathered friends.  The lids fasten down if one follows the directions and presses to close.  One must then check said lid to be sure it is completely fastened down or else the squirrels will bite and chew their way in.


Only sometimes the squirrels are particularly tenacious as they were here.  They actually chewed off the handle of the lid trying to get into the can that contains the peanuts!  You can see all the plastic debris on the ground.


Pesky varmints.  I have just one thing to say to them:  "I know where you live, and I'm coming for you."

Okay, so here's what I did in the sewing room yesterday:  This is the block I made for Trina in the We Bee Learning Block Bee.  Trina asked for a Fireflies block from a tutorial she found at SewHappyGeek.  Trina asked for her block in purple, black, and white, and this is what I came up with.


That was all I finished yesterday, but today, I was able to get a little more done.  I put the borders on the June block for the Vintage Miniature Sewing Machines quilt.


And I put the borders on the June block for the Promises & Borders quilt.


And since the first six blocks are complete, I decided to sew them together.  My fabrics are a little different from the quilt  Jenny of Elefantz is making, but I like the way they are looking together.


I got started on the next block for my Plain and Simple Amish sampler quilt, but it isn't finished yet.  I'll save that for tomorrow.

When I came upstairs, I found Gracie seated on her throne, the big leather recliner in the living room.  She likes it here on warm days because the leather upholstery happens to be the coolest seat in the house.  She does appear cool and calm, doesn't she?  Sorry to have disturbed your slumber, Madam.


She is a little confused about George's whereabouts, I think.  Gracie prefers to be an indoors cat, but she always liked going outside when George was there to protect her.  She runs outdoors now, and I think she's looking for him.  Then she comes back inside within about five minutes, and then she wants back out about five minutes later.  This is unusual behavior for her, and so I get the feeling she's searching for him.  

I don't recall her doing this when George spent the week at the vet a couple of months ago, but then, I knew he was coming home and I probably didn't pay as much attention as I have recently.  The two of them were litter mates.  They were thick as thieves when they were younger . . . not so much as they have grown older. It does seem she's missing him, however, and she seems a little distressed about his absence.  Nothing lots of snuggles and loves can't cure . . . and plenty of catnip.  We can all do with extra snuggles and loves right now.

Tomorrow I'm going to make another batch of relish, and then I'm hoping to get some more sewing done.  And now, it's late and I'm going to bed.  I hope you had a good day.


12 comments:

Lynda Halliger Otvos (Lynda M O) said...

Rest my friend, I am so sorry about George. I love the purple, black and white block. My HST skills are slowly improving and I hope to be able to have a whole small piece with straight corners really soon !~! Your skills inspire me to get even sharper edges.

Kate said...

Poor Gracie, hope your snuggles and catnip therapy gives both of you some peace.

I like the setting for your Promises and Bordes quilt. The block you made for Trina is quite striking. That's a unique color combo, it will make for a very striking quilt.

JoAnn SweetPepperRose said...

Hey Barbara! as always, love your handy work :) about squirrels, our bulldog "helps us out" in that area! thank goodness they can't get in our roof or anywhere else! pesky for sure!

Teresa in Music City said...

So good to be back in the "saddle" isn't it? I'm looking forward to sewing with some friends today after no sewing for the past week while I traveled.

I have a few friends who would fight over that purple block! I just love the fabrics you won! So lively and colorful - you will have a ball designing something around them I'm sure. I have not bordered any of my P&B blocks yet but I'm looking forward to seeing how they will look when I do.

Gracie looks very calm and ladylike =^..^= I am sure she is looking for George. My Gypsy hated Sable (also litter mates) for the entire 16 years they lived together, but when Sable left us recently, Gypsy hunted for her everywhere and has behaved like a completely different cat ever since. It's so strange! Sending a cyber-snuggle & hug to both you and Gracie :*)

Snoodles said...

I've been enjoying the Firefly blocks popping up all over blogland -- yours are striking; I really like the fabrics you used.
Your Promises quilt is looking wonderful! Poor Gracie...you both need the snuggles, I'm sure. Take care.:)

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Poor George, poor Gracie. Sorry Barbara.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Great wins Barbara and love your block! Sounds like the squirrels are getting closer to winning the battle, maybe you shouldn't tease them with those peanuts so close but so far away :) Sorry Gracie is confused, I'm sure she misses George just like you.

Mrs.Pickles said...

lovely prizes and blocks! Poor Gracie missing your buddy is never fun

Junebug613 said...

I love that purple block too!! And the colors on your Promises and Borders quilt are great!

Poor Gracie. I was meaning to ask you how she was taking it. Some people don't give animals enough credit. They know when things change. Give her and yourself a snuggle from me and my gang.

WoolenSails said...

It looks like you are keeping busy, that is the best thing to do and enjoy creating. When my son's cat gets out, Moki howls at the window, he gets very upset when anyone is out in the wild world, he knows indoors is the place to be.

Debbie

Nic said...

So sorry to hear about George. Big hugs to you and Gracie.

Lovely sewing though. I especially like your purple block. But then again, it's one of my favourite colours :)

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

Sorry to hear about George. You've made some lovely blocks. I really like your vintage sewing machine :)