3/2/13

So-Much-to-Tell-You Saturday


If you're looking for the February NewFO Linky Party, Click right here.

Saturday mornings are the best, in my humble opinion.  On the other hand, I don't work, and so every morning is like Saturday morning.  Maybe I should just say mornings are the best.  This morning I have several things to tell you about.

First, if you're like me, you need about 900 more quilt patterns in your collection because, honestly, the thousands you already have are just not enough to last you until the day you die.  That's why I'm telling you about the new pinboard Quiltmaker put up with links to free patterns.  I read about this on Facebook.  I'm not a Pinterest person, but I know some of you love it.  I like it too, but if there's anything I need more than patterns, it's more social media outlets taking up more hours of my day.  (You know what I'm talking about, don't you?)

So here's the next thing:


Sock monkey gained a new pair of ears.  Thanks again to JLVerde at Just Something I Made for the tips she gave me about doing the ears.  For one thing, she told me to stitch the ears before cutting them out.  That made so much sense, but I wouldn't have thought to do it myself.

This being my first sock monkey, the hand stitching is a little more, shall we say, "rugged" than I wish it was.  On the other hand, it gives him that rugged Indiana Jones look.  


(Be still, my beating heart.)  You see the resemblance, don't you?  He's going to Baby Ezra, my friend Lisa's grandson.  I doubt Ezra will mind the stitching.

And, since this project was new to me, I'll be linking up to 



later in the month.  Click right here for the linky party.

Speaking of rugged and good-looking, look who's getting too big, too fast.  When he stretches out, he's about five feet from the tip of his front paws to the tip of his tail.


And he seems to have grown into his ears.  This is what he looked like the day I brought him home last July.


His first birthday is coming up in April.  He's the first cat I've ever owned that I actually knew his real birthday!  And, of course, there will be a party on my blog.  More later.

Next up:

http://superscrappy.blogspot.com

This month's color is orange, and so my little ladies will be dressed up thusly:


And, this being Saturday, I'll be linking up to Scraphappy Saturday.

Yesterday I started on my March doll quilt for the Doll Quilt Swap.

 Doll Quilters

The theme for this month's swap is "Animals".  Here's what I have so far.


You do see the animal, don't you?  Actually, I can't show you what I'm doing because I want to surprise my partner.  This month, I'm paired up with Lizzie the Swedish Scrapper.

Finally, it's time to set goals for March's 


For March, I want to finish up the Perfect Harmony wall-hanging I'm making for Matthew.  It's sandwiched and ready to go.  I'm going to quilt it fairly densely using lines to echo its undulating curves.  (Isn't "undulating" just the best word ever?)  Also, I want to use metallic threads to quilt in the guitar strings.  


Then when it's all quilted, I'm going to give it a bright green binding.  Looking forward to getting started on this one, but that probably won't happen until next week.  I need to work on the doll quilt for now, and then work on a couple of other "monthlies" before I get the machine set up for quilting.  It takes a bit to get it set up, so once it's ready to go, I don't want to stop until I'm finished.  I'll be linking up at the goal setting party going on right now.

So that's about it from the Three Cats Ranch.  What's on your agenda for the weekend?

Updated to say I'm linking up to:


28 comments:

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Hmmmm...yep you monkey is just as handsome as Indiana Jones....grin.

All that good loving tends to make the kitties fill out. Mine did as well.

Your Perfect Harmony quilt is wonderful!

Deb A said...

You are one busy lady! Love that perfect harmony quilt. Cats do grow fast but they are the best buddies a person can have.

Sherry said...

Looks like you have some great goals, love the Perfect Harmony quilt and kitty looked pleased monkey can hear him now hehehe!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

You can keep the sock monkey - I'll take Harrison Ford! And yes, Smitty if rugged and hunky - my Bella thinks so.

Sheila said...

Okay. I agree with Sharon. The sock monkey is cute, but I'll take Dr. Jones : )
You have been busy. Great post!

Anonymous said...

Sock monkey rocks!!!! Kitty is so precious and has definitely grown into his ears!!!! Have a terrific Saturday (I know you will! ) Hugs, Doreen

Quilting Babcia said...

Love sock monkey ears! Who knew that's what it takes to give the guy some personality! And your lists for the weekend made me so tired my agenda now includes a nap, and none too soon, since our adorable cat woke me at 4:30 a.m. by sitting on my head while the dog panted (loudly) to go outside - sigh ...

Deb@asimplelifequilts said...

Thanks for reminding how Harrison looked back in the day! Fun to see little Smitty - they do grow too fast.

WoolenSails said...

I love the diversity in your projects, so many wonderful quilts and creations to inspire me. Smitty does have big ears but he is so cute.

Debbie

Kate said...

I just about fell off my chair, I wasn't expecting the picture of Indy after your sock monkey. It's going take a while for me to stop chuckling!

Debbie said...

Oh boy.....be still my heart and take a deep breath. Indy is my all time favorite, just so you know. Very clever to tuck him in there between a monkey and a cat---even if it is Smitty!

Dana Gaffney said...

I love Smitty's baby picture, "my, how he's grown". Indy monkey looks good with ears, I'm going to have to keep track of these tips for when I finally get around to mine. Has Matthew seen his wall hanging? it's so wonderful, I know he'll love it.

The Thimblemouse of Country Crossroads said...

Yey...your monkey has ears...and yes, is very handsome! I can't believe Smitty...omgosh I remember when you first got him, I think I was JUST discovering blogland and you're one of the very first I latched on to! LOL - so glad I did!!!

Dogwood Lane Rambles said...

Too true I can not get enough patterns and when I die my kids are going to curse me when they have to clean out that room! Your kitty is certainly filling out and that makes me sorta sad cuz I like all the furbies to stay babies for a while. I will not get a new puppy, I will not get a new puppy...

Diane Wild said...

Sock monkey..cute, Indy..cuter, Smitty..cutest. Thanks for the free pattern site. I ended up purchasing some embroidery patterns, however. Today was "Do Over Day". Seems everything I did in the sewing room I had to do over. Sigh.

Rachel said...

I love Pinterest. Time sucker? Yes. I still love it, LOL. I love the monkey, giving him the Indiana Jones look just makes me drool.I think Smitty is striving to be a mini mountain Lion or something, LOL. I am not much taller than he is! WooHoo! Smitty is gonna have a party!

Brown Family said...

YOur monkey is so cute. I may have to start mine! I also need to find the mini that I did. I started a project on Thursday and finished it this evening. Now I need to decide on a backing and how to quilt it!

Nan

http://yellowmoundquilt.blogspot.com/

gtcoursey said...

I just purchased the Perfect Harmony pattern. I am wanting to make it for my nephew who loves playing his guitar. Can't wait to see it after you've finished quilting it.

Catherine said...

Love your sock monkey. I think he looks great! Your Perfect harmony wall hanging is gorgeous. Metallic guitar strings will be a nice touch.

Yesterday, Saturday, I finished one of my upcoming Blog Hop projects. I cut blocks for a Disappearing Nine Patch and got materials together to sew tote bags to sell locally to the boat crowd arriving in a month or two. My older kitties are needing extra care so I spent a great deal of time with them. Time well spent.

Celtic Thistle said...

A post with a pic of Harrison Ford in his prime, what could be better? One with a link to lots of free quilt patterns too :)

Snoodles said...

You sure know how to pack a lot of drool-worthy things into one post! Heehee!

nessa said...

Totally forgot what I was going to comment on - only think I can think of is hunky Harrison Ford now. So thank you for that! :)

Jilly said...

That is one BIG puss cat! Love your sock monkey. I have made loads of them and they all turn out differently.

SubeeSews said...

I have that pattern. Have not tried it yet. Did you think it was hard to make???
XOXOXO Subee

scraphappy said...

Your sock monkey looks JUST like Indiana Jones. Hope the orange is just right.

quiltzyx said...

Wow - Sock Monkey can hear now, hooray!! Rugged individuals are the best, aren't they?
Smitty has indeed grown into his ears. He is sooo handsome too!

Kristy @ Quiet Play said...

Your sock monkey turned out great!! Well done trying something new :)

I love your Harmony quilt - it's looking fantastic!

Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD said...

What a fab sock monkey and then you totally side tracked me with that photo of Harrison Ford ;)