1/17/16

No Chase Day

If you missed my blog post from yesterday, you'll want to check back there because I have a great giveaway going on...click right here. Carol Steffensen of Chickadee Hollow Designs generously agreed to sponsor a giveaway of the WHOLE SET of the Quilting Snowladies. Don't miss out on this great opportunity! As for the Quilting Snowladies, I created a label for them this morning. I've pixelated out my address, if you're wondering what that's all about.


There's been precious little time for sewing the past few days, but today is a dedicated sewing day. This morning I moved my hoop on the Gingerbread Square block. This one seems to be going very slowly. This is only the second time I've moved the hoop, and it feels as if I've been working on it for weeks.


Now it's hooped up again, and tomorrow I'll start off with a clean stitching slate, so to speak.


This being Sunday, I'll be linking up at:


Truth be told, I've probably been dragging my feet a little bit about making these roses for the Quiltmaker's Garden quilt. The piecing is very complicated, and the instructions are poor. It strains my brain to work on it, and you know brain straining...that's frowned on here at the Three Cats Ranch. You could break something, you know.


So the last time I talked about this, I'd chosen my fabrics. Giving myself time to think about it made me decide to scrap (pun totally intended) my plans and choose everything completely different. I didn't think there was enough contrast among my pinks and so I chose some different ones.


And I chose some different greens as well. I'm hoping to stick with the two on the left side because the one on the right is an uncut fat quarter. If I can, I'd prefer to stick with scraps.


We've had a couple of days of relative peace and quiet among those with catitude. It allowed me to get some decent head shots of Maggie, who is a tough photography customer, let me tell you.



I'd still like to try some more images of her, but either one of these would work for her quilted cat pawtrait. Her expression is better in the second one, but I like that the patch of gray on her face is showing on the right side of the first one. Also, it's a sharper image, and it'll be easier to work with.

She's been out and about and much more playful the past couple of days. She's been helping Mike while he's working at his desk.


And it's a great spot for gazing out the window every now and then to chatter at the birds.


Smitty has been good about not chasing her, but he's still keeping an eagle eye out and needs to know where she is at all times.


Who me? I'm just guarding the living room. You never know when a marauding mouse will show up.

When he's around, this is pretty much all we see of Maggie.


What's that? Bother Maggie? Would I do that? Where is she anyway?


Why, I haven't seen her for days...nope. Haven't been looking, thanks. 


No cats around, as far as I can tell.


None, What. So. Ever. I'll say this, though...someone has been eating my food. Who would steal a guy's food? Only a stinking, marauding, interlop...uh, mouse would do that!

So, we're making progress. It's nice to be able to let down our guards a little and to ease up on the disciplinary measures. He's been doing much better, although she is still hissing as much as ever. Still, we're feeling pretty optimistic that these two are going to get it worked out.

And with that...I'm off to sew. Lots to do, and it would be great to have those five roses behind me at the end of the day.

13 comments:

Quilting Tangent said...

Allot of stitching on the gingerbread house, that is why it is taking so long. The cats keep you entertained. :)

Deb said...

Love the stitching on the Gingerbread house, I know how long the embroidery can take on those blocks first hand. Wow despite your bouts of brain strain the quiltmakers Garden is beautiful.

Lyndsey said...

The gingerbread house is looking good enough to eat. I like the colour choices for the roses and greens. I hope your brain wasn't strained too hard.

Dana Gaffney said...

If you're asking for opinions I like the first picture of Maggie, she is really beautiful. I like the different pinks and greens too.

JLVerde said...

Maggie is gorgeous!

Chris said...

Maggie is such a beautiful girl. One of these days you'll see them curled up together napping.

Beth said...

Good for Mr. Smitty. It's got to be a relief for you not to have to scold him so often. He may discover he likes it better that way also.

Susan said...

Hey, Mr. Smitty, don't let Ms. Maggie's hissing bother you. At least she is paying attention to you. On the other hand, if she growls or shows you her claws, watch out though. Maybe you should try ignoring her. I know it is hard because she is so pretty--especially those eyes. Remember, she has been mistreated and it will take her time to trust. Hopefully, she hasn't been scarred for life.

Barbara, your stitching has to be slow since you are linking up to Slow Stitching Sunday :-) The blocks you have finished are really nice, and this one is too, even in its unfinished state. You are making progress and there is a lot of stitching and it isn't like you haven't had or don't have anything else to do. Enjoy the journey.

Sherry said...

Maggie is getting more beautiful everyday. A loving home life is agreeing with her. I also find the Gingerbread House embroidery to be very slow going. You are making more progress than I. I need to spend more time with it. I do enjoy seeing the blocks take shape.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

It's best to work slow on these sweet stitcheries. Good luck with the roses.

Kate said...

Good luck with the roses. Looks everything else is moving in the right direction.

Brown Family said...

Glad Smitty and Maggie are getting along better. Max has been here a couple of years and he and Angel still chase, growl and hiss at each other. She has gotten bold and will chase him back!

quiltzyx said...

Here I am, almost 2 weeks out again. Sheesh. I don't blame you for trying to avoid brain strain. I do that all the time too.
Glad to read the cat update & that things have simmered down a bit.