7/20/19

Back to Business

Hey, good morning! We're back home at the stationary Three Cats Ranch, and it's time to get busy. No more loafing. And if we're getting back to business, then the first order of business is to choose a winner in the Nine is Fine Giveaway. Thanks to all who entered and left such nice comments. Spinning the dial on Mr. Random, I came up with...


Looking down the list, that brings me to...

Sher S!

Sher is a long-time follower, so congratulations, Sher! I've sent you an email, so check your inbox.

In other news, I'm very happy to report that the "Kitties Without Kennels" experiment was an unmitigated success. When we opened the door to the camper, they were waiting at the door. Their being at the door let us know they were able to ambulate in the tight spaces of the camper just fine. They rode home on the comfy bed where we left them when we closed the doors. (They really like the bed in the camper.) We thought they might panic at the sound of the slides coming in, but they were troopers and barely twitched a whisker. When we got home, we didn't want them to run out the door, and they didn't. When we told them to "Get Back!" they did as they were told, and so our new method is a keeper. You have no idea how much happier we'll all be now that we aren't forced to keep them cooped up in kennels. (Sort of awesome alliteration.)

Sadly, they're going to continue to be indoor kitties, and we're afraid this change might be permanent. I took this picture of Sadie lounging on the catwalk yesterday evening. It's taken through the window of our laundry room, which explains the reflections there.


On a positive note, they seem to have adjusted to the presence of the ladder and the cat walk. The cat walk allows Sadie to be on the same level with Smitty, who usually hogs the corner shelf. We haven't seen either of them use the ladder yet, but they may have when we weren't around. Possibly if I leave a camera outside for them, they'll take selfies for us to see. Who thinks that's a pawsibility?

So, okay, in other news, I'm showing you the unwrinkled version of the I Believe in Snowmen blocks finished while we were at the lake.



Here are the four blocks I have so far for this quilt.


Also, I promised you a better picture of the finished Solstice to Solstice quilt.


Here's the key to what each block stands for. I tried using photoshop to put numbers on the blocks, but it wasn't showing up very well. Hopefully, my description won't completely confuse you, but here goes:

Starting in the upper left, the large block there is for Earth Day. To the right of that are five pieced blocks. The two in the top row are (on the left) Black History Month and beside that, the block I made to celebrate Matthew's April birthday. The three blocks in the row below those are (from the left) MLK birthday, Christmas holiday, and New Year's Day. In the upper right hand corner, the two blocks at the top are for St. Patrick's Day and April Fool's Day. Below those two is a block for Groundhogs Day.

In the next row, starting with the colorful pinwheel and the two blocks beneath it, the pinwheel was to celebrate Vernal Equinox and the beginning of Spring. Below that on the left was a block to celebrate an epic snowfall during the week. To its right is a block for Easter. The large block in the center was to celebrate Valentine's Day. To its right there are four pieced blocks. Starting in the top row of two are blocks (on the left) to celebrate the first snowfall of the season, and to its right a block to celebrate our wedding anniversary in 2017. Below those two, the two blocks are (on the left) the final block celebrating Summer Solstice and to its right, a block to mark Memorial Day.

Finally, across the bottom and starting on the left, a large block to celebrate Mardi Gras. The six blocks to the right of that are (on the top left) celebrating March, in like a lion out like a lamb. Beside that Inauguration Day and the women's march on Washington, D.C., the next day. To the right of that, a block to remind me to start my tomato seeds. In the bottom row of those six blocks is a block (on the left) to celebrate Mike's [temporary] retirement. (Rest assured, he's retiring permanently in December of this year.) To the right of that, a block that celebrated the sunshine and blue skies of our first "shakedown cruise" in our new truck camper. To its right, a block to celebrate my Cinco de Mayo birthday. Finally, the large block in the lower right-hand corner was made while we attended the High Performance Corvette Driving School in Pahrump, Nevada, which was also to celebrate Mike's retirement.

Okay...clear as mud, right? Questions welcome.

And this was my goal for July's OMG, so I'll be linking up to the party when the time comes.


And that's all the finished work I have to show you for today. We'll be unpacking the camper and settling back into what passes for normal around here. Next up on my sewing list is to make a little quilt for this spot:


It gives me a reason to make this little quilt. I picked up the pattern a couple of years ago while we were visiting a quilt shop in Astoria, Oregon. That was our shakedown cruise trip for the truck camper, and so it even kind of makes sense.


I even picked up the little buttons to embellish it. So that won't take too long. Also, I'm two weeks behind on the Tiny Tuesday blocks, and so I'll want to get caught up on those. Finally, I've committed myself to making doll quilts for the two granddaughters of a friend. I'll be starting the first of those. Get ready for some whining because my pattern is paper-pieced, and you know I'm never happy when I'm paper piecing. But the quilt will be cute, and so I'll just bite the bullet and drink some tequila as I go...or maybe some sparkling water...kind of depends on how its going.

Since I've been up for hours and haven't accomplished a darned thing, I should probably get out the cattle prod and move myself along.

13 comments:

Julierose said...

Good to hear that the kitty experiment was a resounding success...
I think the snow people are adorable--and love that little beach hut--so cute and a memory piece too...good to be home again, right? Hugs, Julierose

Teresa said...

Cute cute cute snowmen. I like the little wall hanging as well. My husband and I want a camper so much, but he has had 5 back surgeries in the last 2 1/2 years, so hoping he will be recovered enough in 6 months for us to get one and start camping.

I had to click through 6 picture before it let me post this comment :(

gpc said...

Congratulations, Sher S! Enjoy those temptations! Love the snowmen, love the solstice quilt (and am most especially impressed that you not only created the blocks for special memories but that you ALSO remember what those memories are!) Did something happen to convince you that indoor kitties are going to be a thing? Some new coyote news or suspicions, perhaps?

Cherie in St Louis said...

The snowmen are adorable :) Btw, I'm so happy for you and the kitties that the kitties without kennels is a success! You are the best cat mom a kitty could have.

Kate said...

The snowmen are adorable! Looking forward to seeing all your new projects in the works over the next few weeks. Glad the experiment was a success, as the kitties probably are too. Enjoy your stitching time this week.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Glad the kitty experiment went over well. We had a couple of cats when my daughter was little. I really wish we had made one of them an indoor cat. I loved him and he was so so cool. I think he would have lived longer if we had kept him inside. That is one heck of a quilt. So cool how each block represents something. Someday I may paper piece. I'll need a gentle start though, lol.
xx, Carol

piecefulwendy said...

Oh man, the indoor thing is going to be permanent? I'm so sorry for the kitties. Shoot. That little quilt is going to be cute hanging there in your camper! What fun to have Solstice all done, and it's looking great! Welcome home!

CathieJ said...

Those snowmen are adorable. So glad your kitty experiment went well. I hope your kitties get used to being indoor kitties.

quiltzyx said...

Congrats Sher S!

Glad the new kitty-loading experiment worked out. I wouldn't like to ride around in a crate either. Sheesh!

And congrats to you too, on the Solstice finish!!

Karrin Hurd said...

Cute snowmen!

kc said...

Yeah for comfy beds and safe travels! How is the coyote situation, or is that why they are on inside restriction? (i think I am several posts behind...
Beach hut is cute! I looove paper piecing for its accuracy, don't love the mess and waste tho. Good luck with that!

Patty said...

Very nice. Thanks for linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal and congrats on your finish.

Quilter Kathy said...

I adore your redwork embroidery... such cute designs!