Showing posts with label squirrels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label squirrels. Show all posts

Sunday, February 10, 2013

In love again with Hexagons & Eye Fooler Quilt is done!!!

First off I have to say I am so very sorry to the HGTV group. I resigned from their swap. I had many good reasons.

The biggest one was that the hostess says she is deathly allergic to cats and their fur. I have four cats. Okay...I can deal with that. Clean clothes every time I sit down to sew. I used a lint roller to remove any hair from the chair I am going to sit in. I yelled at the cats to leave me alone while sewing. They did not understand.

I bought new papers for the swap from her suggested site. 1200 of them. I worked in a factory that had a metal stamping department. I understand about sharp dies and slag. The papers had such rough edges from a dull die that I was worried that the hostess would not accept the hexies from me for this reason. This is a issue that was NOT my fault.

I have a lot of fabric. But had to look at my fabrics with a new eye. Not  many had small enough designs to meet her criteria. And she also said no batiks...arrgggg. Half of my fabric collection is batiks. But I spent an anxious two weeks pulling enough fabrics for the 1st swap. I found all I needed. Thanks goodness I did not cut into them yet.

Then there were basting rules. I baste all behind the paper and not through it so I do not have to remove any basting when sewing together. She wanted all basting to be through the papers. And not only that but she wants them basted exactly as she had shown on her blog. Okay...I sewed for two weeks using her method. I kept her blog photos in front of me trying to make mine look exactly like hers. So slow....

The more I grumbled at the cats and complained about the basting through the papers, my husband had enough..."isn't the best part of sewing the "joy" of the journey?" he says. Yes...he was so right.
I wrote to her and told her the reasons I was resigning. She wrote back accepting my resignation.
Me? A weight has been lifted.


I  am working on an early hexie project. Little fussy cut sewing machines surrounded by fussy cut little kitties surrounded by my lovely batiks.


I had these already done. And I was able to sit in my furry chair with a warm kitty at my side and totally enjoy the process. I even let my work touch my body!!!
No contamination here!!!!


My Eye Fooler is done. I did some investigation on this pattern. It used to be called "Sparky". Check my earlier posts. The designer is still at the same address and is still offering the pattern.
http://quailvalleyquilts.com/eye-fooler/
The designer contacted me and this pattern is still available.

I want to make another one. But I am going to reduce the unit sizes. I need to go through and do the math. This is one big quilt!!!! Yet I loved the whole process.

As I enjoyed making the East Street designed by Our Bonnie Hunter. I am no longer afraid of patterns that have more than 1000,2000,3000  pieces.
Who cares how many????


We have been without a home phone for nearly a whole month. Turns out it was some squirrel damage. It had to have been the backyard squirrels as my front yard squirrels are very well fed.


This is Macy and my DH. Macy hates cold weather. She has her own heating pad. It usually sits on hubby's desk and she stays right there with him. He swears that she was trying to drag it to the couch yesterday. So he helped her. She is not spoiled at all.

And here is sweet Pearl. She looks so nice against a pink quilt. I am sure she practices looking deep asleep. Love her stripes!!!
XOXOXOxo Subee

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Hexagon Swap



This is so right up my alley!! A swap of basted hexagons in two groupings. One is totally scrappy and the other is all 30's fabrics.

http://hexagonswap.blogspot.com/2012/12/basics-for-hexagon-swap.html

I really like the basting part. I have not grown to love the assembly part. So here's hoping that receiving back new hexies after the swap is over will reignite my hexi urges.



I am going to give them a good pressing before I start. And also I want the hostess to say that the two fabrics in the bottom picture are okay for the swap. There are some rules about larger prints. I KNOW I can do some fussy cutting and get the images centered. I will wait until I get her okay!!! Gotta follow the rules!!!


One of my regular swappers on the Yahoo quiltvilleswap is named Victoria. (Love that name) Anyway she always sends a homemade catnip mouse for MaggieMae to play with. The first time I caught MaggieMae trying to bust into her swap package I really scolded her. After I opened it and found the mouse (that was triple wrapped in plastic) I told her (the cat) I was sorry.
The last package Victoria sent had two mouses in it. I hid one in the cupboard. MaggieMae found it the other day....


The catnip on the floor did not come from Victoria's catnip mouse. It is normally how the kitchen floor is in that area. Catnip heaven...so that is why it really tickles me that they still want Victoria's mouses!!!!


All done!!! She napped right where she stopped playing. Oh to live the life of a cat!!!! But then I would want to live here of course.


Or I would want to be a squirrel in this yard. (mine!) They get sunflower seeds and raw peanuts all year round. And that does not count them raiding the bird feeders too! They loved my homemade cornbread. The far squirrel is almost as large as the piece he tried to carry away. Too funny! I did take this picture through the front door window. But it came out pretty good!!!

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Efficiently string piecing

Efficiently string piecing is very easy if you plan ahead. Why cut up WOF strings to fit smaller blocks? I use those long strings to make larger (8 1/2") blocks and then use the shorter lengths to make the smaller (4 1/2") blocks. That way the repeat of fabric is reduced and those big blocks do get sewn, if slowly.

I am very pleased with the result of another two partial days of sewing.
I have five red 8 1/2" string blocks and fiftysix 4 1/2" red string blocks made.


I did not slice them on the diagonal as I did the brown string blocks. I do not know what I am going to use these in so they will simply go into the blocks storage bin.


You kinda need to make a bit of a mess with string piecing. That is OKAY!

Check out the right upper corner of the picture above...see the squirrels?
It is a momma and her baby. She brought him here yesterday. She stayed with him while he found all the feeding areas. That took a few hours. Then she deserted him.

He is solo today. Please excuse the dirty windows. The critters leave pawprints and whatever else daily. I am hoping that white streak is some flying bird do-do and not a scent marking from a raccoon.
XOXOXOXO Subee

Saturday, November 13, 2010

I love neutrals!

 And it shows that I love neutrals. I invaded the dreaded quilting/storage room and harvested neutrals that have been buried and have not made it into any quilts or swaps yet.
I guess I was saving them for my next life!
I cut 1/2 yard hunks off 54 neutrals. Yes...you read that right 54! There was 2-3 yards from each fabric left. Once again these were purchased before I discovered scrap quilting.
And I did find two chocolate browns and added them to the group for cutting.
I think I wore out my iron and I used a whole bottle of spray starch!
Now all I need to do is cut into these lovelies. I will have two sets of 25 neutrals for my Yahoo swap! Yes!
 Love my Baby...she always gets into any container she can. Even if the container is too small.
 Here is one of the three baby squirrels. Their mother is the one that climbs the door. Stubbie allows them to feast here too. I watched the Mother bring each of those babies from somewhere in the addition. She carried them one at a time in her mouth. The youngin's curled around her body. She rested every few feet. And them climbed the spruce tree with each of the babies. I bet she was worn out! Then after a few days the babies ventured down the tree. They are still shy of me and the feeding ritual I have with their Mommie and Stubbie. I am looking forward to watching them grow. Their little tails are sooooo sweet! I think this one is a boy.
Here is Baby and Bess helping me to quilt. They always have to test drive the quilts. This one is destined for Grand daughter Zoey.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Irish Chain, failed bread and house critters


 Heaven, I'm in Heaven...to the tune by the famous dancer/singer Maurice Chevaliat (sp). I am in scrap heaven. I wore out a needle and emptied many half used bobbins.
I kept a log of the time and the name of each swapper's stack of squares I used.
(that was to avoid repeats and I do like to know how long it does take me to piece a quilt)
I now have the top done...but no picture in my camera yet. I am thinking I may make another whole set of blocks and make this quilt GIGANTIC for my own bed. It seems I have been churning out lots of lap size quilts and I do need another for my bed.
 I rotated my sewing area back to "winter" mode. The sun no longer blinds me when I sit in this position. Only problem is hubby has to back into the driveway because the sun reflection from his windshield hits me right in my left eye. I have been very light sensitive lately. Maybe it is growing older...maybe it is something else.
Anyway, here is the work area. Fun, fun, fun! And Baby on the back of the chair. She gives me back rubs when I am sitting in the chair. She also tries to kiss my neck...but I stop her...it tickles!
 Love the little baggies with their BEAUTIFUL patches. I have another swap on my Yahoo group going that is due by December 15, 2010. Then I am doing a neutral swap due in January 2011.
 This little clear napkin holder is the best for holding Bonnie's book. So I can admire her work as I work.
I do have an extra copy (autographed) of her book Adventures with Leaders & Enders if any of you are interested. E-mail me privately please.
I started another hand quilting project using Bonnie's Freehand Fan method.
 This is Stubby's spring litter female that Stubby allows in her territory. She also takes food from our hands now. But she does one trick that Stubby never did. She climbs the storm door and peeks in and I swear she knocks on the door. When I open the door with food I am afraid she will dash in. The kitties are hoping she dashes in! You can see just a tiny bit of MaggieMae's fur at the door. They sniff noses at the corner. Too funny!
 Poor Stubby. When it rains she gets so very wet. Her tail does not work like an umbrella. I worry so about her when it does get cold. Squirrels wrap their bodies with their tails to keep warm too. But we must be doing something right as she is starting her thrird winter with us!
 Before the turning of the sewing area after my return from Shipsee. Baby loves cubby holes.
 Macy says "hi". She is getting famous from her video. And I do believe that she has hubby trained!
Who could resist that belly?????
                                            
 We had a tornado warning. The sirens went off. So the kitties and I went under the dining room table and we all snacked on yogurt until the "all clear" sounded. Some areas very close to us had wind damage. I believe 10 tornadoes struck the area that day.
 My bread did not rise...it was edible but short.
I bought some fresh yeast and the next two loaves were great. Then I tried some wheat flour and was disappointed again. Anyway...it sure smells good baking.
My patch from Shipshewana retreat!

Friday, October 15, 2010

48 Pineapple blocks ala' Bonnie Hunter



I admit it. I am totally addicted to making these blocks. And it will be a very heavy quilt. Also one that will need to be farmed out for quilting by machine.
The only way I was able to stop sewing these was to "dump" all the scraps and the paper patterns into one LARGE plastic tote and remove it to another room. Geez...I even have to play tricks on myself!
 Bess, my constant companion. She hardly ever naps and if I sit down to quilt she is UNDER the quilt as fast as she can. She is not a lap cat at all. I can barely get her to allow me to pick her up. She is still so feral after three years. But she loves quilting. Remember this is the cat that ate two quilting needles with thread and had to have emergency surgery on New Years Eve. All my own fault. So sorry Bessie. I no longer have needles in pin cushions.
 Bess...worshipping the sun god.
 This is my tailless squirrel, Stubbie. She is starting her third winter with me as her human guard/feeder. When she was born she had a brother with the same deformity. Sad to say, he never made it through the summer that year. But Stubbie did. Since that time she has had 2 litters a season and brings her babies here for weaning. She will take food from our hands and comes running when we call her... So sweet!
I am such a soft touch much to my hubbie's chagrin  He says they tear up the yard and landscaping. But even if I did not feed them all they still bring acorns and walnuts from the plethora of trees we have here in our addition properly named Tanglewood.
 And here is one of many chipmunks that visit my feeder. My neighbor across the street (where they run with their bounty) had some serious yardwork done by a contractor. I believe all their storage areas were destroyed or moved with a backhoe. they are really making up for lost larders. I love how they run real fast with their tails stuck up straight in the air. The cats really enjoy the chipmunks too. There is usually standing room only at the window when the chipmunks arrive.
 Here is my blessedly sweet Pearl. She was acting strange last week and I took her in for a quick exam. She ended up staying at the vet's office overnight for emergency surgery. They removed three teeth. And she had lost so much weight from her last visit. Gosh I wish these kitties would tell me what is going on in their little bodies. She is so much better now...even wants treats again!
 Love these pre-printed panels. They work up sooooo fast for a quickie BD gift for Great Grandson #1. I put blue minkee on the back...Drew loves his minkee. And found matching toy trucks for the fun part of my gift to him.
 Here is my Twilight Quilt from the Blockswappers on Yahoo. This was an exchange a year ago. I will be gifting this the Grand daughter #3. I also joined another exchange for the same color combination and will get more blocks to make another quilt soon.
 Our guild meeting had a great speaker last Monday night. Fran Foskey spoke about color wheels and we got to play with scraps she brought along. Our newer members really enjoyed the talk. And it was a good refresher course for us "old" ladies.
And check out the back of Carolyn's jacket (on the left). It looks like a Featherweight sewing machine! I did not notice it that night! Carolyn, where did you find that jacket? I want one!
 I still surprise myself. I put this quilt together in two days. I just found out that one of my faithful readers is the designer of this quilt! How cool is that? Thanks to Kathi Holland for publishing this great pattern!
 
Hubbie wanted me to add a splash of red in the middle.
 I sure appreciate his "artist's eye".

I am still sorting my newest batch of 1 1/2" squares from the Postage Stamp Swap. This is by no means the bulk of them. Just a working station, then they get to play with the bigger containers.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Back to Crabapple Quilt...FINALLY!

Finally back to sewing on my Crabtree quilt designed by Bonnie Hunter (http://www.quiltville.com). The pattern is in her newest book titled Adventures with Leaders & Enders. It is a wonderful book and I recommend it to all you scrappy quilters.

My 112 Unit A's are grouped in 10's with a safety pin (Bonnie's idea) and my Unit B's are waiting on the machine's throat. I so missed working on this quilt but I had obligations to finish first. This morning I was able to get back to Bonnie's pattern!
She sent me her tutorial block and a nice note card that I will treasure FOREVER!
The block she sent me will be the label on the back.

My sewing space...bird feeders right outside the picture window and I am watching the Science channel on TV. A hot cup of coffee and sunshine are my companions.

I added two small borders to daughter Laura's BD quilt this morning first thing. This has been in the UFO stage for a couple months. And wouldn't you know it I did make the backing and it is really too close in size to the finished 64" square top. I will have to pin it up and then see how the top fits it. Her BD is May 28th. So I am right on time.


Here is a closeup of the block. I really enjoyed piecing this block. It looks complicated finished but is made in easy units and is a surprise when finished that it was so easy. This pattern is in the book "Loose Change".

I have a sick squirrel. I went to a Wild Bird store and the clerk says I can get meds for this poor little lady at my vet's office. Maggie Mae has an appointment this Thursday so I will ask then. I guess it is a syringe that you inject into food. Will be no problem getting this little lady to eat it as she takes peanuts from me quite easily.
This picture is of Macy doing her bed stealing routine. Macy is on the right. Baby is on the left and Baby was there first. Check out Macy's ears...do you see they are back? She is not sleeping. She is leaning on poor Baby until she pushes her right out of Baby's bed. Macy does this to all the cats here. She is a major heat seeker.