My Poor Katie.....

Spent most of this week back and forth to the vet's office. It was past time for little Katie to be spayed-she's been in heat every 2 weeks since March. First she had to have all her shots and then had to wait til the vet could schedule her in, but finally Wednesday I took her (and my daughter and grandson's three cats also) to be spayed. Had to leave her overnight before and after, and went back on Friday to pick her up. Poor little girl--her white fur is shaved and her little pink tummy shows her incision. Found out she only weighs 5 pounds 6 ounces, even though she was a year old in March. She's been on painkillers til Saturday and antibiotics til they're gone, so she is not yet her usual perky self. In fact, all she's wanted to do is cuddle, so I've gotten zilch done as far as sewing. I did do a lot of work on my blog, rearranging things, updating links and great places to visit and shop. Katie sat right next to me in her rocker. I still haven't figured out why I can't get Comments to show up, though. I had them the first time I did the blog. I've read and changed things and still can't get that Comments thingy to come up. Anybody got any ideas? Email me at quiltingmama20 at stny dot rr dot com if you do-I think I'm illiterate in this part of blogging.

I did hear from Chookyblue and received my swap partner in the SSCS 2008. And she 's from ............ another country! LOL!

I'm so excited, now I have to go check out my patterns to see what kind of goody I can whip up for my new friend. It has to be something special, since she lives in ?


Happy Quilting,
Sharon

So Much Fabric, So Little Time!

If I thought I was behind last week, I'm even further behind this week. Last Monday afternoon I drove an hour north to meet with Laurie in NY of Soldiers' Angels. She had 6 large boxes of fabric donated to SA by a quilter who could not sew any more. She wanted her fabric to go to someone who would use it to make quilts and/or other items for our soldiers. I also received a box of fabric squares donated to Kim in MA, again to be used to make quilts and other projects for wounded soldiers. Unfortunately, the fabric Laurie had, had been stored in a damp cellar for 2 months and really needed washing and drying. So I spent Tuesday laying out fabric in the sun to air and taking loads to my washer and dryer.

I didn't iron that stuff, but I spent part of the week washing and ironing YUCK!!! the rest of the fabric I have to go with my Aunt Grace/Washtub fabrics for the Happy Block Swap I'm doing at Block Central. Did get them pressed and ready for the last 2 strips to be sewn on, then they're done.

I also finished up more 9-patch blocks for another R/W/B patriotic quilt top.
Just have to add the borders to that and the other one already done and make the backs and they'll be ready to go to a long-arm quilter. I have to find someone in my area that will do the job for free or at least at a discounted rate for charity, or they'll never get quilted. I have lots of stash to draw from to make them, but no money to pay to get them quilted. If any of you out there know of someone who would be willing to quilt them, please have them email me at quiltingmama20 at stny dot rr dot com.

Had to get groceries on Wednesday and get some new tubs to put all the new donated fabric in, so a stop at Wal-Mart was necessary. Naturally I had to see what the fabric department had. Got some great quilt back fabric and some pre-quilted two-sided material to make myself a new purse for fall. And today in the mail I got a new purse pattern from Quilts Illustrated, designed by Penny Sturges. This next purse will NOT turn into a tote like the last one did!
And I fit in 4 loads of my own home laundry in between all the donated fabric and all the shopping. All this overworked my bad arm, so consequently could not sew since Thursday. Had to get a cortizone shot in my shoulder today to relieve the pain. But-maybe tomorrow I can sew again and finish up those blocks so they'll be ready when I WIN THE REST from the Happy Block Swap!!!
I did work on part of my Maple Leaf blocks for the Burger Queen mystery quilt, but have a long way to go on that. And everyone is posting pictures of their quilts and I can't even peek! How tough is that! These are the stems for my 6-inch blocks.

I did add a new slide show to my site today. Not a lot in it yet, but some of my older quilts and tabletoppers. I'll have to go look up my picture book and scan some of the pictures in from previous projects. I just love to look at everyone else's picture-I get so much inspiration from them.

One of my favorite new sites is Grandma's Kitchen, Patchwork Patroontjies She is so talented and I love her designs. I've put several on my to-do list.

And have you been to the Pink Penguin ? She has some great tutorials. One is the neatest fabric basket--I think that's going on my Christmas list of things to make for the relatives.

That's all for today, I hope to be happily quilting tomorrow.

Sharon (and Katie, who helped write today's post by sitting next to me and supervising!)

I'm So Far Behind...

I'm so far behind on the Stashbuster Burger Queen Mystery Quilt. Haven't even started sewing my 9-inch blocks yet. I did start cutting them, but got interrupted by wifey chores like making supper, and never got back to them.

Then I got distracted by Block Central's forum announcing the sign-up for their September Happy Blocks Swap. Since I've never done a swap either, I had to nose around a little, and yep! I'm hooked! All you have to do is make these simple little "happy" blocks out of 4 1/2 inch squares surrounded by 1 row of 2 1/2 inch strips. How easy is that? And my favorite "brainless piecing" block is already the Log Cabin, so this simple Courthouse Steps version will fit happily into my schedule when I want to sew, but don't feel up to thinking about it. You know--those times you feel like you're in Zombie-land! LOL !
Now I generally never pre-wash and iron my fabric anymore. The only time is if I'm sewing a large flannel quilt. I usually just jump right in and cut it up and sew. But the rules for the Happy Block Swap say you have to, so I moaned and groaned and did the dirty! Ugh!
I forgot how much I hate all that pre-wasing and ironing! But it's all done now, and I moved on to the cutting.
This month's swap is Aunt Grace/Wash Tub type 1930's Reproduction fabrics. I haven't used any of those before; that's why I was attracted to the swap in the first place. I've had fun cutting up and matching all the blocks to sew. I only have to do 6 blocks for the swap, but I have over 60 extra's cut and ready to sew, just in case I don't win the swap blocks. Instead of everyone swapping blocks, only 2 people get the blocks. Then they aren't eligible to win again for a while. A different idea, but sounds like a fun chance to take. Maybe I'll be lucky and win half the blocks, but if not, I'll have enough for a lap quilt anyway. These are my fabrics--don't you love them?
Tomorrow I'm going to sit down and chain piece them all. I started to lay the blocks out in a stack on the table to make it easier to chain piece, but Katie decided she didn't like them that way! First she attacked the center block and bit it, then she showed her contempt for the pieces by sitting right down in the middle of them.
And proceeded to give herself a bath! She is so spoiled.

But we love her and she sure makes life interesting around here. Anyway, I gave up on trying to lay the blocks all out stacked up and will do it as I sew them. When Katie has a hissy fit, it's easier to let her have her way. (Now do you see why she's spoiled?)
Have any of you been over to Kate North's blog and seen the beautiful small quilts the ladies in her swap are exchanging? What wonderful quilts and beautiful colors. I'm hoping to join them in the future. I went back thru all her archives and those little quilts are simply gorgeous! Take a few minutes and visit her, you'll be glad you did.
That's all for today. Next time I hope to have all my Aunt Grace blocks done for you to see.
Until then, happy quilting,
Sharon

PS - Thanks to the wonderful creator of the character, Maxine. I love buying her Hallmark cards to send out to my friends. She is hilarious.