Retirement Quilt

I'm planning myself a retirement quilt.  I know, I'm starting early, but it takes me time to make a quilt. For my first spring in New Hampshire after I retire I want to snuggle under a new quilt made by me!

I love log cabin quilts.  So, I decided to make myself a log cabin quilt in purple and rose and yellow polka dots.  I've made two blocks so far.  And you'll note that I have a black cat-shaped spot on my two blocks. And this spot is apparently washing his feet....on MY quilt blocks.

Merlie's Quilt Addiction

Let's remember that Merlie never lived in a cold climate.  I doubt he ever really knew what a quilt was until a few weeks ago.  Ever since he became acquainted with his Aunt Denise's quilt, which she made for Bob, he's been a quilt junkie. In fact, he's become a FABRIC junkie!  

I submit this picture as evidence:

Note the colorful fabric Merlie is ensconced upon.  That is a quilt top that I spread over one of our pub chairs in order to decide if I wanted to make the quilt bigger or leave it as a wall quilt.  

Merlie has never sat on our pub chairs.  Never showed any interest in them.  BUT, add a quilt top and he's right there!  Also, he's been joining me in my quilting area lying in quilt scraps.  HOWEVER, once I tried sprinkling fabric scraps on him.  He got scared and ran.  I have no idea what he thought I was really doing to him.  He doesn't seem scared of lying on the scraps, but scraps raining down freaks him out.   Strange cat....

Happy New Year!

As the East Coast of the U.S. finishes up its ringing in of 2012, we in Hawaii are still waiting for the magic hour. Some fireworks are still legal here, but not the real loud stuff.  Still, some folks think the rules do not apply to them and there are occasional loud booms.  This is our first New Year with Merlin and he's afraid of the loud noises.  He is curled up next to me on the couch so I'll protect him from the "booms".   Guess I'll be up for a while defending the homestead against loud noises and keeping Merlie safe.  :)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Here they are!

 For once I got my act together to post my pictures early today.  This picture is the serendipitous quilt that just "happened" yesterday.  Found the fabric, realized how much I missed my sunflower fabric and decided to whip up something simple to add beads to.  I have a perfect place to put it in the bedroom.  I just love sunflowers.  They are such happy flowers!

And this is the polka dot quilt. Really bright and pinky-magenta.  I'm going to bead it, too, but haven't decided how yet.

Today I need to work on my Red Victorian Lady bead tapestry.  Haven't worked on  her in a while.  She's a big project and isn't going to weave herself!

Quilt Catch Up

I've gotten the quilting bug again.  I have rarely quilted while living in Hawaii....too hot and we don't use quilts at all.  But, I spent two weeks in New Hampshire which included a couple of days of snow.  I just felt like quilting and sewing in general.  Thought that feeling would go away once I returned to the tropics, but it hasn't.  

I've cleaned up my sewing area which is just a part of  one of the bedrooms.  It's enough space with shelving and a table for cutting, etc.  I don't think I'll be making any bed quilts, just lap quilts and some wall quilts.  

When I lived in Germany, I made several quilts.  One was for Bob because he didn't have one and we really needed them in the winter.  His was coffee-themed :)
And I got into making wall quilts embellished with beads and appliques.  These are a couple of the wall quilts I made:

Today, I've been working on a new quilt based on one of my favorite quilting books.  I'm almost finished with the piecing, but haven't decided on embellishment yet.  Oh yes, it must be embellished!  I'll post a picture tomorrow of the pre-embellished stage.  And I finished a top for a wall quilt which just kind of happened while I was going through my stash today.  I'll post a picture of it's pre-embellished stage, too.

I'm back to quilting!

Too Much to do....

I cannot wait until I retire!  I have too much to do at work to spend time to do all I want at home.  Maybe I'll just wait until I retire and write a book!

Merlin

I'm trying to revive this blog once again. I have so many cat stories I want to share.  First, let me introduce Merlin. 

Merlin is a 5yr old cat we adopted from a local rescue group.  He definitely part Burmese.  He has Burmese fur and looks reddish brown underneath his black coat.  He is a gorgeous animal.  And a spoiled animal.  My husband, Bob, says all my cats will be spoiled...it's just what I do. 

Merlin was really sick when we first got him.  He stopped eating a week after we got him.  We took him to the vets. a week and a half later (and $4500), he was back with a stomach tube and we had to feed him through the tube until he could eat again by himself.  His liver had shutdown and had to be "taught" to function again.  It only took 2 weeks before he was eating on his own.

And since then he has been king of the house and all he surveys.   He has scared Jazzmyn, who unbeknownst to us didn't want another cat  in the house, so she stays upstairs.  We're gradually working their relationship out, but it's going to take a while.  

Check back for more Merlin/Jazzmyn stories....