Cold and windy...

 ... that's what the weather has been like lately.

I am ready for Spring, but Spring doesn't seem ready to arrive. Oh sure, we had a couple of days of warm, sunny weather, but that hasn't lasted. Every time I think I will get some outside work done, we get cold temps, wind, wind, wind, and freeze warnings. 

The daffodils finally bloomed, about 3 weeks later than the two previous years.

This is a miniature tulip, bright red. 

So tiny.

These full-sized red tulips are late to bloom this year, too.

There is very little sewing happening because, well, you know...

Look at that face! He's saying 'pay attention to me!'

When he decides to nap on my lap I just can't make him move.

He assists me in my sewing room. I had just moved my plants out to the garage to re-pot them. He had to make sure I got them all! 

He also assists me with keeping my work surface cleared. Ha! He loves to nudge pencils off so he can play with them on the floor.

Hoppy also approved my recent fabric purchase.

The 'Girls' (my quilting buddies) made our monthly trip to Bolines last week. If you live near Bloomington I highly recommend this shop. The owner is a lovely person, the fabric selection is wonderful and the prices are great.

He enjoys watching quilting tutorials on YouTube.

I did get a little sewing done. I thought about adding sashing and decided against it.

Now I am wondering if a half-inch gold sashing would look better.

I am thinking I will add a thin inner half-inch border of gold, then one inch of red, then two inches of green and bind with green. Any thoughts?

To see what other quilters are up to go to Small Quilts and Doll Quilts.

Stay safe and well.

Happy quilting.

Kitten Smitten

Yes, Husband and I are smitten with this kitten. We keep asking ourselves what did we do before this little guy came into our lives. We have had cats before, but it's been a while and Husband wasn't as taken with them as he is this one.

Hoppy is so cute. 

And, playful.

And, curious.

And, observant.

And, helpful.

And, he likes quilts!

He has claimed this one as his.

I am finding it harder to get anything done with this one around. When I try to knit he wants to play with the yarn or chew on the knitting needles.

If I try to do hand sewing he is after the needle, pins and thread.

Don't worry, I watch him VERY carefully. In this photo, the needle is folded up in layers of the quilt so he can't get to it. 

He has figured out how to get on the quilt frames. I really don't like that.

I have unpinned the backing you see here hoping to lessen the temptation. He did try to get up there again from the chair that is at the end on the right (not visible in the photo). He got a good squirt with the water bottle and hasn't tried to get up there again. I am more concerned with this frame because of the computerization.

He mostly lies on the table under the quilt on this frame. I am ok with that. This machine isn't computerized.

I have been able to get a few things done this week.

This scrappy quilt is made with 2-inch squares. It's been approved and is ready to quilt.

Olde Glory mini is quilted, just needs the binding.

I got one scrubby dishcloth made. He was too tired to care.

I even got a little counted cross-stitch done! My mom is going through things at her house deciding what to keep and what to pass on. This is a project that was started many years ago. According to the notes on it, in her handwriting, she intended to stitch it after I got it started. There were two stitches in it when she handed it off to me. I am pretty sure I made those two stitches and she just never had the time to work on it and now she has no desire to. The part I got stitched is circled in red on the pattern picture. This piece is labeled as a bell pull. I will likely frame it if I ever get it done (haha). It is 4 1/2 x 26 inches.

I was able to get that much done because Hoppy got his vaccinations which made him want to sleep and cuddle a lot more than usual. 

Stay safe and well.

Happy quilting!

Life with a kitten

is so fun! This little guy is growing and he is busy!

Warning, this post has a lot of kitten photos, not much quilting this time.

Hoppy is curious, very helpful, and quite entertaining!

We are reluctant to disturb him when he sleeps.

I took him with me on my recent trip to visit Son. He rode so well on the two-hour ride, going and coming home. He and Son's dog while they didn't fight, they didn't become fast friends either. Pokie (the dog) was pretty jealous of Hoppy so it has been decided that Hoppy will live with us for now, but go along with me for visits.

Every time I tried to bind Rainbow Rails, I had help. Hoppy could be asleep somewhere in one of his secret spots but he would appear after I took a stitch or two. I finally got it bound and he has claimed it as his.

Stay safe and well. 

Happy quilting!