All about Jack...

I've been taking tons of pictures lately, particularly of our pets.  But I haven't been blogging much so haven't had a chance to share them.  So this post is dedicated completely to pictures of our cat Jack.  (I expect no one will find these as interesting as I do!)  She is a beautiful calico of 9 years...

The entire table is empty except for one lone piece of paper.  And of course, that's where she had to sit...

Loving the sunshine...

Does she have something to say?

Do you see her long whiskers folded up?

Big stretch...

Open wide for the dentist!  (She's do for a cleaning)

What big, beautiful green eyes!

Her favorite pose...

with paws curled up!

Done reading the paper...

She must have just woke up...

Until later...

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.  

I Cor. 13:4-8 

Goodbye Dear Nicky...

I  just spent a week with this sweet girl while I was pet-sitting for my parents.  Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with liver cancer the day after I left and went to join Michael in heaven yesterday.  She was 10 and a half.  I'm sure they're running around and playing, waiting for us to join them one day...

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Matthew 5:4

More random thoughts...

Still not much quilting recently.  Most of my time is being spent with home improvement projects/errands.  If you stop by Home Depot or Lowes, you're likely to spot me with a confused look on my face.  Mr. Quilting Bug sends me there to pick up items for the ongoing renovation and usually I have no idea what they are or where to find them.  But the people in both these stores are very helpful.  My only problem is when they ask me questions about the items and the answers are not written on the list.  Anyone know what '10 penny' nails are?  And that 10d is code for '10 penny' on the box?  Well, now we both do.

I could share some pictures of the renovation, but it's still bare studs.   Mr. Quilting Bug is doing the electrical work right now, so although it doesn't look like much progress is happening, I know he's working hard.  And of course, we have to stop and make sure we're putting all the outlets and lights right where we need them.  So I thought I'd share a picture of the view from my bath tub.  

I love the view, especially the rock wall that Mr. Quilting Bug built last year.  (He is so handy.)  But it's a shame that this window is at the front of our house.  As soon as the reno is done, some privacy film is going up on these windows.  I'll have to admire the view from a different window.

Speaking of windows, I've also been busy installing window film in our sun room.  Well, I've only put it on one window so far, but we're trying to see if we like it before I go to all the effort for the rest of them.  FYI - we have 12 double hung windows in our sun room and kitchen plus french doors to the back deck.  That's a lot of windows to cover.

I'm using the Gila Platinum Film to cover these windows.  It's supposed to block UV rays, keep it much cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.  We have a southern exposure, so during the hottest part of the summer, I have to keep the roman shades drawn and it's still unusable in here.  According to testimonials, this film is supposed to change all of that.

I applied the film to the lower portion of the window on the left.  You can see it's slightly darker than the one on the right and it's more reflective.  I think we both like it and so I'll continue to cover the other windows as I find time.  (It took about an hour to install it on one window.)  Another benefit is that we'll get a tax credit next year on the cost.

On a quilting related note, I did finish putting together the Spider Web quilt top.  This is the one where I ran out of fabric for the border and had to pick something completely different to finish it.

Sorry for the dark picture.  I couldn't get a better one.  The quilt top is 37" square and I've already got it pin-basted.

Right now, I'm trying to decide on the quilting design for it and to finalize the quilting design for the D9-Patch quilt.  Then I'll have to actually quilt them...

I thought I'd leave you with a picture of David gazing out the back door.  Mr. Quilting Bug likes to relax on the back deck when he's done working for the day.  David would love to join him, but he can't be trusted outside.  That's also why he wears a bell...

Until later...

"My God shall supply all of your needs."

Philippians 4:19

Stash Report Week #15

April 9-15, 2010

Not much to report this week.  I bought 2 charm packs for future projects, so that's about 1.5 yards.  And I bought 2.5 yards of another fabric to use as the border, binding and backing to the Spider Web quilt.  That's a grand total of 4 yards in this week.

And I haven't spent much time sewing, so I have nothing finished just yet.  I'm close to finishing the Spider Web quilt top, but that will have to count towards next week.

So...
Purchased-this-week: 4 yards
Used-this-week: 0 yards
Purchased-to-date: 86.25 yards
Used-to-date: 150.75 yards
Net used: 64.5 yards

Until later...

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. 

Psalm 27:14

This and that....

Our master bathroom remodel started last Saturday, so tomorrow marks a full week of work.  Although Mr. Quilting Bug has finished demo, there's so much to do to rebuild it.  He's busy framing now and the layout is starting to take shape.  He budgeted 3 weeks to complete this renovation, but I'm guessing it will be more like a couple of months.  There's just so much left to do.

I finally managed to try out my new Rowenta iron and so far I'm loving it.  It gets much hotter than any other iron I've ever owned and it's also heavier.  Although that can be fatiguing if you're ironing for a long time, you can't beat the results.  It's made pressing quilt blocks and tops so much easier. 

I'm almost finished with the Spider Web top I've been working on.  I'm in the process of adding the borders.  Hopefully I'll have something to show tomorrow or the next day.  I've also been trying to decide how to quilt the D9-Patch quilt.

It's one of my UFO's.  I've decided to take the extra time and do trapunto on it using wool batting.  I know I want to do some kind of feather design and have been trying to draw out some samples.

Sorry for the poor lighting, but hopefully you can see it well enough.  I'm thinking I'll use this design in each of the 4 blocks but I'm still finalizing the design for the sashing and borders.

I think I'll end this random post with some cute (to me) pet pictures...

Gabriel resting with the ball.

She has such soft floppy ears...

and pretty brown eyes.

Sam kept me company while I was sewing today...

Time for a bath.

David blinded by the camera.

 Moses sleeps under the covers.

Jack's favorite pose.

Until later...

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 

Romans 12:12

Win an AccuQuilt Go!!!

I Have A Notion is having 30 days of great giveaways (March 15 - April 15).  And it's not too late to win any of the prizes - you just have to comment on that days post.  And best of all, they're now giving away an AccuQuilt Go. 

In case you haven't heard of it, it's a die-cutting machine for fabric.  They're not cheap and I would love to win one.  If you would too, I'd quickly head over to their blog for your chance.

Their blog is:  http/www.ihaveanotion.blogspot.com/
And the store is: http://ihavea-notion.com/store/


Until later...

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

Isaiah 26:3

Not much sewing now...

but I did get a new iron yesterday.  It's a Rowenta this time.  I've tried out 2 of them owned by ladies in my quilting bee and loved them!  I've gone through iron after iron after iron, but they never seem to get hot enough or press very well.  My new iron is much heavier so I'm hoping that will make the difference.  I'm also hoping I get a chance to actually try it out today.  (Even though I'm not doing the bathroom demolition myself, I still seem to be swamped with non-quilting related things.)  I read lots of reviews online and the consensus with the Rowenta irons seems to be that it needs to be 'Made in Germany' and not 'Made in China'.  The irons are manufactured in both locations, but the ones from China have a bunch of issues.  Luckily my JoAnn's carries the Germany one.

I'm hoping to get some work done on this Spider Web quilt soon...

I needed a kaleidoscope ruler to cut the wedges and after a bit of searching, found one at JoAnn's.  I was also looking for the darker blue fabric there to use as the outer border because I ran out.  I'm sure I bought it there, but couldn't find it.  In desperation, I bought this print instead...

I hope it'll work because I bought enough for a fussy cut border, binding and backing.  Thearica, over at the HGTV Quilting & Needlework Forum is hosting a UFO challenge for April 12th - May 12th and I've entered this project as my one to finish.  The prize is one of her husband's beautiful handturned wooden pens.

While I was out looking for the Kaleidoscope ruler, I happened to find a couple of charm packs that needed to come home with me - Rural Jardin by French General and Frolic by Sandy Gervais.  (The fat quarter is a birthday gift for a friend.)

On another note, I don't know if I've ever mentioned what a little thief my cat Moses is...

(I love how she crosses her paws.)

Each night she sneaks into my sewing room and steals various items - usually fabric.  I have a couple of ziploc bags set aside for her to take so that she'll leave the important stuff alone.  Recently she found a 10 foot tape measure and has been dragging it around the house.  I've found it draped over the sofa, wrapped around furniture and almost everywhere else.  And last night, I heard a slithering sound and looked up just in time to see her dragging it through the kitchen.  I so wish I could have gotten a picture of that!

(Her haul from last night.)

Until later...

"Be still and know that I am God."

Psalm 46:10

(one of my very favorite quotes from the bible)