… is completed. This time I tried something a bit different. Normally, I piece together the two strips of triangles (or snakes, as Mr. Q.O. calls them), then join the two strips and then join that two-strip unit to the centre of the block. This time I thought I’d put the first strip of triangles together and then start joining the triangles for the second one directly on to the first rather than making another long snake of triangles.
What did I learn? That joining them into the long triangle strips before joining the two together is faster. I thought it probably was, but wanted to try adding the second group of larger triangles one by one to the first set. There’s still the opportunity for some continuous stitching, but nowhere near as much. The little envelope containing the pieces for block 8 has been pulled from the box and is ready to be started sometime this week.
I was looking at the various blades in the Dresden Plate collections this weekend and am now contemplating making a Dresden Plate sampler of blocks, each of which would contain a different combination of the blades. It’s very tempting, but I am trying to resist. Who knows how long that will last. Probably not long.
Sunday afternoon, we ventured out for a short walk and saw a couple out walking their cat. A gorgeous British blue kitty on a leash. The cat seemed quite at ease with the whole thing although the woman told us that you don’t have the cat walking and following where you lead — rather, you follow the cat’s lead. It was rather fun to see the look on people’s faces when they first saw that it was a cat on a leash. I’m pretty sure my face was probably pretty comical when I first noticed it too!
I say ventured out because the weekend was really quite sad here in Toronto. I have never in my life seen anything as horrible as some of the sights as a result of the vandals who infiltrated the genuine protest groups who had planned peaceful protests of the G20/G8 summits. I had tears in my eyes at seeing police cars set on fire at, among other places, the very intersection where the office I used to work at is located. Things being thrown at the police on horseback, to the point that one of the police officers was knocked off his/her horse. Windows of businesses being smashed. Looting. If this is what hosting a G20/G8 summit means, then I think that the best thing that could happen is if a permanent site was set up for them at perhaps a remote island somewhere or at a military base. Given the outrageously high cost of hosting those summits (over $1 billion here), I think it would make more sense for all the countries involved to chip in and build a place where they could be held from here on out — somewhere that could be easily secured. No city should have to go through what happened here on the weekend.
Lester was content watching out the window on to the roof garden. Good thing he wasn’t there on Sunday night as it appears we have a new resident out on the roof garden — a skunk! The smell for a while was quite — well, pungent is probably the only way to describe it. Actually, while Mr. Q.O. and I noticed the odour immediately, neither cat seemed to be noticing it at all.
Smudge earlier on Sunday evening, waiting for his yogourt treat.
Quilt Obsession 
Isn’t it amazing what we learn from piecing. Often times I will do exactly what you did only to confirm my suspicions as one being quicker than the other. The cat on a leash story is funny. I once tried that years ago with my first cat, he didn’t like having a leash on one bit. Most likely being an indoor cat he was a little scared too. I am so sad, like you, to see what they have been reporting on the news about all the vandalism going on in your lovely city. It makes me sad and angry that people have the audacity to do such things as this. I hope that things will get back to normal for you soon.
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This quilt is going to be so pretty! I love the contrast between the green and the white, and I also find hand piecing to be relaxing and almost faster on a quilt like this than machine piecing! Keep up the great work!
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Lovely Lester and Sweety Smudge photos! I, too, was saddened to see fellow Canadians acting in this manner in Toronto. We are better than that and it was shaming to our country. 😦
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Lovely block Cathi and how interesting walking a cat. I would be afraid if panic set in. And don’t get me started on the G12, the foolishness of it all and the waste of money. It sure should be held in a remote area, after all this is not a vacation for those attending.
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It’s so much fun trying different ways to stitch, it is nice to find that you are already doing things the best way too :0)
I thought of you when I heard about the rioting, now really, what does that kind of behaviour really prove? That they are ignorant and their belief system is VERY flawed. Very stupid!!
Crispy
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I love your block — I have made one with one row of triangles, but two rows is even better, and the green color is so pretty.
I felt so bad for the people in Toronto when they showed the rioting on the news. We had a similar situation in 1999 during WTO, and it was such a nightmare.
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I just don’t understand the behavior of people. What do they think they’re accomplishing? What are they going to be left with when the summit is over? Bad memories, destruction, hopefully some shame, but for what? As for the summit itself, yeah, it would be less expensive to build them all a facility, but then, they’d never agree on where to put it.
On a different note, how on earth did a skunk get up onto a roof garden?????
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I love the Farmer’s Delight block.
In 1999 Seattle hosted the G8 and also had some pretty major riots. I agree, it should be held in some remote military base on an island. It’s one thing to hold a protest but what do they accomplish by destroying property and looting?
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I think when they had it here on Sea Island, GA a few years back it was best. They stopped the protesters at the bridge on the mainland side… I hope they have learned from this!
Lovely piecing!~glad you found a faster way! 🙂
I saw a cat once on a leash and it looked like a bobcat. HUGE and very much looked this way with a bobbed tail. IT was a African cat of sorts I think.
It’s odd to see, but makes sense I suppose… I guess if you start them when they are a kitten to get use to the leash it might work.
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That is quite disturbing. I didn’t really that went on during the summits. Sad because it doesn’t help or change anything.
The cat on the leash is hilarious/amazing.
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This is another beautiful block from you 🙂
The Sahara Dessert may be a good place for them. Miles from anywhere. Sounds like it must’ve been quite scary too for those living in the vicinity.
Cat on a leash….hmmmm do you think it could catch on? LOL..
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The news casts of the rioting in downtown Toronto brought a tear to my eyes too. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. What were they thinking? Oh, yeah, right! They weren’t thinking. Glad it’s all over now.
I love block #7. How did a skunk get up on your roof garden?
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I watched the early news last night so I missed out hearing about all of this rioting. It always infuriates me that a few people think they can destroy what other people have worked so hard to build up. They put fear in the hearts of innocent bystanders that should never have to witness anything like that.
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However did a skunk get onto your roof garden? I know they don’t fly……..at least, I don’t think Pepe Le Pew had wings……guess you can only try different way of sewing your block together and see what works best for you! Hope TO gets back to normal soon and those idiots get what they deserve, perhaps 5 minutes with your skunk.
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It’s terrible what happened in Toronto with the G20. I agree about a remote location for the next one… My husband thought maybe somewhere in Northern Canada with lots of snow and ice would be a good choice! Events like this just attract crazy, angry people, and give them a platform to be violent.
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