I decided to go with the folded orchids for the Four Seasons quilt and this is it — finished for all but the label on the back. The label is ready but I had to give my hands a rest as it seems applique is now another thing that triggers the pain/inflammation. What a nuisance!

I will get the label on it this weekend and it will leave here early next week on its way to my swap partner. I hope she likes it!

(Edited to Add: I’m counting this as one of my finishes for Peg’s Challenge. I know I’ll not finish five, but there is one more I am going to try to finish before July 31.)

Making this little quilt really has me re-assessing just how much applique is in my future. It is time to go through the applique kits and BOM’s I have and decide which ones to let go. There are a couple that I know I will keep and work on very very slowly, but it’s obvious to me now that applique is not something I will continue to be able to do. I’m thankful I can piece with no problems. It’s odd how that small difference in hand movement can make such a huge difference!

I’m still working on the surprise project and hope to reveal it next week. As I work on it, though, I keep looking at these fabrics. They are definitely calling to me — and I’m trying to sort out just what I want to make with them.

The boys, sharing a little yogurt treat. We never have yogurt without the two of them lining up for their share, although Smudge seems to get more than Lester.

This has taken forever to post. Blogger just didn’t want to upload photos this morning for me at all!

The stems and branches are appliqued on. The orchids are, I think, perhaps too large and overpowering for the stems. I have to make a decision and would love some opinions on this.

The first option are the orchids. These aren’t attached yet, just placed on for the sake of photographing them. Because of the stems, there has to be a flower everywhere I’ve got one of these orchids.

The second option? Yo-yo flowers in two sizes. I don’t have many made, so just used these to give the idea. I’m thinking I could use some beads or a button in the centre of each yo-yo flower to finish them.

The third option is this — another folded fabric flower, but much smaller than the orchids. I would make them in a variety of batiks so not all the flowers would be the same colour as they appear to be here.

This is a close-up of the flower in the third choice.

I’m really torn about which way to go with this so any and all opinions are welcome!

Yet another picture of Lester in his favourite summer spot — sitting in the window.

This is the beginning of the applique on the summer Four Seasons quilt, backbasted and ready to go.

One stem and its branches fully appliqued, another stem finished except for the branches and the third about 3/4 appliqued.

Once the branches are done, then I’ll sandwich and quilt it and then add the orchids from here.

It was hot here yesterday — really, really hot. Humidex readings in the 40C range. We had an amazing storm last night — lots of thunder and lightning and rain that came down in sheets! Today? Today’s a bit better, but it’s still pretty humid. Tomorrow we apparently get a day of cooler weather and then back to the heat. I am NOT complaining, as I remember those cold days in the winter and all that snow. I’ll take heat and humidity over that any time!

How do the cats deal with the heat? Smudge does this:

Lester seems to enjoy the heat — and is usually here:

I know this has been addressed on other blogs but feel compelled to mention it. Lately I have received comments to which I would like to reply or which ask questions. I would love to reply but can’t when someone has their settings at no reply. Please, please if you leave a comment asking a question, change your settings from no reply so that I and others for whom you leave comments or questions can reply!

There are two great tutorials on Chookyblue‘s blog on this. First there’s how to leave a comment at this post and then there is this post on how to change your settings from no reply. If you’re concerned your e-mail address will show up or get harvested, you could always open a Web-based e-mail account that you use only for commenting on blogs.

And just because he’s such a big lovey of a cat, yet another picture of our Lester. I’m not sure what he’s saying with this look, but love the picture! He truly is our house lion!

I’ve been working on my Four Seasons summer quilt — which will have orchids! Here are the orchids for the little quilt. This was the most labour intensive part of the little quilt and I hope to have it all ready to quilt by the end of the week.

Here’s a close-up of one of the little orchids. These are just too much fun to make! I think I’ll be making a few quilts with folded flowers on them. Love the effect!

I couldn’t resist making just one more of these needle cases — nor, it seems, could I resist adding lots of sparkly beads! I think this one is my favourite so far — that fabric, to me, is just SO cheerful!

I couldn’t help myself! On the weekend, I went through the Kumiko Sudo books and picked out about 14 more fabric folding designs I just have to try — as well as picking out 14 sets of 2 fabrics each for them!

This is the first one. I love how it turned out.

I find the backs of these little pieces almost as fascinating as the fronts.

This was the second I just had to try — and, of course, a little bead in the middle.

I received this award from Peg for my first finish on her challenge. 🙂 Now to try for a second finish!!
I think Smudge is very content in this photo. Just about to fall asleep, I bet!

“A nice sunny afternoon is perfect for an outing,” thought Beebs and his little sidekick. So off they went to the roof garden. Beebs is a 27 year old bear whose name is a short form of Basic Brown Bear.

“This bench isn’t very comfortable,” they thought.

Then Beebs spotted this draped over the bushes! He had heard rumours of a teddy bear quilt in the making and was very excited!!

He marched over and grabbed that quilt, spread it out on the grass and immediately sat down! That was a lot of work for Beebs!

Then Tiny Bear had to investigate too. “Beebs,” said he, “this is fabulous! Now we have a quilt to sit on when we come out to the garden.”

They sat, looking around and were oh, so happy to have their own little quilt for outings!

Then Beebs got out a book and they had a little read.

It was a lot of excitement for two bears so they decided to have a wee nap.

It was time to go back in — and they had a little rest on the bench before gathering up the quilt and their book and going back in.

And Lester was watching from the window, to make sure the bears and their quilt had no problems!

And this is my first finish for Peg’s Finish Five challenge.

“I’m just hanging out here, enjoying the warmth. Honest!”

“See? I’m just looking around. No mischief planned.”

“Okay! He’s not watching me right now. That keyboard looks pretty interesting. And is that a pen I spy over there? Gotta investigate that!”

“Better be quick. Think he’s spotted me!”

“Uh oh! Better get outta here. He’s on his way over here! Dratted keyboard — it made a noise that alerted him!”

Yes we know the picture is blurry but he was moving!

It seems Lester has found keyboards, computers, printers and desks to be just too enticing. Wonder if this means we need to rearrange furniture and get the desks away from the window where it’s all too easy for him to wander over? Hmmm …

I absolutely adore working with the Oriental prints and look at these FQ’s, the latest to make their way into my stash!

I was thinking of doing Insanity (see this post) in Orientals, but have decided that that one will have to be done in shabby chic. I’m waiting, however, for an Inklingo collection that has half-inch hexagons before I start Insanity. I can’t even begin to fathom basting and English paper piecing the 10,000+ hexagons the quilt requires!

Now I need to find the perfect pattern to showcase those gorgeous Oriental prints! A few of these are so pretty that I’m half tempted to just do a simple border around the FQ and frame it!

I have been toying with the idea of doing the Lollypop Trees applique pattern. I thought I was safe as really bright prints just weren’t something that I had ever bought. So what do I receive in the mail last week? These!

They’re incredibly bright and a lot of fun to look at! I’m still debating whether I will make the leap and order the Lollypop Trees pattern. It just looks like such fun!

Smudge seems singularly unimpressed with the fabric acquisition going on around here!

Lester is also unimpressed. The chair Lester is curled up in is one that has been in my family for years and years. When I was a child, our cat would almost always pick this as her favourite spot. Since then, just about every cat I’ve had has made this a favourite. I think it must feel like just the right size for a kitty!

I think I was a tad too optimistic about the weather the other day. Last night there was a frost alert just slightly north of us. Frost alert in late May?? It has been so chilly we have had to put the heat back on! Yesterday the gardener was planting some more flowering plants. I hope they survived the chill last night! Will summer ever arrive??

It is slowly growing. Now that I’m working on this again, I can’t believe I let it sit for so long!

Well, I can sort of remember why. The blue print is heavenly to work with. The white on white? A whole other story. It is very difficult to needle and reminds me quickly to put on my thimble! Never again will I buy a white on white like this with the painted-on design. I love the classic look of blue and white, but next time I will look for a white with a woven-in design!

Smudge loves to burrow in on top of the duvet sometimes. This picture cracks me up — one can hardly see his head!

And Lester curled up.