Beginnings

Posted on January 4, 2010 by Quiltobsession

Do you ever get a design idea and just have to stop whatever else it is you’re working on to try it? That’s what happened to me over the past few days. The idea has been sort of percolating away in my mind for a week or so and I finally gave in, picked out some fabrics and started working on it. It will eventually be a table runner.

These are the fabrics I chose after a little trial and error. I initially had a fourth Fassett print rather than the white, but it just didn’t work. I needed the part of the design that will be done with the white to really stand out.

The weekend was bitterly cold and windy. Sunday we had a wind chill value of -20C. Saturday wasn’t all that much better. In fact, looking at the forecast for this week, it looks like it will be more of the same. I thought I heard we were to have a mild winter. This does not sound like mild weather!

The cats are in serious training for the lounging competition. First, Smudge who was, I think, perhaps working up to some training for the hidden head competition:

And then Lester, perhaps training for the sleeping curled up as a circle competition:

New Book

Posted on January 1, 2010 by Quiltobsession

The final mail delivery of 2009 brought this:

The Quilter’s Album of Patchwork Patterns by Jinny Beyer is a fabulous book. Lots and lots of inspiration for quilters.

New Year’s Eve was another day/evening of rain and relatively mild weather. I’m keeping my fingers crossed the whole winter is as mild as this!

Lester looking a bit ruffled. Oh, how I’d love to get a picture of him just after we’ve combed/brushed him — particularly his ruff.

Smudge curled up with the torch bearer for the critterlympics.

Pink Ice Block #23

Posted on December 31, 2009 by Quiltobsession

… seemed to go together in no time. So now there are 7 left to make. With any luck, I’ll reach my goal of having the 30 blocks finished by the end of January.

The back:

I seem to be in the midst of a flare again with my hands, so am limiting my time at the computer for a few days. If I don’t respond to a comment, please know that I am reading and appreciating them and will respond as soon as I can.

Lester, in some serious training for the lounging event:

While Smudge is getting ready for the events which he’ll be watching, rather than participating:

Happy New Year!

Pink Ice Block #22

Posted on December 29, 2009 by Quiltobsession

Another one done. Now there’s 8 to go. I have already started the next block.

The back:

The kitties are getting in some serious training time for the lounging event. Lester in a rather typical lounging position for him:

Smudge in a variation on the classic lounging pose:

Tumbler Star Teddy Bear Qult Top

Posted on December 29, 2009 by Quiltobsession

… is now done! I love the secondary pattern that appears and have plans for another small quilt using different fabrics that will showcase yet another secondary pattern. This little quilt top measures 24″ square.

While I was putting it together, I decided to try it as a long table runner. This would finish at 12 x 48.

The blocks go together in no time. Now to get it basted and start quilting it.

Thanks to Karen who knew what that little kitchen tool was — a strawberry huller. I’m not sure I’d have figured that one out!

And the boys — lining up for the team lounge (not luge) event.

Christmas Goodies

Posted on December 28, 2009 by Quiltobsession

The unexpected package that I actually managed to leave wrapped until Christmas was from Mary at Quilt Hollow. I remember seeing the photo of this adorable pillow sham on Mary’s blog here and falling in love with it. I was totally surprised when I opened it and oh, so grateful!! The two kitties she quilted make me smile every time I look at it! If you click on the picture to “embiggen” it, you will see the gorgeous quilting she did on this. As soon as I get a pillow form for it, it’s getting pride of place on the sofa. Thank you, Mary!

With the pillow sham came a card in which there was a package of hot cinnamon spice tea. Cinnamon is one of my favourite flavours. We’re supposed to have a real cold snap this week, so when that hits, I’ll be making some of this tea.

The day before Christmas I took a huge step and went from shoulder length hair to a very short, almost pixie, cut. I still am taken aback each time I look in the mirror. Because I have a lot of natural curl in my hair, it’s taking some getting used to as far as styling it when I dry it goes. Sometimes I think I look like I have an enormous cotton puff on steroids on my head. Other times, Mr. Q.O. is making noises about Shirley Temple! Of course, when I left the hairdresser’s it looked great. I never seem to be able to duplicate how my hairdresser dries my hair.

One of our friends gave me a gift bag with a number of things for baking. But there’s one thing from that gift bag that has me stymied. I have no idea what it is and neither does she! She told me it was in the baking area of a kitchen store and she figured I’d know what it was. I haven’t got a clue other than thinking perhaps it’s a really tiny melon baller. If anyone knows what this is, please let me know.

Smudge, practicing for the alert lounging competition:

While Lester is practicing for the bird imitation event:

Baking

Posted on December 23, 2009 by Quiltobsession

… was the only creative thing done around here Tuesday night. Ten dozen cookies were baked. Six dozen gingersnaps and 4 dozen chocolate crinkles. I had made the enormous macaroons the day before. That’s it for me except for another 3 dozen butter tarts, but those I’ll make Christmas Eve so that they’re fresh for dessert on Christmas Day.

To keep this somewhat quilt related, the fabric on which the plate is sitting is the red fabric which I will use when I start my red and white quilt. I still don’t know what design that will be, nor do I have a white but that is definitely the red. Once Pink Ice is finished, I’ll have 2 of the series of two-colour quilts done. The red and white will be next. A green and white will be after that and then a yellow and white.

Smudge relaxing:

And Lester back in his favourite spot on the windowsill.

A Little More Progress on Teddy Bear Quilt

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Quiltobsession

Seven more blocks to put together and the 16 blocks for this little quilt will be done. With any luck, I might get the top finished this year.

A surprise package arrived in the mail on Monday. I’m trying to be good and not opening it until Christmas. Whether I have that kind of self-control is a whole other story!

A new favourite shot of Lester:

Smudge:

Lots of Blocks

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Quiltobsession

All the little Drunkard’s Path units in Rouenneries are done now. This stack is about 80 of them. They are so much fun to stitch that I just can’t stop.

This is the arrangement I think I’m going to use. If I do, each of these 4-unit blocks will finish at 6″.

I did some baking on the weekend — and the special teddy bear assistant baker was overseeing. Chocolate crinkles, some macaroons and, of course, butter tarts were made. Almost all that I baked has been given to friends and neighbours now. I love baking and, as we have lots of neighbours and friends to whom we can give baked goods, I’ve got more planned for this week.

One thing I’ll be looking for at the Boxing Day sales will be a cookie press.

Smudge is now doing some serious training for the lounging competition. This picture almost qualifies for inclusion in the “where’s the cat’s head” category.

Lester looks like he’s getting ready to be a judge.

Olympic Torch in Toronto

Posted on December 18, 2009 by Quiltobsession

Thursday night the Olympic Torch relay passed very close to where we live, so off we went to watch it go by. It was a damp chilly night, typical of Toronto at this time of year, and the wait was longer than expected. But it was well worth the wait.

The dog you see at the beginning is named Buddy. At times, he was practically leaning against my legs which was very welcome as he was quite warm and it was pretty chilly standing there!

There were lots of Toronto police in cars and on bikes:

The torch bearer. It was really quite a thrill to see that flame going past.

After the torch had passed by, we decided to pick up a take-away for dinner from an Indian restaurant that’s nearby. We needed those lovely hot spices to warm us up after standing outside in the cold night air!

The teddy bears and other assorted critters are getting ready for the “Teddy Bear Olympics”, which will coincide with the Winter Olympics. Their torch bearer was, as is only fitting, a moose:

There was quite a crowd out to cheer on the moose: