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:
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.
A couple of charm packs of Rouenneries and I was off to the races, printing each charm with both shapes for one unit of a Drunkard’s Path block using the Inklingo collection for a 12″ Drunkard’s Path block. Here are all my pieces, ready to stitch.
With the perfect matching points and stitching lines, it’s so easy to stitch these curves! Before I start stitching, I clip into the seam allowance on the concave curve to just a few threads above the stitching line.
I pin my first matching point:
I start with my quilter’s knot a little bit in from the end of the seam and then backstitch to the matching mark right at the seam beginning. That way I don’t have a knot in my way later when joining the unit to another.
I start stitching. When stitching curves, I take the smallest stitches I can:
I load the needle with as many stitches as possible and pull it through, then take a little backstitch:
And continue on to the end of the seam, where I again make my knot a little bit away from the end of the seam.
This isn’t pressed yet:
And this is after finger-pressing:
Each unit finishes at 3″. On top of this unit are the scissors I use to clip the seam allowance and, for that matter, cutting out the shapes. These are the sharpest scissors I’ve ever found. They’re Omnigrid scissors.
The units I’ve stitched so far. I haven’t decided on a layout yet. Once they’re all stitched, I’ll decide.
Smudge really isn’t very interested in all this stitching. He’d rather snooze.
While Lester is still spending some time on the windowsill, although it’s getting a bit chillier every day.
All the pieces for the final 9 blocks were printed on the weekend and are ready to stitch. My goal now is to get those remaining 9 blocks done by the end of January 2010. Here they all are, separated in the glassine envelopes.
An alert Lester:
And a close-up of one of his paws. I just cannot resist them!
And a very alert Smudge:
… are ready to put together. I stitched the tumbler/triangle units together so now it’s a matter of joining them with the squares into the final 10 blocks.
Then I’ll add them to these 6 blocks and the little teddy bear quilt top will be done.
A very contemplative Lester:
And a classic Smudge pose. He likes to wedge himself between one of us and the arm of the couch and stretch out like this.
… is finished. Nine to go!! This is the palest of the pinks I’ve used for the blocks. The colour doesn’t quite show up accurately in this picture. It’s more pink than the peach that it appears in this.
The back:
Our weather has been really topsy-turvy. Extremely cold and then mild enough to rain. I can’t believe how close we are to Christmas!! It finally got me motivated to get baking supplies to ensure that I have on hand what I’ll need.
Smudge curled up with a teddy:
And Lester snoozing in his kitty bed.
… is done. There are four more blocks for which I have the pink diamonds ready so now it is just a matter of printing enough diamonds on 6 other pink fabrics and a few more of the triangles and squares on white and I’ll have everything to finish the remaining 10 blocks.
The back:
It was rather cold and very windy here on Thursday, so the kitties were curled up in cozy warm spots. This picture of Smudge is one of my favourites — but I think I say that about almost all of them.
And I love this shot of Lester. He’s so alert in this!
… is finished. Block 20 has been started. I’ve decided to make 30 blocks in total, so will pick out more 10 more pinks to use. My goal of finishing it this year looks pretty unobtainable but it will be finished this winter!
The back:
Wednesday was interesting. Snow overnight, then rain and more rain through the day and then the temperatures dropped. We didn’t go out, but I have a feeling the roads must have been terrible.
Lester looking up:
Smudge looking too adorable for words!
Two more blocks done. This one was very quick to put together with lots of continuous stitching to join the peels around the centre and then the white background pieces around the peels.
The back:
This one was fun to stitch — as the peel was joined to each background piece, the block started to come together. Again, a quick one to stitch.
The back:
Smudge waiting patiently once again for his nightly yogourt treat.
Lester watching something from the comfort of his kitty bed.
Yet another variation that can be made from the shapes in the new Orange Peel collection is this one, which has been called Eiffel Tower. This was really quick to put together. I can see this done in a variety of fabrics and colours.
Once I get the 6 blocks I’m making with these fabrics done, I think I’m going to try a couple of the blocks using different fabrics and a background fabric for the peel to make the various other shapes really stand out. Curved piecing is so much fun that I want to drop everything else and just do more and more of these blocks.
The back: 
On Monday afternoon we went to one of the flu shot clinics in Toronto and got the H1N1 vaccinations after checking with Mr. Q.O.’s doctor who said to get them, even though what we had a few weeks ago was thought to be H1N1. We’ve read some articles lately about people getting it twice. That is not something I’d want to go through twice. I got the seasonal flu shot at the same time, but in the other arm. Mr. Q.O. had had the seasonal flu shot back in October. I was impressed with how well the flu clinic was operating — extremely efficient and amazingly quick with great staff. The longest part of the whole process was the 15 minute wait afterwards to ensure that there were no allergic reactions. By midnight Monday night both arms were rather sore, but I figure that’s a small price to pay for the protection the vaccines offer.
Smudge snoozing in a kitty bed:
And Lester with one of their favourite toys.
Quilt Obsession 