Radars Little Chair

So I have officially become the crazy cat lady (aka CKL). I went to Target and got my beautiful boy his very own chair! Since he has to be in the spare bedroom when I'm not home and at night, I figures he would like his own chair since when I am home he's snuggling with me on the couch.

Please consider adopting a blind, handicapped or older furry friend. They will offer you more than you realize!

Back to projects…

Raffle Quilt and Kitty!

 The raffle quilt is done! Yay!  So now I'll be selling tickets like crazy for Whiskerfest!

 This is a closeup-all dog and cat fabrics. I had so much fun making this! Queen size!

Ooopps! This image is upside down- sorry!

The yoyo kitty is done. He turned out cute, and the yoyo maker worked great and fast.

Until we meet again…

Projects and Pets

 My beautiful boy! Radar is such a love and is just happy to snuggle as much as he can get away with!

It will be very hard to go back to work tomorrow (I've been on holiday) and I don't think Radar will be too happy  either!

 I was putting the binding on my raffle quilt when I discovered a big lump! Louise loved burrowing in!

 " I can see you but you cannot see me! I am invisible behind this table leg!"

 Finished my yo yo project. Love making them with the little plastic thingy- they work up really fast!

I am addicted to this process! Its called Soutache and was on the cover of the last Bead and Button magazine. Cording wrapped around beads. I found it to be very relaxing!

And now back to reality tomorrow. I had a lovely few days of freedom from stress and am determined to do whatever it takes to get to retirement early! I have plans!  

Back to Projects!

 I'm getting back into my projects! My on-line class started on the 6th and so I'm gathering my supplies, some of which are pictured above. The teacher is Cat Kerr and her stuff is very vintage looking which I love. Stay tuned for the transformation on these strange shapes!

About half my carry bags are done for Whiskerfest. They are turning out really cute…now I just have to get the other half done! 

 I am making a sample for my friends quilt shop and finally got some yoyos done! I still have a few to go and I have to make the head but it's coming along…

 A friend of mine gave me these wood discs and I wan to to do something with them! I dyed a few of them and am thinking earrings. Any suggestions for the bigger ones?

And finally… what do you do with yellow corderoy, printed canvas-like material, and old jean pocket and an applique- I am making myself figure it out! I'm thinking a mixed media carry bag  but still thinking about it!

A few Kid Pix

 A couple new kid pix to post. Radar is like a little Hoover vacuum cleaner when it comes to Fancy Feast!

That plate will be licked clean!

 Jack and Radar on the couch. Jack actually sat on Radars head at first, but all was sorted out and Radar really didn't seem to mind Jacks lack of bottom ediquet (excuse my spelling)  

My friend Michelle came over the other night and Louise was determined to get into that purse!

She tried several times but to no avail!

I promise to go back to my projects as soon as shop hop is over this weekend and the garage sale for Paws and Claws is over next weekend! June got a little out of hand- but all good things!

Meet Radar

This is Radar. He is the reason I raise money for animal rescue. He is 6 years old and only weighs a little over 4lbs. He is blind. When Buffalo Paws and Claws rescued him, he had a horrible eye infection, sores from being attacked by another animal. His nails were ingrown into his pads. He was so weak he would mess himself because he did not have the strength to get up. He had to have one eye amputated, it was such a mess!
Look at him now! With the love and care that Dawn and Chris at Buffalo Paws and Claws gave Radar he is a total lovebug who is gaining weight and loves catnip and cuddling! I have been given the priviledge of fostering him while he gets some dental work done and perhaps find a great home for him! But he won't be going anywhere if that doesn't happen- no worries!
He has been with me exactly a week and what a joy he is!

When you are going through a rough time, remember this-

Hope is bright shining light which keeps darkness at bay,
Hope is gentle cold breezes on a hot summer day.
Hope is to remain positive when the going gets tough,
Hope is seeking more when others think you've had enough.
Hope is dreaming of tomorrow,
Hope is singing under sorrow.
Hope is sparkles when tears are in our eyes,
Hope is a beautiful thing and a beautiful thing never dies.
Hope is light as a feather,
Hope keeps us all together.
Hope is ubiquitous and free of cost
Hope is the last thing ever lost.
by Vineet Bansal

I have no project news- been too busy petting fur! =^..^=

Project Piles

 Last weekend my knitting friends came over and we continued working on our "Crayon Box" sweaters. I now have one sleeve done. Almost  everyone else has both sleeves and part of the body done! I made Mexican snacks in honor of Cinco de Mayo even thought we were a week behind! Ortega has a great black bean soup mix now- serve it with a dollop of sour cream and a little cheddar- mmmmmmm!

 The carry bags for Whiskerfest are making progress- this will be my afternoon project today after my first foster baby comes at noon. I am going to foster a little kitty named Radar- will post pictures when I have some. He has had a rough life and once again Buffalo Paws and Claws rescued him and he is now doing great!

Louise has not made an appearance for a while so thought I'd show her "helping" again. 

This Past Weekend

 This past weekend I cranked! I cut out 4 pairs of pants, 42 tote bags for Whiskerfest, a small wall quilt for my mother (mailed and will get there on time!) and pieces for the quilt I want to make for myself. I felt fantastic! I have started sewing the handles for the bags and am hoping this week will be productive since there are several more hours of daylight and it makes me want to do stuff!

The animal fabric out nowadays is so adorable, I am hoping these are a hit at Whiskerfest.

Time to get off my "tookus" and go, go, go…

I am also signing up for some on-line classes through Artful Gathering. Looking forward to techniques in resin, and metal working!

Lots of Projects

 I haven't posted in a while but I've been busy!

Here's a scarf I finished knitting, it just need to be blocked and some buttons sewn on for decoration.

There are pockets on either end- I would wear this in the house to keep my neck warm and use the pockets for craft stuff!

 Fabric all washed and ready to be made into pants! Elastic waistbands here we come!

 I fell in love with this book! There are three quilts in here that I adore! The book is called Material Obsession 2 by Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke. This quilt is called Charlotte Sometimes.

The colors are amazing and very different for me- I'm diving in!

I am also setting up a separate jewelry-making area. My flex-drill just came (on the coat tree) and I'm very excited! I LOVE working with metal-especially copper…and torching, I LOVE torching!

SO, I've been a very bad blogger but I have been doing stuff!

What? No kitty pictures?

Strange Days

 My kitties do not snuggle-ever. So imagine my surprise when I "caught" them 

actually touching each other! I couldn't quite believe my eyes!

I like baking when I have the time and a friend of mine was having a shop hop. So I made these little tarts- easy peasy! Pilsbury pie dough, cut in circles into a mini muffin pan. Canned fillings! Voila!

It's not from scratch but they were tasty all the same.

I have come into the twentieth century and bought an Iphone. I've only had to go back to the store once to find out what the heck I'm doing! I like it so far, and am hoping I remember to take more pictures!

Meanwhile I am wrapping clothesline like crazy to make more trivits like the ones in a previous post.

I have called this post Strange Days because I can't quite wrap my head around the fact that my windows are open in March. I have lived in the Buffalo area all my life and I never remember a winter like the one we just had- is it a Twilight episode?

The Versatile Blogger

I want to thank my friend Sarah at sarahdidit.blogspot.com for the Versatile Blogger Award. She encouraged me from the start to do this and I have enjoyed it greatly. It's always fun when I get comments from my friends but also when I hear from a new voice out in the cosmos!

The rules for the Versatile Blogger Award are:
1-Add the award to your blog
2-Thank the blogger who gave it to you
3-Mention seven random things about yourself
4-List the rules
5-Award to 15 bloggers
6-Inform each of those 15 by leaving a comment on their blog

OK, seven random things about myself. Hmmmmmm......
1-I have a degree in Animal Health Technology but since I didn't want to live with my parents for the rest of my life (the pay sucks) I went back to school for Graphic Design
2- I have a tattoo- no I did not get it in my 20's, nor was I intoxicated!
3-I am a homebody. I do go places but I'd much rather be in my "nest"
4-I'm a horrible domestic diva. With 3 furry ones and so much fabric and yarn, I'm always fuzzy anyway
5-I love the old TV series The X-files and am currently on the last season. I intend to start all over again and listen to the "comments" the second time
6-I can swing a hammer, install insulation, paint ceilings- I used to have a 100 year old house that needed lots of work but didn't have the budget to hire out much. So I learned from my dad who is a master carpenter.
7-I would go to the movies every night if I could.

My bloggers will be informed shortly. I need to get a list together!
Thanks again Sarah!

Catching up on Projects

 Two weeks ago - kind of at the last minute- I was invited to take someone's place at a quilt retreat at Chautauqua Institute. Four days of sewing, fun and food. Who could say no? So I dropped everything, packed my projects and went. I got so much done! This top picture is of the HUGE hotel down there, it sort of felt a little like "The Shining" at this time of year. It was totally silent.

 It's very harsh in winter right by the water so a lot of property owners have custom canvas wraps made for their "cottages". Did I mention people have money who have property here.

 I sewed like a fiend and got the entire top made for my raffle quilt for Paws and Claws! That pudgy black furball is Thelma who thought that spreading the quilt out was her own private playground! Now I just have to piece a back and take it to my friend who has volunteered to quilt this gargantuan thing (it's Queen size!) I had a whiskey sour after I got this done!

 I then started making trivits out of wrapped clothesline. I was always fascinated that this stuff sews like butter- I have never had a problem with this!

 A bit of knitting- this cowl kit was a christmas gift and there are three of us making these. I didn't want to be a slacker and not have any done so got a few inches started- it's beautiful soft, soft variagated yarn.

 I made one of these sweaters about 5 years ago and always loved it so decided  to make another one. There are about 5 of us working on these. I am hoping when everyone is done I can get a group picture. They are all turning out very different. Below is the start of mine.

George is done!

George is done! What a gorgeous fellow! I've never had a cat with real long hair- 

I hope he likes to be brushed!

Time Flies...

I can't believe it's the 26th already! What a slacker I am! 

 This is George. He is beautiful! And i need to get my butt in gear this weekend and finish him!

His owner was kind enough to donate to Buffalo Paws and Claws and so I need to as my friend Sarah would say "Gitter done"!

 The middle section of the raffle quilt IS done! Now i just have to do the borders. Sorry this is a little blurry. My first picture was real cute with my dog Jack sitting in the middle but my camera card decided to "poop the bed" so to speak.

 The one table cover is ALMOST done! Just have to sew around the blue letters. I would love to get this done tomorrow if possible.

I don't think I ever showed any pictures of my studio "sections".This is my bead area. The buffet is over 8' long. I have lots of beads. What is the definition of obsessed?

Terrific Tuesday

I took a half day vacation today, and it was great! I got a lot done, and have groceries again! So I don't have to have cheese and mustard sandwiches anymore this week! (Hey, any port in the storm when I'm hungry!)

I finally got the letters down on the table covers I'm making for Paws and Claws- tacked the letters down with a little glue and then will sew around the edges. 

 I also got some more rows done on the raffle quilt. I love how scrappy this looks- there are so many adorable animal prints out there. I used the Fat Cat ruler to cut the pieces. My goal- to have this done by the end of the month!

Spread the word- Whiskerfest 2012 is going to be at the Moose Lodge in East Aurora. Details are on the updated website on this page. It's not until November but lots to do! Mark your calendars!

Bittersweet

 2011 ended sadly- I have lost my beautiful Josie. She got ill so very fast and the evil that is cancer took her away from me. I was fortunate to have her for 5 months. I would do it again in a heartbeat even if I knew how it was going to end. She was a joy and I will try to live my life like she did- no matter what happened to her , she kept on purring and loving life.

 So now it is 2012! And I am planning my fundraising projects for Buffalo Paws and Claws.

Here is the start of a raffle quilt I am making. My game plan is to have this pieced by the end of January so it can go get quilted and start selling tickets ASAP! It is all dog and cat fabric- some I had and some was donated- it will be very scrappy!

 OF COURSE my assistant Louise must inspect every step- the look on her face is so funny.

Here are the first couple of rows sewn together, I have a long way to go! (Louise finally gave up)

Happy New Year!