Black Cat Crossing Blog Hop "Our Day"

Welcome to day 5

of

Black Cat Crossing Blog Hop!

I am so excited to share my day with some wickedly wonderful 

and oh so creative bloggers:

Today-Friday, October 24

Just Let Me Quilt

Buzzing and Bumbling

Thimblemouse & Spouse (moi)

krislovesfabric

Quilt Doodle Doodles

Be sure to visit each and every one!

Thank you dear Mdm Samm for yet another delightful challenge

and Wicked Wendy, our enchanting cheerleader who kept our 'spirits' moving!

I'm also very lucky to share today's post with a couple of our 'kids'.

Yes, we have black cats...but the 'other' ones...

you know...the oranges...the calicoes...

they just feel so left out this time of year....

I told them if they could spookify it up just a bit...

we'd let them play along.

"Ella Boo"

(aka Cinderella)

 wanted to tell us a Halloween "tail"

Sorry 'Ella...no time for spooky stories today...

but I give you "paws UP" for your effort!

Sadly I didn't get to play with the fabulous Black Cat Crossing fabrics...
(Oh My...have you been following along? So many wonderful projects made!)

Not to worry...
I played all the same...
There's still lots of fun things to see!

Pillowcases...why not make some this year for your "Trick or Treat" bags?

They would hold a ginormous amount of loot, dontcha think?

My absolute all time favorite black cat fabric used above 

is from Elizabeths Studio...

I used that along with fabrics from Andovers "Chillingsworth" line for the

 braided section of this fabulous tablerunner!

I love Julie Herman - Jaybird Quilts -...and her Hex N More ruler!
This pattern has has been on my 'to-do list' for some time now.

Very easy to make...very! Julie provides directions to draw your own template
in her "Tasty" pattern...but I'm a firm believer that if there is a ruler or tool
to help you get the job done...then splurge...get it...use it...you won't be sorry!

Here's a bit of the back....

I pieced together some great Chillingsworth typed motif with

that fabulous retro orange and black from Alexander Henry.

It's not a blog hop with a mug rug...

Sip...Hop...Hop...Sip...Mmmm

If you love this design...

you can get the original larger wall hanging version in pdf form

from "Mad Creek Designs" on Etsy. 

Next up....

I totally fell in love with Alexander Henrys' 

"Witchy Women"

So of course I had to play....

Here's a couple of the "girls" close up...

As luck would have it...

a new kitteh arrived just in time to help me

show the rest of this little quilt.

Meet Little Zeekster...isn't he just the absolute sweetest thang you've ever seen?
As my friend Nessa said...he's "total adorbs"

How could I not invite him to be in the pic...look at his heart...my borders...coincidence?
I think not.

Purrrrfect match!

True...he's not a black cat...

then again...neither are Ella or Marvin...

but unlike our little tuna traps above...

we don't have to feed him

because he's already stuffed!

(yeh...you KNEW that was coming)

Little Zeekster kept me clickin' my camera...

He found pumpkins!

And then...he wanted to play with my scraps....

so I showed him how to make strippy potholders...

Ok...I helped a little...ok...A LOT...

but he's doing wicked good on the binding!

There will be more about "Little Zeekster" in blog days to come....

(he was a b'day gift to me on Thursday...bought by me from

"Sweet Poppy Cat" on Etsy...

- I let the the dear Spouse know he was off the "shopping" hook this year! lol)

Oh No....I knew this might happen....

eeeek...

Yes...since the Little Zeekster showed up...

there's a certain orange cat with his nose out of joint....

Not a cat I want to meet in a dark alley!
Relax Marvin...Little Zeekster says you can have ALL his tuna!

Time for a group pic!

The fun thing about having an antique shop behind our quilt shop...

they put the nifty-ist things out back and I can play...

I think I had more fun setting up the picks then maybe even stitching them...

maybe....

Speaking of pics...those of you who have set them up...know it can be quite a test...

I often use the camera on my iPhone...so I know my quality could be better

(my real camera is usually hidden away...those darn cats!)

Here's one more pic to share...

I'm sure we've all been there...

You line things ups...

You think you have the perfect shot...

You focus on your subject(s) only....

and you never see it until it's too late...

but....

Thanks so very much for hopping today...

don't forget to flap those little bat wings over to:

Just Let Me Quilt

Buzzing and Bumbling

krislovesfabric

Quilt Doodle Doodles

Oops...

speaking of treats....

those of you who have been following awhile have probably already seen this...

hopefully made this...

but just in case you're new...

a few Halloweens ago I did pay homage to our black cat Midnite...

Look for her story 

HERE

You'll also find the links

to download this free foundation pieced pattern.

Don't forget...
the hop continues for 5 more fantastical days!

                                    Monday, October 27                                     

Ridge Top Quilts

Dancing Moon

Kwilt Krazy

Lydsfire Sewing

Grandmama's Stories

Tuesday, October 28

Selina Quilts

Jane's Quilting

Quilted Delights

Words & Stitches

Seams To Be Sew

Wednesday, October 29

That's Sew  Julie

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

Quilting Queen Online

Sew Peace To Peace

A Stitch in Time     

Thursday, October 30

On the Banks of Frog Creek

How Art You?

Cucki Stitching Cove

Dancing Moon Farmstead

Life in the Scrapatch 

Friday, October 31

From My Carolina Home

Mammy Stitches

Bumbleberry Cottage

Just Because Quilts

Sew We Quilt

Ok Marvin...

One more time....
Wish everyone Happy Hopping!

Ok...Close enough!

Pin It Blog Hop

Welcome to Day One of the

A super big thanks to
Madame Samm of !SewWeQuilt!
and
Meadowbrooks' Kristen King
the "King Pin" in charge of
cheering this blog hop of
"Pinheads"
(I use that term endearingly!)

I'm sew excited to start out the hop
along with these other fun Pinheads today
September 10

Meadowbrook

Thimblemouse and Spouse *c'est moi

Sunshine Quilting

The Distracted Domestic

Gingini

Karinka

De Handwerktuin

How ART You?

Den syende himmel

Stitching & Stuff

Susie's World at Quilt Creations

Grammie Q's

Selina Quilts

Pig Tales and Quilts

Robin's Fabric Nest

Gr8dame's Place

Don't forget to visit them all! 

I was planning to make a little mouse pincushion

(imagine that)

when I stumbled upon a GIANT wooden mousetrap 

at our neighboring antique shop!

3-1/2" x 7"...okay...technically it's a

Rat Trap...

(semantics...)

Anyways...you know what happened next...

Idea time!

And then....

then I got sidetracked....

(remember...my attention span these days is that of a gnat)

.... instead I started playing with itty bitty scraps.

The little triangles are 'cut-aways' from scrappy spool blocks I'm making...

just perfect for teeny tiny foundation pieced geese...

The black and white strips were left overs from a quilt made over 5 years ago!

(yes...I know it...don't say it...I just can't throw good fabric away)

I made 4 little 1-1/2" finished blocks in all...

Sometimes I think I'm a little insane....

but I really find the itty bitty's relax me....

I sewed the blocks together...added another strip of black and white to frame it...

and then tried to make Piping....

Major Fail!

(I wish I had taken a picture...it was BAD! Really BAD!

I'm not embarrassed to share my faux pas...

I just didn't think to snap a lookie.)

So I ripped the piping off...

and still ended up with a cute little pincushion...

which you'll see in a minute...

because...

because then I got Another idea!

I came across some striped fat quarters....

Maybe I was still in "hexie mode" from the last hop...

but don't you think these would make the cutest pincushions?

(I really need to learn to F-O-C-U-S on one project at a time

of course then I wouldn't be ME now would I?)

Lookie Look!!!

And the backs...

Do I embarrass myself and tell you the "pieced" back 

was made from a clump of fabric scraps 

I found under my sewing table? 

Yes, really!

So....about that MOUSE pincushion...

you remember...

the original IDEA....

the first to be thought of...

the last to be done....

I came across one of Maggies old toys...

How perfect!

Gave it a good washing...

found some felt and made a hunk of

Cheddar Cheese...

C'est Bonne Bow-wow?

I really had loads of fun with all three....

Thanks for hopping by...don't forget..there's loads more to see!

Return to the top of the page...

follow the list...

So happy you'll be!

In the meantime...I'll be taking another little break

(ok...I really haven't come back from the last one come to think of it)...

The Spouse and I are getting ready for a HUGE quilt show here in Jacksonville, FL.

I'll post about that in the next week or so...

the show dates are Sept. 26-28th.

There is also another post I must write...

a rather difficult one at that...
I don't mean to tease...

but today is for smiles...

Just keep us in your prayers, please.

Lynn ~ The Thimblemouse >"<

New FO Challenge - April

Where the heck did April go?

They say time flies when you're having fun....

If that's the case...

then I must have had a blast!

It was nice to have a month without

"incidents"...

no middle of the night phone calls...

no hospital visits...

I'll gladly take another month like that!

We are busy busy getting ready for a Quilt Show this weekend...

one more day to get it 'all together'

of course I could really use another 'week'...

but it will all work out...

We're really looking forward to visit with some

of our out of town quilting friends!

Meanwhile...
it's time to link up with
Smitty and Barbara from
Cat Patches
(did I just give that fun furry feline top billing?
Well whadaya know...I sure did...
KiDee influence for sure! MeOw)

Here's a quick (oops, when have I EVER been quick?)
Let's start again...
And now for a wrap up of  April FO projects started
(some even finished)
where oh where to begin...

First of April I participated in a Covert Robin
handmade gift exchange...
made and sent this to my
secret robin friend...

Next up I got really excited to join the fun
with  Scrap Basket Sunday
and made....

one.whole.block.
yep...
just one so far.
I LOVE this block and had such high hopes
to play with my scraps and finally make blocks
for this quilt that I have loved since the book came out.
One Block.
At this rate...I'll have a quilt in 2015...
if I'm lucky.

The April Showers Blog Hop
resulted in these two Mug Rugs

I had soooo much fun creating those.
Can you tell?

Then came the
Spring Fling Blog Hop
and my 10" block foundation pieced offering

The "Shake Your Pom Poms" Blog Hop
ended up my month...
and I have to admit I think this little guy girl
is my favorite finished thing for April.

(check my previous post...this little mouse has quite a wardrobe!)

I finally started a quilt with
"The Googlies"
an oh so cute panel
from Benartex Fabrics.
It's in the 'binding' stage now...
but here's a pic in progress from a couple days ago.

Another panel I've been wanting to play with....

by Amy Bradley for Timeless Treasures...
I'm REALLY excited about this one!
I have finally come up with a pattern to adapt
with 'panels' like this.
Nice to know I will have at least ONE
started/finish for the next New FO!

oh wait...

make that two...
Just started this Monday
(which was still technically April - lol)

New Riley Blake fabrics!
Yummmmy!
Not the most exciting picture I give you that...
but OH how I LOVE what it's turning into!

Be sure to bee-bop on over to the
Linky Party @ Cat Patches
and see
Who has been starting What!

Florida Friends in the Gainesville area...
Tree City Quilters Show
Saturday and Sunday
May 4th & 5th
Hope to See You There!

Lynn ~ The Thimblemouse >"<

Spring Fling Blog Hop - My Day

I'm hooking up today with

Soma from Whims and Fancies

for her simply mahhh-velous

Blog Hop

It's an honor to be one of  the 20 designers included.

If you're just learning about this hop for the first time...

be sure to visit Whims and Fancies for links to

what's been...and what's still to come!

When I started to think about what I would do

for my 10" block foundation pieced offering...

I knew there had to be flowers for spring...

and from the get go I kept seeing a 'cat' in the mix!

(imagine that...lol)

This time it was Marvin's turn to inspire me.

awwww...wasn't he just the cutest lil' bambino?

Ok...before I pull out the entire baby album...

back to the subject

(no wonder it takes me forever to write a post...I'm so easily distracted)

I designed my first 'thought' on EQ.

Marvin (the adult)...looking at a flower.

Then a recent bittersweet memory grabbed me...

and wouldn't let go....

When Maggie suddenly left us in January...

our vet sent us this beautiful flower arrangement.

All the KiDees wanted to play eat were so intrigued with the flowers...

we had to put them behind closed doors during the day

while we were at work.

One evening after we'd been home awhile...

I found Marvin sitting on the counter next to the flowers...

he was ever so gently sniffing them...

one by one...

then he reached out a paw...

but just barely touched a petal.

He is our gentle giant.

Back to the drawing board I went...

 

Purrrr-fect.

True...the colors are a little brighter...more like summer...

but that pastel batik background brings it back to spring...

at least for me.

Here is the link for the PDF file to print out the foundation pattern.

Please remember your printer should be set to NO scaling.

For an easy to follow 'mirror image' design 

like you see below

and a chart listing what goes where, click here.

I told the Spouse this would be

a simple and quick post to write.

All I needed to do was...

show the block...

put a link for the pattern...

and be done.

He laughed.

He knows me so well.

This is a fairly simple block...

but if you are new to foundation piecing

( I'm going to assume you know the basics...

yes, I know...

one should never assume...

but I'm forever the optimist)

I thought maybe it would be helpful to show you how this block progresses.

Sometimes 'angles' can be scary.

Just take it one Unit at a time and you'll do fine.

Let's get started.

Here are the foundations you have (or will) print out.
Remember, you're working in 'mirror image' from the fabric finished block you see way above.
I like to lay them out to form the block.
(please refer to that second file I linked you to...for some reason, the "Unit" lettering did not print out on all the pieces and I haven't a clue about that.)

Complete each unit as marked.

Hint: When working with larger pieces of fabric
that might want to flop around...
I find a few BIG Basting stitches along the edges
really helps to keep all in place

I learned that 'trick' from Karen Stone.
She rocks!

Once all Units are finished and trimmed, I lay them back out...
again, forming the block.
Notice how I've 'grouped' the Units together.

I like to start with the easiest first - you know...
instant gratification is a wonderful thing.
I started with the "flowers".
 When I joined together the two flower petal sections...
I expected the outer edges to line up evenly...
they did not.

The section completed is 'straight' but the slight angle of the petals is enough
to cause what you see above. And it works, sewn as shown.

Next sew (as shown below)
-the flower "center" unit to the completed petals
-the ear to top of forehead
-neck/arm to bottom of head

Next sew paw section to head as shown below

Now sew ear section to top of head section

You're doing Great! One more seam to go!

TA-DA!

Now for the details.
Totally up to you.

For awhile my Marvin didn't have a mouth
(so much quieter that way)
But I finally drew one on and machine stitched it.
I was NOT happy.
I used that 'double' or 'triple' straight stitch.
(I'm sure it has a technical name...I'm technically challenged...oh well)
That's when I discovered tho I have 'that stitch'
on all of my machines...
some do it better than others...
sadly I used the 'other'
(see stitches on the right side of needle below - those are 'them' - yuck)

I found a nice rust colored floss...threaded up 3 strands...
and wrapped the machine stitches.
MeOwZa as the KiDees would say!
Break out the Catnip!!!Happy Dance Time!!!

I'm still trying to decide about "whiskers"
I mean...a cat's gotta have 'em, dontcha think?
Perhaps I will wait until the block is in a finished something or other...
and quilted...

Meanwhile as I lay in bed reading a book last night...
I felt a 'presence' ...
(more like 12 lbs of pressure on my stomach)
I took this picture...up close and personal...

Yep...definitely need whiskers!

Marvin hopes you enjoy his block.
I hope you will give one a try.
Be sure to take note that you can post finished
blocks from the hop in
Whims and Fancies special flickr group 
for a chance of winning a weekly prize,

Just a reminder...it's our Birthday Month and there are prizes to be given away.
Check the previous post and see what the KiDees are giving away!

Lynn ~ The Thimblemouse >"<