Catching Up, 3-19-21

So many good games yesterday and more today – did you watch the Drake game? A nail biter for sure with more to come – I love March Madness and since it’s been 709 days since we last enjoyed MM, I don’t want to miss a thing!

But first I have something to show you – a finished quilt top with borders next!

Can you believe it???? After many starts and stops, I finished the pieced interior of the quilt found in this book:

I also finished this small table topper made from one charm pack. I’d really like to do a post about charm packs – maybe tomorrow.

And you’ve been very busy finishing up your Dirty Dozen quilts and more – keep going! Finishing is a great feeling, isn’t it? I have a DD finish to show you, too, but will have to wait for a calmer day to take a picture.

Look at this great picture of Tucker in Wyoming! Remember they got over 40″ of new snow last week. Hope spring comes to our friends in Wyoming sooner rather than later.

And an update on Siri. She is a very vocal cat who has a meow like a Siamese cat – mrrrr-oowww! Loud and insistent when she wants me to feed her! Here she is in a dog bed on the top shelf – her favorite spot to hang out.

I bought Hazel a Flippity Fish – sooooo much fun! It’s on the charger again right now.

So that’s it for today – the games are starting!

64 thoughts on “Catching Up, 3-19-21

  1. Carrolyn v

    I absolutely love your newest top! I need to make some tops for charity. Soooooo much fabric I love in my stash!

  2. Jeanne

    Mary, your bird quilt is stunning. Worth all the ripping stitches and resewing that you had to do. Since moving to Co. From Iowa to live with my daughter, I have not seen a cardinal. We used to have about a dozen coming to our large feeder in Ia. every evening about dusk. So beautiful against the white snow. The other quilts are lovely too, but your bird one is definitely my favorite. You must have worked around the clock all week in order to get it done so fast.

  3. Jo in Wyoming

    All the DD’s are great. Aren’t you glad you ripped! The quilt is grand.
    Siri is beautiful, I visited a lady that had 2 of those cats, they are very friendly.
    Today we are forecasted to get 40-50 degrees, which means 6” of sloppy, squishy mud. But we are melting.
    All of our furry friends are having a time finding a suitable place to potty!

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Jo in Wyoming – yes, I’m very glad I ripped but now I’m going to make something mindless so I can follow the games without so much concentration – maybe log cabin, 9 patch, rectangles – simple is the word!!

  4. Marian Stever

    Oh, Mary, loved your post! I share your addiction with March Madness. There is so much talent out there with these kids. And, they are accomplishing the games in spite of the pandemic. Your birdie quilt is so special. Vicki’s little gingham quilt with bunnies. So cute. Siri is a doll and I love her. I suppose Hazel is getting a lot of energy burned off with that fish!!!!!
    Enjoy this day and the weekend. Saturday seems to be the best day and Sunday warmer with 40 MPH winds. Keep on finishing the dirty dozens folks! Spring is around the corner and it won’t be long before we are digging in the dirt!!!!

  5. Diane in WI

    Your bird quilt is certainly worth all your efforts. Sew can be very frustrating but also so rewarding. Siri is beautiful. I have a dark tiger stray here at the farm. I do wish people would take better care of their animals. My amaryllis just finished flowering. I get my second Covid vaccine today. Take care and have a good weekend.

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Diane in WI – can you help out that tiger cat? I’d put her in my barn to be a pal with Mama if you lived around here. Be careful – she’ll probably need up pregnant if you don’t have her spayed.

  6. Charlotte Shira

    Your bird quilt is beautiful. The ripping was worth it. Great job on all the DDs. I love the gingham quilt…so springy! Siri has the perfect spot for napping.

  7. Diane Bauer

    I LOVE your bird quilt top!! That looks like a really great pattern for focal print fabric!! I’m going to have to look for the book!

    Snow is slowly starting to melt here. We didn’t get quite as much as Wyoming, but enough to cause some big destruction in my yard. One of my big, old, blue spruce trees lost 5 huge branches. Makes me so sad. The snow hasn’t melted enough for me to see what my bushes look like yet–they are still completely covered. The dogs are having a terrible time going out as it’s just too deep. More coming this weekend.

  8. Diana in Des Moines

    I have fallen in love with Siri! May need to add a bengal to my menagerie!
    We are a wrestling family and Iowa fans. All day tomorrow national wrestling championships and Iowa basketball. My hubby is in hog heaven and has his snack list made up.
    I am sewing with my small group, Betty and the Rippers, tomorrow. And no, we do not have a Betty!
    Enjoy your warm weekend!

  9. Lynn Handberg

    I really really love how your Field Day quilt turned out!! It is very striking and worth your efforts😊!
    My mother (92 years young) and I fill out our MCAA brackets and have fun comparing our wins and losses. She just got her second shot, lives on her own in a sr. living apt and is doing well. Hope I can do as well as her!!

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Lynn Handberg – good for your mom! Filling out her bracket keep her engaged in life!

  10. Betty Klosterman

    Vicki’s Easter layout is great. And I love her version of the bulls eye quilt. It will make somebody very happy. Your red bird quilt is really worth all your efforts. It is very striking. You will remember making it. Not everything is supposed to be easy. We have to just love red and white. You just have to be very happy with it.
    Take care. Betty in Rapid City

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Betty Klosterman- yes, I’m glad I kept working on it – I have since put a scrappy red border and will decide if I need another border or just black binding. Gotta decide.

  11. Cheryl

    I’m such a sappy cat person. But Siri is a love kitty! Maybe she’s called Siri because of her ‘voice’. I can’t wait to hear what you have to say about charm packs and really precuts in general. For me they are a crutch. And only 4 which usually means 8 are why I bought it. Last year I took all the leftovers from charms, cakes, and with Lori Holts 4-patch method I made 2 huge scrap quilts with 20” blocks of squares. After quilting I was so pleased. They were super scrappy and my stash of fabric I did not like. They are a crutch for me because I’m not good with color coordination. If Siri needs a new home……….. 😉

  12. Launa

    Thanks for pictures! Love your bird top! Great use of reds!

    Was Connie’s quarter square triangles and the alternate circles top from a pattern? You showed it with her other DD house. Someone thought it was from a Diehl book! I want to sew one! Thanks.
    Had two snow alerts this morning….none happening, thankfully!

        1. Mary Etherington Post author

          Launa – I’ll see if I have a copy and you can have it. I will look.

          1. Mary Etherington Post author

            Launa – I don’t have it but it’s available both new and used on Amazon.

  13. DONNA WYATT

    Mary, the bird quilt is beautiful. I have some of that material in a charm pack that I got and like the print but it really stands out, I will have to try to replicate your quilt. Love the red. Looking at all the beautiful quilts gives me inspiration to keep going. I just finished a top that will be off to the quilter soon for a donation to Camp Sweet Life for kids with diabetes in southern MN.

    Please keep showing those quilt and all the critters~

  14. Nikki M in Tx

    Really like bird fabric quilt. Been busy with ranch chores/ repairs, but have snuck in some sewing. MARY, I have been working on Village, you showed pattern couple weeks back. As usual I am deviating from instructions. I found I wanted house ( minus door & roof) all same fabric so am using up a lot of my 2 1/2 in strips to cut houses from & using charms for roof. I do find that this set of directions tends to be a bit wasteful of fabric on roof but can live with it without guilt. Trying to not duplicate my houses.. wish me luck..132 little houses but they are EASY & sew up quick. Fence crew here today, having to replace a lot of older fence that have put off for years & this time going with all metal t posts ( can’t complain as this section being replaced was here when bought property. Broke down & hired professional tree trimmer to trim trees in area around house… lol.. man saw some trees I took chainsaw to.. shoot his head & said he sure hoped I didn’t pay someone to butcher those trees… I just smiled.

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Nikki M – I love my little chain saw, too! Years ago I cut over a dozen pickup loads of wood from our home farm place before it was sold – much bigger chain saw then but I was strong and capable of doing it. Not so much anymore. I just hate how weak I’ve gotten with age. Do you miss Bongo?

  15. Rhoda

    Bird quilt is stunning and worth all your ripping.
    Enjoy the BB games coming your way!!!
    May get to 80 here today and NO wind!!!

  16. Diane and Squeak in Central Ohio

    Your quilt turned out beautifully. I am anxious to see the borders. You did a great job;)
    I have three items to bind and then I’ll post my DDs.
    I fill out a bracket each year just for fun:) Gotta go OSU is playing.

  17. Jeanine from Iowa

    I also love your bird quilt. Red is my favorite color, and it really makes the cardinals stand out. We had a lot of cardinals at the bird feeders this winter when we had so much snow and ice. I also like Vicki’s gingham bullseye topper. A great idea for gingham fabric. We have some at church, so might try making something like that with them. All the other quilts are great too. Have fun watching the games. That Drake game was a nail biter. I felt sorry for the coaches wife……so much stress!! Our son played basketball in high school, and it was stressful when he was at the free throw line.

  18. Jan from TN

    Hi Mary! Love your bird quilt. Such cute fabric. Your followers are so talented! Love seeing their quilts.
    Question, where did you get Hazel the flippity fish. I’d love to see how my Brody would respond to it. He just loves his toys. However, while he can fetch, he simply can’t or won’t return it when either of us throw it. 😄
    Tomorrow is National Quilting Day!
    Have a good weekend!

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Jan from TN – I ordered it on Amazon – it’s actually a cat toy but I knew Hazel would love it! She is more than willing to bring the ball back because she wants us to keep throwing it – on and on and on!!!

  19. Gayle Shumaker

    I love your new quilt top with the bird fabric. That pattern looks like on that would be great with floral fabric as the large block. I think I need to find a copy of that book. Thanks again for the inspiration. Love the pictures of your animal family. Well it’s final grandchild # 4 will continue the string of 2 sons. My father-in-law was one of 2 sons, my husband and his brother were each the father of 2 sons and now both of our sons are the father of 2 sons. I’m now finalizing my plan for a baby quilt and working on finishing a quilt for my second grandson. By the way they range in age from 21 to almost here.😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Gayle Shumaker – that’s quite the age range, isn’t it? Would have been fun to have a little girl in the mix!

      1. Gayle Shumaker

        You’re right it is an age range. Our sons are 7 years apart and strangely Alan’s sons are 7 years apart. Neither of us planned children that any years apart.

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Meredith – yes, it was a shocker, wasn’t it? There’s always one big upset somewhere along the line and that was it!!

  20. Beryl BC

    I really, really like you bird quilt, also all the others. Siri sounds like an interesting cat; we had Siamese cats once. They are great talkers.

  21. Barbara Bennett

    I love the way the bird print works in your quilt.

    Oskee-wow-wow, Illinois!

    Check out Kitten Academy on YouTube. They foster pregnant mom cats until the kittens are 3 months old. The newest litter of 8 ginger boys will be a week old on Sunday. They occasionally put out the flopping fish toy for the older kittens and adult cats. Fun to see a Hazel playing with a cat toy.

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Barbara Bennett – great Illinois game! I’ve never heard of Kitten Academy – I will look for it! Sounds pretty fun to me!

  22. Jeanie S, Central Illinois

    All the projects in this post are wonderfulI. I agree with everyone else; your bird quilt is stunning! Good job, Mary. Enjoy the games and your weekend. 🥰

  23. Louverna Tomer

    Mary:
    I look forward to your post regarding charm squares. I bought some because I really liked the fabrics, but not sure what to do with them to make a nice quilt.
    Siri is a beautiful cat. Does she live by herself or with the other kitties?
    I love the college games. (I never watch NBA games.) My West Virginia Mountaineers play tonight at 9:50pm. If they win, it will be Bob Huggins (Coach) 900th win. A pretty impressive club to be in as very few have made that milestone.
    I’m glad to see Drake and Oral Roberts wins. They played so hard, but I hate to see any of the teams lose. All of these young men put their heart and soul in these games. But that is what it’s all about.
    Take care and enjoy all the games.
    Louverna

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Louverna – I never watch NBA games either – only college for me and I felt so bad for the Ohio State players today – their hopes were gone and they really deserved to go to the Final Four – it was a fluke really that they lost and that Oral Roberts won. Siri is in the quilt shop by herself except when I go out and the dogs join me. She’s going home tomorrow and I can’t wait to see how she reacts to her owner, Tami. We’ll be watching WVA – Huggie is a great coach but have you ever seen him smile? They’ve had a great season and we have watched them many times.

  24. Bobbie

    Wow, Mary that quilt is beautiful. Can’t wait till the borders are on. I really feel for the people who have all that snow and other bad weather. When the snow is that deep how do small pet even get outside to potty? Looks like they would sink in the snow and not be able to get around. We only had about 18 inches but we don’t get snow every year. We had to shovel a path then a large circle for our dogs. Poor little Sadie legs are so short when she would go out her belly was on the snow.she would jump around and not potty. It was funny to see but not funny to her.I sure hope we have a early spring and a lot less rain that we have been getting.
    Have a blessed Easter. Show us the quilt top when you get it finished.

  25. Kathy Hanson

    We are glued to the basketball games too! Love March Madness!! That quilt you just finished is gorgeous, I love it! Siri is just a beautiful cat, you must be enjoying her!

  26. Kathy in western NY

    The bird fabric quilt came out great. Anxious to see how the borders look on it.
    All the readers quilts are very nice today. So great to see such variety. Love the gingham check one for spring. It’s going to be 60’s here Sunday right through the whole next week so will love getting outside.
    Mary we should crown you tomorrow National Quilting Day Favorite Blog for fun, friendship and inspiration. You have been the glue that held us together through this pandemic and I for one look so forward to your blog posts very much. It is much appreciated for keeping us connected.

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Kathy in western NY – that door swings both ways! I’m not sure how I would have gotten through the past year without you blog readers. With nobody to socialize with or go anywhere with, I had all of you to talk to. And this is such a great group of quilting and animal lovers both getting together online. I so appreciate all of you who leave comments – I know most of you don’t but I’d love to hear what’s on your mind!

  27. Sheila in WI

    What a fun post! Love how your bird quilt turned out… so worth all your work. Enjoyed all the other quilts too. Sir I is a beautiful cat… especially love her eyes. Time to enjoy some more March Madness!

  28. Dori J.

    Beautiful quilt. Can’t wait to see it finished. Hubby watches games, gives me more time to sew.

  29. Susan K in Texas

    My alma mater University of North Texas beat Purdue tonight!! It’s a school known for music and not sports so this is a HUGE deal!! Go Mean Green!
    I love your bird quilt. It turned out so beautiful.
    Siri is a beautiful cat. My cats have been very vocal lately as they want to go outside in the sunshine. I took Klaus with me on his leash to get the mail today – it’s a half a block away. He’s doing better and better walking around with me.
    Hazel with her fish is funny. I’ve wondered if it would be a good pet toy. I guess the answer is yes!

  30. Christina Coats

    Yikes after seeing the snowy picture and hearing 40″ of fresh snow I will stop moaning about all the wet days we seem to be having which I find depressing. I love snow but 40″ maybe I will rethink !
    Love to all, stay safe
    Christina
    UK

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Christina Coats – I don’t think we had even 40” all winter! Now that really IS a lot of snow!

  31. Lorraine McGeough

    your quilt with the bird fabric is so pretty and thank you for sharing pictures of everyone’s quilts. They are all so nice. Siri is so pretty and love the pic of Hazel waiting for that fish to flop just one more time!!

  32. Margaret in North Texas

    I love the bird quilt too. The pattern you choose was just the perfect one. The other quilts pictured were beautiful as well. I awaiting hummingbirds to appear at my house, others have already seen some.

  33. Joyce from NY

    Love all the quilts, Mary yours turned out just great. I have some bird fabric, maybe I should try this. Watched Syracuse & San Deago last night, what a game, Buddy Buckets out did himself. Go “Cuse” 🏀🏀

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