We are still sorting and hauling things from Connie’s house after the sale. I am getting several pieces of furniture from her and I’ve got Nate and a buddy lined up for after school to help.
Catching up on reader quilts:
Brenda and Nan from Kansas stopped Sunday morning before I went to church just to meet Hazel – and she didn’t disappoint!
When they left Hazel ran to the barn and this was what was waiting for me on the sidewalk when I got home – rat #20! Or is it #19? I’d better start writing this down. And last night I myself saw another one run under a tall cabinet in the barn. Gosh I hate those things!
Today it’s time to clean my house – I can’t stand it anymore. One of my cats, Tammy, is not doing well. I’m quite sure she’s dying and just wants to sleep away. she’s pretty old and I don’t want to put her through a vet visit and medicine.
Saw this quilt online and loved it.
This is my UFO that I’m working on – I found it as strips sewn lengthwise from a jelly roll so I sliced and diced and sewed together again. Now it’s quilted but not bound – you know how much I hate to bind so maybe I won’t. I made it for the table on the porch – the cats will sit on it and they won’t care.
I think I’m caught up, Gals! Still answering comments – don’t forget to look there if you’re waiting for an answer – if you want a private answer, please send me an email.
Our 15 year old cat Lexi passed last week,in her sleep.She was a cat that was never any trouble so we weren’t really surprised that’s the way she went- no trouble. We miss her but it’s somehow easier to accept than when you have to make the decision that the end is here.
How I wish I could have been at your sale. You would have far less to haul, for sure. Love the reader quilts today; thanks for posting them. One more basketball game tonight. Wish it didn’t start so late. Will you watch?
Meredith – watching now – I wouldn’t miss it!
That was quite a game, wasn’t it?
I’m so sorry about your cat! Your sale sounds like it was a huge success. That’s wonderful. I like the picture of the quilt that you just showed. Hugs,
I’m so glad your sale went well even with the chilly weather and thanks for sharing the pictures of the pets that came to say hello, loved seeing them all. Its spring here in Middle TN and I have been busy working in the yard and buffing up the flower beds with some new soil, lots of weeding and moving a few things around. It seems my quilting space has been neglected and now needs a good clean. They are predicting 2 days of rain so maybe I can make that happen.
I’m sorry Tammy isn’t doing well, Mary.
And Denise, so sorry you lost Lexi last week.
Losing our much loved pets is so very hard on us.
I enjoyed all the pictures from the sale. It was such fun to see what was offered. I, like many others, wish I could have stood in that long line waiting for the sale to begin!
Today is my husband’s any my 52nd anniversary. We feel fortunate and blessed to have each other all those years. We’ll have a special dinner to celebrate.
Marylou – HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
Thank you!
There was no picture of what you are working on. Or am I blind? Been ugly day. Just kind of stressed, am going stitching with friends tonight, need a little downtime. Always love the animal pictures, my girlfriend was always disgusted with me when we came to the shop, I wanted to visit the animals.
See / looks like it didn’t post – I’ll do it next time
Hi Mary, more wonderful quilts! We sold my old house yesterday, hooray! Next sell this one so we can buy a house suitable for my son, his family and me, so busy times ahead. Bella is living a dogs life, rolling around on my bed at present! Best wishes to all, sandy
Sandy – give Bella a hug from me!
I wish I were closer…I’d take all your binding, it’s my favorite part of quilting!!!
Great show today. The sampler is gorgeous, and a ton of work. I like all of them.
Kathy, in NY, the way you used your row by row license plates is adorable. That’s worth a big prize, I hope you got one.
Have a great week, everyone.
Thank you so much Jo. There is a sister quilt to this one in a neighboring town, she used green for her roads, I used black for roads adding license plates on the cars of places I went to. I made the middle block to replicate both of us shop hopping together, BUT she got the speeding ticket in a little town in the Finger Lakes region hence the word Vroom I hand embroidered on top. She’s had hers appraised and has put in shows.
Thanks for sharing. Road trips are always fun, even ones with a hiccup.
Cute cute quilt
So many beautiful projects to see today and Carla, I love your socks!! They look so comfy and I love the yarn you used. Enjoy wearing them!
Mary, I have a 19 yo barn cat who is not doing well. He’s lived the last three winters in the garage but back in the barn once the weather was warm. He doesn’t hear very well at all and I don’t think he’s seeing very well either. I’m afraid to let him outside for fear he’ll get run over in the driveway. He wants to go outside but he zigzags around and gets confused if there’s vehicles in the way to the barn. I let him out a few days ago and kept a close eye on him and he didn’t even get close to the barn, he ended up heading west into the pasture and I’m so afraid he’ll get lost and not be able to get back. He still has a good appetite but he’s skin and bone, poor old guy. He’s also the last pet living who my kids grew up with so that makes it even harder to see him decline so much this winter. My hope is he passes peacefully in his sleep.
I wish I was close enough to come by and play with Hazel! I’m sorry about Tammy. Send us pictures of your new furniture from Connie. I’m glad your sale was such a success. You and Connie are braver than me. I would have baled I your cold weather. Best wishes.
Frances – it was advertised and we couldn’t just cancel – people would track us down!!! The cold didn’t kill us and yes, we’re very brave and have been for 40 years – oh, some of the things we’ve done!
Beautiful completed projects. The bunny quilt made me smile 😊. So cute.
Will pray for comfort for all kitties in distress.
Does Tammy have a story?
I’m curious about Hazel catching the rats. How does she do it so she doesn’t get injured? I’m assuming they fight back with their teeth and claws? We had issues last fall with mice getting into our wood pellet grill on our deck. Hubby used a water trap, and ended up killing about 20 mice. I was totally creeped out.
Jo/MN – she bites them and shakes them over and over. I don’t think they fight back – they don’t have a chance!
I poured over your photos of the sale and once again, wished I could have been there.
Today’s readers quilts are wonderful, especially the sampler. I looked for your quilt and then began to read the comments. I got my answer there. Looking forward to seeing it next time.
Wishing Peace and Love to all the old cats mentioned and pictured today.
Sue in Oregon – makes me wonder if I should take Tammy to vet – for treatment? Or euthanasia, depending on what he says.
Sure wish I could have been at the sale. It looked like so much fun! I’m hoping to pop in this summer while visiting my hometown (Forest City) and family!
I’m so sorry to hear about Tammy. Poor baby.
Lisa Bass – pop in where?
Glad your sale was a great success. Guess weather doesn’t keep the serious shoppers away. Enjoyed seeing the finishes . Mary I like your two block- two color quilt. An idea for a quilt my Grand daughter’s guest bed.
Wish I could knit socks. My skills never improved past dish rags. lol !
Goodness Mary that’s a lot of stuff. I sure hope Connie is around to help you with your house when it’s time to down size. Best wishes to Connie for a wonderful retirement on the lake.
San / Gypsy Quilter Designs / North Carolina
San – are you watching basketball tonite? NC playing Kansas!
I’m so happy for you and Connie that your sale was great! Awesome to have friends stop! Stupid rats! Ugh! Sorry about your kitty. One of our older cats, Fluff, was a fluffy Siamese colored female and was getting old but I was upset when she was laying dead by the cat pan. You just get attached to some of them, even tho they aren’t tame. Have a great night!
So sorry to hear about your cat, Tammy. I also have several older barn cats. We kept four kittens from 2 litters of barn cats many years ago, I can’t even remember how long ago that was, but I’m pretty sure at least 15 yrs. ago. We got all the barn cats fixed after those 2 litters, so that was the last litters we had. Two of the old cats died last fall, but two are still going strong!
I’m hoping you are watching the game with a beer in hand and a nice hassock for your tired feet! The quilt show today is great. Kathy in Western NY, I like the way you used the license plates on your “cars’. I am from Cuba, NY, I think I told you that.
Mary and others with older cats. Although they may seem somewhat okay, I have heard that older cats who are not doing well are usually hurting somewhere and the kindest thing to do is take then to the Vet to be euthanized. If I were a cat, that’s what I would want. It is so peaceful the way Vets handle it and so kind.
Thanks Diane – I collected those license plates from quilt stores and was so happy to see them finally all together. Yes I do remember you grew up in this half of NY – it’s funny cause people who have never been here think it is all concrete, blacktop and tall buildings like NYC but we are green grass, barns, forests, and beautiful lakes. Just as pretty in Ohio – another state we love to visit. (With great quilt shops too)
It is very inspiring to see all the lovely finished projects! I especially love the Bullyfish baby quilt and the sampler made with 4 1/2 in blocks. I am watching the last game of the NCAA Basketball season.
I have followed your blog Ever since I found it 1 1/2 years ago. Wish I would have started quilting 20 years ago!
I just started 5 years ago and one of my 1st quilts was your ‘Blue and Gray’ quilt. I saw it in a quilt shop and was told it was In a book that was out of print …..I hunted for it..and found it in another book.. Definitely worth researching to find it. I knew it wasn’t a beginner’s quilt but I had to do it. It was my inspiration. ( My son a Yankee and his wife from down South I thought it quite fitting the blue and Gray Quilt) it turned out beautiful! It’s Still one of my favorites.
When you came to New Hampton quilter’s window I just couldn’t miss you and Connie at the shop. You didn’t disappoint with all the quilts you brought to show, and your autographs on the book I purchased Is a treasure.
When I heard that Connie was moving I was saddened that you two friends won’t be as near to each other as a stone’s throw but I’m sure there will be many visits and thank goodness for cell phones, Internet and video chatting.
I took off work April 1st so I could come to the sale and see you and Connie. I scored 2 beautiful quilts. Many many Pieces of fabric, and A wire basket connie priced out for me on the spot. The best part was being able to see you two. It was also great to see all the ladies that came to this sale and how everybody was connected because of you two and quilting.
Keep up the blog . It’s my favorite.
#1 Jayhawks! What a ride this year has been. Kudos to UNC. The excitement one expects of a championship game. Enjoyed seeing the pictures of your big sale. Lucky shoppers to snag some treasures. I have wondered if Hazel would get injured getting those rats but then when I thought about it, that is what she was bred through the years to do. It is her job. She is excelling at her job! Sorry you have a sick kitty. I know you will do the right thing for her.
Thanks for the pix of the sale and reader quilts… more inspiration! Tammy looks so much like our old kitty, Tyger. He came to us just before our son began to have troubles and saw us all through a few turbulent years. That cat absorbed more tears with more patience than any person possibly could havs; a little comforting angel in kitty fur. He did catch a house mouse once, but was such a softy, he didn’t know what to do with it. Not a “Hazel” bone in his body! We send our love to you, Rick, and your Tammy and wish her a quiet corner and warm blanky to lie on.
Mary my plans to attend the sale didn’t pan out. I spotted a few primitive pieces of furniture i might have wanted. Best I stayed away as I certainly don’t need more fabric. I’ve not been sewing for many months. Perhaps I should give it up & purge all my fabric. Don’t know what is going on but I’m not getting anything done.
Sorry about your cat Tammy. Passing in their sleep is easier on us but sad nonetheless. I’m caring for neighbor senior cat at my home & he’s adjusted quite well.
Yes, your DD seems to be missing.
Since I missed your sale I guess I need to take a detour when I go to Mason City & stop visit you, Rick, Hazel, Colton, etc.
Henners – yes, you should make a detour! I am going to post now and get that photo on here. I hate technology sometimes.
Tammy has always looked so sweet (from your pictures). Good luck with her. Hugs to you both!
I agree with another reader I’ll bobs your quilts for you. It’s one of my favorite things to do regarding quilting. I’ll come down & do your bindings.
So sorry for Tammy and all those whose furry family members are sick or gone. It’s always sad to say goodbye. Our pets give such unconditional love. All the reader quilts are such nice eye-candy. I would love to have been at the sale to meet everyone, buy some goodies, and to see Steph B’s quilt in person. I made all the small blocks for the Schoolgirl Sampler Quilt, but I plan on making an appliqued schoolhouse block for the center. Need to put time aside to finish the sashing & borders. I love reading your blog about quilting, your life on the farm, all those animals, and especially about Hazel and her adventures. Wow, what a great March Madness 2022!