Monday, July 31, 2006

Katie the Younger


Katie the Younger
Originally uploaded by lasassone.
And this is the girl herself on her favorite perch. The windowsills in our home were made extra wide years ago by my husband because I used to raise African Violets.

In 1996, when we inherited Katie after our daughter moved to Missouri to attend grad school, she, one by one, "did in" the violets. Finally I surrendered and gave away the remaining plants to an elderly lady who loved them. The sills have been Katie's domain ever since.

When she arrived at our home she was not greeted with much kindness by our elderly indoor/outdoor cat, Annie the Elder, a very un-cat-like tuxedo kitty. So Katie, having never been outside, took over the house and protected it with vigor. They communicated every morning, nose to nose, at the laundry room door, after which Annie would dart out into her big beautiful yard.

However during Annie's last days, when she needed our constant care, Katie became very concerned with Annie and even shared her foot of the bed with her.

After she was gone, everytime the laundry room door was opened, Katie dashed over to look out and try to find Annie. It was cute, but heartbreaking for us. We still miss our Annie the Elder, but Katie has developed into the 2nd most wonderful, clever, affectionate companion we've ever had.

August Theme BOM


August Theme BOM
Originally uploaded by lasassone.
August is Vacation Time! This is not my favorite block so far, by ANY means, but I sort of meant it to be funny. Our resident captive kitty, Katie, is absolutely fascinated with suitcases. When they come out, she will not leave them alone. If they are open, she lays in them. If they are closed, she lays on top of them.

We think she knows when we're about to leave for a trip and wants to go too. Even though she has top notch kittysitters who spoil her rotten while we're gone!

July Theme BOM


July Theme BOM
Originally uploaded by lasassone.
I found this cute image in my Holiday binder that is full of images I've printed off from internet sites over the past years.

I'm doing these blocks with crayon work which I do before I start the outline embroidery. Each is pictured with the fabric which I plan to use for the block's border.

At first I planned to put all of these blocks together into a wallquilt, but now I think I may make individual display items out of them. Recently I found an article about making individual themed blocks and displaying them by slipping them over one of those clear acrylic free standing counter frames.

You border the block and back it, leaving the bottom open like a pillowcase. Then it's simple to change each month. We have an antique cabinet in our home's entryway and I think this would a fun thing to display there.

June BOM-Father's Day


June BOM-Father's Day
Originally uploaded by lasassone.
I did this block for the BOM challenge on the Redwork Stitcher's list at yahoogroups.com. I took the image from my Hallmark card program. More details available if you click on the picture.

July & August blocks are done too - they follow......

My Bag Is Back!


My Bag Is Back!
Originally uploaded by lasassone.
In the challenge I was involved in that is mentioned in previous posts, this is the item that I got back made from the items in MY bag. Isn't it wonderful?

It was made by my good friend & Omaha roomie, Mona Berning, to whom Willa secretly sent my bag! I just love it and it's hanging right now in a place of honor in our hallway.

As usualy you can click on the picture and read more details about the fabrics I sent.

Mona hurt her hand before she was able to embellish the blocks very much and has told me she wants me to do more work on it. For now I love it just the way it is, but I've saved the bag of leftovers and may, at some point in time, do that. I think I might also piece a small throw pillow for the bed to match the wallhanging.

I know I've been bad


Window on Spring
Originally uploaded by lasassone.
I know, I know - I can't believe it's been so long since I posted to this blog. Life just keeps getting in the way of my fun.

I HAVE been stitching a LOT since I finished Window on Spring though. This picture was taken of it just before it was folded up & put in the box to be mailed to Willa.

I heard this morning from it's new owner and it's happy in it's new home - even has a whole wall to itself. As usual you can definitely see more detail in this picture if you click on it.

I'd really like to do something similar for myself, but I think I'll concentrate on my 4 season's wallhanging project that I started a while back. It's a 4 block piece that is odd shaped actually. When all 4 season blocks are pieced together there will be a center sun area that will have to be pieced in all yellows. Somewhere I have a picture of the Spring block that I sent out in a round robin. I will have to look for it & post it.

And then there's the ever present "Yellow to the Max" which is planned out, but not fully pieced yet. This project involves some vintage Peter Max fabric that I purchased from an eBay dealer some time ago. More later on that.......