AND ANOTHER LOSS

Nyki (New Year Kitten)

January 2009-January 2025

I am doing well physically, for which I am very grateful.

 My emotions are all over the place.

Who knew you could cry so much?

 

FUNNY FELINE FRIDAY

LapCat horns in on LapTop, every time. 

 It's like a magnet for her! Somehow, I end up with my laptop at an awkward angle next to me so she can curl up on my lap instead! 

 I am trained well.

Lena just likes to sit at the foot of the bed 

and play with the stuffies!

And then she is down for the count!

On the fiber front, I am glad to report I can sit down and WEAVE whenever I have a few minutes and it is wonderful.

Also,  I worked out a balanced count for the pattern to have Log Cabin squares like it is supposed to have!  

 

CRITTER SIGHTINGS

My waking view--I could feel Lena's stare! 

 Only 6:52 am and breakfast might not happen, you know!

Nyki says that breakfast seems like a good idea!

He's about 9-10" long and very soft and adorable.  

The sewing is easy with the plush yarn, contrary to my concerns. 

 I have ordered some more of this yarn (Premier Parfait) in more colors because I am enjoying being able to make this seaside menagerie!

 

SLIPPING BACK TO LIFE

So even impaired, a grandma answers the call to babysit!  Dad and oldest son were off to a school field trip so Bill and I went to spend the night to be there for younger son.  Unfortunately, he spiked a fever and couldn't even go to school let alone get up from the couch and play!  So we had movie and story adventures right on the couch -- just being together all day!  Once Dad got home, we hugged all, listened to their adventures and then said our goodbyes!

Look what was in glorious bloom when we pulled in the driveway!  

Such beauty!

And the cardi did get done up the the armhole separation;  I've started on the left front!  It's been a very good knit and I look forward to getting the first front done and trying to match the color strip on each of the other front and back!!!! lol

(the kitties sure were glad to see me--they didn't think much of us disappearing again!)

CONSOLATION

Lots of construction and if you never guessed where you were---the red soil would surely give you a clue!

The Bradford Pear trees are all in bloom-oh, so pretty!

I made four dishcloths on the way home-did I mention it is an 8 hour trip?!?!?!  And I worked on my crochet shawl but I kept on running into thread breaks in 1 or 2 of the 4 plies and then would have to cut 8-10" out so that the ends would like up....too frustrating while in the car! 

Here is the consolation of having to leave, goodbyes and all of that.....

I started to unpack but my kitties and I decided a snuggle fest was better for all of us!  

I will unpack first thing and touch all of my house and settle myself into my life again--I kinda lost my grip on it for the last month or so!

GRAND-FUR BABIES FRIDAY

I did make them each a crocheted mousie to have but like any other brothers, they fight over one instead!  Felix, on the left, is almost 11 and new boy, Olliver, is almost 1.  They romp and play and keep me from missing my kitties too much!

I am using up the rest of the Superwash handspun yarn for a pair of socks--I am using #5 needles over 52 stitches with the DK yarn.  It sure works up faster than fingering weight! lol

And guess what?!  I am almost me again;  the steroids are really helping me get back on my feet!

 

FRIDAY FINISHES AGAIN!

The mini quilt (well mini for me!) is a top finally. 

 I will be loading it up on the frame so that it will be completely done by this Christmas!  It is 30" square.

The NICU incubator cover/quilts are all done! 

 I will be handing these in this week.

I've been making more dishcloths; I enjoy making them,

 I like how they look when I am done and they are nice gifts! 

 I really liked the two-color one I made yesterday. 

The yarn carries up the sides so there aren't tons of ends!

 There is enough yarn for a several more!

Yup, it is this kind of morning around here!

 

JUST A BIT OF STITCHING

I made the linen pants! 

 Pants can be tricky because there are so many points that are critical for fit!  I am of an age where elastic pants are perfection and there was a lot of tweaking to do but I nailed it!

I wore the pants today (hence the wrinkles) but they are so comfortable and just what I envisioned to go with this knit top!

I ended up piecing the border strips with the other small pieces and today I will be stitching it together

 so it will go to the quilting frame pile!

After just 10 minutes outside, it is time to get back and cool off inside!  It has been brutal outside!  I have a nice array of projects to entertain me when I come inside!  (from left to right;  another crochet hat, the doily and the second sock)

 Lena likes me to make a 'fort' for her under the pillows-I am glad to accomodate her!

CLEANING AND QUILTING

I still didn't get to the binding for this QOV yet 

but the urge is coming soon!  In the meantime, Lena is letting me know I have infringed on her area of the sewing table!

I did load the next quilt on the frame--I have been enjoying doing the quilting but I think looking back on my history--I queue up on tops and then have a quilting marathon!

The lifesavor cactus is blooming again!  

It t has a few more buds so I will get to enjoy this for quite a while! 

But mostly I will be enjoying a visit with my Georgia peaches!

FRIDAY FELINES

Lena likes to pose for me

 when I am trying to take photos of a project!  

The new baby hat is pretty, too! lol  It is really for a one year old so my doll is a bit small but you get the idea. 

DK Yarn from Hobby Lobby.

I had an idea for the next Diamond Dotz porject--I mounted it to the canvas board before I started it this time!  It was easier to use the brayer and get it to seal without the dotz on the canvas! I trimed the corners this time to reduce bulk-much better.

Once the front was glued (Elmer's) to the front of the board, I glued the back and held it under weights (a pile of books)

 for several hours.

And now I can do the dotz without a table-it is it's own table!!!!   I could do it  on my lap while watching tv even!  My only irritation--the size of the Diamond Dotz lists it as 30 x 40 cm only it isn't!  I am glad I didn't just cut the board without measuring myself to be sure!  I am very pleased with this new idea!

 

STEPPING UP!

I'm ten days late to the start of the Shop Hop but I will be making up for it over the next few weeks!  There are at least a dozen shops that are within a reasonable drive (1 1/2 hours) to snag the shop 'Patch' and enjoy the extras each shop works at providing!  

I started this yesterday and will finish the second coat on the grey treads today--oh, yeah, there is a second set of stairs just like this one!  Twice the fun!  I wore knee pads-a real life saver because you do't get to stand up the whole time you are painting!

I picked up this block to finish it-I have another repeat before I will be adding it to the finished pile!

And I am adding a few blocks a day to the cotton granny square tote project; it is slow going but pleasurable just the same. 

I don't have a Friday Feline picture but let me tell you a story;

about 4am I was awakened by a strange cat meow and having said cat run over my body while I was sound asleep was a rather rude awakening!  I jumped up and chased it out of my room and met Bill in the middle of the house as he had chased it and lost it in the dark!  We turned on lights and chased it outside!  This same cat did this several months ago (Bill hosed it and we hadn't seen it again) and it is upsetting to all of us (Bill, me and the 3 girls)!!!  Bill has locked the cat doors for the night and hopefully, that will keep him from his nighttime visits.  The worst part of his visits.....he is an unneutered male and he sprays-there is no smell quite like it unless you compare him to a skunk!

So needless to say, being awakened with an adrenaline surge and trying to ignore the house stinking...it was hard to get back to sleep! 

 

A FRIDAY FELINE

Another furbaby needed a lap to help me knit!  I've enjoyed a few days with the grands;  I had a quiet day while they were at school and then much laughter and joy after school!

I made a few quilt blocks. I couldn't press them because I didn't have an iron here!  Finger pressing to the rescue!

After I made my own little nook for sewing, I could leave the blocks out and ready for me to stitch!

 

A SLOW WALK

The weather was mild again and we enjoyed an afternoon walk.  This red-shouldered hawk kept watch.

Nyki felt like a panther walking across this decaying log!

Lena kept watch like a tiger in the grass.

The cats didn't like the fact the other one was also 'part of the group' and tried to ignore each other.  Nyki liked keeping her eye on us when we weren't looking-she is hiding by the corn crib.

Lena liked running ahead and then laying down 

and rolling in the sandy soil! 

This is a Google picture but what we kept seeing doing maneuvers overhead-a pair of them.  We could see it was a fighter jet but unlike any we recognized.  A quick photo and txt to my oldest son who is ex-AirForce and we were told it is an A-10 Warthog!  Still in active service since the 1970's!  Cool!

We closed out the day with a great meal after a bit of knitting again!  The visit comes to a close but my heart is full.  

LUMBER and LIMBER!

Yesterday, in the afternoon, I tackled cutting the lumber for a small floating shelf.  I did this one all on my own (except for ripping the 8' piece cuz I needed two people for that!) 

and because I had already made one with this plan, 

it went much smoother this time.  (and quicker!)

I have my notes-much like I make when I am 'building' a quilt!  

I put a cheat sheet right on the table saw!

Just like I use when I use the rotary cutter!

And then cut my pieces.

  I am still using Bill's reclaimed lumber so the next step 

is an hour of sanding which I will tackle today. 

 The shelf box is glued and nailed already--

but the inner frame support is only glued and today it will be dry enough to predrill to screw together.

The shelf I made last week is completed-stained,

 buffed and polished!

Later this week it will be screwed to the wall in the church kitchen and ready for use!  I hope to have at least one more small one made to be hung also!  NO, I am not going into business-

this is definitely a one-off job!

When I got home from quilting group-I tossed the quilt down and headed for the rest room;  when I got back, Miss Lena was in full ownership!  (see, I did finish the binding!)  

But what she really wanted, 

was some of this! 

 She is totally addicted to being brushed!  

She practically bowls me over when I head to the studio

 so she can get there and beg for a good brushing! lol 

 I hope you are smiling now!