Forest Stroll has been quilted and bound, and I couldn’t be happier with it!

Isn’t it just the coolest little lap blanket? When I started cutting the tree fabric for the border, I was a little worried it was going to be too dark for that bright cheery centre. But once I got it on there, I was thrilled.

It creates a beautiful frame and echoes almost all the colours from those scrappy leaves.

The little ladybugs marching around the binding are just too cute! (And were a great way to use up some leftover fabric.)

And on the back we have a cozy chunk of flannel that gives this one its name. Once again, the art of quilting amazes me with its ability to bring together random pieces of fabric and create a practical work of art!

I haven’t made as much headway on the second skully sock as I would like…

.. but  ihave made some progress. All the cuff skulls are complete, and I’m almost to the heel. Since it’s pretty much vanilla until I get to the toe skulls, I’ve been working on it mostly when I’ve needed some zen.  I’ve got plenty of time to get it done before Christmas, so there’s definitely no rush.

You knew it wouldn’t take me long to fill that empty project box, didn’t you?

The other day, I dove into the stash and came up with this fabulous Cat Nip fat quarter pack.

I bought it back in March when I bought the FQs for Dave’s Celtic quilt, because I just couldn’t resist those cute kitties and cheerful colours.

After picking out the fabric, I searched for the purrfect pattern… and settled on Milky Way .

As you know, I adore star blocks, and this one is such a fun twist. This time around, I did something unusual for me… I cut ALL my fabric before hand, (usually I cut as I go, depending on the block), so  I can sit down and whip up a block or two whenever the mood strikes. This works well with my need to have shorter sewing sessions.

I’ve already got the first two blocks done (they are the same – each pair of FQs gives you two matching blocks)

…and I am absolutely smitten with those starry kittens!

At least that’s what my plants are telling me…

Leaving my Christmas cacti out until the weather cools always makes them bloom well. The white one is in full flower.

The pink one won’t be far behind it.

And apparently Easter is on its way too…

This is my Easter Cactus. It’s related to the cactus, but has slightly different leaves and flowers. I’ve had it for a couple of years now, but this is the first time I’ve been able to get it to rebloom.

And for a little extra credit…

My spider plant is blooming too. It just loved being outside all summer and now it’s pushing out babies galore!

Despite my shorter sewing sessions, those Leader/Ender geese have been stacking up quick!

My basket was pretty much full, so before making more, I decided to start assembling them into blocks to see how many I get. That way I can see how many I have, and decide how big I want to make the quilt. I have lots more scraps I can cut up if I need to.

I’m just assembling them into pairs at this point, but I couldn’t resist taking a few of those pairs to see how the final blocks will look.

Totally scraptastic!!!! I’m calling this one: Whirly Geese!

Here’s where everything else is at.

• Celtic Dreams – My backing and sashing have arrived! I’ll be taking this one to Mom’s to finish. She’s got a bigger, better space for cutting, and I have some fussy cutting to do.
• Pinkerville quilt – Almost done my blocks. I hope to have be assembling the top in the next week or so.
• Unbe-Leaf-able – Just adding borders, this one will be quilted soon.
• Leader and Ender quilt – As you see above.

And yep… you counted right… I’ve got a project box free…. oh the possibilities!!!

 

“Mom… I think we had too much candy yesterday… let’s just stay in bed today…”

Sadly, there’s not much spooky fun at Chez Wandering Cat this Hallowe’en.

Dave is working, and I’ve got French Class. So in absence of jack-lanterns and trick-or-treaters, I’ll leave you with my most favourite French song ever. And the story behind it.

Click here to learn more (and hear the song! Don’t forget to sing along!)

And for extra credit… here’s a little Throwback Thursday photo of baby Burton and his first experience with pumpkin guts!

My last completed quilt for October…..

Heart-shaped Quackers! And I will admit, I’m a little smitten with this one… not quite as much as Kitten Cove, but close.

It’s another good-sized baby blanket at 38″ square. It was made almost entirely from one jelly roll (white fabric was separate), with lots of strips to spare (so you may see something else in these prints eventually)

The blocks were taken from a Moda Bake Shop pattern, and they were so much fun to make.

The backing is flannel – another fabulous clearance bin find!

Now these baby quilts are starting to stack up…. I need to find some babies before they take over my studio! But I can’t help it, they are just so much fun to make!

Well, they won’t both be done in time for Hallowe’en but….

I managed to complete the first one! (And I’m still slogging away on the poncho)

As you can see, I changed things up at the toe for a little extra fun! I’m really loving the red yarn  – I’m going to have to dye some more for myself! Maybe do an opposite pair, so Dave and I can have matching socks!

First, let me apologize for photo quality. I dropped my DSLR the other day and jammed the lens. So until I can get it fixed, I’m stuck using my cell phone for all my photos. It’s an iphone, so they aren’t horrible – they just aren’t up to my usual standard.

Now… onto business…

Garden Trellis is complete! Thanks to said cell phone, you can’t see that I quilted in individual flower in each one of those white blocks

Here’s a better shot. It was my first attempt using stencils and it didn’t go too badly. I do need to get better at centering the stencil, but for a first attempt, I’m happy.

The finished quilt is 50″ x 66″. A nice-sized lap quilt, and made almost entirely of scraps. (I did have to buy some white fabric, though that doesn’t really count). Building all those nine patches was a great leader/ender project, and it’s a pattern I’ll definitely do again. There’s just so many ways you can change it up!

And my favourite part…. that backing! A super amazing clearance bin find. The binding was leftover from the back of my bear paw quilt. I’ve almost used all of it, but not quite!