The cutting is complete!

This quilt is going to go faster than my last one. At least I hope so. I have finished cutting all my fabric - the bright colors for the striped squares have been cut in a variety of lengths and will be grouped randomly for the squares. The background is going to be a rich purple and all the cutting is done for that as well as the green/gray towers. Today, time permitting, I am going to start piecing the colored squares together.

And speaking of my next quilt

This is my next quilting adventure. It is called Pad Thai, which I actually think is a little unfortunate because it will make me very hungry every time I work on it. For now, let's call it the Thai quilt.

As you can see from the colors I've chosen, this will be a very subtle quilt. I've actually started some of the cutting and I think I've burned my retinas a bit.

Evolution Quilt

It is done! I finished the binding last week and it is ready for display or use by the cat army on the couch. I learned a lot about quilting during this process and am ready to start on my next one. By the way, the Evolution Quilt was designed by a Washingtonian and represents the Galapagos Islands. My next quilt is designed by the same woman and will represent Thailand.

Juniper Ridge

This begins the Invisible Marmot series - photos taken of marmots from great distances that don't actually feature the marmot because of the great distance. There is a marmot on the rock formation in the center of this picture, I swear. For more pictures of last weeks hike to Juniper Ridge, click here.

Cat naps

Honestly, this may be the cutest thing I've ever seen.

Nap time

It's a festival of cuteness in the cat army here today. The boys are
taking a nap after a good grooming session.

Cats who quilt part two

At night, Angry Bob likes to complete the detail work.

Cats who quilt

Sure, I said. I'll take up quilting, I said. The cats wouldn't
possibly interfere with a hobby that involves making warm and soft
things, I said. Scout demonstrates my naïveté by taking a bath on the
very object I'm trying to sew.

Sunrise

It is so hard to take pictures of Mt. Rainier that do it justice. You just can't capture how big it is and how amazing it is to turn a corner and see it in all its glory. Here are several more pictures of last Friday's trip to Sunrise.

The butterfly bush

The butterfly bush in the back yard is doing great this year. My constant watering is helping, I'm sure. It is attracting some very beautiful striped butterflies and some very happy looking bumblebees.

Happy Anniversary!

I guess August is the month for acquiring kitties. Today is Sammy's
one year anniversary. I remember bring worried about transitioning him into the cat army, but he took to things here as if he has always been here. It's like he walked in the door and said, "Well, I'm finally home. I will now proceed to shower everyone here with my kitty love."
Welcome to the cat army, Sammy!

Rules of the house

Cats are not allowed on the counters. They are, however, allowed to
sleep in baskets on the counters.

Happy anniversary!

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Scout moved in three years ago this week. Every house needs a little girl cat - or at least someone special to sleep on their pillows. My allergies will never be the same. Thanks for moving in, sweetie. I also want to thank Maureen for rescuing her from her parking lot and putting out the APB on finding Scout a new home. Thank you!

Continued project resistance

I finished piecing the quilt so I decided to finish up some valances
for the downstairs windows. There has been a certain amount of
resistance from the cat movement. Also, Sammy brought me a mouse.

The piecing is complete!

Here it is! The final product. I just finished putting in the last block and adding the border. Now all I have to do is quilt this and then it is on to the next project.

Consider the lily

...before the deer eats it. I don't know if it was Penelope or Evelyn, but one of the deer that have been bedding down in the back yard apparently had a snack last night. I can't blame her, it does look delicious.