The Stimpy Quilt top

The quilt top. 

Here is the top in all its woodsy glory.  I'd like to pretend that the shadows over it are from my pine trees, but judging from the shape they are likely from a car.  A car in the woods at least.

Bits of the back.  

Having finished the front, I can now spend far too much time on the back.  I'm doing a row of four square blocks then putting a green border on the top and bottom of the row.  Then, I will add the brown leaf pattern for the rest of the back.  It won't be terribly elaborate, but I think it will be nice to have the background broken up by the blocks.

Wee Favorites!

I was tagged by A Wandering Minstrel with the Liebster Blog blogger award!

Liebster Blog is an award to highlight your favorite 'wee' blogs out there--the ones that we love that don't have huge numbers of followers.

Now that it's my turn, here are the "wee" blogs that I'd like to highlight:

My Quilt Diary The Psalms Banner will make you gasp out loud.  Not only is it beautiful, but it is hand sewn.  And, did I mention it's beautiful?

Having Fun.  Art quilts and beautiful textiles.  Go - have fun!

Quilting Dreams A fellow crafty blogger who enjoys the process and meeting new bloggers.  Plus, she has cats which is obviously something I can identify with.  

Grey Cat Quilts Three words, Christmas Cactus top.  Also, she's from my home state and you gotta love that.  

If you wish to accept this tag, feel free to post about it! Don't forget to mention who tagged you, and spotlight 3-5 of your favorite 'wee' blogs (as in, the aim is to highlight blogs with fewer than 300 followers, so spread the love!), and let people know you tagged them.

What are you waiting for?  Go check them out!  

1-1-11!

My office orchid - it produced 7 flowers on its own!

Such a pretty little face. 

My view on a cold, sunny day.  

I'm not going to get all retrospective this New Years.  Some incredibly sad things happened this year, some incredibly exciting things happened, and life goes on.  Regarding the sad things, I've learned that you never really know someone until you see how they rise up to adversity.  I am humbled and honored to better know my family this year.  They, all of them, are truly remarkable people.

My career is plugging along and I'm learning a new subject area at work.  It is stressful and exciting and I'm so happy to have this opportunity.  But, as I said, life goes on.  Time to take enjoyment out of each day.  Happy New Year everyone, may we all rise up to the challenges and joys ahead.

In case you think only one cat is trying out for the title....

Sammy curls up, signaling his approval of the green border. 

Scout helpfully points out the outer border.

I'm putting the outer border on, I've got two pieces on and one pinned on when I decided that I needed to take a break.  I'm planning on using the dark brown leaf pattern on the back, but will be putting another row of blocks towards the bottom of the backing also.  I just hope that I have enough material to do this because I bought up all the dark brown leaf that they had at the LQS.  I may end up putting a row of blocks on a side, making a "T" out of them.  If I get permission from the cat army to lay it out, I will look into that.

Putting the blocks together.

Bob demonstrates the skills that earned him the title, "world's most annoying cat."

30 blocks needing a border, or two. 

My cats have the ability to inflict themselves in my projects, sometimes while the fabric is going through the sewing machine and while I'm desperately trying to push the fabric through the sewing machine despite the 15 pound weight that is now sitting on it.  Sorry Bob, now everyone knows you are getting ready for a long winter.

Regardless of the time-out to deal with the annoying cuteness around me, I got the blocks all pieced together.  They now need a green border, followed by another striped border.  I decided that all of the blocks I made worked together and so I ended up keeping them all.  I'm very pleased with the results.

The blocks are done!

Block 25

Block 26

Block 27

Block 28

Block 29

Block 30

Whew!  I've finished piecing all the blocks for my brother's quilt.  I'm going to lay them out tonight and see how they look together.  I've told myself to go ahead and remake anything that doesn't look like it fits in.  I kind of hope that doesn't happen, but I know myself enough that I will never be able to look at this unless it looks perfect in my eye.  I talked to my brother yesterday and told him he'd be getting a quilt in a month or two and he was excited and really surprised - which makes me think my blog readership among my family isn't quite what I thought it would be.  :)

Off to work off yesterday's cheese and pasta fest on the treadmill.  (I'm going to work out on the treadmill, not that the pasta fest occurred on the treadmill.)

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

A winter wonderland (taken in 2008).

Merry Christmas everyone!  I hope you are all exactly where you want to be and if not, then you are treating yourselves appropriately.  I love Christmas and even though I won't be with family today, I plan to enjoy it with friends.  I think there is too much pressure put on people to have the "perfect" day - check out any tv Christmas special and you will know what I mean.  Enjoy what you have, call up or email people you haven't written in awhile. Indulge in a glass of wine, relax by eating out, whatever makes you happy, but be grateful for what you have and don't be stressed because you aren't having a large meal with Santa Claus as the surprise guest.  

As I said, I won't be with family this Christmas.  My family knows that the feelings of generosity and familial love can happen on other days so we enjoy the time we have together when it happens and we don't force the issue.  I will never fly during the winter again because the stress of "will I make it there in time" detracts from the happiness of "I get to see the family again."  Today, I am making pasta sauce.  When I was a kid, my mom always made pasta sauce on Christmas Eve.  Sometimes we all made homemade ravioli to go with it and got the kitchen properly coated in flour and sticky dough.  For me, a pot of boiling water, steaming windows, and the smell of garlic will always be home.  I'm recreating that today.

Merry Christmas!  Oh, and one more thing -  Thank you, each and every one of you who stop and read my blog.  I so enjoy this on-line community and I am so happy to have had the opportunity to meet new and creative people.  I am amazed by your talent, your thoughtfulness and your support.  Thank you and enjoy this day - however you see fit to enjoy it!