Pointy Kitty Goodness

So cute!!!! That's what I thought when I saw the free pattern from Wee Wonderfuls for Pointy Kitty. I knew that someday, I would need to make one.

Initially, I had thought to give this as a gift to one of our baby friends turning one. But as I stitched and saw how it was coming together, I realized that it really isn't a good baby toy. Indeed, it is a much better adult toy! And I have just the right person in mind who just so happens to have a birthday in a couple of weeks. Yay!


The tutorial was pretty tricky for me, as I have little experience with plush. The pattern is simple enough, just four pieces, but the directions were pretty brief. I was doing fine until I got to the point where one is supposed to begin handstitching seams shut. Then I started to get confused about which seams (all? just part of some?)—it was not at all intuitive for me. I ended up stitching everything closed, thus resulting in a kitty body and a faceless kitty head. I think this was right, but I'm still not entirely sure. Then I had to figure out how to blindstitch the head onto the body. I'd never blindstitched anything that wasn't flat. The head and body were definitely dimensional. Suffice to say, my stitching wasn't the prettiest on the neck.

The next challenge was the face. I started with the nose and attempted a blanket stitch as was suggested in the instructions. This just didn't work—a combination of the thread being too thick, my stitching being quite horrible, and my being clueless as to how to go about doing it when all I could access was the right side of the fabric. So I decided to glue it. Out came the Unique Stitch and I glued the eyes and nose. Then I felt really lame. So I got out some regular thread and did a running stitch around the nose. Yay! It worked! So much better!!! I then sewed the buttons on the eyes (again, tricky since I could only access the right side). By the time I got to the stripes on the head, I was feeling much more confident about my stitching. I decided against stripes on the back (just thought they would overwhelm the delicate pink kitty). Finally, I attempted a little face-- but it just looked icky, so I took it out and decided Pink Pointy Kitty could be the inscrutable one.


With this first attempt under my belt, I have a much better understanding of the pattern and know I can do better. I foresee more Pointy Kitties in my future. So cute!

Dear Baby Jane: B-1

Block number/name: B-1 “Batchelor Buttons”

Date completed: March 30, 2008

Number of pieces: 5

Notes on block: This week I bought some mylar circle templates. The closest-sized mylar circle was 1/8” bigger than the block circles. But, after trying to cut out my own freezer paper circles (I just am not good at cutting circles out), I decided to go ahead and just do the buttons at a bigger size. The technique was a new one for me. I followed the tutorial from Susan Brubaker Knapp. The product I used was different than hers, but it worked pretty well, I think, even if my circles aren’t perfectly round (but I think next time, I can do even better). I then appliquéd the circles onto the background and trimmed away the fabric underneath so it won't show through.

Though I like how the block came out, I can’t help but compare it to the book, and I start thinking my buttons are too big. But then I think to myself, they’re my buttons and it’s going to be my quilt. So, the big buttons stay.

Shop-Hop-A-Rama!

Yesterday and today I continued on the Tri-Country Quilt Shoppe Festival—and I managed to make it to all 13 shops on the hop! I'm so glad I was able to do it. I got to visit a bunch of great shops and I now have all the block patterns, so I can create my own wonderful "Garden Stroll" quilt. Each shop featured the same 13 blocks in a quilt and it was very inspiring getting to see how each quilt was different, not only in the fabrics used, but in the settings, the embellishments, and finishing. Of course, I failed to take any pictures, but you can check out one version on Fabric-Etc's Blog.

And, there was much purchasing of stuffs:



Our first stop yesterday was at The Needle & I in Everett. I've visited this shop pretty frequently as it's conveniently just down the street from where the boy has his Kindermusik classes every week. I like how bright and open it is. They have a nice selection of current fabric collections, and always seem to have a wonderful array of samples. After lunch, the boy and I headed to Arlington and the Quiltmaker's Shoppe. The samples there were just amazing, and it looks like the classes they offer are pretty cool and truly cater to quilters of all levels (and it's the first store I've been to that actually offers a Baltimore Album quilt class)(I wish I lived closer!). Our last stop of the day was Aunt Mary's Quilt Shop in Smokey Point It is located in a pretty non-descript strip mall, but stepping inside is like entering another world. Bright, warm, full of vibrant colors, contemporary fabrics, and super-fun samples hanging throughout.

Today was a solo adventure, as Keith and the boy decided to spend some quality time together at home. So I made my way north to the final six shops. My first stop was at Tangled Threads in Lynden. I have to say that this was the most welcoming shop I visited in this hop. As I walked through the door, I was immediately greeted with a big smile and hello and a brief introduction to the store (they had shop hop specials and games going on). Everyone there was really excited to be participating in the hop and had such enthusiasm and fun energy. Just what I needed after a long drive. The next shop was just a few blocks away, Calico Country. Their focus seemed to be on traditional fabrics and styles. The last Lynden stop was Folktales. This was the first shop I've been to in the area that is really focused on traditional and folk designs. It was a very different experience than any of the other shops. But the samples were gorgeous—lots of stitchery, wool, and handwork. They also featured my favorite rendition of the shop hop quilt.

The Bellingham shops were next. At Lynda's Quilting and Needle Art I found a friendly staff and a nice array of fabrics. They actually sort their fabrics all by color, as opposed to grouping by collection. Sometimes I find it hard to visualize outside of a collection when everything is grouped together (because they just all go so perfectly together!), so it was just a nice change to have such an integrated experience. Next up was Fabrics-Etc. They carry both quilting and fashion fabrics, and I love that their store samples reflected that. Since I'm both a quilter and a sewer, it was extra fun getting to see the garments along with the quilts. The final shop on the hop was Fourth Corner Quilts. This might have been my favorite stop on the hop. The store focuses primarily on the contemporary and modern styles and collections. But mainly what I loved about it was how the fabrics were displayed. Coordinating bolts were staked and draped down the sides of the bookcase displays in a waterfall effect that was both beautiful and a great showcase for the designs. They also had round displays where the fabrics were actually draped from the bolt—again really showcasing the wonderful prints in a way that just being wrapped on a bolt can't compare to. They had a section dedicated to Amy Butler, another to Kaffe Fassett, another dedicated to Asian prints, and many more. And every section featured a number of samples and patterns. Lots of juicy inspiration to be had. It's probably a good thing that it's so far away.

I enjoyed this hop. But overall, it felt as if the shop hop was an afterthought for most of the shops as opposed to a main event. I miss the Bluebonnet Patchwork Trail Shop Hop that I used to do in central Texas every year. Maybe it's a Southern hospitality thing, but on that hop, the shops really seemed to get involved and excited (offering specials, demonstrations, trunk shows, and drawings, in addition to a shop hop quilt), and every single one offered refreshment and treats. Still, I got to visit a bunch of shops I'd never been to before, and I had a good time. I look forward to next year and seeing how it develops.

Shop hopping

Today, the boy and I embarked on the first ever Tri-Country Quilt Shoppe Festival. We visited four quilt shops today. I'm hoping we can visit three more tomorrow, and then try and get to the rest on Saturday.

I love shop hops not only because it's a fun excuse for getting out and seeing some of the area (yay, road trip!), but also because it offers the opportunity to check out a bunch of different quilt stores with the added incentive of free stuff. This particular hop is offering a block pattern at each shop, which can be combined together to make a beautiful quilt. Mostly though, I enjoy visiting each shop and learning how each is special and unique—the fabrics (though there is a lot of overlap here), the styles, the displays, and the miscellaneous offerings (local artists, crafted items, services, etc.). It never ceases to amaze me how many ways people find to differentiate their stores. I also find it pretty inspiring, as I someday dream of opening my own quilt shop.

After lunch, the boy and I drove to Anacortes. (This was good, because it was a nice long drive and the napless wonder finally took a rest.) Our first stop was The Quilt Shop. As soon as we walked through the door, who should I see standing at the front counter but a friend I haven't seen in more than four years... crazy!!! I enjoyed browsing through their wonderful array of batiks and bright contemporary prints. My friend and I spent a little time catching up at the back of the store before heading out together to the next shop. A couple blocks away was Fabrics Plus. It's a small store, but they pack a lot in there! The boy was entranced by the rick-rack display at the back of the store. I really wish I had taken a picture.

With fond farewells to my friend, the boy and I had a snack and then headed off to Mount Vernon and Calico Creations. They had a nice array of reproduction prints and current fabric collections. The shop is also in a very nice space with lots of room between the displays (good for a little boy to move about in without causing too much trouble).

Back to the car, and then a drive through the snow(?!!) to the last stop today: Cotton Pickins' in Stanwood. This store really seems to focus on traditional styles. There were lots of reproduction prints, Thimbleberries, and feedsack-style prints—an interesting dichotomy there because the shop just moved into a brand new building with very modern architecture. But I could kind of tell they just moved-- the walls were probably filled in the previous space, but this one is huge, so it looked a little bare. It will be interesting to see how they grow into and use the space in the future.

Of course, I did not leave the shops empty-handed:


Hmmm... which one doesn't really belong? It's the one that the boy picked up and started chewing on. :P

Dear Baby Jane: B-3

Block number/name: B-3“Mirror Image”

Date completed: March 25, 2008

Number of pieces: 8

Notes on block: I was feeling pretty intimidated by this one. I’ve machine pieced plenty of curved pieces, but hadn’t ever handpieced any. And, for whatever reason, the handpiecing on this one worried me.

There was also a false start on this one. Anina (very wisely) suggested that extra seam allowance be added to each of the outer edges of the block, to allow for wonkiness and so the block could be trimmed down to perfect size at the end. I did this, but then also added to the curvy pieces (oops!). This meant that the first corner I put together had a crescent that was ½” bigger than the other piece. Crazily, I got them to fit (though it was rather wonky). I was even thinking I’d keep it, and then promptly trimmed off the seam allowance on one side—rendering the corner unusable. Apparently a do-over was just meant to be.

After the initial snafu, the block went together without a hitch. And handpiecing curves? Not so scary anymore. :)

Dear Baby Jane: D-3

Block number/name: D-3 “Jason’s Jacks”

Date completed: March 21, 2008

Number of pieces: 2

Notes on block: I started this block and then found myself just staring at the thread I was using. I kept thinking that the thread was too dark. I ended up picking out about 2" of stitching and went and found new thread in a lighter color. I really dislike double work. On the bright side though, I feel as if my appliqué skills are continuing to improve. Still haven’t mastered the art of the point, but I think they look a little more on the pointy side this time around. I’m finding myself really beginning to enjoy hand appliqué. So much so that this last week I was eagerly anticipating what the next appliqué block would be. For a girl who has felt so machine-oriented for so long, this has caught me rather by surprise.

I worked on this block as I was “watching” a movie: Elizabeth: The Golden Age. This may have been a mistake, since I suspect the best aspect of the movie were the costumes, and I would only really look up every so often. Oh well.

Easter basket

Having nearly run out of thread for my reversible embroidery quilt class quilt, I made a trip to Keepsake Cottage Fabrics yesterday afternoon. So I bought some thread... and then I saw the way-too-cute Easter fabric right by the cash register and just had to buy a yard. But I don't feel too horrible because inspiration struck:


Since the boy is going to a neighborhood Easter egg hunt on Sunday, it seems as if a basket is a necessity. And how could I resist that bunny fabric?

I'm really happy with how it turned out—and pretty proud too, because it's my own design! :) I enjoyed making it, so I think another is in my future. Another baby friend has a birthday in a couple of weeks, and I think a basket with a couple goodies might just be the perfect gift.