Kennel Liners Delivered

It was a beautiful day on the eastern plains today when I went out to the National Mill Dog Rescue facility to deliver the kennel liners.

One eager volunteer gave me a whirlwind tour and explained that most of the dogs had been picked up this morning to be fostered as the facility was getting ready for 80 more dogs that were being brought in from rescue attempts in Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas.

It boggles the mind that people run these kind of doggie sweatshops to get puppies. So sad the state of humanity.

The folks with this rescue are doing some amazing things to rescue dogs of all breeds and try to help them find some normalcy for the rest of their days. If you would like to learn more, click here.

Charm School 4 - Homework

The last charm school of the year is the Friday before Thanksgiving. It is one that has lots of little pieces so I got my supplies and consulted with the instructor on how much homework I could do.

The pattern we are using is from Miss Rosie Quilts called Little Bites Chip. I am using a blend of two charm packs - Sweet Pea by Kansas Troubles Quilters and Seasonal Little Gatherings by Primitive Gatherings; both by Moda.

The prework I can do includes chain piecing 50+ pieces together to make the half square triangles (the picture shows all chain pieced and ready to cut them apart). I got a new tool that helps speed up the chain piecing cut aparts.

Once they are cut apart I can square them up and lay them out to get ready to sew the center block. I know that a three hour class is not enough time to get to the point section and that is where I will need to understand the construction part. So I will be there when I walk in the door in about two weeks.

More later when I have another good picture to show. Happy sewing to all!

Happy Veteran's Day

Thank you for your service to our country and for our protection.

Break for Beading Class

While I was meeting with my craft coach a couple weeks ago, we wondered into the White Rabbit Beads shop in Old Colorado to find red beads to use for eyes for the bats she was needle felting.

There was a bracelet in the store that caught our eye and the owner told us she was giving a class on how to make them.

So we signed up for the class and another of my co-workers joined us. It was a fun evening of playing with beads and incorporated sewing skills so it was not too far out of the range of things I know how to do.

The one pictured is not quite finished and is meant for my mom's birthday next week. I have to get going on the last 40 beads (bracelet takes 250 beads (4mm) and makes up to about 30 inches long to wrap 4-5 times around your wrist).

Happy crafting to all!

41 Kennel Liners for Donation

This project I did for a co-worker who has been cleaning out her aunt's house. Both she and her aunt are critter people so I thought this was the best use of the flannels and polar fleece that she brought me.
The co-worker is writing up the donation note in memory of her aunt and will deliver them this week to whichever animal rescue/shelter she has decided on.

Pedro offered his help by holding down the ones to be sewn while watching the finished pile grow next to him.

Mat for Cat

No, not Pedro; I did this one for my friend CatWithCats.

I got to meet up with her recently for lunch and a visit to the quilt shop, Sewceity, in Castle Rock.

This mat was made from the scraps of the sashed placemat test I blogged about earlier this fall. 

She can use this one at work if she likes; it adds that homey touch to your desk space, or at home.

Our visit to Sewciety netted a treasure trove of fine fabric choices for her, she blogged about them and her upcoming mystery quilt challenge led by Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville.

Happy end of fall to you all~!

Modern quilting ideas

In the recent months I have become excited about the modern look of quilts that use traditional blocks that tweaked to achieve a fresh, new look.

I just got to read through the new book The Modern Quilting Bee Block Party that tells about virtual block party's. It has some great ideas and the gals that were involved have good blogs.

So, I have added some of this blogs to my blogroll under Sewing Inspiration for anyone interested. I love the look of the wonky blocks especially and have plans to use up some of my scraps to make a bed runner out of at least four different ones.

Note: the picture is borrowed from wombatquilts.com - it is a great representation of what I am playing with. Thank you.

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