Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells–Meowing All the Way!

I made an executive decision yesterday morning.

It was unavoidable. There was no other choice. These two are being moved from the house in North Carolina up to the Quiltville Post Office in Virginia.

Son Jeff always said that he would stay and care for Jason’s cats until Sadie crossed the rainbow bridge. That was 6 weeks ago. And life moves on in the realm of adult children, just as it should. With a new job, a committed relationship, and his whole life ahead of him, he is spreading his wings and soaring into his future unable to really care for these 2 cats that weren’t really his to begin with.  I get it. I do.  I thank him for his extreme efforts, but it is time to move on.

Son Jason is in Portland, Oregon and unable to care for Dresden, 13 and Lola 11. Emmy Lou turns 20 this coming year and doesn't deserve the stress that these two additional cats give her either. Therefore, they are to become Post Office cats and keep me company until Emmy Lou crosses in due time. At that point these two will be moved to the cabin to live out the rest of their days together.

I loaded up the van with everything that we needed, including more shipping supplies and more cases of books and headed out on a very loud 100 mile drive with cats meowing all the way!

What else can you do, but turn up the music and SING!?

They actually did very well.  Dresden settled in and mostly just slept.  I had him in the front passenger seat facing me, and could scratch his chin through the grate.  Lola doesn’t yowl.  She just softly mewed, She was just behind the center console where she could also see me, and I could reach fingers in through her grate for chin scratches as well – when she would let me.

Hello, sweet Lola!

It’s not ideal – before they had the run of the entire house, upstairs, downstairs and all around.  The QPO is much smaller – but here they will have daily people contact, versus solitary for days on end.

I almost didn’t post about this – fearing that another ugly hand-written and unsigned accusatory letter would find its way to me, stating disdain that I would bring these cats into my space next door to Quiltville Inn.  But I need to listen to my own heart more than I need to listen to other people’s opinions. (So don’t bother wasting the stamp, okay?)

As stated, Dresden is now 13.  Lola is 11.  They will be moved to the cabin in due time, but for now – they will bring me purrs and smiles and cuddles and meowy conversation on a daily basis.

They are now also close enough that friends can check in on them if I happen to be gone for a few days at a time.

Anti-Cat-Mat!

As I was grabbing the carriers out of the storage area, I spied this rolled up carpet runner, remembering just what I used it for early on.  When placed pokey-side-up it will keep cats from using the loaded quilting machine as a cat hammock.

Those of you with quilting machines and studio cats may find this to be a bit helpful!  I’ve used it for years and it really does keep them away.  Those little kitty paws don’t like the pokies.

While they explored -

The mama quilted!

It only needed about 3 rows to be finished – but there was no time for trimming and binding last night.  Friends Martha and Don suggested we meet them for dinner at our favorite Log Cabin Diner, about 4 miles up the road from Quiltville Inn.  The special was grilled shrimp, and it was yummy!  We actually closed the place down as we sat and laughed and chatted. 

I stopped back at the QPO to check on things before heading back to the cabin, and all was well. The binding application can happen today.

Quilted with Holly Berries by Urban Elementz

Thinking of binding it in green – at least that is the plan.

Our 50% off pattern of the month is my Hunter's String Star! You know how much I adore string quilts, and you can be printing, cutting and stitching up this beauty in your favorite colors in minutes! Sale price good through the month of December only.

When you receive your download links email, please read the READ ME file first so you know where your file is saved when you hit download. For best results download to a real computer first saving the file to where you know how to find it. Click the saved file and open to print. Once you have saved your file you may easily transfer it to your iPad, tablet or other mobile device.

There is also a file showing you WHERE to find saved PDF files on your Ipad if you don't know where they go. I hope you find this helpful.

And how about another goodie for those on your Christmas list?

Celebrate important dates with a quilty keepsake calendar

Keep birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions at your fingertips forever.This is a perpetual calendar you can use year after year. Filled with more than 70 of my own quilts, inspiring quotes and quips and bonus quilting essentials in the back of this special keepsake planner,  you can easily stash it in your purse, at your desk, or by the sewing machine.

For the month of December only, you can grab my Quilter’s Date Keeper for just $9.99!

Our Quiltville Goes to Bavaria project pattern for Warm Hands, Warm Heart is now available for everyone! You'll find the easy to follow PDF pattern full of full-color photos and helpful hints in the digital pattern section of the Quiltville Store where all of the other Digital Goodies live!

Quiltville Quote of the Day!

Vintage quilt found in North Carolina.

When I found this quilt at an antique mall I smiled.

One little pinwheel gone wrong, yet how much of this has gone right?

How often do we focus on the one flaw instead of the beauty that surrounds it?

I love the insight into this Quilter's life because it makes her human!

Have a wonderful Tuesday – I’m heading in to the QPO to check on a couple of furry felines!