It is so awesome to have the retreat so full of happy quilters once again.
I felt like this winter was never going to end....and yet, just a few weeks later we have reached the point where Hubster Dave had to come remove the storm window from behind the kitchen window so we could open up the little wing windows and let some fresh air in because the kitchen was getting too hot with all of the wondrous food making going on!
The team of terrificness!
I mean, really?!
And this was just brunch! What a great way to start the day. And yes, it was enjoyed out on the porch.
The weather was so nice that I was able to grab a group of gals eager to experience a dirt road hike Appalachian style with me:
Sunshine and short sleeves - in MARCH!
I'm getting the biggest kick out of my Minnesota girls who are "All here for this!"
And though this winter -
It looks like this old tumble down cabin has survived yet again.
No cattle were seen - I guess they haven't been brought in, or turned loose or whatever happens to get them to where we get to say hello to them. Soon. Hopefully soon.
While half the group went to hit up the quilt shop, the other half were busy sewing and sharing finishes they brought - Scrappy Mountain Majesties from the Free Patterns tab in gorgeous fall colors!
And the flip side!
Yes, that border is a cheater print that she didn't know what else to do with - it works perfectly here for a two sided quilt!
It's really easy to make "too many" of this block because they are so fun to make. I'm teaching this one at a retreat workshop next month and if you haven't made one yet, maybe what I post will encourage you to dig in. It works so great with large squares of fabric - fun way to dig into fat quarters that have been sitting just waiting for the right project.
Boxy Stars is also a fun one from the Free Patterns tab shown here in cute 1930s reproduction prints.
This quilt is a great Jelly Roll Friendly one - unwrap that Jelly Roll and dig in!
Progress is being made on the beginnings I shared in yesterday's post. You'll find pattern info there.
One minute we had a block layout happening -
And the next time I turned around it was up on the design wall. On to the next block!
Smith Mountain Morning from Scraps & Shirttails II is plugging along. I love these browns and blues together - such a favorite combo.
Now onto those star point units!
A cute "I spy A Four Patch!" for a grand baby!
Also from the from the Free Patterns tab.
SO MANY LITTLE TRIANGLES!
Turned into this!
Morning Glories is coming along! Now up to the red blocks as the blue blocks are done!
Something Sew Kind of Wonderful is coming together here!
And yes - I did get in to a BIT of sewing.
Ready for a trim up???
I only wish it was really this fast!
Ready to de-paper!
I brought my pieces and a small trash can out here to the porch where others had gathered to stitch bindings and do a bit of applique!
And I just may have lingered longer than it took me to remove the papers because the afternoon was so lovely.
And we were even serenaded by the Bovine Brigade!
And watched closely by Flash.
And since it is Caturday, after all - Here's a Tula update!
She is more herself now than she has been for weeks. I think this week's vet visit will put her firmly on the mend. She has been affectionate, demanding food and treats, arching her back and holding her tail high for pets, and feeling comfortable enough to start lounging in various areas of the main floor instead of keeping herself up against the loft rail upstairs.
She even came close while I was sitting on the couch and sprawled. She is definitely feeling better.
So to any naysayers who said I should have just put her down and put her out of her misery....Bite me. You don't love this girl the way I do. You don't believe in her worth the way I do. She is maybe 3 years old at this point, with a long and happy life ahead of her and she has gone through so much, but she is a fighter. I firmly believe that.
We will not give up on Tula.
We are all in this together, and we all feel unsure of ourselves sometimes.
Lead with your head, but listen to your heart!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
33 comments:
I cannot believe that anyone would have the audacity to even suggest that you “just put her down” no one has the right to tell you that. I’m so happy she is feeling better. Good for you for believing In her and loving her sooo much. Fran in Wa
I look forward every morning to read your blog. I enjoy the pictures and the progress of Tula.
Yes we do not give up on our pets. we are nursing our 12 year old yorkie back to health. she got injured out of town and that vet did not want to do much for her so had them bandage her and came home to our vet he is treating her wound and said she will recover. just take love and faith they will be with us a while longer.
So good to get a "things are looking up" update on Tula. Thank you for loving her and believing in her.
Beautiful Mountain Majesty quilt and Boxy Stars. Glad Tula is coming around. It's been a journey. Thank you and Dave for saving her life.
I'm so happy that Tula is feeling better! And I love the Bite Me comment! I'm sorry you have to deal with all those judgmental posts. I know you delete those, and I hope you are able to push those away from your thoughts, though I know for me, hurtful comments have a way of sticking with me. I hope you know most of us out here feel like we are connecting with a dear friend when we read your blog and support and love you in everything you do!
We all love our pets, never give up! We used to have a kitty the same colors as Tula, her name was Peanuts.
You are a kitty angel and it warms my heart how much care and love (and money) you invest in these strays. They are the lucky ones to have found you and Dave. Do you have a pattern name for the paper piece blocks you are making now? Love them.
I've been thinking of making "I Spy a 4 Patch" and the picture made up my mind.
Tula will thank you over her long life. Ellen Thompson
To those naysayers: Tula is not "just a cat" she's family. Thank you for taking good care of her. She's worth it. I would, and have done the same.
- Sandee Margeson (another cat lady) 🐈
Thanks so much, Bonnie! I love your blog, it always uplifts me, and I never ever tire of hearing about your dogs and cats, esp miss Tula! She is such a pretty girl. All that calico fluff. Glad to hear she's feeling better. And I'm pleased to see Flash hanging around. I wish people wouldn't dump cats on your corner and I love how you help them. This weekend I'm working on Silk Path and looking forward to getting some warm dry weather in the near future! ☺️
You go,Tula! Such a beautiful pet to have and worth every penny - love her!
Amen to what Karen & Zoe said! A personal blog is just that. If someone doesn't like or agree with you, they can go follow someone else. I like the positive comments and love reading the blog. Keep on going Bonnie! Kathy M.
I am so very glad Tula has you. It makes me very sad that people would suggest you should put her down. And I am very relieved to hear she is recovering better now, and is feeling more herself. Your cats (and dogs) are very lucky to have you as their 'human'.
Bite me! 😂, I ❤️ it. I haven't been using that enough lately, will have to rotate that back in. LOL! Thanks for the giggle, Bonnie.
The tiny triangles are made into Antique Lace block. I used some cut off triangles to make a mini Quilt. They only take one block. Happy Quilters at you Inn! Glad you got a hike with them. Memories!
The tiny triangles are made into Antique Lace block. I used some cut off triangles to make a mini Quilt. They only take one block. Happy Quilters at you Inn! Glad you got a hike with them. Memories!
Good for you, Bonnie! So happy to see Tula on the mend. Fie on the naysayers!
Me too! definitely keeps me from falling too far into depression. Always beautiful quilts in progress to keep me inspired.
I can't believe someone would suggest putting Tula down! I'm a dog Mom & normally rescue the older ones from shelters. They're usually 9 or 10 yrs old. It's easy to place puppies or younger dogs than it is a senior dog. I normally have these dogs about 5 yrs before their health makes it necessary to put them down, which is so hard. I then search for another rescue. A year ago I was looking for a certain breed as my elderly neighbor loves this breed. I adopted an 11 mo old Shih Tzu & we share him! He's such a sweet boy! I've been through 2 expensive surgeries with him & as always take very good care of my rescues. They're my babies. You're a wonderful dog & cat momma, & your babies are so lucky to have you!! Bless you, Bonnie!!
Alice
I have been collecting blue & brown for a while...and have wanted to do Smith Mt since your presentation to the Stone House Guild years ago (I had just started quilting). Time to pull the trigger!
Great news on Tula! She is a pretty girl and a Warrior Princess!
I am with you Fran! I was shocked when I read that anyone would even think that! Wow, some people! Tula is so beautiful and sweet I want to hug on her! lol
Thursday morning I stirred up my inner ear balance problem cleaning the lint out of the bobbin area of my long arm. (Note to self: DO NOT lean to the left more than 90 degrees and then stand up at normal speed. You know better!) The darn disorientation literally threw me into a nearby fabric cupboard where my glasses flew, I bonked my forehead and scraped a knuckle on the cupboard door. Felt pretty normal by the time I'd checked in the bathroom mirror that nothing was going to bleed on the quilt I was working on. The rest of that day went fine, but getting out of bed Friday morning all the dizziness and subsequent nausea came back and this time wouldn't leave. Moving slowly, I got ready and left for a non-quilting volunteer obligation, taking an ice cream pail with me "just in case". The first client went OK but after having to excuse myself twice from the second client due to the nausea, I gave up and went home before lunchtime, when I would usually stay until 2 to 3 pm. Usually sitting very still will make the dizziness and nausea subside but when it continued, I then cancelled two more volunteer projects for today, no knowing how long it would last or whether getting up today would set it off again.. By about 1:30 pm things were some better and I got some laundry and other things done. I feel almost normal today, with a WHOLE DAY at home ahead of me. My housework might even get some attention. I think my body was just saying "you need a break".
So glad Tula is feeling better!
So glad to hear Tula is feeling better. Whatever the vet did yesterday seemed to work for her. Sounds like she's finally on the road to recovery.
There's no way we would have given up on her or one of our dogs...they're part of the family.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Janet Carroll
Your blog is always a ray of sunshine in my day. I love seeing all the lovely quilts your guests make and get inspiration from many of them. As for the unkind comments - ignore them as much as possible. I really enjoy hearing about your precious cats. I'm allergic to cats so I can't have one. Seeing you give them scratches, tummy rubs brings me joy. You are a very special person and I appreciate all you do for the quilting community and the fur baby world. Yvonne R.
I totally agree with you. They are must not be animal people. I do not want to even think about how much we spent on our 14 1/2-year-old schnauzer Karlin, before he crossed the rainbow bridge. He was my baby not a dog.
So happy Tula is finally on the mend :-)
I really don’t like the term ‘put down’ … I prefer to say ‘let go’, and you would only ‘let (the pet) go’ when there’s no other viable choice, not because it’s more convenient. Yaaay Tula … I just love her! Candy
Thank you for doing what is best for the cats in your life -- while there are definitely times when euthanasia is the best option, an easily treatable infection is not one of them. I love your quilts and I'm grateful for all the effort you put into your blog posts, but I confess that the entries showing the cats are always my favourites.
So glad Tula is feeling better!
She is absolutely beautiful. I have one colored similarly, but not with such long fur. I’m with you
Miss Tula is looking so perky compared to last time you shared her picture! Healing takes time, and some of those nasty infectious bugs are just so stubborn and resistant to the "usual". So proud of you going the extra as she continued to fight the nasty. Enjoy the blessings of all your fur babies. You are such a great kitty and doggie momma.
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