Quilt Show

I'm not a quilter, but at Jocebeane's suggestion, I headed over to our local quilt show this afternoon to look at the quilts on display and peruse the vendor section.  This year's theme was meant to be modern, but I have to admit, I tend to like the more traditional styles.  I was very amazed at the quilting and embroidery equipment on display -- unbelievable machinery!  Here are pictures of a few of the
quilts on display at the show.  I think they were all machine quilted, but I couldn't swear to it.

This is an applique quilt -- very intricate in design and in the quilting:

This is a small quilt of some of our national parks:

This is one of the modern ones I liked:

My very favorite quilts were actually from a vendor selling antique quilts and textiles -- they had the most beautiful things!  I especially loved the crazy quilts.  The quilting here was all hand-done and exquisite.

 

The above is actual 18th-century French toile!  Beautiful!  They had some other 18th-century French textiles as well as some English cloth made for the early 19th-century American market.

 

 Just above is the red English fabric as part of a quilt design.  I was so impressed with the quality and condition of the items in this booth!  They buy primarily in New England but also occasionally travel to France on buying trips.  So much fun to see all this!

Winston Wednesday

I'm a little late posting this as Wednesday is almost over, but I was having so much trouble with my picture downloads.  It is all sorted out now but was very frustrating!  Winston is doing well though he still has some sort of eye infection.  He has to start eye drops again and also some oral antibiotic.  GK still won't go near him and has moved in with the dogs.  Tiger and Winston have reached a detente of sorts -- most of the hissing and spitting has vanished.  Sam has stopped barking at him when he sees him in the hallway (behind the baby gate!) but Annie still barks, probably to show off for Sam.  Latest Winston photos:

With Tiger:

On my lap at the computer:

On BB's desk:

Weekend Round-up: Horse Show, Teapots, and Backyard romping

BB and Beau competed in a big Quarter Horse show this weekend, showing in western horsemanship and western pleasure.  They were meant to ride in English hunter under saddle and also compete in halter and showmanship, but BB got sick and she had to scratch the English and halter classes.  I didn't get very good pictures, but here are a few that I took.  Here they are, starting the pattern in horsemanship (you can see the three judges in the stands):

Here they are on the rail:

 

Here is a very good picture of BB and Beau taken last October -- you can see what a good horse he is:

Jocebeane has been lately scouring thrift shops and estate sales for teapots (and vintage sewing machines, but that is another story!).  I showed her the ones I have in my cupboards:

I had my yardman JM put mulch down over the dirt in the backyard so the dogs feet wouldn't get so muddy when its wet (it helps a little, but they still manage to get quite muddy).  It now looks like a full-fledged dog park in our backyard!  I wish we had nice places to walk & run like Tommy does at The Poupounette.  Here are Sammy and Annie romping about:

Finally, Winston found a hidden nap spot in the bathroom closet:

Sewing Table and Sunday Snooze-a-thon

Check out my new sewing table -- it has a recessed space so the sewing area is flush with the table.  I tried it out yesterday whilst sewing up rips in old sheets I use to protect the furniture from the animals. I love it!  Now I have to get to work on some sewing projects that got set aside the second half of last year.

Look was Jocebeane at the Whippy Curly Tails made for Annie when she first arrived.  Jocebeane has been designing and making the most wonderful quilts and is now selling her exclusive "cat mats."  I don't know how to quilt and I'm really just learning to sew.  Annie and her quilt:

Meanwhile, the weather has been cold and rainy, so GK has settled in for a long snooze from his new operation base in the den:

Feed the Birds!

It is very cold here, and the birds are really clamoring round the birdfeeders these days.  My old wooden feeders have gotten pretty broken down, so Annie and Sammy helped me put up a beautiful new feeder I got for Christmas.

My old feeders need some refurbishing:

 

The new feeder is up and ready for birds!

This is mostly how the dogs "helped":

Meanwhile, back inside, kitty snoozes are underway.  Gold Kitty is bravely on the bed with Tiger in the same wing of the house as Winston.  Every time GK gets a peek at Winston, GK hisses, growls, spits, and makes a general fuss while Winston watches him wondering what his problem is.

Here is Winston.  He is working hard to put on weight & I think has succeeded a bit.

Last snooze picture: Miss Kitty Mittens and Mousie from last week --

New Faces

In 2012, we lost our beloved Alice and Harry Kitty.  It was hard to adjust to life without them, but in 2013, we added some new family members we would like to introduce now. 

Meet Annie:

Annie came to live with us in April 2013.  BB found her on the local SPCA site and we loved the picture of her sweet face.  We found out that she had been adopted once and returned after three months and she was only about 10 months old.  When we met her, she would not make eye contact with us and was scared.  We couldn't leave her!  Since April, Annie has gained lots of weight and lots of confidence!  She loves chewie bones, playing with her big bother Sammy, and being outside. 

This is Miss Kitty Mittens of Pea Ridge.  She is about 7 months old and was born in Miss Karen's barn.  Kitty Mittens enjoys playing pounce and playing with her mousie. 

Our newest edition is Winston, an elderly gentleman cat we found lost/abandoned in our alley a week ago.  Winston is happy to be inside with food and a soft bed.  Tiger isn't much bothered by Winston, but Gold Kitty is having some trouble adjusting.  Having trouble uploading pictures now, so more pictures later!

Remembering Harry Kitty

 We are very saddened to report that Harry Kitty, a longtime resident of Pea Ridge, has passed away after a lengthy and courageous struggle with diabetes.  Harry Kitty was diagnosed with diabetes 5 years ago.  At that time, Dr. Marybeth thought Harry might survive another two years at the outside.  Harry Kitty defied the odds and lived five years with this serious illness, thanks in part to the excellent care he received from Dr. Marybeth as well as from Nana and Daddy Bill. 

Harry came to live in Pea Ridge in 1998 after being abandoned by unknown persons and rescued by LizzyBean.  His special story was related on this blog several years ago.  Harry blossomed in Pea Ridge; there could have been no better place for him to land.  Harry loved his great big yard in the country.

With all the attention he received from his new family, Harry became a very gregarious and outgoing kitty.  He spent much of his time on the kitchen table in the middle of any action.  Nana did not necessarily like Harry on the table during meals, but Harry didn't much care.  Harry loved to talk to everyone. 

 

 Harry especially enjoyed visits from BB and spent many hours with her playing Baby Born (Harry liked to lick Baby Born's head), My Little Pony, and Barbie.  He just liked hanging out with her at any age, no matter what she was doing.

Harry enjoyed his yard, snacking, taking naps, and hanging out with his family.  
 

We will miss you, beautiful and funny Harry Kitty.