Sunday, August 23, 2020

Both Sad & Glad on Slow Stitching Sunday...

Hello - I know, I know... it was been a while since I checked in here... 2 weeks ago I had nothing blogworthy to talk about... and last week was a difficult one where I didn't want to talk... that said, let me get the sad news out of the way and then I can end on a happy note...

If you've read this blog for any time at all you've seen pictures of the world's most awesome cat, Big Dude...I'm sad to tell you that last week Big Dude went over the rainbow bridge... I knew he was slowing down... I've had him for 10 years but he entered my life as a full grown stray, so he was at least 11 - 12 years old, maybe older... he stopped eating and drinking and his breathing became quite labored... I took him to the vet who diagnosed congestive heart failure... nothing could be done, so I had to make the call to have him put to sleep... it broke my heart. Luckily the vet allowed me and my son Chris to stay with him till the end...I can hardly type this without getting weepy... I catch glimpses of him every where I turn in this little house... he was a constant companion and the house is empty without him... he was a legend who inspected my work and kept watch over the bird feeders from his perch on the back of the couch...


Rest in peace my sweet boy...



So I'll dry my tears for a bit here and shift to some crafty stuff...  I'm been monogamously stitching on Elliott's stocking...



got LOTS of the background done... realized the other day that the train I wanted to stitch in the space where I painted out the present, is too big to fit... arghh... need to come up with another plan... and get Elliott's name graphed for the top ....

And I spent some time with my sewing machine and put together another version of the 2 x 4 quilt done with a jelly roll this time...here's a link to the free pattern on Cluck Cluck Sew ....

I started with a vintage jelly roll from Sandy Gervias called "Fall Back in Time"... price on the tag, hand written, $27.50.... I did add bits and pieces from other Sandy Gervias Fall fabric collections and I alternated the 2 x 4 blocks with some Chiffon Grunge... this is gold-ier in real life... 



I began making blocks that paired 2 fabrics... 






and about halfway in I switched it up and made scrappier ones...






I really love the scrappy ones...

I'm putting this in the mail today to Quilting by David... I picked a panto with pumpkins...  hope to have it on my bed by mid-September. 

On the decorating scene I have 2 more vignettes to share... first is my display box in my kitchen... I continued the chicken theme in here with a bit of Pineberry Lane cross stitch and some Rae Dunn pieces and some chicken cookie jars...



And on the small yellow cabinet in the living room, more chickens mingle with a cross stitch pillow from Nikyscreations called Summer Scissors Sampler....




Not much on the calendar for this week... dinner with Chris and his family tonight... dinner with friends Monday night... weather hot, humid and no rain... want to stay focused on finishing Elliott's stocking but may spent some time quilting... I want to play with an idea I saw  here  on Instagram .... 


This is the Disappearing 9 Patch pattern done with layer cakes.... I sewed together 9  10" blocks like I would for a Disappearing 9 Patch and realized that it will be almost impossible to cut the resulting 29" block on my cutting table. I'm going to try again by cutting the layer cakes into 5" x 10" pieces and 5" x 5" pieces along with 10" squares and assemble blocks that way... we shall see how it  turns out.  I think it would make a nice quilt with my American Jane fabrics... I have at least a half dozen I  her layer cakes...and a new collection is coming any day now... 

Well I'll link up with Kathy's Quilts today... may sit on the sunroom porch and needlepoint a while... I love sitting out there but oh I miss having the Dude's company with me... I believe he thought I had the space enclosed just for him... and maybe I did...

Hope you have a great week ahead...

happy stitching-
carol fun

23 comments:

  1. Carol I am so very, very sorry for the loss of Big Dude. I unfortunately know how it feels to have that awful hole in your heart when a pet dies. Take care my friend. I am praying for you.💗

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  2. So sad to read of your loss, as a mum to two older cats, I share your pain, with Grace everyday is a bonus, I’m lucky she is in good health for now. Love the new project taken from Pinterest, can wait to see your design.

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  3. Tons of hugs! It is hard to lose any pet, but I think cats are the hardest.
    Disappearing 9-patch...Your plan for cutting the layer-cake up, is how I made a king-sized one doing quilt-as-you-go. I had a lot of fun turning the stack of blocks this-a-way and that-a-way until I had to sew the blocks up or miss the deadline for sending it off as a wedding gift.

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  4. So very sorry about Big Dude, it's never easy.

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  5. Such sad news about Big Dude - lots and lots of healing hugs!!!

    Your quilt with Sandy Gervais prints is fabulous and I can't wait to see the next one with Sandy Klop (American Jane) prints. Enjoy every stitch in whatever you choose to spend your day doing.

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  6. So sad to hear of your loss. But our sewing,stitching and quilting is good therapy!

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  7. Your stocking is looking great! So sorry about losing your fur baby... you'll need more stitching time to grieve.

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  8. So sorry about losing Big Dude. Your stocking is coming along great though!

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  9. Carol, sorry to hear about Big Dude; I know he was your constant companion.

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  10. Oh Carol, my heart aches for you. I definitely know what you are going through. I had to do this twice this year and it was very difficult. Our pets are part of the family and we love them dearly. Sending lots of big hugs.

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  11. I think they take a piece of your heart with them as they go over the rainbow bridge so the won't be lonely

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  12. I am very sorry to hear about your Big Dude. Our pets are so much more than we can put into words. I understand that you see him everywhere in your home having experienced this with my Bud last year. May your creativity in the quilting room give you time for quiet reflections and memories of him as you are grieving.
    Connie W.
    c_s_wolfe@yahoo.com

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  13. Oh Carol, I am so sorry about Big Dude. I always enjoyed seeing him in your pictures. I could never have a pet as I am super allergic but I come from a family of pet lovers so I know how hard your loss is. I hope your quilting and stitching help you to feel better. I know how much stitching helps me. Take care my friend!!

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  14. So sorry about your cat. Pets give such unconditional love.

    I really like the quilt with the Sandy Gervais fabric. And your tabletop arrangements are very inviting.

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  15. I'm so sorry to read that you have lost your beautiful and much loved cat. It is true that once they have gone we catch glimpes of ghsm out of the corner of our eye. So sad for you, they are true companions indeed.

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  16. Oh, Carol. I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved Big Dude. I know there is a hole in your heart. I lost my Kat the Cat last year when a stray dog killed her.I had her for about 10 years as well ,and she was a doll. I always love seeing your photos of your lovely vignettes, stitching and quilting. You always spark a bit of energy and creativity in me when I see what you have been working on. I hope you have a blessed week and thank you so much for sharing

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  17. I'm so sorry to hear your sad news. Losing such a wonderful guy is so difficult, I'm sorry. :-(

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  18. Carol, I am so sorry about the loss of Big Dude. It is so difficult.

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  19. I'm so very sorry! I loved your posts with the Big Dude in it! 😔

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  20. Lovely quilt you shared along with the 2 displays! Carol, I am so sorry to read about Big Dude's passing. Thinking of you.

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  21. Your post and picture made me weepy all over again. We had the same decision 2 weeks ago tomorrow. Our 19 year old tuxedo cat. My heart goes out to you. It’s such a hard decision. On a happier note - love those blocks!

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  22. It's so hard to lose a pet. They give us so much love, and make our lives so much better. I feel for you and your loss. Just know that we are right there with you (okay not right there - but cyber right there.) I do love all your cute decor. So lovely and fun.

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