Cat nip toys

I am pretty sure I have blogged about these before but I was making more for the bazaar this weekend and thought they were worth repeating.

I sew 2 charm squares together on 3 sides and turn them right sides out. I do not clip the corners nor do I press the seams...seams to make the toy puffier.

Partially fill each bag with 'nip, home grown of course! More is better but it depends on how much dried 'nip you have available. You will probably find that store bought is crushed pretty fine and probably ok in a pinch but we just let the leaves dry and don't crush them. The cats will do that later as they play with the toys  :)

This part is a little hard to explain but pinch the open end together at the seams, turning all edges in 1/4" and edge stitch the ends together. This will give you a weird shape that my cats find easier to carry around :) Give the toy a little shake to spread out the 'nip.

Once the toys are completed, they must be tested by the local QCOs...

I have spent over an hour trying to upload an adorable 15 sec video of Squeaks playing with the pile of toys but I had to give up on it. Sorry. Would love any suggestions to get it loaded...

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Warning: catnip can cause extreme bursts of energy for your QCOs

Feline Friday - 4/13/12

TGIF the 13th!!!

We could think of nothing better to share today than lazy, sunny days!

Pepper finally gets to sit in "his" chair but only because his chair stealing
sissy is taking advantage of the heater vent.

Midgie's normal grumpy look when Momma won't hand over the treats being demanded.

Squeaky is ever on window patrol...
in fact this morninng she noticed the neighborhood stray was lounging in the sun on our porch.
Too bad the stray is uber-skittish...

Feline Friday - 3/16/12

Remember the macaroni salad I made Tuesday?

With tuna fish?

That meant there was tuna flavored water and I had three pussycats who were eager to partake!




PS - I am thinking one of my cats is (partially) deaf due to some things that happened this week and that could explain some of her "normal" actions.

I've tried calling her name and snapping finger behind her head but clapping my hands was inconclusive. Any suggestions on how to test for deafness? She responds when I talk to her face to face but not necessarily when I call her from across the room.  TIA.

Design Wall Monday - 3/12/12

I've managed to get the center of my batik quilt together! It feels really small compared to some of the other quilts I've worked on recently. I know it still needs the borders (and I had planned 3  which would make it 48" x 57") but I'm actually considering adding another border of HST to make it bigger.

On one hand I would just like to just get it done as is but on the other hand I would like something usable. Mom says the current size is great for a lap quilt, which is true but not really my style as I want to be *covered* by a couch quilt, or I could use it instead of the cream afghan to cover the ottoman, a fav pussycat hangout. Washing a quilt or afghan is much easier than cleaning the upholstered ottoman. What do you think - finish it as planned or make it bigger?

Ooh ooh – almost forgot I took this next picture. I think this loud striped fabric would make a fun border or even the binding. The colors are spot on!

I also wanted to tell you about 2 squishies I’ve received in the last week. Bonnie had Yard Sale Saturday back on 3/3/12 and I purchased this great neutral with roosters from Julie. She even included the cutest quilt label for me.

Back on Leap Day I entered several give-aways on a Leap Day Linky Party. I actually won one of them from Jen at Quilter’s Daughter !! It did kinda throw me for a loop when I picked up the package at the post office this weekend as Quilter's Daughter is the name of our LQS (my next stop after the PO) and I had to think for a minute what would be in the squishy.



Midgie and I were bummed that the post office clerk crossed out the stamps
when they hadn't been properly postmarked.



I won 5 green FQs and a spool of green silk thread for hand quilting. Thanks Jen!!

NewFO and UFO Thursday - February Report

Lets do UFO's first -

My UFO Challenge for this month was to work on my Orca Bay Quilt.  As you may recall from earlier this month, I completed 30 blue string blocks. I had plans to do more last weekend or even last night before midnight but it didn't happen. My goal for the month was to make progress on the quilt and I did... I just never thought to take a picture.

One of my own goals for the year was to finish my "florabunda" quilt based on an antique that Bonnie Hunter encouraged us to all work on starting last year as leader-enders. I finished the top, now called Kangaroo Walkabout, this month and even bought the batting. I still need to piece the back and get it sandwiched.

Now, on to the NewFOs...

My designated project for the month was to work on my broderie perse project. I didn't get far but it is started! I cut the green batik for the sashings. I was too timid to cut into the koi fabric and that's as far as I got. I never took a photo of the cut parts, nor did I remember to grab the EQ file. Can you guess what I'll be working on in March?

This months doll quilt was based on broken dishes or half square triangles. Not having the book to get the pattern from, I doodled in EQ which also let me play with color placement. This is the design I settled on:

The original design had more random color placement and a little heart stitchery in the center block. I've picked out the following fabrics (still deciding on the borders: rightmost fabrics) and planned to make a heart shaped yoyo for the center.

My last new project for the month, started on a whim 4 days before the month ended, was another Bonnie inspired project. You may recall that I came across some half square triangles and a pattern almost simultaneously. I again doodled in EQ to come up with this layout based on Bonnie's original design and my lack of 16 more HST:

The colors are not correct at all since the HST are all batiks...it was just easier to doodle this way. The two purple borders could turn out to be anything and I'll be going to the LQS tomorrow to see what strikes my fancy. As you can see in the following photo, I do have a neutral stripe that would be fun as sashing, border or binding. There is also a chunk of the neutral used in each of the HST blocks available to use. I also have that wild orangey fabric that I got from a sale bin. I originally thought it would work for backing but what about outer border? I don't think there is enough for both places. Tell me what you think before I go to the store tomorrow. Please don't make me make my own decision!!

Feline Friday - 2/17/12

What's a girl to do when it's snowing and blowing?

Well, of course, you snuggle under your quilt next to the "fire" :)

it's ALL about the chocolate today!

What do you get for your sweethearts when they don't eat chocolate?
Stinky goodness, of course! And nothing else could make them happier.

I made these chocolate cookies for my coworkers. They are actually store bought sugar cookie dough and you mix in instant coffee, cocoa powder and cream. They come across as a little strong but well worth it.

My boss bought me a chocolate cupcake from Sweet Sarah's (a great little ice cream shoppe with a chocolatier and gift shop of locally made items). Yes, those are pink lips on top :)

My friends from the LQS brought me a plate of homemade cupcakes and cookies. Sorry - couldn't take them out of the bag unless I wanted to sacrifice frosting and that would be horrific.

And tonight is "Chocolate in the Stacks." Think of your small town library with EVERY surface either covered by Chinese auction baskets or chocolate confections of all types. There are at least 60 baskets filled with goodies from local businesses and artists (remember my mugrug? Hah! Called myself an artist) and since I'm not afraid to be loud, I get to call out the winning tickets for the auction.

Chocolate....yumm!!!

Feline Friday - 2/10/12

Hmm...maybe this isn't the best or most pleasant view...

...but when there is fresh 'nip to be had (yes, in Midgie's box!) they aren't shy about anything!

Feline Friday - 1/13/12

I don't know if kitties have superstitions or not but today we wish you a Happy Friday the 13th!!

The kids were happy this morning to get a wet food snack...which for Squeaky means she gets to lick the spoon as well. Midgie helps with the licking but really wants a plate full so she lets Squeakers finish up while she goes to the living room to wait for me to deliver little plates of food for everyone.

Can you see her sweet little tongue?

UFO Thursday - 1/12/12

I'm afraid there aren't going to be too many pictures today. You see when I went to grab the fabric I bought for this project it was no where to be found and I mean no where cuz I searched every "where" I could think of. Until... on the drive to work this morning, I think I remember putting the new fabric back in the drawer where the leftovers to this project were found. Humph...who puts stuff away where it belongs? Must have been the cats!

As you may recall from last week, my UFO for the month is my Blooming 9-Patch. When I went to take pictures last week I found the top was together and threatened to make you guys pick border fabric for me. Unfortunately, for you guys, when I layed out the scraps from making the center it was rather obvious to me where I should go with the borders. Yup - I went to the LQS!

The orange fabrics were both used in the quilt but I just felt there was already enough orange and eliminated them quickly. The fabric on the left is a pinky-purple that matched the pinky purple in the orange fabric on the far side  (I had bought it in case I wanted another round on the center) but it just doesn't match the purple in the center. I think there is plenty of the green in the foreground and I'm happy with that.

I purchased a half yard each of light and dark mottled purples to use for inner borders. Should I go simple and get it done or do something pieced? Unless someone has a simple pieced idea it's going to be something simple. I also bought a lime green for the binding. I think there will be enough scraps to piece the back, which I've never done but there's a first for everything...

Feline Friday - 1/6/12

It looks like they are having some kind of conference. I would have to guess that Pepper is questioning why he has to have the little red bed when he is more than twice the size of Midgie in the blue bed.

I have thought of getting a third bed. I usually only have that blue bed by the heater and the 3 rotate thru - kind of a move it and lose thing. There is also a kids stuffed rocking chair that Pepper and Squeaky take turns in plus tons of other spots - there is no lack of cozy places. I even thought of getting a big dog bed for the three to sit in together. Ok it was a fleeting thought cuz I KNOW that little Midgie would take over the whole thing!

Feline Friday - 12/30/11

Wow - it's already the last FF of the year. The pussycats and I plan to ring in the New Year in style - thanks to a coupon and gift card I'll be having lobster tail and I'll give the cats some of their fav wet food. Otherwise I'll be sewing sewing sewing. What more could a girl ask for?!

Part of my job is town & county tax collector and I pull escrows and seal/stamp them at home in the evenings the week between Xmas and New Years. They are delivered in a nice big box which became kitty central this week. I was thrilled that each of the 3 took turns in the box, altho I never saw two in it at a time. We tossed treats and toys in and out of it and I even saw Squeaky jump over the box while Midgie was in it. All this fun from some free cardboard - and it didn't even require nip!

Yup - that would be a Squeaky leg - she came to see why I was lying on the floor (which clearly need a good swiffering) with the flashy box.

Happy New Year - we'll be back on Tuesday...

Feline Friday - 12/23/11

Warning - grainy, night time cell phone photo alert...

Sunday night, about 10 minutes after I went to bed I had to run to a rescue call. I left the bed a mess and the electric blanket on. When I came home later there was no greeting committee downstairs waiting for me - very strange indeed as there is usually at least one pussycat waiting for me.

Instead I found all three on the warm bed! They stretched from edge to edge along the foot of my full size mattress yet still managed to touch each other in some way. I had to lay almost crosswise to get myself some leg room. No, I didn't move them because it's so unusual for the three to be "cuddling."

I probably won't be posting again until next Tuesday... In the meantime, Pepper, Midgie, Squeaky and I wish you and yours a Very Meowwy Catmas!

Feline Friday - 12/16/11

Togetherness!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Hierarchy or just a happy threesome?

Feline Friday - 11/25/11

There is nothing better here at CasaGrande (according to 3 of the occupants) than a batch of fresh catnip toys. I was really making them for the craft sale this past weekend but the pussycats knew what I was working on and let me know it. They just wouldn't leave me alone.

Pepper and Midgie like to eat their nip but they all like to roll in it as well...hence the leaves ground into the carpet. Midgie also liked licking the new toys. I only sell Kitty tested and approved toys! Squeaky likes to carry them around but it's impossible to get a picture of that.

Later, the empty box became a great toy for Squeaky to play with: putting toys in and out, scratching, sniffing and the like. Midgie just wants a turn at the box...

Feline Friday - 11/11/11

Look Momma - it snowed again!

But no birdies in the birdie-vision yet...

Yeh - but I've got the best (and warmest) seat in the house - Momma's lap!

Hey dudette's - You forgot to say Thanks!!! and wish everyone a Happy Veteran's Day!

Design Wall Monday - 10/31/11

Sunday I worked on finishing this table topper - the top was already pieced and it was actually sandwiched. I merely had to quilt and bind the little sucker :)

I quilted a grid over the 4 arrowhead blocks and then used one of my favorite patterns (can't remember the book title at the moment) to create this pinwheel type effect. I understand she will or does have a second book out so I'll be looking for it at IQF-Houston since I didn't get in to her class.

The border just has 4 rows of straight quilting around the center. Simple but effective.

Feline Friday - 10/14/11

Last Monday, while on a quick trip to get more gas for the stupid lawnmower, I finally remembered to swing by Mom & Dad's to check on this year's catnip crop. I've tried to grow catnip at my house, particularly where I had "planted" Tula but the neighbor cats rolled in and killed the poor plant. I don't begrudge the neighbor cats, I just didn't feel it was worth it to grow 'nip at my house and not expect any crop for my own pussycats. Mom and I walked their 2 acre yard and only found 2 plants. It was a pretty crummy crop this year and I'll probably blame it on the weather just as with everything else. We spread what seeds we found so hopefully next year will be more bountiful.

My kids love to eat or roll in 'nip but I also like to make small cloth bags of nip to sell or give as gifts. I've had people buy 1 and call for more because their cats went berserk. I think it's the local/organic versus store bought conversation all over again.

I bought my gas, came home to throw the nip on top of a table, put some fresh nip out for the 3 babes and finished mowing the stupid lawn. I came back into the house for a drink and found little Midgie sitting on the table in the middle of the undisturbed 'nip. Only after I chastised her did she start rolling in it. She knows she isn't supposed to be on the table but I can't blame her...it's good stuff!

Needless to say the 'nip is now in a plastic shoebox on the top of the fridge so it can dry.

Feline Friday - 9/30/11

One of these pussycats is not like the others...
The winner gets to take a ride in the PTU tomorrow morning to the rabies clinic...