Monday, August 15, 2011

Pets on Quilts

(edited .. I forgot that Freeservers doesn't allow linking so I've edited the post to upload the same pictures from my computer.  Sorry 'bout that!)

SewCalGal burst upon the blogging scene with a big, ol' bang in February 2009 and hasn't slowed down at all!  One of the items that she continually blogs about are giveaways and contests.  Her current giveaway is connected with her Pets on Quilts Show.    Blog about your own quilts with pets on them, quilts with pet motifs,  EQ6/EQ7 designs, Quilt Art, Machine Embroidered quilts....all with a pet theme ..provide a link back to your own blog on her blog and you've entered the show!








Naturally, I needed to take a trip down memory lane to see what quilts I have that qualify!  Beware!  my goodness this turned out to be a LONG entry!

During the construction phase, most of the time, I wage a battle with our resident cats to keep them FROM sitting on my quilts.  But, cats being cats, they seem to find the SMALLEST area of fabric and then occupy it.  It's a continual, on-going battle.  Unless I'm creative, they win.  :-)

 First we have "You Can't See Me".  Little Paw, our tortoiseshell, hides face first in the Lumiere de Noel quilt I made in November 2010. 










Also in November, I was working the appliqued border for a Carpenter's Wheel quilt.  I stepped away from my work for just a minute and when I returned, there she was ... keeping it from floating away.






 (As is usual, my piecing goes faster than my quilting, so the Carpenter's Wheel is still at the flimsy stage.)









In September 2010, I made a small quilt for my niece's toddler.  Unbelievably, I gave it to her without taking a picture of the finished quilt!  Oy!  What a doofus!

The quilt was made from a pre-printed panel and appliqued blocks.  This was the first time I had tried faux trapunto and was pleased it came out looking so nicely!
In August 2010, I started working on twelve embroidered blocks of dresses from the 1950's called "Dress Me Up".  I finished the last embroidered block in April 2011 ... and it's also a WIP.  I haven't even sashed the blocks!

But, Little Paw was helping me by anchoring whatever block I was working on.





I was also working on 4-Patch and Furrows in August of 2010.

I got a 2-fer for this quilt.  Both Sneaker (our tuxedo cat) and Little Paw, in a very rare display of detente, snuggle into the quilt.
(Here's the completed 4-Patch and Furrows.  I gotta remember to make a page for it!)









In June 2010, I was working on my Equilateral Triangles.  Little Paw not only makes sure that quilts are snuggle-tested and hand-work doesn't float away but she also CLOSELY supervises the actual piecing.









In May 2010, I was working on Propeller and Little Paw made sure that the flimsy didn't slip off my sewing cabinet.










April 2010 found Little Paw providing another snuggle test to Royal Mendhi Crystals.











Another April 2010 quilt, this time a 9 Patch Pizzazz lap quilt, got the snuggle test.











Even Nabi Garden, in January 2010, was subjected to the snuggle test.











November 2009 found Star Galaxy a perfect place to hide.











Are you tired of seeing that same darn cat sitting on my projects?  LOL!!

I actually found a quilt OF a cat this time!  In January 2009, I made Cat and the Canary, using Patrick Lose's line of cat fabrics.   The gold feathers and the black cat are needleturn appliqued.

Although this is a picture of it at the flimsy stage, I actually did get it quilted .. hmm ... perhaps I ought to take a picture of the finished quilt and update the webpage!









Sometime in 2002, I found these marvelous batik'd cat squares and made a pillow from them.













In May 2001, I hosted a block swap of a pieced cat that was featured in McCall's quilting.  Although this picture is of the flimsy, I did have it quilted by a local longarmer.














And FINALLY .. ohmygoodness, I bet you thought this entry would NEVER end!

March 2001 ... here is the very first pet-themed quilt I made, Sushi Cats.   All the Flying Geese are of cat prints; the background are of cat's paw prints and the border is a marvelous, absolutely fantastic print of sushi cats!


Post Script: I actually did find at least two more quilts where our cats were inspecting them, but I have taken pity on you ... you've seen enough!  :-)


Post Post Script:  the Pets on Quilts Show ends on Friday, August 19th.  On August 20th and 21st, you can vote for your favorite blog entry at SewCalGal's blog.  I hope you will vote for ME!  :-)

38 comments:

  1. Your cat quilts are so cute and so are the cats... However, you might want to change your link on SewCalGal site as if you click your name it links back to her site...not yours.. I found you by the comment you made on her blog.. I got the Rodgers, pirates connection..

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  2. Your cat and the canary quilt is just adorable!!!
    It looks as if all of your quilting gets the kitty seal of approval. Thank you for sharing all of those adorable photos.

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  3. I've heard rumors that there are actually people who DON'T have to pick cat hairs out of their quilts before they're even finished. Seems strange to me! Your quilts clearly pass feline inspection!

    I love that McCall's cat quilt. I have the pattern and have been meaning to make it for ages. Your post is inspiring me to dig it out.

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  4. Great quilts and wonderful cats, what more could you ask for. Without the cats holding everything down, you may never get anything done. Thanks.

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  5. I'm laughing as I now know why you asked me that question. Too funny. Love your post and your list of pet related quilts and photos of your beautiful cats helping you make spectacular quilts. Just wish I had known about your cat block swap. Geez, maybe its' time to do it again. Love them all.

    Thanks for participating in the Pets on Quilts Show and sharing your insights on your quilting journey too.

    SewCalGal
    www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

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  6. Wow, you are a prolific quilter. I must follow your blog into the sunset .... and beyon!

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  7. Super quilts and just love all the 'snuggle' testing photos.

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  8. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment, I am a new follower, love your quilts and cat. Our cat spends most of her time curled up on a pile of quilt ready fabric in my sewing closet!

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  9. hehe!! Little Paw's going to make sure you keep all your quilts up to par! Fun cat quilts you've done. I laughed at the Cat & Canary one. :D

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  10. Your quilts are wonderful! Little Paw is adorable! Looks like our Cocoa Kitty. Sneaker is a pretty one too!

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  11. Beautiful quilts and beautiful cats. Thanks so much for showing them to us.

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  12. What would we do without cats to keep our quilts on the tables as we work on them? Yours are so cute!

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  13. I love the Canary quilt! and your baby is so precious!

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  14. What wonderful quilts! Your cats are beautiful and such great helpers!

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  15. Awesome cat quilts and cats!

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  16. LOL! What adorable quilt testers. I'm sure every quilt is extra special when they help out!

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  17. I just love cat quilts. I have one I am trying to get time to make. It's paper pieced so I am having to gear up! Your quilts are inspiring! Kitties lookin good too!

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  18. Wow! Such a lot of quilts and each one is better than the last. Your furry inspectors really know what they are doing!

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  19. It looks like you can't turn around without Little Paw jumping on a quilt - what fun it must be to have her around for company. Sneakers is also a pretty cat, as well as all of your quilts. Very impressive.

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  20. Great quilts and your cat is adorable.

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  21. Beautiful cats and beautiful quilts! Thanks for showing them to us!

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  22. Oh my goodness that cat butt you can't see me made me laugh out loud!

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  23. The cat and canary was the best!

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  24. Your cat is sure an expert at preventing your quilting from floating away! You have such beautiful quilts, and so many!

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  25. Isn't it funny how cats just love quilts? The other funny thing is that quilters just love cats!

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  26. Great pictures! I also have a quilt loving cat that looks alot like yours.

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  27. Love your cat quilts, esp. the pieced cat blocks. And your cat is such a trooper, helping you keep all those quilts warm. :)

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  28. You are one busy woman, by the looks of this post! Great quilts and marvelous cat!

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  29. Wow, you sure have turned out a lot of quilts! Love your snuggle tester...bet she likes to snuggle with you, too!

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  30. Wow great quilts! And it looks like you get a lot of help :-)

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  31. Very nice quilts and cute quality controllers, I mean, kitties. I never get tired of seeing photos of pets on quilts - they just seem to be made for one another.

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  32. As a new quilter, I am completely in awe of your beautiful quilts! I had no idea there were so many techniques to learn -- what fun!

    Little Paw is adorable as well :) She looks like great company as you make these lovely creations!

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  33. Little Paw looks like a lovely helper to have around. Lovely quilts.

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  34. Great photos of some very happy cats! That pieced cat quilt is on my list of somedays...

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  35. Thank you for sharing your lovely kitties with me. My dogs will not allow me to have a kitty, so I do enjoy looking at photos of other folks kitty companions.

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  36. Your cats are pretty protective of the quilts! And no wonder - you have some lovely quilts.

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  37. How sweet of Little Paw to help out so much... extraordinarily generous!

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