Hubby's project, and Dog update.

Hubby worked on a project while I was in Texas.  I left him a hand crank, set up, for him to use.  Hubby wanted to make an underquilt for his hammock. Hammocks are great when it is warm, but, when it gets to 60 degrees or colder, your underside gets chilly, even if you have a quilt on top of you. 

Hubby found some DIY video's & #2 on how to make these, and wanted to try one out for his hammock.  I really didn't want to work with the slippery materials, and told him he could do this himself. 

hammock underquilt around bottom of hammock

end of hammock underquilt around hammock

showing hammock inside of underquilt

Sorry, I took these pictures while hubby wasn't home, so, no demo of what it looks like with someone in the hammock.

Hubby also made himself a 'pocket' to go across the line that extends from the hammock racks.  He made it out of mesh screening.

hammock pockets

There are 3 pockets on one side, and 2 pockets on the other side.   If hubby had made it longer, he could have sewn across the bottom, and that 'new' pocket could have held a water bottle between the pockets.  That will be his next project.  This was just a learning project. 

I have been sewing this week.  I'm working on a couple of 'secret' projects, so, I can't show them (yet) since 2 of the recipients follow this blog.  I'll be able to show them in March, when they are done, and sent/received.  I did get some hand stitching done, while watching TV.  I finished another 'Be Attitudes' block, and started on another one.

5th block stitched

Update on dog!

Katie is doing much better.  She is on lots of medications, but, they seem to be working.  She even watched 'Katie TV' this morning (sitting at the patio door, and looking for squirrels and rabbits).  We are still waiting for some test results, to let us know the 'rating' of her pancreatitis. 

Katie this morning

Katie is sleeping less, and active more each day.  Thanks for all the well wishes. 

Well, it's time to get some stitching done on those 'secret projects'.  I also have a baby quilt to make, using the pattern from 'I Love Precut Quilts' that I made.  She wants pastels, and, I don't use pastels.  I did find most of what she wanted (lights, but, not pastels) in my stash.  Now to cut them out, and start sewing them.

A Finish, Exchange Blocks, Some New Things....

I haven't had a chance to post about my latest finish.  I made a quilt for our youngest nieces high school graduation.  We delivered it to Albuquerque a little over a week ago, while we were there to attend another nieces wedding.

Ashley and her quilt

Here is a picture of the bride and her bridal party.  I didn't get a picture with the groom.

part of the wedding party

When I got home, there was an envelope waiting for me.  My Treadle On group had another block exchange, using our treadles or hand crank sewing machines.

These are the blocks I sent.  I used some of my sewing themed fabrics.  I sent 4 sets of blocks, using 3 different machines to make the blocks.

my blocks

I received 32 blocks from 18 cities in 14 states.  19 different people made these blocks on 24 different machines. 

Treadle On Spring 2016 TOBE blocks received

Also waiting for me when we got home from the wedding was my new June Taylor Shape Cut ruler.  I already had a much smaller June Taylor Shape Cut ruler, that I'd used for cutting the fringe on fleece blankets, years ago.  I'd never used the ruler for anything else, until Jocelyn at Happy Cottage Quilter started talking about how great her Shape Cut ruler is.  I finally pulled mine out, and used it to cut lots of 2" squares for my Happily Scrappily Irish quilt, AFTER I'd used a friends Go cutter.  OH MY!!!  The Shape Cut ruler was so much easier and quicker!!!!!

new June Taylor Shape Cut Pro ruler

both Shape Cut rulers together

Another friend has the Shape Cut Pro, and it cuts 2.5" strips on full width fabric, folded in half.  After using the little Shape Cut ruler, I just had to have the larger one, too.  I used it to cut the sashing strips for my Tulip Fields quilt.  My Tulip Fields strips are 3.5", and it was easy to line it up with this ruler.  It didn't take me very long to cut all my strips.

sashing strips for Tulip Fields quilt

On Tuesday, after I took Bonnie a machine to use while she was in town, I stopped at a few thrift stores.  I hit the jackpot for quilting DVD's.  Only one of these quilting DVD's has been opened.  I'll try to get them all watched over the next few months.  Not sure if I even have the books that go with the DVD's.

quilting DVD's

I've been stitching away on my Happily Scrappily Irish quilt.  I've gotten lots done, so far. 

6 rows completed

There are only 12 rows in this quilt (11 blocks per row).  I'm working on the last 20 patchwork blocks.  This quilt top will soon be finished!

Of course, I can't sew alone.  My little dog insists on being with me.  She even has a bed under one of my machines.

Katie, my sewing supervisor (taking a nap)

Of course the large dog also thinks he needs to supervise, but, he isn't allowed in my sewing room (he takes up all the extra space).  Instead, he lays at the top of the stairs, where he can keep an eye on me, and make sure no one comes up and bothers me.

Ratchet, blocking the stairs

It's nice to have 'helpers' but, I wish they'd keep their fur off my fabric ;)

A fun, non-quilty day!

Back in March, we adopted an Alaskan Malamute.  This is our 2nd Malamute.  We found Ratchet thru IAMRA (Illinois Alaskan Malamute Rescue Assoc).  Today they had their annual Malwalk fundraiser.  We attended with Ratchet.

Ratchet and John

The shaved patch on Ratchet's back is from heartworm treatments.  You can read about it here.   Ratchet has had all of his treatments, and, is waiting for his last test, the end of December.

We got to meet Ratchet's daughter, Callie.

Ratchet and his daughter, Callie

There were lots of Malamutes and their owners.  They had raffles, food, and fun for everyone.  The dogs even got to 'bob for hot dogs'.  They all lined up for their turn.

Ratchet, bobbing for frozen hot dogs

I Got It!

Malamutes, all lined up, waiting for their turn to bob for hot dogs

It was fun to meet some new friends, and some old ones of Ratchets (he has been to these things in the past). 

Have a Great Weekend!

More projects, etc.

I just keep stitching, and cutting.  I don't like cutting, but, I went ahead and cut out 2 more Red, White and True quilts.  Here is the one I already started, for the quilt along...

1st Red, White and True quilt

first step for the Red, White and True quilt along

I need something to work on at the Quilts of Valor sew-in on Tuesday, but, I don't want to cut out the borders for one top (all it needs is the borders) (Oops! no pictures of the top, sorry), and I don't want to work on the other quilt top that I've started (I'll get back to it).

Well, now I have 2 more Red, White and True tops to start stitching on Tuesday.

2 new Red, White and True quilts

All the strips are cut out, but, I still need to finish cutting the 4.5" & 5.25" squares.  Since I don't need them yet, I figured I could finish those after I get these strips all stitched. 

At my guilds sew-in, a week ago, I didn't get to one project.  My other guild is making walker bags for the veteran's homes.  I had 2 cut out, so, I stitched them this afternoon.  Both are the same fabric.

1 of 2 walker bags

I added pockets, and made them bigger

a pocket for a magazine, and pockets for bottles, etc.

I REALLY need to finish thread basting this.

twin sized Churn Dash

quilting lines marked

This one is half basted, but, all the quilting lines are marked.  I don't know how people can baste on the floor.  My knees just wouldn't take it.  I use my dining room table. 

I have also gotten a bit more stitched on the Frog Churn Dash, but, I don't have any pictures of what I did.  I'm liking it better and better, as I stitch on it. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back in April, I told you that we got a new dog, Ratchet.  I also told you that he has heartworm.  He's been going thru treatments for the heartworm.  It includes 3 injections, in his back.  They had to shave his back for the injections (and to be able to see if there is any inflammation, etc).  His first injection was the end of May.  They shaved one side of his back then.  The next 2 injections were earlier this week, one on each side of his back.  You can see the darker area, where he had his first injection.  We think it is darker due to sunlight (a dog with a tan). 

Ratchet's shaved back

Ratchet

The hardest part is keeping Ratchet restricted for months in a row.  He either has to be crated, or, locked in one room, with one of us.  He can't come upstairs, or, even go for walks, other than to potty.  Activity can cause the dead or dying heartworms to act like a blood clot, and kill him. 

The vet's office just loves Ratchet.  They spoil him rotten when he is there, and fawn all over him.  One of the vets came in on his day off, just to be there when Ratchet got his injection. 

We are hoping that his next test (end of July) will be clear.  If it is, then, hopefully we will be able to start taking Ratchet for walks, and getting him back in shape.  Ratchet had been in pretty good shape, since he is a retired weight pulling champion.  We got him AFTER he retired. 



Well, I guess it's time for me to go get more stitching done.  I think I'll work on some hand quilting.  I need to finish my guild challenge mini quilt.

guild challenge

Ratchet!

In my last post, I told you that we were getting a new dog.  Well, meet Ratchet!  Ratchet is an Alaskan Malamute.

Ratchet, John, Katie & Christopher

That picture was just after the dogs met each other.  Katie was a bit scared of Ratchet at first (he's 5 times her size).  I think she was afraid that he'd step on her.  Katie has bad knees, and can't get out of the way very quickly.

Ratchet is a big ole' Teddy bear!  He flirts with all the ladies, and they all fawn over him.  We took him for a walk at Knock Knoll's park on Saturday.

John & Ratchet

Ratchet is 100 lbs, and takes up lots of room.

Ratchet on the family room floor

Ratchet is settling in well, but, yesterday, we got some bad news.  I took Ratchet to the vet, to get checked out, and get more heartworm meds, and, sadly, Ratchet has heartworm.  He had been on heartworm meds, but, maybe he missed a dose, or something.  Ratchet was taken from one home, by his previous co-owner, since he wasn't being taken care of properly.  The lady we got Ratchet from has taken great care of him, but, somehow her vet didn't check for heartworms.

Yes, we are keeping Ratchet, and, have already started him on the long process to treat him.  Use this as a warning, make sure your pets are on heartworm preventative, AND make sure that they don't miss any doses.  Treatment is hard on the pet (no exercise, restricted movements) for many months.  It is also costly.  Ratchet is so sweet, and I'm glad that we can get him treated.  He should have a nice, long life, after his treatments are done.  Hopefully by this time next year, John will have a new backpacking buddy.  Till then, we'll have a new fur rug and cuddle buddy in the house ;)

A Great Gift!

Dana, over at Stormy Days blog, sent me a great gift. 

mug rug from Dana

Dana sent me this cute mug rug, because it resembles the dog that we have currently,

Katie, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel

and the dog we lost last January.

portrait of Padfoot

This mug rug will go up in my sewing room, by one of my machines. 

Thanks Dana!

Padfoot (2000-2014)

We lost a member of our family today, our dog, Padfoot. 

Padfoot

Padfoot was our 'Arkansas hillbilly pound puppy'.   We called her that, since we found her in Arkansas, while at a family reunion.  The town didn't have a shelter at that time, so, several businesses would have a pen by their front doors, with shelter dogs in them.  That is how we found Padfoot. 

Padfoot was named after a character in the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban book.  We were reading the book as a family when we adopted her.  As of book #3 in the series, there just were not many good 'girl' names, so, we chose Padfoot.

Padfoot in her Halloween costume, a yellow submarine

Padfoot has been one of the best dogs, ever.  She really loved our boys and all their friends. 

Padfoot in her new booties

One of my son's friends liked Padfoot so much that she even drew a portrait of her for us a few years ago.  The portrait hangs next to the pantry in our kitchen.

portrait of Padfoot

After 13 years in our family, Padfoot will be sorely missed.  Rest in peace, sweet Padfoot.

Padfoot in March 2013

Treadle to the Rescue!

It's frigidly cold here in 'Chiberia'.  Add 9+ inches of snow before the temperatures started dropping on Sunday, and, it makes for one, very unhappy dog.  Our oldest dog, Padfoot, has been having problems with her feet in all this cold and snow.  In the last few days, it's gotten so bad, that she cried while we tried to clean the snow out between her paws, and, hubby has had to go outside and rescue her from the backyard.  Something had to be done, quick.

this is what it has looked like out my patio door (before the wind blew all the snow off this tree)

I pulled out some scraps of fleece that someone had given me, added some velcro cord straps I found at the thrift store last week, and, opened up my 'Victor' treadle (Victor has 'backtack' abilities, which was needed to secure the velcro, and ends of seams).  I checked out a few patterns online that hubby found, but, wound up doing my 'own thing' with the pattern.  After some trial and error, we have a set of booties for Padfoot.

me, stitching booties on 'Victor'

finished booties by 'Victor'

Padfoot didn't like us putting the booties on her (she hates having her feet touched), but, she did pretty well.

Padfoot in her new booties (licking hubby)

up close of a bootie

Well, the booties WORKED!  Not only did they stay on, but, Padfoot could walk in them.  She was a happy dog! 

Thrift store and garage sale finds

The past month or so has been busy for me, but, I have found some time to stop in at some thrift stores between events.  Hubby even wanted to go check out the garage sales today.  Lots of garage sales, but, not much stuff we were interested in.  We did find a great sign to a street that we didn't know was near us.

gee, I wonder why I'd be interested in this sign?

Most of the sales today just had baby stuff.  With our youngest now engaged, and no grandkids, we don't need baby stuff.  Well......I have been looking for a stroller for the dog.  Katie has bad knees.  The vet says we can't take her for walks anymore.  Katie LOVES to go for walks, even when we have to carry her.  At 20 pounds, we are NOT going to carry her.  I've been trying to find a stroller for a cheap price, so that Katie can still go on walks with us.  Look what we found at the end of a driveway, next to another garage sale.  Check out the price tag.

Katie in her new stroller

Katie sat still while I pushed her all over the downstairs.  We'll see how well she does later, in a 'real' walk outside.  Don't worry, she'll be strapped in so she can't jump out.  Hubby is working on that part now.

The best sale of the day netted me several sewing notions. 

freezer paper, embroidery stabilizer, transfer paper, and...

brand new project travel case

working lamp (Ott type), and new kit with silks, etc

3 rulers and 2 cutting mats

Total of above items was $23.  SCORE!!!!!!  The lamp, rulers and mats are used, but, the rest are all brand new.  I'll pass the embroidery stabilizer on to friends who have embroidery machines. 

I've also found a few treasures at thrift stores in the past few weeks. 

floor style (Ott style) lamp

I've now found 3 different Ott style lamps this month.  My oldest son claimed the first one, since he'd already sent me out to find him a lamp for his desk.  It was a 'real' Ott brand lamp. 

wall hanging

lap quilt

lap quilt is tied, can't see how it is quilted from the front

The most fun find was a telephone.  Last fall, I was with my mother when she found a great telephone. 

mom's Pluto telephone.

Well... after the Quilts of Valor sew-in last Tuesday,  I decided to stop in at the Goodwill store a few blocks away.  I seldom stop there, since it isn't close to my house.  I was about to leave, when I decided to check out one of the bins that hadn't been unloaded onto the shelves yet.  This is what I found.

Mickey Mouse phone $3.99

For $3.99, I wasn't really worried if the phone worked or not.  I just grabbed it and ran to the checkout stand.  When I got home, I plugged it in, and.... it WORKS!  Mickey now sits next to my bed, on the nightstand. 

I have been stitching, but, I'm working on a secret project, and I can't show it until late next week.  It has something to do with these.

basted hexies

Have a great weekend!