Creative Nudge – Prickly Kitty

Why is it that our pets
know that the one way to really get our attention, is to take a nap on a current
sewing project?

This is Sophie's in-process project from Nancy Chong's Hawaiian
Quilt workshop from the CQC retreat this last weekend. Sophie chose the
Ulu Breadfruit design, and an eye-popping batik/
hand-dye
combination. We picked out one of Nancy's
traditional designs, folded the fabric into eighths and cut out the
applique like I used to cut paper snowflakes
as a kid. So much fun!

Then the applique " snowflake"
is pinned and then basted onto the background. Right now this project is stuck
at the pinning stage because there is
a big kitty who is doing the feline version of sleeping on a bed of nails.
Ha!

If we can get the kitty to move, we'll baste the applique to the background,
and then begin the long process of needle-turn
applique. Sophie got some very nice personal attention from the teacher, and
therefore really wanted to be able to master the needle-turn
technique, but ended up in frustrated tears until she decided to do what
worked: finger-turn and finger-press the 3/16" edge of the applique,
before stitching.

I told her – don't feel bad! I've seen grownups in tears in some quilt
workshops too! When we got home the family asked her if she had a good time.
"I had a great time!" she responded. "I want to go back next
year!"

Tonight after school, she had her practice applique block out and was doing
her applique practice stitching with a look of quiet determination on her
face.

*********

We are accepting comfort quilts for Colorado Flood victims. You can drop them
off or ship them to us at:
eQuilter.com
5455 Spine Rd, Suite E
Boulder CO 80301

We will have a distribution in the next week, (before I go to Houston) and
another one in early November. We are focusing on the evacuated community of
Lyons, and also local teachers who lost their homes/possessions.

Please note if your group is making a memorial quilt for Sandy Hook
Elementary, we would like to receive them by mid-November latest. This is
for distribution on or near the one-year anniversary of December 13. We have a
contact there who will distribute them to families in the school and community.