February 24, 2012

Friday Hodgepodge

Do you ever have a week where you feel like this by the end of it?
that's me on The Bubble Rock Trail in Maine
You start out thinking, "How am i ever going to finish all the stuff on my to do list?" And then slowly but surely, one-by-one you cross things off and inch closer to the top of the Sisyphean hill until at last everything is done, finito, sewn up (pun intended), and accomplished. Not every week ends like that, but i'm happy to say this one did! Next fabric collection is designed! Phew, i think i'll wipe the sweat off my forehead with these Swankie Hankies (beware, more shameless promotion ahead):
Yes, you can now blow your nose right into my designs! These cute tissues are now available at JoAnn fabric stores.

I'm also thrilled to let you know that these porcelain tea mugs featuring my tart little lemon design have landed on the shelves at Crate and Barrel! They come with a metal brew basket in case you use loose tea, and a lid that keeps your tea really hot.
Of course two seconds after i took the photo above, Franny jumped into the frame!
After testing out the tea mug, i zipped to Crate to buy one for my Mom, but got there just moments after they closed. It was worth the trip though...because when i pulled up, my jaw dropped to see the mugs right there in the brightly lit window!
Close up mug-shot (get it?):
Yesterday i was on twitter briefly and someone mentioned how much they liked the reversible quilt i designed...which made me realize i had neglected to share that with you. It's called "Double the Fun" and lo' and behold, it's on the cover of the Spring issue of Quilts and More magazine!
I love this magazine because it is crammed with so many cute and (like it says) EASY projects. Easy is my favorite word when it comes to sewing. But this issue is also incredibly special to me because it's like being squished into the middle of a happy friend sandwich. Know who else's projects are featured in here? Joanna, Camille,  Aneela, Lauren + Jessi, Monica, Sherri, and Vanessa! I feel really lucky to be in such great company and am thankful to the people at Quilts and More for including my quilt in there too. It's available on newsstands now and if you'd like, you can snatch a copy at Fat Quarter Shop.

And about that quilt...it would not have come to be without Sherri's help. She pieced the whole thing and made some very helpful improvements along the way (thank you Sherri!). You can read more about it on her blog. As for the design, i have to come clean about that. I was aiming to design a simple quilt using a jelly roll and liked the idea of separating the colors into warm and cool groups to give people a sense of the possibilities for (in this instance) Terrain. So i designed both quilt tops and then couldn't decide which to feature. Warm, cool, warm cool...it was driving me nutso! I had both up on my computer screen (and i was staring away at them, still indecisive) when Pete walked by. I asked him which he preferred and he said, "Why don't you make it reversible?" Brilliant! Now why didn't i think of that?? So you see, the only name that's missing from the magazine is Pete's :)

What fun to read all of your guesses about the Mystery post from the other day! The comments are closed, but let me say that lots of you guessed correctly *wink*. Don't miss the rest of the tour:
Today – Fig Tree Quilts
Monday 2/27 – Minick & Simpson
Tuesday 2/28 – Cosmo Cricket
Wed 2/29 – Sweetwater
Thurs 3/1 – Fat Quarter Shop – Grand Prize Entry Post
Fri 3/2 – Fat Quarter Shop – Winners Post

And to answer some of your inquiries, *yes* i will, eh hem, be modeling the item just for you (at my expense).

Finally, i've been neglectful about Furry Fridays, so am making up for it by adding a little extra fur to end the week. It's amazing how quickly these two have grown! Remember when they could both stretch out in their kitty hammock side-by-side?
They still do, but it's just a liiiitle how shall i say? Cozier?
And again, an empty box proves to be the most entertaining toy and this game could have gone on all day long! (Sorry for the wobbles, it was not easy to push the box and hold my iphone at the same time!)
And two more:
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
xo,
kate

24 comments:

  1. I love your designs. But is it wrong to love your kitties more?? They are so adorable!

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    1. aw, of course you can love the kitties more! but now i need another tissue to dry my tears. lol!

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  2. Could YOU blow your nose into your own designs? No way! They are just too pretty! Those mugs are fabulous...I'd love to have my tea out of something so bright and cheerful! And of course I discontinued my subscription to Quilts and More...I'll have to look for this issue at Joann's. Your reversible quilt is great! Kitties are getting big too. They are loads of fun for you and each other no doubt.

    MGM

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    1. you're always so sweet, mary grace. the kitties are definitely keeping us entertained and happy! thanks always for popping by. hope you are well! xo

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  3. LOVE the picture of the stripes. I too have a Tabby and can never capture that, so jealous.

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    1. nicki, the first challenge is getting them to stay still, right?! keep trying, i'm sure you can do it! I used the "Instagram" app for my iphone to take that photo. super easy and since my phone is next to me (almost) all the time, i'm ready anytime they are! good luck :)

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  4. We used to have a cat that would push herself. She would put her front half in the box and run with her back feet. She was a terrible driver! :)

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    1. get outta here! that must've been so funny to watch. i can just imagine the crashes into walls and furniture. oh, kitties! love them so..

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  5. Just for the record, are you the one that is entertained by the box or the kitties??? I'm always amazed by how much cats love a cardboard box. Paper grocery bags make a great toy too!

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    1. of course it's the uh....KITTIES who are entertained! why on earth would you think it was me? (maybe the giggling?) you sure are right about the paper bags too! :)

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  6. Love the designs. Wouldn't want to use the tissues if I bought them though =D
    Cats are soo cute! I'm so getting one once I get my own place =D

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  7. Goodness, those kitties are too cute!! And I giggled all the way through your video :o)

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  8. I just love your kitties, they sure have grown. I love your quilt in Quilts and More which I just bought yesterday. Keep up bringing us that beautiful fabric etc and I will keep on buying. Blessings sandra

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  9. Love the box trick! you should train them to bags too! Loads of fun! my late cat opus would find his way into any bag, grocery, handle, etc. I could pick up the bag and hang it on a door knob. He loved it! He would just hang there! I miss him so much!

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    1. how sweet and fun, colleen! I'm sorry to hear that opus is no longer with you--but we know they're always in our hearts and we remember them in our happiness. furry love is a sweet blessing.

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  10. It's always so much fun to see your kitties - and I already have the magazine, with the cover quilt on my short list!!

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  11. I just love your posts about Frannie and Lou. They remind me of my brother/sister tabbies: Edgar Poe and Stella. Very funny that your kitty liked the ride in the box, my cats always jump out (does it help to know that someone else does this too???) Excited to hear about another new fabric line (already on pins & needles waiting for your next two LOL!)

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    1. YES! it definitely helps to know i'm in good company :)

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  12. Aw, have missed furry friday :) Isn't it hilarious how an empty box can be so much fun? Love the new mug...I shall have to get it to keep my christmas one company lol.

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    1. it is, Lori. A box, a bag, a stray shoestring...the simple things are most fun! speaking of fun, sounds like you'll have a mug for every season! thanks for your comment :)

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  13. I know I missed out on the Bog Hop guess but are you REALLY sure FDR was president when "Heat Of The Night' was a hit movie? I remember that song from the 60s when I was a teenager and I wasn't even born yet when FDR was President! It looks to me like some made from silky polyester which came in during the mid-60s also. Am I totally up the wrong creek?LOL

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    1. You're right...that does look a lot like FDR, but it's actually Lyndon Johnson!

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  14. Kate - I did enter your blog hop and guessed double knit, but -- could your item be made from velour?? That is one fabric I hope does not make a re-appearance!

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  15. I love that reversible quilt, I'm going to hunt down a copy of that magazine now so I can order it!

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