Monday Mini-Project. Pocket Kitties.

When it comes to needlework, I'm not all that creative (painting is my gift). That's probably why one of my favorite searches on Pinterest is free patterns. And let's face it, who doesn't love FREE?

This project comes from artisan Stephanie Woodson at SwoodsonSays and is called a Pocket Kitty.  She's so creative! If you have little ones or like quick projects, check out the other projects and patterns she has available. There's a real cute tutorial for DIY Jeans Patches that's worth a look -- especially if you have children or grandchildren and like to save money.

I think they'd make a great child's birthday party favor. Grandmas and Grandpas might want to keep one on hand as a little something special for that special little one(s) in their lives.

I'm glad Pinterest pointed me to this -- I've actually added her blog to my reading list. Very well put together! Simply a great find all around.

Anyway, I liked this little felt kitty so much I decided to make several. You can click on the link above for the instructions and free pattern.

I made two copies of the pattern so I could have a good reference for the embroidery placement. For durability, the paper pattern was stabilized by gluing it to some cardboard before cutting it out.

Here you see the famous, fearless Tigger-Tiger on top of the morning worktable. Getting ready to lend me a hand sewing these little ones together.

He's been with me for almost five years now and is very precious.

Here's a photo of the kitties I've made so far. Until next time, y'all have a fabulous day!

Thankful Thursday on a Friday.

To Grandma's House

*sigh* Yesterday felt like a Friday to me for some reason. Not that that's a bad thing. After all, the day is what we make of it.

Had I known it was only Thursday...

We have snow on the ground again. A bit heavier than a dusting, just enough to cover the icy patches above the potholed roads. Temps here have been Spring-like. Dropping from the 50s and 60s down to a high daytime temperature of 25 is quite shocking to the system. Tonight's projected low is a whopping 14 degrees.

Sheesh!

Here we sit bundled up in long johns and layered up simply to keep warm.

Tonight I'm thankful for:

Warm blankets
A roof over my head
Food in my belly
Sweet, loving daughters
Aunties
Friends that call or text
Public libraries
Free Community Resources (that we all use and take for granted)
Knit Knuts
Remote controls
Control of the remote (lol)

Sweet dreams, friends. Until we meet again.

Friday Foolishness.

Remember how I decided to adopt one of the neighborhood stray cats on Valentine's Day? Well, it turned out to be more than one stray.

The first one to show up is an orange Maine Coon. Male. Very, very skinny; you can feel all of the bones protruding along its spine. He's full of ticks and his fur is in really bad shape - dirty and matted. A sweet boy who is friendly as all get out. He doesn't have the prettiest face, but he's still kinda cute. I've named him Ginger and he comes running when he sees me outside - even when I have Bandit with me.

Then there's a small black cat. Not sure if it's male or female. A little skittish of other cats, but doesn't seem to mind the dog. He has a little white star on his chest and the cutest little face. Until the cats started coming up to me (a few days ago) I was calling him Skitty Kitty. After seeing him/her/it up close, I've decided he's more of a Cleo - as in Cleopatra. Seriously, he's a pretty cat.

I've pulled ticks off Ginger. Cleo only had one tick. He may be someone's kitty or fairly new to being a stray.

Then there's the long-hair cat Bandit and I have seen several times on the trail. It's grey and white like BootZee (the cat I had to put down at Thanksgiving-time). Today it found the food set out for Ginger and Cleo. It hasn't seen me enough yet to know I mean it no harm

Anyway, after watching Cleo slinking across the yard tonight and knowing the outside temp tonight is going to drop to 17 degrees, I brought him inside.

Tigger-Tiger is not happy about it.

Will put it back out tomorrow and work on a different shelter for it, but for now...

Hopefully it won't have an "accident" inside before morning.

Y'all have a good night. Sweet dreams.

Wednesday Worktable. Spring Cleaning: Closet Number One.

This Spring-like weather led to Spring Cleaning. One closet at a time. *sigh*

The first thing closet number one yielded was a huge bag of soft, worn bluejeans.

Four hours were spent cutting the jeans below the crotch (jeans purses) and ripping out side seams, into the washer it all went. Once clean and dry, the pieces were sorted by size.

While the fabric was being laundered, I logged into the rabbit hole many call Pinterest and searched for Denim Quilts to see what everyone else is making these days.

Which design was picked? That's a post for another day.

Here's hoping you have a great evening and an even better tomorrow!

Try Something Different Tuesday. Counting Calories.

Don't you just love it when products you've never tried go on sale?

Our local TOPS supermarket is simply amazing. They may be small, but they carry a good variety of products. Their sales are pretty darn good too! If their pet supply and paper products were less expensive, all our grocery shopping would be done there.

A few weeks back, TOPS had a sale on Asian cuisine supplies. What you're looking at is Sweet and Sour Chicken using bottled sauce by Asian Gourmet. (It looked better before I stirred it up.) Easy enough to make. Fresh carrots, peppers and onions were sauteed. Canned chicken and sauce added and heated through long enough to allow the flavors to meld. Served over rice. The whole process took less than half an hour.

This Sweet and Sour Chicken would be a quick (and tasty) company meal. As for us making it again - it's a possibility. More than likely a from-scratch version will make it into the monthly rotation. Less sodium, additives, and preservatives that way. 

Speaking of the monthly meal rotation...

Be advised: We're dieting here. The next few weeks, or months as the case may be, the food posts will be good tasting diet food.

Monday's Mini Project. Paloma Pony.

Monday's mini-project was completing another pony for the herd. One more to go, then they'll be three. In years past, biographies were included with each animal. Not sure if that's going to happen again.

Each pony takes a full day to craft -- for me at least. The instructions are easy to follow. The finishing touches are the most difficult to complete. Embroidering the face and eyes, stuffing each piece and sewing everything together becomes a bit tedious after you've put together ten or fifteen of these. In spite of all that, it truly is a fun, easy (mindless) project. The supplies don't cost much (about $3 a skein) and you can get two ponies per skein.

This is a perfect gift for friends who need their spirits lifted.  This silly face is enough to make the soggiest person crack a smile.

Here's a link to the pattern from Red Heart (the yarn people): Amigurumi Ponies. If you compare the original pattern picture with my version, you'll notice the eye lids have been omitted on this pony and more yarn was used for the mane and tale. 

Hope your Monday had at least one positive interaction that you can reflect upon as you fall asleep. Rest well, friends.

Sunday Fun Day.

Good morning, y'all! Happy Sunday!

For the past week, daytime temperatures have ranged from the mid-50s to 70 degrees. All sorts of high temperature records for February in Pennsylvania were broken.

Except for the mountaintops and a few shady areas, most of the snow melted. Neighbors were out and about working in their flower beds and walking the streets and trails. A few of the willows sprouted soft, grey kitty toes.

The birds came back to the feeders. Quite a bit of time throughout the week was spent at the kitchen window simply watching them feed. The feeders seemed to draw in a dozen or so black capped chickadees, a tufted titmouse and a beautiful, iridescent headed grackle (thinking the bronze race, but haven't seen it since it saw me, so can't be sure).

The transition from Winter to Spring can be devastating to our fine feathered friends. Many times they have to travel long distances with little forage. Keeping the feeders stocked and a suet cake available seems a small price to pay for all the enjoyment they provide. Waking to birdsong is on my list of favorite things in life.

Back to reality.

Yesterday the snow began anew. Tiny little pellets about the size of a glass-head pin top. This morning the flakes are the size of goose down.

The warmth was nice while it lasted. We took advantage by getting a bit of fresh air. Amazing how restorative sunshine and warmth in the great outdoors can be after a month of being cold.

Work continues on the Brown Bag Challenge quilt. All but one of the hand-quilted blocks was ripped out. Six of the twenty holly and berry blocks have been embroidered. Am hoping to complete the quilt by the end of March, but a painting project is due in two weeks and another (easier) quilt project is beckoning. (More on that later this week.)

We spent this past week running from Physical Therapy to the Doctor. Back to Physical Therapy. TOPS, Walmart, and getting the Jeep ready for inspection. Doesn't sound like much, but add crafting, chores and a physical disability...

Folks, we're just plumb worn out. Today is truly a day of rest. 

Where ever you are and whatever you choose to do: May you find something to laugh and smile about as you go about your day. Look for the good and chances are you'll find it!