Bribery From a Bad Blogger!

Summer is over - if you measure the seasons by the school calendar, anyway.  All the neighborhood kids are back in class, and it is almost eerily quiet around my place.  Not that I am complaining...Quiet can be very nice, but (as long as I don't have a headache) the noise outside doesn't bother me at all.

Despite my lack of blogging over the last few months, I have NOT been on Summer Vacation.  I have, in fact, been VERY busy.  As a result, the time I would normally devote to writing my blog has been monopolized by any number of other activities....some fun, but mostly work related stuff!  Oh well, I am fairly certain that I will have more time to write now, since most of my recent obligations have been fulfilled.  Life should be calming down to a more tolerable pace. *SIGH* Finally!

I will admit that I have not had much time to release my creative energy lately, either.  I find it difficult to go an extended period of time without making SOMETHING, and it all came to a head last week when I started not one, but TWO projects.  Ah, nothing like self-imposed pressure, right?

First is a Wedding Tree Quilt.  This is the second such tree I have made.  I don't normally create a design more than once - I tend to get bored, and never finish, or drastically change things so they never end up being the same.  This time is different.  I am TRYING to make a pattern of this quilt, because there have been so many requests for it  Alright, I have the pattern part down, obviously....it is the writing of the directions that has me stumped! 

I am TERRIBLE at writing out directions.  I tend to skip really important steps all together, and then I get really (painfully) specific on others.  I may give up on the directions, since this pattern is not designed for a beginner, anyway.  Anyone with the skills to put this together, probably only needs the pattern and a lay-out diagram, right?  Please tell me I am right! Ack!  This is so frustrating!

While taking a break from the tree, I started another little project.  This is my second attempt at hand-applique - my first was documented in one of my very first blog posts.  Funny thing, even with all my grand plans of making that adorable quilt, that first block is all I ever got finished!  Of course, now I am thinking about it, and I may just have to go dig that out to work on.  So, back to THIS project.  It is a little house-warming gift for my pachyderm-loving pal, Emily. 

Speaking of Em, (ha, ha, I can see her cringing as she reads this - she isn't one to enjoy being in the spotlight) she recently joined our little Z&S Fabrics family, and I, personally, could NOT be more thrilled to FINALLY have someone to help me with my job!  And, I haven't had to teach her anything (I am as bad, if not worse, at teaching as I am at writing directions!)  I think she is enjoying it.  (Are you enjoying the job, Em?  Before you answer, remember, I AM your boss!  And I am your elder, too....by one whole day! hahaha.)  She seems to be having a good time writing up descriptions for the new fabrics we have been adding to the site.  I must admit, that I am having a good time READING her descriptions.  They are fantastic!  Here are a few new collections with examples of her amazing illustratory skills.  Fall Back in Time - Newton - Climbing Jacob's Ladder - and more are on the way!  Oh, and not only can Em write well, and use a computer without instruction, she also likes fabric! 

This is Bob.  He is a tailless French-Canadian feline with a fondness for fabrics.  (If you are wondering what makes a cat French Canadian, I don't honestly know.  However, his owner I mean the person Bob owns claims that "if you knew any French-Canadians, you would understand why Bob must be one".)  As you can see, this ferocious kitty is quite protective of his stash.  Don't mess with Bob's fabric!

Don't worry, though.  We have lots more where that came from.  In fact, if you would like a chance to win an assortment of Bob's favorites for your own stash, just leave me a comment.  Say hi, or tell me how disappointed you are in my bad blogging record lately, or even share a story about your own "crafty" pet.  It doesn't really matter what you write, just be sure that your email is correct so that I can contact you when I pick your name!

I will select one winner from all comments I receive for this post, prior to noon (Eastern time) on Wednesday, September 5, 2007.  Good Luck!

Comments

[Leslie]

I like your blog...and your cat. I am owned by two...both tortoise colored cats with attitudes. I think your wedding quilt is great...you just need to pair up with someone who can turn your verbal directions into written instructions. THis will turn you loose to create more...a win- win - win situation ( you win, partner wins...and WE win!) Good luck. Leslie

[Leslie]

I like your blog...and your cat. I am owned by two...both tortoise colored cats with attitudes. I think your wedding quilt is great...you just need to pair up with someone who can turn your verbal directions into written instructions. THis will turn you loose to create more...a win- win - win situation ( you win, partner wins...and WE win!) Good luck. Leslie

[Dawn]

Yeah right - like any of us would HATE getting free fabric! Bob is Adorable!

[Dawn]

And I forgot to mention that tree - that is amazing! I love it! I could see why you would make more than one. Now I wish I knew someone getting married! I LOVE it!

[Jeanne]

So glad that the site is up. You did a fantastic job. It is so easy to use. Keep up the blogging!

[Jean]

All my cats love to help me quilt.

Pineapple would sit on top of the machine while I was sewing.

Spice (a beautiful long hair) just wanted to sit in my lap and purr to the rythm of the machine.

Coconut (18 lbs) only shows up when I'm doing the quilting. Then he has to lay on top of the main part of the quilt. He can care less about the piecing.

Cinnamon loves to help me lay out the blocks. Or should I say, he rearranges my layouts while I'm not looking.

Think quilting might get a bit "boring" if not for my helpers.

[liztopper]

Enjoy the way you package the orders.

[Susan]

I love shopping at your online store. You get all the best fabric collections. You need to get more Charleston IV 'cause I missed out one it ;-)

It is very nice of Bob to be willing to share. You did tell him he has to share, didn't you?

[Shelley Cyr]

Although I don't follow any blogs faithfully, I love to link over to quilty/crafty blogs from other sites. Enjoyed your writing. Vive le French-Canadians! I'm in a French community on the Canadian border....yup, America has it's own French pockets here and there. I'm looking to add to my stash if Bob so chooses his french cousins here.....:)

Shelley

[monique]

Yay! I'd love a chance to win something Bob picked out :) So... is HE the one who puts the pretty ribbons on the mail orders??

Your Bleeker St. elephant is looking good :)

[Kathy]

Love that Bob! I have 5 cats that all fabric & quilts & love to "help" me sew. I've missed your blog - glad to see you back. I know how busy life can get & hope things settle down for you for a while!

[Joanne]

I like your blogs. I like the fact that you
talk to us like we're you're friends sitting
right there with you.
What's a URL?

[Jenn]

My puppy Kona prefers scraps and threads when she isn't being lulled to sleep by the sound of the sewing machine!

[Lisa D.]

I've missed your blogging - glad to see you back. I love that Bob is protecting your stash - how cute is that?

[Louise]

I am just doing a quilt with and appliqued tree but nothing as fancy as yours - it's beautiful! I agree that you don't need too lengthy instructions as anyone trying that should really know what they're up to. Love your kitty cat and his fabrics!

[Dawn]

Love the cat, but love new fabric more ;-)
I'm sure the upgraded software will be great.

[goneaussiequilter]

Very glad you're back. I feel slightly responsible for your lack of blogging with all the fabric I have ordered from you over this summer! I love your shop and your wonderful sales! Great fabrics in your store, keep up the good work!

[Sari]

Fred, our Egyptian Mau owns the house and the family, including a dog, Boo. Fred likes quilts, and fabric in any size or form. He also likes to help with knitting projects. Fred is getting very old and spends a lot of time sleeping. Since it is my custom to wrap pets in quilts when they are deceased in preparation for burial, I created a burial quilt for Fred this summer. It is based on a cat pattern that is simply quirky. The quilt, Fred size, is black, and pinks to purples in color scheme and Fred really likes it. Hopefully, not well enough to need to use it in the near future. After I completed Fred's quilt, our dog, Boo, experienced a very tramatic illness and spent nearly a week at the Vets. While he was away, I created a quilt for him from the neck scarves he gets when he goes for his "do" at the groomers. He is back home, better and happily sleeps nights in his crate, on the quilt.
When not involved in larger quilts, I scrap quilt, 44 x 44 quilts that eventually go to infants and toddlers at the local hospital through a Linus Project. We have a group that meets at the local Historical Society and ties the quilts. The group has been fondly dubbed, "The Knotty Ladies". I guess that makes me the most knotty.

[Margaret]

My daughter's mainecoon kittens are into everything. I'm glad they aren't here at my house, I can safely leave my fabric sitting out.

[Karen J]

My late cat Pollyanna had a cat quilt in a garden of irises from a pattern that I adapted to look like her. Unfortunately, the fabric cat curled her tail in front of her from the wrong side. After Pollyanna "owned" the cat quilt for a few weeks Pollyanna switched the side her tail would curl around front from so she matched the quilt.

Karen J

[Barb J in Pittsburgh]

The elephant applique is adorable! You have really captured the essence of an elephant, and in so few pieces! It's really great.

[Alexandra]

Love your blog, and always read your posts. Bob is too cute ;)

[RebeccaE]

Glad to see you posting again! The wedding quilt is just beautiful.

[Michelle]

Inky is our 16 month old black shorthair. She LOVES quilting! Whenever I get the cutting mat out, she jumps up and "helps" me hold the ruler with her two front paws while I rotary-cut the fabric. Of course, she also loves wrestling with the fabric when my back is turned - needless to say, all my fabric is now stored in a CLOSED closet.
Inky (and I) would love any new additions to the stash (hint, hint!)

Michelle