been a few weeks...

I'm still sort of numb from Percy's passing. He was having a good day the day he went in-he was able to walk, wasn't bumping around. I thought about postponing a bit longer, but I wanted my baby to go out with a bit of dignity. He was able to walk to a second exam room for them to put the catheter in his arm and walk back :) I was so proud of him. It still hurts tons thinking back to that day-add in that around the one month mark of his death will be the 3 year anniversary of his lil sister Hailie's passing...I'm not looking forward to the end of the month at all.

In *much* happier news-turns out Alani is actually a boy! Seriously, his bits that would've been a clear giveaway seemingly appeared overnight. After a week being misidentified as a girl, his name was changed to Aiden...which was changed again after he took the "little fiery one" definition to heart a bit too much! His name is now Kaden. He's grown so much over the past few weeks...the only issue I still have with him is he's quick to bite sometimes. I got the glue-on caps for his nails after he swiped at my face and barely missed my open eye D:  He's knocked 2 off, but the rest seem to be intact for now. I'm hoping once he gets neutered, his aggressiveness will calm down considerably and he'll quit biting.

Another distraction for me after Percy was putting together a quilt for my cousin's 1st birthday. She's a gorgeous lil redhead & mama wasn't keen on having a big party for her like her older brother had (mama actually said Chuck E Cheese was "too boyish" for a little girl's party!!!) In August, I suggested that she give her daughter a Little Mermaid themed party-play up the red hair as long as she has it. (Her older brother-he's 2-is now more of a blond after having red hair as a baby.) Not entirely convinced the suggestion was taken, my sister and I decided we would make a Ariel-themed present.

The pinkwork blocks took *forever*...especially Sebastian! I was originally going to make a larger Ariel block, but after Flounder and Sebastian, I changed to a less complicated Ariel. All the pinks, blacks and grays were from one line that Jo-Ann's had half-priced. I know my sister was nervous when I was picking fabric-the gray houndstooth was my first grab and I was going to find a way to use that houndstooth!!! :) I bought the gray polka dot and the backing a bit later (but while the sale was still going on). Simple quilting along the seamlines and throught the middle of the print blocks-echo quilting in the pinkwork. It washed fine, and I hope it continues to do so. I used an 80/20 cotton/poly batt because I thought it might be a bit more kid-friendly (and I wasn't 100% sure I could do enough quilting to use an all cotton one.) Finished size was approximately 38"x50" I finished on a Thursday in time for a Saturday party! No pics from the party, but mama DID take the theme to heart :) Little Abby was dressed in an Ariel costume dress, had an Ariel cake, plates...so cute.

catching up :) *more cute pics!*

Project progress first...2 of the 3 embroidered blocks for Abby's quilt have been finished! I forgot how long it can take to embroider sometimes...all the other pieces are cut, backing was purchased. Hope to be quilting it over Labor Day weekend. Her doll will be started sometime this week-a Waldorf style doll with red hair! Her mama isn't happy her 2 kids turned out with ginger hair, but her son's is almost blond now. I hope Abby keeps her fiery red hair ;)

I need to get started on a watercolor I've been delaying for a few days-I want to give it on Tuesday D: Looks like it might be a few days later than that... It's been so hot lately (104-107 degrees!) I just haven't wanted to try and even sketch out the plan, much less start painting! Might take it tomorrow to work on while dogsitting. No internet or wifi=more productive time. 

Now...for the fun news! First, my sister asked for an outfit for Paisley to wear to the Astros game next weekend. It'll be her first Bark in the Park to attend, and my sister is quite excited. I'm going to be house/dogsitting again, so can't go to the game. Since Paisley's a little drama queen, she HAD to have an outfit that stands out...

Painted the number "54" on the back of a doggy tee we got at Hobby Lobby-my sister's favorite jersey to wear to games is her Mark Melancon (Astros pitcher), and since she's not wearing her jersey, she thought Pais should represent! Can't see it, but "PAISLEY" is written above the glittery 54. I need to tack down her skirt a bit more (a little short on the sides, so it rides up :/), but it's shiny lame, tulle underskirt & a sequined waistband. Not sure if this will win anything in the pet contest, but my sister was definitely happy with the shirt!

She's hard to photograph sometimes :)








Now...the *biggest* news! Percy and I have added a new member to our little family-her name is Alani. Found her at a grocery store in a not-really-safe area. She instantly wound herself around my legs and wouldn't let go. I always believe (with strays) that the animal has to WANT to come with me-I gave her several opportunities to choose to leave, but she hasn't :) Going to get her checked out soon-she's probably in heat (which would explain her constant need to rub herself on EVERYTHING), so I'm hoping I didn't get a pregnant kitten! She's sleeping in a carrier at night to keep her out of trouble-doesn't cry at all. Glad she knows it's a "safe place" so she's okay with it for a few hours at a time. Picture time! (sorry, new mamas love to take pics of their babies!)

napping in the carrier

She's already claiming ownership of the fabric

Not going to get much work done, huh?

 

 

 

Hopefully I can get some "in progress" pics soon-my computer's camera card reader isn't working right now, so a little more difficult to get pics to post :/ After reorganizing my sewing room (it was ok for an older, sleepy dog-not quite as safe for an energetic, fearless kitten), I'm going to try and get back to my machine. I have a box filled with potential pillow tops-would it be bad to just quilt & construct them without actually putting a pillow in? Until I more, I just don't really have room (or money) for a ton of pillows :) But they're quick to do, so if I can just get that little bit of sewing in...