Rose Red

Life at the Casita is currently topsy-turvy with puppy energy abounding. There's been little progress with quilting projects in recent weeks. Instead, I chase l'il Henry around and we play, play, play. When he's not romping, he naps...thank goodness. The little fairy in this Rose Red picture is my granddaughter Jaden's fairy. I drew her to resemble sweet Jaden. Isn't she a cutie?

Oh Henry!

Today Henry went to puppy kindergarten and learned to sit properly upon command. In class around other pups larger than himself, Henry went very low profile, I think mainly for self-protection, being the wee laddie that he is. The Aussie shepherd pup only 11 wks old towered playfully over our laddie. There is a happy balance at the Casita now that Henry is potty trained and has settled in as a member of the family. As this photo demonstrates, at home Henry is king of the hill. This is his pack...Mr. Potato, Miss Pinkie and El Tigre. Like Henry, they each get a bath weekly. Now that Henry's business is in order, it's time that I get back to quilting and most happily so! The garden also needs tending as we move solidly into spring. Time for a visit to the local nursery. Maybe I'll put Henry in a tote and bring him along.

Oh Henry! Papa Fell Into the Jacuzzi!

The other day Henry threw his rubber chicken into his water bowl. But two nights ago, Henry threw Papa Paz into the jacuzzi. Of late, it has been Operation Get Henry Potty Trained around here. Two grown people could not be more dedicated to this effort. Ray was showing off to me how, if he stood in a certain spot, Henry would respond to his command and pee upon the puppy pad we had strategically placed outdoors. Ray swung his left leg over the gate that protects Henry from the pool, to get in place, but Henry had other ideas. The pup ran to the wee wee pad and began to pee right where he should, all by himself, in advance of the command. Yipee! He's trained! But poor Papa! With one leg on one side of the gate and one leg mid-air, he was watching Henry's triumph when, ka-plewie! Ray tumbled dead center into the jacuzzi, taking the gate and wire shelf it connects to with him. Like a dream in slow motion, water splashed and flower pots went flying. Henry ran inside, then turned and peeked out the door to look at Papa standing in the middle of the jacuzzi in the dark, dripping wet but otherwise unharmed. I picked up Henry and we both stared at Papa. "I'm okay, I'm okay," Ray muttered as he slowly hoisted himself out of the freezing water. "Mama, I think we're too old for this," he said. I just shook my head and gazed at little Henry who by this time was bouncing happily about our feet. The hour being late, and Henry having done his business, we put the pup to bed. Laughter filled the air at the Casita as we chuckled and thanked our lucky stars Ray had not been hurt, then peace and quiet settled in as we dimmed the lights and called it a night - two tired old people and a little Yorkie pup. Oh Henry!

My Garden

There's a potted planter full of scented geraniums around the side of the Casita which are blooming bountifully. I ordered these as tiny slips from Papa Geno's nursery in Nebraska, I think last season...or maybe two seasons ago. They're in just the right spot in the garden and must be feeling the love here in sunny Southern California because they are healthy and gorgeous. (Click on the pictures to see them in greater detail.) Mmmm! The fragrance is delightfully refreshing. My favorite is the rose geranium which I planted separate from these, in the front, in my little herb garden. A-a-choo! Papa Paz thinks these are all "stinky" but he has allergies so it's to be expected. I study herbs for their medicinal as well as culinary uses and I feel overwhelmingly fulfilled when I can gather those things I grow to cook with or make use of. There's calendula, mint, sage, rosemary, basil, thyme, lemon thyme and, of course, lavendar in my garden. Sounds like quite a plot, but it's actually very small, quite manageable and very self-sustaining during the times I get caught up with my quilting and forget to go outside. But of course, Papa Paz put a drip system in for me with a timer, so the garden waters itself...lucky me.

Oh Henry!

This morning Henry threw his rubber chicken into his water bowl. Splash! Henry's a small patootie but I think he thinks he's a very big wolf and was born to be wild. Oh Henry! Henry's potty training is about 98% complete, but he's still off about 2%. I sometimes wonder if he's protesting the taming of his wild ways. I just now caught Henry yanking at a piece of pink gingham which I'm going to use for a quilt backing. My assertive glare and the "NO" command sent him trotting cheerfully out the door. Henry has a mind of his own but we're on track with the Dog Whisperer as our guide. Our goal at the Casita is to make Henry happy and lovable. He's a lot of work, but so far so good.

Morgan's Quilt - All Done!

Morgan's quilt is done...just in time for her birthday party. It's a busy but cheerful compilation of bright prints. I wanted this to be a wash-and-wear blanket for Morgan, so I used a low loft polyester batting for the inside of the quilt, knowing it might be run through the wash many times. I stitched one big boxy "X" at each cross-section where the green prints meet to secure the quilt top to the back, and finished the edges with a matching green calico with a back-to-front binding technique, using mitered corners. Finally, I attached little tufts of hot pink yarn at the center of each green cross section to "tie" the whole quilt together. It's quite a feeling of accomplishment to take something from start to finish. Morgan loves her quilt and we are all happy on this blessed Easter Sunday and wish you the same.

Ray's Quilt

Here's a photo of the Underground Railroad quilt (reference Harriet Tubman) I just finished. We call it Ray's quilt since it will hang in his office at work. The finished quilt measures approx. 30" x 44". Each quilt block is only 6" square. Miniature quilts can be a challenge to piece together but, with precise measurements, accurate seams and a little patience, they work up pretty quickly. After finishing the quilt top, I sent it out to be quilted for a more professional polish. If you click on the photo you can see the quilting in more detail. I really enjoy making smaller quilts like this one.

Today I am spring cleaning my sewing room while trying to make it a visual feast for fun and inspiration. What a mess! It's all because of Henry. Henry the pup is napping...he's like a baby that way. With a "baby" on board, I find myself cleaning every nook and cranny that he can get into. Despite the doggy-ness of Henry, the casita is nice and clean-smelling. All this spring cleaning keeps Henry healthy and Papa Paz happy.

Oh Henry!

Today it's raining and cold outside, not typical for sunny Southern Califorina. Henry, our new Yorkie pup, is tiny and got the shivers when I took him outside first thing in the morning. Mean old me! Right now, Henry's wrapped in an old orange and white stripe beach towel in his doggie bed napping, quite comfy now that he's warm again. I have learned that little terriers can be oh so stubborn and this Yorkie loves my time and attention. Henry and I are working out the potty training. One for me, two for Henry so far. I think I have confused him with all the fuss. Henry has taken away from my quilting time, but he's a positive addition to the Casita. I DO WISH he'd get with the program! All projects are on hold until then.

Goldie's Bowl

WHILE AT THE FABRIC STORE..."You're a quilter?" I nodded. "Leisure World. We meet on Thursdays, 2 to 4 p.m., in the big rec room. I've rounded up a bunch of us." Giving me a once over and nodding her head thoughtfully, she stated emphatically, "You should come." I smiled. "Thanks, ummm...I'll think about it." The little lady shrugged and wandered off in search of batiks, leaving me alone with the calicos. Join a quilting group? Mmmm...maybe not yet.

Lemon Thyme Poundcake

I am a a quilter, a grower of herbs and flowers, a baker of bread. The house is quiet and I get a few more stitches in before calling it a day. Tomorrow I will make a delicious Lemon Thyme Poundcake using fresh thyme from the garden and a lemon from our tree. Here's our semi-dwarf lemon tree which is still young and currently about 3 ft tall. Daily sunshine is typical for California.

Morgan's Quilt Update

Here's Morgan's dolly quilt still in progress. I am working on the matching quilt and it is going very fast since I am doing simple rail blocks. I quilt at night as well as during the day - so much to do, so little time! Good that my garden is taking care of itself for now.

Sunbonnet Sue Quilt Sampler

I am handquilting this Sunbonnet Sue quilt sampler, which I pieced using a variety of block patterns from a learn-to-quilt book. I added Sunbonnet Sue and Calico Sam appliques on a whim and love the result. It is my very first quilt and I have been working on it for a very long time, off and on over the years. I also added tiny Prairie Points, way too soon way back when, and may have to remove them to finish this quilt properly. I'm not sure yet. It's been like that with this one. This sweet blanket is my favorite, already soft and old from handling; it is the quilt that taught me how to quilt.

My Garden

It's early spring and my garden is already in bloom. I fancy herbs and tiny fairy gardens. The plants in these photos survived the winter without much tending by me. I'll be planting tomatoes and peppers in no time at all.

Goldie's Bowl

Adios winter; hello spring!

Morgan's Quilt in the Making

I quilt and cook and do artsy things. Sometimes when I am quilting (and sometimes just generally speaking), I forget to cook dinner, but Papa Paz is very understanding and on those days he brings home takeout. On any given day, you might find me puttering around the house, in my sewing room, in the garden or out and about, shopping. Morgan will be six years old in April and I am making a simple quilt for her and one for her dollies to match. Morgan likes Strawberry Shortcake. These are the prints I am using (see photo).

Welcome

Welcome to my world, aka Calico Quilter's Casita. So much to do, so little time.