Tag Archives: cat

There was a Crooked House Cat

The little House Cat quilt is finished or is it? The peanut gallery is having a problem with the fact that is isn’t straight, well, specifically that the hanging tabs are different lengths. What do you think?

My thought with this piece was that the cat was sitting on fleece pad/blanket (green fabric) and it’s not straight or perfect so when I added the border, I just went with the shape.

I do have ideas for how I could make the hanging tag appear even but I’m not sure I’ll go there…maybe after you tell me your thoughts.

I’m really happy with the hanger though. It’s made from my paper clay version of catnip leaves on the left, and on the right, part of a cat toy; I added more feathers, yarn, and a piece of reclaimed jewelry.

My kitty, Kona, donated two more eye brow hairs and I’m pleased with the face.

I’ve been accused of slacking on my labels, oh well, here’s this one (just fused on). As I mentioned in an earlier post – After ripping out her first eyes I knew where the label was going, and it did.

This piece is approximately 16″ wide (the hanging dowel) by approximately 17″ tall, and may be for sale.

The weather here has been cool with even a little rain today, which we really need. So the kitty “resort” hasn’t gone outside and even though there was sun yesterday, somebody wasn’t a bit happy about not being able to go “outside” into the resort!

I had a studio dog by my side (usually laying on my feet) for over eight years and she never demanded what this cat does, LOL!

Look for a fabric giveaway/sweepstakes announcement next post. Until then I hope you enjoy the season and stay safe.

That’s Interesting

“That’s interesting” is sometimes the comment my Mister gives when looking at my art. He has been incredibly supportive through all these years of my art making, but sometimes when he doesn’t “get it,” or care for the art piece, he knows how to be diplomatic.

I found it very interesting that because the subject of my House Cat piece is familiar (our cat modeled), everyone here decided to chime in as to what I could or should do to make it better. They had valid observations and suggestions but got a big “NO, it’s done” from me.

And here’s why – After I finished quilting and thread painting a bit more, I decided not to bind it but to face it, primarily because the piece is odd shaped. But after I trimmed it I noticed one of the eyes was fraying… one of the eyes I tried to free-motion outline to get the fabric to stay down only to cause a lot of thread build up.

I never could cover the raw edge, so out came the seam ripper, scissors, lint roller, and hours later both eyes were removed.

Looking at this I want to say “Poor thing!”

Now with the thread removed there was quite the perforated eye shape in the fabric, both the front and back. I figured the only thing I could do was hand embroider the eyes. I would have liked to have added more embroidery but between the floss and quilt sandwich I couldn’t get the needle through any longer. I thought about painting more reflection in the eyes, but – NO, I’m done!

But of course I had to add more thread painting and whiskers.

Initially I made whiskers by burning felt and stretching it and painting gesso on them, but in the end I used my cat’s found whiskers and eyebrows (I’d been saving). I’m still waiting for a couple more eyebrows. I haven’t decided yet, if that is clever or gross!

I’ve been looking at it too long and see all that could be better but it has been a fun project; from painting the fabrics to making the pattern, and stitching it…and as always I learned a lot. When I have the hanging dowel ready I’ll share a photo of the finished piece.

REMINDER – I have a giveaway going on; if you are interesting in entering but haven’t yet, please check out last weeks blog post for details. Be sure to tell me you want to be entered (in the comments of that post), so I’ll know you want to be entered.

Quick Quilting

I added a border and started quilting the cat on a mat. It’s raw edge fused and made from painted fabric, I wrote about it here.

I decided to not make the piece a square rectangle but to follow the edge of the green mat. I may just look like a bad job instead of intentional, we’ll see. I plan to do my traditional butted corner binding. I have a ways to go but I’m having fun.

It’s interesting how sometimes we don’t notice certain things when we are face to face with a piece but look at it on the computer and oh, now I see it clearly. I don’t like the smile, but she’s not finished yet! More to come.

This Time of Year…

I was almost a Halloween baby having been born the day before and have always enjoyed the end of October. When our kids were little I loved making their costumes and painting their faces. My daughter is an artist and draws original cards for most special occasions around here and they usually feature a cat. The design on this little art quilt was from a birthday card she gave me a few years ago, which I enlarged, traced onto fabric, painted, layered with batik, batting and felt, then quilted. It was fun to make… I may even quilt it some more!

This tiny pumpkin is my fiber art contribution to the Halloween/Autumn festivities this year. I will be making a short video on just how I made it and later share some other projects it could be added to (Here it is on a greeting card with free-motion stitching).

Spring Surprises

We’ve lived in our house for over thirty years and though there have plenty of alligator lizard sightings this is the first year we have spotted them copulating – three pairs in two day! It looks like quite a violent act and can last for hours. Luckily kitty didn’t notice the pair next to the BBQ on “her” deck! I have a good photo of that pair but seeing as the females head is in the male’s mouth I have decided to spare you and instead post another MeAnndering (on paper) piece, Kona supporting me in my art, and a piece that is under the quilting needle right now. Don’t let the patchwork fool you, I plan on painting it (more about that in a later post). How is the weather where you are?

MeAnndering Cat Head

My daughter, Zoey, was kind enough to draw a cat head pattern for me so that I could MeAnnder (aka doodle) on paper. She works digitally and makes it look so easy! Up under the Patterns and Supply List tab I’ve added the cat head pattern uncolored; for those of you who like to doodle and another cat head that I MeAnndered, so it’s ready for you color! I used felt tip markers but crayons, color pencils, or paints could be used instead. If you and/or someone you know uses the patterns I’d love to see the finished masterpieces!

Coming soon I’ll be sharing a couple MeAnndered heart projects and another free pattern.

Something New and a Little Green

I was gifted an herb planter set for Mother’s Day (from my Mister), and even though they were in a sunny window, it wasn’t going well until I placed them outside in the (filtered) sun. At first I thought – In jars without drain holes, bad idea but… Now they are very happy and I don’t feel like a plant killer! Hopefully the cilantro (the one I most wanted) won’t bolt.

I’m not a watercolor on paper artist but because I made the mistake of leash training Kona, I seem to be spending more time out on the kitchen deck, so I decided to try my hand.

I admire anyone who can paint Plein Air… I’m intimidated by it!

herbs watercolor — Painted on Watercolor Postcards stock (it’s tiny)

Back in the studio where I feel more confident… Here is a little detail of my most recent Photograph on Fiber series piece. It will be on display at the San Diego Quilt Show August 30 (evening Preview Party) through September 3, 2016. After the piece professionally photographed I’ll share it on the blog.

still moring detail — Hand painted whole cloth, stamped using hand made stamps, and machine quilted.

As I was writing this about twenty green parrots flew over… such a perfect ending!

Hot days and garden time

Although I have been quilting up a storm (This is the back view of my most recent painted whole cloth), we have had warm days and I’ve spent extra time out in the gardens.

Back of fiber and Photography piece in progress.

There has been a kitty hanging around ( we have name it “The Cat”) and she is trying to adopt us much to the dismay of our house cat, Kona.

I actually have Roma tomatoes growing and hope we get to taste them before the critters and bugs get to them.

I had to transplant a pretty little tree from a pot out back to the front garden at the wrong time (it was blooming like mad) and I can hardly believe it continues to bloom and didn’t die.

And then I rediscovered this little garden goose (may be a duck but “garden goose” is much more fun to say!). from my dear sister, next to violets that came from my late mother. They have been moved many times as I have redesigned and replanted the front landscaping. I’m very happy to see them again and look forward to seeing their sweet little flowers.

How are the summer sights and sounds in your part of the world?

Fiber Designs by Ann

Fiber art Design, Instruction, Sales