Hi. Remember me? I think I’m back. With a vengeance.
I have many things to share. Starting with this mystery. A Bonnie Hunter Mystery. And I absolutely had to participate because I have a stash. Too big of a stash. And I want it depleted. I need it depleted.
I’ve always loved scrap quilts. And Bonnie is the Queen of Scrap Quilts. Yet I’ve made very few. Thus I have a stash. Aren’t scrap quilts what a stash is for?
So I went through my stash and picked colors that looked like Bonnie’s stash. And honestly? When I first saw her stash, I thought it looked a lot like mine. I have millennium fabric in mine too, Bonnie! I really, really, really need to get rid of some stash.
But the real clincher for me on doing this one was this: Bonnie has collaborated with Linda Franz this time. And there’s an Inklingo collection to do the mystery. Yahoo!
Believe you me. I downloaded that collection lickety-split the minute it was available. I’m an Inklingo junkie. And I have the quilts and UFO’s to prove it. With all nicely printed fabric. I love Inklingo!
So come on, Mom! Let’s get printing! I have a new helper too. And I use the term helper quite loosely. More about him in upcoming posts. See? Didn’t I tell you I had lots to blog about?
So yesterday I was a printing fool. I ironed my blue fabrics per Clue #1 to freezer paper. Sidenote: My printer doesn’t do custom sizes so I cut my freezer paper the size I have available and then just save fabric by cutting it the size I need. I end up with a little ink on the shiny extra freezer paper, but I just wipe that off with a paper towel and use the freezer paper again and again.
But then when I went to get my orange & neutral fabrics to continue my printing, this greeted me. How can I move that sweet sleeping kitty to continue on?
So I decided to move on to cutting. In the living room while watching a Christmas movie with Dear Hubby.
Only 6.8 seconds later, The Helper was asleep in my lap. Helping as he slept. Right. So I got Dear Hubby to get my favorite scissors. Because we have a rule at our house that if you have a sleeping kitty in your lap, you absolutely, positively cannot get up. So I proceeded to cut on my nicely printed lines with scissors.
Panda was overseeing the whole operation over my shoulder.
Of course, The Helper did wake up. And wanted to play with all the fabric scraps.
And then when I cut a few oranges and neutrals, he had to oversee that operation too.
Look how I can help with the rotary cutting, Mom. Such a good helper. Not.
But I did manage to get this much printed and cut.
And here are my first four Clue #1 mystery parts completed. Only 184 to go. Yikes!
Now if these two would just nap and stay out of my hair….. Notice the two bins of fabric on the floor. That is all fabric not used in the mystery. And those aren’t the only bins. I think I need to make a few more Bonnie Hunter scrap quilts. Like maybe about 8,273 of them.
I’ll help, Mom! Really, I will. Let’s get printing more and more. I love playing in the sewing room.
In between napping, of course.
More to come…. plans for really introducing The Helper, the JSS Christmas party this week and more! I’m baaaaackkkkkk!
Hugs,
Barb
P.S. Loads of people all over the world are doing Bonnie’s Celtic Solstice. If you want to view all their blogs and see what they are doing, go to Bonnie’s post here to see them!
Just Sayin' Sew 
Your fabric choices are wonderful but your kitty helpers steal the show. At least as far as I’m concerned they steal the show! Particularly the little red imp — but you know I have a huge weakness for little red kitties!
Oh my, what cute helpers you have! So glad you and Cathi are participating in the BH/Inklingo scrap quilt so I can dream I’m participating through you. So glad you’re baaaaack!
I love your little helpers!! I couldn’t resist checking out your entry with such a cute kitty looking up from your stash!
That little booger is getting big!
And I can’t believe you are doing this mystery. Well, I can. You do not listen to me. 😉
Very cute kitty pics. And I love your fabrics!
Loving the lines with Inklingo for this design so far! Your kitties reminded me of my Muffy who departed about a year or so ago…still two kitties here but they aren’t my quilting helpers the way she was.
Love your little ginger friend. Celtic Solstice will be a great bonding process!
At my house cats on the lap is called Therapy because if feels SO GOOD!
Your little helper was tugging at my heart strings. After 13 years, Lestat, my tuxedo cat, went over the rainbow bridge earlier this year. He used to help just like your little ginger! Absolutely adorable! Love the fabrics you are using. I’m like you….lots of variety in my stash. 😉
Love your sweet little helper! Looks like your units are coming along nicely!
Love the Helper, warmed my heart to see him , playing, napping and helping where ever he could! So glad to see you back on a roll! I have no time to sew and I’m sadden by that, but I was thinking about purchasing the inklingo design and collecting all the clues. Are they in the group emails? Guide me Oh Wise One!…LOL
Hugs,
Robin
I love your cute little new helper. We have the same rule about Cats on our lap. Forbidden to move them……hahaha….
I was scrolling down the linky on Bonnie’s site and saw the photo with your cute helper and had to come visit! I’m glad to see the help is being given at ALL stages of the preparation … I’m sure s/he only naps when they are confident you can be unaided for a short while!!!!! Have fun 🙂
LOVE your little helper! She reminds me so much of our sweet Peachie. We lost her to oral cancer this summer—I just can’t seem to get over her loss. We still have three grey tigers I love, but there was something about our little orange tabby….. I so love your rule about sleeping kitties! I have vowed to never feel guilty about not giving them enough time or attention–so when one sits on me–I stay until they are done. OR, as my oldest boy has recently started to do–he leads me to the bedroom where we cuddle on the fleece blankets. He is 13 now and I will give him all the time and loving he needs…. Thanks for sharing your sweet kitties!
Yeaaaaa!!! You’re back! 🙂
Your units look GREAT! You may have been a printing fool, but looks like it was worth it!
Love your Helper!! We have three kitties but one of them is my special sewing helper. Great start on your blocks.
Great to have you back!! And I love your new little helper – very, very cute!! Can’t wait to see the blog about the JSS Christmas party ;-)!
How nice of your kitty to coordinate himself with your oranges and neutrals! And the other one blends very well with the dark blue! Great progress AND adorable helpers!