Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Where Would I Be Without My Trusty Assistant?

I'd probably not be pulling every hair out of my head!

Lately I've been in a real quilting tear!  I can't get enough of it.  But do I get what I want done?  No!!  The reason for not getting done what I'd like to is this:


Yes, Mr. Bailey.  He silently snuck into the living room while I was laying out these blocks (where he isn't allowed - I thought he was sleeping) to get in on the photo shoot.  He's so sweet, so cute, but WHAT A TERROR!  A terror on four paws.  Huge paws!!! But how can you do anything but love him with a face like that???

But Mr. Bailey doesn't like me doing the things that I like to do.  Try to clean during the day?  Oh no, he's not up for that.  Trying to sew during the day - nope - not up for that either.  If I take him downstairs with me, he's after something - biting on the iron cord is not a good thing.  If he asks to go outside, I put him out, but he must have some kind of radar that alerts him to the minute I put one foot on the basement stairs or try to run the vacuum.  He barks like a fool to come in.  My neighbors don't say anything, but..........  So I've been resigned to sewing after dinner, making nocturnal visits to the basement and hoping that the stairs don't creak.  I know that he's going through his toddler stage, but what a bunch of work.  And what a sweetheart!!

He's growing like a weed - about 40 pounds.  Here's a couple more pictures and then I'll get on to what else is up:

Excuse the laundry - it's wash day, but DD decided to see how Bailey's sleeping accommodations are.  And then while Bailey looks small, he's growing like a weed.  My daughter's 5'4", so he's getting pretty big.  He has so much energy!!!!


And trying to look innocent (but don't let the face fool you):

Anyway, I've been on a real tear with the quilting.  I've finished off about 13 of the 18 blocks that were backed up on the Farmer's Wife quilt.  It took me three days to cut those blocks out, and one day to put them together.  Intensive cutting!

I still have a few more to go - the harder ones.  Some of these have so many small pieces!  UGH.  But I'm making progress - doing the happy dance and then..........cue in the Psycho shower scene music............ this arrives:



Next months' fabric.  OY!!!!  Is there no rest for the wicked?  But I now have 59 out of 111 blocks finished (refer to first picture with Mr. Bailey), so I'm doing a happy dance.  Hopefully in a few days I will be completely caught up!

In stitching news - not much at all - a little progress on Mary (that I'll post another time) and a little bit on Elizabeth Clayton:

The letters are taking me soooooo long.  Of course some of the letters and borders are in eyelet stitch, which I like to do, but seem to take me a long time.

In other news - not that much.  Still playing around in the craft room trying to see what works best for the things that I do.  I realized one day that I was wasting a perfectly good wall for some storage - a wall behind a door in which Mr. Santa resides until the holiday season.  As all my fabric is packed in those huge Rubbermaid bins, getting to it is a chore, so I went from this:


To this:


Cheap bookcase from Walmart to store just a small part of my fabrics.  DH made the observation that I needed about 10 of these to store all my fabric.  Unfortunately he's right, but at least it's a start!!!  Once I fill this baby up, it will be a beautiful thing!!!  DH actually L-bracketed the bookcase to the wall because he's sure that it will topple over once I pile the fabric into it!!

Well, it sounds like Mr. Bailey has wound himself around the basketball post again so I need to rescue him!  Pray for me that DH finally springs for the electronic fence!

Thanks again for all your wonderful comments.  I truly love receiving them.  And even if I haven't left a comment on your blog recently, I have been stalking lurking and I'll get back to commenting soon.

51 comments:

Kajsa said...

He's a cutie! Your quilting and your craft room looks great. Nice idea with the new shelf!

Cari said...

Oh my gosh....I love Bailey. I forgot to ask you about him when we were in Park City. He is absolutely a LOVE !! I'm sure your entire family is head over heals in love with him!! And Deb...your quilt blocks...they are all stunning. You go girl....I love them all. That is a lot of work you have done. Love the stitching too but the quilt blocks....yummy! Hugs to you and Bailey too !!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Your quilt blocks look fantastic! And they look like a lot of work too. Aren't these 4.5"?

I for one, believe Bailey's innocent look. I'm sure he's not done any of the things you mention here. He's probably thinking that YOU are the one that is difficult to train and not minding very well! :)

Annie said...

Bailey is so cute I'm sure you could forgive him for anything he does. He looks so huggable!

Gorgeous blocks! That will really be a beautiful quilt.

Diane (di) said...

Love. I am simply in love with Bailey. He is just too yummy! (If he's missing, you know where to look.) lol

Thank goodness your slump is finito, because your stitching and those quilt blocks are gorgeous Deb. I'm with Cari... you go girl. :)

valerie said...

Awww, Bailey is so cute! I love the photo of your DD and Bailey in the crate. So funny! Great quilt blocks...

Kathy A. said...

Well, that Bailey is sure making life interesting. It was very funny to read his adventures and your misadventures with him LOL. He will outgrow that puppy stage.
Love your quilt blocks. It wll all come together soon!

Ineke said...

Baily is adorable! Lovely photo of DD and Baily in the bench. And your quiltblocks are so beautiful, also because of the fabric you choose for them.

Anonymous said...

Love the shelf! Doesn't it feel good to get organized? Your quilt is coming along nicely. :)

Bertie said...

Love your FW blocks, does Mr Bailey thinks he made them ?? lol.

Kathy said...

Oh my that Bailey is a cutie pie! I could just hug him. And of course with that face how could you ever be mad at him. :) And I should know since i have a four legged child who has to be in the middle of everything. Especially my lap when ever I try to sit and stitch. LOL

Your quilt block are just gorgeous. and hopefull Bailey will settle (in a year or so) and give you more time to get the rest of them done. LOL

BrendaS said...

Mr. Bailey is such a CUTIE PIE! He's got you wrapped around his large paws:))))

When we got our 2 puppies last year it seemed like I didn't get anything done for the first few months. It will get better!

Love your quilt blocks. Your fabric choices are just wonderful.

Thanks for sharing.

Andrea said...

What a cute mess that Bailey is!! Love him!
All of your projects look wonderful Deb! I so need to get organized, like you're doing....baby steps I guess, lol!

gracie said...

Well, I think Bailey is just exhibiting his creative side. Your quilt is goingto be very nice..and the stitching is looking good. I like what you are doing with your room. I dod not have a real sewing room, just the extra bedroom which is only needed when someone is in town. But it is mine for most of the year. Your bookcase will I am sure soon be filled!

Anonymous said...

I just love your Bailey pics!

Margaret said...

lol! I just had to laugh at your quilt blocks with Bailey sitting on top of them. :D Just be grateful that Bailey doesn't have sharp claws and teeth and want to rip into your fabric all the time. lol! He's adorable! But yes, I think both our critters are going through that toddler stage!

Your quilt blocks are magnificent!! Now have I touched mine? Nooooo. Sadly. Ah well. I love your Elizabeth too! Love the pic with your daughter in Bailey's kennel with Bailey.

Katrina said...

Cute puppy, love the snap of him sitting on your quilt squares :-). Pretty stitching and quilt pictures.

Berit said...

Looking oh-so-good, Deb! :D

Lainey said...

Bailey is just so adorable!
Lovely stitches and your quilt squares are beautiful.

Roberta said...

What a hoot - love the quilt and Bailey. There is something magnetic about what we do that our animals want to be so much a part of it!!!

Your quilt blocks look great.

Love the picture of Bailey and your daughter in the kennel - too funny!

Denise said...

Must show pictures when you fill this baby with fabric! Great idea!

Poor Bailey - Mommy wants to play by herself. What's a pup to do?

Smiles - Denise

Jules said...

Mr. Bailey is just beautiful! So are your quilt blocks!!

Kim said...

Deb your FWQ blocks look fabbo!!! Way to go!! Now we've got a few weeks before the next month's show up at the door! Your sampler looks wonderful!!! Love the colors in that one. And good grief...Bailey....aDORABLE! I can't get over how big his paws are! He's going to be a big huge teddy bear!!!

Alice said...

Whooeee I remember that toddler stage! You will get back to crafting soon.
I love your crafting area.

Missy Ann said...

I'm going to come over to your house to play.

First thing I'm going to do is kiss that puppy right on the nose!

Second I'm going to drag you into your stitching room and ooh & ahh over all your beautiful work.

Bekca said...

Bailey is adorable, even if he is a nuisance sometimes :) I love your refurbishment in your craft room, you'll fill those shelves up no problem! Happy crafting to you.

Anonymous said...

What a cute helper you have...too sweet sitting there on your quilt blocks!!
My little yorkie does the same thing...she hates it when I craft or sew. How dare her mommy give something else attention instead of her!! LOL...
~Cindy~

Marylin /Poussy said...

Hi I discover your blog, your dog is a small marvel it has a good adorable head!!! Your embroidery, your workshop(studio) is magnificent! You have a lot of talent!
Cross a pleasant day
Marylin FRANCE

Nicole said...

I can't believe how big Bailey is getting! He's such a cutie!! All your projects are beautiful. Love your room!! :)

MyLifesAStitch said...

Haaaahhahaha! :) I believe God makes 'em cute so we won't kill them when they're in this holy terror stage. ;) That pic of him on your quilt blocks is hilarious. :) My old cat Socrates (RIP) used to do that... give him even the tiniest space to get "involved" in what I was doing, and he'd be all over it.

Your quilt blocks are a.maz.ing. Beautiful!! Thank you for all the eye candy and the sneak peek into your room!

TTFN, gf!

Carmen said...

Bailey look so cute!. Your craft corner look pretty.

Alice said...

I do like your assistant Deb. ; ) He has grown in the meantime. I cannot imagine staying angry with that face. I had a cat that used to do that. Would always go and sit in the middle of whatever I would be busy with. I guess it means "I am the center of attention". Love all the blocks you are preparing and your stitching has progressed. It is going to be an amazing quilt. I can see there is a lot of work in it. Great idea to convert that bookcase. It looks like it was custom made for that spot. Have a good weekend.
Alice
xxx

Brynwood Needleworks said...

I've been contemplating the Farmer's Wife quilt for quite some time. Your blocks are just beautiful!

Puppies sure do take time away from other things, don't they. Fezzik is great with only one little problem. His breeder thought it would be great to teach him how to use an inside litter box, filled with wood shavings. I'm having a devil of a time teaching him that he should do his business OUTSIDE. In 30 years, we never had trouble with this training, until this woman decided she should do this box training for the pup's new owners. I could cheerfully throttle her! (end of rant) Otherwise, Fez is great. He's smart and learns everything else very quickly.

Glad I stopped by to see you, Bailey and your projects. We'll just keep on truckin', girlfriend! Puppyhood passes relatively quickly (Thank heaven!) ;-)
xoxo
Donna

Sharrieboberry said...

The Farmer's Wife blocks are lookin' good! Good luck on loading up the new shelves!

Siobhán said...

I just have to laugh at that first picture. Bailey has such a "who, me???" look on his face, while planting himself firmly on top of your blocks. They look great, btw! So does your stitchy progress. Have fun getting the craft room sorted!

Nancy M said...

He's adorable and I'm sure a holy terror on 4 feet too! Your quilt pieces are gorgeous as always. Good luck continuing to find time to get your room and shelves all organized!

Lois said...

Well, Bailey just looks adorable, that first pic would melt anyone's heart!!! Just keep the mantra 'this too will pass' going!!!! Love the quilt blocks, love your new storage shelves, your fabric will look wonderful on these. Enjoy getting your craft room sorted!

Hazel said...

I love your dog! Nuisance though he may be - you can't help loving that face. Sooo cute. Love your wip too. And wow at the quilting!! I wish I could but I'm not very good at straight lines. x

Loraine said...

This post just made me laugh and laugh! That little (not so little) dog of yours just cracks me up. My kitty likes to sit on my projects too.
Your sewing room looks great too!
Hugs to you.

Sue-Anne said...

Bailey is adorable!!! But I understand your frustration when trying to lay out a quilt. It is like there is a silent bell that only the pets can hear that calls them in to play.

Your Farmer's Wife blocks look wonderful, it is going to be a beautiful quilt.

Jennifer Ann Fox said...

hey, Deb, haven't seen you in awhile but I guess I can see why!
He is a cutie pie.

Hope your week goes well and is filled with joyful moments!

Jennifer
Feathers in the Nest

Kathy said...

Bailey is just too cute! He makes me miss having a four-legged friend. I love your quilt squares. The fabrics in them are beautiful.
Have fun filling that bookshelf with more wonderful fabric.

Yvette said...

Your puppy is the cutest thing I have seen in a LONG time. Looks can be deceiving, one of my pups was a demon in disguise but thankfully they do grow out of it.

I ADORE your FW blocks. I have been gathering fabrics for this quilt and want to start it so bad but I haven't had the time with all the other WIP's I have going. I am determined to get this going in 2011.

Teresa Rawson said...

Your Farmer's Wife blocks look great...despite the big dog paws!! What a cutie!! He'll settle down...some day!

In stitches,
Teresa :o)

Michelle said...

My cats used to do that too...wait patiently until I lay some quilt blocks out on the floor, and then when I turn around to get the camera...there they are laying on my blocks. Dang it. You really are making great progress on those blocks too. Can't wait to see the shelves full.

Brigitte said...

He seems to have a sense of humour, this cute little guy. Thanks for sharing his funny stories.
Good that you have found your quilting mojo again. Like me, but not for quilting here, but for stitching.

Sherry :o) said...

Good to see your stash organizing and all the cool starts you've made - boy do I ever love to start things. I used to let it bother me, but now it's just part of me and what I like to do. Just like collecting recipie books and not cooking out of all of them. Love the dog on your blocks - it seems anytime I lay out any blocks either the dog shows up or the boy runs across them - messing them all up...Glad you are out of your slump - see you soon at K.S. :0)

Joy said...

Your Mr. Baily is a handsome sweetheart. What a love! The picture of him on the fabric reminds me of our Tiger (one of my DH's five rescues). She fancies herself my studio cat, though as a full size pitbull mix she has to work at it. She tests all my quilt blocks and quilt tops for softness... and poses on them.

Your FW blocks are just awesome. I am itching to start that one. Finishing my Sylvia's Bridal Sampler would be wise first, but it is oh-so-tempting!

Have a quilty weekend!

Jane said...

Mr. Bailey is adorable!! I wouldn't be able to resist that face either. I have a terrier that always wants my attention too.
Your quilt blocks are amazing. I am always in awe of you quilters. The time and patience it takes to make your gorgeous quilts is amazing. I think I have crafter's ADD, I'm always jumping from one project to another. I don't think I would ever get a quilt finished if I started one.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Jane

Little Lady Patchwork said...

Dear Mr. Bailey,

Please excuse your mom for a few hours tomorrow. She would really love to get some work done on her fabulous quilt blocks!

BTw-Tell mom that 10 bookcases is probably enough to start with :0)

Stefanie

Laurie in Iowa said...

Mr. Bailey is one cute pup, with the face of an angel... who can resist.
Your Farmer's Wife quilt blocks look great.