Progress Update: Baby Ava's Quilt

Not a lot of sewing has been going on. Two weeks ago, I finally put together the top of Baby Ava's quilt. Thanks to the input from my beloved blog readers, I used the Disappearing 9-Patch blocks that I had made several years ago. I squared them up and sewed them together. Then I added a small pink outer border. I've made the quilt back and the binding. I've even found two pieces of batting that I can seam together that will be just the perfect size. Now, I just need to find some time to layer and quilt it.

Here is my co-worker Dianne modeling Baby Ava's quilt.

Last week I went to the fabric store and actually got to meet Baby Ava in person. She is now two months old. She is quite a cutie, although she slept through our introduction.

I brought the quilt top into my office on Monday so I could get a decent photo. I was telling Dianne that the quilt was only "ok" because I didn't really care for the color pallet when Lauren walked by. Lauren thought the quilt was gorgeous. She loved the colors! So there is something for everyone.

Thanks for visiting!

Pugs and kisses,
Nancy

Pugtastic Tuesday: Pugs in the Kitchen!

We interrupt the Threads of Resistance Quilt Show for Pugtastic Tuesday. This week I'm sharing my pugs in the kitchen. Most of the kitchen pugs are on the stove. There are a LOT of pug magnets on the fridge, but they deserve a post of their own.

Kissing (magnetic) pug salt and pepper shakers. I have a second pair, gifted to me by my friend Lexine, that live in my Quilt Studio.

Here is another set of handsome pug boy salt and pepper shakers.

My friend Carol bought me these salt and pepper shakers at a craft show. In case you're curious, pepper goes in the black pug and salt goes in the fawn pug.

Several years ago by pure coincidence, my friends Carol and Eleanor each bought me a pug tile as a holiday gift. Happily, Eleanor bought me the black pug, and Carol bought me the fawn pug so we have one of each.

These pug tiles are hand made by a local artisan.

Our former neighbors brought us a pug trivet and a pug spoon rest from a long ago vacation. Sadly, Lori has passed away and George now lives in a nursing home. They were great neighbors and we miss them.

I just noticed that our pug trivet has a crack in it and may need to be retired from active duty.

This sweet pug on the spoon rest looks like our beloved Romeo. Of course, he looks a lot like Caesar too.

Here are the pugs in their natural habitat on the stove.

This little guy (pug Buddha) lives on top of our microwave and watches over us. Perhaps I should move him into the cabinet with his other pug miniature friends.

Here are Caesar (at left) and LarryPug in their plush dog bed in the kitchen. Since Elvis isn't in the photo, he must have been under my chair (his other favorite spot).

Thanks for visiting!

Pugs and kisses,
Nancy

Threads of Resistance Quilt Show, Part 2

Hello Dear Blogging Friends,

Thanks for all your positive feedback to my previous post, Threads of Resistance Quilt Show, Part 1. Here are some more photos from the show. I couldn't resist these striking images and made all of the photos extra large. Remember, if you click on the image it should open in a new window so you can see more detail.

Women's Rally, Greenville, SC. January 21, 2017 by Denny (Denise) C. Webster, South Carolina

Liberty Marches by Susan Bianchi, California

Not To Be Tabled by Susan V. Polansky, Massachusetts

I wish I had taken some more photos of this quilt because it was one of my favorites. The artist used a vintage tablecloth as her background and appliqued a fanciful assortment of silhouettes. A suffragette and a pregnant woman were two of my favorites.

My Flag, Our Colors, Mary L. Bolton, Massachusetts

#notnormal by Kristin La Flamme, Oregon

Nevertheless, They Persisted by Do Palma, Wyoming

This one was another favorite. Marion and I spent some time trying to identify all of the different women in the quilt. This quilt was hung in front of a window so I couldn't get the best photo.

Death of Science by Phyllis A. Cullen, Hawaii. 

                                                                                                                            

Artist's materials list: Cotton linen, organza fabrics, acrylic and puff paints, metallic and poly threads, and a lot of anger. Also hung in front of the window with light shining through it, which didn't make for the best photo. I took this photo in honor of my niece Rachel who is studying to be a doctor.

Chasm by Sandra Poteet, California

100 Days by Jamie Fingal, California

Equal Means Equal by Jessica Levitt, New Jersey

Zahra, Age 5, Syrian Refugee by Sandra Bruce, California

Thanks for visiting! I still have more photos from this exhibit, so let me know if you want to see more. I'm sure that my friend Kim G. will definitely want to see the photos of the quilts that were hung behind the curtain, i.e, not for children or for those easily offended...

Pugs and kisses,
Nancy

Threads of Resistance Quilt Show, Part 1

Not a lot of sewing has been getting done here. Last weekend, I had envisioned three glorious days full of sewing, but that did not happen. I did make the top of baby Ava's quilt, so stay tuned...

Marion with a wall full of pink pussy hats! Marion made some for her daughter and her friends who marched last year but they are not on display here.

However, last Sunday, Marion and I did make it to the Fuller Craft Museum to see the Threads of Resistance show. This show featured political quilts. Last weekend was the closing weekend of the exhibit. It may go to other venues, but I'm not sure. I took lots of photos. Be forewarned that you may find some of them offensive, so read on at your own risk.

Women's March 2017 by Kathy York, Texas.

This is a close-up of the background from the quilt above. I've used Marion's hand to show you the size of these tiny, tiny pieced squares. They finish at about 1/2 inch.

Lady Justice by Allison Chambers and Emily Robbins, Texas.

A Day to Remember by Emily K. Robertson, Wisconsin

Get Woke by Julie Parrish, Nevada

A close-up of the wonderful piecing and quilting in the quilt shown above.

Speak Truth by Katherine H. McClelland, Massachusetts. Doesn't this imagery remind you of The Handmaid's Tale?

Here's a close-up. This piece was made with felted wool. It was beautiful.

Still Yearning by Lyric Montgomery, North Carolina

Dawn Patrol by Julia M. Arden, New Zealand

Unplugged by Kelli N. Perkins, Michigan

Have you ever made a quilt with a political statement or for a cause that you strongly believe in?

Thanks for visiting.

Pugs and kisses,
Nancy

Pugtastic Tuesday: Pug Miniatures

Hello Dear Blogging Friends!

I hope that you are enjoying Pugtastic Tuesday. Before I show you my pug miniatures, I thought I would show you some new photos of the Pug Boys.

Elvis, age 15 and 4 months (because when you're a senior, every month counts!)

LarryPug will be nine next month! He loves to have his picture taken.

Caesar, our baby, will turn five next month.

I also want to wish my wonderful husband Mike a happy anniversary! Today we've been married for six years! Our first date was on Presidents' Day, so we got married on Presidents' Day. It's my favorite holiday now. Coincidentally, Mike's parents celebrated their 50th anniversary the day that Mike and I met, so they just reached their 60th wedding anniversary. Happy anniversary Bobbie and Norm!

Cutting the cake!

On our honeymoon in Hawaii.

I've loved collecting miniatures since I was a little girl. I used to have a collection of dollhouses and miniature furniture. I finally gave them away when it became obvious that I wasn't going to have my own children plus my only niece lived on the other side of the country and wasn't interested in my collection.

This cute little curio cabinet is in our master bathroom so I see it every morning.

Here's a close-up of the pug treasures inside.

This little pug in the center is from my childhood dollhouse collection. He is flanked by the jeweled pug boxes (they open!). The pug boxes each contained a tiny pug charm which I have put on my pug charm bracelet (saving this for a future Pugtastic Tuesday). The sea shells are from a special visit to the beach with Mike.

Mike bought me these two pugs during a family visit to Ocean City, New Jersey.

My sister-in-law Diane gave me the pug heart trinket box on the right. The pug on the left also opens.

Excuse the dusty fingerprint in this photo! Next job, dust inside!

These are two stuffed animal pugs.

This is an antique cigarette card that my cousin Liz bought me.

Three more little pug guys. See below for the treasure inside the pug on the right.

The little silver pug guy lifts up to reveal two smaller pugs inside, like a Russian nesting doll. I purchased this on Etsy.

The pug on the right is a hand-made felted miniature that I bought on Etsy. His companion is another small size pug stuffed animal.

Thanks for visiting! Hope your Tuesday is Pugtastic!

Pugs and kisses,
Nancy

Pugtastic Tuesday: Pug Valentines

Happy Pugtastic Tuesday! It is the day before Valentine's Day so I thought I would share some pug valentines with you.

Here is the handsome LarryPug on the Valentine's Day quilt that I made last year. I'm not sure why there is still so much Valentine's Day fabric left in the box... this is a queen-size quilt, with more Valentine's Day fabric on the back.

This is the card I got Mike this year for Valentine's Day.

And then I found a second card with chocolate lips!

Here's the inside.

I bought Mike this candy last year and he still has it in his office unopened... wonder what the expiration date is...

I have two of these sweet Valentine's Day pugs. One lives on my desk at work and the other one lives in my home office. Mike bought me one for Valentine's Day (I bought the other one the year before...). He plays, "I like big mutts and I can not lie." I like to press his paw and play his tune when things get tough at work. It makes my co-workers laugh.

I bought these cute cards to send to my niece and nephews this year. They are finger puppets!

I bought this shirt on FaceBook tonight. I couldn't resist. It will be a belated gift for Mike.

Here's my Valentine, Mike, and our baby pug, Caesar.

Linking up on Tuesday with Val's Quilting Studio. Thanks for visiting!

Pugs and kisses,
Nancy