Crazy, Crazy, Crazy Cats!

So, my husband has been playing this video game, and I'd have to say... The man is hooked! Ok, that may sound bad - he will go a year without playing, but when it's a new game... I'll just leave it at that. This evening was really no different. He was wanting to play, but I was watching the news & wasn't ready to be done. So, Mr. Bossypants (not really, actually) says to me "don't you have some sewing to do?" Dang it! LOL.

Here's the thing, though - I DID want to be sewing. I had been thinking all day about how I'm going to be pretty busy until Monday evening and won't have any sewing time, probably until Tuesday, actually. I ended up having a fairly productive few hours! I took a class last Saturday at Fiddlesticks - my favorite lqs. It was the Crazy Cats pattern, by the Buggy Barn. I finished one full cat in class, and parts of two more cats. Well, tonight I managed to finish the other two cats started in class, so now I've got three! They're so super cute! I will try to get photos up soon.

I recommend this pattern. It's a different way of thinking for your typical anal-retentive quilter, but I think that's why I enjoy it so much. I feel a little "free" while working on these blocks.

Nine more to go, plus the flowers. It's officially been added to my UFO list (not because I'm no longer working on it, but because I add ALL unfinished projects to that list).

Design Wall Monday

Linking up with Judy L over at the Patchwork Times!

I'm thrilled to have a NEW project up on the design wall today!  I took a class on Saturday.  The pattern is "Crazy Cats" by the Buggy Barn, which is in the book "Undeniably Crazy."  I finished one entire cat, and the "bodies" of two others.  (the nose does show up better "in real life")

Yesterday afternoon, I finished the faces (whiskers included) of the other two cats and am happy to say that I remembered the proper technique!  Yes - I learned in class that reading directions really helps - a LOT!  :)

I really love these cats, and I love the Buggy Barn technique even more!  It would be similar to paper piecing (the final results, anyway), if I had to give an explanation.  However, there is no paper to sew through!  You do use wax paper to copy the master design, then iron that onto the top of a stack of fat quarters.  But, after that, no more paper.  PHEW, because I don't think I am particularly great at paper piecing.  I sew the "sections" nicely, but when it's time to sew the sections together, they come out warped.  Ok, not always, but sometimes.  In my opinion, "sometimes" is not OK.  So I've been avoiding that process altogether!  So, with this process, the block sections turn out "wonky," as you can see in the photo above.  Each time you sew on a new piece, you straighten ONLY the edge you're sewing.  So, when I go to add the kitty ears, the top of the faces will be straightened out.  Simple as that.  And when the entire block is complete, you then square it up to a certain size.  It's not really close, either - there is plenty to cut off & not much chance you'll mess it up!  

I would recommend this pattern to a very comfortable beginner or experienced quilter.  You'll have a lot of fun!