Jaws

One of my goals in 2016 was to read more. See other books I've read or listened to here. This is also a goal for 2017.

I have been wanting to read Jaws by Peter Benchley for a while but every time I picked it up, I couldn't get into it. Sometimes listening to a book is easier. This version is read by Erik Steele. This book was listened to in 2016 and can be added to that list. 

I had a few themes to my reading/listening materials for 2016 and this book definitely falls in to one of them. I've been devouring books about shore towns, beach life, and seasonal communities. 

Amity hibernates in the Winters. But the town comes alive in the Summer. The people of amity rely on Summer tourists and Summer business to keep it alive in the off season. The town leaders are willing to make Summer profitable at any coast. But Police Chief Brody's job is to protect the town, too. 

The movie Jaws is a classic, of course. The book was quite different; much slower and more involved in the town itself, and the character that make up Amity. I really enjoyed that this book was about a seasonal shore town facing a devastating Summer. There's an interesting juxtaposition between the towns needs and the shark's needs. I would recommend this book for readers who live by the beach or have a seasonal life style, fishermen, or people who like books of movies based on books. 

Do you have a favorite beach town novel?

2016FAL Q4 Wrap Up

For all my Quarters in the 2016FAL, I had 5 goals, except in Q4. Since little got done for Q2 and Q3, I decided to take it easy in the last part of the year: 

1. Finish quilting, bind, and label Maybe Lyz Quilt. 
Worked on, but not finished. 
2. Baste, quilt, bind and label Alabama Quilt Top. 
I did baste this quilt, so one less step for next time. 
3. Make a back, baste, quilt and bind the Vintage Squares quilt.
 I think I basted this quilt?? The end of the year was such a blur, I honestly can't remember. 
4. Finally finish Ohio Stars quilt.
Finished!!

Many of my 2016 finishes were gifted. What a great feeling!

For Q4, I'm 1 out of 4 and for the year only 4 finishes on my FAL (5 finishes total this year). This was my second year participating in the Finish Along, and I feel like I did better than the previous year. I may not have made more, but I made some and stuck with it and had a great time. I wish I had had time to look at, comment on, and take inspiration from other quilter's posts more. There's always next year. 

Thanks to all who participated, ran, or followed the 2016FAL and special thanks to those who visited my posts about it. 

Bring on 2017!!

New Block: Plus Squared - Last MCQBOM of 2016!!

I found this block while browsing The Carpenter's Daughter Who Quilts. She credits it as coming from Quilty Love. I thought this would be a neat block to finish my MadCatQuiltsBOM for 2016. It showcases a lot of the fabrics I've used throughout. 

This block came together quickly and easily and I would definitely make it again. I like how it turned out!! I forgot to get a group pic of this block with it's 11 cousins before I started sashing the others. I was just so excited to get moving!! I will be posting a MCQBOM2016 post wrapping up the blocks, and showing what I'm doing next, soon. And be on the look out for Mad Cat Quilts 2017 Block Of the Month! I'm working on the blocks and intro post for that as well. 

Which BOMs is everyone joining for 2017?

December in Review

Another year done. Amazing. 

Everyone's been talking about how 2016 was BAD year. Sure, a lot of bad things happened this year. A lot of bad things happened last year. A lot of people said 2015 was a BAD year.
Personally, some bad things happened. Some terrible things. But some wonderful things happened, too. I feel alone in this, but despite the bad, I'm happy with each year and I'm happy to move on to the next. 
Globally, and locally, some bad things happened but I'm taking this time to gather my community, gather my family, and move forward with love and hope. 

1) Before. 2) Amaryllis blooms. 3) Classic in the 'hood. 4) After. 

We got a record player! Hooray! Whatever took us so long? Now, when we are adventuring, we are keeping our eyes out for records. The beginning of the month saw much of this as I was participating in @JerseyCollective. anyone interested in NJ should follow their insta.

1) An OG xmas. 2) Balmy Belmar. 3) Asbury Park, my heart. 4) Bayhead in the spirit. 

Also in the beginning of the month, the beach was key. Morning walks were still in effect and what a lovely site the beach is in Winter. But, man, Winter gets cooooollllld! I've gone on hiatus until it warms up a bit (or I buy a proper Winter coat). This should give me more time for quilting. I had two finishes in December!

1) This cat house is a favorite find of 2016. 2) Porch life. 3) Neighborhood kitties in their cold weather coats. 4) Checking me out.  

Despite the cold, it was a pretty good month for #watchercats! Our kitties at home are going thru a transition, but we're working hard to keep them healthy and happy!

1) Pitstar. 2) Friends. 3) Chicken. 4) Tom.

We were very lucky to see lots of family and some friends over the holidays. A goal for this year will be to see people more regularly! Hopefully we can see many people who live near and far. 

1) Beach jewel. 2) Museum cat. 3) Goodwill finds. 4) Goodies window.

Nothing more to say, 2016. January, on to the new...

2016 Goals Review

In the beginning of recent years, I like to make a list of goals for myself. These are goals/paths that I set for myself, things I want to be mindful about in the coming year. Here are my 2016 goals, some thoughts on them, and posts that are related to each: 

Work on Creative Endeavors as Much as Work
For 2015, I wrote "I have to make my art and sewing a priority in my life and not let working at my job be the only or most urgent thing that drives me". And this past year has taught me that this is a very difficult task. Nearly Impossible. I am excited to carry this goal over and continue to work towards it.  
This is a continuous goal for me and I'm still working on it. 2016 was a very challenging year for me in many respects, but in this one particularly. I do think I have made strives here, and I do think it has been a present thought and idea this year, maybe in a way that it hasn't before. One could say that this blog is a diary of this goal in many ways. 

Quilting
As a way to work towards goal number 1, I need to work more on my craft. Some things I want to work on in this area are to improve my skills, be involved in at least one market, and one show, have a finish every month, and generally make more! 
This goal is almost ever present as well. I certainly didn't complete the fine print of this goal. But there's always next year. This goal has some tangible posts. 
Basting Party
Shoofly Variation
Snowball
Baby Blue
Basket Weave
Orange Cat/Grey Cat
Original Mini
Drunkard's Path
Tree Of Life
Diagonal
Failed Star
Equilateral Triangles
Wrench Variation
Railroad Spike
Wrinkly Old WIPs
Economy Block Variation
Corner Block

Blog/Shop/Sales
In 2015, I made great strives in my blogging. I want to keep that up with regular blog posts. Like, really regular! I learned last year that I need take 1 month off from blogging. My slowest time for posts is over the summer. I failed to update shop regularly in 2015. This is something I hope to do. Hopefully that will result in more sales, as I would like to gain practice at selling, packaging, and gathering customers and followers to widen my community. 
While I did make good advices in my blogging, all else was a bit of a wash. 
Giveaway
Blog Goals
Quilts for Baby
Commissions

Draw More (some).  
To inspire this goal, I've started a secret project. Something that might help this would be to do a drawing a day for a year. 365 drawings might be a weighty goal, but I'm going to try!
I haven't revealed my secret project formally, but I will soon. I came nowhere close to doing a drawing a day. I will say that, while I did not draw as much as as I wanted, I did draw some. 

Deadlines
I want to learn to set and complete more deadlines for myself.  
This goal didn't make it too far, and there aren't really any post about it. But this one kinda counts:
Bullet Journaling 

House and Home
I want to continue to get better at taking care of my family and our home.  
Another never ending goal. Overall I feel great about my house, my home, and my continued commitment to taking care of my family. I'd like to have more post to show of this in the future.
Shelfie 001
Shelfie 002

Exercise/Diet/Cooking
I want to get better at taking care of myself and my health. I'd like to exercise at least 4 times a week. I want to stretch every day. I want to continue to make and eat wonderful and healthy foods. 
What a great year it was for me about finding out what works for me! And what doesn't, of course. 
Winter Citrus
Juicing at Home
Juicy Update
Smoothie Bowls
A Week of Bowls

Wardrobe/Use Up, Don't Buy
I plan to continue my wardrobe project which I worked on last year. And I want to strive to reduce, reuse, and recycle more in my everyday life. I'd love to be able to not buy anything (besides food, necessities, etc...) for at least 6 months out of the year 2016.  
I did well with not buying too much and being mindful when I did or didn't. I could have done better. There are many aspects of this goal that will be renewed for 2017. 

Community
Now that I've moved, I need to get involved! Step one - get a job I love! I also want to make sure that I stay in touch with my old community, so friends will be a priority this year. 
I started to make headway on this goal in 2016. I got a job, and I started exploring my new home. I love where I live. I would have liked to see more friends, but I didn't do a terrible job this year, I think.
A Night at the Fair
Student Pillows
The Roadside Diner
More Student Pillows
Circus Drive In
Summer Break
September Plant Update
October Plant Update
November Plant Update
December Plant Update

Read More
Nuff Said. 
I read a good amount in 2016. Below are the the books I've already blogged about. There are a few more that need posts.
Deeply Nourished
Ready Player One
Out Stealing Horses
The Magic Art of Tidying Up
Neither Here Nor There
Bangkok 8
Asbury Park Reborn
Saga
Simple Matters
Blood Oath
Ringworld

I will be carrying over, or amending many of these goals for 2017 and adding new goals as well. I very much hope to continue to be as mindful as I was in 2016 and to become even more so in the future.  
 

Ohio Stars: A Finished Quilt

This quilt has been in the works for many years. It has been in every quarter of both Finish Alongs I've participated in and now, in Q4 of my second year, I've finished it!! Here is my Q4 List.

The inspiration for this quilt started when I wanted to try making a Ohio star. Later I decided I would complete the quilt and gift it to a certain someone. So I worked diligently on it... for a while. 

But then inspiration ended. Somewhere between basting and quilting, I lost my nerve, so to speak. I liked the quilt, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to give it to whom I had intended. It took me ages to finish once doubt was in my mind. 

Now that the quilt is finished, I love it! I don't know where it will end up, but I'm happy that it is complete. 

Ohio Stars Quilt uses new, vintage, and donated fabric. I tried to incorporate colors that are rarer for me with tons of yellow and green. The backing is a single piece of vintage cheater fabric that lived its former life as a tablecloth. 

This quilt measures approximately xx x xx and has a new cotton batting, and a rolled binding. It is completely hand sewn and hand quilted using cotton thread. 

Having had this quilt in the works for so long, I think all my cat helpers worked on this one with me at one time or another. 

I'm linking up today with Needles and Thread Thursday, Finish It Up Friday, Finished or not, It's Friday, the 2016 Finish-A-Long, and more!

Elvis Sings the Blues Mat: A Finished Quilt

This floor mat, in dark blues and contrasting reds, was my November and December OMG goal. I made this mat especially for our elderly cat, Elvis. He's 24 years old!

This mat was started many months back, and I wasn't sure what it would become. placemats, perhaps? A table runner? But when Elvis took to laying on the hard floor rather than a comfy couch, or chair, I knew he needed a good old floor mat. 

I started this mat by finding a lot of blue scraps. Most were already cut into strips for one reason or another. I pieced them together and made four or so "squares". At that point, this WIP sat around for a while. Once I decided on making the mat, the smaller pieces got joined together to make a rectangular top. This top contains new, vintage, and repurposed fabric in cotton, denim, poly and more varieties. 

I used a large piece of purple and white dotted cotton fabric, which had been gifted to me from a friend's destash, for the backing. The batting is two larger cotton batting scraps all sandwiched together. Two layers of batting make Elvis' mat slightly more cushiony but not too puffy.

I quilted this mat using a dark blue embroidery thread. I know I did not want a lot of quilting, but that I did want the quilting to stand out, especially on the backing. I used an alternating cross pattern. I folded the edges of the backing to make a wide binding on the front. 

Elvis Sings the Blues Mat measures approximately 35 1/2" x 28". Elvis himself certainly did help me while making this quilt, but ironically doesn't sleep on it too often. He's discovered the bed and his life is forever changed!! Luckily, other cats in the family are enjoying this finish. 

I'm linking up with Elm Street Quilts for the final OMG2016. This makes x of 12 goals finished for my 2016OMG. I wish I had added this mat to my 2016FAL but alas, it wasn't on there. I am linking up for the first time with My Quilt Infatuation's Needle and Thread Thursday. Still, I'm glad to have a lovely finish to gift at the end of the year.  

Regular Scheduled Programming

OK, scheduled might be pitching it a bit thick, but there are some regular columns posted here at Mad Cat Quilts. This is what they looked like for 2016 (and before if you scroll back enough):

Months in Review - My review of the month with my favorite instagram posts. 

WIP - Works In Progress, few words. 

Something New - New things I'm trying, or old things that are new again. 

New Block - I'm always trying to sew new blocks. 

Book Reviews - One of my yearly goals is always to read more. 

Zoo at Home, Zoo Abroad - I love to visit zoos. This column shares them. 

Monthly Plant Update - A visual account of the plants around me. 
(Added this year)

On My Mind On Friday Morning - Links, thoughts, research, and little updates on life. 

Art and Nature... - Art and nature go together, here I write about where I find that combo. 
(Only one post this year)

And here are some community groups that I joined in on this year:

OMG2016 - One Monthly Goal started by Red Letter Quilts in 2016. Currently showing at Elm Street Quilts. Pick a goal each month and complete it!

YOTS2016 - Year Of The Stash was started by Quarter Inch From The Edge in 2016. Use your stash, record it here!

2016FAL - This is the big Finish Along which you can find at A Quilter's Table among others blogs. Make quilt finish goals for each quarter, and get 'em done!!

And for the very first time this year, I'm working on making my own Block of the Month club:

MCQBOM2016 - Mad Cat Quilts 2016 was all about trying to set a monthly block goal and complete it. New (to me) blocks only!

Some columns I tried this year didn't work out as well as these and won't be continued. But you win some... etc... I hope to add to this list every year, if possible. This list is mostly for myself but I thought you might like to see them, too. 

For those of you who write blogs, what is your own favorite regular column? 
For all blog makers and readers, who has your favorite column in a blog?

YOTS Check In / Wrap Up for December

Here we are at the end of 2016 and the end of Year Of The Stash. I had a lot of fun participating in this quilt community activity. It definitely helped me be more mindful of what I was bringing in and what I was using up. 

These were some new fabric purchases from a chain fabric store. These were all on sale, of course, so I couldn't resist. 

The year started out with me buying a lot of fabric!! I wasn't feeling too good about it and when I found YOTS from A Quarter Inch From the Edge, I knew it was going to be great for me. I started out by making a Stash Manifesto:

1) Buy as little new fabric as possible. I won't say buy none. I want to be free to get a great new piece here or there, patron indy quilt shops, or buy backing when needed. I'll buy used, reclaimed, and/or vintage fabric when possible. I pride myself on using these fabrics in my quilts, and need to scoop them up when they preset themselves. But I want to be mindful not to add too much to my stash!
2) Use some used, vintage and/or reclaimed fabrics in all quilts. Last year was the first time I used all new fabric for some quilts and it just didn't feel right. As I said above, I pride myself to use these vintage items, and I need to get back to that. I have such a wonderful collection in my stash, it needs to get out into the world!  
3) Organize as I go. When we moved, I started folding and color coordinating my stash and discovered that I have far too much fabric!! I barely made a dent before I filled up the entire space I'd set aside. I'd like to utilize this space better this year. I want to use up, organize, and consolidate during The Year of the Stash!
4) Sew, sew, sew! One of my goals is to have at least one finish per month, I'd also like to make one new block per month. Sourcing from my stash will help me as I have so many wonderful fabrics at my fingertips! 

Here's how it worked out in real life:
1) Once I started YOTS, I went long periods of time without buying anything new. I was even able to go to quilt shops and not come home with anything. I was able to find some great vintage fabric, some fun vintage sheets and such for backing or cut up and some interesting thrifted pieces this year. I designated some old clothes and other items for repurposing as quilting fabric. Overall, I'm happy with what got added to my stash.
2) I'm happy to report that after joining YOTS, everything I made had some used, vintage, or reclaimed fabric in it. 
3) I started out the year pretty strong, but that was all the organizing I did and it was very little.
4) I didn't sew as much as I would have liked this year. When I did, I shopped my stash and was pleasantly surprised and inspired. But very few finishes happened for me and I did not devote enough time to my quilting craft. 

These were purchased from Rock Paper Scissors, a really lovely quilt shop in Montclair NJ. 

Here's what my year end stash report looks like:
Fabric Added Since last Update (in August, yikes!!): approximately 8 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date: approximately 29 yards
Fabric Used Since last update: approximately 5 yards (wallets and BOM)
Fabric Used year to Date: approximately 13 yards

That's a total of 16 yards in the plus category for my stash. Not horrible but not great, either. Still, for my first of mindfully adding to my stash, I'm happy!! 

One thing I've tried to be better about this year is joining in with the quilty community. I've tried to do more challenges (like YOTS, OMG, FAL2016) and more link ups (like Slow Sunday Stitching, Move It Along Monday, etc...).
YOTS was a challenge that I really enjoyed and I plan on making a 2017 manifesto and continuing to track my progress in the new year, but I'm not sure if Quarter Inch From Edge will be hosting another year of YOTS. I found that there wasn't a lot of community activity in this challenge, bc there were very few link ups, very few check ins and a general lack of group encouragement. I totally understand how hard it must be to be the leader for such a community, when even just blogging can be a struggle. I'm not upset or disappointed but I do hope that YOTS continues into the future and it gets more community involvement. I'd be willing to take a swing at leading it, but I couldn't promise I'd do better at regular YOTS activities. I would try, though! Maybe I'll contact Quarter Inch from the Edge... Or maybe I'll concentrate of my own Year Of The Stash!

I hope some of you guys will start a 2017YOTS and share your progress (no matter where that may be). I look forward to seeing your manifestos and stash reports in the new year!

Shelfie 002

How many gems can you name?

December OMG

Well, November was another month I didn't finish my One Monthly Goal. So I'm rolling that goal over to December. For the last month of the year, I'd Like to finish the mostly blue mat i've been working on. 

I've got to get this one finished bc it needs a wash! Look at all that cat hair!

OMG is now hosted over at Elm Street Quilts and I certainly hope that it will continue into 2017. 

New Block: Inspiration from Instagram

I saw this block on Johanna Weider's instagram. I liked this block, which Johanna quadrupled on her post. She has a ton of great work. My block is not quite the same. 

This was a fun block to make, and makes a good addition to my MadCatQuiltsBOM. I'm excited that this is the 11th block! I'm running out of space to take the group picture, 

Ringworld

One of my goals in 2016 is to read more. This kinda counts. See other books I've read or listened to here.

This reading of Ringworld By Larry Nevin was a free audio book with one of my internet subscriptions. It is read by Grover Gardner.

Ringworld is one of my husbands all time favorite books and was also recommended by my father, as well as almost every sci fi lover I know. I have read this book before, but when I saw the free reading, I was happy to revisit this book. 

It's Louie Woo's 200th birthday and he's pretty bored. He could go on another deep space sabbatical, find some interesting aliens, meet some exotic women, but he's already done that many times. Much to his surprise, an exotic alien finds him instead. Nessus, a cautious Pierson's Puppeteer, offers Louie a dangerous, mysterious, adventure he can't refuse; Just what Louie was looking for.

First off, this reading was amazing. It made me like Ringworld even better than I already did. Gardner's clear, precise reading make Nevin's scientific (sometimes slightly dated) writing easy to understand. I can't wait to find more books that he has read. I knew that I liked this book, but on second reading, I found it even more interesting. It has all the great hopes, dilemmas, and predictions that many great sci-fi novels have. This book has many themes of tolerance, and fear, and hopes for meeting alien life. It has a very interesting take of xenophobia/xenophilia. Ringworld also plays with the traditional 1970s sci-fi sex and sexuality themes, without being too crude. This is a classic sci-fi book and if you're a fan of this genre, you must read it! I would also suggest this book for people who like exploration novels, books about voyages, and anyone interested in interpersonal relationships between a variety of peoples. 

What are your favorite sci-fi novels?

New Block: Economy Block Variation

Many of the goals I had for October were finished, but not all of them were recorded in a timely fashion. I got my MadCatBOM done early on in the month but never found the time to photograph and blog it. Well, here it is. 
For October's block, I modified a block I saw on Cluck Cluck Sew and now can't find. It seems like an economy block variation. I made it quite a bit large, so I plan on cutting off the corners in the finished quilt.  

I made it quite a bit large, so I plan on cutting off the corners in the finished quilt.  

Linking up with Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching. 

November OMG Goal

For my November One Monthly Goal, I'm hoping to finish this little blanket I've been working on for an elderly friend. 

I'm linking up with OMG at it's new home, Elm Street Quilts! Thanks so much to Red Letter Quilts for starting OMG and for passing it off when needed. 

WIP 10/22/16

The last week, and the next week coming I expect, I'm breathing new life into this old WIP. 

2016 Finish Along - Q3 Recap and Q4 Lists

So, while I technically missed the link op for Q3, here's my list anyway:

1. Finish binding and label Ohio Star Quilt. 
2. Quilt, bind, and label Maybe Lyz Quilt.
3. Piece front and back, baste, quilt, bind and label Atlanta Falcons Baby Quilt.
4. Quilt, bind, and label Geometric Gift Quilt.
5. Make backing, baste, bind, and label Alabama Quilt Top.

None finished. Again. 

I won't be missing the link op for Q4 and, despite my last two rounds, I hope to have my most productive quarter yet!

I'm only listing 4 goals for the last quarter. In preparation for this list I took out a bunch of tops and projects and my Q4 looks a little different. 

1. Finish quilting, bind, and label Maybe Lyz Quilt. 

I started this one a log time ago, and made some progress in the last few months. I'm thinking this big quilt will be nice to cuddle up under while I'm working on it as the weather gets cooler. 

2. Baste, quilt, bind and label Alabama Quilt Top. 

I made a little progress on this vintage quilt top we found on our trip to Alabama last year. I need to figure out how to quilt it and get it finished. 

3. Make a back, baste, quilt and bind the Vintage Squares quilt.

4. Finally finish Ohio Stars quilt. 

I've been working on this one too long. I have the last bits to finish, not more than a days work, but I could not get motivated to finish it for Q3. I'm over this quilt and it needs to get done. 

Blood Oath

One of my goals in 2016 is to read more. This kinda counts. See other books I've read here.

Another book my father recommended I listen to, Blood Oath was written by Christopher Farnsworth and read by Bronson Pinchot. 

I'm torn over whether listening to books counts toward my goal of reading more in 2016.  For 2017, I have plans for a new goal to watch less TV... I think listening to audio books will definitely help that. 

It wasn't Nathanial Cade's choice to be turned into a vampire, or to be bewitched into serving the American government by protecting the President at all costs. Getting a new, arrogant and inexperienced "handler" with a history of youthful indiscretions might be is too much. When an old threat resurfaces, Cade's loyalties will be tested and he will be forced to trust those he never expected. 

I thought Blood Oath was an interesting take on a vampire tale, switching between several character's points of view and mindset, not only focusing on the vampire. Farnsworth plays with the vampire and monster mythos, posing interesting questions about otherworldly beings. This book has violent moments, as any vampire story does, and the descriptions are not for the faint of heart. The reading is very expressive and the voices distinct. Bronson Pinchot does not sounds how I thought he would! Overall, I really enjoyed this book, I would definitely get the sequel, but I'm not sure if I would read or listen to it. I recommend this book for those who are vampire enthusiasts, monster lovers, and people who enjoy political thrillers. 

What are your favorite vampire books?

October OMG Goal

For my October OMG, I'm revisiting a goal I tried over the Summer. It was too hot in x to quilt the Maybe Lyz Quilt, but October seems to be just the right month to be snuggled under this big quilt. 

This big quilt gets all wrinkled from quilting in my lap. I don't use a hoop or frame. 

Linking up with Red Letter Quilts with my October Goal. 

Wrinkly Old WIPs: All The Tops

Before I post my Q4 Finish Along list, I thought I'd take a look at some of my quilts under construction. 

This bright heart quilt is ages old. Earlier this year, I backed and basted it. Now to decide how I want to quilt it and if I want it on my Q4 list. 

Baby Tree of Life is a completed top but needs a backing. This is not my normal color scheme, so I'd like a back that will open it up.  I don't know how to quilt this one, either. 

I made this top from vintage squares, blues, and thrifted browns and stripes this past year during a slump. I think I know what I'd like to back this one with. 

This is the Alabama vintage top, I backed it recently and as usual, have to decide how to quilt it. This one is definitely going on the Q4 list. 

These aren't all the quilt tops I have finished, but it is a chunk of them. I'm linking up with Kathy's Quilts for Slow Sunday Stitching.