Commissions: Two Open Slots + Pricing

I've made several commissioned quilts and I really enjoy them! 
I wish I could say that I could make them all the time. But the truth is, they take me a long time!! I have not picked the easiest way to make quilts (sometimes I wish I liked working on the sewing machine). All my quilts are hand pieced, basted, quilted, and bound. I find they take me 3 months, at the very least, if I'm working on nothing else. To be safe, I'd say they take me 5 months to make a baby quilt (or lab) quilt. 

I've been planning out some quilting for the year and I would really like to take on a few commissions! Being April, I calculate that I have time to do 2 baby or lab quilts before xmas. To be sent out in time to give as gifts. 

Please use the contact tab above if you are interested in a Mad Cat Quilts commission. 

Quilts have base prices, and then money gets added on for design complexity, fabric selection, quilting complexity, backing, etc... Which all can range from $20 - $?? above the starting prices depending on what we choose together. Here are the starting prices :
Minis start at $75
Baby or crib quilts start at $175
I don't have time for a larger quilt at the moment, but here are the larger size prices:
Throw start at $225
Twin size starts at $350
Full start at $400
Queen start at $650
King start at $850

The way my commissions usually go is pretty organic. I get some info from the buyer about what they would like, come up with some color, fabric, and pattern ideas to run by them. Once that is decided, I show them the start of the top, and we kinda go from there. If someone has something specific in mind, we look at those options. I've always had really good luck in that my clients know and like my style of quilting: slow and all hand done, no measuring... etc... People seek me out for this style and that's really lovely.  

I really hope I can make a few special quilts for my readers out there!! I'm really excited to work with some new people on great new quilts. Please use the contact tab above if you're interested in one of the slots!

New Block: Drunkard's Path

I knew I would eventually try the drunkard's path block during the MadCatBOM. But what an intimidating block!! I bet a lot of quilters feel that way! Curves!! How nerve-wracking. But guess what? This block was awesome to make. 

I looked at a few tutorials for this block, but in the end I really didn't use one. I just winged it! I tried to bring in some brighter and new colors with this block. I'm hoping to add more and pull it all together at the end. 

As you know, I don't measure my fabric, I free hand measure and cut all my work. I found this worked well for the curves in this block, but the block itself came out quite a bit smaller than my other blocks for the BOM. So I might add a boarder later. 

You can find the rest of the MadCatBOM blocks here. I'm linking up with Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching today. Are you?

Thoughts On... A Lifestyle Column

I wouldn't call this a "Lifestyle Blog".

But it kind of is one. It's a blog about my life, my lifestyle and how I want to live. 

Recently, especially since the move, I've been trying to identify the things that make my life better. These are usually small, everyday things, routines, products, mantras, practices. Little things that make my life easier, make me happy, or help me to hone the lifestyle I want to create. These are my thoughts on...

Making the Bed. 

A few years ago, I had a friend staying with me who always made the bed. I had never done this before. We weren't a bed making family growing up. She made hospital corners. She was the inspiration for me to start making the bed, but not regularly. 

Now I try to make the bed every day. I don't go crazy. I mostly just straighten the pillows, brush off the fitted sheet, and reapply the blankets in a more orderly fashion. That's it. Nothing fancy. 

But it really makes me feel quite good! I feel like I'm getting something done when I do it and it's nice to get into a made bed at the end of the day. 

Now, we have 5 cats, so sometimes I don't want to disturb them. Or sometimes I'm just lazy, or sometimes I just don't want to. But I know that when I do make the bed, I feel a little better about life. I don't feel worse if I don't make it, but I feel better when I do. It's not a chore, it's a helpful practice. It makes my life a little more orderly, going to bed a little less of a struggle, and doesn't a made bed look sweet covered in cats?

Who out there makes the bed regularly? Who hates making the bed?

Neither Here Nor There

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

Neither Here Nor There by Bill Bryson was a book that I had in my "not yet read" pile of books. 

My "not yet read" pile of books is actually about 20 wine boxes of not yet read books now housed in our basement. It's my goal to get thru at least some of them this year. Last year, I read A Walk in the Woods and really enjoyed it, so now when I see a Bill Bryson book, on a stoop, or thrift shop, I usually pick it up and add it to the pile. I can't recall where I picked this copy up, but I was pleased to note it too had traveled to Europe:

Neither Here Nor There sees Bryson retracing the steps of travels he took nearly 20 years before in Europe. Now a seasoned traveler, he wanders with relative ease and confidence, but the trip reminds him of a time when he was new to traveling and new to Europe. He remineces about his past trip, his memorable travel partner (the infamous Kats), and how times have changed as he explores a "new" Europe.   

Bill Bryson makes you want to be a better writer. His style is so easy, effortless and approachable, you start to think "Well, if he can do it, so can I!". For this I think I will enjoy all his books. In this book, he makes apt and interesting observations as he wanders rather aimlessly thru various countries. Even though this book was written some 30 years ago, and many things have changed, the pleasures, annoyances, victories and defeats of travel never do, and Bryson makes you feel as if you are right there with him. 
I would recommend this book to everyone who enjoys travelogs, people who have traveled in Europe and those who wish to. 

Have you read this book? Have you traveled in Europe?

YOTS Check In

This year I'm participating in Year Of The Stash. I've vowed to try and not buy much new fabric, but to use what I already have in my awesome stash! You can read my YOTS Manifesto here. I think it's time for a good old check in. 

I've been pretty busy finishing up quilts this year so haven't been making many new things yet, so I haven't been using my stash much at all. I'm proud to say I haven't bought any fabric since the beginning of the year!! I was lucky enough to win a scrap pack from Quarter Inch From The Edge! Check out her post about the packaging of my scraps. (I still get a thrill when I see something on a blog I follow that later ends up in my hands!)

Here's what my fabric intake/usage looks like so far this year:
Fabric Added Since last Update: Approx 1/2 yard
Fabric Added Year to Date:  6 yards
Fabric Used Since last update: approximately 1 yard
Fabric Used year to Date: Approx. 4 1/4 yards

So far this year, I've been using my stash for my MadCatBOM, I used some stash to finish my Original Mini, and I'm using lots of it in new projects. 

Please share your YOTS update in the comments!

2016 Finish Along Q1 Recap + Q2 List

Q1 was pretty productive!! Here's the list:

1) Finish piecing, baste, quilt, bind and label OC/GC Baby Quilt.
Done! 
2) Finish piecing the back, baste, quilt, bind, label, Baby Quilt Commission #2.
Done!
3) Finish quilting, bind, and label Quilt for Grandma Doris.
Not done, I must have a mental block about this one... gotta get past that...
4) Quilt, bind, and label Geometric Gift Quilt.
Not even close to done. It's so big, it's a bit daunting...
5) Finish quilting, bind, and label Original Mini.
Done!

Now on to the Q2 list!

I think 5 projects was a good number to aim for in the last quarter. I plan to continue with that number in Q2. I sort of kept up with my goal of one finish per month. At least, I had three finishes in about three months. I tried to keep last quarter's list in order of what needed to get done first, but I'm scrapping that idea for Q2, so here's the list in no particular order:

1. Finish quilting, bind, and label Quilt For Grandma Doris.

I've lost soooo much steam on this... I've second guessed so much about it that it's become quite a struggle. 

2. Quilt, bind, and label Geometric Gift Quilt. 

I made no progress on this since last Summer. Must get it done! This will be a good one to work on in the in-between moments. 

3. Make backing, baste, bind, and label Alabama Quilt Top. 

While we were in Alabama last September, I picked up a vintage unfinished quilt top for $5 in some lonesome thrift shop. I've never finished a vintage top, so I'm excited!

4. Quilt, bind, and label Maybe Lyz Quilt.

A friend might like this one, so I'll try to finish it up for her and see what she thinks. 

5. Piece front and back, baste, quilt, bind and label Atlanta Falcons Quilt. 

I'm tentatively naming this quilt after the teams colors (no, I don't watch football). This is a wild card... I have the fabric pull, have the idea, but I'm not sure if I'll actually get to it let alone this quarter. And even if I do, I'm not sure it'll go to who inspired it. 

It's hard to look at another list that is almost all older projects needing to get finished! I'm tempted to add a bunch more starter projects. But I know I want to clean, clear and finish before I start new so I'm sticking with this list. I only hope my Q2 be as productive as Q1. 

I'm linking up with the 2016 Finish Along and with Slow Sunday Stitching. 

On My Mind on Friday Morning

I want to replace our house numbers, my idea is to have ceramic ones, like in NOLA (I love 1 but they don't have the right numbers, 2, 3).
This is an interesting article and video about Linden, TN. (Previous article here)
Speaking of New Orleans; Two years ago, if you asked me to move to NOLA, I would have. In a heartbeat. After our trip last year, I might think about it for a few minutes. Here's an interesting take on the argument for, or against. 
Who in this day and age thinks it's a bad idea for kids to go barefoot? Interesting article on the benefits here. I really enjoy Lauren's blog as well. And I really enjoy going barefoot. Come one summer!!!
Here's an On My Mind... update:

We're working on our yard. Clearly, it needs it. 

Last time, I talked about a fire pit we might get. Above is the one we chose! We have only used it once, really, but I really like it. It's very simple design and function wise. I do want to get a grate to put over it, so that we can cook on it if we feel like. But for now, I'm waiting for the nights to get a wee warmer so we can spend them outside around the fire. 

Original Mini: A Finish

I started this mini on a visit to AZ way back in 2010 (I think... I had to call my friend bc I honestly couldn't remember). She was taking a sewing class and was going thru her fabric stash. I helped and got to pick put what I liked (which worked out to be things she didn't like, mostly) as a reward. I started hand sewing this mini then and there on her guest bed. 

Here we are 6 years later and I've finished it! This mini was a big inspiration to start quilting again. And it holds a spacial place in my heart

The quilt top is made up a various vintage, reclaimed and found fabrics. The backing is mostly a piece of lizard skin-ish green batik. Both were pieced in Chandler, AZ, at the house of my BFF, where she lived with her parents at the time. I had to add a bit of new black fabric to the backing to make the rolled binding.  

Original mini was basted with a few scraps of vintage poly batting, and quilted with light grey cotton thread in a stripy pattern. I added some black thread as well. The binding is rolled from the back. This mini finishes approximately 27" x 27 1/2" with a very wonky edge. 

I added a new little tag, with the name of the quilt, dates, and my name. This little mini is on my Q1 list for the 2016 Finish Along. I made it just under the wire (last day for links ups!). But I'm feeling good about it!! It was also my OMG finish for April, so that deadline is ahead of schedule!

Original Mini has been hanging around so long, I'm sure all my helpers had a hand in it. So here is Tom on the day I finished. 

Quilts for Baby - On Sale Now!

I don't know about you, but around my circle of friends, it's baby season!! I decided it was time to put my quilts on sale again for those looking for just the right gift!

Mad Cat Quilts has the perfect baby gift with a variety of quilts perfect for the new addition, or any tot who doesn't have a hand made quilt of his/her own!

BOTTOMS UP BUNNY QUILT - Now $180

Baby or lap quilt made entirely by hand using mostly new fabric. I fell in love with the sweet bunny fabric and tracked it down for this quilt especially. Details can be seen here. Bottoms Up Bunny features a simple cross pattern and simple pieced backing, mostly cotton fabric, and new cotton batting. Bottoms Up has a folded binding and is very soft, making it a perfect baby quilt or play mat, or a lap quilt to snuggle under. 

This quilt was pieced in Vermont and Brooklyn, bound and quilted in Brooklyn, NY. It measures about 43 1/2 square. This quilt features diagonal hand quilting and has been pre washed so that it's soft and cozy.

Like all Mad Cat Quilts, Bottoms Up Bunny Quilt is one of a kind, made with love, and comes from a household with cats. Although care has been taken to remove any cat hair, some may linger.

STORMY FRIENDSHIP MINI QUILT - Now $80

Baby or mini quilt made entirely by hand using thrifted and reclaimed, as well as new fabric. Stormy Friendship has a friendship star pattern, mostly cotton fabric, and vintage batting. The back of this quilt features a wonky square and stripe. The quilting on Stormy Friendship uses many different threads, and is very dense. This quilt would be great for a baby, play mat, or wall hanging. Clouds and anchors make this great for a little boy or anyone who enjoys a nautical theme.  

It was pieced, quilted and bound in Brooklyn, NY. Measures  and is almost square. This quilt features diagonal hand quilting and has been pre washed so that it's soft and cozy.

Like all Mad Cat Quilts, Stormy Friendship Quilt is one of a kind, made with love, and comes from a household with cats. Although care has been taken to remove any cat hair, some may linger.

PEACH SIDEWAY CITIES - Now $220

Baby or lap quilt made entirely by hand using thrifted and reclaimed, as well as new fabric. Features Mad Cat Quilts "Sideways Cities" pattern, mostly cotton fabric, and new cotton batting. Most of the fabric was found in thrift shops and quilt shops around Vermont and it was hand pieced there as well. It was basted and bound in Brooklyn, NY.

This quilt measures 40" x 41" and is definitely not square, tapering slightly larger to the bottom. This quilt features diagonal hand quilting and has been pre washed so that it's soft and cozy.

Like all Mad Cat Quilts, Peach Sideways Cities is one of a kind, made with love, and comes from a household with cats. Although care has been taken to remove any cat hair, some may linger.

NOT FOR MARION SIDEWAY CITIES QUILT - Now $220

Baby or lap quilt made entirely by hand using thrifted and reclaimed, as well as new fabric. Features Mad Cat Quilts "Sideways Cities" pattern, mostly cotton fabric, and new cotton batting. The back of this quilt uses vintage small green flowers print and employs a wonky star. The folded binding shows the green fabric on front as well.

It was pieced, quilted and bound in Brooklyn, NY. Measures 36" x 37 1/2" and is almost square. This quilt features diagonal hand quilting and has been pre washed so that it's soft and cozy.

Like all Mad Cat Quilts, Not for Marion is one of a kind, made with love, and comes from a household with cats. Although care has been taken to remove any cat hair, some may linger.

BLUE RED YELLOW QUILT - Now $220

Baby or lap quilt made entirely by hand using thrifted and reclaimed, as well as new fabric. Features a mixed matched squares and strips pattern, mostly cotton fabric, and new cotton batting. The back of this quilt is also a squares and strips improve design. The folded binding is wide in blue and yellow.

It was pieced in NY, quilted in VT and bound in Brooklyn, NY. This quilt measures 34" x 49" and is almost perfectly rectangular. This quilt features straight line hand quilting and has been pre washed so that it's soft and cozy. It's a super soft quilt!

Like all Mad Cat Quilts, Blue Red Yellow is one of a kind, made with love, and comes from a household with cats. Although care has been taken to remove any cat hair, some may linger.

"UGLY" FLOWERS LOG CABIN QUILT - Now $220

Lap or throw quilt made entirely by hand using thrifted and reclaimed, as well as new fabric. Features a modified log cabin pattern, mostly cotton fabric, and pieced cotton and poly batting. I used all the flower print and calico fabrics I could find in my stash, most of them vintage and thrifted. Because the front of this quilt is so busy, the back is a simple square design featuring a purple floral corduroy that was purchased new. The folded binding shows this fabric on the front as well.

This quilt was pieced, quilted, and bound by hand in Brooklyn, NY. Measures 41" x 43 1/2" and is almost square. This quilt features straight stripe hand quilting on only certain blocks and has been pre washed so that it's soft and cozy.

Like all Mad Cat Quilts, "Ugly Flowers" is one of a kind, made with love, and comes from a household with cats. Although care has been taken to remove any cat hair, some may linger.

Visit my shop to see what other Mad Cat and Library goodies we have for sale. 

And check out my instagram for instadeals. 

Orange Cat/Grey Cat - A Finished Quilt

When one of my best friends let me know she was pregnant, she also let me know that I would be making her a baby quilt. Luckily, I already knew just what to make her!
Orange Cat/Grey Cat is an ode to two wonderful cats that the family have had. Grey Cat sadly passed away, but Orange Cat is the resident babywatcher and watchercat. 

The top for OC/GC was made using mostly new but some vintage fabrics. Most of the cats are black or white, but please note the orange and grey cat hiding there. I know my friend likes bright colors, but couldn't resist the making the top stark black and white with hints of pattern and color. 

From the very start of this quilt I knew I wanted the back to be as bright a rainbow fabric as I could find. I really liked this wavy new fabric. Bc it was soo busy, I decided that it was enough on it's own and didn't need to be a pieced backing like many of my quilts.

I used a new cotton batting for this quilt. I had a really hard time deciding how to quilt OC/GC. I didn't want the quilting to stand out too much or take away from either side of the quilt. So I tried something new and used a clear poly thread. It was certainly a challenge to work with, but I love the results! I quilted it in a straight line grid pattern avoiding the cat faces when I could. 

I folded over the backing to make the binding (as is my usual style). I really like the way it added to the colors of the front of the quilt and focused the black and white. This quilt finished at approximately 46" x 39 1/2". 

I made a simple label with no stamp, just stating the name of the quilt, my name, and added "For Calvin". I took this quilt out for a walk around my new neighborhood to get some good shots. 

All my cat helpers worked on this quilt. But Pit was the most helpful as I basted and bound Orange Cat/Grey Cat. This quilt is on my Q1 list for the 2016 Finish Along and I'm linking up with Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching.

March in Review

The first quarter of 2016 is over. March saw snow and seedlings. It was a busy month, with lots of waiting, circling, but with some settling down, too. 

1) Ritzy neighborhood #watcherdog. 2) Apartment #watchercat. 3) City dog one... 4) ...and two. 

We did some exploring around where we live. March finally started to feel like a month to be out and about in our new environment, especially when the weather started to get warm. 

1) Bright truck. 2) Bright blooms. 3) Gloomy lobster. 4) Grey bridge. 

A lot of quilting got done this month and for that I am grateful! I am cherishing the time I spend on my work. 

1) A finish. 2) A star. 3) My star. 4) Orange! 

We travelled a very little, ate well, saw friends, missed friends, saw family, and tried to get in the swing of new routines and time changes. 

1) Bedtime. 2) Yard time. 3) Jacket time. 4) Snack time. 

We enjoyed time at home and outside and made many plans for the coming months. 

March's famed lion was pretty tame, but the month sped up quickly. April is rolling in, let's see how well we roll with it.

OMG April Goal

My OMG (one monthy goal) for April is another finish for my 2016 Finish Along. This month I want to finish a very old WIP. I call it the Original Mini. 

Here's hoping I can finish this one soon, and also add it to my Q1 completed list! I will be linking up with Red Letter Quilts for OMG April!

Fabric Pull

I haven't started many new projects so far in 2016 (besides my MadCatBOM). I'm still working thru my Q1 list for the 2016 Finish Along. But inspiration has struck for an new project. Here is the fabric pull:

This one will have to wait a little longer to really get started, but I'm excited!

Baby, Birds & Stars: A Finished Quilt

Last year I was commissioned to make two baby quilts for coworkers. Baby Blue was the first that I designed and completed at the end of 2016. I was inspired by it's simple, modern design and some of it's fabrics to make Baby, Birds & Stars. 

I used some scraps from Baby Blue plus more new fabric to make a simple but bright, large squared quilt top. These two tops are the first ever quilts I've made using no reclaimed or vintage fabric. I really like how both of them came out, but I will also be glad to get back to using vintage, thrifted, or reclaimed matierials as that makes me feel more at home. 

For the back, I had found a really inspiring yard and wanted to make that the focus. I also wanted mitered edges, and stripes. I incorporated light grey striped cotton as well as a strip of baby blue striped flannel. 

For Baby, Birds & Stars, I used a new cotton batting to make it really soft and snuggly. 

Although, the quilt top and back were of a very simple geometric design, I wanted this quilt to be whimsical and fun! I quilted the center squares with free hand stars, boxes in boxes, and stars in boxes. Then I made a star boarder on the outer boxes, and a few straight lines around the parimeter of the quilt. I used vintage yellow pearl cotton, bright blue cotton thread and grey cotton thread for the quilting. The quilting is a bit spread out making this quilt puffy, fluffy and soft. 

I used my fold over method to bind this quilt, so that the grey stripes bordered the front. I used a light grey thread to bind the edges. This quilt measure approximately 46" x 39 1/2". 

I have been making very simple labels for this quilts this year so far. I like to put the name of the quilt, my name (Mad Cat Quilts), and the year it was completed. This label also has a message from our workplace to make it extra special for baby and family. With some labels I also include the month it was completed or add a special Mad Cat stamp.

Almost all my helpers worked on this quilt, but Tom was especially helpful when basting and quilting Baby, Birds & Stars.    

This quilt was my March goal for OMG (One Monthly Goal), so I'm linking up with Red letter Quilts. And It's also on my Q1 list for the 2016 Finish Along. 

I'm also linking up with Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching, as this quilt was completely hand sewn. 

On My Mind On Friday Morning

It's time we got a fire pit for the back yard (1, 2, 3).
MUSHROOMS!
Sunny's is a special place. 
Some interesting facts about common board games. 
One of my favorite juice recipes lately had been apple, spinach, red pepper, and lime. 

Speaking of Sunny's, soon after I saw the above article, I saw this one. 
I never met the man Sunny, but he was a Brooklyn legend, for sure. And his bar was a weird and wonderful place. I worry about it's fate now. 

The Magic Art of Tidying Up

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

I've been hearing about Marie Kondo's The Life-changing Magic Of Tidying Up for a while now. I finally picked up a copy and read it over two days. 

Have you ever wished your house was neater, and you life was more organized? Marie Kondo's Konmari method will give you the secrets to put your house in order once and for all. By using her methods, she swears your life will improve. 

After much trial and error, and devoting almost her entire life to tidying up, Kondo claims her method will help you organize your house and life. Part self help book, part instruction manual, part semi mystic guru advice, I found this book quite strange. But inspiring!

I don't want to give away the processes in the book, as it's far more interesting to read them from Kondo than from me, but one of her principals is to touch every single thing in your home. This helps you decide if you need to keep it, or it can be let go. There are many ideas in the book that I took away, but what I found most inspiring was the idea of treating every item in your home with love and reverence. If there is an item for which you cannot do this, it's time to let it go and thank it for the use and joy you did once get from it. I love the idea of every little thing in your house being special and cared for and important, even if it's just to you. Marie Kondo is much more practical in what she loves in her house than I am, but that's ok! 

Since reading about the Konmari method last month, I haven't done too much tidying, I must admit. I certainly haven't followed the method in any real way. But I have been thinking more about what I own, what I use, and what brings me joy. It certainly has made me think of many items in a different light. 

I really enjoyed this book, and can see myself going back and rereading it at a time I might be ready to actually put this method into practice. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for more tidy in their lives, people who like instructional books, and people who love inanimate objects. 

The Life-changing Magic Of Tidying Up caused quite a stir when it first hit the blogverse, have any of my readers read it? Care to share your opinions? 

2016 Blog Goals

Since we are well into March, it seems like a good time to check in on how my some of goals for 2016 are shaping up. Specifically my goals concerning this blog. 

My workspace in all it's messy glory. Please note TMNT, Destro, tauntaun, sand, thread, coffee, tattoo ink, scissors, scissors, scissors, British comedy, Library Card boxes, curio cabinet, Bossk, Captain Picard, sea glass, and more.... 

Post Regularly
I want to be sure to post pretty regularly. Not every day, but 3-4 times a week at least. For the first few months, I think I've done pretty well on this front with only a few major gaps. But I can always be better about consistency. In the beginning of the year, I've been a bit loose about which days I post, going forward I'd like top achieve set days.  

Continue regular series, create more
I feel like I've touched on most of my favorite regular series (Something New, New Block, Art and Nature, Zoo at Home..., On My Mind..., Book Review). I haven't come up with too many new series... Yet. 

Tag and categorize
At the beginning of the year, I tried to go thruogh and add tags & categories to all my posts. For some reason I have a hard time doing this at the time of writing the posts. I'd like to get better at this. 

Giveaways/Trades
I had my first giveaway last year, and my second in February. I enjoy these, but I need practice. The turnout was not as big as I would like.... One thing I haven't done are any trades. I'd really like to pursue this. 

August off
Although I really want to get better at posting consistently, I also know I'll need a break. Traditionally July and August have been the months when my posting falls off. I think this year will be a good time to experiment with a controlled break. I plan on taking August off of blogging. 

Reader's input
What would you like to see? What aspects of this blog do you enjoy? 

A close up of this section. These tiny TMNT figures are fun and distracting!

WIP 3/20/16

Happy first day of Spring, everyone! I'm glad it's not snowing where I am. Let's hope that's all over with!

I'm putting the last Slow Sunday Stitches in to this quilt before it heads out. Linking up with Kathy's Quilts. 

Zoo at Home, Zoo Abroad: Jenkinson's Aquarium

In January, while my BFF was in town, we visited Jenkinson's Aquarium in Point Pleasant, NJ. This aquarium is right on the beach and quite small, but offers a nice variety of wildlife. 

Jenks has a ton of local exhibits, showing all kinds of fish and creatures found in NJ. I haven't been to this aquarium in years and it was great to see the exhibits were well maintained and updated. 

There are a few of my favorite things, like frogs, sharks, etc... But this aquarium is sadly lacking in jellyfish. 

There are a few surprises, like these creepy looking nautiluses. 

Jenkinson's has good sized touch tank, seal shows, and a lot of fun activity days and nights. Behind the scenes tours, night visits, and "seal-abrations" are just some of the fun activities guests can join. But be warned, their website's is pretty hard to navigate.  The staff is friendly and I'm sure calling will yield better results for actual information.  

In the Summer, Jenkinson's rules pretty much the whole Point Pleasant boardwalk, with amusements, restaurants, and arcades. But the aquarium is is still the jewel in my opinion.