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. 

October in Review

As I've said before, October is edging up to become my favorite month. Especially since we've moved Down the Shore. So much happened this month, it feels a bit like a rollercoaster. 

We visited a lot of vets this month, as one of our little family members is gravely ill. But we also took time to spend with her and give her our energy when possible. We did the same for our other furred family members. 

There were plenty of warm days in October and the water stayed warm right up until the last week, so we spent a lot of time at the beach, combing, and exploring new places, creating new rituals. Towards the end I headed out in sweats, hats, and scarves. I'm hoping I can hold off on the gloves until December. 

Plants and critters were out in full force this month, no doubt trying to take advantage of the last warm days, just like me! I saw so many bugs, spiders, and furry creatures this month. Never a bad thing. 

Speaking of furry creatures, October may have been the best month for #watchercats and #watcherdogs!

October wasn't the catch up month I thought it will be. Let's see if I can hang on to November. 

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. 

October Plant Update

October is fast becoming my favorite month of the year. It was a great one for observing plants around our new home. It was also a very busy month, so I'm sending out my observations a little on the late side. 

American Beauty Berries are busting out the extreme purple. 

Roses keep on making late game appearances. 

The last of the echinacea. 

Milkweeds are weeping their seeds for next years monarchs. 

The morning glories are still reaching for the sun. 

What are the plants doing in your neck of the woods?

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. 

September in Review

September went so quick!! Am I a broken record? September might be my favorite month of the year. So much change, so much growth. 

In brief, here're some things I did in September:

Beach walks-

Cat talks-

Dream life-

Local's Summer-

October is already rolling. Better catch up. 

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. 

Zoo at Home, Zoo Abroad: Prospect Park Zoo

It's hard to believe that in all the time I've been writing about Zoos at Home, Zoos Abroad, I haven't made an entry for one of our all time favorite zoos. The Prospect Park Zoo was our "home" zoo for many years and we visited it often. These photos were taken during our last visit which was back in August 2015. 

In the heart of Brooklyn's biggest park, this zoo is a magical little slice of zoo with wild creatures and a little petting farm. It has also become a sanctuary for the areas birds and bugs within the city. 

The Prospect Park Zoo packs a lot of wild and exotic animals into its small foot print. Some of my favorites are field mice, Pallas cats, red pandas, otters, mongooses, peacocks, and more!

The petting farm has chickens, pigs, sheep, etc... It's a nice connection of people and animals. 

There are several buildings that contain the wild creatures, connected by meandering trails that make you feel like walking in an animal, bug, and flora filled wonderland. There's a aviary, duck ponds, a sea lion pool to walk through and around. 

The Prospect Park Zoo is truly a Brooklyn treasure and I highly suggest anyone in the area to visit it. 

September OMG Goal - Complete!!

Finally! I finished my first OMG in 4 months. My count now is 4 completed out of 9 goals. 
Linking up with Red Letter Quilts with a completed goal!

September Monthly Plant Update

Inspired by Aquarian Soul, I've decided to record the plants I see around me each month. 

It has been a fun first year in Asbury Park, seeing what grows and blooms in our yard and all around us. Some things were a total surprise! I documented many plants on Instagram and in the blog in a casual manner. This coming year, I'd like to keep a closer eye. 

Here are some plants I'm seeing in September:

Beach Roses are blooming their last blooms. They smell amazing. 

Some of the roses have already turned into huge hips. I might be researching how to forage and use these for something good.  

I took our oxalis out to the porch to enjoy more sun before the cold weather. It was getting very leggy inside. 

My neighbors chicks and hens bloomed weeks earlier than mine. So much so I started to think mine never would. But here they are!

The morning glories that we gladly share with our neighbors went nuts this month. They are out in full bloom in all manner of colors. We will have tons of seeds to harvest, spread and share this year. 

My husband doesn't like succulents but I'm planning on buying some up after seeing them at Sunset Farms, our favorite local nursery. 

What plants are cropping up where you live this month?

New Block: Railroad Spike

For my September MadCatQuiltsBOM I modified a block I saw on CrazyMomQuilts. She uses it as part of her crossed canoe quilt, but mine came out a little more like a railroad spike.  

In these blocks I'm trying to bring in the colors and fabrics that I have chosen for this project. In the last few block, I am seeing where I need balance and contrast. I will try to incorporate these ideas as I go into the final stretch of the MCQBOM. 

Linking up with Kathy's Quilts and Slow Sunday Stitching. 

On My Mind On Friday Morning

I realized the other day that we only have two sets of sheets for the bed we got when we moved. (1, 2, 3)
"The Cube" is coming back. 
These cat houses are architecturally intriguing and auctioned off for a good cause. See previous years here and here. Now go join a fancy architecture firm and make your own.   
This Week in Prospect Park hasn't updated in forever, which is a shame bc it's a great blog!! I need to know more of the mysterious goings on in Brooklyn's largest park. (edit: they updated! Keep it up!)
Our poor Bippi is sick. She's all we think about. 

A Week of Bowls

My smoothie bowl obsession is still going strong. Here's what a week in the life looks like:

Monday 9/5: Acai, banana, leftovers from last bowl (pitaya, bananas), spinach, cherries, coconut milk. Topped with local bee pollen, local peaches and blackberries, bananas, coconut, chia, cacao. 

Tuesday 9/5: Acai, banana, spinach, blackberries, coconut milk. Topped with grapes, local blackberries, chia, local bee pollen, cacao nips and dried cherries. . 

Wednesday 9/7: Banana, local peach, red grapes, almond milk. Topped with cacao nibs, chia, bee pollen, local blackberries, and coconut. 

Thursday 9/8: Acai and frozen mango with coconut milk. Nectarine, chia seeds, bee pollen, cacao nibs, bananas, on top. 

Friday 9/9: Bananas, spinach, mangos and coconut milk with local blackberries, nectarine, bee pollen, chia and cacao nibs. 

Saturday, I ate a bowl out. Sunday I ate some refrozen, then reblended left over bowl bits. And I've eaten a bowl everyday since. You can catch some on my instagram. 

Bloggers Quilt Festival: Orange Cat/Grey Cat Baby Quilt

The Fall Bloggers Quilt Festival is here and I'm entering Orange Cat/Grey Cat in the Hand Quilted category. OC/GC was made for a friend and finished in late February. You can see the the original post here. 

OC/GC uses new and vintage fabric. I dedicated it to two cats, one orange, one grey. All my quilts are hand pieced and quilted and this quilt has straight line quilting going vertically and horizontally. I used a clear thread for the quilting in this quilt. Since the the quilt top is mostly black and white I used a bright rainbow fabric for the backing.  

I couldn't get any new pics of OC/GC quilt because it's now with it's new owner in FL. I think Calvin likes it!!
I'm linking up with Amy's Creative Side and the Bloggers Quilt Festival. Please head there to check out the other quilts in the Hand Quilted category and all the others. 

Simple Matters

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

I love Erin Boyle's blog, Reading My Tea Leaves, so I was happy to get and read her first book, Simple Matters. 

I've bought 4 books this year, and 2 of them about decluttering and organization (the other two are about sharks). What does that tell you about my head space?

Like her blog, Simple Matters focuses on Erin's methods for simplifying and organizing one's life. She uses her own life to test theories and try out ideas for decorating, meal planning, entertaining, baby raising, and tiny life in the city. 

It took me a while to get through Simple Matters. Although I love Erin's blog, I found the book to be a bit clunky and disorganized. Not everything on the blog in relevant to me but the book somehow felt less so. I had trouble weeding out things that felt useful and those that didn't. There were still many things I enjoyed about this book, but I wish it were organized more like her blog. All that being said, Simple Matters is full of gorgeous pictures and sage advice. I can't wait to read her next effort. I would recommend this book for anyone interesting in living in a tiny space, people trying to reorganize their home, or those who enjoy simple living. 

What genre of books have you been reading more of these days?

New Block: Wrench Variation

I found this block on instagram (@kerenlewistextiles) and got a screen grab so I could try it out. When I was looking for my August MadcatquiltsBOM I happened back upon it. I'm not sure if this block has an actual name but it seems like a wrench block variation to me. 

This block was quick and easy to put together. A perfect block for one behind in their BOMs. 

Zoo at Home, Zoo Abroad: Atlantic Farms

When we lived in Brooklyn, we went to the Prospect Park Zoo pretty often. It was our local zoo and a great zoo, too. Since we moved, we've been looking for a new local zoo. 

We love the Cape May County Zoo, but it's a little far for us to visit whenever we want. So we were happy to find the Atlantic Farms petting farm this Summer. 

We stumbled upon this little farm stand and it's petting zoo by accident but it's become one of our favorite places to visit! It's entry fee is very reasonable, which is rare. 

At the farms, there are many sheep and goats, as well as cows, pigs, llamas and alpacas, donkeys and ponies, lots of chickens, turkeys and ducks. There's even some emus! 

The best part is the snacks you can buy to feed the animals are just carrot chips from the farm. Good for the animals, and so fun to feed them!

We're happy to have found this spot that's only a 20 minute trip from our house. If you're Down the Shore, I suggest a visit!