Pantone Color of the Year 2017 + Solstice Sew Along

Last year, I had pretty strong feeling about the 2016 Pantone Color of the Year. A lot of people did. This year, I'm more meh. Pantone had chosen Greenery as 2017 Color of the Year, and it's a nice color. Their explanation of the color is hopeful:

"A refreshing and revitalizing shade, Greenery is symbolic of new beginnings.
Greenery is a fresh and zesty yellow-green shade that evokes the first days of spring when nature’s greens revive, restore and renew. Illustrative of flourishing foliage and the lushness of the great outdoors, the fortifying attributes of Greenery signals consumers to take a deep breath, oxygenate and reinvigorate.
Greenery is nature’s neutral. The more submerged people are in modern life, the greater their innate craving to immerse themselves in the physical beauty and inherent unity of the natural world. This shift is reflected by the proliferation of all things expressive of Greenery in daily lives through urban planning, architecture, lifestyle and design choices globally. A constant on the periphery, Greenery is now being pulled to the forefront - it is an omnipresent hue around the world.
Greenery bursts forth in 2017 to provide us with the reassurance we yearn for amid a tumultuous social and political environment. Satisfying our growing desire to rejuvenate and revitalize, Greenery symbolizes the reconnection we seek with nature, one another and a larger purpose.
A life-affirming shade, Greenery is also emblematic of the pursuit of personal passions and vitality."

Thanks, Pantone, that's nice. I'm not sure if nice is enough for us right now, but it is nice.
I might have gone with Alarm Red, a bright flashing hue that sends people into action, or Abyss Black, the black of the endless hole you want to avoid, or even Nest Brown, a color for bundling up, cozying up, gathering your loved ones and hunkering down for a long wait.   

Around the same time that I learned of this year's color, I also found Pat Sloan's 182 Day Solstice Block Challenge. That's one block a week between the Winter solstice and the Summer solstice. What a lovely idea! A nice way to pass time and make in the changing seasons. Living now in a place where the seasons are a drastic change, both in weather and in habit, this sew along really appealed to me. As I was preparing to start this challenge, it clicked; Greenery was a perfect fabric pull for this SAL!

I've made four blocks so far, two are not new to me and two are New Blocks. The first block is a good old solid churn dash. It was fun to pull fabric for this project with Greenery in mind. I'm also really excited that this challenge will be done mid year, and I can work on finishing it then, as opposed to some of my other BOMs that will take a year to complete.  Who else is participating in the Solstice Challenge? What are you color/fabric schemes?

What are your thoughts on Pantone's Color of the Year?

New Block: Oh, oh!

Recently I've had occasion to make two blocks of the Letter O. I didn't follow any pattern for these blocks but they were pretty easy. And I think they came out ok. 

I'm hoping to finish both these O objects this month! (Edit, One down!). I will probably end up making quite a few letters this year. 

What letter blocks do you enjoy making?

I'm linking up with Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching, Needle and Thread Thursday (early? or late? you decide!), Monday Makers, and more!

Mat For Ollie - A Finished Mini Quilt

I made this small mat for a dog friend I've never met. I have met his owner, who happened to be my secret santa at work! 

I'm not sure exactly how large this mat is bc I forgot to measure it but I would guess it's about 18" x 20". This O mat is completely hand sewn using fabric from my stash. I know Ollie's mom loves elephants! I used a scrap of cotton batting for the sandwich, and a vintage fabric that was given to me as backing. 

This mini was hand quilted with turquoise cotton thread. I basted it by folding the backing towards the front on the sides, and rolling it on the top and bottom.  I didn't want to have big borders all around. I like using the back as binding to show the backing. I like that I can do a very wide boarder, or thin, or like this quilt, a combo of both!

I intended this mat as placemat for dog bowls, as it's too small for Ollie who is quite big (even tho he's still a puppy!). But this mat could be used as just a classic mini quilt. 

This was a quick finish and the first finish of 2017. I did manage to put it on my 2017 FAL Quarter 1 List. I'm also linking up with Finished or Not it's Friday, Finish it up Friday and Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday, and more.
Flounder was most helpful in the creation of Ollie's mat. Hope he doesn't mind a little cat hair. 

Year Of The Stash 2017

Last year, Quarter Inch from the Edge started Year Of The Stash for a lovely year of stash busting in 2016! This year, I'm not sure what's happening with YOTS2017. I've reached out to her, and am eager to hear what her plans are. I know I miss her posts and encouragement as I'm sure many in the quilting community do. 

To start out last year's YOTS we made a manifesto of our pledge to use more stash. Here is my 2017 manifesto: 
1) Use as much stash as possible. Last year, I said buy less, this year my mantra will be use more. I will still try to buy less, of course, but 2016 really gave me a good appetite for not buying. 
2) Incorporate some vintage, reclaimed, and or repurposed fabric in all work. I feel more satisfied if I'm using vintage and reclaimed fabric in my work.
3) Sew, Sew, Sew. I'm starting off another year hoping for a finish each month. I have a lot of stash to help me with this.    

And here is my fabric intake/output so far: 
Fabric Added from the Start of the Year: Bought - 1.25 yd, Gifted - approximately 12 yd
Fabric Added Year to Date: Approximately 13.25
Fabric Used Since Start of the Year: Approximately 3 yd
Fabric Used Year to Date: Approximately 3 yd

Late last year and so far this year, I've been good about not buying new fabric. Since vintage and reused fabric can be hard to come by, I do not restrict myself where it's concerned. I've gone to quite a few shops, and only came away with a small handful. Pictured above is all I've bought in January so far (although, just today I've been contemplating an online purchase...). 
I've joined quite a few on line challenges this year, and so far have shopped my stash! I hope to keep this up all year!
My husband has joined some of these as well, and it's good too see the fabric he pulls going to good use. 

What are some of the ways you will use your stash this year? How do you plan on keeping yourself motivated to use up and not buy?

Here is 2016's 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! 

The Bernina Sewing Center

In December, we visited The Bernina Sewing Center in Matawan, NJ. This store has all the Berninas and everything Bernina. Seriously, I've never seen so many Berninas. 

Obviously they specialize in Bernina sewing machines. They sell, repair, instruct and advise on the machines. They have sewing classes, lessons for the various machines, and vast knowledge of quilt making, machine embroidery and appliqué and more. They do not have much fabric, it's more of a service shop, but they have every accessory you can think of for the brand. This is a Bernina only retailer. 

Run by a husband and wife team, who recently took over this 20 year plus establishment, this is a fun and friendly quilting environment, especially if you love Bernina. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. 

Bernina Sewing Center
443 Hwy 34
Matawan, NJ 07747
Motto: "Enter as Strangers... Leave as Friends". 

2017FAL Q1

It's that time again, folks! The 2017 Finish A-Long is here. Find out all you need to know over and Mrs Sew and Sow's blog. 
For last years Finish-A-Long I chose 5 finishes each Quarter. But since I only had 5 finishes all year, that seem like a bit much. This year I plan to have three finishes in each Quarter, which seems a little more reasonable. It will be a goal again for me this year to have one finish per month. So, without further ado, here is my 2017Q1 list:  

1. Finish Quilting, Bind, and Label Maybe Lyz Quilt

This one's been on the FAL for a while, time to finish it up!! Quilting this one is also my OMG goal for January. unfortunately, I have already hit a snag, I can't find my thread!!

2. Finish Piecing Top, Make Backing, Baste, Quilt, Bind, Label, and Use, TOM Mat.

When I gave Elvis his mat, Tom indicated he wanted one as well. Since Tom looks quite sad sitting on the cold floor, I'll try to finish this one right away.  

3. Finish Top and Backing, Baste, Quilt, Bind, Label and Name MadCatQuilt2016BOM Quilt

This has a long way to go, but let's get it done!

Bonus: Gift Mat

This is a special gift and still a secret. 

Okay, so I threw a bonus in there, too. I'm hoping to have more finishes than ever before this year, so why not?

You can check out my 2015FAL (5 finishes) here. And my 2016FAL (4 finishes) here. 

I'm excited for my third year of this huge FAL. I'm excited for new hosts; thanks for running the show, guys! I'm linking up with the FAL, Move It Forward Monday, Making Monday, and more!
Who else is joining up?

New Block: Improve Tree + Honey Pot Bee 2017

For me, this year might be the year of the BOM. There are just so many great ones out there! A BOM that's really interesting is Molli Sparkles' Honey Pot Bee. This project is a cross between a BOM and a block bee. Molli says there will be 2 blocks each month, with maybe some surprises added in. 

This block was actually one of those surprises! Molli announced this block in Dec as sort of a warm up for 2017. 

I made mine hand sewn and scrappy, using vintage wool and some fabric from old jeans. 

Mine is pretty wonky, of course. My husband is a beginner machine sewist and his came out quite neat!

It turns out that the MadCatQuiltsBOM2017 (more on that soon) is all about picture blocks so I thought that this would also be a great as a warm up for that BOM as well!

My husband is joining the MCQBOM for 2017, so he created the improv tree block, too. 

My color palate for the MCQBOM2017 is all grey so I made this block in that color way. But that means I still haven't figured out a fabric pull for The Honey Pot Bee. I Hope I will have by the  time I get to the January block. 

Please continue to share the BOMs and FALs your working on this year! Who else is joining the Honey Pot Bee?

I've linked up this block on instagram at #honeypotbee and am sharing it with Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching as well as other linky parties this week!

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!!

Shelfie 003: My Favorite Whelk.

The knobbed whelk, pictured here, is the official state shell of New Jersey. 

Please share your state shell!!

OMG2017 Jan - Everything old...

... is new again! 

Time for a new year of OMG but I'm starting off with an old goal. This month, I would like to finish quilting (at very least) the Maybe Lyz Quilt. This one might be a tricky goal bc I seem to have miss placed the thread I'm using. 

I finished my DecOMG goal, so let's start the new year off on a roll. Linking up with Elm Street Quilts. 

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...

2017 Goals

As the last year ends, I start to think about things I want to accomplish in the coming year. Things that I want to exert my energy and thoughts to. I find that making this list helps me keep them in my thoughts and have a guide to live by. My overarching goal is always to Live More Mindfully. Here is my list for 2017:

Work on Personal Endeavors as Much as My Job
In 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". Ever since then, I have been working towards this goal, that has come to not only encompass Art but also other important aspects of my Life outside of a job. After we moved, in late 2015 and early 2016, I tried very hard to take a break from a job, I tried to work outside of the house less and in the house more. It had mixed results but it gave me a lot of insight into myself and how I work, and what work means to me, both my own and my job. This year, I plan on further committing to working a job less and working for myself more. One idea I have for this, inspired by my new beach town life style, is to make Summer the time that I work my job more and play harder, and Winter the time that I focus on my own endeavors. Seasonal living is totally new to me, but I see many possibilities there. 

Be a Better Quilter, Be a Better Blogger
I want to increase my quilting skill, learn more, push myself. I want to be a better and more consistent blogger. 

House, Cats, Plants, Family, Friends, Health
Another goal to level up in aspects of my life. This goal includes things like; eating better, drinking more water, exercising more, daily walks, daily stretching, cat contemplation and cat care, making our house more truly our home and being better at caring for it, heading towards a more minimal lifestyle and getting rid of things we do not need, organizing, using up and not buying new, reusing, recycling, keeping our plants healthy and happy so that our home is rich and lush, keeping up with my bujo, making sure to catch up with and stay in contact with family and friends, making sure to be mindful of the health and happiness of my immediate family, my larger family and my community, and there's more!  But this goal is overall, to strive for a more caring and mindful way of life. 

Less TV / More Books
I watched a lot of TV in 2016. Not actual TV bc we don't have that, but a seemingly endless stream of mindless consumption of media. Already, after major life changes in December 2016, I've started to watch way less. I've watched some, but moved over to more movies, and more mindful watching. But I could and should always read or listen to books more. 

Hand Poked Tattoos
In 2016, I started learning the art of Stick and Poke tattooing. I plan to continue this in a more purposeful manner in 2017. 

Travel When Possible, Explore When Not
We were unable to travel far in 2016, this coming year we are slightly less tethered so I would like to travel more. When we cannot travel, exploring near our home should be a priority.

Quilt More. 
No further explanation needed. 

That are your goals for 2017? Leave them in the comments, or leave a link to your posts!

For reference, here are my goals from the previous two years. 

2016:
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.  
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! 
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. 
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!
Deadlines
I want to learn to set and complete more deadlines for myself.  
House and Home
I want to continue to get better at taking care of my family and our home.  
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. 
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.  
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. 
Read More
'Nuff said. 

2015:
Work on Creative Endeavors as Much as Work - 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.
Sewing/Blogging - More sewing and more blogging about it! I want to work on my online shop. I must do one market, or fair. 
Take Better Care of My Health and the Health of My Family/Take Better Care of the House - In all the hustle and bustle of work and life this is something I often forget to pay close attention to. I want to always be striving to make a better house for my family and plants and keep us in good health.
Stay in Touch with My Friends - I'm fairly antisocial by nature, but I love my friends and care to make them feel appreciated. 
Use Up, Don't Buy -  I need to reduce all things in my life and and make better use of the things I keep. 
Wardrobe Makeover - One thing I have far too many of are clothes. I must make my wardrobe more manageable and stop buying clothes!  
Travel when Possible - Always more exploring to be done.
Read More - I can only remember reading three books last year. Pitiful. 
Move Out of the City - It's time. 

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?

December Plant Update

Not too much mindful plant observing went into this month. But here are some casual observations: 

In early December there were still plenty of roses out. 

They might be struggling, but they are still here. 

This spot looked quite idyllic, despite the unmown grass and bitter cold.  

My Amaryllis budded and bloomed and then bloomed some more. 

I like the xmas color they provide. 

Pictured here, the one that has some white hanging out with some bamboo. 

And of course there are xmas trees everywhere! Manasquan, NJ

Belmar, NJ

Manasquan again, 

Spring Lake, NJ

Tell me, what are the plants doing near you?

On My Mind On Friday Morning

We finally bought a record player!! Now all I think about are all the records I want to buy! One, Two, Three
I thought this was a fascinating article about India devaluing some of it's currency. 
Still mad I missed this light display. 
I'm always thinking I should take up yoga. Maybe I should take up goat yoga. 
I had to take an unexpected break from blogging last week, bc our computer broke!! We got a new one, hooray! Now I can get back to reading quilt blogs. Thank goodness. 

xmas bonus: The Yule Cat is coming. 

Best Nine

I love Instagram and work hard to curate my feed. I'm not sure if it shows!

When I saw people posting their Best Nine, I had to try it out. It was nice to look back and see what people enjoyed on my feed. 

Although I wouldn't post a Best Nine on my Instagram, I wanted to keep it here to refer back to and to let others who might be interested take a look. Here is my Best Nine from 2016 (as of early December):

And since it was an additional option, here's my Best Nine from 2015:

Link up to your Best Nine pics in the comments!