jaba

Nancia and Dusty'mom at least you know what I'm talking about, quilting is not like sewing those polyester bell bottom pant suits. Lordy can't believe those came to my mind, sewed alot of them. Think I still have a tub of polyester material downstairs in a bunch of colors maybe I should make a disappearing 9 patch or something and see what it looks like, it washes good and lasts forever....better than sewing satin and lace. Brat you can't be in the dog house, gees you don't have one. You can be in the kitty corner for time out, about 10 more minutes should do it. While you're there finish the other table runner, pink and white with the green, think it's mine.

nancia

we've never had an actual house for our dogs, other than the one we all live in. they're pretty much the dominant owners. we have no rugs because monkey thinks they are grass. we have a leather sofa so the dogs can't ruin it. we have random blankets on the floor so the dogs can rest wherever they might put their liddle heads-- in case whoever's on the furniture won't move to the floor like a well trained person would. the only no dog zone is the upstairs bathroom-- blocked uff because of emergency kitty litter, yes, in case someone closes the dog door. ( like at 3 a.m. when kitten protects us all from the very very scary something in the neighbors yard. evidently it's the man of the house because it isn't there during the day, and only comes in at night. very late at night, like a partying fool would do. so kitten has done her best ti be sure we, and the rest of the community, don't have to be rudely awakened by this scoundrel. she makes sure we're wide awake! and if her barking isn't enough, i have a very shrill whistle that brings her in long enough to grab a treat, and then out she runs again... hence why someone blocks the dog door and prevents cats from going outside. dogs have masters, cats have waitstaff. please don't tell kitten! it will only disturb her!

nancia

say what you will about poyester double knit, that stuff does not wear out!! there will be quilts from the 1960's-79's well into the 2100's and probably into the 2200's. and they are warm. too! i'm not making any right now, but using that same polyester fiber, i am making fleece beds/ blankets for the shelter animals. it's a cushioning off the cement and metal or plastic floors they lie on. everytime jo-ann's has a really good sale, or there's a remnant of fleece i snatch it up and cut it into dog beds. they are typically 3 layers of the thick fleece, and can be turned so that there are four available surfaces to stay cleaner longer, or just to get more dirty.

tracibug

Love the idea for the dog beds... could you post a pic?

Elisabrat

traci your dreaming.. those dogs will not sleep on dog beds. your couch maybe or your shoes or the clothes you might drop on the floor. Your doggies rule that house too! you cant trick them into sleeping somewhere just for them the kitties might however take it over. I put down a kitty blanket one say 2 feet by 2 feet and instantly its a napping spot. or my pillow in the bedroom also a napping spot. Steve covers his he is smarter. He would have little tiny itty bitty eyes if they laid on his pillow and then all heck would break lose. ultimate NOT happening.

I have never sewn anything but cotton even in highschool. My mom however made herself a one piece aqua blue poly jumpsuit to wear to hawaii and my father she made a hawaiian blue shirt. I can still see it. omg not exactly a fashion plate item these days but probably all that back then. She was an excellent seamstress. never a pattern just view it in a window go home and sew it. silk? no issues.. velvet easy.. me I take a piece of cotton and I think and I think and I rethink then sew and rip a seam every so often and well its almost exactly what I wanted. almost. that is me. I am way more skilled in my mindseye than in reality. oh well. well maybe some time for a nap not sure could be wouldnt that be lovely? oh yes it would. might kill the crankies that I have. big time crankies. sigh.

dabbler312

jaba when my son was a new baby my brother gave him a quilt for his first Christmas - to this day 31 Christmas's later Jeffrey still has that quilt - he used to sleep with it every night - he used it to snuggle in when he watched TV and as he got older he would still use it as a throw (sh don't tell anyone he would be extremely embarrassed for anyone to know that he still uses it - he says it keeps him warm) - that beautiful quilt is made from polyester - it is a simple nine patch. So if you have tubs of that stuff sitting around you might try making quilts for kids and donating them through church or women's shelter etc.

Wish I didn't have such a time with patterns - I purchased the book and DVD to learn to fit a pattern - I have extra long and large arms and sometimes when I find a tall size the sleeves still are too short - one of my dearest old friends used to sew suits, gowns, wedding dresses and made millions of fancy Barbie Doll clothes was going to teach me to alter patterns but she's suffered some sort of mental depression after being stalked that she lost all her creative desire - I'm hopeful her medications will one day allow her to get back in the swing of it. I've got a couple of simple patterns to start with; what's that saying "Nothing Ventured - Nothing Gained"

sikesjj

Here are the pictures of Jayla opening Nancia's package. She sent Jayla a tea quilt, tea set, a beautiful 18" doll, and 4 different outfits (dress, top and skirt, pajamas, robe, tunic, and pants) She made all of these and some adorable bunny slippers. Jayla named her doll Daisy and she came with accessories: a hat, flip flops, dress shoes, basket with a baby doll and cat, and sunglasses. We have had MANY, MANY tea parties; and Jayla and Beau have been fighting over who is the "pourer". Nancy thank you so much for everything, and Jayla has been carrying around the sweet note you wrote in her purse. Sorry for the side pictures, they are the correct direction on my computer.

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sikesjj

Here is a last one of Jayla and Daisy. THe little doll is Minnie and the cat is Tiger.

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DustysMomma

Oh how adorable! My, my Nancia, you outdid yourself! She's so happy!

While we're on pets, I'll share a couple happy things and sad things. My friend's husband just returned from Afghanistan about a week ago. She's been preparing for their move to Italy as his next duty station for the next 2 years, and they were planning to take their pets with them. When they married a year ago this week, right before his deployment, they had 4 large dogs between them, all rescues, with two of them being 12+ years old. She went through all kinds of paperwork, health testing, ect and had to have special (expensive) crates built in Atlanta for them and her African gray parrot, who is also a rescue they planned to take with them. So he gets home, and the oldest of his 2 dogs starts having seizures. About the same time, her oldest starts loosing the ability to walk on his hind legs. Yesterday, they had to have both of them put to sleep. Now it's up in the air whether they can take any of the animals until they prove it's not been caused by something potentially contagious. The two they lost were old, and there was speculation they may not have survived the move, so it's better this way for them. I hate to hear that the others might be impounded for testing before they're allowed to take them though.

Her dog was an extra large Great Dane, lovingly called "the old man." When I'd visit, he'd come over and sniff me, then back up and sit down on the couch next to me, almost on my lap. The parrot was abused by his previous owners and is very neurotic. I'm wondering how he's going to take the move. When he gets stressed, he pulls his tail feathers out. He's sneaky though, and so funny. In the 7-1/2 years I've known her, he's never once spoken with me looking at him. He'd wait until I turned away and he'd say "Don't look now!" then turn away before I could look at him. As soon as I left the room, he'd do his imitation of either an ambulance or a firetruck. If you yelled back to him, "Norton, was that you?" he'd say "Norton left. Leave a message. BEEP!.....Crazy bird!" and then he'd laugh.

I know what you ladies mean about the animals owning the house and us being the ones who are owned, lol. I had a red poodle named Ginger who was the protector of not only our house, but the neighbors' as well. She thought she owned 2 houses. My neighbors both worked nights at Keebler, so when I left in the morning, I'd leave her outside (with my ex-husband home). My neighbors would come home shortly after and she'd go lay on the couch with them until they were ready for bed. Then they'd send her home. She'd scratch lightly on the door & when my ex would open it, she'd go lay in her crate in the laundry room so he could leave for work. She'd get into trouble and she'd hide behind the couch. We didn't know until after she was killed that when she was hiding, she was also chewing on the back of the end table! I'd have another poodle in a minute. I think I'd want a teacup this time though. I think I'm getting too old for big animals.

Before Ginger, we had Shadow, a yellow lab who didn't mind cats or other dogs, but hated squirrels. When we grilled steaks & had baked potatoes and salad with it, I'd dump all the leftovers in a bowl for him. That crazy dog would actually save the steak for last and eat his veggies first. He loved Dusty though. Ginger just thought Dusty was in her way, and my ex-husband too!

Elisabrat

Cute story. My cats own our home. There is no off spot. like that would work. they come and go where they want often I find them looking at me from inside a cupboard. how to scare the daylights out of me! I love them they are my peace sometimes. They love you sick, well, happy sad.. just pet me why dont you. Currently I have Roy the shelter black kitty I own who just loves laying in your face. he almost climbs up as high as he can on your chest puts his nose on yours and he is happy. he is ready to start typing. He is gray on his underside and his plum of a tail is mostly gray. super affectionate very fat cat. he has this pot belly and he is only a year. piglet! that should have been his name. I have owned three big dogs in my adult life. Shepherd Husky mix, Shep pure breed rescue dog and a golden. They all were wonderful friendly dogs. Now I would love to have another dog but think maybe its not the right time.. they need so much time and well its not the time for me so I will enjoy your dogs and my kitties for now