The McHenry Quilt = An Update

I was finally able to get back to a little crazy quilting!  If you remember, I started a traditional Victorian Crazy Quilt a few years ago.  The purpose is to document the historical landmarks of McHenry Illinois where I live.

I plan to hang it in my home and use it to promote The McHenry Area Historical Society.  I'm  a board member and the editor of the Facebook page.

So I just finished block #19:

This is the very first Mill in McHenry owned by The Owen Brothers.  It sat on Green St.  Of course it's not there anymore but at least there are a few photos of it floating around.

And here is the whole quilt so far, photoshopped together:

This is a traditional Victorian Crazy Quilt.  Piece by hand on a cotton foundation.  Each block is 9 inches square.  I'm using new fabrics but in colors and type that would be traditional to the Victorian Era.  I'm only use vintage and antique lace.  The only embellishments are the spider on each block made with vintage Mother Of Pearl buttons.

If you click on the photo, you can see a larger version of it.

McHenry Crazy Quilt Update

I've been working on blocks for the McHenry Historical Crazy Quilt.  I started this project a few years ago:

I have 15 blocks completed with at least another 25 to go.  Click on the image to see it close up.

The blocks are 9 inch squares.  The photos are (mostly) antique pictures of old buildings in the City Of McHenry where I live.  In a few cases, old photos just don't exist so I grab screenshots from Google Earth and then "olden" them myself in photoshop.

The blocks are pieced entirely by hand on a cotton foundation.  The only embellishments used are threads, vintage or antique lace and tiny vintage mother - of - pearl buttons.  Each block has a spider and web on it so I'm using the buttons to create the spider.

This quilt is intended to look like a traditional Victorian Crazy Quilt so no beads, no sequins, no glittery do-dads.

My most recent completed block is the old Blacksmith and Wagon shop:

Built in the 1870's, this is what the building looks like today:

Hard to believe it's the same building but it is!

Here's an ad from our local newspaper for the business:

I just started on Block #16.  Another old hotel!

Back To The McHenry Quilt

A few years back, I started working on a Crazy Quilt using old photos of my little town of McHenry.  Well, it isn't so little anymore but I still love it here!  McHenry was est. in 1836.

I've done a lot of cross stitch projects lately and thought it would be nice to do some crazy quilting but due to current circumstances, I can't get to my sewing machine much less use it.

The McHenry quilt is worked the old fashioned way.  The foundation piecing is done by hand!

I'm trying to do this quilt in the traditional Victorian crazy quilt style so no beads or sequins on this one!  All the lace is very vintage or antique and the fabrics are dark jewel tones...velvets, brocades, satins.

The only other embellishment is a few antique mother of pearl buttons used to create a tiny spider on each block.

Well, I just finished Block #8 last night.  This is our old grist Mill (left) and Creamery (right):

The Mill was built in 1872 and the Creamery in 1881.

Here is the photo:

Both buildings still stand today.  The Mill has several additions on it and the Creamery is now a house. 

Here's a screenshot from Google Earth so you can see how it looks today:

I think it's so cool to see the old photos and then take a look at how things look now!

For the next block, I'll be doing our old movie theater. 

American Christmas Dove Cross Stitch Pattern

Little by little, I'm getting there with my patterns.  Today I have my American Christmas Dove Cross Stitch design:

This is one of my favorite designs!  I always loved the little Victorian Christmas images of birds with American flags!

This is available on Etsy as a professionally printed pattern leaflet and as an instant digital PDF download.

http://www.kittyandme.etsy.com/

Victorian Valentine Blog Background

If you like my Valentine Blog Background, you're welcome to use it on your own Blogger/Blogspot blog:

Free Victorian Valentine Blog Background

Copy and paste this link into your HTML gadget:

<style type="text/css">
body { background-image : url(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4703/38925641024_41edccf019_o.jpg); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat;  background-attachment : fixed; }
</style>

<script type="text/javascript">
var div = document.createElement('div');
div.setAttribute('style',"position: absolute; left: 0px; top: 30px; z-index: 50; width: 150px; height: 45px;");
div.innerHTML = '<a target="_blank" href=" "></a>';
document.getElementsByTagName('body').item(0).appendChild(div);
</script>

This works with Blogger/Blogspot 2 column blogs.

Victorian Purple Crazy Quilt

All I managed to accomplish on this yesterday was to sew the lace and trim pieces down:

Some of my readers know that I have not felt well for a very long time.  And it's apparent now that I got off a little too much medication a little too soon.  It's a catch 22.  I either put up with side effects or I put up with symptoms.  Unless things get worse, I guess I'll live with symptoms but I'm in slow motion.  That's just the way it's going to have to be for right now.

I was asked what I was going to make this piece into.  I haven't decided yet.  Either a purse or a pillow.  I thought when I get the stitching done, that I would ask my readers to vote.  I think it'll be pretty either way!

Easter Bunny and White Cat

I finished up another work in progress.  The stitching on my Easter Bunny hanging pillow is done:

I love the colors on this one.  The purples and violets and soft pinks are so Spring like!

And this is my current work in progress:

A little white cat, very Victorian, with yellow and blue flowers.

Not much else going on here at the moment.  Just some stitching and some Spring cleaning.  Have a great day everyone!

Victorian Irish Lady

My family thinks I'm goofy!  Okay, I really am!  But I love St. Patrick's Day!  My grandfather was Irish and I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not but I really think that I like it so much because it's the beginning of Spring.

The thing that gets me through the cold, dark, snowy months of Winter is the fact that Spring is the next season and Spring is my favorite!

So, I started another St. Patrick's Day Crazy Quilt piece:

I have always loved this pretty lady image in the green hat!  I don't think I've ever used that image on a crazy quilt piece before so here she is, in all her Irish glory!

This will be a pillow.  When I finish up on this project, I'll be putting together an online class and then starting on my 3rd Elegant Crazy Quilt Seam Treatments Ebook.

Although I no longer design or spend my stitching time doing counted cross stitch, the background that I have in that will probably never leave me. I like the perfection of working with charted patterns.  I like how I can apply charted patterns to crazy quilting.  And therefore, I will move forward in the direction of applying my charting skills to my beloved passion, crazy quilting.

So, stock up on 8.5 count and 10 count waste canvas!  There are loads of great new crazy quilt ideas and techniques coming this year to Kitty & Me Designs!

Tussy Mussys

I've had so many requests for more of mom's Victorian style Tussy Mussys!  No one does these beautiful paper cones like mom does!  Here are her latest tussys for Valentines Day:

These are now available in our Boutique!

Little Girls In Yellow Roses Stitching Completed

This bright and cheerful crazy quilt block will most likely be sewn into a pillow:

I just love the little Victorian girls in the roses!  I was looking at it yesterday and thinking it would make a pretty pillow so I'll add a green border and some pretty lace.  I'm hoping to have some sewing time tomorrow.

Here is the crazy quilt seam embroidery:

Be sure to click on the images to see closeups!

Also, you can find more of my seam treatments on my Inspiration Page!

ATTN:  Cheryl who commented on this piece!!!  Please email your blog address to me! 

Little Girls In Yellow Roses

Sandie told me that I must stitch in my sleep!  LOL!!!!   Stitching is therapy for me as it is for many people.  I make sure I have plenty of time for it every day.  And I don't always sleep well so it's a good way to spend my early morning hours!  Here's my newest piece:

I've always loved the Victorian images of the little girls in the flowers!  The lace appliques are a bit bright but I'll soften them with beadwork.

My dad's surgery is today so please keep him in your thoughts.

Victorian Crazy Quilt Cat Dolls

I just finished photographing my latest litter of Crazy Quilt Cat Dolls!  Without further adieu, here they are:

 Enjoy the photos!  I'm going back to stitching on my Snowman Dolls now.

Marie Block #8 Almost Done!

I've been stitching on this block, adding beads and flowers:

The next thing I'll do is embellish that lace piece on top right.  I want to do some sequins and some silk ribbon embroidery on it.

It's almost done!  I have a hummingbird that I want to add to this block and I think a fancy button.  Can't remember at the moment.  Anyway, I'll post another update when it's complete!

Musical Food Dishes

Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts and prayers for my Simba.  He seems to be doing a twinge better.  No peeing or pooping on my floor and he's not throwing up as much as he was. 

He's not at all thrilled with his special diet food but he does take his pill without a second thought.  He just gobbles it up!

The challenge now is the "musical food bowls".  I have to make sure that Simba eats his food and not the others and I have to watch Nightmare & Lucy like a hawk so they don't eat his food. 

My Nightmare is the most persistent cat I've ever met.  I literally have to put him in the bathroom or bedroom so Simba can eat in peace.

So that's where I'm at with this situation.  I can see why I had a breakdown 2 years ago.  I got so tired of dealing with things, fixing things, cleaning things and just plain doing things.  I just got so worn out!  But enough of that.

I spent hours and hours yesterday adding new things to our shop.  Mom & Kathi have made so many beautiful things!  Here's the latest:

Remember, phone & email orders are welcome!

For now, I'm going to stitch on my "mystery CQ project" and do a bit of needle felting.

Thank you again for keeping my Simba in your prayers!

Corn Bread Muffins Recipe

I mentioned on Facebook yesterday afternoon that I had just baked some Chocolate Chip cookies and a batch of Corn Bread Muffins.  I was asked for the recipe.  I intended to post it here anyway because, this is the best Corn Bread I've ever had in my life!  It's mom's recipe.  She's been using this one for years and years and although we've both tried others, nothing compares!  So here it is:

CORN BREAD MUFFINS

1 Cup Milk
1 Egg
1 Cup Flour
3 Teaspoons Baking Powder
1 Cup Corn Meal
1/3 Cup Sugar
1 Teaspoon Salt
1/4 Cup Melted Butter

In a mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients.  In another bowl, combine all wet ingredients and mix well.  Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients.  Mix well.  Spoon into cupcake tin lined with cupcake papers.  Bake at 400 degrees for 18 - 20 minutes.  Makes 12 regular size muffins.

You can also bake it in a pan.  Either way, you'll never find a better recipe for corn bread than this one!

In other news, I'll have an update on my mystery crazyquilt project either later today or tomorrow.  I did stitch on it yesterday but want to get a little more stitching done before I post an update. So far, you have some very interesting guesses!  I knew it would be fun to keep you all wondering!  LOL!!!


Tomorrow, Kathi and I will be heading up to Delavan Wisconsin for a Holiday Show at Tall Grass Farm.  If you live in the Northern Illinois/Southern Wisconsin area, you might want to check it out!  It's a beautiful farm and there will be all sorts of handmade goodies, roving for felting & spinning, handmade soap and more.  Kathi & I were there in October and had a wonderful time!  If you do head out there, look for the girls with the crazy quilt purses.  That will be us!

I'll leave you for now with some new Christmas Tussy Mussy's by mom:

Crazy Marie Antoinette Quilt To Begin

I haven't been feeling well for the past few days.  I don't know if it's the medication balancing out again or what.  I'm so tired of trying to figure it out and trying to describe it.  I can definitely feel the depression but I don't care to increase the medication.  It just means that I'd have to deal with more withdrawals when I can cut back again.

I decided that now is the perfect time to start on my Winter project.  I pulled out block #1 of my Marie Antoinette quilt and I will start stitching on this today:

If you're new to my blog, I have Seasonal Affective Disorder and have found that a Winter project, helps me to get through the nasty Winter months until Spring.  This quilt has 9 blocks, all featuring an image of Marie Antoinette.  I love the pinks and other soft pastel colors.  There will be loads of lace and glittery things on this quilt.  Tons of flowers and vines.  I have some special do-dads that my friend Cathy K. sent to me that I've been saving for this project.  One is a little Eiffel Tower charm!

 I finished stitching up on this crazy quilt piece yesterday:

I'm going to try to get this piece in the frame today and then I'll add it to the shop.

Another finish is this little cat doll:

This was a custom order.  I really love making these little cats.  I think I'll sew up a few more this week and just have them ready for when I feel like stitching on one.

A few more things that I added to the shop are more of my glittered bottlebrush trees:

And here are a few of mom's newest items:

All are available here.

Don't forget about the drawing for my Crazy Quilt Snowflake Ornament.  Details can be found here on this post.
http://kittyandmedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/10/drawing.html

I guess that's my news for today folks.  I'll be posting regular updates of my Marie quilt as I work on it so stop by often for that.

I'll leave you with some muffins that I made the other day:

http://www.kittyandme.etsy.com/