Category Archives: family

Another Furry Goodbye

On Saturday, we said goodbye to our furry boy, and the eldest of our kitties, Merlin.

I won’t go into details here, only know that he suffers no more.

Almost exactly a year after we said goodbye to our other old furry boy, Tackett (the TTMT kitty), we let our Merlin go.

We miss him so much already.

Tackett & Merlin, 2010, both of them fat & happy.

We adopted Merlin in March 2001, when he was 3 years old. We found him at the Austin Humane Society, where he had been for quite sometime. He was a big boy, 13 pounds when he was skin & bones, and no one wanted him because he was a black cat.

They don’t know what they were missing. He had the sweetest temperament, just low key and loveable. He and Tackett were companions and buddies for over a decade.

He was such a special part of our lives that in October 2002 my daughter decided that there would be nothing better to be for Halloween! It’s hard to see in this photo, but her tag says “Merlin” and she’s sporting a long black tail. 🙂

We are very lucky to still have our two beautiful girls, the new: Rose (left) and Marie (right). Marie was the baby when we still had our Kitty Herd. The girls aren’t quite getting along yet, but we’re working on it and hope that they will have a long, happy life together.

To those of you that follow me elsewhere online and sent your condolences over the weekend, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

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How can evil be so cute? And Cats, just because.

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Happy Saturday!

Yesterday, I crocheted the dark green Cthulhu you see her for my hubby to take to work.

Baby C has lived in on his bedside table for quite a few years now and he really wanted another to geek up his desk at work, so I obliged. Big C was relatively fast to make and just so cute! Baby C was Caron Simply Soft, and Big C was made from worsted acrylic. It was a cake of yarn, so I’m not sure what brand, could have been Bernat.

The free pattern is here.

Our new baby, Rose, is doing well. She is still mostly hiding, but I can coax her out with treats and when I do, she is so, so sweet and snuggly. For some reason, some loves my big toes and will lay in my lap with her paws on either side of one toe, like she’s holding on to it. That’s a new one on me!

She has met both Merlin and Marie, and while there had been very mild hissing, there was an initial 5 seconds of tail poufing and that was it. M & M have pretty much ignored her since becoming aware of her existence. I think once she comes out of my bedroom, they will take more interest. The door has been wide open for three days, but Rose hasn’t ventured past the door yet. I carried her to the top of the stairs and she was pretty much scared silly, so I put her down and she dashed back under my bed.

This is Merlin in a sunbeam, just because. At 16 1/2, he’s the old man of the house now. He’s had a few health issues recently, but as my wonderful vet said, he’s doing pretty good for a guy his age.

Our beautiful Marie is no longer the baby of the house, but the sassy lady. She’s very curious about Rose and I have a feeling that once the Miss R settles in, they will be excellent playmates.

PPV Prize April 2014

Share your Paper Piecing Vintage photos with the Sewhooked flickr group in April and you’ll have a chance to win a copy of Quilts From 100 Blocks, Fall 2013 (includes a pattern designed by me!) as well as copies of my patterns Poppies from the Past and My Kitchen Window!

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Sign up for Paper Piecing Vintage
and get a new pattern in two sizes each month during 2014!
That’s 24 patterns for just $12!

Love is in the air!

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Meet the newest member of our family!

She’s approximately 1 1/2 years old and is Siamese with orange tabby markings (what a perfect mix!).

She was at my vet’s office waiting for adoption. When I asked about her, the wonderful girls there told me she didn’t have a name and she’d been very blue since she’d been there, but was very friendly and snuggly when held. The very first thing she did when I met her was to tuck her head under my chin and right into my neck. Tears sprang right into my eyes. I haven’t been chin-tucked since right before we said goodbye to Tackett.

She met Merlin and Marie through the carrier and no hissing, which is a minor miracle. She’s currently hanging out in our bathroom until she gets used to us and is here long enough not to smell “other” to M & M.

She doesn’t have a name yet, but I have an idea.

Happy Friday!

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Individual block patterns go up to $2.95 April 1! Get yours while they are still $2!

Goodbye, my Faithful Furry Friend

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After a long fight with various health issues, we said goodbye to our beloved Tackett today.

He gained many friends with his various surprise visits on Talk To Me Tuesday.

He was a loving, talkative companion and we will miss him with all our hearts.

Tackett “Ticky”

1997 – 2013

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One Day Sale!

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*throws confetti*

My daughter is graduating from high school tomorrow! We’re proud and sort of stunned, all at the same time. I guess that’s how this works, huh?

HOW is that possible? I’m still working on figuring that one out! I’ll let you know when it actually sinks in!

To celebrate her accomplishment, my family and I are taking two weeks off to spend time together before she gets ready to leave for college in the fall.

Because I want you to celebrate, too, I’m offering 20% off your purchase of $5 or more in my ETSY shop, just use coupon code VACATION! Offer valid only on ETSY. My store closes until June 18 starting tomorrow making this offer TODAY only!

Prefer instant download to waiting for hardcopies in the mail? My Craftsy shop is always open!

Have a fabulous first two weeks of June…see you on the flip side!

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Featured Pattern: Fleur-de-lis (paper pieced), just $2 on Craftsy!

Adieu, Button

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It was a sad, sad day in our house.

Our sweet Button, furry calico Diva, passed away in her sleep last night. She was snug in her favorite basket when she went. She was just about 18 years old and she lived a good, long, and very well-loved life.

We will miss her with all our hearts.

Bee Happy, Make Quilts!

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Here’s a little something fun!

Honey Bee Quilt Store in Austin, Texas has kitted up Tree Trimming and A Little Haunted with fun fabrics!

The kits even include binding!

You can pick up these fun quilts in the store or by giving them a call at 512-257-1269.

***

I’m in the middle of a computer crisis today. My laptop had critical hard drive failure this weekend and I’m waiting for repair and to see if any of my data can be restored. I am usually faithful about backing up because of all the pictures, patterns and documents I produce. Unfortunately, and insanely, I have not backed up in several months which means if my data can’t be recovered, I will lose design work, photos and documents from those last few months. If it wasn’t shared either online for via email, I won’t have it. I can’t even begin to express how distressing the prospect is!

To detract from the stress, I’m diligently working on cleaning my studio, finishing some charity projects and pushing ahead with 12 for 2012. My August quilt top just needs borders and I’m about to pull September out of the bag.

Hopefully, the quilt therapy will keep me sane until I know what the damage is!

The Tabby Face Block Lotto is another ray of sunshine. I’ve received quite a few messages and photos from you all sharing that you’ll have Tabby Faces in the mail this week. How can a slew of happy kitty faces not make me feel better?

And for everyone checking in to see how Tackett is doing, we have not really seen any change. He hasn’t lost weight, but he’s not gained any since the first couple of weeks of his treatment. He still seems chipper, though, so we remain hopeful.

Thanks for listening…see you for Talk To Me Tuesday! Tomorrow’s will be a little different since my computer is out of action…along with all my usual files!

To celebrate the Tabby Face Block Lotto, use coupon code TABBY in my Etsy shop to receive 10% off your total order during the month of September!

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Time is running out!

Learn to paper piece with me now through December with my full-length video workshop available only through STITCHED. You get access to over 20 classes AND instructors and registration is only $40! Click for details

NOT cancer!

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Just got back from the vet…and it’s NOT cancer!

*throws confetti*

Tackett has lymphoplasmacytic inflammation of the liver. He will continue to need treatment, but the prognosis at this point is good. We go back in a month for more blood tests to see if his liver is functioning more normally and then we’ll go from there.

THANK YOU for your love and support through the stress my family and I have been under.

*hugs you all*

*hugs Tackett*

In case you missed it, this is Tabby Face, a free pattern from me to you as a special thank you for all your love and support. Read more about it here.

Use coupon code TACKETT right here on Sewhooked and in my Etsy Shop for 25% off your total order during the month of August. This special coupon has been created as a fundraiser for my beloved and sick kitty, Tackett. Tackett is a regular visitor to Talk To Me Tuesday and even has his own Facebookpage. The great majority of the patterns I’ve designed have come into life with Tackett sitting in my lap or on my feet.

Have you made patterns or projects from Sewhooked? I would love to see! Add them to the Sewhooked flickr group for a chance to be featured on my blog!

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Time is running out!

Tabby Thanks

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It’s been a crazy couple of weeks around here. My sweet tabby, Tackett, just finished a round of antibiotics, with two prescriptions left to go.

We still don’t know if he has cancer, but we’re optimistic. He’s more vocal, more energetic and he’s eating more. ALL are Good Things. If it is the big C? Well, we will continue to take the best care of him we can and make sure he had the happiest life a fur baby can have.

As a small thank you to everyone that has sent love and well wishes, and of course everyone that’s taken advantage of the Tackett sale, which has helped tremendously with the vet bill, I want to share this free pattern, Tabby Face. It’s a simple pattern based on two of my older designs, Grumpy Cat and Happy Cat.

Tabby Face!
5″ Paper Pieced Pattern (5 1/2″ unfinished)

Also available on Craftsy!

Here’s Tabby Face with some spiffy Photoshopped whiskers!

Heh, yeah, embroidery would definitely look better…

Tabby Quilt…why not?! 12 – 5″ blocks plus sashing and borders would make a super cute baby blanket!

Quilt designed in EQ7

Use coupon code TACKETT right here on Sewhooked and in my Etsy Shop for 25% off your total order during the month of August. This special coupon has been created as a fundraiser for my beloved and sick kitty, Tackett. Tackett is a regular visitor to Talk To Me Tuesday and even has his own Facebookpage. The great majority of the patterns I’ve designed have come into life with Tackett sitting in my lap or on my feet.

Have you made patterns or projects from Sewhooked? I would love to see! Add them to the Sewhooked flickr group for a chance to be featured on my blog!

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Learn to paper piece now through December with my full-length video workshop available throughSTITCHED. Registration is now only $40! Click for details

Tickety Boo

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After yesterday’s Talk To Me Tuesday, and the news that my very own stripey ball of fur and regular TTMT guest, Tackett is very, very sick, you all did some extra-ordinary things.

You spread the word about my TACKETT sale:

Use coupon code TACKETT right here on Sewhooked and in my Etsy Shop for 25% off your total order until August 31. This special coupon has been created as a fundraiser for my beloved and sick kitty, Tackett. Tackett is a regular visitor to Talk To Me Tuesday and even has his own Facebook page. The great majority of the patterns I’ve designed have come into life with Tackett sitting in my lap or on my feet.

Lots of you shopped and didn’t use the coupon at all. Everyone that shopped sent along heartfelt wishes and love for my furbaby.

I received a number of donations from friends and long-time readers to help with Tackett’s medical expenses; totally and completely unexpected. Very much appreciated.

There have been good thoughts, prayers and well wishes from all over the world. I can feel the love heading our way via email, text message, LJ, Facebook and Twitter.

So, here’s where we are today:

So far, he’s had a complete battery of blood tests, urinalysis, an ultrasounds and some liver cells have been extracted. Tackett has lost about three pounds and he is terribly bony. He has been diagnosed with a serious liver infection, which is most likely hepatitis. There is a possibility that he has lymphoma. There’s a more thorough test for that, which is being done by a specialist. We won’t know the results for a few more days. He’s on three prescription medications for the infection and liver health, as well as a high protein, gluten-free diet to help him gain weight. Tackett is also on meds for hyperthyroidism, which he was diagnosed with last year. That complicates things a bit, too, as it also causes weight loss.

Because Tackett is a very vocal boy and is very clearly stressed by being at the kitty hospital, he returned home to us yesterday for treatment and recovery in the peace and quiet of his comfort zone. I’ll be his nurse and my family will be the support staff. 🙂

Despite everything, he remains his usual, sweet, cuddly and talkative self. He doesn’t have as much energy as he usually does, of course, but it doesn’t stop him from wanting his snuggles and to be petted.

Thank you all for your support in this. Tackett means the absolute world to me and to my family. He’s been part of our lives for 12 and a half years, and anything we can do to help him get healthy again, we absolutely will do.

Love to and gratitude to you all,

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Learn to paper piece now through December with my full-lengthvideo workshop available through STITCHED. Registration is now only $40! Click for details