May in Review

Can you believe we are fast approaching the year's half way point? I barely can. But on the other hand, so much has already happened this year!

May seemed to decided to skip the end of Spring and shoot right into Summer.  We had some rather warm days (to put it mildly) and it has us wondering how hot will Summer really be? As a way to beat the heat, and save the Spring, I tried to see friends and family this month, enjoy cocktails and meals, flower spying and watcher spot as much as possible. 

We traveled Down the Shore, for leisure and for secret projects. We worked, we played and we even saw a hot dog car! 

Quilting was a little slow, as I had more paper work than paper piecing in my life in May. I managed to finish one of my goals for Q2 of the 2015 Finish Along. I have another month to catch up... which I may never do if I keep starting new projects!

I took an unexpected break from blogging at the end of May, but am back on it now, and here's how to find me all over the internets. 

So while Brooklyn bloomed, May sped on. Now June, can't you slow us down?

April in Review

Phew, April went fast! 
This month really felt like Spring to me, with daffodils making their debut and trees flowering like mad all over Brooklyn. We began to take more regular trips Down The Shore in April, which definitely heralds the warmer weather. 

1) Trees blooming in Park Slope... 2) and Kensington. 3) There were a few grey days and April showers. 4) And some spectacular sunsets. 

Work geared up for the family this month, what with warm days and the start of baseball season. But it felt good to get our hands dirty and change up our routine. Although we were worn out from the end of March, when it was still cold, family members fell ill, and we were generally tired and stressed, having the upswing at our day jobs cemented the start and change of Spring. 

1) Giant eggs for Easter. 2) My black metal album cover. 3) High contrast in Prospect Park Zoo... 4) and in Asbury Park. 

The month started off with great focus on our work at home as well. Quilting, blogging, and sewing were all chugging along in the beginning, but petered out a little towards the end of the month. I'm diligently trying to stick to the blog schedule (more on this soon) I have been working on since end of March, and doing well IMHO. I made my Finish Along list for Q2 and got working right away at the beginning of April, but at it's end I have no finishes to show for it. Other goals have been achieved tho! We got back into the house hunt, as well. Which is both invigorating and stressful. 

1) Olin Street, Ocean Grove, NJ. 2) West Cape May, NJ. 3) 8th Street, Park Slope. 4) 8th Ave, Park Slope. 

1) Serious Tavis. 2) Pensive Pallas. 2) Pondering Pit. 4) Bippi and a sun beam.

We were able to travel a few times this month, hitting some of our favorite spots, seeing family (although briefly), and watcher spotting out of town! We were able to walk some towns, some zoos, and some beaches .
At home, we watcher spotted, visited with friends, cat sat, made some food and ate out, went to the zoo, read books in bars, and general enjoyed the heck out of Brooklyn. 

1) I kept calling everything at the zoo "zebras" for some reason. 2) Finally back to beach combing. 3) Classic coffee. 4) Tavis refuses to DJ. 

So, happily and easily,  April budded into a beautiful bloom! It's Spring growth felt like it was propelling us with leafy tendrils into something new. We shot forward thru the month and now we can only wonder what May has in mind for us... 

March in Review

March didn't really come in like a lion or go out like a lamb. It was more of an oxen or buffalo. Something slow and heavy and hearty, plodding along. 

1) Rainbows on the ground. 2) Pizza day. 3) Spring in spirit. 4) More pink. 

March was a pretty good month, but a long one. The weather stayed cold, stayed snowy, and kept our dreams of Spring at bay. We worked a lot, traveled little, but managed to work on some other goals.

1) #flowersforeleni 2) The doorway to my workplace. 3) I'm not the only one who likes it. 4) Pit helping me with sewing. 

It was a good month for sewing. I was able to join in on the comfort quilt being made for Rachel of Stitched in Color. If you're interested in participating, head over to Tales of Cloth and join in. I posted some finishes for On The Windy Side's 2015 Finish Along. Go there to look at all the great finishes for the Q1. I also made some starts this month so hopefully April will be full as well. 

One hint of Spring was out in the windows around town, as there were many more more watchers out this month.  

1) 1st St and 7th Ave. 2) North Park Slope. 3) Underhill in Prospect Heights. 4) South Park Slope.

I was able to see some friends for dinners and coffees. We were able to make some headway spring cleaning, bought some toys, made some food.  And I was able to spend time with my little family. We've had a tough time in the last few days of the Month as one of our furry members has been sick and in hospital. We eagerly await his safe homecoming. 

(EDIT - Tom is home and on the mend!)

1) The sky is starting to look like Springtime. 2) Last magically white snow storm of March. 3) Earlier in the mouth was pretty powdery, too. 4) Bright skies for photo shoots. 

So March was long, and in some ways harsh. But it's plodding steps breaks the ground for Spring's buds and shoots. We hope April will bring green growth and good health. 

February in Review

This year is zipping right along. February is a big month in my world. Anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, parties,  visits with family, connecting with friends. I try to pack this short month with wonderful and (heart and heat) warming events. 

1) This (black and) white cookie has my name on it. 2) I wanted to take this tub home with us. 3) Frozen bay visits. 4) White tarps, white skies. 

There was a white and snowy theme this Feb. It was cold. But that didn't stop us from exploring the beach, enjoying some down time, eating good foods, and getting some work done. 

Work was surprisingly busy for such a still month. But it moved along in an relatively  uneventful way. 

Work at home was more stop and start. But I am trying to keep my goals in mind and stay focused. I've been trying new things, as well as finishing old projects. 

Towards the end of the month, watcher cats and dogs started reappearing in windows in the city and abroad, birds started chirping in the trees, and the hope of Spring's arrival was on the air.

1) Night watcherdog. 2) Pit is staying bundled for now. 3) Tom, too. 4) Watchercats are rare, elusive and mysterious!

February roared by with Winter's harsh, snowy, breath. I hope March brings more than the whisper of Spring. 

January in Review

It's hard to believe how fast January went. The year is one 12th over already!

There was a lot of hard work this month. But it was straight forward with no major surprises which was a nice change.  It helped the month move along promptly. 

I tried to keep my goals for 2015 in this month. To start, we rang in the new year watching the fireworks in Prospect Park. Our tradition sets a nice start to a new year. We managed to go on our annual museum trip, this year to the Neue Gallerie. It is always refreshing to see art this month! We were amazed by Klimt's work up close. 

1) Watchers have been sparse so far this year. 2) You can't not marvel at this entry way. 3) Since loosing track of my number one #myfavoritetrucksofparkslope, this one has moved into that spot!  4) The long, chilly, line to get in was worth the wait!

We tried to create in January, as well. I sewed quite a bit but started more projects than I finished. I didn't make much progress on my 1Q Finish Along, but I was inspired for new projects. 

We got to spend some time with friends this month. We got to wander around the city. The weather was pretty snowy, and Brooklyn is beautiful in it's Winter clothes.  

1) Little hearts (more coming soon). 2) Winter's garden. 3) Snowy paths around Grand Army Plaza. 4) Coffee with Crimson. 

We were able to escape the city in January, as well. We headed to NJ to see family and found some great good sea glass on the bay. We also headed to our favorite shore town and did some house hunting. Seeing the ocean in winter is pretty wonderful. 
At the end of the month we headed back to Southern NJ to spend a special date.    

1) Interesting people at the library. 2) Mild skies above the ocean. 3) Static kitties in Park Slope. 4) Defeated Daleks looking dejected.  

I was able to set some goals for the upcoming year, and it's been helpful to look at that list and keep on track. January was productive, but all too brief. It was cold, snowy and stark in many ways but highlighted by colorful adventures. 

February is the shortest, darkest, month, has some of my favorite holidays (and I don't mean President's Day), and takes us one more step to Spring. January whooshed by fast and furious, February, what pace will you set?

December in Review

Wow. 2014 is over. 

We spent the last month of the year gearing up to spend time with family: making gifts, cleaning house, getting things done at home and at work. When our family arrived at the end of the month we were ready and happy to take some time off with them, and show them the city we love. 

1) Festive Winter skies. 2) Library scenes. 3) Not your usual nester. 4) Squirrel brunch. 

In the beginning of the month. I tried to stay home, cleaning and quilting and nesting. I managed to finish some things, but I started some new projects, too. The weather was cold for a bit and it was nice to cuddle up at home. 

1) One of our favorite kitties. 2) HST madness. 3) Lovely day Down The Shore. 4) Glass houses in Brooklyn. 

We did manage to get out some, for walks and to visit some of our favorite place in Brooklyn. At home, we collaborated on some xmas gifts, and projects. 

By far, the best part of the month was the end when our family came to visit from Tennessee! I got to take them to some of my favorite spots in Brooklyn. It meant so much to me to be able to show them My Little Town. For xmas we went Down The Shore, to show them our other favorite town, and our home away from home. The weather was amazing, so warm people put their feet in the ocean!  

1) Lights on the houses, lights in the sky. 2) Cold and festive. 3) Welcoming light in. 4) Nighttime, last of the year.   

When family departed we headed back to BK and back to work. We spent the last minutes of the year in our traditional way, watching the sky explode over Prospect Park. 

December was a lovely, temperate month, with mild weather, easy days, and wonderful guests. January has begun cold but not too harsh. 

Over all, 2014 was a great year! Busy and productive filled with new things, learning, and learning experiences. But there was time for rest, contemplation, relaxation, as well. It was a year to reflect on strengths and weakness and what we can improve. But it was also about cherishing what we have and what is good in life. 2014 was a time to get ready for change, to prepare and plan. I hope 2015 sees many of those changes come to life, and is a time for improvements all around. 

For 2015, I have some goals. January, let's get started!

November in Review

I thought November would be a crazy month. Thanksgiving falling in this month, and other holidays nipping at it's heels, signals the high season at work (certainly when you work in a pie shop). Guests visiting, heading out of state to see family, required cooking, the weather turning very cold indeed, all these things, seem to want November to be hectic and stressful. 

But November was a lovely month. A month to work hard, but with plenty of time to relax, as well. Cold weather made my commute a bit tougher, but made my nights more snuggly. Having guests and being guests was easy as could be. Cooking was a easy pleasure not a chore. Even the most insane holiday at work went off without a hitch (everyone got their pies!). 

Partly bc we had a guest coming this month, I was able to clean and work on the house. Something that I always want to do, but that always seems not to get done (and believe me, it's never done....). I was able to care for and move around the plants to better use the Autumn light. I dream of a time when I can devote time to work on my "green thumb".   

1) Down The Shore, the off season is the best. 2)This xmas cactus knows what time of year it is. 3) Pottering about the house. 4) Rare visit to the city. 

In the beginning of the month, we were able to get away to the beach for a few days. We beachcombed, relaxed, and the weather held out. 

Towards the end of the month a dear friend came to town and there were trips to the city, shopping, and so much food! 

With the colder weather this month, quilting was a priority. Many cats and I spent many hours under cover working on several projects. 

I was able to complete a small finish in November, work on a few in progress projects and start something new that I hope to finish soon. 

Watchers were scarce. Staying away from frosty windows, I'm sure. 

1) So many quilting books to distract me at work... 2) My favorite place, in bed, with cats, quilting. 3) My helpers are very helpful. I don't even need interns. 4) SO many solids!!

Thanksgiving was insane at work, but not as insane as I thought it would be. We already have hopes of ramping it up for next year. 

Thanksgiving at home was slow and easy and wonderful. I made deviled eggs, and roasted a ton of veggies. We headed out to my families house and our house guest drove! I was able to quilt on the drive! Lovely. We ate so many wonderful things that my mom prepared, chatted and laughed, and got home at a reasonable hour. Wonderful. 

Overall, I would say November was near perfect. Not thrilling, but not stressful. It was a time to bundle up and settle down as we prepare for Winter's cold grip. I hope December holds us this close, but doesn't squeeze too hard!

October in Review

October wasn't quite the feast for the mind, body, and soul I was hoping for, but it was a pretty good month.

1) Starting the month off in a different place. 2) Eating my favorite foods. 3) Sewing and sitting. 4) Halloweening in Brooklyn. 

The first days, I was away on the last days of my yearly family vacation. We spent a lovely week or so in Cape May, NJ. The weather was amazing. And our first day of Oct was enjoyed as if it were still summer.

Although I want to call my First Friendship Quilt a September finish (the vast majority was completed in Sept), it was technically finished early morning on the 1st of Oct.

The moment I returned there was some chaos at work and the first few weeks flew by. Lots of meetings. Meetings are not my favorite. By the time things settled down it was mid month and discussion of November had already begun.

I was able to enjoy quilting, cooking, eating out, watching a ton of pretty bad (but so good!) TV, and get a lot of work done (both at work, and at home) this month. By Halloween, the weather had gotten brisk. There wasn't much travel this month, but every time the seasons change, Brooklyn does, too. So, it was fun to walk around Autumn Brooklyn and see the sites with new eyes.

1) A watcher waits on 6th Ave. 2) Watcher dog in North Park Slope. 3) Cormorants in Coney Island. 4) Hidden in plain sight on 15th St.

I got to take part in my favorite pastimes; quilting, watcher spotting, cuddling with cats (especially as the temp got cooler), and sea glass hunting. We even went to Coney Island to see what sea glass it had to offer.  

So, overall October was pretty mellow, with it's highs and lows. It wasn't a race, or a slow, relaxing meander. It was more like a light jog with some uphill sections. As we rush to the end of this year, I hope to keep pace, or even slow it down a bit. But sometimes those last moths can feel like a marathon. Let's see how fast November goes.

September in Review

In stark contrast to August's slow lazy, relaxing days, September was a whirlwind of work, visits from friends, stress, vacation, change, seeing family, making plans, and more work. 

For the last 20 years or so, I've been away for Labor Day, returning only after the school year is in full swing. In my experience, school starting up signals the real start to a new year. Back to school means back to work, back to Winter and back to waiting for a new Summer. 

1) Prospect Park Zoo's peacocks have refined tastes. 2) Busy bees in Cape May Point. 3) Watcher Dog hanging out. 4) Watcher cat being sneaky off the 15th Street circle. 

Every other year, I come home after the first week of September and it's Fall already. The weather's cooler, the leaves changing, the hustle and bustle already begun. But this year I got to watch the slow change of hot end-of-Summer days to the mild leaf swirled mornings and chilly dark nights of Autumn. It's an interesting sea change to experience, much more lazy and drawn out than I had expected. 

In the beginning of September, friends visited from out of town and we got to visit some of our favorite places, eat giant pretzels, sew, and go to the beach. We stayed Down The Shore, house hunted, met new cats, enjoyed some September Swims. 

We had some sad news when we found out the our truck was too expensive to repair, and we had to let it go. It's been a long time since I've lived in the city without a car, so part of this month was about getting used be being driven, taking the train, or staying put when we might rather be driving away.

At the end of the month we took a family vacation, so we could relax away from the city a bit. We headed down to Cape May, the site of long past visits and more recent stays. We beachcombed and bird watched, checked out the North American Sea Glass Festival, ate at our favorite restaurants, and visited old haunts, we wandered into Critterfest, light house gazed, read, and talked a lot, before heading back home, back to work, and back to a new month. 

1) Strange times, 2) stranger's cat, 3) strange 'Kat, 4) strange name for a bird (Mango). 

Although fun times and adventure were woven throughout the month, September was mostly about work. It was a month for change, getting serious, and getting down to business. It was stressful. It was hard. 

I think of it as a harvest. The work we put in during this month will reap growth, and plow the way to rewards in the future. To me, that is what September is about. Starting again, working hard, making new, getting ready for real Winter. And waiting for Summer to return. The long wait begins in September.

If September is a last harvest, plowing the fields, tilling the soil, then I hope October is the last feast before Winter. October, I'm setting the table. 

August in Review

This is the first full August I think I've ever spent in Brooklyn. It seems that the gods were smiling on me to make it pretty darn awesome. 

The cafe was fairly calm in August, which is normal for NYC. And it gave me the opportunity to concentrate on life outside of work. Quilting was priority as well as seeing friends and family, beach combing, watcher spotting, and eating well!

I finished a quilt in August which has not be able to happen since February. The quilt had a lot of firsts for me and was a joy to work on. Finishing a quilt is so immensely satisfying. I wish there were some way I could do it more often. Because of my methods, quilts are very labor intensive, and mentally intense, too. It makes it hard to work on quilts and job and life all at the same time.  

I had a happy surprise in August by winning a gorgeous pour over set from Martina Thornhill! I rarely enter giveaways on instagram, bc I try not to reblog or have any content that isn't my own on my feed. Her contest was perfect bc it asked for an original photo (of my morning coffee routine) to accompany her tags. I was so delighted that I won, I started using the set as soon as I got it! 

1) Using my prize, along with my vintage coffee carafe. 2) August didn't disappoint for flora and fauna. 3)A not yet finish. 4) Summer moon over BK. 

We tried to make the most of the end of Summer by going to the beach as much as possible. Pretty much any spare day was spent Down The Shore. We also tried to spend some time visiting family. I got to play cards with my brother and niece, eat clams on the 1/2 shell with my father, and do some antiquing with my mom. 

1) Surprised by Super Moon. 2) Hanging with the locals. 3) Slightly over-cast weekdays are always best. 4) Obsessed with sea glass.  

Thinking back on it now, there isn't that much to tell about August. Except that it was nearly perfect. Work, cat sitting, far away friends visiting, the beach, home with our cats, watcher spotting, good news for the future, calm days, new projects, great food, wonderful weather... Awesome sums it up. 

1) Pit is really concentrating on my next quilt. 2) Patriotic watcher. 3) I found out that the 11th Street cat's name is Tiger. She was less than thrilled that I was taking her picture. 4) Beach cats have it best.  

August was lazy days and temperate nights, but Summer's close signals the start of new adventure. So September, where are we headed?

July In Review

What to say about July... July was wonderful.

I hesitate to say it out loud, I hesitate to utter it, but, this whole summer has been wonderful.  Hot, sure, but not too hot. Busy, yes, but not so busy that I couldn't enjoy myself. 

Although a longer month, July went by so fast. We barely left Brooklyn, heading Down The Shore only a handful of times. But the month felt low key. A good time to catch up via email, or over a cocktail. A few brief family visits were sprinkled throughout. Watchers sightings were scarce but special occasions. 

1) Crabby crab on Sandy Hook in NJ. 2) Sneaky spider in Asbury Park. 3) Daredevil watcher in Park Slope, Brooklyn. 4) Safe and sound at home in South Slope. 

A personal goal was to eat and drink of Summer's bounty as much as possible. Watermelon every night for dinner, corn, tomatoes! My go to Summer cocktail is still the Lime in the Coconut from Lucey's Lounge. 

1) Physics of grapes. 2) Lights in the City. 3) Cotton cloud formations. 4) Geometry of watermelon. 

July was a great time for art and craft, both personal work and inspiration. This month I finally started feeling back on track with quilting! It feels good to get close to finishing some things! I tried some printmaking, with mixed results. Gotta keep practicing.  Art was all around: at work, during a visit to the museum, and walking by natural beauty every day.   

1) The 4th was spent with gingham stitches and sushi dinners. 2) Urban mermaids. 3) Paper-cut seas at the Swoon show. 4) Summer spent under quilts. 

"And we'll remember this when we are old and ancient 
Though the specifics might be vague "

                                       - July, July -The Decemberists

1) Bodega kittens need their rest. 2) Bippi's over Summer. 3) Tom's classic "diver". 4) Beach cats have it best.  

July, your days were long and sweet. Your breezes as fresh and soft as a kitten's snore. Will August share your catlike lightness, or are the dog days on their way?

June in Review

June flew by. July is half way over. I've fallen quite a bit behind, but lazy Summer days will do that. 

1) Prospect Heights neighbor says hello. 2) hand stitching in a very traditional manner (for me). 3) Pit helps me with a commission. 4) Tom contemplates great thoughts. 

I was busy in June. The usual mix of work, work, and work. But work can be so many things!  I worked for my job, I worked for my quilts, I worked to keep my family happy and healthy. June was about maintaining a peaceful balance of all the work that goes into life.

1) The sky and sea captured in a Jellyfish. 2) Nighttime walking. 3) Room with a view (sorta) at the at our favorite beach hotel. 4) Our version of hotel living with beach colors. 

In Brooklyn, the weather was perfect. But Down The Shore, it was better! We took as many beach trips as our schedules allowed. In some ways June was uneventful, as we just ping-ponged between our home and home away from home. But those early sunny Summer days were rejuvenating and much needed after the long and grueling Winter and the hectic startling Spring. 

1) 6th Ave, Between 10th and 11th Streets, a two faced watcher sits. 2) In Ocean Grove, NJ, this watcher might have an ocean view from up there. 3) Lazy Summer days for watchers on 8th St. 4) This watcher is happy to have the windows open in Prospect Heights. 

Watcher spotting was mixed in June, as many windows were over-run by air conditioners, and many kitties lounged in cooler spots. Sometimes we chose to search for seaglass, instead of watchers. But, thankfully,  in every season there are some watchers waiting to be found. 

Hot Summer days are not the most conducive to quilting, but progress was made. I am hopeful that there will be finishes to share soon. 

June was even, balanced, bright and sunny. It was refreshing and inspiring. It was sweet and strong, like Summer should be. July is feels much the same, so far, but it's not over yet. Are we ready to find out how July's story ends?

May in Review

May was a great month. Lots of flowers blooming, lots of hard work, some travel, some visiting family, some great food, some change, and some new projects. 

During the first week of the month we took a trip down to Cape May, NJ. Our hotel was a gift from our friends, the weather was perfect, the timing for a break was just right. It was the first real beach trip of the season and we quickly got used to taking many more. So, May was filled with drives down the shore, and relaxing by the ocean whenever possible. 

1) The Doctor surveys. 2) A new friend Down the Shore. 3) Cape May lighthouse on a perfect day. 4) Back to work in time for a ramen meeting.  

We headed down to NJ to visit family for Mother's Day. We took a trip upstate and visited Storm King Sculpture Park just as the weather was turning hot. We stayed home and visited some of our favorite local haunts. 

1) New tattoo. 2) Greenwood Cemetery butterfly. 3) Library days. 4) The art in ashes. 

May was hectic, bordering on insane at work, but looking back, I remember the calmness, the oncoming of summer and the warmth of things you love. The familiar feeling of getting tattooed, mixed with the excitement of something new and permanent.  Returning to places you haven't seen in years, the anticipation of what will be waiting, and finding them, more or less, just how you remembered leaving them.  

I guess May is always like that. Fresh and new, but pretty much exactly how you left it last year. 

1) Eager Watcher Dog. 2) New work. 3) Pretty stoic in Park Slope. 4) Pretty sneaky on 8th Ave.  

It should tell you something about how the months are going when I say that I started this post 2 weeks ago. It may also tell you something that when I made the photo mosaics, I labeled them all "June".  I have and have had many posts in mind. But no time to post them. My free time is spent sewing, traveling, or sleeping. My non free time are 12 hour work days, putting out fires, walking to and from work. At least the latter allows me Watcher Spotting time. 

May, you came and went like your famous flowers, opening slowly, bursting with life, fading away but replaced by new growth. June, you already have the sweet smell of Summer, like fresh squished mulberrries on the ground. What other sights and sounds and smells await us in you, June? 

April in Review

April was another month filled with work. Interesting and fulfilling work, but all consuming. I'm still loving my job, and I did get to balance it out with sewing, trips to the beach and zoo, and dinners at friend's houses. 

Blogging unfortunately has taken a lengthy ride in the back seat with only 4 posts in the last two months. There are some new posts in the works, but I'll need to find the time for creating them. Unfortunately, it hasn't been a priority recently. Luckily, April had the hopefulness and energy of Spring, Making me think all things are possible. 

1) April finally saw some real signs of spring. 2) Mushrooms and other veggies are popping up at the farmers market. 3) Brooklyn streets are blooming... 4) And the dogs are contemplating the possibilities of warmer weather. 

Although I started several new quilts, and worked on some current projects, April is another month without a finish. I hope May will be a more dramatic and dynamic sewing month. 

1) Flounder enjoys the sunny windowsill. 2) A very fancy duck. 3) Lunch time at the Prospect Park Zoo. 4) THe beginning of a quilt. 

One of our favorite things to do Brooklyn is to go to the Prospect Park Zoo and we were lucky enough to make two trips in April. We even alerted the zoo keepers to an injured peacock! 

1) The most manicured flower patch in Prospect Heights. 2) Lost limb at Sandy Hook, NJ. 3) Magic hour on the Outer Bridge Crossing. 4) A golden life at the Library. 

April had a good amount of visiting with family and friends. Steak dinners, walks in Brooklyn 'hoods, drives to NJ beaches, Easter dinners. Discussions of chess, flowers, birds. Watcher spotting is an obsessive, but relaxing, pastime. 

1) Alert Watcher, keeping an eye on the neighborhood. 2) Stephen's chess game, Mother's flowers. 3) Exotic zoo friends. 4) Sneaky peepers. 

The weather finally broke in April. People are shedding their winter clothes and attitudes, and heading out to see what Spring really has to offer. By the Library, Grand Army Plaza is booming, Prospect Park is blooming, and my little life is chugging along right in the middle. For next month I'd like to see some finishes, some giveaways (only 19 followers on instagram to go!), some organizing, reducing, repurposing. Both in quilting and in life. 

April, you showed us once again that Winter doesn't last forever, that hope springs eternal. Through rainstorms and renewal, budding and growing, April put us at ease and started us off to another Summer Season. May what do your blooms hold?

March in Review

Starting a new job at the end of February made March mostly about work. Which is fine, when you like what you do! The past month was about working, learning, and adapting. About settling in, and looking forward. And as wonderful as that can be, it leaves little time for other things. 

March saw little relaxing at home or seeing friends, less sewing, and no travel. I spent most of my time at work, or walking to and from work. When you work in the Central Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library (opened Feb 1st 1941) and your daily commute leads you along Prospect Park (ground broken by Olmstead in June 1866), that's not time ill spent. 

1) Sunset view from the arts section. 2) cryptic symbols and mythic creatures. 3) A fiery eagle watches over the Central Branch 4) I managed to get some real work done...

One of the great things about a new commute is plenty of new watchers!

1) Corner of 7th Ave and 9th Street who I haven't seen since they erected the scaffolding. 2) Alert at 7th Street nearing Prospect Park West. 3) So sad at the corner of 9th Street and 8th Ave. 4) Really intent bird watching on 8th Street. 

Although March 20th saw the first day of Spring, Brooklyn is slow to thaw. 

1) Some Spring greens. 2) Big Sky. 3) A burst of teal. 4) Isaac's new bones.  

In past years, I have found the old idiom about March to be true: In like a lion, out like a lamb. This year, March is not lamb-like at it's end. It's almost as bitter and cold and grey as when it began. The tress are reluctantly budding, flowers are only timidly peaking out of the earth, the sky is reserving it's finer blues for warmer days. I'm hoping that April will have few showers, and we won't have to wait until May for the enticing greenery. But if March is an indication for the year, I may be disappointed. 

March, you were a mainstay and a game changer. April, what's your story?

February in Review

Oh February! I have this recurring want/wish that February isn't dark, cold, short, and brutal.  Every year, I fill it up with fun things. My birthday! My anniversary! Friends! Adventure! But as much as I try, as much fun as I have and good things there are throughout the month, it's still cold. February is cold, there's no getting around it.  

This month was a whirlwind. Snow storms, traveling, art, dark days, new jobs, work, sewing, ideas, great friends, even a hint of the promise of Spring.  

1) A cold day at the beach is better than no day at the beach. 2) A special date in the Nation's Capital. 3) A gate way to air and space. 4) A stern artifact. 

It was quite a busy month with a lot of change. Change is good, right?

1) Magic. 2) Finally displaying some of our feather finds. 3) Pit Star has bedroom eyes. 4) Beautiful birthday with fabulous friends.

I wasn't able to able to do as much sewing as I would've liked. But I rarely can. I was able to have one finish at the beginning of the month. Hopefully once march has settled down a little, I can regain my sewing momentum. I have important things that I have to finish! I'm getting close to 1000 followers on instagram, and close to my first giveaway! 

1) A chilly beauty. 2) Flounder's sick of the winter!! 3) Snow, snow, snow. 4) Stash. 

February changed things up. Let's what March has in store. 

January in Review

It seems shocking that the first month of 2014 is already over! January flew by!

January had it's ups and downs. The weather was mostly bleak, but with shining moments of bright sun and snow. I feel like I was sick almost every day this month so I stayed inside at home for most of it, some days not even being able to get out of bed. Despite that, I managed to have my first finish of 2014 done on the 6th. I was also able to complete 2 quilt tops, and 2 quilt bottoms, baste them, and start the quilting on one. 

We were able to get out and see some great art at both the New Museum and the MOMA. Seeing more art and culture (for lack of a better word) is a huge priority for 2014. It feels like we are off to a great start. We were very lucky that my dad was able to join us on one of our museum jaunts. But besides that, January saw a sad lack of seeing family and friends. Hopefully February will change that trend. 

I've been extremely grateful for the continued interest in my work via this blog and instagram. Please feel free to always comment and like, follow, or contact me!

1) This month started off bright and cold. 2) We did only a little shopping and exploring during the first month. I left this vintage beaded dress behind, but took some photos with me. 3) We saw so much great art, mostly modern! 4) Lots of snow made for great light, but bitter mornings. 

1) Working on a huge all gingham quilt took up much of Jan. Bippi helped! 2) A serious watcher on my way to work. This pic was even featured on South Slope News. 3) Doing laundry on a cold wet January day kinda sucks. But seeing this watcher helped. 4) The whole family spent a lot of time cuddled under blankets and quilts. 

1) Working in DUMBO has the advantage of letting me see some great views. January saw some extreme fog, wild rain and snow, and great clouds 2) Quilts are stacking up to be completed. 3) Pit might have been less than thrilled with all the gingham. 4) An unexpected dragon. 

Well, January, it seemed short and not altogether sweet but we made it through! Let's see what February holds...

December in Review

A great month to end a great year. And a great month for photos!

Thanksgiving was quite late this year, so the first week in December was all about coming down during the holiday lull.

The next week we flew off to Tennessee to see family. Even though it was only the second time I have visited there, it feels like coming home. We had a wonderful time with family! We got to explore Nashville with friends and on our own. The visit was too short. 

1) The kitchen table at my In-Laws during our trip to TN. 2) On the way to NJ for the holidays. 3) The windowsill at work never disappoints. 3) Goodbye 2013!

A friend of mine sends messages of positivity each morning and in the third week, I embraced his words and set about being positive and happy about a work situation that I'm less than thrilled with. It's helping!

Week four was back to being all about the holidays! We went out to see my mom, uncle, brother, and niece and nephew for xmas eve. Despite a rocky start to the day, it was a calm and lovely holiday. After xmas, my dad came in and we walked around Brooklyn and chatted up a storm. We spent New Years Eve in Prospect Park watching the sky explode. The perfect end-of-year celebration. 

1) Christmas comes to Green-Wood Cemetery. 2) Our first morning in TN, it snowed and made the holiday even more festive. 3) Even my dad, a classic scrooge, loves xmas. 4) South Slope gets decked.

December was a great mix. And a great mix always includes quilts and cats!

1) Been working on this, my biggest and most quilted, quilt for several months. 2) Some holiday goodies were quilted. 3) Flounder lends a hand sorting the stash. 4) A lynx looks on at the Nashville Zoo. 

Thanks to everyone following Mad Cat Quilts on this blog and on my Instagram during the 12th month!

I'm so grateful to be gaining readers and followers. So grateful in fact, that I've decided to do a giveaway when I reach 1000 followers on Instagram!! I'll have more details soon, but in the meantime, tell your friends bc I have a little ways to go!

I hope everyone enjoyed December as much as I did, and I hope you all had a lovely start to 2014!

November in review

November can be an up and down month but over all this was a good one. It balanced itself out nicely. This november had some of the coldest days we've seen this year. Bitter and biting. But they were tempered by crisp, bright sun.

Our friends from Tennessee came to visit for almost two weeks. It's always great to be shaken out of my routine. Visitors want to see things, do things!! So we did a lot of new things, new restaurants, new galleries, new landmarks. But I also got to show them all our favorite spots, all the things we like to do. So it didn't get overwhelming. It was wonderful that our friend is a craftsman and seamstress. She showed us some fun projects, how to better use the sewing machine, and nerded out about fabric. 

Then there's Thanksgiving! This year, it went perfectly!! I got to see both sides of my family with little to no fuss. We also got to spend one night Down The Shore.  

Here are some instagram moments from the 11th month. 

1) Lovely windowsill at work. Still time for pumpkins! 2) Now that the weather is cold, I can snuggle up under the quilt I'm working on with Tom. 3) The heron at Green-Wood Cemetery is looking a little chilly. 4) First eggnog of the season in my Grandfather's bird mug.

Mad Cat Quilts Instagram

1) Watcher spotting never goes out of season. 2) Buying fabric at Brooklyn General then having a cocktail and reading a novel at Fort Defiance is a pretty perfect day. 3) We stayed at our friend's lovely beach house on the night of Thanksgiving. 4) Flounder has the right idea about Fall.