Fat Cat Quilts

Tigger

Today we lost Tigger.

It is the most bittersweet of days. Tigger was nineteen years old, and in every sense of the word, a crotchety old man. He liked things just so. But he was funny and loving and we will forever miss his sweet little face. 

 

More Quilt Show Pictures and Some Sunny Days

Well, I promised you more on our quilt show, so here goes...

I love the criss cross pattern used in this teal and brown batik quilt. Does anyone know anything about where I can find the pattern? I asked the gal who made the quilt and she doesnt remember, but she thinks it might have been from a book, rather than a single pattern. I think I might need to unearth my collection of brown and teal batiks that I've been hoarding for too long and start diving in!

We've had some awesome sunny days this past week, which bring out the inner tourist in me. I stopped several times along the highway, snapping pictures on my way to Fraser to load trains. I drive a 25 mile stretch between Skagway, AK and Fraser, BC twice a day, loading trains in both our US and Canadian depots. I get asked quite often if I get sick of the drive. Never. Not once. There is always something new to see. Always beautiful. And it never ceases to amaze me how the view is always changing. 

Have a good weekend!

Since This Is A Quilt Blog....

...and I haven't been doing any sewing, I thought I'd break into the archives and show you some quilts from our show last December. If you remember, I was heading down South for the winter the day after the show, so I couldn't infringe on my shoe-packing time to post them then. And then I got to Utah and just plain forgot about them, and here they've sat - on my camera, still, mind you - for almost eight months. Hey now, I've always said I'm easily distracted. This is not a secret. 

Our little quilt group has dwindled over the years to a handful of quilters, really. I remember when we had a good strong group of thirty or so, which I realize must still sound so small to those who belong to large guilds of hundreds of women. But we were once thirty+ and going strong, and it's sad to see quilters move away or just stop sewing altogether. Unfortunately, new quilters have not moved into the mix to take their places and we have shrunk to a group that easily fits around a dining room table. But for those who remain, we are enjoying the camaraderie and continue to sew all through the long winter months. Every December, at our annual quilt show, it amazes me what we turn out. We are a mighty group of stitchers, that's for sure. 

As you can see, we like our batiks here in Skagway. 

This quilt was mind blowing. The piecing was gorgeous, especially the seminole border. And to top it off, it was hand quilted.

You might recognize parts of this country crow quilt. It's the finished quilt from a round-robin I participated in last winter. I love how it turned out.  

Another finished Round Robin from our group last winter. The variegated purple stars were my round. I love the vine applique border that was added. It brought back the curves form the center block. These round robins were so much fun to work on. 

More to come....

 

 

This Is My Life: Part 3

Dyea. Seriously, I never get tired of this view.

On a Sunday afternoon drive, we followed a sandy little road-less-traveled, and came up on the backside of Carcross, where the Watson River flows into Lake Bennett. It was super windy, so we were squinty-eyed as we trekked across the sand dunes. But it sure felt great to dig our toes in the warm sand!

Then we ran into some critters on the drive home. This one was really interested in what we had in the back seat. He moseyed on up to take a peek. 

Emerald Lake as the sun sets....see, the sun DOES set in Alaska. Just not until the end of July.