Hera Marker

I have actual quilting content in this post - about time you might say. That will be followed by a section on Pokey and the third act will be tv viewing, so you can skip around as you like.

First off, look at the wonderful blocks that Kimberly M sent me. They are all marvelous.

Next, I wanted to show you how I'm quilting the Margarita Quilt. I'm going in straight lines. Well, sorta straight - the lines go from one corner diagonally across the patch and then I skip to the next patch since a lot of them aren't lined up.

After hearing Bonnie rave about her Hera marker I decided to give it a try. I love it. You just press down and that makes the mark - there is no ink or chalk on the quilt. 

A close-up of an area that's been quilted. No, none of my lines are truly straight, not even in the patches, and that's okay with me. Actually, they don't look that bad in the photo - it's when I'm close up and working on them that I really notice it.

So on Monday and Tuesday I taught a class on Wonky Houses and free-pieced letters. My students were great and put up with me even though I was rather rough. I threw them into the deep end and they made some great blocks. I was so focused on "what have I forgotten to tell them" that I didn't take any photos. I'd think of it, but then say, I'll do that later. D'oh.

Okay, no pics of my student's houses, but here are a couple of really fun quilts that Sarah made, including houses.

I did make some friends though - that's the best part of all. Yesterday I actually had a quilting play date - woohoo.

A gratuitous picture of my baby Pokey (and Habibi in the cat tree).

The only way you'd know all the trauma she's been through is by her punk rock hairdo. I've had a mental checklist of her normal activities that I've checked off as she's done them: begging for treats, sitting in a box, chewing on a box, chewing on random paper, scaling the tall cat tree, hunting socks... The only thing I haven't seen her do is jump way high onto a countertop.

The best thing is that she and Lily are being sweet again. A week before Pokey got sick, they had just started sitting together and mutually grooming after the trauma of the move from Paris. 

So all is right with Pokey's world except for the enormous capsules I shove down her throat twice a day. She runs and hides now from me in the morning - heartbreaking. I tried the Pill Pockets, but they were so large that Pokey couldn't even eat a whole one without the pill in it.

On to tv viewing. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but my favorite show on tv right now is Hell's Kitchen. I've thought for a couple of weeks now that the winner is either going to be Danny or Paula - they are the most consistent chefs. No meltdowns, no time outs for Chef to yell at them... I'm rooting for Paula, but Danny deserves it to.

I finished the too short Lost season 4. Loving the flash forwards and looking forward to season 5 getting to DVD. I'm actually waiting for lots of shows to come out on DVD so that I can finally be caught up and watch them live next year. I'm just hoping that will include Chuck (please, NBC, please renew it) and Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles although I'm afraid that one is a goner.

Dollhouse has significantly improved. This last episode where the dead woman got to come back - that actually made real sense to me of why the Dollhouse would exist - rich people regaining youth and vigor. I don't love this show like I've loved Joss' other series. It's a B. I won't cry if it doesn't get renewed.

Man, Pokey just came over and nipped at me for attention - it's been ages since that happened. I am outta here - gotta go play with my baby.