Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Ollie Sitting Projects

One of the many good things about having a new puppy to train is the time you spend with them.  Their attention span is so short and as they move from one toy to another, they tire themselves out very quickly...which is not a bad thing!


I'm trying to learn as quickly as I can...honest!

I've managed to get quite a bit accomplished during his little siestas.

This month's block for the Comfort & Joy quilt along is now finished with plenty of time to spare which I'm thrilled about.  After lagging behind for a couple of months, I am not only up-to-date but I'm ahead of schedule!  But you'll have to wait until the end of the month to see it because those of us who are participating all reveal the current month's block on the same day.



One thing that I can share with you is I think one of the best kept secrets in blogland...or at least in the Northern Hemisphere!  

My friend Julie from OZ (used to have a blog but doesn't any longer) knows my taste so well that when she found out about this free Christmas quilt called The Wish Quilt, she just had to share it with me.

Australian designer Brownyn Hayes of The Red Brolly has just recently released the first four blocks of a quilt that she designed a couple of years back. The patterns were published in several consecutive issues of one of the down under magazines back in 2008.  I didn't ask Brownyn's permission to copy and paste the photo of the finished quit from her blog so rather than possibly violate copyright issues, you can view it here.

Bronwyn has released the first four stitchery patterns in PDF format which can be downloaded from her blog.  You'll have to scroll back several posts to find them all but you can't miss them.

If you like piecing, redwork, stitching and applique, then this will be right up your alley...as it is mine!

Just this morning, I completed my first stitchery while Ollie sitting.  Isn't it darling?  I love her designs!  


    
I didn't have enough of a variety of reds and tans in my stash in order to complete the quilt so I just had to buy a bunch of quarter yard cuts which I think will be perfect for the project.  *wink*



I prepped all four stitcheries at the same time so now that the first one is done, I'm ready to move on to the next.  Guess what I'll be doing once I'm finished here...if Ollie is still snoozing, i.e.?

Think I'll start on "Home Is Where The Heart Is" next.



And just this morning, look what I found in my mail box!



My friend Mieke from Holland (no blog) sent me this wonderful Ollie dog fabric! 

I can see a pillow or perhaps a bag to hold all his toys...or both...as a future project(s).  Thanks for thinking about us, Mieke.



So you see, having a puppy is not all hard work.  We humans can have our play time too!



35 comments:

Darlene said...

Oh my, Master Oliver has grown. He's such a dapper little guy. Can I come play with him? I'd keep him worn out. LOL

You've had some wonderful results from your sitting time.

Carrie P. said...

Oh, that face. too cute.
Love the fabric that your friend sent you. A dog bed would be cute too, if you have enough fabric.

Needled Mom said...

It looks like things are going well there. I just love those sweet little stitcheries.

CUTE fabric!!!

Taryn said...

I think I got the most done when my children were small and took naps. It's been all down hill since then. I think knowing you have a chunk (however small) of time to get something accomplished makes us more productive. Does this mean I need a puppy of my own???

Abby and Stephanie said...

Adorable stitchery. Almost as adorable as Ollie. Super fab doggie fabric!

Lori said...

Nice to have some time to play with a pup around. Love your newly acquired dog fabric!!

Janet O. said...

That dog fabric is so cute. And the cream and reds--I bet that was painful to HAVE to go buy that stuff, right? : )

Sandi said...

Looks like you are both making the best of your time, your redwork is lovely.

I'm collecting the patterns for a rainy day.

Hot and sunny here on the west coast, stay cool!

I love the Ollie fabric.

hope said...

I already have the blocks prepped to do this quilt. I just have to finish the redwork on the last block of the Raggedy Quilt before I start. Ollie is such a doll. Glad you were able to find him.

WoolenSails said...

Ollie is sure growing and a cutie. Love Red Brolly designs and I took a couple to make into smaller pieces as gifts, no time to do the whole quilt. Love that fabric, will be fun to make into items for you and Ollie.

Debbie

Phyllis said...

Little Ollie is just the cutest puppy. Looks so alert and ready to learn. Have fun with the new stitchery.

ria vogelzang said...

I just love little Ollie! And you are so right; also with a puppy to train you can have enough time to play with fabrics....
What a cute stitcherie! And totally adorable doggy-fabric!!!! ;))

SueB said...

Ollie is just adorable. The stitcherie is really cute too. I am going to have to go and check out that site. Thanks for sharing..

B J Elder said...

Thanks for the link for the Wish Quilt. I just downloaded all the patterns so far. I love it.
Ollie is such a cutie - so nice you are getting some extra stitching time in now too.

Janet said...

Thanks for sharing the Wish Quilt from Red Brolly. Seems I've downloaded blocks 1 & 3. I couldn't find block 2 - did I miss it. Thanks!

Gloria said...

I see that Ollie's ears have both perked up to stand up straight and tall! He is so precious!!

Polly said...

Ollie has grown!!! Lovely erect ears now!! Priceless face!!

Candace said...

Check out Ollie's ear! They are at full attention now (unlike that attention span)! Glad you're able to get a few things done now. I've been following Bronwyn's PDF's - they're just so cute and I know you will do them more than justice, Kaaren!
Cheers!

Theresa said...

Your puppy is just tooooo cute!!! I just want to cuddle with him~

Teresa F. said...

Ollie is looking great. He has grown a lot since last post and his ears are well up high.I'd love to make that quilt but I don't have enough fabric. I'm sure yours will look wonderful.
Hugs,
Teresa

moosecraft said...

Ollie looks like he's paying real close attention to what you are saying! :-) So cute! The wish quilt looks to be a gorgeous project.... i love the look of 2 different red threads for the redwork. That's new to me! Have a great day!

Erin said...

Ollie is adorable! I love your fabrics!!!

Quiltdolls said...

Thank you for sharing the link to the WISH. I love this quilt and it will be perfect to make and have for my granddaughter to sleep under on Christmas Eve.
Your sweet little puppy is so cute. I have followed your blog for awhile and have just recently retired so have more time to make all your fun projects. I also work with wool as JoAnn Mullaby for Jam Patterns and Wool Crazy book is my friend and got me started years ago. Thanks for blogging, you make my day!

Quiltdolls said...

Thank you for sharing the link to the WISH. I love this quilt and it will be perfect to make and have for my granddaughter to sleep under on Christmas Eve.
Your sweet little puppy is so cute. I have followed your blog for awhile and have just recently retired so have more time to make all your fun projects. I also work with wool as JoAnn Mullaby for Jam Patterns and Wool Crazy book is my friend and got me started years ago. Thanks for blogging, you make my day!

nancy huggins said...

Ollie is such a cutie. Love the piece you stitched. I envy people that can stitch like that. Mine never turn out good so I gave it up and will just try the simple things :)
Have a great day and keep us updated on Ollie

gracie said...

Ollie is just too too! Love the projects....

Denise in PA said...

That stitchery is so cute! I'm definitely going to check out her blog. The fabric is adorable! So glad you are getting some sewing done!

Robin at The Primitive Hutch said...

Ollie is just to cute!!!
Sounds and looks like you got alot accomplished. Love the stitcheries and such sweet fabric your friend sent you!!!
Enjoy!
Prim Blessings
Robin

Siobhán said...

Oh my gosh, that little Ollie is just adorable!! I want to pick him up and cuddle him. :) LOVE the results of your sitting time--that is such a cute project! Nice fabric, too.

Wilma said...

Adorable Ollie, the cutest puppy. Great Friend ¡¡¡

Darlene D said...

Ollie is just so cute!! Glad to hear that you're getting some time to stitch!!

Jeanne Gwin said...

Give sweet little Ollie a gentle squeeze and a kiss from me and a pal paw pat from Maverick. Sounds like you to are getting along just famously! Love your fabrics and who needs excuses to go buy fat quarters but this is a good one. Happy weekend to you, Mr. Paint and Ollie. We are headed to "new" lake property to lay out location for cabin. :)

Marie said...

I am so excited to see Ollie...adorable!

Thanks for the link to Red Brolly, I too love the stitchery quilts.

How sweet of your friend to send that dog fabric. I look forward to seeing what you do with it.

Merilyn said...

Glad to hear that Ollie is giving you some sewing time!!! He just had to figure out that you were a quilter, and he's ok with that LOL!!! Smart little guy!!!
Your redwork stitchery is beautiful!!!!

KatieQ said...

It's hard to resist the face of your sweet puppy Ollie. The cute dog fabric is a sweet gift.