PURRFECT SPOTS - The story continues...

The Cat - Life with Casey...........

We drove to Enterprise AL where we had called ahead to make hotel reservations for us and veterinarian reservations for our cats. I am so glad we did. We were part of the lucky ones as we had evacuated very early and gotten ahead of the crowd on the roads. This is a very smart idea, particularly when you are traveling with pets.

People begin showing up all day long at the motel as we were all trying to escape the wrath of this horrible hurricane. That afternoon the rain started, then the winds kicked in and howled all night long. We lost power in the motel around 5:30pm. It was awful! We were over 100 miles inland and it was absolutely unbelievable. You can imagine what I thought about Casey being there all by himself  right on the coast where it was coming ashore. I was frantic as there was absolutely nothing I could do except pray and I sure did a lot of that. It was a very long night.

The next morning it was still rainy and windy. No power in the city of Enterprise. All the trees around the motel were down. Power lines down, damage to structures. It wasn't a pretty sight. We all wondered what we would find when we arrived home. I called the Sheriff's department in our county and actually got through. I told him where we lived and could he give us any information regarding that area. He said most of the houses had been destroyed and the gulf had come over the highway in several areas - even washed a house in the middle of the road. My heart sank. What about Casey?

We headed home just to assess the damage later that morning and these are some of the sights we saw as we were coming into our neighborhood.

The local gas station a couple of miles from our house!

 The remains of a house about a mile from our house.

Another house in the same area!

I was very upset. What would I find when I returned home? That will be in the next chapter.

Keep Your Pets Safe during the Holidays!

	Lights, decorations, good food... every year, as we celebrate the holidays, we fill our homes with seasonal cheer for ourselves and our families. However, what may seem beautiful and harmless to us may pose hidden dangers to our pets. Don't let an emergency spoil the festivities! Below are some common holiday hazards for dogs and cats and ways to prevent them.
		Holiday Hazard			How to keep your pet safe
		Dangerous Foods			The following can be toxic to pets: chocolate, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, garlic, onion, alcohol, caffeinated beverages, bread dough, and sugar-free candy and gum containing the artificial sweetener xylitol.
		Regular Foods			Despite tradition, bones should never be given to pets. Even beef, ham, and other "regular" foods that are not considered toxic can cause illness in pets. If your pet is a moocher, keep a saucer of his regular treats on the table to offer when he asks. He probably won't know the difference!
		New Treats and Toys			Even a pet-safe treat can cause stomach upset if it is new to your pet. Offer only one of these at a time (ideally, separated by a few days). If your pet becomes ill after eating a holiday treat, it will be easier to trace the source and discontinue it. Also, check new toys for sharp edges, pieces that can be chewed off, or other potential hazards.
		Plants			Hazardous plants include mistletoe, some evergreens (including some types of pine), and holly bushes and berries. Try to keep these plants away from pets, or at least supervise pets when dangerous plants are nearby.
		Decorations			Tinsel, tree ornaments, ribbons, string, and garlands are some items that can be dangerous if eaten by pets. Keep these items away from pets — especially when pets are unattended. Don't forget to cover any electrical cords or keep them out of reach.
		Fire and Carbon Monoxide			Monitor pets near fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, candles, and portable heaters. Also, don't forget to check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are functioning properly. Space heaters, furnaces, and idling cars (in a garage) can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in pets and humans.
		Christmas Trees			Monitor your pets when they are around your holiday tree. Pets may eat the needles (even from artificial trees) or drink water from the base of the tree, which can be toxic (especially if there are preservatives in it). Keep electrical cords and decorative lights out of reach, too.
		In many cases, if your pet has eaten or drunk something toxic, warning signs will include gastrointestinal problems, such as vomiting and diarrhea. Other signs may include tiredness and lack of appetite, especially in cats that have eaten lilies. If your pet shows any of these signs, or if you think he or she has eaten something dangerous but is not showing any signs yet, please call your veterinarian right away. Treating your pet as soon as possible is essential!

Congratulations to My Blog Hop Party Winners!

The Blog Hop Party is over and I have 2 winners. Before I announce the winners, I want to thank everyone for stopping by and commenting. I also wish to thank those of you who became followers! I had a great time and I hope you did too.

Now for the winners - using Random.org - the two winners selected were Connie & Sharon Pernes. I have contacted both of you by email and I look forward to hearing from you.

Meanwhile, thank you again for joining me at the party and I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

PURRFECT SPOTS - The story will continue next week...

For all who are following the story of PURRFECT SPOTS - we have taken a break this week due to the Quilting Gallery Blog Hop Party Tour! (Check that out in the post below.) Next week starting December 19 - the PURRFECT SPOTS story will continue! Please join me next week as the "tail" unfolds!!!!

Join me in the Quilting Gallery Blog Hop Party!

Be sure to join me in the Quilting Gallery's Blog Hop Party starting December 10th and lasting until December 17th! This is their 4th Birthday and we are helping them celebrate. There will be lots of wonderful Give-Aways available by "hopping" to all the particpant's blogs!







PURRFECT SPOTS will be giving away two quilt patterns during the Blog Hop Party in a random drawing. But you need to make a comment and let me know which you prefer - applique or hand piecing. Then become a follower of my blog and a fan on my facebook page. The lucky winners will be selected in a random drawing once the Blog Hop Party is over so be sure I have your email address.

Once you finish at my blog - click on the Blog Hop Party picture on the side of my blog (in the margin) to see other bloggers in the party!

 Blue Plate Special

and

Memphis Ribbon & Blues

PURRFECT SPOTS - The story continues...

 The Cat - Life with Casey

Casey was a little black feral cat. He would run when I would approach, but not too far as he knew that I had food. I could see him peeking at me through the bushes, but not too close. He would wait and make sure I was gone before he would come to the porch to eat.This went on for several weeks. Each week I would stand closer and closer to the porch until I was almost beside him. It was interesting to watch how he would get braver and braver each week. Plus he was beginning to fill out and grow. He was finally getting the food that he needed.

When my cats would be out, he would come and try to play with them, but they would hiss and spit at him. They didn't want him in their territory. (Bamboo is on the attack in this picture.) I imagine he would have done the same if they had gone in Karen's yard which was essentially his yard! One day I was in his yard getting ready for feeding and he came towards me. What a step of faith! I thought I have finally earned his trust. I reached down to touch him and he swiped my hand with his paw and hissed. Well, maybe we need a little more time. However, each day I could get closer and closer. I was thrilled. He knew his name and would come when I called if it was around feeding time. I tried to find where he spent his days, but he did a great job of eluding me (most of the time)!

I never expected what came next – Hurricane Opal! On Sunday, this tropical disturbance was wandering around the Bay of Campache near the Yucatan Peninsula. The forecasters said it needs to be watched! This was October and the weather was cooler, so we thought that we had made it through the summer ok. Tropical Storm Erin had passed through in August, but was just a very heavy rain storm so we felt blessed. But Opal was different. By Sunday night it was getting stronger and moving and it was heading right for our coast. It continued to strengthen and became a Category 1 hurricane on Monday, and by Tuesday at 2:00am it was a Category 3 hurricane and law enforcement was ordering evacuation of our area.

We got on the road at 4:00am and headed north. We had all our cats with us except for that little black feral cat, Casey. I had no idea where he was. I called and called before we left, but no sign of him. I left lots of food and water bowls for him as I had no idea when we would be back. This was a bad storm coming – it was now a Category 5 – the worst of the worst. I knew he had been in the wild and had survived so far, but a hurricane was a different story because of storm surge and high winds. My heart was heavy, but I prayed for his safety. We had no idea what we would find facing us upon our return.

To be continued………….

Please add a post or comment and let me know if you are enjoying this story. Thank you.

End of Hurricane Season Sale!

End of Hurricane Season Sale with 
 Great Savings
(Hurricane Season runs from June 1 through November 30)
 

All Cross Stitch & Quilt Patterns
 Buy 2 - Get 1 FREE

For every 2 patterns ordered, you will receive an email confirming your order and requesting your selection for  your FREE pattern(s)!

Join the Purrfect Spots' Birthday Celebration !

Come Celebrate  Purrfect Spots' Birthday with Great Savings starting, Nov. 26, 27 & 28th!

All Cross Stitch & Quilt Patterns
 Buy 2 - Get 1 FREE

For every 2 patterns ordered, you will receive an email confirming your order and requesting your selection for  your FREE pattern(s)!

 

 

Sage looks great on my new quilt pattern - "Light Frost" .

Sage is requesting that you go to The Quilt Pattern Magazine and vote for your favorite kitty in the TQPM Quilt Kitty Contest. Anybody can vote!  And there is an opportunity to help kitties after you vote. There are 3 animal organizations listed that help take care of kitties, so please help us help them! Thank you.

 

 The quilt Sage is enjoying is in the November issue of The Quilt Pattern Magazine!

Please vote for my quilt - Blue Plate Special!

Please go to The Quilting Gallery and vote for my Blue Plate Special Quilt! This is their Thanksgiving Theme week and my quilt represents food on the table with some pretty blue plates!
Happy Thanksgiving to all and don't forget to check back next week as I will be having some "Small Business Saturday Specials" on my website at Purrfect Spots!

PURRFECT SPOTS - It started with a cat!

As promised I am going to tell the story of how PURRFECT SPOTS got started! You know by the name, that I am an animal lover, but what you don't know is how a very special cat and then another one got this company going! It is quite a story and one that can't be told quickly, so please indulge me as I tell this tale.

The story...

There he was, an intruder in the back yard of my neighbor's house. They were out of town (deployed) and had asked us to keep an eye on the place. But yet there he was on the back porch. I was looking out my window checking every move, but after awhile, he turned around and left! Good - one less thing to worry about. However, the next day there he was again - darn, what was he doing? Why did he have to come here?
Please leave and go home. We don't want trouble. But this time, he didn't leave. He just sat down on the porch to rest awhile.

This went on for a few days and when I realized he wasn't going to leave, I finally gave in! Armed with the necessary elements, I went outside, then around the fence and approached the back yard very cautiously! However, he heard me coming and ran! Feeling like he would come back I left a little surprise for him!

Well he did come back and was surprised, but pleased as well as he finished a nice bowl of cat food followed by some water!!! He then proceeded to sit down on the porch and start the mandatory after dinner bath! Yes, you guessed it! The intruder was a little black cat that eventually stole my heart and changed my whole world!!!  His original name was K.C. (for Karen's Cat - as it was Karen's house that he had claimed). But that all changed after a visit to the veterinarian. They wrote CASEY and that started it!

CASEY, the Cat, the Plan & the Stitch! That is all for now, but please come back as there is much more to the story!

 

Winners from the Quiltmaker's 100 Block Blog Tour

Congratulations to the Winners from the Quiltmaker's 100 Block Blog Tour.

The two Winners of the  Quiltmaker's 100 Block Vol. 4 Magazine are:
Dona Reynolds  and  Nancy Sue Phillips

The two winners of my pattern - Horse of a Different Color are:
Kathleen Brown and Robyn Brown

Congratulations to our winners!

I also wish to thank each and every one of you that visited my blog during the tour and I hope you will come back and visit often as I have many stories to tell and pictures to share. Better still, if you are not a follower, please become one! I will start "talking" next week, so get ready! Thank you again!

Welcome Quiltmaker 's 100 Block "Tour Group" to the Purrfect Spots Blog!

When traveling it is always exciting to see beautiful scenery, discover new things and make new friends. That is what I wish for the QM 100 Block "Tour Group".  So welcome to Florida and as you can see there are some lovely views here on the Emerald Coast - even in November!

                                                                             
The Emerald Coast is located in the Panhandle of Florida (we call it Florida's Great Northwest). The emerald waters and the sugar white sand beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world!

There is always movement in the water as you can see here and even on calm days as the waves lazily slap the shore!

Looking at this water was a definite influence in the creation of my block! So let's continue the tour!

My studio (otherwise known as the C.A.T. House because that's where my kitties lived before they got their own condo) is still the C.A.T. House (Creative Arts & Textiles) and this is where I design, cut, stitch, piece and quilt. So please join me there!

 

I had some lovely Hoffman Bali Handprints (1895 Fabric Collection) and they were just begging to be used. I am sure you have had the same experience with certain fabrics. Well anyway, the light blue fabric had movement and reminded me of the gulf waters meeting the sky. 

I started playing around with the colors and different design ideas and decided upon half square triangles or HSTs  as they are also called.  HSTs can be used in so many fun ways for some really unique designs!

Continuing to group and regroup the different fabrics, I finally came up with the block combination and here it is:

I call it "Wind Surfing" as it reminds me of all the sails on the water which are seen often in my part of the world! No, I don't wind surf. I prefer a boat that stays on the water or a scuba tank. This block is #367 and is located on page 51 in The Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 4! But that is not all. 

There is also a picture of a completed quilt in the Design Gallery of the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 4 and it is Quilt #21 on page 92. I did the cutting, the piecing and the stitching of the quilt top. It was machine quilted by June Bauman of June Bug Quilting. 

The backing of the quilt can be seen here with all the colors used in the quilt. It is a Hoffman Bali Batik and it is in the Mardi Gras Fabric Collection. Isn't it festive?

The tour is almost over and I hope you have enjoyed it, but don't rush away just yet! Please leave me a comment and your name will be automatically entered in a random drawing for a chance to win an issue of the Quiltmaker's 100 Block Volume 4 magazine - I will be giving away 2 copies! But wait, there is more!

You will also have a chance to win one of my quilt patterns. As this is Florida, 2 of the lucky tour group members will receive my "Horse of a Different Color" pattern which was seen on QNNtv.com in August!

So please let me hear from you and when you comment don't forget to follow me! You can tell by my company name that I am an animal lover. Infact Purrfect Spots got started all because of a stray cat!

I will be telling that story soon so Ya'll  come back!

I hope you have enjoyed your tour and thank you for visiting. Be sure to check out the other blocks on the tour. You can click on the Purple Button in the left corner of my blog to continue your tour!

                                                                                  Nan

PS - Be sure and check out my website at PURRFECT SPOTS.

Join me tomorrow on the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour!

Tomorrow is my day for the Blog "Tour Group" to visit my site and see my block that is featured in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour! If you leave a comment on the day of the tour, your name will be entered for a chance to win a copy of the magazine. Also there will be some other prizes offered.
You won't want to miss this. So please join me on Tuesday, Nov. 8th.

See you there!

Time to vote for your favorite Quilt Kitty!

It is time to vote for your favorite Quilt Kitty Picture at The Quilt Pattern Magazine and anybody can vote. There are 50 kitties just waiting to be seen and all are wanting your vote. While voting be sure and check out the donation button as there are three organizations that you can help so they can help kitties. So check it out now!

My Block is in the Quiltmaker 100 Blocks Volume 4!

I am so exctied that my Block is in Volume 4 of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks collector's edition. It is called Wind Surfing and I will share pictures with you of the block and a finished quilt during the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 4 Blog Tour that runs from Nov. 7 - Nov. 11. You will be seeing other blocks from the magazine as well as you follow the tour. My posting day is Tuesday, November 8th and I will be offering a free copy of the magazine as well as some other prizes. You will need to visit  and comment on my blog to qualify for the prizes. So I invite you to come and join me in all the fun!

I am a "Cover Girl"!!!

I am so excited! I am a "Cover Girl" as my latest quilt, Light Frost is on the cover of the November issue of The Quilt Pattern Magazine and I am thrilled!

Purrfect Spots: Check out the Quilt Kitties Photo Contest at TQPM!...

Purrfect Spots: Check out the Quilt Kitties Photo Contest at TQPM!...

Check out the Quilt Kitties Photo Contest at TQPM!

Purrfect Spots: TQPM Quilt Kitties Contest

Purrfect Spots: TQPM Quilt Kitties Contest: Just when I get comfortable, she comes around and takes my picture and wakes me up. She wants me to remind everyone that there are only 28 ...

TQPM Quilt Kitties Contest

 Just when I get comfortable, she comes around and takes my picture and wakes me up. She wants me to remind everyone that there are only 28 days left to enter TQPM Quilt Kitties Contest. So get your kitty, a quilt and a camera and start snapping away! There are some great prizes from some great sponsors who are kitty lovers! There is even a sponsor kitty "Miss Piggy"  of Kona Bay Fabrics and you are going to love her.

But the best part of the contest is you have the opportunity to help kitties if you wish. There is a donation button for some great animal organizations that love kitties and help them. So please help us help them!

A Quilt Kitties Photo Contest!

The Quilt Pattern Magazine is a having a Quilt Kitties Photo Contest. You just need to take a picture of your kitty on a quilt and send it to them. There are some wonderful prizes offered by some great sponsors and there is even a "Sponsor Kitty"!!

Just go to http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com  and click on
the Kitty banner for all the information. The contest runs through October 31, 2011. So get your kitty, your quilt and your camera and get some great shots!

My Latest Quilt !

 Well, you saw this display of fabrics on FB a couple of weeks ago and now you see my latest quilt using these fabrics below! It is called "Black Tie Required " and it is available on my website at http://www.purrfectspots.com.  Please stop by and check it out!

I still love my "Hopscotch" quilt!!!

The new Purrfect Spots quilt is nice and the black, white and red go well with my lovely gray coat, but it has dogs on it! And the name "Bark Park" just doesn't set well with me. You can see it in the August issue of The Quilt Pattern Magazine at http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com.

But I am just going to stay on my quilt for now! By the way, my quilt "Hopscotch" is available at Purrfect Spots Website at http://www.purrfectspots.com and I hope you will take a look. However, I don't come with the quilt!

She made a quilt with dogs!!!!!

Well she did it - a quilt with dogs!!! Black, White and Red, and it is loaded with Spotted dogs - they are all dalmatians!!!
She calls it Bark Park and it is in The Quilt Pattern Magazine - http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com starting today - the August issue.




I keep looking at this and I am just not sure if I want to get on this or not. I mean, she put dogs on this quilt. It is just not fair.








No, instead of me being on this quilt, I think a furball just might be more appropriate and I will just stay on the rug!!!

One More Day!

Only one more day until August 1 and I finally get to see Purrfect Spots new quilt which will be published in The Quilt Pattern Magazine-http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com. However, sad to say it is all beginning to make sense. Black & White (my dog is black and white) and red - a red collar would look nice on me, but did she actually do a black,white & red quilt with dogs? Come on tomorrow!

Two More Days!!!

Two more days until I get to see the new Purrfect Spots quilt. It will be in the August issue of The Quilt Pattern Magazine at http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com and I am really worried!!! I think it has something to do with dogs! Why won't she tell me! I won't be upset..............well maybe I will - I will just act like a CAT!!!!

Three More Days!

Only three more days until August 1 when The Quilt Pattern Magazine - http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com will be published. Her new quilt will be in that magazine. She keeps talking about dogs and dog days. Why do they call them "dog days of August"? What is so important about dogs that they have the whole month!!!! Do you think they have a quilt as well????

Four More Days!

Four more days until August 1 and then Purrfect Spots new quilt pattern will appear in The Quilt Pattern Magazine at http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com. She keeps talking about dogs and now I hear her say something about "dog days". Do you think that may have something to do with the new quilt? I am beginning to get nervous!

Five more days!!

I keep hearing her talk about black and white and red. If it is a black, white and red quilt, I will definitely be color coordinated. Five more days until I get to see Purrfect Spots new quilt in the August issue of The Quilt Pattern Magazine at http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com and I can't wait. Uh oh - I just thought of something - dalmatians are black and white and some have red collars. I'm beginning to feel uneasy about this new quilt.

Six More Days!

Six more days until Purrfect Spots new quilt pattern appears in the August issue of The Quilt Pattern Magazine at http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com and that is good, because I keep hearing her talk about dogs. The one I sleep on is ok, but dogs on a quilt? That is just not right. Come on August 1 please!!!

Seven More Days!

Only seven more days until The Quilt Pattern Magazine at http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com is available and I can see Purrfect Spots new quilt! I keep hearing about dogs. They are ok on this rug, but a quilt? Do you think the new quilt has something to do with dogs? On my!!!

Eight more days!

Well, eight more days - this is sure tough waiting.
I want to see the new quilt that will be published in The Quilt Pattern Magazine August issue - http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com but she has hidden it. I am having to find alternative places to take my nap. Sure would be nice on the new quilt!