Thursday, January 29, 2015

A Real Buzz Kill

And I'm not joking here. Buzz the barn kitty has disappeared, not even a few tuffs of hair either.  This happened sometime Sunday night. It always seems that when I write about it, it makes it permanent, but I fear my Buzz won't be back regardless. Every morning I've been looking for that special pair of eyes running towards me though.



Friend Sandi thinks it might be a pesky raccoon, but they are messy killers, never dragging their prey and it is unlikely Buzz was killed by one far from the barn. I'm more of mind that it was a coyote or a bobcat. In any case, we are transitioning Juno into night time house living. Her food, water and litter box are in the basement. I will transition her upstairs over the next few days.  Come early spring we will look for another pair of barn cats since they are the best alternative for rodent control and poison is not an option around this farm. I have contacted a local organization that helps to spay and neuter feral cats and they will be on the lookout for a bonded pair that might work here. Buzz came from just such a situation 6 or 7 years ago, Juno shortly after. They were both young kitties, about 6-8 months old and bonded beautifully together. In the meantime, the barn will survive catless for a couple of months. I miss Buzz terribly. He was my escort to the barn every day, morning and night, purring as we walked along, looking forward to getting his meal. Some mornings he would even let me pick him up and carry him the short distance to the tack room. I often wonder if the lighter colored cats are at a disadvantage since they are more visible at night.

In other less gloomy news, the creative process has chugged along. A nice little warp was wound for the Gem, bright white with a few colored stripes that hopefully will translate into some pretty twill towels and a summer runner.



The colors are bright orange, bright deep yellow and a dark raisin color for the pinstripe.

A titch of weaving has happened on the Murphy.



 I am loving the deep orange and turquoise and it makes the weaving fun to use these bright colors.



And the need for bright spring like colors has carried over into the sewing salon. I broke into one of the newer Merchant and Mills patterns to arrive. Top 64, sounds Bondish doesn't it?




 Anyway, I've been looking for a simple raglan sleeve pull over for a little while.



 I can do a lot with this boxy t shirt type pattern. The fabric is a printed canvas, a bit on the heavy side that has been in stash since last late spring I think.



 Very few alterations to this M&M pattern. I ditched the facing and did a self fabric binding for the neck ( and lowered the neck slightly) and graded the hip area out a little since I prefer a bit more flare for hip fluff. Oh and the sleeves are made for someone who's knuckles might scrape the ground. I cut a good 5 inches off in length. The pockets are cute and interesting but next round, I'll add some depth to them and the deepen the lower band overall.

This little corduroy number was completed also.



 I made a bright magenta and grey one in the early fall and a week doesn't go by that it isn't being worn. These baby wale prints are so soft and cozy and wear like iron too. On Sunday, besides winding the new warp I did a lot of cutting out. Some new fabrics and patterns, some old.

It will be nice this weekend to watch the Super Bowl with my folks! A bonus that the Patriots are in it. Deflate-gate be damned! ;)

Parting shot:

12 comments:

Mary said...

I absolutely love the corduroy top for the cheerful fabric and the interesting style lines. The raglan sleeve tee is also cute and I will bet this pattern will be a workhorse in your sewing room. So sorry about Buzz...barn cats are important to have and hard to lose. I'm glad Juno is getting the option of staying inside at night.

LA said...

So sorry to hear about Buzz....he will be missed. Thank you for sharing the top pattern; I'm going to check that out.

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear about Buzz. Love the new warps on your looms, the bright colors are a nice spring time touch.

Cindie said...

Oh dear on losing Buzz..........I'll keep good thoughts that maybe he's really just on a walk-a-bout and shows up one morning for breakfast.

Michelle said...

I am hoping at worst Buzz had a bad run-in but survived, and will show up for you to nurse back to health. Great tops!

Judy said...

So sorry to hear that Buzz has disappeared. We had that happen one time to an outdoor cat and it was heartbreaking. Lovely, lovely weaving all around! I like the bright, cheery colors. Give Juno a hug for me and tell him to stay safe. Don't you wish that you could say that to your outdoor pets and have them understand?

Hilary said...

So sorry about your kitty......I have lost two outdoor cats in the last couple of years.....no more cats outside for me, especially not at night. I can't take it.

Hilary said...

Awww I do hope you're wrong about Buzz and that he will be back. It's heartbreaking to lose our furry loves.

Maggie said...

Thanks so much for the mention of Merchant & Mills patterns. I was almost done with my first Dress Shirt when my sewing machine konked out, and can't wait for it to come back from the shop so I can finish. I love the sturdy paper they're printed on! And their website made me drool all over my computer.

Shuttle, Hook and Needle said...

I am so sorry to hear about Buzz. I wish he was alright and just went on walk about. So hard to lose our furry friends.

Coco said...

oh shoot. I'm so sorry. I know you'll miss his little trots with you to the barn.

Great makes, I do not know how you get so much done! I have nothing to do and do almost nothing!

Diane in Oregon said...

Sorry to read about your Buzz. We lost our Jack last May, probably a similar situation. Jack was mostly white with a few tabby spots, and I think he stood out too much for his own good. The same week, our neighbor lost 8 chickens from a pretty secure coop, so we suspect a cougar, though we did see a bobcat several times, and I know we have coyotes in the area.

Love the t-shirt top - am going to investigate that pattern.