Whew, I just skidded into the studio, whirled three times in my chair for good luck, peeled Jack off my lap (which will last about three seconds), plopped him down on his 
pillow on top of the fax machine (where he will stay for three seconds), and here I am: READY. Did you miss me? I know; I’ve been AWOL! For your reward for PAABTCOD (patience above and beyond the call of duty), I’ll give you a new video of Jack! Thanks Girlfriends for sticking by me! A blog is a responsibility I don’t take lightly! I’ve missed you!
Actually, I want to dedicate this video to an eleven-year-old Australian boy named Alexander. Hi Alex! His mum wrote to say how much he likes Jack, so I thought I better do one ‘specially for him, although I’m sure he’s willing to share! Watch Jack, Alex — when he gets the ball, he tries to put it in the shoe — I didn’t catch it on this video, but he actually DOES put it in the shoe all the time! He’s brilliant!
♥ ♥ ♥
XOXOXOXXOXOXO
As I watch the videos I’ve made, trying to decide which one to put up, Jack sits on my lap, facing the computer, mesmerized by the noises of the bell in the ball and by hearing me say, “Good Boy,” but mostly he likes to look at himself. He doesn’t move on my lap, no struggling to get away, he just stares at the screen; I presume he’s thinking about his Academy Award for Best Kitty in an Action Picture with Shoes In It. 
He just looked up at me as if to say, but hey, where’s the MUSICA??? Such a smart kitty! (He whispered in my ear, “Play something for Alexander and his mum!” I hope I chose the right song — so sweet and old-fashioned, I couldn’t resist!)
The thing I love most about this little kitty is his curiosity; it is also the bane of my existence; be very careful who has been drinking the cream if you come here to tea! At almost six months old, he has been on every high shelf in this house; he’s 
interested in every door that’s open a crack, every drip of water, every pinecone or piece of sea glass, every butter dish or string on a tea bag, every toe that moves under a sheet, all buttons on my sweaters (especially if I’m wearing it); every pen, every pencil, tube of paint, or stray ant on the floor must be investigated to the nth of his powers, including, if necessary, eating it. The other day, I saw a tiny piece of ribbon sticking out of his mouth, pulled on it, and slowly brought out about seven inches of soggy ribbon, like he’s a sword swallower. He’s still small enough so he can disappear under the sofa and emerge with the ball in his mouth! I missed him when I was away, and so glad to be back, under his spell. The mustache! I love it! Nobody can move as fast as Jack.
But back to where I’ve been . . . the truth is, as you all know, when you go away, you pay. That’s the way it is. I came back with tons of new ideas (not to mention laundry, a message machine full of calls, a mailbox full of correspondence, bills to pay, house to clean); there are not enough hours in the day! I’ve been going through all the catalogs we brought home from the New York Gift Show. We got so many new product ideas; Joe’s been contacting manufacturers; so far, I’ve designed three cups, a hanging plaque, some big storage boxes, a kitty tray (for kitty bowls on the floor), a set of postcards, and a bird feeder that looks like our arbor. Somebody stop me. I don’t even know quite yet what I’m doing with them, but I’m READY! When you get the creative bug you just have to go with it. To the detriment of the rest of the house! Oops, excuse me, ball-under-chair-alert, must go play . . .
I did get my Valentine’s written!!! That’s something! And I scooped up all the Emma Heart Breakfast 
Cups we had left in our store — I hope you all got yours already! Judy from the studio sent me this one; of course I fell in love with it — I tried to wait until the last minute so all of you who wanted one would have time to get it; I don’t mean to be hogging them. We’ll get more in a couple of weeks, but my BFF’s and my mom deserve this, don’t you think? Not just for Valentine’s Day, but for all year through . . . it says it all: tea, talk, love, best friends, all you have to do is look at it! I hope none of them are reading this!
I also designed three new fabric collections for Cranston’s Quilting Treasures in the last couple of days; here are a few of the ideas I sent them; we still have a ways to go, but this helps to get us started. The new collections will come out this May . . . and guess what? Christmas fabric too! Yes, we will have it right here on our web site . . . but I’d love to see it in your local quilt stores, so be sure to ask them to get it! I hope you are plotting quilts and other projects right now, just looking at it. That would make me very happy!
This is fabric mockup is just pasted together, but it gives you the general idea. I really want a birthday fabric; imagine this as napkins, jammie bottoms, aprons, a birthday party dress (darling!), a scalloped edge on a white tablecloth, a birthday banner, pin cushions, as a lining for a birthday gift bag, or in a birthday quilt! Adangdorable, if I do say so myself!
And look what was waiting for me at the Post Office — hot off the presses! My new guided Keepsake Book for Grandmas. I’m so happy with the way it came out!
Hopefully we will have these in stock for a while . . . I want them to be around for Mother’s Day! They should be in our web store today!
It’s even got a ribbon marker! In the book, I asked all the questions I would have liked to have my grandma answer. There’s also places for photos!
I would have liked to know what she remembered about her grandparents; would have loved to hear more about her childhood friends; a few details about her most romantic date; definitely would have liked to know about a favorite dress or cutest shoes. All in her own beloved handwriting. ♥ Would have been wonderful. It’s too late for me and my grandma, our time together has passed, but it’s perfect timing for anyone reading this!
The minute you become a grandma, you should fill one of these out. If you are becoming a mom, this should be part of the shower, a baby book for you, a Grandma book for the grandmas! A priceless keepsake when she is done with it. ♥
There are lots of other new things, just arrived, but I’ll save them for the next WILLARD!
I just like this photo. In my spare time, I’ve been fooling around with the little things on top of my old stove.
Home is where my heart is, that’s for sure, today is baking day! Right after I finish saying hello to you! Oh boy, the sun just came up, I looked out back . . . and guess what? We’re going to have a perfect baking day . . .
I had to go get my camera, because we got a dusting . . .
In this one you can almost see the piles of individual snowflakes . . . like a blown up snow cone.
If this post seems disjointed, it’s because it is! Every five minutes I have to stop and play with my kitty, Jack. The worst thing he does is bring me the ball and drop it behind the bookcase 
next to where I’m sitting now. He looks up at me, expectantly, saying (with his eyes), “You know you’re my hero, right?”
In order to get the ball, I have to go to the kitchen and get a flashlight. I must then get flat on my belly in a very small space; with the flashlight in one hand, and the side of my face flat on the floor, I have to wiggle an 18″ ruler around under the bookcase until I feel the ball, and then carefully drag it out. Jack loves this game. I’ve stuffed tissue paper in there to stop the ball from going down, but he just shreds it. I have no train of thought left. There’s an engine; but no passenger coaches, no sleepers, no baggage car, no caboose. Just the engine, short and sweet; and nothing to pull. At 7 am I take Joe his tea, and now I also take him JACK!!! Close the door to both front and back staircases and escape to get some work done!!! But sooner or later, the door will open, Joe will come down, we will hear the pitter patter of little claws, and the trouble begins again. Thank goodness Jack is a napper! He curls up on the back of the sofa around 11 am every day, for maybe 3 or 4 hours! When he’s napping, we tiptoe around here! “Shhhh,” we say, “Don’t wake Jack!”
Off to break eggs in a bowl. This will be good for gathering myself! I think the chair whirling did the trick, I feel lucky! Bye for now! XOXO Have a wonderful day! ♥
We’re Home! We got home Friday night. I woke up this morning to an almost-full snow moon peeking through the bare branches of the tree outside our bedroom window. The house is quiet, the streets are deserted, I’m back to my morning routine of ball throwing for Jack, tummy rubbing for Girl, and tea with stretching exercises. Mrs. Miniver was on TV this morning (giving good reason to cry hysterically, one of my favorite things to do any time of day, as long as it’s only a movie!); tea kettle is steaming, heater’s humming. I think the house is happy to have us back, but probably not as happy as we are! Going away is wonderful, but coming home is even better!
now, in my studio as I’m typing, curled up under the lamp on my art table. I can’t keep my hands off him; I pick him up, roll him around, all furry and soft; he stretches full length, arching his back and putting his front paws above his head, purring the whole time, trusting me. Such a little doll. Isn’t that mustache amazing? He still picks up the ball in his mouth and brings it back to me when I throw it! He somersaults across the floor at least three times when he pounces on the ball; you can always tell where he is because there’s a bell in the ball. I don’t get much done; I write one sentence; I hear the jingle of the ball drop at my feet; I stop, throw it; it bounces off the back of the sofa, he jumps four feet in the air to catch it; he drops and rolls with it, because he is a drama king. I type another half of a sentence, he is back, the ball rolls at my feet, jingling. Ask not for whom the bell tolls . . . I get nothing done. I take Joe his tea at 7 am and I also take him Jack! I wrap his strong little kitten body around my neck like a fox fur and up the stairs we go.
I’ve been unpacking, doing our travel laundry — is there anything better than being buried in warm laundry on a chilly Saturday afternoon while watching an old movie? I’ll ask Joe. He says, “no there’s not!” He was so cozy in there, I had to go get the camera.
tea and sat down to read it, while Joe wallowed on the sofa in the clean laundry. The perfect couple camaraderie for people celebrating their 25th anniversary (the real day is tomorrow)! 
Here are a few more New York pictures — from our last day . . . with some Breakfast at Tiffany’s 
Because, I thought I would take you window shopping on Madison Avenue.
Without it, our trip wouldn’t be complete! It was our last morning in the city, we went for coffee at a wonderful French bakery, 
I simply HAD to have those yellow shoes! Ha ha. Did you believe me? No, I know, you’re way too smart for that! 
Walking down Madison Avenue is like walking through the pages of Vogue Magazine. There are reflections from the street in all of these windows; some of the photos almost look like double exposures!
I actually like this outfit quite a lot.
Here’s another pair of shoes I’m sure mean nothing but comfort for the foot! The color specialists at Pantone say this orange is THE 
I think Cleopatra wore shoes just like this!
The neighborhood is just beautiful; these are two churches next to each other.
Lots of brownstones, change of paint and door style, and voila, it’s a different house.
New York is a big city, but it has a human scale, too; lots of wonderful little neighborhoods, even pigeons feel at home making their mark in New York.
So we packed the car, took one last trip through SoHo . . . and drove back the way we came, through Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, in time to have clam chowder in front of the fire at one of our favorite places in Falmouth (the 
As we were coming in, Joe took this picture standing on the front of the boat on the freight deck; the ferry is moving into the slip where it will dock so the vehicles can drive off onto the island.
From a block away, down our dark street, we could see the twinkle lights in the upstairs window of our house; we still have a little tree there. It was our Kitty Babysitter’s way of saying welcome home. 
