What on earth is a critter?
Hummm what kind of critter do you think I might have on my new Christmas quilt?
Could it be a possum with her babies?
Truth is some of you have already guessed it! You’re so smart and you know who you are! Here’s a “little” hint just in case you haven’t gotten that email from me yet. Critter… what do you consider a critter?
Hope you enjoy these wonderful drawings from my Grand-daughter Michaela. She’s an artist in the making!
Back soon,
Anne
64 Comments
Michele
Squirrels, bunnies, mice, cats or dogs….to me could be critters. Has there been mention of any reindeer?….there have been a few of those in some of your other Christmas quilts. Maybe a Christmas Critter Alphabet?
Maribeth
I think it might be a cute mouse in a cozy little house as in Twas the Night Before Christmas!!
All of your designs are so fun I just love you!
Lynn S
Another guess…maybe “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas” with the little mouse (or mice) and the beautiful house. Maybe even scenes within the house? A Critter-Winter Wonderland
Anne-Lise
Tis the night before Christmas with a mouse,
or The Nutcracker with Henrietta what’s it ….
A Christmas carol with a great big turkey … there’s pink there…
and I looked up the possum (never seen one) – does it belong in Christmas lore? Rudolph’s nose isn’t pink, it’s red …
You are driving me nuts …
chrisb
Hi I’m guessing little birdies. My personal favourite being owls but definately feathered.
Jackie R.
Okay ;) here goes the dictionary: critter: a reginal name for a creature (especially for domestic animals) animal, animate being, beast, creature, fauna, brute – a living organism characterized by voluntary movement.
And Jackie adds: a creature that scurries around our homes. Aha! Squirrels, rabbits, you know the critters that scurries.
:) Jackie in NC
Sue C
Oops forgot to include a squirrel in my list of critters. Do they come out in the snow?
Sue C
Hi Anne, I have been looking on your site for answers to your hints and while I have enjoyed searching I haven’t come up with much. I do think there could be a schoolhouse type house and maybe vintage sampler blocks made using the alpabet fabrics. We don’t use the word critter much in Australia but I think there could be a little lamb (as in Mary had a little lamb who followed her to school) as you have drawn a few of them before or a mouse peeping in somewhere or a cute little dog.. I also thought maybe an owl keeping watch overall (I know we share a love of them) but he wouldn’t need to see the mouse would he. Winter is too cold for chickens but there could be other birds. Maybe the theme is an Animals Christmas or another thought – Vintage Christmas Cards? Think I’m just clutching at straws here but it’s fun trying. Whatever it is I will love it I’m sure as I already have a few of your patterns some of which I have made up. Hope we get the answer soon.
Sharon Stroud
I’m guessing a squirrel. Or a groundhog. Or how about the “bug” you had a while back? (Okay, that’s just silly…isn’t it?) I am not reading the other comments, so I am literally just guessing! How fun!
Karen M
It has to be a mouse with a cute pink nose. Just like in the Night before Christmas. You really are teasing us, but so much fun. Thanks, Karen
Marcia P.
You had said in an earlier post that you like drawing this critted as much as bunnies. So I know it’s not squirrel which means the next most often critter is a bird. Christmas doves? Oh that would be so pretty with the colors you picked. And would the house in the snow be a birdhouse?
Lynn S
I think it is a little mouse–who wants to live in that beautiful house.
Jean C.
What fun…. you are a tease aren’t you! Hmmm, I’m thinking your enjoying teasing wayyyy to much! I’m just anxious to see what it is! Mostly it just looks like fun! Hmmmm, the 5th is coming up soon too…
How old is your granddaughter? Does she take art classes? It might be a good idea to help to build that talent of hers! Tell her I think did a great job! I love how the camel looks like it’s smiling and dancing! Also the Tiger is so causal looking like it’s saying …. “Well, here I am, don’t I look wonderful!”
Jill C
I think its a little mouse- they can be very cute Christmasy critters-
Sue Tokash
I am guessing a squirrel as the critter but still can’t get the theme of the quilt. But a Christmas mouse would make more sense because squirrels hibernate in the winter. This is more challenging that the riddle of the Spinx! But loads of fun, I can not wait to see the finished quilt.
Mary T. Salmon
Your little critter has to be a mouse…itty-bitty mouse!
Michaela has your art genes!
Love,
Mary
kathy in NC
the night before Christmas
Suz Kuhns
You have a very talented granddaughter – I’m not sure which I like best – they all have so much personality! Can’t wait to find out what this will be all about!
kate
oops.. just mis did my email
not a creature was stirring not even a mouse ?
kate
not a creature was stirring not even a mouse?
Linda P.
I will also raise my hand and say – ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas……….
Can’t wait to see and I just know it will be charming and precious!!
Leslie Legros
I think it is a squirrel! One of your earliest patterns for animals was a squirrel…
Sounds like granddaughter’s talents are inherited from her Wonderful Grandmother!
I’m having a hard time waiting for your new BOM, I’m sure it will be great!
lesquilts.blogspot.com
lesquilts@gmail.com
Yvonne
Ohhh, critter is one of those words which hasn’t really travelled across the Atlantic! Really none the wiser tho’ I’m guessing that my idea of an elegant Parisian apartment is wrong, wrong, wrong! An English Christmas with a thatched cottage in the snow surrounded by English/British/European wildlife…
Theresa
When I think of a “critter” these come to mind, mouse, deer, lamb, or a cow! Others I would consider pets!
Dawn B
Every Christmas quilt should have a mouse! :)
Jackie R.
I awoke this morning saying to myself…”geez Jackie, why didn’t I include S-Squirrel (I know it’s two words, but I can’t recall the new name), B-Bunny or even R-Rabbit?!”, so please add this onto my comment a few spaces above.
Thank you from Jackie, who hasn’t had coffee yet :)
HollyC
Cute drawings, very talented granddaughter. Could it be Twas the Night Before Christmas? A “critter” to me is a mouse or a possum and the story Twas the Night Before Christmas has a critter in it- “not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse”. It’s been fun guessing. Can’t wait to see what it is. I have had so much fun with the free snowmen BOM. This is my first time doing real applique, I have only used the fusible applique technique. I am in love with this quilt. Thank you so much for the free patterns. I can’t wait for the next block!
Dawn B
I’m going to guess it’s Henrietta Whiskers! She would be darling in a Christmas quilt.
Anne-Lise
I know you like squirrels – and mice are critters, too (I think).
And some of our xmas songs have mice in them ….
I really enjoy reading the comments:)
Jackie R.
Various fabric letters will represent an animal, ex: A-Ant, B-Bear, C-Cat or Cardinal or Camel, O-Opossum, T-Tiger, etc…the animals will be in a holiday weather/Christmas decorated setting. The overall theme is child/animal during our Christmas holidays. Okay? huh? did I succeed?
What I do know is Anne S. has chosen lovely fabric, teased us more than once ;) is/has designed a new Christmas BOM, and has talent truly running through family.
Cool drawings Michaela!
:) Jacie in NC
Amy
I am going to guess the critter is a squirrel.
Laura Tawney
I just thought of another cute critter; a hedgehog. We have a new 10 week old Pomeranian puppy that is sooo cute and he looks just like a little hedgehog and hedgehogs are very English as well:)
Laura T
Laura Tawney
Coluld it be a raccoon, skunk, guinea pig, or little mouse, (my husband thinks it’s a 0possum)?
Laura T
Marie
I know you like to draw little birdies as much as bunnies but when you say critters, I think mice. Is it ’twas the night before Christmas? Little mice have little pink noses!
Dawn
I was thinking a squirrel. I can’t wait to see what it really is!
Sarah B.
I think a mouse is definitely a critter as well as squirrels and even raccoons… LOL
Sharon Feigl
Hi Anne,
For me, a critter is small…it seems silly to call an elephant a critter for instance. Your granddaughter has done some lovely drawings. Maybe you could encourage her to stitch them as well :)
If its one of her suggestions, I’d say a possum, but I think a bird (is that a critter) or a mouse would be likely.
Hugs, Sharon
Barb Colvin
Christmas carols offer lots of possibilities for applique–so that’s my guess this time. Michaela’s drawings are great! I love her camel :D
Andrea
How about a Night Before Christmas theme, with mice ‘critters’, all snug in their beds of their christmas house…??? =)
Mary on Lake Pulaski
I’m sure Michaela is having a good laugh reading all these guesses. I would love to be able to draw like her, yet along YOU!
Karen Shackleford
Hmmmm . . . critter might be a little pink mouse ? Twas the Night Before Christmas ?? Looks like Michaela could have a future as an illustrator!
mimi'sdarlins
Oh, these critters are all just so cute, really great drawings! I have to say I especially love that possum with her little ones on her tail. Michaela certainly is creative (just like her grandma) :-)
Dana
I’m going to guess a squirrel. I think they could be considered a critter. I live in the country so we have lots of critters around.
Louise
I was really so sure it was a hedgehog…In desperation I consulted Mr. Webster. He has very little to say on the matter of “critter”. No help there..I personally always considered a critter something quite small but old “Web” says “any creature”..hmmm the mystery goes on…did anyone out there guess lambs??
Vicky
Last night I decided to guess “A Possum’s Christmas Tale,” since my pig didn’t fly! (Oops, there’s a pun there.) Michaela is one talented granddaughter! You have your own in-family designer!
Diane R.
Oh, Anne, this is driving me nuts! I’m guessing a scotty dog with a bow in one of those beautiful fabrics, or a cute little Christmas mouse. Your granddaughter has certainly inherited your sense of whimsy — hopefully she is not quite as mischievious!
Ruth B
I think a bird is a critter too. Could it be birds and their Christmas bird houses? Am I getting warm?
Nancy C. in Utah
Oh my gosh Anne, your grandaughter did the drawings? I love them, especially the Opposum with all her babies on her tail…way cute! Your right, a true artist in the making…hmmm…now who could she possibly take after huh? *wink*
Nancy Brooks
Anne…ok I am guessing a mouse!!! As in the Night Before Chrsitmas!!!
Linda P.
Could it possibly be a mouse …. with all that grey? They would be adorable with long bias tails or little pink noses – peeking out of their mouse house!!
Anne, you are such a tease!!