I'm a Traditional Kinda Girl

I don't apologize for this fact.  I love traditional quilt patterns, applique and reproduction fabrics.    As proof.... here is the latest Barbara Brackman Civil War Block.  I chose to add a pieced handle.

But I gotta tell you.....I am hooked on 15 Minutes Play blocks.  I go in my sewing room to work on my traditional quilts and instead I grab all my scraps and start playing.  Forget 15 Minutes....I play for hours.  I'm running out of scraps.  I rummage through my trash bag taking out bits and pieces that I would have thrown away and now am keeping.

They are not the most beautiful blocks but I love them and they were all made with scraps.  I am going to make a wall hanging consisting of 20 9" blocks in the center, a 1 1/2" inner border of black and an outer border of 6" blocks.   After this I am going to add some appliqued baskets.  I am having so much fun playing with these.  I think they look much better in person.  But you'll have to trust me on that.

I've had this horrible virus for over a week now and until the last couple of days haven't felt up to sewing.  But I did do a lot of dreaming and thinking.  I recently sent a quilt in for auction for the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative.  It is up for assignment.  Many of my family members have been afflicted with this.  So I decided to do another.   I made this just a few minutes ago.  It is 7 1/2" x 9 1/2".  A real sweetie.  I have to sandwich it, quilt it and bind it.  

You can click on 15 Minutes play on my blog list and see what every one is doing with their scraps.

On a sad note....I lost my balance yesterday, hit my hand on the fridge and knocked the diamond out of my engagement ring.  Luckily I found the diamond but since my finger gained some weight over the years it would not budge from my finger.  Terry had to cut it off my finger.  I cried and he promised to get me another. 

Well I'm still having coughing fits but I do feel better.  Thanks again for all your well wishes.

One last note.  Last week on Facebook I noticed that Aurifil threads had some new colors that they were looking for names.  So I spent a pleasant half hour naming the threads.  They picked one of my suggestions to vote on.  #4653.  I named it "Salsa Verde".  They chose 3 out of the hundreds that suggested names.  Everyone gets to vote on their favorite name.  The winner gets some free thread.  So if you have nothing better to do.  Check it out.

Wishing you a quilty day.

Hugs, Cat

Remember Me

I finally feel better.  I still have a cough (and the sore ribs to prove it) but I can breath without wheezing.  This was the worst I have felt in a long long time.  Thanks to everyone for the well wishes.   I think they helped.  Still not at my best but doing so much better.  I think I can finally get some sewing and quilting done.

Since I haven't been doing much I'll show you 2 of the quilts I have hanging in my house.

This is a quilt designed by Jo Morton.  It hangs between my front door and the window.  I had this quilt almost completely quilted when I decided I didn't like it.  So I took it all out and redid it.   This is one of my favorite wall quilts.

When I was living up north I hung my quilts everywhere.  The guest bedroom had quilts with flowers.  My bedroom had quilts with birds.  This next quilt is one I made up north. 

I had about 4 bird feeder hanging outside the enclosed porch overlooking the lake.  All year long we had  Gold Finches.  So when I came across this pattern I had to make it.  I would love to see the Gold Finches change from their olive drab to the bright gold as summer approached.

Well time to get back to sewing.  Not even sure what I want to work on as my mind is still fuzzy but I need to be working on something.

Wishing you a quilty day.

Hugs, Cat

Just a short note...

I haven't done any sewing in the last couple of day.  I'm congested, sneezing and have a horrible headache.  I'll get back with you when I'm feeling better.  Which I hope is soon.  Wishing you a quilty day.

Hugs, Cat

Rain, Sleet, Snow...

Repeat as needed....or not.  But that is all it has been doing for the last couple of days.

But like I've said before, it makes for a good day to stay in the sewing room.

I finished another 4 Farmer's Wife blocks.  I'm having fun making these blocks.  The book came with a CD of templates for the blocks.  However there is only one template per sheet.  That gets to be pretty expensive trying to print all the templates for each block.  So instead of using the CD I've been drawing the blocks using EQ5 and then printing up the Rotary Cutting directions.  It is more accurate than printing templates.  These are blocks 3, 4, 5 & 6.

I made another 2 blocks for my Log Cabin Bow Tie Quilt.  I have been using up so many scraps. 

 I now need to purchase some more Vellum paper (I'm out) so I can print up more foundations patterns.  I used to use light weight paper but I find vellum is easier to see through when paper piecing and it tears easier.

This morning when I was reading all the blogs I follow I saw a beautiful antique quilt on Pepper Cory's blog. (http://quiltflapper.blogspot.com/) The blocks look like they are Crazy Quilt Blocks.  In the center of each block was an appliqued folk art basket.   I've been making my own version of a crazy quilt blocks by sewing bits and pieces of fabric together.  I call them Freestyle Blocks.   I showed you 2 the other day.  Today I made another 2.  I wasn't sure what to do with them until I saw Pepper's quilt.  I think I will sew the blocks together and then do some folk art applique on the quilt.  I really like the idea of the baskets.  But we'll see.  You really need to check out her quilt.

I finally finished Sunflower Quilt #1.  I trimmed it up and sewed on the binding.  I need to sew it the back and then I'll show you the finished quilt.  And I'm finally working on the March block for Henrietta Whiskers from Bunny Hill.  With so much hand work I don't have a lot to show.

Wishing you a quilty day.

Hugs, Cat

Where's the Sun...

It was out this morning but quickly left.  Horrible thunderstorms last night.  It was hard to sleep with all the thunder and lightning.  Cold, damp and dreary out.  A good day to quilt.

I made a few things yesterday.  The newest Barbara Brackman Civil War block and I redid block #1 of the Farmer's Wife quilt.  Then I made block #2.  I'm going to try and make 2 blocks a day.  So later on I will work on #3 and #4.

I've been enjoying Victoria's blog " Bumble Beans" quite a bit lately.  http://bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com/  Then I noticed she had another blog called "15 Minute Play" http://www.15minutesplay..com/ .  She has inspired me.  She takes bits and pieces of scrap fabric and makes a beautiful quilt block.  So I started sewing my pieces together with the idea that I would be making a piece of fabric, cut it up and make a quilt block.  However, once I got the bits and pieces sewn together I loved it just the way it was.  I trimmed the block to 9 1/2".  My husband really liked what I had done.  So I went on to make another.  I'm going to make a bunch for a quilt and put them together using sashing.  These are pieces of fabric I would have normally thrown out.

While browsing yesterday I found another neat idea at Love, Laugh, Quilt.  http://lovelaughquilt.blogspot.com/  Beth is asking for donations of blocks to be put together for the people of Japan.  She has the directions on her blog and will email where to send the blocks.  Here are the 2 blocks I made.  Simple, fast and I used more of my scraps.  So go check out her blog and them make a couple of blocks.

Wishing you a quilty day.

Hugs, Cathy

It's a Beautiful Day...

It's cool out but the sun is shining and the skies are blue and the best part....the snow is melted.

Last night was " Friday Night Sew-In".  I got a lot done.

Here is my Thread Head Quilt-a-Long quilt.  I still had to sew the blocks together for three rows.  After that I sewed all the rows together.  I am really happy with the outcome.

Originally I was going to leave it like this and just quilt it and bind it.  But looking at it hanging here I think it needs another border.  I'm thinking of maybe using a large floral.  Not sure.  Anybody have any ideas?

I thought this quilt would be smaller since the original quilt has 9" blocks, but since I added  3" sashing it was bigger.

I also worked on my Bow Tie Log Cabin blocks.  I know it sounds like 2 different blocks, but it's not.  I searched bow tie blocks on EQ5 and this block came up.  I loved it the minute I saw it.  Last night I got 4 more blocks made.  Now I have 14 blocks made.   I only have 206 more to go to make a queen size quilt.....lol  This is going to take a while.

Thursday we went up to Marine City to visit with the In-Laws and take them out to lunch.  My mother in law told me about a quilt shop in town.  So after lunch we stopped in.  The name of the shop is "Quilted Dreams".  It was a very nice shop.  Lots of BOM's, patterns and books.  And of course fabric.  I spotted the book "The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt".  So did my husband.  He liked it so much he bought the book for me.  I was really hoping to get away from 6" blocks for a while...but it is nice.  So last night I made the first block.  I'm not real happy with it so I'm going to re-do it. 

I really enjoyed the evening and got a lot done.   So the day ended on a good note.  It didn't however start that way.  An hour after my husband left for work he was back home.  (He works 5 minutes from home)  He was feeling dizzy and was sick to his stomach.  So off to the doctors we went.  Turns out he has water in the inner ear and an infection.  So lots of pills and sinus tablets and a good nights sleep he felt great this morning.

So now I'm off to put on a pot of Cabbage Soup.  Straighten up and then off to my favorite place.  My sewing room.

Wishing you all a quilty day.

Hugs, Cat

Woo Hoo

It's here....It's Friday.  Time for "Friday Night Sew In" .  I have all my projects lined up.  I'm going to finish sewing my Thread Head Quilt-a-Long top

 and I have my scraps sorted to work on my Log Cabin Bow Tie blocks. 

What will you be working on?  Hope you have a quilty day.

Hugs, Cat

Time For a Change

I haven't been up north for a while but I think the snow is gone for the most part.  I loved walking along the shore to see what the ice had pushed up.  Lots of driftwood.  My header is a picture I took one spring of the driftwood that had been tossed on shore.  I miss the big lake. 

Life has a way of changing plans.  My attentions have been needed elsewhere the past few days so there is not a lot of sewing and quilting to share.  I have worked on putting the top together for my Thread Head Quilt along.  I just have 3 rows to put together.  I will show you the top when done.  I'm almost done hand quilting Sunflower Quilt #1.

So with nothing to share I'll give you a Quilt Show!

This is a quilt I made during my Interquilt days.  The blocks are from a birdhouse swap.  I made the birdhouse in the center bottom row.  The quilt hanger was a gift from my brother.  He is quite a talented wood worker.  This picture was taken on the porch up north.

The quilt on the right is a quilt I found in a magazine and fell in love.  Baskets and sunflowers are my favorites.  What I liked about it is it has both applique and piecing.

This is the first quilt I ever designed.  I took an applique class with Gwen Marston.  And did she ever liberate me.  Everything in this quilt was free form cut.  I am very happy with the way it turned out. 

Well that's it for today.  Hopefully later in the week I will have some more current projects to show you.

Until then I hope you have a quilty day.

Hugs Cat

I Just Had to Show You...

I was going through some fabric and found the Santa piece.  Then I remembered that I had finished the border blocks while up north.  So I dug out the pieces, sewed the black inner border, sewed the blocks together for the borders and finished this quilt.  It is approx.  32"x38".  I started this in a class I took in 1998 with Jean Wells.  I am so glad to have finally finished this quilt top.  Now it goes in the pile to be quilted.  Have a quilty day.

Now back to my THQAL..

Hugs, Cat

A Great Project

I'm sure you have heard of the "Just One Star Project" promoted by Moda.  If not let me tell you what it is.   It is a challenge to piece, quilt and bind 100 quilts in 100 days using the "Flag of Valor" pattern by Minick and Simpson.  The deadline for star blocks is May 1, 2011 so they can meet their quilt deadline by Flag Day, June 14, 2011.  They need 1800 blocks to reach their goal.  You can go to http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/ and see a tutorial on making the block and the address to send them.  The quilts will be donated thru the Semper Fi Fund.  So take a few minutes and make a block.   Here are my blocks.

I also got my last blocks for the Thread Head Quilt-a-Long Quilt done.  Today I hope to start sewing the rows together.  I wasn't sure if I could do them

in 6 1/2".  But I drafted them using EQ5 and they worked out

okay, however I had some strange measurements.   I am so glad I joined in on the fun.  Can't thank Joanne enough for the inspiration.

And finally, I wanted to let you know about a great giveaway.  Jilly over at Jillys Happy Quilts http://jillyshappyquilts.blogspot.com/ is giving away to FQ Bundles.  So hope on over and leave a comment for a chance to win some fabric.

Wishing you a quilty day.   Hugs, Cat

As Promised....

My Moose table runner.

As promised by the Weatherman.

Enough said....
                          I'm off to play in my sewing room.
                                                                                          Hope you have a quilty day.

Hugs, Cat

Last Block Posted

Woo Hoo...Joanne posted the last block for the Thread Head Quilt-a-Long.  I guess I know what I will be doing all weekend.  Yep, putting my quilt together.  Thanks Joanne!

Nothing to show today.  I've been doing lots of hand work.  I did get my Moose table runner quilted.  Whenever I finish a top, I cut the binding and put it in a special basket.  I learned a long time ago that it takes a long time to finally finish a quilt, and if I don't do the binding right away I probably would not find the binding fabric or would have used it for something else.  So I went to the basket, pulled out the binding and started sewing in the table runner.  I got to the very end and found I was 6" short (obviously I didn't measure correctly).  I checked 2 fabric cabinets, 4 plastic totes to no avail.  Finally I saw a bag that had some homespun plaids.  I dug  in the bag and finally came up with 2 4" pieces of the binding fabric.  I finished sewing the binding last night.  Tonight I'll sew it to the back and show you a picture tomorrow.

So seeing I have no pictures of projects to show you I thought I'd show some pictures of past projects.  Starting with a closeup of my profile picture.  This quilt is made up of blocks I made and received from block swaps.  For the sashing I made a multitude of black and white 4 patches and 9 patches.  I was quite happy with the way it turned out.

This quilt is my profile picture on facebook.  When I lived up north with Dad, I would sit on the porch overlooking the lake in the morning drinking my coffee.  We had 3 very large pine trees, and every morning there would be a crow at the very top of the pine tree.  I finally did a quick sketch of the crow and turned it into a wall quilt.  I call it "I Can See Forever".

Finally this is my first big applique quilt.  It is called "Rusted Moon" by Whimsicals.  I had so much fun making this quilt.  What I like the most is it is a scrappy quilt. 

Well I hope you liked my little quilt show.  I will be sure to post a picture of my moose table runner tomorrow.  Until then I hope you have a quilty day.


Hugs, Cat

Another One Bites The Dust...

I finished my 20 years in the making Churn Dash quilt.  I made the blocks when I first got serious about quilting.  However, since I was also doing crafting  I had a lot of polyester blends in the house so they were used in the background of the blocks. 

I put the blocks together about  5 years ago while up north with Dad.  He said it looked like a baby quilt.  Well it is the right size.  But this is going to be our picnic table cover quilt.  Terry and I like to go hiking and have a picnic so I think this will work fine.

So I down and many more to go.....

Guess what is coming?  Friday Night Sew In.  I'm signed up, are you?  If not go see Heidi and sign up.
http://handmadebyheidi.blogspot.com/  Hope to see you there.  Remember you can win prizes plus get a lot of sewing done.

Wishing you a quilty day. 

Hugs, Cat

What's Big Yellow Thing In The Sky???

Oh my, I think it is the sun.  It's been so long. 

I've been doing a lot of hand work so there is not too much to share today.  I finished machine quilting my 20 year old Churn Dash quilt yesterday and attached the binding.  I am about half way done stitching the binding down so when I'm done I'll post a picture. 

Since I found my fabric for my Thread Head quilt-a-long quilt, I cut the sashing, border and cornerstone pieces.  There are 2 spaces open for the last block.  Once Joanne posts it I will start finishing sewing the rows together.  I was going to start today but I thought I'd wait.  Besides I keep changing the block placements.

Yesterday I read and watched Joanne's tutorial on doing feather free motion quilting.  It is so informative and very easy to follow.  I'm hoping to find the time to try it today. 

I made the latest Barbara Brackman Civil War Block this morning.  I am really enjoying the history  behind the blocks.   My husband is a big Civil War Buff so enjoys ready about the blocks and the quilts also.

The plan for today is to piece the background for the next Henrietta Whiskers BOM.  These are so cute.  After that its more hand work.

Well, I hope where ever you may be that you have at least sunshine and maybe even some warm temperatures.  Wishing you a quilty day.

Hugs, Cat

RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY....

But then again it is better than SNOW...

So what to do on a rainy day....why shop of course.  Got up early and headed to the grocery store.  Now where....well, down the street there just happened to be a JoAnn ETC.

Boy did I luck out today.  Usually I get to the store and all the clearance is gone.  Not today.  I bought a new lap quilting frame.  It has 2 size quilting hoops, 10" and 14"  The regular price was $49.99 and I got it for $15.00. 

Once I started looking I found a great ruler for $4.00, glass head pins for $4.00, rotary cutting blade for  $2.00 for 2, and Feather Templates for $4.00.  The funny thing is I just went in to get a light bulb for my sewing machine.  And yes I did get it.

This week has been a busy one.  I got more quilting done on Sunflower Quilt #1, a little more done on my Granny's Hankie BOM. (Nothing to show yet).   I re-did my EQ 7 BOM's.   Each month I did the blocks with different fabrics.  I really liked the way I did this months blocks so I decided to re-do the blocks and this is how I will be doing the rest of the BOM's.

There is only one block left for the Thread Head Quilt-a-Long.  Joanne said she would be posting it next week.  I had to make extra blocks because mine are only 6".  I showed the three rows I had completed in an earlier blog.  Here is what the remainder rows look like.  I decided to start sewing some of the completed rows together.  But as you can see, I needed to cut more sashing, corner stones and borders first.  I put the border fabric up where it wouldn't get lost in my messy sewing room.  Well, I looked high, I looked low, I looked under and I looked over.  But I couldn't find it.   So I decided to start on something else.

I have quite a few quilt tops, wall quilts and table runners that need to be quilted.  Most will be machine quilted, just some quilt in the ditch.  So I pulled out a couple of quilts to sandwich and pin so I could quilt them today.  When I grabbed my container of pins I saw something blue peeking out from behind some books.  Yeah, you guessed it....I found my border fabric. 

But since I already had my sewing table cleared off I decided to go ahead and get some quilts ready for quilting.  I am all set to quilt a wall hanging that was a mystery quilt from years ago, a table runner that I designed while living up north, and a lap quilt made up of some quilt blocks I made about 20 years ago (I could tell they were that old because it has a lot of polyester in it).   So today I will be working on these. 

Today Barbara Brackman posted the new Civil War block and Bunny Hill posted the newest BOM for Henrietta Whiskers (It is adorable).  So this weeks To-Do List will consist of:

1. Finish machine quilting the 3 projects I sandwiched.
2. Cut the borders, sashings and corner stones for the Thread Head Quilt-a-Long.
3. Do Barbara Brackman latest block.
4. Do the Henrietta Whiskers block.
5. More hand quilting on Sunflower Quilt #1.
6. More applique on Granny's Hankie BOM.

Wish me luck.  What are you working on? 

Wishing you a quilty day.  Hugs, Cat

It's a Great Day

The sun is shining, the snow is melting and the Robins are singing. 

And I got the book I won in the mail today.  Spotlight on Scraps by Cyndi Walker is the book I won from Kate, the Quilting Professor.  I couldn't have been happier since I have been making nothing but scrap quilts lately.  There are 10 quilts in the book including appliqueing and piecing.  The directions are wonderful.  Thank you so much Kate I really love it.  I already know which quilt I want to make after I finish up all the projects I'm working on. 

Well since today is the 1st of the month it was time to do the next EQ7 block.  I have decided to redo my other 2 blocks to match this one.  I pulled out my hand dyed and batiks.  I really like the way this one looks.  Now remember you don't have to have EQ7, (I have EQ5) in fact you don't have to have EQ at all.  You just need to download the block pattern each month.  They give you rotary cutting directions, templates, or foundation piecing.  So give them a try.

I also want to let you know that you can see a great baby quilt and get a chance to win a Go-Baby at http://www.pleasant-home.com/.   Good luck.

Hope you're having a quilty day.     Hugs, Cat