Christmas is over and now onto the New Year

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

This is my first applique project.  A country Santa.  It was a great learning project.

The above are the Christmas projects I was working on.  I made about 13 mug rugs and 12 of the note pad holders.  They were so easy to make and everyone loved them.

It was such a beautiful Christmas morning.  The sun was shining and it was fairly warm for December.  So Terry and I had breakfast and then went for a walk.  I got to try out the new camera I got from Santa.

 Part of the walk goes along Lake St. Clair.  There were so many ducks on the lake but they were too far out to get a good picture.

This little fellow was basking in the sun.  I really love the zoom lens on my new camera.

I couldn't believe how many Canadian Geese were at the park.  This was just one group.  I guess they were resting up for the rest of their journey.

We were going to sit down and rest for a while but this furry fat fellow got to the bench first.

Today I sat down at my sewing table and looked down at my cutting mat.  It was in terrible shape.  Of course it was over 15 years old.  I checked the JoAnn's sale paper and lo and behold cutting mats were on sale 40% off.

I'm so glad I went.  This is my new cutting mat.  It is made by Fiskars.  It's the above green on one side and yellow on the other side.  Two mats for the price of one. Plus 40% off.

I got this 8" rotating mat too.  Great for trimming parts of quilt blocks.  Another great buy at 40% off.

Since I'm going to be making some quilts for Quiltmaker Magazine I decided to try this new batting.  It is made by Pellon.  It was $10.00.

They had Christmas wrapping paper 75% off.  I fell in love with this button paper.  Doesn't have to be Christmas to use it.

I ended up saving more than I spent which is always a good deal.

Sorry to be so chatty today.  Just trying to make up for lost time.

Wishing you all a quilty day.

Hugs, Cathy

HAPPY HOLIDAY'S

I hope everyone has a Very Merry Christmas and that Santa is good to all of you.

I will be busy making Christmas cookies today and trying to get in a little sewing today, whether it is by hand or machine. 

See you in a few days.

Hugs, Cathy

My Tree is decorated, Book in the Mail, and a WINNER

I got the tree decorated today.  I made the majority of the ornaments.  The rest were either gifts or a few from my childhood.  I even made the angel on top.  She looks a bit tipsy right now.

I love angels.  Here are a few that I made.

I ordered this book a bit ago.  I love everything in it.  Sorry for the reflection but I think you can still see that it is a Brannock/Patek book.  Lots of great patterns in it.

I got my first pattern for the 2012 Quiltmaker Scrap Squad.  Now I can't show you what I am working on but I can show you what I have cut out so far.

Can't tell to much from this can you?  Well that is good.  That way you will be pleasantly surprised when we all get our versions of the quilt done.

Now there was something else....what was it?  Oh yea.....the winner of the giveaway.
Drum roll please......."Libby Quilter"  Congrats.  I sent you an email and now I just need your address. 

Thank you to all the new followers and everyone who sent a comment.  I wish you all could win.  BTW..the most popular block was Pinwheels, followed by 9 patch and 4 patch.

Now I would like to say  "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" to my wonderful daughter Kelley.  I love you.

Hugs, Cathy

Just a reminder....

When leaving a comment on the giveaway be sure there is a way to get in touch with you.  I have already recieved quite a few that are no-reply blogger. 

If you are a follower you will get 2 chances at winning.

Hugs, Cathy

Let The Party Begin....

Tomorrow starts the Quilters Gallery Blog Hop Party with Give-Aways.  I'm starting today as I'm going to be busy this weekend and didn't want to forget.

Here is my offering....An Omnigrid Mini-Foldaway and a Charm Pack (Collections for a Cause-COMFORT) by Moda. 

You have until Saturday, December 17th at Noon.  I will pick a winner that night.  All you need to do is leave a comment letting me know what your favorite quilt block is that you can make using 5" charm squares.  You don't need to be a follower but I would be honored for you to be a follower.  Good Luck.  Can't wait to see what your favorite block is.

Be sure I have a way of contacting you to let you know you won!

PS If you are a follower you will get 2 chances to win.

Hugs, Cathy

And Sew it Begins....

I guess winter is finally here.  Most of the snow has melted but I'm sure there is more on it's way.  And sew it begins......

I received my welcome to the 2012 Scrap Squad email this morning.  I am really excited about it.  I also received a hint of our first project.  Sorry can't show you....  But I'll let you know when our quilts are published on Quiltmaker's Blog.  And sew it begins.....

I signed up for the Blog Hop Party with Give-Aways.  The fun starts Saturday, December 10 through the December 17.  Over 130 bloggers have signed up already.  I will post more information in a few days.  And sew it begins.....

No projects to show as everything I'm working on are Christmas gifts.  But I will take pictures to show after Christmas.

Ohhh, I got a note from Victoria at 15 minutes play and she loved the star block I made for her.  I'm so glad.  I worry when I am making something for someone they won't like it.l

I hope you are all warm and snugly in your homes and working on something quilty.

Hugs, Cathy

Some Projects and Some FANTASTIC News

I've been working on a couple of things.

This is a block I made for Victoria @ Bumble Beans for the New Bee Swap.  I liked how it turned out, however....I goofed.  I've had so much on my mind lately (will tell you what at the end of this post), I got the size right, the dark colors right, the star right, but the star was suppose to be a light blue.  I sent it anyway with apologies.  She sent us some fabrics to incorporate in her block.  So I told her I would make a new block if she would be so kind as to send more fabric.

This is the block I made to send to Beth @ Love Laugh Quilt for a chance to win enough blocks for a quilt.  It went in the mail today.  Mine is very simple, some are very elaborate.  I hope I win.

Now I've been in a bit of a tizzy lately.  Around November 1, I got my copy of Quiltmaker's Newsletter by email.  I'm sure some of you get it too.  In this particular issue they said they were looking for quilters to be a part of their 2012 Scrap Squad.  You had to send them an email telling a little about yourself and 3 pictures of Scrap Quilts you have made.  So I sent them an email, with pictures on Nov. 2.  I got an email saying they received my email and would get back to me in a few days as they had publishing deadlines.  So everyday I would check my email hoping to hear word.  I was so anxious and then I knew I hadn't been chosen.  Monday while checking my email I saw a reply.  I was afraid to open it because I knew it would say....Thank you for your interest but the squad is full.....

What I saw shocked me.  It said:  CONGRATULATIONS, we would love to have you participate in the 2012 Scrap Squad.  My heart stopped.  I yelled, YIPPEE.  

Quiltmaker will be sending me a pattern that will be in an upcoming issue and will be making a scrappy version of the quilt.  I need to photograph it and send it to them.  The photos will be shown on line (with quilts made by the other squad members, we are 8 in all) and will have a chance of having our quilts in the magazine.

Needless to say I am thrilled.  I will be participating in 6 issues starting with the March/April issue.  I keep you up to date on what is going on.  Wish me Luck!!!

Hugs, Cathy