Saturday, May 26, 2012

It's been a While....

I've been busy with this and that.  The weather has either been hot, hot, hot or cold, cold, cold.  I don't have anything to show you because I have been working steadily on my latest Scrap Squad quilt.  Lots of hand applique.  As much as I love hand applique it gets a little boring when you are appliqueing the same shape over and over.

I've also been working on my weight and diabetes.  The weight is coming off slowly.  I'm averaging 1.5 lbs. per week.  I started on insulin 4 weeks ago.  My blood sugar levels are coming down so I guess the insulin and the addition of a new medicine is helping.  However, being on insulin is making me hold water and causing my legs to swell.  They said this would happen and that it would be harder to loose weight once I started the insulin.  So I take water pills and this seems to help.

We have been going for walks.  I've got a few pictures for you.


This couple was taking their 5 kids for a walk.  They didn't care for us being as close as we were.


I thought I had my hands full with 4 kids but this family had 14 young ones.


Lot's of geese with young ones.  But we've only seen one pair of swans with a baby.  This swan has been setting on her nest for a while.  I hope they will be a baby soon.


The park is full of Red Winged Blackbirds.  They have such a beautiful song.  They often follow us hoping for some bird seed.

As I've told you before I spent 4 years in the Upper Peninsula taking care of my Dad.  When he passed away in 2010 my husband suggested that we dig up my parents Peony bushes and bring them home.  I'm am so glad he did. 




There are 2 different types.  This one blooms wide open.  The other which has buds but no flowers yet is a deep magenta and  the flower is tighter.

Every time I look out into my backyard and see them I smile and think good thoughts about my parent.  So many wonderful memories.

I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial weekend.  Stay safe and enjoy yourselves.  We are staying at home.  I'm going to try and get some sewing done that I can show you...lol. 

Hugs, Cathy


Thursday, May 10, 2012

A Finish, A Start, A Walk, and A Quilt Show

WARNING:  PHOTO HEAVY

A while ago I showed you a little basket quilt top that I made.  It was a Cheri Payne quilt-a-long.  Well here it is finished and hanging up on my wall.


I machine quilted it doing squigly lines across the quilt.

Here is another Cheri Payne quilt-a-long.  It still needs to be quilted.


You know how much Terry and I love walking at Lake St. Clair Metro Park.  Well it's been raining so much lately we haven't had a chance to walk.  Yesterday the sun was shining and a nice breeze blowing...so we took off to the park.


We came across this couple having a picnic.  They were so lucky to find a spot with a private swimming pool.


Mom was taking her new borns out for a stroll.


This Mom had her hands full.  The babies are growing so fast.


I love this time of year.  The flowering trees are so beautiful. 


Everytime I go to the park I have wanted to get a picture of this weathervane.  So I finally did.  It is made of copper.

And now I saved the best for last.  Last week we went to the Macomb County Quilt Guild Quilt Show.  There were so many beautiful quilts.  Enjoy!!





 Look closely and you can see that the entire quilt is made from 9 patches.  It is so beautiful.


And of course they had sooooo many vendors.  However, I only bought one thing.  A new book.  I won't be starting this quilt till my year with Quiltmaker Magazine is over.



Speaking of Quiltmaker....go to Quilty Pleasures Blog and see my fellow Scrap Squad member Jennifer's Ladder of Success.  Another beautiful quilt.

Wishing you a wonderful sunshine filled day.

Hugs, Cathy




Thursday, May 3, 2012

A Day of Antiquing

Yesterday the sun was shining and it was heating up.  We decided to go to Bay City to do a little antiquing and of course fabric shopping.  Can't show the fabrics as they will be going into my newest Scrap Squad quilt.  But I can show you what I bought at the antique store.


It is a little rough in spots, but the minute I saw it I heard it say....."Take me home with you".  The secondary pattern wasn't apparent at first glance.  In fact I didn't see it until I had it on the wall.

The second acquisition is a sweet little baby quilt.  It too has been loved quite a bit.


It is a true use it up quilt.  A couple of the blocks have multiple fabrics used in it.

We lucked out all day long by being just behind the rain.  So it was an enjoyable day out. 

Hope you are having a great day.

Hugs, Cathy