I Haven't Forgotten You.....

Have you forgotten me?  Life always seems to get in the way of doing what you want to do.

I had to have oral surgery recently and I've had a lot of pain.  It gets in the way and makes it so you don't want to do anything. 

I'm working on my final quilt for Quiltmaker Magazine.  I'm sad that my time with the Scrap Squad is coming to an end but will now have time to work on some of my own projects.

I've been working on Christmas presents and ornaments.  Always last minute...lol

We did get an early Christmas present.  My daughter heard about a dog that had to find a home or it was going to the pound.  It looks just like her dog only female and she is a bit longer.  Kelley's dog is a type of terrier.  This one is part terrier and part long hair dachshund.  We named her "Sammy".

She has spent most of the day getting familiar with her surroundings. 

We weren't looking to get a dog, but we are so happy to have her.

Well after the first of the year I plan on spending a bit more time here sharing some quilts and pictures. 

I hope you have a Very Merry Christmas and that the New Year brings you everything you wish for.

Hugs, Cathy

Woo Hoo

Today my quilt is up on Quiltmaker's Blog, Quilty Pleasures.  We are very fortunate that Quiltmaker lets us write up our own post on their blog.  So please check it out and see my journey with this quilt.  This is my 5th quilt as part of the scrap squad. 

This is the basic block for the quilt.  There are two different layouts, positive and negative.

Here is my finished quilt.  It went together quickly and I love the results. 

Be sure to check out the blog and see what my fellow scrap squad members are doing.

Hugs, Cathy

OUR FIRST SNOWFALL OF THE SEASON

It was pretty but slick out.  No pictures...to cold to go out to take pictures.  So I did what any quilter would do...

I spent the day in my sewing room quilting.

Are you addicted to Pinterest?  Well I am.  I have found so many interesting things.  For instance....

I saw these on Pinterest.  They are sold at Harbor Freight for $1.99 for two 45 mm blades and they call them Carpet Cutting Blades.  Well my husband, Terry, is a Harbor Freight junkie.  So on his last trip there I asked him to pick me up a package.  Today while cutting fabric I noticed my blade wasn't cutting right so it was a good time to try the new ones.  I am very happy to say they work fantastic.  So I thought I would send along this little bit of info to all my friends.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Saturday, and an early Cyber Monday.  I got lots of shopping done just sitting here in my warm cozy chair.

Hugs, Cathy

P.S. I've got a nice pot of barbeque pulled pork in the slow cooker and it smells delicious here....lol
 

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving with lots of family, friends and good food!

I will be spending the day at my daughter, Kim's with family gathered around.

Hugs, Cathy

It is Bright and Sunny.....

But oh so cold here in Michigan.  Fall is almost over and Winter can be felt in the wind.

It is hard to believe that a month ago we were basking in sunny 80 degree weather at Assateague Island by the ocean.   It was sad to hear that they were hit by Sandy.  I went on line and checked out videos from the local news.

This building was knocked off its legs and there was damage to the roof and porch.  Some of the black top walkways in the National Park were damaged and one of the parking lots had 4 FEET of sand.  We had parked there.  The main bridge to the island is okay, however the walking and bike bridge had structural damage.  As of now both the state park and national park are open. 

While we were at the island we visited Berlin, Maryland (It was the town where "Runaway Bride" was filmed).  We visited a favorite antique store.  I found an antique quilt from the 30's and had to have it.

It's pretty big.  I hadn't seen a "Grandmother's Flower Garden"  with the path done in red.  The entire quilt is hand pieced and hand quilted.

After we left the island we headed to Gettysburg.  We spent one day visiting antique shops.  I felt like I was getting greedy...I found another quilt I just had to have.

It dates back to around 1868.  It too was hand pieced and hand quilted.  It has the most beautiful bubble gum pink and a sage green.  The inner border is a yellow print and surprising it works.

Well I finally finished my 5th quilt for Quiltmaker's Scrap Squad and I already have the pattern for the 6th and final quilt.  It is hard to believe that my year with the Scrap Squad is almost up.  It has been so much fun.  And I've been extremely busy.

In between these quilts I've been working on something of my own. 

I first saw this quilt on Pinterest.  However that quilt was done with 10" strips.  I happened to have 2 jelly rolls that I got from Connecting Threads.  One was in prints and the other in solids.  Both were in autumn colors.  I didn't have any real directions for this patter so I just figured it out by myself.  When the top is finished I am going to hand quilt it.   I will share more later.

So this is what is on my design wall.  What is on yours.  Until we meet again.

Hugs, Cathy

Just wanted you to know that I did not design this quilt.  It was adapted from  one I saw on Pinterest.  I also saw it on the cover of American Patchwork and Quilting and a few other websites.  When I said I was working on one of my own I meant one of my own choosing.  Hugs, Cathy

Just a few words...

I'm frantically working to get my 5th quilt done for Quiltmaker Magazine.  I so love this quilt and wish I could show it to you.  But be patient, all will be reveled soon.

Speaking of Quiltmaker...they are having their 100 Blocks Blog Tour.  You get a chance to win a copy of the new magazine or some goodies.  Be sure to stop by at  http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures/  and see what is happening.

On another note....Don't forget to vote tomorrow because your vote counts.

Hope to be able to show you some quilts I picked up while on vacation in the next day or too.  Until then....Happy quilting.

Hugs, Cathy
 

Time for the Reveal....

My fourth quilt for Quiltmaker Magazine's Scrap Squad is done and they have posted it on their blog Quilty Pleasures .

Here is my version of Country Morning.  The original had red work in the centers and the quilt was done in reds and white.   I hand appliqued the blocks and then I hand quilted it.  I didn't finish it until I was on vacation.  It was breezy the day I took this picture so it looks a little wavy.  The quilt is hanging on a broom handle that DH is holding.

This is the first picture I took when we reach Assateague Island.  It is our favorite place to go camping.  Sandy beaches, seagulls, pelicans, beautiful ocean and dolphins on one side of the island.  Marsh, Egrets, and ponies on the Bay side of the island.   We spent a wonderful 7 days there.

Our campsite.  Although there are no trees, this time of year there is a wonderful cool breeze that blows off the ocean. 

Do you see the dolphin?  We must have seen hundreds of them this year.  And if you look in the background.  That is a 3 masted schooner.  Hubby said it looked like the Black Pearl...lol

Everyday we walked the beach looking for sea shells.  During the week we practically had the beach to ourselves.  But on the last weekend (Columbus Day weekend) it was very crowded.

This was such a beautiful end to a wonderful day.  The sunsets were incredible.  So were the sunrises....however, I was too lazy to get up and take pictures.  I could however see the sunrise while laying in bed.

The ocean side of the island is a Maryland State Park.  The bay side of the island is a National Park.  Although they do have some camping on the ocean side.

 The marsh is almost a world away from the ocean.  So many different birds....

...so many different landscapes and smells.

This is a close up of the red grasses that grow on the marsh.

And of course the ponies.  We didn't see as many as in past years.  Seems they were hanging out in the marsh away from prying eyes.  The brown pony was chasing the other two.  We had to sit and wait as they have the right away.

I think this was the best time we have had at the island and are already thinking of staying 2 weeks next year.    I hope you have enjoyed my journey...but it's not really over.  We left here and headed onto Gettysburg, PA.

Until then....

Hugs, Cathy

The Second Leg of our Trip....

More on my vacation.  After we left Green Brier State Park in Maryland we headed to Bull Run State Park in Virginia.  Hubby is a big Civil War Buff.  He also shoots an original Civil War Carbine in competition so when ever we get a chance we visit Civil War Battle Fields.  We also got to visit with our son Scott and his wife Amanda.

This is the famous Stone Bridge in Manassas, Virginia.

From here we went onto the battlefield.  It was gloomy out and was raining off and on so we didn't get many pictures.

This is the Henry family homestead that is on the battlefield. 

This is the statue of Stonewall Jackson.

I just had to include this...it is a tree near our campsite.  It reminded me of an owl looking out of the tree.

Well thanks for viewing my photos.   Tomorrow I will show you photos of my favorite part of the trip.  Assateague Island, Maryland.

Till then....

Hugs, Cathy

 

 

 

 

 

Back from Vacation.....

Wow did we have fun.  I took so many pictures that in order to share I will need to do a post a day.  This is the longest we've every been gone...almost 3 weeks.  We decided that we love our new trailer and it made the trip all the better for it.

We had plans to meet up with our son Scott and his wife Amanda in Virginia but that wouldn't happen till the weekend.  We started our trip mid week so we decided to stop in Maryland first.  We camped at Green Briar State Park.

Here is our campsite.  The weather was beautiful and the trees were just starting to change color.

The views were spectacular.  It was fairly mountainous there.

I just love old barns.  We weren't always able to stop and get pictures.  The roads were windy and there was usually someone right behind us.  But I did manage to get the above 3 barns.

We spent 2 days in the area.  We found 2 great antique malls and a quilt shop that we had visited before.  I got some great patterns there.  It is just outside of Hanover, Maryland and is called "Traditions of the White Swan".  I know strange name for a quilt shop but it has a fabulous choice of fabrics and patterns.

Tomorrow I will share pictures from our stay in Virginia at Bull Run State Park.

Hope you are having a wonderful day....I am.  Today is my 63rd birthday although I feel like a kid.....lol.

Hugs, Cathy

The Winners Are......

It's Friday and I drew the winners....

The Rabbit goes to  Angie .....

The Rose goes to Libby Quilter.....

And the Purple Cone Flower goes to Carrie....

Congrats.  I will send them out as soon as I get your addresses.

Thanks for being followers.

Hugs, Cathy

Bet You Thought I Forgot...

But I didn't.  I will have a giveaway today.  I started working on some Christmas gifts and ended up with a few extras.

They are little Pillows or big Pin Cushions.  So here is what you need to do.  First you need to be a follower.  Okay that is a given.

1.  Leave a comment on this post letting me know which pillow you would like for a chance
     to win.
2.  If you have a blog, mention this giveaway for a second chance. 

Its as easy as that.  I will draw the winners on Friday next week.

Now I need to get to work.  We were gone a few days on a dry run with our new trailer.  Getting ready for a trip to the ocean at the end of the month.  But right now I need to get my Scrap Squad quilt sandwiched and quilted because we already got the pattern for the next quilt.

Have a great weekend!

Hugs, Cathy

P.S.  If you are a no reply blogger you need to enter your email address in your comment.  Otherwise I won't be able to notify you.  I have received one no reply blogger already.  Good luck everyone.

We got a new Trailer.....

Both Terry and I love camping.  Our old pop-up is worn out.  We haven't been able to do much the last couple of years.

Well since Terry retired last October we have been constantly on the go.  And then I've been really busy being a member of Quiltmaker's Scrap Squad.  It hasn't left me much time to work on other projects.

We made the decision to get a new vehicle (new to us) and talked about getting a travel trailer.  We started looking a couple of weeks ago.  I fell in love with a beautiful 32' trailer.  However, it was too heavy and too long.  We finally found one we both liked.  Here she is.

The trailer is 26' long.  I love the big window by the dinette.

I has a queen size bed and you can walk around 3 sides and lots of storage.

We have a freezer, refrigerator, microwave, 3 burner stove, oven and a double sink.

Sorry the picture is a little dark.  This is the dinette.  Which turns into a bed.

Here's the couch.  It also turns into a bed and has storage underneath.  The quilt is a replica of a Civil War Quilt I made for Terry a few years ago.

I know this is like taking you house with you.  Not the kind of camping I'm used to...but believe me I can get used to it....lol

We are going camping tomorrow for a few days to try everything out.  At the end of the month we are going on a trip with stops at Assateague Island in Maryland, Gettysburg and Washington DC.  Not sure how long we will be gone. 

Stay tuned....on Sunday I will be having a giveaway.  I've been working on some Christmas gifts and have a few extra. 

Hugs, Cathy

I Feel Like I Have Deserted You....

But life has just gotten in my way.

It has been such a busy month.  We spent 2 weeks at my son's watching the house and the cat and dog.  We had a good time but I was getting home sick.  Missed my sewing room too.  But enough of that.

A few weeks ago, Freda at The Adventures of the Empress of the Universe had a giveaway.  She made some adorable stilettos from a Turkey Skewer and some beads.  I entered but alas did not win.  Then much to my surprise I got a package in the mail from her.  She sent me the one I loved.

Isn't it adorable.  My nickname is Cat so of course I loved it.  I thanked her in private but I just had to thank her publicly too.  Freda I love it and have used it a lot.

I finished my the quilt top for my fourth Quiltmaker Scrap Squad Quilt.  Now I need to sandwich it and start had quilting it.  I can't wait for you to see it.  Quiltmaker has been so fantastic and have let us do a little designing of our own on this one. 

I do have a few things on my design wall to show you.  I trimmed all the blocks from the New Bee Swap at 15 minutes play.

Now I need to mix up the blocks and add the sashing. 

The second is an long on going project.  I pull it out and make a few blocks when I have some spare time.

I love making these little spools.  So easy and I have made them with nothing but scraps.  They are 5" square.

Tuesday I had out patient surgery to remove a lump on my left jaw.  45 minutes later the lump was gone and I have a nice 2" incision.  The lump was a cyst and was the size of a golf ball.  I'm so glad it is gone.  And the incision is healing nicely.

We've recently been looking at travel trailers.  Before I moved up north to take care of Dad in 2006, Terry and I did a lot of traveling and camping.  We had an extremely large pop-up.  We used it so much....it fell apart.  Now that Terry is retired we have been dreaming of camping and traveling again.  Yesterday we bought a new trailer.  Yay...  It is 26' long, has a queen bed, dinette, couch, complete bathroom, freezer, fridge, 3 burner stove top, oven, microwave oven, double sink and lots of storage.  (I already found the spot for my sewing machine, fabric and supplies..lol..)  We pick it up next Wednesday.  We will do a little camping close by to get used to it and then.....
We will be going to Assateague Island in Maryland for a couple of weeks in October.  I can't wait.   Prior to 2006 we would go for a week every October.  We have really missed it.  I will keep you informed.

Well I hope I haven't bored you too much.  I do have a tendency to go on and on....

Have a great holiday weekend.

Hugs, Cathy

PS:  Stay tuned...I'm going to have a giveaway in the next week or so.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Up North Again

Well we're on vacation again.  Back to the Upper Peninsula.  This time we are house sitting for my son and watching his pets.  We've been here a week and and have enjoyed some beautiful weather.  That is until today.  Thunderstorms have been rolling though this morning at an alarming rate.  But they do need the rain.

We have made a few day trips.  We went up to Copper Harbor.  And visited Eagle Harbor Light House.  It was a beautiful day but windy.

The shoreline is quite rocky.

And it is really beautiful there.

As much as I enjoy it here I am getting a bit homesick.  I miss my sewing machine and all my fabric.  I brought some hand work but it's not the same.

We will be here about 5 more days and then we will be homeward bound.  I hope to have something quilty to share then.

Wishing you a wonderful quilty day.

Hugs, Cathy

Quilt Show Today

Today Hubby and I went to a quilt show at the Octagon House in Washington Twp., Michigan.

As the name implies the house is Octagon shaped.  It is furnished with wonderful antiques and there are a few antique quilts.  I wasn't able to get a picture of them.

They had some quilts hanging outside....

It was such a beautiful setting.

The quilt show itself was held in a barn.  The quilts were hung on clothes line with clothes pins.

Here is a close up of the hand quilting on this antique.  Both my husband and I fell in love with this quilt.

Some more eye candy for you.

Oops....This one really wasn't hanging sideways...forgot to turn the photo...lol

The lighting wasn't the best and there weren't a lot of quilts, but what they had were beautiful.   Only a few vendors but I was a good girl and didn't buy anything.  I've been visiting my online stores lately.

The property was beautiful.  It is really growing up around the Octagon House but have managed to keep the charm of the place.  Here are a few of the out buildings.

I hope you enjoyed the Quilt show and that you are having a wonderful weekend.

Hugs, Cathy