The Skies Parted

The sun shined down and the Angels sang...Hallelujah, Cathy finished her Ohio Sampler quilt top.

I didn't make all the blocks from the book.  I pulled some from other projects.  There is a large block made from 4 Sally Post blocks.  A couple of blocks are from Cheri Payne's Common Threads pattern.  I also included blocks from Jeni in the Willow QAL.  One block from Hip Chicks BOM and finally one from Barbara Brackman's BOM from a few years ago.  Now I can take a deep breath and relax.  Ready to get ready for a new Sew Along with friends in July.

BTW....the skies did part....but the sun didn't shine...It's been raining since yesterday.

Thanks for stopping by.  

Hugs, Cathy

Slowly but Surely

I'm making headway on my Ohio Sampler Quilt.

A few changes from the original quilt.  Top row I put together 4 Sally Post blocks to replace a larger appliqued block.  Next to it I added the Courthouse Steps block from Cheri Payne's Common threads.  Yesterday I got the bow tie block made.  I have also added some applique blocks from the Jeni in the Willow sew a long.  It's getting there slowly.  I need to get this all done by July because I am doing another sew-a-long with Karen in Lori.  More to come on that.

I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend.  We did although it was warm and humid...and more expected.  And of course with our new addition to the family we have received lots of photos.  So of course I have to leave you with one more.

I'm a proud Nana.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

Hugs, Cathy

A New Addition

To the family.....

      

Meet Ella Beatrix Buel.  She was born at 9:08 pm on May 23, 2015.

She is 20.5 inches long.

And she is beautiful.  

We can't wait to meet her but it will be a while.  She lives in Virginia.  Welcome to the family Ella.  We love you.

Hugs, Nana (aka Cathy)

Not Much Going On

I spent 3 days going through books and magazines in my sewing room.  Found some more fabric I didn't know I had.  I'm drowning in fabric and just ordered more on line.....I'm in trouble....lol.

Spent another day taking my 80 something in-laws out for the day.  Mom wanted flowers to plant in the yard and Dad just wanted to get out.  Trouble was they weren't getting along lately...She was mad and he can't hear what she is saying.  However, it was a very nice day.  Mom got some beautiful plants and we went out to lunch.

I didn't get much done with my Ohio Collection Quilt.   I decided to add some stars to my eagle block.  Right now they are just pinned.

Tonight I plan on getting them hand quilted down.  I am very happy with this block.  But now I need to get in gear and finish the blocks for this quilt.


This is Scrap Squares.  It is the quilt for May that I am doing a sew a long with Huckleberry Stitches.  This month 2 quilts were chosen but I think I will only get this one done.

I made it using charm squares.  The sashing is from some yardage I had.


Next I got a few rows sewn together of my Granddaughter's quilt.  This is what I was planning on making.

And this is what I finally decided on.

It is going to be a little wider and I chose black sashing squares instead of the cream.  I like this one much better.

Well that is it for today.  Be sure to check out Karen's, Lori's, Luann's and Nancy's blogs to see their Ohio Sampler quilts and blocks.

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a great day and enjoy the Memorial weekend.

Hugs, Cathy

The Eagle Has Landed

I chose my Eagle block for my Ohio Sampler.  It is not quite finished.  I need to add some stars to it.

I'm going to add the stars under the wings and tail.  I might even put this block on point and make it the center of my quilt.

The other two blocks I have made are Crosses and Losses and Old Maids Puzzle.
Now I have to decide if I want to make more blocks or make a smaller quilt using the blocks I have already made.


I also have a finish to share with you....

I love how this turned out.  It is 16" x 16".

Well our sunshine is gone again and the rain clouds are back.  We are expecting rain for the next 4 days so it looks like I will be getting some sewing done.  

Yesterday I spent the day cutting scraps into usable pieces.  Some I cut with my Accuquilt Go dies and some using a ruler and rotary cutter.  I did take a break and went to the store and bought a little plastic stand with 8 narrow drawers in it to house my scraps.  It should take up less room than the plastic shoe boxes I've been using.

Have a great day and thanks so much for stopping by.

Don't forget to stop by Karen's, Lori's and Luann's blogs to see what they are working on.

Hugs, Cathy

Bow Tie Tutorial

Feeling so much better.  Turns out the pollen count is high, high, high and my allergies kicked up to high.  I'm taking Claritin and Flonase and am feeling terrific.

I've been trying to use up some Charm Squares.  I took the left over charms from my mini Jacobs ladder quilt and made some bow tie blocks.

I have since sewn these blocks together and getting ready to machine quilt it.

Step One

Choose 2 contrasting 5" Charm Squares.  All charm squares are not created equal.  Be sure to measure them.  I try and trim some of the pinking edges off.

Step Two and Three

Cut the background charm into (2) 2 1/2" x 5" strips.  You will only need one of these.  Cut this strip into (2) 2 1/2" squares.  You can save the second one for your next block.  From the Bow Tie fabric cut (1) 2 1/2" x 5" strip and (1) 1 1/2" x 5" strip.  Sub cut into (2) 2 1/2" squares and (2) 1 1/2" squares.  See photo below.

Step Four

Take your (2) 1 1/2" squares and draw a diagonal line across the back.  Place each 1 1/2" square right sides facing onto a 2 1/2" background square.

Step Five

Sew on the draw line and trip 1/4".  Then iron the toward the dark fabric.

Part 6

Lay out your pieces to form a 4 patch block.

Step 7

Sew the bottom 2 squares together and then the top 2 squares together.  Iron the open toward the Bow Tie Fabric.

Step 8

Sew the top to the bottom nesting your seams together.  Open and iron open to either side.

Before I iron this block open I remove the stitches above the seam line (1/4"). Then I iron.  It's hard to explain so I will show you the back of the block.

Well I hope this tutorial was helpful for those of you like myself are trying to use up some of those leftover charm squares from previous projects.

Enjoy the day, even if it is cold and overcast like it is here today.  I've got some hand applique to finish, a small quilt to finish hand quilting and some small projects to get ready for machine quilting, so I've got my hands full today.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

Ohio Sampler and More

The weather is beautiful, the temps are up....and I've got another head cold and congested...ugh!

I did get another block made for my Ohio Collection Quilt.

This is the Love Apple block.  I love how it turned out.  Next I plan on working on the feathered star.  I was planning on making it this week till I started getting congested again.  

Earlier in the week I started working on this mini Bow Ties quilt.

I made this using the charms left over from the Jacob's Ladder quilt.  I took pictures so next week I'll try and post another tutorial.

After I got my Accuquilt Go I purchased the smaller Tumbler Die.  It is the perfect size for charm squares.  I cut a bunch of them and sewed these 4 rows.  It is going to be a table runner.

Taking it easy today.  Tomorrow my Grandson Brian graduates from Central Michigan University.  It will be a long day.  We have a 3 hour drive one way.  Lunch out with the family before hand, Graduation ceremony and another 3 hour drive home.  But well worth every minute.

Enjoy the weather and thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

Mini Jacobs Ladder Tutorial

I posted this quilt on Instagram.

The blocks are not sewn together yet.  The blocks finish at 4".  I made all the blocks in one day using 5" charm squares for each block.  I was asked if there was a tutorial for this block and since I didn't know of one I said I would post one myself.  I've never done one before.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Step one.  Choose 2 contrasting charm squares.  Put them right sides together.  At this point I prefer to trim slightly to remove pinked edges.  

Step 2.  Keeping right sides together through the cutting steps, cut a 1 1/2" strip.

Step 3.  Turn the piece and cut another 1 1/2" strip from the short end.

Step 4.  Cut the remaining piece in half diagonally.  You now have 4 pieces.

Step 5.  Sew along one side of the 1 1/2" strips and along the diagonal side of the triangles.  Iron the pieces open with the seam allowance toward the dark side.

Step 6.  At this point trim the half-square triangle units to 2 1/2" square...  Cut the 1 1/2" strips at 1 1/2" segments.  You will have a total of 5 - 1 1/2" units.  You only need 4 of these units.  Sew 2 of these units together twice to make 2 4 patch units.

Step 7.  Lay out your pieces as shown above.  Sew the top 2 sections together Part A and then the bottom 2 sections together, Part B.  Now sew Part A and Part B together.

Here is the finished block.  It is 4 1/2" and finishes at 4".  It is a sweet block and a very easy block to make.

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial.  Have a great day.

Hugs, Cathy

Ohio Collection and more

Good Morning....

The sun is shining and the temperature is rising.  Making plans for the weekend to get out and enjoy this weather.

But first I want to share the latest blocks for the Ohio Collection Quilt with you.

This is a block that Karen drafted from a picture in another book on Ohio Sampler quilts.  She did such a great job and made it easy to make this block.  My husband said it's his favorite.

Here is my Bear's Paw block.  I LOVE Bear's Paw quilts so I enjoyed making this.
I have a few more blocks prepped and waiting to go.

Be sure to check Karen's, Lori's, Luann's and Nancy's blogs to see how they are coming along with their blocks.


I also finished a couple of blocks for Jeni from the Willow quilt.

The bird and cat blocks are 4 1/2" x 5 1/2".  The pumpkin and basket are 4 1/2" square.  

That's it for now.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend.

Hugs, Cathy