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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back From Vacation

Had a wonderful time and so glad to be home.  We go back in 2 1/2 weeks to house sit but this time just me and hubby.

Got some squishy's in the mail while I was gone.  The balance of my blocks from the New Bee Block Swap I belong to  on 15 Minute Play.

I'm going to make a few more blocks and sash them in white.  I really like these blocks,

Hope your weekend has been a good and that you are keeping cool.  I'm off to go play in my sewing room.  I so missed it.

Hugs, Cathy

Going on Vacation

We leave tomorrow to go to the Upper Peninsula to visit my son and his family.  We are going to take my granddaughter Cassidy so she can visit with her cousin Ashley.

This is what they looked like 2 years ago.  They have both grown so much.  I will post a picture of this duo next week to show how much they have grown.  We always have such a good time when we visit.

Last week I showed you the blocks I designed for my New Bee swap on 15 Minutes Play.  Well here are the first set of blocks I have received.  I am going to make some more so I can have a large quilt.  I think I am going to use white sashing between the blocks.  All these blocks are made from made fabric.  We have taken all our scraps, sewn them together and then cut them into our patterns.  I thought this would make me use up my scraps but they seem to multiply instead.  lol

Weather here is beautiful hope it is the same tomorrow when we cross the Mackinaw Bridge.  I will be sure to post pictures of our time up north.

BTW...I finished my latest Scrap Squad quilt.  Just waiting to hear when it will be posted on Quilty Pleasures Blog (Quiltmaker Magazine).  As soon as I hear something I will let you know.

Hugs, Cathy

Swealtering in Michigan

Boy is it hot.  And even hotter in my sewing machine.  Even though I had my husband put a room air conditioner in here....trying to machine quilt a large quilt is hot business.  I have been working on my Scrap Squad quilt and am about 3/4 of the way done.  I should be able to show it to you in a week or two.

Meanwhile, I just wrote up a tutorial for my NewBee Swap block for July over at 15 Minutes Play.  Hope on over and check it out.

Here is what it looks like finished.

Keep cool and happy quilting,

Cathy

So Much Done....

First of all a question.  What do you think of my new header picture?  It reminds me of the end of summer.
I've been busy this last week.

This is September's EQ7 BOM.  It was a difficult block that I made easier by dividing up the block into squares and triangles. 

Here is the nine blocks all together.  It is going to be a nice wall hanging when its done.

I got behind on my Barbara Brackman CW Blocks.  Now I'm up to date. 

I really love the 15 minutes play BOM.  I ran out of cheddar and bought some new fabric.  It is slightly different but I think it will work.  This is the Anvil block.  Victoria posted a tutorial for the block on the 15 minutes play blog.  The link is on my side bar.

Here is Cowen's quilt.  I just finished sewing down the binding this morning and had to hang it up to get a picture.  I love how it turned out.  I machine quilted in the ditch on the pieced blocks and had quilted either a heart or star in the plain blocks.  I backed it with some flannel fabric.  Now we await the arrival of Cowen.

I've mentioned before that I belong to a group called "Quilters, Books and Bindings".  We are all reading the same book and then we are making a quilt from some aspect of the book.  The book is The Lover's Knot by Clare O'Donohue.  It takes place in a town on the shores of the Hudson River.  In the book there is a scene along the river where the main character in the book is re-proposed to .  This is what my quilt is based on.  I made it small so I can kill two birds with one quilt.  When I'm done it will be my September AAQI quilt.

And finally.....

I'm changing out my quilts again.  I love this Log Cabin quilt.  I was given a ton of strips from a quilting friend.  At the time my daughter, Kim, was just starting to sew so I offered them to her.  She declined by saying you can't make anything from them.  Well I just had to prove her wrong.  This is what I came up with.  You know my scraps are getting bigger so I think it is time to make another Log Cabin quilt. 

I hope you have had a nice time visiting with me today.  I've enjoyed sharing. 

Wishing you a quilty weekend.

Hugs, Cathy

A Happy Quilter Indeed

I'm the happiest when I'm sitting at my sewing table happily sewing away.

As you may or may not know I am a contributing member of the 15 minutes play blog.  We are doing a BOM using made fabric.

This is the latest block.  See Saw.

Flower pot block.

I took this picture prior to making the see saw block.  I still have to make the triangle block.  I love how these blocks are coming together.  Not sure how I will put them together yet.  Each block is 12".

Victoria at 15 minute play asked if we would make a block for a charity quilt.

I chose the flower pot.  We are to use bright colors and a green background.  Anyone who knows me well knows I do not have a lot of bright colors in my stash.  I am more a country colors kinda girl.  But I think it turned out nice.   It is now on its way to Victoria.

I am all caught up on my Barbara Brackman CW BOW.  I tried, oh how I tried but I just couldn't get that Y seam done right.  So I did HST's.  I feel you need to enjoy what you are doing and I just couldn't doing the Y seam.

Now for some strange reason I had NO PROBLEM with this block at all.  I printed the pattern on freezer paper, ironed it on the fabric, cut it out and sewed it together in about a half hour.  Usually I sew this block by hand, but today felt brave enough to do it on the machine.  I love it.  But I will probably do it over again in different colors.

I have my AAQI  quilt,  "Midnight Garden" all machine quilted and just need to sew down the binding.  Once done I will post a picture.

Wishing you a quilty day.

Hugs, Cathy

Playing Catch Up Again and AAQI Auction

Before I start showing my recent projects I want to remind you today starts the AAQI Auction.  As you know I have been making quilts for AAQI.    They recently sold this quilt I made, HUGS AND KISSES.

This quilt was dedicated to my Cousin Jack.  I recently found out that the quilt was bought by his daughter Judy.  It made me cry.  Anyway...I just wanted to remind you about the auction.  So either make a quilt or buy a quilt.  It is truly a worthy cause.

I took hand applique projects with me on vacation and never got a thing done.  And now that I'm home the heat and humidity has been horrible.  And as you know Cathy don't do heat and humidity.  I turn beet red and am soaking wet all the time.

But ha ha....I do have air conditioning in the bedroom and my sewing room is directly across from it.  So I put a sheet up in the hallway opened both doors and put a fan in between.  I must say it worked.  My sewing room is now air conditioned (at least until I get the next electric bill, lol)  Necessity is the mother of invention.

Now to Quilty stuff.

I made these 2 blocks for the 15 minute play BOM.  I'm having so much fun making fabric, cutting it up and making blocks.  2 down and 2 to go.

I made 2 more Floribunda blocks.  That makes a total of 12. 

Here are 2 of the latest Barbara Brackman CW blocks. 

I signed up for a quilt-a-long called "Follow your Bliss"  with Sarah V. at SewJoy.  Her blog is on my side bar.  Of course this started the first day of my vacation so I am playing catch up again.  Looking forward to making a sweet quilt to hang on my sewing room wall.

That's it for show.  Now for tell.  I've got the background block for July's Bunny Hill BOM and have all the pieces prepped to start appliqueing.  I have the directions printed out for the current Barbara Brackman CW block and printed up the rotary cutting directions for the August EQ BOM.  So I will be busy today. (In my nice air conditioned sewing room)

Wishing you a quilty day, not too hot and not too humid.

Hugs, Cathy

SO MUCH DONE, SO MUCH TO SHOW AND A GIVEAWAY

I sewed the sections of the house block together for my Primitive Primer.  It's really coming together.  I will be working on the vase of flowers while on vacation.

This is my Hybrid Tea Rose from the 15 Minutes Play BOM series.  Although there are more than one block per month.  They just posted the tutorial for the next block.  It is fantastic.  Check out the blocks and tutorials.  15 Minute Play link is on my side bar.

I now have 10 Floribunda blocks done.  They are all a combination of yellows/golds and florals.  I hope to make enough for a full size quilt.  All different yellows and florals.  Thank you Bonnie Hunter.

The latest Barbara Brackman CW block.  This is the last of ongoing projects.  Now for old and new finishes.

This is a quilt that was years in the making.  I took a class many moons ago with Margaret Miller.  I first saw her on Simply Quilts and loved what she made.  The class was called "Strips That Sizzle".  I was new to quilting and wanted to try everything.  I made all the blocks at the class she taught.  Then the blocks went in a box.  Years later while living up north taking care of Dad my hubby brought me these blocks he found.  Waa Laa....the finished project.  I just put this one up in my living room today.

I think I've showed this one before.  I pulled it out to celebrate the warm weather.  I designed this quilt from orphan blocks.  Please excuse how it looks....I didn't know it was so wrinkly until I looked at the photo.  I definitely need to iron it. 

Last but not least....this undisclosed quilt will be mailed from an undisclosed location to an undisclosed person....LOL   I will show you the complete quilt after it is mailed.   Can't show it now as the person it is going to reads this blog. 

Now before I leave I want to tell you about a new book and a great giveaway.  Mary Lou Weidman's new book "Out of the Box with easy blocks" has been released.  You can read about it here on her blog.  The giveaway is from Em at Em Celebrates.  She has some great fabric she is giving away.  So go over and leave a comment.

Well today I will be getting some projects ready to take on vacation.  Probably won't get much done but it will be there if I have the time.   Tomorrow I pack the suit cases and we get up early Sunday morning to leave for the Upper Peninsula.  My son lives in Marquette which is on Lake Superior.  Can't wait. 

I will probably post vacation pictures while up there as I will be taking my computer.  I just have to keep up with my blogs.

Wishing you a quilty day filled with sunshine.

Hugs,Cathy

Hot and Humid in Michigan

Rain yesterday, more rain this morning and now it is very humid.  But it won't stop me from sewing....lol

Here is the latest 15 Minute Play BOM.  "Courthouse Steps"    I plan on embroidering the name of the BOM, my name, and the date finished on this block.  I love making fabric from scraps. 

The latest Barbara Brackman CW block. 

This is Block 13 of the Farmers Wife quilt.  I draw the blocks up on EQ5 and then print up the rotary cutting instructions.  I made the mistake of printing up the instructions for an 8" block and didn't realize it till I was finished.  So I reprinted instructions for a 6" block.  Now I have one to go with my CW blocks and one for FW blocks.

Today I plan on finishing up blocks 14-16.

And finally......Drum roll Please.......

My granddaughter Cassidy turns "9" today.  Hubby had the day off yesterday and was able to go to his first Cassidy baseball game.  She went 4 for 4. 

Happy Birthday Cassidy....We love you.

So I'm off to my sewing room...  Hope you are able to do something quilty today.

Hugs, Cat

FNSI

I love these Friday Nights....I plan ahead and have lots to do.

This is my 15 Minutes Play block.  I started out by making fabric from scraps.  I drew the block up using EQ5 and printed up the rotary cutting instructions.  There are 4 blocks so far on the 15 Minutes Play Blog.  This is number 3.

Because of a swap I was involved in the the 15 Minutes Play Blog I got to be friends with Emily at "Em Celebrates"  (A link is on my sidebar on my Blog List.  Go check it out.  She does such beautiful free motion quilting.  Because of our friendship she has pushed me to try FMQ.  I did my first 12" block of practicing my FMQ.  I sent pictures to Emily and she posted them on her blog.  In case you read it I am "Big Girl Pants". 

So last night I sandwiched a 12" block, picked out a variegated thread and started playing.  I think my favorite is the flowers in the left hand corner.  Here are some close up pictures.

After I finished playing I attached some binding.  I like to use up scraps of binding.  It didn't take long at all.

I was up late watching the Detroit Tigers loose.  So I spent part of that time prepping the angel block for the Primitive Primer.

It was a long game and started late as it was in Colorado.  So I was happy to get a lot done.

I hope you had a good Friday Night Sew In and share all your project.  Wishing you a quilty weekend.

Hugs, Cat

What Fantastic Weather

Sorry to go on and on about the weather but I've been enjoying it.  More on that later....

The latest Barbara Brackman CW block.  One of the few projects I'm actually keeping up with.

This is my latest Alzheimer's quilt.  I used the 15 minutes play method.  I made this quilt in about a half hour.  It is all sandwiched and I plan on hand quilting it today.  You might remember the last quilt I made for Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative..."Scraps of Hope".  I'm happy  to say that it sold for $40.00.   If you can... make a quilt, if you can't... buy a quilt.  It all goes for a great cause.   Click here to see all the wonderful quilts made for this cause.

Now back to the weather.  It was so nice out yesterday.  Hubby and I went out to Stoney Creek Metro Park.  We stopped and picked up Subway and had a picnic.  But first we walked.

We walked along Stoney Creek.  It was a nice shady walk, at first.  Then we walked in the sunshine.  Very hot and a good workout.

We saw some wonderful wild flowers.  And I had a devil of time getting a picture of this dragon fly.  Most of my pictures were of just the greenery. 

When we got home I went out in the backyard and found that my peonies had blossomed.  These flowers mean a lot to me.  They came from my parents home up north.  After Dad passed away and we were clearing out the house we decided to dig up the peonies.  These plants were transplanted from every home my parents lived in...  They would be very happy to know that they are with me now.

Wishing you a quilty day and lots of sunshine.

Hugs, Cat