AWOL

Well, maybe not Absent Without Leave but last month I was certainly absent. Last month I had some issues.  One day I bent over and when I sat up I had the biggest floaters in my eyes and was seeing bright bits of light.  I went to the eye doctors for an exam.  Nothing too bad...but I needed new glasses.  I had also had lots of eye watering so it's been difficult to sew at times.  The doctor noticed a skin tag on my eyelid that has changed since my last exam.  So off to the eye surgeon.  He said it had to be removed.  So this Friday I will have the growth removed and biopsied.  

Next up was my annual Mammogram.  Well it's been longer than a year.  Any way they saw something on my right breast.  They wanted to compare films from my last one.  However, they closed that facility and the films are in storage and no one can find them...go figure.  So tomorrow I have to have another Mammogram and an Ultrasound.  I'm not too worried about it.

Since I have had visual problems it has taken me longer to get some things done.  But here we go...

Up first my Front Porch block for July.  I missed the link up at Humble Quilts.

I wish I had chosen a different green for more contrast but I'm still happy with this block.


I am way behind on my Cabot Cuties.  Hopefully I can get caught up this month.

I do enjoy making these blocks.  These blocks are 4 1/2" finished.


1857 Sampler

You may notice that I haven't added the corner diamonds on any of my blocks. I'm going to try and figure out a different way of putting these blocks together.

This is my Westering Women block.  

Well that is it as far as sewing goes.  We did get to go to our annual Detroit Tigers game with my daughter Kelley and her hubby Chris.  It has been so hot here that I was afraid I would melt in the heat.  We lucked out.  It was a beautiful night and the Tigers won.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you have a great day and get to enjoy some nice weather like we are.

Hugs, Cathy

BOM's

I'm still trying to catch up on my Cabot Cuties and wouldn't you know I got a sew of new patterns today.  So now I need to catch up quicker....LOL

The majority of these blocks are paper pieced.  They finish at 4 1/2"  I've got 3 blocks set aside because they are really difficult.  I'm saving them for a day when I have nothing else to do.


I also finished a couple of 1857 Sampler blocks.

The leaf block was suppose to be 4 separate leaves.  I made it all one piece.

This is the 2nd block for the Red and Green quilt that is designed b Legend and Lace.

Junes block for the Sugar Club BOM.  I may redo it as the top of the leaf doesn't have enough contrast.


Last Saturday we went to Ann Arbor to visit my grandson Brian and his fiance Jess.  They took us out to lunch and then to visit the Botanical Gardens.  I'm sharing a few of the photos I took.  Too many to show at one time.

Brian among the Cacti

Jess among the Cacti

They had a tropical room and a desert room.  These are the desert plants.

 Agave

So much beauty there.  Next time I'll share some more photos from the tropical room.  I also have some from outdoors.  I really love this place.  We are planning to go back again in the fall to see more.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

Happy Memorial Day

A few days early but the weekend is here.

We went camping last weekend...another baseball tournament.  But guess what no pictures.  Spent the majority of the weekend walking.  My daughters and myself have fitbits and they keep challenging me.  I always loose but my step count keep rising.

I have a few things to show you.

I finished 2 of the 4 1857 Sampler blocks for May...2 to go and the month is almost over.

This is the May block for the Sugar Club BOM.  Paper pieced.

Last months Westering Women block.  I'm hoping to get the current block done this weekend.


I don't know about where you are but here it is soooo hot.  When we were camping Sunday was so cold we had to put the furnace on in the camper to take the chill off.  We came home Monday and the temps were the complete opposite.


Speaking of Monday...my sugar levels had been in the 300's so I went to the doctors.  They gave me a few explanations.  One was that I was walking so much that my body was breaking down fat which released sugar into my system.  The second reason is I wasn't eating correctly.  I now am eating every 2 hours.  Smaller meals and 3 snacks a day.  And guess what...it is working.  My sugar levels are now under 200 and getting lower everyday.  I also lost 3 lbs.  Bonus!!!


I have finished my Gweenie Inspired Medallion center block.  I can't wait to show it to everyone.  If you look in the upper right had side of my blog you will see a button that Lori designed for us.  If you are joining in on the fun go to her Blog - Humble Quilts and grab the button.  Soon the center blocks and the design for the next round will be revealed.  


I also joined in one the "Front Porch"  quilt sew along with Lori.  Finished my block while camping.  Hope you are joining in too.


Thanks for stopping by and have a safe and happy Memorial Day.


Hugs, Cathy

Feeling So Much Better

For the first time in months I have energy.  I actually feel like doing something rather than just sitting all day.

We are going to be going camping a couple of times next month with my daughter and her family.  My granddaughter is going to be playing in a couple of baseball tournaments and it's easier to camp than drive back and forth everyday.  Sunday Terry and I decided to take a ride out to the first campground and check it out.  We hadn't been there before.  We were really happy with the campsite we are at.  So looking forward to camping.

Meanwhile back at the ranch....

I've been working on a few projects.

First up my 1857 Sampler Quilt.  Here are Aprils blocks 11-14.  I am so happy with the way they turned out.  It took me so long to learn how to do needle turn applique and I'm loving it.  I thought the floral block was going to be hard but I got it done in 2 nights while watching Tiger baseball.


I've been wanting to start another applique project for a while.  It is the Red and Green quilt designed by Wendy Wellum at Legend and Lace that she offers for free.  She started posting patterns in January and just posted May's early.
So I printed up the 5 patterns and started January's block.

This one is call Clover and Spades.  The only problem I had with this block is I used a stiff fabric and had a hard time turning the edges under.  But I pretty happy with how it turned out.  Today I'm going to start on February's block.


Next month I am going to be starting a new project.  I'm joining Lori at Humble Quilts in making Jan Patek's  pattern called Front Porch.  It is a 10 month BOM and that is what we are going to be doing...one block a month.  A few of us are doing it and have just ordered the pattern.  We will be starting in about a month.  

Well today our skies are overcast and it's been raining steadily.  Good day to sew.  Our dog Sammie has an appointment at the hair dresser..LOL..for a shampoo, cut and nails.  Can't wait to see her finished.

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Cathy

Sewing Marathon

I have spent the last 3 days happily sewing in my sewing room.  I still need to get some pictures taken so I'll show more tomorrow.

I spent my evenings doing hand applique.  I have 2 of the 4 March blocks for the 1857 Sampler Quilt.

I have to say I wasn't too pleased when I saw these blocks.  But I'm happy with my rendition.

Even though it doesn't look like it the pieces are centered.  I did a bad job cropping them.  It is taking me a bit longer to get the blocks done because I am doing needle turn applique.

Here are my blocks for Cheri Payne's Scrap Basket Sew Along.  She is so generous with her talent.  I know there is going to be some applique too.  My favorite.


I am finishing up some applique on another Cheri Payne quilt....when done I'll have some more pictures to show you.


Today the sun is shining.  It is a little cool out.  My daughter Kelley and I are going to start walking on her lunch hour.  There is a park near her work that has a nice walking trail.  So everyday I will meet her there and we will walk...time to get into shape.


So glad that we finally have some nice weather.  My son Patrick who lives in the Upper Peninsula is having terrible weather.  SNOW....3-4 inches every other day.  And I have some great news....my granddaughter Ashley (the hockey player) and her team went to Alpena this month for the State Finals for hockey.  Guess what?  The won.  They are the State Champs for their region.

They were so excited.  My son told me they went by bus.  On the way home when they came into Munising they were met by local and State police.  They were escorted all the way home picking up more police.  And there was a huge crowd of people waiting for them at the Ice Arena at NMU.  I am so proud of them.  They did not let a single goal against them and my granddaughter scored a goal and assisted in a goal.  I'm proud of my son too.  He is one of the coaches.


Thanks for stopping by.  Hope to have a few more photos for you in a couple of day.

Hugs, Cathy

Did I Say Spring?

Snow, ice, sleet, and slush.  Not what I call Spring.  The weather here is so strange.  But snow and cold makes for good sewing weather.

I have a finish.

I quilted it just doing vertical lines.  I finished the binding today and then put it in the washer and dryer.  I'm calling it "Gray Skies Churning".  This is going to be a Christmas gift.  One down and many more to go.

Here are my 1857 Sampler blocks for February.  I had the first 3 done weeks ago.  I had a real problem with the circles in the 4th block.  I was in touch with Karen at Log Cabin Quilter and told her I was having a real problem with all the circles.  She suggested using cardboard template....Light Bulb.  I forgot that I had circle templates by Karen Kay Buckley.  So I pulled them out, found the correct sizes, followed the directions that came with them and I had perfect circles.  Two evenings of appliqueing and they were done.

I have been working on the Temecula Quilt Co. sew along.  Not sure if I am going further with it.  I kinda like it the way it is.  I'm going to add a final gray border and I'll be done.

Hopefully our weather will clear up tomorrow.  Hubby is going up to his parents to help clean up the snow.  I am going out to lunch with my granddaughter Alecia.  I just love it when we get together.

Have a great weekend.  And stay warm and dry.

Hugs, Cathy

February Finishes

I finally finished a small quilt that I made last year.  I was all sandwiched together and sat waiting, and waiting for me to quilt it.

 This is a pattern by Cheri Payne and it is called "Flower Basket".  I am such a fan of her.  I don't know why I had waited so long to finish it. 


I worked on my Gray Churn Dash quilt.  The blocks were finished last week and were residing on my design wall.  I really needed to clear off the design wall so I could put up a new UFO to work on.

I like how it turned out.  Next week I hope to get it pin basted and quilted.  It feels good to finish another project from last year.


I have started so many BOM's this year.  I'm trying hard to keep up.

Here is one of this months blocks for the 1857 Sampler from Sentimental Stitches.

I love working on applique in the evening.  I'm working on a second block and should have it finished tonight.

I joined in on the Sugar Block BOM.  I'm using fabric designed by Robin Pandolph.  It is soft and romantic.

This is January's block.  I'm using a soft gray for the background.

This block is almost too light.  I even replaced some fabric in it.  The yellow was a white print.  Even though it is very light I love it.

Thursday we took my Mother-in-Law out for the day.  Went to Port Huron to visit a store I love...Mary Maxims.  I always find something there.  I hadn't been there for years.  When we walked in the first thing I noticed was the store was much smaller.  I went looking for fabric.  They always carry such beautiful fabric.  But not this time.  They have all their quilting items (what little they had) on clearance for 50% off.  I managed to find 4 bolts of fabric I liked.  Bought 4 yards of 3 of them and bought the balance of the bolt (2 yards) of a stripe.  They also had Gutterman thread 50% off.  So I stocked up on some colors I needed.  I show you the fabric in a future post.

We bought Mom a new coffee pot at Meijer's and then took her out to lunch.  She had a wonderful day.  She doesn't get out much.  Dad has dementia.  Most days he is pleasant but ....  My brother-in-law lives with them but has no patience for either of them.  We plan on getting Mom out alone at least once a month.  She is already looking forward to out next day out.

Another overcast day today.  Hubby is off running errands so he can watch the Super Bowl later.  Speaking of the Super Bowl...seven years ago to the day the Steelers were in the Super Bowl.  They were my Dad's favorite team.  He was just diagnosed with bone cancer and didn't have long to live.  He so wanted to see the game.  We moved a TV in the room so he could watch it.  Unfortunately Dad died that morning.  We miss him so much.  And will think of him tonight (even though the Steeler's won't be playing) with fond memories.

Have a great day and enjoy the game.

Hugs, Cathy

Not Sure....

I'm not sure if I like my border fabric or not on my Old Voices quilt.

It looks better in the photo than it does in person.  But still not sure. 

I started the 1857 Sampler by Sentimental Stitches.  I'm going to do a different layout.  Not sure if I like the diamonds in the corners.

I love the blocks.  I'm not using solids as I don't have many and am trying not to buy fabric right now except for backings. 

Speaking of backings.  I need one for this quilt.  I plan on finishing up some old UFO's and this one is scheduled for February.

The quilt top is finished I now need to get some fabric for the backing and binding.  I'm thinking on going with orange.

Another UFO I plan on finishing is my gray Churn Dash quilt.  I made this a while ago.

Yesterday I cut out another 6 blocks.  I'm hoping to get 20 blocks total.  These are 12" squares.  The quilt will be 4 blocks by 5 blocks.  This is also on my list for February.

I'm working on so many BOM's that won't be finished any time soon so it is nice to have some projects that I will definitely get done soon.

So I'm going out to buy some backings and then come home and get some sewing done.  I hope you have time to get some sewing done.

Hugs, Cathy