Plugging Away

I'm slowly but surely getting back into the swing of things.  Although I can fully use my right hand it gets sore if I do to much.  This will eventually go away.  I am having Carpal Tunnel done on my left hand next Monday the 10th.  Then I have to start all over again.

I finished sewing the rows of blocks for my Chain Reaction.

I love the jelly roll I used.  It is a Fig Tree fabric.  After my hand surgery I will sew the rows into a quilt top.  This is a project I started in 2014.

I'm trying to work on some of my older UFOs.

This is from a few years ago.  It's an APQ quilt along.  This is block #8.  Only 12 to go.


Another on going project.  This is a Cheri Payne pattern called Common Threads.

This is block #11.  It's the second for this block.  The first one was used in another quilt.


I've been getting the Sew Sampler Box from the FQ Shop since they started.  Each month I received a pattern for a block.  The last box I received contained the 12th block and setting instructions. 

I decided to start it.  This block is 8" and the fabric I am using if from a fabric roll of Japanese fabric.  The theme is Alice in Wonderland.

I've been working on Sally Post block #14 I don't have anything to show you.   As I said earlier I can only work on my hand work for a short time before my hands start to hurt.  This is on hold till after my left hand surgery.

Hugs, Cathy

Sunshine

It always puts me in a good mood.  Sunshine, higher temps and the little snow we got melted.  Later today we are going for a walk at Lake St. Clair Metro Park. Maybe I can take my camera and get some pics.  Till then.....


Here are some more blocks I got made for the Ohio Collection Quilt.

The first block is called Peony.  Lots of challenges with this block.  My first time doing Y seams.  Not perfect but thank goodness it is done.  The second block is Evening Star.  I love star blocks.

Here is a photo of all my finished blocks together.  I have 4 blocks to make and I will be caught up...hopefully.  The Eagle block, Pinetree block, Ohio Rose block and the basket block that Karen graciously shared with me.


Next up is Block #14 for the Common Threads Quilt by Cheri Payne.

I really love this block.  I can see a quilt made with this block.  The logs are 1/2" finished.  I used my Accuquilt Go to cut the strips.  Sooooo much easier than doing it by hand.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Now I need to get busy cutting out blocks and templates.  

Hugs, Cathy

Some Things to Share

Although feeling a little under the weather I managed to work on a few projects.

I finished the 12th block in Cheri Payne's Common Threads Quilt.

There is such a wonderful mix of blocks in this quilt.

Here are all 12 of the blocks that I have finished.  Next week I hope to start on blocks 13-16.


I got a package in the mail from Amazon the other day.  I finally got an Accuquilt Go.  I love it.  I bought the package with the extra dies.  I started working on the Huckleberry Quilts sew-along quilt for March called "Double Hourglass".  And I cut out all the pieces for the blocks using my Go.

Here are the blocks put together.  I am auditioning the fabric for the borders.  I think this one will work.  What do you think?


Yesterday we went to Lansing to watch my granddaughter Ashley play in the State Championship.  If you recall she lives in the Upper Peninsula.  My son, his wife and Ashley came down with the team in a bus.  Although I didn't get any pictures of the games I did get pictures of all the grand kids.  And all my kids.

My daughter took the pictures with her cell phone and posted them on facebook.  I copied them so the pictures are fuzzy.  Standing are my Grandson Brian (the oldest) and his girlfriend Jess (I consider her a granddaughter).  Sitting left to right is Alecia, Cassidy (the baseball player) and Ashley our hockey player.

Here is a picture of my kids.  Standing (l to r) my husband Terry, Me, Michael, Courtney (Pat's Wife) and Pat, he's the couch of Ashley's team.  Sitting is Chris (Kelley's husband), Kelley and Kim my youngest (her husband didn't come with us)

It was so great to see us all together.  Ashley's team won their first game 12-0 on Friday night.  Yesterday they won their first game of the day 8-0 and the game last night 3-1.  Today they have 2 games.  They have to win the first to play in the 2nd.  We couldn't go today so I'm waiting to hear by text how they did.

Also, my daughter Kelley and her husband Chris ran in the Corktown 5K.  Kelley has been sick with bronchitis and wasn't sure if she could run.  But she made it.

She just sent me these photos.  They both did a good job of it.

Well that's it for today as I need to finish up some projects.  I hope you are having a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

A Flimsy and a Few Small Projects

Yeah....I got all the sashing, corner stones and border done for my block swap sampler quilt done.

I apologize for the wonkyness...but its just a flimsy and didn't want to hang straight.  I had just enough of the red fabric I used in my block for the border and binding.  My block is the top left block.  I used the blue from my block for the corner stones.  It is now on the pile to be machine quilted.


I was late to the party....I just started my blocks for the sew along designed by Jeni in the willow.

This is Part 2.  I showed you Part 1 last week.  I have a photo of it in my header.

I still need to do some button hole stitching around the flower.  I needle turn appliqued the basket handle and star.

I have to embroider Love on the house.

Next I am printing up Part 3.  








I'm slowly catching up with Cheri Payne's Common Threads.  A couple of weeks ago I finished Block 9.  I had already made block 10.  Yesterday I made the 16 little log cabin blocks for block 11.  

Those little blocks were so time consuming.  This morning I put them together. I really love them.  This block is 12" finished.  Later today I hope to start on Block 12.  That will finish up this pattern pack.


We are finally getting some good weather.  By good I mean warmer temps and sunshine.  We went walking Sunday at the park....but then I came down with the flu.  This has been a lousy year for colds and flu.  I guess it would have much worse if I hadn't gotten a flu shot this year.


I hope you are enjoying good health, warm weather, sunshine and time to be creative.  Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

Weather Forcast

Cold and Sewing....

Yesterday was the first time I ventured out in a few days.  I have a Motorola Droid and a Verizon Tablet.  Both were acting up.  The battery was going bad in my phone and my tablet kept shutting down.  Well I got a new phone, Droid Maxx.  I love it.  It is so good to be able to use my apps without taking forever to download or blank out.  Turns out when I got my Tablet they downloaded everything from my phone.  Games and all.  And it took up almost all my memory.  So after deleting a bunch of things it is working fine.

Now to sewing....

I finally got the borders on this Monday Mystery.  Later today I will pin baste it so I can get ready to machine quilt it.  This is from last October.


I sewed what rows I could on my Primitive Sampler.  I had 3 applique blocks to make.  I finished one..2 to go.

I really love how the flower block turned out.  I can't wait to finish the other 2 blocks and then I can get it ready to quilt.  I think I am going to hand quilt it.  I'm going to add a smaller border in the dark gray and then a larger border using the light gray.


While getting my blocks ready I came across a block from Cheri Payne's Common Threads Quilt that just needed a little applique.

The colors don't show up well...but these are in dusty purples.  The fabric I used for the flower buds didn't cooperate to well so they look a little lumpy.


On the weight front....I have lost an additional 1 1/2 lbs.  I've not lost 8 pounds.  Pretty good considering I wasn't feeling well last week and didn't go to the gym.  I did go with my daughter last night.  Taking today off and going tomorrow.  I feel so much better and have more energy when I go.

That's it for today.  Stay warm and get some quilting done.

Hugs, Cathy

It's Been Awhile...

10 days to be exact since my last post.  I have lots to show you.

Last year I joined an Internet block swap for a block they called "Japanese X Block".  It was a disaster.  The woman who hosted it sent out changes to the list at least every other day.  The order of who to send to each month changed.  It was chaotic.  I followed the best I could.  Sent out blocks to everyone on the list.  I even sent blocks to the hostess...who BTW didn't send any out to anyone.  Some blocks were well constructed, some were slightly smaller than they were suppose to be and some had seam allowances that were 1/8".  I didn't receive blocks from everyone so I need to make about 14 blocks myself.  But low and behold I can scratch this off my June "To Do" list.

Definitely not my colors or style but it is growing on me.  My husband who likes very traditional quilts said he doesn't know why but he likes it.

With this top made I now have another project box emptied.

Do you see it.  I have a storage unit that I didn't put the doors on.  The top two shelves have my project boxes and the bottom two shelves have my sewing machines on them.  Now I get to find a new project to put in the empty box.

A few more finishes to show you.

 Another Common Threads Block.

Hip Chicks June BOM's.

Quilt Doodles BOM.  The Skates are for June.

Another Sally Post Block.  Not perfect but it is done.

Huckleberry Stitches is hosting a monthly QAL of Kathleen Tracy's quilts (with Kathy's approval).  This month was a log cabin quilt.

I finished the quilt and hand quilted it.  I just need to add the binding which I hope to do today.  I used fabrics I got in a scrap bag of CW reproduction fabrics.

We have been having some terrible storms rolling through and we expect more later today.  The humidity has been high and it has made it hard to sew...but I am bound and determined to get some more projects done.

Oh and yesterday my Amazon Fire TV came.  My son came over and set it up.  I love it.  Especially the remote that I can talk into and it brings up what I want.  I've been watching my Amazon Prime via my computer but this is so much better.

I am going to have a hectic weekend...we are dog sitting my daughter's dog.  His name is Bear and he looks very similar to our Sammie.  They get along great but love to run all over.  Sometimes I have to separate them so they will rest.  It will be interesting.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you have seen something you like or that inspires you.  I know I am inspired daily by the blogs I read.

Hugs, Cathy

May's "To Do" List

Is done......

1.  Disappearing 4 Patch  

 Once quilted this is going to my Grandson Brian's girlfriend who just graduated with a Nursing Degree.


2.  Work on Lori & Randy's QAL

 It is ready for quilting.

3.  Sugar Shack BOM

4.  Globetrotting BOM

5. Hip Chicks

6.  Country Threads BOM

7.  Quilt Doodles BOM

8.  Aurifil BOM

 9.  APQ QAL

I noticed when I was writing this post that I made an error on one of the blocks.  Can you pick it out.  I also was trying out a different sashing then the one in the original.

10.  Common Threads Series

Next month I hope to work on the next 4 blocks in the series.


I also finished the top for the "This and That" Mystery Monday quilt.  I haven't gotten a picture of it yet.  And I am working on the Pam Buda Market Day QAL.  Still need to do Fridays part.

So now I have some free time.  Tomorrow we are going to a Memorial Day Parade that my father-in-law will be in.  And I will have some time to sandwich some quilts and get some quilting done.

I hope you are enjoying your holiday weekend and thank you for stopping by.


Hugs, Cathy

We're Back....

From a week camping in the rain.  We did have a few hours a day with a bit of sunshine but mostly we had rain.  We had to set up our trailer in a thunder storm.  Both of us were soaked.  But all in all it wasn't too bad.

We took walks, went antiquing, visited some favorite quilt shops, read and watched movies.  It was very relaxing.

On one of our walks we encountered another family out walking.

They were so cute.  We left yesterday and I swear the babies doubled in size.

We had Sammie with us on our journeys and had to stop every so often for her pit stops.  At one park I came across this tree.  I was amazed how much Fungi was growing on it.

We stopped at quite a few Antique shops.  I bought a couple of different quilt blocks (I have one set to show you now), a quilt top and a quilt.  I'll show you
the quilts later.

I fell in love with these T blocks.  I figure they are from around the 1860-1900.  

Since it rained so much I had plenty of time to get some applique done.

This is the fourth block in the second set of patterns for Cheri Payne's Common Threads Series.  I am so happy with this block.

A while back I had prepped some blocks for the Sally Post Quilt.  I started block #1 and had Block #2 prepped.

These finish out at approx. 7 1/8".  Tiny pieces but I am happy with the way they look.  I have the freezer paper templates copied for blocks 3 & 4.  Just have to pick out the fabrics.  I was so terrified of applique...but then I took a class with Karen Stone and it changed my life.  I do needle turn applique (although I use a tooth pick to turn the fabric over).

The WiFi was very temperamental where we were staying so I didn't get a chance to keep up with my favorite Blogs.  So I will be spending a good part of the day doing laundry and reading blogs.

I hope you are having a great day.  Thanks so much for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

Bad Week

First I had a touch of the flu...then I carried too many grocery bags and pulled a muscle in my back.  I haven't been able to do to much but sit.  I got a little sewing done the last couple of days but yesterday was a noisy day.  I'll explain.

Last year we got new siding on our house.  It was done in January in all the bad weather.  I wasn't too impressed with the work crew...and rightly so.  Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago.  We had some extremely windy weather.  So windy that it blew all the siding off the side of the house.  Called the company...they sent someone out.  Turns out the work crew didn't use the right nails.  So they are going to replaces ALL the siding.  Yesterday they did the side that the siding blew off.  It just happens to be the wall of my sewing room.   They come back in a couple of weeks to do the other 2 sides.  Can't come next week as we are going camping....YES!!

Now for the sewing....

I have the final side half way done.  Hope to get it finished before we go camping.  Then it will be ready to quilt.


I started working on the blocks 5-8 of Cheri Payne's Common Threads series.

Top row is the first 4 blocks and the second is the next three.  The fourth block is an applique block.  I have it all prepped and ready to applique.  I will work on it while camping.

Finally....

Pam Buda's Market Day QAL.  She is giving directions in 2 different sizes.  She post's directions every Friday.

Well that is it for now.  I will try and post while camping but that's not always so easy.  Now I need to get the trailer packed and laundry done.  I can't wait to go.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs, Cathy

My Happy Place

Is my sewing room.  I've been spending some quality time in sewing room lately.  Crossing off lots of projects from my "To Do" list.

First up is my April Blocks from the Hip Chicks BOM.

The center block is going to be star points for the center medallion block.  I had to make 4 of them.  The flowers were suppose to be fusible applique. But you know me.  I had to needle turn applique them.  I almost gave up a couple of times.  They were a little too little.

Next up...I am a huge fan of Cheri Payne.  I fell in love with her Common Threads series.  Here are the first set of 4 blocks.

I have already shown you the flower pot block.  I finished the other three blocks yesterday.  I can't wait to start on the next set.


I started working on the APQ QAL blocks last month.  My goal is to make an additional 3 blocks this month.  Thereafter I want to make 4 blocks a month. Here are last months block and a block I made yesterday.

I'm so glad I decided to make all my blocks in Red and Blue.  The original quilt has every block a different color.  I was amazed to see that my reds and blues in these two blocks are so similar.  It wasn't planned.


My final project is something that was started 2 years ago.  I just kept putting it aside to work on other projects.  I felt it was time to finish it up.

Sarah Vee from Sew Joy Creations asked if anyone would like to join in a QAL. I decided to join along.  The center blocks was her design.  The rest is mine.  I plan on getting it quilted this month.  Then it will hang on my sewing room door.

Well that is it for now.  It is going to be a rainy day today so a good day for getting some more sewing done and tackle another project on my To Do list.  Mmmm.....I think I will make some more Jacob's Ladder blocks.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy