Things have moving slowly this month. Didn't know if I would make it or not. I spent Monday pin basting Floribunda and Baby Trips. Yesterday I machine quilted Floribunda and last night I sewed down the binding. I am happy to say I have finished one UFO.
This is going to be our picnic quilt. It looks so much better in person. It is not my favorite quilt but it is finished.
Here is a peek at the backing....
I saved some of the backing fabric. Now I need to think of a project for it.
Today I am hoping to get Baby Trips quilted. Maybe I will be able to show you another finish tomorrow.
Tiger game was rained out yesterday. It has been raining steady all morning so I won't be surprised to see another rain out.
Hope the sun is shining in your neck of the woods. Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs, Cathy
I felt like I lost my focus. So I took it easy for a day and no sewing. I read and read and watched movies. It wasn't much time away from sewing but it helped.
I guess I spent so much time with the block with Y seams that I felt frustrated and unproductive. So I put the block up. I haven't given up, but I need to work on other things. I will definitely get back to it and you will see the most stunning block. Until then.....
I finished my Floribunda Quilt Top.
I kept the red block because I feel the focus of the quilt is on the yellows and golds. I rearranged the blocks and started the design in the upper left corner. It is different...still not sure how I feel about this quilt...but the top is finished and it will be a picnic quilt when all is said and done.
DH and I went to JoAnn's today. I was looking for some backing fabric for this quilt. I fell in love this fabric.
For some reason I have been choosing large florals for backings. This was a little more than I usually pay. Regular price $9.99 a yard. I had a coupon but couldn't use it as this was on sale. I ended up paying $6.99. Now I need to wash it and get this quilt finished.
I also finished the quilt top for my Baby Trip Around the World.
I made it using Bonnie Hunter's directions. However I cut my strips at 2" wide which made a 10" block. Instead of making it scrappy I used the same 6 fabrics for each block. I love how it turned out. While at JoAnn's I looked for a backing fabric but couldn't find anything I like. Will look again another day.
A few things I've been working on but do not have anything to show are:
1. Pat Sloan Quilt from her new book "New Ideas for Applique" has a quilt that is excellent for a BOM. She is starting it this month with Aprils block. I should have it done in a day or two.
2. I've been making quilt labels and sewing them onto the back of recently finished quilts. I had so many small finishes the last couple of months that they are starting to stack up.
3. I chose the quilt I want to make for the Small Quilt Talk quilt swap. I've been in touch with the quilter I am swapping with and I have chosen an appliqued quilt with scrappy blocks. All I have done is traced the applique pieces to freezer paper. I have until the end of May to finish it.
As I sit and write this post I am watching the Tigers play the Blue Jays. It is cold, it is raining and the Tigers are winning. Let's hope it lasts.
My son posted on facebook a picture of a weather map. He lives in the Upper Peninsula. The map shows they are expecting snow....like 1" - 2" an hour. Last week he still had 3 feet of snow. So I guess I won't complain too much about our 30 - 40 degree weather and rain.
Hope you have sunshine where you are. Thanks for stopping by and spending some time.
Hugs, Cathy
P.S. I want to thank everyone for their suggestions for the Y seam block. I will use each and everyone of them when I decide to try it again.
Yesterday I spent time in the sewing room working on my March pieced block for the Sentimental Stitches Almost Amish BOM. It wasn't pretty. Have you ever seen a grown woman cry over a quilt block....well I did. I'm always showing you something I am proud of. Well here is something I am not so proud of.
It is hard to see from the picture but the Y seams are buckled and the block is definitely not square. I really don't think Y seams are my thing. So back to the drawing board on this block....maybe I will do a totally different block.
The second project I worked on was my Floribunda quilt.
I made some more blocks...and guess what...I still don't like it. But I think it will make a great picnic quilt. And I think I will use this quilt to practice some free motion quilting. I might rethink that red block. I'm going to have to look and see if I have anymore florals.
One good thing about yesterday...the Detroit Tigers won. Yes...they beat the Yankees. So far in the series they have won both games. We will see what today brings.
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful day.
Hugs, Cathy
This is the latest EQ7 BOM. I worked on it after I did my last post. After I made it I put all the blocks from this BOM on the design wall.
I really like how these blocks are looking. Can't wait to finish this one.
The latest Barbara Brackman CV BOW. I was going to try an easier way but I really liked the way the stripes looked.
I was asked to show all my Floribunda blocks that I finished. 13 all together. You know it is funny how they look so different in person than they do in a picture.
Today I played around and did a border on my Follow Your Bliss Quilt-a-Long. I was going to make log cabin blocks but really didn't want to do paper piecing for this. I like how this one works. I'm working on this with Sarah Vee @ Sew Joy (a link is on my side bar).
The heat has been terrible here. Then last night we had rain, today we had rain, and now it is cooler but still high humidity. Hope it is comfortable where ever you may be.
Just heard that my Nephew Nate who is stationed in Germany with his wife Ashley and adorable son Talin are expecting there second son. Now I can start the baby quilt.
So as always, I wish you a quilty day.
Hugs, Cathy
Go Detroit Tigers!!!!
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
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
A Primitive home that is. Here is my house block for the Primitive Primer. When I sewed the first couple of rows together I goofed...so I pulled out a quilters best friend (seam ripper) and redid the rows. Then I goofed again. I cut sections wrong... so now the door is on the left side of the house instead of the right side. But I do love how it turned out. Now I have to start work on the vase of flowers applique blocks. This has been soooo much fun.
I also got 3 more bow tie blocks made and 3 more Floribunda blocks. Hoping to get more done today but not sure.....
You see I have a house guest for the weekend. And he is a demanding guest. He wanted to go for a walk as soon as he got here. For such a tiny little fellow Bear (yes his name is Bear) dragged me down the sidewalk. I almost had run to keep up with him. He follows me where ever I go. I am so afraid he will get lost in my sewing room, he could end up in a quilt.
The weather is wonderful, sun is shinning, slight breeze and just plain beautiful. And the count down is on. NINE days till I leave on vacation. I can't wait.
Wishing you a quilty day.
Hugs, Cathy
"Floribunda". Don't you just love how the name rolls off the tong. This quilt comes courtesy of Bonnie Hunter. She figured out the pattern for an antique quilt and then posted the directions on her blog and on her website. It is done in yellows and florals. I am using all kinds of yellows, some plain, some checks, some florals..... Check it out and then come play along. It is soooo easy to make. I'm going to make 2 blocks a day till I like the size of the quilt.
My Primitive Primer is coming along very nicely. I started sewing sections together.
Today I am going to work on the house block. Then I just have the Starburst block and the Vase with Flowers. Last but not least the appliqued border.
Here is the latest Barbara Brackman Block.
I was originally going to call this post...."Really, I mean Really?" But while reading blogs last night I came across my friend Em's blog and that was the title she chose....lol. She tells a nice story that I am part of. I emailed her and told her how much I loved her story about "Story Quilts". She emailed me back saying she was thinking of me and checked her email and there was an email from me. Can't wait to see her next story quilt. Clue: It has something to do with "Big Girl Pants" aka: Me. Check out her blog "Em Celebrates". A link to her blog is on my sidebar.
Now the reason I was going to call my post Really is.....I've been thinking of all the projects I'm working on and I signed up for another....Really"? Here they are. Not in any particular order.
- Bunny Hill BOM
- EQ BOM
- Barbara Brackman Civil War Blocks (weekly)
- Farmer's Wife Quilt-a-long.
- 15 Minutes Play BOM
- 15 Minutes Play Block Bee (starting in September)
- Primitive Primer
- Floribunda
- Log Cabin Bow Ties
- Regular Bow Ties
These are the ones I am actively working on. I really want to start the Kaleidoscope blocks and I have just signed up for a Blog Hop quilt-a-long starting this month hosted by Sew Joy. Her link is on my side bar.
You know I can't understand why my husband is so concerned about housework and meals... doesn't he know my art comes first....lol Maybe I should cut back on my projects....Nah!
Hope you all had a safe and wonderful 4th of July weekend. I did but I am soooo looking forward to my vacation in a couple of weeks. We are going to my beloved Upper Peninsula to visit my Son, Daughter-in-Law and granddaughter.
Wishing you a quilty day and thanks for stopping by.
Hugs, Cathy
