Yippee

I can't believe it.  After 5 years Henrietta Whiskers is finally done.  The last quilting stitch was done on Tuesday night.  The binding was finished last night.  I got up early this morning and put her in the washer and dryer.  And now....

I quilted around the applique and then cross hatched the balance of the quilt.  It is now hanging on the wall in the living room.  Hubby says it is his favorite quilt.  So glad to have this quilt finally finished.

I received the patterns for January's blocks for the Cabot Cuties II BOM.  Here are blocks 1-11.

These blocks finish at 4 1/2". 

Hubby and I are going for a ride today, out to lunch, antiquing and visiting a few quilt shops.  Hope you have something fun scheduled for today.

Hugs, Cathy

2016 Starts...

With a flurry of stitches.

I finished the last block for my Old Voices, New Impressions quilt.

I did my open wreath a little different from the original.  With the final block finished I decided to cut the sashing and cornerstones together and start putting the quilt together.

I chose a light blue fabric for the sashing.  The border fabric is a darker version of this color.  I still need to cut the inner border out of the same blue.  Then I can add the final border.  I'm not doing the scallop border.  I am really happy with the way this is looking.  I'm so glad Karen suggested us making this quilt, otherwise I don't think I would have made it.

I also have be working on my flannel tumbler quilt.

The top is now finished.  I purchased some flannel for the back and it is pieced together.  I just need to iron it and I can get this quilt pin basted.  I chose a thin batting as the thickness of the flannels would be a bit much with a thicker batting.

I started the 365 Blocks.  I get a pattern each day for a new pattern.  Here are the first 5 plus a challenging block.  I am saving the patterns and working on 5 at a time.  So far so good.

This cold or should I say frigid weather we have been experiencing is keeping me inside and in my sewing room.  So I'm getting lots done.  During the day I sew blocks and in the evening I have been trying to finish up the hand quilting on my Henrietta Whiskers quilt.  This quilt has been years in the making.  I think I started it in 2010 or 2011?  It was a free block of the month by Bunny Hill.  I stopped working on it but printed up the patterns.  Started working on it again in 2012.  Finally finished the top in 2013.  Starting hand quilting in cold weather only and am proud to say I will finally have finished it this year.

This is a photo before I started quilting it.  Hopefully at the end of the month I can show you a photo of the finished quilt.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Have a great day.

Hugs, Cathy

A Year Of Finishes

At least that is what I hope it will be.  I want to finish old projects and if I start a new on it will get finished right away....maybe....lol

Last night I finished hand quilting another block of my Henrietta Whiskers quilt. That makes 7 total.  Tonight I plan on quilting around the figures of the last two blocks.  The plan is to finish this quilt this month.


Last year I signed up to join Huckleberry Stitches to make a mini quilt a month.  Sadly I wasn't too good at keeping up.  New year new resolve.  This year each month we will be making a quilt from the book "101 Fabulous Small Quilts".  The first quilt is called "Box of Chocolates".

I finished the quilt top yesterday.  It will measure at 14 x 21.  Today I plan on getting it machine quilted and up on my living room wall.  


If you remember I was a member of Quiltmaker's Scrap Squad.  Well Paula Stoddard of Quiltmaker Magazine contacted me about a new free monthly quilt blocks they are starting in January.  Each month they will give directions for a 3"-4" block.  

The first block has been published on the Quilty Pleasures blog.  The first block is an adorable 3" Bow Tie block.  This is going to be so much fun.  I hope you will join in and I will share my blocks at the end of the month.


Well I just got done un-decorating the Christmas Tree.  I usually get it done on New Years Day but since I had that lingering cold I didn't get to it till today.  By the way I am feeling MUCH better.

Speaking of Christmas.....We got this Christmas card from our Son and Daughter-in-law (they live in Virginia).

It didn't come as a complete surprise as they called us before hand.  But I think it was a wonderful way to announce it to friends and family.  They know it is going to be a girl and have chosen the name Ella.

So naturally I will be making a baby quilt.  I have the pattern and fabrics.  Now I just need the time to work on it.  LOL

I'm typing this in my sewing room ready to start working on Box of Chocolates.  I have one of my favorite old movies on "Unconquered" starring Gary Cooper and Paulette Goddard.  Love my old movies.

I hope you stay warm and get to spend some time doing what you love.

Hugs, Cathy

Going Camping and the Giveaway

Going camping for a few days or more.  I want to remind you about the giveaway.  You can leave a comment on the previous post or this post.  Just let me know that you are a follower.  Get a second chance if you blog about it.

I've already picked out what quilt I'm going to make.  I'll show you when we get back.

While we are gone I'm going to be working on getting some more hand quilting done on this quilt.

Hugs, Cathy

One Down Three to Go...

I had chosen 3 UFOs to work on for the month of February.

1.  Make 10 Log Cabin Bow Tie Blocks. So far I have 5 made for a total of 31.
     Only 89 to go...lol

2.  Get my Autumn Plus Quilt quilted.  I finally got the backing pieced.  Will
     sandwich it this weekend.

3.  Finish the applique on my Henrietta Whiskers Quilt.....Ta Da!!

I added my initials and the year.  Hopefully this will get sandwiched this weekend and then I can start hand quilting it.  So I'm doing pretty good with my list.  I'm already thinking of what UFOs to work on next month.


Yesterday we went to Lake St. Clair Metro Park.  Should have gone today because it is bright and sunny out.  Yesterday it was very gray out.  But we had a nice walk.

They were out ice fishing on the lake.  And as you can see we weren't the only ones walking dogs.  Sammie barked at the St. Bernard.  If he would have barked back I know she would have hidden behind us.

After walking the board walk we drove over by the boat launching area.  We usually see swans over there and today was no exception.

This pair was between us and the Island.  They are so beautiful and serene.

About 100 feet away in the canal we found another pair of swans as well as some ducks.

We almost missed seeing them as they blended so well with the ice.

They swam over to the other side of the canal.  Then the one swan spied a duck and didn't like the looks of him.  The chase was on.

As quickly as the chase began it quit.  I guess the swan had better things to do.

I hope you enjoyed by walk at the park and the swans.  I really love watching them.

I hope you are having a wonderful and productive week.

Hugs, Cathy

The Sun is Shining...

And the snow is melting....But this is the quiet before the storm.  We are suppose to get 3" to 4" of snow tomorrow.  It's okay by me.  I won't be going anywhere.  I've been stuck in the house with a horrible head cold.  If it wasn't for Day-Quil or Nite-Quil I wouldn't be able to function.  I got a little bit of sewing done the last couple of days.

1.  3 Log Cabin Bow Tie Blocks (February UFO Busting)

2.  Patchwork Posse Round Robin...Row 1

Can you believe I signed up for another sew-a-long?  Yeah, I believe it too.  I am such a sucker for sew-a-longs.  

3.  Okay I am also doing a Mystery Mystery.  Nothing to show because I just picked out fabrics and did the cutting.

4.  And then there is the Block of the Month Sampler Quilt from Joined at the Hip....I just couldn't resist.

These are January and February's blocks.  

5.  I have the rest of the applique pieces basted on my Henrietta quilt.  I am going to work on it tonight.  (February UFO Busting).

So for now I'm going to snuggle down in my easy chair and if I can get Sammie to take a nap in her bed and not my lap I may get some applique done.  

Hugs, Cathy

January is Flying By....

I can't believe how fast January flew.  Maybe because I've been so busy.  I have a few projects to show you.

Another finish....  I started this last year, I couldn't even tell you when.  I hand quilted it using black quilting thread.  I really like how the quilting looks in the border.

I got all my blocks finished for my Henrietta Whiskers done and sewn together.  I'm really happy with the way it is looking.  Today I plan on adding the top and bottom applique borders.  Then I have to trace and baste the birds and stars on them.

The light wasn't too good for this picture.  It looks washed out.  But...would you believe I started another BOM.  This one is at Country Threads.  It is going to be a sampler quilt.  I found it on Pinterest.  It is my new favorite place to play.

Our dog Sammie is doing so much better.  She finally has her energy back.  Maybe too much...lol   Yesterday she ran around the house throwing her rawhide bone around.  Then she climbed up on the couch...

...and fell asleep with the bone in her mouth.

I hope you are having a great day and thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy