Rain, Sleet, Snow...

Repeat as needed....or not.  But that is all it has been doing for the last couple of days.

But like I've said before, it makes for a good day to stay in the sewing room.

I finished another 4 Farmer's Wife blocks.  I'm having fun making these blocks.  The book came with a CD of templates for the blocks.  However there is only one template per sheet.  That gets to be pretty expensive trying to print all the templates for each block.  So instead of using the CD I've been drawing the blocks using EQ5 and then printing up the Rotary Cutting directions.  It is more accurate than printing templates.  These are blocks 3, 4, 5 & 6.

I made another 2 blocks for my Log Cabin Bow Tie Quilt.  I have been using up so many scraps. 

 I now need to purchase some more Vellum paper (I'm out) so I can print up more foundations patterns.  I used to use light weight paper but I find vellum is easier to see through when paper piecing and it tears easier.

This morning when I was reading all the blogs I follow I saw a beautiful antique quilt on Pepper Cory's blog. (http://quiltflapper.blogspot.com/) The blocks look like they are Crazy Quilt Blocks.  In the center of each block was an appliqued folk art basket.   I've been making my own version of a crazy quilt blocks by sewing bits and pieces of fabric together.  I call them Freestyle Blocks.   I showed you 2 the other day.  Today I made another 2.  I wasn't sure what to do with them until I saw Pepper's quilt.  I think I will sew the blocks together and then do some folk art applique on the quilt.  I really like the idea of the baskets.  But we'll see.  You really need to check out her quilt.

I finally finished Sunflower Quilt #1.  I trimmed it up and sewed on the binding.  I need to sew it the back and then I'll show you the finished quilt.  And I'm finally working on the March block for Henrietta Whiskers from Bunny Hill.  With so much hand work I don't have a lot to show.

Wishing you a quilty day.

Hugs, Cat

It's a Beautiful Day...

It's cool out but the sun is shining and the skies are blue and the best part....the snow is melted.

Last night was " Friday Night Sew-In".  I got a lot done.

Here is my Thread Head Quilt-a-Long quilt.  I still had to sew the blocks together for three rows.  After that I sewed all the rows together.  I am really happy with the outcome.

Originally I was going to leave it like this and just quilt it and bind it.  But looking at it hanging here I think it needs another border.  I'm thinking of maybe using a large floral.  Not sure.  Anybody have any ideas?

I thought this quilt would be smaller since the original quilt has 9" blocks, but since I added  3" sashing it was bigger.

I also worked on my Bow Tie Log Cabin blocks.  I know it sounds like 2 different blocks, but it's not.  I searched bow tie blocks on EQ5 and this block came up.  I loved it the minute I saw it.  Last night I got 4 more blocks made.  Now I have 14 blocks made.   I only have 206 more to go to make a queen size quilt.....lol  This is going to take a while.

Thursday we went up to Marine City to visit with the In-Laws and take them out to lunch.  My mother in law told me about a quilt shop in town.  So after lunch we stopped in.  The name of the shop is "Quilted Dreams".  It was a very nice shop.  Lots of BOM's, patterns and books.  And of course fabric.  I spotted the book "The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt".  So did my husband.  He liked it so much he bought the book for me.  I was really hoping to get away from 6" blocks for a while...but it is nice.  So last night I made the first block.  I'm not real happy with it so I'm going to re-do it. 

I really enjoyed the evening and got a lot done.   So the day ended on a good note.  It didn't however start that way.  An hour after my husband left for work he was back home.  (He works 5 minutes from home)  He was feeling dizzy and was sick to his stomach.  So off to the doctors we went.  Turns out he has water in the inner ear and an infection.  So lots of pills and sinus tablets and a good nights sleep he felt great this morning.

So now I'm off to put on a pot of Cabbage Soup.  Straighten up and then off to my favorite place.  My sewing room.

Wishing you all a quilty day.

Hugs, Cat

Woo Hoo

It's here....It's Friday.  Time for "Friday Night Sew In" .  I have all my projects lined up.  I'm going to finish sewing my Thread Head Quilt-a-Long top

 and I have my scraps sorted to work on my Log Cabin Bow Tie blocks. 

What will you be working on?  Hope you have a quilty day.

Hugs, Cat

Sunny - But Cooooold

It was good to see the sun today.  It was cold but it looks like it is going to be warm next week.  I can't wait.

I've been working on a multitude of projects.   I made the current Barbara Brackman block (log cabin).  But in my haste I reversed the light and dark.  So I guess I need to redo it.  I also finished Block #16 from the Thread Head Quilt-a-Long.  It is called Wedding Ring.  She chose this one because her anniversary was this week.  I had to laugh...mine was too.  Only I forgot mine.  But my husband remembered...lol

I put a new border on my Sunflower quilt, but I'm not going to show you it till it is finished.  I still need to redo some of the applique.  I already decided on how I will quilt it. 

I started Pat Sloan's mystery quilt.  I just love her quilts.  I have the background pieced and am almost done embroidering the saying on the water piece.  Then I have to applique it to the background.  Once I get done with that I will show you.

I was reading some of my favorite blogs and on Sew Unique Creations (http://www.sewuniquecreationsblog.com/)  she had a picture of some of the cutest bow tie blocks. I thought I would really like to make some.  So I went into EQ5 and did a search on Bow Tie.  I was surprised what came up.  The traditional bow tie came up along with a block that is similar to courthouse steps only on the diagonal.   I'm foundation piecing the block.  I have bags and bags of scraps and this will be an ideal way to use them up.  My blocks are 6".  I will probably work on them when I'm caught up on other projects.

I keep starting so many UFO's that I think it is time I try to finish some.  LOL  But it is so much fun to start a new project.

Here's hoping you have a quilty day.  Hugs, Cathy