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

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 Day Late

And a few blocks short.  November found me very busy finishing up quilty gifts for Christmas so I only got one block made for my Old Voices quilt.  Luckily I some months I had made 5 blocks so I'm not too far behind.

This is the Berry Basket.  I think it turned out pretty good.


I've finished 2 of the 4 quilts that will be Christmas gifts.  Today I am going to get the backing done for the 3rd quilt.  Tomorrow I start quilting it.  Then I only have one more to go.

Sammie is feeling abandoned....

She is used to sitting on the recliner with me.  Instead she has made herself a little nest by her box of toys.  She's giving me the evil eye...lol

Dreary and overcast here.  Good day for quilting.  Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

Old Voices New Impressions

Another month another 4 blocks.  I did something a little different.  I added 2 blocks designed by Lori Smith.  

My Strawberry plant.  The stem fabric is black with white, green and red running through it.

The green I used is a sage green.  It looks like antique fabric.

This is the first Lori Smith block.  It represents our dog "Sammie".

This is the second Lori Smith block.  It represents Terry and Me.

All 4 together.

I put all the blocks together on the design wall.  Some months I made 4 and some 5.  Here they are all together.

I'm so glad I joined the sew along.  I am so happy with the blocks.  And I think my Lori Smith blocks go quite well with the rest.

I know I mentioned a giveaway.  I haven't forgotten.  This year hasn't been good to me.  I went to the doctors complaining of no energy.  Blood tests showed that my sugar is high and my thyroid is low.  So an adjustment in meds was called for.  Slowly getting the energy back....but very slowly.  We decided q trip north to visit my son's family would be just what I needed.  So we are here till next week.  When I get home I promise to get the giveaway posted.  I have 2 great applique patterns to give away.

Till then take care and thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

My Favorite Time of Year

I'm an Autumn Baby....  This is my favorite season.  My Birthday is in October so to celebrate I'm going to have a giveaway in the middle of the month.  More info on that next week.

I've been working diligently on my "Old Voices New Impressions" blocks.  I got 5 blocks made this month.  Be sure to check out Karen's blog where I will be linking up to share our blocks.

This is the rose block.  I love it's simplicity.

My bird block.  It looks like it is drinking nectar from the flower.

My wreath block.  It is not in the cranberry quilt on the back of the book.  I am using it in replacement for the string of pearls block.  

This is by far my favorite block.  Strawberry Planter.  I love the fabric I used for the planter.

And my final block for the month.  Not sure why this one is blurry...oh well.


Tilda at Huckleberry Stitches started our Quilt a month again.  This one is called "Use a Napkin Only for Your Mouth".  Strange name but I liked it.  It was suppose to 3 blocks by 3 blocks but I had a great fall charm pack so mine is a bit larger.

Recently Fun With Barb had a giveaway.   I WON.

The magazine has some really wonderful patterns.  Barb threw in some wonderful fabrics.  Can't wait to fine the perfect pattern to go with the fabric.
Thanks so much Barb.


Recently my son's girlfriend lost her beloved cat Bela Marie.  She had her for over 12 years.  She was so sad at this loss.  She posted pictures of Bela on facebook.  I copied the pictures and made her a remembrance quilt.

She now has it hanging on the wall where Bela's climbing tower used to be.


I've been working on Humble Quilts Quilt Along.  I'm going to finish the 3rd step and will post a picture of my quilt next week.

Well, thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy this wonderful Autumn weather.

Hugs, Cathy

I Know....

I haven't been around lately.  I've been up and I've been down, I've been busy and I've been idle.  But now I'm here.  Almost didn't make it.  I recently downloaded Windows 10.  I love many aspects of it, but when I went to download new photos it took forever to figure it out.  Any way I did and here we are.

It's the end of the month and time to post photos for the sew along I'm doing with Karen at Log Cabin Quilter from the book by Jenna Kimble "Old Voices New Impressions".  Each month we work on 4 blocks.  Last month I got 5 done.  This month 4 blocks.  I find that as I work on the blocks I don't really like them.  But once I am done and have pressed the blocks I love them.  

This block is called Beth's Bird.

This is Morning Glories.

This block is Tulips.

The last is Cherries and Strawberries.  I just finished this one yesterday.


Like I said I've been up.....We went and visited my son and his family in the upper peninsula for a week.  Normally when we head north the temps are cooler.  This time it was HOT and HUMID.  And they don't have air conditioning. But it was so wonderful to see them.  My granddaughter was done with hockey, but signed up for Tennis.  She plays for the High School.  Yep...she is in High School now.  Where does time go.


And I've been down....I was sick with food poisoning...or so we thought.  Still having problems so my doctor scheduled a Colonoscopy...ugh, for Sept. 14.  I think the stuff you have to drink is worse than the procedure.


I still managed to get a few things done in the sewing room.

This is a quilt top I made from blocks I received from a block swap I participated in with Bumble Beans.  The blocks are made with made fabric.  

I also manage to make this little quilt.  It will fit on my quilt table frame.  It is 13" square.


I joined in on the bow tie swap Barb at Fun with Barb.  I joined in both groups. Modern and CW Repro fabrics.  I have my bright Modern fabric blocks made. $40 sets.  I have the fabric cut out for the Repro blocks.  I so enjoy Barbs Block swaps.  The last swap was 9 patch blocks.  It is nice to see all the different fabrics everyone uses.

Now I need to pick out the next four blocks for the sew along and get the pieces prepped.  Get my background fabric for the Repro Bow ties cut out and start sewing them.  I have one gift quilt almost finished and then I have to start quilting it.  So much to do and so little time.

I hope you have enjoyed your summer.  I'm so looking forward to Autumn, cooler weather and changing colors.  

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

It's Steaming Here....

I don't do well in hot humid weather.  We don't have central air, just a room air conditioner in our bedroom.  So needless to say I was thrilled when hubby took me to get an air conditioner for the sewing room.  I'm so happy.

Now to share what I've been up to lately.

As you know I joined in with Karen to start working on a sew along making the quilt from Old Voices New Impressions by Jeanna Kimble.  Today we are sharing
our first blocks.

I am sooooo loving these blocks.  Can't wait to start on the next one.


I've also been working on Christmas gifts.

Another wonky picture...lol.   All the blocks are made and now I just need to sew them together.  Hopefully today.

Time to get busy on this quilt.  I lost interest for a while, now I'm ready to get cracking again.  This is another Christmas gift.

I got another new die for my Accuquilt go.  It is a half hexagon.  The sides are    4 1/4" finished.  I pulled out a bunch of fabrics I had in a shoe box.  Wasn't quite sure what to do with them.

So I started cutting out pieces until.....

I had enough blocks for this.  It is 52 1/2" x 55 1/2".  It is going to be our new picnic quilt.

It is amazing what I can get done when I am comfortable and cool.

I hope the weather is cool where you are.  We are in the hi 80's but it is going to cool off some next week.  Hopefully the high humidity will be gone.

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

Getting Ready

For the Old Voices, New Impressions Sew Along.  Although I'm not making the quilt on the front, I'm making the quilt on the back.

I changed my background fabric choices twice.  I like my final choice.  I cut all the squares for the blocks.  I traced all the applique pieces on freezer paper.  I prepped 3 blocks in anticipation...and just couldn't wait.  I appliqued the first block.

The picture is a little fuzzy.  The background has little blue what looks like the planet Saturn.  I also chose two blue fabrics for the sashing and borders.

I haven't gotten a lot done...I've played hooky.  We took a day off and went fabric and antique shopping.  I bought the background fabric above and some black fabric for Cheri Payne quilt.

There is a big Antiques Mall near by so we stopped by.  I was inspired by Barb from Fun with Barb to find a vessel for my doll quilts.

This is what I found.  It is a wooden planter.  Works perfect for my doll quilts.

I also found this little doll quilt.  In fact I found 2.  This one was $6 and a smaller one was $4.  I'm not a fan of cutting antique quilts but I loved this one.


Here are my projects up to date.

Cheri Quilt.  15 blocks made and 10 to go.

 Row by Row Quilt.  I'm making some progress.

Tiles quilt.  Again slow but sure.

I have been wanting to make some portable design boards for keeping my pieces together for blocks.  Lori at Bee in my Bonnet has a great tutorial.  I made 2.  A small one....10" x 10"

 And a larger one...20" x 20"

 I didn't cut my border fabric long enough...well actually it was some left over binding that I thought was long enough.  I ended up using some of the binding from the other board.  But it works...that is what is important.

Yesterday we took my father-in-law out for a Father's Day dinner.  We went to his favorite steak place.  We had a great time and Dad smiled the whole time.

Today I hope to get a couple more of my mini design boards made and get some sewing done.  I also need to prep some more Old Voices blocks.  So a busy day for me.

I hope you are having a great day and enjoy the up coming Father's Day.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy