A Few More...

Off my list.

I finished the Quilt Doodles March Block.

The blocks for this BOM are suppose to be made of all squares.  I really don't like having to sew all those different 2 1/2" squares together so I redrafted all the blocks.

Here is Jan, Feb and March row and blocks.  Each month is either a block or a row.

I got all the shoo fly blocks made for my gifting quilt.

I really like the looks of these blocks.  I'm going to have to make myself one. Now I need to cut the sashing, corner stones and borders.  The 20 blocks was was on my "To Do" list.


Last month while I was straightening my sewing room I came across some flannel 9 patch blocks that I made many moons ago.  I decided to make our dog Sammie a quilt.  She loves blankets

This morning I got them all sewn together.  I actually found some of the fabric used to make these blocks (Obviously I never throw anything out) and scraped a back together and have cut out the binding from the last of the fabric.  I ordered a silicone mat that fits on my quilting table to help the quilt glide when quilting.  I will need it for this quilt.

The last thing I have to show you is my Primitive Primer.

Again a wonky photo.  But more importantly I finished the last applique border and got it sewn on.   The directions said to add a narrow border to the side and top but I chose to leave it as is.  This quilt now resides on the "To Be Quilted" pile.  And I am embarrassed to say that the pile is now over 3 feet high.  I think I need to get some tops ready for quilting.  And I promise not to post any more pictures of this quilt top until it is quilted.

The patterns for the next 3 6" blocks for the Hip Chicks BOM were posted the other day.  I printed them up and can't wait to finish them.  They are applique blocks.  I started one and will show you when I am finished.

Hope it is nice where you are.  The sun is shining here and the temps are rising....could it be spring in the air.  Gee I hope so.  I still have large piles of snow in the yard that I would love to see disappear.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

Bye, Bye

Sorry February but I'm glad to see you go.  I'm hoping maybe some warmer weather will come with March.

I am so thrilled that I got almost everything on my February "To Do" list done.

1. Primitive Primer...Take a look!

It's a little wonky....can't seem to get it straight on the design wall..new flannel I guess.  Any way...I had to take part of it apart to resize some blocks.  Now it is pretty square.  I added the first appliqued border on the right and the pieced border on the top.  I have prepped the bottom appliqued border whew...I will be so glad to finish this.

2. 2013 Pieced Sampler...DONE

3  10 Plaid Jacob Ladder Blocks...DONE

4.  Lori's Midwinter Blues...DONE

5.  Cheri Payne Basket quilt...(Hand quilting) top is DONE

2014 BOMS

1.  Sugar Shack...DONE

2.  Pat Sloan's Globetrotting...DONE

3.  Hip Chicks...DONE

4.  Country Threads...DONE

5.  Quilt Doodles...DONE

Now for my March "To Do" List

1.  Finish my Primitive Primer top

2.  Flannel quilt for Sammie (our dog)

3. 20 Shoofly Blocks (Pat Sloan QAL)

4. 10 more Jacobs Ladder Blocks

5.  Blue Bird Challenge

2014 BOMS

1. Sugar Shack

2. Globetrotting

3. Hip Chicks

4. Country Threads

5. Quilt Doodles

I hope I get as much done in March as I did in January and February.  But no pressure...as long as I am enjoying myself I'm happy.

Don't forget about the GIVEAWAY..today is the last day to enter.   

You can enter here.  Good Luck everyone.  I will be back tomorrow with the name of the winner.

Hugs, Cathy

OMG...

The last block has been made for my Primitive Primer and all the blocks are sewn together.

Don't look too closely at my star burst block.  It was a real bugger to make.  I spent 4 days on it and finished it up this morning.  It is paper pieced and appliqued....and it was too big.  Bummer.  I started crying...all that time and all that work.  Then I figured it is suppose to be primitive, right.  So I whacked it down to size.  It is off kilter but it is growing on me.

I sewed all the blocks together, an achievement in itself.  I like how it looks. I need to cut the borders now.  I can't add the top pieced border until I add the applique border.  This will have to wait till tomorrow.  It's 5:30 pm and I am beat.  So no more sewing until tomorrow.  (Unless I do a little hand quilting later).

Now don't forget about my final giveaway....

You can enter here.  You have until Friday evening.  I will pick a winner on Saturday March 1.

And a big yippee!!!  Finally got the last of the paperwork to file my income tax.  So glad I am all done.  

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

A Winner, Some Projects, and a New Giveway!!!

Okay...the drawing is early this week because Terry and I are going away for the weekend to celebrate my Birthday.  So the winner of.....

is......Maureen from Virginia!!!!    Congratulations...Send me your address and will get this in the mail next week.  Thanks to all my followers for all your great comments.  I wish you could all win because you are all winners in my eyes.

Now for some projects I've been working on.

These are the latest 4 blocks I have made for the JLQAL that Freda is hosting.
I now have 8 blocks finished.  Don't know how many I need to make because I don't know how big I want to make it.  lol

This is the second to last block for my Primitive Primer Quilt.  Now I need to make the Starburst Block.  I am so in love with this quilt.

Now for the next Giveaway......

Autumn Breeze pattern by Sherri K. Falls and a pack of 24 5" charms to make the table runner.  I just love Sherri's patterns. 

Now for the giveaway you must be a follower. 

1. Post a comment that you are a follower.
2. Post a comment that you blogged about the giveaway.

So that gives you 2 chances.  I will draw the winner on Saturday the 21st.  Good luck to everyone.  (PS I am including another mystery gift in this giveaway)

I am so looking forward to going to the quilt show on Saturday and spending some quality time with Hubby this weekend.

Wishing you all a quilty day.

Hugs, Cathy

It Came....

I won any book I wanted from Emily @ "Em Celebrates" and "Celebrating Big Girl Pants".  I chose this book.  I absolutely love it.   I love the cow in the book (since I collect cows) and I'm thinking I can change it into a Moose (I collect them too).  Thank you, thank you, thank you Em.  I luv U girlfriend.

I recently joined a new group: "Quilts, Bindings and Books".  We are going to read a book and then make a quilt that represents some portion of the book.  The book we choose is "The Lover's Knot" by Clare O'Donohue.  So I went to Amazon and ordered my book.  Of course I had to check out some quilting books.....I was bad....lol

I love applique and this book is great.  It has a DVD with the patterns and you can print the patterns up in 5 different sizes.  But that's not all....

I am such a fan of Kathleen Tracy.  I follow her blog religiously.  And my DH won't throw a fit at my buying books as long as they have anything to do with the Civil War.  lol

Now I did get some sewing done too.

I finished the quilt top for my nephew to be, Cowen.  It was too dense with all pieced blocks so every other block is a neutral plain block.  I like how it turned out.  This weekend I will sandwich, pin baste and machine quilt it.

Don't think that I have forgotten my "Primitive Primer" quilt.

I've been so busy with so many projects lately.  The other day I pulled this block out and started working on it again.  I usually work on while the Detroit Tigers are playing.  After this block is done I need to make the Starburst block and the appliqued border.  I can't wait to finish it.  I already have a wall I plan on hanging it.

Today would have been my Dad's 90th birthday.  He passed away in February 2010 on Superbowl Sunday.  How he loved the Superbowl.  I miss you Dad.

Wishing you a quilty day.

Hugs, Cathy

SO MUCH DONE, SO MUCH TO SHOW AND A GIVEAWAY

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

My House Found a Home...

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, Primer and more

"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.

1. Bunny Hill BOM
2. EQ BOM
3. Barbara Brackman Civil War Blocks (weekly)
4. Farmer's Wife Quilt-a-long.
5. 15 Minutes Play BOM
6. 15 Minutes Play Block Bee (starting in September)
7. Primitive Primer
8. Floribunda
9. Log Cabin Bow Ties
10. 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

I've Been Thinking....

What inspires me in my quilting.  The answer: YOU.  I have had so much fun in blogland and have made so many wonderful friends.  You have all inspired me to try different techniques and just let myself go.  For this I thank you all.

Now for some quilty pictures.

The latest Barbara Brackman CW block.  It is hard to tell from the picture but the stripe in the center pinwheel is blue and white and the stripe in the outer star is red and white.  Can't wait to see what block Saturday brings.

I'm still working on the Primitive Primer quilt.  And having a ball.  The tree block on the right is finished and the on the left needs 2 more triangles.  What I really like about this quilt is that everything does not have to be perfect.  So I can relax while I work on it.

After the trees comes this block.  I have it all basted down and ready to go.  There are three more blocks after these and they are a tad bit more involved.  A house and tree block, a vase of flowers, and the hardest block.....Star Burst.  Oh I almost forgot...the border.  Part of which has applique on it.  Can't wait to finish.

In my last post I told you I had finally found the Lil Twister ruler. 

I gathered up 9 5" squares (I have bags and bags full of them) that I thought might go together.  And cut up some 3" strips of a dark brown for a border.  I could not believe how quickly this went together.  Within a half hour to 45 minutes I had this little top.  So much fun.

Now I have some questions for you:

1. What inspires you in your quilting? (I told you what inspires me above)
2. What was the first quilt you ever made?  A doll quilt for my daughter Kelley.
3. What is the smallest quilt you ever made?  5" x 7"
4. What is the largest quilt you ever made?  King Size.

Well I hope you have a quilty day.  The sun is shining, there is a slight breeze and the temp is around 73.  All in all a perfect day.  Going for a walk and then off to the sewing room.

Hugs, Cat

Blue Skies and Sunshine.....

I wish...That's what the weather man said.  But what we got was rain, overcast skies and rain.

Good sewing weather.

Here is the heart log cabin block that I promised to show you when I finished my angel block.

Here's my angel block.  I think I only have 4 more blocks to make then the border and I will be able to put my "Primitive Primer" together.

Blocks 13, 14, 15 and 16 of the Farmer's Wife Quilt.  So many more to go....

My husband Terry had 4 days off from work.  As you know we like to go to the Metro Parks , have a picnic and walk.   Even though the weather was not too good we went to Lake Erie Metro Park.

We had our picnic by the water.  It didn't rain.

It did rain on our way to the nature center.  There we took a walk.

These are the only flowers we came across.    But we did come across some wild life.

All and all it was a good day.  In between rain drops we had a nice walk, saw some wild life and visited an antique shop and I found a new quilt shop.....finally found the Lil Twister ruler.

So today....Sunshine predicted.....Rain came instead.  I'm off to the sewing room to make the latest Barbara Brackman block and try my Lil Twister. 

Wishing you a quilty day.

Hugs, Cat