Sunday was Sunny and Productive

It was so wonderful to see the sunshine yesterday.  It has been awhile since we've seen it.  Today is hit and miss.  The clouds keep moving in and out.  I guess they are getting ready for the snow to come.  We are expecting anywhere from 2-4 inches all the way to 12-13 inches.  I'm hoping for 2-4 inches.

The other day I posted a portion of my To-Do list..  and here is what I accomplished over the weekend.    

 

Woo Hoo....I got the final borders put on my RRCB.  I didn't have a spot big enough to lay out the quilt for you to see so my husband is standing on a bench holding it up.  His hands were touching the ceiling.  It will be a while before I get to quilt it as there are a few ahead of it.

I also got 2 more blocks done for the Thread Head Quilt-a-Long.  I have 8 more to do to get caught up.

Here's my List:

1. Finish RRCB
2. Get caught up on Thread Head Quilt-a-Long (2 done, 8 to go)
3. Start Barbara Brackman Civil War Blocks  (ran out of time)
4. Finish EQ7 block and post it (finished but for some reason it won't post it)
5. Finish Sunflower quilt. (Not finished but got 4 petals appliqued)
6. Mug rugs for the Mug Rug swap.

Not bad for a weekend list.  My UFO, To-Do, or Bucket list is really very long.  But I find if I just list 5 or 6 projects at a time I get more done.

Here is my list for the week.  Lets see how much I can accomplish.

1. Finish the 8 blocks for the Thread Head Quilt-a-Long.
2. Start Barbara Brackman Civil War blocks.
3. Finish appliqueing sunflower petals.
4. Finish hand quilting small wall hanging in lap frame.

I think this is more than enough projects for the week.

Well the snow is suppose to start sometime tomorrow.  Here's hoping we are on the fringe and don't get to much. 

Have a quilty day.   Hugs, Cat

Snow Advisories Last Night....

And woke up to more snow this morning.  However, it wasn't as bad as they said.

As you can see it was just an inch or so.  Now if I were up north it would probably be 9 or 10 inches and the picture would be much prettier.







Well I worked on my to-do list.  I only got 3 petals of my sunflower appliqued down last night while watching TV.  I think I watched more then appliqued.  But 3 is better than none.

I did however finish the 4th border for my RRCB.  Today I'm going to make the corner pieces and sew the borders to the top. 

I got my EQ7 January block finished and sent it in to the webmaster but for some reason it has not been posted.  Oh well, at least I made it.  For those of you who don't have EQ7 (and I'm one of them) you can still make the block.  They provide the templates and cutting instructions for you to download and print.  Each month a new block and a chance to win a prize.

                                                                                                            

I forgot to add something to my list.  That was the mug rugs for the mug rug swap I'm in.  Both are now finished and I just need to sew the binding down on the second one.  Went with a different pattern for it.   I hope the recipient will enjoy them.  I can't wait to see what I get.

Well after one day I worked on 3 projects on my to-do list, finished one, added one and now I need to go in my sewing room and start working on the rest.

I hope you can get some things done on your to-do list or bucket list. 

Have a quilty day....Hugs, Cat

I Can Breathe

I'm feeling much better.  I can actually breathe through my nose now.  And my congestion has cleared up.  I guess that Pneumonia shot I got a few years ago helped.

I was reading Pat Sloan's blog this morning and she was asking if we are ready for spring.  I sure am.  Although I must admit the winters here are easier that the winters up north.  In the Upper Peninsula we would get 12"  - 18" of snow at one time.  One year we had over 150" of snow for the season.  My shoulders still hurt from shoveling and using the industrial strength snow blower my dad had.   I love winter but I couldn't wait for spring.  My favorite part of spring was the early flowers.  Trillium is my favorite. 

It comes out while there is still snow on the ground and it hides out under the trees.  I would love driving down country roads and see the trillium spilling out all over.  I tried to bring some down here once...it only came up once.  I think it was a real treat for the squirrels.  They ate the whole thing.





I did get some sewing done the last couple of days....

I finished one of the mug rugs for the swap on Quilting Gallery.   I machine quilted around the design and then an overall diagonal quilting.  I still have to make another one to make.  Want this one to be different.

I made another pieced border for my RRCB.  One more to go.  Can't wait to finish this baby.  It has taken up a lot of my time but has been well worth it.







As you know I have also been working on blocks for a Civil War Quilt designed by Thread Head.  I am a bit behind everyone else.  I started working on Block #3 yesterday.  Now the original blocks were 9".  I decided to do mine at 6".  So naturally I had to redraft them.  The first 2 blocks went really well.  But when it cam to doing the pinwheel center of this block I was stymied.  I drew it up on EQ5 and printed out the templates for a 6" block.  I did a sample first and it didn't work out.  Then I got an idea.  I printed up paperpieced blocks for the center and it worked.

 

I think it turned out pretty good.  Today I'm going to make a second block.

It's getting close to lunch time so I'm going to heat up the last of my Cabbage Soup.  I wish you a quilty day....
                                       Hugs, Cat

And the Cold Keeps on Coming

Below zero.....Brrrrr.....

Woke up feeling cold and having a cold.  My son has been hacking around the house for a few days now and now I am coming down with it. 

I worked in my sewing room all day yesterday.  I got my RRCB squared up...the green border sewn on and the first of the pieced borders made. 

Hope to get the rest of the borders made today.

I started working on the Civil War inspired quilt designed by Thread Head.  She is doing 9" blocks I decided to do 6" blocks.  It's a bit of a challange doing them smaller but I'm happy with how they are turning out.

I'm also doing a different layout.  I just have it layed out on my design wall.  Not sure if I'm doing the dark brown or not.  I got the idea for the layout from TV.  I was watching a marathon of "Royal Pains" the other day.  There was a tiled wall in the mansion that looked like this.    What do you think?

Well time to get back to sewing...take some cold meds....and stay warm. 

Have a quilty day...Cat

Last Night I Dreamt of Warm Tropical Breezes....

...and woke up to more snow.

Worked on my RRCB yesterday.   I got all the rows sewn together.  Hubby was very happy as he is always complaining about our present quilt not being big enough.  He can't wait for me to finish this one.

Here is the quilt on our abed now...

This is one of the quilts I made during my time up north.  It was originally a pattern for a wall quilt.  I made extra blocks and added additional borders.  The applique went fairly quick and I hand quilted it using pearl cotton and a bigger stitch. 

All of the fabrics used were homespun plaids, which are some of my favorite fabrics.  Although I haven't met a fabric I didn't like.  lol

So here is my RRCB top all sewn together.  Today  I am going to trim and add the green inner border.  Next will be the pieced final border.  I'm hoping to get that done this weekend.  I am in awe of all the quilters that have already gotten theirs done and in some cases quilted. 


So I am putting my Spaghetti sauce in the slow cooker, wearing my comfy clothes, and sitting down to a long but pleasant day of quilting.

Have a quilty day, Cat

The Sun is Shining But it's Oh So COLD!

It is so cold this morning...I'm sure it is colder elsewhere but at 10 degrees its colder than what we're used to.

Even my snowman is shivering this morning.

One year for Christmas I made 20 of these little guys as gifts.  I found the plastic nose one year after Easter and knew one day I'd have a use for them.




A few days ago my daughter and I did a little shopping.  This one store had Christmas items

90% off.  I got these boxes for 29 cents each.  They are approx. 7" x 7" x 7".  Perfect size to keep my 6" squares in. 

I started working on the Civil War Inspired quilt that is on the Thread Head Blog.  Her blocks are 9 inches.  I decided that I am going to make mine 6 inches and try a different layout.  As soon as I get a couple of blocks made I will share photos of them.  I will be keeping them in one of these boxes.

Hubby and I went for a ride yesterday and ended up at the Mary Maxim's store in Port Huron.  I picked up a really cute pattern for Felt Pincushions, 2 yds of a tiny floral by Thimbleberries, and a FQ of cute mint green with cherries (I plan on using for a Valentines project).  Can't wait to start new projects....but have too many to finish right now.

I did get a chance to work on my Roll Roll Cotton Boll.   I got all the rows sewn now I need to sew these together so I can start the borders. 

I've seen some of the other quilts made from this pattern and amazed how different they look with different fabric choices.  My goal is to get the top done this weekend.  



I voted on the Bargello quilts at the Quilting Gallery Blog this morning.  Check them out.  There are some amazing quilts.  I never knew there were so many design possibilities for Bargello.

Wishing you a Quilty day.....Cat

Hands Up and Step Away From Your Sewing Machine

Can you tell I'm a fan of Top Chef?

Yesterday was one of those days.   I was working on Bonnie Hunter's Mystery Quilt, "Roll, Roll, Cotton Boll". 

 I had all of the Prickly Pear Blocks up on my design was and noticed that some of them weren't just right and would have to be fixed.  I decided to fix them when it was time to sew the top together.  Well, I came to the first block that needed fixing.  I took it apart, and sewed it back together the right way....or so I thought.  Three tries later, after much frustration, I finally got it right.  I knew then that it was time to step away from my machine.

I never had this problem when I was Up North.  Oh I made mistakes, we all do.  But I never got frustrated.  I guess it was because I did most of my quilting out on the porch with a view of the lake.  I would often take breaks and watch the birds at the feeders and it kept me in a zenlike state.

Well since I'm not Up North the next best thing was to go for a ride.  My husband Terry and I took a ride along the St. Clair River.  There is a lot of ice on the river right now and a freighter got stuck.  We got there shortly after the Coast Guard Cutter freed it and they were moving down river.  I always take my camera everywhere so I took pictures.

The Coast Guard had to cut a path for the freighter.  It was really something to watch.

After a nice ride and a good dinner out I was back in the mood to sew.  Here is the close up of the Mystery quilt.

Well today is a new day.  The sun is shinning and the sky is clear.  I'm heading back to sewing room to work on a Block of the Week, a Block of the Month, and the mystery quilt.  Hope you get to accomplish something you have wanted to do.  Have a quilty day.....Cat