Antebellum Album Block 8

I finished block 8 today.  I am so happy with this sew along.

I had a scrap of fabric with some Civil War motifs on it and used it for the center.  My husband is a big civil war buff and is loving this BOM as much as I am.


I got my Walnut Grove quilt top sewn together.

Here it is on my bed (a full mattress).  

This is a close up of some of the blocks.

Now I'm working on the next block I have prepped for my red and green quilt while enjoying some cooler weather.  At least for a day....lol

Thanks for stopping by

Hugs, Cathy

Slow Sewing

I finished up this months blocks for the Land of Liberty quilt along.  I have all the pieces cut for the Freedom Angel and will applique them later.

I was checking all my project boxes and came across the box containing all the blocks for my Walnut Grove quilt.  I pulled out all the blocks and put together the first 5 rows.

Today I plan on sewing these rows together and try and get the next 5 rows done.  This quilt is going to be 80" x 90".  I'm glad I have air conditioning in my sewing room because it is going to be hot and humid today.  It's going to be even hotter tomorrow.  Good time to get some sewing done.

Thanks for stopping by and stay cool.

Hugs, Cathy

A New Machine

I love my new sewing machine.

This is a photo from the Internet.  Right now my sewing room is a real mess and was embarrassed to take a photo.  This machine is heavy.  So I need to do some rearranging.  I would just push my old machine out of the way when I needed to cut some fabric.  This one is too heavy.

I used it yesterday to finish my first Christmas Quilt.  What a dream to work with.  I love the thread cutter.  It cuts both top and bobbin threads at the same time.  It also has a knee lift for the pressure foot.  Both are such a time saver.  It is so quiet.  I tell you I walk by my sewing room and smile when I see it sitting on my sewing table.

I told you I finished my Christmas quilt.  Well here it is.

It looks a little wonky because I had to put it up on the design wall sideways because it was a bit too long.  I plan on working on the backing and have it ready to quilt on my new machine next week.

I showed my pinwheel blocks I made for my Walnut Grove Sampler quilt.  I put some of the blocks up on my design wall to get an idea of how it will look with the fabric I chose for the setting squares.

I wasn't sure if I would like my choice or not.  I think it gives an antique look.  This is going to be quite a large quilt.  I hope to start putting the top together later this month.

Well that's it for now.  Thank you so much for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

Crazy Weather

Wednesday it was 60 degrees out.  I even went outside without a coat on.  Then comes Thursday...it started out with freezing rain, then a rain and snow mix and then snow.  We got 3" of wet heavy snow.   I am so ready for summer.

I have been getting some sewing done.

First up is block 2 of Barbara Brackman's #Antebellum Album.  I'm using a tan background, brown and pink fabrics for all the blocks.

Next up....26 Pinwheel blocks.  These are the final pieced blocks for my Walnut Grove Sampler quilt.  Now I need to cut out a gazillion plain blocks.  Then I can get this quilt top sewn together.

The blocks are 6 1/2".  They went together really quick because I cut them out using my AccuQuilt Go Cutter.


I started working on the free Temecula Quilt Shop 1800 Sampler.

These blocks are 4" finished.  They just posted block 5.

Since posting block 8 of the Early American Life quilt that Karen and I are working on I put together the second row.  I decided to add red corner stones to the quilt.

I really love how this is looking.


I found a quilt on Moda Bake Shop called Dottie.  It is made using jelly rolls.  Sorry for the fuzzy photo.  I have all the jelly rolls sewn in pairs ready to cut up and make more blocks.

I decided to make everyone a Christmas quilt this year.  I need to make 7 or 8 quilts.  This is the first one.  It is made using jelly rolls.  Once everything was cut out the blocks went together really quickly.

This section is 48" x 6".  It will have borders.  The original pattern called for the design to run vertical.  However the direction of the prints called for the horizontal layout.  I made this row yesterday in about a couple of hours.  That included cutting all the strips.

Finally while browsing Etsy I came across this pattern.  It is by Jennifer Gaston.  It is a BOM.  I got a great deal.  I paid $12.00 for the entire pattern.  The finished quilt measures 79" x 92".  I have traced the first month's patterns on freezer paper but I haven't pulled any fabrics yet.  I have too many projects going as it is....lol

And finally....yesterday I ordered a new sewing machine.  Actually  it is a Juki TL2010Q quilting machine.  I will be using it as a table top machine.  Maybe in the future I can afford a quilting frame to use with it.  It is a straight stitch machine, 9" throat area, variable speed, thread cutter, bobbin winder, needle thread, free motion foot, walking foot, 3 other feet and comes with a table attachment.  It is suppose to come next week.  I can't wait.  I will be using this machine to get my tall stack of quilt tops quilted.  It is so hard to quilt a big quilt on my regular machine.  I'll show you the machine once I receive it.

Well enough chit chat...the next block for the 1800 sampler has been posted and Lori at Humble Quilts has posted the 3rd instructions for the Land of Liberty quilt so I need to get into the sewing room.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you saw something you like.

Hugs, Cathy

Hot Time

Summer in the City....

This makes for a good time sewing in the air conditioned sewing room.

I finished the next round of blocks for my Walnut Grove Sampler quilt.

This round called for 18 Friendship Stars.  Next round is 22 Snowball blocks and the final group is 26 pinwheel blocks.  This may take a while.


I finally got caught up on my Simple Sampler Blocks.  Blocks 7 thru 14.

Just in time for the next set of blocks.  They should be posted today.

Be sure to stop back on the 30th.  Karen and I will be posting the 6th block in the "Flowers" quilt.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

Lots to Show

I've been busy.  Spending lots of time in my air conditioned sewing room.

I started with making 14 Churn Dash blocks for my Walnut Grove Sampler Quilt.
If you look real close to the block in the center of the first set of blocks you can see a sort of stripe fabric.  This is fabric from my Mom's stash that I inherited.  I try and use a little of it when I make a scrappy quilt.  It makes me smile when I see it.  

The next round of blocks will be 18 Friendship Star blocks.  This is going to be a large quilt.

I joined in on the Simple Summer Sampler sew along.  Here are blocks 3-6

The quilt was designed to be made with red and white fabrics.  I decided to go with a FQ bundle of Blue Barn fabrics by Laundry Quilts.

I told you in my last post I wanted to make a quilt designed by Linda Brannock called "Stripes".  So I pulled out my AccuQuilt 1 3/4" strip cutter and started cutting strips.

I'm going to need to cut lots more strips if I want to make a quilt large enough for my bed.  They blocks are 10" finished.  The first set of strips I cut I folded the fabric the wrong way so when I went to trim them to 10 1/2" I only got one piece from each strip.  I sewed the shorter strips together and trimmed them to 10 1/2".  Luckily you can't see the seams.

I finished Block D for my "Flowers" quilt.  I will be showing you it on the 30th.  This morning I picked out the fabrics for Block E, made the freezer paper template and ironed them on the fabric.  Later today I will trace and cut out the applique pieces.  I'm trying to get ahead in case I get to go visit my son in the UP.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you are having a peaceful Sunday.

Hugs, Cathy

A Flimsy

So my week alone didn't go as well as hoped.  I didn't get one of my quilt tops sandwiched for quilting.  Well, I take that back.  I did get my Prim Flower Swap Quilt finished and ready to go in the mail.

It was hot and humid and rained almost every day.  I did finish putting together my Vivid Grid quilt top.

There is another row but it is hidden.  I'm happy with the way it turned out.  The quilt is 50" x 60".  It was made using Primitive Gatherings jelly rolls.

I bought some fabric to use for the alternate blocks for my Walnut Grove quilt.

I only cut out six squares to see how it looks.  These at the blocks I have made so far.  Today I am going to work on the next round of blocks.

This is a close up.  The alternate squares are a light floral print.  I'm very happy with look.

I have chosen my next machine pieced project to start after my Walnut Grove quilt.

I recently purchased this book on EBay.  I immediately fell in love with one of the quilts. 

The top quilt shown is an antique quilt.  The bottom is a quilt that Linda made.  I'm in the process of setting aside some fabrics for this quilt.  I'm going to be using fat quarters.   I want to make it large enough to use on my bed.  The strips are cut at 1 3/4".  Luckily I found an Accuquilt die that cuts 5 strips at a time so I can get the quilt cut out quickly.

After all the rain we had last week we have had a few days of perfect weather.  Today is beautiful.  The sun is shining and it is 69 degrees out.  

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

A Flimsy

I finished the "Beach, Camping and Softball Quilt".

 The quilt top is hanging on my design wall.  It looks a little wonky but it is in fact very straight.  This is a Christmas gift for my softball playing granddaughter.  The fabric for the backing is softballs.  It is the perfect size for Camping, taking to the beach and of course taking to a softball tournament.

I'm continuing to work on my Walnut Grove Sampler.  I just finished the 10 sawtooth star blocks.

Next up I need to make 14 Churn Dash blocks.  I went shopping for the fabric for the alternate blocks.  I found a couple I liked.  One is a neutral print and the other is a muted floral.  I'm hoping to get some photos soon to show you.

Thanks for stopping by.  Be sure to check back on the 30th to see the second block for the Linda "Flowers" sew along Karen at Log Cabin Quilter and I are doing.

Hugs, Cathy

Rain, Rain

Go Away.... The May flowers are being drowned by all the rain.  Oh well, this gives me more time to sew.

I finished another 6 Box in a Box blocks and I have the last 6 blocks prepped and ready to sew.

I will have a total of 24 of these blocks.  I'm not sure how big this quilt is going to end up seeing I'm going to be adding different blocks to the pile.

 Here is Block #4 for my Red and Green quilt.  Applique is taking a little longer to do.  My hands are better but I still have to take it easy.


I recently got the book "Sew Charming" by Country Threads.  I made this little quilt from charm squares.  It is called "Split Square".

I need to do a better job of reading instructions.  I cut the center strips 1 1/2" instead of 1 1/4".  The charms I used were from Buggy Barn.

Here is a better picture of another quilt I am working on "Walnut Grove Sampler".  The first 2 blocks where Ohio Stars.  The second group of blocks were Square in a Square.  I chose instead to make spool blocks.

I'm working on another applique block and hope to get a few more prepped.  This weekend I'm planning on getting another couple of quilts ready to machine quilt.  

I hope you have great weather and have some exciting plans for the weekend.  Thanks for stopping by..

Hugs, Cathy

Crazy Weather

First we had hot steamy weather with a strong wind out of the south.  Then the wind changed and came out of north and we had cold weather and rain.  I got a call from my son in the UP and they got SNOW...crazy and it's May.

I've been working on a few projects.

 I finally finished Sally Post Block 14.  I don't know why but I think this block intimidated me.  So many pieces.  I'm taking a little break from Sally...she is getting to clingy....lol

I finished 6 more Box in a Box blocks.  These are blocks from the Fat Quarter Shop Sampler quilt.  I'm making 20 of each block for a wedding quilt.

 This is from a kit I got from Craftsy.  It is 24" x 24" and will be a Christmas gift.  Right now it resides on my to be quilted pile.  Just waiting for my hands to heal a bit longer from my Carpal Tunnel Surgery.  It still hurts a bit when I try pinning a quilt sandwich.

This is a booklet that came with the latest issue of "Today's Quilter".  I fell in love with the sampler picture on the cover.  It is called "Walnut Grove Sampler".

  So far I have 2 blocks made.  These are the center blocks.  They are 6" blocks. 

I decided to add a 1 1/2" sashing to my 2014 BOM blocks.  I am adding friendship stars to the sashing where the blocks connect.  Then I will add a 1 1/2" border of the same sashing fabric around the quilt and then a final border from the main fabric.

Slow and steady progress is being made.  I also started working on another Red and Green block.  I should be able to show you a finished block next time.

I hope you are enjoying better weather than we are.  Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy