Happy New Year!!!

Okay, so I'm a little late.  Par for the course.  I am so looking forward to this new year, new projects and new places to visit.  Speaking of visits....

 We are in the Upper Peninsula visiting my son and his family.  It is so beautiful here.  The sun is shining and the temp is only 14 degrees but with the sun its not to bad.

This is the view outside his side door.  Later today we are going to watch my granddaughter Ashley play hockey.  She has 2 games today and 1 tomorrow.  Then we head home on Monday.

We brought our new dog, Sammie with us.  She didn't like being in the car at all.  She shook and whined for a while.  Once she got used to it she was fine. She curled up in the well of the back seat and slept.  She sure loves the snow.

I make some 12" quilts for the daughters, daughters-in-law and girlfriends as Christmas gifts.  I bought them each a table stand quilt hanger.  Her are the quilts.

I made a photo of each set of quilts and put their name under the description. That way when I make them future quilts I won't duplicate.  I think they were

pretty happy with them.

I am now finishing up my last quilt as part of Quiltmaker Magazine's Scrap Squad.  They will be announcing the 2013 Scrap Squad members soon.  I had so much fun this year.  Made a lot of new friends, tried new techniques and was kept very busy.  I look forward to new adventures in quilting this year and hope to show you many new projects and hopefully some old finishes.

Thanks for being loyal followers.  It is much appreciated.  

Hugs, Cathy

I Haven't Forgotten You.....

Have you forgotten me?  Life always seems to get in the way of doing what you want to do.

I had to have oral surgery recently and I've had a lot of pain.  It gets in the way and makes it so you don't want to do anything. 

I'm working on my final quilt for Quiltmaker Magazine.  I'm sad that my time with the Scrap Squad is coming to an end but will now have time to work on some of my own projects.

I've been working on Christmas presents and ornaments.  Always last minute...lol

We did get an early Christmas present.  My daughter heard about a dog that had to find a home or it was going to the pound.  It looks just like her dog only female and she is a bit longer.  Kelley's dog is a type of terrier.  This one is part terrier and part long hair dachshund.  We named her "Sammy".

She has spent most of the day getting familiar with her surroundings. 

We weren't looking to get a dog, but we are so happy to have her.

Well after the first of the year I plan on spending a bit more time here sharing some quilts and pictures. 

I hope you have a Very Merry Christmas and that the New Year brings you everything you wish for.

Hugs, Cathy

Woo Hoo

Today my quilt is up on Quiltmaker's Blog, Quilty Pleasures.  We are very fortunate that Quiltmaker lets us write up our own post on their blog.  So please check it out and see my journey with this quilt.  This is my 5th quilt as part of the scrap squad. 

This is the basic block for the quilt.  There are two different layouts, positive and negative.

Here is my finished quilt.  It went together quickly and I love the results. 

Be sure to check out the blog and see what my fellow scrap squad members are doing.

Hugs, Cathy

OUR FIRST SNOWFALL OF THE SEASON

It was pretty but slick out.  No pictures...to cold to go out to take pictures.  So I did what any quilter would do...

I spent the day in my sewing room quilting.

Are you addicted to Pinterest?  Well I am.  I have found so many interesting things.  For instance....

I saw these on Pinterest.  They are sold at Harbor Freight for $1.99 for two 45 mm blades and they call them Carpet Cutting Blades.  Well my husband, Terry, is a Harbor Freight junkie.  So on his last trip there I asked him to pick me up a package.  Today while cutting fabric I noticed my blade wasn't cutting right so it was a good time to try the new ones.  I am very happy to say they work fantastic.  So I thought I would send along this little bit of info to all my friends.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Saturday, and an early Cyber Monday.  I got lots of shopping done just sitting here in my warm cozy chair.

Hugs, Cathy

P.S. I've got a nice pot of barbeque pulled pork in the slow cooker and it smells delicious here....lol
 

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving with lots of family, friends and good food!

I will be spending the day at my daughter, Kim's with family gathered around.

Hugs, Cathy

It is Bright and Sunny.....

But oh so cold here in Michigan.  Fall is almost over and Winter can be felt in the wind.

It is hard to believe that a month ago we were basking in sunny 80 degree weather at Assateague Island by the ocean.   It was sad to hear that they were hit by Sandy.  I went on line and checked out videos from the local news.

This building was knocked off its legs and there was damage to the roof and porch.  Some of the black top walkways in the National Park were damaged and one of the parking lots had 4 FEET of sand.  We had parked there.  The main bridge to the island is okay, however the walking and bike bridge had structural damage.  As of now both the state park and national park are open. 

While we were at the island we visited Berlin, Maryland (It was the town where "Runaway Bride" was filmed).  We visited a favorite antique store.  I found an antique quilt from the 30's and had to have it.

It's pretty big.  I hadn't seen a "Grandmother's Flower Garden"  with the path done in red.  The entire quilt is hand pieced and hand quilted.

After we left the island we headed to Gettysburg.  We spent one day visiting antique shops.  I felt like I was getting greedy...I found another quilt I just had to have.

It dates back to around 1868.  It too was hand pieced and hand quilted.  It has the most beautiful bubble gum pink and a sage green.  The inner border is a yellow print and surprising it works.

Well I finally finished my 5th quilt for Quiltmaker's Scrap Squad and I already have the pattern for the 6th and final quilt.  It is hard to believe that my year with the Scrap Squad is almost up.  It has been so much fun.  And I've been extremely busy.

In between these quilts I've been working on something of my own. 

I first saw this quilt on Pinterest.  However that quilt was done with 10" strips.  I happened to have 2 jelly rolls that I got from Connecting Threads.  One was in prints and the other in solids.  Both were in autumn colors.  I didn't have any real directions for this patter so I just figured it out by myself.  When the top is finished I am going to hand quilt it.   I will share more later.

So this is what is on my design wall.  What is on yours.  Until we meet again.

Hugs, Cathy

Just wanted you to know that I did not design this quilt.  It was adapted from  one I saw on Pinterest.  I also saw it on the cover of American Patchwork and Quilting and a few other websites.  When I said I was working on one of my own I meant one of my own choosing.  Hugs, Cathy

Just a few words...

I'm frantically working to get my 5th quilt done for Quiltmaker Magazine.  I so love this quilt and wish I could show it to you.  But be patient, all will be reveled soon.

Speaking of Quiltmaker...they are having their 100 Blocks Blog Tour.  You get a chance to win a copy of the new magazine or some goodies.  Be sure to stop by at  http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures/  and see what is happening.

On another note....Don't forget to vote tomorrow because your vote counts.

Hope to be able to show you some quilts I picked up while on vacation in the next day or too.  Until then....Happy quilting.

Hugs, Cathy