Westering Women and more

Last week I put my Westering Women blocks together.  This quilt will be my husband's quilt so I let him choose the borders.

I'm happy with the way this turned out.  Now I need to decide on a backing and then I can machine quilt it.  This was #1 on my UFO list for 2017.  So glad to cross it off my list.

I finished Blocks 3 and 4 for Pat Sloan's Solstice Sew Along.

Block 3

Block 4

These have been fairly easy blocks to make.  I hope it continues.

2016 was a fairly stressful year for our family.  I was hoping 2017 would be better....but so far that has not been the case.  I decided that this year I would not be joining any sew alongs or BOM's.  I decided to join one sew along and already started stressing over time constraints and fabric.  Not what I need.  So I will not be joining in with Lori and Karen doing another Jan Patek quilt.  I will eventually make this quilt but not right now.

I'm sticking with the original plan.  Finish up some UFO's, not buying any fabric this year, and keep it relaxing. 

So here's to a relaxing New Year and getting some quilts made.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

It's Been a While

Christmas was gone in a blur.  However we were surprised by son, Patrick, who lives in the Upper Peninsula.  He and his wife and my Granddaughter, Ashley, came down for Christmas for the first time in 14 years.  Pat always wanted Ashley to celebrate Christmas in her own home.  Now that she is 15 and not a Santa believer they came down.  It was great.

The New Year came in with a cold blast of air and a head cold.  It's still hanging on but it's not so bad.  It hasn't stopped me from sewing.

I started Pat Sloan's Solstice BOM.  Here are the first 2 blocks.  I had a FQ bundle from Boundless that I decided to use.

No New Year's Resolutions this year.  But I do plan on finishing up some projects from last year.  I made a list of 10 UFOs and the first one up is Barbara Brackman's Westering Women.  I had finished the first 6 blocks.  I just finished the last 6.  Today I'm going start sewing them all together.

I made the Ivy block instead of the Lily block.  The the block above...well I don't know what happened.  I messed up on the piecing...but I like the way it turned out.  

I'm trying to take things easy and not put as much presser on myself as I usually do.  This last year was not the best for us.  I had too many health issues and am working on resolving them.

My husbands parents are not doing well.  Dad has Alzheimers and is slowly declining.  He knows who we are but he is living in the past.  Mom is a nervous wreck.  My brother-in-law lives with them but he is not the best care giver.  They live about an hour away and my husband is spending at least 4 days a week up there.  Sorry to vent.  We are hoping this year will be much better.

So I'm off to my sewing room to work on Westering Women.  Hopefully I will have a quilt top to show you later this month.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

Busy

I haven't posted as much as I wanted because I've been busy.

I got the Plus Quilt machine quilted and bound.  Another Christmas gift finished.

I'm really happy with the way it turned out.  I know the recipient will love it.  The backing and binding are gray.

A charm square Table Runner.  Another Christmas gift.

My final project...

I just finished sewing the binding down.  I used the same blue for the backing and the binding.  It was machine quilted on the diagonal.

Now I only have 2 more table runners and ornaments to make.  I've not worked on any projects other than Christmas Projects.  I hope to finish soon so can work on Cathy projects.

I had some really good news.  I opened up my email early last week and was surprised to learn that I had won the Customer Loyalty Giveaway from CT Publishing.  I got to order $200 worth of merchandise.  I was thrilled.  I immediately shopped till I dropped and should get my winnings this week.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

We Have a Winner

The winner is....Karen at Brezzy Point.

I've sent Karen an email to let her know.  Thanks to all who have entered.

Hugs, Cathy

A Flimsy

I finished another flimsy.

This is the same quilt I showed you earlier.  Only the fabrics have changed.  I've got fabric for the backing ordered.  Once it arrives I will get this one quilted and ready to give as a gift at Christmas.

Don't forget that Today is the last day to enter the Giveaway for a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol. 14.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

Busy Hands

It's that time of year when I am busy finishing up Christmas gifts.  I've put everything else on hold.  I'm not working on any of my sew alongs.  Putting these projects up and saving monthly patterns.  Time to get my hands busy.

We did take some time off the other day and went for a ride up the Lake Huron side of Michigan.  We ended up in Lexington.  This is a picture of the docks.

It was such a beautiful day.

Back home and back to work.  A few finishes.

This one is for me.  It is for my 12" quilt stand.  I can keep it up all through November.

A Christmas gift.  It is 5" x 20".

Another Christmas gift.  It is 36" x 42" and is made from Jelly Rolls.  It went really quickly.  I quilted it using a serpentine stitch.  This is my favorite go to stitch.  I am working on second one.  It will be 54" x 60".  The plus signs are in solid colors and the 4 corners on the blocks are gray prints.  I'm a little over half way done with these blocks.  Can't wait to show it to you.

Now don't forget about the giveaway I am hosting.

One of my followers will be receiving a copy.  Please enter on the original post here.  I have received comments from no comment bloggers.  They are Google+ followers.  Be sure to put your email in your comment so I can contact you if you win.  Good luck.

Hugs, Cathy

A Giveaway

 I tested blocks for Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol. 14.  Through out the year they sent me approx. 12 different blocks to test.  As a thank you they sent me 2 copies of the magazine.  One for me and one for you.

First I'm going to show you the blocks I tested and then I'll tell you how you can win a copy.

Block #1313

Daisy's Meadow

By Margie Ullery

Block 1318

Runway

By Cynthia Brunz

Block 1328

Betties Bikini

By Jennifer Ofenstein

Block 1330

Flywheel

By Tricia Patterson

Block 1334

Color Swatches

By Janina Van Harberden

Block 1335

Solid Stacks

By Jackie White

Block 1339

Celebration Star

By Abigail Dolinger

Block 1359

Conduit

By Janice Averill

Block 1386

Amethyst

By Deb McDonald

Block 1400

Star Route

By Anne Wiens

I wasn't able to test the last 2 blocks because of the eye problems I was experiencing.  

If you would like to win a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol. 14 leave a comment telling me how you follow my blog and which of the blocks I made is your favorite.  It's that easy.  You have until next Tuesday November 15th and I will post the winner on Wednesday the 16th.  Please be sure to leave your comment on this post.

Hugs, Cathy