Playing Catch-up

Back from a 2 week vacation and got a stomach virus.  So not much sewing getting done around here.

Luckily I finished the second block of the month for our Dearest Boy Sew Along.  This is the first block in the second row.  Block 2 A.

I love this block.  I'm really happy with how it turned out.

Now I need to start work on the next block, finish the blocks for Land of Liberty, do the next block for Antebellum Album and get caught up on the Temecula sew along.   Whew....I'm tired just thinking about it.  lol

Be sure to stop by and check out what the other Dearest Boy sew along members are doing.  

Karen, Julie, Carole and hopefully Doreen she's working on the quilt but hasn't posted yet.

I hope you are enjoying your summer.  Thankfully the weather has been very pleasant here.

Hugs, Cathy

A Beautiful Day

 Yesterday was absolutely beautiful.  The temps were in the 70's so it was a good day to do some site seeing. 

My parents retired and moved to the Upper Peninsula many, many years ago.  So my family has been in love with the area.  So much so for one member, my son Patrick.  He went to NMU and never came home.  

One of my favorite places is AuSable Lake.  To the left of this photo is a sand dune which is covered in grass.  When the kids were little there was no guard rail.  This is a drop off lake.  We would climb the sand dune then run down the hill, over the road, and dive in the lake at the drop off.

 Things have changed so much.  No more sand dune, no more swimming.  They closed the beach and closed the picnic area.

We left there and headed to Grand Marais.

 They have some beautiful houses up on the hill overlooking Lake Superior.  This one is my favorite.  I could be happy here.

 This is the Coast Guard Station.  It is now run by the National Parks Service.  There is a huge bay area.  In August they have hundreds of kayakers that come for a kayaking class and then they are taken out onto Lake Superior.  They open the High School for sleeping quarters.

Our final destination was 12 Mile Beach.  You drive down this old road that runs along Lake Superior.  We found a spot to pull over and this is what we saw.

The view was spectacular.

We climbed down the sand hill to the beach.

The beach is covered in driftwood that is thrown up on land during the many storms.  The shoreline is covered in stones and rocks.  We have spent many hours looking for Agates.

We had a great time.  We were so tired from all the walking on the beach but it was a good tired.

This morning when we got up it was a shock.  The temperature was 53 and its overcast.  So I plan on working on some applique.  Tomorrow is supposed to be warmer so we can go do some more exploring.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

I'm on Vacation

And I almost forgot to write my post....  We are in Michigan's Upper Peninsula for 2 weeks.  We're house sitting and pet sitting for my son and his family while they are in California.  This is our first vacation in 2 years.

Now for the next Dearest Boy block.

This is Block 1F.  A pear tree.  This completes the first row.

Check out Karen's and Julie's blogs.  And it looks like we might have a couple of new members for our sew along, Carole and Doreen.  Carole posted one of her blocks last week.  Doreen hasn't posted yet but she posted on facebook that she is working on her blocks.

Looking forward to some cooler weather here.  Have a great day.

Hugs, Cathy

Dearest Boy Blocks 4 and 5

It's that time again.  This week we will be sharing 2 blocks.  One pieced and one appliqued.

This is our first pieced block.  Block 4A.  This was a rather difficult block to piece.  I don't usually have a problem with pieced blocks but this one gave my patience a hard time....lol

Here is block 5A.  I wasn't too fond of this block.  But I persevered and finished it.  My cherries are a little wonky but I do like the outcome.  One more block and we will have the first row done.

Be sure to stop by Karen and Julie's blogs to see their version of the blocks.  

I've also been working on Barbara Brackman's Antebellum Album.  Here is block 6.

I'm using a tea dyed muslin for the background and browns and pinks for the rest.  I really love how this block turned out.

It's hot, hot, hot here in Michigan.  Yesterday was in the 90's and we are expecting more of the same today.  Trying to stay cool and get some sewing done.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

A Wedding

Last night my Grandson Brian married the love of his life Jess.  The venue was beautiful.  They wanted to get married outside...but wouldn't you know...it started raining a half hour before the ceremony was to begin.  Luckily they had a covered area for the ceremony.

Here is Brian...our gentle giant waiting for his bride.

Then came the bride..

Checking with her bridesmaids if she should go through with it.

Part of the ceremony was called tying of the hands.

Their first Dance.

They are so happy.  

Cutting of the Wedding Cake.  There were 2 flavors.  Almond ganache and chocolate with a raspberry filling.  I had the chocolate.  It was so delicious.

My daughter sitting next to Brian, I'm in black.  Granddaughters Ashley and Cassidy behind me along with Granddaughter Alecia with he beau Jon.

Mother of the groom, my daughter Kelley with her 2 daughters Cassidy and Alecia.

The rain stopped and the happy couple danced in the garden.

The wedding party.  Most are friends since childhood.  They were great.

We couldn't be more happy for this wonderful couple.  We love them so much.

Thanks for letting me share our happiness.

Hugs, Cathy

Dearest Boy Block 1 C

Another slightly difficult block...but I love it.

I had been working on my Antebellum Album quilt so I had a lot of fabrics pulled for it.  I thought these fabrics would work well on this block.

Be sure to stop by and see Karen and Julie's blocks.

I want to thank everyone for their kind words about the loss of my father-in-law.  Your thoughts and prayers have been appreciated.

A week from today my grandson is getting married.  It will be a wonderful celebration.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

Slow Sewing

A few projects to share.

Antebellum Album Block 5.

I'm using a tea dyed muslin for the background on all my blocks.  


Next up is Month 6 of the Land of Liberty quilt sew along hosted by Lori of Humble Quilts.  She gives so much insightful information which is helpful to both people who have the pattern and those that don't.

Lately I've been prepping blocks for Dearest Boy and my Red and Green quilt.


It's been a couple of hard months here.  First we lost my husband's mother.  It was totally unexpected.  His father was struggling with Alzheimer's and mobility issues.  My husband and his brother finally got Dad in a nursing home.  He wasn't doing well and appeared to have given up.  He missed Mom.  Last week on Monday he passed away.  We miss them both very much.  

Thank you for stopping by.  Your comments are appreciated.

Hugs, Cathy