A Journey Ends

I can't believe our Dearest Boy journey has come to an end.  The final block is the center cow block.

This block was a challenge for me.  The initial pattern was too small.  I ended up using a round tray to mark the circle.  My circle is not perfect but it is finished.

All my blocks sewn together.  All I need to do now is add the borders.  I'm not doing the border from the pattern.  I am going to use one fabric for the narrower side borders and a different one for the top and bottom borders.

Be sure to check out Karen's, Julie's, and Carole's blogs to see how they are coming along.

I have a couple of finishes to show you.

I got my 9 patch quilt quilted and bound.  Well almost bound.  I still have a bit of binding to sew down.

This is my Gwennie Medallion quilt that I did with Lori at Humble Quilts.  I made 2 quilts.  A modern version which I machine quilted and this more traditional version.  This one I hand quilted.  And it took me a while to finish it.  I need to make a label for it and then bind it.  I'm so happy with the way it turned out and that it is finally finished.  And it was so much fun to be apart of the designing team.


Now that Dearest Boy is done Karen and I have chosen the our next sew along.  "Celebrating Mary Brown".  It is a very large (90" x 90") mostly appliqued quilt.  We will be starting in September.  We will be happily joined by Nanette at Chopin - A Passionate Quilter and Robin at I Like to Create.  To start out we will only be making one block a month.

I will be joining Nanette in another sew along starting in October.  Kim McLean's "Lollypop Trees".  This is a little out of my color comfort zone but I've been such a fan of this quilt that I just had to make it.


So I'll have lots to keep me busy in the future.  Keep stopping by to see how the sew alongs are coming.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

Dearest Boy

We are so close to the end.  I chose to do a pieced block for the last 10" block.  The block is called "Turkey Tracks".  Here is my version.

I like my version.

I put all the blocks up on the design wall.  Then I sewed the different sections together.

The empty spot in the center is for the cow.  I start on this block next week.  

Be sure to stop by and visit Karen's, Julie's and Carole's blogs to see what they have been up to.


I finished 2 more Sally Post blocks.

Block 22

Block 23

I need to finish another 13 blocks and then do the setting triangles.  I'm sure I can finish this before the end of the year.

Finally the next block from Pat Sloan's BOM Out of this world.  I've ad it finish for quite a while but keep forgetting to post a photo.

Thanks for stopping by.  Our week has started out with heat and humidity once again.  So I'm sticking close to home in the air conditioning.

Hugs, Cathy

Hot and Humid

Makes for good sewing time in the air conditioned sewing room.

Dearest Boy is coming to an end.  Karen posted our next pieced block so here is mine.

We now have one more 10" applique block and the final cow block.


I finished this month's blocks for the Cheddarback quilt.

I chose a house block instead of the school house block in the original quilt.

Here are the first 5 months blocks.  It is hard to find somewhere to lay out these blocks as it is quite long.  I'm very please with how this quilt is looking.


Finally I want to give an update on my flannel baskets.

I started with 6 blocks and now have 7 more.  I have a couple more blocks prepped.  I will keep going until I run out of flannel.  

Thanks for stopping by.  

Hugs, Cathy

We're Closer

Closer to the end of this sew along.  Dearest Boy has been a very long journey.  2 more 10" blocks and then the center 20" cow block.  Here is Block 6D.

It's not perfect but it's finished.  Be sure to stop by Karen's, Julie and Carole's

 blogs to see what they've been up to.

I entered into a Birthday giveaway that  Kyle had on her blog, Timeless Reflections.  She had 3 birthday packages and I won the third.  It had 2 FQ of fabric, 2 spools of thread and some vintage buttons.

I've already used some of the fabric for backgrounds on some blocks.  Thanks again Kyle.

The weather here has been hot and humid.  Today we got a reprieve...temps in the 79's.  A good opportunity to turn off the air conditioners and open the windows.  Tomorrow it will be in the 90's.  Ugh!

Thanks so much for stopping by

Hugs, Cathy

Dearest Boy

It's not perfect but I actually finished block 6A before I left for up north.

It's a little lopsided but I still like it.

Be sure to stop by the blogs of Karen, Julie, and Carole to see what they are up to.

My UFO for this month is a Bear's Paw quilt.  

As you can see I didn't get it finished and it won't be finished by the end of the month.  I decided I'm not going to pick a new UFO for June.  Instead I am going to get some previous UFO's finished.

I want to finish this quilt, then finish up my Flower Bouquet and work on the Front Porch quilt.  I found a replacement block for the bike block.

In July I am starting on a new quilt with partner in crime...Karen.  

BTW.  We had a great time up north.  My granddaughter's Graduation party was lots of fun.  Afterward the family got together for pizza and a bonfire.

My grand kids in order, Alecia holding my granddog Bear, Cassidy, Brian and the Grad Ashley.

Hubby, Terry, Ashley, Me, Cassidy, Brian and Alecia.  It was good to see everyone and to spend some time together.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

Dearest Boy and More

I've go too much stress in my life to add more stress through quilting.  Quilting calms my stress.  So when it came to this month's Dearest Boy block I had to do something different.

I chose an eight pointed block.

Speaking of stress...  This month's UFO, Jan Patek's Front Porch quilt is an epic fail.  I now remember why I put this project up.

I had previously made all the blocks except for the upper right block with the boat and whales and the bike block.

 I finished the Whale block....

I love the whales.  When it came to the bike block I realized this is why I had put this project up in the first place.  3 times I tried to make this block and 3 times I failed.  So this UFO is going back up on the shelf.  I'll try again another time.


I've chosen my UFO for May.

I'm going to make a few changes but otherwise I really love this quilt.

I have 5 blocks made, and I need another 7.  Since it is pieced I should have no problem finishing up this UFO.


Here's an update on my Sally Post blocks.

I now have 20 blocks made.  16 to go.  I work on this in my leisure and it's coming along nicely.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you have found something you liked.


Hugs, Cathy

Dearest Boy, Sally Post and a Flower Bouquet

It's that time of the month when we reveal the next Dearest Boy block.  I think that we all agree that this month's block is difficult.  How difficult you ask?  So difficult that I did a different block.

If you look at the photo of the quilt this months block is seen under the cow.  The block is called oak tree and we were to make 2 of them.  I want to enjoy quilting and this block wasn't going to do it for me.

Here are the blocks I made.  Pine trees.

Not the most beautiful of blocks but I like them.

Be sure to stop by Karen's, Julie's and Carole's blogs to see what they came up with.



I finished another Sally Post block.

This is block 19 of 36.  Too many blocks needed to make to be able to finish this quilt in a month.  So whenever I have a little extra time.  I haven't trimmed this block yet.

 
Wednesday Pat Sloan posted the next block for her Flower Bouquet Block of the Week.

This week there were 2 blocks.  This completes the bottom left of the quilt and we are now three quarters of the way done.

And the final project I leave you with is my March/April Mini quilt.  I call it March/April because I don't think I will have time to make a mini this month.

I think this is my favorite mini/doll quilt I have made to date.


Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you found something you liked.

Hugs, Cathy

Dearest Boy Block 4 C

I was going to do my post last night but wasn't feeling well and went to bed early.  So I was going to do my post first thing this morning but I bundled up and read emails....It was cold this morning.  Temps are -4.  

Any way.  Here is my block.  The blue circles were suppose to be hexagons.  I decided to do fussy cut circles.

I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

Be sure to stop by Karen's, Julie's, and Carole's Blogs to see what they've been up to.

Stay warm and sew today.

Hugs, Cathy

Back in the Saddle

In other words back to working on Dearest Boy.  It was nice taking the month of December off.  Gave me more time for Christmas shopping and working on other projects.

We are just about half way to the end.

I tell you....this was one difficult block.  It looks wonky.  But that's okay.  It's finished.

I've been getting a lot done lately.  I have 2 pieced blocks and 2 applique blocks to make for my UFO of the month, Civil War Memories.  It will be nice to get it done.  I'll share photos later this month.

I need the final 3 of 16 of the flower blocks for another project.

I started making some strip blocks.  I have 10 done.

And I've been getting in 30 minutes of hand quilting  every night.

All will be revealed later this month.

We don't have snow here but the weather has been really cold.  It makes for nice sewing time.  The sewing room is nice and toasty.  Fabric makes for great insulation.

Well thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

Dearest Boy Update

I usually write my posts the day before...oops...I forgot.  Then I over slept this morning.

So here it goes.  This looked like a very complicated block.  And it was.

However, I figured that I could easily applique it.  I found a similar pattern on EQ8.  I made one copy on paper and 2 copies on freezer paper.  I cut out the templates of freezer paper.  I traced the paper pattern on my background fabric.

I appliqued the beige triangles first, then the large circle, then the red and blue spires, then the small circle in the center and faintly you can see the design in the circle.

I'm very happy with the way it turned out.

Hugs, Cathy

It's Time

To show the next block in the Dearest Boy saga...

What you say...it doesn't look like the block in the book.  You are right.  Life is too short and too busy and I don't have the patience for all that technical work.  So I found a block in EQ8 and used it for my baskets.

I truly admire those who did the block as it was in the pattern.  I just wasn't up to it.  I am very happy with my little baskets.

Thanks for stopping by.  Be sure to visit the blogs of the sew along quilters,
Karen, Julie, Carole, and Doreen.

This coming week I am staying at my daughter's house keeping my granddaughter company while her parents go to Las Vegas.  They go once a year and I go to her house.  Luckily she lives 5 minutes from my house so I can run home for a change of clothes or get a little sewing done.

Hugs, Cathy

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

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

Dearest Boy Block 1B

This block was SOOOOOO much easier than the first block.

I love this goose.  She has so much attitude.    

Now be sure to check with Karen and Julie on their blogs as they too will be sharing photos of this sweet little goose.  

The weather here has been in the 90's and Cathy don't do heat...lol.  Thank goodness hubby put the air conditioner in the bedroom and the sewing room.  Our dog Sammie can't take the heat either.  Yesterday she got a haircut.  We thought that would help...but the air conditioning helps more.  She lays on the floor in my sewing room while I sew.

I know there is an issue on Blogger regarding on comments going to our email accounts.  I will check my blog often and will respond to your comments.

Thanks for taking the time from your busy lives to stop by.  I really enjoy your comments.

Hugs, Cathy

Dearest Boy

Block 1A

I will not lie.  This was not an easy block.  It gave me nightmares..really!  I would wake up in the middle of the night and worry about getting this block done.

I got a sneak peak at Karen's block.  I thought she was sending me a photo of the original block.  She's good.

I've emailed Julie and she felt the block was hard too.  Needless to say I can't wait to see her block.

Without further ado here is my humble block.

I did a simpler version.  I also used blue instead of red.  I'm happy with the results and once finished I had a really good nights sleep.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

A Small Finish

I made this little Jan Patek quilt a while ago.  I finally decided to machine quilt it.

I did cross hatch quilting.  I have so many quilts to finish I figured I better start getting some of them done.


Next I did another block for my Red and Green quilt.

This is an ongoing project.  I'm in no hurry to finish...seeing I've been working on for 2 years...lol.

I finished all the blocks for my second Christmas quilt.  I plan on sewing the top together later today.

I'm working on the first block for the "Dearest Boy".  It is probably the hardest block I've ever made.  I had nightmares about this block.  Hopefully, I can get it done.  What a pain this block is.  The rest of the blocks look to be a lot easier.  Wish me luck.

Lori at Humble Quilts has posted the blocks to make for month 5 of the "Sweet Land of Liberty" quilt.  So it's going to be a sewing marathon here at Big Lake Quilts.

Well, we had 3 days of hot weather.  Now we are having a couple of days of rainy weather.  We go from one extreme to the other here in Michigan.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great weekend.

Hugs, Cathy

A Finish and a Beginning

The finish is "Early American Life".  Karen and I have finished our blocks for this quilt.  I have been putting the quilt together as we worked along.  Here are the final blocks and my finished top.

 Here is block 12.  Once I finished this block I added it to row 3.

 I'm really happy with my choice of fabrics for the sashing and corner stones.

Block 13

Block 14

 Block 15

 Block 16

 And here is my finished quilt top.  I bought this fabric online and was thrilled with how well it went with all the blocks.

It has been such a joy working with Karen on this quilt.  She kept me on point.  Each month it was a surprise to see how her blocks turned out.  This has been the third quilt I have made working with Karen.  I enjoyed it so much that we have chosen our next quilt to work on.

Our next project is "Dearest Boy".

This quilt is going to take a bit longer to make.  Besides the triangle top and bottom border it has 32 10" blocks and the center block is 20".

We will be another partner in crime.  Julie K will be joining in on the fun.  As in the past we will be posting blocks on the 15th and 30th of each month.  I hope you stop by to see our progress.

In case you are wondering.  The quilt behind the book is the Gwennie Medallion Round Robin quilt I made with Lori at Humble quilts.  I just got a new quilt frame (an Ulmer frame) and I'm finally starting to hand quilt it.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy