AWOL

Well, maybe not Absent Without Leave but last month I was certainly absent. Last month I had some issues.  One day I bent over and when I sat up I had the biggest floaters in my eyes and was seeing bright bits of light.  I went to the eye doctors for an exam.  Nothing too bad...but I needed new glasses.  I had also had lots of eye watering so it's been difficult to sew at times.  The doctor noticed a skin tag on my eyelid that has changed since my last exam.  So off to the eye surgeon.  He said it had to be removed.  So this Friday I will have the growth removed and biopsied.  

Next up was my annual Mammogram.  Well it's been longer than a year.  Any way they saw something on my right breast.  They wanted to compare films from my last one.  However, they closed that facility and the films are in storage and no one can find them...go figure.  So tomorrow I have to have another Mammogram and an Ultrasound.  I'm not too worried about it.

Since I have had visual problems it has taken me longer to get some things done.  But here we go...

Up first my Front Porch block for July.  I missed the link up at Humble Quilts.

I wish I had chosen a different green for more contrast but I'm still happy with this block.


I am way behind on my Cabot Cuties.  Hopefully I can get caught up this month.

I do enjoy making these blocks.  These blocks are 4 1/2" finished.


1857 Sampler

You may notice that I haven't added the corner diamonds on any of my blocks. I'm going to try and figure out a different way of putting these blocks together.

This is my Westering Women block.  

Well that is it as far as sewing goes.  We did get to go to our annual Detroit Tigers game with my daughter Kelley and her hubby Chris.  It has been so hot here that I was afraid I would melt in the heat.  We lucked out.  It was a beautiful night and the Tigers won.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you have a great day and get to enjoy some nice weather like we are.

Hugs, Cathy

Front Porch

It's time to link up with our June block's for the Front Porch Sew Along.  This month we made flag blocks.  Thanks to Lori's break down of piecing the blocks they went quickly.  Here are mine.

 I sewed the flag to my house block.  My pictures look a little wavy because of my design wall.  I couldn't get it to lay flat.

Here are the 2 other flags that will be used later in the quilt.  I also cut out their flag poles.  I will be linking up at Humble Quilts.


Another project on my design wall....

Here is a small section of it.  These are the reproduction 9 patch blocks that I received in a swap from Fun With Barb.  I used some in a quilt I made using a pattern from Cheri Payne.  


Now if you are not too bored I am sharing some more pictures from the Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor.  This time the Tropical room.

The gold fish seemed to glow.

I hope you enjoyed the photos.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

Hugs, Cathy

Front Porch

Time to reveal block #1 for our Front Porch Sew Along.

I love the first block.  I needle turned (or toothpick turned) all the pieces.  I am pretty happy with it.  I will be linking up with Lori on her blog Humble Quilts.

Lori is going to post the strip pieced directions for the 3 flag blocks.  The pattern calls for appliqueing the pieces of the flags.  Piecing will be much easier and less time consuming.


Don't forget to stop back on June 6 when we show our center blocks for the Gwennie Inspired Medallion Quilt.  It will then be revealed what the theme for the next round will be.  I don't know about you but I'm getting real excited.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

Happy Memorial Day

A few days early but the weekend is here.

We went camping last weekend...another baseball tournament.  But guess what no pictures.  Spent the majority of the weekend walking.  My daughters and myself have fitbits and they keep challenging me.  I always loose but my step count keep rising.

I have a few things to show you.

I finished 2 of the 4 1857 Sampler blocks for May...2 to go and the month is almost over.

This is the May block for the Sugar Club BOM.  Paper pieced.

Last months Westering Women block.  I'm hoping to get the current block done this weekend.


I don't know about where you are but here it is soooo hot.  When we were camping Sunday was so cold we had to put the furnace on in the camper to take the chill off.  We came home Monday and the temps were the complete opposite.


Speaking of Monday...my sugar levels had been in the 300's so I went to the doctors.  They gave me a few explanations.  One was that I was walking so much that my body was breaking down fat which released sugar into my system.  The second reason is I wasn't eating correctly.  I now am eating every 2 hours.  Smaller meals and 3 snacks a day.  And guess what...it is working.  My sugar levels are now under 200 and getting lower everyday.  I also lost 3 lbs.  Bonus!!!


I have finished my Gweenie Inspired Medallion center block.  I can't wait to show it to everyone.  If you look in the upper right had side of my blog you will see a button that Lori designed for us.  If you are joining in on the fun go to her Blog - Humble Quilts and grab the button.  Soon the center blocks and the design for the next round will be revealed.  


I also joined in one the "Front Porch"  quilt sew along with Lori.  Finished my block while camping.  Hope you are joining in too.


Thanks for stopping by and have a safe and happy Memorial Day.


Hugs, Cathy

Feeling So Much Better

For the first time in months I have energy.  I actually feel like doing something rather than just sitting all day.

We are going to be going camping a couple of times next month with my daughter and her family.  My granddaughter is going to be playing in a couple of baseball tournaments and it's easier to camp than drive back and forth everyday.  Sunday Terry and I decided to take a ride out to the first campground and check it out.  We hadn't been there before.  We were really happy with the campsite we are at.  So looking forward to camping.

Meanwhile back at the ranch....

I've been working on a few projects.

First up my 1857 Sampler Quilt.  Here are Aprils blocks 11-14.  I am so happy with the way they turned out.  It took me so long to learn how to do needle turn applique and I'm loving it.  I thought the floral block was going to be hard but I got it done in 2 nights while watching Tiger baseball.


I've been wanting to start another applique project for a while.  It is the Red and Green quilt designed by Wendy Wellum at Legend and Lace that she offers for free.  She started posting patterns in January and just posted May's early.
So I printed up the 5 patterns and started January's block.

This one is call Clover and Spades.  The only problem I had with this block is I used a stiff fabric and had a hard time turning the edges under.  But I pretty happy with how it turned out.  Today I'm going to start on February's block.


Next month I am going to be starting a new project.  I'm joining Lori at Humble Quilts in making Jan Patek's  pattern called Front Porch.  It is a 10 month BOM and that is what we are going to be doing...one block a month.  A few of us are doing it and have just ordered the pattern.  We will be starting in about a month.  

Well today our skies are overcast and it's been raining steadily.  Good day to sew.  Our dog Sammie has an appointment at the hair dresser..LOL..for a shampoo, cut and nails.  Can't wait to see her finished.

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Cathy