Summer is Finally Here!!!

The sun is shining and the temps are up...so is the humidity.

I have been working on my June "To Do" list.  I'm going to be 2 blocks short of what I planned to do.  But that is okay.

These are the 5 Log Cabin Bow Tie Blocks.  I've been working on this quilt for about 2 years.  I don't work on it too often.  I had 32 blocks made and now have 37.  Not sure how big I want to make the quilt but I know I need quite a few more.  So I will try and make at least 5 blocks a month.  Obviously I'm not in a big hurry...lol

Next...

I finished another APQ QAL Block.  Another 15 blocks to go.  Another slow but steady quilt.

I finished the binding on my Log Cabin quilt and it is now hanging up on the wall.

It looks so cute hanging in my living room.  

I started working on a Season's Block of the Month by Pat Sloan a while ago.  I am such a great fan of her work.  I started this last year in April...and only finished the April block.

This is April's block.

This is the book the quilt is in.

This is the quilt.

This is May's block.

Now I need to get some more blocks prepped.  Hopefully I can get this one done by next year.

The only thing missing from my "To Do" list is some of my Common Threads blocks.  I have the appliqued block prepped.  But I still need to make a couple of pieced blocks.  I guess they will have to wait till next month.

Next month will be a slow sewing month.  Hoping to get away for a couple of weeks traveling.  But we'll see.

For now....thanks for stopping by and keep cool.  Enjoy your weekend.

Hugs, Cathy

I Felt Burned Out...

I felt like I lost my focus.  So I took it easy for a day and no sewing.  I read and read and watched movies.   It wasn't much time away from sewing but it helped.

I guess I spent so much time with the block with Y seams that I felt frustrated and unproductive.  So I put the block up.  I haven't given up, but I need to work on other things.  I will definitely get back to it and you will see the most stunning block.  Until then.....

I finished my Floribunda Quilt Top.

I kept the red block because I feel the focus of the quilt is on the yellows and golds.  I rearranged the blocks and started the design in the upper left corner.  It is different...still not sure how I feel about this quilt...but the top is finished and it will be a picnic quilt when all is said and done.


DH and I went to JoAnn's today.  I was looking for some backing fabric for this quilt.  I fell in love this fabric.

For some reason I have been choosing large florals for backings.  This was a little more than I usually pay. Regular price $9.99 a yard.  I had a coupon but couldn't use it as this was on sale.  I ended up paying $6.99.  Now I need to wash it and get this quilt finished.


I also finished the quilt top for my Baby Trip Around the World.

I made it using Bonnie Hunter's directions.  However I cut my strips at 2" wide which made a 10" block.  Instead of making it scrappy I used the same 6 fabrics for each block.  I love how it turned out.  While at JoAnn's I looked for a backing fabric but couldn't find anything I like.  Will look again another day.

A few things I've been working on but do not have anything to show are:

1.  Pat Sloan Quilt from her new book "New Ideas for Applique" has a quilt that is excellent for a BOM.  She is starting it this month with Aprils block.  I should have it done in a day or two.

2.  I've been making quilt labels and sewing them onto the back of recently finished quilts.  I had so many small finishes the last couple of months that they are starting to stack up.

3.  I chose the quilt I want to make for the Small Quilt Talk quilt swap.  I've been in touch with the quilter I am swapping with and I have chosen an appliqued quilt with scrappy blocks.  All I have done is traced the applique pieces to freezer paper.  I have until the end of May to finish it.


As I sit and write this post I am watching the Tigers play the Blue Jays.  It is cold, it is raining and the Tigers are winning.  Let's hope it lasts.  

My son posted on facebook a picture of a weather map.  He lives in the Upper Peninsula.  The map shows they are expecting snow....like 1" - 2" an hour.  Last week he still had 3 feet of snow.  So I guess I won't complain too much about our 30 - 40 degree weather and rain.

Hope you have sunshine where you are.  Thanks for stopping by and spending some time.

Hugs, Cathy

P.S.  I want to thank everyone for their suggestions for the Y seam block.  I will use each and everyone of them when I decide to try it again.

April Fools Day

And time to make my to do or want to do list for April.  But first I want to show you my last 2 finishes for March.

This is a little quilt I made for my daughter, Kim, for having us over for Easter.  I had bought her a standing quilt frame for Christmas.  This was from a new pattern I bought by Cheri Payne called  "A Basket Full".  The actual basket was smaller and I enlarged it on my copier.  I hand appliqued and hand quilted it.  Now I've got to make one for myself.

This is a little quilt I made after seeing an antique doll quilt on Pinterest.  Then I also found the quilt in a multitude of quilt books.  It is made up of 2.5" squares, 1.5" squares and 1.5" x 2.5" rectangles.  It worked up quickly and I hand quilted it.


Now for my April List:

BOM'S

1.  Joined at the Hip, March and April's blocks.
2.  Country Threads
3.  Seasonal Applique
4.  Almost Amish, March and April
6.  Patchwork Posse Winter Wonderland
7.  Pat Sloan Quilt a Long (I know I can't believe it either.  Another BOM)

On Going

1.  Log Cabin Bow Ties

2.  Scrappy Trip Around the world.  I need to make 12 more blocks.  So I hope to get this finished and quilted this month.

3.  Ashley's Plaid quilt.  I have 7 blocks made and 23 more to make.

4.  I need to make another cup cake quilt.


UFO Busting

1.  Plaid Jacobs Ladder.  This was a sew a long from 2011 with Freda.  I would love to get at least the top put together.  So I need to make a few more blocks.

2.  Floribunda.  This was a Bonnie Hunter SAL from 2011.  I never really liked 
what I did but one of my daughters did so I think I will finish it for her for Christmas.

3.  I think I should make this #1.  It is my Primitive Primer.  I still only need one block to make.  So I will try and make this a priority.


Now if that isn't enough.....

1.  I signed up for a Small Quilt Swap at Small Quilt Talk.  I have 2 months to finish it.

2.  My monthly Small Quilt Talk Challenge.  This month we need to make a quilt using the Contrary Wife block.

3.  I'm making a baby quilt for my Nephew and his Wife.  The are expecting Son #3.

This is what I started on Saturday.  It is a Trip Around the World using just 6 fabrics.  The prints are from Riley Blake.  I am using 2" strips so it is a smaller block that the Scrappy one I am making.

4.  I got a couple of Sally Post Blocks prepped and started working on one of them.

5.  And I started hand quilting my Henrietta Whiskers quilt.  I am quilting it using #12 perle cotton and doing a big stitch.  


How's that for a list?  18 projects on my list.  It looks daunting, however the first 6 are just one block.  The next 4 are work on when time permits.   I think I can make a good dent in my list.  Only time will tell.

Well I better get going so I can get some of this done.  Hope you are having a great start to spring.  Since it is April Fools Day...Mother Nature pulled a good one.  It SNOWED this morning.  No accumulation...Thank goodness.  But none the less it snowed.

Hugs, Cathy