It's been a While....

I've been busy with this and that.  The weather has either been hot, hot, hot or cold, cold, cold.  I don't have anything to show you because I have been working steadily on my latest Scrap Squad quilt.  Lots of hand applique.  As much as I love hand applique it gets a little boring when you are appliqueing the same shape over and over.

I've also been working on my weight and diabetes.  The weight is coming off slowly.  I'm averaging 1.5 lbs. per week.  I started on insulin 4 weeks ago.  My blood sugar levels are coming down so I guess the insulin and the addition of a new medicine is helping.  However, being on insulin is making me hold water and causing my legs to swell.  They said this would happen and that it would be harder to loose weight once I started the insulin.  So I take water pills and this seems to help.

We have been going for walks.  I've got a few pictures for you.

This couple was taking their 5 kids for a walk.  They didn't care for us being as close as we were.

I thought I had my hands full with 4 kids but this family had 14 young ones.

Lot's of geese with young ones.  But we've only seen one pair of swans with a baby.  This swan has been setting on her nest for a while.  I hope they will be a baby soon.

The park is full of Red Winged Blackbirds.  They have such a beautiful song.  They often follow us hoping for some bird seed.

As I've told you before I spent 4 years in the Upper Peninsula taking care of my Dad.  When he passed away in 2010 my husband suggested that we dig up my parents Peony bushes and bring them home.  I'm am so glad he did. 

There are 2 different types.  This one blooms wide open.  The other which has buds but no flowers yet is a deep magenta and  the flower is tighter.

Every time I look out into my backyard and see them I smile and think good thoughts about my parent.  So many wonderful memories.

I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial weekend.  Stay safe and enjoy yourselves.  We are staying at home.  I'm going to try and get some sewing done that I can show you...lol. 

Hugs, Cathy

A Finish, A Start, A Walk, and A Quilt Show

WARNING:  PHOTO HEAVY

A while ago I showed you a little basket quilt top that I made.  It was a Cheri Payne quilt-a-long.  Well here it is finished and hanging up on my wall.

I machine quilted it doing squigly lines across the quilt.

Here is another Cheri Payne quilt-a-long.  It still needs to be quilted.

You know how much Terry and I love walking at Lake St. Clair Metro Park.  Well it's been raining so much lately we haven't had a chance to walk.  Yesterday the sun was shining and a nice breeze blowing...so we took off to the park.

We came across this couple having a picnic.  They were so lucky to find a spot with a private swimming pool.

Mom was taking her new borns out for a stroll.

This Mom had her hands full.  The babies are growing so fast.

I love this time of year.  The flowering trees are so beautiful. 

Everytime I go to the park I have wanted to get a picture of this weathervane.  So I finally did.  It is made of copper.

And now I saved the best for last.  Last week we went to the Macomb County Quilt Guild Quilt Show.  There were so many beautiful quilts.  Enjoy!!

 Look closely and you can see that the entire quilt is made from 9 patches.  It is so beautiful.

And of course they had sooooo many vendors.  However, I only bought one thing.  A new book.  I won't be starting this quilt till my year with Quiltmaker Magazine is over.

Speaking of Quiltmaker....go to Quilty Pleasures Blog and see my fellow Scrap Squad member Jennifer's Ladder of Success.  Another beautiful quilt.

Wishing you a wonderful sunshine filled day.

Hugs, Cathy

A Day of Antiquing

Yesterday the sun was shining and it was heating up.  We decided to go to Bay City to do a little antiquing and of course fabric shopping.  Can't show the fabrics as they will be going into my newest Scrap Squad quilt.  But I can show you what I bought at the antique store.

It is a little rough in spots, but the minute I saw it I heard it say....."Take me home with you".  The secondary pattern wasn't apparent at first glance.  In fact I didn't see it until I had it on the wall.

The second acquisition is a sweet little baby quilt.  It too has been loved quite a bit.

It is a true use it up quilt.  A couple of the blocks have multiple fabrics used in it.

We lucked out all day long by being just behind the rain.  So it was an enjoyable day out. 

Hope you are having a great day.

Hugs, Cathy

It's Time to Reveal...

My second Quiltmaker Scrap Squad Quilt...

But first a little background.  As you know last year I applied to Quiltmaker Magazine to be a part of their Scrap Squad.  I had to send in pictures of some of my scrap quilt.  Amazingly I was chosen.  Their are 7 of us in the Scrap Squad.

The magazine sends us a pattern of a quilt that is coming out in the next issue of Quiltmaker and we are asked to make a scrappy version.  This entails making a quilt every 2 months.

The first quilt I made is on the left side of the screen, "Chain Reaction"

The second quilt "Ladder of Success" was designed by Judy Martin.  I hope you enjoy the journey of this second quilt.

First I chose my focus fabric.

I pulled all the colors for my quilt from this fabric.  And I made it using only scraps except for the first and second borders.

I used solid looking fabrics for the large 9 patches. lots of different black prints for the sashing blocks and light shades of blue for the double 9 patch blocks and many golds for the second border.  The balance was different shades of neutral fabrics.

To keep me organized I draw the different segments on a graph paper index card.  I mark the size of each piece, and how many pieces.  I put this in a plastic frame and keep it along side my sewing machine.

Once all the pieces were cut out the center of the quilt went together very quickly.

I think this would make a nice quilt on its own.

Here are my quilt top and Judy Martin's quilt bottom.

Please check out Quiltmaker's Blog, Quilty Pleasures  and see the different versions of this quilt made by my fellow Scrap Squad members. 

And just to let you know....I've already received the pattern for the next quilt.  You are going to like what we have in store for you.

Hugs, Cathy



In Just One Week.....

We've had 80 degree weather, 32 degree weather, a quilt show, a walk, and health issues.

First the Quilt Show.  A week ago, my husband and I went to the Oakland County Quilt Guild Quilt Show.  This show is special to me.  I used to be a member of the guild and I got my first 1st place ribbon at this NQA show.  Here are some of the quilts I saw.

It was a really nice show.  And they had tons of vendors...I did shop a little.  It was nice to run into some old friends too.

We went for a walk to Lake St. Clair Metro Park (formerly Metro Beach Metro Park) and it was beautiful out.  I made sure I took my camera hoping to see some wild life.  And I did.  The temperature was around 80.

These 2 Terns were flirting quite a bit.  We had to turn away at one point....lol

We saw so many swans.  There was a flock of 10 swans that flew over us.  Not sure where they were headed.

My first site of baby geese for the season.  They were quite small and as you can see the parents were very protective.

We went walking yesterday and it was only 32 degrees out.  I swear I saw snow flakes.  It must have been dog walking day.  There had to be about 80 dogs there.

Now for the health issues.  I've had Type 2 diabetes for years.  Tuesday I went to the Doctor's for my regular check up and my blood tests showed that my diabetes is out of control.  I am now on a new additional medication (which is playing havoc with my system) and I will need to start on insulin.  But thank goodness it will be a pen.  She said I could possibly get of insulin and some of my medication if I loose some weight.  That's not an easy task with diabetes and thyroid problems. 

So she suggested that I join weight watchers online.  I did.  From counting points I realized that I was eating too much and all the wrong foods.  I weigh myself Wednesday morning to see how much weight I have lost during this first week.   I will keep you informed on how I am doing.

Woo hoo....I finally finished my Scrap Squad Quilt.  I have to do my write up on the process for Quiltmaker's Blog and take a picture of my quilt.  I'll let you know when it will be posted on their blog.  Already got the pattern for the next quilt.  Trying to think up some ideas for it.

Well this has been a lengthy post and lots of photos.  I hope you enjoyed then and thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy