House Arrest

Put to good use.  Okay so I'm not under house arrest but it sure feels like it.  

I've been keeping busy.

Gay at Sentimental Stitches shared the last blocks of the Cheddarback quilt.  

This is Month 14.

This is Month 15.

I have all the blocks sewn into the set.  This week I plan on sew the top together and will try and get a photo of the completed quilt.  It is really big.

This is block 4 for the Out West BOM by Pat Sloan. 

The fabric in the center of the block is my inspiration fabric.  It will be the border of the quilt.


And finally Block 4 of Quiltdoodles BOM.  These blocks are 20".

So now I am off to the sewing room.  I got the fabric and patterns in the mail for Month 2 of the Providence BOM.  So I'm hoping to get them finished toay.

I hope you are doing well.  Remember to stay in and stay safe.  Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

A Good Day to Sew

It's cold, dreary, rainy and very overcast.  Welcome to Michigan.

I've been keeping busy and I am ahead of schedule on some of my projects.  I have a few to share with you.

1.  Quilt Doodles BOM

These blocks are 20" x 20"  and I am using scraps for the background.  

2. Cheddarback BOM

I'm so excited that we are almost done with this quilt.  One more month.  I can't wait to get this quilt all put together and start hand quilting it.

Well my to do list is dwindling down.  I have finished a few more blocks but can't share till the end of the month.  

I have 3 quilt tops ready for quilting and hope to get them quilted by the end of the month.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  

Hugs, Cathy

Sunny Skies

Sunny skies this morning.  I am so over the gray, rainy, snowy days we've been having.  I decided to try posting more than once a month.  So here goes....

I worked on my Cheddarback blocks for this month.  I can't believe we only have a couple of months left on this quilt.

I got a few projects finished at the end of last month but I needed to get the binding sewn down before I shared photos.

This is my version of Lori's Sew Along called Almost Amish.  Instead of a square wall hanging I added a block and turned it into a table runner.  This is going to be a Christmas gift.

My second finish is a Halloween Quilt.  This is going to be a surprise gift to someone special.

For now it's back to the sewing room to see what mischief I can get into.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

Long and Photo Heavy

I was hoping to get back to posting more often but that dreaded virus that has been going around visited my house.  First my husband had it and then I got it.  He's feeling fine and I am on day 10.  Feeling better but still not back to normal.

Any way I got a lot done this month.

1.  Celebrating Mary Brown.

This block was much easier to make than it appears.    Be sure to stop by and see what my fellow conspirators are up to.

Karen, Nanette, Jennie, Robin, and Rebecca.

2.  Mrs. Lincoln's Quilt.

I'm working on this quilt with Julie.  She thought Mary Brown would be too much (and she was right).  This is a quilt I've been wanting to do for a while.

3.  Cheddarback Quilt.

This photo is a little blurry.  This is month 10 so we are coming to an end.

4.  Derby House.

This month we had both pieced and an applique block.  I really love the plaids.  I can't wait to get February's patterns and fabric.

5. Pat Sloan's Out West.

Once again I said I wasn't going to join in another sew along....hee hee.  For this quilt I purchased one of the recommended FQ bundles from the FQ Shop.  The blocks are 12". 

6.  Quilt Doodles BOM.

I will be doing this in reds and lights.  This block consists of 4 10" blocks.  So there will be 12 - 20" blocks.

7.  Barbara Brackman's Yankee Notions.

 I'm going to be using neutrals for this quilt.  The blocks are 12"

I think that is it.  But who knows.

I did get a mini quilt finished.

This quilt was started a couple of years ago.  Don't know why it was never finished because all it needed was a little bit of hand quilting and the binding.

Well that's it for now.  Thanks so much for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

End of Year

I tried to finish up some projects and just missed the mark.

I finished this months blocks for Mrs. Lincolns Quilt.

I'm working on this quilt with Julie.


Next is Celebrating Mary Brown.

 As you can see I didn't get it finished.  Also it is a really bad photo.  This is Block 4 Row 1.

Be sure to stop by and see what the others are working on.
Karen, Julie, Nanette and her friend Jan, Jennie, Robin, and Rebecca.  I love how everyone does their blocks.


I also finished a few other blocks.  Here are my Cheddarback blocks.

I made Christmas Table Quilt but I didn't get it quilted so it is going to be a Christmas gift for next year.

It is a large Hexagon.  It looked a little plain till I added the snowflake in the middle.  I used a Sizzix die for the snowflake.

For an early Christmas gift I ordered the Derby House BOM.  It comes with fabric and pattern each month.

I love the fabrics.  I finished these yesterday.  I can't wait to see what blocks we will be working on in January.


Well this year had some low points.  We lost our youngest brother to a brain tumor.  In the last 20 years he had had 2 surgeries to remove the tumor.  They told him each time it would return and it did.  We were lucky to have had him as long as we did.  We miss him so very much.

The second is (as you know) I was diagnosed with breast cancer in September, surgery at the end of October, and Radiation treatments in November and December.  I finished the treatments Dec. 18.  They told me I would feel worse before I felt better...they were right.  My breast looks like it has a sunburn.  But gradually it is getting better.  I see the radiologist on Jan 2 and then I will start taking the hormone reduction pill.

I also had a bone density test which showed I'm in the normal range.  And I saw a geneticist.  They did a blood test.  I was negative for both Brca1 and 2.  And negative for a whole list of things.  Great news for me and my girls.

So here's to the new year.  I know it will be a good year.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I'm always glad to hear from you.

Hugs, Cathy

A Few Things

I've gotten a few things done and a few new projects started.

I finished one of the blocks for my Chedddarback quilt.  I still need to make the 5" blocks.

This block looked like it would be hard but was actually an easy block to make.


Next up is a Bluprint kit I purchased a while ago.

It is made from charm squares that are cut into 2 1/2" squares.   I think you could use jelly rolls for this quilt.


I purchased another Bluprint kit.  It was suppose to be blocks made of 16 patch blocks bordered with a contrasting color.  The kit came with 3 jelly rolls.  I decided to make a Scrappy Trip quilt.

I love the colors.  It reminds me of being at the ocean.  Right now I have 6 blocks made.  I'm trying to make a block a day.


That's it for quilting projects.  I have a health update.

I went and saw the surgeon.  It turns out that my tumor was twice the size as they originally thought.  Instead of being 4 cm it was 9 cm.  Still very small.  They told me even though I'm cancer free I'm not done with them.  I go back in 6 months to see her again.

Last week I went for my Radiology consult.  It was a two hour appointment.  We decided that since the tumor was larger I would do Radiation Therapy.  She also checked my Vitamin D levels and they were really low.  So now I am taking Vitamin D.

Yesterday was my Radiology simulation and breathing appointment.  First they checked to see how my films turned out holding my breath compared to breathing shallow.  Thank goodness they were the same so I didn't have to use the machine that stopped you from breathing.  I had to lay on this very uncomfortable table with my left arm in a sling over my head.  I had to stay in that position for 1 1/2 hours.  I hurt all night.  

At this appointment they set up the times for my Radiation treatments.  Since Thanksgiving is next week they are closed Thursday and Friday.  I will be going in on Sunday at 10:20 am for my first appointment.  Then I go everyday at 10:40.  I won't know if I go 3 weeks or 6 weeks until my first appointment.

Wednesday I go and see another Doctor regarding taking the Hormone Reduction pill.  And December 5 I see another doctor regarding Genetic testing.  So I'm going to be a busy girl.  Not sure how the radiation will affect me so I don't know how much quilting I will be getting done.

Well that's it for now.  I'll post again on the 30th to show you my next block for Celebrating Mary Brown.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I always love hearing from you.

Hugs, Cathy

Monthly Goals

While it has been a tense month with my health issues I have been able to get more done than I expected.

First is Block 3 of "Celebrating Mary Brown".  There were a lot of pieces in this quilt.  I am so happy with the way it turned out.

Be sure to check out the blogs of Karen, Nanette, Julie, Jennie, Rebecca and Robin.  A friend of Nanette's, Jan, will also be joining in on the fun.  Julie is going to be doing a different quilt.  She is working on Mary Lincoln's Quilt.  I also had the pattern and decided join her.  Here are my blocks.

These are the first months blocks.

And the second months blocks.  I chose to enlarge my blocks to 8".

I just barely got caught up on my Cheddarback blocks.  By just barely I mean I finished them yesterday.

I appliqued this block.  I decided to use green stems and a different color vase from the original block.

I used a different color combination from my usual chose of fabrics.  But I am very happy with how both of my blocks turned out.

Finally I sewed the blocks together for the Log Cabin Table Quilt.  

I'm hoping to get this quilted next week.  Another Christmas gift off my to do list.

On the medical side of things....my Doctor called Monday and told me that all the markers from the lumpectomy came back clear.  I am officially cancer free.  I go and see the surgeon today.  She will checking my incision (which is 3" long) to make sure it's healing good.  The biggest problem I have is that the solution they swabbed my body with prior to surgery caused a rash on my chest and side.  So I'm on benedryl  and cortisone cream.  Next month I have an appointment with a specialist who will be putting me on a pill that will lower my hormones as the cancer I had was hormone fed.  Then we will be discussing whether or not I need to have the radiation treatments.  So for now all is well.

I want to thank everyone for the all the well wishes, prayers and hugs.  I do believed they worked.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy

Some BOM's

It's that time of the month...BOM's

I just finished this month's Cheddarback Quilt blocks.

Some of the placements are a little different.  This is going to be a very large quilt.  I have this month's blocks sewn to the first 5 month's blocks and it is so long I couldn't find a place to lay it all out.  Therefore you just get these blocks.


The following is Block 8 for Pat Sloan's "Out of This World" BOM.

The following picture is for Julie and Carole.

I went through my project boxes and found my Dear Jane blocks.  I have some duplicate blocks.  I originally wanted all white backgrounds and then changed my mind and decided to do different backgrounds.  Not sure I'm going to work on this right now as I've got too many projects going on.


We should be finishing up Dearest Boy.  The Cow block will be revealed at the end of the month.  

Karen, Nanette and I are going to be starting a new applique quilt starting in September.  "Celebrating Mary Brown".   I'm also going to start working on Kim McLean's "Lollipop Trees".  So I'm going to be keeping busy as the temps get cooler.

If anyone want to join us in Celebrating Mary Brown let Karen or myself know.  We will have info regarding the schedule later this month.

Just when I thought it was getting cooler out the heat and humidity is back.  So I will be staying in the air conditioned house and working on Dearest Boy.

Thanks for stopping by.

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

Dearest Boy and more

Time is flying.  I can't believe after this reveal we will be starting the last row of our Dearest Boy quilt.  I am ready to get this quilt done.

 This month's block is the strawberry block.  I didn't do the flowers...I'm just really busy.  But I think it looks fine.

I've got such a busy second half of the month so I'm not sure if I will get the next block finished or not.

My Upper Peninsula Granddaughter Ashley (the hockey player) is graduating from High School.  She is having a graduation party on the 25th and we will be going up early and coming home after Memorial Day.  So not sure if I will get the next block finished.

Be sure to stop by Karen's , Julie's and Carole's Blogs to see what they have done.


I also worked on my Cheddarback quilt blocks.

 Here are this months blocks.

Here are all the blocks sewn together.  I am really loving this quilt.


Next we have the May block for Pat Sloan's BOM Out of This World.

I haven't worked with Batiks in a while and I like how the blocks are turning out.


Another of Pat Sloan's quilt alongs...Flower Bouquet.  This on is a block a week.  I just got the pattern for the last block section so I can finish this quilt up.  Here is Block 19.

Well thank you for stopping by.  I hope you are enjoying some beautiful weather like we are.  Today I met my daughter at a park near her work and we walked on her lunch hour.  It's been quite a while since I have walked due to bad weather and I felt every step.  But it was great to get out and spend some time with her.

Hugs, Cathy

BOM Updates

This week has been spent catching up on BOMs that I've been working on.


First up is the Cheddarback Quilt.  Here are the blocks for the 2nd month.  Don't look too closely at the bottom right hand block.  I know it's wrong.  I sewed the block 3 times and kept getting it wrong.  Don't know why.  Finally I gave up.  So instead of a pinwheel I have a broken dish...lol

I've combine them with the blocks from last month.

I am really enjoying this BOM.

Next up is Pat Sloan's Out of the World BOM>

I was a little off on my piecing.  I guess I need to do some reverse sewing and try again.


Pat also has another free quilt along.  It is called Flower Bouquet and is a block a week.

This is Block 13.  7 more blocks to go.

I finished the next Dearest Boy block.  It will be revealed on the 15th of this month.

I'm trying to get all my BOM's up to date so I can start on this month's UFO.

Thanks for stopping by.  

Hugs, Cathy

Progress

I've been plugging away on my list of projects.

1.  I now have 9 blocks done for my March UFO.  I started out with 6 blocks.           I'm holding off showing my progress till the top is completed.

2.  Flower Bouquet Block of the Week by Pat Sloan.

This is the first 2 sections.  So I'm half way done.


3.  I just finished the next Dearest Boy block.  This one was difficult.  I will be         posting a photo on the 15th of the month.


4.  I couldn't help my self.  I started a new project.  Sentimental Stitches has a       new "Free"  BOM called "Cheddar back".

 Gay has written the directions from the quilt above that is in her collection.  She has posted the first months blocks on her blog and also has a facebook page dedicated to the quilt.  Here are my blocks.

5.  I have a finish.

This was actually finished last month but I forgot to post a photo.  I did random vertical lines.  It has been washed and dried and is cuddly crinkled.  And it was gifted to hubby.  He loves it.

Now I need to work on a few more projects. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Cathy