Cats Tip of the Day! "Quilt if forward Surprise!"

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all are having a great week. I recently took a break from a project that I'm sewing & came across a very sweet but emotional surprise. Not to long ago I lost my mother-in-law and she was an exceptional quilter. I was always impressed of how she could make those tiny squares in quilting. When the "fast method" came about their was no stopping her. We loved going to quilt exhibits...shops...guilds together and let me tell ya.."she was a hoot." If I looked at something...or commented on how stunning the fabric was or the "kit," was she found some sneaky way of getting it for me. To this day I still don't know how she did it without me knowing. Seriously...I always had to keep an eye on her so we wouldn't loose each other. Looking back it was probably every time she went to the bathroom :-) I finally had to realize not to say anything. I know that was her joy because she knew how much I loved to quilt. She had went to many workshops,,,living in Indiana a lot of quilter's were always being featured. Every time she went she would buy their latest quilt book & have it signed. Needless to say she had over a 100 quilt books and many autographed ones. But before her passing she had mentioned to me that she had amongst her stash a very special autographed book that would be mine some day. Well...I always told her "she wasn't going anywhere." Her reply was..."you better listen to me 'cause I am." Yes...that was mom. In fact if you previously read my "Quilt their Legacy Forward" post you read of how she told me what to do with just about everything with her sewing/quilting items. She would even leave 'notes" or a sweet item hidden so when we did go through her items we would laugh. Some of her funnies will be passed on to my daughter one day. It is a hard time loosing a loved one but I will admit the best way to honor them is to cherish their legacy. Don't be over whelmed with their items left...donate...gift them forward. We shared so many of her items with fellow quilter's...donated supplies to the local quilt ladies she loved. But recenlty I decided to go through her "book stash" because I was sepearating the autograped ones and much to my surprise was a autograped book from Marianne Fons. Oh my gosh!!! Yes...tha's what she was holding out for me. She knew how much I loved "Marianne Fons and Liz Porter." I recorded their shows and loved their clever way of teaching. The autograped book "Classic Basket Quilts" is special too because she knew how much I loved to scrap piece blocks. But to see " best wishes Anna...thanks for taking my class at Indy" was happy tears for me. I know she probably stood for a long time to get a "Marianne Fons" autograph. I will forever cherish this book and the quilting memories we had together. Everyday I'm surrounded by items she gave me in my sewing room but the most thing I'm surrounded by is the memories. I thank y'all so much for letting me share this sweet surprise and following me on my crazy quilting journey. Check back soon.

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)

Happy National Sewing Machine Day!

 Hey quilter's...It's finally Friday and National Sewing Machine Day! Woohoo...my kind of day! I'm speding my day sewing w/ a new collection from Lumin Fabrics and design that I'll be sharing soon. I love it when fabric inspires creativity and your thread compliments the design too. I love Aurifil 50# thread 3910. It's variegated and goes perfectly with the Batik hues. I know sewing machines have come a long way but one thing that hasn't changed is our love of creating and sharing gifts with loved ones. I will say that you don't have to spend a lot of money either. I recently purchased a Brother sewing/quilting machine to use when traveling or quilt meetings but it's been a blast and I used it everyday! So don't let the price of a sewing machine scare you. We all love to create and the sewing industry is full of inspiration to spark your creativity. Technology has made crafting and sewing more fun-ctional as I like to say & affordable. Products are made with better quality and we can even design...create on software. I can only imagine my grandmother designing on my EQ8. She would have been awesome. She was all about using fabrics from worn clothes and sewing for what was needed. A quilt in her day was used...not put on a shelf or displayed. "Guilty as charged." But...the ones I display are antiques ones that I've collected and cherish. So whatever you do today...or this weekend....take a moment to sit...sew...and make something for you or a loved one. I mean...it's a National Day...we need to honor it! ;-) I thank y'all so much for following and talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)

Grad Gift "Call Mom Accent Pillow" Phase 3

 Hey quilter's...hope your weekend is off to a great start. I'm hoping to get some of my projects caught up this weekend because I have a "new design" starting this week that I'll be sharing soon. I am excited to share the final phase of completing the pillow. Mostly because it was a new technique for me that I normally don't do. Previously I mentioned that I used Lumin 5" stamps (precuts) and it was part of the affilate program w/MSQC. Well...normally I would rotary cut a large accent fabric for the backing of the pillow. But with this design I was challenging myself to incorporate the 5" squares all within the design. Yes...you can totally scrap the back for your pillow but just remember to add your seam allowances and allow for your "bi-fold.."  I do love using the 5" squares for the backing...it gives me another way to use precuts that we might not think of as well. Either way you choose you will still use the same method below. I hope this project inspires your inner creativity and it brings joy as you gift it to your loved ones. It will definately create memories to laugh about for years to come. I thank y'all so much for following and check back soon for more fun-fast-n-fab scrap-a-longs. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)

Here's all you do...

* Left side of Bi-Fold....

* Sew 12.. 5" squares in 4 rows of 3 each..with right sides 2gether using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press.

* Join rows 2gether matching seams. Press.

* Rotary cut length to 16 1/2

* Fold over 1" to back side...press...fold in half again to secure raw edge...pin or clip...top stitch on front. Set aside.

Right side of Bi-Fold...

* Sew 8...5" squares in 4 rows of 2 each and sew with same method as above.

Final step...

* Lay your front block...right side up (facing you)

* Lay your left side with right sides 2gether on top matching raw edges...

* They will "over lap" each other a bit in middle.

Note...your finished seam that you "top stitched" with be positioned in the middle-ish :-)

* Lay your left side as above.

* Once you have all raw edges lined...pin or clip to secure.

* Starting at one corner...sew a 1/4" seam allowance around your pillow square.

* Reinforce (back stitch) at your start/stop.

Tip....I like to reinforce the over lap edges as I'm sewing...for reinforcement

* Turn pillow slip right side out...carefully poke out any corners if needed :-)

* Insert your pillow form and smooth the bi-folds as needed.

Enjoy!

Grad Gift.."Call Mom Accent Pillow"...Phase 2

 Hey quilter's...hope your week is going great. I've been designing some new "Scrap-a-longs" that I'll be sharing soon but in the meantime lets make this super fun gard gift. I stated in my previous post of how special this pillow design is to me. It's a happy time to see your loved one go off to college but also emotional. I mentioned how versatile this design is by just coordinating the colors to school theme. This would also make a fun gift for any reason....yes...us Mom's still need a "phone call." Don't get me wrong, I love it when my daughter "text" me...she's busy and I tatally get it but when I get a call it brings me joy. We're all so busy but take a few moments to call your loved ones...they will be happy! :-) O.K. on with this super fun gift. As I previously stated that I used stamps from Island Batik (Lumin) fabrics which are 5" squares. This was also a part of the affilate program with Missouri Star Quilt Co. I love precuts...they are very versatile for many crafting and quilting projects. This pillow is also designed as a "Pillow Slip" which is a great space saver especially for dorms. All the supplies are listed on Phase 1 if you're just following along. I hope you enjoy this "scrap-a-long" and it inspires your inner creativity. Thanks so much for following and check back soon for more fun...fast-n-fab projects. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)

Note...Pillow slip is 16 x 16 but can be made smaller is desired by omitting one outer border or enlarged by adding a border :-) So versatile!

Here's all you do...

Center...

* Rotary cut 9 white 3.5 x 3.5 squares and sew (per design) rows of 3 squares with right sides 2gether using a 1/4" seam allowance. Sew rows togher matching seams. 

Tip....I like to finger press my seam per row in opposite directions. This helps your seams "nestle together" as you sew your rows togehter.

* Press and square up to 9.5 x 9.5 (set aside)

 Side Rectangle Borders...

* Per design...from your white/black 5" squares rotary cut from each 12...2.5 x 3.5 rectangles.

* Per design...sew together with right sides together using a 1/4" seam allowance to make 4  sections. 

* Press (set aside)

Corner Blocks...

* Rotary cut from white/black squares 8  white/black  2 x 2 in. squares

* Per design...sew a basic 4 patch with right sides together using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press.

* Make 4 corner sets.

Tip....per design lay your sections together before sewing. (note color/block directions)

* Sew Top row of  blocks with right sides together using a 1/4" seam...press.

* Sew left/right rectangles sides to center square....press

* Sew bottom row of blocks with right sides together...1/4" seam allowance...press.

Per design,..

* Sew top row to center of block....then join bottom row to center...matching seams with right sides together...sew using a 1/4" seam allowance...press.

Scrappy Border...

* Rotary cut from 5" square of black strips 1 1/4 x 5"...you will get 5 strips per square.

* Sew strips vertically with right sides together using a 1/4" seam allowance for top/bottom.

* Sew border to top/bottom of block...right sides 2gether using a 1/4" seam allowance.

* Press...square up if needed.

* Sew strips in same manner to achieve your left/right border.

* Press and square up to 16.5 x 16,5

Advanced option...

This is a great time to practice quilting due to the small project. I did accent quilting but get creative and have fun!

* Rotary cut low loft batting to block size and pin or clip as desired to secure. 

Tip...Once you have quilted press block before next step.

Letters...

* From black squares fuse sew light fusible adhesive to wrong side of fabric following manufacturer's directiosn.

* Trace letter template (reversed) on paper side.

* Carefully cut out letters

* Repeat same method using a red scrap of fabric and a heart template.

* Position as desired within the center of block and fuse following manufacturer's directions. 

Tip...I use a pressing sheet to protect my fabric and iron of any glue.

* A-play-que around letters if desired.

Have fun!

Check back soon for Phase 3.

Cat

Grad Gift "Call Mom Accent Pillow" Phase 1

 Hey quilter's..hope y'all had a great weekend. It's that time of year when the weather is crazy and kids are graduating. For some odd reason it seems to always rain on those days. The graduation gift pillow design that I'll be sharing is very sentimental. I remember when my daiughter went off to college it was exciting but very motional. You want them to succeed in life and bless them on their new journey but it's hard. Yes...I'm admitting it...I went nuts. No matter what I was told it didn't help.I remember thinking..."why hasn't she callled...it's been 2 days." Crazy...right? Then my phone would ring and she would update me with all the crazy things that's been going on. So this pillow design is a tribute...a fun one though...to send the kiddos off with a "friendly reminder." Trust me...it works...I recently "text" the design to my daughter who is now in her 40's to get her thoughts. She immediatly called and said 'Seriously Mom"...I couldn't help but laugh...maybe that's what my next design will be called :-)  But we all get through it and it's just a beginning on lifes new journey for all. The design comes together quickly because you are using 2 Charm Packs or Stamps 5" each from Lumin Fabrics/Island Batiks. This was part of my affiliate challenge wiht Missouri Star Quilt Company so I wanted to make something fun. I love "precuts." I for one don't have a lot of space and precuts allows you to have cuttings of the collection. I designed the pillow in Black/White but it would be adorable in school colors or home decor. I made my own letters but you could purchase iron on letters if desired. The pillow is 16 x 16 with a "Bifold design" which is  agreat space saver for dorms. I designed in EQ8 and it can be made smaller if desired but ommiting one of the borders. Endless fun! I also washed my black fabric due to pairing the white and black together. Always read the labels on fabrics for prewash instructions.  . So grab your supplies listed below and lets create a fun...fast & fab graduation gift 2gether Thanks so much for following and talk soon! 

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)

(All supplies from Missouri Star Quilt Company),,,link upper right on home page

Here's all you need...

* Inkwell Black 5" Stamp precuts from Island Batik

* Simply White 5" Stamp precuts  from Island Batik

* Missouri Star Quilt Co. 50# thread Black/White

* Missouri Star Quilt Co. Sew Light Fusible Adhesive "double sided" (used for letters.)

* 16" Ultra Plush Pillow Form (Fairfield)

* Rotary cutter and standard sewing supplies

* Low loft batting if you quilt the front design. Optional step but I always say 'small projects are a great time to practice new sewing skills.

Talk soon,

Cat

"U.S.A. Garden Flag"

 Hey quilter's...Happy Memorial Day! Today is so special...honoring those who have served for our Country. Growing up in a  Military family brings so many memories. Some are sad and some you wish as an adult you could go back and cherish. You don't realize how blessed you were as a child until you reflect memories as an adult. I know it sounds a bit odd to say that but due to my dads service, I was blessed to travel to countries that I would not be able to afford today. So today and everyday..."I thank all who have served and are serving." It is very stressful on the families back home while there loved ones are away. We all put our strength of honor face on but my heart does go the families that have a loved one serving. My scrap-a-long today is a tribute to my love of our country. I knew when Missouri Star Quilt Company gifted me the templates to create a design with that it was going to be special. Also a bit hard because creating the garden flag brought many tears...especially now that my dad is in heaven. The garden flag was made with my love of Island Batik Fabrics "Lumin Fabrics.." I made the flag similiar to the previous "Lake garden flag." All you need to do is adjust your cutting for a finished 13 1/4 x 19 1/4. It's a tad bit longer than previous flag due to using the super cute templates. The design can be used as a banner too if desired. I did strip piecing of the fabrics (per design) for the letters but you could do a solid fabric color too.  I pieced/quilted on my Brother sewing machine and designed the garden flag in EQ8. I love how quickly this project comes together...no border piecing...you are starting with a background fabric that is rotary cut to 13 x 19. After you fuse your design per manufacturer's directions then a-play-que and quilt as desired. I did a 1/4" border with the Red and Blue fabrics alternating at sides and corners. Endless possibilities to have fun. This is a great small project for beginners to play with your machine and just have fun! I'll list the fabrics from Lumin that I used below and the Aurifil thread hues. This project is so fun and I hope it inspires you to create a design that is unique and special to you as well Check back soon for a "Graduation gift" that is a tribute to all us Moms! :-) Wishing y'all a great day and thanks so much for following. Talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)

Island Batik/Lumin Fabrics used...

* Background...Foundations Dots Neutral

* Ravishing Red Batik Solid Cherry

* Twilight Batiks Daisy Storm (Blue)

Tip...always check your batiks for prewash instructions. They are beautifully hand dyed...that's what makes them so unique!

Thread used...

* MSQC 50# White

* Aurifil thread 50# (2260, 2780)

Letters and Shooting Star...

* Missouri Star Quilt Co U.S.A. & Shooting Star Templates

* Missouri Star Quilt Co. Sew Light Fusible Adhesive (double sided and love this product for fusing)

You can reflect back on previous post of Lake Garden Flag for instructions and inspiration. I encourage you to create you to try new sewing/quilting techniques due to the small scale of project. 

Today "officially" kicks off the kiddos being home for summer too. So check back soon for more fun...fast-n-fab projects!

Talk soon,

Cat

How To Make an English Paper Pieced Wall Hanging With Our Kit + 5 Episod...

Hey quilter's....hope you had a great weekend. Well here's another fab design with "At Home w/ Misty" from Missouri Star Quilt Company. This kit is available at MSQC (my link will take you there)...and it features English Paper Piecing using Tula Pink Fabrics. I hope you enjoy this tutorial. Misty is an awesome designer and I love how she explains and walks you through the process. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)