"Tis the Season 4 Templates!"

 Hey quilter's...hope all is great. I wanted to share some Nesting templates from Missouri Star Quilt Co. that I recently received. I'm sure by now you know how much I love Missouri Star....the quality and customer service of their company is wonderful. I wanted to give y'all a "sneak peek" of what's to come in 2024. I'll be sharing "Quilt-Mas Cheer all Year!." Yes...I'll be incorporating these sweet templates into Christmas scrap-a-longs. Plus, this gives you the time to purchase from them if you haven't already. I have a lot of Missouri Star Quilt Co. templates. I love the quality of their templates and have to say these are adorable and functional. Oh, my goodness...nesting is super smart. I love having an accent template when designing. So, heads up y'all...don't put those Christmas scraps away! I'm super excited and as you can see by pick below that Chuck is too! :-) Tomorrow is Dec 1st. and don't know about you but I wish somehow that I could gain an extra pair of hands. I think I'm driving "Chuck" nuts with my Christmas Charm Pack Challenge. But he's doing a fine job piecing those little scraps while I'm on quilting duty. :-) Well as usual...I'm still making gifts, but they are small this year due to my back issues. But that's o.k. too...they still are cute and made with love and maybe a extra word or two that we won't discuss #oops! I wish y'all all the time you need to get your gifts complete! 

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Cats Charm Pack Challenge..."Candy Cane Christmas Coaster!"

 Hey quilter's...hope your week is off to a great start. I know coming off a holiday break is hard to get going again especially with the kiddos. I do have to share a funny "Thanksgiving moment" with y'all & a true confession. I for one do not mind buying a pie. Especially if I'm not having company. Well...true confession...I make pumpkin bread a lot throughout the year. It's one of my fav's! Recently I was shopping in one of my favorite grocery stores before Thanksgiving and they do have a great bakery and pecan pies. So yes, I went for it...I bought the pecan pie with no regrets :-) Well this sweet couple was near me and all I heard was "No... absolutely not!" It immediately captured my attention. :-) They we're near me in a few isles as we both shopped, and I kept hearing him saying the same thing and then the old hand wave went up. but here's the funny....he kept telling her she's always doing too much...stressed out and he just wanted her to take it a bit easy and buy a pie. It was the sweatiest thing hearing them. Yes, I was ease dropping by then. Sorry it was cracking me up! Well, he looked at me and said are they good. I acted like I didn't know what he was talking about.... seriously I crack me up sometimes. He goes the pies...are they good? Yes, y'all can just imagine the 'look" I was getting from his wife. So, I thought this could go down 2 ways...so I decided to play it cool and say..."Yes, they are d'lish but nothing beats the love of a homemade pie" She goes see!!!! Well, he pouted a but then said, "I'm just trying to help." Holly smokes I avoided him the rest of the store :-) Then....oh my gosh another lady decided to tell me her Thanksgiving traditions when I was getting "cool whip." I first thought..."do I know you?" Then I decided to listen because that will be me in a few more years...having conversations with strangers in the grocery stores. Well like I say...don't get old cause it's a trap! By the time I got home I was exhausted as I usually am but mentally as well. I'm sure we all stress out more than we need to for the holidays, but I've slacked a bit as I've gotten older due to my health. Unless the kiddos are coming. That's a whole different story and all I can say is thank God for pain meds :-) Then you are really creative and having a Holly Jolly Christmas. Just kidding! :-) Speaking of Holly Jolly. The Candy Cane Christmas Coaster or trivet or quilt square...so many quilt-a-bilities with these squares. But I am trying to make many gifts as possible from one Christmas charm pack so the instructions below are for a coaster "mug mat" :-) I love to make a gift that someone can use and remember how special they are to me while doing so. Plus who wouldn't like a Christmas coaster for the Holidays? :-) I do thank y'all for following a long and wish everyone a 'safe" shopping season as well. Remember we're having "Quilt-Mas Cheer all Year in 2024" hint...hint. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Note...I challenged myself with the white accent fabric border. I used scrap pieces of the white candy cane fabric & love how it accents the peppermint fabric. Do the same if you wish or just rotary cut your borders accordingly. I challenge myself on small projects :-) 

Finish size is 4 3/4 x 4 3/4....easily enlarge if desired.

Here's all you need...

* 2 of your favorite charm squares ( I used one red and pink candy cane 5" square)

* Scraps from white candy cane fabric

* White accent fabric scraps ( I used Quilt Town stars by Missouri Star Quilt Co)

* Coordinating thread 

* Insulbrght...batting...backing (sizes will be listed on directions)

Here's all you do...

* From 1 red candy cane 5" square...rotary cut a 2.5 x 5 strip.

* Subcut strip into 2 2.5 x 2.5 squares.

* Repeat for pink candy cane fabric.

* Place one red square and one pink square with right sides 2gether.

* Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner. 

Tip...I draw on light fabric to see line better :-) see pic

* Sew a 1/4" seam on both sides of diagonal line.

* Rotary cut on diagonal line & press. Trim away "dog ears"

Equals 2 peppermint half-square triangles.

* Now place 2 half-square triangles with right sides together & opposite colors.

* Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner.

* Sew as precious HST & press. Square up if needed. 

* Repeat steps to equal 4 squares. (Chuck did a great job squaring up!)

* Lay squares in opposite directions to form center pinwheel (see original design if needed)

* With right sides 2gether and a 1/4" seam allowance...sew top 2 squares 2gether then bottom 2 squares together. Press.

* Follow design sew top row to bottom row. Press & square up if needed.

Note:  Center pinwheel will be 3 x3

Advanced white 1/4" accent border....

* Rotary cut from white candy cane fabric 3/4" strips x width of center square and sew using a 1/4" seam allowance starting at top/bottom then left right side...pressing as you do. Square up if needed.

Peppermint Border...

* Rotary cut from pink peppermint scraps 2 strips... 1 x 3 3/4.

* Sew with right sides together using a 1/4" seam allowance to top/bottom of center square.

* Rotary cut from red candy cane scraps 2 strips...1 x 4 1/2 .

* Sew to left/right side of square using same method as above.

* Press 7 square up if needed.

Border/Binding/Quilting...

Note...I used the scraps of white star fabric from Quilt Town collection by Missouri Star Quilt Co. I love this fabric...so versatile for any season :-)

* Rotary cut from white fabric 2 strips...1 3/4 x 4 1/2.

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

* Rotary cut from white scrap fabric 2 strips...1 3/4 x 7.

* Sew using same method as above.

* Rotary cut low loft batting 4.5 x 4.5. Place within center square. Pin and quilt as desired.

* Rotary cut backing fabric & insulbright 4.5 x 4.5

* Place white backing fabric (right side facing down)

* Batting if didn't quilt in previous step

* Insulbright

* Then Candy Cane square right side facing up (you)

* Carefully turn block over and fold over border at top to the back side leaving a 1/4" seam on front.

* Fold in half again of back to secure seam.

* Pin or clip to secure.

* Top stitch on front to secure fold in back.

* No worries if not all of seam "caught" on back...I use washable fabric glue when needed.

* Repeat for bottom border...then left/right border.

* This will give you the 1/4" binding around block without the stress...#less-stress-quilting!

Note:...If you desire a wider fold on back then just rotary cute the width of your strip to desired size. sometimes you don't have to struggle so much with catching the back fold when you make strips wider. As I always say...do what's easier for you. We're all at different sewing/quilting levels and trust me..."I have better days then others" :-) 

I hope you enjoyed this Christmas project & keep following for many more!

Talk soon,

Cat & Chuck :-) he's been a huge help!

"Holly Jolly Christmas Present...Coaster or Trivet!"

 Hey y'all...hope y'all are having a great week. I can't believe it's already Thanksgiving week & we all know what's right around the corner. Oh my gosh...this year has really flown. We've had a crazy week in Florida with storms last week and no internet until yesterday. You really don't realize how much you or me anyway depend on the internet until it's down. Sometimes I just wish it would be nice to go back to the old rotary phone. I know some of y'all might need to "google" that :-) Then when it's down I'm thinking how much I do love technology. It sure has come a long way! Well on the internet "note" ...I'll be posting the gifts that "Chuck" and I have made for the Christmas Charm Pack Challenge. We've had a blast coming up with small thoughtful gifts. I'm in love with the Holly Jolly charm pack by UrbanChiks for Moda fabrics. Every square just screams Christmas and have to say it's still available on the internet ;-) I did notice they have a new line that I just might need for my Christmas cheer all year in 2024. Hint,,,hint :-) Anyway, going to make this a fast post. I was told yesterday we could be down again due to lines being repaired. So, if y'all don't see a post for a few days that's why. I'll be combining the directions for the Coaster and Trivet due to the instructions are basically the same to make it a bit easier. I love this present design. You can give a "gift" that your loved one will keep on using every year. I did use scraps for the back of the white star of Quilt Town fabrics from Missouri Star Quilt Co. Love this fabric. Perfect for any season!  Well, I hope you get a chance to relax a bit this week and enjoy some time off with your loved ones. 

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Holly Jolly Christmas Present Coaster.

Here's all you need...

* 2 Holly Jolly Charm Squares

* White scraps for border & backing ( sizes in directions)

* Batting (light-weight)

* Insul-bright

* Coordinating thread ( I used Aurifil & Missouri Quilt Co thread both 50#)

Tip;...always save your scraps...I put the little ones in a Ziplock bag :-)

Here's all you do for Coaster...

* Rotary cut one charm square in half down center ( I used green) makes 2...2.5 x 5 strips.

* Sub cut 2 strips to 2.5 x 3.5

* Rotary cut one accent charm square to 1.5 x 3.5

* Sew strips together per design with right sides together & a 1/4" seam allowance. Press

Bow...

* Rotary cut from pink holly & white holly a 2 x 2" square

* Place one pink square and one right square with right sides together.

* Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner. 

Pic is of the trivet bow but same concept :-)

* Sew a 1/4" seam allowance on each side of line. Press if needed.

* Rotary cut on line.  Press. 

* Per design...Sew each half square triangle with right sides together & 1/4" seam allowance. Press.

* Rotary cut 2 accent corners from white holly fabric.

* Per design...sew a square to each side to center bow. Press.

* Sew top row to center square with right sides together & 1/4" seam allowance. Press.

Block will be 4.5 x 4.5 ish...scraps stretch a bit.

Border...Binding & Quilting...

* Rotary cut from white scraps 2 strips 1 3/4 x 4.5

* Sew to top/bottom of block with right sides together using a 1/4 " seam allowance. Press.

* Rotary cut from white scraps 2 strips 1 3/4 x 6

* Sew to left & right side of block as above. Press & square up if needed.

Note...this is where I do accent quilting. Rotary cut batting to 4 1/4 x 4 1/4.

* Lay batting then block. Clip or pin to secure...Quilt as desired. Have fun,,,it's a small project :-)

* Rotary cut Insulbright & backing to 4 1/4 x 4 1/4

* Layer backing right side down

* Insulbright

* Then block facing up

Finishing...

* Starting at top...fold over border strip to back leaving a 1/4" seam on front. Finger Press.

* Turn block over to back & fold border strip in half again to secure fold. Pin or clip to secure.

*Repeat same steps for bottom border.

* Top stitch on front of block to secure fold on back side.

* Repeat same steps for left/right border.

Note...with this method you have achieved a binding around your block without the stress :-)

Tip...you can always make your border strips larger to make folding on the back easier. Plus, if you don't catch the seam perfectly on back don't worry.... washable fabric glue is your best friend. Just secure areas with glue :-)

I hope you enjoyed this fun project & keep following to make the trivet. These are so much fun and great gift ideas! Here's a hint...the block design will be used for a Christmas Scrap-a-long in 2024 :-)

Holly Jolly Christmas Trivet...

The directions are the same as coaster but please rotary cut to sizes below.

* Rotary cut one charm poinsettia square in half down center

* Rotary cut from scrap 1 1/2 x 5 for accent center.

Sew as per directions of coaster.

Bow...

* Rotary cut from light scrap & one dark scrap piece 2.5 x 2.5

* Per coaster instructions make 2 half square triangles & sew together using same method.

* Rotary cut from light fabric 2 squares 1.5 x 2

* Sew using same methods as coaster.

Border/Binding/Quilting...

* Rotary cut from white accent fabric 2 strips 1 3/4 x 5 1/4....sew to top/bottom of using same method as coaster.

* Rotary cut from white accent fabric 2 strips 1 3/4 x 8 1/4....sew to left/right side of block using same method. 

Note...as per coaster instructions this is where I did my accent quilting.

* Rotary cut from batting 5 1/4 x 6 1/4.

* Lay batting then block, right side up.  Pin or clip. Quilt as desired.

Finishing...

* Rotary cut backing & insulbright to 5 1/4 x 6 1/4

* Finish using same methods as coaster.

Note...I made 1 coaster and 2 trivets with this method. Keep following for more fun gifts using the Holly Jolly Charm Pack.

Talk soon, 

Cat

Cats Christmas Charm Pack Challenge! ..."Gift Card Santa Bags"

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all had a restful weekend and ready to "kick off" the charm pack challenge. I'm so excited about these fast & easy "Santa Bags" that I'm not going straight to the directions. What! No griping about the weather...or 3 doc appoints and therapy? No... right to these super cute bags :-) Seriously these bags were so much fun to make that I will probably make more from my scraps. I used 2...5" squares per bag with no waste. Yes...I've been sewing for over 50 ish years & can honestly say this is the first project that I used all the squares. But...will admit the other projects coming will state "save your scraps" :-) This adorable "Holly Jolly" charm pack by Urban Chiks for Moda fabrics inspired many fun gifts to come. First let me tell you the story of how these bags came about. Our sweet grandson Davin now 13 and step-grandson Noah now 11 love receiving money to pick out their own gifts. I know...as a "Gege" I was a bit devastated. I always think of everyone's gifts throughout the year.... try to catch things on sale to save money. Well last Christmas Davin asked for a gift certificate from a sports store to get a bat. He knew it was expensive and said he needed all the help he could get. Well then birthdays came and special moments to celebrate so I started sending the "gc's." They both love to receive McDonalds cards. Well like everyone else the adults love a Starbucks...you know every now and then...ha! I could just buy a gift bag or card or all those expensive items that hold a "gc" but that adds up as well. So, I decided to incorporate a cute "Santa bag" into the charm pack challenge.  I will admit it was more of a challenge to use all the squares and to make a bag that was long enough to hold a gift card. Yes, you can use scraps and probably make a bit simpler, but I love how the bags are reversed. Each individual bag uses 2 squares and what you see on the front is reversed on the back. Yes, that did take a bit of "thinking" on my end. When you're on pain meds math is not something I'm fond of :-) But thank God for my EQ8 quilt software. It figures that math for you, No project to small :-) Oh forgot to mention I've only used "16" of the charm squares so far and made "8" gifts. I have more gifts to share so keep following. Remember if you don't have a Christmas Charm pack just rotary cut your Christmas scraps into 5 x 5" squares. I will admit these would make great birthday gifts...just change the fabric per your celebration. I thank y'all for following and hope you enjoy making these super cute & easy Santa bags. Talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Note...each bag 3 x 4.5 & I used Aurifil thread 50 weight & Missouri Star Quilt Co. 50#. I "bopped" between 2 sewing machines depending on how my back was doing :-( Every bag was "Chuck" approved! :-) Remember keep doing what you love...just in moderation....thread & fabric therapy!

Here's all you need...

* 2 ..5" Charm Squares

* Coordinating thread...I used white to keep it simple.

* Please rotary cut for this project :-)

Here's all you do...

* Rotary cut 2 coordinating charm squares 3.5 x 5"

* From each scrap strip...rotary cut to 1.5 x 3.5 (this is your band at top)

* Place one 3.5" piece with a coordinating 1.5 x 3.5 strip at top (per pic)

* Sew top band to sack with right sides 2gether using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press

*Rotary cut one inch off bottom of sack.

* Sew to top of band with right sides 2gether...1/8" seam...Press then fold over to the wrong side on seam line. Repeat for each side of Santa sack. "see pic"

 

* Cut 2 pieces of twine or ribbon 14"

* On wrong side of bag at fold place twine at top of fold...secure with pin.

* Now top stitch on right side to make a seam that secures the twine but being careful to not sew into the twine. 

* Repeat for each side of bag. (see pic)

* Place each piece...right sides 2gether...starting at right corner (below twine seam line) sew around sack using a 1/4" seam allowance...pivoting at corners & reinforce your stitches at start/stopping point.

This will secure your seam line when "drawing twine to close" 

* Turn Santa sac right side out & press if needed. 

* Place your gift card within sac & draw close using twine. 

* Make a gift tag to tie on & hang on Christmas tree if desired.

A gift that keeps on giving! Save bag & use again :-)

Have fun making as many as you need & keep following for more gifts!

Talk soon,

Cat

Cats Tip of the Day!...."The key to a successful Charm Pack Challenge"

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all are having a great weekend. The weather here in Florida is perfect...well today anyway. If I could have this weather every day in Texas it would be a win for me. But I'm not going to complain because hurricane season is almost over. Which means I've survived 3 hurricane seasons now in Florida. I seriously don't know how everyone does it. Anticipating a hurricane is nerve wracking and I tend to "stress eat" which is not good! Well as y'all know I'm doing a "Christmas Charm Pack Challenge" & have to say I really challenged myself. I'm not one for tiny piecing. I really admire quilters who piece tiny squares. Each charm pack are usually 5" square pieces and then you add piecing gifts from only 5" squares on top of that. Needless to say, I was a bit frazzled and then my O.C.D. kicked in. Yes...I had to "organize" my squares. I know...it's me as I say "only Cat does" :-) but y'all it helped me tremendously. My charm pack had 42...5" squares. When I laid them out, I realized I had a few singles. Hmm...well that really got my brain thinking. So, then I decided to really organize by 2's then singles to help me with design placement. What was really exciting was doing this process actually inspires your creative brain while you are admiring all the different fabric styles and hues. I knew this challenge was going to be fun and trying to make as many gifts as possible was a bit difficult, but it's been a blast. I'm excited to share the gift ideas that I've come up with so far & hope to inspire your creativity too. I'll be starting the first gift idea on Monday so in the meantime organize your charm pack for inspiration. If you don't have a charm pack, then hit your "scrap pile" for inspiration & rotary cut them into 5" squares. I do suggest at all times to rotary cut your squares. I've designed most of the patterns with hardly any waste. In fact, the first design uses 2, 5"-inch squares for each gift. The designs after may have some left-over "scraps" but trust me we'll be using those up too! The pic below shows how I laid out the squares for inspiration. I love all the fabric designs in this Moda collection!  I hope you follow along on Monday with me and share your ideas you come up with on Instagram with me. If you do, just #catscharistmascharmpackchallenge for all of us to see. I'm really excited about this challenge. Making handmade gifts and saving money is a win for me! Thanks again for following and have a great weekend. See ya Monday!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Links on upper right of blog!

"Cats Christmas Charm Pack Challenge!"

 Hey quilter's...hope everyone had a wonderful "Trick or Treat" eve. Mine was pretty quiet but that's o.k. I'm sure I'll find something "to do" with the left-over candy ;-) Have y'all noticed the date? Oh my gosh...this year has flown by. This morning while drinking my coffee I realized how many more gifts I still need to make. I like to make small gifts for people who have helped me or touched my heart throughout the year. But I'm already "freaking" knowing how close it is until Christmas. I was looking around my sewing area and saw my "stack" of charm packs. I like to display them for inspiration. I've been eye-bawling the Holly Jolly charm pack by UrbanChiks for Moda. That I previously received them from Missouri Quilt Co. I thought...that's it! I'm going to take this absolutely stunning charm pack and make gifts from it. I love the fabric variations in this charm pack. Well, y'all know me...I thought why not challenge myself and others to make gifts as well. I know giving gifts can be quite expensive so this should be a fun "scrap-a-long,"...right? I'm actually excited about this challenge and to see how many designs & gifts I can come up with. Who knows...this might be my new thing! Not only will I save money, but I've been addicted to charm packs ever since I temporary downsized. Purchasing charm packs are easy on the budget and it gives you a variety of fabrics within the collection. I ask y'all to follow along with me...maybe even share your ideas. I'll be designing my projects in EQ8 so I'll post for some inspiration. Here's the funny...I love this charm pack so much that I almost hate to use it...but I will :-) I did notice the charm pack is still available if needed. The pack includes 42 , 5" squares. So, wish me luck and keep following for some Holiday gift-giving ideas. Let the Christmas Challenge begin!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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