Cats Tip of they day....Graduation gift idea..."Call Mom" pillow

 Hey y'all...happy Friday! I hope you have great weekend plans that include sewing. This is that fun time of year with kiddos graduation and you're wondering what gift to buy or make. This is also an emotional time for parents..You're excited for your childs new adventure but honestly it's a bit heart breaking too especially if they are going off to college. Trust me...I've been there. So I designed a fun...friendly reminder last year of a "Call Mom" accent pillow for the grad. Yes..it's a bit different. But we all know they will get busy and why not give them a "friendly" remeinder to call home at the end of the day...or once a week...:-) You get the idea. This was also a Missouri Star Affiliate challenge using precuts so this is a very fun and inexpensive project as well. Scrap friendly too. Also, I'll be hosting another summer of "Teach the kiddos to sew." I had a blast last summer sharing projects...tips and techniques with y'all so we're having another fun adventure together. More on that to come. So no worries...you now have a fun grad gift to make plus you'll be entertaining the kiddos this summer too. I thank y'all so much for following with me on my sewing journey and please hit the follow me on blog site...Instagram & Facebook...we all fun adventures ahead. Oh...make sure you check back Monday for a fun give-a-way!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Call Mom...original post is June 2, 2025 for instructions...

Cats Mystery Quilt..."LIVE,,,LOVE...FLIP FLOPS" First of many mysteries to come!

 Hey quilters...hope y'all are having a great weekend. I want to thank y'all for following along on my first but not last mystery scrap-a-long. I'm one of those that can't even stand seeing a wrapped present until Chistmas so featuring a "mystery scrap-a-long" was exciting. Truth be told as a kid I would unwrap the gifts then re-wrap them before Christmas moring. Probably a godd thing that we didn't have a lot under the tree :-) I did have fun sharing clues...hints & tips along the way. This quilt was super special to me being able to use my inherited neutral fabrics and digging into my Island Batik/Lumin fabrics scraps. If you are still sewing your please try those fun decorative stitches on your machine. The flip flops give you a chance to a-play-que on a small scale. I loved how my Aurifil thread hues complimented the batiks perfectly. Well...if you know me by now I'm already planning the next mystery scrap-a-long. ;-) I thank y'all so much for following with me and want to share this coming week will be an exciting one w/ something special from Missouri Star Quilt Company. I shared w/y'all this week of how to get the free download of the Double Square Star Table Runner 2.0 & check back for a fun give-a-way. Oh here's a hint...it has to do with Missouri Star Quilt Comanys new fabric line! Talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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"LIVE...LOVE...FLIP FLOPS"...

Cats Mystery Quilt..."LIVE LOVE FLIP FLOPS" reveal...

 Hey quilters...it's finally Friday and the big "reveal" of my "Mystery Scrap-a-long." First I want to say thank you for following along on my first but not last mystery scrap-a-long. I'm revealing the design today for y'all to be able to place your blocks for your final fun stages of the design. If y'all remember my post on March 15th...Cats Tips of the day...cuteness x 5 or 10? Well it was geeting y'all geared up for this fun scrap-a-long. I wanted to share a technique with y'all to use charm packs or Layer cakes or scraps for y'all to make your "flip flops." Yes...it's finally here...the flip flop stage. But first lay out your previously sewn blocks that you've been setting aside to get an idea of where you would like your flip flops. My design below gives you a general idea to guide you but this quilt is sew fun so let your imagination run! I'll be sharing the final pic of my quilt soon. It's currently being prepped for the longarmer. I was thrilled to use my inherited neutral scraps for the backing. I did a bit of piecing of yardage but all went well. I usually use a wide back which makes life a bit easier but wanted to use as much of my late Mom-in-laws fabric. This quilt is very special and will be a gift to pass on for generations. The quilt design is 49 x 49 but can be easily enlarged. If you need yours larger just do a wider border. As you can see in pic below my border is 1" using the fabric as the accent. The design was inspired by our family walks on the beach and the water running up to the sand. It always gave me a laugh when I would count how many "flip flops" were left behind on the beach. So the final phase of the design is laying out your blocks per design...creating your flip flops and positioning them within your blocks as desired...having fun a-play-queing then piecing your blocks together using a 1/4" seam allowance...matching seams as you go....pressing your quilt...squaring up if needed and adding your borders as desired. Then you will either prepare your backing and batting for quilting. I love how you can take a basic 4 patch block and create something very special...don't you? I hope you have as much fun as I did digging into my scraps to create fun and colorful flip flops. You can get a idea with all my previous "clues" but I wouldn't add any embellishment like buttons etc. until after the quilt is quilted. One reason why playing with your decorative stitches on your machine around the flip flops and using fun thread hues is great for accenting. Remember have fun & get creative and put your own spin on the design if desired. Talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

"LIVE LOVE FLIP FLOPS"...51 x 51

*designed using EQ8

* Accuquilt "Summer Medley Die"

* Lumin Fabrics & inherited neutrals

* Sewn on my brother sewing machine using Aurifil 50# thread.

FREE Digital Pattern w/ Missouri Star Quilt Company!

 Hey quilters....I'm sharing something sew fun to get you through the mid week blues. I for one look forward to the weekend and here's something special to get your projects ready to sew. Missouri Star Quilt Company has gifted me a special link for y'all to receive the "Digital" version of "Double Square Star Table Runner 2.0" This pattern is sew versatile from a table runner to quilts...pillows..it's a fun & fast pattern for all home decor. All you need to do is pop on over to my Instagram page for all the details. Today's post on Instagram shares a fun...secret project using the new collection "Ingrid's Wildflowers" by Missouri Star Quilt Company. My pic below is a sneak peek of my Instagram page. This new collection is stunning...full of beautiful floral prints and complimentary blenders in shades of blue, green, pink, yellow and white. Once you message me on Instagram,,,I will send you the "code" to use on Missouri Star Quilt Companys webiste and the discount applies automatically at checkout. Then the free digital download will appear in your subscriptions account. This is a limited code..only one per person and ends May 31, 2026. I love this...no waiting in the mail and you can get ready for some fun weekend sewing. You will love viewing the whole collection of "Ingrid's Wildflowers" on their website along with the history of how this stunning fabric line came about. Well...I'm piecing all my rows together for my mystery scrap-a-long and will be sharing the final design with y'all soon. I thank y'all so much for following and hope you enjoy this free digital pattern download. Talk soon.

Blessed quilting,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Note..this is a limited share of a free download so if for some reason my code doesn't work at checkout then message me on Instagram and I'll notify MSQC...thanks again!

Cats Mystery Scrap-a-long...Phase 7 w/ Clue #8

Hey quilters...Happy Tuesday! I'm excited to share phase #7 with y'all. In this phase you'll be making 21 of the same block design and this completes all your blocks for the design. This also means the big "reveal" is coming soon. I loved designing this quilt in EQ8. The software is sew fun and I was able to bring my vision of my fun..family summer beach trips. Wait was that the clue? In this phase you'll be making the same block with the light fabric hues with the 4 patch that consists of another light accent fabric and white squares. These blocks resemble the sand at the beach before the water rushes over. I love how when the waves of the water darkens the sand as the shore comes in. Mother nature is amazing and beach days with the family are some of my fun special memories. Once you have completed all 21 blocks..sewn in the same manner as previous blocks then you set them aside. Soon I'll be sharing the big reveal of "LIVE...LOVE...FLIP FLOPS" for you to lay your blocks before you make your flip flops. Wait...was that the clue? Yes it was :-) I shared in the previous post of how important pressing your seams and in this phase sewing your seams in opposite directions. This helps for your seams to nest together nicely and lay flat for your "a-play-que" stage of flip flops. You'll be doin that fun phase real soon using the Accuquilt GO! Summer Medley Die. The pic below also shows how versatile the simple 4 patch design can be. If you change your mind before you sew all your finished a-play-qued blocks together it's no biggie...The direction of the accent 4 patch gives you that opportonity. Trust me it works..I flipped 2 of my flip flop blocks and keeping in mind the 4 patch direction all was perfect. I try to think of things that might occur when I'm designing in EQ8. You're getting cloeser so check back real soon! Oh before the big reveal I do have an exciting post tomorrow with a "free pattern" from Missouri Star Quilt Company. I'll share all the info on that tomorrow. Talk soon.

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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Phase 7...

Tip...how versatile the design can be for you to personalise as you desire...

Here's all you do....make 21 of the same block per pic below following the same sewing methods in previous phases. Please not the direction of the fabrics in the accent 4 patch squares. 

Once completed all blocks...set aside for the big reveal :-)

Talk soon,

Cat

Cats Mystery Scrap-a-long... Tip of the day!

 Hey quilters...hope y'all had a great weekend. I had a weekend of getting projects caught up...or I tried anyway. Needless to say some of those projects are on my "to-do list" for this week. Well todays tip is prepping you for our next phase of the "Mystery Scrap-a-long." I love to iron...I know probably sounds weird but I do find it relaxing. When I first learned to quilt..Oma told me that pressing fabric and matching seams was the key to even a simple block. As y'all know by now this quilt design features the fun and easy 4 patch block. I've always loved this block plus it's one of the first blocks that I learned many moons ago. The 4 patch block is a classic and so versatile. I also love 'strip piecing" which was featured in the earlier phases. Strip piecing is a fast technique which allows you to then "subcut" your strips for a fast 4 patch block. But...pressing your seams in opposite directions and having them lay flat is the key for your next phase. Hmm...maybe I should give you a 'hont." In the next phase you'll be making "21" of the same block. Trust me the "strip piecing" tecnique will be your friend. :-) Remember when we do "scrap-a-longs" 2gether I'm not that far ahead of you. I always stay a bit ahead so I can catch any tips and techniques to share. As you can see in the pic below that I'm using my Oliso iron. My late mom-in-law gifted it to me for my birthday and I love it. They even have a 'mini" iron that's been on my bucket list. Whatever you use just remember to Press your seams...not iron. When you iron your using a bit more force which could distort the fabrics. Well...this tip is also very important for a soon to be fun phase.:-) Remember you're getting closer to the big reveal! Also I have a fun suprise that I'll be sharing with you from Missouri Star Quilt Company... Wednesday on my Instagram Page. So Please follow me on Instagram and Missouri Star Quilt Company so you can qualify. :-) 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)

Pressing is the key to success...

Cats Mystery Scrap-a-long...Phase 6...Clue #7

 Hey quilters...It's finally Friday! I love this day...it gives me the chance to reflect on what I've accomplished and or what I still need to do. First I'd like to say "thank you: for following. I always look at my stats to see what countries are following and last month was exciting. I love designing and sewing being creative. Sharing my love with y'all brings me joy so I hope y'all are having as much fun as I am with this "mystery" scrap-a-long. I love Phase 6 becasue it features "clue #7" and it's a huge part of the design. In this phase you will be making 7 of the same block and eventually once all blocks are made you will be making 3 flip flops. Yes that was clue #7 :-) I will be sharing soon of how the blocks all come together. Lets just say for now you are getting extremely close. Remember your blocks are all rotary cut the same and pieced but not the fabric placement of the Light medium fabrics and the Light fabric squares along with the 4 patch square. I'm having a blast with this mystery scrap-a-long and I thank y'all so much for following along on this journey with me. Talk soon.

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Phase 6...clue #7...

Phase 6 Block...

Here's all you do...

* Make 7 blocks all the same as above pic. Alternating with Light medium fabric square in upper leeft and Light fabric in lower right. Your 4 patch is pieced the same with light hues of fabrics but note the direction of the white squares. Sew in the same manner as previous blocks...press and set aside.

Tip...the four patch squres features light fabric scraps with white fabrics. The blocks are the same with the white squares in upper left and lower right of the 4 patch. This will show the direction once the blocks are sewn together. This is where I was able to use the shade variations of all the light fabrics that I had inherited. Hmm was that another hint :-)

Talk soon,

Cat