Cats Tip of the Day! "Aurifil thread & Clover Chaco Liner pen"

 Hey quilter's...hope you're having a great week and doing what you love. I day "doing what you love" because life flies by too quickly. I was text'd some pics of my girlfriends daughter who's daughter was doing the "Senior Walk" at my daughter's school where she is a counselor. Oh my gosh...three generations of amazing women. Seems like yesterday our girls where in high school themselves. I love seeing the pics and especially seeing the pics of how everyone's family has grown. Just makes me feel old :-) But that's life as they say but it sure does go by too fast. Enjoy everyday...the best way possible. My late dads last words were "don't get upset over things you can't change." Boy does that ring in my head daily! Well there is a lot of celebration going & feels like "Memorial Day" is the weekend that kicks it all off. I just finished quilting my "America...Sew Beautiful" Party Point Celebration runner & wanted to share a few quilting tips w/y'all. I know we sometimes "especially me" hate to mark lines on the fabric for quilting. I do use the "heat eraseable" pens although a lot of quilter's don't agree but it works for me. I don't plan on ever being in freezing temps again for the marks to come back :-) I recently started using the Chaco Liner pen by Clover and I'm truly enjoying how it marks on fabrics. It's very easy to use with the tapered point and I just take a damp paper towel once finished quilting to remove any lines. My test on dark fabric turned out great. The American Beauty by Riley Blake Designs has a variety of dark fabric hues and it cleaned up nicely :-) I especially love Aurifil 50 weight thread hues 2260, 2710, 2780. They complimented the fabric colors & prints perfectly. I know items add up quickly when buying itmes for projects so I wanted to share these with y'all. Plus if you're looking for a gift for any crafter/quilter these would be great and affordable too! All supplies can be found on Missouri Star Quilt Company's website and my link will save you 20% off $50. or more for the month of May. I'll be posting my finished runner so check back soon Let's just say "Chuck" had a windy photo session by the lake. Poor guy...I had to clip him so he didn't fall in with the gators :-) I thank y'all so much for following and talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Note...I carefully folded back the "Party Points" before quilting each line :-)

America...Sew Beautiful.."Party-Point-Celebration!" Phase 2

 Hey quilter's...hope your week is off to a great start. The weekend flew by too fast for me. I did some cooking...trying new recipes and sewing of course. I do things in moderation but not going to give up on what I love. Speaking of love....my sweet grandson hit a home run yesterday. I am one proud Gege! He is only 13 but his ethics amaze me for his age. He focuses on his school work...sports and sometimes cleaning his room :-) Ha..just kidding. He recently sent a pic of his new "teenage" room and I was amazed. He's very minimal...clean lined for his age. I love it when he ask's me questions about design. Still makes me feel important even though I'm retired from the "design world." I do believe that's why I love sewing/quilting. It gives me the creative out that my brain needs. They both are rewarding. Designing gave me the opportunity to make families happy & quilting gives me the chance to share designs & techniques hoping to inspire others. I know sounds corny but it really brings me joy! Speaking of...I hope y'all enjoyed Phase 1 of the "Party-Point-Celebration" runner. This next phase is very simple which will give you ample time to put your own quilting spin on it. I did a coordinating "trivet" to practice my quilting stitches that I'll be sharing soon. You know me...I like to practice a new design by making a "trivet"...they are fun-ctional and fun! Oh check out Aurifils thread hues...they compliment this fabric line perfectly. All supplies can be found on Missouri Star Quilt Company's website and my link will save you 20% off $50. or more for the month of May. I thank y'all so much for following. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Paid Partnership w/MSQC 

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Note...I use Aurifil 50 weight #2710 & 2780

Here's all you do...

For 1" Inner Border Strips...

* Rotary Cut from 2 Grey squares....1 1/2 x 9 1/2...Per design...sew with right sides 2gether...1/4" seam allowance. Press...square up if needed.

Accent Border (white paisley)

* Rotary cut 2 strips 1 1/ 2 x 9 1/2 sew to top/bootom...same method as above.

* Rotary cut 2 strips 1 1/2 x 31 (or your length) and sew to left/right sides...same method as above.

Border/Binding...

* From blue accent fabric...rotary cut 2 strips 2" x 11 1/4 (strips are wider to fold back later)

* Sew to top/bottom of runner...same method as previous...press.

* Rotary cut 2 strips 2" x 31 (or your length) and sew to left/right sides.

* Press

* Rotary cut your batting and backing 11 1/2 x 31 1/2 or your desired size.

* Layer backing fabric (right side facing down)

* Batting

* Runner (right side facing up)

* Pin or clip to secure before quiltig.

* Quilt as desired & have fun!

Note...I'm just one step ahead of you. I'm accent quilting in the ditch & doing an "X" grid pattern in each block to compliment the "Party-Points." O,K,,,yes they technically are 'priairie points." you're on to me but in my world they are "Party-Points." After all...it's a "Celebration Runner!" :-)

Talk soon,

Cat

America...Sew Beautiful..."Party-Point Celebration!" Phase 1

 Hey quilter's...hope your having a great weekend. I hope the weather is being kind if you're having graduation ceremonies. I remember 2 yrs. ago when my daughter Graduated with her Masters Degree and we had the craziest storm hi in Houston Texas. Yes...just in time for us getting out of the car going into the auditorium. We looked like a bunch of wet rats. I will admit she was the prettiest young lady going across the stage to recieve her diploma. Yes...I'm one proud momma! So no matter the weather....enjoy this precious time...you may have a crazy story like me to tell later in life :-) Well along with graduation celebrations we have Memorial weekend...4th of July & Labor Day Holidays approaching. Trust me...they will be here before long. I will be celebrating a 3-Part Series "America...Sew Beautiful" for our  holiday entertaing plus home decor. I love decor that you can use more than once and I believe "I naild it" as my grandson would say. :-) I'll be sharing two fun-ctional runners...the first with a very fun texhnique...the second coming soon featuring a new technique I created then we're going to make a "lap quilt" together. Yes...I'll be showing how fun & easy it is to make a lap quilt from a panel. This would be a great beginner project for you or teach the kiddos to sew/quilt on a small lever for a summer activity. It's hard to believe summer will be here soon & you'll be seeking those actitivities to entertain the kiddos. I always say "time flies by fast" and it definately does in my sewing room. So let me tell you about the first fabric collection. It's American Beauty by Riley Blake Designs. I'm using the 10" stackers along with half a yard of the white paisley and then I chose  a yard of blue print for my backing and accents. The yardage amount will alow you to make both runners. Make one for you and give one as a gift :-) That's what I'm doing. My son-a-law served two tours in Iraq so this design will be for her table. They love to honor him and decorate for these special holiday's and remember others who have and are serving as well.The pinwheel design was inspired by my sweet grandson of how he loved to hold the patriotic pinwheel flags and watch them blow. Tears! Special times we'll cherish forever. For the quilting...I used Aurifil 50# thread to piece and quilt the designs and all supplies can be found on Missouri Star Quilt Comapny's webiste. My link will save you 20% off $50. or more for the month of May. I love it when the extend a great discount! Plus if you know me I'll be sharing a "trivet" to compliment the runner along with some easy & d'lish recipes too! I thank y'all for following and keep chcecking in because we have a lot of exciting projects happening. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

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

Party Point Celebration Runner...

Tip...This design can be easily enlarged to accomodate your entertaining needs just by adding more blocks!

Here's all you do...

For each block....

* Select 2 blue 10" squares for the 4 patch square.

* One red 10" square.

* One white print 10" square.

Note...alternate the fabrics for each block.

Tip....I layed out all the fabric squares to get an idea of how I wanted to group my squares. This fabric collection is so stunning! :-)

*  Rotary cut one blue 10" square in half...equals 2...5 x 10" pieces.

* Rotary cut one 5 x 10 in piece in half to equal 2... 5 x 5 " squares...set the other aside :-)

* Repeat for the other blue 10" square.

* Lay in a 4 patch design with fabric hues opposite of each other.

* Rotary cut your red & white 10" square in the same manner.

Make the Party-Points...

* For each block you will use 2 5x5 squares of red/white fabrics.

* Fold one 5 x5 square in half..press...fold in half again to form the triangle...press.

* Repeat for all 4 squares.

* Place your "party-points" per design...matching the raw edge side of the triangle to the square.

* Pin and sew a scant 1/8" seam to secure the triangle in place.

Note... Sew squares 2gether to form the four patch design being careful when joining the pinwheels. It will be a tad-bit bulky in center so "sew slow" to secure. :-) 

* Sew top 2 squares with right side 2gether using a 1/4" seam...press

* Repeat for bottom 2 squares then join the 2 rows together at center. press.

Repeat for all 3 blocks or as many as you desire for your entertaining needs.

Check back soon for Phase 2 & finishing.

Talk soon,

Cat

Great gift for Mother's Day...Graduation or Just Because!

Hey quilter's....hope your week is going well. I wanted to share with y'all a recent project that I finished using a fun tote pattern by Missouri Star Quilt Company.The pattern "Updated Three Totes One Charm Pack" is super easy and using one charm pack. I used Island Batik..Pin Dot Floral & accented with uncorked fabric by Windham Fabrics.I pieced and quilted with Aurifil 50 weight thread #2588 & 2134. I know with Mother's Day...Graduation...Summer birthday's we're all looking for a unique gift and have to say this would be a great one. The pattern instructions are easy to follow that it would be a great Summer Project to teach the kiddos to sew. You know me...I'm all about sewing/quilting it forward. I added an inner pocket using my scraps to hold keys...cell phone..."Chuck" :-) The pattern is sew versatile that I could even see this as a great "Baby Shower gift" for a new mom. Nothing like sporting a unique diaper bag when shopping :-) The pattern can be found on Missouri Star Quilt Co. website along with the fabrics & threads needed to complete the bag. My link to MSQC will save you 20% off $50. or more for the month of May. I thank y'all so much for following and have a super special "scrap-a-long" coming soon. Have a great week!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

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"Updated Three Totes One Charm Pack Pattern" by Missouri Star Quilt Company

"Hexagon-Heirloom Fun-ctional Table Runner"

 Hey quilters....hope your having a great week. I've been play "project catch-up." I was waiting for my accent fabric to arrive to finish my "Fun-ctional Table Decor" using Ingrids Wildflowers Heirloom embroidery kit by Missouri Star Quilt Co. This kit is super fun plus having a special tribute to Jenny Doans grandmother makes it extra special. My grandmother taught me to embroider as a child so embroidering the squares brought back a lot of memories for me. I "dabbled" in embroidery thoughout my adult life...initialed "hankies" for my dad for Christmas every year but not serious until this kit came about. I wanted to challenge myself in 2024...try new tips & techniques so this design is very special for me to share. The kit comes with a beautful quilt that is a tribute to "Ingrid" but I knew with my projects that a quilt would be a bit difficult to finish. I wanted to make sure that I did a special tribute to this awesome kit as well. I love "fun-ctional decor"...I love entertaining & especially when I can have a "centerpiece" that is fun-ctional. I used the Missouri Star Quilt Town white to really show the embroidery detail and the uncorked by Windham Fabrics for my accent & backing. I'm very casual when entertaining so this design highlights that but you could use any fabric to accomodate your decor. My design can be easily enlarged just by adding more blocks. If you haven't tried embroidery this would be a fun kit to start with...it's very therapeutic & you will feel the love with every stitch you make. If you're thinking you don't have  'Hexagon Templates."...no worries...I used the instruction cards & the tin for the template designs :-) Remember less-stress-quilting! I do have more designs coming soon using the other flower design so you have plenty of time to catch up if you don't have the kit already. As always...I thank y'all so much for following and if you need supplies my link to Missouri Star Quilt Co. will save you 20% off $50. or more for the month of May. I love how they exteneded this discount for us to share. We have so many fun Holiday's approaching and if you're like me...well lets just say "I take my time." :-) Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

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

Here's all you do...

* Press your hexagon block making sure all seams are flat on back.

One inch Borders...

* Rotary cut accent fabric strip 1 1/2 x 7 ish. Your first one will be roughly 1 1/2 x 4 1/2 as you add your borders you will rotary cut longer strips. 

* Starting at upper right corner sewing clockwise directions...sew your strips to hexagon with right sides 2gether using a quarter in seam allowance. 

* Press & square up as you go

* Repeat this step for 2nd border.

* Repeat same method for 3rd border but w/ uncorked fabric.

Quilting...

* Rotary cut your backing...low-loft batting & insul-bright using the bottom of the Heirloom kit.

Tip...( I used a heat-erasable pen then rotary cut on the lines) 

Layer...Backing facing down...insulbright & batting then your embroidered block right side up.

Pin or clip to secure layers before quilting.

Quilt as desired.

Tip...I quilted in the ditch to accent the "Hexagon design" I started with the "upper right corner" quilted clockwise as in the same direction as you pieced the borders.

Border/Binding...

Yes...the strip in this step is wide due to my border/binding technique. 

* Rotary cut a strip of uncorked fabric to 2" x 7" to start with rmembering your strips will lengthen as you go. Sew in same method as previous borders. Square up & Press.

* Starting at upper right corner fold back border to back leaving a 1/2" binding on front.

* Fold binding on back in half to secure the fold. Clip or pin as desired.

* Continue this method going clockwise until you're reach back to top of block.

* Qult as desired on front of block to secure the fold on back.

Tip...I used Aurifil #2134 & a "crazy stitch" to make sure to catch the seams on the back. No worries if you don't catch all seams on back just use a permanent washable fabric glue to tack areas. :-)

Well mine is not perfect but I truly enjoyed how therapeutic embroidering these designs were. Remember don't stress...take your time & enjoy what you love even if it's in "moderation" like me!

Talk soon,

Cat

Suppers on the Porch..."Fun-ctional Table Decor.. Stackable & fun!

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all are doing well. I wanted to first say "Thank you" for following me on this "fun-ctional scrap-a-long." I love to create a design that is not intimidating...learning techniques in a fun fashion. Sometimes even I look at quilt patterns and think...'not in this lifetime" or I joke and say, "that's on my bucket list." But I do remember when I first started out that I was taught fun & easy techniques and it always stuck with me. I didn't get discouraged, and I've kept quilting my whole life. That is what I hope to inspire within y'all. I want you to enjoy quilting...challenging yourself along the way like I recently did with the "functional centerpiece." Honestly, I stated that pattern/technique was the first for me & I also stated "respect" to those who do that technique. It was fun...I love the way it turned out...it's not perfect but I always say..."there's no quilting police in my sewing room!" Ha...if there was, I would have been shut down :-) I love quilting...creating new techniques and designs to share but it's also "therapeutic" for me. I preach "thread n fabric therapy"...even if it's for a few minutes...do what you love in moderation. Don't give up...then your pain got the best of you...work it so you can still do what you love. Well enough of my preaching and on to how "fun-ctional" this design is! No matter your table size...you can place the individual Octagon squares to accommodate your entertaining needs. Sometimes you are limited with a traditional table runner. My pics below will give you an "idea"...not the best photographer...of how you can place the squares as needed. You can stack in a row for a traditional table runner or place as needed for a square table too. Also...hello...they are "stack-a-ble." That's right...you can stack them all within each other for storage. A great space saving technique :-) I also wanted to share my cooking and decor blog (link upper right on home page) will be hosting fun recipes for your "Suppers on the Porch." Thís month flew by for me, but you can still jump on my link to Missouri Star Quilt Co to save 20% off $50. or more for the month of April. I thank y'all so much for following & check back soon for another month of fun-ctional projects! Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC 

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

Suppers on the Porch...

Octagon sq's...10 1/2"....Fun-ctional centerpiece 10"...tweet triver 7 1/4"...all very "fun-ctional" to accommodate your entertaining needs :-) 

 

Suppers on the Porch..."Tweet Trivet"

 Hey quilter's...hope you had a restful weekend. My prayers are for everyone with this crazy Spring weather. We had wind yesterday that blew my plants like crazy but I'm not going to complain. Sometimes I hate watching the news...seeing what lives are affected by the storms. All we can do is pray for the families to have strength during the difficult times. I pray for everyone...every morning to have strength during their difficult times. So yes, that includes you. We might not know each other but through the magic of technology we get too! That is one thing that I love about the "quilting world." We share amongst others...inspiring others & if you're like me...quilting it forward. I get so thrilled when I'm seeing pics of young children at a sewing machine on social media. I love to teach a child to sew/quilt or anybody...it's a skill that you will use forever. Plus, can make a great job skill financially in a lot of areas of sewing & quilting. I for one love how "thread and fabric therapy" has helped me. I've seen on social media of how Wounded Warriors are sewing/quilting to help w/ P.T.S.D. So, if you have a chance to teach this amazing skill please do so. Sometimes we don't realize how something so simple inspires others. Well, I hope you've enjoyed this Scrap-a-long..."Suppers on the Porch." I've had a blast & love the fabric so much that I made a small "tweet trivet" to go along with the fun-ctional table decor. I think y'all know by now that I love entertaining outdoors & listening to birds. The fabric "Porch Swing" by Riley Blake Designs & the "Spring Icons bird" Template inspired my design. All supplies are from Missouri Star Quilt Co. You can save 20% off $50. or more for the month of April w/my link on supplies. The "tweet trivet" is using the small & medium Octagon Template so if you're at this point you've used all three sizes of the Octagon Templates from MSQC. I love the quality of MSQC Templates & if you've been on their website lately "Chuck" now has his own template. Wow. I can only imagine the designs everyone will be coming up w/that super cute guy! I thank y'all so much for following & pop on over to my cooking blog for recipes that I'll be sharing soon using this fun-ctional home decor "Suppers on the Porch." Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

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

Here's all you need...

Note...You will be using the scrap pieces & 2 of the 10" squares from "Porch Swing" collection.

* Small & Medium Octagon Template from Missouri Star Quilt Co.

* Insulbright

* Low loft batting

Here's all you do...

* Using the small octagon...center within the 10" square bird design and rotary cut around the template.

* Using the "medium octagon template" rotary cut your backing...insulbright & batting...set aside.

Scrappy Borders...

Note...you will repeat next step 3 times for the three scrappy borders :-)

* Rotary cut a few scrap pieces 1" x 4 1/2 to start...you will adjust length as you go.

* Using the same method as the bird squares & fun-stional centerpiece....start at the upper right corner sewing strips to octagon shape with right sides 2gether using a 1/4" seam allowance. You will sew in  a clockwise direction & press and square up as you go.

* Continue this method until all 3 scrappy borders are achieved. Isn't it fun using those scraps? :-)

Border/Binding...

Note...yes, it's wide due to later you will fold to the back of square to achieve the 1/2" binding on back.

* Layer...backing...facing down...insulbright...low loft batting & block right side up (facing you)

* Same way...start at upper right corner...finger press border to the back leaving a 1/2" binding on the front....continue clockwise...clip as you go.

* Carefully flip block over.

* Starting at same upper right corner...fold binding in half to secure raw edge of fabric.

* Continue clockwise and remove/adjust clips as you go.

Note...I leave the clips in as I am doing this step to keep all layers secure. :-) see above pic :-)

* Crazy stitch on front of block to secure seam on back. Remove clips as you go.

Quilt block as desired. I did an outline stitch around the center octagon, but it would be fun to do some accent quilting around the fabric design :-) 

Now you're ready for those "Suppers on the Porch!"

Keep following for more "Scrap-a-longs".

Cat