"Boo-tiful Scrap-a-long!"

 Hey quilter's...hope you're having a great week. My day starting off with a anxiety walk then my sweet neighbor showed me all of her quilts she's been working on. It's funny how fabric...sewing...seeing quilts calms me and bring me joy. She gave her quilts the old school "tying" which I love. Tying quilts has been around forever! It's a great way to finish quilts es[ecially if you're short on time. I also feel it would be a fun summer project for kiddos too. I remember many of times "tying quilts" with Oma at the hospital when someone is in surgery. It's a "pack up & go" with the need of no sewing machine. Just a few hands :-) Super sweet memories that I'll cherish forever. Well today I wanted to share w/y'all my progress of this "fun-ctional table runner" that I'm making. I'm using "Hey Boo" Layer Cake by Moda Fabrics...designed by Lella Boutique. The pattern "Hello Pumpkin" is from Missouri Star Quilt Company. I'm following the instructions within the pattern but just making a runner. The instructions are super easy that I might have to add the full quilt to my "bucket list." I love a pattern that inspires me to create something different but still using their awesome designs. I've pieced my squares using Aurifil 50# thread & currently working on  a "scrappy-border." This fabric is sew cute that I can't waste any of it :-) I don't know about you but it's never too soon for Halloween sewing. Especially if you're like me....I'm a bit slow these days so I love to be piecing a design and having one that I'm quilting on too. I pop between them depending on my pain level. Geez :-) Speaking of designs...we have a lot of fun projects happening in June & I'll be giving you a "sneak peek" real soon. I wanted to challenge myself this year...learn new blocks...techniques and will admit it's been a blast! I guess you can teach an old quilter new techniques ;-) If y'all need supplies my link to Missouri Star Quilt Company will save you 20% off $50. or more for the month of May. Thanks so much for following and talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Hey Boo Layer Cake by Moda Fabrics & Hello Pumpkin Pattern by MSQC...progress :-)

Easiest, Quickest Fat Quarter Quilt! 😮 Just 12 Fat Quarters in Slice & D...

Hey quilter's...I had to share this super quick quilt design w/ y'all. I'm drinking coffee...googling Missouri Star Quilt Co tutorials for inspiration & this popped up. Hmm...gotta love the internet :-) This technique would make a fast...gift for any occassion. My "design brain" was thinking what a cute baby gift, graduation/wedding gift when you're in a time crunch. I hope y'all enjoy this technique inspires your creativity. Also what a fast way to use up some large scraps too. :-) Thanks for letting me share w/you! 

 

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Paid Partnership w/MSQC

Link upper right on home page to save 20% off $50. or more for the month of May!

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Tuesday confession..."I love ironing & this ironing board cover by Missouri Star Quilt Company!"

 Hey quilter's...hope all is well and you had a restful Memorial day weekend. My heart and prayers are with everyone who's lives was devastated by the Tornados. It was near my family but all safe but seeing the news is heart-breaking. Life is precious. We all know it but when weather hits near by it really is a reality. Memorial Day was one of my dear late dads favorite Holiday. Being a Military man he really honored the Holiday. I reminisced a lot Monday. In fact one of my favorite pics of him is on my "facebook page" of him on Memorial Day. I'm sure he was celebrating up in heaven! I spent the day also "organizing my sewing area"...yes I call it area due to "temporary downsizing." I gave up my sewing/quilting room when we moved to Florida 3 yrs. ago to help my late mom-in-law. I'm hoping real soon that I find a home back in Texas. It's been a long journey and can't wait to have my sewing room again. But will say on the "downsizing" note that it taught me to be more organized and clever :-) I had to overcome some of my O.C.D issues "only Cat does" but I'm trying! As a designer I should be perfectly fine coming up with creative ways to save space...right? Hmm...will admit y'all it's been challenging. I will be sharing some organizing tips with y'all in hopes to inspire others that might be in the same situation. On the O.C.D. note...I love to iron. I feel it's very therauputic & realaxing. Maybe it's the cup of coffee too! I love the Missouri Star Quilt Company's ironing board cover. The quality is amazing & it's super cute! Yes...that is important :-) The cover is made of 100% cotton & the one piece preofessional fiber felt pad is 5mm thick...easy fit elastic & it's 54L x 15"w. I used to keep my ironing board "up" in my quilting room but now I do need to tuck away when not in use. But will say...it might get learned near my antique craft hutch sometimes. The color hue is perfect to inspire your creativity. I't sure makes ironing a joy! I was so thrilled with my "new addition" that I ironed my Quilt Backs from Missouri Star Quilt compamy. The Tossed Missouri Star wide backs is 110". So having a great ironing board is essential and will say y'all that quality of this cover is perfect! Chuck love it too. Did you see him in the pic? MSQC now has a "Chuck template." Oh my gosh y'all...he really is super cute :-) I'' be sharing pics of upcoming projects in hope to inspire y'all to "Scrap-a-long" w/me. My link to MSQC will save you 20% off $50. or more for the month of May on supplies. Oh....I'll also be sharing the 2nd part of "America...Sew Beautiful" reall soon :-) I thank y'all so much for following and talk soon!

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)

Missouri Star Quilt Company ironing board cover...

America...Sew Beautiful "Party-Point Trivet" 4 Entertaining!

 Hey quilter's...well it's finally Friday! I wish for y'all to have a restful long Holiday weekend. I know I'll be doing my usual but that's o.k. too. I'm excited to share w/ y'all the trivet to go along with the "Party-Point-Celebration" Runner. Yes, I always make a trivet but it does have a positive note. I love to have a coordinating trivet for entertaining but this also lets me practice my quilting for the runner too. I love to see what style/stitches that I can do within the design on a small scale. I've been sharing basic quilting techniques geared toward the new beginner levels of quilting but you can always do advanced techniques. I've even stepped way out of my comfort zone and created a "reel" this morning. I'm hoping I can upload to share here on blog. I seriously need my 14 yr. old grandson :-) The trivet is used with "Insul-bright" for hot/cold items that I add in after I've quilted my block. Less bulk then I top stitch at end to secure all layers. This is the first collection of the 3-part Series "America...Sew Beautiful," Celebrating & Honoring our Country. I'll be sharing the next project real soon. If you need supplies my link to Missouri Star Quilt Company will save you 20% off $50. or more for the month of May. I hope y'all have a Blessed weekend...doing what you enjoy! Thank y'all so much for following and have a great Memorial weekend!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat 

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Paid Partnership w/MSQC

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Here's all you do...

* Use scraps from runner... Rotary cut 2... 5 x 10" squares (2 different blue prints)

* Subcut into  2...5 x5 squares each. Will make 4 squares.

* Alternate squares to make a 4 patch design.

* Rotary cut white and red scrap fabrics the same way to make your "party-points"

* Alternate your "party-points" per deign within the squares.

* Top stitch along the raw edge (1/8" seam allowance) of party-points to secure to square following design.

* Sew squares 2gether using the 4 patch directions as previously stated on Table runner.

Border/Binding...

* Rotary cut from white paisley fabric two  strips 2 x 91/2 and sew with right sides together using a 1/4" seam allowance to top/bottom of block. Press

* Rotary cut 2 strips 2 x 12 1/4 and sew as above to the left/right side of block. Press.

* Rotary cut batting to 9 1/2 x 9 1/2 and place behind block and quilt as desired. This gives you a chance to practice your quilting on a small scale. 

* Rotary cut backing/insulbright to 9 1/2 x 9 1/2.

Layer backing...right side down...insul-bright then block facing right side up.

* Starting at top...fold over border to back of block leaving a 1/4" binding on front. Fold in half agin on back of block to fold in raw edge.

* Repeat same step for bottom...then left/right sides.

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

* Finishes 9 1/2 x 9 1/2

Note...I like to do a crazy stitch to catch the fold on back plus it gives a fun decorative stitch on front :-)

Hope you enjoy'd this collection.

Talk soon,

Cat

America...Sew Beautiful."Party- Point- Celebration!" Runner is Ready!

Hey quilter's...hope all is going great. I'm excited to share the "Party-Point-Celebration" runner is ready for your festivities. I love the fabric by Riley Blake Designs. It's perfect for Memorial Day...4th of July...Labor day and the size is very fun-ctionable. The size is perfect for boating...rv'ng...camping. The runner finishes out 11 1/4 x 31 and can be easily enlarged to accomodate your entertaining needs. All you need to do is add more "party-point" blocks. I love a design that can be used many ways. If you want more of a summer design just add a sweet colloection of fun vibrant fabrics. Missouri Star Quilt Company has many new lines available for all your decor entertaining. I have to share a funny situation with "Chuck" yesterday. During our photo shoot by the lake we might have had a close call. Yes...the wind picked up and Chuck almost went swimming with a gator near by. I had no idea the gator was watching us...sneaky raskals they are! I had to a "quilt clip" to secure him to the runner. We didn't have much sun light for the photo and the water came out a bit dark but that's o.k. Sometimes it's just nice to get out and relax by the water even it's a bit windy. I like to do embroider outside. Especially when their is a bit of a breeze. Very relaxing. I alway's preach..."thread and fabric therapy." I wish for you this long holiday weekend is to take the time to relax. Do what brings you joy. This runner is the first of the 3-Part Series..."America Sew Beautiful" to Celebrate & Honor our Country. My link to MSQC w/save you 20% off $50. or more for the month of May. Thanks so much for following & check back soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest

"Party-Point-Celebration" Runner...

Border/binding/finishing...

* Starting at top...fold back your border (blue) to the back leaving a 1/4" seam (binding) on the right side. Fold in half again on back to secure your seam. Clip or pin.

* Repeat for bottom...left/right sides.

* Quilt on right side to secure binding on back as well.

Tip...I like to do a "crazy stitch" to make sure I secure the binding on back. My previous post shares how Aurifil thread compliments the fabric hues in this collection perfectly! 

I hope you enjoyed the first of this fun "3-Part-Series" of America...Sew Beautiful!

Talk soon,

Cat

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

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

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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

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC 

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest

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