"A HOLE IN ONE"... PAIR OF JEANS & AURIFIL THREAD

Hey Quilters...if you do alterations like me but cringe when someone asks you to patch their favorite jeans, then you will appreciate this fast tip. I cannot stand to struggle while sewing jeans...even with an open arm, it's still frustrating especially with a long legged pair of jeans. Well, here's a tip...

open up the outer seam of leg of jeans (trust me this few extra minutes will be worth it) and now your area of jeans that needs to be patched is so much easier to maneuver while sewing. Patch as desired and sew the leg seam back up!  I like to use Aurifil 50 weight for strength and depending on the color of your jeans they have so many color ways to choose from. Also, if you are a seamstress or quilter this is a great time to use those not so sharp needles that you hate to throw away. I keep some stuck in an old piece of jeans so I know they are used strictly for patching. Also, make your own patches by using old jean fabric and double sided fusible web. A stylish hint....patch on the inside so your jeans still keep their stylish integrity on the outside (who would have thought that the more tattered your jeans were the more stylish you are) But as I say...everything has their time and purpose :-) Anyway, hope this helps!

Blessed Quilting from our Home to Yours!,

Cat

any q's...email me at cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com

Aurifil Thread..."A Motivational Healer"

Hey Quilters....hope everyone is doing well and trying to stay cool in this heat wave. You may think the topic for the blog is odd but until you have been down in your back for several months and can't even sit or stand, well lets just say you look for things to inspire your healing. That's right...
Aurifil thread...

oh my goodness, the bright bold colors motivated me to heal, do what the doctor ordered so I can get back to my sewing machine. I was down in my back for several months recently and I would walk by my thread and talk to it...(probably shouldn't admit that but I'm sure I am not alone). Not being able to hardly walk or sit for so long was so depressing and frustrating. I needed to motivate myself due to not doing back injections again and deciding to do a topical pain reliever. I'm one of the fortunate ones that's allergic to pain meds. We finally found a compound crème that works wonderful. Only downside...it doesn't smell horrible and bees now seem to think they can "pollinate off me". Scary when you are allergic to bees. Anyway, my display of Aurifil thread, seeing those bright colors motivated me to keep focused. Especially when you know you have a long journey ahead of you. Don't get me wrong....I do physical therapy exercises everyday, use my pain meds, pray like crazy, but seeing something and focusing on a goal to help you heal faster worked for me. I could not wait to get back to doing my projects! It's still baby steps...I sit for about 15 minutes at a time...get up, do my stretches...cry and go on....you never know what is going to happen so make the most of each day and cherish every moment! One good thing due to all my recent down time...I have some sweet inspirational designs coming soon. Amazing how mother nature can inspire you when you are forced to take walks :-)

Blessed Quilting from Our Home to Yours,
Cat
Facebook....I heard it through the quilt-vine

HOW A RULER CAN INSPIRE A QUILT DESIGN" and A SWEET WAY TO HANG YOUR RULERS"

Hey quilters....hope all is going well....I wanted to share my easy & fun technique for hanging rulers plus if you haven't tried these rulers...well ya need too! I was blessed to receive the whole collection of Kaye Englands "Cut for the Cure" ruler collection a few years back from my mom-in-law. I love having the rulers displayed for creativity. You would be surprised of how a ruler can inspire a quilt design. I also had this old worn out hutch that I absolutely love. It's old...worn out and a tad-bit wrinkled...kinda like me. I did not want to paint it or even change out the drawer pulls (see miss-matched) cause I thought well if this hutch could talk I am sure it has some major stories to tell. Anyway, this project was so fast & easy and inexpensive. My kind of project!
     All I did was...make a template of the top arch of the panel and then cut to scale using "Chalkboard Fabric". I love this fabric for fun/easy projects. Then used wood glue to adhere it to hutch. Waited a day to make sure I didn't have any areas to touch up(that part killed me). Then...oh my gosh...have to stop a sec...a herd of 11 does and a sweet buck just went across front property...mother nature at it's finest! Anyway, back to the rulers...then strategically placed the rulers and used push pins to hang them. After I was happy with the placement of rulers, I used my chalk pen to write each rulers name, Oh my gosh...these rulers not only help a cure with purchase (Breast Cancer) but are excellent when cutting fabric & designing. I absolutely love them! Anyway, hope everyone has a great "quilting weekend"...enjoy!

"Blessed Quilting from Our Home to Yours"
Cat
email...cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com

                                                 "a little scruffy pic but love my hutch"

"LoVe my Fat Quarters"

Well....happy 2016 everyone! First I have to say...a dear Pastor of ours once said "what happened yesterday can't happen today 'cause now you are aware of it". Hmm...do I have to say...2015 was a pure example of that saying. I haven't blogged sense June of 2015 due to some tragedies that hit our family starting in July. But now looking back we are blessed 'cause we got through them with the grace of God & we are still here, fighting everyday but still here! Sometimes you need to focus on the everyday stuff verses what you enjoy. Let me tell ya 2015 was that year. Lately I've come to realize it's not what or whom you want to be but lovin' who you are. I know a little cliche' but it's true. With all the stress in 2015, I started stress eating again. Not very happy with myself due to I had lost 20 pounds earlier in the year. I had gained 50 lbs. in the past several years due to my ankle accident in 2007 and lack of mobility. Needless to say..."I'm a little mad that 10 of those lost pounds found me again". Weird how that happens...must have left a trail of bread crumbs behind!
     Anyway, it's a new year and for those of you who know me...it's back to basics again! I have a quilt to finish! Previously, I had blogged about how I am making a quilt out of the jeans that I cut up when loosing weight. I have to say...it really works. Oh my gosh how I have been frustrated putting the pounds back on. I've cut up my jeans and seriously uncomfortable in my current ones. If that doesn't make you stick to the plan, nothing will. I have been determined to stay focused. Mostly due to who has money to waist buying jeans." Miss Me" jeans have a new meaning with me...I won't "Miss You". But in the meantime, I have to say...be happy with who you are 'cause nobody does it better and most of all "Love your Fat Quarters":-) Anyway....part two will be coming up next week of how the "jean quilt" is progressing using "Aurifil thread".

"Quilt Blessings from Our Home to Yours",
Cat
cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
Facebook...I heard it through the Quilt-vine

"Scrappin' it...Denim Style"

Hey quilter's...hope everyone is enjoying their summer so far. I've been busy working on the Stain Glass Window project for our town's Museum. Each and every window is appliqued and quilted. Yes, I know...what was I thinking. But have to say I was blessed to have all the bright Batiks donated by Hoffman fabrics and all the thread was donated by Aurifil. If you haven't checked out their amazing color hues please do so. Excellent quality and many design hues & weights to choose from.
 Anyway, I think we all have a "stress relief" project... and this is mine. Working on a sweet gift and have to say it's been fun cleaning out my stash. I had "yards" of lace that I had stashed and plenty of denim to choose from. I wanted to incorporate a "cross design" and give it a little trendy feel as well. The only fabric that I have purchased is the Chevron pattern which I absolutely love. The chevron ties in the two shades of denim that I'm using plus saves me time piecing the chevrons. A plus when you are working within a time frame for a gift. Plus this quilt will have a very rustic appearance due to the seams will all be frayed. Another time saving tip! I am using very sharp applique scissors to trim around the lace and each cross is appliqued and pieced to form a cross. I will post more pics along the way. Like I mentioned...this is my fun...stress relief project from doing the Stain Glass Window Project for our sweet old Museum. Hope you enjoy and have a great quilt week!

"Blessed Quilting from Our Home to Yours",
Cat
like us on Facebook...ihearditthroughthequilt-vine

"SENDING WARM WISHES & YOU REAP WHAT YOU SEW"

Hey quilter's....when I saw this funny cartoon, I immediately filed it for a crazy winter day. I know some of us are truly thankful for the sun these past couple of days, but also know how some are cold right now. I definitely feel your pain, been a survivor of a -10* once myself, and didn't care for it at all. I would always try to think warm thoughts, summer project ideas and mostly just keep from going nuts while being snowed in. Don't get me wrong, it's fun for a couple of days and if you could only plan it when you needed it, I would then love the snow. I recently read an article that during the winter months you should plan your summer vacations. Hmmm...hasn't worked yet but maybe I'm not thinking "tropical" due to I'm a more "mountain" kinda gal. I posted this cartoon for everyone to have a laugh during these crazy winter months. I love the fact that it's featured some of my favorite items for sewing/quilting except it's missing a couple of rows. I personally would be planting/sewing rows of my favorite weights and color hues of Aurifil thread. Oh how wonderful that would be to just go out and pick the "perfect color hue" & weights of thread. This is the one time I would love to hear the old saying..."you reap what you sew". All kidding aside, want to send warm wishes and hugs to all who are a bit chilly these days & special thanks for following my blog. We will be posting many designs & patterns soon as a free download. I elevate my ankle quite a bit so I am constantly designing in my EQ7 to keep from going insane these days.We"ll also feature fast & easy gifts for free downloads as well. Warm Hugs!

Blessed Quilting from our Home to Yours"
www.perfectgift-fromabove.com
www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

"CAT'S LINT ROLLER & AURIFIL THREAD 4 THE BIRDS"

Hey quilters...I hope everyone is having a "little bit of sunshine" during this cold season. I recently discovered a neat trick due to watching my cat Lottie sunning in front of the window. I can't help but laugh when she get's excited seeing the sun peeking in on a quilt. She will gravitate immediately to the bed, stretch out and start "sunning",One smart cat! Well, due to our lovely cat, we also have a "Lint Roller" in just about every room. It might be a little ocd, but being clean freeks it does come in handy. Here's the funny...due to my long hair, it tends to shed. Yes, I'm admitting the fact that I shed. Funny as it sounds, the lint brush works wonders on my hair as well. If you have "accent rugs" in your bathroom & "shed hair", like I do and hate to drag out the vacuum everyday, then this tip is for you. I now swipe the lint brush over the rugs to pick up my loose hair after styling. I have to say it works wonders and only takes a few seconds of your time verses dragging out the vacuum. Also, they are so cheap at the dollar store so you can keep one under the cabinet for easy access. I know some people use the "swiffer" in between vacuuming but that hardly pics up hair off rugs. Works great on floors though. O.K...by now you are wondering the funny...my nickname as some of you know is Cat...so it's funny now we leave them in all rooms for the Cat's shedding :-)
Anyway, we all know that Lint rollers are wonderful to keep in your sewing/quilting room. But I have to say recently I had the hardest time throwing away my cut threads of Aurifil thread. I now roll up the extra threads that are cut and stick them in the trees for the birds. It might seem a bit extreme but they love threads to incorporate into their nests. I love watching the birds outside my quilting room feed and when they grab that loop of thread and fly away with it, I feel I've done something special. What's funny is when they fly back to that same spot and look into "your window" wondering where the next thread loop is. I have to say..."the birds know Great Quality Thread". I do take the time to loop the thread together so the birds don't choke on it while flying. Maybe one day I can video them 'cause it's pretty stinkin' cute!

"Blessed Quilting from our Home to Yours",
 Cat

www.perfectgift-fromabove.com
www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com