"BURP QUILT 4 BABY-DECORATIVE PILLOW 4 BIG-SIS!"

 Hey quilter's....hope y'all are off to a great day. As promised....I'm focusing on my "mini" project series. Due to my limited amount of time "sitting or standing," has forced me to "think" in small scale. I have to say it's been a bit of a challenge but fun. I've been able to use my "scraps" due to the small size of projects and if you do need to purchase fabric you don't need to buy a lot. But.....we all know to buy extra when purchasing for those "maybe must have moments." The gifts below are for a sweet friend back in Texas that recently had another sweet baby girl. I had "sew much fun" with this project. The "burp quilt" is very functional....after it's use you can display as wall hanging. #doubleduty! The leaves on the wreath were actually formed by tracing a cookie cutter on the back side of fusible web. Then all appliqued with AURIfil thread (a must have) :-). I also was able to use some of my "scrap fabric" of Hoffman Fabrics for the leaves as well. I wanted the designs to coordinate for the baby & big sis. It's always important for me to make sure you give a give to the older sibling so they feel extra special too. Let me explain why....years ago I was at a baby shower and all the attention was on the new baby coming and although the older sibling was having a blast going thought the presents with mommy, the real excitement happened. A sweet lady had a gift for the big sis to open. Oh my gosh, you can only imagine the joy on that child face. It actually brought tears to a lot of us. I thought from that moment on that I would do the same. Well...if you know me the gifts are going to "coordinate" as well :-) I have brief instructions below for the burp quilt. It's very easy due to basically it's a mini quilt design. The decorative pillow is basically the same applique method but using a "bi-fold" method in which I'll be showcasing designs starting in July for this fun method. Hope you enjoy & stay tuned for upcoming designs ;-)

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Here's what you need...

Leaf "cookie cutter"

Leightweight fusible web

Light weight batting

Light weight stabilizer for applique

Fabric of your choice

Coordinating thread ( #AURIfil)

Here's all you do...

For this size burp quilt (finished out @ 12 x 16....you'll need to cut your front & back piece of fabric to 13 x 17 which allows for your seam allowance of a 1/2"...you can do small if you wish but for a burp quilt I do larger seam allowance just for an extra sturdiness while turning inside out. 

The batting will be cut to the finish size of 12 x 16

*Fuse to back of your fabric following manufacturer's direction.

*Trace leaf design using cookie cutter on back side of fusible paper.

*Cut out shapes

*Tip...I like to "lay out" my shapes to get the design that I want before tearing off the fusible web and pressing to "front side of fabric" This allows me to change anything :-)

*After positioning design as desired then applique each piece (tip....use a stabilizer on back side to make your appliqueing smoother and a more professional appearance as well. Keeps stitches in tact.

*Place front and back fabric (right sides together) and sew along edges leaving a 2" opeing for turning inside out.

*Turn inside out and make sure corners are neatly squared if possible (I use the tip of a pencil eraser to poke so I don't ruin the fabric. 

*Place batting inside & slip sticth opening

Top stitch around edges if desired w/coordinating thread.

That's it...a beautiful handmade baby gift that she can use for many years to come! #doubleduty!

"CAT'S TIP OF THE DAY"

 Hey quilter's...hope all is going well. I'll admit...my "year" did not start off as planned. Some times life gives you a unexpected turn and you just need to make the best of it. I've learned not to give up what I love just do it a bit differently. Yes....I now use a "kitchen timer" while sewing. What!??? Yes...due to back problems....I set timer for 10 minutes (if back allows) and sew....weird but helps! I know....sounds crazy but with back pain sitting or standing can be so painful. So I do things a lot these days in "moderation." The timer helps me stay "on track"....and yes you can use your phone to set time but I love "old school" kitchen timers. Sometimes it makes me feel like 'I'm sewing with an old friend." Here's a funny....that's not the "tip of the day" but maybe it will help someone else that has back issues to not give up, just do things a bit different. 

Here's the tip....recently I was sewing "half-square-triangles" on dark batiks "Hoffman Fabrics" and had difficulty seeing the lines while marking. I probably have every marking tool available and don't know if it's my "eyes now" or what but nothing was helping. So....on my cutting table is also my "colored pencils" in a cute container of course :-)....I grabbed the "bright yellow" pencil & marked my lines and it was perfect! I'm not washing the fabric after piecing due to it being a "quilt art" method. Win...win! My yellow fabric pencil was too light for my eyes so the "brightness" of the colored pencil really helped. Also, the "Fons and Porter" ruler is perfect for making accurate half sq triangles. Hope this tip helps :-)

Anyway....I'll be sharing tips throughout the week and with my recent downtime, I was able to design a very fun project or should I say projects. So stay tuned....I'll be posting this week some fun & easy projects that will aslo make great gifts. 

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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My New Year's Wish for Us all....."Health, Happiness & Sharing Gifts from the Heart!"

 Hey everyone....hope all is off to a great start in 2021. Last year was a challenge for us all & have to admit that I'm so glad it's behind me. It was challenging in more ways than I ever thought & challenged me to a limit that I never thought would happen. I'm determined for this year to be one that I can look back on and be proud of my strength to overcome obstacles. I always say "what happened yesterday can't happen today 'cause I'm aware of it." My designs were put on hold but back on track! I've decided to not let things get in the way of what truly makes me happy. I know a lot of us quilt....craft....sew for our pleasure but also because we like to make things that make others happy. So 2021 will be a year of "small fun projects" that we can accomplish quickly & get back to sharing gifts from the heart! 

This month I'll be starting "Quilt-a-long w/Cat".....so stay in touch & please keep safe & positive among all the crazy chaos that we're all experiencing. In the meantime....May our bobbins always be full in 2021!

Quilt Blessings from My Home to Yours,

Cat

email q's @ cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com

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www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

 

"Thanksgiving Blessings from my Home to Yours"

 Happy Thanksgiving quilter's....hope all is going well and you're doing good getting your Christmas presents finished. I FINALLY am able to set up my sewing room. This move has been a doozy and whoever said "downsizing" is easy, was never a quilter. The windows in my sewing room had to be replaced....but so thankful it's done. Supposedly "Gecko" proof. Which is a joke if you've ever been to Florida! Those little beasts come out of anywhere! I thought scorpions were bad in Texas but least they don't "jump" out at you. I have one in our outside laundry room "aka she shed" that literally stares at me while I'm loading clothes. Yes, I know it's the same one 'cause he's in the same place but yet I can't seem to catch him! Sometimes you just gotta laugh amongst all the chaos! 

Needless to say it will be a miracle if my Christmas presents will get finished this year due to the move. I was upset until I realized that now I'm just one step ahead for Christmas 2021. Again, still trying to laugh and not cry! One good thing with this crazy move it did allow me to work on my quilt-a-long designs with my downtime. I figured if I didn't have a spot to sew then I could perfect the designs while waiting on my EQ7. Yes, I know....everyone's on "8" but I can't help it....I still love my 7 :-) 

In the meantime.....please know that I'm so thankful & grateful for all the support and positive thoughts through this crazy time. I'm excited about this week,. finish organizing the sewing room and realizing maybe "quilting in tiny spaces" might make me be a bit more creative and come up with something even extra special :-)  Well, enjoy your day and pop back in soon!

Happy Thanksgiving & Blessed Quilting from my Home to Yours,

Cat

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Cats Healthi-r "TOASTED ALMOND BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP"

Hey quilter's....hope all is well and you are adjusting to our "new norm." Honestly, I'm realizing that the quote "everyday is a new day' has a bit more meaning. I'll admit that I've prayed more then I ever have and if you know me that's huge! I'll also admit that I've been in my kitchen more then my sewing room and that is not always a good thing :-) But today, it is. I'm sharing my stress free project that I did over the weekend. I've made my broccoli cheese soup a bit healthi-r. Tweaking my recipes healthi-r was a project that I started before the chaos and have to admit I am so thankful that I did. When I'm stress....I tend to cook and bake,,,,not alway's a bad thing but can be :-) One reason why I love quilting.....no calories gained & so much fiber for your diet!
Well....I'd love for you to pop on over to my cooking blog for this healhi-r soup. This is such a easy recipe to make even while you're quilting or take to a "quilter's pot luck." Hope to do that again soon! Anyway, my quilt-a-long is almost finished and will be posting soon! I have to admit that I'm very excited about this one :-)
Stay safe & positive! Hugs!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,
Cat
email q's cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
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www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

 "Toasted Almond Broccoli Cheese Soup"

w/ Nature's Eat's Sliced Almonds

'CLEANING Old School w/ Baking Soda"

Hey quilters....hope all is going well. I just posted some cleaning tips while using Baking Soda. Please pop on over to my cooking and décor blog for more info. Cleaning products are a bit scarce right now so I hope this helps! I'll soon be posting a small quilt-a-long to do while we are all "sheltered in place." Lord only know how I will be glad to get back to "normal chaos."
Please stay strong....keep your faith...2gether we can get through anything!

Blessings from my Home to Yours,
Cat
www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

Quilt-opoly....how did I ever miss this!

Hey quilter's....hope all is going well & staying safe. It's a crazy time right now and I for one never thought I'd see something this tragic going around our world. It's hard to explain to children why you can't do this or that so keep positive and strong. I know a lot of you are home with your children due to school closings and I'm sure it can be difficult at times. I mentioned to my daughter to have "breaks" that you take just like you would at school. Children do like a routine regardless of what they say. They are used to seeing their friends...sharing stories & laughing together. This is a time for us adults to come together....be strong & positive for our children. Try to use this time to teach a child to "quilt." I'm currently "spring cleaning" my sewing room & that's how I came across this add for quilt-opoly. I seriously don't know how I ever missed this one! Maybe this is a time to break out the "old fashioned" games....puzzles...take a break....laugh a bit so you stay positive & strong for your family. I know "dominos" is a tradition in our family & much as I hate to admit it, my 9 yr. old grandson beats me every time! And yes, I'm just as guilty of being on the internet for entertainment but I do love the togetherness of an old fashioned evening of board games with family. Create these special moments with your family because before you know it we'll all be back to the hustle & bustle again. I'm actually looking forward to that moment :-)
Take care!

Quilt Blessings from My Family to Yours,
Cat
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also....www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot,com