Super bowl quilting weekend! PLus a slider recipe that is a definate "touch down!"

 Hey quilter's...it's here...Super bowl weekend. I love Mrs. Bobbins theory of 4 hours of uninterrupted quilting! Gosh, I love her! Well, I will admit this is the one weekend when I multitask. I love the Superbowl although my "Cowboys" aren't playing it's still fun with all the excitement. I make a bet with my grandson of the score and who will actually win. Needless to say, he usually wins the bet :-) I'm sharing Mrs. Bobbins humor 'cause I've talked with quilter's, and they always say...they can quilt without any interruptions during the Superbowl. My only problem is when I walk away from quilting is to remember to set my machine back to the same stitch/length that I was using. Yes...write it down. I do have a funny tip to share soon on that topic :-) 

But in the meantime, my BBq chicken Pineapple Sliders are definitely a crowd pleasure. The recipe is so easy, and you can definitely "multi-task (aka quilt) as it simmers! I hope y'all have a great Quilt-Superbowl Weekend. Pop on over to my cooking blog to view recipe. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Instagram @ ihearditthroughthequiltvine

www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

Cats Tip of the Day! "Less-Sress when Matching Seams"

 Hey quilter's...hope your day is off to a great start. I want to share a technique that is very dear to my heart. We recently lost our dear Oma that taught me this technique several years ago. We loved quilting together and she taught me this clever technique when piecing together quarter triangles or any four patch. I for one cannot stand when my seams don't match up. She knew that my O.C.D. was pretty much off the chart ;-) In fact we came up with the term that it stands for "Only Cat does." Well....needless to say she taught me this about 30 ish years ago and I still use it to this day. My seams might not line up perfectly and I've come to grips with that as I've gotten older, but it sure does help! It is special when you can reflect on something so simple but clever, memories as you sew and traditions to pass on. I hope you enjoy this tip and pass it on to your loved ones. I guess it's my way of sharing Omas legacy with others. Oh, and I have to say another reason why I'm sharing this technique is we'll be doing a lot of "half-square-triangles-2gether-soon!" You know me...less-stress-quilting! Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Here's all you do...

 When you are piecing squares that require seams to align up "pre-sew" the seams. Your match your seams with right sides 2gether....sew a 1/4 inch seam at the point where seams intersect.....check the seam to make sure it's to your desire then sew the squares together. With this tip not only are you matching your seams, but you are "reinforcing" the center seams as well. Oma told me it's much easier to "rip out" a inch seam than a whole block :-)...Again...clever! This is a great technique especially when piecing blocks together that might get some extra wear. Especially great for a fast patch baby quilt :-) 

"Aurifil Thread Therapy"

 Hey quilter's...hope all is going well. First, I'd like to say that I'm praying for everyone dealing with this crazy weather. We moved from Texas two years ago to Florida to help my mother-in-law and have to say I can't wait to get back to Texas. The hurricane's here drive me nuts but then you see what my Texas family is going through right now is crazy. Mother nature sure makes you appreciate a sunny day! I know we've all heard the saying 'when life gives you lemons make lemonade." Well for me lately it's definitely "thread therapy!" My mother-in-law of the hospital for the past 2 months and life has been a bit crazy. She's tough and I can't wait to see her back in her "quilting room." With everything that has been happening I realized how important it is to stay focused no matter the situation. If you're not taking care of yourself, you cannot help others. Sounds cliche but it's true. I truly believe our mental health keeps us together. Aurifil thread helps me take my "mind" of all my aches and pains. Sometimes just looking at my color hues of Aurifil thread just cheers me up. So, take the time for yourself....do what makes you happy cause believe me you never know what tomorrow may bring. Well on a positive note...I perfected my new thread technique that I will be sharing soon on my "Scrap-a-longs." Yes. It's finally happening soon! In the meantime, here's a little "thread humor' to start your weekend! Have to say this really made me laugh! 

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Instagram @ ihearditthroughthequiltvine

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Cats "Pepperoni Pineapple Puff Pastry Pizza"

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all are having a great weekend. I've been working on a new thread technique that I'll be sharing soon with my "Scrap-a-longs." I'll be sharing 2 designs next week to give you the option of Christmas quilting with me all year or change the fabric per any season. You know me by know it's all about less-stress-quilting and "1 design...sew many ways!" Time is so precious and as I've gotten older it's very limited in the kitchen. Standing long period of times is a bit rough lately so I wanted to share this fun & easy pizza recipe with y'all. I know when working on a project I like a easy but d'lish dinner. My pizza recipe is very versatile and great if you are having a "quilter's brunch" as well. So, pop over to my cooking blog for the easy recipe and check back soon for a very exciting 'Scrap-a-long." Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

Facebook & Pinterest

www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

Happy New Year!

 Hey quilter's...it's here...2023! A new year for opportunities, peace & joy! I always say if we learn by our circumstances in life then it makes us stronger. 2022 was rough for our family but we all got through it with the grace of God. Heaven gained my dear dad, but we all gained another angel watching over us! We did have blessings along the way...my daughter graduated with her master's degree, and I lost 10 pds. I probably found them again with my New Year's snacking...ha! On that note I'll be "Scrapping my stress away" in 2023! We will have "Quilt-Mas" all year long with fun & easy scrap-a-longs. I'll be teaching another new "thread technique" that I'm excited about featuring gorgeous color hues using Aurifil thread. Projects will be from beginner to advance with easy & fast decor projects as well. So don't put away those Christmas scraps :-) I thank y'all for following me and I wish us all a great....Happy...Healthy...2023! 

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

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www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

"Scrap-a-long w/me in 2023!" Santa Bells are Ringing! (pattern directions coming soon!)

 Hey quilter's...Merry Christmas to all! It's a quiet one here...first time away from my daughter's family but I'm going to cherish the reason for the season. I wanted to give you a "sneak peek" of what's to come in 2023 so don't put away those Christmas scraps! That's right....Quilt-Mas all year in 2023! The Christmas season brings me so much joy, so I decided to quilt my stress away all year with Christmas scrap-a-longs. You know me I'm all about thread therapy so 2023 should be a great year and I hope for y'all as well. I'll be sharing a few different "scrap-a-longs" that are so versatile for any holiday decor...just change the fabric. Of course, they will be quilted with my favorite Aurifil thread :-) The quilt pattern below is designed in EQ8 (the electric quilt co) and you can see just changing the fabric choices creates a different design. "One design...Sew Many Ways!" You'll be using a lot of your scraps because they are only 2x2" squares. I'll be showing advanced techniques along the way & Mini projects using the same design. Great gifts for a less- stress year! Well, I hope you have a great Christmas and check back soon for fun & easy gifts and decor to make your 2023 quilting projects quilt-tacular! :-) Merry Christmas!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours

Cat

Follow on Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

Facebook & Pinterest

www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

Note...pattern directions coming soon!!!!!

Sneak Peek..."Holiday's w/my Gnomies"

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all are having a great "Christmas week." Hard to believe that Christmas is right around the corner. This year has flown by for me and that is why I wanted to "introduce" just one of my "Scrap-a-longs" for 2023. I love gnomes...my family loves gnomes...in fact I've never met a gnome I didn't think was adorable. So, I decided to incorporate one of my fav's into a fun and easy "scrap-a-long" for 2023. You can see in pic that he's my "Coastal Gnome" and if you still need a last-minute gift just follow the directions below then pop over to previous post and complete if you wish. You would be finishing as the "Snowflake Mug mat for Mrs. Claus." If you know me by now, you'll be using your "scraps" which I'm excited about. I'll be showing different ways you can turn the same design into easy & fun gifts. I used a cute little gnome cookie cutter, but you can draw your own if you wish. I have two sizes that I'll be using throughout the year...hint :-) I love the random scrappy background, but you could do a solid piece of scrap if you wish. Less-stress-quilting in my world :-) Remember this is just "one" of my "Scrap-a-long-w/me" in 2023. So don't put away your Christmas fabric. We're going to have a great "Quilt-Mas" all year! Enjoy & Merry Christmas!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

Facebook & Pinterest

www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

Here's all you need...

*Scrap fabric ( I used Glam & Banyan Batiks by Northcott Fabrics)

* Coordinating thread ( I used Aurifil 50 weight #3910, 2235, 2588, 2260, 4093)

* Fons & Porter 3" finished side hexagon ruler

* Gnome cookie cutter

* Heat n bond lite

* Sulky light weight tear away stabilizer

* Insul bright for hot n cold mug mat or trivet

Here's all you do...

* Scrap sew your background fabric at random using a 1/8" inch seam allowance for less bulk. Finger press as you go.

* Once you achieve desired size...iron and square up using the hexagon ruler. 

Tip...I used my small Olfa mat to "spin around" while I was rotary cutting around hexagon ruler.

* Now fuse heat n bond lite to wrong side of your scrap piece of fabric for gnome following manufacturer's directions.

* Trace around your gnome cookie cutter on paper side of fabric.

* Carefully cut out gnome and fuse to right side of scrappy hexagon following manufacturer's directions. 

Tip...I drew a "oar" for my coastal gnome design. Hint of what's to come this year :-)

Continue to fuse the same way on scrap pieces to get your desired design. 

* Using your lightweight stabilizer on back side.... applique as desired using Aurifil thread. :-)

* Carefully tear away stabilizer once done & follow previous post if you decide to "now" make a mug mat for a great gift. 

* Well, I hope you had fun with the "sneak Peek" of this fun "Scrap-a-long w/me in 2023!"

Christmas Blessings y'all!!!!