Quilt their Legacy Forward..."Charm Pack Table Square!"

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all are having a great week. I always told my daughter if you had a bad day yesterday it can't happen today because your aware of the situation. Right? Well, here's a funny. I've been sewing for over 50 years and with my recent project....the table square that is accented with adorable white Quilt town fabric from Missouri Star Quilt co. , and Cheetos don't mix. Yup. I did a stupie! Seriously what was I thinking! Obviously, I wasn't. I always say don't stress...enjoy the process of piecing and quilting which is absolutely true. I guess now I should say don't eat Cheetos and sew. Anyway....as y'all know I inherited this colorful charm pack. I absolutely love the Hunter's Star pattern by MSQC. Their technique makes this design fabulous. It only looks hard but it's super easy with their technique. I only wanted to make a "table square" with this design but wanted to honor the unique design of pattern. My stars are a bit larger due to not cutting down the half-square triangles. I love a pattern that inspires you to make it towards your own personal needs. I hope my mom-in-law is proud of all the "points" on this table square. I did add the "flying geese" in her honor...that was one of her favorite squares. She was so precise with matching her points and that was long before all these fancy easy techniques came about. Well once I get a "orange highlight" out this will be on to quilting :-) Yes..it's hidden under the pattern...Lord help me with my snacking. Y'all are shocked I;m sure that it wasn't chocolate :-) Well thank y'all for following and I hope you give this fun and easy pattern a try. You can save 15% with my affiliate link from MSQC. Link on upper right of home page & you'll see "discount code" to apply at checkout. Stay tuned because I have more fun & easy designs, tips & techniques to share with y'all. 

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Make a "Confetti Hearts" Quilt with Misty Doan on At Home With Misty (Vi...

Hey y'all,,,,here's aother winning design by Misty of Missouri Star Quilt Co. She's an awesome quilter and this tutorial will definitely make your heart smile for Valentine's . You can view more of her tutorials on Mondays. I for one finally am glad for Mondays! Enjoy.

Blessed Quilting,

Cat

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If You need supplies pop on over to my link (upper right on home page) to save 15% from MSQC.

"Quilt their Legacy forward!"

 Hey quilter's...it's Friday! I know talking about the weather is probably a boring way to start a post, but "Phil" predicted early spring! Oh my gosh...that makes me happy. I know for some of you love the snow, so I have you covered with next week's project :-) As y'all know my mom-in-law passed last year. She was an exceptional quilter and made numerous quilts...attended many quilt exhibits in which we attended a few together in Indiana. She believed in high quality items and only purchased the best. Unfortunately, with her passing that also left us a bit of a delima of what to do with her items. You would think so, but she actually "told" me what she wanted with her items...from clothes to quilt rulers. We both shared the love of Batik fabrics and kept telling me to go through her stash. I always said, "calm down you'll be using them soon." I wasn't in denial of what was to come...I just wanted to keep her positive. If you knew her you would understand how me using this charm pack square came about. Ann told it like it was...no sugar coating so to speak. One day she came over and 'threw" 2 charm packs at me and said, "do something with these...they are too pretty to waste." And go get the others too. Yup...that was her :-) I mean come on folks...I couldn't deny her wanting to give these beautiful charm packs to me. But in reality, I knew that I couldn't use all of them either. My sister-in-law sews as well so she was able to choose items that we're memorable for her as well. But we both laughed because it didn't even make a dent. I kept items that we're special, but I have tons of my own projects to do. Yes, I was overwhelmed. I wanted to cherish her "list" but also knew what was ahead. Ann wanted her items to be donated to the local quilt club in the park...anything they didn't want then to donate to the local charity. Well as I was going through her things, I thought to myself these adorable baskets need to be used. We both have a "fetish" for cute baskets :-) So I put together a few "gift baskets" full of sewing and quilting items together. Gave them to some dear friends in our park that we're wanting to start the love of quilting or just needed some items here to work with. Most people in our park are "snowbirds" so they don't always have their items here, so it was perfect. My only regret is I didn't take pics of the baskets to show y'all. We also gathered up numerous amounts of yarn to donate her too. That pic is also in a previous post. We donated so many quality quilting items that the table looked like a quilt store. My brother-in-law and I made numerous trips with the golf cart loaded and still had items left. I was overwhelmed. I kept hearing her words...no yard sale...donate the items for people to use. I had to honor her wishes. I've boxed up items to donate to the local charity in hopes that someone will receive them and enjoy them as much as she did. Funny story...we were at a quilt show in Indiana and she saw a "kit" that she loved and bought it. Well on way home I asked when are you going to start making that quilt? Seriously...her response. I'm not. It's for you! Oh my gosh...I almost wrecked. That was her, always wanting to buy things for others. Although my favorite gift was my Oliso iron for my birthday. Love it to this day! Needless to say, she had one too so my sister-in-law will be using that one in her honor. Well, I will admit that I'm still working on donating items...almost done but the one thing that I want to share is don't stress. I did at first and then had to realize she wanted to share her items with others. That's how I needed to honor her legacy. It's been stressful but I'm sure she's made a lot of people happy with her items. So, this year I will be hosting designs using her items and incorporating patterns from Missouri Star Quilt Co. This will also give y'all a chance to come join in on the "fun" I'm having using her fabrics. I knew the "Hunter's Star" pattern by Missouri Star Quilt Co. was perfect with that colorful charm pack that she threw at me :-) The pattern is using 5" charm squares along with accent fabric. Oh my gosh y'all I've been having a blast. I thought it's a bit large for me with everything I've got going on this month so I'll be incorporating the design into a "table square" The fabrics are so colorful it will make a great spring to summer table square for entertaining. We'll think of her every time as we look at it plus, I'm sure "someone" will get it after me :-) I fully recommend this fun pattern and if you don't already have it you can purchase it from MSQC and save 15% with my link (upper right on home page) The pic below shows "block one" and as you can see it's pretty colorful. I will be doing all the block one squares first. That's how my brain works. I will recommend for you to lay out your squares to not sew two blocks similar. Yes, it happens but that's o.k. too. :-) So, I hope maybe my crazy story might inspire you to not stress during a difficult time like this...quilt their legacy forward...let others enjoy their items. It may take time it's definitely not going to happen overnight, but you will be pleased on the journey you took to honor their legacy. I'll keep you posted of how my "colorful stars" are coming along plus share some tips that I've found hopeful sewing these blocks 2gether. This will definitely be the showcase for Easter. Thanks so much for following and talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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"Leap Year...extra day of Sewing & Quilting!"

 Hey quilter's...hope you're having a great week. Did you notice it's "Leap Year?" Yes...we get an extra day of sewing...quilting...shopping or whatever your heart desires. We have so much happening this month on blog so an extra day will be wonderful. I'm please to share some products with y'all from Missouri Star Quilt Co. that I'll be incorporating into designs this month. As we know we started the "Summer Strolls Triple Play" block of the month with Missouri Star Quilt co. The coordinating thread hues in pic are stunning. I'm having a blast challenging myself learning new techniques and I hope you are too. I love to teach fun & easy techniques to encourage new quilters and sometimes I forget to challenge myself. I love new techniques, but I will admit I've started "Hunter's Star" pattern by MSQC this week using a charm pack that I inherited and it's so easy that I'm just memorized. Quilting techniques have come such a long way, and these clever new techniques are super fun and time saver. I'll be sharing "Quilt their legacy forward" using the Hunter's Star Pattern real soon! Plus, did you notice in pic that super cute "Irish Gnome?" Oh, my goodness he's adorable. He will be featured in my monthly scrap-a-longs, "Havin' a Gnome-ful Year!" One pillow...Sew Many Ways!" Also sharing "organizing in small spaces" starting with those adorable "Binders" from MSQC. Let's not forget that I promised "Quilt-Mas Cheer all Year!" That's right we'll be making a home decor table runner featuring the Snowflake templates by MSQC. I'll be featuring a variety of techniques from beginner to advanced so no matter what your skill level is we will definitely have a fun month 2gether. Oh, don't forget to click on my affiliate link (upper right on home page) to save 15% on supplies from Missouri Star Quilt co. The monthly block of the month does not apply with discount but it's a great deal. I thank y'all so much for following and let's "make" this extra day super fun 2gether!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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February items I'll be using :-)

"Havin' a "Gnome-ful Year!" ...Gnome Love!

 Hey quilter's...Sunday blessings to you. I hope y'all are having a restful weekend and possibly sneaked in something you love to do. I had a fun time finishing my "one pillow...sew many ways" gnome wrap. I love this collection by "The Whole Country Caboodle." Their designs inspired my scrap-a-long "Having a Gnome-ful year! I love to decorate my guest room for the holidays but I for one don't care to store tons of pillows. Plus, it takes up so much space. So, i decided to design a simple wrap that is easy to make plus a great space saver. I'm addicted to all the Gnome patterns for the year that you can purchase at Missouri Star Quilt Co. I knew it had to "wrap" around the accent pillow that I have on the bed. I've posted "pillow slips" before with the same concept but this is my very first "of many" wraps. I'll be sharing every month the pattern by "the Whole country Caboodle" with easy tips and advanced designs too. This months "February Gnome" is a fav already. I used my Chroma scraps designed by Deborah Edwards for Northcott Fabrics and a batik scrap for the background. The advanced technique is the scrappy border, but you can do a solid piece if desired. I love to use my scraps plus it gave the wrap a bit more personality. I also gave him a few "pink highlights" in his beard using Aurifil 50 weight thread (2588). Again, these are only tips to inspire your inner creativity. The gnome collection, patterns are pre-fused and come with easy directions too. You can pop on my link w/MSQC to save 15% if you don't already have the gnome pattern. This is just one of a fun 'scrap-a-long" that I'm hosting this year on blog. So, keep following and we'll have a great year stitching up some fun 2gether  Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Here's all you need...

*Pattern "The Whole Country Caboodle"

* Sulky lightweight tear-away stabilizer for a-play-que

* Pillow (mine is from Better Homes & Gardens)

* Coordinating scrap fabric

* Coordinating thread for a-play-que

* Light-weight batting if you quilt your wrap (I did not)

* Applique pressing sheet

Here's all you do...

* Lay out gnome design per instructions on pattern. Measure to give you placement on your wrap.

Mine measure approx. 7 1/2 x 9 1/2 (I'm allowing 8" width for mine)

Note: adjust the sizes to accommodate your pillow

* Measure the "girth" of your pillow...the belly as I say :-) This will give you an idea of wrap length.

* Rotary cut your accent fabric 8 1/2 w x 32 long which allows for 1/4 " seam allowance and 3" for your wrap ends that you will later add finishing velero tabs to secure. 

* Measure area of your fabric that will be the center where you will fuse your gnome pieces. I pinned mine.

Tip...I used a ruler to line up my gnome pieces to keep it straight. :-)

* On a wool pressing mat, if possible, fuse your gnome pieces on right side of your fabric following directions on pattern. 

Tip: I use a "applique pressing sheet to protect my iron.

* Place a light-stabilizer behind the gnome design and applique as desired.

Borders...

Note: instructions are for 2 one-inch borders. Adjust if you desire larger borders.

* Rotary cut 2 fabric strips to 1 1/2 x desired length or scrap it like I did :-)

* I rotary cut my scraps 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 then alternated the fabrics for my length.

* I used a 1/4" seam allowance and just sew with right sides 2gether...finger press as you go then iron once you achieve your desired length.

* Sew your strips to wrap with right sides 2gether using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press.

* Rotary cut your backing fabric to same size.

* Place with right sides 2gether and pin or clip as desired.

* Mark a 4" opening at one end for turning.

* Sew using a 1/4" seam all around and reinforce at your start and stop points.

* Carefully turn right side out. Use a point turner to press out corners if needed.

* Iron your border seams. Top stitch if desired.

* Wrap on your pillow and fold your ends to secure. Mark with a pin and add "no sew" Velcro dots following manufacturer's directions to secure your ends.

Well, you did it! You just made the "first of many" monthly holiday gnome wraps! Keep following cause the March gnome is super cute. :-) Check out all the monthly gnomes on MSQC because we'll be making them for a "Gnome-ful year 2gether!

Talk soon,

Cat

"Block your Cares Away"...w/Summer Strolls Tripple Play B.O.M

 Hey quilter's...hope your week is going great. I wanted to share with y'all a fun-tastic block of the month by Missouri Star Quilt Co. I am having a blast with "Summer Strolls Triple Play" pattern. It's very easy with their great instructions. I will admit this is another "block" that I have not tried and it's super fun & therapeutic. I'm definitely "challenging myself" on this one. But it's a new year and what better way than to "Stroll along" with the best from Missouri Star Quilt Co. You'll be sewing along with Misty, Jenny & Natalie in your home! You can even view their online tutorials to help you along the way. You can view all the info on MSQC website. The fabric is stunning from Andover fabrics. Missouri Star has coordinating thread to purchase along with templates to make sewing easy. Oh my gosh y'all in a world of stress I hope you join in on the fun. My goal is to do at least one block a day. It's a monthly block of the month so you can structure it to your lifestyle. As y'all know I also do 'scrap-a-longs" so we'll definitely have a great year ahead. You can use my discount link to save 15% on supplies, but it does not pertain to the "Block of the Month" itself. I figure if it's helping me with stress than it's totally worth it :-) The price is actually amazing too! My link upper right on home page will take you directly to MSQC then you apply the discount code at checkout. Trust me...I've been shopping :-) Well, I hope you join in on the fun as we "Block our Cares Away" 2gether w/ "Summer Strolls" triple play block of the month. enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Paid Partnership w/MSQC

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"Hearts and Kisses"...Sample Block Trivets

 Hey quilter's...warm Sunday blessings to y'all. Oh, my goodness...I'm not even going to talk about this crazy weather we're having. If you're like me sewing....quilting...& cooking warms my heart. I just do things in moderation but still do what brings me joy. I have to say this pattern by Missouri Star Quilt Co. has been a blast to sew with and is very therapeutic. I think it's because the instructions and techniques are so easy to follow and fast. You can accomplish a block fast which makes me happy. I mention in earlier post to not let a block intimidate you, just make a test block from your scraps. Well, if you're like me I love to make my test blocks into something and I love trivets. They are super cute when entertaining or make them as gifts. Again, you're accomplishing a quilt block fast and it gives you a chance to play with decorative stitches too.  One reason why I love small projects. If you have purchased the pattern yet by MSQC then catch up when you can. Plus, my affiliate link now can be used all month long. Link on upper right on home page. We have a lot going on this coming week so please click my follow (upper left on home page) so you won't miss any exciting posts. I'll also be starting the Summer Strolls B.O.M. w/y'all too. Hope you've joined :-) The Hearts and Kisses trivets are samples of the pattern but when you follow me, I'll be flipping it into a sweet Christmas baby quilt. "1 design...sew many ways!"  Who knows what I might do next with this great pattern :-) Endless quilt-abilities! Thanks so much for following and stay safe & warm.

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Paid Partnership w/MSQC

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Here's all you need...

* HEARTS AND KISSES pattern by Missouri Star Quilt Co.

* Scraps rotary cut to size instruction on pattern for each block.

* Coordinating thread...(I used Aurifil 50 weight #2260, 2588 & MSQC 50 weight white)

* Insul-bright

* Low-loft batting

* Omnigrid spinning mat 

* gingher scissors

* Janome sewing machine and or Baby Lock

Note:...fabrics used White tossed Missouri Star by MSQC, pink glam by Patrick Lose, red/pink batiks by Hoffman.

Here's all you do...

* Make your blocks per directions on Hearts and Kisses pattern by Missouri Star Quilt co.

Note...instructions below are for both Hearts and Kisses trivets.

* Square up and press after each sample block. Mine was 9 1/2 x 9 1/2

* Rotary cut your low loft batting to same size.

* Quilt or a-play-que as desired.

Note: depending on your machine you might need to add a stabilizer behind batting when a-play-queing.

* Rotary cut 2 binding strips (per each block) to 2 x 9 1/2 and sew to top/bottom of block with right sides 2gether. Press.

* Rotary cut 2 binding strips (per each block) 2 x 12 1/2 ish (you can square up after) and sew as above to left/right side of block.

* Press & square up if needed.

* Rotary cut your backing scrap fabric to 9 1/2 x 9 1/2

* Rotary cut your insul-bright just shy of that for less bulk when sewing binding.

* Lay backing right side down

* Then insul-bright

* Block right side up (facing you) 

* Starting at top fold over binding to back leaving a 1/4" on front. Clip or pin.

* Flip block over and tuck in binding again to secure the seam on back.

* Pin or clip as desired.

* Top stitch on front or stitch in the ditch with coordinating thread.

* Repeat same steps as above bottom binding then left and right side.

* Trivet will be approximately 9 1/2 x 9 1/2

Well, you did it! You now have accomplished 2 blocks that maybe you haven't tried before plus have a super cute trivet for your Holiday entertaining. Win..win in my books :-)

Talk soon,

Cat