I've been working hard to get ready for a show that is coming up this weekend.  It's the Four County Quilters Guild Quilt Show in Frederick, Maryland.  The show is Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Frederick County Fairgrounds.  More information is available on their website Four County Quilters Guild.

I finished this quilt top this morning ....... the one I said I would finish about 2 months ago!

I did this applique on the machine using Aurifil Lana Wool thread.

I've had so many customers ask if they could use the wool thread in the sewing machine that I thought it was about time I should be able to give them a first-person opinion.

It worked like a dream for me!!

I used my Bernina 440QE, a #80 Schmetz Metallic needle, #45 stitch, #34 presser foot and a 50 wt. thread in the bobbin.  I didn't have to change the tension at all!!  I did "drive" it very slowly.  Like "driving the mayor in an open car in the Christmas parade" slowly.  It took quite a while to finish it but well worth not being frustrated.

The pattern is Calico Baskets by Cheri Payne and is available on the website on the pattern page and the kit page.

I still have the basket handles to add and some decorative stitching between the blocks but I am just tickled at how smoothly the machine applique went.  I will probably stick with my hand applique since I enjoy it so much but at least I have an alternative that wasn't as painful as I thought it might be!

Blessings, Cathi

Earlier this month, Dear Hubby and I dedicated one week to add drywall, paint and a few more tweaks to the Wool Barn.  While I am not quite finished enough to give you the grand tour, I will leave you with a few teasers of what we have done.

Way back in the beginning - 18 months ago

Only this wall opposite the door has had drywall for the last year ........ no paint

Same wall but showing  my wool-dyeing setup .....

For quite a while, I didn't even have insulation on the other three walls. (Taken last April)

Then during my winter show break we added insulation.  It sure helped a lot! (Taken just before Christmas)

Finally some drywall last week!

And some paint!

And trim around the doors with some stuff put away! 

I promise  ....... a better tour when I have finished a little more. (More like when I remember to take the camera out there to take pictures!!)

I also just realized that I haven't had a picture of Sweet Pea on here in almost TWO months.  What kind of grandma am I??

A fan after my own heart!!  At least today ...... when visiting her other grandparents, she wears Yankee blue!

Blessings, Cathi

I've been trying to post SOMETHING every Sunday but I think I missed it again LOL

I have plenty to share but since I have spent more time on Facebook lately ..... well, sometimes I forget what I wrote where!

We spent the last week adding drywall and painting the inside of the Wool Barn.  Maybe pictures soon.  I have a lot of cleaning up to do!  And I HAD to get back in the dye pots since I have quite a few orders that need to go out.  They will be in today and tomorrow's mail. 

In the meantime, I have added more kits and patterns to the website .......

Flag Day Penny Banner by Primitive Gatherings

24 Carrots by Cheri Payne

'Merry Christmas' by Cheri Payne (kit is for the left quilt only)

'Frosty Mugs' by Threads That Bind

Blessings, Cathi