Shakerwood Quilts

2012-02-23T08:50:00.003-05:00

Besides dying pot after pot of wool for the last three days, I have been working on a new sample. Here is a little sneak peak. Yes, it's a new Cheri pattern.

I hope I can show you the whole thing by the end of the day tomorrow.

Remember on Saturday is the Carolina One Stop Shop Hop in Lancaster, South Carolina!

It will be open from 9 to 4. It is being held in the Bradley Building on the Univ. of South Carolina - Lancaster campus. I would just put USC-L (as it is referred to here on the East Coast but it may confuse some people that live in a slightly larger state on the West Coast!)

There will be 19 vendors including at least 7 full-size quilt shops and plenty of smaller specialty vendors including me, a yarn shop with yarn from their own alpacas, a featherweight machine dude, the White House (owned by Jim Shore and family), a vintage textile booth, a lady that hand turns (woodworking) neat quilting gadgets like seam rippers, etc. Something for everyone!

With the price of gas, it's a real deal ..... visiting 19 shops at one time with just one trip. Come with a carload of your quilting buds and save even more!

Blessings, Cathi

Wool Barn update . . . . .

2012-02-19T18:10:00.003-05:00

Not much to report other than all my "stuff" is moved in.

I bought this cute little chair at Goodwill.

It's covered in white pleather. It will probably feel great in the summer but right now is a little chilly. It will be great to sit in while doing handwork. It will also be a great chair for Dear Hubby to sit and visit when he wants.

The electrician is scheduled to come in the beginning of April to finish wiring. I'm starting my heavy show schedule next weekend and won't have time to move things around for him to get in there to work. Even if he did come in to wire, Dear Hubby and I wouldn't have time to do any work in there until April anyway.

Still up to my elbows in dye pots. 36 pots last week and hopefully at least as many this week.

Blessings, Cathi

Almost Wordless Wednesday . . . . .

2012-02-15T17:32:00.002-05:00

Drying in the late afternoon sun . . . . .

Blessings, Cathi

In the Dye Pots again . . . . .

2012-02-12T14:26:00.003-05:00

I wasn't able to participate in yesterday's Christmas Quilt a Long like I should have but I have been busy in the dye pots again.

I finished 41 pots this past week,

This is only 2/3 of the wool I dyed this past week.

Loaded software onto the new pc (the worst part of a new computer - feels like I did this already!),

did paperwork, paperwork, paperwork

and even cleaned a little bit.

Next show is in 2 weeks from now at the Carolina One Stop Shop Hop. It will be Saturday, February 25th at the Bradley Building on the Univ. of South Carolina - Lancaster campus. It is one day only and runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Bunches of vendors all in one place! Come visit us!

Blessings, Cathi

Happiness is . . . . .

2012-02-07T10:02:00.000-05:00

having a computer programmer in the family!

Thanks to Computer Geek for hooking me up with a new computer and getting me back into the blogging world!

I'll be back soon with something worthwhile to talk about. It's amazing what one can do when they can work on a real computer monitor instead of a little 10" netbook.

Blessings, Cathi

Myrtle Beach, SC . . . . .

2012-01-14T16:05:00.001-05:00

Today is bittersweet . . .

It's my birthday and I am in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for a quilt show by myself. Dear Hubby was supposed to meet me here but the show is so abysmally lacking in customers and sales that I can't afford the gas for him to come down or to stay another night at the hotel.

On the plus side, I will be home in my own bed tonight with my sweetie by my side. If he had come down, this would have been the view he would see from our hotel room.

Not exactly an ocean view unless you count over the rooftops of the neighboring condos but I can still see it.

If I look straight out my window, this is what I see ..... headed North.

Through the back of my booth, I can see Julie of Auntie Ju's - my competitor and my friend.

This morning, Julie, her sister Peggy, Brenda and Fred Arrowood of Schoolhouse Quilts, brought a donut with a candle on it. Fred sang Happy Birthday - very well I may add! Karen Comstock of Quiltricks brought my all-time favorite candy for a birthday gift - Twizzlers!

It would have been nice for Dear Hubby to have been here for my special day and for me to have a million dollars in sales but it wasn't to be.

I have a lot more shows this year and hopefully a lot more birthdays to celebrate. I just have to be smarter about the shows I choose!

Blessings, Cathi

Freckles or Chicken Pox? . . . . .

2012-01-13T10:20:00.000-05:00

With the brief amount of mild weather last week, attention turned to the outside of the Wool Barn. The siding came pre-primed but all the nails they used to put the siding up were exposed. Turf Boy hit all the nail heads with primer the other day.

Note the nice meter now. Not where I wanted it
but I have learned over the years that I can't
always be in control!

With the next little stretch of nice weather I'll have him paint the siding and trim. But with this cold snap, it may not be until Spring.

Hope wherever you are, you are staying warm and quilting up a storm!

Blessings, Cathi

Lookie . . . . .

2012-01-07T12:28:00.001-05:00

Look who just came by to visit me?

Carrie P of A Passion for Applique! How fun is that?

Blessings, Cathi

Snatching time . . . . .

2012-01-07T10:19:00.001-05:00

Some quick pics of the booth before sales started yesterday......

And a look at the same show last year. What a difference!

Very busy yesterday morning. Starting to pick up now so I better go but thought I would snatch some time to check in and say hi ..... Hi!

Blessings, Cathi

(un) Lucky Seven . . . . .

2012-01-01T11:56:00.000-05:00

Maybe it was too late last night to be sewing. I am a morning person. I probably get more finished by noon than I do the rest of the day and into the evening. Maybe I need to learn to pace myself. Who knows! But I do know I shouldn't sew late at night when I'm tired.

Here are my blocks so far for the Temecula 12 Days of Christmas. I did just fine, thank you very much, with blocks one through six. But either my seams were too wide or I held my mouth wrong or I cut wrong but my Number Seven block wound up 1/4" too wide.

Think I may just whack off 1/8" off each side and let it go. Maybe try another go at it later when I make Block Eight today. Other than that, I am really enjoying this little quilt. Since it is the "12 Days of Christmas", I decided to make it in Christmas colors. If it turns out even close to the size I think it may, I already have the perfect spot for next Christmas.

Wool Barn Update: My favorite power supplier came last Thursday and hooked me up!

They were finished within an hour. When Dear Hubby commented to them about how quick they were, they replied, "We are always much faster when we start at 11:00 and lunch is the next thing on the agenda!".

So now I have two lights and an outlet and a power bill! Whoohoo!! Next up . . . having the electrician come back out to add some more outlets as soon as I decide how many and where.

Blessings, Cathi

Snowmen and Pennies . . . . .

2011-12-28T14:56:00.000-05:00

I finished a sample on Monday night while watching "National Treasure 2" for the umpteenth time.

This is called "Snowman Pocket" and is designed by Karen Martinsen of KM Primitives.

Karen also has a blog that is wonderful AND was a featured home in Country Sampler magazine a few years ago!

Both the pattern and the kit will be available at shows this year as well as the website soon.

WOOL BARN UPDATE: WhooHoo! We are official! Waiting for the electric company to show up and hook me up .....

Blessings, Cathi

On the First Day of Christmas, I cut a square . . . . .

2011-12-26T17:03:00.000-05:00

Temecula Quilt Co. is offering a free BOD (Block of the Day) for 12 days. It is SO simple. The first day is to cut a 3-1/2" square.

taken from Temecula's blog without permission - I'm just sayin'

Already I am behind!! I think I can quickly catch up .... LOL. I have picked out this group of fabrics that I recently bought from Schoolhouse Quilt Shoppe (Judi and Bob Rothermel's shop). They do limited amounts of shows during the year and I was lucky enough to vend at one with them.

Day One and Two are already posted but it should take you no time to catch up with me!

Blessings, Cathi

Cabin Friends - Part 2 . . . . .

2011-12-23T14:48:00.002-05:00

I'm finished with Cabin Friends!

I chose a simple cross-hatch for the quilting because that's what I do best. LOL

I tried meandering on another quilt the other day. Turns out the moon and the stars and my meandering mojo weren't all in sync so I gave up on practicing. I'm so impatient!

And what is Cabin Friends sitting on? The Cracker Barrel rocking chair on the little porch of the Wool Barn! The electrician came today, installed the new meter, ran electric inside and out for a few lights and an outlet. Dear Hubby even put the door knob and deadbolt on yesterday. Would hate for all that wool to go missing!

The inspector is scheduled for next Wednesday . . . . holidays and all or it would have been today. Then a quick phone call to our electric provider. At least that's how smoothly it is going in my head! Hope it is like that in real life.

One last picture of the flooring I installed all by myself last weekend. Looks real, doesn't it? But should make for some easy cleanup.

Blessings, Cathi

A non-Christmas finish . . . . .

2011-12-20T17:10:00.000-05:00

I haven't really finished or made anything Christmas-sy this year. We are doing very little in the way of gifts. Just a few gifts for our own kids - nothing for each other (except, of course, the wool barn in the last post which covers me for the next 10 years!) Although my children are in awe and amazement of my crafting and artistic abilities - ahem - they do not exactly share my love of all things primitive. So that takes them off the "mom-made-this-for-me" list. At least things mom WANTS to make.

I did finish this little penny rug that will hang in the bathroom after the holidays (where the pumpkin is in the post link). It measures only 11" x 15" with each larger penny measuring 2".

I made up the design myself such as it is. Not much to design. I just knew the finished size and that I wanted it on a cotton background. I finished it like a quilt with quilting and binding.

Simple enough but quite a color impact with scraps of wool.

And just in time to put another in the finish column before the end of the year.

Blessings, Cathi

WOOL BARN update: I primed the floors that were nothing more than 4 x 8 sheets of plywood and laid super sticky vinyl strips that look like faux hardwood floors. Today I rolled them with the 100 lb. roller that the manufacturer recommended. This is going to be the nicest storage building this county has ever seen! Too overcast for pictures today.

The Wool Barn . . . . .

2011-12-16T18:11:00.001-05:00

Well, Merry Christmas to me !

This showed up at our house Wednesday morning in parts on a trailer.

By Wednesday afternoon, it looked like something cute and cozy.

We'll be painting it in the Spring to match the house. And landscaping and other cute things. Maybe a barn quilt on the right side in the pic above that is facing the street.

But for now, it's my (repeat: MY) storage building that will hold just my stuff like my booth display and the bins of wool and supplies. We'll see down the road what it will become wink, wink.

But officially, it's a storage building because the building permit stated all over it that it was NOT to be used for commercial activity or living quarters (although in a pinch if Dear Hubby were for some reason sent to the doghouse, maybe he could stay with the dogs and I could sleep out here!) But hey, if a guy can have power tools out in an outbuilding, why can't gals (or guys) have sewing machines (a power tool) out in an outbuilding, too?!

First thing I did? Put a Cracker Barrel rocking chair out on the porch. By the way, if you're wondering why the porch is facing away from the street (note the car), it's because I have it facing the morning sun and the garden. I see a cup of coffee coming on!

Blessings, Cathi

Snowman Stitchery, finished . . . . .

2011-12-11T13:53:00.001-05:00

Last September, I won this cute little snowman stitchery from Carol.

Yesterday I made it into a quilt.

I just need to make a little label and send it on it's way to a new home. Where will it live? You just never know.

Blessings, Cathi

Cabin Friends . . . . .

2011-12-07T09:22:00.001-05:00

Whipped this little cutie up over the last couple of days.

I even finished the hand work!

Of course not quilted but it is going in the booth as another sample. Anyone that has been to a quilt show and seen my booth knows that not all my samples are quilted! The pattern is called "Cabin Friends" by Primitive Gatherings and is available on my website.

We woke up to 65 degrees this morning. That is the high for the day. The weather chick called for rain and dropping temps all day. Tomorrow we should wake up at near freezing and 26 on Friday. It may be time to work on some more samples today in between naps!

Blessings, Cathi

Cheryl's Angel . . . . .

2011-12-02T21:17:00.001-05:00

As the phone call came in telling us to hurry to Michigan, I was pin-basting this quilt.

It was a quilt Cheryl had started probably 10 years ago. I knew she hadn't finished it so I bugged her for months to mail it to me. She finally sent it to me in the middle of October along with another quilt top that she had started.

She wasn't a quilter really but a sewer and a scrapbooker and a crafter. She had pieced the top, wonder undered the applique pieces and started the machine applique. I had hoped to finish it and send it to her by Christmas.

I did manage to finish it this week. On to the other one next and both into the mail to her husband and kids. I just wish she could have seen it finished.

Blessings, Cathi

2011-11-21T18:23:00.001-05:00

Back in March, I had written a post called "And then there were four". It was in tribute to one of my brothers that had passed away much too young. I can't believe I am writing another tribute again so soon and just couldn't bring myself to entitle it " And then there were three". It just didn't seem right. But yes, now there are just three of us left. My sweet and VERY brave sister died yesterday after a 12 year bout with cancer. She was 47.

High School Graduation - 1982

We had hoped to visit her the week after Thanksgiving but things had moved too progressively. She went into hospice on Thursday. Her husband called us Saturday afternoon. Within an hour, Dear Hubby and I had packed our bags and were on the road to Battle Creek, Michigan . . . a 12 hour drive. We took turns driving through the night and arrived at hospice at 9:30 yesterday morning. She died at 11:30. We had made it in time to hold her hand and to tell her we loved her.

We are still in Battle Creek. Hard to believe that just a week ago I was in sunny south Florida. Tomorrow we make the long trek back to South Carolina, Wednesday to North Carolina for a viewing, Thanksgiving at the in-laws and the funeral in Fayetteville, North Carolina on Friday.

I can't believe that I have lost two siblings in one year - two YOUNGER siblings.

Dave on the left and Cheryl in the middle at her college graduation.

I don't have many pictures of her on the external hard drive that I brought with me.

She was a very cute little girl.

She is in the middle front with David on the left. Me in the back row with the WHE (worst haircut ever!) FiberGuy hadn't been born yet and SeabeeBoy is the one on the right.

The picture below is of Cheryl moving into the college dorm. For any of you that know me personally, yes, it does look very much like me (maybe 20 years ago). Although she was 6 years younger, sometimes we were mistaken for twins which really irritated her!

She leaves behind her husband, Dale, who happens to be one of Dear Hubby's best friends from junior and senior high school (that one was hard to explain at their high school reunion!) and two teenagers who are very remarkable people.

Blessings, Cathi

View from my window . . or W. Palm Beach . . . . .

2011-11-10T08:04:00.000-05:00

I have been so busy with getting ready for this show that I haven't had much time for blogging. After a 10 hour drive on Tuesday, I made it safely to southern Florida. I stayed at a cousin's house in Plantation on Tuesday night. I do have a picture of us but she would KILL me if I put it on here.

Wednesday was spent setting up the booth. Trying to fit a double booth into a single space is more tiring than setting up a double booth! I visited with some other vendors (that I consider friends). We only see each other at certain shows so in-between schlepping boxes and displays and sweating in this southern sun, we try to visit catch up. We would go to dinner to do that but we are all too tired.

In the meantime, here are some pictures of the view from my window which is actually a sliding door going out on to the balcony overlooking a courtyard.

The show runs today (Thursday) through Saturday at the Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach. Open 10am to 6pm each day. I got a quick peek at the quilts that are showing. Just fabulous! Maybe I can get some pictures but hopefully I will be too busy!!

Blessings, Cathi

Pickens, South Carolina . . . . .

2011-10-27T22:02:00.002-04:00

This weekend I am vending in Pickens, a cute little hamlet in the upstate of South Carolina nestled between the mountains and the Piedmont. Okay, so I'm going a little overboard with the writing. But Pickens is a cute little town. The show is Friday (9:00 - 6:00) and Saturday (9:00 - 5:00) and is located at Pickens View Wesleyan Church - 744 Bethlehem Ridge Road. Google Maps picks it up just fine, thank you very much. Beautiful church and beautiful quilts.

In the meantime, I am sitting in the hotel and going to give a shot at needleturn applique. Yes, I know, I am supposed to be touting the hand-dyed wools and telling everyone how much easier wool is because you don't have to turn under the edges (by the way, it IS easier to applique with wool because you don't have to turn under the edges). I wanted to do something a little different and keep what little cotton applique skills I had from totally disintegrating.

I have picked this pattern from Jan Patek. Jan offered it on her blog on September 11th just for the one day. I've had the background pieced and the applique pieces prepped since then waiting for the right time to start. (Can you tell I'm too chicken to start?!) I'm using the "freezer paper on top" method this time to see if I like it any better than I did the first time I tried it.

Wow, three paragraphs and no pictures. Will keep you posted. If it doesn't work out, we may have to switch to wool!

Blessings, Cathi

Just couldn't decide .....

2011-10-24T22:34:00.003-04:00

Which blog to put this on so I put it on both!

I was so excited to check out Ivonne's blog tonight and find this . . . . . .

She does such fabulous work . . . . . worth posting on two blogs!!

Blessings, Cathi

Wool quilts everywhere . . . . .

2011-10-15T07:16:00.002-04:00

Seems every quilt show I have gone to lately there are more and more wool applique quilts. I know those of you in the Mid-west and the Northeast probably don't think that is a big deal but down here in the South, that is amazing! I LOVE it! To have even one in a show even tickles me to no end.

Here are pictures of all the quilts in the show that had wool in them. Sorry if some are blurry. I really can't tell on this little netbook screen if they are good pics or not. But it could be BC (before coffee) this morning.

Lisa B's Primitive Garden won first in category.

There were two of this quilt but only took a picture of one of them.

Talk about a fun entry! Not all wool but some of it!

Gordy's Gang

No pattern for this one!

And details of the Best of Show quilt.

How fun are these! These were made from a Crabapple Hill pattern that was supposed to be a hat on a pillow. They makers decided to go 3-D and make it into a hat! Correction: This pattern is for a 3-D hat originally, not a pillow.

And finally a picture near the entrance to the Center. I wish I had time to take a little hike down this nature trail.

Blessings, Cathi

Best of Show . . . . .

2011-10-14T11:10:00.003-04:00

Thought I would take a minute while I can and show you the Best of Show quilt. I took the picture last night after I finished setting up the booth.

Isn't it gorgeous!? I'll try to take some closeup shots of the fabulous detail of it later when the show slows down. But hopefully it won't!!

Blessings, Cathi

North Augusta, South Carolina . . . . .

2011-10-12T23:31:00.001-04:00

I'm leaving in just a few hours for the second show this month. I have never been to N. Augusta but heard it is beautiful.

The show is being held at the Riverview Park Activities Center which is located . . . . wait for it . . . . on the river! Just beyond the river is Augusta National. Yes, that Augusta National.

Dear Hubby and TurfBoy at 2011 Masters

The show is being held by the Pieceful Hearts Quilt Guild and runs Friday from 10 until 7 and Saturday from 9 until 4. I've heard there are about 200 quilts. They are being judged by Susan Edmonson of Susan Edmonson Designs and a friend of mine for many years.

Come on down!

Blessings, Cathi

Confession time . . . . .

2011-10-09T11:48:00.003-04:00

I don't like how fast cameras go through batteries! At least mine . . . . . I remembered my camera yesterday. Took a few pictures of the booth and then it died. So no quilt pictures.

I have to take pictures of every booth set up because it seems each show, the setup is a little different because of the booth size. Some booths are only 8' deep instead of 10' which means I can only put an 8' table along the side instead of my two 5' tables. I know it sounds confusing but every time I go to a show I feel like I'm re-inventing the wheel with my setup. So if I take picture of every show, eventually two of them will be the same and I can just look at the picture instead of thinking so much! LOL

Here is this past weekend's booth.

And here is a picture of my very first booth setup just a year ago in August.

Big difference from one 8' table, huh? I've come a long way, baby!

Yesterday's booth was a booth and a half or 10' deep by 15'. Usually a booth is 10' x 10' but I now have to have 2 booths (a double booth) because of all the wool I carry.

Also no pictures of the quilts because I never got to see any or walk the show. Yes, I was that busy! I heard they were beautiful. Dear Hubby came up to help me pack up but not until about 4:30. Just not enough time to look at quilts or shop the other vendors. I would love to see what else is out there that I don't have. I did run over to one vendor to buy the Lil' Twister ruler but she had sold out. That will teach me! I'll see her again at another show soon, I hope.

Blessings, Cathi

Wanna guess where I've been . . . . .

2011-10-08T18:00:00.000-04:00

Thought I was hanging around the house and NOT quilting, huh? That's why I'm not showing any quilting projects, huh?

Nah, I'm in Cabarrus County, North Carolina at a quilt show. The weather here in the Carolinas is just perfect. Dry weather, high of 76°, bright sunshine and the customers are still coming inside to see the quilts and shop in droves. Friday was a wonderfully successful day. I was so busy, I didn't get to see the quilts. The few I did see as I ran from the booth to the bathroom have been gorgeous. By the time this post is posted, I should be about finished packing up the van with Dear Hubby's help.

I forgot to take the camera on Thursday while I was setting up the booth. And then forgot again on Friday when I went to the show. Hopefully I remembered this morning and I can show you some goodies this evening or tomorrow.

I'm leaving you with a picture of my Christmas quilt that still needs a border and Nelson, the quilt model. Hope you all have had a nice day of quilting. Remember, there are only

78 days left until Christmas.

I'm just saying . . . . . . . . . . .

Blessings, Cathi

Game time . . . . .

2011-10-08T15:00:00.000-04:00

Here is a little word search for you to play. Test your brain and rest your eyes from your long day of quilting!

Click on the puzzle to enlarge and print it out. When you are finished, email me at quiltmarket@comporium.net and tell me that you are finished. Sometime this week, one of Santa's elves will deliver a special gift to your email mailbox!

Blessings, Cathi

Christmas past . . . . .

2011-10-08T12:00:00.000-04:00

I use the same avatar

for all of my techie programs and forums that I belong to.

I thought I would show you the big picture now.

See?! It's actually a Christmas picture from 1960. I'm guessing the year. My birthday is in January and I look about 2 years old here - maybe 3 - definitely cute! Remember all the tinsel?! This is when I was still an only child.

Then others came along and I had to share . . . . .

1963

And then more . . . . .

1969

Yup, that's me on the end with the fishnet stockings. My first sewing craft project? Those cute little stockings hanging on the mantel. I should have been diagnosed as a fabriholic at this age! Mom sewed the stockings from felt. I cut out the green appliques from felt and glued them on but still . . . . . a budding applique-er in the making.

Do you remember when you were bit by the sewing/crafty bug?

Blessings, Cathi

Special Christmas sewing . . . . .

2011-10-08T09:00:00.000-04:00

All of the directions you need to finish your Scatty Christmas Quilt is already in your hands. This would be the part in the directions that would read "quilt as desired". As far as I can tell, the only ones that write those words are those that are very good at quilting. I am not. I think that is the hardest part. Not the actual quilting but deciding how to quilt it. So I guess my real answer would be that my desire would be for someone else to quilt it!! Like I said in one of my very first posts three years ago - I am a top maker, not a quilt maker! I'm sure you will find a great way to finish your quilt.

So now to the post title. One of the most special sewing projects I have done are the 4 stockings I made for my children in 1987.

This is the second set of stockings I made. My oldest (the Married One) was in 3rd grade at the time. She wanted to take her stocking in to show her teacher for show and tell. She must have been very proud of her mommy! The teacher fell in LOVE with the stockings, sent a note home with the Married One asking if she could buy them. She paid $30 a piece for them! Big money back in 1987. So I made a second set that the kids have used every year since. I hang all of them but Santa doesn't fill the Married One's stocking anymore. The other three get the same thing every year in theirs - a box of Cracker Jacks, a Christmas Pez candy dispenser, socks, lots of gum, candy and sometimes something special (depending on how much money Santa has that year).

What special sewing item that you made for Christmas do you still put out every year?

Blessings, Cathi

Welcome to the 2nd to last CQAL of 2011

2011-10-08T06:00:00.000-04:00

It's the second Saturday in October and that means after today, there is only one more Christmas Quilt Along of 2011! As for me, I have had a wonderful time visiting with you since February.

You might remember that about a month ago Sue and I asked you all to fill in a survey about the Christmas QAL and the future. Thanks to all of you who filled it in. Thanks too for the lovely comments and compliments you included. As a result of the survey we have decided that we will be running it between February and November again, on the second Saturday of each month just as we have done this year, but there are some important changes.

One of the questions we asked was if anyone would be prepared to act as a guest host for one of the days, and about 12 of you were ~~foolish~~ brave enough to put your hands up. So, now, we need to know who you were. If you would like to host one day, please email Sue at sue.abrey@gmail.com with your preferred month. The other difference is that instead of offering a block of the month pattern, next year we will be doing a mystery quilt instead. As this year, it will be free, but we will post the instructions on our blog instead of sending them by email. That way, if you can’t join us one month, the instructions will still be available.

I'll be back later this morning with more news and updates. Off to breakfast now (and half of you are fixing lunch or starting your afternoon nap!).

Blessings, Cathi

Composition cover-up . . . . .

2011-10-03T15:08:00.000-04:00

I just love composition books. It reminds me of elementary school. But it really hurts my eyes to look at the cover so I started covering them up.

I started with something simple like this . . . . this is the book that I write all my dye pots in. I write a lot of my mistakes in here, too!

And I have a book for my business . . . . thoughts, things I need to do, things I want to do . . . . .

I decided I would like to teach this as a class at the Pieceable Retreat at the end of October so I created this one for the class sample back in March.

It turned out cute. I even put some pockets on the inside cover. I had read about every pattern out there for journal covers but there wasn't one individual pattern that I liked. So I decided to make my own. I didn't like how this one went together. The pocket section inside is VERY bulky and I really didn't like the topstitching around the outside edge.

So one last try and I came up with this . . . . . .

The pocket section is much less bulky and I was able to write the directions as I went. There are 4 pockets on the inside for business cards, pencils, receipts, papers, etc.

And I included a page marker just 'cause it's easier.

It still needs a little tweaking before the class starts in 2 weeks but I am finally happy with how it turned out. After all the renditions . . . . FINALLY.

Blessings, Cathi

Sneak peak of new class . . . . .

2011-09-28T12:13:00.002-04:00

In a few weeks, I am teaching a class again at the Quilters of South Carolina annual retreat.

Here is a sneak peak of what I am working on to get ready for the class.

One thing I have learned about teaching. You can never have enough samples or enough samples of each stage of the process!

Hardest part of this is writing the pattern as I go. Yes, I am writing a pattern for this one. I'll let you know when it is finished.

Heard the Fall weather will be here Friday. Can't wait!!

Blessings, Cathi

Just love the Cheri minis . . . . .

2011-09-25T14:37:00.001-04:00

I finished up the Cheri mini that I pieced a few weeks ago.

Not only was it quick and easy to piece, but the quilting and binding went just as quickly.

It took longer to figure out what quilt pattern to use than it did to actually quilt it.

At only 11" x 16" even the binding went quickly. The binding was from the scraps left over from piecing the top. I had to put more seams in the binding than usual and only had a 2-1/4" x 4" piece left but it was enough.

Like I said before, these minis are the way to go. Such a feeling of accomplishment to have something else in the finish column instead of all those large tops sitting in plastic bins!

Blessings, Cathi

Iron (ing) is not a 4-letter word . . . . .

2011-09-23T08:21:00.000-04:00

The quilt show that I attended as a vendor this past weekend was over Saturday afternoon. Sunday, Dear Hubby and I decided to tool around the countryside. Besides finding all the barn quilts that I showed you in the last post, we found several flea markets that were open.

My best score of the day was this lovely vintage 1940's Knapp-Monarch travel iron in perfect condition.

Look ma, no holes . . . . .

The handle folds flat and the cord unplugs from the iron for easy traveling. It's also heavier than it looks. I plugged it in and it works just fine. There is no adjustable heat element. You just plug it in until it is the "hotness" you want and iron away. It took no time at all for the temperature to get to the "linen" setting but it seems to be taking forever to cool back down. And there is no stand so I will have to lay it on it's side when not in use.

But she is as cute as can be. I don't know if I will actually use her but if I ever need an iron without steam holes, she will be the first one I call!

Blessings, Cathi

Barn quilts . . . . .

2011-09-21T15:42:00.002-04:00

It took me a few days to recover from the busy, busy weekend in West Jefferson. It was a lovely show and definitely worth my time going.

Dear Hubby met me up there on Saturday afternoon after his Friday night football game. While tooling around Ashe County in the mountains of North Carolina, we found several barn quilts.

The last one was from a moving car! I'm surprised I got the shot ........

Sorry I haven't been around to read blogs - or comment - . I didn't have wifi at the show and was busy at night. By the time I got to the internet on Monday, I was overwhelmed by the amount of blogging that went on while I was gone! You have all been a busy bunch. Guess I just need to move forward from here!!

Blessings, Cathi

On the road again . . . . .

2011-09-15T08:49:00.000-04:00

I am finally back on the road this weekend after a 2 month hiatus. The time has flown by since I feel like I spent most of my time in the dye pot (and trying to stay cool). But cooler weather is ahead. and even if not, it will be where I am headed. . . . . West Jefferson, North Carolina.

Located in the midst of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it's beautiful, serene, picturesque and any other superlative you can think of. The Ashe County Piecemakers Quilt Guild is having their quilt show this weekend.

I hope I get to meet Linda May from BlueRidge Boomer. She is supposed to be there.

I'll try to post from the road. Sorry I haven't commented on blogs this week. I have been doing a quick peek and reading some but I was trying to stay off the computer as much as possible so I would stay on task. Some days I think I have adult ADD. See, I'm going off track already.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings, Cathi

Christmas Quilt Along - Part 3 . . . . .

2011-09-11T10:25:00.001-04:00

I stayed up late last night finishing the borders. It took me FOREVER! I added three borders instead of the two Sue's directions called for. And I don't have a very large area to lay out a quilt so it takes a little longer. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it!) I wasn't alone, though. I had Clark W. Griswold and family along for company!

I'm still not finished. I want to add some applique to bring that dusty, sage green to the center of the quilt and maybe some of the border fabric. The fabrics all blended beautifully laying in the pile but the border fabric is just throwing everything out of balance. Maybe a good tea bath when it is all finished. I'm certainly not taking it out and doing it again! I have enough dark red fabric left for the binding and that will help.

Hope you all enjoyed making this quilt. Sue and I haven't discussed it yet but maybe a parade of "Scatty Stars" is in our future soon. We only have 2 more Christmas Quilt Alongs left. Don't think because the quilt top is finished that we are finished. Sue and I may have a few more surprises up our sleeves in the next two months!

Blessings, Cathi

Christmas Quilt Along - Part 2

2011-09-10T15:54:00.001-04:00

After several side trips of dog issues, lunch, etc., I finally have this top finished enough to show.

Close-up of some of the fabrics.

The wider borders shown at the top will have some applique. At first I thought I would do some raw edge applique but the pieces are rather small so it could be problematic. I think I will go back and re-cut the applique for needleturn. This quilt is for another of the Married One's friends who had a baby back in the spring. The baby didn't need a quilt this summer so I figure I am right on schedule!

Blessings, Cathi

Christmas Quilt Along - Part 1 . . . . .

2011-09-10T10:21:00.003-04:00

All the "little" things taken care of this morning - dogs, Dear Hubby, me - so I am off to the sewing room now to audition more fabric AGAIN for the borders of my Scatty Christmas Stars quilt. I think I have it narrowed down.

But first I have two more rows to put on this quilt that I started ......

I worked on it last night and would really like to get to a better stopping point. I'll be back with a picture soon!

Blessings, Cathi

Surprise, Surprise . . . . .

2011-09-09T18:04:00.004-04:00

Remember Karen's little post the other day about her Four Finishes? Well, the little mini angels from Sandy Gervais' pattern that was a gift for an un-named friend was mine!

What a wonderful treat after such a busy week! I tried several different ways of photographing the quilt but I just couldn't do it justice.

Even the back is adorable. Christmas fabrics! And with a hanging sleeve no less!

I even tried to take a picture of it with Nelson. I don't know how Carol gets Buster and Betty to sit still with a quilt and look at a camera. Nelson will sit but he is constantly moving his head around. We would HATE for him to miss something!

I think it may be time for a new camera. Mine is about 7 years old. Never had a lick of trouble but it doesn't seem to be focusing as well as it used to. Guess it's "eyes" are getting bad like the rest of us!

I even tried to get a close-up of her hand quilting. It's wonderful! My camera used to take nice clear picture of up close shots. I know how to do the settings but it still isn't working.

Here is the picture I stole from Karen's blog. She isn't home at the moment to ask permission so I hope she doesn't mind.

Regardless of my camera issues, it is a warm and sweet gesture from someone I consider a very good friend. We have never met in person but someday I hope to. Thank you so much, Karen. Now to start the hunt for the perfect spot during the holidays!

Blessings, Cathi

Quick reminder . . . . .

2011-09-07T20:25:00.001-04:00

that the Christmas Quilt Along is this Saturday! I had it in my head that it was next weekend. I know Sue has been busy with getting ready to host it this month. This month, the borders will be added to our quilts.

Here is mine so far!

Won't you join us?

Blessings, Cathi

Wow, that was quick . . . .

2011-09-05T11:25:00.001-04:00

I think I may have to make more of these little minis. I cut out the pieces Saturday night. A few hours on a Sunday afternoon (with feeding the dogs and blog-hopping in between) and .....

the top is finished! Notice I added an extra column. Overall size is still only 11" x 16".

See how tiny the pieces ............

It took longer to press the nine-patches than it did to sew them.

Of course, quilting and binding still to go.

Lessons learned: Starch the side biased triangle fabric before cutting. I've read or heard of this tip many times and just ignored or forgot about it. I thought about it after the triangles were cut. Although starching the pieces after cutting helped, it would have been better before and MUCH worse if I hadn't at all. Been there, done that.

Blessings, Cathi

Like I need to start another project . . . . .

2011-09-03T21:46:00.000-04:00

I really need to start showing some finishes again! I seem to be showing a lot of starts lately. Or maybe I am starting a lot and not showing you. It's all becoming a fog......

I wanted to make a small quilt to put on the wall in our newly remodeled bathroom. At first I was going to make one larger wall hanging. Actually two, The "Let it Snow" quilt during the holidays and the piece I was going to make from the mistakes from the "Let It Snow" that is at the bottom of the same post. It was going to take up the entire area. I think I want a couple of different things on the wall like I did when we remodeled the kids bath.

So I picked one of Cheri's free quilt patterns. WHAT .... you didn't know that Cheri had free quilt patterns on her website? They are not in *.pdf form and they are not every month. They are once in a while in a post.

I picked the one from August.

It's really tiny. Only 11" x 16".

I spent a little bit of time in-between the dye pots today picking out some fabric.

Did I mention how much nicer it is having the stash back in the house?

Here is my final scrappy pile selection.

It's almost a little crazy. From each of the fabrics that are NOT green or creme, I need a piece 1-1/2" x 4". I'll probably spend more time putting these back in the right container that I will cutting and sewing them.

It's supposed to rain here all day on Monday. Lord knows we need it. I may have to play hooky from working at least part of the day to work on this quilt.

Blessings, Cathi

Can they be saved ? . . . . .

2011-08-29T11:02:00.000-04:00

I went antiquing last week with a friend of mine. I bought some Christmas things. I also bought some more wooden spools. When we got back to her house, she said she had a few things for me. One was another wooden spool (you can never have enough!) but also two quilts. She had them stored in a metal storage building with a bunch of boxes, her son's batting helmet, lawn equipment, etc.

This one is in horrible shape. Click on the picture and see what I mean. I didn't really look at them very well. Imagine my surprise when I hung them up to take pictures and saw this.

And this ......

Can you see it? It was a signature quilt. The first one says "Julia Bigham - May 9th 1865". The second one says "Margret A Pifer - May 14th, 1865. And the third one says "Susanna Greenwood - May 9th 1865". It is hard to tell in the photos. I had to stretch the block a little to get it smooth enough to read it. Trust me. Can you believe these were sitting in a storage building? I'm going to find out where she got these from.

Here is the back of the first one. The maker hand quilted an overall fan pattern and had a blue plaid for the backing fabric. There was no binding left.

The second quilt is in better shape.

Those blocks that look red and white are really red and batting. From what little bits are left in the blocks, it looks like it was the same fabric if not close to the other blocks that are red and green. I don't know why the green fabric would have been so completely destroyed in some of the blocks and not the others. Maybe the way the quilt was laying on the bed where the sun shone on it? Who knows. And the original color may not have been green. I may have to investigate some "where the sun don't shine"! I can't find any labels or markings from this quilt but it looks like it may have been from the same period.

This one had a muslin backing, 1/4" shadow quilting in the blocks and a kind of chevron/cross-hatching but only one direction kind of quilting pattern.

Now, to decide what to do with them. At the very least, measure carefully and recreate a pattern of both of them. Can't let a good quilt go to waste!

Blessings, Cathi

Forgot about this little guy . . . . . .

2011-08-26T14:32:00.000-04:00

If you have been keeping up, the Computer Geek has moved out of the house leaving an empty room! Yaaay for me. I have decided to do a little rearranging in his room to hold some of my fabric stash. I've had to go search through plastic bins in a storage building for the last two years. It's gotten kind of old now.

Thought I would show this little quilt that I made about 8 years ago for his room. It was my first attempt at stippling. The stippling is much too close but I was excited that I had finished it.

I tried not to go in his room while he lived there except maybe twice a year for a good dusting. Hence I forgot about the quilt being in there. It's time for a fresh, clean sweep in the room before I hang this back up.

Blessings, Cathi

Quilts and front-loading washers . . . . .

2011-08-22T19:34:00.001-04:00

Here's my thoughts on the front-loading washers:

I'm not real crazy about them. Not today anyway.

I needed to wash this quilt.

I use it in the evening when the a/c seems a little colder. Sometimes the boys lay their heads on my lap. Sometimes Nelson feels the need to try and climb on my lap (remember he's almost 100 lbs.)

After washing it today in the front-loading washer, I went to take it out and it was still heavy with water. I tried the "drain/spin" cycle but it didn't help. I had to carry it out on the deck and throw it over the railing for it to drip dry. Ran it through the "drain/spin" again and it was ready for the dryer.

So my question to all of you, do you have the same trouble? This isn't the first time it has happened. It doesn't happen every time. Is there any trick to avoiding this?

Blessings, Cathi

Two Feet of Wool . . . . .

2011-08-18T09:54:00.000-04:00

I've been a little busy the last few days dying some wool.

The stack is 23" tall. There are 13 different colors in there. 71 pots at an hour per pot in just 5 days. It took most of yesterday to cut them into fat 1/8 and fat 1/16 pieces.

Now I just have to fold and label all these! First I am going to scan one of each to put on the website. Maybe up there by Sunday? We'll see ........... If they aren't, feel free to shoot an email to me!

Blessings, Cathi

Hartfield - Block 2

2011-08-15T17:02:00.000-04:00

Dawn of Linen Closet Quilts posted Block 2 of her mystery quilt this morning. She is gracious enough to design and give away for free a 10 month mystery quilt. As she puts up a new block on the 15th of each month, the older one is taken off so make sure you show up to her blog at LEAST once a month. More would be nicer. If you missed the first one, you can purchase it for $3.00. There are 5 pieced blocks and 5 appliqued blocks.

Can you believe I am finished mine already?! Me - the procrastinator. Got a wild hair, I guess.

Just don't ask where Block 1 is . . . . . . . it's applique . . . . . I'm just saying . . . . maybe in wool.

Blessings, Cathi

Christmas Star Trip - an official flimsie . . . . .

2011-08-14T11:45:00.001-04:00

I put the last row of border blocks on about midnight last night. Now we can count this as one in the win column!

This is the 5th Star Trip I have made. I should say the 5th colorway I have made with this pattern. I have made duplicates of the same colorways. I used to teach this class so had lots of partial samples in different stages of doneness!

This quilt is very easy. It is just 4 different nine-patches. Above is one of them. You have to be a little organized to put it together but the outcome is wonderful. The pattern is called Star Trip by Jane Martin. The pattern is over 10 years old. Jane never did sell it through distributors but out of her house.

When this one is quilted, I will show you all the ones I have made. It won't be long. I want this one finished by Christmas. It's hung around long enough.

Blessings, Cathi

Finished for tonight . . . . .

2011-08-13T21:55:00.000-04:00

I just have another hour of sewing on my Christmas Star Trip quilt but it will have to wait until tomorrow to show you. We have had a torrential thunderstorm this evening that lasted for hours. The quilt really needs to be photographed outside. Besides that it is very wet out, it is also very DARK. Not good for picture taking!

Hope those of you that played with us today had a good time. Next month Sue will be hosting again on the second Saturday in September. We're almost finished with the Scatty Stars quilt. Stay tuned!

Blessings, Cathi

A funny looking thing . . . . .

2011-08-13T16:29:00.001-04:00

I have my Christmas Quilt Along top put together with today's directions. I am really glad I changed the colors of the rail fence blocks. I had a red and dark green. Don't worry about the shape. It will all "straighten" itself out next month.

I'm still going to try to put some green in here in the border but not quite sure how without having it look off balance but we'll see. If it doesn't work in this quilt, maybe the next one!

While I sewed the rows together, I watched this movie .....

Now to feed the puppies and then back to the sewing room for the rest of the evening.

Blessings, Cathi

First things first . . . . .

2011-08-13T12:43:00.001-04:00

My sewing room/office is in the dining room - the tiny dining room. Just a small 10' x 10' room with lots of storage lining the walls and the dining room table (leaves taken out) for a work surface. There is no room for an ironing board.

I was using Computer Geek's tabletop ironing board he had in college. But it was in rough shape not to mention that the padding was so thin that the grid marks from underneath were showing up on the pathetic cover.

So before I start cussing at it again, I decided to make a new cover for it.

First, I turned the board upside down onto some heat resistant stuff I found at the local fabric store. After tracing it and cutting it out, I basted it to two layers of batting just for a little stability. Next I trimmed the batting.

Here I pinned the former crappy cover to my new cover fabric and trimmed 1" around. After turning under the edge 1/2" and the 1/2" again to make a pocket, I threaded the cording from the old cover through the pocket.

And here is the new cover! Now I am really ready to go . . . . . .

Back soon with some real progress and maybe a game or two!

Blessings, Cathi

Survey Says . . . . .

2011-08-13T09:05:00.000-04:00

Sue and I are conducting a survey. To make it easier for all involved, we are going to have it posted on just Sue's blog. You can find it here.

Won't you please take a moment and fill it out?

Blessings, Cathi

Christmas Quilt Along #1 . . . . . .

2011-08-12T22:25:00.002-04:00

Welcome to the August edition of the Christmas Quilt Along. We are glad you could join us. It's 10:00 here on Friday night but I wanted to be ready for all our participants in earlier time zones. You know who you are!

Mr. Linky is waiting for you on the 2011 Christmas Quilt Along tab at the top of my blog. This month you will receive the directions for the 20 (yes, 20) rail fence blocks. But trust me they are easy to do!

And what shall I work on during the day?

Well, it could be . . . . .

I could finally finish putting these rows together. . . . . .


Or put the borders on this quilt . . . . .

Or quilt this one . . . . .

Or finally put these together . . . .

Or put all my rows together according to Sue's directions . . . . .

Or even start something new!

Whatever it is, I'll keep you posted. What are you going to do?

Blessings, Cathi

Just the cutest thing . . . . .

2011-08-11T18:05:00.000-04:00

I just added these to my website.

Aren't they just the cutest thing? The ones with the heart shaped thumb holes are 4" long and those tiny ones are just 2-1/2".

I haven't made a big announcement but I have revamped most of the website including FINALLY adding patterns and kits. I still have a major overhaul to do with the wool pages. Baby steps, baby steps.

Blessings, Cathi

Day 17 - Whoohoo . . . . .

2011-08-08T17:36:00.000-04:00

It's here, it's here !!!

Already earmarked what I'm starting first and drooled all over the rest!!

This Saturday is the next installment on the Christmas Quilt-A-Long. I am actually hosting this month and I will be in town! The first time I will be home on the second Saturday since January.

Here is a sneak peak of the next step in the free quilt blocks that Sue and I are giving out to participating Christmas crazies.

I hope you can join us. There are only 139 days left until Christmas. Have you even thought about what Christmas gifts you want to make this year? I'm just saying .....

Blessings, Cathi

Update, Day 15 . . . . .

2011-08-06T17:03:00.000-04:00

I say Day 15 because that's how many days it has been since Carrie emailed me to tell me she had received the new Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine and saw my ad. One day later, Paulette blogged about receiving hers.

Thanks to those that have offered to let me "borrow" theirs (you know you wouldn't get them back!) and to those that have offered to send one to me.

And on even a sadder note: I saw on someone's blog this morning where she was almost finished making one of the projects in the magazine! Aaaggghhh.

But alas, not in today's mail, either. In fact no magazines today. Yes, I will be sending an email to the sisters at Homespun Media to see if mine was even sent out.

And because no post should be without a picture ........... Something to cool you off!

Blessings, Cathi

2011-08-05T16:36:00.000-04:00

Magazine Update:

National Geographic and Entertainment! but no Primitive Quilts.

By they way, we don't have that many magazine subscriptions. I have Primitive Quilts and Projects, Country Sampler and A Primitive Place. Dear Hubby has Golf and Guideposts.

All the rest are Computer Geek's. He was helping out a friend and ordered a bunch of magazines then canceled them. But they are still coming.

Just not mine . . . . .

Blessings, Cathi

A baby quilt I want to make . . . . .

2011-08-04T18:38:00.001-04:00

almost . . . I would really like to make one for my own grandbaby but since that isn't happening yet, this is the next best thing.

Fabrics that I am enjoying!

Unlike the last two baby quilts I made.

The baby is 4 months old already but it's too hot to enjoy a quilt right now so no hurry.

I'm making this sweet number.

It's from Australia's Naive & Country Quilts magazine - Vol. 2 No. 1. Couldn't find a date but I know I have held on to it for quite a while, like years. I knew there was a reason for saving it! As you can see, the half-square triangles are finished and the rest is cut out. The applique's are cut out also but forgot to put them in the picture.

I'll work on this a little at a time over the next few months. Maybe then it will be cool enough to use it!!

Blessings, Cathi

ps. Magazine update. Today was Sports Illustrated and Golf. No Primitive Quilts.

Lost . . . . .

2011-08-02T07:48:00.002-04:00

Help me !! My issue of the new Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine STILL hasn't arrived!

I heard my advertisement was in it . . . .

And lots of beautiful prim projects to make . . . . . but my copy seems to have gone M.I.A. Perhaps a mail person in the local post office is a prim quilter. Maybe I should go meet them!

So if you have seen it, could you send it my way?

edit - still not here today but I have been told my ad is on page 94 and it's not really an ad it's just a listing. But that's okay, it's in there ..... I just can't see it.

Blessings, Cathi

Quilting instead of blogging . . . . .

2011-07-27T11:21:00.000-04:00

That's what I have been doing this past week. And not just piecing or handwork but actually quilting!

"Embrace Each Day" by Cheri Payne

And not just quilting but actually putting the binding on!

"Good Cheer" by Cheri Payne

And not just the binding but designing and sewing and quilting and binding.

This quilt is the second version of a quilt I designed way back here. I had some feed back (otherwise known as constructive criticism). This is the next rendition. The pattern directions are almost finished but I still feel it needs something - like a button in the flower pot. Will keep you posted.

Now that I look at them, they probably all could use a few more details or quilting but I'm just tickled pink that I have finished all this in less than a week.

Speaking of pink, I am in the middle of a baby quilt for a little girl. She is about 4 months old and the daughter of one of the Married One's best buds from high school. Yes, another volunteer project from her. But this one is really sweet and very traditional. No pics today but soon.

Blessings, Cathi

Christmas in July . . . . .

2011-07-21T09:20:00.000-04:00

Today is my annual Christmas in July Crafting Party. Follow us today over on my Christmas blog!

Blessings, Cathi

It's not just quilters . . . . .

2011-07-17T13:38:00.008-04:00

I'll admit it. Once in a great while, I have purchased the same pattern or book twice. Obviously I must have liked it enough . . . .

While rearranging the newly painted bookcases a few weeks ago, I noticed Dear Hubby had the same tendencies.

Two books right there in the middle on cabinetry building. And I'm willing to bet that he hasn't made anything from that book. Kind of like me and some of my favorite quilting books.

But it makes me feel better that it's not only quilters that have bought the same thing twice!

Blessings, Cathi

Don't forget CQAL this Saturday . . . . .

2011-07-06T15:34:00.001-04:00

Although I will be out of town again on Saturday, I will still be taking some Christmas projects to work on with me.

I have my Let it Snow quilt all prepped for handwork. Noses to be sewn down and the wool eyes and mouths. And the embroidery has to be stitched. Then the quilting and binding. The missing eyes and mouth are buttons or snaps to be sewn on later.

Sue is hosting this month so hop on over there Saturday morning whenever you get up. This month we have a special treat. Charlie from Qubee Quilts will be having a Christmas in July sewing party on Sunday. So you can sew your Christmas projects all weekend long. It's too hot outside to do anything else! Charlie has provided a free quilt pattern. You can find out all the information on his blog at the link above. Here is a schematic of what Charlie's quilt looks like.

And here is a picture of the freebie block that Sue and I are giving out this Saturday.

Hope you can join us!

Blessings, Cathi

Kits, kits, kits . . . . .

2011-07-05T11:19:00.001-04:00

I have 75 kits ready to go with me to my next show in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Doesn't seem like that many in the picture but when you dye the wool, cut the kits and package them all by yourself, it sure seems like a lot more. Not complaining here . . . . It was really a lot of fun but glad it's finished. Piles of wool to cut into pieces now and a few more pots to dye, then I'll be ready to leave.

The show is this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (July 8th, 9th and 10th) at the Temple Baptist Church Activity Center, 709 George Anderson Drive, Wilmington, NC.

Friday, July 8, 2011 6-9 pm

Saturday, July 9, 2011 9 am – 5 pm

Sunday, July 10, 2011 10 am – 4 pm

Yes, Sunday morning at a Baptist Church. It's my first time at this show and I'm not sure how that works but I'll let you know.

Anyway, here is the link if you need more information. Quilters By the Sea Quilt Guild. They do have a discount coupon and map on the website.

Blessings, Cathi

Happy Fourth of July . . . . .

2011-07-04T12:01:00.000-04:00

Happy, safe 4th of July to you and yours . . . . .

I'll be dying wool starting about an hour from now for a good portion of this afternoon. There is a baseball game at the Charlotte Knights stadium tonight with fireworks to follow. We should get there in time. What could be more American than baseball, hotdogs and fireworks?!

Blessings, Cathi

Now I can honestly say . . . . .

2011-06-29T11:46:00.003-04:00

that I have been on the front page of the newspaper! Not my picture . . . . .probably a good thing, but an article.

No, I'm not the guy on the right . . . . . . .

The wonderful ladies at the Stanley County Three Rivers Quilt Guild had put a notice in the local paper that I was to be the guest speaker at their guild meeting and the public was invited. Not only did it make the front page but the Sunday edition.

Spelled my last name wrong but it's okay. We had a wonderful time. Dear Hubby went with me since it was almost a 2 hour drive and I would be driving home late. Good thing . . . . . we ran in to a horrendous thunderstorm on the way home.

Does this count as my 15 minutes of fame?

Blessings, Cathi
21575

Can you see me now? . . . . .

2011-06-27T10:05:00.002-04:00

After much harassment from Dear Hubby (and I'm talking A LOT), I have finally made a sign for my booth. One of the many excuses why I haven't finished my Let it Snow wallhanging.

All the applique is wool (of course!) and is about 28" x 42". It's even quilted and bound!!

No more having someone come into my booth and saying, "And who are you?".

Tomorrow night I will be giving the program at the Stanley County Three Rivers Quilt Guild in Albemarle, NC. Albemarle is NE of Charlotte. If you're in the neighborhood . . . . . . email me for more info.

Blessings, Cathi
21361

"Let it Snow" . . . . .

2011-06-25T11:07:00.002-04:00

Along with a few others in blogland, I am working on "Let It Snow" by Farmhouse Threads.

From Farmhouse Threads website

I am going to try and finish up the machine sewing today as part of Rudy Day. (See my Christmas blog for more info). I have another quilt show that I will be a vendor on the second Saturday AGAIN next month during the Christmas Quilt Along. If I can get the machine work finished today, I can kind of sort of participate by doing the handwork on this one during the CQAL.

What I have finished so far

What I didn't mention on the Christmas blog was the little faux pas I made. I use the Flying Geese x 4 ruler by Lazy Girl Designs to make my flying geese. No waste and just about perfect every time. While I was cutting the squares I needed to make the flying geese, I was watching the movie, My Cousin Vinny. Big mistake. So busy laughing that I didn't notice that I cut the squares backwards.

The larger squares should have been cut from the variety of prints and the smaller squares should have been the darker green. Not to worry . . . . I have a plan.

Here's a hint . . . .

Since they are already cut, maybe it won't take too long to make a small table topper out of my little mistake. But is it really a mistake ......

Blessings, Cathi

2011-06-21T18:19:00.004-04:00

I finished a sample today. (Have you noticed that all the samples I finish have NO quilting? ..... I'm just saying)

Same penny rug . . . . just playing with the camera settings. The first one is very crisp but the second one is better color representation.

The pattern is "Holly Wreath" by Wooden Spool Designs. I do have the pattern and kit available. Just email me and I will give you specifics.

I'm not afraid to show off my stitches!

Happy longest day of the year to you (in this hemisphere)!

Blessings, Cathi
20820

2011-06-18T10:26:00.002-04:00

Our trip to Annapolis was wonderful. I didn't take as many pictures as I thought I did but here are a few. Heck, I barely had time to walk the show at all.

But the quilts I did see were wonderful.

There were even two all wool quilts made by the same woman. They are both Sue Spargo quilts.

Aren't they fabulous!?

Dear Hubby and I spent an extra day visiting historic Annapolis before heading home.

I'm finally home for a few weeks before heading to Wilmington, NC next month. More on that later.

Blessings, Cathi
20533

June's Christmas Quilts Along . . . . .

2011-06-09T08:07:00.002-04:00

It is my turn again to host the Christmas Quilt Along this month. As you all may have read in the last post, I will be in Annapolis, Maryland. Sue has graciously offered to host this month for me. Thanks, Sue!! I owe you another one!

Pop on over to Quilt Times sometime Saturday (whatever time zone you live in), sign up on Mr. Linky and Sue will "faster than coursers" send the directions for the 5th block of the Christmas quilt to you.

I don't know if I will have wifi or not, but if I do I will be popping in to check on all of you.

Blessings, Cathi
20119

Sunflowers in Wool . . . . .

2011-06-07T16:54:00.002-04:00

This was a long time comin'.

Those that have seen me at shows this Spring saw a block here or a block there. I finally have the whole top put together.

The four inside blocks are already stitched with only 4 colors of Valdani thread. I put the borders on this past week and fused on the outside border sunflowers and leaves.

The pattern is "Sunflowers" by Primitive Gatherings. I have kits available. I hand dyed all the wool myself. The black background is flannel that I bought from Hancock Fabrics and is NOT included in the kit.

I will be taking the kits (and the patterns) with me to my shows but if you aren't within visiting distance and would like a kit (or a pattern), just shoot an email to me. Either quiltmarket@comporium.net (my blogger email) or cathi@shakerwoodwoolens.com (my business email).

Speaking of shows, Dear Hubby and I are leaving Thursday morning for our farthest trek yet. . . .Annapolis, Maryland. The Annapolis Quilt Guild's show will be held this Saturday and Sunday (June 11th and 12th) at Annapolis High School. We have been to Annapolis many times as one of my brother's went to the Naval Academy. I hope we have time to take in the historic district. Just can't soak up enough of the architecture.

Blessings, Cathi
19929

Sewing Seeds . . . . .

2011-05-28T15:50:00.002-04:00

I spent this last week helping out in the church office so the secretary could go on a vacation. While I enjoy volunteering (it is fun to do something different once in a while like writing, printing, folding and stuffing 280 bulletins for Sunday), it makes me realize how much out of the groove I have gotten from working outside of the house.

I did manage to get some quilting done this past week. Note I said done, not finished. They are two different things!

I made the background for Sewing Seeds, another Cheri Payne pattern.

Cheri doesn't give detailed directions on putting things together, which I really like. It gives so much room for change and making it my own. She basically gives dimensions and says "Have fun with it!" I usually change patterns to make them my own anyway.

I decided to use partial paper-piecing to make the flower base blocks.

Here is the first finished block.

So after 14 of those and a few setting blocks you have this.

Next to applique the flowers. Since I sell this pattern in my booth, I will use all wool for the flowers. Hard part of that is I have to use wool that I can recreate so I can cut kits at the same time. If I were doing just one for me, I would have it finished already! (yeah, right!)

I've already picked out the colors, now to just dye them all, cut out my parts and cut kits. No problem!!

Blessings, Cathi
19438

When did I start collecting pincushions? . . . . .

2011-05-21T10:19:00.001-04:00

I don't know how it started but suddenly I have a pincushion collection.

It started with one from Lynda Hall which I blogged about here. And another one I received not long ago from Carol that I blogged about here.

Then there are my own pincushion patterns that I sell. I taught the class at the Quilters of SC retreat last year. It seemed so popular that I am teaching it again this year.

Last week at the Kernersville quilt show, I bought these two little beauties from the guild boutique.

The cat is made of wool . . . . purrfect for me. The little antique quilt is sitting inside a muffin tin.

I also made this cute little pattern from Hatched and Patched. Mine is packed away with my show stuff. I thought I had blogged about it but can't seem to find the post. I stole this picture from Anni's website.

What sewing things do you collect?

Blessings, Cathi

A few more quilts from the show . . . . .

2011-05-15T21:48:00.002-04:00

It was a fantastic show. Great to see so many people in the South interested in wool!

Here are some more pictures from the show.

The first two pictures may look familiar to many of you bloggers. It is a wool rendition and a redwork rendition of last year's A Tisket, A Tasket by Bunny Hill Designs.

The next few pictures are my favorite quilt from the show. It didn't win any awards but it won my heart. Must be the colors!

This next quilt is the same quilt as the first pictures in my last post. How different they look in different colors!

And a quilt made with Lynda Hall's Gathering Baskets pattern.

And a few pictures of the building we were in. I meant to take a picture of the inside of the large foyer but forgot. Still a very beautiful building.

Hope you enjoyed the show!

For the next month I finally have a little break to catch my breath and catch up on some things around the house. Maybe I'll even show some finished quilts of my own! Just don't hold me to it!!

Blessings, Cathi

Another quick post . . . . .

2011-05-14T15:33:00.001-04:00

Been very busy today! Which is good . . . . the show is winding down now. At 5:00 EST we (Dear Hubby came with me today) start to pack up and then make the 2 hour drive home after a well deserved dinner out. It will be late when we get home so I probably won't post again today. I will make sure that I visit all of you participating in the Christmas Quilt Along tomorrow.

In the meantime, I will leave you with more pictures of the show.

These are just a few. I will post more tomorrow including MY absolute favorite that didn't win a ribbon. Lucky for me it is right across from my booth so I could see it all the time.

Blessings, Cathi

Christmas Quilt Along . . . post one

2011-05-14T10:48:00.001-04:00

Sue is hosting the CQAL today so hop on over to her site She always has something fun planned. If you sign up with Mr. Linky on her site, she will send the next quilt block pattern in our free Christmas quilt.

As seems to have happened every month this year, I am at a quilt show vending my wool during the quilt along. If you are ANYWHERE near Winston-Salem or Greensboro, North Carolina, you have to come see these quilts. I have never seen so many large, detailed applique quilts in my life that are so well done.

First I will show you the 3 Christmas quilts that are here.

Gotta run . . . .have some customers but will be back later with more beautiful quilts. Hope you are enjoying the day so fa and getting ready for Christmas!

Blessings, Cathi

A little wind, rain and a quilt show . . . . .

2011-05-11T16:16:00.000-04:00

I say little because what we had last night is NOTHING compared to those in other parts of the country.

But for us it was kind of surprising. We lost power at 1:30 this morning and just got it back moments ago.

We live in the country . . . . . no power means no water, no water means no bathroom. No power means no internet, no router, no modem, no recharging the laptop. You get the picture. So I couldn't post about this weekend's show until now.

Setup is tomorrow at the Heart of the Triad Quilt Guild Show. The show will run Friday and Saturday (May 13th and 14th) from 9 - 5 both days. It will be held at The Girl Scout Learning Center at 1203 Frances Daily Court in Colfax, North Carolina. That is off I-40 at exit 208 between Winston Salem and Greensboro. For more information and directions, please click here.

Blessings, Cathi

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue . . . . .

2011-05-10T13:00:00.002-04:00

Sea Island Quilters held a silent auction at their quilt show this past weekend. I just fell in love with this blue and brown, old quilt laying on the table.

It was mine for a mere $24.00. I'm not very good at dating quilts but it seems pretty old to me. A little bit of wear on it but I don't plan on using it for anything other than draping it over the guest bed. First, the Wild One has to move out so I can make it into a guest room ......but that's for another day.

Each log cabin block is 16" x 16" with a little 2" border around it making the quilt about 66" x 84"-ish. Great find in my opinion.

I also bid on these little shaker boxes. Very heavy wood . . . . . not the paper mache boxes that are around now or even the lighter balsam boxes. And the winning bid.......$1.00. As lovely as the painting is, I think I will have to refinish them sometime in the future.

And the best news this week? Computer Geek graduates tonight from college! Big Whoot whoot on that one. He won't be attending the ceremonies, however, because he is busy working at a full-time paying job already as a computer programmer. Can we get an Amen from the congregation on that one?! He's still at home while he saves money to move out but there is a light at the end of the tunnel . . . . . . I'm just saying . . .

Blessings, Cathi

18208

Beaufort/Hilton Head, South Carolina

2011-05-07T21:52:00.001-04:00

Yes, this is where I am this weekend. I know I should have blogged about this BEFORE I left but time seems to be getting away with me more lately. I didn't even send out the email newsletter for May....yet.

I am at the Sea Island Quilters Quilt Show this weekend in Beaufort, South Carolina. Just a hop, skip and a jump over a few marshes and waterways from Hilton Head and home to Parris Island Marine Recruitment Depot.

It's Mother's Day weekend, I know, but my kids celebrated it with me last Sunday. And, ssssshhhhh, but I am getting what I want for Mother's Day . . . . . a few days away from the kids. It's quiet and peaceful. Dear Hubby spent the day playing golf with one of his BFFs that live here. I sat in my booth with great quilts and quilters all around me.... including the wool ones!

The show ran today and runs tomorrow (Sunday) from 10 - 4 at the Brown Activity Center at the corner of Greene and Hamar Streets in Beaufort. So if you are in the area, stop on by!

Next weekend . . . . Kernersville/Colfax, North Carolina located between Winston-Salem and Greensboro. More information on that later this week.

Blessings, Cathi

My springtime penny rug . . . . .

2011-04-27T15:44:00.002-04:00

Do you remember when I was working on these .......

Here they are finished.

And when I am finished with using the sample in my booth, I think I may use it with this enamel pot . . . . .

Or maybe this one with flowers in it . . . . .

Hope you have sunshine and flowers in your little corner of the world today!

Blessings, Cathi

Another blogger visit . . . . .

2011-04-23T12:39:00.004-04:00

I just got back from visiting Judy from JayTee's Patchwork Place. She lives literally around the corner from Dear Mother-in-law whom we are visiting this weekend and belongs to the same church as Dear Hubby's family. His family has been going to the same country church for generations.

Judy even let me "drive" her new long arm machine that she just got last month. I stole this picture from her blog since I forgot my camera. I hope she doesn't mind.

She has been quilting lots of charity quilts on it and is getting quite good at it. If I only had a room to put one in . . . . .

Blessings, Cathi

Rutherford County, North Carolina . . . . .

2011-04-14T11:19:00.002-04:00

This weekend's show is in Rutherford County. Much easier to say than Rutherfordton. Although that doesn't matter because the show is actually in Spindale which is a suburb of Shelby which is down the road from Rutherfordton. Regardless, if you are anywhere near any of those towns you know exactly where I am talking about. The show is at the Isothermal Community College. Here is the link for more details.

On the quilting front, I did FINALLY put the rows together from my Thoughts of Christmas BOM that I started last year.

This thing is HUGE. And I haven't put the borders on it yet! How am I supposed to quilt this with my limited space?! So you can see the size better, Nelson decided to help me by modeling.

First the scratching . . . . .

Then he noticed a squirrel . . . . .

And when he was finally tired of all the distractions . . . . .

He sat right down on it . . . . .

Hope to see you at the show!

Blessings, Cathi

Pay It Forward . . . . .

2011-04-12T13:02:00.003-04:00

I was sooooo hoping when I saw Carol's post about sending her latest Pay It Forward gift to one of her Pay It Forward picks that it was me. I was right!!

The colors are PERFECT for me. I just love it ....... Thanks so much, Carol !

So now it is my turn to Pay It Forward.

I will be picking 3 people to Pay It Forward. If you would like to be one of my 3 Pay It Forward friends just leave a comment.

The first 3 friends to leave a comment on this post will be my Pay It Forward people. I will make each of you something sometime this year. (Carol only took two months!) Can anyone say "WOOL"?

All you need to do in return is carry on this random act of kindness by posting on your blog a Pay It Forward, too, and make your 3 friends something, they in turn will Pay It Forward, and so on.

Blessings, Cathi

Oops . . . . . it's hailing . . . . .

2011-04-10T12:26:00.003-04:00

I was going to post more last night but first show you this picture of what I came home to.

And this . . . . .

The second one is not a good picture but you get the idea. (For more pictures, see Teresa's blog) I was soaking wet by the time I loaded my van last night and had to drive home in the rain but I didn't go through anything like this! The road leading from the highway to my house was littered with hail, downed leaves and debris. As I was going through the neighborhoods, I could see everyone out inspecting the damage to their cars . . . . . including Dear Hubby.

After dinner, which Dear Hubby had waiting for me by the way, I had all intentions of writing this post and replying to more emails when the power went out briefly. Enough to mess up the router and modem keeping me off the internet until Computer Geek came to the rescue this morning.

Hope everyone enjoyed their day yesterday. I will email all of you when I get a chance today. We have a lot of cleaning up to do in the yard and the van to unload still.

Blessings, Cathi

What I've finished today . . . so far . . . .

2011-04-09T16:04:00.000-04:00

I did work on my old world Santas cross-stitch but you can't tell I have done anything so no picture yet.

But I did manage to finish the hand work on my next penny rug.

They are from another pattern by Primitive Gatherings called "Petals for Penny Table Mat". If I ever updated my website, it would be on there for sale. I do have it for sale in my booth. Next I just have to applique them to the background and put on a backing. Penny rugs are so quick and easy to make. And they take just scraps of wool.

Only an hour left in the show then the hard part....packing up, taking it down the elevator and into the van. Let's hope the rain holds off until we are finished!

Blessings, Cathi

While I am here . . . . .

2011-04-09T13:35:00.001-04:00

I thought I would show you the Christmas quilts that are here at the show. I don't have a photo editor on this laptop so please excuse the pictures. They may not all be Christmas quilts but they are red and green.

This many not be Christmas-y but look at the bottom right corner....how cute!

Blow up of the Christmas block .....

That's all for now. How are the rest of you doing on your Christmas Quit Along?

Blessings, Cathi

What I'll be working on today . . . .

2011-04-09T10:41:00.000-04:00

Hopefully I will have some sales today to keep me too busy to post but at the moment there aren't any.

I know this isn't quilting but I was too tired last night to prep some more handwork. And didn't get to it before that.

The copyright date on the back of the pattern is 1998. I'm pretty sure I started it that year. There are 5 old world Santas on this pattern.

If you click on the picture, you will see that it is 28 count linen! My eyes were 13 years younger when I started on it. I have one other Santa that you can't see finished. So two more Santas and the rest of the border. Told Dear Hubby that if I EVER finished it, that I would spend the money to have it professionally framed. It deserves it after all this time in a hoop!

I'll be back later. If you are new to the Christmas Quilt Along, go to the 2011 CQAL tab at the top. Sign up on Mr. Linky and join us today for a day of getting your Christmas quilting done long before Christmas Eve! You will receive the third block in a series to make the Christmas quilt shown on the CQAL tab.

Blessings, Cathi

Merry Christmas ! . . . . .

2011-04-09T05:00:00.003-04:00

and welcome to this month's Christmas Quilt Along. Yes, I know it's a little early for some of you but those participating in Australia have been up for hours!

I am spending the day at a quilt show in Lincolnton, North Carolina. I do have wifi and will take my camera so I hope I can be participating some and definitely checking out all of your blogs.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Blessings, Cathi

Don't forget . . . . .

2011-04-08T21:25:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow is our third installment of the 2011 Christmas Quilt Along! Check out my Christmas Quilt Along 2011 tab located at the top of this blog to begin! Remember it's already Saturday somewhere......

Pick out those Christmas DVD's, find a cookie recipe (Christmas cookies are good all year round), tell the family the frozen pizza is available whenever they heat the oven and shut the sewing room door. Oh, but leave some computer time so you can visit everyone else that's playing with us!

Blessings, Cathi

This weekend . . . . .

2011-04-05T11:09:00.001-04:00

This weekend will be the next installment of the Christmas Quilt Along that Sue and I are sharing. I am the hostess with the mostest this month.

And yes, I will be vending at a show in Lincolnton this weekend. Too bad, cause I really want to work on some more Christmas projects. But those participating, don't you fret. I have everything covered. You will get your next block pattern when you sign up with Mr. Linky on my Christmas Quilt Along 2011 tab sometime Saturday. And thanks to the Blogger ability to schedule posts, I will be posting all day long with some contests!

Want to see what it will look like? Of course, you do!

Just as simple as the others but once we get these all together . . . . . you'll be amazed.

And now for the news about Lincolnton.

The show is this Friday and Saturday, April 8th and 9th from 9:30 until 5:00 at the James Warren Citizens Center, 115 W. Main Street in Lincolnton, North Carolina.

I will have new Christmas bundles of my wool. A lot of the wool has been restocked. Hopefully, I will have the sample of the Sunflowers pattern by Primitive Gatherings put together enough to see how beautiful it will be AND I hope to have the new Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine for sale. I ordered a bunch to sell in the booth but not sure if it will be shipped in time.

I sent out my first email newsletter this morning. If you signed up for it and didn't receive it, it is probably because you didn't do the second part of the sign up by replying to the opt-in email that was automatically sent to you when you signed up. And for those that don't know what I am talking about, go to the front page of my website. There is a sign-up for monthly emails. I hope they will be monthly. I hope I remember to send them! On time! And have something to write about! Who me .... have nothing to say? Preposterous!

Blessings, Cathi

Cobblestone . . . . .

2011-04-01T16:39:00.001-04:00

This is a little quilt that I finished in January. It's called Cobblestone by Primitive Gatherings.

I think I may do it again but in pastels for Easter and maybe red and green for Christmas. When I say little, I mean little. Just 15" x 15". If you look closely, one of the patches in the 4-patch is a tiny 4-patch that measures only 1/2" finished.

Blessings, Cathi

How fun is this ?! . . . . .

2011-03-28T11:52:00.000-04:00

I bought 2 yards of this fun toile fabric by Alexander Henry called "midnight pastoral" . This is just a one of the scenes.

I'm thinking a very traditional quilt with this as the background and oranges and blacks for the rest of the quilt. I would like to make the pattern that uses the snowball block and the nine-patch in an alternating pattern. Does that have a formal name? I could do the math myself but if it's already been done. . . . . .

Apparently this fabric has been out for at least a year and I didn't know it. I don't get out much . . . . . .

Blessings, Cathi

Happy Rudy Day! . . . . .

2011-03-25T10:48:00.001-04:00

Finally posted again on my Christmas blog after 8 long months away from that one. I think all the spammers have been taken care of.

Hope to get some Christmas quilting/sewing done today that I can show you later on.

Enjoy your day!

Blessings, Cathi

What you missed . . . . .

2011-03-22T21:56:00.002-04:00

if you didn't make it to the quilt show in Sumter. I was amazed at the number of quilts in this show. And the quality of the quilts. It was held in an old historic building that now houses the Sumter County Fine Arts Council among other things. Beautiful architecture.

Also, a little awkward setting up the booth. The vendors were to set up in the dining hall. Here is my space before I set up . . . . . I won't bore you with another of my booth setups.

But look at the architectural details!

Here are a few of the many quilts they had . . . . .

first one of plaids. Boy, do I have enough plaids to do several of these.

And a penny rug quilt . . . . .

And some more fun ones that I just liked . . . . .

And the detail . . . .

Look what you can do with giant rick-rack !

Or with leftover hexagons !

And more plaids !

It's late and I need to sign off for tonight. Hope you enjoyed this little visit and get inspired like I did!

Blessings, Cathi

Sumter, South Carolina . . . . .

2011-03-17T15:33:00.003-04:00

That's where I will be this weekend. The Swan Lake Quilt Guild will be holding their quilt show this weekend. It is Saturday from 10 until 4 and Sunday from 1 until 4 in Patriot Hall, downtown Sumter, South Carolina. Click on their website link above to get more details.

I have been dying lots of wool again this week. This is what's left . . . . .

and this to overdye . . . . . . .

but that will have to wait for another day. I will actually have a few weeks "off" until the next show. Just enough time to do the dreaded taxes, clean and maybe even do a little yard work.

Some of you have shown interest in a kit for the "Sunflowers" pattern by Primitive Gatherings. Well, I just want you to know that I am really getting close to finishing. Here's proof . . . . .

There are 13 golds in this kit along with browns, greens and reds. Definitely the most involved kit yet. I still have the greens to finish and a sample to make. Don't know the price yet but will let you know when it is available. Good thing I kept good notes!

Coming up in April ......... Lincoln and Rutherford Counties in North Carolina. More details soon.

If you haven't been to the website lately, I have added a sign up for a monthly(ish) newsletter. Hop on over there and sign up today. I guarantee I won't send out emails more than once a month. Who has time !?!

Blessings, Cathi

Thanks to all . . . . .

2011-03-13T20:42:00.000-04:00

for your kind comments about my brother. They meant a lot. I'm sorry if I didn't get to reply back to all the emails.

Brother #1 (SeabeeBoy) and I cleaned out Dave's room at the nursing home on Wednesday. It was kind of sad to think his whole life was compacted to one 10' x 15' room there. Many of the staff came up to us during the day saying how they would miss his sense of humor and winning smile.

The three amigos .... SeabeeBoy, FiberGuy and Dave

Thursday had me taking SeabeeBoy to the airport so he could fly back home and the rest of the day trying to figure out where to put the rest of Dave's stuff in my already overcrowded house.

I tell you all that to explain why I didn't participate in this past weekend's Christmas Quilt Along. Sue's probably mad at me 'cause I didn't even put up the reminder. I meant to Sue, really I did!

After the week I had, that left me with only Friday to get ready for a show which fortunately was Saturday only. It was the annual meeting of the Quilters of South Carolina. 270 women came to hear Susan Cleveland speak to the group in Orangeburg. A town that houses South Carolina State that is located 30 miles east of the state capital of Columbia. We had a wonderful day and sales were brisk.

The next show is this weekend. I'll post a little about it this week ........ and keep apologizing for not even mentioning the Quilt Along this past week!!

Blessings, Cathi

And then there were four . . . . .

2011-03-09T08:35:00.000-05:00

Sorry I've been away so long.

My brother, David, passed away last night after a long battle. He was left a quadriplegic after a car accident in 1989. 22 years in that condition is a long time.

Dave is on the right in this 1983 photo of the five of us.

Circa 1963 just before my sister was born. Pudgy little Dave is in the middle.

He died peacefully and he wasn't alone.

Blessings, Cathi