Merry Christmas to all......

May the spirit and peace of the day be in your heart all year!

Blessings, Cathi

I hope the birds like me.....

Dear Son #2 and I made filled the orange "bowls" tonight with homemade suet.

He's concentrating really hard.

Here are a few of them finished and ready to hang. There are 14 in all.


A not too clear picture of the tree after I put the orange cups on it. It was dark and my camera doesn't take pictures too well at night.


And finally a picture of the cups at work. The mix has lard, wheat flour, corn meal, sugar, bird seed, peanut butter and dried cranberries. Who could refuse a meal like that?! I hope we have some visitors soon.

Blessings, Cathi

I finally won a give-away.....

I won a give-away.....my first one! Happy, happy, joy, joy. I won the pillow pattern from Mary over at Quilt Hollow. I actually won a month ago but sweet Mary had some unforseen problems that kept her from sending it in the mail until now. I've stolen the picture from her blog to show you. Thanks, Mary!!

I told her that I wasn't in a hurry since all quilting and sewing has been put on hold until after the holidays. Or should I say until the dreaded snowman wallhanging is finished. I have decided that January is officially "Cathi" month at our home. I turn 50 in January and I want to sew. Do I sound whiney?? I hope so. It's MY TURN!

Blessings, Cathi

Holiday Tour of Homes .... Day 4

I'm finally feeling better enough to post more pictures. These are some of the upstairs trees. I never did put up the tree in the boys room. Dear Son #2 hasn't cleaned his room enough for me to make my way to the other side of the room without the possiblity of breaking my neck. But I just refuse to clean it for him. He's 19. Let him live in the mess....I'll just shut the door.


This is the upstairs landing. These stockings I made for the kids about 15 years ago. I only fill the last 3 since Dear Daughter #1 is married now with a home of her own. But the others use theirs. The key to a good stocking is making it LOOK big but in reality doesn't hold very much. They don't get anything exciting, just a Christmas pez, cracker jacks, some other candy and socks usually. Dear Son #1 asked for fingernail clippers in his this year. I mean really, son. They are only a couple of bucks at just about everywhere. Kids are funny.


Here is a close-up......


This is the tree in our bedroom. I don't have a tree skirt on this one yet. On the list for next year (that's what I said last year!)

I did spend the weekend baking. I made 20 dozen cookies. I don't think I ate any real food this weekend, just cookie dough. I think I need some real food. Tonight I put tree #7 out on the back deck with lights. I cut 7 oranges in half, scooped out the inards and dried the shells in the oven. I hope to make some suets tomorrow night after work, put them in the orange shells and hang on the outside tree with some red bows. I think the birds will like it and the cat will enjoy the entertainment.

Blessings, Cathi

Holiday Tour of Homes .... Day ??

Sorry I didn't post the past two days like I thought. I've been fighting a cold for over a week and the cold finally won. I was out of work all day on Wednesday and had medicine head all day Thursday. I did make it through the whole day at work (trying to save my vacation time for next week). I hope to post the last of my pictures this evening or tomorrow.

Blessings, Cathi

Holiday Tour of Homes .... Day 3

This one will be a long post. I have so much stuff in the living room and I love it all. I just didn't know where to stop! I have really mixed up the decorations this year which is why it took me so long to decorate. I just didn't know where to put it. But the light bulb finally came on.

Here is one end of the living room.......

And here is the other........

And the mantle in between..... Notice the big white spot in the middle. That's where the famous (or is now infamous) snowman wallhanging goes. Still not quilted. I'm still having faith in myself that it will be done by Christmas Day!

And all the details for you to enjoy.....

Dear Hubby made the dry sink and the shelf above it. The Noah's Ark bird house was a gift from Dear Hubby one Christmas. He is so talented ;>)

This great looking guy was a gift from my mom many years ago. She got him from a craft show in Pennsylvania. His coat is made from an old quilt. He is my absolute favorite Christmas gift ever and my most favorite decoration.

This snowman was a gift from Dear Daughter #2. What I like the most about this little vignette is that Dear Hubby made it all by himself. I asked him to put something together to put over the tv cabinet and this is what he came up with! And he says he isn't creative.

Don't quite remember where I got this little guy but I do remember the sleigh was bought at the state fairgrounds in Raleigh. If you are ever in North Carolina on Thanksgiving weekend, make an extra effort to go to the Christmas Carousel Craft show that is held at the fairgrounds. It's one of the best I have ever seen.

This stocking doesn't look too primitive but it is sentimental. The fabric came from Dear Daughter #1 and is my favorite newest color, "grinch green". The ribbon is from her, also. But what is sentimental are the buttons. They all came from Sweet Granny's collection. She passed away over 10 years ago now. She had quite an extensive button collection and it all came to me.

Another Saundra White pattern.......

I just love working with wool........From one of the Need'l Love Books

You can't see him in the bigger overall pictures but he is to the left of the french doors guarding the rubber tree plant.

Over the computer cabinet.........

And finally my new little woolie pillow that Dear Hubby fell in love with. I had made it for a boutique sale at our quilt guild's quilt show but Dear Hubby asked me to keep it instead of selling it. How could I say no?!

Hope you enjoyed the packed living room. Tomorrow the upstairs.....

Blessings, Cathi

Holiday Tour of Homes .... Day 2

I hope you are enjoying the tour so far.....

Today is the kitchen, guest bathroom and the foyer (which I should have included with the dining room).

We remodeled the kitchen last year between Thanksgiving and Christmas (what we were thinking!!). The decorations look so much better in a newer kitchen!

I love this cabinet which I think I mentioned during the Fall Tour of Homes. It's always changing.

This is the foyer, quite different from last year. I moved what was on here to the top of the new computer cabinet. I wanted to make gingerbread men to hang on the Swedish tree (made by Dear Hubby, of course!) but haven't gotten to any baking yet. Maybe soon. The wallhanging is from one of my favorite designers, Cheri Saffiote-Payne. And, as usual for me, the snowman is a favorite of mine.....the uglier the better!

The guest bath.....

Another one of Saundra White's I Done My Best patterns. Too bad you can't find them anymore. I have a bunch of them. And if anyone has any they are willing to part with (hint, hint)

And yet another shelf made by Dear Hubby...aren't I a lucky duck. Completely changed from last year so still a work in progress.

Tomorrow will be the living room.

Blessings, Cathi

Holiday Tour of Homes .... Day 1

Over at the Magical Holiday Home Forum, we are having a tour of homes for Christmas just like we did for the Fall. Head on over to Cathy's blog, Pumpkins and Reindeers, to see the links.

I plan on showing you a few pictures at a time. I decorate a lot. I have tried to cut back before but some people complained that it wasn't Christmas unless I put it all out. So here goes......

First the dining room

This table centerpiece is new this year and special to me. My grandpa was a carpenter by trade. This was one of his original tool boxes that he used.

Of course, all of this looks much better in person and wonderful at night.

Tomorrow, the kitchen and guest bath.

Blessings, Cathi

A wonderful gift from .....

....my ornament exchange pal. I belong to another Christmas forum (surprise, surprise) at My Merry Christmas . I signed up for an ornament exchange and got mine in the mail today. Isn't she cute?



Thanks so much, Lindsey!

Blessings, Cathi

South Carolina Quilters show their .......

BRAS....I am a member (and currently a board member) of the Quilters of South Carolina. Our fearless leader challenged us way back in February to decorate bras....yes, there were a few rules. They were unveiled (on hangers) at our fall retreat this past October. Here they are for all of you to enjoy. I'm here to say, these ladies have some talent.

Artful Bras of South Carolina

Blessings, Cathi

My MHH Card Exchange.....

Edit.........copied from my Christmas blog..........

I belong to a Christmas forum called Magical Holiday Home (MHH). A bunch of us are exchanging Christmas cards. I thought I would share some of the cards I have gotten so far. There will be a total of 40 in all, some from as far away as Scotland, The Netherlands, Australia and Canada! Really cool.

Blessings, Cathi

I never was very good at TAG.....

Hide and go seek was always my favorite outdoor game. Well, that and kickball. But, nevertheless, I have been tagged by Teresa at Stitchin' Friends. And to show there are no hard feelings, I'll play along. I might even learn something about myself.

The rules to play TAG are these: ~ Post a link to the blog that challenged you and add these rules to your post:
~ Share 7 things about yourself~ Challenge 7 other blogs at the end of your post through naming their blog and post a link to it.
~ Let them know they're been challenged by leaving a comment on their blog.

So, here goes......

1. I lettered in a sport in college. Yup, me. I lettered for 2 years in field hockey at East Carolina. Before you are overly impressed, let me explain. Field Hockey is not a sport in the south. They don't teach it in high schools anymore. Most people down here don't even know what it is. At ECU, which was a pretty big school even back then ('76-'80), there were 13 of us on the entire team. 11 Yankees and two people from the South that walked by one day and said "Hey, that looks like fun." So we let them play.

2. I didn't really enjoy my honeymoon. Other than the obvious part that I did enjoy, I didn't enjoy where we went. My mom and dad decided to surprise Dear Hubby and I with an all-expense paid trip to DisneyWorld for 3 days. I know I should be grateful. But DisneyWorld was not my first choice. They didn't ask us where we wanted to go but beggars can't be choosers. I really wanted to go to New England. It was May. DisneyWorld (and the rest of Florida) is hot in May. I don't do well in the hot.

3. I started sewing in 3rd grade. I made a skirt. I don't remember anything else about it. Mom taught me how to sew and I took to it like a duck to water. Even when I was in college, I would go visit my granny that lived 2 hrs away and use her knee peddle Singer to get my sewing fix. Sweet Granny bought a Singer for me for a wedding gift. Not traditional but no wedding gift was more loved or used than that. More than I can say about the ornate toothbrush holder that we re-gifted before re-gifting was even a word.

4. I cannot knit. As crafty as I think I am, I just don't get the whole knitting thing. While my Sweet Granny could sew, my paternal grandmother (that we nicknamed Half-Pint due to her being vertically challenged) did just about everything else. She made beautiful flower arrangements, could dye wool, hook a rug, embroider, cross-stitch, do crewelwork, etc. She was the first person to send me on my needlework path by teaching me to embroider on one of those little "kids kits" that you could buy way back in the day (late 60's). Half-Pint taught me twice how to knit but I forgot by the time I was out to the car. Dear Daughter #1 has taught me how to knit. As long as she casts on and off for me, I can make a few rows without messing up.

5. I have known my best friend since before she was born. Weird, huh? But true. Judi's parents lived across the street from us in our little town in PA. We moved in our house when I was 6 weeks old. Her parents moved in not long after that. She is 19 months younger than I am. You do the math. And we are still friends today. She is still in PA. I don't get to see her as often as I like but every once in a while we still bond. I feel a field trip coming on.

6. I used to own a quilt shop. Not for very long.....only 2-1/2 years, but an intense 2-1/2 years. Unless you have an endless amount of energy and a very thick skin, don't open a retail shop. It's a lot of work and you can burn out easily.

7. FINALLY......Contrary to what others put on their list of 7, I have the most wonderful husband in the world. No explanation needed. He just is. You're just going to have to accept the fact and move on.

Now on to the 7 I am tagging.

1. Cathy at several blogs but I'll link you to her Christmas blog. I think she and I think a like on a lot of different levels.

2. Leann because she is the only one that "follows" me. So she must be my friend. LOL

As Teresa said..I am only going to name those two. I have seen many people tagged and have even seen a few bloggers with a "NO TAGGING" icon on their sidebar. The only reason I played is because I haven't been tagged before. So if you haven't been tagged....Go tag yourself. There are no TAG Police to come arrest you if you don't exactly go by the rules and I don't think GOOGLE will close down your blog if you don't want to play. Just have fun!

Blessings, Cathi

Valentine has a new home...........

In the midst of Christmas decorating and rearranging, I decided to move Valentine to a better location. He is growing a little but not at the rate that I thought he should be. He is now settled on top of an old cast iron stove that sits in my living room in front of the window. This window gets full afternoon sun so he should be warm and toasty in the afternoon. Hopefully this will encourage a growth spurt!



Blessings, Cathi

Help, I'm drowning and I can't get up.......

Okay, stupid title but that's how I feel. Here is a picture of my sewing room. I must really love my kids 'cause when they come to the house for dinner, I want the downstairs to be clean and clutter-free. So where does everything get dumped......the sewing room.



Last Wednesday afternoon, everything that didn't belong somewhere went into the sewing room so we could have a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. Yes, there are Christmas presents in there. Kids, you can look but you won't find. Once the Christmas decorations are up, I am diving in to clean up this mess. I have 4 trees finished. Only 4 to go. (See my Christmas blog for more info). I have to get back to sewing if not just for my own mental well-being. Plus I still have that cute little snowman wallhanging to quilt that HAS to go up over the mantel.

Can anyone feel my pain?

Blessings, Cathi

Happy Thanksgiving.......

Blessings, Cathi

Teresa's was wonderful.......

We had a great time at Teresa's tonight. I was having so much fun, I didn't really remember to take many pictures. But here are a few. The first one is from Martha(non-blogger). I can't remember if she said they were from a kit or a BOM but I do remember she got it from QBee Quilts in southwest Charlotte.

This picture is of Cheryl (non-blogger) getting ready to start her next applique project. Cheryl has a thing for animals.



The "surprise" Teresa had was a couple of games that she had arranged. We played "button, button" for the entire two hours. I didn't win anything but I didn't lose, either. The second (and much more fun because I was pretty good at it) was Quilt Pictionary. We each took turns picking slips of paper with block names and drawing the quilt block. The only rules were that we couldn't draw the actual block or use numbers or letters. I was pretty good at guessing......I guessed one in 3 seconds.......but I am now thinking it was because my team members were pretty good draw-ers. I thought my drawings were pretty good but noone guessed mine. So either I am not so good at drawing, the block names were too obscure or my teammates were bad guessers. Anyway, my team didn't win but we sure had a lot of fun.

Thanks, Teresa

How's that amaryllis coming.........

I didn't take a picture of Valentine this morning. I was running late as usual. Dear Hubby and I bought a new mattress back in July. You know the one.....with the super soft padding on the top. Ever since then I have found it nearly impossible to get out of bed in the morning. It is so comfortable. So as usual I was running late for work.

Valentine is not much taller than last week but he is looking a lot greener. You couldn't tell from last week's picture but he was looking a bit sickly.

Tonight, I am going to Teresa's house for our monthly applique/handwork group called As the Needle Turns. We usually meet at a local church but this month we received an email that Teresa is hosting it at her house and to expect a surprise! I love T's surprises. We'll have to see which one of us can get the details up on their blog first!

Blessings, Cathi

Hello, noreply-comment bloggers.........

I don't know how the rest of you feel about comments. Sometimes I get frustrated when someone leaves a comment and I can't send an email back because they are a "noreply-comment" blogger. And they don't even know they are. Case in point........ME. I left a comment for myself on one of my blogs. Sure enough, a few seconds later the email comes to me and it is from "noreply-comment@blogger.com" After what seemed likes days of searching, I found out from Amanda at notsoextraordinary.blogspot.com, that all it takes is a little teeny tiny click of a box on your blogspot profile to fix it.

Now maybe you don't want people to reply to your comments and that's fine. But I love getting (non-spam) emails. I would even love to comment back to some people but can't find an email to send back to them. If you would like to join the non no-reply world, here's all you have to do....

• Go to your dashboard
• Next to your picture, click "edit profile"
• Click the teeny little box (third one down) that says "show my email address"

So simple.....I feel so silly. I swear I looked everywhere for that little toggle. Now I know.......now you know.

Blessings, Cathi

Okay, maybe by Valentine's Day

Well, I finally got the amaryllis planted. I think I'll name it Valentine......'cause I think that is when it will be blooming! It's supposed to be deep red, according to the package, so I think the name is just right.

Blessings, Cathi

The saga of the Amaryllis

A couple of weeks ago, Leann over at You would even say it glows posted about her amaryllis. I thought this would be a neat thing to do. Mine would only be a week behind. I figured if I got it started that next weekend, it would bloom the week before Christmas......perfect! Well, a week went by before I even bought the thing. Now five days after that I have decided to show you how mine looks. Here it is........



.......still in the box. Stay tuned.

Blessings, Cathi

I'm not a quiltmaker, I'm a top maker.

As you can see on my sidebar, I have a list of UFO's (unfinished objects). Please DO NOT think that this very short list is the only UFO's I have on my quilting list. I just needed to start somewhere. One of these days soon, I will put the entire list up there. Almost my entire UFO list is just the quilting....hence the title of this post. I love making tops. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have finished quilts but I just haven't taken the time to practice my free-motion quilting. And I can't really afford to pay someone to finish them. But I did manage to finish one little table runner that I started not too long ago. Maybe there is hope for me.

Thimbleberries Fall table runner made with not so many Thimbleberries fabrics. But it's cute!

Blessings, Cathi

FYI - Never volunteer to fix an old quilt *sigh*

A co-worker of mine asked if I would mind fixing a quilt that was made by some long ago relative. His daughter always sleeps with it (so he says). It is well loved (ie: they didn't take real good care of it). And all the black fabrics have started to disintegrate. I thought sure why not. It is a log cabin pattern. I thought it would be as simple as appliquing new logs over the damaged black logs. But when I got into it, the batting was also gone behind those logs. So I had to take some quilting out to get the remaining batting out of the damaged areas. But there were two kinds of quilting. One was hand quilting done with cotton string. You read right, string. With the knots on the outside. The other quilting was machine quilting that must have been set at 25 stitch per inch. The only plus to that is that the tension was so off, that I could go on the back, pull the bobbin thread and 24" would come out. Then when I really looked at the back, I noticed that the backing was starting to wear thin in some areas showing the batting inside. What started out as a quick log applique has become a pretty big ordeal. To keep from going insane, I am just going to take out the quilting, fix the top, layer with new batting and backing and machine quilt.

I could just fix the bad logs and give it back but it wouldn't make it through another washing. At least I know it will be fixed to last for several more decades. Long ago relative's top will still look the same for the most part and I will have salvaged part of their family's heritage. But unless it's part of MY family heritage, I won't offer to do it again.

Blessings, Cathi

Yaaaay, Phillies !!!

Can you tell which part of "the North" I was born in ?

I still haven't finished the snowman wallhanging ! The game came on and I didn't want to leave the couch for one minute to go upstairs and iron the rest of the hollyberries on. I think I'll just wait and post it after I get it quilted. It will be over the fireplace mantel this year so I HAVE to finish it. Here is a sneak peek of what I have done so far.

Blessings, Cathi

Retreating is FUN !

Retreat was so much fun. We had a horrific storm Friday afternoon near dinner time but other than that the weather was picture perfect.

This is a picture looking from the back porch down the meadow to one of the lakes Saturday morning. I had already had coffee and breakfast by then. I like to sit out on the porch in a rocking chair with the coffee in the morning but because it is later in the year than we usually go and it isn't daylight savings time yet, it was dark at 7:00.

This is a picture from the same spot Saturday afternoon. Isn't it beautiful? The leaves hadn't changed as much as I had hoped but gorgeous nonetheless.

Yes, I did do some sewing. In fact I got an entire wallhanging top finished. I hope to take a picture of it tomorrow and post then. I have some handwork to do on it that I will finish up tonight.

We had 282 registered for retreat this year which is the most ever. What a great way to spend a fall weekend .......... with 281 of my best friends in a beautiful location ......... quilting!

One last picture...

Blessings, Cathi