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Quilting for a Happy Life

art, color, and design in joyful quilting

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I always look forward to your comments and I will reply as soon as possible.

Hi – I’m Catie

Hi - Welcome to my corner of the Internet! I started making quilts years ago, and I've made a few dozen. Still, there are so many techniques I want to learn! I've stopped working full-time, and I'm thrilled to be able to take a deeper dive into all things quilting. Y-seams, curves, color harmony, transparency, and more are on my radar. I publish posts once every week or two. Subscribe to the blog to follow along. Happy quilting! Catie

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Quilting
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Happy Life

On the Blog

Quilting
Small Projects
Bags & Pouches
Happy Life

I did a thing! My friend talked me into having a b

I did a thing! My friend talked me into having a booth at the local artist and craft fair - aka the Jingle Mingle. I had fun, but I forgot to take any picture, except this one. I sold some pieces and I took some home. That sounds pretty normal. I learned a lot by doing it and I have some ideas on how to improve next time.

Sometimes a pop of color is just the ticket. Find

Sometimes a pop of color is just the ticket. Find these happy pillows at the Jingle Mingle this Saturday, Nov. 2nd at the Rocky Mount Imperial Centre. It’s going to be a fun day with 50 artists, door prizes, and free admission.

Here is a fun batch of lanyards to brighten up my

Here is a fun batch of lanyards to brighten up my spot at the Jingle Mingle. Nov. 2nd - Imperial Centre - Rocky Mount, NC.

This is my newest make, the Oxbow Tote designed by

This is my newest make, the Oxbow Tote designed by Noodlehead. I think it’s a fantastic pattern. It comes together step-by-step. Before you know it, you’re done. #oxbowtote #noodleheadpatterns

My latest Haralson Bag! I've been trying new proje

My latest Haralson Bag! I've been trying new projects, and I really enjoy making the Haralson bag. It's a Noodlehead pattern by Anna Graham. Thanks Anna!

I am working to learn how to do needle-turn appliq

I am working to learn how to do needle-turn applique and this feels like a breakthrough to me! I'm giving myself a little pat on the back!

#joaverydreambirds #needleturnapplique

Why not make a canvas bag and pose it with the new

Why not make a canvas bag and pose it with the new fat quarters you bought at Cary Quilting Company? #openwidebag #noodleheadpatterns #caryquiltingcompany

I haven’t been too active on Instagram lately, b

I haven’t been too active on Instagram lately, but now I’m back. And I changed my username! I feel rejuvenated. Enjoy the flowers!

I finally finished quilting the Secret Agent Myste

I finally finished quilting the Secret Agent Mystery Quilt designed by Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr. It was a fun project. This is the first time I ever tried glue basting. I don't think it will be my go-to method, but it did work fine. Now on to new projects!

#modernquilter
#making
#quiltmaker
#creativityeveryday
#sewyourstash
#ncquilter

It's a beautiful spring in eastern North Carolina.

It's a beautiful spring in eastern North Carolina. The azaleas are blooming, the garden is awake, the oaks are sporting new leaves against a Carolina blue sky, and the bees are back in the water dish. What's not to love?

#ncspring #ncgardening, ncquilter

Instagram post 18026071741862071

Instagram post 18026071741862071

Monday morning #quiltmaker #makersgonnamake #ncqui

Monday morning #quiltmaker #makersgonnamake #ncquilter

I took a little break from Insta to work on some o

I took a little break from Insta to work on some other things and I saw a pattern on Ann Wood Handmade for tiny paper chickens. Of course I had to make them! Thanks Ann Wood for such a fun design! #annwoodpattern #missthistlesociety #maker #ncquilter

100 Days of Creativity, Day 13 Trying a new skill,

100 Days of Creativity, Day 13
Trying a new skill, again

Here is my second go at needle-turned applique. It's a little bit better than my first try but still pretty wobbly. I can't honestly call it needle-turned. I pinched the edges nearly to death and stuffed recalcitrant bits under with the point of my scissors. Oh well, I'll keep working on it.
#100dayproject
#100daysofcreativity
#quiltmaker
#fabricart
#learnbydoing
#sewyourstash
#needleturnapplique
#ncquilter

March 4 100 Days of Creativity, Day 12 Trying a ne

March 4
100 Days of Creativity, Day 12
Trying a new skill

Let's talk about needle-turned applique! I attended the Thread House Taster Weekend and watched Jo Avery stitch one of her terrific dream birds. I love those birds and I have to learn how to make them.

I don't know how to do needle-turn applique so I decided to start simple. I did manage to sew this shape to the background and I can easily recognize that it's a heart. It was not as easy as Jo makes it look in the video, but I'm claiming it for a win!

#100dayproject
#100daysofcreativity
#quiltmaker
#fabricart
#learnbydoing
#sewyourstash
#threadhouseacademy
#needleturnapplique
#ncquilter

100 Days of Design x Dice 3.3.24 - Day 11 The ro

100 Days of Design x Dice
3.3.24 - Day 11

The roll of the dice:
Die #1 - Colors: 2 - Complementary
Die #2 - Design Prompt: 5 - Grid
Die #3 - Inspiration: 5 - House & Garden objects

Keep working and be flexible

I decided to stop my 100-day project while I was still in bed this morning. I've fallen behind, and I'm making less progress than I'd hoped. With that still in my mind, I saw this cute little piece from yesterday. Just adding a bit of stitching made it more satisfying to me. The takeaway is to keep going and it's OK to change (or break) the rules any time.

#100dayproject
#100daysofcreativity
#quiltmaker
#fabricart
#learnbydoing
#sewyourstash
#ncquilter

100 Days of Design x Dice 3.1.24 - Day 10 The ro

100 Days of Design x Dice
3.1.24 - Day 10

The roll of the dice:
Die #1 - Colors: 5 - Blues
Die #2 - Design Prompt: 1 - Artist's choice
Die #3 - Inspiration: 4 - Insects
I've completed ten days of the 100 Day Project! I'm a little late, but who's counting? The garden is waking up, and I've seen a couple of butterflies so far. It's still freezing sometimes at night, but temperatures are in the 60s and even over 70 degrees. I'm excited for spring to come.

I attended my first Quiltcon, and I am still processing the experience! I had a terrific time.

#100dayproject
#100daysofcreativity
#quiltmaker
#fabricart
#learnbydoing
#sewyourstash
#ncquilter

Instagram post 18022113599311246

Instagram post 18022113599311246

100 Days of Design x Dice 2.26. 24 - Day Nine Th

100 Days of Design x Dice
2.26. 24 - Day Nine

The roll of the dice:
Die #1 - Colors: 1 - Analogous
Die #2 - Design Prompt: 1 - Lines/Shapes
Die #3 - Inspiration: 3 - memory
I pulled yellow, yellow-orange, orange, and red-orange for today's little project. These colors got me thinking about autumn colors, fall festivals, county fairs, and Ferris wheels.

I placed a quarter on the background to shape my circle and added the small blue squares to hint at the Ferris wheel cabs. It's funny what will spark my imagination!

On the upside, these colors always make me happy, and the design reminds me of fun times. On the downside, I'm getting frustrated with the limitations of fusible applique. I will either have to improve my technique, change it up, or both.
#100dayproject
#100daysofcreativity
#quiltmaker
#fabricart
#learnbydoing
#sewyourstash
#ncquilter

8/100 - Day 8 of 100 Days of Design x Dice My dice

8/100 - Day 8 of 100 Days of Design x Dice
My dice rolls were were:
Die #1 - Colors: 6 - Artist Choice
Die #2 - Design Prompt: 1 - Memory
Die #3 - Inspiration: 3 - Insects/Animals

This composition reminds me of the little fish swimming in the weeds at the edge of the pond.

#100dayproject
#100daysofcreativity
#quiltmaker
#fabricart
#learnbydoing
#sewyourstash
#ncquilter

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