Amy Made That! ...by eamylove

Hello, Autumn, Darling Quilt

2020-10-03T22:23:00.000-04:00

Hello, Friends!

Are you enjoying autumn as much as I am?

It makes me want to curl up with a new quilt,

for keeping cozy on these cool evenings.

I was stricken with All-Hallows-Eve fever

from the moment I discovered this beautiful fabric

from Fig Tree Quilts.

I first saw it used with the "Merry Christmas, Darling" quilt pattern

from Cotton Way, and it shot to the top of my must-make list.

I found this pattern to be extremely enjoyable to sew.

At first, I planned to stick with the color arrangement

shown on the pattern cover.

Pretty soon, though...a random design took over,

since I had orange, gray and black blocks

instead of the two-color palette.

I found it to be just as appealing, if not more so.

I think I love the all-black star best.

{It reminds me of a Halloween kitten.}

Before quilting, I pinned the quilt sandwich together with pins.

This part is not my favorite step in the process.

{Does anyone out there like making a quilt sandwich???}

The machine quilting process was much more fun!

I used a set of long wavy lines,

in the style of my sister of Susie's Sunroom.

The backing is a charming pumpkin colored floral print.

For the binding, I selected the orange peel print.

It complements both sides.

I don't ever mind stitching on the binding by hand,

because the big finish is worth it!

It's just scrumptious, when it's all rolled up, don't you agree?

If you enjoy sewing, I have a great resource for you to explore.

The website is called "Do You Sew?" and is fun for

anyone who sews, no matter your experience level.

Now I'm all set for the month of October.

How about you?

Hello, Autumn

2020-09-27T21:47:00.001-04:00

Hello, Friends!

It's been quite a while since I've posted.

Something happens every year,

that refreshes me and recharges my creativity...

it's called Autumn.

Here in Pennsylvania,

fall shows up for a day or two here and there,

before the leaves change

and summer goes away for a long long time.

It's perfect weather for a caramel latte

and some homemade pumpkin bread.

The colors of fall lift my spirits,

and they show up in flowers as well as on the trees.

My husband and I recently bought a Cricut Maker.

I hope to share lots of projects in the future.

I made my sign to usher in my favorite season.

I started with a round unfinished board from Lowe's,

which I sanded along the top edge.

I stained the board in a traditional finish.

Next I used painter's tape to create

an antique white band with chalk paint.

Now I was ready to make my stencil using the Cricut Maker,

some removable vinyl.

I had fun picking out the fonts and a sweet saying.

{I prepared the surface with some Mod Podge, to prevent bleeding of the letters.}

I hot-glued a pretty fall floral pick that I bought

from Michaels. I love the interesting colors of the pumpkins.

I popped in some little berries and a few loops of burlap ribbon.

There are loads of videos and how-to posts out there,

that anyone can use to spark their creativity.

It's been really fun to figure out how to make various

projects, and we're just getting started.

I hope you'll meet me back here later for more projects!

What are you working on?

Fancy Little Mug Rugs from Solid Stars

2018-12-29T16:18:00.003-05:00

Hello, Friends!

I have a fun little gift project to share today!

I made three little mug rugs, using

some 6 1/2" star blocks that I made

a ~~short~~ long time ago.

{Ahem...time flies.}

You can read more about the Moda Sweetwater solid bundle

of fabrics that I used, in this post.

I had such fun stitching up these solid blocks!

I used one of them on the back of a little table runner,

and it's featured in this post.

Hmmm...solid blocks do tend to show "mistakes",

don't they?
I'm ~~pretty~~ sure I've always had some issues,
but busier prints tend to mask them better.

A little miracle occurred when I pressed some fusible fleece

to the back of the stars. Everything flattened out nicely!

I had some little iron-on labels in my stash,

also from Sweetwater, so I decided to use them to

dress up these little orphan blocks.

It didn't hurt that the tiny houses also disguised those imperfections!

The little labels were easily ironed and stitched into place.

I used a Frixion pen to mark quilting lines.

I used a different quilting design for each block,

just for added interest.

When the quilting was done, a quick press

with a hot iron removed the Frixion lines.

I trimmed up the blocks and prepared them for binding.

I used some leftover jelly roll strips, cut to 1 1/5" width,
to bind each block with a different print.

I used my own tutorial for "Machine Binding"

to finish off these little beauties in no time.

Feel free to try it - you'll love it!

It's a single-fold binding that works great for

small projects like mug rugs or mini quilts!

{I made one slight modification to the tutorial

and used a straight seam, instead of a diagonal seam,

to attach the ends of the binding together.}

I chose a pretty print from Treehouse Club,

also from Moda Sweetwater, for the backings.

I still have lots of my fat quarter left over.

I only needed 3 7" squares...yay!

I wish I had time to make dozens

and dozens of these!

Little mug rugs are a great way to show off individual blocks.

That's one reason I like to join sew alongs,

even if I don't expect to use the blocks in a quilt.

Blocks can be made into special gifts

for friends, whether they are quilty friends or not.

These little orphan blocks will find their way to loving homes.

How do YOU like to use extra blocks?

Let me know in a comment!

The Patchsmith's Sampler Sew-Along - blocks 1, 2, and 3

2018-03-21T20:11:00.000-04:00

Hello, Friends!

Have you ever joined a sew-along?
I would highly recommend one that is going on right now
over at The Patchsmith's lovely blog:

To get started, order your copy of the book,
The Patchsmith's Sampler Quilt Blocks here on Craftsy.
There are 50 amazing blocks,
fun for anyone to create,
whether you are an experienced stitcher,
or someone who is just developing your sewing skills!

The book is priced at only $12.99 - what a bargain!
It's in PDF format, and you can choose to print any or all pages.
I'm just using the computer or my phone for instructions, only printing
template pages as necessary, for applique pieces.

Photo from The Patchsmith blog, showing patchwork and applique blocks

If you're just starting out on your sewing journey as a beginner,
DoYouSew.com is a wonderful resource with some great information!

Today I'm sharing my first three blocks from the sampler book.

For my blocks, I've been using some leftover jelly roll strips
from a line called Simply Sweet by Barbara Jones of Quilt Soup.
I've had it in my stash for a good long time.

{Like...9 years!!! hahahaha}

Block 1 - Brick Wall,was the perfect place to start.
There were lots of little pieces, but no seams to match.

For the Guiding Star block (#2),
I selected four different colors of stars to make.
My background for the blocks is a tonal white dot print,
and I like the way it sets off the bright prints.

The third block was a Watermelon block, mostly patchwork,
but with a tiny applique accent.
I love to cut out my pieces when I have time,
then stitch them up in no time.

This little block comes together quickly,
from the inside out.
Look at the finished patchwork - very cute, huh?

And now...The Patchsmith adds her design magic...
little black appliques for the "pips".
What a difference they make!

I'll be continuing my sampler journey here on the blog,
and I would love to have you join me!

Find more photos by following me on Instagram.
I am @eamylove.The Patchsmith and I are no strangers to sew-alongs.
We became fast friends as a result of the Zakka Style Sew Along
years ago...maybe YOU can meet lifelong friends through the Patchsmith's Sampler Sew-Along!

Hurry, Valentine!

2018-02-03T13:28:00.001-05:00

Hello, Friends!

Here we are, just a few days away from Valentine's Day.

Are you ready?

If you need an idea for a quick gift or two...

think about using my

Be My Valentine mug rug PDF pattern.

It's available for instant download at just $3.00,

so you can get started stitching immediately.
Find it on Etsy, in my shop called eamylove.

If your sewing time is limited, just take a shortcut!

Leave out the quilting,
and just let the pretty fabrics steal your heart away.

My mug rug uses some Scandi II fabrics by Makower.
This Nordic print is a wee bit Christmas-y, but it works
for me, to brighten up any winter day.

I can always flip it over to show the snow-covered trees.

{All of the mug rugs made from my
Be My Valentine mug rug PDF pattern are reversible.}

I'll be back soon to share a few more versions of my mug rug.

You can search my blog for more pretty samples,

with the "valentine" tag, if you just can't wait.

This pattern is so versatile...

I'll never run out of ideas for new valentine mug rugs.
Why not see what YOU can make?

Happy New Year - 2018

2017-12-31T21:47:00.003-05:00

Hello, Friends!

It's time to send out a post to wish everyone

a very Happy New Year, from my family to yours!

I'm not a big fan of resolutions, but I do plan

to pay more attention to my blog in 2018.

I've got some completed projects to share,

and lots of new ideas as well.

Here's a sneak peek at one of my recent custom makes.

And here is a preview of some pillows

I'll be adding to my Etsy shop soon.

We've had some changes going on at our little house...

we're doing a lot of renovations

and watching a lot of HGTV for inspiration.

The best part is that

my husband has discovered his inner woodworker!

Check out this new Coffee Station that he created for me.

There will be seasonal updates,

so watch for those throughout the year.

I've already winterized the tabletop with a snazzy

new red buffalo check table runner.

I used Hometown Christmas fabric from Sweetwater for Moda.

The kind folks at CSI Wall Panels sent me a pair of sparkling

pinecone topiaries.

I used them this fall, and on into Christmastime.

They will look great all winter long, as a pretty accent in our home.

I love the glittery sparkle on the pinecones,

enhanced by the silvery base.

I have been having so much fun using the little dishes and mugs

I've collected over the years.

I'll be showing more glimpses of our home,

in little closeups, along with my usual sewn projects.

I'm truly looking forward to staying in touch in the new year.

Wishing everyone health, prosperity and happiness!

Coney Island Pillow

2017-08-08T17:25:00.000-04:00

Hello, Friends!

If you're like me, you don't have a lot of free time

for sewing, especially in the summertime.

Pillows are a great project,

because they're both practical and pretty...

a smart way to use precious time!

I made this particular pillow with a mini charm pack

of Coney Island, by Fig Tree Quilts for Moda.

The colors and prints capture summer's

carefree moments perfectly.

When it came time to choose the backing,

this apple green solid caught my eye.

I followed my own free tutorial

for making a covered zipper pillow backing.

This little pillow measures about 14" x 14".

It's not too big...just nice for cushioning a wicker chair.

I love the way this pudgy pillow fills out the form.

It's pleasingly plump!!!

Don't you love mini charms?

I love searching for matching prints

in various colorways, when I use a charm pack

or a mini charm pack.

If you have a favorite way to spend your

summer sewing hours,

feel free to comment!

Linking to:

Freemotion By The River

Open Wide Zippered Pouch - Turquoise and Lime

2017-07-14T21:24:00.002-04:00

Sometimes you need a really sweet gift

for a really great friend.

Lately my go-to gift is a nice fresh zippered pouch.

I love using the awesome free tutorial for the

Open Wide Zippered Pouch, from Noodlehead.

You can find the tutorial here.

Just recently I made a red, white and blue version,

shown in this blog post.

For this latest version, I chose a favorite color palette

that I really love...turquoise and lime.

The fabrics are Good Neighbors by Crazy Mom Quilts

for Connecting Threads.

I love these tiny turquoise dots for the interior.

That lime green zipper is such a show-off.

The little tab is a great finishing feature.

This pouch design is really perfect from A to Z.

I think this bag will be fun for summer getaways.

It's a great size for makeup or other essentials.

I used the "Medium" size from the tutorial.

If you're not yet convinced to try this fun tutorial,

you should check out some of my other versions...

here...

and here...

Or come back someday soon...I'm sure I'll be making more of these!

Happy 4th of July!

2017-07-02T13:06:00.001-04:00

Here in the USA, we're having a celebration...

happy 4th of July!

I made a sweet new Stars and Stripes table runnner.

You can find the free tutorial with instructions here,

at A Bright Corner.

Photo and reference to free pattern used with permission from A Bright Corner blog

Here's how mine turned out.

I used a couple of different fabric collections

from my stash...the stars and the stripes came

from a fabric line called Simply Sweet from Henry Glass.

For the star background, the border and binding,

I used Smooth Sailing from Connecting Threads.

They gave my runner a nautical flair.

The border wasn't included in the tutorial,

but I liked the way it added a few more inches

of width and length to the runner.

I used wavy quilting lines, randomly spaced.

Don't you think wavy lines are perfect for flag designs?

I think the striped binding is my favorite detail.

This runner is even reversible!

The beachy print is fun for the back deck at our house,

near the swimming pool.

If you're looking for a fun and easy project,

with just the right mix of applique and patchwork,

you'll love making this project!

Enjoy your summer, friends!

Silk Plants Direct - Discount Code For YOU!

2017-06-27T20:32:00.002-04:00

Hello, Friends!

Today I'm spreading the word about an awesome

source for silk flowers and greens.

Have you visited Silk Plants Direct online?

Look what I found for my own home!

These Boxwood Topiary Balls are beautifully presented

in flower pots, as a set of three.

The wire container stole my heart.

The dainty chicken wire design has a farmhouse feel...

just what I'm looking for.

Check out the detail of the handle!

The artificial boxwood promises long-lasting easy care...

something I appreciate in my busy world.

I ordered this set of four boxwood planters.

The little pots can also be removed to stand alone.

I really love grouping them in the wire baskets, though.

We're planning a graduation party next year.

I think the individual pots would look so nice

as a centerpiece for each table.

If you're interested in ordering some beautiful

silk flower accents for your own home,

visit Silk Flowers Direct and

use this discount code at checkout:

BLOGGER10

Good for a 10% discount on any products except Custom orders.

Deerly Loved Baby Quilt

2017-06-24T23:08:00.001-04:00

There's a beautiful deer on my back deck.

Look at her!

I love this fawn's innocent face, especially those long eyelashes.

The soft colors are just right for a modern baby quilt.

The fabric is from Hawthorne Threads.
Check out the other side...I don't like to call it "the back".

I made this quilt for a sweet new baby

whose mommy just loves deer and other woodland animals.

When I made this pillow as a shower present,

the mommy-to-be asked me if I could make a matching quilt.

Baby quilts are so much fun to make!

I started with the crib sized Fawn panel in Aspen blue,

for one side of the quilt.

For the other side, I selected some

coordinating prints from Hawthorne Threads,

in shades of honey and a light blue called Aspen.
I randomly pieced together squares of fabric,
to make a large patchwork.

The soft colors made it easy to keep
a sense of balance in the overall design.

I love each and every fabric in this quilt...

the gray and gold cross print is very modern
and adds graphic interest.

The deer silhouettes in gray and pale blue

carry the fawn theme into the quilt back.

They're so soft and subtle...very sweet.

The triangle prints add a modern note,

while the gingham and floral squares are more

sentimental and traditional.

I think all of these prints look very pretty together,
and I'm in love with this color palette.

I fussy cut a few squares to feature the little fawn,

and they are my true favorites.

Once the patchwork squares were pieced,

I used a grid of crosshatch quilting,
on the diagonal.

Simple quilting allows the overall

design of the prints to keep the starring role.

Is there anything more scrumptious than a

rolled up handmade quilt?

The soft middle looks just as pretty.
It's so squishy!!!

I can't decide which end I love most,

but I really love the honey golden binding.

This gift is for a very special baby in our extended family,

who has been deerly loved right from the beginning!

Welcome to the world, Talia Rose!

Anita Vacation Tote Bag - Black, Red and Linen Version

2017-06-10T20:52:00.002-04:00

Hello, Friends!

Are you going to be traveling this summer?

I took some business trips recently,

so I made myself a new tote bag.

Do you recognize the pattern?

It's my very own "Anita Vacation Tote Bag" design,

available as a PDF pattern here on Craftsy, or

here in my shop called eamylove on Etsy.

For this latest version,

I wanted a mostly-neutral bag that would go with

a lot of my business wear.

The main exterior fabric is a floral print

from the original Mama Said Sew line

by Sweetwater for Moda.

The contrasting fabric near the top of the bag

is Essex Linen by Robert Kaufman,

in a color called Flax.

The interior of the bag is also made from

the Essex Linen.

I find it to be very durable, especially when interfaced with

Pellon 987F fusible fleece, as I do for all of my purses.

Inside my bag, along one edge,

I use a strip of pockets,

to keep my sunglasses and other key items handy.

How do you like that cute zippered inside pocket?

For the inside of the pocket, I used a coordinating Sweetwater print,

from Volume II.

What about that magnetic snap closure?
If you don't know how to add those,

my pattern will teach you...it's sew easy!

Even if you're not going on a vacation,

you might want to consider making one of these totes.

They make an excellent gift for a new grad!

Come back soon...we'll chat about this sweet pouch

that I also made, to coordinate with my new Anita Vacation Tote Bag.

Summer Fun - Red White and Blue Zippered Pouch

2017-06-06T16:27:00.000-04:00

Hello, Friends!

Who's ready for summertime?

I am!!!

Whenever I need a nice gift, I like to make a new version of

the Open Wide Zippered Pouch,

from this free tutorial by Noodlehead.

I've made so many of these...

and I've never been disappointed with the results.

This time I chose some red, white and blue fabrics

that I bought from Connecting Threads a few years ago.

The line was called Smooth Sailing.

{I love the anchors, all lined up!}

The addition of gray to the

traditional patriotic palette looks so smart!

That's why I chose a gray zipper to bring it out.

The lining fabric is a gray dot,

with a little red star popping up every so often.

The red and gray stripe provides a nice contrast

for the bottom of the pouch.

I use Pellon ShapeFlex SF101 interfacing on my pouches,

for all of the exterior pieces, as well as the lining.

It adds soft shaping, and the pouch

is stable enough to stand, even while it's empty.

Once I've finished making one of these pouches,

I often add a ribbon for the zip pull.

I found this red gingham and could.not.resist.

I hope you'll have time for some summertime sewing, too!

Project Sweetwater - Solids - Part 2

2017-04-29T19:15:00.001-04:00

Hello, friends!

Remember when I shared my Project Sweetwater box?

I used the pattern booklet to create this fun - and reversible - Treehouse Club table runner!

I chose one of the designs from the booklet

and made the same block from three different prints.

Here's the red one...

the yellow one...

and the gray one.

I lined them all up, framed with the creamy

Parchment Bella Solid for framing.

I chose to quilt this little runner with a small curlicue design.

As promised, the Bella Solids from this bundle

coordinate beautifully with Sweetwater fabrics.

I made a lime green star block for the back of the runner.

I love a reversible table runner.

The stars in the print pick up the star theme

of the blocks.

For a big finish, I chose several strips from the Project Sweetwater box.

I had a blast making this scrappy binding!

Time to enjoy my new table runner,

front and back!

Blueberry Park Photo Shoot

2017-02-19T11:25:00.000-05:00

Last week I treated myself to a fat quarter bundle

of Blueberry Park fabrics, in the Cool Colorstory.

Today, I'm going to treat my readers

to a closeup view of this perfectly pretty bundle.

I held a photo shoot yesterday,

and I hope you'll be inspired by these pictures.

I'm a little late to the party, it seems...

this line from Robert Kaufman

was released a while ago.

The prints are modern and simple

and allow the colors to take on the starring role.

These colors!!!

I love the way they all work together,

without being too "matchy matchy".

There's a lesson to be learned here.

My favorite color zone is the blue/mint area.

I love that the bundle also contains

some green-yellow prints,

to warm it up a bit.

What will I make with my FQ bundle???

Well...I'm also a late arrival to the

Elizabeth Hartman party.

I made this Hazel Hedgehog block recently,

and she's the one who talked me into buying

the Blueberry Park bundle!

Stay tuned...for more animal friends!

Linking up to Fabric Frenzy

Kiss Me Quick, Valentine!!!

2017-02-07T19:57:00.000-05:00

Hello, Friends!

If you're looking for a quick gift idea

from the heart, for someone who's sweet,

take a look at my Be My Valentine mug rug pattern.

This pattern is very versatile, which is great news.

This is an example of a clean and simple design,

using one single fabric for the front.

I had all of the supplies on hand...

this mug rug started out as two 10" layer cake squares

from Sweetwater's "First Crush" line for Moda.

I used a charming label from Sweetwater,

to put into words exactly what I was thinking.

This mug rug will be a birthday present

for my wonderful mom!

{Shhh...her birthday is right after Valentine's Day!}

It was so easy to add the label to the heart shape,

with some fusible webbing and a neat straight stitch.

I used some squiggly free motion quilting,

to add interest.

I love the contrasting red ric rac edging.

I came up with an even quicker version,

using two more 10" squares of First Crush prints.

See how easy???

I didn't even need to add quilting,

since the fusible fleece gives it a beautiful finish.

I had fun using some labels I've been hoarding

for way to long!

It's reversible, too!

For the Be My Valentine mug rug pattern,

I normally piece together a patchwork for the front.

That's super fun, when there's time available.

I got this "kiss me quick" idea,

because the backs of the mug rugs

are just as pretty as the fronts.

I hope you'll be inspired to try some quick versions

of the Be My Valentine mug rug pattern.

Be sure to share them on Instagram

by tagging with @eamylove or #amymadethat,
or any other page.

And remember...

gifts from the heart are welcomed every day,

even beyond Valentine's Day.

First Crush - Be My Valentine

2017-02-05T19:46:00.001-05:00

Are you ready?

Valentine's Day is coming up soon!

If you're looking for a fun gift to stitch up,

consider making a "Be My Valentine" mug rug.

You can find my pattern here on Craftsy.

For this sample,

I used scraps from First Crush by Sweetwater

for Moda, in gray, red and black.

I love the text prints mixed in with hearts and arrows.

This modern line looks great with a bit of wavy quilting detail.

The finished mug rug is so sweet
for serving up a cuppa and a chocolate treat.

No matter which fabrics and ric rac you choose for the
Be My Valentine mug rug,
you're bound to fall in love with it.

The back is cleanly finished, so the mug rug is truly reversible.

Check out my original Be My Valentine post here...

The pattern launch post has more ideas, here.

Soon I'll be back with some shortcuts for this pattern,
in case you're really running out of sewing time.

Valentine Coffee

2017-02-02T07:41:00.001-05:00

Good morning to you!

Just a quick post, to share my latest

"Be My Valentine" mug rug.

This one is made using Bonnie and Camille's

Handmade collection for Moda.

I chose to make some HST's and a bit of wavy quilting.

Voila! My mug rug was done in no time.

A favorite mug rug adds so much pleasure

to a little break, even when you're in a hurry.

You can whip up your own mug rugs

before Valentine's Day,

with plenty of time to spare.

My PDF pattern is available here for instant download.

For more inspiration from my "Be My Valentine" pattern,

visit my blog here...

and here...

and stop by again soon for some new ideas!

Now...if only I could make my own frothy design,

like this delicious Maple Latte from Peet's!

Have a great day!

Snowman Coasters

2017-01-02T16:30:00.000-05:00

Hello, Friends!

Happy New Year!

Today I'm sharing some snowman coasters

that I made for a dear friend.

I bought the pattern here.

It's so cute in grays and whites, with colorful scarves.

As soon as I shared the pattern photo on Facebook,

my friend asked me if I wanted to make some for her.

{It's hard to say which one of us was most excited!}

Photo from Annie's e-Patterns Central
Snowman Family Mug Rug Set

I chose some of my Cherry Christmas prints,
by Aneela Hoey for Moda...

and I made each one a wee bit different,

but coordinated.

This was such a clever pattern!

True...the little scarves were very tiny

and a bit fiddly to turn right-sides-out.

But they're simply adorable, right?

I found some snowflake buttons at my local Walmart.
They're nice and flat, with just the right amount
of silvery sparkle.

These little snowmen will warm hearts
all winter long.

Living in Pennsylvania,
we have already seen some snow this winter.
I'll have to make some more snowman
projects to warm my own home!

Have you found a favorite winter pattern?

Sweetwater Mug Rugs

2016-12-19T15:49:00.001-05:00

Hello, Friends!

I'm almost ready for Christmas...how about you?

Earlier this week, the scene was set with some

beautiful snow.

I love to sit near the window with a cup of cocoa

and a little treat.

Hershey's Kisses are my favorite chocolate snack!

Not long ago...

Sweetwater fabrics blogged about a box of fabric

that I couldn't resist.

I ordered one almost before I finished reading the post!

The box of Christmas goodness arrived quickly,
and I was not disappointed!

I kind of ~~hoard~~ collect Sweetwater fabrics,

and I took great joy in creating a few mug rugs

to give as presents this year.

I mostly used the fabrics that came in my box,

but I had some of this fabulous Feed Company plaid

that was just right for the bindings.

I had purchased this plaid mug from Pottery Barn

and I love the way it looks with each of these

black and red mug rugs.

Other mugs look pretty, too, though...

here's a classic pedestal mug, called Heritage,
that I've had for many years, made by Pfaltzgraff.

I've got a sweet little Dept. 56 Scotties mug

that looks inviting, too.

This is how it looks with one of my favorite

designs by The Patchsmith!

Pattern: Scotties and Westies, available here.

Here's the same mug,

featured with the Sweetwater snowflake.

The designs by Sweetwater are so cute...

this snowman will bring cheer all winter long.

The snowflake design is so pretty and simple.

It sets off fabrics exquisitely.

I love the black and red theme,

but I also made up a couple of mug rugs

in aqua and red.

I hope this mug rug brings JOY to its recipient.

A little star will shine in the snow

all winter long.

I love the dash of aqua in that plaid binding.

These mug rugs will be given as gifts

to some special folks.

Stop by again soon,
for some more winter mug rugs,
made for more special people!

Spooky Delight Table Topper

2016-10-26T16:55:00.002-04:00

Hello, Friends!

Halloween is coming up soon.

I'm all set, now that I've finished making my

Spooky Delight table topper!

In my last post, I shared the matching pillow.

{See the pillow back there on the couch?}

I got a lot of mileage out of just that one Spooky Delight charm pack!

There are even a few squares left...

I decided not to use the purple and green ones.

For the pillow,

I had used some of the low volume squares

from the charm pack for the "background,"

supplemented with "Porcelain" Bella Solid fabric.

I went a different direction for the table topper,

choosing "Steel" gray Bella Solid

for the background.

For the backing, I used the same gray solid.

I added a strip of extra HST's for interest.

True Confession:

There is a little PUCKER on the back.

There was a big FROWN on my face when I saw it.

I just left it there.

{The PUCKER - not the frown. I'm over it.}

I just adore the vintage vibe from this fabric line,

by Bunny Hill for Moda.

I wanted a bright skinny orange border

for the table topper.

I turned to another wonderful fabric line...

Good Neighbors by Crazy Mom Quilts

for Connecting Threads.

I know now why it's named Good Neighbors...

these fabrics mix very well with other lines.

I used some of the gray stripe from Good Neighbors for the binding.

I think it's just right...on both sides.

I'm all set for trick-or-treaters now.

We'll keep the lights low to make the house more spooky.

Come back soon to see some more decorations

for fall and Thanksgiving at my house!

Here's a sneak peek...

Happy Halloween!

Linking up with:

Quilt Story

Midweek Makers #43

WIP Wednesday #258 @ TN&TN

Silly Mama Quilts

Fabric Frenzy Friday at Fort Worth Fabric Studio

Spooky Delights Halloween Pillow

2016-10-02T16:36:00.002-04:00

Hello, Friends!

October is here, and while I was decorating my home,

I decided to whip up a new Halloween pillow.

I used my charm pack of Spooky Delights

by Bunny Hill for Moda.

There are so many sweet prints...

I think I love this Raven Damask the most.

Can you see the tiny black birds?

The text print was another deal-breaker for me.

Mix in a few black cats, pumpkins and mischievous mice,

and you've got a fun focal print.

Of course, there are lots of pretty polka dots

to coordinate...making this line a hit with me.

I've been practing my half-square triangle (HST)

technique, so in nearly no time,

I had whipped up the 16 HST's I needed for the pillow top.

I love that HST's can be arranged in countless ways,

to create stunning designs.

This is the layout I chose, with a diamond pattern

of low volumes around a dark center.

My finished top was about 16 1/2" square...

my pillow form was 16" on the top, but it's rather deep.

I decided to use a Bella Solid

shade called Melon (9900 295)

to add a narrow coordinating border.

Often I use a covered zipper backing, but this time
I took a practical shortcut in the zipper installation.

I placed the zipper in the bottom seam of the pillow.

It doesn't show, and it will be so easy to swap out

the pillow cover for other seasons.

I chose the text print in Vanilla for the pillow backing.

The quilting on this pillow was nice and easy...

I used a grid of straight diagonal lines.

For areas that weren't "in the ditch",

I marked my lines with a Frixion pen.

You would never know, even on the white triangles...
a hot iron removed the lines after stitching.

I'm so pleased with my Halloween pillow...

and there are enough charm squares left for another

Halloween project or two!

Are you getting ready for Halloween, too?

Linking up with Quilt Story Fabric Tuesday
and
Freemotion By the River Linky Tuesday
and
Fabric Frenzy Friday
and
Finish It Up Friday - Oct. 7, 2016.

Saltwater Mini Quilt

2016-09-30T06:12:00.000-04:00

Hello, Friends!

I've been back at the sewing machine,

and I've got lots of new things to show you.

Today I'm sharing my Saltwater Mini Quilt,

made from the pattern by Thimbleblossoms.

I was craving a mini quilt,

and this design looked like such fun to make.

I was not disappointed when I made it

from a few fat quarters of Hello Darling

by Bonnie and Camille.

I made this block first, and I was hooked.

The apple green looks so sweet with the

pink strawberry print.

Hmmm...I wasn't sure I liked the "busy" blocks...

but they've grown on me.

They're just little blocks, so they have to grab attention.

This one is actually my favorite, with the dots.

I put them all into place, with some bright white sashing.

For the quilting, I used some wavy lines.

This type of quilting is my new method of choice.

I think I like the lines going horizontal on this project.

This mini quilt would make a cute topper for a small table.
It would fit in with modern Christmas decor,
but it's just right for any season.

Have you made any mini quilts lately?

I can't wait to make some more!

Linking up with Fabric Tuesday #279 at Quilt Story

and

Crazy Mom Quilts "Finish It Up Friday 9/30/16

Little Ruby Table Topper

2016-09-17T11:00:00.000-04:00

Hello, Friends!

I have a little table topper to share today.

I made it from a Mini Charm pack of Little Ruby

by Bonnie and Camille for Moda.

I didn't have a pattern for this table topper,

but I was definitely inspired by Sherri from A Quilting Life.

She wrote this post in her "Simply Small Quilts" series,

showing a sweet way to lay out the squares on point.

I had just received my mini charm pack,

and I just "needed" to make something with it.

I cut ~~some~~ a whole bunch of 2 1/2" white squares,

and in almost no time I had the quilt center finished.

I really LOVE the way that many designers

use a color palette that blends one fabric collection

with other lines that they've produced.

It makes it so easy to finish precut projects,

even when you don't have yardage from the same line.

I used a fat quarter from Hello Darling

to create a mitered border.

There were only a few squares left over

from the mini charm pack.

I used those to make a pieced backing.

I chose a piece of blue scallop fabric from

the original Ruby line, for the rest of the backing.

For the binding, I chose a bias stripe

from a fat quarter of Hello Darling.

I think this topper looks pretty on the front...

and on the back, too!

{I really love pieced backings...don't you?}

Sometimes you just feel the need to create.

Those mini charms will burn a hole in my sewing stash,

if I don't make something with them soon.

This project was so enjoyable that

I would not mind stitching up a bunch of them

into table toppers like this.

What do you like to make with your mini charms???

Linking up with Fabric Frenzy Friday!

Perfectly Pleasing Pincushion Parade - 2016

2016-09-10T10:46:00.000-04:00

I love a good parade!!!

You may have noticed that I love a good pincushion, too.

It's time for the Perfectly Pleasing Pincushion Parade,

and I'm joining up!

YOU can join, too!!!
There are lots of great prizes to be won,
and you'll get a chance to make new pinnie friends.

This would be a very long post indeed if I were to share

ALL of my pincushions,

but I'll showcase a few of my favorites.
If you click the links, you can see more details about each pinnie.

Here's one I made from the Zakka Style Sew Along.
I loved seeing how others used the same simple pattern,
creating dozens of beautiful interpretations.

In my opinion, the best pincushion tutorial ever written
was for the Cathedral Window Pincushion
by GoGo Kim.

I made my first one from the puppy prints
of Sherbet Pips by Aneela Hoey for Moda.

I've made literally dozens of these,
usually in batches of 3 or 4.
This set was a favorite of mine, made this year.

I can't stop...they are like my "comfort" food.
I make them whenever I just need to create something pretty,
for my own happiness.

I like to give them as gifts,
and you may see them popping up in Blogland sometimes.

I also love to sell them in my shop on Etsy.
I LOVE making them as a custom order.

My Susan Branch pincushions are just as much fun to make.
This one is mine to keep and use.

I've made lots more to give and sell.

Before you ask...I don't have a source for any more of the
Susan Branch images. Maybe someday, she'll make more!
Wouldn't that be awesome?!?!?!?!?
They are truly amazing and add so much to a little pinnie.

Have you heard of the Skinny Pinnie???
I hosted a swap for these, and it was super fun!
Here's the one I received...so precious,
with teensy handstitched hexies in adorable prints!!!

And here's the one I sent to my partner.

Pinnies are one of my favorite gifts to receive.
My sister from Susie's Sunroom made this pincushion for me,
and I use it all the time, as one of my main pinnies.
I station 3 or 4 of them around the room while I sew.

I fully intend to make many more pincushions.
You can never have too many!

I hope you enjoyed my entry in the
Perfectly Pleasing Pincushion Parade.
Be sure to visit all of the other posts to see
some fabulous pinnies!
There's still time to link up to join the parade!

On a personal note...

As a proud band mom,

I get the chills as I see our high school band

marching down the hill toward the football stadium.

The drum cadence grabs everyone's attention,

and we watch 200 musicians and bandfront marching onto the field.

This year, one of our sons is a drum major,

which makes it super fun to be a band mom.

As another anniversary of September 11 passes,
I am so thankful that my sons have been able to participate
in lots of traditionally patriotic events like parades.
I hope the American flag will always hold meaning in their hearts,
and that they will always appreciate the freedom that it represents.