PLEASANT HOME

A Late Mother's Day Post

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Fri, 25 May 2012 05:53:00 +0000

Life around our home has been busy this month of May... As you could probably tell by the lack of posts...

And I have mentioned that we've had a very long, wet, cold, dreary winter and spring in our parts??? We have...

Except the bestest thing happened a couple weeks ago! We got a TON of sunshine! The sun even came out for Mother's Day! It was awesome....

I had the whole fam over for Mother's Day and was so excited to be able to enjoy the back yard and patio... I spent the week in the glorious sunshine working in the back yard and so it was all nice and spruced up for the day!

I hung a few gingham buntings I made a while ago... some paper lanterns from the dollar store... set up a table to eat at... got out all the patio furniture and umbrella.... and had just planted flowers in my planters...

It was the perfect day! And my guy and my boys treated me like a Queen all day....

I had a little surprise for my mom too... I had been given this chair a long time ago with intentions of giving it a new life...

I finally did! And it turned out so dang cute... if I do say so myself!

My mom is getting her very own creating/work space and is doing it in black and white... I had much fun freshening up this little cutie chair...

And I tried my hand at paper piecing for the first time and made her this star block to hang on her wall... She was quiet surprised when she walked in the door and saw this sitting there...

I have this chairs twin too... I have plans for it for my husband's desk in our family /t.v. / man room... I'm just waiting for nice weather again, so I can paint it... I'll share when it's all done!

Hope everyone is having a good week! I'm actually getting some time to sew a little... I'm hoping to get a quilt done for a graduation present... Wish me luck!

Happy Sewing! ooxx`jodi

Scrappy Stars

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Fri, 11 May 2012 01:00:00 +0000

I was itch'n to sew with some scraps... I haven't since the Sew Scraps Along in January!

I think sewing with scraps is my most favorite...

So.... I got a little Inspiration from this book... which by the way, I absolutely LOVE... There are so many fun projects in this book... I'm sure I'll be sharing a few others in the near future...

See the stars on the front cover of the book?...

I started with these.... {they're 5" square}

...which turned into these {the white background is Kona Cotton and 5" square... the star points are 2 7/8" squares}

And so far I have 4 of them.....

I think this is going to make a really cute baby quilt...

Have you sewn anything Scrappy lately?

Etsy Update and More Projects to Share....

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

First I want to share another newer project with you {I started it last fall before I decided on the whole "tackle UFO's before starting new projects" thingy... LOL }

If you've visited my Etsy shop lately, you may have noticed a few newer items listed.... Like these two...

1" Hexagon Paper Pieces

6 Point Diamond Paper Pieces

If you've followed my blog for the last few years..... you probably know about THIS project...

Which started my addiction to English Paper Piecing and Hexagons!

And then a few months ago I discovered the 6 Point Diamond Paper Pieces and started this project...

I'm in heaven!

I LOVE my stars... I LOVE how it's coming together....

I DON'T love how it's taking me away from finishing THIS project! LOL... But I just couldn't resist.

They are just as easy as Hexagon's and just as fun!

I cut strips of fabric (or use scraps) and then cut on the diagonal...

Baste it around the diamond paper piece just like you would a hexagon... {I like to pre-punch holes in my paper pieces.... they are so much easier to get out in the end...}

Start stitching your diamonds together...

Until you end up with this...

Then stitch those together....

And watch your project grow....

***NOTE*** There are some really good tutorials out in blog land for English Paper Piecing... Google 'English Paper Piecing Tutorials' or "Sewing Hexagons' or 'Hexie Tutorials'.... And follow along with the tutorial that you like...

If you have a English Paper Piecing project you'd like to share, leave a link to it in the comments! I would love to see them!

And second? A Etsy Update:

I wanted to let you know that most likely I will not continue to manufacture and sell 'Square it Up!' Templates... including the Funky Pinwheel and Double Hourglass templates in my Etsy Shop.

I have a limited number of them listed at this time ***note**** there are only 3 Double Hourglass templates left as of Monday April 30th 7:00 a.m. PST *** { P.S... if you don't see them in the shop, they're sold out...sorry }

So if you have wanted a Double Hourglass template... this is probably your last chance....

If you're wanting to know why I'm not going to sell these templates going forward in the near future.... See THIS POST for a little explanation...

{although.... I never say never.... I may at some point down the road decide to manufacture and sell them again. But as of right now.... I don't see it anywhere in the near future....}

P.S. Thank You to everyone who's purchased from my Etsy Shop the last couple of weeks, I appreciate each and every sale!

Happy Sewing this week!
ooxx`jodi

My Neighborhood in 2009

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Even though I started a new quilt HERE.... I have been plugging away at my Unfinished Projects pile! And let me tell you... there is a pile...

I blogged about these houses in 2009.... So long ago... It was a post on my OLD blog...

I was going to make a quilt with them... I knew that would never happen now...

So instead I made a Table Runner...

I went nuts quilting it. A little bit of this and that...

So relieved to have another UFO out of the pile!

New Quilt in the Making

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:30:00 +0000

Do you remember back in January when I told you about this book ?

I loved everything I saw in the book,,,, including almost all of the 20 projects included...

But I was really liking this 'Something Fishy' quilt....

My parents have a home in Ocean Shores, Washington... It's a small community about 6 miles long, bordered by the Pacific Ocean, and 23 miles of canals... It also has an old growth rain forest in the middle of the city, and TONS of wildlife. We love taking little mini trips up to visit...

These colors remind me of Ocean Shores.... The blues of the waters and sky, the lush greens of the forests and area's around the canals, and the brownish grays of the sand, deer, and sometimes the sky.

Some came from my stash... Some I bought...

I swore I wasn't going to start a new quilt until most of my UFO's were done! But I just couldn't resist....

And I'm loving my little mason jar full of these...

And can I just say that I REALLY like this book...

Joan Ford has done a fabulous job. Her instructions, tips and tricks throughout the book are awesome.

I'm a self taught quilter. I've never taken a class before. I did have 2 friends many moons ago that helped me to get started, but that was before I even owned a rotary cutter and mat! LOL I've learned several things from this book that I didn't know before... Very cool.

K. Off to sew.........

Oh! I'll give you a peak at some of the finished blocks soon...

Happy Sewing !!!!

Funky Pinwheel and Double Hourglass Quilts!

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:15:00 +0000

Quilts!

I actually finished a couple quilts!

The first one is made using the Funky Pinwheel Template.

I used some fabulous fabric from Jennifer Paganelli. I'm pretty sure it's from the So St. Croix line...

I'm super happy with the way it turned out... I especially love the feel of it.

Jennifer's fabric reminds me of soft old cotton sheets. And after quilting it, washing it, and drying it... I am wishing I had a quilt made from this fabric..

The second quilt I finished and a favorite!

I started this quilt over a year ago... Such a simple quilt.... just too many projects and things going on around here... But it's done! And I love it!

It was made using the Double Hourglass Template, and Allison's Tutorial HERE.

A few years ago, Allison of Cluck Cluck Sew posted a fabulous tutorial using a cardboard template. I emailed Allison and asked if I could make an acrylic version. She said go for it! So I did!

She uses 2 1/4" strips. I designed the template to be used with 2 1/2" strips.

This quilt is now hanging over the back of my sofa and I LOVE it....

And did you notice the sunshine in these photos? A few weeks ago, in the space of 4 days I shoveled a foot of snow in 30 degree weather off our driveway AND mowed the lawn in 70 degree sunshine! Crazy weather we were having...

And some very GOOD NEWS! I've re-opened my Etsy Shop!

I have a limited number of Funky Pinwheel, and Double Hourglass Templates for SALE.... Along with a few other items...

To visit my Etsy Shop.... go HERE....

Happy Sewing! ooxx`jodi

Good News and Unfinished Projects!

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 16:17:00 +0000

It's amazing how much sewing one can get done when they take a big blogging break! :)

I told you I had a ton of unfinished projects that needed to be done... and I wasn't kidding..

First up? Two Spring aprons made using my Auntie Dot's Apron pattern!

For the first apron, I cut a piece of white fabric for the pocket and used the pattern found HERE to embroidery these cute little birds on the front... So pleased with the way it turned out!

A little pink ric rac was the perfect way to finish it off...

I used the same pattern but added a little ruffle to the bottom of the 2nd apron.

And instead of the large pocket on the front, I made small little rounded bottom pocket. I found the adorable Easter Rabbit pattern on-line and had fun embroidering him...

I love the buttons on the egg!

Finished just in time for Easter Sunday too!

The Good News??? I'll be re-opening my Etsy Shop soon!

I have 2 finished quilts to show you! And another apron! And I'll have templates and the Auntie Dot's pattern for sale. So be watching for an announcement here.

Happy Sewing !

ooxx`jodi

Pretty Patchwork Quilts by Cyndi Walker

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 06:59:00 +0000

Ever since this book came in the mail, I have been drooling...

I am a huge Cyndi Walker fan and even bigger fan of her latest book!

Pretty Patchwork Quilts!

There are 12 patterns in Cyndi's newest book and I LOVE them all.

The quilt on the cover is Robin's Roost and I am totally putting this on my 'to sew' list.

Now I just need to finish some of my UFO's so I can start something new!

I've started making a dent in my UFO pile and I'm so excited.... The hard part is going to decide which quilt in this book to make first!

Happy Sewing....

ooxx`jodi

Snow and a Late St. Patty's Day post...

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 02:41:00 +0000

Today it was 70 degrees outside and completely, totally, fantastically SUNNY!

But a few days ago, we woke up to 6"-8" of snow on the ground... Our weather has been very crazy...

My daffodils were probably wondering what the heck was going on when they woke up covered in snow...

There was snow everywhere... Even the crevices of our Japanese Maple...

This little house is often occupied by the cutest little bird family... If they are here this year, I hope they were kept warm and toasty in there....

Outside - one would have to look pretty hard to see any signs of spring...

But inside...... I have a dogwood branch in bloom!

Our neighbors planted the cutest little dogwood tree between our driveways. It is a favorite of mine. The weight of the snow must have broken this branch, so I decided to bring it in and see what it would do. It's been in a vase of water for about a month. I am loving watching it sprout and bloom.

I even took part of the branch over to my neighbor so she could enjoy it too. She's going to hang her Easter eggs from it..

You can see a little peak at the St. Patrick's Day banner I made a few weeks back. I saw this adorable little banner over at Simple As That

And here is the Tablerunner I made especially for St. Patty's Day!

Wonky green stars on a white background with a rainbow border.

And little shamrocks quilted in the center of each star...

It looks really cute on my buffet with my little banner and blooming dogwood....

A Snowy Morning with a Private Concert

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:02:00 +0000

We woke up to our little part of the world covered in a blanket of snow this morning.

This is what I saw out our bedroom window from my side of the bed.

I reached for my new little TOY

Plugged in my ear buds

Propped myself up with all our fluffy pillows, watched the fluffy flakes fall outside...

And had myself a little mini private concert courtesy of these guys...

and my favorite:

And although I'd much rather see fluffy white stuff falling from the sky than all the rain we've been having... I am secretly dreaming of days like this.... :)

Turn up your volume and enjoy...

A little slice of heaven this morning, if I do say so myself...

Saying Goodbye to Needle Little Inspiration and Sew Picture Perfect

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 20:00:00 +0000

First let me say THANK YOU to everyone who has emailed to check up on me.

Yes my week or two blogging break has turned into a month or two!

For those of you who have read my blog for a while, you know that I had some health issues a couple years back. Well, they never really went away. I just learned to deal with them better. In recent months, those issues have reared their ugly heads quite a bit and worn me down.

We never really knew for 100% what was/is the problem and why I'm dealing with so much pain. But I've found a few new doctors and I'm on a mission. It doesn't appear to be anything serious. And I am doing O.K. But the pain I'm dealing with just wears on me after a while. I don't have as much energy as I use to.

BUT.... In the last month or so during my blogging break, I have been able to do a little sewing and I'm almost finished with a couple UFO's! Yippee! I really hope to be able to share them with you this week. So cross your fingers for me. Because I'm so excited to be so close to getting some long awaited projects done!

And on to some sad news....
I also need to let you know that it's with a heavy heart that I have decided to no longer publish my NEEDLE LITTLE INSPIRATION and SEW PICTURE PERFECT posts.

I have also deleted all of them from my blog. (there were 100's and I was so sad this morning).

I want to say Thank You again to all of you who allowed me to feature your work! For ALL the INSPIRATION you have shared with me and my readers. It truly was appreciated.

I am a firm believer that our talents are a gift from God. That the projects, quilts and such that we design and create with those talents are a result of the gift that has been given to us, and truly I am grateful that so many of you have allowed me to share them here.

It was a really tough decision, but I received an email from one of the featured bloggers/quilters this week that sorta threw me for a loop. She was upset at how I was using and posting her photos.

It has also come to my attention in recent weeks that many Pinterest users are concerned about Pinterest's Terms of Use. And after doing much research myself, I think at this point... rightfully so.

I have found that many of the featured photos at Pleasant Home have been pinned from my site. (Instead of clicking on the featured photo in order to obtain the original source) Thus creating havoc in Pinterest land.

There are many Pins on Pinterest linked to my blog, when in fact they aren't mine. {Because of the Featured posts which I have published.} (even though I've given proper credit and listed the source, from Pinterest, they appear to have come from me)...

And In order to avoid confusion and more angry bloggers and quilters. I decided that going forward, I will no longer be posting photos that I haven't taken, or that I don't have written permission to use.

Bummer.... I know....

I love finding inspiration and sharing it with you. But me thinks too many have gotten too big for their britches and don't appreciate the spirit in which things are shared.

Which is why I have also deleted my boards on Pinterest.

I hope Pinterest Terms and such will change, work itself out, and or calm down in the future. Because the idea of Pinterest is awesome! And I have loved every minute of it.
I will miss it for sure....
AND I will cross my fingers that maybe someday Pinterest and I can reunite.

K.... I want to know what you all have been up to while I've been away?

What's your weather like? We've had WACKY weather! And I am SO READY for some sunshine!
Have you been working on anything fun?
Did you wear green on St. Patty's day? Or did you get pinched?

See you around...

ooxx`jodi

Need a little Break

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:15:00 +0000

I've been away from the blog for a few... Everything is good, just needing a break I think...

I really need to start working on my Taxes (and preferably finish them too)

Took a little trip away for a few days...

Many Un-Finished projects that I REALLY want to finish...

{House and Sewing Projects}

Lots of other little things goin on round here...

AND... I feel like this computer has been attached to my hip! LOL

So... I decided it's time for a little break...

{Blogging Break that is}

But I doubt I will be gone very long,

because I can't wait to get some of those sewing projects finished and show you!

AND I have some fun new product and new templates to list in my Etsy Shop too!

So.... I'll be seeing you around in a week or maybe two....

ooxx`jodi

Quilt COLOR Inspiration Cards...

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:30:00 +0000

I'm excited to announce a new feature here at Pleasant Home!

Every Saturday I'll be sharing some Quilt Color Inspiration!

I was so INSPIRED by all the Color Boards, Color Cards, and Color Swatches over on Pinterest, I started my own Pinterest Board titled QUILT COLOR INSPIRATION.

And then that got me to thinking... and....a NEW FEATURE @ Pleasant Home came to life!

I had a Valentines Day Quilt Color Inspiration post scheduled for today, but I changed my mind. :)

I received some beautiful photos from my parents yesterday. They have a home on the Washington Coast and have visitors there right now.... And not of the human variety. :)

They are the SNOWY OWLS.... and talk about beautiful.

My mom is quite the seamstress. She'll tell you not these days. But when I was growing up, she could sew up a storm and sew very well.

Soon I'll be teaching her how to quilt. I know she'll be really good at it. I have a pattern for a quilt in mind. It will be for their beach home....and when I saw the photos of the Snowy Owls, I knew I wanted to make a Color Inspiration card.

I'm in love with the colors in this card... And I'm excited to go looking for fabrics for my mom's first quilt!

I hope you enjoy this new feature @ Pleasant Home...
Later I will make them available in 4" x 6" PDF...

Happy Sewing! ooxx`jodi

Vintage Yo Yo's on a Quilt

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:30:00 +0000

On July 23, 2010 I posted about the Vintage Yo Yo's that were given to me by a friend, but I just wasn't sure what I wanted to do with them... So they sat in their box under my bed for another year and a half....

You can read that post HERE.

But one day not too long ago, while pinning away on Pinterest. I came across THIS pin...

I knew instantly I was going to do the very same with my vintage Yo Yo's.

I bought a 50" x 60" off white quilt....

I hand stitched / tacked down the Blocks of Yo Yo's that had already been sewn together...

And then I added a binding to the quilt to tie it all together...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE how this quilt turned out...

Super Simple with Simply Fantastic results...

And have I mentioned that I LOVE Pinterest?

Projects = Scraps = Scrappy Projects !

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

As our Month long of Scrappy Fun almost comes to a end...

I thought it might be kinda fun to show you a Scrappy Project from the very start to the very finish!

As in the original project, then the scraps from the project, and then the project created from the scraps! {did ya catch all that?}

My friend Sheri made 4 Shelby Mine Purses recently for Christmas. Each one in a totally different colorway.

#1) What I would call Dark Country... It has that country vibe with Sheep, Roosters, Wood- Grain, Apples... And, dark homey colors: Deep Red and Forest Green.

#2) I would call this Soft and Subdued... It has a bit of the country / cottage vibe in soft and subtle colors: Denim Blues and Saddle Browns.

#3) This would be the Bright and Cheery one... It has the ever popular Aqua and Red with a bit of Pink too.

#4) I don't have a photo of #4. But it was made with this Charm Pack... Happy Greens and Sunny Yellows in a bit of Country...

It might be a little overwhelming to imagine all the scraps from these 4 projects in one quilt...

How bout if we grab all the scraps from these four purses

Press them...

and sort them by color...

Sheri's scraps were mostly 1.5" strips left over from the Charm Squares she used in her purses.

Now when you see them all together it doesn't look too bad.

But let's break them up a bit just for fun...

I've sorted them into different colorways.... You could come up with some scraptacular projects using just a few colors from this big pile of scraps...

Pink, Green and Brown...

Red, White, and Blue with a bit of Gray...

This is a pretty combo... Sunny Yellow and Happy Green make that darker country black floral pop!

But what if I chose just about 5 colors from that big pile of scraps, sewed them together, and then used my funky pinwheel template to make a funky pinwheel block?

I've never made Scrappy Funky Pinwheel's before... And I LOVE them!

And look how well the dark deep turquoise prints from purse #1 blends in with the bright aqua prints from purse #3.

Even the dark reds from Purse #1 sit next to the bright reds from purse's #3 and #4 pretty well.

I used white Kona cotton for the background... And to tie the quilt together I bought the Aqua and Red Dot for the Border.

With just a little sorting, pressing, and sorting again... I was able to put together a bright, happy and fun little baby quilt from 4 completely different colorways/projects! For me... The possibilities are endless with Scraps!

I've done up some Instructions with Photos for the Scrappy Funky Pinwheel Block in PDF format.

If you would like to download the PDF instructions for the scrappy block, you can do so

NOTE:

This Scrappy version is made using my Funky Pinwheel Template set, and 1 1/2" x at least 5" scraps.

You WILL NEED the Funky Pinwheel Template Set and Instructions to make this scrappy version. And to use the Scrappy Instructions...

The templates are NEW and IMPROVED and back in my Etsy Shop!

I am no longer hand cutting them. And they are 1/8" thick now! I'm just thrilled with the way they have turned out and will be adding my other templates and some Square It Up! templates to the shop soon!

TOMORROW I reveal the GRAND PRIZE !!! And your last chance to ENTER to win it! I can't wait for you to see all the goodies we're GIVING AWAY!!!

See You Tomorrow and Happy Scrappy Sewing!

ooxx`jodi

Crumb Quilts and another Give Away !

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Today on Pleasant Home, we have our last featured blogger and featured tutorial for our month long Sew Scraps Along!

Today I'm pleased to have Andrea from Knitty Bitties as a guest...

Andrea's featured Tutorial is this Simply Fantastic little project she made with her fabric crumbs!
What are Fabric Crumbs? You ask..... Well Andrea and I just happen to both think - they are your Fabric Scraps that are less than a Charm Square (5" x 5").

The littlest, itsiest, bitsiest Fabric Scraps that you "could" actually sew with.

Here is a little bit of my crumbs....

And here are the 5"x5" blocks I made using Andrea's Tutorial and my Fabric Crumbs... Tomorrow I'll share my finished project with you.

A little birdie told me that not only does Andrea have an awesome tutorial on her blog, she's GIVING AWAY a great little stack of Fabric!!! So hurry on over to take a look at Andrea's Project and enter to win! :)

Happy Scrappy Sewing.... ooxx`jodi

Scrappy 60 Degree Quilt Block

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Where has this month gone?

When I emailed Kim of Magnolia Bay Quilts fame, it seemed that January 24th was so far away...

Kim has recently posted a few posts on a really great tutorial that she has put together...

The 60-Degree Quilt... Isn't this just scrumptious! The Perfect Scrappy Quilt!

I am in LOVE with all her bright and happy fabrics...

I've started a little project using Kim's tutorial, but we had a little incident yesterday that sort of threw a wrench in my sewing and photographing plans for this post. Let's just say one of our vehicles was minding it's own business in a parking lot and no longer has a door!

I'll share my version of Kim's 60 degree Quilt later this week... But did you know....

Kim has written two scrappy books... Scrap Basket Surprises and...

Scrap Basket Sensations...

Photo courtesy of Martingdale Company on Flickr

If you haven't visited Kim at Magnolia Bay Quilts... You really should... Especially today...

Not only is there a great Scrappy Tutorial, but Kim is giving away her book "Scrap Basket Sensations" ! Woot! :) What you waiting for? Head on over and take a look at Kim's tutorial and enter to win her book!

Happy Scrappy Sewing!
ooxx`jodi

Scrap Republic Give Away !!!

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

GIVE AWAY HAS ENDED

I think this is going to be one of my all time favorite Scrap Quilt Books!

I was able to review the book this past week and I'm in LOVE...

There are 8 Simply Fantastic Quilt Projects with beautiful photos !

And the book delivers exactly what it Promises!... Projects for those who love COLOR...

I think my most favorite quilt in the book is VOLUME on page 34... Absolutely Scrumptious!

How would you like to win a copy of Scrap Republic?!?

C&T Publishing is going to send one lucky reader a copy of Scrap Republic! Now how nice is that?!

GIVE AWAY HAS ENDED

~~Leave a Comment on this post.. Answer the following question(s):~~

Do you like to sew in the peace and quiet?
Or do you like somethin playin in the background?
Music?
T.V.?
Books on CD?

Most of the time I like peace and quiet. I enjoy sewing in solitude. But there are days when I have one of my Pandora stations or iTunes turned way up! And I even pop a movie in once in a while. My latest favorite? Happy Feet... a little bit movie and a little bit music. Love it.

If you'd like to get your own copy of Scrap Republic... You can buy it...

Scrappy Mug Mat Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

I had much fun sewing these little scrappy mug mats!

I decided to call them Mug Mats because they're just a bit smaller than the larger Mug Rugs I usually make...

Here's a quick tutorial on how I made them...

SCRAPPY MUG MATS
finished size 6" x 6"

1)
Cut 2"x2" squares of scrap fabrics - you will need 16 squares for each mug mat

2)

Cut a 8" x 8" square of Fusible Grid Interfacing

{you can use any kind of fusible interfacing, the grid just helps to keep your squares of fabric aligned. Just make sure you use light weight}

3)
Lay your 2" x 2" pieces of fabric onto the Interfacing (following the grids) until it looks good to you

4)
Press your fabrics to the Fusible Interfacing per directions that come with Interfacing

5)
Matching right sides together, refer to photo and finger press along the vertical lines first, sew 1/4" seam. Repeat this for each row.

6)
Lay flat onto your cutting mat and trim just a hair off each seam. Press each seam open.

7)
Now repeat steps 4-6 for the Horizontal Rows.

Press entire pieced "block".

8)
Cut a piece of backing and batting...

9)
Quilt your pieced squares to the batting if desired. Don't sew the Backing on yet.

10)
Cut 4 pieces of Ric Rac (you will need 4 - 6.5" pieces for this mug mat)

11) lay them out on the right side of your pieced squares, as shown in the photo below. Staring at one point and going around. Baste the Ric Rac really close to the edge of the pieced top, all the way around.

12)
Now lay your pieced top and backing right sides together and sew around the mug mat, leaving an opening on one side for turning.

13)
Clip Corners, Turn Right Side Out, Press and then Top Stitch close to edge on all four sides, sewing the opening closed as you go.

Original Tutorial for Quick Piecing Tiny Scraps using Interfacing...
Can be found @ Sew Mama Sew by Elizabeth of Oh Fransson!

Happy Scrappy Sewing ! ooxx`jodi

Scrappy Update, Tiger Tape, and another Entry!

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

My Scraptacular Picnic Quilt from Nanette's tutorial is almost done!

Introducing the top to my 2011 Scrappy Quilt!

{every year I make a quilt with the previous years scraps. I now have a 2008 & 2009 completed and my 2011 is almost finished... my 2010 is still a work in progress.. click on the year to see each quilt}

I need to find a backing {crossing my fingers it can come from my stash}..

And it will be ready to be quilted! I can't wait until it's done. I am totally in love with it.

My next Scrappy Project is the Scrappy Dresden from Lurline's Tutorial. It's finished and enjoying it's new home on my dining room buffet.

I tried a great "new 2 me" product on this project... It's called Tiger Tape...

Have you heard of it? Have you tried it?

The tape is used as a guide for evenly spaced hand quilted stitches.. It's reusable and comes in different sizes for different stitch widths. It's very cool.

So I cut a few small pieces and stuck them along my Dresden points and just followed the lines on the tape. Nearly perfect quilted stitches...

What great results... Don't you think? You can read more about it HERE and if you'd like to purchase some, you can do so HERE.

Beverly of Tiger Tape graciously sent a package along to include in the Grand Prize Give Away at the end of the month! Thanks Beverly!

How bout another entry to the Grand Prize Drawing!?!

Leave a comment on this post... Answer the following question:

Do you have a Favorite Season?

I love all seasons. In fact I LOVE a year that has a bit of everything in it. I have been wishing and wishing for lots and lots of snow this week... But I have to say,,,Summer is my absolute favorite time of year.

I'll be back tomorrow with the Tutorial for the little Scrappy Square Mug Mats! I decided they should be called mats because their smaller than what I usually make for a {mug} rug.. :)

Happy Scrappy Sewing! ooxx`jodi

linkin up with Amy

Scrap Jar Stars

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

For Real? Are we into Week #3 of the Sew Scraps Along already? Goodness this month is going by fast!

I'm excited to share this weeks featured Tutorial....

If you don't know or haven't visited Amber of Little Bit Biased.... You should totally hop over after this post and not only take a look at her tutorial, but surf around her blog... She is one talented gal and has some simply awesome projects to share.

Today Amber gave into my pleading and begging and is sharing a NEW tutorial with you! Are these not the cutest Scrappy stars!?! I am LOVING these colors!

As soon as I saw Amber post her first set of Scrap Jar Stars.. I emailed her and begged (not even kidding) her to share them for the Sew Scraps Along.

And looky what I made yesterday!

I've started gathering, collecting and making things for one of my dreams... [a vintage camp trailer] I chose these colors for this quilt so it can go in my "home away from home" someday..

I even got a bunch of my scraps pressed, cut and ready to go. Because I can't wait to work on these blocks some more!

You can find the tutorial for Amber's Scrap Jar Stars

And while you're there, tell her Hi for me. :) Oh and pssst... A little birdie told me that Amber's having a Give Away too!

Happy Scrappy Sewing !!! And Thank You Ms. Amber for sharing your tutorial!

S is for Scraps and More!

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Today it's all about Scrappy Books!

I have had the opportunity these past couple of weeks to review a few books. Scrappy books that is!

First on the list is S is for SCRAPPY by Gayle Bong

Here's a shot from the book of all the projects in this book. There's a little bit of everything in this book... I especially liked the quilt called "Ahead of the Game" found on page 52.

Next is Small Blocks Stunning Quilts by Mary Elizabeth Kinch and Biz Storms... Although it doesn't have Scrap or Scrappy in the title, most of the quilts in this book would qualify as "scrappy" in my book!

There are some stunning :) scrappy quilts in this book.. Including the one below.

Although Small Blocks Stunning Quilts will be out of print soon, it is available as an e-Book and the authors have a new book coming out in May!

And one of my favorites... Crazy for Scraps by Sally Schneider

I am ALWAYS drawn to Star's. There is just something about them. {those and pinwheels are probably my favorite blocks in quilts} ... And I am really liking the pattern below.

I have some fabric stashed away that might end up in this quilt...

And look at all the scrappy goodness in the quilt below... Scraptacular Scrappy!

All three books are from Martingdale and Company and are available on Amazon.

And now for a sneak peak at the Grand Prize I'll be giving away at the end of the month!

Are you drooling yet?

My friend Sheri made this adorable Shelby Mine Bag, and she graciously gave it to me to Give Away during the Sew Scraps Along.

I immediately thought it would make the perfect little bag to hold all the Grand Prize loot in!

Yep you read that right... The bag alone isn't the Grand Prize, but it will be FULL of all kinds of Scrappy Goodness!

Want another chance to win the Grand Prize?

Super Easy! Become a Follower of Pleasant Home and leave me a comment letting me know you did!

Already a Follower? Cool! Leave me a comment and let me know you are!

Happy Scrappy Sewing! ooxx`jodi

Scrappy Courthouse Steps

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:30:00 +0000

My friend Andrea sent me a link a couple days ago to Randi's Blog. I've followed Randi's blog now and than and love everything she does. {including the fabric she sells}

But I had missed the Sew Along she was having this week!

Randi is going to host a Sew Along the 2nd Tuesday of each month. How cool is that! This month's Sew Along was a great tutorial on the Courthouse Steps block.. Aren't these blocks adorable!

A perfect way to use up your scraps and left overs!

I wanted a new table runner for my kitchen. I have a spot on my breakfast bar where I like to keep a bowl of fruit, napkins and such. I usually have a little runner there and change it out seasonally.

So I sat down last night and went to work.

I already had 2" strips cut for another scrappy project. So I went ahead and used the larger strips for my project,,, following Randi's Tutorial for piecing.

I totally love it.

I did some simple straight line quilting and used some left over binding I had from another project.

Oh ! I almost forgot this week! How about another chance to enter for the Grand Prize drawing?

This week is easy! For a chance to win the Grand Prize given away at the end of the month...

Leave me a comment on this post... Answering one or all of these question's....

Do you like your scraps ?

Do you love your scraps?

Do you hate your scraps?

Is a Scrap Quilt a scrap quilt if you pull fabrics from your stash, or only a Scrap Quilt if you only use scraps?

I'm getting a post ready for next week and would love some input for it...

So answer one or all of the questions in the form of a comment on this post, and you'll be entered to win!

Tomorrow I'll give you a sneak peak of the Grand Prize!

Happy Sewing! ooxx`jodi

Scrappy Dresden Plate Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Sorry this post is a little late today. Had a little hiccup! ;o)

Our 2nd Featured Blogger in Week #2 of the Sew Scraps Along is Lurline from Lurline's Place! Lurline is another blogger that I've been following along with for a few years now.

I can always find happy inspiration at Lurline's Place!

When searching for Scrappy Tutorials to share with you... I knew I wanted to do a Dresden Plate block.

Lurline's Dresden Plate Tutorial was perfect for this week's tutorial!

Here is Lurline's Dresden... Isn't it scrumptious!

One of my most favorite Dresden quilts is this one...

Sewn and Quilted by me in 2009

I enjoyed every bit of the process making this quilt.

So I was very anxious to try Lurline's more scrappy style dresden's.

I'm almost finished with my Scrappy Dresden! Here's a little peak...

I am hooked!

My next Dresden quilt will be done in this scrappy style...

It was so much fun to sew!

Thanks Lurline for sharing your Scraptacular Tutorial!

You can find Lurline's Tutorial HERE

Week 1 of the Sew Scraps Along

noreply@blogger.com (jodi@Pleasant-Home) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Thanks to everyone who is following along! And Thanks to everyone who posted about the Sew Scraps Along on your blog! It's been a fun first week!

I wanted to share a book with you today. I just received it this week and I'm loving it!

Cut the Scraps! 7 Steps to Quilting Your Way through Your Stash
by Joan Ford

Have you heard of it? Do you have it?

There are 20 irresistible Scrappy Projects in this book! Some super great tips for sewing with your scraps. AND how to organize them too.

Joan organizes her scraps just a little bit different than I do. I'm seriously thinking of giving it a try. She offers step-by-step instructions for cutting your scrap fabric stash down to size and ready to quilt! mmmm. Definitely something to think about.

The quilt on the front cover of the book is what sold me right off. It's totally going in my inspiration file and on my "To Sew" list.

Two other quilts going on my "To Sew" list are the Something Fishy quilt and Bloomin Steps. I really love the scrappiness of both these...

Something Fishy

Bloomin Steps

You can find the book on Amazon

now for a little recap of the week:

2 Tutorials and tons of simply awesome Inspiration, along with a Give Away over at Freda's Hive,,,, make for a great start to the Scrap Along!

I've been sewing here and there on my Scraptacular Picnic Quilt all week. The top is almost done!

I played a little more with the gridded interfacing and 2" squares and made a couple of these! I'll give a short tutorial later...

And I also finished another scrappy project I'll be sharing with you next week!

Would you like another chance to enter for the Grand Prize drawing? You have a chance to enter 3 times today! (for a total of 4 entries this week)

1) LIKE Pleasant Home on Facebook = 1 entry

2) Post about the Sew Scraps Along on your Facebook Page = 1 entry
3) Twitter about the Sew Scraps Along = 1 entry

Leave a Comment on this post for each entry you participate in.

And no worries for those of you without Blogs, Facebook, Twitter.... ( I don't even Twitter) There will be plenty of opportunities for you to enter this month!

P.S.
Be sure and join the Flickr Group ....

I can't wait to see the projects you're working on with your scraps!

Almost forgot... Tomorrow I'll be posting a Question and Answer post. I'll be going through my emails and the comments from this week trying to answer the questions I can. If you have any other questions - shoot me an email at PleasantHome@live.com

Happy Scrappy Sewing! ooxx`jodi