Begin by grabbing your binding strips to create your binding.  You are going to sew them end to end to make one nice long strip measuring.  Press open the seams.  Then you are going to sew the binding strip in half, lengthwise.  Once ironed, roll it up so it’s more manageable.

Trim the extra batting and backing from the quilt.  Don’t overcompensate to make it perfectly square.  You will ruin the quilt.

Flip the quilt over so it is facing down.

Start pinning the binding to the back of the quilt.  The unfinished side of the bias tape should be meeting up with the unfinished edge of the quilt back.  When you get to a corner, pin the bias tape at a 45 degree angle.  Then fold the fabric to continue pinning along the next side of the quilt.  Place another pin at a 45 degree angle to keep in place.

Continue pinning all the way around the quilt.  When you reach the point where you started, open the binding and pin the edges together.  Sew the two ends together.  Trim off the extra fabric and pin in place.

Start sewing the binding to the back of the quilt.  I used a 1/4 inch seam allowance like I have on the rest of the quilt.  When you get to a corner, lift up the needle and foot, carefully turn the quilt, flip the corner over.  Put the foot down and continue sewing.  Repeat this step at each of the corners.

When the bias is sewn in place, it will look like this.

Now we are going to “bind” it!

Turn the quilt over, right side up.  Fold the binding over to the front and pin in place around all of the edges of the quilt.

When you get to the corner, you will fold it like this.

Sew all the way around the quilt, keeping it as close to the edge of the binding as possible.

NOW IT’S FINISHED!

I can’t wait to see what you all have come up with!  Next week I will reveal my entire quilt and the Quilt Along link party will go live!

The post Quilt Along: Binding the Quilt appeared first on Create Craft Love.

I hope you’re having great week and that you’re getting ready for summer! Are your kids out of school yet?

Let’s get this party started shall we?

Last week’s most viewed link up was DIY Dahlia Flower Decor by The Happy Scraps:

So pretty! I want to make this!

If you missed last week’s features see them here.

Party on!

The post Keep Calm and Link Up #42 appeared first on Create Craft Love.

~This week’s features are: 6 Unique Ideas for Jars and they’re brought to you by Barbara at Chase the Star~

Healthy Cup of Dirt!

Mason Jar with a Spout

Dad’s Snack & Surf Kit

Pig Pickin’ Cake in a Jar

Pretty Blue Mason Jar

Dried Herbs and Spices in a Jar

Come back tomorrow night for the party! If you want more chances to be featured, visit our group blog, The Creative Headquarters and submit your latest and greatest creation (or even something older and fabulous!).  We are currently looking for Father’s Day, Summer and 4th of July posts!  If you’ve got ‘em, we want ‘em!  Let us feature YOU!

The post 6 Unique Ideas for Jars appeared first on Create Craft Love.

Picture this – Kyle and I are walking into the mall the other day.  I was busy instagramming and not paying attention to where I was going.  Next thing you know, I’ve tripped over a crack in the sidewalk.  Kyle is grabbing for my arm and says, “And you’re still sure about using power tools?”  To which I reply, “Well, I’m going to do a power tool safety post first!”  {Pulled that outta my butt!}  Then he says, “At least promise me you will read the ENTIRE instruction book before using the circular saw.”  So here I am, writing a power tool safety post after having read through oodles of articles on the subject AND the circular saw instruction book.  hee hee

Power Tools for Mommies is a series I will be starting here on Create.Craft.Love!  {I can hear the snickering, so stop.}  I will present simple crafts and projects that can be accomplished with power tools and we will learn together!  Meeting Ryobi Tools at SNAP! Conference was one of the best things that happened!  I was able to try out some of the power tools I had been longing to use WITHOUT spousal intervention.  And guess what?  I still have all of my appendages!

I have been begging Kyle to let me use power tools for some of my crafty projects.  He has REPEATEDLY denied my requests, stating that I am too accident prone to be allowed near power tools.  Every time I get a wild hair up my butt to try something other than my glue gun on a project, he reminds me of my foot going through my Antique Window Raven Decoration.  {If you don’t know about that, you can read about it here.}  It was a bloody mess {literally} which resulted in a trip to the ER and four stitches.

Based on my previous track record, I feel like I should impart mistakes wisdom before beginning this series.

1. MAKE SURE EQUIPMENT IS TURNED TO OFF BEFORE PLUGGING IN OR INSERTING BATTERY PACK!  We don’t want any nasty surprises, now do we?
2. DRESS APPROPRIATELY!  You do not need to look cute when you are using a circular saw.  You are cute enough just as you are!  Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry.  Pull back long hair.
3. WEAR SHOES!  This is important.  I have a tendency to walk around bare foot even when I am working on projects.  This lack of common sense is what lead to the four stitches.  Some of my friends have suggested steel toed shoes as far as my safety is concerned.  I will settle for sneakers.  Deal?
4. PROTECTIVE EYE WEAR!  Yes, I wear glasses.  Well, I’m supposed to wear glasses.  Wearing glasses will result in straighter lines and protect me eyes.  It’s a win win situation, right?  However, I’ve been told I should get eye goggles to go over my glasses.
5. BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS!  Again, common sense but important too.  Make sure there are no water spills around when using electric equipment.  Watch your appendages.  No little ones in the area.
6. KNOW YOUR TOOL!  Read the instruction book before starting!  It will put your husband’s mind at ease.  Be knowledgeable of which parts or attachments are compatible with your equipment.  {Mind out of the gutters, ladies.}

If you would like to read more on general safety when working with power tools, the Power Tool Institute has a great brochure!  You can find it here!

Proof that I can use a miter saw!

We will get into more specifics as I introduce you to the tools!  First up, the Ryobi 18V One+ Cordless Drill!  {I am in LOVE with this thing!!}  Ryobi has launched a new line of power tools that use the same battery!  No more running around to find the right charger for the right battery!  I’m so excited that I get to try them out!  Head over and sign up to be part of Ryobi Nation!  You can share all of your projects that we create together!!

 I was given free product from Ryobi Tools for the purpose of this post.  To read my full disclosure, click here.

Photos courtesy of the amazing Cheryl of That’s What Che Said!  hee hee

The post Power Tool Safety appeared first on Create Craft Love.

Wanna make your own Upcycled Beverage Tray?

Here’s what you need:

Tray {can be wood or tin, square or round}

Black permanent marker

Scrapbook paper

Scissors/Exacto knife

Mod Podge Super Gloss

First, let me show you the before…

See?  Not my style.

The directions I am going to give you are for the round tray.  You can modify them for a square tray.

I had a bit of a hard time getting the scrapbook paper the right size.  At first, I traced the bottom of the tray and cut it out.  But that was WAY too big.  Since I couldn’t get the galvanized metal apart {I’m not Mr. Incredible}, I decided to try something a little different.  I  flipped the tray over, took a black permanent marker and colored the rim of the tray.

Then, very quickly and carefully, I turned it back over and placed it on the scrapbook paper to make an impression of sorts.

If you look closely, you can see the line it left.  Cut out the circle with your scissors.  Fair warning, it’s still going to be big but much more manageable.

Place the scrapbook paper in the tray.  Smooth it out to the edges.  Let the extra curl up the side of the tray.  Then take your Exacto knife and trim off the excess.

Remove the scrapbook paper.  Brush on a coat of Mod Podge and then reapply the paper.  Smooth is out so you don’t get any wrinkles or bubbles.  Allow to dry for about an hour.

Next, add a coat of Mod Podge Super Gloss to the to seal the paper.  Allow to cure for 4 weeks.  Then wipe down with a wet cloth.

I love my new tray!  It’s going to look great at the new house too!

And it looks so pretty on my aqua side outdoor side table!

What fun ways have you spruced up clearance items?

The post Upcycled Beverage Tray appeared first on Create Craft Love.

We are going to begin by sewing your backing together.  You should have already cut the fabric for your backing in half.  Lay the two pieces face to face and sew the length the fabric on one side.  This is what it should look like once sewn together.

{Sorry for the poor lighting, it’s the only room in my house that can accommodate such a large piece of fabric!}

Flip the backing over so the “good” side of the fabric is face down.  Press the seam.  Once you are done pressing the seam, iron the entire backing.  You want to make sure you get it as smooth as a baby’s butt so your quilt does not have any wrinkles or bunching.

Tip:  I use an extension cord and just do this right on the floor.  So much easier than the hassle of the ironing board.  

Here is where your T pins and curved safety pins come into play!  Once you have your backing as smooth as you can get it, pin the four corners into the carpet.  It will help prevent shifting as we piece the layers together.  If you have a hard wood floor, you can just use tape.

Once your backing is secure, start building your quilt sandwich.  {Quilt sandwich is just the three layers of the quilt – the backing, the batting and the top.}  Roll out your batting.  Your backing will be bigger than the batting.  Smooth it out.  I just used my hands and Kyle’s.  He helps me with this part.  <—– good husband!

Next, add your quilt top.  {Again – seasoned quilters beware.  I think I’m about to do something that isn’t allowed.}  I iron my quilt top once it has been added to the top of the quilt sandwich.  GASP!  Won’t that melt the batting?  I have no idea.  I’ve done this for all three of the quilts I have made and haven’t lost one yet.

Now you are going to carefully T pin the corners of the quilt top to secure it before moving on to the pinning.  And because I don’t think that’s enough, I always pin all the way around the edge of the quilt top too.

If you noticed, you have gobs of extra fabric.  You can trim off the excess.  Be sure to leave about two inches to accommodate for any shifting that may take place as part of the quilting process.

Get those fingers ready!  It’s time to start pinning this bad boy together!  Using your curved safety pins, pin through all three layers of the quilt.  You will want to do this every couple of inches or so.  It is better to over pin than under pin.  You will be really mad at yourself if you do not pin enough and the quilt starts bunching!!  Trust me!  I start in the middle of the quilt and work my way to the edge – pinning and smoothing as I go.

Give your fingers a rest!  Good work!

Now you are ready to start quilting the quilt!

Preparation:  I start by winding about 4 extra bobbins.  It makes the process so much easier when you don’t have to completely un-thread your sewing machine in the middle of quilting.  {I didn’t learn that until this quilt.}  Make sure your magnet is handy to help with any spills, broken needles, missing pins, etc…

Grab something to drink and put in a good movie!  You are going to need it!

Let’s begin quilting!

According to quilting guidelines, you are supposed to start in the center of the quilt and work your way to the edge to prevent bunching and puckering.  For this quilt, I started on row 6 of my blocks and worked my way to one edge.  Then I repeated the process for the other half.

To deal with the bulk of the quilt, it is easiest if you roll the quilt to feed it through the neck of your sewing machine.

I am using a straight line quilting technique with my regular foot.  I have not progressed beyond this method.  If you are more experienced, feel free to quilt this as you see fit.  After all, it is an expression of your creativity!  But for the purposes of this tutorial, I will be posting about straight line quilting.

Using the left side of your foot as a guide, begin sewing down each long seam of the quilt top.  The left side of the foot will be running down the seam as pictured below.

You want to stop your thread as little as possible.  If you run out of thread or the thread breaks, just start back where you left off.  When moving between long seams, I stitched through the edge seam.  You will be making a looping pattern as you move across the quilt.

Start at #1.  Sew across the quilt to #2.  Sew through edge seam to get to #3.  Sew across the quilt to #4.  Sew through the edge seam down to #5.  And so on and so forth…

I know that sounds so confusing, but I promise once you get started, it will all make sense.

For the edge, I just sewed around about three times to give it a little definition.

Here’s what it looks like from the back.  Very simple!  But Reed LOVES it!  That’s what counts!

If you want to add more, be my guest!  After all, it is your quilt!  Personalize it as you see fit!  This is a super easy quilting pattern.  I was able to quilt this in one afternoon.

Feel free to leave a comment with any questions or hit up my email!  If you are part of the Facebook group, feel free to ask in there!

Have fun quilting and I will see you back next week for the final phase of the quilt – binding!

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Creating your own Moss and Twine Summer Centerpiece is as easy as 1-2-3!

1.  White candle holder

2.  Sheet of moss

3.  Votive candles

Told you – it was that easy!!

I cut the moss to fit the inside of the candle plate.  {Man – was that messy!!}  Then I added the votives and wrapped some twine around them.

Warning:  Be sure you use candles in a glass votive!  Moss is highly flammable.  I don’t want any fires!

Doesn’t it look great against my World Market table runner?  I am seriously swooning over this!

This would work great for an outdoor patio table too!  I don’t have one but maybe someday!

I’m thinking I could even re-work this for Christmas…

What do you think?

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The Sunshine Baking Tags are part of May’s Party Time Club!  The Party Time club is a monthly subscription at Life-n-Reflection that includes new products, guides and tutorials!

The Sunshine Baking Tags include these adorable 5 inch Bag Toppers – available in aqua and yellow.  I just adore the sweet little butterfly on them!

I printed the bag toppers and cut them out.  I stapled them to the treat bags.  To add a bit of flair, I punched holes in the bag toppers and added a cute ribbon!

The other part of the bundle are these cute tags!

When I saw the mason jar tags, I knew what I was going to do with these cuties!  I filled up some mason jars with fresh sugar cookies and added the tags!

I had some left over scrapbook paper that I punched out to use on the jar lids.

{I’ve had that cute ribbon for months just waiting to be used for something like this!}

The yellow and aqua remind me that pool time is not far away!

Have you visited Life-n-Reflection yet?  Kristy just redesigned the shop and it is INCREDIBLE!  You have to check it out!  Tell her I sent you!  {wink wink}

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