Curvy Log Cabin Quilt

2023 - DrEAMi Project #1 

Hello there! Happy Tuesday!

Over the weekend while getting caught up on email I received a free pattern, The Encompass Quilt, from Rhonda with Patchwork Sampler.

The Encompass pattern is a curvy twist on the classic log cabin quilt block.

The log cabin is my favorite quilt block because of all the variations that can be accomplished when making it, so this pattern from Rhonda became a DrEAMi (Drop everything and make it) project for me.

Following the beautifully written pattern, I made twelve three (3) blocks for a table runner using Fall colored Hoffman Batik fabrics I had in my stash.

I absolutely loved how this table runner turned out and it will be a terrific addition to my shop!

If you'd like to make the Encompass Quilt, please sign up for Rhonda's newsletter here.

Until next time Happy Crafting/Quilting!

Hey Pumpkin - Scrappy Quilted Table Runner

 Scrappy Pumpkins

Hello there!  Happy Friday!

I had a customer email a couple of weeks ago to ask if I would make a fall table runner for her.

She used to be a quilter and was able to communicate exactly what she wanted.

Her first request was rusty orange, mustard yellow and other fabrics that read orange. The second request was pumpkins that weren't made of squares - "scrappy and unique" were her exact words.

I'm not going to lie...this request stressed me out! First, she's a quilter and could be extra critical of my work, but the big stressor was scrappy but no squares - what can I do?

Pinterest and YouTube can be the creator's secret weapons for inspiration!  I found Krista Moser's Scrappy Pumpkin, a video tutorial with a free pattern on You Tube. Yay - I knew I'd hit jack pot with this pattern.

In the video Krista uses her mini-60-degree ruler, which I don't own but I do have her larger 60-degree ruler and it worked great for this project.

This pumpkin quilt block pattern was so much fun to make!

I'm happy and most importantly -- my customer was happy!

Until next time....happy crafting!

Shades of Blue - Quilted Baby Gifts

Gifts For a New Baby Mama

Hello and happy Monday!

Hubby and I will welcome a new grandson into the family in March 2023!

I wanted/needed to make something for our new little man, the parents chose a modern color scheme using navy and gray.

Once I had the colors, I ordered a 7 fat quarter bundle and yardage of Nice Ice Baby, a collection by Deena Rutter for Riley Blake, from Simply Fabrics on Etsy. Nice Ice is a beautiful collection in shades of blue with really cute polar bears and narwhals.

Baby Bib and Burp Cloth

My favorite gift item to make for babies are bibs and burp cloths.

I cut the Nice Ice fat quarters into 40 - 3.5 inch squares to create a patchwork bib and burp cloth. 16 squares for the bib and 24 squares for the burp cloth.

After quilting the patchwork, I used my own patterns to cut out the bib and burp cloths.

If you are wanting to make your own similar patchwork bib and burp cloth, Caroline at SewCanShe.com has a tutorial and free downloadable pattern, you can find it Here.

I used a navy cotton chenille fabric to back both the bib and burp cloth.

Diaper Clutch

Another useful handmade gift for new parents is a diaper clutch. Since I purchased the fabric without a plan — I was working on the fly with the small amount of fabric I had. Sometimes when I’m under pressure I do my best “creating”.

I took a couple of diapers and package of wipes I had on hand to determine the size needed for an envelope styled clutch.

I then cut strips from 6 of the fat quarters to get the desired size. I sewed the strips together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, prepared a quilt sandwich, and did some simple wavy lined quilting.

After trimming the excess batting and backing, I put the diapers back in to determine where the fold should be.

The folded area becomes the pocket. I added binding to the pocket, then added a basting stitch on the sides, to make it easier when adding the final binding.

Once the pocket was bound, I curved the edges on the top piece and used a package of double fold bias tape binding to complete the clutch.

Lastly, I added a strip of sew in Velcro and hand sewed a button on the front.

Voila a handy diaper clutch!

Stroller or Car Quilt

I was introduced to the Nice Ice Fabric collection watching a video tutorial by Amanda Castor with Material Girls Quilts.

Amanda used a charm pack to create a beautiful half square triangle (hst) Baby quilt. I chose to use a diamond shaped hst layout for baby Stephen’s stroller/car quilt, which allowed me to embroider his initials in the center of the quilt. I used a gray Minky fabric on the back and flannel for the batting.

Changing Pad

With the remaining strips of the Nice Ice Fat Quarters, I sewed them together with a quarter inch seam. Created a quilt sandwich with the pieced top, flannel for batting and water proof fabric as the backing. I did some simple echo quilting along the seams, trimmed the excess flannel and backing, sewed 2 pieces of ribbon on one end and bound the pad. Again, no pattern only vision! In the end the changing pas was probably larger than needed, but it folds up really nicely!

Personalized Clothing

My son (baby’s daddy) graduated from University of Michigan in 2010 and my gift would not be complete without some Michigan gear.

I used my Cricut Joy to create the decals for the baby bodysuits, and banded a Gerber diaper with a strip of cotton fabric showcasing the Michigan logos, using my embroidery I machined appliquéd the letter “S” and embroidered his name on the burp cloth.

Thanks for stopping by and allowing me to share these gift ideas!

Until next time happy sewing/crafting!

Snowman Cricut Projects

 Snowman Cricut Projects

I purchased a Cricut Maker and Cricut Joy  two years ago and have only used it a few times to decorate tee shirts.

One of my 2023 goals is to get better acquainted with my Cricut machines, and start making items to give as gifts or sell at our local craft fair.

Keeping in line with the winter theme from my last post, I made two projects using my Cricut machines.

Snowman Wreath

I saw this wreath on Pinterest, and was inspired to create something similar adding my own spin!

I didn’t have a 12 inch wreath on hand so I pulled out a piece of cardboard - a USPS priority box was perfect and cut out a 12 inch circle. I used a dinner plate to cut out the inner circle and voila a 12 inch wreath form!

Using a fabric strip measuring 2 x 42 inches, I wrapped the cardboard wreath to dress it up a bit.

I laid out six 4 inch unfinished wood circles from my craft stash on the wreath to figure out placement for the snowman faces.

I decided to swap out the bottom wood round and use a welcome wood word cut-out instead.

Once I was happy with the arrangement, I painted each of the wood pieces using Waverly’s Snow White Chalk Paint. Once the chalk paint was dry, I dry-brushed a layer silver metallic paint on each of the wood circles. I wanted the faces to have a rustic glittery look.

I selected and cut out five (5) really cute snowman faces from the Cricut Design Space software using a Heat Transferred Vinyl (HTV/Iron On Vinyl). I used my Cricut mini easy press iron to adhere the vinyl onto the wood circles.

Below is my January welcome wreath!

Snowman Wood Wall Art

Inspiration for my second project came from this picture of a yard sign created by yardartus.com

We retired to Florida a few years ago to get away from snowy winters!

I’m thinking this is what a snowman would look like here in Central Florida !

What do you think?

Until next time — happy crafting/sewing!

Small Winter Quilted Decor Ideas

 Winter Table Runner and Pillows

Hello Friends! Happy Monday and welcome to 2023!

I’m late getting my first post of the new year out due to last minute holiday travel plans and doing year-end inventory for my shop. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season.

Every January I pull out my blue and white quilted runners and pillows to celebrate the winter season. We live in Central Florida and most days in January are sunny and warm. This year it’s been cold and chilly, so we had to turn the heat on.

I wanted new items for 2023! I had thirteen-layer cake squares in various shades of blue left over from a baby quilt I made last year, so I challenged myself to use those 10 x 10 squares for my latest items.

Quilt-As-You-Go (QAYG) Runner - Super Simple

QAYG is a unique technique that allows you to piece and quilt at the same time. There are several methods available under the QAYG category. Lots of books and videos are available on the topic, my favorite authors/instructors are Jera Brandvig and Monica Poole.

For this runner I found a small rectangular scrap of batting in my stash and cut thirty strips measuring 1.5 inches wide from the layer cake squares.

The finished quilted runner measures 10 x 30 inches, small but perfect for our coffee table!

Foundation Strip Pieced Table Runner

Foundation strip piecing is another quick and easy quilt block great for stash busting. Since my strips were only ten inches long, I chose to use a 7-inch foundation block. I used this newsprint paper as my foundation. I do a lot of paper piecing and this paper is great, tears easily and I can run it through my ink jet printer.

My center strips are 2.5 inches, the blue strips are various widths. I made 8 blocks for this runner.

Improv pieced quilted pillow with embroidery

With the last of my blue strips, I sewed them end to end to form nine strips twenty-one inches wide, added background fabric to the center creating a 21-inch square. I added batting and quilted the patchwork before adding the embroidery design.

The finished pillow measures 20 x 20.

I’m happy I was able to complete the challenge and have my first finishes for 2023!

Until next time…happy sewing and crafting!