Mug Rug #4: Beach Huts

At Christmas I considered making my sister's husband a mug rug to go with his bag of coffee.  She didn't think he would get much use out of it, but said she would love one for her desk.  I told her that one day I would send her a little surprise in the mail.  Well, today is that day.

I wanted to make her something that would remind her of the beach while at work so she could take a little mental vacation now and then.  This mug rug measures 7.5" x 9.5" and features 2 little beach huts (one for each of us), an umbrella, and a kite. 

Hope you like it Carrie!  Love you...

~ Enjoy ~

Merry Merry Snowman Block 6

I might be on a record here ... two M.M.S. blocks done in one month!  Three more blocks to go.  I think I could actually finish this by summer!  The very bottom strip I cut just slightly too small.  I'll have to make up my boo boo in the seam allowance when I piece the blocks together.  I really need to practice what I preach: measure twice, check directions twice, cut once.

There are embellishments that go on the snowman, the top present, and their hats after quilting is done.  Such fun.  :)

~ Enjoy ~

Fabric Basket #1

I saw a tutorial online for fabric baskets used to stuff with gifts.  It gave me an idea to make one I could keep next to the machine for small scraps and thread pieces.  I'm one of those sewers that clips my start and end threads after each seam.  The outer fabric matches my sewing room curtains, I have to be careful not to make and/or cover everything in sight with it, I love it that much.  The inner fabric is a coordinating piece.

I used a heavy duty interfacing so I could ensure it would stand up rigidly... I didn't want the sides collapsing at all.  I might use a slightly softer interfacing next time, or mix them with the more rigid one on the sides of the basket and a less rigid at the bottom.  I noticed the bottom of my fabric basket bows out just a little from the bulk of the interfacing.



This was a test basket so I went pretty quick and wasn't very careful.  I do plan to make more, so I'll do my own tutorial someday when I've got it just the way I want it.  But for now ... isn't it cute?!?  Thanks to Pam from the Threading My Way blog for posting her tutorial!

Tray table ironing board

 

We used to use these tray tables in our travel trailer, but now we don't need them in there.  My husband has one in our bedroom to put all of his 'stuff' (keys, wallet, phones, etc) and I decided to use the other as an ironing table that I could keep next to me while sewing.

The bottom layer is insul-brite, and that is covered by ironing board fabric.  I stapled those layers on the underside.  All the tutorials show stapling the cover fabric as well, but I wanted it to be removable for washing (or changing my mind on fabric colors).  I cut a rectangle, and stitched a pocket all the way around.  Originally I wanted elastic, but didn't make it quite big enough for that.  I found some kitchen twine and put that into my pocket as a drawstring and it worked like a charm.  I got a mini iron perfect for the tray table and use it to press seams as I go.

There aren't photos step by step on this one, but my husband wants a cover for his table so I'll do tutorial photos with that one.

 

Merry Merry Snowman Block 5

Finally finished block 5 of the Merry Merry Snowman quilt.  Four more to.  At this pace I might actually finish it before Christmas! 

I've decided there's a little more hand stitching than I enjoy doing ... but I'm loving all the applique designs.  This is a fun quilt and I look forward to seeing it all put together.

Rice Bag Covers

I've made things for a local vet in the past; it's sew fun getting the animal fabrics and learning new techniques for making unusual things.  The most recent item they needed was rice bag covers.  They put rice in IV bags, and warm those up when heat applications are needed (genious!).  They wanted covers that would be thick enough so the animal wouldn't get too much heat, but thin enough that the warmth would transfer through. 

I was on a mission.  First I needed to find the right combination of fabrics, then I had to learn the best way to make the bag.  I hadn't ever made a bag before, so this was new territory for me.  My first try was fleece, but then I thought of all the times I'd worn that on a breezy day and the cold came right through.  Next idea was flannel, but that's too thin.  Then I started thinking about sweatshirt fleece with a cotton novelty, and after a quick conversation with Dionne, she agreed.

I brought a test bag by the hospital, and we put a warmed rice bag in.  They insulate very well so there isn't a risk of burning the animal, they hold that heat nicely, and they are soft and cushioney.  I made these so there aren't any exposed seams.  Technically they are reversible, but the velcro tab closure is only on the fleece.  The velcro keeps the bag from falling out, also eliminating the risk of burning an animal.

In the end I learned a few new things, helped the vet make their patients more comfortable, and had fun doing it!

~ Enjoy ~

Tote Bag #1 - If I Didn't Knit

First of all, I should mention there is a swear word on the bag, so anyone sensitive to language don't look at the picture.  I posted this image on a quilting forum and they deleted it because it was vulgar.   Go figure. 

A little history... I met Peggy through my friend Judi.  Peggy is Judi's best friend and as a reader of the blog you might remember Judi is a dear friend of mine, and the one that got me into quilting.  Over the holidays I saw a tote bag Peggy made that I absolutely loved.  I got the pattern but by the time I got around to using it the holidays were over. 

I had some fabric of cats playing in a basket with balls of yarn; when I found it I knew I was going to use it for my friend Renee who has two grey tabby cats and she knits.  In fact, she is the best darn knitter I know.  She makes amazing, beautiful stuff!  I decided to make that fabric into the Crabapple Hill tote bag and change the Christmas center into a panel that goes with it. 

I found some clip art, added the text, and traced it onto my center panel fabric.  From there I colored the picture with Crayola Crayons, heat set the color, then hand stitched along my tracing lines and made the bag.  My husband, who is incredibly clever, came up with the phrase on the bag since I was struggling with something funny to put on there.  I finished it off with Swarovski crystals for the eyes, nose, and to dot the I's.

I hope you like it Renee!