Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Another Block of the Month

I’m a sucker for block of the month quilts.  They are a fun way to get your creative juices flowing every month.  Especially, if you don’t have much time to quilt.  So, when I saw that the folks over at Riley Blake are starting a mystery block of the month, I had to get started!  Since, we don’t get to see the finished quilt, the hardest part for me is choosing the fabric.  I pick my fabric based on the style of the finished quilt.  Modern quilts get more modern looking fabric and classic style quilts get softer fabrics (usually floral).

So, as I was going through my stash, I came across a stack of red, green, and white Christmasy fabric I had bought years ago.  Perfect! This block of the month only has nine blocks in it, so it will be done in September just in time for Christmas.

Here is a look at my version of the January block, the Chevron block.

Riley Black mystery block of the month

The polka dots got a little jumbled when cut into small triangles, but I think when it gets put together with the rest of the quilt, it’ll look great.  (Next time I’ll be a little more careful when I piece them together so I don’t have polka dots cut in half facing each other.)

If you have never done a block of the month, you should give it a try.  They are great fun!

Stormy

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Valentine Treats

I’ve started a few projects that I can’t wait to show off, but I haven’t been able to work on them since my kids all decided to get sick this week.  But, I did manage to make a few treats for church tomorrow.  Once a month, in the women’s class (or Relief Society), we have what’s called “Sweet Sunday”.   We take turns making a fun treat for the ladies in the class.  This month is my turn….

Valentine treats

I followed the instructions found here on mama hen's kitchen

heart cake pops

The chocolate cakes are chocolate inside and out. Yummy!  The pink, white and red hearts are made from cherry chip cake and vanilla frosting.  (My girls like these the best.)

Valentine heart cakes on polka dot plate

They remind of of the little cakes on “Alice in Wonderland”, so my oldest daughter made some “Eat Me” cards to set on the trays. 

Stormy

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Valentine Hearts

I was having a tired and lazy day yesterday and didn’t want to do anything but lie in bed and watch television all day long.  My three year old frowns upon such things, so I decided to get my daily Pinterest fix and hopefully be inspired to decorate for Valentines day.  It totally worked!  I pulled out all my decorations I made last year, and made some cute little hearts for this year.  They were quick and easy and my daughter loved helping me sew and stuff them.  Then, she decided they were hers and promptly stole every last one so she could add them to her frog collection.  (Both the hearts and frogs are all stuffed with craft beads, so they are extra fun to play with and toss around.)

I stole them back this morning to snap a picture.

Fabric hearts

To make them, I did a Google search for heart clipart, found the shape I wanted, then printed them off in three different sizes.  I cut out the hearts to use as my pattern, then cut out the fabric with pinking shears.  To finish, I simply sewed a 1/4 inch around the outside, leaving a hole to add the beads, filled them and sewed the hole closed!  They are made from the leftover scraps of my Swoon quilt

Now, I am feeling extra accomplished for starting and finishing another one day project and I also have a cute addition to my Valentine décor.

Stormy

Sunday, January 13, 2013

‘Vintage Groove’ table topper

For the past two years, my sister has taken our family pictures.  In return, I make a table topper for her.  We both think we are getting the better end of the deal, so it’s the perfect trade.

This year, my sister found an unfinished topper I had started for myself and never finished.  She loved it, so I finished it and gave it to her.

Quilted Table Topper

It is made from the line “Vintage Groove” by Adorn It.  I have an unfinished quilt top made from this line too.  I might have to finish it one day….

Table Topper 2

Stormy

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Postage Stamp Mug Rug

I have an entire collection of miscellaneous fat quarters I have bought over the years that I thought were cute, but didn’t know what to do with them.  I have also recently learned the joy of making a one day project.  (I tend to make mostly quilts.)  One of these ‘One Day Projects’, are Mug Rugs.  They are mini quilts you can start and finish in one day, and you get to enjoy your cute fat quarters or scraps you didn’t know what to do with. 

I made this mug rug as part of a Christmas present for my sister.  I used leftover scraps from my Star Sampler Quilt.  I liked it so much, I had a hard time giving it away!

Riley Blake Seaside Fabric

The squares are one inch and the finished Mug Rug is about 14 inches.  Cute eh?

Postage Stamp Mug Rug

I love all the teeny tiny squares!

Stormy