Quilt Petite Mug Rug

I have a wonderful book to share with you today: Quilt Petite by Sedef Imer for Tuva Publishing. You all know how much I love a quick project, and when you throw in colorful patchwork...well, that's all I need. This book is full of darling little projects that are easy to sew in a day or two.

For my post, I chose the Vintage Floral Mug Rugs. The original project directions actually make 2 rugs, while giving you optional instructions for making just 1 as I did. Sedef's versions are even scrappier than mine and look so fantastic. I used Heather Ross's new Sleeping Porch collection, buttery soft lawns in a rainbow of colors. The shades were so intense, that I decided it would calm things down a bit to have a simple contrast between a saturated and low volume print in each block. I quilted the piece 1/8" from either side of every seam.

The mug rug is backed in linen, edged in crocheted lace, and accented with a label made from a piece of twill tape. It's always those little extras that make things even more fun!

This was such a fun project, and there are so many others like it in the book. The Hexie Doll Quilt and Nine Patch Mini Quilt are calling my name already. There are a ton of talented people on the Quilt Petite Blog Tour as you can see below. Be sure to also stop by Sedef's blog for a fabulous giveaway!

November 6: Sedef at Down Grapevine Lane

November 7: Wynn at Zakka Art

November 8: Sarah at A Little Happy Place

November 9: Bridgette at The Family Hearth

November 10: Heidi at Fabric Mutt

November 11: Minki at Minki's Work Table

November 12: Ange at A Little Patchwork

November 13: Lauren at Molly and Mama

November 14: Michelle at Cole & Taffy

November 15: Nadra at Ellis & Higgs

November 16: Amy at Nana Company

November 17: Faith at Sarana Ave

November 18: Debbie at Happy Little Cottage

November 19: Erin at Why Not Sew

November 20: Amanda at Jedi Craft Girl

November 21: Melissa at Oh How Sweet

November 22: Stacy at Stacy Olson Design

November 23: Ayda at Cafe Nohut

November 24: Peta at She Quilts A Lot

November 25: Amanda at A Crafty Fox

November 26: Keera at Live Love Sew

November 27: Sharon at Lilabelle Lane

November 28: Kate at The Homemakery

November 29: Jemima at Tied With A Ribbon

November 30: Jodie at Ric Rac

December 1: Anorina at Samelia's Mum

December 2: Alisha at Ministry of Fabric

December 3: Xanthe at Wife-made

December 4: Cheri at Tinker With This

December 5: Kristyne at Pretty By Hand

December 6: Kimberly at Fat Quarter Shop

December 7: Veronica at Vivid Felicity

December 8: Shari at Doohikey Designs

December 9: Jina at Jina Barney Designz

December 10: Emma at Emma Jean Jansen

December 11: Sedef at Down Grapevine Lane

Happy sewing!

Anne of Green Gables Pillow

I vividly remember when Anne of Green Gables first premiered on the Disney channel in 1985. The Disney channel was completely different back then, featuring old cartoons, classic family movies, and episodes of the original Mickey Mouse club, all of which I adored. They showed that first Anne movie in several installments, and I waited breathlessly for each one to arrive. I had already enjoyed the book and fell even more in love with the movie, which I watched constantly after it came out on video. I showed it to my daughters for the first time over a year ago, and they were enchanted. Is there anything so wonderful as watching your children be delighted by the same things you loved as a child?

So when I was asked to join in the blog tour for an upcoming collection of Anne of Green Gables fabric, I just couldn't say no. They asked us to feature small projects, and though I had originally planned to make a Stationery Kit from my tutorial, circumstances stepped in to change things. My next door neighbor had surgery on her collarbone last Thursday, and I wanted to make her a get well present to go along with the dinner I was bringing for her family that night. I've had several friends over the years who have had upper body surgery on arms or shoulders, and the gift they always love most is a handmade rectangular pillow to use while they recover. I knew this fabric would be just my neighbor's style with it's sweet vintage look, so I spent last Thursday afternoon running up and down the stairs between my kitchen and loft, cooking enchiladas, baking molasses cookies, and stitching up a pillow cover.

There are so many lovely prints in this collection. I like the florals and ticking stripes best, though I also love the illustration and text prints. Really, how can you choose a favorite? I mixed them all together for a simple patchwork cover using small rectangles that are quilted on either side of the seams. The pillow is backed in linen for a more rustic look. It will fit perfectly in my neighbor's beautiful home which is decorated in all the trappings of glorious Southern charm.

Be sure to stop by the other blogs on the tour. Lauren's post yesterday is absolutely breathtaking, as she finished not one but three stunning projects with this collection!

November 7th -- Lauren
November 8th -- Heidi
November 14th -- Amy
November 15th -- Stacy

Meanwhile, I think it may be time for another Anne of Green Gables showing at our house. Time to go make some popcorn...

A Baby Quilt

We found out that Bunny was on the way when my husband and I were really still newlyweds, married only six months. James had been hoping for a girl (I thought that was the sweetest thing!), and we were thrilled to discover a few months later that we were expecting a daughter. It was all new to me. I had been a youth worker and then an elementary teacher for years, but I had never spent any time at all around babies. We walked through this new adventure of doctor visits, childbirth classes, and nursery shopping with both excitement and nervousness. What were we in for? Everyone had advice to share with us, and we were constantly trying to take it all in, not knowing what to expect.

I will never forget my first baby shower, thrown by the sweet (mostly elderly) ladies at our little church in California where my dad was the pastor for over a decade. I sat down that afternoon and opened package after package containing gifts made by the hands of those dear women. My little Bunny started life with a stack of crocheted blankets, a nine-patch quilt, even an intricately crocheted Christmas stocking. Hours of time and love were poured into those gifts for my baby, and I was so deeply touched. I often told friends that my daughter (and Bear and Mouse to follow) were blessed with dozens of "grandparents" during those early years, and truly those wonderful people couldn't have loved my daughters more if they were their own flesh and blood.

There is something special about sewing for babies. It's not just giving a personal gift of love to the new parents or even creating something to help fill a baby's nursery. I'm always so aware that what I'm making might end up being an important part of this child's life, a "lovey" that never leaves a toddler's side or a quilt that the he or she snuggles beneath every night. For instance, that nine-patch quilt I mentioned above was used by each of my daughters, but little Mouse became particularly attached to it. To this day she can't sleep at night without "Flowery" curled up beside her (she named it after the floral prints that the quilter used). In fact, my little six year-old-is in tears every time her quilted friend has to take a trip through the washing machine, waiting desperately for it to come out of the dryer so that I can once again wrap her up in that familiar, comforting warmth. Flowery is starting to show some wear, and though I've had to mend it several times over the years, Mouse wouldn't part with it for anything. I have no doubt that she'll be showing it to her children someday. 

So when I heard that my brother-in-law and his wife were expecting a son in early October, I immediately knew that I wanted -- needed -- to make a quilt for our new nephew. My good intentions got the quilt started several weeks before his due date, but other deadlines and responsibilities kept me from finishing it until this week.

I'm so used to sewing for girls that it was a challenge to make a quilt for a boy. I wanted to be sure that the fabrics and colors I used would be a good fit, and I wanted it to be interesting enough that he would enjoy it as he got older. Out came the animals and the birds and all the fun children's prints I've been saving for kid friendly projects like this one. I even was able to sneak in a few prints from my Sample Spree goodies at Quilt Market last weekend. I've noticed a natural progression with each of my daughters and their quilts: play mat for the baby, blanket for the toddler, and friend for the preschooler. Because of this, I like to make baby quilts on the small side so that a young child will be able to carry it around without it being too large to handle easily.

The pattern is pretty typical for me: simple squares, alternating low volume and saturated prints, with a few squares on point mixed in for interest. I quilted straight lines 1/4" on either side of the piecing lines. The quilt is backed in one of Tula Pink's amazing Free Fall wideback prints, and I bound it in a turquoise print from Anna Maria Horner's True Colors line. This is the very first quilt for which I can ever remember making a label, and I will try to do it more often in the future. Using the letter embroidery feature on my Singer made things a lot simpler. I also really love that little raccoon from Kim Kight's adorable new Yours Truly collection.

I mailed the package off to our nephew last night along with three flannel burp clothes, each sewn by one of my daughters for their new cousin. They were so excited and proud to contribute a gift that they had made themselves, and I'm so thrilled to see their joy in that making. As I watch my brother-in-law and his wife start down the road that we began so nervously almost ten years ago now, it's amazing to me how far we've come. My little babies are growing up into capable young women, creative and sensitive, diligent and curious. It takes a lifetime to see the final legacy of all the values that we hope to instill in our children, but every now and then, I feel like we get a little peek at what the end result will look like. I just couldn't be more proud of them.

Trinket Case Tutorial

So many of you asked me to write a tutorial for the Trinket Case that I made earlier this year. Well, today's the day, friends! I'm sharing the tutorial over on the Fat Quarter Shop blog right here. This is actually the first in a series of tutorial posts I'll be doing for them over the next few months called Sew Illustrated. You all know how much I love a fun patchwork project, and with the holidays approaching quickly, it's always good to have a few extra handmade gifts ready to go. 

If you make one of these, please share pictures on Instagram. You can tag us @fabricmutt and @fatquartershop -- and be sure to add the hashtag #trinketcase. I can't wait to see what you make!

First Blush Dresden Pillow

***GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED & ALL WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. THANK YOU!***

I'm so happy to be on the First Blush tour today! Ever since I made that sweet pincushion last month, I've been wanting to try another Dresden. Since I knew this tour stop was coming up on my calendar, it seemed like a great chance to make a larger version of the iconic block, this time as a colorful pillow cover.

I have to say, I love making Dresden blocks. There is something so relaxing about it for me. No worries about matching perfect seams, no intricate construction...just sewing up those petals and stitching them down to the background fabric. It's been fun to try something new, and I really should be doing that sort of thing more often.

I backed the pillow in a mix of gingham and floral prints, both of which I love. The entire collection has a distinctly vintage vibe, like something you would find on an old picnic quilt tucked away in the attic. The colors are bright and happy, just perfect for spring and summer projects.

It feels like Christmas is coming early on my blog, because I get to give away 2 First Blush Block of the Month books and 2 Posy Quilt patterns, both from my sweet friends at Fat Quarter Shop. Just leave a comment on this post to get in on the fun, and I'll randomly pick 4 winners on Tuesday. You can also follow along with the rest of the tour stops below:

Monday, October 10 – Chris Dodsley, Made by Chrissie D

http://madebychrissied.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, October 11 – Sinta at Pincushion

http://pinkpincushion.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, October 12 -  Fat Quarter Shop

http://fatquartershop.blogspot.com/

Thursday, October 13- Windham/Two Blondes and a Sewing Machine

https://windhamfabrics.wordpress.com/

Friday, October 14- Jennie at Clover and Violet

http://www.cloverandviolet.com/

Saturday, October 15- Aurifil- Hillary Jordan

https://auribuzz.wordpress.com/

Sunday, October 16- Tina Egner

http://www.onelittlepooh.net

Monday, October 17 – Kristyne Czepuryk

http://prettybyhand.com

Tuesday, October 18 – Allison Harris

http://cluckclucksew.com

Wednesday, October 19 – Erin Cox

http://whynotsew.blogspot.com

Thursday, October 20 – Angie Wilson Gnome Angel

http://www.gnomeangel.com/blog-4/

Friday, October 21 – Debbie at happy little cottage

http://happylittlecottage.blogspot.com

Saturday, October 22 – Heidi Staples

http://fabricmutt.blogspot.com

Sunday, October 23 – Leanne Elliott

http://www.daisyandjackhandmade.com

Monday, October 24- Greg Jones Grey Dogwood Studio

http://greydogwoodstudio.com

Tuesday, October 25- Wendy Sheppard Ivory Spring

https://ivoryspring.wordpress.com

Wednesday, October 26 – Stephanie Lynn Denton

http://creativereveries.blogspot.com

Thursday, October 27 – Lisa Ruble

http://lovetocolormyworld.blogspot.com

Happy sewing, friends!

Apple Farm Makeover

I've known Amanda from Westwood Acres for years now. In fact one of the first full collection bundles I ever bought was from her shop, a fat eighth stack of Madrona Road by Violet Craft that I could not resist late one night. Amanda asked recently if she could send me some fabric to use in an upcoming blog post, and she surprised me with a lovely bundle of Apple Farm by Elea Lutz (one of my favorite designers, as you know) and a gorgeous stack of Lecien's Modern Basics text prints which I'm dying to use in my next patchwork project. Seeing those darling Apple Farm prints, though, made me decide that it was time to make a few fun accents for our breakfast nook. 

If I had to pick my favorite furniture in our home, it would definitely be the Amish breakfast nook that my parents purchased when we moved to Texas. It's perfect in every way (the seats even lift up to reveal storage for all my table linens) and it's been a sweet spot for the girls and me to share breakfast together every morning before we start school. I use green plastic cafeteria trays for the girls to eat on so that we keep the mess contained -- another one of my favorite things -- but the table has been needing a small, narrow runner to brighten things up. 

I pulled out my copy of Quilty Fun by talented Lori Holt and opened to her adorable Apple-licious Quilt. I used her two apple blocks to create a small runner that's just the perfect size for our table. The background fabric tends a bit toward the busy side, but I've learned that, when it comes to table runners, that's probably for the best if I want to hide any spills and splatters! Lori is such a genius when it comes to making cute blocks that sew up easily and quickly. These were such fun to make.

It took me less than an hour to whip up a quick patchwork pillow to add to our bench that would go with the runner. Simple squares are always a favorite with me, and I love being able to make another fun addition to our pillow collection for the breakfast nook. 

My girls were absolutely delighted to see the new decorations for their special spot, and I'm pretty delighted to have friends as nice as Amanda who made it possible. To me this is everything that makes fall cozy. All that's missing is a pot of tea and some cookies. Speaking of which, I'd better get to work on that...

Playtime

Sometimes you just need a bit of playtime.

I've been working my way through deadlines and secret sewing lately, and after finishing another project last night, I suddenly decided that I needed a break -- it was time to do something just for fun. I pulled out a pile of scraps from a recent project and went back to one of my favorite blocks of all time: the scrappy log cabin. Rainbow colors, simple straight line quilting, text prints...it checks all my happy boxes and makes such a beautiful pillow.

The back is a strawberry print by Emily Isabella for Birch Fabrics. I can never say no to strawberries.

So now this pillow is sitting on my favorite chair in the living room, waiting for me the next time I want to curl up with a good book. And I'm feeling refreshed and ready to go on again.

Playtime...always a good idea.