i have to say...

cupcakes...

...are a very happy food, don't you think?

My hope is that your day is filled with many smiles and happiness!

Enjoy!

oh, i love a bunting! a tutorial

Hello, Friends!

I have put together a fun tutorial, just in time for Christmas crafting.  Buntings are a great way to add some color to a room, and you can give them as a gift.  Color-coordinate according to the holiday, or the room where it will hang.

The finished product is approximately 9 feet long and it has 14 scallops.

Here it is laid out:

To make your bunting, gather the following supplies:  7 different print fabrics cut 5" X 42" (WOF), one package extra-wide double-fold bias tape--1/2 ", matching thread, basic sewing supplies, and a sewing machine.

You will also need to print out the Download ScallopTemplate.

I have fabric kits available in my shop!

First up you will need to cut out your template piece using paper-scissors.  Pin the template to the fabric, which is laid right sides together:

Cut 14 scallops sets total from 7 fabrics.

Pin one scallop set together, right sides together as shown:

Sew along the curved edge of the scallop, with your presser foot lining up with the edge of the fabric.

You will only need to sew along the curve.  Leave the straight, top part open.

Before turning the scallops right-side out, you will need to clip the curve as shown.  Be sure not to clip through your seam!

Open you package of bias tape and lay it out on a table or floor. You can lay out your scallops along the edge to position them the way you like them.  I like to leave about 12 inches of bias tape at each end.

Pin your scallops inside the opened bias tape as shown, being sure to push the open edge of your scallop to the top of the bias tape fold:

Now fold over and iron a 1/4" piece in at each end of your bias tape.

Fold it back into place and pin it.

Pin all along the edge of your bias tape, securing all of the scallops with 3 pins each.

This is what you will end up with:

.Sew a seam along your bias tape from end to end, as shown:

 

And you are done!

Your bunting is ready for hanging or gift-giving!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  And please let me know if you have any questions!

Happy sewing!

***You can download the Download ScallopTemplate.

show and tell tuesday

Hello, Friends!  

It's SHOW AND TELL TUESDAY!

This week I was able to get my mini-kitty-quilt top finished. This one is for my mom for Christmas...she is a big-time cat-lover!

This little block is so fun and easy to make.  You can find the directions here on Elizabeth's blog.  I think this would be such a cute full-sized quilt!

This is my very first Christmas gift in progress, and I have plans for a few more.

How about you?  Are you making progress on Christmas goods?

If you are participating in Show and Tell Tuesday,  here are a few simple guidelines:

 1. Post about your sewing-related project on your blog, or other sharing site.  Then link up here by adding the post's URL (not the URL to your main site) to the link list below.  Also, please link back to this Show and Tell Tuesday post in your own post.

 2. Feel free to browse and comment on the links added below. It's a fun way to get to know people and find inspiration for your next project!

 3. Add the sidebar graphic to your own site, if you want to.  The code is found in this post.

 If you have something to Show and Tell this week, be sure to link up below.

Happy sewing!

some pinteresting christmas ideas

I got a start on my kitty quit since we had a snow day.  Staying inside, drinking coffee and sewing...works for me!

Here are some pins I have found that I think would be perfect for handmade Christmas gifts:

***A super simple tote bag.

***Pretty ribbon bracelets.

***Beaded barrettes.

***One pretty kitchen apron.

***A book turned journal (I LOVE this one!).

***2 in 1 pouch.  Bought it. Gonna make it.

***Wood pallet signs.

Happy crafting!

show and tell tuesday

Hello!  It's SHOW AND TELL TUESDAY!

Now, today I only have a start to show you. I had planned on having some progress done on this one, but it didn't happen.  Soon...

This one is a mini-quilt for my mom.  She is a big-time cat-lover!  And when I think about it, I don't think I have ever made her a quilt.  How did I miss that?!?

I am using Elizabeth's Cat Quilt pattern. You can either download it from the post or purchase one in her shop.

If you are participating in Show and Tell Tuesday,  here are a few simple guidelines:

 1. Post about your sewing-related project on your blog, or other sharing site.  Then link up here by adding the post's URL (not the URL to your main site) to the link list below.  Also, please link back to this Show and Tell Tuesday post in your own post.

 2. Feel free to browse and comment on the links added below. It's a fun way to get to know people and find inspiration for your next project!

 3. Add the sidebar graphic to your own site, if you want to.  The code is found in this post.

 If you have something to Show and Tell this week, be sure to link up below.

Happy sewing!

show and tell tuesday

Hello Friends!

Welcome to SHOW AND TELL TUESDAY!

I have a finish for you!  Yeah!  I really love finishes!

And this one is now a favorite of mine.

It's the color.

And all of those scraps.

Hands down, scrappy quilts are my favorite every single time.

I love just sitting and looking and finding the best intersections...where the best fabrics meet up and create loveliness.  

You all understand that, right?

I quilted this one simply...with straight lines.  It was a fairly  mindless activity, but when it comes to machine quilting, that is just the way I like it!

Most of the blocks are upright, but I tipped this one row on it's side.  It felt like something needed to be topsy-turvy on this one.

I actually made this quilt for a bible study group I am in.  It's my project that is a reflection of my life so far, and where I think it might be going.  Post on that is upcoming, but that is why I need to add the topsy-turvy part.

We all have a little  bit of that in our lives, right!

The backing is IKEA's famous print.  It's words, and those NEEDED to be in my quilt.  I have found that words are necessary to life and relationship and everything important.  Took me a while to discover that, but discover it, I did!

And binding.

Oh, the binding.

The binding picture never fails to be my favorite.

It just draws all of the sweetness into one spot and makes me fall in love.

Every time.

It so good when something feels finished.  In quilting and in life.

And I have a little bit of both going on these days.

Such goodness!

If you are participating in Show and Tell Tuesday,  here are a few simple guidelines:

 1. Post about your sewing-related project on your blog, or other sharing site.  Then link up here by adding the post's URL (not the URL to your main site) to the link list below.  Also, please link back to this Show and Tell Tuesday post in your own post.

 2. Feel free to browse and comment on the links added below. It's a fun way to get to know people and find inspiration for your next project!

 3. Add the sidebar graphic to your own site, if you want to.  The code is found in this post.

 If you have something to Show and Tell this week, be sure to link up below.

Happy sewing!

fun stuff

I had a seriously great weekend that included a school party, a bonfire, a football game and a color run.  And, of course, men in tutus.  That was my favorite part!

My group of friends is always full of people willing to be silly, which works for me because I love laughing.  Next year I will be making much bigger tutus. I did find in making them that tulle does not go a long way.

My group of girls who are making the Little House blocks made pumpkin blocks at our last class.  They are all far enough along that they were able to listen to the instructions and go for it on their own.  And they are looking forward to making more quilt blocks.  Kids are so eager to learn and happy to do new things.  Their lack of fear of failure is a big plus too.  Reminds me that I need to adopt a bit more of that attitude!

This week looks to be good and busy!  I hope your Monday is wonderful!