Scrappy Mug Rug! September 27, 2010

My Scrappy Mug Rug secret partner left me little information as to what she was hoping for in her mug rug…

so I did a little snooping on her flickr “favorites” and came across a plus sign quilt…

and since I’ve been drooling over the plus signs that have been popping up all over blogland and flickr

I decided to give it a go!

I sat down with some graph paper and colored pencils and drew up a pattern.

I based the dimensions ( 6″x8″) on the sweets mats I made at the beginning of the year HERE.

She did mention that she likes aqua, orange, and gray…

and I just happened to have this lovely little collection of Heather Ross’s Far Far Away 2 fabric

and I think it works beautifully with the design!

I went with a simple Kona Aqua binding so it wouldn’t take away from the plus sign design.

I originally had put a double fold binding but ripped it off because it was just too bulky

and opted to use single fold and it turned out MUCH better!

I am so happy that I chose to use my favorite HR FFA2 fabric for the back.

I thought about doing some piecing on the back

but with all of the grid quilting I decided to keep it simple.

I’m having a hard time sending this little mug rug off…

I really hope she LOVES it as much as I do!

Its just the perfect little mat to hold my cup of tea and a muffin or cookie!

When I get some extra time I’ll definitely be making myself one ;D

or rather a mug rug AND an entire throw quilt to match it, ha ha!

But in the meantime, I am soooooo excited to see what my SMRS partner makes for me…

I am secretly wishing for a couple of those cuties over on the SMRS flickr group to be sent to me!

And I am thinking that these might make lovely Christmas gifts…

did I just say Christmas ~ I know RIGHT???

Its that time of year to start planning and working on those projects

if you hope to give handmade gifts…

Happy quilting,

Colette

Blocks, blocks, and more blocks! September 20, 2010

I haven’t been blogging…

because I have been quilting like mad!

Block 1 of 4 for the embroider_bee.

Here is a close up of the embroidery.

Pattern is “Scoot” from comforstitching HERE.

I even got a “Wow!  You made that???” from my Hubby!

Jessica asked for a wintry/Scandinavian theme using red green and a touch of aqua.

Only 3 more blocks to make for this bee by the end of the month…

but on the upside, I am FINISHED with all six of my blocks for the 3X6 mini sampler bee!

red, pink, and aqua for Frieda

(this one is begging to stay with me…also my colors for this round!)

red, pink, and gray for my sweet pal Jane!

gray, orange, and white for our “Hive Mama” Penny

(who happens to be a blogland/flickr rock star!  I’m a bit intimidated to send this one…it is far from perfect.)

“make it a rainbow” for Terrie

(hope this is colorful enough!)

pink, yellow, and white for Lisa

orange, red, and white for Angela.

Phew I am wiped!

I had a hard time getting inspired on a block to make for this bee.

The blocks that get turned out by all the gals are fantastic!

Last week when I was flipping through the Gaiam catalog

I came across this “Shaker Square Patchwork Quilt” HERE

and instantly new I wanted to make a block using little squares.

I sat down with a pencil and some paper and figured up some dimensions…

and whatta ya know ~ it worked :p

I think one more row (to make 16 squares) would make a lovely little wall hanging/doll quilt.

R. is completely in LOVE with this block and wants me to make her a quilt for her bed using it

we’ll have to see ;D

I’m about half way there with my quilting bees/swaps

I better sew sew sew and then sew some more!

Happy quilting,

Colette

UHG Swap Projects September 13, 2010

Yay, I can finally reveal the projects I made for the Urban Home Goods Swap

My secret swap partner was Kirsten (three dancing magpies) and we actually know each other!

I was at her house a couple of weeks ago and she flat-out asked me who her partner for the swap was, and like a bumbling idiot I made up a really lame story, and kept changing the subject every time she brought it up.

Ha, ha I am a horrible fibber ;p

Knowing my swap partner made it all the more fun and inspiring!

The first goodie I made for her is this (main)/Heather Ross(handle and lining) wristlet.

The pattern is “Wristlets Three Ways” from Oh Fransson.

Then I cut into my beloved Nani Iro fabric to make the “Lis iPhone Holder” from flossieteacakes HERE.

I cross stitched a fancy “O” on it just in case somebody else had one JUST like it, ha ha.

And here is the back side…it even has a little credit card slot.

I have got to make up one of these for me!

And last, but CERTAINLY not least…this fabulous “Lickity Split” tablerunner!

All of the lovely fabrics in the blocks were selected by Tasha (a little sweetness) and the really cute ones can be ordered in her lovely little Etsy shop HERE ~ thanks Tasha!

The pattern is from Rachel Griffith’s (p.s. i quilt) Etsy shop HERE.

It was super snappy to piece together…but the quilting and binding took quite a while.

I barely got this in the mail by the swap deadline (literally finished it at 2pm that day!)

Phew!

Now to start planning for my next two swaps…

Happy Monday,

Colette