Gnomes in Love ~ RBD Project Tour

Oh, my goodness, Gnomies!  Gnomes in Love is a new line of fabric by Tara Reed for Riley Blake Designs, getting a jump on Valentine's Day, or any time you need a little joy and love in your life!

I already have a love affair with Tara Reed's Gnomies, as I played with her Gnome for Christmas flannel earlier this year.  Soooo cute! 

The main print above sports sweet messages, like little Valentines.  So fun and cheerful!  This is my backing, which makes it a reversible topper!  I used Hearts and Dots plus a couple of RBD Basics

Snowed In ~ RBD Project Tour

"Let it Snow" lap quilt, 58" x 67"
featuring Snowed In fabric by Heather Peterson for Riley Blake Designs.
with Pin Dot Christmas by Lori Holt for RBD

New winter-themed fabrics are making their way to quilt shops now, including these cozy prints designed by Heather Peterson (Anka's Treasures).  

'Twas the Night...

It snowed this morning!  Really puts me in the mood to start thinking about the holidays ahead, and the perfect setting for my stop on today's "Twas the Night..." holiday Blog Hop.  

Madame Samm @ Sew We Quilt has organized this inspiring hop, and sweet Marlene @ Stitchin by the Lake has been our wonderful cheerleader.

This hop has been something special - not only have the ladies all shared fabulous ideas for quick projects for gifts, but it's also a "Swap Hop"!  

Let me first showcase the amazing gifts I received from Jane @ MooseStash Quilting!

Lindt Chocolate Truffles ~ oops, (not pictured)... nothing left but a few wrappers...

Fat Quarter Star ~ sweet holiday fabrics

Embroidered hand towel ~

 Jane embroidered this and added the cheery accent strip to the bottom.

Cupcake Pot Holder ~ Sew cute!  And I've used it already!

Pie Plate holder and wide rimmed glass pie dish ~ Beautiful wrapped cord in a star design; amazing!  

(Are you sure it took just an hour or so, Jane?)  Even my husband was duly impressed.

But then, I needed to fill the dish. You know, for the pictures.  

I haven't made a pie for ages, but my Momma had some amazing recipes, including the best. pie. crust. ever! Mmmmm!  Hop over to my family blog at 3rDegree Bakery if you'd like the recipe for a fabulous All American Apple Pie and Luscious, Tender Pie Crust.  Or just to drool over the pictures.

Now for some ideas for gifts that take just a few hours or an evening to whip up:

Dishtowel Apron

This is my go-to gift ~ I've made dozens.  

I use a glue-stick to position the rickrack and speed things along, 

And isn't my niece a cute model?!

Stained Glass Applique' Tree Pot Holder

Use a single quilt block, about 8" to 10", quilt it up with 1 to 2 layers of cotton batting 

and a layer of heat-reflective batting such as Insul Bright, then trim square and bind.

 

Use a 2 1/4" x width of fabric strip for binding.

1)  Begin at a top corner, align raw edges at top and sides, 

then stitch binding to the back of the quilted hot pad using 1/4" seam allowance.

 2)  Miter the remaining three corners, same as on any quilt.
Stop 1/4" from the corner, backstitch, remove from machine and clip threads.
a)  Fold binding at a 90-degree angle to create the miter.

2.b)  Fold binding back to align raw edges; fold is even with top quilt edge.

Start sewing at the edge and continue to the next corner.  Repeat.

 3)  Pin or glue-baste beginning edge of binding around to the front;

Stitch over beginning corner.  Remove from machine and clip threads.  

Leave a 6" tail of binding at the end.

 4)  Fold binding around to the front side of the pot holder;  

miter the corners, then pin or glue-baste in place.

 5)  Fold leftover tail into thirds, then edge-stitch the loose section,

continuing to edge-stitch binding into place on the pot holder,

pivoting at corners and backstitching at the end.

6)  Form a loop at the top, turn raw edges under and machine-stitch to finish.

And, this season, I'm all about this little Birdie.  

He's a great little pincushion #littlebirdiepincushion (see >>TUTORIAL<<),
but he'll also make a sweet little ornament or sachet.
It takes just a couple of charm squares and bits to make.

Paint around the eyes and you've got a sweet little Christmas Cardinal.

My gift went to Elizabeth - she's a pattern designer and works mostly with wool.  You can see her designs in many issues of Create & Decorate, and she sells patterns on her Etsy and Craftsy stores.  Trying to think of what she might like, I used one of her own patterns as inspiration for a little quilted hot pad.  I've also learned a few fun ways to fold fat quarters and will share some of those techniques in a few days.  

I absolutely love love little projects that can be made with just a couple of scraps from the sewing room.  A needlenook, a little scissor pocket, a tissue cozy, and many more gift ideas and free tutorials can be found here on my Snippets page.  

Would you like a Little Birdie pincushion of your own?  Leave a comment below and I'll choose a winner on Nov 21st at 5pm when the hop is over.  For a second entry, leave a comment over at 3rDegree Bakery, too!  Meanwhile, if you've missed any of our previous hoppers, see Marlene's master list HERE.  And also, Mdm. Samm is collecting pictures of everyone's projects on her Pinterest page HERE.

Be sure to visit the rest of my quilty sisters on today's hop!

Quiltscapes  << So glad you stopped by!

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

Stitch In Time

Kris Loves Fabric

Life In The Scrapatch

The Days Dewings

P.P.S.  UPDATE:  GIVEAWAY over and winner has been notified.  Thanks for visiting - see you again soon!

Thinking Christmas... Blog Hop & Giveaway

Oh, how fun!  I love when Madame Samm gets a bee in her bonnet and thinks up these great hops to inspire quilters around the globe!  Thanks to Lesley for hosting, and to both for cheering us all along!

It's day 5 of the hop, with over 100 amazing, terrific blocks, quilts and projects so far!

I've been "Thinking Christmas" and thinking about some of my UFO collections I haven't even looked at since cleaning up my sewing room last January (you can see that story HERE), So I scooted the kitty off the window seat, dug around and found these stacks...  It's more like a UFO parade..

Woohoo!  It's like finding long-lost friends!   

These were all from Friendship Block Exchanges: 

Friendship Stars

Goshen Stars, a free block pattern from Quilter's Cache

Someday, with a few more blocks, these will actually become quilts.  Or maybe I should just combine the two... wonder what that would look like? 

Here's a sample used to demonstrate stained glass quilting for my guild about 5 years ago, using Clover's quick-fuse bias tape and a double needle.   

Applique shapes are fused to the background, then the 1/4" bias tape is ironed on to outline the shapes.  Add a layer of batting and backing, and use the double needle to stitch down the bias tape, quilting as you go.  I could add more quilting in the background, but this potholder just needed a quick machine binding...

DONE!  Find the FREE pattern templates HERE.

Next, I just love this quilt, Snowmen on Parade designed by Amy McClellan at Under the Garden Moon.  I've quilted several for clients, but have wanted to make my own, too!  Now that I found my stack of  blocks, I can get going again.

Jane's "Snowmen on Parade"

I love row quilts; finish a row, move on to the next one.  I've got a few more rows to go, and I think this has got to be my next.  Check out these snowmen!  A-dorable!!

And here is my next quilt... Does it look like ornaments to you? 

I was experimenting with my favorite dimensional no-sew curves, using some Joel Dewberry fabrics. 

Everyone I ask tells me it looks like Christmas ornaments, which was not exactly my intention, but might make a nice table runner, bed runner or door hanging.  

Now this is my first Christmas Quilt, still in the pile of "The Unfinished"; still waiting for the machine quilter (me).  You can read my little short story about it HERE--good for a giggle.

And finally, I've had this little block kicking around for years.  I was just learning to paper-piece, and found this adorable free Santa pattern at www.yvonnes.dk (Free Blocks/Christmasblocks II/Santa 3).   I added batting, backing, embroidery, and stitched it into a little quilted nametag to wear at guild meetings. 

Cuteness! 

Here's how to make a quilted nametag:

• Sew your favorite block in any size up to 5".

• Leave a space for your name or stitch a 1-1/2" strip of muslin or white fabric to one side of the block.
• Embroider or write your name with a Pigma Pen on the block or on the strip.

• Cut a piece of batting and backing to the size needed.

• Lay right sides together and stitch around block, leaving an opening for turning.

• Turn the nametag right side out, and hand-stitch the opening closed.
• Finish up by hand-quilting if desired, then whip-stitch one side of a safety pin to the back.

Don't you love that little QUILT brooch with the charms?  I received it as a gift, and of course no one remembers where it came from, but I love it and thought you might like a little set of quilt charms too!  How about a giveaway?

Quilting Charms from WWWearables

Let's see how Rafflecopter works, ok?  Click to enter, and follow the instructions.  You can enter with your email address OR by signing in to Facebook. 1)  Name a favorite quilty thing you've received as a gift.
2) For another chance, be/become a follower of Quiltscapes.
(Will I make it to 500 followers??)   Drawing will be on Aug 8th, following the hop.  a Rafflecopter giveaway   And now, there are only 143 days until Christmas.  Here's more inspiration: Crazy 'Bout Quilts
Dexter Days
Cherry's Prairie Primitives
Somewhat Fanciful
Craftluver Marianna
Quiltscapes :) that's me! Prsd4tim2
Moments
Ruthanne at That Other Blog   

See Lesley's MASTER LIST, and Madame Samm's Pinterest collection HERE!!  WOW!  Hoppers can also have a chance at winning some wonderful fat quarter stacks - see Sew We Quilt for more info.

Happy Hopping! 

Seasons

OK, so Hallowe'en is over, it must be time for Christmas, right?

Simple joys and blessings ~ sharing some ♥ with my quilting sisters!

Press > for a look ↓

Recent Tree Skirt classes taught (Patterns → HERE)

I like to think of the next several weeks as a Season of Thanks~

A time to count blessings, a time to feel gratitude for the goodness in my life. I won't make a list here, but let's just say I feel extra-blessed these days, and I am grateful, which always fills my heart with joy!  

May this season be filled with simple pleasures,

joys and blessings for you!