Hey there Hot Dish!

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Let me confess, I do not quilt. I have attempted a quilt or two but recognize that I do not possess the patience needed for quilting.  Or maybe I use up my allotted patience with my boys and therefore am left with none for quilting.  Right now, I enjoy the project that can be completed within a few hours leaving me with an accomplished feeling.

This need to feel as I have accomplished something probably stems from the chaos of living with 2 toddlers where nothing ever feels accomplished, not the laundry, not the dishes, not the cleaning, organizing, etc.  As quickly as one task is checked off my list, the same task is added back to the bottom of the list….

Oh well….these darling Mug Rugs and Hot Dish pads are the perfect project to leave you feeling like you’ve accomplished something today!  They make fun little gifts for all occasions, new home, new job, new baby, wedding, or just because!  And I LOVE that they put all my beautiful little scraps to work!

Level: If I can do you it you can do it-no quilting experience necessary

Time: About 1/2 hour – 45 minutes per rug depending on size

Materials:

Lots of scrap pieces cut 1 1/2″ wide by at least 4″ long

2 pieces of fabric for the border about 2 1/2″ x 7″

Backing piece of fabric 7″x7″

Fleece or natural cotton quilt batting for the interfacing 7″x7″

Bias tape (see how here http://justcutthescrap.com/2012/03/07/scrappy-bias-tape/)

1. Select 9-10 of the 1 1/2″ pieces.Stitch them together lengthwise to create a 7″ x 4″ panel.

2. Stitch one border piece to the top (long side) of the pieced section. Do the same with the other border piece and stitch to the bottom of the pieced section.  You now have a square approximately 7″ x 7″. Note: if your piece is larger than this, trim to 7″ x 7″

3. Place fleece/batting on the wrong side of backing.  With fleece side up place the pieced square WRONG side down on top of the fleece.  Pin.

4. Here’s the fun part. Set your stitch length to about 4.  Now have fun. As you stitch move the square around creating swirls, zig zag, circles, whatever you want. Have fun with it. If you are more familiar with using a walking foot for quilting please do so.   The wavey lines I created here remind me of the bamboo forests in Hawaii.

5.  Fold bias tape over the raw edges, pin in place. Topstitch through all layers of the bias tape and quilted square. Fold end of bias tape under so there are no raw edges and back-stitch to secure.

Create a larger pad to use as a Mug Rug, serve tea and cookies on it, use as a traveling mouse pad, trivet for larger pans or mini table runners for your side tables in your living room or bedroom.  Get going and be creative!

Shown here at about 13″ x 10″ I made the pieces in the center 1 1/2″ x 5″ long and used 2 extra border pieces about 10″ x 3″

Here’s a sample of a variety of pads I made last night using a very small shoe-box size box of scraps from my studio and whatever material I had on hand at home.  I even created a mini pad 4″ x 4″ perfect for a coaster!

I Love Montana

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If you live in Montana then it is most likely because you LOVE it!  The outdoor adventure, skiing, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, etc.  Our summers are too short but that makes us appreciate every sun-filled moment and savor every warm breeze. Montana is the romantic subject of movies, music and books and it’s every bit of amazing as you can imagine.

Honestly, it took me a little while to come to appreciate where I call home. And on frigid winter mornings I sometimes have to look with purpose for the beauty, but it’s there, always. So to honor the rugged land I love to call home, here  you go!  You live here? Brag about it….you’ve earned it!

Level: Eazy-Peezy

Time: 20 minutes

Materials:

Wonder Under double-sided lightweight interfacing

Scrap fabric

Felt -for the heart

Thread

Iron

1.  I googled maps of Montana online and used one as a template (yes I pressed the paper on my screen and traced it from the monitor).  Show your home pride and make your own state shirt!

2. Select your scrap fabric big enough to fit the state template. Cut a piece of Wonder Under a little bigger than the template. Iron to the WRONG side of fabric

3. Trace template on the paper side of the Wonder Under (make sure that the image will be facing the right way once cut)

4. Cut out image, iron to shirt. Using a small zigzag stitch, stitch around edge of the state.

5. Using a small piece of felt, cut a heart (tip: fold felt in half and cut a 1/2 heart so that it is even on both sides-think Valentine cards in Kindergarten)

6. Place the heart in the area that you live. stitch it to the applique and shirt  stitching by hand or using short straight stitch on your machine.

Bamm! You’re done!  Flaunt it!  You love your state, now show it!

Garland – Not just for Judy

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This garland is fun for any occasion or to dress up a bedroom, Christmas tree,  Birthday party, etc. It’s so fun and festive you’ll probably never take it down.

Level: Easy Peezy

Time: 1/2 hour-1 hour (longer if you make a longer strand)

Materials:

5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ squares (larger squares will make larger triangles)

Bias Tape – http://justcutthescrap.com/2012/03/07/scrappy-bias-tape/

Thread

Iron

1. Create bias tape using scrap fabric. Directions shown here http://justcutthescrap.com/2012/03/07/scrappy-bias-tape/

2. With wrong side facing up, fold 5 1/2″ square in half. Fold short edge down to meet the long raw edge. Do this with the other side. You now have a triangle!  Do this for all squares need for your garland.

3. Place the raw edge of the triangle inside the bias tape. Pin in place.  Add another triangle in the same manner. Here I have spaced the triangles about 1″ apart. You can space them farther apart of place them closer together depending on the look you want.

4. Topstitch 1/8″-1/4″ along the folded edge of the bias tape catching both sides of the bias tape and the triangle in the stitch.

4. Fold the raw ends in towards the wrong side then fold to finish the raw edge. Or you may choose to leave it raw for a fun detail.

Sha-bam – garland done!  You may consider using coordinating colors, you kids favorite colors, their school colors, etc. This makes a fun accent to any party or celebration!  Have fun with it!

Baby, you are 1!

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The youngest little dude in our family (my nephew Baby Carter) is turning 1 which inspired me to create his very own bragging shirt!

Level: Super Easy

Time: 1/2 hour or less

Materials:

Scrap fabric

Wonder Under double sided iron on stabilizer

A Number template (I used WordArt in Microsoft Word to create the number 1)

T-shirt

1. Create your number template (I used my computer but you could draw it freehand), print on paper and cut out.

2. Select scrap fabric big enough to fit the number.

3. Iron Wonder Under fusible webbing on the WRONG side of the scrap fabric-leave the paper backing on

4. Place number on the RIGHT side of fabric and trace with disappearing ink fabric marking pen  (another option is to place number on the paper side, use a pencil or pen for marking then cut…be careful to have the number “reversed” so that when you cut it out the number is not backwards….makes sense? clear as mud, right?)

5. Cut out number, remove paper backing, position number with fusible side down on your t-shirt, iron in place

6. I used a contrasting color thread here to give the number some pop. Select a narrow and tight zig zag stitch on your machine. Stitch all the way around the number. Clip threads.

Sha-Bam you are done and  your little one has some bragging power!

Scrappy Bias Tape

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While this really is not “bias” tape it is tape that you can use for all sorts of finishing.  I have an entire box of scraps cut to this size so I can grab and stitch and make this up in advance.  It will add a little kick to just about anything!

This also makes for a good sewing exercise for the beginner and something you can do with your kids to practice straight sewing and ironing.

Level: My kids could do it :)

Time: Not much, the more you make the longer it takes

Materials:

Scrap fabric cut 3″ wide by various lengths

Thread

Iron

1. After determining how many feet or yards you need of tape, gather enough scraps for the project.  Personally, I like to make up lots of this at one time and keep it on hand for later projects.

2. There are 2 ways to stitch the fabric scraps together. The best way to minimize the bulkiness in the tape is by sewing the pieces together perpendicular.  Place 2 scraps right sides together perpendicular to one another (see the photo below).

3. Stitch diagonally across the fabric then clip excess fabric.

4. Press the seam open. Continue adding scraps in this manner until your tape is as long (or longer) than needed

5. With wrong side up, fold the long edges in towards the middle. Press.  Using a light water mist from a spray bottle helps the folds stay nice and crisp.

Beginner tip: You may start by ironing the strip in half so you have a center fold. Then iron each long end in towards this fold. As you do this more, you may find you do not need to create the center fold.

6. Now fold again down the center so the folded edges meet. Press.

You’re done….that’s right, your done :)

Liebster Award!

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What a fun surprise I had this am when I discovered that Skylar at  http://skylarchastain.wordpress.com

 According to her friend Laura, “Liebster is German for “dear, sweet, kind, nice, good, beloved, lovely, kindly, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.” Wow! Thank you Skylar…what an honor to be noticed  and recognized by one talented lady!

Here are my awards!

1. Sara at http://momwithahook.blogspot.com/  um, any mom creating is inspiring!

2. Trudi at http://trudinisbet.blogspot.com/, looking for some broccini, sounds delish

3. http://www.classylilsassy.com/  love the style tips!

4. http://stitch-story.blogspot.com/  love the storage ideas and excited to create the doodle scarf you designed

5. http://kaotickrafter.blogspot.com/ love the handmade journal (and allthose diligent writer-not me) and your kid crafts

The rules of accepting this award are:

Rule #1. You must acknowledge the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.

Rule # 2. Give this award to 5 other bloggers. Please let them know through a comment on their blog.

Rule #3. Post this wonderful award on your blog.

Rule #4. Bask in the glory bestowed upon you and appreciate all the amazing bloggers out there.

Rule# 5. Enjoy and spread the good vibes around.

Fabric Flower Pin

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This super easy flower is one of my favorite accents for bags, hats, jackets, etc!  In the summer I find my self sitting on the porch making these while my boys play in the sandbox, it’s very relaxing!

Level- Your kids can do it!

Time: 10 minutes

Materials:

2-3″ strip of fabric at least 10-11″ long (the wider the fabric and longer the larger your flower will be)

Button

Thread and needle

Craft Pin (often found in the jewelry area of the store

Hot Glue

Felt  scrap

1. Iron fabric strip in half. Here I used 2 1/2″ wide fabric by about 11″ long

2. Knot thread.  Stitch a long running stitch about 1/4″ from raw edge using the thread and needle. Gather fabric as you stitch.

3. Pull the thread to gather all of the fabric. Work it into a circle and fold the end towards the center. Stitch into place by stitching through the ends and raw edges. Tie off.

4.This is the right side and you will note here that the end of the strip of fabric is tucked under so there is no raw edge showing.

5. Hot glue a button to the center covering the raw edge.

6. Attach the pin to the felt:  Cut the felt into a circle, fold in half and snip a small slit in two placed on the felt that is approximately the same distance apart as your pin is long. Slip the pin through the felt as shown.

7. Glue pin to felt then glue the felt to the flower by covering the felt thoroughly with glue.

You can layer the fabric to make a two-tone flower. For example use one 2 1/2″ wide fabric for the center and a 3″ strip for the outer flower. Line up the raw edges and stitch a long running stitch through both at the same time, then continue with #3-7.