Sweetwater Mug Rugs

Hello, Friends!

I'm almost ready for Christmas...how about you?

Earlier this week, the scene was set with some

beautiful snow.

I love to sit near the window with a cup of cocoa

and a little treat.

Hershey's Kisses are my favorite chocolate snack!

Not long ago...

Sweetwater fabrics blogged about a box of fabric

that I couldn't resist.

I ordered one almost before I finished reading the post!

The box of Christmas goodness arrived quickly, 
and I was not disappointed!

I kind of hoard collect Sweetwater fabrics,

and I took great joy in creating a few mug rugs

to give as presents this year.

I mostly used the fabrics that came in my box,

but I had some of this fabulous Feed Company plaid

that was just right for the bindings.

I had purchased this plaid mug from Pottery Barn

and I love the way it looks with each of these

black and red mug rugs.

Other mugs look pretty, too, though...

here's a classic pedestal mug, called Heritage,
 that I've had for many years, made by Pfaltzgraff.

I've got a sweet little Dept. 56 Scotties mug

that looks inviting, too.

This is how it looks with one of my favorite

designs by The Patchsmith!

Pattern: Scotties and Westies, available here.

Here's the same mug,

featured with the Sweetwater snowflake.

The designs by Sweetwater are so cute...

this snowman will bring cheer all winter long.

The snowflake design is so pretty and simple.

It sets off fabrics exquisitely.

I love the black and red theme,

but I also made up a couple of mug rugs

in aqua and red.

I hope this mug rug brings JOY to its recipient.

A little star will shine in the snow

all winter long.

I love the dash of aqua in that plaid binding.

These mug rugs will be given as gifts

to some special folks.

Stop by again soon,
for some more winter mug rugs,
made for more special people!

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Norway Mini Quilt

Hello, Friends!

While I'm waiting for my hand to mend,

I'd like to share a project that I had made earlier this summer.

It's a mini quilt,

made from the Thimbleblossoms pattern called Norway.

Photo credit: Thimbleblossoms Big Cartel shop

I purchased a kit for this project from Connecting Threads.

It came with everything I needed.

In fact, aside from the background, there was enough fabric

left over to make another one!

Photo credit: Connecting Threads website

This kit is still on sale, and if you need a little pick-me-up,

I highly recommend this fun kit.
I enjoyed practicing some free motion quilting.

All the small pieces present a bit of a challenge,

but that made it a great opportunity

to sharpen my sewing skills.

I love Nordic themed projects

that can be used for Christmastime

and beyond.

It feels great to have my Norway mini quilt

all ready for winter decorating!

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Guest Posting - Triangle Quilt Tutorial with Winter's Song

Hello, Friends!

I've got something special to show you today,

in a new guest post over at

Bear Creek Quilting Company!

I'll show you how to make this amazing

triangle quilt, using some fat quarters,

a cool ruler, and Triangles on a Roll.

I have to tell you truthfully

that this was one of the quickest quilt tops

I've ever put together,

and it was thoroughly enjoyable to make!

Head on over to see the details...

I'll be back soon to show you the finished quilt.

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Guest Blogging - Joyeaux Noel Ornaments

Hello, Friends!

Are you starting to get ready for Christmas?

I have a new quick and easy idea

for some pretty ornaments.

You can find a free tutorial for

Joyeaux Noel ornaments on my guest blog post

at Bear Creek Quilting.

I was captivated when I first saw photos

of French General's latest line of Christmas fabrics,

Joyeaux Noel, months ago.

When I saw them in person, I was even more drawn to them...

the palette is subdued, with an Old World vibe.

The vignettes are charming and varied.

They just call out to be made into something for sharing.

I made up a set of ornaments in no time,

and I plan to make lots more of them soon.

Please stop by to see how they're made.

I hope you'll make some lovely ornaments

this Christmastime.

{In light of the recent attacks in France,

these projects have even more emotional appeal for me.

My heart goes out to those who were lost or injured.}

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A New Merry Christmas Pillow

As part of my ongoing

"Christmas Through The Year 2015"

project,

I proudly present my latest pillow...

Merry Christmas!

This pillow will be mine to keep!

I love the way it matches

our brown couch.

I used my 4th and last (sniff...sniff)

"ink swatch" from Sweetwater.

You may recall the other pillows I've made,

using the other 3 ink swatches.

This "Let It Snow" one really works!

We have a few inches of pretty white stuff now.

I love the sentiments on the next two pillows,

describing what Christmas really means.

I believe in Christmas!

Nothing beats a simple

"Merry Christmas" greeting, right?

For this pillow,

I used some more of my beloved Winter's Lane

fabric by Kate & Birdie Paper Co. for Moda,

in rich brown and red.

I love the way this newest pillow looks

with my Topiary Christmas Pillow,

which I made back in 2013.

If you like that topiary pillow,

you can make your own,

using my free tutorial, found here!

As usual,

I've added a covered zipper to the pillow back.

You can learn how to do that

from ANOTHER free tutorial, found here!

I've made the Merry Christmas pillow

only 12" square.

I adapted the pillow backing tutorial

by cutting my backing pieces out about an inch

larger that the finished dimensions.

It's not necessary to make it exactly the right size.

Just before stitching the backing to the front,

I trim away the excess backing.

This pillow looks pretty from every angle,

with a finished covered zipper.

This petite cushion packs a lot of style

into a small space.

 I'll be sharing more Christmasy projects all year,

so please stop by often, friends!

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Christmas 2015 --- Getting Started

I'm not one for New Year's resolutions,

but I do like to formulate a plan

for my sewing focus each year.

Back in 2013,

I made a conscious effort to sew

something for Christmas every month.

By Christmastime, I had a wide variety

of gifts and decorations.

{See this post for a complete listing of my 2013 holiday projects.}

For 2015, I've made up my mind

 to keep up with Christmas sewing again.

I've got lots of Christmas fabrics in my stash,

and I'd love to see what I can make by December.

It was so gratifying to make this pillow

as a gift for a wonderful friend,

and I was reminded of how much I love handmade holiday presents.

Inspired by that red and black color scheme,

I've already made my first holiday project for this year!

I used two more of my "ink swatches" from Sweetwater,

and I whipped up a pair of holiday pillows.

The first pillow says,

"Joy To The World"...one of my favorite

Christmas carols of all.

I found some sophisticated damask

in a home dec weight at JoAnn's.

I think it sets off the ink swatch perfectly.

Also at JoAnn's, I found cherry red solid home dec fabric.

I used it for the backing of these pillows.

For this pillow, I chose a black and white floral print

for the covered zipper flap.

{Visit this post for a link to my free tutorial...Covered Zipper Pillow Backing!}

The second pillow of the set says "Just Believe."

The simple sentiment goes well with this classic palette.

I really love the polka dot zipper cover.

Believe me when I say this method for making

pillow backings is truly easy and versatile.

To adapt it to different pillow sizes,

just add an inch to the finished dimensions of the pillow front.

Your backing will be a wee bit oversized,

but that makes it easy to stitch to the pillow front.

So here it is, only January,

and I've got a couple of plump Christmas pillows,

all ready for next December!

Stop by again soon...

I'll be sharing yet another holiday ink swatch pillow!

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