Kiss Me Quick, Valentine!!!

Hello, Friends!

If you're looking for a quick gift idea

from the heart, for someone who's sweet,

take a look at my Be My Valentine mug rug pattern.

This pattern is very versatile, which is great news.

This is an example of a clean and simple design,

using one single fabric for the front.

 I had all of the supplies on hand...

this mug rug started out as two 10" layer cake squares

from Sweetwater's "First Crush" line for Moda.

I used a charming label from Sweetwater,

to put into words exactly what I was thinking.

This mug rug will be a birthday present 

for my wonderful mom!

{Shhh...her birthday is right after Valentine's Day!}

It was so easy to add the label to the heart shape,

with some fusible webbing and a neat straight stitch.

I used some squiggly free motion quilting,

to add interest.

I love the contrasting red ric rac edging.

I came up with an even quicker version,

using two more 10" squares of First Crush prints.

See how easy???

I didn't even need to add quilting,

since the fusible fleece gives it a beautiful finish.

I had fun using some labels I've been hoarding

for way to long!

It's reversible, too!

For the Be My Valentine mug rug pattern,

I normally piece together a patchwork for the front. 

That's super fun, when there's time available.

I got this "kiss me quick" idea,

because the backs of the mug rugs

are just as pretty as the fronts.

I hope you'll be inspired to try some quick versions

of the Be My Valentine mug rug pattern.

Be sure to share them on Instagram

by tagging with @eamylove or #amymadethat,
or any other page.

And remember...

gifts from the heart are welcomed every day,

even beyond Valentine's Day.

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First Crush - Be My Valentine

Are you ready?

Valentine's Day is coming up soon!

If you're looking for a fun gift to stitch up,

consider making a "Be My Valentine" mug rug.

You can find my pattern here on Craftsy.

For this sample,

I used scraps from First Crush by Sweetwater

for Moda, in gray, red and black.

I love the text prints mixed in with hearts and arrows.

This modern line looks great with a bit of wavy quilting detail.

The finished mug rug is so sweet
for serving up a cuppa and a chocolate treat.

No matter which fabrics and ric rac you choose for the
Be My Valentine mug rug,
you're bound to fall in love with it.

The back is cleanly finished, so the mug rug is truly reversible.

Check out my original Be My Valentine post here...

The pattern launch post has more ideas, here.

Soon I'll be back with some shortcuts for this pattern,
in case you're really running out of sewing time.

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A First Crush Mug Rug - From A Free Craftsy Pattern

I like to play matchmaker for patterns and fabrics...

I think this time I got it right.

I used a few pieces from my First Crush layer cake

and a free pattern on Craftsy called "That Red Cup."

If you have a few paper-pieced blocks

under your belt, this is a fun project.
I must admit that I had to restitch or two,

until I remembered how it goes.

When I saw that LID, though...

I knew it was worth the small struggles.

I fussy cut the band for the cup.

{What IS that paper thing called, that protects your hands???}

I used some wavy quilting, similar to the stitching

shown on the pattern, but mine is more random.

I think it looks like steam.

I.Love.That.

How was I going to finish this one off?
Ric rac? Machine binding?

Nope.

I used kind of a faux binding.

I made the outer border very narrow, almost like a binding.

I just added the backing and left an opening,

then turned it right-side-out and topstitched.

On the back, I made a little "tag" from one of the prints.

This was a Valentine present for my son's girlfriend,

and she loved it.

I bet you'll love it, too, if you try this pattern.

They're popping up on Instagram and Pinterest.

I first noticed this mug rug design

when Kelly of Pinkadot Quilts 

made up a bunch of them last Christmas.

I haven't seen one yet that I didn't love.

Head on over to Craftsy and see what else you can find!

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First Crush Coffee Cups - Mini Quilt

Do you know my sister Susie,

who blogs over at Susie's Sunroom?

She has a February birthday,

so I made a little mini quilt for her present!

I decided to make a mini quilt

that she could display in her kitchen,

on this sweet little quilt stand.

Susie likes coffee,

so I decided to make up 4 coffee mugs

using the Mug block from Quilty Fun,

by Lori Holt.

{Lori Holt calls them Cocoa Cups, and they're just super cute, no matter what is in them.}

Fabric selection for Susie's gift was really easy...

I chose First Crush by Sweetwater for Moda.

I have lots of fabric left from my layer cake

that I've been using for other projects,

like my Hugs and Kisses pillows.

I made up four mug blocks in no time...

which one is your favorite?

The first one is bold and dark, like a good cup of coffee!

Next we have a text print...

so cute to remind someone how special they are.

I think this one is my favorite...

it showed that this gift was made with lots of love.

A mug with hearts can't be beat for Valentine's Day,

or any other day of the year.

Our family name is Love, so red hearts are a "yes, please!"

for the Love girls!

 You can see from the photos that I got a lot of practice 

with free motion stippling.

The print designs are very forgiving.

The stitching shows up very clearly, though,

on the solid gray background and backing.

No pressure...

I used my own free tutorial for Machine Binding.

I must say it was a quick, neat finish.

My present was made in record time!

I nearly gave Susie a "heart" attack,

when my package arrived the day before her birthday!

Next time you need a gift for someone special,

think about a mini quilt!

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Hugs and Kisses - A Pillow Set

Here's comes Valentine's Day!

Are you going to be ready?

This year, I'll have lots of fresh and lovely

handmade items,

including this new Hugs and Kisses pillow set.

I used a layer cake of First Crush fabric by Sweetwater,

to create a whole bunch of 4-patch quilt blocks.

Before long, I had designed an X block...

and an O block, using a nice basic black blender for the background.

I like the charcoal gray undertones with the black.

My blocks finished at about 16 1/2",

which is just the right size to make a pair of pillows.

Here are the blocks made into pillow covers,

with zippered backings, to make cleaning easy.

I referred to my very own

free tutorial on making backings with covered zippers.

I love the way the red Moda Swirl fabric

jazzes them up.

I finished them off with my "eamylove" label.

{Unfortunately, I think my supplier has stopped making labels.}

These pillows look so cozy and inviting on my couch.

I couldn't resist taking some glamour shots

in the morning sunlight.

These pillows are plump and full...just the way I like 'em.

Has anyone else been sewing with First Crush fabrics?
I'd love to see what you're making.

In fact...I'm going to do a little experiment to see

how much stuff I can make from this one lovely

layer cake, plus some coordinating yardage.

{Maybe I'll make some more of these pillows!}

Linking up to Quilt Story - Fabric Tuesday

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