Happy 4th of July!

Here in the USA, we're having a celebration...

happy 4th of July!

I made a sweet new Stars and Stripes table runnner.

You can find the free tutorial with instructions here,

at A Bright Corner.

Photo and reference to free pattern used with permission from A Bright Corner blog

Here's how mine turned out.

I used a couple of different fabric collections

from my stash...the stars and the stripes came

from a fabric line called Simply Sweet from Henry Glass.

For the star background, the border and binding,

I used Smooth Sailing from Connecting Threads.

They gave my runner a nautical flair.

The border wasn't included in the tutorial,

but I liked the way it added a few more inches

of width and length to the runner.

I used wavy quilting lines, randomly spaced.

Don't you think wavy lines are perfect for flag designs?

I think the striped binding is my favorite detail.

This runner is even reversible!

The beachy print is fun for the back deck at our house,

near the swimming pool.

If you're looking for a fun and easy project,

with just the right mix of applique and patchwork,

you'll love making this project!

Enjoy your summer, friends!

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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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A New Sponsor! Kimberly's Fabric Stash

Hello, Friends!

I hope everyone made it through the

Blizzard of 2016.

So many of us in the USA were affected!

Here at my house we had about 8" of new snow.

I kept busy throughout the storm by sewing,

as I'm sure many others did.

I made (yet) another Be My Valentine Heart Mug Rug

using my new pattern.

{For now, I'll give you just a glimpse...more photos in another post to follow.}

I also made this little snowman.

He's cute already, but he needs to be made up

into a finished project.

Some buttons and eyes would do wonders for him.

{Tutorial: by @beelori1 on Instagram #mrSNOWMANtutorial}

Check out the fabrics I've been using!

They are from a layer cake of First Crush,

Sweetwater's new line for Moda.

As I mention often, my maiden name was Love.

That makes me automatically a fan of all things

with hearts, love, romance, hugs and kisses.

That's one reason I love First Crush.

I also love the limited color palette

of red, black, and gray.

I got my First Crush and a couple of coordinating blenders

from my new blog sponsor,

Kimberly's Fabric Stash.

You'll always find her button on my blog,

over on the left-hand sidebar.

Just click the button to go there 

and see what Kimberly's got in her stash today!

You'll want to join Kimberly's Fabric Club,

where you'll get all kinds of perks,

including 20% off of your first order!

I've got more First Crush projects to share very soon...

be patient...it won't be long.

I'll leave you with a sneak peek for now.

{If you can't wait, follow me on Instagram as @eamylove.}

Be safe and warm, everyone!!!

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Springtime in the Kitchen

Home Sweet Home...

We've just returned from a family trip to Florida!

Those warm sunny days make me wish spring would

hurry up and make its way to Pennsylvania!

{I picked up some daisies to brighten the kitchen, while I wait.}

Remember my kitchen table topper,

made from some happy red gingham

and a vintage-style cherry print from Terry's Fabrics?

Well, I've used it again to add some more cherry pop

to my country kitchen.

I started with a little cherry berry basket,

made using this tutorial from Noodlehead.

Paper napkins are very lovely in my basket...

but so are GINGHAM napkins!

All I did was hem some 14 1/2" squares of gingham. 

Since they are woven, there is no "wrong side."

{I always say, you can't go wrong with gingham.}

Next on my wishlist for my cherry kitchen

was a little counter topper,

made to match the table topper.

How did I do it?  Simple!

Cutting:

(6) 2 1/2" x 15" cherry strips

(6) 2 1/2" x 15" gingham strips

(1) 12" x 15" Pellon ShapeFlex SF101 interfacing

(1) 12" x 15" cherry backing

At least 1 1/2 yds. Ricrac - 5/8" wide 

Sewing:

Stitch the strips of fabric together

with a 1/4" seam, pressing each seam to one side.

When finished,

the patchwork measures 12" x 15".

Fuse the SF101 interfacing to the 

back of the patchwork, to give it wonderful shaping.

Next baste the gingham in place

just less than 1/4" from the edges of the patchwork.

Pin the patchwork top and the cherry backing

wrong sides together, and stitch just inside the basting,

so that the previous stitches will not show.

Leave an opening on one side for turning.

Turn the topper right sides out,

and smooth out the ricrac along the edges.

Press well, then topstitch near the edges to finish!

I think it looks just great on my countertop.

You know what else?  

It's reversible!

 It makes me smile to see those little aqua dots
in the background of the cherry print.
I really love decorating my kitchen with cherry pop!

Soon the sunny days will be here at my house,

and I'll be making some fresh food...

and sewing some fresh new projects.
I've got a new set of fabrics from Terry's Fabrics to show you!

Come back soon to see what's cooking!

{I'm happy to be the newest contributor for the How To Blog at Terry's Fabrics! 
Head on over to check out more great ideas...}

Linking up with Fort Worth Fabric Studio

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