An Easter Present for Everyone - Bunny Garden Tutorial

Hello, Friends, and Happy Easter!

Bear Creek Quilting Company has just published

my guest post on their blog,

for a Bunny Garden Table Topper tutorial!

{Be sure to scroll down to the

end of the Bear Creek Quilting Company guest post,

because there's an awesome giveaway going on, too!}

There's a super cool template set that I used

to make this table topper, and I gave it four bunny feet up,

in my review. 

Made by Creative Grids,

the Scrap Crazy 6-Inch Template Set is a winner!

Any quilter would enjoy this tool,

novice or experienced. It made this project so quick and easy.

I couldn't resist giving a sneak peek of this fun project,

on my Spring Primroses post.

The fabrics that I used are from a new-to-me designer

called Lewis and Irene. 

This line is called Bunny Garden,

and I am enchanted by the soft tones and

whimsical artwork of these prints.

Bunny Garden is perfect for springtime and beyond...

wouldn't these fabrics be lovely for a baby's nursery,

children's clothing, or a baby gift?

My sister Susie at Susie's Sunroom

 has created the most charming baby gift set,

made up of a soft toy, a pillow and a book.

{I am definitely going to steal copy this idea! I am admitting it now.}

Photo from Susie's Sunroom blog

Hop on over to my guest post now,

to learn how to make your own table topper

and to register to win a $50 gift certificate to

Bear Creek Quilting Company!

{Giveaway runs through Sunday, April 3, 2016.}

Happy Easter, everyone!

Pin It

Spring Primroses

Every year, I look forward to seeing

primroses for sale in my local grocery store.

Look at this wave of color!

Who can resist bringing home one of these

signs of springtime sweetness?

Then, every spring, I get my little flower home...

and it looks kind of...lonely...in that plastic pot.

Oh.My. Kind of sad.

:0(

I had planned to use the primrose as a prop

for my latest blog photos.

So...I took 5 minutes and a few supplies

that I had on hand,

and I gave my little primrose pot a makeover.

Do you have 5 minutes?

Here's a fun way to spend it.

{Note: This pot has no drainage holes. If yours has holes,

you'll need to place some plastic around the pot,

to keep the paper dry.}

All you need is a bowl and a piece of coordinating tissue wrapping paper.

Choose a bowl that is slightly larger than the flower pot.

My bowl is an unlikely candidate, with that Pittsburgh Pirates logo!

However...on the other sides,

it's a lovely plain white, with a slim black line around the rim.

It's perfect for my blog photos

and the logo doesn't show from most angles.

Next prepare the tissue wrap.

All you need is one piece, and it can be slightly wrinkled.

Cut 8 to 10 rectangles from the tissue paper,

each measuring about 6" x 10". 

Hold each one in the center, and shape it into a tuft,

as shown in the photo.

Place the flower pot into the bowl,

and tuck the tissue tufts in between the two containers,

until you are pleased with the fluffy layer.

That's a lot better!

My primrose has a pretty tutu for her blog debut.

I hope you'll find a way to brighten your spring days, too!

{Stop by again soon to see more of that table topper!}

Pin It

Spring and Summer - Reversible Mug Rug

Do you remember when I showed you

my reversible mug rug,

with one side decorated for Autumn...

and the other side ready for Winter?

Ummm...I bet you also remember that I only

showed one side at a time,

rather than both sides in the same post.

This time I'm going to have mercy...

I'll show both sides today!

Let's get going with Springtime tulips,

featuring yet another block

from the Quilty Fun book by Lori Holt.

I used two of the tulips

without any sashing between them.

I chose some of my favorite Bake Sale prints,

also designed by Lori Holt.

I really love the solid green fabric

for the leaves...very lifelike!

A little bit of quilting around the edges finished

the flowers off sweetly and neatly.

For the Summer side,

I turned to my other go-to designer...

The Patchsmith!

This time I used the Ice Cream Sundae Mug Rug pattern.

Nothing says summertime

like a cold and creamy ice cream sundae, right?

Some fresh fruit tops it all off,

and I really {heart} those red cherries!

My mug rug came out kind of large,

so I added a straw to the sundae...

and now it's more of a SODA!

I live in western Pennsylvania, where a soda has ice cream

and pop, mixed together. 

{Over in eastern PA, where my sister Susie lives,

you don't get any ice cream with your "soda".  It's just plain POP!}

;)

My Cath Kidston mugs look so adorable with both sides,

don't you agree?

I think I'll be making more mug rugs from these designs,

one at a time, some other day...

while I dream of sunny seasons.

Pin It

Zig Zag Zakka Tote Bag

Have you ever joined in a sew-along online?

I decided to join the Zakka Style Sew Along, which started this week.

It's the brainchild of Lindsey of LR Stitched 

and Amy of Sukie Don't You Know Who I Am?

I bought my copy of the Zakka Style book by

Rashida Coleman-Hale of IHeartLinen and got started!

I'm starting to {heart} linen myself!

I've noticed how linen can add a touch of sophistication and texture

to any project, from mug rugs...

to ereader covers.

The first project of the Sew Along is the Zig Zag Tote Bag.

Here's my finished bag.  I used Charcoal Linen for the front, 

with pink, white and red prints.

Shown here are Nicey Jane {Hop Dot} by Heather Bailey,

and a bit of Farmer's Market by Sandi Henderson.

Since I prefer to use linen in small doses, 

I used more of the Hop Dot on the back of the bag, instead of linen.

I love the side view!

For the lining, I chose more Nicey Jane...

this is {Lindy Leaf}.

The most fun part, for me, was the straight-line zigzag quilting,
to echo the patchwork zigzags!

{Guess what?}
I can't wait for MONDAYS now!
That's when each new project begins for the Sew Along.
Come and join us, okay?

If you really love my Zigzag Zakka Tote,

it's available for purchase in my shop, eamylove, on Etsy!

Happy Easter!

Go to my Easter post,  if you missed it earlier!

Pin It

Easter Blessings

Here in Pennsylvania we have a local celebrity 

who gets a lot of attention each year on Groundhog Day, which is February 2.

This year, as for most years, Punxsutawney Phil 

predicted "6 more weeks of winter".  

{The only alternative prediction was "an early Spring."}

We are happy to report that Phil got it wrong this time!

My beautiful daffodils have bloomed already...

And now the crabapple tree in the front yard is joining the party.

It's almost Easter, and I love the reminders of new life and rebirth.  

Easter symbolism brings fresh beauty to our daily lives...

through bright colors...

chocolate bunnies...

fresh flowers...

fancy foods...

 and images of baby animals.

This year we are enjoying a new Easter decoration in our home,

courtesy of my new internet friend, Ann, over at All Things Paper.

She posted this photo of her gorgeous handmade card on her Flickr site, 

and I was compelled to comment on its beauty.

Before I knew it, Anne sent it to me. 

{Yes, she DID!}

She has a great tutorial on her website, showing how you can make your

own Washi Tape Easter Egg handmade card!

However you spend your Easter, 

I hope you will celebrate your blessings of family and friends

and the joys they bring.

He Is Risen!  Alleluia!

Pin It