Table Cloths

Although I had visitors on Saturday and had to work on Sunday, I still had a pretty productive sewing weekend! These projects were fun and so quick.

First, I made this reversable table-cloth-fall/Thanksgiving on one side and winter/Christmas on the other! I didn't put any batting or anything in it, just sewed the two pieces front sides together, turned it right side out and did a zig-zag stitch around the edge. Wo-la! A new table-cloth!

Our house is on the market so they made me clean up my sewing corner. Therefore I now sew in the dining room. I made a nice little ironing surface there next to my chair, and I have my computer sitting on a stool. I found a great site with free audio books to download, I downloaded "Jane Eyre" and was listening to that while sewing. I haven't read that book for many years. What a great find, I listened to 23 of 38 chapters so far and hope to finish it up tonight.

I saw this adorable Sponge Bob Christmas fabric at JoAnn's the other day, for 40% off, plus I had a 25% off entire purchase coupon so picked up a few yards. My husband loves Sponge-Bob, and Patrick. I paired this with fabric I picked up from the red-tag bin at JoAnn for about $2/yard a year or 2 ago. I will be sending this to him at school-I think he'll get a kick out of it, and I'm guessing it will probably stay on the Christmas side year-round.

I finished my two sided table mat. The center is not very flat and I did a horrible job on the binding-good thing this one is my practice one, so it will stay at my house. They are so cute though, I'm going to give it another try. I also put some fleece on the back of a large 9 patch made with Christmas fabric. Not sure if I like it or not, but it could also be a table mat-or I could do the same with a few other blocks I have done and they could be place-mats. I didn't take any pictures.

So many great ideas for quick Christmas gifts. I have to start early as I will be spending 36 days with my hubby in FL over Thanksgiving and Christmas. I'm thinking about taking my sewing machine with me.

Teenage Werewolf

I made this costume for my friend's daughter-she is going as a teenage werewolf. She wanted an expensive store-bought hood/scarf thing but instead I purchased some faux-fur at Joann's with a coupon and used some left over black fleece I had on hand (10 years old!) and whipped this up for her. The fur only cost about $7 and I have quite a bit left over. I added some fur to her skirt and made a pair of leggings that will fit above her boots. I also added a little glove thing on the back of the 'paws' so she can slip her hand in there (like the one she wanted to buy). I can't wait to see her in it!

It matches Josie the cat!

Here is the hood up close.

Hmmm... the white Pointer dog shed on it. This will also keep her warm Halloween night.

I'm linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts finish it up Friday. Now that this is done hopefully I can finish quilting the quilt I'm working on and have pictures of that next Friday.

I MUST start labeling my quilts!

My friend's mom received her "inspiration" quilt-she loves it by the way-and her other daughter asked "where did Tracey buy this?" Ummmm....it's time to start putting labels on quilts. But, WOW! she thought it was store bought? I guess she didn't notice the thousand imperfections-woo hoo!

Off for more Halloween costume making! I'll post pictures of the great "Teenage werewolf" costume I'm making for my friends daughter-too cute!

Holiday Table Mats

I LOVE these! Tutorial here. Thanks Love Laugh Quilt. I think I may make some like she does with the fleece backing, but I also like the idea of making it two sided like this.

I think the fabrics I chose are a bit too busy, next time I'll choose some that are a bit more solid and aren't directional. They are a great first try though, and hardly took any time (or fabric!) at all. Without having to get a beverage, use the bathroom and re-wind a bobbin I could probably get a top done in 1/2 an hour, and it will be an easy "assembly line" project for Christmas gifts. One side can be Christmas, and the other just winter for the rest of the winter-or send them for Thanksgiving.

Here's the fall side:

Here's the Christmas side before I sewed it together, hmmmmmmm.......not sure why I didn't take a picture of the finished side.

I love all the great ideas and instructions you can find on the internet!

Inspiration!

My friend's mother has been very ill so I wanted to make her a nice lap quilt to remember that those of us far away are thinking of her. I based it on this pattern. I did buy the pattern but I wanted it more a lap size so I added a column, added sashing in between the columns, and made the side borders 1.5 inches wider than called for. The top is ready to be sandwiched and quilted. I think it turned out nice. My rotary cutter blade was REALLY dull so it made it difficult to cut the squares/triangles very accurately so my points are not lining up very well, hopefully she won't notice too much!

I embroidered words of inspiration in the white squares. Faith, Peace, etc. This one is "healing".

Get well soon Velma!

What I did this summer

Obviously not post anything!

I picked huckleberries-yum! This was from just one of 4 outings!

I floated-A LOT!

I think I have spent more time on the water this summer than in the last three combined. Once summer finally got here it has been just beautiful weather.

I also got some sewing done.

I made a plastic bag holder.

I love this and may make a few for Christmas gifts.

I sewed some dog treat and pick-up bag bags-no I don't use the same bag for both!



I used patterns I found here.

Here's a set I made that you can put around your waist like a fanny pack and clip the pick-up bag holder to the treat bag strap. I love these and have used them often.

I purchased a fabric bundle of fat quarters from JoAnn Fabric, using a 50% off coupon so 5 fat quarters for $5! I have made 3 treat bags and 2 pick-up bag bags and have not even used up 2 fat quarters-how awesome is that! I used some left over table-cloth material for the inside of the treat bag.

I also made some pillow cases to match the quilt I made last year-Finally! I don't know why I procrastinated on that, they are so easy to whip up.

Sadly, we had to say goodbye to our sweet Jazzy-kitty in August. Her kidneys finally gave out.

RIP sweet girl.

Auction quilt was done in time!

I actually had the quilt done in time for the race this year-woot! It turned out very nice-if I do say so myself.

Here's a picture showing the back.

The backing is fabric that I found in the red tag bin at JoAnn's-I love it and I think it looks great on this quilt. I will definitely be using this pattern again.