"CATS FUN-FRIDAY TIP"...ART CANVAS 2 PILLOW SHAMS

Hey quilters....hope all is going well. I designed this project several months ago for my guest room & recently received several compliments, so I decided to share. We have a sweet antique store where I live called "Pandoras Box". I love shopping their 'cause her items make you think out of the box. A mix of old and new which is so me! As a designer, I try to come up with clever ideas for my clients and for me. Yes some of my accessories are straight from a store but when you can do something different that makes a "conversation piece",,,well, you know it was all worth the effort! That's how I feel with these sweet Rooster Canvas Art. At the time she only had two and I haven't seen any since.
Have to say...."that makes me happy." Although I feel you can take this concept and run with it.
All I needed to turn the canvas art into pillow shams was a little time and AURIfil 50# thread. I can't talk about this thread enough. I absolutely love 50 weight #2311 so much that I recently ran out of it. I use it for all my basic sewing projects. The color is so neutral that it blends in with any sewing project that I don't need to coordinate a hue to the exact. And if you do....well, google AURIfil thread and you'll see what I'm talking about. So many weights & hues to coordinate with your sewing projects.

Blessed Quilting from my Home to Yours,
Cat
email q's @ cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com
Follow on Facebook & Pinterest

Well, here's all you do to make your own unique shams.....

Purchase 2 Art Canvas Shams (or create your own)
Muslin fabric to size of each sham (x 2)
AURIfil 50 weight # 2311 (or coordinating color of thread)
Low loft pillow filler
Basic rotary cutter and ruler for accuracy

*Measure your shams and cut your muslin (or backing fabric of your choice) and allow an extra inch on each side for seam allowance. (I do an inch seam allowance to make my sham extra sturdy)
*Rotary cut fabric of muslin to size
*Pin right sides together (mark your opening with 2 needles) :-)
*With right sides together....sew a one inch seam around sham leaving at least a 2' opening for filling.
   Reinforcing seam at your start and stop points.
*Turn inside out (you should have both right sides of fabric facing you) if not (it happens) catch your     mistake now.
*Fill with low loft pillow filler and use a "dull pencil" to carefully get into the corners.
*Slip stitch opening with AURIfil thread :-)

Seriously... that's it :-) You now have your own unique project. Yes, I do remove them before my guest go to sleep....they are so stinkin' cute, in my opinion :-)

"CAT'S FUN-FRIDAY TIP" GOLD FABRIC by MODA

Hey quilter's....hope all is well and you are in the process of gathering your fabric for my Christmas in July Quilt-a-long. I plan on making mine out of my "Christmas scraps" but last night I noticed my fabrics in gold hues did not quite work. Today I ran to one of my favorite quilt shops in Tyler "a nimble thimble" www.animblethimble.com for you on line shoppers. I found the perfect gold fabric, French General by Moda...pattern # 13529 (modafabrics.com) plus it coordinates perfectly with #AURIfil 50 weight #2134. If you follow me on Facebook you can see the sweet "Red Truck" pattern they had in the store as well. Oh my goodness it was hard to stay focused in that quilt shop! I know on line shopping is convenient but it doesn't beat walking and seeing all the fabrics and threads in person. As a designer, I get inspired while seeing the fabric hues. In fact, I've already found my fabric for my next quilt-a-long! Win...win as my grandson would say :-)

Blessed Quilting from my Home to Yours,
Cat
email q's...cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
Follow on Facebook & Pinterest
www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

"CHRISTMAS in JULY"...CHILD'S SANTA BELT APRON

Hey quilter's.....I recently finished this sweet project for our town's fundraiser for the children's program. I thought any child would love to hear the "jingle bells" while baking cookies for Santa. I received several emails requesting the pattern for Christmas gifts. I thought...why not.... it's that time of year when we realize Christmas is only 5 mos. away and this is such a fun sweet gift. Also, please see previous post on "tips" for rotary cutting the Hexagons. All hexagons were appliqued with 50# AURIfil thread. Many weights and hues to coordinate with your projects & I've never had a thread breakage! I hope you enjoy this fast & easy project and remember to check back in this month for my "Christmas Quilting w/Cat" Quilt-a-long....you'll love this fun & easy quilt to make :-) The pattern will have tips for the advanced sewer/quilter as well. As always...email me any q's.

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,
Cat
email... cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
Follow on Facebook & Pinterest (Cat Gege)
www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

Here's all you do...
Purchase one apron from craft store & a small Hexagon template to scale of your apron size.
Coordinating Fabric & threads (I used scraps from my fabric stash of Hoffman Fabrics and I coordinated the fabric with 50# AURIfil thread for all the appliques.
HeatnBond Feather Lite...for a smooth, flat applique


*Rotary cut all your Hexagons with your fabric choosing. (see previous post for tips)
Fold Apron in half & softly crease with your "finger" to mark the center line of your apron.
I used my 1/4" ruler to keep the Hexagons aligned (see pic)

Fuse your Hexagon's on Apron following manufacturer's direction.
For White Hexagon squares...
Applique hexagons with cording thread
(Tips) remember to coordinate your bobbin thread with your apron for a clean neat back. Also,
for continuous line appliqueing of hexagons.... applique the outer edge of Hexagons first then for center seams position your needle to catch both side of center seam. (see pic)

*For Black Hexagons....(remember to coordinate your thread)
applique around black Hexagon's using the same method above except the center black hexagon...I straight stitched around square to secure it which allows for less bulk when adding the gold ribbon for buckle.

*Sew on "Gold Bells" securely in center of white Hexagons or use buttons.
*For "gold buckle"....I used gold ribbon and rotary cut outline of Hexagon with the same template. Then using permanent washable glue, I position strips on top of black hexagon for the 3-d effect.
Do the same if you wish or "try to find a Hexagon belt buckle"...I had no luck so I did step above.
I would fully recommend using a garment bag when washing apron due to the bells.
Hang to dry & press if needed.
Enjoy!
Remember....keep following for the Christmas Quilt-a-long :-)

CAT'S FUN- FRIDAY TIP..."HEXAGONS FOR RAW EDGE APPLIQUE"

Hey quilter's.....hope all is going well. It's that time of year when the garden is in & Christmas quilting is in full speed. I've been designing a Cat's Country Christmas Quilt-along that I'll be posting starting in July so please keep following. Super fun & easy tips to create a special quilt for your loved ones. Today I'm designing a "Santa Belt Apron" for our towns Library fundraiser & I'm using a lot of hexagon's & wanted to share this tip for a fast way to fuse hexagons for the "raw edge" application. I'm rotary cutting so many that I had to come up with a speedy method that made me so happy that I just had to share. If you already use this method then disregard and all I have to say is "great minds think alike!" Anyway....keep following for the Christmas Quilt-along in July and as always email me any q's.
Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,
Cat
email...cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
Follow on Facebook & Pinterest

Here's all you do...
Depending on your size of Hexagon...cut your strip of fabric 1/2- 1 in. larger then your "HeatnBond Lite fusible webl Pic below is using some leftover scrap squares but the method is the same.
Rotary cut your HeatnBond Lite fusible web about a 1/4" larger then your Hexagon square.
Fuse to wrong side of fabric following manufactures direction.
On paper side of HeatnBond lite mark 2 lines using a ruler the width of your hexagon (see diagram)
Using your Hexagon template then trace the outside edges "the arrow points"
Continue this method until you get the amount of Hexagons desired.
Note...the fabric is cut larger then HeatnBond lite fusible web so when your press this allows for any
glue seepage. :-)

Rotary cut the Hexagons using this same method.
Cut lines first then sub cut the corners.

Fuse following manufacturers direction & raw edge applique.
I fully recommend AURIfil thread....I've never had a breakage with all the raw edge applique that I do & they have wonderful weights & color hues to choose from.
What I've enjoyed using this method is that you have your main lines cut accurately & the sub cuts of angles go fast afterwards....win...win :-)
Enjoy & Hope you've enjoyed this tip.

"SAFE WAY TO DISCARD ROTARY CUTTING BLADES"

Hey quilters....I hope all is going well....we're finally having some nice weather in Texas! I love this time of year...I quilt & garden! Recently was discarding my rotary cutting blades and wanted to do a "shout out" to all you fellow quilter's & crafter's. Well.....first of all I have a confession...."I'm obsessed with Nutella." So when I discovered the jar was a safe way to discard my blades, I thought....win,..win! Not only am I being safe but I don't feel so "guilty" finishing the jar! :-) I did post this tip last year but felt the need to share again. Blades are so sharp and throwing them in the trash can be hazardous.
Also, here's another O.C.D. tip for you...when I use a blade on fabric and it starts to dull a bit, I then put it in a separate jar labeled for "paper." Usually you can use them a while longer on paper items. I tend to be so precise when cutting fabric that I keep my blades very sharp. Kudos to all of you that sharpen your blades. I'm not that brave! :-)
Anyway....keep following 'cause we have a huge project coming soon that I'm very excited about. I've been gearing towards simplifying home décor items with a quilt flair! I know were all busy & I especially need some time saving short cuts these days.

Blessed Quilting from my Home to Yours,

Cat
email q's....cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
Follow on Pinterest & Facebook

"SOMETHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN"

Hey quilters....hope everyone is doing good & staying warm. Crazy weather here in Texas! I'm doing a "shout out" to all you home decors.....I'm finally working on my own home & will be posting some fun, time-saving tips on my "Cooking & Décor blog. It's a great "stress relief" to take a break from quilting. Just kidding....no such thing as a "quilting break" :-). Anyway....quilt designs/patterns coming soon but in meantime pop on over to my décor blog.
Below is a peak of what I just did...more info on blog
.
Blessed Quilting from my Home to Yours,
Cat
www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

"OUT w/ THE OLD & IN w/ THE NEW"

Hey quilters....hope everyone's New Year is off to a great start. I've been "forced" to upgrade my software recently & if you know me I'm always about cherishing the history of items. But I've recently came to grips there is a difference between repurposing an "Old Quilt" & a laptop! Sad to say my "old laptop" wasn't even old! Technology is changing everyday so I'm especially glad when someone asks me to "repair" an old quilt to keep it & when they gift-it forward. I always say...."if this quilt could talk"....how many stories were told while piecing and quilting this quilt. I do love my new advanced laptop for designing quilts & getting used to "all my new gadgets" it has to offer :-) Anyway, below is also a pic of what I've been "up to" this year. I'm proud to say our group "Friends of the Library" is doing a Scholarship for a Frankston High School student. The "Hot pad runner" was appliqued & outline quilted with 50# weight AURIfil thread. And yes....again no thread breakage while using this great quality thread! More details soon about the chance to purchase tickets for the fundraiser in our local paper & on Facebook.
As always, email me any q's!
Blessed Quilting from my Home to Yours!,
Cat
cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
Follow me on Pinterest
and Facebook
I heard it through the quilt-vine

"Roses in my Garden"
( 3 piece Hot Pad Runner for entertaining.....stacks easily for storage)