Scrap-a-long w/Cat..."2cute 2spook Mug Mat! Phase 1

 Hey quilter's...hope all is going well. It's been crazy lately in my "quilting world" the last few weeks. I had a allergic reaction to new meds & now embracing a Hurricane. Oh, my goodness...my prayers are with everyone that is going through this Hurricane season. You just never know & the best advice is to be "over prepared" & have hands on projects to keep you calm. This is the time to practice your "quilt doodling." Trust me...great way to calm the nerves. :-) Well, as promised we're going to have some quilting fun with smaller projects using the same "Scrap...Crackle...Pop!" technique. I'm obsessed with this technique. You get a different square/block every time plus no paper-piecing! Koodos to everyone that paper-pieces but I'm a bit impatient and I love how my technique still gives you that "unique" design without the fuss. In this "2cute 2spook" scrap-a-long series we'll be making a 3.5 x 3.5 mug mat, hot pad for entertaining and a table square. We'll be using the same technique and using up those Halloween scraps & doing "crazy spider-web-quilting." Such a fun project and great gift as well. If you notice from my previous design "table runner" we're just changing the fabric using this same fun technique. Oh yes...my favorite Halloween candy just might be "candy corn" :-) So, grab your "spooky scraps" & coordinating Aurifil thread & let's have a "Spook-tacular Scrap-a-long" 2gether!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Featured on www.auribuzz.com "Scrap...Crackle...Pop!"

Here's all you need...

*Spooky scraps

*Coordinating Aurifil thread ( I used 50 weight #2692, 2583, 2235)

*Batting

*Sulky tear-away Stabilizer

*Insul-bright (needle insulated lining hot/cold)

Here's all you do...

*Sew your scraps 2gether in a "candy corn" fashion. I use a 1/8" seam when piecing for less bulk due to the tiny nature of this cute little block :-)

*Using my "Olfa Mat spinning technique" square up to a 2.5 x 2.5 square.

* Now "rotary cut" a solid block 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 and draw a diagonal line across each side of your Fons & Porter 1/4" seam ruler.

*Place your squares "right sides 2gether" and sew on the mark lines.

*Rotary cut down the middle and press open to the solid side. 

*This will give you 2 blocks...repeat step to make 4 scrappy blocks.

*Layout squares in the "pinwheel" fashion (see pic)

*Sew using a 1/4" seam allowance top 2 (right sides 2gether) finger press open

*Then bottom 2 (right sides 2gether) finger press open

*Then sew top to bottom, carefully matching center seam. Press and square up if needed. 

*You will have the cutiest...spookiest  3 1/2 x 3 1/2 block :-) 

*Now rotary cut your border/binding strips as follows...

1 1/2 x 3 1/2 (Top/bottom) side

1 1/2 x 5 1/2 ( Left/Right) side

Oh yes...just noticed I flipped block wrong when taking pic :-( it happens!

Anyway! Sew using a 1/4" seam and right sides 2gether your top/bottom strips to square.

Press & square up if needed.

Now sew using same method your left/.right strips to square.

Well, you did it! Next phase will be "crazy spider-web quilting" and finishing your unique one-of-a-kind spook-tacular mug mat! Check back soon & thanks for following!

Please continue to pray for everyone this hurricane season. Cat

     

Happy Labor Day....aka "Quilting day!"

 Hey quilter's.... hope your weekend is going great. Well, the humor below says it all...."Labor Day starts quilting season." Honestly, I love it although that cracks me up and any quilter probably is thinking the same. I could not wait to "Labor Day" to start quilting. None of my projects would get finished plus I'd go nuts. As I've mentioned before it's "thread n fabric therapy" for me! If I'm not stitching with Aurifil thread or coming up with a new pattern in EQ8 then I'm not happy. Quilting is my therapy being away from my family especially during the holidays. If I'm creating something for them, it makes me feel like we're together while away. I know corny. But it helps. Also, if you have pain issues like me focusing on what brings you joy sure does help! So, this Labor Day weekend I'm wishing everyone a fun...safe & fabulous quilting weekend! If you have kiddos teach them to quilt this long weekend. I have previous post that are great fun & easy projects for kiddos. Most of all take time to do whatever you love. But remember...check back early next week for my "Spook-tacular Scrap-a-long!" Follow me on Instagram for updates of what's happening in my "quilting world" :-)

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

Cats Tip of the Day! Tip to get ready 4a "Spook-tacular Scrap-a-long!"

 Hey quilter's...hope your Friday is off to a great start & ready for the weekend. When you retire some days just seem to "run-2gether" which can be a bit embarrassing at times. I've enjoyed sharing my "Scrap-Crackle-Pop!" technique and hoping it's been "therapeutic" for you as well. I'm a bit addicted to this technique so of course had to step it into some holiday fun! :-) Yes...small projects and actually great inexpensive gifts for the Holiday's as well. You're using your "scraps" and most likely you have the supplies already...win...win...:-) In a few of the designs you'll be "scrapin' small quarter square triangles" so I wanted to share again this technique to make this project easier. You know me by now I'm all about less-stress-quilting! I know if you are a beginner quilter supplies can add up quickly and gadgets are so tempting. I for one have to "control" myself :-( still working on that! So, here's an inexpensive tip that I do to make these triangles easier to trim. If you are fortunate to have one of those fancy "spinning mats" then this is just an extra fun tip for you :-) But, I do this.... I place my small "Olfa Mat" on top of my larger cutting mat and spin it around when rotary cutting the half-square triangles w/ my square-up-ruler. Makes trimming easier and safer. I still to this day am extra careful using a rotary cutter and this technique assures me the quality of a clean cut plus the safety as well. Plus, not to mention if you have "back issues" like me you are not stretching over to rotary cut...every bit helps with back issues :-) Also, the Fons & Porter 1/4" ruler is wonderful to help mark your half-square triangle lines. I have 2 sizes and use them always to mark my squares. For marking lines, I use a "dritz water soluble marking pencil" Again...great gift idea for a "beginner quilter" :-) Oh, did I mention you'll be doing some "crazy-spider-web-quilting? So, grab your "spooky-scraps.... your coordinating aurifil thread" and get ready for a "spook-tacular scrap-a-long" coming soon! Thanks for following and please share the love of quilting w/others! Cat

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

Karen Miller Orange Peel Grid Quilting Design - Continuous Curve on a Domestic Machine

Hey quilter's....hope your week is going well. I have to share one of my favorite all time quilt designs "orange peel" and it's tutorial by Karen Miller with Redbird quilt co. Oh my goodness...her quilting is amazing....so fun to watch her tutorials and easy to follow. She quilts with Aurifil thread, and you can see the quality in her designs using this thread. I've been sewing and quilting for too many years to state, and I can only "imagine" being this talented. She quilts on a "domestic"...yes a domestic no longarm here! She is my "quilt inspiration" & I hope you enjoy this tutorial. She has plenty more as well. Have a great week & keep following for a "fun & spooky quilt-a-long" coming soon!

Quilt Blessings from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

Scrap-Humor....when you're "quilting" & you get asked..."what's 4 dinner?"

 Hey quilter's...hope your week is off to a great start. Had to share a little "scrap-humor" to get you through the week. I think we've all had this moment of getting interrupted in some way while quilting. What's hard for me is that I have to "limit" my sewing/quilting time due to my back limitations. Well, not that I don't mind interruptions sometimes when you get in that "quilting groove" as I like to say & then stop it's frustrating. For me anyway :-) Recently I even had a "rotary cutting incident" when had to go do something else :-( It happens...but I did learn due to this mistake that if you are sewing "squares" 2gether and for some reason your seams aren't matching up...there's a reason. In a soon-2b-project that I will be sharing I must have not trimmed up 2 of my accent blocks before piecing and quilting. Yes...I did it! It happens...In the "construction world" that would not work...in the "quilting world" I'm saying that table square has memories :-) Seriously, what else can I do when you've quilted it and then see an "oopsie." So now I have a "sticky pad" by my projects to remind me where I stopped on the project to prevent "oopsies." Don't get old quilter's...I'm blaming my "memory loss" on my meds :-) :-) :-) Anyway, I usually have a snappy comeback when getting asked what's for dinner because honestly, he doesn't care but this time I said "scraps" instead of "leftovers." Again...it's the meds', right? :-) Well...the pic below is showing my soon 2-be scrap-a-long. The "sneak-peek" features 50# aurifil thread, scraps from Moda, Michael Miller Fabrics & Hoffman Batiks, Actually, looks like a pretty good "high-fiber" diet to me! As promised small projects for the holidays are coming soon so keep following. Thanks for "scrapin'-a-long w/me" & please share the love of threadnfabric therapy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

email q's cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com

Follow on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

Pop on over to my "cooking blog" for some easy & healthy recipes to make while quilting!

www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

Cats Tip of the Day!..." Love Fons & Porter 1/4" Seam Marker"

 Hey quilter's...hope your weekend is going well. I wanted to share this tip that I love and use constantly when marking my "scrappy 1/2" and 1/4" triangle blocks. I posted this tip on my "Scrap...Crackle...Pop" scrap-a-long but wanted to "re-fresh" for my upcoming projects. My "smaller" projects that I'll be featuring soon still incorporate my fun technique of the "scrappy half-square triangles." The holidays are approaching a bit fast for me & I love to give a "handmade" gift. So, my "soon-2b-designs" will of course incorporate "scraps" & all pieced/quilted w/ aurifil thread. We all know by now how much I love this thread. It never lets me down with the quality & so many weights and color hues to coordinate with any project. My "Scrap-Crackle-Pop!" design is so versatile & therapeutic and it's featured on my previous posts if you have seen already. My "scrapin' technique" is also featured on auribuzz.com. Check it out when you can. My goal is to help others with thread and fabric therapy through the love of quilting So keep following for more "scrap-a-longs." Have a great quilting weekend!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Post any q's in comment section & I'll be happy to answer to the best of my knowledge :-)

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Tip....when using "scraps" we know they have the tendency to stretch so I press first...rotary cut my square and this ruler helps mark your diagonal lines for a great ponts on your triangle piecing! Just sew on marked lines...rotary cut down the middle of the lines.... press to the dark side and it's perfect :-)

Scrap...Crackle...Pop! Scrap-a-long...Phase 5 (Border/Binding/Quilting) :-)

 Hey quilter's....hope you're doing well. We're at Phase 5...so exciting! I have to say that I was thrilled when I came to this stage of piecing. It's wonderful when you can see your hard work to start coming together and using scraps! This phase is totally up to you of how you would like to finish your runner. I always mention to people even when I was designing homes that it's your project...it needs to be in your comfort zone. On the other hand, for me, I still had tons of scrap pieces that I knew needed to be used. So, with my runner I did my "Scrappy border technique." Trust me it's easy & have to say just as rewarding as piecing the scrappy blocks 2gether! I do recommend having your iron nearby or you can finger press as you scrap piece. Either way you decide my border/binding technique is pretty easy. But before we begin, I would like for you to gather your fabric for your backing & batting. I had to piece my backing into two sections due to the length of the runner. Not complaining cause, I had some coordinating batik fabric...love! Just remember while piecing for your backing to make sure your "seam" is pressed flat, so you don't have a bulge when it comes time to quilt. Anyway, I've truly enjoyed this scrap-a-long with y'all and keep following 'cause I have plenty more "smaller projects" for the holidays. :-) Please continue to share the love of threadnfabric therapy with others. So, let's get this runner finished! :-)

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

Note: I will post pics for the advanced technique of scrappy border 2nd.

Here's all you do for a standard Border/Binding...

* Press your fabric & rotary cut your strips 2 1/2 times the top/bottom sides of your runner.

*Sew with right sides 2gether, using a 1/4" seam allowance your top border first then your bottom border and press.

*Now rotary cut your 2 1/2 strips to the length of your left and right border and sew 2gether using the same method as above. 

*Rotary cut your backing and batting roughly to this size minus an inch all around. This gives you enough for your border to fold underneath later after you have quilted. If you are not comfortable cutting at this point, you can always cut your pieces larger then carefully trim away after quilting. Do what method is great for you. 

*Now pin 2gether all layers to get ready for quilting. I did accent quilting and straight-line quilting complimenting the direction of the blocks. Meandering would also be a great way to quilt the blocks.

Tip: if you would like some "quilt inspiration" google Karen Miller @ www.redbirdquiltco.com

 Her quilting techniques are so amazing and inspirational. 

Either way have fun!!! 

Once you have achieved your desired quilting now you can finish your border/binding technique. 

Here's all you do...

Starting at the top, fold over your border a 1/2...finger press and fold in again to form a finished seam on back of quilt. 

Pin or clip. Top stitch on front in the border seam. This will secure your binding on the back

.

On the front side, quilt in the ditch by your border. This will secure the fold on the back side :-)

Now do the same method with your bottom border then left and right border. 

This will give you a finished 1/2 " binding for your runner. You can always adjust as desired...add more borders if you wish but just end with this technique for a easy finished binding :-)

Well, you did it! I hope you enjoy entertaining with this beautiful-unique-scrappy-runner!

Here's all you do for the "scrappy border"...

*Lightly press your scraps.

*For the top & bottom border and right-side scrappy border piece as follows...

*  Rotary cut scrap pieces a bit larger than a 2 1/2" width. With right sides 2gether mark a 45* line

 on your fabric and sew on that line. (Notice strip direction in pic below)

* Trim to a 1/8th inch seam allowance from that sewn line if possible. 

* Add on another scrap piece and continue "scrap-piecing" until you get the width plus 1" of the length of runner top. Press and trim strip to 2 1/2 " wide.

*With right sides 2gether, sew scrappy strip to top using a 1/4 seam allowance.

*Press and square up the sides.

*Continue this "scrappy border technique" for the bottom border then the right border. 

For the left border the scrappy-border angles are revered so notice the position of fabric strips in pic below to achieve this design.

Sew 2gether your scraps using the same method as above and sew strip to left side of runner with right sides 2gether following same steps as above. Press & square up if needed. 

At this point your runner will look similar to pic below. This technique will give your design a very unique finish plus you're using more scraps ;-)

Now following the steps in previous directions of "standard border/binding", prepare your backing and batting fabric, pin or clip all pieces 2gether to prepare for quilting. Quilt as desired and see quilting tips in previous section. Just remember to have fun! :-)

Here's a view (above) of how I followed the triangle angles for straight-line-quilting. "No judging" my eyes are getting a bit old :-) Not perfect but sure was fun!!! The quality of aurifil 50# thread will make any quilt look stunning! I love how these thread hues compliment the fabric :-)

 Now you're ready for the border/binding step. :-)

Follow the same steps in section above for "standard border binding" Just remember to start at top then bottom, left then right. Once you have achieved this step you will have a "one-of-a-kind-unique-scrappy-border," (See pic below)

I loved how this step complimented the "crackle" in the scrappy-squares. I hope you enjoyed this "scrap-a-long" and continue to share the love of threadnfabrictherapy! Keep following for more designs using this technique. The holidays are approaching so I'll be sharing fast & easy gift-giving ideas and you'll be using your scraps! 

Thanks for following & save those scraps! :-)