Cats Tip of the day!..."Monday Machine Maintenance"

 Hey quilter's...hope everyoen had a great weekend. I've been wanting to share this tip with y'all that is a life saver for me. Seems that Mondays roll around too fast and I spend most of the day catching up and preparing for the week. I don't know about you but "I" need to have reminders lately. Yes...most of them are a bit quirky as I've gotten older but it works. I "try" to remember that Mondays are "Maintenance Mondays" on my sewing machine. I've been using my Brother sewing machine a lot and I want to keep it working great. But....my arthritic fingers limit me sometimes. Afew weeks back while removing the screws from the plate I dropped one into the mechanical area of my machine. Needless to say I spent a lot of time trying to get it out...yup that noise you might have heard was me! Oh my gosh...my fingers couldn'[t pick up that screw to save my life. What a rude awakening it was too admit. So I thought I need something magnetic to hold the screws when I remove them so this doesn't happen again. Well...if you're like me you love the cute "needle minders" & I have a few from Missouri Star Quilt Co. Now I immediately secure the screw on the back of the needle minder while I'm cleaning my sewing machine. Yup...might sound a bit quirky but it works :-) I even took a few pics for y'all this morning while doing my maintenance and will say..."Life went a lot smoother!"...wishing y'all a great week and check back soon for a fun...fast-n-fab...scrap-a-long! Hope this tips helps :-)

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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Happy Earth Day! Upcycle a Canvas tote!

 Hey quilter's...happy earth day! This is such a fun day seeing everyone's creativity recycling...upcycling and taking a part in preserving our country. I always get excited when my daughter sends pics of what the kiddos are creating at school. Well recently part of our Missouri Star Quilt company affiliate April program we received a MSQC canvas tote and Welcome to Quilt Town 10" precuts. Our challenge was to create a unique bag using the precuts. First of all may I say the prints and color hues on this new collection is super cute. The fabric was sew inspiring to decorate and turn a standard canvas bag into something unique. Of course I had to add one of my favorite quilting templates the "mini orange peel." Plus witht this fun design I was able to incorporate many prints from the collection. I love 10" precuts. It gives you cuts from the collection to create and design with. If you're limited in space like me this is a great space saver. too. I know sewing on a canvas bag can be a bit intimidating so I fused the leaves using MSQC double sided fusbible adhesive. I did have a bit of fun on the back of the bag using the fun fabric quotes. I love fabric that inspires creativity! I also made 2 pockets sewn on my Brother machine using 50# Aurifil thread and secured to inside of bag with double sided velcro dots. Again...super easy! This is such a fun project and would make a great project for the kiddos too. They can learn some sewing techniques and create a unique bag to tote their items for thier summer advaentures. I plan on taking mine to the lake for some rest and reading my Quilter's World magazines. I hope this project inspires you to create your own tote for carrying items to quilt guilds...summer adventures or the grocery store. Endless tote-a-bilities! Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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Upcycle a Canvas tote...

Here's all you need...

* Canvas Tote from MSQC

* Welcome to Quilt Town 10" precuts from MSQC

* MSQC Sew light fusible adhesive (double sided)

* MSQC Mini Peel Template

* Aurifil 50 weight thread # 3910

* No sew velcro dots

* Quilter's World magainze & Chuck! :-)

Here's all you do...

* Select 10" precuts as desired and subcut strips 2 x 10.

* Rotary cut fusible web to same size and fuse to wrong side of fabric strips following maufacturer's directions. 

* Using mini peel template trace on paper side of backing and cut out shapes.

* Fuse as desired on canvas tote following maufacturer's directions.

* Get creative and have fun :-)

For the back of canvas tote...

*  Select 10" printed squares as desired.

* Fuse MSQC fusible web in same method as above.

* Carefully cut out words and design as desired.

* Fuse to bag following manufacturer's directions. 

* Fun & easy!

Advanced option....creating inside pockets...

* Per each pocket,,,

* Select from your previous scraps two printed squares and sew with right sides together using a 1/4" seam allowance along sides and bottom only.

* Press a 1" fold to the wrong side of fabric on the top only and then fold again to secure the raw edge.

* Top stitch on right side to secure

* Turn right side out and press if needed.

Tip...I made a divider pocket by sewing a seam down center of pocket...do the same if you wish.

* Repeat same method for 2nd pocket.

* Position the dots on back side of pockets following manufacturer's directions and place as desired on inside of tote.

How fun...you just upcycled a ordinary canvas tote and personalized it to your needs!

Check back soon for more Fun...Fast & Fab projects,

Cat

Got Aurifil Thread? Just Breathe...Lake Home decor

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all are having a great week. I've been playing w/ Aurifil thread and having fun with some accent quilting on this fun project. I love how this kitchen towel was so inspiring for me. The words "Just breathe" really hit home when I saw this super cute towel. The words may seem simple but if you have anxiety those words can help get you through the day. I preach "thread and fabric therapy: a lot here on my blog. I wish words could express how sewing with Aurifil thread relaxes me. Sometimes it's not how large your project is that brings joy. This simple kitchen towel was turned into wall decor just by wrapping it onto a canvas frame. Yes...a simple art cnvas. I recently finihed accent quilting the towel using 50# Aurifil thread on my Brother sewing machine and I'm so pleased of how it turned out. Accent quilting with Aurifil thread is very relaxing and therapeutic for me. Sometimes I get in a rut and worry about finishing a project that I forget to take the time and "Just Breathe."...embrace the negative but be proud of what I've accomplished. If you are new to accent quilting or meandering then going with a pre-printed design is super fun and easy. Accenting around designs on fabric or in this case a towel is perfect project for a new quilter. Not only are you learning a new skill but you are creating home decor that is unique. You would layer your fabric or printed towel just like you would for quilting. After you have quilted with your Aurifil thread then wrap it onto the canvas and secure as desired. I did staple in places but my arthritic fingers fought with me so I tacked with industrial fabric glue. It's a great fun project to get the kiddos to design and make their own room decor too. I hope this project inspires your inner creativity. Remember it is the small things in life that really make a difference. I know seeing this on my wall inspires me to keep doing what I love! 

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)

"Just breathe...Lake Home decor"...

Here's all you need...

* Aurifil 50# thread

* Canvas 7 x 14

* Printed design on towel or fabric

Got Scraps? Fun...Fast n Fab "Lake Garden Flag"...Phase 2

 Hey quilter's...hope the weather is being kind and you're having a great week. I love seeing the pics on social media where people are still getting snow. I don't know about y'all but this has been the craziest "Spring," I'm just praying the rain stops for those to recover. One thing I've learned living in Florida is "Mother Nature is unpredictable." As I like to say..."It's always Sunny in my sewing room." :-) Well today I'm sharing the final phase of this fun lake garden flag. In my previous post I mentioned it could easily be turned into a wall hanging if desired. I love a design that inspires you to make it unique to your needs and home decor. I've had sew much fun designing this flag in EQ8 that it inspired me to create more! So keep following...you never know what my "quilting brain" will create. As I mentioned in previous post that I have a "tip" to preserve your garden flag due to the fabric. I use Scotchgard outdoor fabric protectant even on the garden flags I purchase. The sun will damage fabric...we all know that and just because an item states it's been weather treated doesn't mean it will last forever. So. I take a preventive measure and spray my flags before using them. Yes...I always test first so it doesn't bleed and most of the time a purchase flgs design is double sided. Again...test your fabric scraps before you spray your "unique" garden flag. Also the pillow form that I use is a outdoor pretreated garden pillow. Most of the time you can find them at your local "W" store for around $5...to me that's a bargain! Yes..I spray those too...I guess it's my O.C.D. "Only Cat does" :-) but they do last longer! Well...I thank y'all so much for following me on this fun journey and check back soon for more "Fun...Fast n Fab" projects. Talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)

Lake Garden Flag...Phase 2...

"I love how the morning sun shines on the Lake...so peaceful" although it was a windy day :-)

Here's all you do...

Note... Press and square up your quilt block if needed after you've finished quilting.

Adding Letters...

*Yes...you can purchase pre-fused letters if desired but I love to make my letters from the fabric scraps I'm using to add that extra touch :-)

* Fuse to wrong side of  scrap piece desired...Sew Light Fusible adhesive (double sided) using a pressing sheet to protect your iron if desired. Trace your letters on paper side of fusible adhesive (not some letters need to be reversed) 

* Carefully cut out around letters and fuse to quilt top as desired.

* Once you have your letters positioned on quilt top.

* Fuse following manufacturer's instructions.

 *  "a-play-que" around letters to secure. I used Aurifil 50# thread...compliments perfectly!

Adding Borders...

* For a finished 1/2" border...rotary cut your lime fabric 1 x 10 3/4 (or your width) and sew using a 1/4" seam allowance with right sides 2gether to top/bottom of quilt block. Press and square up if needed.

* Rotary cut from lim fabric 1" x 16 and sew as above to left/right side of quilt block using same method as above.

Binding...

Note...this is a where you bind your quilt block as desired. I like to do my border binding technique on small project. I rotary cut my strips wider to fold back leaving a 1/4" seam on front and top stitch in front of quilt block to secure. No it's not the traditional method but it's sew easy for me....as I alway's say..."you do what works best for you" :-)

Check back soon for more "Fun...Fast n Fab" projects!

Talk soon,

Cat

Got Scraps? Fun...Fast n Fab "Lake Garden Flag" Phase 1

 Hey y'all....hope your week is off to a great start. I'm loving this morning...the wind has slowed down a bit. I've been trying to take pics of the Lake Garden Flag which is the second part of "Got Scraps" series. We've had winds the last couple of days and it almost made picture taking impossible. I do laugh when I see pics of quilts blowing in the wind on Instagram. Sometimes its funny then other times it's nuts and you just take the best of the worst ;-) I didn't notice while taking one of the pics that I had an admirer. Yup...a pretty good size gator was just hoping I'd fall in for his "morning snack." Funny story...I almost did and I gave a new meaning to the term..."stop...drop and roll." My pride was hurt more than anything and then I couldn't stop laughing. Oh the life we lead :-) Well...as you can see by the pic below the flag was blowing a bit but I managed to catch a some what good one. The Lake Garden Flag has been a blast using the scraps from Sunlit Garden for Lumin Fabrics by Jennifer Thomas. I love it when fabric inspires creativity...don't y'all. I always wanted to design my own garden flag and EQ8 software makes it super fun & easy. The flag is 12 x 16 plus 2" tabs and I pieced and quilted in Aurifil 50# thread. I had such a fun time making the garden flag that I'm pretty sure their will be more designs coming your way. I'll be sharing my tip on preserving the flag on next phase. This is a fun...fast n fab project that can even be turned into a wall hanging if desired. You'll be making "Scrappy Half Square Triangles" so this is a great beginner project too. So grab you're scraps and lets make a "unique" Garden Flag together!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)

Lake Garden Flag...

Here's all you need...

* Scraps from Sunlit Garden by Lumin Fabrics ( Island Batiks) 

* Coordinating Aurifil thread

* Ruler for squaring up Half Square Triangles

* Low loft Batting

* MSQC Sew light fusible adhesive (double sided for letters)

Here's all you do...

* Rotary cut from Floral Vne White 6 1/2 x 10 1/2 (set aside)

* From Teal/orange fabrics rotary cut   nine  3" squares.

* Place one teal and one orange with right sides together and draw a diagonal line from corner to corner.  Sew a 1/4" seam on both side of line. Rotary cut on drawn line. Press towards darker side.

* Using ruler...square up to a 2 1/2 in square.

You will have 2 "Scrappy Half Square Triangles.

* Repeat same method for all squares.

* From white and teal fabric rotary cut a 3" square from each and sew as above. You only need 1 set.

* Per design...lay your white center with the "scrappy half square triangles."

* Sew your scrappy half square triangles in sets with right sides together using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press.

* Per design...join the sets together to make the right and bottom rows.

* Join the right scrappy half square triangles to the center. Using 1/4" seam allowance. Press

* Join the bottom row matching seams as needed. Press.

Tip....I join in sections due to matching seams as I sew. It's easier for me but I always say do what is easier for you. :-) 

Check back soon for Phase 2,

Cat

Got Scraps?...Fun...Fast n Fab Easter Eggs!

 Hey quilter's...hope your week is off to a great start. I'm super excited to share this "Got Scraps?... "Fun...Fast n Fab" mini series with y'all. Do you save scraps because the fabric is just sew stunning you can't waste even the tiniest little piece? Well...I do! I even save my Aurifil threads when I'm trimming away blocks while sewing. It's amazing of how all the thread hues inspire creativity all piled up :-) Well...y'all know I've been sharing designs using the stunning fabric collection "Sunlit Garden" by Jennifer Thomas for Lumin/Island Batik fabrics. I love the prints and color ways and I thought how fun would it be to cover those plastic eggs and make a Holiday centerpiece. I love to die eggs...don't get me wrong but with the price of eggs these days it's driven me a different route. Plus I'm using those tiny scraps that I know would be difficult to sew together. In fact with this fun project the tiniest scraps actually lay better while glueing due to the shape of the eggs. I will admit that this project is very therapeutic and super fun. This would aslo be a great project to get the kiddos involved especially with "Earth Day" next month too. The plastic eggs are very inexpensive and I used regular school glue diluted with a few drops of water. I brushed the plastic eggs first then just started layering the fabric until the egg was covered. I did a top coat on the fabric to secure once I liked how the egg was looking. I placed the eggs on water bottles to dry (pic below)...so easy. For the thread eggs I was a bit more careful when applying glue. The thread...and glue...and my fingers became a hot tangled mess at first so  I decided to do an area at a time...let it dry a bit so I had something to hold on to then started again. For the thread eggs I let them dry on a waxy paper plate so they didn't stick. I also rotated these while drying too. The fabric eggs are to be filled with candy so I pinked the edges to give a dcorative look where you would open them but the thread eggs were covered solid for decor. They are not perfect but I had a blast and what a fun way to "upcycle" a plastic egg! I hope y'all give this fun project a try and check back soon for more of "Got Scraps?...Fun...Fast n Fab" mini series. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest

Cats Tip of the Day!

 Hey quilter's...hope your weekend is filled with excitement. I know a lot of y'all are on "Spring Break" so hope everyone is having a great time. It's still a bit "nippy" here in Florida. I love how the birds are starting to chirp...I think they we're getting tired of the cold weather too. I recetnly received a text from my daughter stating they saw 3 hummers in Texas. I've only seen one here in the past 6 years and I got so excited that I scared the little fella away. We had tons of hummers back in our Texas home. Another reason why I can't wait to get back to Texas :-) Well...in the meantime...here's a tip that I use a lot. If you're like me and you "hand cut" your letters then I hope you try these tips. I use Missouri Star Quilt Co. "Sew Light Fusible Adhesive" for my letters. It fuses nicely to the back of your fabric then I trace letters and cut out. I also was gifted these "Karen Kay Buckley's" pulti-purpose scissors from my late mom-in-law and they are awesome. They are perfect for cutting around letters etc. on fabric that has been fused with a stabilizer. Plus I noticed recently MSQC has a new fun color as well. I also use a wool pressing mat which helps when fusing letters to fabric. Recently I received the new collection "Welcome to Quilt Town" fat quarters from MSQC as part of the affiliate program and below is a "Sneak Peek" of the center. I fused and a-play-que" using Aurifil 50# thread around the letters. The design is a wall hanging "All Roads Lead 2 Quilt Town"' that I'll be sharing soon. This new fabric collection is super cute with fun quotes which inspired my design. In celebration of "National Quilting Month", MSQC has tons of inspirational events and sales going on their website. I hope these tips help if you are like me that still hand cut & fuse your letters. Maybe one day "Santa" will bring me the cutter that's been on my list for quite a while. :-) Wishing everyone a fun & safe Spring Break. Talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)