Grad Gift "Call Mom Accent Pillow" Phase 1

 Hey quilter's..hope y'all had a great weekend. It's that time of year when the weather is crazy and kids are graduating. For some odd reason it seems to always rain on those days. The graduation gift pillow design that I'll be sharing is very sentimental. I remember when my daiughter went off to college it was exciting but very motional. You want them to succeed in life and bless them on their new journey but it's hard. Yes...I'm admitting it...I went nuts. No matter what I was told it didn't help.I remember thinking..."why hasn't she callled...it's been 2 days." Crazy...right? Then my phone would ring and she would update me with all the crazy things that's been going on. So this pillow design is a tribute...a fun one though...to send the kiddos off with a "friendly reminder." Trust me...it works...I recently "text" the design to my daughter who is now in her 40's to get her thoughts. She immediatly called and said 'Seriously Mom"...I couldn't help but laugh...maybe that's what my next design will be called :-)  But we all get through it and it's just a beginning on lifes new journey for all. The design comes together quickly because you are using 2 Charm Packs or Stamps 5" each from Lumin Fabrics/Island Batiks. This was part of my affiliate challenge wiht Missouri Star Quilt Company so I wanted to make something fun. I love "precuts." I for one don't have a lot of space and precuts allows you to have cuttings of the collection. I designed the pillow in Black/White but it would be adorable in school colors or home decor. I made my own letters but you could purchase iron on letters if desired. The pillow is 16 x 16 with a "Bifold design" which is  agreat space saver for dorms. I designed in EQ8 and it can be made smaller if desired but ommiting one of the borders. Endless fun! I also washed my black fabric due to pairing the white and black together. Always read the labels on fabrics for prewash instructions.  . So grab your supplies listed below and lets create a fun...fast & fab graduation gift 2gether Thanks so much for following and talk soon! 

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

(All supplies from Missouri Star Quilt Company),,,link upper right on home page

Here's all you need...

* Inkwell Black 5" Stamp precuts from Island Batik

* Simply White 5" Stamp precuts  from Island Batik

* Missouri Star Quilt Co. 50# thread Black/White

* Missouri Star Quilt Co. Sew Light Fusible Adhesive "double sided" (used for letters.)

* 16" Ultra Plush Pillow Form (Fairfield)

* Rotary cutter and standard sewing supplies

* Low loft batting if you quilt the front design. Optional step but I always say 'small projects are a great time to practice new sewing skills.

Talk soon,

Cat

"U.S.A. Garden Flag"

 Hey quilter's...Happy Memorial Day! Today is so special...honoring those who have served for our Country. Growing up in a  Military family brings so many memories. Some are sad and some you wish as an adult you could go back and cherish. You don't realize how blessed you were as a child until you reflect memories as an adult. I know it sounds a bit odd to say that but due to my dads service, I was blessed to travel to countries that I would not be able to afford today. So today and everyday..."I thank all who have served and are serving." It is very stressful on the families back home while there loved ones are away. We all put our strength of honor face on but my heart does go the families that have a loved one serving. My scrap-a-long today is a tribute to my love of our country. I knew when Missouri Star Quilt Company gifted me the templates to create a design with that it was going to be special. Also a bit hard because creating the garden flag brought many tears...especially now that my dad is in heaven. The garden flag was made with my love of Island Batik Fabrics "Lumin Fabrics.." I made the flag similiar to the previous "Lake garden flag." All you need to do is adjust your cutting for a finished 13 1/4 x 19 1/4. It's a tad bit longer than previous flag due to using the super cute templates. The design can be used as a banner too if desired. I did strip piecing of the fabrics (per design) for the letters but you could do a solid fabric color too.  I pieced/quilted on my Brother sewing machine and designed the garden flag in EQ8. I love how quickly this project comes together...no border piecing...you are starting with a background fabric that is rotary cut to 13 x 19. After you fuse your design per manufacturer's directions then a-play-que and quilt as desired. I did a 1/4" border with the Red and Blue fabrics alternating at sides and corners. Endless possibilities to have fun. This is a great small project for beginners to play with your machine and just have fun! I'll list the fabrics from Lumin that I used below and the Aurifil thread hues. This project is so fun and I hope it inspires you to create a design that is unique and special to you as well Check back soon for a "Graduation gift" that is a tribute to all us Moms! :-) Wishing y'all a great day and thanks so much for following. Talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Island Batik/Lumin Fabrics used...

* Background...Foundations Dots Neutral

* Ravishing Red Batik Solid Cherry

* Twilight Batiks Daisy Storm (Blue)

Tip...always check your batiks for prewash instructions. They are beautifully hand dyed...that's what makes them so unique!

Thread used...

* MSQC 50# White

* Aurifil thread 50# (2260, 2780)

Letters and Shooting Star...

* Missouri Star Quilt Co U.S.A. & Shooting Star Templates

* Missouri Star Quilt Co. Sew Light Fusible Adhesive (double sided and love this product for fusing)

You can reflect back on previous post of Lake Garden Flag for instructions and inspiration. I encourage you to create you to try new sewing/quilting techniques due to the small scale of project. 

Today "officially" kicks off the kiddos being home for summer too. So check back soon for more fun...fast-n-fab projects!

Talk soon,

Cat

How To Make an English Paper Pieced Wall Hanging With Our Kit + 5 Episod...

Hey quilter's....hope you had a great weekend. Well here's another fab design with "At Home w/ Misty" from Missouri Star Quilt Company. This kit is available at MSQC (my link will take you there)...and it features English Paper Piecing using Tula Pink Fabrics. I hope you enjoy this tutorial. Misty is an awesome designer and I love how she explains and walks you through the process. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Cats Tip of the day!..."Table Runner 2a Mock Roman Shade"

 Hey quilter's...Sunday Blessings to y'all. It's a bit quiet this morning so I wanted to quickly share a fun project that I recently finished in my bathroom. I have one of those small long windows that have the privacy glass. I wanted something decorative on the window without the price. I've designed and made many custom window treatments but I wanted simple with texture. Recently, I was shopping in the home goods area in Walmart and saw the textured runners by Mainstarys. I have one on my dining table from another store and I love it. So here's the excitement...it's lined already & the length was perfect at 14 x 72 and my window was 13 1/2 x 40 L. Hmmm,,.I thought what do I have to loose...well 20. bucks if I mess it up.. :-) Seriously as a designer even a "Mock Roman Shade" is expensive so I went for it! It's not perfect but I'm not either but I absolutely love it! Who would have thought something so easy would make a huge difference in a window plus it's fun-ctional as in super cute because it's "Mock" which means it doesn't move. I did start out by "tacking" the folds using Aurifil 50# thread on my Brother sewing machine but realized that I didn't even need to do that step...I just used the industrial glue below. Yup...no sewing required y'all but I did use my "Olga" 45mm rotary cutter from Missouri Star Quilt Co. You do need that for sure for trimming. So if you have one of those weird window sizes give this a try. Thanks so much for following and talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Here's all you need...

* Table runner

* MSQC "Olga" 45mm rotary cutter

* Tension Rod

* E6000 Clear Industrial strength glue

* Quilter's Clips

Here's all you do...

* Measure your window width and length...depending on your width you might not need to shorthen the sides of runner :-)

* Add 6" for the top of valance

* Add 6" per each mock fold desired.

* Carefully rotary cut your desired length on one end only leaving a "fringed end" for decorative purpose. My runner was thick and that's why I highly suggest a strong rotary cutter.

* Fold over the side edges to back side of table runner to your width if needed.

* Glue with E600 and clip to secure.

Tip...if you have a cat like I do...make sure they can't get to it...the smell attracted mine :-)

* Once dried...Fold "back" the cut end of runner to the "back side" about 6" for the Top of Valance.

* Glue the raw end only to the fabric lining which leaves an opening for tension rod later... clip to secure.

* Once dried...make folds/ about 4" in length and a 2" secure tuck then "glue" at the tucks on front of runner to secure...use your clips to secure whild drying.

* Continue this method for all of your desired folds...creating the "Mock Roman Shade"..leaving the "fringe" at the end.

Tip...I started my first "mock fold" about 3/4 of length of window...clipped...then worked my way down..so I could get a "visual" of the desired number of folds before I glued. ..this way I was able to adjust the length if needed. You know me...less stress :-)

* Once dried...remove clips add in the tension rod at top and position within your window.

* Seriously y'all,..easy...and you saved money :-)

Talk soon,

Cat

Cats Tip of the day!..."Bobbin thread Friend!"

 Hey quilter's...it's Saturday & that means a weekend start to sewing...right? Well, I hope "sew" anyway! I've been stitching up my next fun,,,fast-n-fab scrap-a-long using precuts and need to share this technique with y'all. I've been sewing for many years...too many to mention :-) but nobody taught me this technique. As a quilter we all know to "pull up the bobbin thread" before we begin so we don't have that hot tangled mess on the back. But...I'll be the first to admit it took me a while to get the hang of that technique. So here's my tip of the day that has helped me sew much...I "pull up" the bobbin thead on my Brother sewing machine as I'm piecing. Yes...practice makes perfect! Now when I'm ready to "quilt" my project it comes second nature to me. Now my "bobbin thread is my best friend" instead of that hot mess on the back. This is a great technique for new beginners to practice as well. Y'all know me...I'm all about ...'Less stress quilting" ...I believe in sharing the Joy of sewing and quilting so I hope this tip helps. Thanks so much for following and check back for some exciting events coming soon. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from my Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

*Also a "sneak peek" of a fun...fast-n-fab gift idea coming soon using Lumin Fabrics Precuts :-)

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

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

Maintenance on Brother machine...

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

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

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