"Start the New Year off Sew Organized!"

 Hey quilter's...happy Monday! Hope everyone is staying warm and safe with this crazy weather. I don't know about you but weather like this makes me want to stay home and sew. I wanted to share a super fun pattern with y'all to help you organize your sewing space. The "Martha" sewing machine mat organizer by Jennifer Reinke for Sallie Tomato Patterns is wonderful. The tutorial is very easy to follow along with and you can customize the pockets to your sewing needs. I love Sallie Tomato tutorials and products sew much that I am now affilated with this wonderful sewing company. I'll be sharing tips and techniques using the products and will keep you updated on specials as well. I have an affiliate link (upper right on home page) that will take you directly to the Sallie Tomato webiste to view all the wonderful products. I will receive a small percentage for you using my affiliate link which allows me to create more designs to share with y'all. I'm looking forward to a fun year with y'all...sewing...crafting...quilting and "QuiltMas Cheer all Year!" We already started w/ "Santa Bells are Ringing" in previous post. I will always give you an option when possible to show how versatile my designs can be by just changing the fabrics. I'm waiting on some fabrics to come in for that design so in the meantime let's get our sewing rooms organized 2gether. I've already started on my "Martha" organizer and you can view the options on the website to purchase the instant download or the paper pattern. I love Sallie Tomato 'Jess" she makes learning fun & convenient. You can see how super cute this pattern is with the pics below. It features a non-slip backing...durable cork fabric & design was inspired by "Aunt Martha" from the 1950's sitcom, Leave it to Beaver. How fun! View her products  to inspire you or put your own spin on it. Either way it's super cute and fun-ctional for you to be "sew organized" in the New Year! I thank y'all sew much for following and looking forward to a fun creative year 2gether. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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

Martha sewing machine mat & organizer 

by Jennifer Reinke for Sallie Tomato Patterns...

"Santa Bells are Ringing"...Wishing you Joy throughout the New Year!

 Hey quilter's....Happy New Year! Another year of making resolutions...goals or what I like to say "creating memories." I recently met someone that stated it's the "moments" that make the memories so make the moments count. Wow...when you hear it worded that way it really puts things in perspective. I've had a wonderful Christmas with my family but it always goes too fast. I love this time together...cooking...baking...seeing my grandson practice baseball and my daughter "sewing" again. When life gets hectic sewing is very therapeutic. It has truly helped me with not focusing on my pain although I do things in moderation. My design "Santa Bells are Ringing" Wishing you Joy throughout the New Year is my way of wishing us all Joy but also a reminder to cherish those special moments. I love Christmas...the music...making gifts for family and friends & that is just one reason why I promised "Qult-mas Cheer all Year." Yes, I'll have designs for all Seasons...tips & techniques to share plus a new series geared towards Children that I'll be sharing soon. This design is very "scrap friendly" using 2" squares so don't put those Christmas scraps away! It's very versatile if you want to start small wiith a pillow or table runner. The design is a "throw size" but can be easily adjusted to your needs. So here's to 2025 being a year filled with Joy and memories to cherish! I thank y'all so much for following and check back soon as we start this fun project 2gether. Talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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

Santa Bells are Ringing...

Cats Tip of the Day! "Sew Needed Christmas Clean-up!"

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all are enjoying Christmas. It's been a memorable one which this Gege loves. I wanted to share a quick tip with y'all before we start putting those Christmas scraps to good use. I've been sewing up Christmas...trying to get gifts finished...going from one project to another...and neglected something very important. Yup...it happens! You can see by the pic below that it really doesn't take much to create "fabric dust." I alway's clean my machine under the bobbin plate...change needles between projects or as needed while sewing. I do a yearly maintenance with my local quilt shop but I was in a rush and neglected something sew important. It's shocking of how fabric lint can slow down your machine. I was sewing...heard growling...adjusted everything that I can think of then finally removed the bobbin plate. Oh my word. Found the source. So my tip to you is take a moment and add this step of taking a soft brush that usually comes with your machine and carefully remove any lint collected while sewing. A simple step can save you money in the long run. My machine is running smoothly...ready for our next "Scrap-a-long" together which I'm sew excited to share soon with you. I hope you find this friendly reminder useful...I know a lessoned well learned in my sewing room. Well..rest up...enjoy your Christmas Joy because we have some fun projects ahead. Talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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

Sew Clever Charm-pack Scarfs!

 Hey quilter's...Sunday Blessings to y'all. I'm sure I don't need to remind anyone that we only have "10" more days until Christmas. Geeze! It's funny as you get older and the countdown gives me anxiety 'cause I'm still making presents. Well...remember I promised "Quilt-Mas Cheer all Year in 2025?" This is exactly why! So I wanted to share this super fun but fast gift idea with y'all. This concept is "sew clever"...I used the "Farmhouse Flannel III" charm pack by Primitive Gatherings for Moda Fabrics but if you're in a rush just cut some scraf fabric into 5" squares. I had a blast making these for the family. I'm using 2 charm packs...divided the prints into light and darks and then ordered a yard and a half of the corrdinating prints for the backing. You can "google" the tutorials on Charm Pack scarfs if desired. Basically you use as many squares for your desired length of scarf and sew with right sides together....2 at a time then sew the rows 2gether until you get your desired length. Your backing fabric will be the length of your scarf. You sew with right sides together using a 1/4" seam allowance and leave an opening at one end for turning right side out. I pressed mine and you can either do a top stitch to close the opening or use a washable fabric glue to close the ends together. You will be shocked of how fun the tutorials are to watch too.  I made the kiddos pretty simple. They are more of a grab n go warm scarf,,,not a fashion statement although I think they are super cute ;-) Scarfs can be of any length..just depends on whom you are making one for or yourself. You can definately add bling on ends if desired. I will give this one tip....Lay out your 5" squares before sewing. Then you can adjust if some prints are similiar before sewing. I have one more set of 3 to make with the lighter prints! I hope you try this concept if you're in the need of a gift to make. I love a gift that is thoughtful and very needed in this crazy weather we're having. I thank y'all so much for following and check back soon. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Farmhouse Flannel III Charm-pack Scarfs...

Quilt-Mas Blessings!

 Hey quilter's...hope your week is off to a great start. I cannot believe we are already counting down the days until Christmas. This year has flown. I guess it is true time flies when your stitchin' up Christmas! If you're like me you need more stitchin' time but I had to tell myself yesterday to be calm and remember to enjoy the season. We all love to make handmade gifts for our loved ones to cherish. So no matter what I had to remind myself it's from me "you" and they will be happy. Well...hopefully I wont have to put a work in progress note attached this year :-) I've been making ornamets this year from the fun Christmas kit from Missouri Star Quilt Company. I'm making half this year and will finish the other designs for next year. I am excited about the new designs that I'll be sharing with y'all in 2025. I love designing home decor so we'll be making fun projects from beginner to advanced. Just a fun hint...save those Christmas scraps :-) Well here's to getting those Christmas gifts finished & great week!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Tis the Season 2B Scrappy! "Gingerbread Man Template by MSQC"

 Hey quilter's....it's finally Friday! I hope y'all have sewing plans for your weekend. If not...these little guys might inspire you to break into your scraps. I fell in love with this adorable "Gingerbread Man" template by Missouri Star Quilt Company. He's only 3" x 4" and it's a clear template to "fussy cut" with your scraps. I'm making "scrappy gift decor" and he's the first of many to come! Every year I try to make something fun & easy but "cute" that can be re-gifted. I get the biggest kick out of everyone's faces at Christmastime when they see what I've made with my scraps. The scrap fabric is Ketan "root beer float" by Banyan Batiks for Northcott Fabrics. I had a strip left over and it was perfect to get two gingerbread men. The fabric is perfect and you don't even need to embellish him unless desired. I did a simple blanket stitch around the edges and formed a loop at the top. These would make great decorations on gifts...trim your tree.. grab your scraps...sew many possiblities! The weather is starting to get a bit nippy so this would be a fun and easy project for the kiddos too. It's fun way to introduce them to learn embroidery using a simple blanket stitch. Wishing everyone a safe and warm weekend and check back soon for more Holiday inspiration. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Here's all you need...

* Holiday Icons Gingerbread Man Template from Missouri Star Quilt Co.

* Scrap fabric of Ketan "root beer float" by Banyan Batiks for Northcott fabrics.

* Sew light fusible adhesive "double sided" by Missouri Star Quilt Co.

* Scrap piece of felt for backing.

* DMC embroidery thread "Ecru"

Here's all you do...

* Fuse sew light fusible adhasive to the wrong side of your fabric scrap following manufacturer's directions.

* Trace template on paper side of fusible adhesive.

* Carefully cut around design.

* Trace around template on felt. 

Tip...I used a heat erasable pen due to marking on felt can be a bit tricky. :-)

* Following manufacturers directions fuse the fabric and felt together using a Pressing sheet to protect your iron if possible.

* Cut enough embroidery floss to make a loop and blanket stitch around the little guy :-)

* Starting at top...make a loop using the "Blanket Stitch"...you just make the loop to your desired length then pull the strand throught the fabric. Little trick my gram taught me years ago :-)

* Then continue the blanket stitch all around the design until you end up back at top.

* Secure by hiding a simple knot on back or your preferred method.

You did it...super simple but aren't they cute? I may need to get some more of this fabric! I love a fabric design that inspires your creativity! Just think...it all started with this fun Gingerbread Man template and finding the perfect piece of scrap fabric :-) Plus the instructions are the same...we'll just be using the fun Holiday Templates and using our scraps! 

Check back soon,

Cat

Enchanted Christmas Embroidery..."Ornament #4"

 Hey quilter's.....hope y'all are having a great week. Things are getting a bit 'festive" in my sewing room. I actually displayed my "Quilting Santa" this week. When he comes out I know time is running out :-) I've been having a blast with the Enchanted Christmas Embroidery kit by Missouri Star Quilt Company. Making the ornaments for my daughter has been so special. They aren't perfect but definately stitched with love. I was recently asked how I was making them so sturdy. Well....I purchased the Holiday Variety Pack 5"  Felt  Squares by MSQC. The black felt was a scrap piece and it highlights the designs perfectly. The kit comes with instructions to make a quilt...holiday decor...endless quilt-a-bilities. I did challenge myself a bit with this ornament. I wanted to accent the design so I "carefully" trimmed around the design. Yes, I admit it was a bit scary. I was a bit nervous especially after you've embroidered the design. But do as you wish. Either way they will be stunning. I love a design that even when I'm not perfect it still looks fab! I also changed it up a bit due to incorporating the vintage buttons in the design. Y'all this kit is sew much fun & therapeutic! Stitch the designs as provided or get creative and personalize it to your desires. If you're just now following this fun Christmas journey with me please revert back to the first post for all the supplies needed. I hope y'all are having fun stitchin' your Christmas gifts. 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)

Enchanted Christmas Ornament #4...