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

 Hey quilter's...hope your weekend is going great. We're preparing for the beast here in Florida. Please pray for everyone during this season. I've lived my majority of life in Texas and have to say I can't wait to get back. Dealing with the possibility of a Hurricane is nerve wracking and I've realized it's definitely not for me. We moved here from Texas 2 yrs. ago to help my mom-in-law and now she can come with us when we find a home again in Texas. Plus, I don't do well being away from my family. I don't mind flying but it's great to just load up the car and go! I'm so thankful for this "Scrap...Crackle...Pop!" technique, it really helps with anxiety taking your mind off what's happening. I'm preparing for the worst due to our location, but I've got my "doodling sketchbook" ready to work on next years "scrap-a-long." That sounds weird just saying next year but we're almost there, Holidays are fast approaching. Oh, and before I forget, if you see a "lull" in my posting that means I'm somewhere hunkered down and praying! So don't let this Hurricane slow down your project. Most of my designs are easy for you to put your own spin on them to finish. I always say...I start the creativity flow then put your own spin on it if needed. My next project will be the "Scrappy Spook-tacular Hot Pad/Trivet for Entertaining." I love placing food on a hot pad/trivet that I've made, just adding that personal touch to the table plus it makes a great gift! So, let's get this fun project finished so we can get on to the next one before the beast shuts down my "quilting." Thank God for #threadnfibertherapy! 

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

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

Here's all you do...

* Rotary cut your batting & tear-away stabilizer to 3.5 x 3.5

* Layer as follows to prepare for your "Crazy-Spider-Web-Quilting" You can do a traditional spider web if desired, but I love how this is more "free-form" and a bit "spooky" :-)

* Square wrong side facing you, batting & tear-away stabilizer.

*Secure as desired...I pinned at this stage around square to secure layers in place while quilting.

* On your "solid triangle" draw a diagonal line to help start your web. Then just "free form" your lines while quilting doing an off-set design. I used coordinating 50 weight Aurifil thread # 2582 (purple) & 2692 (black) for the outline quilting. No wrong or right here just have fun! That's why I love this technique because I don't need a perfect curve for the web...#less-stress-quilting!

Tip...I do outline my block first "stitch in the ditch" to secure before quilting. :-)

* Quilt block as desired then "carefully tear-away" your stabilizer. It will look a little wonky at this point :-)

* Now rotary cut your back fabric to 3.5 x 3.5

* Rotary cut your Insul-bright to 3 1/4 x 3 1/4. I cut a bit smaller for less bulk on edge of square when finishing, 

* Layer as follows...your wrong side facing you, insul-bright then back fabric (right side facing up/you)

*You will then fold over your binding about a 1/4 inch to back side then tuck in to form your closed binding on the back side of square. If you follow my projects, I do my "border/binding" technique on just about all projects unless it goes for a "judging" then I would get a bit more "professional" :-)

*Start at top then bottom then left and right side...clip or pin * "finger press" as you go.

*Flip over and now you're ready to quilt in the ditch on the front side to secure your binding. 

#less-stress-quilting!

Tip...I start in middle on side border seam. Less bulk then starting at the edge. Then I remove the clips as I go & "pivot" at the corners. (raise presser foot/turn block/lower presser foot & continue sewing) Less stress when quilting in the ditch & easier for you as well. 

As you can see with my finished "Spook-tacular mug mat" I left my quilting simple. I liked how my "Scrap...Crackle...Pop!" technique showed the different layers of the fabric in each square so I only did the "crazy-spider-web-quilting." I just love how this technique shows how each square is never the same without the fuss! Remember...it's your project so let your creativity flow! I can recommend Aurifil 50 weight # 2235 (orange) if you decide to quilt the "candy corns." Each project will get a little more advanced, learning new techniques as we go. The hot pad/trivet will have an advanced scrappy border plus more accent quilting w/ Aurifil thread. So, check back soon for our next "scrappy-spook-tacular-scrap-a-long!" 

Thanks for following and please continue to pray for everyone during this Hurricane season. 

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

Follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

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

Follow on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com