Santas "SN-UGLY Sweater Dinner Party" runner Phase 3

 Hey quilter's...hope your weekend is off to a great start. I know a lot of y'all are getting the kiddos ready for school but wanted to post the next phase of this fun table runner for the Holiday's. I'm sure your sad for the kiddos to go back. I know when my daughter went back it was a lonely time for me. Then I started projects that I wouldn't normally do to help with the transition. Being a mom is the best gift for me but it also came with guilt. Sometimes I would feel guilty if I wasn't 100% devoted. Then I realized that I've raised a wonderful independent L'l woman. It's crazy of how I always thought that I needed to be with her with everything. Then I realized...the hard way...that sometimes they need just the emotional support to help then achieve their goals in life as well. We joke to this day about the "nick-name" that we created together. Honestly...to make me feel better. She's my "little-wommie"...my daughter that is an awesome woman that still needs her mommie. Ha! I guess what I'm finally saying is "take time for yourself." I know it sounds "cliche" but you'll be suprised of how they love seeing you happy too. Sometimes working on a gift for them is a comforting transition. Making dorm room pillow or a mug mat so they think of you. Or in my case little things for them to remember to always call home :-) So if you're like me....diving into holiday projects helps keep your mind on happy thoughts. Hey...speaking of "positive thoughts." Don't forget to enter to win the awesome Christmas Template Set that Missouri Star Quilt Company has graciously gifted me to give away to one lucky winner. See previous post for the fun details. So lets get started for this fun border. I did a "scrappy border" but you could totally do a solid trip if desired. I wanted to show as much of the fun "Merry Little Christmas" fabric by Riley Blake Designs. Oh my gosh...this collection has been a blast that I'm already working on my next project...hint...hint :-) Thanks so much for following & remember if you need supplies my link to MSQC (upper right on home page) will save you 20% off $50. or more in August on most supplies. Don't forget to follow MSQC to keep up with all their awesome tutorials and project inspiration. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

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

Here's all you do...

* Sew your blocks with right sides 2gether using a 1/4" seam allowance. 

* Press seams towards darker fabric.

* Repeat for "backing squares"...set aside.

Scrappy Border/Binding...

* Select from  10" squares from "Merry Little Christmas" & subcut them into a  2x10" strip.

* The scrappier the better :-)

* Set aside the scrap pieces for later project :-)

Note...the strips are 2" wide to late flip over to back side later for the border/binding finishing stage :-)

* Subcut the strips into odd sizes to create the scrappy design. 

* Join strips 2gether using a 1/4" seam allowance for the Top/Bottom borders. Press.

* Sew the scrappy border piece to the Top/Bottom of runner using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press.

* Square up if needed.

* Join scrap pieces together in same method as above for your left/right borders.

* Sew to Left/Right side of runner using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press...square up if needed.

Remember get creative & have fun!

Talk soon,

Cat

Give-a-way w/ MSQC Christmas Template Set!

 Hey quilter's...I hope you're having a great week. I'm super excited to share with y'all that Missouri Star Quilt Company has gifted me a "set" of these adorable Christmas Templates to give to one lucky winner! Oh my gosh y'all...they are so sturdy...each comes with a smaller size 'nestled within." The templates are sew versatile...use them sewing/crafting...quilting who know what you'll come up with! The Christmas possibilities are endless with these adorable templates. You can view all the dimentions on MSQC website. All you need to do is follow me on Instagram (link upper right on home page) & Missouri Star Quilt Company & the fun rules to enter are posted today. I'm having a blast using the "Sweater Template" with my "Santas SN-UGLY Dinner Party" table runner. Can you imagine all you could make? A super cute pillow....holiday trivets for entertaining....an adorable quilt for a Christmas gift! Well....who know what I'll be sharing next :-) Don't forget if you need supplies my link to MSQC w/save you 20% off $50. or more on most supplies for the month of August. Plus check out their webiste for holiday gift inspiration! I thank y'all so much for following & good luck! The deadline to enter is August 11 (Sunday) at midnight :-)

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

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

Santas "SN-UGLY Sweater Dinner Party!" Phase 2

 Hey quilter's...hope your week is off to a great start. We're right on the out skirts of the Hurricane so to speak so very lucky with this one. This is a quick post but wanted to post the next phase for y'all. Don't forget that with this fun pattern from Missouri Star Quilt Company comes the free-download of the sweater pattern. I'm sharing a fun-ctional table runner using 5 of the 10" stackers from the "Merry Little Christmas" collection by My Mind's Eye for Riley Blake Designs. Plus I'll be using 5 for the backing. You could totally scrap piece your backing if you wanted to save some of the 10" squares for a later project (hint hint). I usually do a design layout in EQ8 but this design is a fast & easy one. I had fun fusing different pieces of fabric to make my sweater designs a bit fun & wonky. You have so much versality with this design so have fun with it! My link to MSQC (upper right on home page) will save you 20% off $50. or more for the month of August on most supplies. Sew catch up soon. The instructions are easy to follow so this would make a great beginner project too. Thanks so much for following & check back soon for an exciting event! Enjoy & have fun!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

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

Here's all you do...

* Select 5 of the 10" squares (alternating colors/patterns) for your background squares.

* Select 3 coordinating squares for your SN-UGLY sweater

* Download sweater template on MSQC.

* Trace & fuse following directions on SN-UGLY Sweater Quilt Pattern by MSQC

Tip...I chose to make my sweaters wonky....the fusible web is very fun & easy to use to layer fabric pieces if desired. Follow manufacturer's directions & I highly reccommend a pressing sheet to protect your iron. 

* You can do decorative stitching with coordinating thread if desired.

Note...save your scraps :-)

* Select 5 squares for your backing and set aside.

Note...I chose to do 3 wonky sweaters alternating with the cute cookie print but 5 sweaters on each square would be super. Get creative & have fun!

Talk soon,

Cat

"Santas SN-UGLY Sweater Dinner Party! Phase 1

 Hey quilter's...hope all has been well. I've been doing a bit of everyting lately & adding another fun project to the list. I can't help it! Oh my gosh...this is the cutest pattern by Missouri Star Quilt Co. I for one love a "Ugly-Sweater Party" during the Holidays. It's a classic and everyone loves picking out their favorite ugly sweater. A few years ago we did a "cookie decorating theme" to go a long with the ugly sweater party. This pattern is right up my families idea of fun and that's why I got so excited. I'll be making a "table runner" from the pattern design using 10" Stackers "Merry Little Christmas" by My Minds Eye for Riley Blake Designs. Thsi fabric collection is adorable! Missouri Star Quilt Company has a "free-sweater pattern download" template within the pattern to make the sweaters. You can make the sweaters as traditonal as you wish or get a bit crazy like I did and have fun. I shortened the sleeves...did the fabrics a bit different and did some of the sweaters a bit wonky. The pattern is "sew versatile." The quilt pattern is for the 10" squares and I incorporated the squares for the 5 background squares and the backing and sweaters. The weather has been a bit rough already here in Florida so a fun project helps with my anxiety. Hurricane Season drives me nuts so I'll be "bouncing" around posting projects that I'm working on and showing "project progress" updates on blog as well as Instagram..facebook & Pinterest. It's the season to start those fun Holiday projects & MSQC has tons of inspiration on their website. My link on home page will save you 20% off $50. or more on most supplies for the month of August. This is the first of many fun projects that I'll be hosting with Missouri Star Quilt Company projects. Keep checkin' in cause we have a fun month ahead. "Teach the Kiddos 2 Sew" is still happening so I hope your squares are coming a long nicely. I'm still working on mine! If you're ahead of me just remember to sew your blocks/rows together using a 1/4" seam allowance and always press as you go. If you're at the point of adding borders...make sure you press...measure your sides and join your border strips as desired. Press & square up again before quilting. I'll be posting some tips soon of fun & easy beginner quilting steps on a "domestic machine." I use my "Jezz II" by BabyLock & my Janome & Husqvarna when piecing. I'm re-doing my sewing room so I'll be posting some fun decorating tips/patterns real soon! Thanks so much for following...be safe with this crazy & check back soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

 (discount link upper right on home page)

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

Note....I'll be posting in phases..so catch up soon once your items arrive from MSQC :-)

Here's all you need...

* SN-UGLY SWEATER QUILT Pattern by Missouri Star Quilt Company

* "Merry Little Christmas" 10" Stackers by My Minds Eye for Riley Blake Design

* Sew Light Fusible Adhesive (quanity needed printed on pattern)

* Fabric yardage & Binding/Backing printed on pattern

* Coordinating Aurifil 50# thread

Check back soon!

Cat

Another Awesome Monday w/Misty "Woven Chevron Quilt"

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all had a great weekend. Mine went by too fast but I do look forward to Monday's w/Misty Doan's Tutorials. Misty does a "free tutorial" pattern download every Monday. Her unique designs & techniques inspire my week off right! I love how Missouri Star Quilt Company features free tutorials w/great techniques for any level of quilting. You can view Misty's tutorial on internet and the pattern is also avialable on MSQC webiste. Misty has a clever technique that she is sharing by rotary cutting yardage to accomodate the design. Plus my link to Missouri Star Quilt Company will save you 20% off $50. or more in July for most sewing/crafting/quilting supplies. I hope you enjoy this awesome design & tutorial by Misty to start your week off great too! Check back soon for more inspiration & designs that I'll be sharing too. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting From My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

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

"Christmas in July"...Gift Inspiration!

 Hey quilter's...hope your weekend is off to a great start. My prayers are with everyone preparing for the Hurricane. It's the season but could totally do without a Hurricane season. I much prefer "Christmas in July" season. I love how everyone posts their Holiday inspiration in July....stores give sneak-peeks on seasonal decor. But one thing I have learned is that you need to buy it when you see it. I've learned...there's no going back 'cause it will be gone. So this month one of my special series that I'll be sharing with you is great gifts for presents & stocking stuffers. If you're like me at Christmas time it's the "little items" that add up quickly plus sell out fast because they are a great price for gifting. I'm loving the items below by Missouri Star Quilt Company. The gifts would be great for any stage of quilter's...crafters. and sewing. My discount to MSQC is 20% off $50. or more for the month of July on most products. My discount does not apply towards Jenny's Signature Tool Set but it does on most other products. Jenny's Tool Set is packed with everything you need for that on-the-go sewing. Plus you'll be the hit when you walz into your next "sewing retreat." ;-) If you're searching for a great easy sewing/quilting machine check out Babylock Jazz II...I love it...super easy & would make a great gift for any level of sewing/quilting. I'll be sharing more inspiration Holiday ideas between my "Quilt-a-longs." so keep checking back for fun inspiration for the month of July. Thanks so much for following & talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

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

Great gift items include...

* Jenny's Signature Series Tool Set

* 10" Design board by Lori Holt of Bee in my bonnet for Riley Blake Designs.

* Charm pack...Once upon a Christmas by Sweetfire Road Designs for Moda Fabrics

* Charm pack...Joyful Holidays Artisan Batiks by Robert Kaufman

* MSQC 50# white thread

* Aurifil 50# thread (red 2260 & green 2885)

* MSQC Template Handle

* Dritz Seam with gauge

* Quilt Town Notebooks (set of 2)

* Happy Beyond Measure (super cute compact measuring tape)

* Babylock Jazz II sewing/quilting machine :-)

Teach the Kiddos 2 Sew this Summer..."Havin' a Grand Square Summer" Phase 1

 Hey quilter's..hope your week is going great. I can't believe how hot it is already across the country. Honestly freeks me a bit with Hurricane season but trying to keep positive. I keep hearing my dads last words to me "don't get upset over things you can't change." Oh how those words are so true. So this summer I'll be sharing with y'all inside & outside projects. So depending on your weather situation I've got you covered. If the kiddos are "bored" well jump on this super cute and easy quilt design. If you're havin' great weather I'll be "Stitchin' @ the Lake." Also a super fun "stitchin' project" will start soon for your family vacation time. Trust me,,,we wont be bored. :-) In my previous post (yesterdays) I started this quilt design with y'all. Well...this morning I was looking at the design & a few projects came to mind. Depending on you or your child sewing level this block would make a georgous pillow. The finished square is 12" and most pillow forms are usually 16" or 18" so you would just need to add borders to achieve your desired size. In fact...don't be a bit suprised if I share one with y'all. I love this block design. It's super easy and I love how it gives a bit of a modern flair. One reason why a pillow would be a fun starter project for kiddos. Just coordinate your fabric selects with  their bedroom colors or your home decor. I will mention again with this block that pressing is the key. I use the words "scooch" your seams together but most quilter's use the term "nestle" your seams together. Either way you'll be matching your seams when you sew your rows together. Also if desired you'll be learning to fussy cut around fabric to achieve the second center star design. I love it when a printed fabric allows you to create a second design! Remember to have fun...don't stress. No quilting police on my blog or sewing room. :-) All my supplies used are from Missouri Star Quilt Company and my link will save you 20% off $50. or more for the month of July on most sewing/crafting/quilting supplies. Thanks so much for following & keep checkin' in with me for fun summer projects. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest

Here's all you do...

Note...you will repeat the steps for all blocks. Alternate your fabrics in blocks if desired (see previous post) or make them the same...either way you will achieve a 'secondary design" once you have sewn your blocks 2gether. Make as many blocks to achieve your desired size. 

* Press your fabric before rotary cutting.

* Always use a 1/4" seam allowance.

* Using a square ruler & your preferred erasable marking pen/pencil.. "fussy cut" around the Star design on Missouri Star wide back fabric if desired.

* Rotate the direction of the Stars to achieve the Second Star design if desired.

* Rotary cut to a 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 suare for the center of the block.

* From same gray fabric rotary cut 4...2 1/2 x 4 1/2 rectangle strips.

* Rotary cut 4...2 1/2 x 2 1/2" squares.

* From white (accent fabric or charm pack) rotary cut 4...4 1/2 x 4 1/2" squares

* Rotary cut 4...2 1/2 x 2 1/2 " squares.

* Per design...sew a white/gray 2 1/2" squares together using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press.

* Sew a 2 1/2 " grey rectangle strip with right side together to the left side. Press towards the rectangle.

* Repeat this step for the 4 corner units of the block.

Tip...Per design...lay out your squares to make sure you have them all going in the correct direction. :-)

* First / Bottom row...

* Sew a corner unit with right sides together to the left/right side of 4 1/2" center square. Press towards the center.

* Repeat for the bottom row.

Center row...

* Sew 4 1/2 " squares w/right sides togehter. Press seams away from the center square.

* Sew the rows together matching seams as you go. Press.

Block finishes to a 12 1/2 x 12 1/2" square. Includes 1/4" seam allowance once you join blocks 2gether.

Repeat for as many blocks as desired for your size quilt.

I hope you enjoy making the "Grand Square" block. It's repetitive but I love how it makes the "secondary block"...how fun! :-)

Tip...I like to "lay out my blocks" as I'm sewing them to make sure I'm achieving the desired size/design. Then I "number" the blocks to keep them in order If you don't have a "design wall" a floor works wonderful too. This just helps with a "visual" plus it motivates me to finish :-) 

Remember I'm piecing right along with you so check back soon as I post my progress. Plus I'll be sneaking in some other fun projects too for y'all. 

Talk soon,

Cat