Cats "Scrapin a-play-que Series" Beach Towel Quillow- Phase 1

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all are doing great & ready to start your "beach towel quillow." I've been having a blast with mine so far...mostly because I love how my Aurifil thread compliments my scrap fabrics of Michael Miller Fairy Frost fabrics so well. It's wonderful when you don't have to buy anything and you're using up some scraps! This "a-play-que" project is so easy & you'll be learning "raw edge applique" along with my easy technique of monograming your block if desired. Of course, you could buy some iron on letters, but you already have the fabric...heatnbond lite & that's pretty much all you'll need. I'll be listing in order below of how I started the project or "block size." For me, that was probably the most important part cause I wanted the beach towel to fit into the block without struggling. You can "google" a "quillow" to get an idea oh how you fold it all into the pillow forming the "quillow." Someone was pretty clever back in the day! Also, after you decide on your block size and your design then you're going to use the heatnbond lite to fuse on the fabric strips & trace your patterns. This phase has a few steps but it's fun & easy. Sew let's get ready to have fun & "a-play-que" 2gether!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Here's all you do...

*Determine the size of your block by either dividing the width of your beach towel into thirds or do a "mock block" like I did above and see if your towel actually folds into it easily. I determined to make mine a bit larger cause I didn't want it to be so tight. Once you have determined your block size then add a 1" to that to allow for your 1/2 seam allowance.

*Rotary cut your Top Fabric, Back Fabric & Batting to that size.

Example...my block will be 13w x 11 tall so I cut 14w x 12 tall

Next Step...

*Rotary cut your accent fabrics into strips of the size of your largest template your using.(see pic)

* Rotary cut your heatnbond lite that same size minus about an 1/8 less...this allows less mess on your iron when fusing to your fabic (and iron) ;-)

*Fuse following manufactures directions the heatnbond lite to the "wrong side" of your accent fabric. 

*On paper side...using a pencil...trace around your template 

* With your scissors...carefully cut around your templates but don't peel back the paper.

Tip...

If you are positioning your templates a certain direction like my "mermaids" you will need to remember to reverse (flip over) your template to achieve the correct direction on your fabric. You can see how I positioned my mermaids going different directions in a circle. This tip allowed me to use one template different ways :-)

Next...

* With your top fabric piece...Layout your pieces within an inch of all sides (sewing allowance) & get creative! Pic above shows of how I used different size cookie cutters to have fun! Remember this is your project so get as creative designing your block as you wish!

*Then peel off the paper backing and re-position back on the fabric.

*Using your "pressing sheet" on top of your fabric carefully fuse pieces together following manufactures direction on heatnbond lite with your iron. This just takes a few seconds so don't hold your fabric long in one spot :-)

*Tip...I have one iron strikly for my applique & craft projects. May sound a bit O.C.D. (only Cat does) but I have ruined expensive fabrics by having glue seepage on my iron (why I always use a pressing sheet) but it still can happen.

Now take a look at your wonderful block you just created & get ready for the next step...

"a-play-que" ....so gather your coordinating threads! Talk soon!

 

Cats "Scrapin' a-play-que' Series"...Brands I love!

 Hey quilter's....hope your weekend is off to a great start. I wanted to take a moment & share some products that use and love. No, I don't get a kick-back for what I share...for me it's all about sharing tips that might make a sewing/quilting project a bit easier. Yes, we all know by now of how I'm addicted to 50# AURifil thread :-) but I also need to share that I would be lost doing my "a-play-que" projects with out HeatnBond LIte. This iron on adhesive is wonderful & easy to use especially if you're new to the a-play-que technique. So lightweight and once you apply to your fabric it leaves such a smooth surface & I even layer on top of designs due to no heavy bulk. Now along to go with your adhesive I fully recommend a good quality "pressing sheet." I've use a reusable non-stick pressing sheet that I've had forever and absolutely love. Helps keep your iron clean while applying adhesive & lays your fabric still while pressing. . I do recommend if you're able to keep one iron strictly for your applique/craft projects. May sound weird but if you ever have an "oopsie" like I've had and you get that adhesive stuck to your great quality fabric, you'll thank me for this :-) My last item that I recommend is a great quality batting for your projects. I use Warm & Natural batting and love how it makes quilting easier with less bulk. You want your designs to look awesome so why not take a few moments & use great quality items. Most can be purchased  at your local grocery store for your convenience. Tip...I do save my batting scraps for my small projects so you have no waist :-) I hope these tips help & remember that I'm all about "less-stress-quilting"

Have fun gathering your items for our "Scrapin' a-play-que Series" & get ready to have some fun 2gether this summer! Have a great weekend!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Cats "Scrapin' a-play-que Series"...Beach Towel Quillow

 Hey quilter's...hope your week is going great and you're ready to have some fun! I'm kick-starting my "Scrapin' a-play-que Series" with a fun & easy project. It's a "throwback" to the old pillow quilt concept that we all did probably as a first-time quilter. I've made many "quillows" and still use several to this day! They are so convenient and make gifts, but I wanted to do something a bit easier & make it a summer fun project as well. This project will feature one of my applique techniques that will be featured later in a quilt. I'll be showing you techniques for fun/easy piecing & less-stress-quilting techniques. School is almost out & what better way to teach a child how to sew and quilt on a small scale. You won't need much for this easy project which helps to keep the cost low especially if you're giving as a gift. I'm using a "Mermaid Vibes" Beach Towel to kick-off the summer fun. So listed below are the items you'll need to get started...so go shopping or use a beach towel you already have...grab coordinating scrap fabric & thread. I love 50# AURifil thread for pretty much all my projects. So many color hues to choose from and on a previous post you can see how wonderful the thread compliments my scrap fabric of Michael Miller Fairy Frost. I'll be using the same fabric and thread for the quillow design which will also give you a sneak peak of the easy techniques used on the next project in this series. So grab your supplies & lets get ready to "a-play-que" 2gether this summer! 

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Here's what you'll need...

*Beach Towel

* 2 Fat quarters or scraps large enough for the front & back size of your pillow.

* Coordinating thread (AURifil thread...wink,,,wink)

*Batting to accommodate the size of your pillow ( I love Warm & Natural-needled cotton batting)

*Lightweight Stabilizer ( I love Sulky Tear-Away when I applique)

*Heat n Bond Lite & Rotary Cutter

*Cookie Cutters or templates if you do a design like I'll be teaching on the front of your pillow.

* Any embellishments that your heart desires to personalize your quillow. This is when you raid the craft room...with the owners permission of course :-)

Hint...I'll be using a 28 x 60" beach towel and making a 13x11 pillow form but adding a 1'' extra all around for a 1/2" seam allowance. This might give you an idea of how much fabric you need. It all depends on the size of how big you want your pillow to be as you fold the beach towel into it for convenient storage. Plus the open pillow later becomes a great storage pocket for snacks and items you don't want blowing sway on those windy beach days. 

Sew check back soon for my "a-play-que" techniques & instructions!

Cats Scrapin' "a-play-que' series"

 Hey quilter's...hope all is going well. I'm slowly getting things going again but with major limitations. But that's definitely life! My dear dad always said, "don't stress about things you can't change." That is definitely true, but I now say "thank God for pain meds" :-) oops! Anyway, I'll be starting my "a-play-que series" that will consist of easy & fun ways to creative 'small projects" with applique techniques. All projects can be easily enlarged but I do projects on a very small scale these days due to my back limitations. I did need to get a bit more creative but then I decided small projects are great for the kiddos to learn sewing techniques plus rewarding for a fun fast project. My projects will be using scrap fabrics and also featuring the wonderful AURifil thread. I am addicted to the 50#....I can't brag enough on the strength and so many color hues to choose from. I was so pleased on how the thread complimented the scraps of Michael Miller Fairy Frost fabrics (pic below). The quilt design below is actually a baby quilt size that I'll be doing for a fundraiser but you can easily enlarge the design if you wish or use same technique for a table runner...pillow...endless possibilities! Please don't let this design scare you...I'll be teaching my "folding technique" for no square piecing. What! Yes...you'll be amazed. Shhh...but there's no "quilting police" invited in this series! Ha! But you can totally piece each individual square if your heart desires :-) Anyway, I'll be teaching easy techniques and showing advanced tips as well. Remember..."less-stress-quilting." I'll also be starting this series with an easy project using the same fabric scraps and AURifil thread making a "Beach Towel Pillow"...this is a great fun project for a girl or boy and a great gift. That's what I'll be doing...what kiddo wouldn't like a custom beach towel that can also "stash your goodies" in while you're at the beach or pool. 

So grab your "scraps" and AURifil thread and lets "a-play-que" 2gether this summer!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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"A quilt...Sew Simple but leaves your legacy"

 Hey everyone...hope all is going well. Life has been a tad bit crazy these past months with the passing of my dad and a "oopsie" of tearing the tendons in my hand. Needless to say I've had a lot of down time to really think and put things in perspective. My dad was and will always be my hero. He fought the war....cancer and contributed so much for people. I'm going to try not to get mooshy but a funny story about him was he would "support the girl scouts." Yes...we all know what that would mean...he would stock his freezer with girl scout cookies. His reason was..."I'm supporting the kids" :-) I can honestly say that I get my sweet tooth from him. Lately, I've been thinking what am I going to leave for my family and even future grandchildren. You never know when it's your time. I've made quilts for the grandkids and t-shirt quilts...given quilts to friends when they've been blessed with a baby but what else can I do for the ones that I may never get to meet. Probably sounds weird but I've been designing quilts that my family can pass to my future generation. The way I look at it is this....if the good lord blesses me to still be here upon the arrival of a "great-grandchild" then I've already have their gift made. So...if anyone knows me by now means I'll be using "scraps" to create some unique designs. Well I hope that maybe I've inspired some to follow and do the same. As we all know...snuggling up to a quilt is priceless, especially when it's made for you by a loved one. Oh...follow along on my cooking blog 'cause I'll be sharing how I'm creating a recipe book as well. Come along on this journey with me and lets have some fun together!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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No Internet for 30 days....#isurvived :-)

 Hey quilter's...hope all is going well. I have to say that we just got the internet up and running again. Oh, my goodness...how I've become accustomed to technology. It was a mess getting it installed but they finally finished. It's amazing how doing without the "internet" makes you stop and think of how technology has advanced. I recently thought would if the whole world shut down with no internet...what would we do...when you go to restaurants everyone is on their cell phones...airports you look around and no matter the age...everyone is on a cell phone. This past month has taught me to take a few steps back in time and relish how slow-paced life used to be, although I was seriously going nuts without internet. I couldn't blog...we had no cable.... we had to communicate (little humor) but seriously how I've become so dependent on internet. I had to laugh recently...if you ask a child what a "phone" originally looks like you would be so surprised with the answers. Well, here's the real kicker.... we had no heat. Oh my gosh, I felt like I was drafted back in time. I had to laugh when I realized "glamping" is more fun when you can prepare for it...well for me anyway. :-) So needless to say,...my "quilt-a-long" is taking a bit longer to start but in the meantime organize those scraps so we'll be ready together real soon :-) Have a great week!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Happy 2022 from Me to You!

 Hey quilter's...happy New Year & I hope your day is off to a great start. This holiday season was filled with lots of Joy & some sadness but that's what makes us stronger. My dear dad's wishes were to make it into the New Year & he did. Sometimes I feel that I get my "goals" from him and have to say growing up military you don't have much of a choice. He was such a strong man & now we have an angel watching and guiding over us all. He told me last week to not get upset over things you cannot change. Boy did that hit home. Although it's the best advice he's given me, I think he forgot how OCD his daughter is. I am going to take his advice to heart & really try to focus on more time for joy, which is spending time with family & quilting projects for them. Time is precious & memories do last a lifetime, so my wish is for us all is Joy in this New Year. The quote below say's is all but mine wish for us would be..."May your bobbins always be full of Aurifil thread. 

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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