Christmas Party Fun

After a long week of giveaways, it's time to get back to normal blogging again!  I had a lot of fun last week with the giveaways and plan on making it an annual event.  I learned a few things while it was in progress and plan on making a few changes for the next one!

This past Saturday was our annual guild holiday party.  It's packed with a pot luck spread like no other!  I totally over indulged on everything!  It was so good I couldn't help myself!

We also have a Secret Santa Swap.  It is always a treat to see the look on peoples faces when they find out who got their name and then open their gift.  The talent, thoughtfulness and generosity is amazing!  Today, I thought I would share what I made for my person, Jenny!



Jenny's list was very helpful to me, yet I was worried when she talked about bags and zippers! She is the queen of all things zippers and bag related!  Yikes!  How could I impress her?!  I swallowed my fear and got busy! 

The first item I made was a set of pot holders (also on her list).  This I knew I could handle! There I go again with my 'Star Thistle' block!  The background color is her all time favorite!  I aim to please! 



I used four different colors for the points, a copper accent and  a print from Anna Maria Horner's 'Fibs & Fables line.  Star Thistle makes the geometric dot-to-dot quilting so easy and I find myself going back to it time and time again!

  

I wasn't sure if Jenny was a 'hanger' person or not.  The majority of the time I do not add hangers, but this time I thought I'd try something different.  I added twill tape on the corners for the hanging option.  What do you think of that idea?  



Next up was the dreaded zipper project!  A scissor pouch was on the list and I knew exactly which one I was going to make!  The Scissor Cozy!  Check out the tutorial from Svetlana @SOTAK Handmade...it's pretty easy and pretty amazing!  



I decided to use my small stash of selvages for this one.  Another thing I know about Jenny is that she is a 'super fan' verging on stalking (kidding Jenny!) of all things Denyse Schmidt! First, I pieced two panels being mindful of where I wanted the most interesting part of the selvage to end up.  And then went about following the directions for complete it.



I wasn't sure what size her scissors were and prayed this pouch would work!  My scissors fit perfectly and come to find out...we both have the exact same ones!  Cozy just as the pattern title states!



For the final 'make' I scoured my stash for every stitch of Denyse Schmidt I could find.  I didn't need much, but I needed 18 different prints.  They say variety is the spice of life!  



Since it used paper piecing on one gift, selvages on another, it seemed fitting to use English Paper Piecing for the third!  You know...that variety saying and all!  



I think Jenny was pretty happy with her gift(s)!  It's always a nail biter when making something for someone you admire and inspire to be like!  

One thing is for sure, quilters love getting gifts from other quilters.  We know what goes into projects and can appreciate every single stitch!  

Next time I'll share my 'goodies' from the Secret Santa Swap!

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Needle & Thread

Color + Log Cabin = {Pattern}

I guess you could call me the 'queen of pot holders' lately!  I've made a million and with each set I mindlessly piece, layer, quilt and bind.  It's second nature and should be expected after so many sets.

There has been interest in a tutorial for these culinary delights, so yes...I put together a tutorial along with a pattern for this set of pot holders.  

1/4 Log Cabin Pot Holders
9" x 9"

I couldn't resist the chance to share my process and come up with a design that I could share with you.  Log cabin blocks can be as simple or as complicated as you want.  The 'logs' can be the thick or thin, light or dark, mixed width or the same size...this is one of those blocks that will always be a 'go to' for most any quilter.  Pattern available here!

For this block, the corner square starts at a whopping 1 1/4" square.  Pretty tiny, but very doable. This kind of block is put together on two sides.  You continue to add strips until it grows to the size you are after.  I like to press my seams open to reduce the bulk.

The smallest width is 3/4" and the widest is 1 1/2".  There are 14 colors used that will eventually grow to 9" square.  Yes, a little ambitious and I wondered why I needed to take it to that level more than once.  My answer is I like a challenge, I like color!  

This is the result of building those logs!  After a good hot steam pressing, the time has come to layer the pieces!  

I use a layer of cotton batting and insul-bright in every pot holder.  Insul-bright is a product from The Warm Company.  It 's heat resistant, not heat proof.  At least one layer of cotton batting is recommended when used for pot holders and oven mitts.  Insul~Bright is not recommended for microwave use.  This product is widely available.  Jo-Anns, Walmart and many online shops carry it.

  

To make the quilt sandwich, I lay my backing (right side down if using a print), insul-bright, batting and top right side up.  There isn't a right or wrong side to insul-bright.  

Pin to secure the layers together and quilt as desired.

I didn't do anything special in the quilting department.  Random straight lines with a lot of thread color changes!

I've never had problems quilting pot holders using this many layers.  I recommend using a walking foot or dual feed.   

Once the quilting is finished I square up each pot holder.  I don't know if there is a standard size, but I tend to make my sets 8 1/2" to 9" square.  

The pattern I designed is for a 9" block.  But we all know depending on how accurate you are with piecing or how accurate your 1/4" seams are, size may vary.  Which is why I make the outside log wide enough to play with.  

Finishing off with binding in yet another color is always welcome in my book!  My personal choice for binding is 2 1/4" strips.  I always use a scant 1/4" when stitching the binding to the front.  This allows a little extra binding to wrap around the thicker than usual layers.  

You can find the pattern for these pot holders in my Craftsy Pattern Shop:  Log Cabin Pot Holders

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Gettin' My Fix

Here I go again!  More pot holders!  I tend take things to the edge and then back away when it gets too much to take.  Whether it's pot holders, fabrics, a certain color combination or new technique.  I like to explore every possibility and then use every last scrap...and then I'm done and can move on.

Feed Sack Pot Holders
8 1/4" x 8 1/4"

While looking through my feed sack stash for another project, I came across a pile of strips. Long and short, varying widths from 3/4" to 1 1/2".  It was time to either use them or toss them.



This set of pot holders are made up of 4" squares.  I randomly stitched strips until it was 5" or so and trimmed to the desired size.  The more feed sack prints and colors, the better!

Feed Sack Pot Holders
8 1/2" x 8 1/2"

I didn't realize I had so many strips, so I made two more sets!  One set with a yellow center and one with a red center.



The strip squares are 3" separated with a 3/4" white sashing and finished with a 1" border. 


They bring me back to my Grandma's kitchen!  You know...the good old days!

Last set, I promise!!

Feed Sack Pot Holders

8 1/2" x 8 1/2"

Eventually I'll share the real reason why these fabrics made it out of the closet!  Like I said...one thing leads to another!

I don't think I'm the only one who has to work there way through a stack of fabric until every piece is gone.  Am I?!  I might be a little obsessive sometimes!

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Finished or not Friday

Pot Holders :: Your Culinary Partner

I was surprised to see my tote of pot holders had dwindled down to three sets!  What?!  How the heck did that happen?!  Making pot holders seems daunting at times, and then I get going and find my groove.

Making a small morsel (pot holder) to compliment your culinary pleasures ends up being a joyful creative day!



Do you label your totes with what's inside?  Some totes I definitely know, others can be a trip down memory lane!



When I make my pot holders, I think of them a mini pieces of art.  Small, unique and nearly each one is one-of-a-kind.  I may make a few using blues or greens.  I may  make several that are improv.  Or half a dozen that are curves or waves. 



For these small pieces I can use some of my scraps.  Sometimes the amount of one color will dictate what color of pot holders are made.  It also allows me to throw caution in the wind and put together some pretty interesting (weird, strange, different) color combinations.

Right now I'm in the final stretch of sewing on the bindings.  It feels so good to have a stack waiting for the final step!  



I don't think pot holders have to be boring.  They can be gorgeous and functional all at the same time. Right?!  They can be bold, funky and crazy, as well as protect your table from heat.  

These are a few of my favorites.  Teal improv or autumn waves, classic black and red or totally funky green!



The pastel set is really off the deep end for me!  But I kind of like them, probably because they are not my normal colors.  

I always use a layer of Insul-Bright and a layer of batting in between.  And I'll admit...I never add loops!  I know they are pretty standard, but frankly I never leave pot holders sitting (or hanging) out!  After a meal, they go straight back to their drawer!  What's your preference? Hang or not?

 

This one will be first on the binding list tonight!  Black and white, the speck of red...I like it!



I even went 'traditional'?  I often use reproduction feed sack prints for this simple design. The squares are 1", the perfect size for the small prints.  

The one on the right was my first disappearing nine patch!  I know, I've never done that before! There were a few added pieces after the first cut, but I think it still counts!  



Do you make pot holders?  Are you a 'loopy' person?  By that I mean....loops!  

So now, with my pile of hot pads standing high...I can take a break from them!  

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Finished of not Friday

Distractions 'R' Us

Distractions can be a lot of fun.  Or they can be just that, a big fat distraction!  Just when I thought I had all my 'goodies' ready for the Gift Horse Pop-Up Show (A New Adventure), a new idea popped into my head.  I had to do it.  I just had to.  

Cacti Pot Holders

The ever popular and always a adorable Cacti!  This succulent paper pieced pattern has been on my to-do list for quite a while.  I knew one day I would find the time to give it a try.   

The pattern is by Amanda at Material Girl Quilts.  The pattern has four different cactus plants each in their own little pots, and all neatly set upon a shelf.  I was so happy to rediscover this tutorial!  It worked well for these pot holders, but it also gave me an idea for a secret Santa gift!

I reduced this Cactus to 75% so it would fit a pot holder.  

The Agave had a little more modifications.  It was reduced to 65% and I made the pot smaller.  

The Succulent Shelf pattern is interchangeable, meaning you can swap pots or cacti!  Very smart!

I'm thinking if you did one of each cactus in the same color scheme...that would make for an even better set!  Next time, right?!

I have also been working on tagging ideas for the show.  It has been fun, but also time consuming.  

  

I was determined that the pot holder sets needed to be wrangled and kept together!  This is my solution.  A simply designed tag and ribbon.  I really like how it turned out.  The sets will stay together and have enough room for pricing.

Little hang tags were put together for the smaller items.  There won't be any confusion on who made these!

Thankfully I'm finished with everything for this show!  Tomorrow they will be off to their final resting place, tucked somewhere among the other talented artists.  

It does seem like this time of the year is always full of distractions.  How do you handle the stress and do you get distracted? 

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A New Adventure

A couple of weeks ago I was asked if I would like to participate in a local Holiday Pop-Up Show.  What is a Pop-Up show?  It's an event that last a short time, a place where local artists can share their craft, a way for people to see and buy unique items they wouldn't normally have an opportunity to elsewhere.

Because my daughter is also participating, I thought I would give it a go too!  Nothing to lose!

Gift Horse Pop-Up Shop

604 Gallatin Ave, Ste 215, Nashville, Tennessee 37206

Monday-Friday 10:30-4:00

Saturday 10:00-6:00

Sunday 12:00-4:00

Sawtooth Print Shop

What the heck should I offer?  Quilts, not so much!  Small.  Something small.  I thought long and hard and hard and long.  

Pot Holders.  I spent a couple days making half a dozen or so sets.  They are unique, great for people who are looking for something different and unique, right?  We'll see about that!

4" x 9 1/2"

Pencil Pouches ~ whatever pouches!  I was thinking pencil pouches when I decided to make these, but they are certainly big enough for lots of other things.  

I pieced together a few front panels for those who like that look. 

Rainbow and pencils go hand in hand.

Lined, zipper tabs...the kitchen sink!

I found a couple pieces of my hand dyed fabrics that I thought would work well.  Plus, offering options in the way of designs and colors can't be a bad thing!

Vertical:  3 1/4" x 4 1/2"
Horizontal:  3 1/2" x 4"

You can buy zipper pouches everywhere, I know.  Hopefully there are people who appreciate handmade, love to support local, and want something that isn't mass produced!

I made a few...a few more than a few...coin purses, card holders, zipper pouches. Whatever you want to call them or use them for!  Multipurpose might be a good description for these or any zipper pouch!  I'm thinking stocking stuffer...

These are about as basic as it gets!  No lining!  I decided I would use Shape Flex Fusible Interfacing to give stability and the illusion of a lining.  Do you think that was okay to do?  

I had a lot of smaller pieces of hand dyed fabrics that were perfect for this project.  Shibori, Itajime, stamped, low water and even a couple Anna Marie Horner wovens!

Whether or not these sell is another question!  But that's okay.  If nothing else they make great gifts!  

I was actually very happy to sit and make something different for a little while.  A nice change as always, we all can appreciate that sometimes! 

I'm very appreciative that I was asked to participate in this event!  Along with my things, there will be soap, art prints, greeting cards, jewelry, ceramics and much more!

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