Pink! Pink! Pink!

I've been dabbling, dawdling and slowly getting things in order so far this month.  Nothing earth shattering is in the works, but I'm finding my way and coming up with a couple new ideas.

When the mood strikes me I like to make pot holders!  They might be small, they might not be every ones cup of tea, but I do like making them.  When I can use scraps of any kind I do get excited.  I've made numerous red, black, blue, teal, yellow, orange, green and rainbow pot holders, but it never crossed my mind to make pink ones.  Pink isn't a classic kitchen color combination by any means.  Far be it from me to tamp down an idea or go classic when it comes to pot holders!!

8 1/2" x 8 1/2"

My pink scraps were getting out of hand, now not so much!  Bits and pieces of pink sewn together haphazardly, or are they!  I built the improv sections first and then added the curve lines at the end.   

With all my pot holders, I use a layer of cotton batting and Insul-Bright in between the top and back.   



Because I love pink and gray together, this set ended up with the best of both worlds.  Another bonus of making pot holders for me is quilting them.  You don't often hear me say I like quilting, but in the case of these...yes I do!  They are easy to handle, I can get as crazy as I want and they are fast!  

8 1/2" x 8 1/2"

Another design I like to use when making pot holders is curves.  I tend to have a 50-50 split of odd size scraps and skinny strips.  The curve style is a good way to use the long strips regardless of width.  

Normally pot holder sets are exactly the same.  Two with the exact same design.  I don't know why they have to be, but they are.  I like to have my sets in the same colors, but each one is unique and different.



When I'm making my curve pot holders I use the same number of strips and same colors for each pot holder, except I mix it up so each one is unique.  That way they are similar yet different. 

Another plus to making pot holders is you can use large scraps for the back, colors that aren't your favorite or stray layer cake precuts.  

Do you have a favorite color combination for your kitchen decor?

I've been slowly making progress on my Neon Pink quilt!  I'll make a block or three here and there, which was the plan.  

I have about 50 more blocks to make for a queen size quilt.  We'll see how accurate I am with my calculations!



When it comes time to add the sashing, I think I might sew half a dozen of the rectangle blocks together to make one big block and then sew the bigger sections together.  That step is a long way off and how it comes together will be determined at that time!

LINKING:

OH SCRAP! ● MAIN CRUSH MONDAY ●  MONDAY MAKING ●  LINKY TUESDAY 
LETS BEE SOCIAL ● MIDWEEK MAKERS ● NEEDLE & THREAD 

PEACOCK PARTY  ● TGIFF 

BRAG ABOUT YOUR BEAUTIES ● FINISHED OR NOT FRIDAY

A Medley :: Mishmash :: Potpourri of Little Things

It's the little things that fill our time and keeps us busy!  There is always a reason or at least a way to justify going off script, and I must say I do enjoy the change of pace every now and again!

In between large projects I do love to fill the time with smaller project as a way of clearing my head and regrouping.  Not all are with that purpose in mind, but it does help.

IMPROV POT HOLDERS
8.5" x 8.5"

Last week I dove into some good old fashioned improv.  I was contacted and asked if I could make two sets of black and white pot holders.  Of course I could!  In fact, I was itching to go from precise piecing to something a bit more freeing.     

The pot holders were received and she loved them!  Not only did she love them, but she wants another two sets!  It's rather perfect timing as I just finished quilting an labor intensive quilt and ... I need a change! 

SWEET MINI
5" x 7"

You guessed it!  I made another mini mini!  This was made with the bonus triangles from my Sweet Dreams Quilt.  I've been getting better about letting go of scraps, but in this case I was sure it would make a sweet little somethin'!    

THREADS TABLE RUNNER
15" X 52"

I'm feeling like a ping pong ball!  Here we are back to improv!  My gray scraps were building up and while there might not be enough for quilt size, there certainly were enough for a table runner.



It's a smaller version of a quilt I made years ago called 'Threads'.  Scraps of gray in all shades and bits of all the colors in the rainbow.  

I often say a runner is a smaller project that is quick and satisfying.  This was no exception.  



I finished it off by quilting organic lines in varying widths horizontally and vertically.  The vertical lines are just down the center which create a funky grid.

CURVE TABLE RUNNER
15" X 52"

Here we go with another runner!  One of my guilty pleasures is curves.  I love curves and honestly I don't do them enough.    



I like to take a neutral background, in this case it's ivory, and toss in one of every color!  Maybe not every color, but a lot of colors.  I used Shot Cottons with a few Peppered Cottons for variety sake.  



The quilting is another favorite, organic curves.  It's a sure fire way to create texture!  Plus, how fun is it to have something small to quilt where you aren't fighting with the bulk of a quilt and you can go full throttle with the pedal down?!

As you can see, I like to stay busy!  I don't like to be idle, except at night and even then I enjoy having some sort of hand stitching to do.

And I know I'm not alone!  What is it that you like to do to keep yourself busy?

LINKING:

OH SCRAP! ● MAIN CRUSH MONDAY ●  MONDAY MAKING ●  LINKY TUESDAY 
LETS BEE SOCIAL ● MIDWEEK MAKERS ● NEEDLE & THREAD 

PEACOCK PARTY  ● TGIFF 

BRAG ABOUT YOUR BEAUTIES ● FINISHED OR NOT FRIDAY

Mondrian Part II

I have been fascinated with Piet Mondrian art for a long time and tried my hand at designing a quilt, or more specifically a pot holder set, using the basic shapes and colors his art is known for.  

I gave a shot at it back in April: Mondrian :: Colorful & Simple , and was pleased with how they turned out.  I went into it with little idea of what to do and how to do it.  It resulted in many moments of scratching my head and figuring out the puzzle.  I vowed then and there that one day I was going to design a block where I could have some sort of consistency and not have to wonder what my next step was.

9" POT HOLDERS

And I did just that!!  I enjoyed the design part so much that I ended up designing two different Mondrian inspired blocks. 

 

One thing I love about the new EQ8 program is the color.  You can choose to print in color or not and in this case I thought it would be best.  I also like to know what size pieces I need and cut them before I paper piece certain projects.  Since these were rectangle and squares, I was able to calculate my pieces and for future use, I wrote the sizes on extra copies I made of the block pieces.



The pieces went together pretty seamlessly and quickly.  The pieces for each block are a decent size so there wasn't any tedious, fussy work in assembly.  



I ended up making two of each block because...well, pot holders do come in sets!  The blocks I made are 9" square which are a good size for me.  



My two sets!  I still have the binding to sew to the back on one set, but I'm pretty dang happy with the results.  Now I can fly through future blocks without losing too many brain cells!



I had planned on have each pot holder in the set to be the same.  However in my excitement of it all I accidentally sewed one piece wrong on one in the second set!  Plan B was to go with it and mix and match!  

A couple things I learned about this design.  You can mix and match for sets.  You can also flip the pieces around in any given set for even more variety.  And, if you choose to do so, you can decide which section you want the colors to be placed. 

9" POT HOLDERS
HOT & COLD

I had no intention of making a third set after finishing the first two.  None at all.  The next morning I woke up with an idea and you know how that goes!  I had to do it!  When I think of Mondrian I immediately think of red, blue and yellow.  But it doesn't have to be does it?  No it does not!  My idea was to make one with warm colors and one with cool colors.  Hot & Cold!  That's it...my big idea that popped into my head!

It's fun designing blocks that you know you'll use again.  I'm pretty sure there will be several variations over the next few months!

I'm thinking they might make a great pattern at some point.  I talk about designing patterns all the time but never seem to quite get there.  It is definitely a lack of confidence!  I probably could handle a pattern like this though!  

LINKING:

OH SCRAP! ● MAIN CRUSH MONDAY ●  MONDAY MAKING ●  LINKY TUESDAY 
LETS BEE SOCIAL  

MIDWEEK MAKERS ● NEEDLE & THREAD  ● TGIFF ● CAN I GET A WHOOP WHOOP

Mondrian :: Colorful and Simple

Part of coming up with new ideas for quilts is exploring art.  From modern to abstract, one thing there is not a lack of is inspiration.  The old adage 'art is subjective' really means you either like it or you don't!  I look at something and get a hit one way or the other right away.  Be that art, a house or a car!  Exposing or exploring yourself to different things is important for growth in life, or as I like to use it...quilting!

And there is art that is truly iconic.  That needs no explanation and certainly it doesn't need to be improved upon.  

Composition II 1930

Piet Mondrian was a Dutch artist known for being one of the pioneers of the abstract art movement.  I believe his most recognizable art is the iconic red, blue, yellow, white and black compositions.  Simple or detailed, there's something for everyone!

9" x 8 1/4"

As I was quilting a pile of pot holders, I thought to myself...I wanna do something different!  Something I haven't done yet, something easy, something fast.  And for some reason Mondrian came to mind.  Simple right?!  Primary colors in rectangles and squares.  Piece of cake! 

I was so engrossed in the puzzle that I didn't take any in progress pictures!  But I have this beautiful set of pot holders to show for it!

When I say puzzle, it really was a mind bending exercise in precision and fitting the pieces just right and being able to add the black around each little piece. 

The primary blocks vary in size from 1" square to 1 1/2" x 2" and the white sections, well let's just say they became whatever size I needed them to become!  

The tricky part was making sure I could puzzle the 1/4" black strips around and in between every piece.  You can't just add black around all the sides, you can't just sew a simple block and fit it with black and white...oh no no no!  So much for the simple and quick idea!

You have to puzzle the pieces together so they look random.  And you have to do it in a section kind of way so that all the parts and pieces come together...seamlessly, flawlessly,OCD-lessly!

The only simple part about the entire process was the quilting!  Minimal at it's finest!  Next time I may use black for the backing and black thread for quilting.  Oh...did I say next time?!

You might think I'm complaining and whining about making these, but I'm not.  I'm plotting and scheming my next move!  There are some areas in my interpretation of the design that could be fine tuned or totally removed.  My ultimate goal is to make a pattern so that I can go back to the pot holders when needed.  I think I can...I think I can...I think I can!

What draws me to this Mondrian design, is the illusion of simplicity.  If you dig in to it a bit more, you see that all isn't quite as simple as it seems.  What a genius!  Complicated simplicity!

What artist motivates and inspires you?  I don't usually go primary...but if it's Mondrian...to me...it's primary!

LINKING:

Oh Scrap

Main Crush Monday

Let's Bee Social
Mid Week Makers

Needle & Thread

TGIFF

Finished or Not Friday

Day 5 :: Giveaway :: 'Bring Us A Figgy Pudding'

Day 5 already?!  I honestly haven't a clue what Figgy Pudding is, but I like the sound of it and it is a good tune!

Let's spice up the Holiday Table with Pot Holders!  I know, they aren't exactly Christmas colors.  You could go there or you can save them for after all the festivities are over!




The simplistic log cabin is a favorite for any quilter.  With this set, I threw in color galore and the kitchen sink!  



You can read more about these pot holders here:  Color + Log Cabin = {Pattern} and get the free pattern on Craftsy here:  Log Cabin Pot Holders.



The 'logs' vary in width from 1/4" to 1", thick and thin!  There is a layer of batting and Insul-bright in the center and for me, the coup de gras is the final color splash of the binding! 

I know some of you are waiting for that question...the question you must answer to be in the running to win!  Here it is:

Cookies & Milk ❄ or ❄ Chocolate & Wine?

❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ 

This drawing will stay open until 6PM CST December 11th, at which time I will pick a winner using Random Generator.  I'll email the winners by Monday the 12th. 

Now, if you want to enter my previous giveaways that would be amazing!!!  Click on the links below and you can do just that!

Click here for Day 1 giveaway!
Click here for Day 2 giveaway!
Click here for Day 3 giveaway!
Click here for Day 4 giveaway!

LINKING:

Needle & Thread

***this giveaway is now closed***
Thank You!

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!

LINKING:

 Oh Scrap!

Fabric Frenzy

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!  

LINKING:

Oh Scrap!

TGIFF

Finished of not Friday