I Love Cross Stitch

There are just too many cross stitch charts for a whole life time let alone my sunset years. I chose a simple design to add to my tea mat. The outline images are just so clever. I know this is a cup of coffee but I just liked the design. Unfortunately I have no idea where this design came from. I only have it in my screen shots with no details. It is from a long time ago too so I couldn't find it online anywhere. There are lots of similar things around.

I sat outside in the good light to do this one. There are a few bits that I fudged but not enough to redo the stitches. I am neatish but not perfect with my cross stitch. It is just fun to see the image magically appear.

I used a whisper weft type iron on woven backing after stitching it to seal the thread ends.

I had some decommissioned towels in the craft room that I used to make the back of the mat.

I did some free motion random stitching plus a few black lines of stitching.

I didn't make the mat to any specific measurement but it fits quite nicely on my tea tray.

I put the cross stitch off centre so I can still see it when I put my pot and cup on top.

Happy Crafting and Quilting,
Val

A Little Coffee Mat

I decided to make mum a coffee mat to put on her glass table outside when she has her morning coffee out the back. It is difficult to think of Christmas presents for her so this will be it.
I go down to visit her once more before Christmas so I need to have it ready.
I have a collection of cup and saucer drawings that I traced off photos so I picked a nice shaped one. I also liked the bit of design on the cup.

I cut a 10 1/2" square then cut 2 1/2" strips 2 x 10 1/2" and 2 x 14 1/2". You must measure and cut them to make the mat square.
I like to press my seams open.

I made a one piece applique of the cup and saucer then drew in the details with my air erasable pen. It was easy to free motion over the design.

I glued the wadding and the backing on with 505 basting spray.

I used a 2 1/4" wide strip to make the double fold binding and folded it using my electric bias machine.

I stitch the binding onto the wrong side stopping 1/4" before the corner, do a back stitch, then with my needle down turning to direct the stitching out to the corner. That is the only different step all the rest is the same. I find this little angled stitching makes mitring the corners so easy.

Here it is all done. I love it. It was quick and easy so it doesn't have to be treated like a treasure. I know mum will like it.

Happy Quilting and Crafting,
Val

Scrappy Block Challenge - Feb

I am really enjoying getting ideas for things to make from other people then making them fit with the fabrics I have. In the Scrappy Block Challenge you have to make something from the suggested block. It is supposed to be finished off so I am sticking to one block wonders I suppose you could call them.

Judy does a great post about each block with a tutorial and lots of ideas and colourways.

This time I made a new kitchen mat for the sink drainer using some of the shell fabric scraps from my shirt material. I repurpose a retired bath towel for backing with no wadding or backing fabric. It makes them economical and good for the sink. They look good anywhere because you can't actually see the back.

It is almost impossible to notice but I did free motion shells across the block. I know they are there at least. I can see me using this free motion design again.

Below is what it looks like. I got it from a site selling programs for long arm quilting called Urban Elements and I just traced it onto the block. This is the tote bag I made.

Today I am linking up with Scrappy Challenge at Patchwork Times.

Please comment on Flickr or Pinterest if you don't use google+
I am thinking I will do a bit of a post on how great I think Google+ is :)
Maybe I will have to call myself the No-Reply Blogger Bandit - I swoop in, leave a comment and then you have to search for me :D
I think life would be much easier if everyone played on Google+

Happy Quilting and Crafting,

Val

A Little Sewing

I love to make each project my own in some way but sometimes I get a bit carried away and start making so many changes that the project never gets off the ground. Also when I look through my patchwork magazines I keep seeing wonderful projects but when I go through the fabrics I have there is always one or two pieces missing and right now I have no funds to add to the stash.
My latest little projects are a tray mat and a tote bag and some tiny half square triangle blocks made with scraps.
The tray mat is also made of scraps that I had to trim because they were all only almost square. I collected a bag of these scraps from the quilting group. I think they are fabric samples. I added a few applique mice to the corners and it should look nice after I do their eyes and whiskers.

The mice are in this lovely book by Darcy Ashton

I have been working on another strippy bag and decided to do some cats faces along the top edge. Instead of applique I made up a free motion sketch. I traced around the head with my blue stitchery pen then added the details and stitched away. I have included the sketch for you to use if you like it.

I updated my housework routine and for the first time since my travels away from home the house is starting to look nice and neat. There are still a few areas I need to get on top of but they will be dealt with by the end of the month. Since I am pretty comfortable with the basics of the routine I have grouped a few more things together on each day so I can have Monday (shopping day) and Wednesday (quilt group day) free. I also had to swap vacuuming and washing days from M W F to T T S. I have the new routine on my Housework page on my blog and I can check with my iPad what is on the schedule for the day before I get up. I love my iPad.

I was accepted for the Wicked blog hop and have been putting together a Halloween block. I am working on an applique scene with a haunted house in the background. Can't wait to make it up.

Happy Quilting,
Val

Small projects

I have been making lots of little things. I just pop upstairs to my sewing room and think of something to make. I also have a few things that I have to make multiples of so they are cut out ready to go.
First I just want to tell you that I bought a bunch of DMC stranded cottons from Lincraft today. I went in to buy one - normally $2.99 and found them on special at 99cents. I don't know when this sale finishes but I thought it was a real bargain.
I usually pay $2.70 at my local quilt shop.
While writing this I have looked up the Lincraft online store and have found the same threads for 89 cents each  - this looks like the usual price. I put 10 in my basket and found with postage it costs $15.85 or $1.60 each. I think I  might be buying online next time.

I love drawing with my free motion foot and quilted this mug rug using flowers. The design matches my mug.

I made two more table mats.

Wanting to play with the free motion some more I made a tea bag holder to take away with me. I like to have my chamomile tea with me.

My drawing is a bit rough but I thought the writing turned out good.

I will buy single sachets to take away

Another drawing on the back

I am stitching no. 3 in the cat collection and preparing my tea cup drawings to put online probably middle of next week.

Happy Quilting,
Val