January Table Topper

 

Sew, here we are at the end of January already!  And my January Scrappy Table Topper is due!

First, let me tell you that I am in no way a professional quilter.  An enthusiastic quilter, I am, and I make tons of boo-boos along the way on Each. And. Every. Project.  But that doesn't stop me from starting another one - and buying more fabric!

Now this table topper is made from a couple charm packs and scraps from other projects.  I had ordered these charm packs several years ago, only to find that they were called 24 karat packs, which mean they only have 24 squares instead of 42.  I didn't know that at the time, I just thought I was getting a good deal! I know, I know, I should have read the description!  

So, I didn't know what to do with them, really.  Then I found this challenge, and voila!  A table topper was born!

I had the blue snowman print in my stash for I don't know how many years.  Probably 10 or more.  I don't know what I was saving it for!  But it is going to be the backing as well as making a guest appearance in the table topper.

I started it last week, but I have not quilted it yet.  It is ready to be quilted, but as I said, I am not a professional quilter.  I try to sew every day, but some days (especially lately) I have a ton of other things to do - such as spend time with grandkids, cooking, cleaning, doctor appointments, other sewing, knitting, cross stitching, shopping, etc., and I just haven't gotten that far on the table topper yet.  I apologize!  

After looking at all the WONDERFUL table toppers you quilters have made, I am quite embarrassed that I haven't finished this one yet.  But I will definitely try to do better in February!  I will start it earlier, and make it a priority!  

So here it is so far - and I will post a picture later of how it looks with the quilting and binding done.  I am only doing stitch in the ditch quilting on it, because, honestly, I am not good at freemotion quilting.  Yet.  I just need practice.  Lots of practice.  And probably another lifetime, because before I learn to do it well I will probably be dead. 🤣 So stitch in the ditch it is!

Here is a little bit closer view:

I used a free pattern called Gather Round Table Topper by Gigi's Thimble.  I just love everything she does!  I hope I have not done her a disservice!  Actually, I think it is quite pretty changing it up to my favorite January blues!  The pattern is super easy to follow, and her original table topper is gorgeous!  

Well, that's it for January!  Thank you, The Joyful Quilter, for this wonderful challenge!  I can't wait to finish this one and start next month's project!

I am linking up to The Joyful Quilter's Table Scraps Runner/Table Topper Challenge!  Please check out the EXTRAORDINARY toppers from this talented group of quilters!  

For now, take care, and happy sewing!

Log Cabin Blocks

 

Hello!

I am trying to sew every day, even if it's only for a few minutes.  I have a ton of scraps, like most quilters, and I love log cabin blocks!  So I decided to make some log cabin blocks out of my Christmas scraps.  Here is the first one I made:

It is a HUGE block!  I can't remember now, but I think I squared it off at 14-1/2"!  My goal is to make at least 2 each month.  Because each block is so huge, it won't take much to make it into a quilt!  I have another one laid out and ready to sew.  I think it will be a cute, scrappy, Christmas quilt when I am finished!

I used a tutorial by The Seasoned Homemaker, which you can find HERE.  It is very easy to follow, and I printed out her PDF picture of how to piece it.  It's as easy as a color by number!  I am having fun choosing lights and darks out of all my scraps.  Some of them are really OLD!  Like me! 🤣

Don't you just love log cabin squares???   Happy Sewing!

Project Bag

 

Here is a Project Bag I made for my January cottage cross stitch supplies.  It is the second one I've made, and I LOVE making them!  They are quick, easy, and go together so nicely.  They are HUGE, and I can use them for a lot of different cross stitch and embroidery projects.

I used a tutorial on You Tube by Erica Arndt.  It is called Easy Vinyl Zipper Pouch, and you can find the video HERE.  It is an excellent tutorial, and I have to say I love almost everything Erica Arndt does!  Her sewing and quilting and cross stitch videos are fantastic!  

Happy Sewing!

Finished Pouch

 

I've been busy sewing just about every day!  If not sewing, then it's been cutting or planning!  

Here is the 15 Patch Zippered Pouch I finished.  I plan on using it for a Christmas gift this year.

It turned out cute, I think.  The pattern was easy to follow, and I like that it used a mini charm pack.  I have several of them I need to use up!  

The pattern I used was a free online tutorial by Charise Creates, and can be found HERE.  I'd like to make some others using mini charm packs that are not seasonal, so they could be used all year round.

Happy Sewing!

New Blog, New Year

 

Welcome!  It's a new year, and a new blog!  

This blog will be mainly for sharing the sewing, cooking, and baking I am trying -- both successes and failures!  While I will be keeping my other blog open, at least for now, I will also be posting my weekly menu plans here.  Eventually, I hope to transfer everything over to this blog.

For today, I just want to share what I am making in the Sewing Department.  I started making a 15 Patch Zipper Pouch using a tutorial from Charise Creates just before Christmas.  Of course, the holidays were very busy and I didn't have any sewing time to speak of.  Hopefully I am back on track!  I am participating in a sew every day project (button is on the sidebar), so I am trying to sew at least 5 minutes each day in 2021 (hopefully more than that)!  So here is where I am at on my zipper pouch:

I have used an old mini charm pack that I had in my stash.  I used a couple pieces out of it, I can't remember what they were used for, and I had the remaining package!  Actually, I have several packages like that!  I don't know what I was making, but I only used a couple pieces out of each mini charm pack.  So I decided to use them up!  Today, I will tackle the zipper part of the tutorial, which is a little different than the way I usually put a zipper in, so we shall see how I do!

That's it for now!  Hope you enjoy the new blog, and find something here you want to try!