Sunday, January 28, 2018

Small, Smaller, Smallest Blog Hop

For some big fun, join the Small, Smaller, Smallest Blog Hop


The blog hop rules are simple:

Make a small project no bigger than a baby quilt. Think small, smaller, smallest!
It can be a mug rug, pot holder, mini quilt, baby quilt, bag, etc.
Post your project on your assigned day.
Have a giveaway or don't have a giveaway. It's totally optional!
Visit everyone's blog on the list and leave a sweet comment.

Are you in? I'd love to have you join the blog hop!

The hop will run from March 5 - March 8...four days of fun!

Send me an email with the following information:
Your first name
Your email address
Your blog name
Your blog URL

Saturday, January 27, 2018

Put A Little Love In Your Quilt Blog Hop And A New Blog Hop

I'm just a little, okay a ton, excited for the Put A Little Love In Your Quilt Blog Hop
that is coming soon. Very soon! It's like a week away...wowzers!


Here's the list of blog hoppers...
It is such an amazing and talented group of bloggers who will be 
sharing their creative projects for all of us. I can't wait to be inspired!

February 5


 February 6


February 7


 February 8

Just Let Me Quilt

The hardest part of setting up this blog hop was that I had to tell several sweet ladies
that there wasn't any more room in the hop. I wish I could let everybody join in the fun,
but that wasn't possible. I promised there would be another blog hop.

DID YOU KNOW that people are mentally healthier if they belong to a group?

So why should you be a part of a blog hop?
Participating in a blog hop makes us a part of something, helps us meet new friends,
inspires us, inspires others, and gives us satisfaction that we've helped ourselves and others.

How does a blog hop help us?
It gives us purpose, whether the purpose is to make something or to just visit blogs. 
A blog hop makes others feel good about themselves, especially when a kind comment
is left on their blog. It helps us get out of our comfort zone. It makes us smile!

So...it's a new blog hop!
This is an easy hop...make something small.


The blog hop rules are simple:

Make a small project no bigger than a baby quilt. Think small, smaller, smallest!
It can be a mug rug, pot holder, mini quilt, baby quilt, bag, etc.
Post your project on your assigned day.
Have a giveaway or don't have a giveaway. It's totally optional!
Visit everyone's blog on the list and leave a sweet comment.

Are you in? I'd love to have you join the blog hop!

The hop will run from March 5 - March 8...four days of fun!


Send me an email with the following information:
Your first name
Your email address
Your blog name
Your blog URL

There's always a blog hop, Block of the Month, or sew along happening out there.
Some of them fill up quickly and some are open to everyone.

It's a Wild Life is a Block of the Month. Amy at Sew Incredibly Crazy gathered five of us
(who all met during past blog hops, by the way) and got us designing blocks with a theme.
This is the start of my third year. On the first day of each month, one of the designers 
shares a block they created. You sew it, share it on Facebook if you want to, and get ready
for the next designer's block. At the end of the year you'll have an entire quilt. Fun!


It starts February 1st!



Carla at Creatin' in the Sticks had this fabulous idea to do a 30 day challenge with 30 quilt blocks.
Seriously, they are easy blocks...I love easy! Her directions make sewing them a breeze.
Then Carla turned her challenge into a blog hop...more fun! I'm busy sewing my quilt
(April 21st is my day) and I'm excited to see other creations by talented people using her blocks.



This post could go on and on with all the blog events, but I'll stop now.
If you have an event you're a part of, share it in the comments if you want to.
Sometimes I can't take on one more project (I'm sure you can relate), but I enjoy 

visiting these events to feel inspired and to get my daily fix of blog friends.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

A Photo Shoot Outing For Put A Little Love In Your Quilt Project

With the Put A Little Love In Your Quilt blog hop coming up fast, I got busy
and finished the binding on my quilt. Then off we went for a photo shoot outing.
I love when we do this!

We scout the area until we find a place that doesn't have a ton of people hanging around.
This area was perfect!

I looked left to my favorite red mountains...


...and looked right to lava hills. So much variety in the views of Southern Utah!


My crew was helpful as usual.


 I'm so excited and can't hardly stand the wait for this blog hop.
There's so many amazing and talented ladies working away on projects.
I hope you'll visit during the blog hop!


This Riley Blake Design fabric, Kisses, is so pretty!
It will be a giveaway during the blog hop...so fun!


Monday, January 22, 2018

Get Creative Using The Sizzix Coin Purse Die

My grandmother had a coin purse stashed in every corner of the house (or so it seemed.)
Each one was filled with different things including money, sewing items, and candy.
I decided to get creative and make some coin purses for every corner of my house using the
Sizzix CoinPurse die to cut out a big and small purse. It was so easy to use and sew together!


I'm over at the Therm O Web blog today sharing what I made...check it out HERE.
Take some time to look around at all the other amazing projects they have on their blog.

The Heat n Bond Fleece Fusible High Loft was perfect in between the outside fabric
and lining of the coin purse. It gave it stability without being stiff.
That purple Oliso makes ironing way more fun, too!


Of course, I used Aurifil 50wt to sew the purse together. It's my favorite go-to thread.
The magnetic pin holder is from Riley Blake...cute, cute, cute with those scissors!


Sizzix Coin Purse


To make a coin purse you'll need:

Heat n Bond Fleece Fusible High Loft, cut into two 8” x 9½” pieces
1 – fat quarter for exterior coin purse, cut into two 8” x 9½” pieces
1 – fat quarter for lining of coin purse, cut into two 8” x 9½” pieces
Sizzix Coin Purse Die, 2 cutting mats, and cutting machine
Heavy-duty glue like Beacon 3-in-1 or E6000
(No need to sew the frame to the coin purse using one of these glues...they are strong!)

Step 1:
Iron Heat n Bond Fleece Fusible High Loft to wrong sides of
exterior coin purse fabric following manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 2:
Using the Sizzix Coin Purse die cut two exterior fabric coin purses with
adhered Heat n Bond Fleece Fusible High Loft. Cut two lining fabric coin purses.

To cut out coin purses using the die and cutting machine, fold exterior fabric purse in half,
wrong sides together. Place fold along the edge of Sizzix die that does not have a blade.
Be careful…the blade is sharp! 


Sandwich the cutting die between two cutting mats being careful to keep fabric in place.
At a slight angle, run die with fabric through your cutting machine. Repeat to make a total of two
exterior fabric purse pieces with Heat n Bond Fleece Fusible High Loft, and two lining pieces.
Note: If you're using directional fabric, be sure to place the folded fabric correctly on the die!




Step 3:
With exterior fabric coin purses wrong sides together and using a 1/4” seam allowance,
sew edges from the notch to edge of coin purse and along straight edge as shown.
The top rounded area and notched area is not sewn.


*Using a water-soluble marker helps to clearly mark the notch. There’s two on each piece.
(The notches are there, you just have to look for them because they are tiny.)


Step 4:
Repeat Step 3’s instructions for the lining fabric, but leave a 3” opening in the
middle of the straight edge to enable turning it inside out.

Step 5:
Pinch the small unsewn opening together and match seams on both sides.
Sew 1/4” seam allowance across edge as shown below. Repeat on the lining fabric.




Step 6:
Turn exterior fabric coin purse right side out. Place exterior coin purse inside lining fabric
coin purse, right sides together, lining up seams and top edge. Pin or use clips to hold in place. 


Step 7:
Begin sewing from center of coin purse and stop at side seams. Turn coin purse and repeat
on other side. Do the same on the other side of the coin purse.


Step 8:
Cut notches on the curved edge or trim with pinking shears.


Step 9:
Turn coin purse right side out. Using a pointed tool, push the corners out. Press around
the seam edges of coin purse. Press lower corners to create a flat bottom.



Step 10:
Stitch lining opening closed with slipstitches or by folding in seams and
stitch 1/8” from folded in edge.


Step 11:
Apply glue in the slotted area of the coin purse frame on one side. Gently push edges
of coin purse into the frame. Let dry. Repeat on other side of frame. If you get a bit of
glue on the metal frame like I did, it should just rub off...mine did.


Step 12:
Optional – Attach flower to one side of coin purse.
Use Heat N Bond Fusible Interfacing – Light Weight on the wrong sides of fabric to add stability.
Cover fabric and interfacing with pressing cloth. Press and hold iron with medium pressure for
10-15 seconds. Repeat and overlap to cover all areas. Let cool. Cut out flower shapes using
fabrics, felt, lace, etc. Layer pieces with Fabric Fuse between each layer to hold them together.
Let dry. Apply flower to coin purse with Therm O Web Fabric Fuse Adhesive. Let dry.



I used the smaller coin purse on the Sizzix Coin Purse Die to make a pincushion.


To make the pincushion you'll need:

Sizzix Coin Purse Die, 2 cutting mats, and cutting machine
Heavy-duty glue like Beacon 3-in-1 or E6000
2 - 4” x 9” pieces of Heat n Bond Fleece Fusible High Loft
2 – 4” x 9” fabric for exterior coin purse
2 – 4” x 9” lining for coin purse
Walnut shells or other filling for pincushion

Step 1:
Create the small coin purse following the instructions above for the larger coin purse.

Step 2:
Attach small flower, if desired, following flower assembly instructions above. Let dry.

Step 3:
Fill the finished coin purse with walnut shells.


Step 4:
Place a thin line of heavy-duty glue on inside of coin frame. Close purse frame
and clip with clothespins to hold closed until glue dries.


You can find these instructions in a PDF format at my Craftsy store HERE.

Give It A Whirl Blog Hop Starts Today

It is time to whirl, twirl, and spin with the "Give It A Whirl" blog hop! What was the challenge? Somewhere in or on your project ...