Amanda

14 Day Walk With Christ 2016

March 14, 2016 by Amanda Leave a Comment

2016 walk with christ

Every Easter my family participates in a “14 Day Walk With Christ”. This takes place the 2 weeks leading up to Easter. I feel life is so busy and rushed and Easter can come and go before we know it. It has been extremely meaningful to focus extra attention on the Savior during these two weeks. In the past we have had a lesson, activity, game, etc. about Jesus Christ. Last year we did a service edition where we performed random acts of service every day.

I notice that the Walk With Christ changes a little bit every year according to how our family is changing. In the beginning my children were younger and were home more. We enjoyed spending time on a nightly lesson, activity, and treat. Now, with teenage children, it is different. Since we all are connected on our devices I decided to make this year’s Walk With Christ an Social Media version.

How it works:

Each day I will post a quote or a scripture with a little assignment to be completed. I am hoping this might be a way we can shine our lights in our virtual lives and help bring others to Christ. I am also hoping that taking this extra time will bless us as we devote our thoughts to Jesus Christ.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16.

I hope you join with me in making this Easter Season a time to come unto Christ.

Day #1

i can do all things

Put a picture of Jesus somewhere you will see often. Even if you already have a picture displayed, add another one to remind you of the journey you are on for the next 2 weeks. This might be a digital image you use as your phone lock screen or wallpaper. I taped one in my car because that’s where I always am. #walkwithchrist2016 #sharegoodness #helives

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Sizzix Bunny Kitchen Towel

March 12, 2016 by Amanda 3 Comments

Today, on the Sizzix blog, I am sharing one of my favorite little projects to sew: Kitchen Towels! Hop on over there for the full tutorial!

Kitchens usually don’t have a lot of wall space or places to hang quilts or cute crafty projects. I love hanging home made towels on my oven, it gives the kitchen that cozy feeling! Theses sweet towels also make the perfect gift! Who wouldn’t want one of these! I choose some of my favorite Riley Blake Fabric Prints from some of my favorite designers.

I am also using my most favorite Sizzix Bunny Die (I’m sure I’ve said that many times!!) I love using my Sizzix Fabi to cut these bunnies! It’s so fast and easy!

And you can die cut several at one time!

I could cut these bunnies out all day long! They are so much fun and oh so cute when they are leaping all over!

I used my ruffling foot to sew the ruffle – this is also a time saver!

I used Heat n Bond Lite to fuse the bunny. I also used my new Oliso Pro iron. It’s a dream!!!

I love how sweet they are with the soft colors!

I want to keep them all for myself!! I love that these colors are perfect Pyrex colors! I might just have a slight Pyrex obsession!!

Filed Under: appliqué, bunny, easter, FEATURED, gift, pyrex, Riley Blake, sizzix, Therm O Web

Wonderland Bunny Pillow

March 11, 2016 by Amanda 2 Comments

I’m pretty sure every spring I make a new bunny pillow! Throw pillows are such a fun way to get your fabric fix! I can’t get enough of these adorable bunny faces! This new fabric line designed by Melissa Mortensen of the Polka Dot Chair is called Wonderland from Riley Blake Designs.

I kept the pillow design simple so the bunnies would be the focal point! If you have about 30 minutes, you can make one too!

Supplies:

1/2 yard Bunny Main Print

1/8 yard accent strip

1/4 yard second accent strip

20″ x 20″ piece of fabric for the back

20″ pillow form

accent trim, optional

cotton batting

22″ zipper

First get out your fabrics and have your cat roll all over them 🙂

Next, cut the fabrics according to the above measurements. Using 1/4″ seams, sew the pieces together and press seams in one direction.

Baste the pillow top to a piece of batting and quilt straight lines every 3/4″. After it is quilted, trim the pillow front so it measures 20″x20″. The reason we made it 21″ to begin with is because it can shrink a little when quilting. This way we get an exact 20″ square. From this point you can finish the pillow how ever you want. I basted some neutral color trim onto the pillow front.

I always finish my pillows by inserting a zipper in the back of the pillow. You can choose the invisible zipper method (here) or the exposed yet covered up zipper method (here). I added a piece of lace to cover the zipper. I love the pink hounds-tooth on the back.

Guess who also loves this pillow?

The back of the pillow is almost cute enough to stand on its own!

I love the texture the straight line quilting gives the pillow!

I love bunnies and I love spring!!!

Filed Under: bunny, FEATURED, pillow, Riley Blake

Bunny Bricks Quilt Update

March 1, 2016 by Amanda 2 Comments

My friend Tina from One Little Pooh has just finished the cutest version of my Bunny Bricks Quilt! You can read all about it and the cute fabrics she used here.

Look how cute the Sizzix Bunny looks in these fabrics! This is my favorite Sizzix die ever! And now I’m thinking I need to make some more projects with these cut rabbits since it’s finally March!

Here is the link to the Quilt Pattern. It sews up really fast and it’s a fun way to show off your favorite spring fabrics.

Hoppy Sewing!

Filed Under: easter, FEATURED, quilt, sizzix

Printable Image Fabric Key Chains

February 29, 2016 by Amanda Leave a Comment

We are huge “Fan Art” people in my family! My daughter spends her days painting and drawing fan art of Star Wars and Marvel characters. I think everything we own has a Star Wars or Super Hero (or cat) on it! I created these fun keychains that you can customize to any theme! I even made one with Mufasa’s picture on it.

Supplies

Sizzix 2 1/2″ circle die

1 3/4″ paper punch

Heat n Bond Ultra

Heat n Bond EZ Print transfer sheets

white fabric

scraps of fabric

scraps of cotton batting

twill tape

key ring

Begin by designing your image on your computer. I’m not Photoshop savvy so I like to use Microsoft Power Point. You can use photos or clip art. I love buying cute clip art from Etsy! Crop them to a circle shape and size them so they will fit in the 1 3/4″ circle punch. Print a test run on plain paper to make sure they are how you want them. Then choose “Mirror or Reverse Image” in printing and select a high print quality as you would for photos. Print them on the Heat n Bond EZ print transfer sheets.

These transfer sheets are a great way to get any digital image onto fabric! I use them all the time!

Once they are printed, use the 1 3/4″ paper punch to punch out each image. With a dry, hot iron, place the image face side down on the right side of a solid white fabric. Heat set for about 10 seconds applying firm, constant pressure. Let cool completely.

Peel off the backing paper and cut around the image using pinking shears.

Cut 2 pieces of Heat n Bond Ultra slightly larger than the 2 1/2″ circle. Iron them to the wrong side of the desired fabric. Let cool.

Cut a piece of batting roughly the same size as the fabric – these are super rough cuts, no measuring required. Peel off the backing paper of both of the fabrics and press the fabric pieces onto both sides of the batting. Let cool. This makes a fabric sandwich 🙂

Run the fabric sandwich through the Sizzix Fabi using the 2 1/2″ die. It cuts a perfect circle. Since we used the Heat n Bond Ultra, the edges of the fabric won’t fray!

Cut a 2″ piece of twill tape and loop it through the key ring. Using a zig zag stitch, stitch all the way around the circle, catching the edge of the twill tape.

Turn the keychain over so the raw edge of the twill tape is on the back. Position the image on the front (add a little Spray n Bond basting spray so it doesn’t move) and straight stitch around the image.

These make great little gifts and they are fun for kids to help with!

They also make great zipper pulls for back packs!!

And who doesn’t love having their pet on their key ring!

Filed Under: FEATURED, Heat n Bond, sizzix, Therm O Web

Hope Chest Bowtie Quilt

February 11, 2016 by Amanda 4 Comments

I love all things vintage so of course I love 30’s reproduction fabrics! This line is called Hope Chest II from Penny Rose Fabrics. I love the vintage vibe of these fabrics. I am happy to live in the modern age where we can use rotary cutters & sewing machines! You can totally make this quilt in a day!!

The idea for this quilt comes from this old quilt I have. It is pieced and quilted totally by hand. Me and Mufasa love it!! The blocks are much smaller but it is a traditional bowtie quilt pattern.

All you need to make this throw size quilt is a 10″ stacker, 2 yards black swiss dot, 1/2 yard for the triangles, plus backing, batting, and binding.

Finished quilt 54″ x 72″. Finished bowtie block 9″. 48 total blocks. All seams 1/4″.

Hop over to the Penny Rose Blog to find all the instructions!!

I love how it turned out! It’s the perfect quilt for a picnic!!

Filed Under: FEATURED, Penny Rose Fabrics, quilt

Mid Century Mix Up Quilt Featuring Folk Medley

February 6, 2016 by Amanda 5 Comments

I feel like I may have been born in the wrong era. I was raised with parents who were teenagers in the 60’s. My dad plays the guitar and banjo and there was never a lack of freedom folk songs in our home. I grew up watching movies and tv from the 60s and have passed this on to my children. Instead of watching what ever kids and teens watch these days my kids top shows are: Gilligan’s Island, Brady Bunch, I Dream of Jeanie, McHale’s Navy, and the Carroll Burnett Show. My kids listen to 60’s music stations on Pandora. I’m doing my best to preserve the past!! Sooooo when I came across this fabric line from Blend Fabrics called Folk Medley I new it was for me! I love the retro images, the records, the music notes, and the colors of these fabrics! I wanted to create a quilt that felt more mid century modern than quilty. I am so in love with the finished quilt! It’s exactly how I wanted it!

My goal was to make the quilt using only 1 block but to have a totally random result. I love how there are shapes within the quilt that were created at random. Just by looking at it you can’t really pick out the block pattern which I LOVE.

The quilting has a retro feel as well and it was so fun to do although very tiring!

Here is the block pattern. Yep, that’s all there is to it! Below are the CUTTING measurements for each piece of the block.

Gather your fabrics, I used 10 prints and 1 solid. All seams 1/4 inch. Finished block 9″ Finished Quilt 54″ x 72″

1/3 yard of the prints

2/3 yard solid (off white)

1/2 yard binding

3 1/2 yards backing

Cut each of the patterned fabrics into strips (3) 3.5″ x WOF.

For the 5″ x 3.5″ rectangles

Using (2) 3.5″ x WOF strips sub cut them into 5″ unitis.

For the 9.5″ x 3.5″ rectangles

Using (1) 3.5″ x WOF strips subcut into 9.5″ segments.

Cut the same increments for the off white solid and then add in additional to your liking.

Sew the 5″ rectangles together first. Just grab and go – don’t lay out and don’t plan! Press the seams. Then sew the 5″ rectangle units on both sides of the 9.5″ rectangle. Again, totally random. These are only a few of the block combinations I came up with. Notice how some like fabrics are right next to each other? This is good!!

I laid my blocks out so I could take a picture. But I reccomend NOT laying them out. Just grab and go! It’s so liberating!!! You will need 6 rows by 8 rows for a total of 48 blocks. (You can totally make this smaller or larger). Sew the blocks together in rows, press and sew the rows together.

I put flannel on the back of the quilt so it would be super cuddly and soft! (Always prewash flannels if you use them in quilting!)

Make sure your cat approves 🙂

This pattern is great for larger prints because the strips are a good size. It also sews together FAST! This throw size quilt can be made in 1 day!! I can’t wait to make another one using different fabrics!!

Do you have favorite 60’s folk singers? I love the New Christy Minstrels!! They are epic! Every year I try and learn the guitar, this quilt is inspiring me to pick it up yet again!!!

I hope you love making this quilt as much as I did! Tag your pictures on Instagram with #midcenturymixupquilt

Filed Under: Blend Fabrics, FEATURED, quilt

Come Sail Away With Me Nautical Quilt

February 2, 2016 by Amanda Leave a Comment

I LOVE this quilt! I had the quilt top finished AND quilted and it has been waiting for binding for a long time. This weekend was cold and rainy and it was the perfect time to finish up a little work in progress. Today the sun came out and I was able to take a few pictures of the final quilt! I am so ready for spring and MORE nautical quilts!!!

I love the fabrics in this quilt: Day Sail by Moda. They have such a fun feminine-nautical feel. The pattern is available HERE with a bonus wall hanging pattern as well.

Since I don’t own a sail boat (which this quilt would be perfect for) it will be a great size for the beach or a picnic or maybe I will just hang it on the wall so it doesn’t get dirty 🙂

I have the best quilt “modelers”. So cute and helpful!!!

Let me know if you get a chance to make this by tagging me on Instagram!Come Sail Away With Me!!!

Filed Under: FEATURED, Heat n Bond, nautical, quilt

Milk Sugar & Flower Girls Dress

February 2, 2016 by Amanda Leave a Comment

I am so in love Milk Sugar & Flower from Penny Rose! I have been saving it until I found the perfect project. And I found it! A dress for Sally! Sally will be getting baptized this month and I wanted her to have a special dress to wear after her Baptism.

The style of the dress is classic little girl and fits Sally’s personality. She is a girl after my own vintage heart: lover of Elvis, old TV shows, and classic dress style. It’s just how little girls should be dressing.

I have to admit I did not like the pattern at all. Upon completion of the dress I wadded the whole pattern up and threw it in the garbage! Which, by the way, saved me a good 30 minutes of folding the dang thing up so it would fit in the envelope!

Despite the frustration with the pattern, I love the finished dress and so does Sally.

Filed Under: clothes, FEATURED, Penny Rose Fabrics

Surf Report Quilt Featuring Off Shore by Riley Blake Designs

January 29, 2016 by Amanda 4 Comments

I grew up in a family that listened to the Beach boys every day. I grew up in a family whose parents were from Southern California and surfed at beaches such as Doheny, San Onofre, and Rincon. I grew up with a dad who made surfboards in the garage and my favorite smell was the smell of hot surfboard resin. I grew up with a stack of surfer magazines in my room and pictures of cute surfer boys plastered all over my walls. I grew up spending weeks at Newport Beach with my cousins in the summer. I grew up admiring surfers like Kelly Slater, Mark Occhilupo, and Tom Carroll and watching The Endless Summer on the weekends. I grew up in California.

This fabric that Dena Rutter created for Riley Blake Designs called Off Shore, embodies all the classic iconic surf culture that I remember as a kid: The lazy days at the beach, riding your bike down the boardwalk, and just hanging out at the beach house. This quilt that I designed is called Surf Report because it has five blocks on the top and the bottom for the five-day surf report forecast. From looking at the fabric, it looks like sunny skies, offshore winds and chest high surf. FYI here is today’s surf report:

WNW swell will continue to show a little better through the day as the period comes down some and the peak energy trends a little more west. Improving conditions through the afternoon as the tide drops, before draining most spots on approach to a 0.6′ low at 5:49pm. Winds are light onshore.

I love the block in this quilt because it reminds me of a iconic tribal surf image and it’s very masculine. I am so excited to be giving this quilt to my dad for his birthday. In fact, the whole family is taking him to a Beach Boys concert to celebrate. I think he will love this quilt! You can download this pattern for FREE by clicking here. Tag me on Instagram when you make yours!!