Amanda

Blogger’s Quilt Festival Original Quilt Entry – Choose Happy

May 21, 2015 by Amanda Leave a Comment

Thanks so much for stopping by! I love The Blogger’s Quilt Festival! And a big thanks to Amy for doing such an amazing job at putting this on! It’s so fun to come together as quilters – everyone is so talented! This is my entry in the Origional Quilt Category : It’s called Choose Happy! The fabrics are from Pat Sloan for Moda and scream HAPPY!!. I actually designed this quilt with the intent of giving it as a gift. My friend always uses the phrase Choose Happy. Such great words to live by! I wanted to incorporate that thought in this quilt so she could hang it in her home.

The quilt measures 30″x 40.5″

It has 16 pinwheel blocks surrounding the machine appliquéd “Choose Happy”.

It is machine quilted and hand bound

The pattern is actually available for free on the Therm O Web Blog 🙂 Just for you!!!

I love the pebble quilting around the words – some of the fabric actually has this same pattern!

I just feel happy inside when I look at this quilt – I hope you do too! It was really fun to make!

Mufasa approves!! Thanks for stopping by!!!

Filed Under: Blogger's Quilt Festival

Blogger’s Quilt Festival Small Quilt Entry – Strawberry Patch Quilt

May 21, 2015 by Amanda Leave a Comment

strawberry patch quilt hello darling moda 7

Welcome friends!! and thanks for stopping by!!! I look forward to the Blogger’s Quilt Festival every six months! I am always so amazed by all the talent out there! It is fun to come together as quilters and appreciate each other’s work. I am entering my Strawberry Patch quilt in the Small Quilt Category. This is my favorite quilt right now! I love the colors and prints of Hello Darling. My friend Tina from Emily Ann’s Kloset and I collaborated on the pattern.

The quilt measures 42″x 50″

It is machine appliquéd and is machine quilted. The binding is by hand.

I have it hanging in my family room and it makes the whole room so bright and cheery!!!

strawberry patch quilt hello darling moda 8

Aren’t strawberries just the sweetest!!!

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Thanks for stopping by!! Have a great day!

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Filed Under: Blogger's Quilt Festival

Hang Paw Quilt Featuring Surfing Cats

May 19, 2015 by Amanda Leave a Comment

hang paw quilt

I can not contain my excitement for sharing this quilt pattern!! I am a California girl through and through. I spent most of my teenage years at the beach trying to surf but really I was there to watch the cute surfer boys. I am also a crazy cat lady and I have been my whole life. I also have loved quilting and sewing for pretty much my whole life. SOOOOOO when I saw this Surfin’ Cats fabric from Riley Blake Designs – I died! It literally combined three of my passions in one project: the beach, cats, and quilting. BRILLIANT!!

When ever we go to the beach we make sure to always bring sweatshirts and a blanket. It can be 112 degrees at our home and 35 miles away the coast will be a chilly 66 degrees. I thought this was the purrrrrfect blanket to take to the beach on those windy days. I love big theme prints and this pattern is a great way to show off the wonderful design of the fabric without cutting it up to much. You can make this in a day – easy!

surfing cats quilt 2

Here’s how you can make it:

Supplies:

1.5 yards surfin cats

1.5 yards gray sashing fabric

1/2 yard navy blue

quarter yard cuts of coordinating fabrics – I love the RBD basics – I used the chevron, houndstooth and polka dots

1/2 yard gray basic shades

1/2 yard white small dots

1/2 yard binding – I used the chevron

2 1/2 yards for back

The quilt consists of 8 pieced blocks that are 12″ finished in size and 3 larger sections of Surfin’ cats. All seams 1/4″. Finished Quilt measures 57.5″ x 72.5″

I choose to cut 2″ x WOF strips of the white small dot and the grey basic shades and piece the strips lengthwise. Then I cut the strip sets into 6.5″ increments. Sew the block in rows and the rows together, alternating seems for pressing and matching intersecting seams.

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Once you have the 8 blocks finished, begin making the Surfin’ Cats section. I labeled the quilt layout with the cutting measurements – I’m a visual learner & quilter! All the surfin’ cats squares are cut 12 1/2″.

quilt layout

Sew the rows together how they are laid out, pressing seams alternately so they go together nicely.

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Make sure your cat helps in each step of the process!

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Pin all the rows together and sew. Press the seams to one side.

The quilt top is done! Super easy!!!

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I had my friend quilt the quilt with her long arm machine. She did a great job and I love all the swirly waves – it’s the purrrrfect finishing touch.

surfing cats quilt 4

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Mufasa totally loves it!!! surfing cats quilt 22

Filed Under: cat, FEATURED, quilt, Riley Blake

Anchored In Christ Wood Sign {DIY}

May 19, 2015 by Amanda 1 Comment

I wanted to share with you how I made this fun wood nautical sign – for under $20! I am our Stake Young Women Camp Director (for girls age 12-18). This year our theme is Anchored in Christ. I wanted a large wood sign that I could use to promote our theme at all our planning meetings. This sign can easily be changed to say was ever you want 🙂

I started by purchasing this cedar fencing at the home improvement store. You only need 3 boards.

Its cheap and rustic – just what I wanted!!

We (my husband cut and I watched) cut them into 3 foot pieces, 6 total. We cut the little angled pieces off the end so they were all flush.

Then we cut (2) 1″x 2″ pieces of wood slightly shorter than the sign. I put wood glue along the boards and then screwed the 1″ x 2″ boards in as pictured. Let dry.

I bought a dark gray stain and stained the front. Because I can’t draw or write pretty, I cut the words on my vinyl cutter and made a stencil. I stenciled the words in white paint.

I found an anchor outline on the internet and blew it up really big. I printed it off in sections and then taped it together. Yes, pathetic – why can’t I just draw!

Once all the pieces were taped together, I cut out the anchor.

Then I drew around it with white pencil. All that was left was to paint in the lines (I can kind of do that) with white paint.

I added some rope along the sides. This was my display for our first leader meeting where we kicked off the theme. I love all things Nautical, in case you were wondering 🙂

Filed Under: DIY, FEATURED, girls camp, nautical, paint, tutorial

Strawberry Patch Quilt Pattern – Available Now!

May 18, 2015 by Amanda 6 Comments

Homegrown strawberries in a New Jersey backyard, berries being grown all year round in Sunny California and two friends who lives miles apart….came together to design these yummy strawberry quilts…. JUST FOR YOU! Tina from Emily Ann’s Klsoet and I had so much fun making these quilts – we know you will love the pattern as well! It’s one pattern but there are 2 versions you can choose from! The Strawberry Patch pattern is available in paper copy or PDF. Come take a peek over at Emily Ann’s Kloset.

These yummy fabrics are from the Moda fabric line “Hello Darling”.

I have my quilt hanging in my family room – I smile whenever I walk by it 🙂

I even updated some decor times to have a strawberry theme. It just feels so happy!!!

I hope you love this quilt as much as I do!!!

Baby Mufasa was very helpful in the quilt making process!!!

Filed Under: FEATURED, Heat n Bond, My Patterns, patterns, quilt, Therm O Web

Fish Bubbles Apron and Runner Tutorial

May 15, 2015 by Amanda Leave a Comment

I had so much fun sewing my Fish Bubbles Pillow that I wanted to make more Fish Bubbles projects! Have you seen the toweling by the yard? It is amazing! It is hemmed on both edges and it comes in a variety of colors and patterns. I thought it would be fun to make an apron with it and a table runner. Here’s how you can make one.

Supplies:

1.5 yards of toweling

Sizzix Fish Die

Sizzix Circles 1 1/2″ Die

Heat n Bond Lite if you want to sew the appliqué or Heat n Bond Ultra if you want “no-sew”

1/2 yard for waist band

Cut the toweling to 1.5 yards.
Hem the cut sides of the toweling by turing under 1/2″ and again 1/2″ and sewing close to the fold.

Choose some fun fabrics and iron the Heat n Bond to the wrong side of the fabric. Heat n Bond Lite is a great light weight fusible appliqué but is best if you sew around it to secure. Heat n Bond
Ultra requires no sewing. I used Heat n Bond Ultra for this. Once you have fused the appliqué medium to the wrong side of the fabric, run it through the Sizzix Fabi.

I appliquéd 4 fish and 5 bubbles.

Now all you have to do is make the apron waist band. Cut (3) 5″ x WOF strips from the waist band fabric. From one of those pieces cut it down to 24″ x 5″ The two long pieces will be the ties and the 24″ piece will be the waist band.

Fold the ties in half lengthwise and sew, leaving one end open, and angling the other end to form a point like this: Turn right side out, press, and top stitch along both sides 1/8″ from the edge.

Cut the top hem of the toweling off to reduce bulk while gathering (I tried it with the hem and it was way too thick.) Run a zig zag stitch along the top edge to cut down on the fraying.

We a gathering stitch along this top edge about 1/4″ from the top. Pull up the threads to gather. Pin the gathers to a WRONG edge of the 24″ waist band strip, pinning 1″ from the edge of the strip on both sides. Sew along the gathering stitch.

Press the other edge of the waist band under a generous 1/4″, then fold it over to the front to cover the gathering stitch. Top stitch to secure, leaving the edges open. Take those ends and fold them in 1/2″. Tuck the ends of the ties in the side openings and sew where the pin is in the photo below:

Apron is finished! I love, it’s the cutest ever!!!

To make the table runner, you need about 5 minutes! Cut the toweling to the desired length of your table. Hem the edges by rolling under 1/2″ then another 1/2″. Sew to secure.

Cut the fish and circles using the Sizzix Fabi with Ultra Hold. Then Iron the fish and bubbles in place! This project is great because it adds a nice pop of color and doesn’t take much time at all!!

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

Sizzix Fish Bubbles Pillow

May 7, 2015 by Amanda Leave a Comment

I am super excited to share my Fish Bubbles Pillow Tutorial – It’s over on the Sizzix Blog today! Did you know I love all things Nautical? (hee hee)

I choose to use Day Sail from Moda – I love this fabric line!!! Add some Therm O Web Heat n Bond and run it though the Sizzix Fabi and you’ve got yourself a cute fish pillow!

I love that I can cut so many perfect circles at once!!! Now more hand cutting circles – yippie!!!!

This pillow makes me think of Summer! I wish it was July!!!!

The back is even cute 🙂 Hop on over to the Sizzix Blog for the full set of instructions so you can make one for YOU!!!!

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

Mother’s Day Pom Pom Pen Bouquet

May 5, 2015 by Amanda Leave a Comment

I can’t believe how fast May is flying by! And Mother’s Day is this weekend! I thought this project would be great for moms or for Teacher Appreciation Week which is also going on here in our schools! It’s pretty simple to make and the kids can get in on the fun!

Have you ever heard of Flower Power Vases? I hadn’t until the cute little company sent me 2 vases to try out. They wanted to see my thoughts – so this is NOT a paid tutorial, just my thoughts and ideas 🙂

First of all, the little vases come in many colors. They all have this special grippy thing in the bottom to hold cut flowers.

Of course they are perfect for cut flowers (and they fit in the cup holder of a car)….I wanted to turn it into a little crafty gift. Here’s what you need:

Pens, yarn, hot glue, small pom pom maker, and the Flower Power Vase. I added a chalkboard label so you can change the word on the vase.

Begin by adding a dot of hot glue to the end of the pen to secure the yarn. Wrap and wrap and wrap until you get to the other end of the pen and add another dot of hot glue.

Take the yarn and make a small pom pom. I love the pom pom makers you can buy at craft stores. My daughter made all of them for me….easy peasy! Hot glue a pom pom to the end of the pen. Continue this process until you have 7 or so pens.

I first wrote the word “Love”, then changed it to “Mom”.

I think they are super fun! And when your mom looses all the pens, she has a cute little vase to keep fresh cut flowers in!!! They would also be super cute sitting on a teacher’s desk! Or in my sewing room! I need one!!!

These also make GREAT cat toys!!!!!

Filed Under: crafts, DIY, FEATURED, gift, mother's day, tutorial, Uncategorized

Star Wars Sewing Projects

May 4, 2015 by Amanda Leave a Comment

I love May the 4th! I had too much fun sewing Star Wars projects!

This cute comic book Star Wars zipper pouch was made using this tutorial – I omitted the lace trim. I just can’t get enough of this fabric!! I used Heat n Bond fusible fleece and added some topstitching along the seam.

My brother’s birthday is May the 4th! I made his this more “manly” zipper pouch using this tutorial. I also used Heat n Bond fusible interfacing AND fusible fleece. It has a really nice feel to it!My daughter takes a sketch book with her everywhere she goes! She was in need of a new case. To make this follow these instructions, but change the measurements to 26″ x 15″. For this pouch I used Heat n Bond fusible stabilizer to give it a nice weight.

Filed Under: FEATURED, Heat n Bond, jedi, Therm O Web, Uncategorized, zipper pouch

May the Fourth Be With You

May 4, 2015 by Amanda Leave a Comment

May the 4th is a HUGE holiday in our family – yes I said holiday!!!!! For some reason we are all Star Wars Nerds! We needed to do a little sewing to celebrate this totally awesome day and to show our true level of nerdiness! When I saw this fabric I knew it was perfect for skirts for the girls – I love that there is pink and aqua in it!

I immediately went to my Potato Chip Skirt and Chocolate Chip Skirt patterns from Tie Dye Diva. They are FUN to make! In fact, Ella sewed her entire skirt by herself!