Snowman Coasters

Hello, Friends!

Happy New Year!

Today I'm sharing some snowman coasters

that I made for a dear friend.

I bought the pattern here.

It's so cute in grays and whites, with colorful scarves.

As soon as I shared the pattern photo on Facebook,

my friend asked me if I wanted to make some for her.

{It's hard to say which one of us was most excited!} 

Photo from Annie's e-Patterns Central
Snowman Family Mug Rug Set

I chose some of my Cherry Christmas prints,
by Aneela Hoey for Moda...

and I made each one a wee bit different,

but coordinated.

This was such a clever pattern!

True...the little scarves were very tiny

and a bit fiddly to turn right-sides-out.

But they're simply adorable, right?

I found some snowflake buttons at my local Walmart.
They're nice and flat, with just the right amount
of silvery sparkle.

 These little snowmen will warm hearts
all winter long.

Living in Pennsylvania,
we have already seen some snow this winter.
I'll have to make some more snowman
projects to warm my own home!

Have you found a favorite winter pattern?

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Sweetwater Mug Rugs

Hello, Friends!

I'm almost ready for Christmas...how about you?

Earlier this week, the scene was set with some

beautiful snow.

I love to sit near the window with a cup of cocoa

and a little treat.

Hershey's Kisses are my favorite chocolate snack!

Not long ago...

Sweetwater fabrics blogged about a box of fabric

that I couldn't resist.

I ordered one almost before I finished reading the post!

The box of Christmas goodness arrived quickly, 
and I was not disappointed!

I kind of hoard collect Sweetwater fabrics,

and I took great joy in creating a few mug rugs

to give as presents this year.

I mostly used the fabrics that came in my box,

but I had some of this fabulous Feed Company plaid

that was just right for the bindings.

I had purchased this plaid mug from Pottery Barn

and I love the way it looks with each of these

black and red mug rugs.

Other mugs look pretty, too, though...

here's a classic pedestal mug, called Heritage,
 that I've had for many years, made by Pfaltzgraff.

I've got a sweet little Dept. 56 Scotties mug

that looks inviting, too.

This is how it looks with one of my favorite

designs by The Patchsmith!

Pattern: Scotties and Westies, available here.

Here's the same mug,

featured with the Sweetwater snowflake.

The designs by Sweetwater are so cute...

this snowman will bring cheer all winter long.

The snowflake design is so pretty and simple.

It sets off fabrics exquisitely.

I love the black and red theme,

but I also made up a couple of mug rugs

in aqua and red.

I hope this mug rug brings JOY to its recipient.

A little star will shine in the snow

all winter long.

I love the dash of aqua in that plaid binding.

These mug rugs will be given as gifts

to some special folks.

Stop by again soon,
for some more winter mug rugs,
made for more special people!

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Norway Mini Quilt

Hello, Friends!

While I'm waiting for my hand to mend,

I'd like to share a project that I had made earlier this summer.

It's a mini quilt,

made from the Thimbleblossoms pattern called Norway.

Photo credit: Thimbleblossoms Big Cartel shop

I purchased a kit for this project from Connecting Threads.

It came with everything I needed.

In fact, aside from the background, there was enough fabric

left over to make another one!

Photo credit: Connecting Threads website

This kit is still on sale, and if you need a little pick-me-up,

I highly recommend this fun kit.
I enjoyed practicing some free motion quilting.

All the small pieces present a bit of a challenge,

but that made it a great opportunity

to sharpen my sewing skills.

I love Nordic themed projects

that can be used for Christmastime

and beyond.

It feels great to have my Norway mini quilt

all ready for winter decorating!

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Guest Posting - Triangle Quilt Tutorial with Winter's Song

Hello, Friends!

I've got something special to show you today,

in a new guest post over at

Bear Creek Quilting Company!

I'll show you how to make this amazing

triangle quilt, using some fat quarters,

a cool ruler, and Triangles on a Roll.

I have to tell you truthfully

that this was one of the quickest quilt tops

I've ever put together,

and it was thoroughly enjoyable to make!

Head on over to see the details...

I'll be back soon to show you the finished quilt.

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Let It Snow - A Winter Pillow

I hope all of you have enjoyed

a very merry Christmas!

I've just spent some time catching up

with my good friend,

and I gave her a little gift

that can be used all winter long...

a Let It Snow winter pillow!

For this project,

I used some "ink swatches"

I had purchased from Sweetwater on Etsy.

{They don't seem to be available any longer, but they carry some similar items.}

I used the pattern that was included with the ink swatch,

to create the pillow front.

For the pillow backing,

I followed my own free tutorial

for making Covered Zipper Pillow Backings.

This particular pillow finished at 12" x 16",

so I just started with a backing piece that was about 13" x 17".

I decided to attach the zipper cover

about 1/3 of the way across the pillow,

vertically, for extra interest.

I am sew in love with this project!

The lipstick red ink swatch looks great against

some white-on-black polka dots.

{The polka dots look kind of like snowflakes, right?}

On the back,

I've chosen a large red gingham print.

It contrasts well with the polka dots, don't you agree?

I added my little eamylove label,

so my friend knows that I made this pillow just for her!

My little snowman models are cheering for snow.

So far, there's been no snow to shovel here in my neighborhood.

I have a feeling that we'll be seeing some flakes soon, though!

Have a Happy New Year, Friends!

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Handmade Holidays from All Year Long - 2013

I really really really love Christmas...

especially the handmade decorations

and cookies that go along with it.

Last December I finally acknowledged to myself

that the month of December

is probably the month when I actually sew the least!

No wonder, since I do my sewing in the dining room.

That's why I decided to try to make at least one

Christmas-y handmade / handsewn item

every month, during 2013.

Would you like to see a review of my year

of handmade holiday stitching?

January...

a Snowflake pillow made from a vintage quilt.

February...

Mini Christmas stockings from the Fig Tree Quilts pattern.

March...

a Cherry Christmas table runner from the Cotton Way Candy pattern.

April...

a Paper Snowflake Pillow from my own tutorial.

May...

a Divided Basket from the Noodlehead pattern.

June...

Some Christmas gift tags using a tutorial by Nana Company.

July...

First, a Topiary Tree Pillow from my own free tutorial...

and also a Christmas bunting!

August...

Christmas Pinwheel mug rugs.

September...

a Christmas mug rug from The Patchsmith's Ticker Tape pattern.

October...

the Comfort and Joy mug rug of my own design.

November...
was a big finish for me. The Holly Jolly Tree Skirt
really put me in the Christmas spirit.

{I need to make another one for myself!}

and now it's December!

{Will I actually make something this month?  Stay tuned...}

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