A Mug Rug Day

There are times when I need a little gift for a friend, so Tuesday I put my machine to work on mug rugs.  They are easy and quick to make.  I used Insul Bright for the batting to make them heat-proof. It was a change of pace from the machine embroidery applique quilt I am working on. 

It's a Jelly Roll Rug!

The monthly First Wednesday Sewing Group had a lesson about making a jelly roll rug given by Terri Lassen.  Of course I waited until the last minute to get my supplies but Overbrook Quilt Connection had everything I needed.  My jelly roll is a batik with creams, brown, and blacks.  I used black thread throughout and it is hard to see that in the photo. All of the strips were stitched together before the class. After what seemed like never-ending hours of folding and sewing the jelly roll and batting, I was ready to make the rug itself.  I loved sewing the rug shape.  It came out very flat with no touching of the iron.  I am very pleased with it.  If I could just start with the third step, I would make a couple more rugs!

Starting aWonder Quilt

This is the newest quilt that I have started.  I am making the blocks with the black background but made a white background to see if I would like it.  It is washed-out in the photo but it is a pretty block.
The designs are from Sweet Pea Designs which has many colorful machine applique embroidery designs.  They have sizes for most hoops and all formats except ART.  The background is basicgrey grunge and the applique fabrics are all batiks.  One tip I would suggest is after deciding on the thread color, to put that color number on a piece of painter's tape and stick to the batik.  It will save time.  I lay my fabric on the placement stitch and then stitch down.  Sometimes the fabric does not lay as flat as I want and I give it a quick burst of steam to shrink it a bit.  Good luck with your embroidery applique.

An Old Skill

I know some of you won't believe this but I taught myself to crochet many years ago. (I did take knitting lessons in the middle 60's.) I have not tried it in a long time but I saw this pattern on an Operation Christmas Child post and decided I could do that. Google helps me me make sure I am doing the stitches correctly. I must say I am very slow but the cold this winter has given me time to get a few done.  The little bags will be for holding marbles and other treasures.

Baby Sleeping Bag

One of my lastest projects is leading my friends and church in filling Christmas boxes for children through Smaritan's Purse.  I was able to purchase 18 baby dolls at Dollar General last week.  I saw a sleeping bag made of fleece but it was tied on the sides and ends.  I made one and decided that it would take far too much time to tie them.  So this is my baby sleeping bag made from fleece and my serger.  Just a tiny bit of stuffing at the head.  I can make one of these in about 10 minutes.  The baby will go in boxes for girls between two and four to love. 

Mini Diva Wallet

This is a mini diva wallet from Sew Many Creations. The wallet is made from cork and I added the name with machine embroidery.  Cork is one of the newer types of materials in use.  It is easy to stitch on and is soft and pliable.  It does not crack when stitched into a seam.  The cork comes in many colors and is now starting to have printed designs that are very pretty. Give this pattern a try, it is quick and easy.

Christmas Gift

This is one of the pillows that I made for a friend's granddaughter.  I did purchase the cowgirl from Jazzy Zebra.  She has some great designs that I have used before.  The words I developed to go with the theme.  I hope it will be given lots of love.