So-Easy charm-pack quilt

I just had to share this with you:

Ingredients: * 36--5" squares * 2-1/2 yards of fabric * approx. 50" square of batting (I use warm & natural--or warm & white in this case) * quilt basting spray (I like june tailor brand from Joann's--don't forget your 40% coupon!) * your choice of thread * safety pins

Instructions:

Cut your 2-1/2 yards of fabric in half so you have two pieces that measure 1-1/4 yards (or 45" square).

Lay your charms (5" squares) in 6 rows of 6 in a manner pleasing to you on the pretty side of one piece of fabric. (Okay, note: I like to do things fast, so I did not mark/measure/etc. my rows in a meticulous fashion. Needless to say, they are not perfect, but then, neither am I. I quilt for my own fun. That said, feel free to be way more precise, if you'd like. That is good, too.)

Now, use the basting spray on the back of each square and stick 'em on the fabric. Don't be scared, with the spray I use you can easily move them around if needed.


You are ready to make your quilt "sandwich"--yes, now!


Take the other 1-1/4 piece of fabric and lay it nice side down. Then put your batting on top of it. Then, grab your spouse, friend--basically, two more hands--and put your quilt top on top of your batting. Now, pin a safety pin in smack dab in the center of each 5" square. Yes, you just basted your quilt. You are so ready to sew.


Here's a closer-up of the stitching lines:

Using my 1/4" foot, I just sew a straight line of stitches from the top of the quilt to the bottom of the quilt, first on the right side then the left side of each row of 5" squares (refer to above photo). Do this across the whole quilt. Then, flip your quilt 1/4 turn and do the same thing again. You will now have a bunch of nifty straight stitching lines across your quilt.

Now, wash your quilt--this time I just used cold water, gentle cycle, a little Tide--and then dry it. (So far I've done that twice.) Loving it. Oh, right--don't forget to bind. (As evidenced by my pictures, no binding has occured yet. But it will.)

A couple of notes: the basting spray is nice and sticky. Be prepared to clean off the bottom of your presser foot at least once during stitching. Also, my machine was very happy to get a new needle after stitching--it got rather gummy during this project.

Did not expect to turn this into a tutorial. Just wanted to show you pictures, but you must try this! It took just about 3-4 hours. Please let me know if I can clarify anything (does that go without saying?). Have fun! And remember, easy-peasy!

Seriously...I'm still here!

Okay, I took the summer off blogging. Not on purpose, really, I just got caught up in having the kids out of school, taking a design class at the local college--basically running around like a crazy woman. But, I am sooo back! Must tell you about the cool giveaway going on over at Simplify, www.camilleroskelley.typepad.com (I really need to figure out the simple link-thing that everyone else seems to know how to do). A gal with a super-cute Etsy site is giving away a camera strap cover--and you know from my last post how I feel about those!

So, enjoy checking out Camille's blog and enter the contest--good luck!

Liven up your camera--make (or buy) a camera strap cover

I found a great tutorial for making your own camera strap cover at Cluck. Cluck. Sew.'s blog. You can click on her blog link over to the right under my blog list, and see her awesomely fun projects. She has the camera strap tutorial over on the right side of her blog, and it's so easy it's fun! This cover is actually the second one I made (just the other day), and it literally took less than an hour.

Here's the first cover I made--

I think they're a great way to dress up a pretty dull (but necessary!) camera accessory. And, you add a little padding, and it definitely makes carrying your camera more comfy. But, say you really don't want to make your own, then check out cottoncandybynatalie.blogspot.com. She makes gorgeous camera straps, and she'll even custom-make one for you. Her etsy shop is cottoncandybynatalie.etsy.com. Whatever way you go, you'll have such a fancy camera strap you'll feel like a whole new person! Okay, maybe not, but it's fun anyways!

Quick baby gift

I'm pleased with how this super-easy flannel receiving blanket turned out! It only took about 1 1/2 hours total, and it's so soft. I made it for the baby of another quilting-mom, and since it gets to be in the 100s degree-wise here, I didn't add any batting, so she can use it as a carrier-cover or just a lay-on-the-ground blankie for hanging out. My daughter helped me with the design, using three different flannels and the fun brown rickrack to dress it up a bit. Sometimes don't you just love a fast finish?!

And the winners are...

#117--Robin in New Jersey, 5/28/09 2:31 p.m.--chenille burpcloths

#44--Kate, 5/27/09 3:30 p.m.--minkee blanket

and

#208--camilledawn.com 5/31/09 11:52 a.m.--jelly roll

Yea!! I'm so excited for the awesome response to my giveaways; thanks to everyone who took the time to comment. I've read every comment, and am about halfway through the blogs/websites you all were kind enough to share with me. There are so many talented people around, it's great to get acquainted with all of you! I LOVE giving things away, so I'll definitely do it again! In the meantime, keep creating!!

(P.S. to the winners: I've emailed each of you, so check your in-boxes!)

Giveaway!

I've got three fun items to give away:

A set of two chenille-backed burpcloths (made by yours truly!);

A super-soft minkee-backed flannel baby blanket (also made by me);

And, lastly, a Red, White and Bold jelly roll!

Here's how it goes: I am anxious to get to know you, so I'd like you to leave me a comment telling me your favorite crafting genre (like quilting, scrapbooking, painting, etc.), and a link to your blog (if you've got one) so that I can check it out(!), and I will choose three winners by random numbers on June 1. So, yes, that means you can leave me a comment anytime before 11:59 p.m. (MST) on May 31. I'll post the winners on June 1. (Oh, and I'm only able to ship within the U.S.)

Extra good luck for my giveaway, and, don't forget to check out all the other giveaways, too. Thanks to SewMamaSew for hosting this incredible event!

Confused

In doing a little checking (i.e. actually looking at my calendar), I noticed that the 27th is actually Wednesday. So...please come check for the giveaway Wednesday. And forgive my brain.