Mug rugs

I recently found this link to a tutorial on making mug rugs using the QAYG (quilt-as-you-go) method.

Here is the result of me playing with some strips of scraps: Two good-looking mug rugs of approximately 6" x 8". They are made to fit into a standard size envelope.

A nice, little project, and I think I would use this technique more. It is also good to know that I only used scraps (plus a little bit of thread...)

Keep on sewing and quilting!

Hip-Hopscotch quilt completed!

In September last year,  Quiltmaker organized a Back to School Party, where an easy quilt project was started. Step by step instructions were given over the course of one week. I saved the instructions and made the quilt top before the year was over.

I decided to finish the quilt as my ALYoF Goal for February.

Here the quilt is hanging over my porch wall. I hurried home from work today to catch the last decent daylight. We had a very nice and sunny day today, but there was a nasty, cold wind that tried to ruin the good feeling.

As you can see, there is very little snow in my yard. Normally in late February, we would have a huge snow pile where I took the picture. With the relatively warm weather we have now, I guess the snow will be gone by tomorrow.

The quilt is approximately 48" x 60" before being washed and dried. The backing is Britten Number from Ikea, on of my favorites. I free-motion quilted loops and daisies all over the quilt, using my almost 50 years old Pfaff and a variegated green Aurifil thread. My old sewing machine runs like clockwork, and is amazing to quilt with. My only objection is that it doesn't have a needle-down function, but you can't have it all with a vintage workhorse like that, right?!

My porch floor is also snow-free and dry. I used only fabrics from my stash for this quilt, but it doesn't seem to have made a big dent in my piles...

The old (and dead) plum tree is a good quilt stand. The last rays of sun  really compliment the quilt.

With this, I have reached my ALYoF goal for February, and it is my second completed UFO for 2015, in addition to being my second finish in the 2015 Finish-Along hosted by Adrianne at On the Windy Side.

Link to my original goal post: 2015 Q1 Goals.

Keep on quilting!

Linked up to Linky Tuesday and Let's Bee Social .

QM Bitty Blocks

Here are the my Bitty Blocks made by the instructions from QM Bitty Blocks from Quiltmaker's blog, Quilty Pleasures. I am pleased with the design of the blocks for the two first months of the year.

I am making these in-between all the other projects I am doing, and I really don't have time making them, but they are just so adorable!

Today, another project took priority; only a few days left of the month, and I spent the day basting and free motion quilting this month's goal for ALYoF, and I am currently hand-sewing the binding to the back. Hope to finish it tomorrow, or the day after, and then I will show off the quilt in all its glory.

Until then: Happy quilting!


Linked up to WIP Wednesday .

Project in-between

I was tempted to join making the QM Bitty Blocks featured in the QuiltyPleasures blog. So far I have made the row of  bow ties, and now started on the 4.5" basket blocks.

It gives me great joy working with these tiny pieces, I use only "scraps" for these blocks.

I also have to start working on my projects for the Tree Bird blog hop that I have joined.

And last, but not least, I have to get my ALYoF goal for February quilted and finished. February is a short month! Keep on quilting!

Quilt Doodle BOM 2015 - February's Block

February's Teapot is here, in all its glory. This could be a teapot taken out from any British TV series, like Downton Abbey. I love the paisley design on it! The little white table topper is so delicate with the yellow edging; I really long for a nice cup of tea!

These monthly appliqué projects are so relaxing, I enjoy working with the tiny details and really slow down. Cindy is a great pattern designer!

Projects completed

I just remembered that I haven't posted pictures of the bag I made in a weekend class in the middle of last month. So here it is:

This is the bag in question, designed by the Norwegian designer André Wallenborg. During the weekend class we managed to sew and complete this bag, and it is so satisfying to bring home a completed project after a class! I chose a home decor fabric from Ikea for the main fabric. I think it gives the bag a sporty look.

I learned a lot during the class, both smart solutions concerning sewing techniques, and things I didn't know about my sewing machine!

The black fabric is cotton duck, and that gives the bag solidity and sturdiness. The black fabric also gives a nice finish and calm down the kind of busy design of the fabric. The size of the bag is perfect for a carry-on bag in airplane trips.

Today I also finished this table runner, the second in a row I just had to make for gifts this month. Sorry about the lighting, it was snowing like crazy outside when I took the picture.

The runner was made using a tutorial from  Missouri Star Quilt Company .The size of the table runner is approximately 14" x 28". I used smaller squares than what is used in the tutorial, so I used more squares to get a decent size. Now both runners are ready to give away.

Happy quilting!

Table Runner finished

I stitched the binding on this table runner yesterday, and now it is officially completed. All the fabrics are from Connecting Threads, there are six different neutrals plus the cream inner border.

I quilted the runner in a quite dense grid design. I used the six neutrals for a scrappy binding.

I used a brown flannel with leaf design from my stash for the back. The finished size for the runner is approximately 18" x 42".

Linked up to Linky Tuesday, Fabric Frenzy Friday and Link a finish Friday.

ALYoF 2015: February Goal

January went so fast, but I achieved my goal for the month. February is 3 days shorter, so there's even less time to accomplish my goal, but I think it's achievable this month, too.

My goal for February is to baste, quilt and bind this Hip-Hopscotch top. It is a lap-sized quilt. It will be a gift when it is finished.

Keep on quilting!

Linked up to Cooking Up Quilts.