Cars and Trucks, Oh My...a Quilt for Kids

At long last, a new quilt design to share. I've been working on this fun wall hanghing for babies and kids since July of this year, but it was sidelined as the seasons changed and I took on new editing work in addition to my part-time office job at a pre-school. I had such fun designing this new quilt for kids, featuring vehicles that kids love. Wouldn't it be the perfect wall hanging for a child's room? Toddlers will love this bright and colorful quilted wall hanging...and it's a great teaching tool for words and colors, too!

The pattern is designed for raw-edge fusible applique and many of the pieces in the each of the nine blocks (finished size, 8" square) are large so doing machine-blanket stitching around them is an easy way to add details and protect the raw edges. For smaller pieces, especially those with curves, I prefer a short, narrow zigzag stitch. With the exception of the sashing pieces, border, and binding, and the block background pieces, you can use scraps, fat quarters and fat eighths for the appliques. Follow the pattern to a T for the colors, or choose your own colors for each of the fun blocks.

Little Red Car

Ice Cream Truck

Green Tractor

Black-and-White Cruiser

Yellow School Bus

Orange Delivery Truck

Red Fire Truck

Big Blue Dump Truck

Purple Pick-up

 As with all of my patterns, this one is available as a PDF download for sale at Craftsy. 
www.craftsy.com/quilting/patterns/cars-and-trucks-oh-my-a-quilt-for-kids/470692

Until next time...hopefully not so long,
Keep smiling and sewing...and Happy Holidays from me to you!

Another New Mug Rug Pattern

I just might be addicted--to mug rugs. During the past month, I've designed many and completed 11 patterns. They are such fun to design using Electric Quilt 7, and they're so fast to make--talk about a little piece of instant gratification! I'm pleased to announce that my Turkey Time Quilted Thanksgiving Mug Rug has just joined the holiday parade in my pattern shop at www.craftsy.com.








Because mug rugs remind me of a nice cup of hot coffee, and coffee is always better with a sweet treat, this new pattern also includes two of my favorite harvest-time recipes: Streusel-Topped Pumpkin Pie and Easy Pumpkin Walnut Muffins. So grab your scrap box, search your fat quarters, and stitch up a batch of these fun mug rugs for your holiday table or to give as gifts. Then try one of my favorite recipes for Thanksgiving-time treats. Enjoy!

Until next time,
Keep sewing, quilting, crafting, and smiling!
Barbara

Mug Rugs...I'm Not Done Yet!

My sewing room is a mess, my sewing machine needs to go to the Dr. (the bobbin won't come out--maybe it's just too tired!), and I need to start a new tote bag pattern. I'm tidying up today, but there are more mug rug designs on the drawing board for sure!  I made two more this weekend and posted them to my http://www.craftsy.com/user/153303/pattern-store. And now I'm cleaning up the studio so I can begin another sewing "mess."

The Witch's Best Bonnet Mug Rug

First, I thought my first witch-themed mug rug needed a companion so here's her hat: The Witch's Best Bonnet. As you can see, the ribbon on her hat coordinates with the skirt in the companion, The Witch's Ruby Red Slippers. I think she needs a black cat (designed, but not stitched yet), and maybe a broom or a cauldron (yet to be designed).

The Witch's Ruby Red Slippers

"Owl" Always Love You!

I also made "Owl Always Love You!. He's a sweet little owl who wears his heart on his chest for all to see. Don't know why he looks so sad--maybe his sweetie left him? Change his eyes and his "look" will change, too

He's made in fall colors, but could be done in a multitude of color schemes.

I hope you will check out all my other mug rug patterns at http://www.craftsy.com/user/153303/pattern-store
as well as my totes, accessories, and quilts.



Until next time,
Keep on sewing and quilting and crafting!
Barbara

The Witch's Ruby Red Slippers--Another Halloween Mug Rug

It's all about those red slippers!

This little mug rug is super fast to make! Just piece a simple background (wall and floor) and then fuse the appliques  in place (complete with a hole in the wall for a mouse). Layer it for quilting and then zigzag the appliques in place. Add more quilting as desired. It just doesn't get much easier. 

These are so much fun! Like eating potato chips--I'll bet you can't make just one! Make in sets and choose lots of different fabrics for the skirt, stockings, and ruffle. Sets are more fun if every witch is different--just don't touch those ruby reds!

For even more fun, check out my other Halloween Mug Rug patterns in my Craftsy Store at  http://www.craftsy.com/user/153303/pattern-store

Look for: 

Dracula, My Darling Mug Rug

Perky Pumpkin Mug Rug

A Ghostly Scream Mug Rug

Frankly Frankenstein Mug Rug

If you've never made mug rugs, try one of mine--but be careful, you might get hooked! I'm ready to design and make some for Christmas!

Until next time,

Keep sewing and quilting and crafting!

Barbara

Bet You Can't Make Just One Halloween Mug Rug

For awhile now, I've been noticing mug rugs everywhere. They continue to be in the Top Twenty Best Sellers at www.craftsy.com. Finally, I took some time to design one and before I knew it, I had designed eight or so. Believe me, the designing took longer than it does to make one! They are super quick to make. Since it's the bewitching month, my first designs are all for Halloween--and since they are so fast to stitch up, you can certainly make up a batch or two to use for the remainder of the month.
So here are the first four of my ghoulishly easy Mug Rugs!

The background for each face is foundation-paper-pieced--a full-size pattern is included in each pattern. All of the features are fused in place, and then zigzagged as part of the quilting. Since each one measures only 5-1/2" x 9-1/2", fabric requirements are minimal. They are great stash busters! In addition to fabrics, you'll need batting and your favorite fusible web. A set of four different mug rugs, or a set of four of your favorite design, would make a great gift!

You'll find all four of these quick-and-easy PDF downloadable patterns at my Craftsy store--http://www.craftsy.com/user/153303/pattern-store

Each pattern is just $2.50. Even if you don't make them right away, once purchased, the patterns will always be in your pattern library at Craftsy to download when you are ready to have a little stitching therapy! 

Until next time,
Keep smiling, sewing, and quilting!
Barbara

It's About Time!

I can't believe it's over a year since I last wrote a post. No excuses other than busy with life. Since March, I've been working exclusively on my pattern line. Since I learned to design in Electric Quilt 7, I've been playing a lot with quilt designs and have developed a few new patterns. The very latest one is 'Tis the Season...A Holiday Wall Hanging. I've done it in my favorite colors--pink and green--but think it would be wonderful in a two-color theme, too, such as shades of blue and silver.. Or for a more modern twist, try teal and coral! It's quick to make because it's all done with fusible applique. I stitched around each applique after fusing using the blanket stitch on my wonderful Bernina artista 730. I've loved using it for quiltmaking this year, but embroidery is fun, too, and it does a superb job at that!

Since I last posted, I added a shopping cart to my website (www.joyofsewing.com) so you can purchase my patterns with ease. I've updated all of my older patterns and added new ones. You'll find patterns for tote bags, quilts, and placemats. Many of them are no longer available at quilt shops but they're really wonderful (at least I think so). And almost all of them are available as PDF downloads so you don't pay shipping and you can have your copy in a matter of minutes. Technology sure makes life easier! I hope you'll visit the website and go to my online store for a look at the twenty patterns that are available there!
More to come!