Mug rugs and other cute things...

Here's a quick look at my weekend!  I spent it in wonderful Door County, where we had almost perfect weather!  Just a little rain on Saturday night, but besides that it was beautiful!  Activities included shopping, multiple wine tastings, visits to The Farm (a great petting zoo), a Segway tour, and shopping in downtown Sturgeon Bay.  And of course, right when I came home, I sat at my machine and created this cutesy mug rug for a co-worker!  Hope you all had an amazing weekend and are enjoying the nice weather while it lasts!

I'm linking up to WIP at Freshly Pieced this week! 

Crazy, Crazy September!

I feel horrible that I haven't added much to the blog this month, but I've been ridiculously busy!  In the beginning of the month, I applied for another second job...and was accepted!  So I put in notice at Panera, where I've worked since 2009, when I graduated from Grad school and couldn't find a job, at the very start of the recession.  I've worked there for the last two years as weekend employee,  since I took a job as a receptionist at an Ophthalmologist office.  Well, on top of getting a new job, a part-time position at a local quilt shop (yes...I will TRY not to leave my paycheck there...), I also got a promotion at the office job.  So....essentially, two new jobs, all the excitement and stress that comes with that, and I get this WONDERFUL cold that's going around.  Essentially I was out of commission for a week.  

Now on top of this, I had to finish my Shot Cotton challenge quilt by the last week of this month, before I leave for vacation!  No stress....nope, none of that.  Essentially, I do have a project finished, however I can't share it because it's suppose to be anonymous and I hope a few guild members will look at this post.  So I'll be sharing about a lovely pattern I bought before all the crazy happened.

I saw it on a WIP post a few weeks ago and just fell in love!   It's called 'Aspen Glow'  by Cora's Quilts and the fabric collection used is 'Winter's Lane' by Kate & Birdie Paper Co. for Moda.  I'm hoping to start this one soon, especially if I'm giving it as a Christmas gift! Perhaps it's best to set a goal for St. Nick's, so she can display it for the season?

You can find the PDF pattern and a few kits at her Etsy shop, Cora's Quilts.  

I also worked on a blanket for my Aunt, who adopted the cutest little cocker spaniel puppy, named Marley.  He was born without eyes, so she wanted a nice, soft blanket for him to cuddle with.  My Uncle is a huge comic collector and when I saw this fleece in the remnants bin at Jo-Ann's, I knew this was the theme for little Marley.  Here's a picture of Marley and the blanket that I made for him.  

Marley at his vet appointment

 In his playpen with the superhero's blanket!

Fleece on one side and a mix of flannel and a woven fabric I had leftover.  The blanket was not filled with batting....because we ALL know puppies love chewing and ripping things to shreds!!!

I saw this at Target the other day and thought Quilty!!!!!  It's so pretty and colorful.  Imagine decorating a kitchen around this type of design.  A lovely, colorful mess!  I'll have another post probably next week, once I get my head back on straight and begin the next project...I have quite the list to work through!

WIP Wednesday

I love holidays, but this week seems like it's speeding by!  I've two current works-in-progress right now.  First, this simple quilt top that I finished on Labor Day--which was not a day without work!  I think I worked hardest that day!

I'm thinking of matching the pretty turquoise for the back and stitching it in hot pink.  A simple outline of the seams for the quilting.  Any thoughts on the binding?  Eventually this will be for sale on my Etsy shop, Cozy Crafts.   My other WIP is for the Milwaukee Quilt Guild 'Shot Cotton Challenge'.  My color is Blueberry and it's the fabric around the edges.

The quilting is slow going, probably because I made the excellent decision to quilt inside the diamonds. Oh, did I mention I'm also using a thicker batting?  I believe it was Soft 'n' Crafty from Polyfil.  Ha, I did want a thicker blanket, but perhaps I've bitten of more than I (or my machine) can chew.  The loft is 3/4". 

And I've finally decided to label my quilts!    Here's my label, it's just waiting for me to figure out exactly what I want it to say.  Btw, the quilt back is fabric from V&Co. collection, Simply Style, 'Eggplant, So Hexy' and some 'Eggplant, Eyelet' on the front panels.  The binding will also be done in Eggplant.  Think I'm a bit partial to that color this Summer?

I'm linking up with Freshly Pieced. 

Modkid Studio for Jo-Ann Fabrics

So I had to get a few things from Jo-Ann Fabrics today to finish a project I'm doing for a friend.  So, of course I took advantage of the Labor Day Sale.  And of course I had to go down the fabric isle...even though I was just there for some notions.  DANGER!! DANGER!! I found the cutest new fabric line 'Rendezvous' by Modkid, designed especially for Jo-Ann's.   Be prepared to have your Jo-Ann's coupons handy, 'cause this line is great!  I ended up buying 11 pieces!  So on top of my expensive notions, some new Fiskars 'Amplify' scissors and a 50 pk of Clover clips, I bought fabric.  Hope you like, cause I just smile looking at it!  Perhaps I'll use this for the Sewing Circle Tote that the Modern Quilt Guild Milwaukee is doing?