Some little stuff

I've been entertaining myself with lots of little projects lately in addition to the larger stuff I'm working on.

The Heather Bailey pattern for pincushion/stuffed animals starting with the elephants:

Some old scraps elephants for a two year old birthday partygift.

Michael Miller Elephants for my little who.

I've got some more of these in the works.

I really really was terrible at making softies the first few times I tried.

So I quit trying.

Who knew that a pattern could help so much.

HAHAHAHA!

I rarely sew with patterns, but I learned my lesson on these...

Nostalgia hot pads.

Nostalgia Coasters.

Bar Harbor Coasters.

In the shop (except for the elephants).

New Coasters

Had a coaster day last week... took me this long to get it posted.

I've been distracted, by my sewing machine!

I'm working on a Christmas table topper (I know, I'm being a little premature... but the fabric was talking to me!).

More of that later... and the boy baby quilt I'm making too!

The winner is...

And the winner for the coaster set giveaway is... drumroll please...

Ben and Ashley

(courtesy of my 2 year old pulling number 6 out of a box).

I know, super technical. Maybe next time I'll use the random number generator.

She's pretty unbiased though!

Anyway, Congratulations!

Send me an email at frivolousnecessity.gmail.com with your address so I can send them to you!!

Thanks everyone for all of your comments, I'll have another giveaway soon so stay tuned.

Just can't get enough

Today was my first "break" in three weeks from the three kids problem. I was babysitting two in addition to my one little "who" while doing my usual sewing. I needed the down time today. So... I only did a little sewing today and enjoyed the fact that my little "who" is now totally potty trained and now tells me when it's time to go. Previously, she would leave that responsibility to me. I loving not monitoring her drinking habits with a clock!

I know, I know, I just can't get enough of the coasters this week...

but at least there's a little variation - binding done ever so tediously - still 4.5" x 4.5" finished.

But, I'll show you a little preview of a part of the project to be posted tomorrow...

so make sure you stop by to check it out. (Think baby quilt and accessory item.)

3 More Days for the Giveaway

The giveaway for these coasters (set of 6) will end February 14th!!
See post HERE to enter the drawing!

A little project today... a bigger one tomorrow.

Well, this is all I have to show you today...

there's a larger project that hopefully will be finished tonight/tomorrow for your viewing pleasure!

These coasters are just a modified version of the tutorial I posted here.

For the top of the coaster you just need to sew 6 (5" x 1.25") strips together lengthwise and square each block to 5" x 5"... complete as directed in the tutorial!

Charm squares and jelly roll strip scraps work great for this!

Wonky Scrappy Coaster Tutorial and Giveaway!

So the promised coaster tutorial is ready for your creating!

**this means something got finished and I am a very happy me**

These make awesome gifts and let you use up all the delicious bits of your favorite fabrics.

These instructions are for 1 coaster (gotta simply for me, and you can multiply right?). So for each coaster you will need...

2 (5" x 5") squares of fabric for back and front (not the patches)

2 (4.5" x 4.5") squares of cotton batting

5 (1.5" x 1.5") square fabric scrap **mine are from Moda's Objects of Desire**

And the usual: scissors, sewing machine, coordinating thread, ruler, cutting mat, rotary cutter, and something to poke out corners.

Sew 5 (1.5" x 1.5") into a strip and press seams open.

Lay strip over one (5" x 5") block such that it overhangs both sides but is not horizontal - we're going for wonky here people. Line up your ruler so that the edge is in the middle of the block strip. Then, without moving the cream fabric, pull the block strip out and cut the (5" x 5") block on the diagonal.

Align the strip block (right sides together) with the edge that was just cut (making sure that when you open it you will be able to square the sides) and sew together. Open and press.

Trim off the excess from both sides of the strip block.

Align the other cream top piece with the strip block (notice the overlaps on each end match so when it is sewn and opened it will be square) and sew together. Open and press.

Trim to (5" x 5") square.

Place 2 (4.5" x 4.5") squares of cotton batting on the back of your coaster top.

Quilt as desired to hold the batting in place for turning.

Line up the (5"x 5") backing square with the quilted coaster top. Sew around leaving a 2.5-3" gap on one side for turning.

Clip corners. I do a 45 and two 30 degree clips on each one so that the corners are a little pointier. Of course, it's up to you.

Turn coasters right side out, tuck the opening in and top stitch around the edge, very closely! Sometimes I like to do this twice for decorative effect.

Admire the coasters you have made!! Please post links to pictures of your projects in the comments!

And... my blog's first giveaway.

This set of coasters can be yours if you just follow my blog and leave a comment telling me.

Drawing will be held Feb. 14th so you might just earn yourself a little Valentine's present! Thanks and good luck!

-F.N.

Update

Update: the coasters are done and have been added to the shop, the banner must wait another day. I just think these little fabric coasters make fabulous hostess gifts, stocking stuffers, etc. And they are a great little creative outlet for me to try something on a small scale. Make that a very small scale. The husband was watching me do the piecing on these coasters and kept asking, how are you going to do anything with those tiny little pieces? I just kept telling him to wait until I finished at least before asking questions. We all know that will never happen. :o)

A little sneak peek of the Christmas banner... maybe I'll finish it tomorrow, but I might get side tracked by a coaster set in the interim as I need to go buy some fabric for the binding/ties. Here's to some happy holiday shopping!