Wow, I can't believe it's December 26th already.  December 26!  Where did the month go?  (I guess I'd better finish up that Christmas shopping!)  I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday!  I know I've enjoyed having a few days away from work and the unusually sunny weather this month.  


I also finally found the time to replenish my hot pad supply - a project that's been on my list for way too long.  (I might have also gone a little overboard - so if you know me, one of them might just find its way into your kitchen).


Given my new-found love for wonky stars, I thought this would be the perfect project to try them out on. I chose the center fabric first and pulled coordinating fabrics for the points.  My background squares are muslin - maybe not the best choice for something that will be used in the kitchen, but I like the way the lighter color sets off the stars. 


They're fairly quick and easy as long as you don't do this:

(which is what happens when I sew while distracted! Oops!)  

I experimented with different bindings on these, and I have to say, for best overall results, my favorite is still a double fold machine binding.  The self-binding was definitely quickest, and has a certain appeal, but on the reverse double-fold binding I found that with three layers of batting the front-side edges ended up a little too puffy. 

A few rogue 16-patch pot holders snuck into the mix, using a mini-charm pack from Malka Dubrasky's upcoming line, A Stitch in Color, and an improv log cabin, made from scraps.


If all goes well, I'll put up a quick tutorial for the stars over at the annex later this week.

I hope you all had a lovely holiday weekend! Between feasting with friends and raking leaves, I managed to find time to play with some fabric. Stay tuned.....

And we have a winner!

The random number generator has picked Dawn!
Congratulations, Dawn! Please send me a note via the contact link in the shop with your mailing address and I'll get your goodies off to you ASAP.

Thanks to all for playing along!

Sneak Peak + Giveaway.
Take a look at some of the fabric goodness coming to the shop over the next few months!

fresh cut 2011.  heather bailey.  February

modern whimsy.  laurie wisbrun.  january

echo.  lotta Jansdotter.  january.

flea market fancy.  denyse schmidt.  february.

And for a little giveaway.
A bit of swag from the AQMS (after-quilt-market-show):
A Fat-Eighth Bundle of Quilt Blocks by Ellen Luckett Baker for Moda fabrics.
Salt Air mini-charm pack. Cosmo Cricket for Moda.
And charm squares of Garden Party. Jane Dixon for Andover Fabrics.

Leave a comment by Wednesday November 16th to be entered to win!

HOLY CAT TOY, BATMAN!

Sorry. I couldn't resist.
I also couldn't resist the google eyes. Even though I suspect they'll have a life expectancy of about 3 minutes once in the hands paws of a cat. Next time I'll be more practical and use felt or fabric paint. This particular guy was made for a friend's new kitten, but considering that Finn was practically scaling the bookcase to get to it, I'm sure there will be more in my future.
I made it up as I went using a small scrap of home dec fabric and velcro at the top closure so more catnip could be added, or the feather replaced as needed. It can't get much simpler than that!

Still at it.
 I'm trying hard not to feel like a failure at my first quilt along - I have been injured after all - but, I kind-of feel like failure. At least in terms of being able to stay on schedule.
I have been slowly working away on them when I'm able, and am quite pleased to say that I'm down to my last one! I finished up block 12 today (too late to photograph) and now all that's left is block 7. (I know, out of order, but all those equilateral triangles have me a bit freaked out!)

Snack Attack:  The best snack bag ever:  a tutorial.
That's right.  The BEST.

While there are several great tutorials out there for reusable cloth snack/lunch bags, as well as ones for sale, I'm a bit picky.

You see, in my mind, velcro and crumbs just don't go well together.  Zippers are too bulky and time consuming to use for snacks that might need to be eaten right away.  And exposed seams on the inside?  Not my thing.

It left me only one option:  design my own.

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit how long it took me to figure out something so simple, (and how long it has taken me since to put together a tutorial), but getting everything so it flipped right-side out the right way with all seams concealed was challenging.  Perhaps I thought about it too much?   Once I started sewing, it made much more sense, and these little pouches came together very quickly.

I used standard cotton for the outside - both as full pieces and some with patchwork/applique for a little added fun.  On the inside, I tried to use organic cotton.  It just felt better, although I think once washed, standard would be fine.  An average size bag uses a little less than a quarter yard of fabric - and is perfect for those largish scraps lurking around the sewing room.

Full tutorial can be found here - just in time for back to school (or work) lunches!  Happy snacking!