The Patchsmith's Sampler Sew-Along - blocks 1, 2, and 3

Hello, Friends!

Have you ever joined a sew-along?
I would highly recommend one that is going on right now
over at The Patchsmith's lovely blog:

To get started, order your copy of the book,
The Patchsmith's Sampler Quilt Blocks here on Craftsy.
There are 50 amazing blocks,
fun for anyone to create, 
whether you are an experienced stitcher, 
or someone who is just developing your sewing skills!

The book is priced at only $12.99 - what a bargain!
It's in PDF format, and you can choose to print any or all pages.
I'm just using the computer or my phone for instructions, only printing
template pages as necessary, for applique pieces.

Photo from The Patchsmith blog, showing patchwork and applique blocks

If you're just starting out on your sewing journey as a beginner,
DoYouSew.com is a wonderful resource with some great information!


Today I'm sharing my first three blocks from the sampler book.

For my blocks, I've been using some leftover jelly roll strips
from a line called Simply Sweet by Barbara Jones of Quilt Soup.
I've had it in my stash for a good long time.

{Like...9 years!!! hahahaha}

Block 1 - Brick Wall,was the perfect place to start.
There were lots of little pieces, but no seams to match.

For the Guiding Star block (#2),
I selected four different colors of stars to make.
My background for the blocks is a tonal white dot print,
and I like the way it sets off the bright prints.

The third block was a Watermelon block, mostly patchwork,
but with a tiny applique accent.
I love to cut out my pieces when I have time,
then stitch them up in no time.

This little block comes together quickly,
from the inside out.
Look at the finished patchwork - very cute, huh?

And now...The Patchsmith adds her design magic...
little black appliques for the "pips".
What a difference they make!

I'll be continuing my sampler journey here on the blog,
and I would love to have you join me!

Find more photos by following me on Instagram.
I am @eamylove.The Patchsmith and I are no strangers to sew-alongs.
We became fast friends as a result of the Zakka Style Sew Along
years ago...maybe YOU can meet lifelong friends through the Patchsmith's Sampler Sew-Along!

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Sweetwater Mug Rugs

Hello, Friends!

I'm almost ready for Christmas...how about you?

Earlier this week, the scene was set with some

beautiful snow.

I love to sit near the window with a cup of cocoa

and a little treat.

Hershey's Kisses are my favorite chocolate snack!

Not long ago...

Sweetwater fabrics blogged about a box of fabric

that I couldn't resist.

I ordered one almost before I finished reading the post!

The box of Christmas goodness arrived quickly, 
and I was not disappointed!

I kind of hoard collect Sweetwater fabrics,

and I took great joy in creating a few mug rugs

to give as presents this year.

I mostly used the fabrics that came in my box,

but I had some of this fabulous Feed Company plaid

that was just right for the bindings.

I had purchased this plaid mug from Pottery Barn

and I love the way it looks with each of these

black and red mug rugs.

Other mugs look pretty, too, though...

here's a classic pedestal mug, called Heritage,
 that I've had for many years, made by Pfaltzgraff.

I've got a sweet little Dept. 56 Scotties mug

that looks inviting, too.

This is how it looks with one of my favorite

designs by The Patchsmith!

Pattern: Scotties and Westies, available here.

Here's the same mug,

featured with the Sweetwater snowflake.

The designs by Sweetwater are so cute...

this snowman will bring cheer all winter long.

The snowflake design is so pretty and simple.

It sets off fabrics exquisitely.

I love the black and red theme,

but I also made up a couple of mug rugs

in aqua and red.

I hope this mug rug brings JOY to its recipient.

A little star will shine in the snow

all winter long.

I love the dash of aqua in that plaid binding.

These mug rugs will be given as gifts

to some special folks.

Stop by again soon,
for some more winter mug rugs,
made for more special people!

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Happy Halloween!

Halloween is here!

I've made some new mug rugs to celebrate.

Both patterns are from The Patchsmith.

The first one is the Primitive Pumpkin Mug Rug.

This pattern is available individually,

or in the Halloween and Thanksgiving Mug Rugs E-book.

I had the most fun creating the pumpkin

from a variety of orange fabrics in my stash.

The Patchsmith method was so innovative and easy...

as are all of her designs!

I couldn't resist making a Jack-O-Lantern mug rug, too!

For this mug rug,

I used the Pumpkin Patch Mug Rug pattern.

Once the basic mug rug was stitched,

I jazzed it up using The Patchsmith's

FREE bonus pattern

for Pumpkin Face Appliques.

I like those missing teeth...

someone's been eating too much candy.

I finished both of these off using my own 

Machine Binding Tutorial.

These mug rugs look almost as nice on the back, 

if I say so myself!

I hope you'll have a chance to make your own mug rugs,

then enjoy a nice cup of hot cider 

and a sweet treat this Halloween!

Don't worry, though, if you're too late for Halloween...

pumpkins are welcome all the way through November!

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Spring and Summer - Reversible Mug Rug

Do you remember when I showed you

my reversible mug rug,

with one side decorated for Autumn...

and the other side ready for Winter?

Ummm...I bet you also remember that I only

showed one side at a time,

rather than both sides in the same post.

This time I'm going to have mercy...

I'll show both sides today!

Let's get going with Springtime tulips,

featuring yet another block

from the Quilty Fun book by Lori Holt.

I used two of the tulips

without any sashing between them.

I chose some of my favorite Bake Sale prints,

also designed by Lori Holt.

I really love the solid green fabric

for the leaves...very lifelike!

A little bit of quilting around the edges finished

the flowers off sweetly and neatly.

For the Summer side,

I turned to my other go-to designer...

The Patchsmith!

This time I used the Ice Cream Sundae Mug Rug pattern.

Nothing says summertime

like a cold and creamy ice cream sundae, right?

Some fresh fruit tops it all off,

and I really {heart} those red cherries!

My mug rug came out kind of large,

so I added a straw to the sundae...

and now it's more of a SODA!

I live in western Pennsylvania, where a soda has ice cream

and pop, mixed together. 

{Over in eastern PA, where my sister Susie lives,

you don't get any ice cream with your "soda".  It's just plain POP!}

;)

My Cath Kidston mugs look so adorable with both sides,

don't you agree?

I think I'll be making more mug rugs from these designs,

one at a time, some other day...

while I dream of sunny seasons.

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Christmas Ticker Tape Mug Rug

Have you ever seen a pattern that just begs you to make it?

That happened to me, the moment I first saw

The Patchsmith's design for

the Ticker Tape Mug Rug!

{So many of Amanda's patterns call out to me, that I have trouble keeping up with them.}

Ticker Tape Mug Rug by The Patchsmith

I turned to the Ticker Tape mug rug pattern

this month, as I made my monthly Christmas project.

I was inspired by the red holiday version that Amanda created.

Here's my interpretation, using my Cherry Christmas bundle!

I drew a sketch for a similar mug rug in my sewing journal,

but unlike The Patchsmith,

I had never executed the idea into an actual design.

What a pleasure it was to just follow

the most excellent instructions

and wind up with THE cutest holiday mug rug ever!

Do you notice the one deviation from the pattern?
I added the big red appliqued bow to the main square,

so it would look like a Christmas present!

I was inspired by this Tiny Treasures pattern

from Pieces From My Heart,

using the little teeny Moda candy squares,

which I also have on my {long} list of

patterns that are begging to be made.

Tiny Treasures pattern by Sandy Gervais

In no time I was finished creating this festive

and functional mini quilt.

Instead of blanket stitching,

I chose to straight-stitch

along the raw edges of each block,

with a stitch length shortened one notch to a 2.0.

Perfect tension made it look

just as good on the back as the front!

All of the mug rugs I make are reversible.

I chose a favorite print from Cherry Christmas

for the backing.

Those are Santa's clothes hanging out to dry.

I love using Pellon 987F fusible fleece, 

so that the mug rug is smooth and flat.

No spilled cocoa from a lumpy surface!

I used my own free Machine Binding Tutorial,

found here, to finish the edges with

my favorite aqua holly print.

{Sigh...}

Wouldn't this make a lovely Christmas present?

Sorry...this one's mine to keep. 

I could be coaxed into making more, though! 

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