Ellie Travel Case

If you haven't checked out Heidi Staples at Fabric Mutt you really should.  She has a new book out called Sew Organized for the Busy Girl.  She also has a bunch of great tutorials on her blog.  One excellent one is the Ellie Travel Case.  I made the larger version using some Anna Maria Horner fat quarters and some Essex Linen in denim.  The directions are easy to follow and it was good practice for making a structured bag and putting in a big zipper.  I used Annie's Soft and Stable in between which is very easy to work with. It's really flexible while you are sewing, the bag holds its shape perfectly, and it's very lightweight.  I used orange thread for the topstiching so it would stand out.

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish it up Friday (who also has a project from Heidi!) and TGIFF.

Teachers Rule!

My son will have his moving up day tomorrow, of course it's just nursery school, but a milestone nonetheless.  I made these cute mug rugs for his two teachers after I found these great mugs.  The fabric is Elementary by Sweetwater for Moda.  Yes, teachers rule!  Thank you to teachers everywhere -  enjoy the summer!

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts. 

Norwegian Flag Mini

My good friend Jim is Norwegian and he just celebrated his 50th birthday, so I made this little flag for him.  I kept the quilting simple to keep the flag looking accurate.  I love the backing fabric, it is such a great shade of blue, it's from Riddles and Rhymes by Tina Givens for Free Spirit Fabrics. I used this site for the dimensions and added a 1/4 inch seam allowance. 

Linking up with Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation and Finish it up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts. 

Two Baby Quilts

This quilt uses the disappearing nine-patch pattern, with solids in the center, larger prints in the four corners, and smaller prints/patterns in the four middle spots.  Then I arranged them with the solids pointing out and to the center.  I used a layer cake of Scrumptious by Bonnie and Camille, but you could use charm packs for the 5 inch squares instead.  This was actually the leftovers from the next baby quilt I made with the layer cake.  I don't like to waste anything!  I sent this one out to be machine quilted and it came out really pretty, I like the sashing quilting, the white really shows it off.  I used Moda off-white bella solid for the sashing in both quilts.

The next quilt was the first one I made from the layer cake and it is based on a free pattern from the Moda Bake Shop called Marmalade Squares Quilt by LeAnne Ballard. I machine appliqued the letter L in one of the blocks, this pattern is perfect for that little customization. 

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish it up Friday.