Lots of Little Things

Been working on lots of little things for that home show I keep telling you about.

I'm waiting for my new labels to arrive so I've cut all the parts for lots of zip pouches and little snap wallets.

Been sewing up a few mug rugs including these Christmas ones:

 and swapped these for my CLT MQG mug rug swap last night.

I had to drop mine off and couldn't stay for the meeting so I'll show you what I received in a future post.
(Sorry for the less than stellar lighting- been using my phone for these pictures.)

Hoping to make some fabric decisions for several projects in the works too and look forward to telling you all about that.

In the meantime, how are those scraps coming? The Scrappy Stash Blog Hop kicks off on Monday! Hope you'll stop by and check it all out! The Quilt-Along starts October 9!

Have a great Friday!

xo,
Jennifer

Dancing While Sewing

Kids are at preschool.

House to myself.

Got my groove on.

Music up LOUD!

Maroon 5 "Love Somebody" on Spotify.

Dancing in my sewing room while I bust some scraps. :)

xo,

Jennifer

Keep Calm and Sew On

These are my wise words for today. I've been busy as a bee trying to get a head start on several projects. 

Been making blocks for the Scrappy Stash Quilt-Along that kicks off on October 9! Woo Hoo! 

Finished two tutorials coming your way in October and November...

Been working hard on items for my little crafty home show first weekend in November. 

Key Fobs

Coasters

Thanks for all of your suggestions! They were so helpful! 

I've still got a long way to go but I've got a month so I'll keep plugging away. 

Of course I spend most all of my day with these precious buddies. 

I'm a lucky Mama indeed. 

xo, 

Jennifer

Have You Sold Things at Craft Shows?

I'd love to have a booth at a craft fair, especially after seeing Rachel's posts for the Indie Craft Parade in Greenville, SC.

I've even pinned a few ideas for how to set up my space.

Source: sewchatty.blogspot.com via Jennifer Mathis on Pinterest

Source: blog.shopdirtylaundry.com via Jennifer Mathis on Pinterest

I need to do some more investigation and planning but in the meantime, a friend of mine is having a home show in November and asked me to showcase some of my things. I jumped at the chance and think it will be a good way to gage what sells as well as make a little $ for the holidays. (fingers crossed!)

A few of my WIPs

I've been a busy bee the past few nights trying to get a jump start on things. I've been cutting and quilting fabric for pouches, mug rugs and coasters, made some key fobs (OMG those are FUN!) and plan to make napkins too.


I think I'll add some pot holders, kindle cases, and eye glass cases, then round it out with super hero capes and crowns.

Any other suggestions of things I should make? I'm thinking that smaller, less pricey purchases are best for this kind of thing- great little stocking stuffers or hostess gifts.

I'd love to hear your suggestions!

xo,
Jennifer

Quilt Throwdown!

Up for a challenge? My friend Dana of old Red Barn Co. is having a Quilt Throwdown! Yes, a good old fashioned quilted color challenge.

You can read all of the details here and in the Flickr group here. 

There are great prizes too- just sayin'! 

Oh, and I'm the guest judge. 

All chocolate and fabric and bribes can be sent to.... oh wait. That's not fair. 

Bummer! 

Just Kidding! Good luck to everyone! 

I already know I am going to have a super hard time choosing! 

xo, 

Jennifer

Are you getting your STASH ready?

Gathering those scraps? Good! Now go get them sorted by color.

You're going to need them for the Scrappy Stash Quilt-Along!

Big prizes in store - hope you're planning on joining in!

Sneak peeks, scrappy sorting tips from a slew of talented folks, and all the Quilt-Along details coming October 1!

In the mean time, join the Scrappy Stash Quilt-Along Flickr Group. We'd love to see you there!

xo,
Jennifer

Paper Piecing Tutorial and a BIG Quilt Reveal!

Hey y'all! Remember that foundation paper piecing tutorial I promised you?

Well, today I'm excited to be guest posting over at Fave Crafts for National Sewing Month, and I've got a great beginner's tutorial for foundation paper piecing just for you.

There are a slew of great posts for National Sewing Month at Fave Crafts along with a fabulous mystery prize up for grabs. To enter to win, pop over and comment on any post with National Sewing Month in the title. Start with mine- make life easier! :)

I love paper piecing. Love the sharp points and intricate designs you get but without the tedious fabric cutting that would be involved otherwise. In fact, I made this Candy Box Quilt, one of my new faves, this summer by paper piecing.

It's a great lap size at 50" x 60" and only one fabric repeats itself. 

The back scrappy panel was improv pieced and the gray fabric is essex linen.

 I machine quilted along the outer edges of each block and then hand stitched around each inner diamond with white pearle cotton. 

Don't you love this little girl on the swing?

So pop on over to Fave Crafts and check out my tutorial. 

I think you'll enjoy it. 

And get those scraps ready! The Scrappy Stash Quilt-Along starts in October! 

xo, 

Jennifer

Southern Fabric Winner!

Hope y'all have all had a great weekend. We had wonderful weather, and I even had a chance to squeeze in some sewing! I've finished two tutorials this week that will be making their way to you soon.

Now, on to the winner!

Congrats to Monica, lucky number 27!

You are the winner of the Sew Stitchy Layer Cake from Southern Fabric! Don't forget to check out their fabulous fabrics, their deal of the day, and enjoy the 10% discount code good through the end of the month! Just use the code "tenpercent" during check out.

Happy Shopping!

xo,
Jennifer

Fancy a Block of the Month?

Fancy a Block of the Month? Dhia over at Peach Patch Quilts is hosting a Bloggers Block of the Month Tutorial series, and I'm excited to be included.

I'll be showcasing my block on November 15th but the series kicks off today at Margaret's Hope Chest.

1st BOM from Margaret's Hope Chest

You can find the whole schedule of participating bloggers at Peach Patch Quilts.  Join the flickr group and add pictures of your blocks so we can all see your blocks and lovely fabric choices!

This BOM series is a year long so it is an easy, no pressure way to add new blocks to your skill set.

Pop on over to Peach Patch Quilts and check things out then head over to Margaret's Hope Chest for the first block!

xo,
Jennifer

Easy Fabric Bowls from Sewing In a Straight Line

Do you have a favorite craft book? One that inspires you and is chock full of great information?

Well, today's my turn to share one of my favorite craft books with you.

You have been following the craft book month over at Craft Buds, right? If not, jump on over there after this post for great prizes and reviews! 

Sewing in a Straight Line by Brett Bara is a great beginner's book.

It's full of helpful information, clear and easy to follow directions and lots of useful, fun projects. Because really, a book is only as good as its content.  This one delivers.

Looking for info on how to install easy zippers in a pillow? Check.
Want to sew a simple skirt? Check.
Want to make a tote bag? Check.

How about some simple and quick flower bowls?
You got it.

I've been admiring these little guys for a while and decided they were the perfect little back-to-school gifts for my kids' preschool teachers. Really, I think it is best to start the year off with chocolate! 

Brett's bowls look great nested in a group of three but I just went with the smallest size. I made one for each of the three teachers.

Two tips for making these:
Use medium weight fusible interfacing- not fusible fleece (it doesn't give you a smooth finish.)
Use a generous 1" seam when sewing the sides together. If your seam is not at least 1" in, your bowl won't be round.

These quick little bowls are fun to whip up and really look far more impressive than the amount of work that goes into them.

Fill them with chocolate and you have the perfect little gift.

Sewing in a Straight Line would be a fabulous gift for someone just getting started with sewing. There is a lot of basic information in here that is just super handy to know and turns out, you can do a whole lot with a straight stitch. I bet your local library has a copy too.

Craft Buds is hosting book reviews all month long so be sure to check out all the links below to discover other great craft books you might like.

Week One

Sunday 9/2: Hopeful Threads / The Jolly Jabber
Monday 9/3: Stitchery Dickory Dock / Me Sew Crazy
Tuesday 9/4: Olive & Ollie / Sew Sweetness
Wednesday 9/5: Fabric Seeds / The Busy Bean
Thursday 9/6: CraftFoxes / Stitched In Color
Friday 9/7: Katie's Korner / A Prairie Sunrise

Week Two
Sunday 9/9: Sweet Diesel Designs / missknitta's studio
Monday 9/10: Sew Tara / Clover and Violet
Tuesday 9/11: Sew Fantastic / amylouwho
Wednesday 9/12: Projektownia Jednoiglec / Two More Seconds
Thursday 9/13: Ellison Lane Quilts / Don't Call Me Betsy
Friday 9/14: Live a Colorful Life / LRstitched

Week Three
Sunday 9/16: Fairy Face Designs / Canoe Ridge Creations
Monday 9/17: Inspire Me Grey / Freshly Pieced
Tuesday 9/18: Lindsay Sews / The Cute Life
Wednesday 9/19: The Littlest Thistle / Sew Crafty Jess
Thursday 9/20: Urban Stitches / imagine gnats
Friday 9/21: Sew Bittersweet Designs / The Plaid Scottie

There's a giveaway on Craft Buds every Friday of the blog hop as well as Q&As with craft book experts and book giveaways all month long! You don't want to miss it.

Pop over and check out the amazing and long list of prizes you could win! To enter, link up your craft book project over at Craft Buds September 23-30. All the rules and info can be found right here.

So what craft book are you crazy about? I'd love to know. It's never too early to start making my Christmas list!

xo,
Jennifer

Ready for a Quilt-Along?

The Scrappy Stash Quilt-Along is coming your way soon! 

Stay tuned for more details...

xo,

Jennifer

Fall Dresses- Shopping with Shabby Apple

I love Fall!
Love the colors, the smells but most of all, the temperatures! I am always SO ready for some cooler weather when fall rolls around.

Plus fall weather means fall shopping and adding a few new pieces to my wardrobe.

Have you shopped at Shabby Apple lately?

 For the next 4 days, you can pick up a 10% discount with the code "favorite10." The code lasts until 9/14/12 so pop on over today and take a look at their new fall arrivals.

Some of their top selling dresses are below: 

Alice: 

The Red Queen

and Ingrid.

I really like Aquaria

and a favorite classic- love the leaves and petals- Black Oak.

Pop on over and have a look today. 

Perhaps you'll find just what you are looking for! 

Oh How I Love(d) Felicity

Watch "Felicity - Felicity & Ben's First Kiss" on YouTube
I just got sucked into watching clips of Felicity on YouTube.
And it totally derailed my sewing.
But it was so worth it.

Giveaway Day! Southern Fabric Style

Have you seen what's new over at Southern Fabric?

Aubrey and her staff have selected some beauties that I know you are going to swoon over. 

Here's what's calling me... 

Sew Stitchy

Oh Deer 

The big numbers from Circa 1934

The London jelly roll (on sale btw!) 

the Wildwood scrap pack (perfect for an upcoming scrappy project!) 

Plus all the Little Apples prints are on sale too! 

Want to make your own sale? Use the code "tenpercent" at check-out and get 10% off your order until the end of September. 

What's better than a sale? How about free fabric?

Southern Fabric is graciously giving away a Sew Stitchy Layer Cake to one of you. 

All you have to do to win is visit Southern Fabric, browse and choose your favorite fabric then come back here and let me know what it is in a comment. 

Please be sure to leave a way to contact you! 

The winner will be announced this weekend.  Good luck!
This giveaway is now closed. 

xo, 

Jennifer