It's Hallowe'en

So many of you have posted photos of your Hallowe'en projects. I decided I had to make a few goodie bags for my three grandchildren. The pattern in 'Quilts and more' made the small bag in front. It is cute, but not quite big enough. So, my version is a little larger. (After all, Grandma has a book and quite a few treats for each special child.)

I was still in the Hallowe'en sewing mood when I remembered the jack-o'-lantern pattern in my new paper piecing book. Here is the little table mat made with four of the blocks. Now I need to get back to some serious sewing.

Happy Hallowe'en

Sandy

Blog Hopping and Mug Mats

I enjoy a little blog hopping from time to time -- usually at the end of the day, after I have had a chance to catch up on my favourites. I start by looking at someone's 'Blogs I Follow' list and go from there. I have discovered some wonderful tutorials and interesting information, mostly about quilting and sewing, and have even found a few new favourites.

During a recent late night excursion, I found myself in foreign territory. It seems that a lot of quilters are making and blogging about 'mug mats'. These mats are not your typical fabric coasters, at least not like the holiday ones I made a few years ago. These mats are larger, more rectangular than square, and are, in some instances, more like exquisite mini quilts. Some quilters are even taking part in mug mat swaps, which might explain the fancy quilting and incredible attention to detail that I saw.

I found an orphan block while I was cleaning my sewing room last weekend. It was somewhat frayed and crumpled, and I could tell it had been paper pieced. It was also a bit bulky and a little 'wonky' -- obviously a reject. I was about to throw it away when I thought of the mug mats. I added the dark green border, did a little 'in the ditch' quilting and bound the block. Without further ado, here is my version of a mug mat.


Sandy