The Artful Dodger

Super Nine Patch

Somewhere on the internet I found this great idea for creating something a bit different with a nine patch.  You make a nine patch out of whatever color combination you want and then cut it through the middle both vertically and horizontally and then rearrange the resulting squares to make a new pattern.  Above is just one example.  This is a perfect block for me because I have hundreds of 5 inch squares I purchased from a sewing factory outlet years ago.  I've made many, many quilts, tote bags, pot holders, etc and still had hundreds left.  I already have several projects buzzing around in my head.  I wish I could give credit to the person who put this on the web, but I can't find them again.

Easter Egg Mug Rug

Another Mug Rug for a swap, this time in an Easter theme.  Mine had a bit of a bump on one side, but we can't all be perfect.  It's from a tutorial here:  http://www.thesplitstitch.com/2011/04/spring-time-eggstravaganza-stripey-egg.html.  I stamped the bunny on the back, but it looks like I need to get some new black dye ink.  It came out a bit faded.  But it was fun to make and I might make some as gifts next year.

Purple Mug Rug

There was a flurry of swaps for Mug Rugs, something I'd never heard of before.  They are supposed to be big enough to hold your cup and a cookie or two.  I made this one from tidbits in my scrap basket, an old sturdy Easter basket, much more well made than the ones I see for sale nowadays.  The little quilt is about 6" x 9" and was well received by my swap partner.

More Snowman Ornaments

Two more quilted snowman ornaments have been sent to new homes via swap-bot.  I'm not sure why one always seems to turn out a bit wampy-jawed, viz-a-viz the one on the right (dexter) as opposed to the one on the left (sinister).  Even though dexter and sinister are normally only heard in reference to heraldry, I was amused to find that ophthalmologists still use it in referring to the eyes.  OD - oculus dexter is the right eye and OS - oculus sinister is the left.  Both eyes are referred to as OU - oculus uterque - uterque being Latin for both.

Zakka Tote Bag

I recently made this bag in Zakka style for a craft swap.  It's from a book I recently got called Zakka Style by Rashida Coleman-Hale.  It's the first time I've ever made patchwork from linen and cotton combined.  The linen kept growing and the cotton did not, so the patchwork isn't very even.  Next time I make an attempt I think I'll back the linen pieces with iron-on stabilizer to help them keep their shape.  There are lots of cute projects in the book and I have a few yards of linen I bought several years ago to make a suit.  It just recently surfaced from my fabric stash.  I've been wanting to try making something in the Japanese Zakka style for some time.  I like the plain and simple lines,  I believe Zakka means "household".  It reminds me very much of the Scandinavian style of design.  I just got a new book on that as well called  Scandinavian Stitches: 21 Playful Projects with Seasonal Flair by Kajsa Wikman.  I see many linen projects in my future.

Spring Mini Half Square Triangle Quilt

I needed some instant gratification, so I made this mini quilt.  It's just made of half square triangles with quilting only done in the white triangles.   It's 9 x 9 inches and made in what I consider spring colors.  As a child, spring meant a new dress usually in lavendar gingham with a new white hat with a ribbon, to be worn for the first time on Easter Sunday.  Pink, aqua, green and yellow where the color of the dyes used for the Easter eggs.  The thought of dying eggs reminds me of the smell of vinegar.  I don't think the new dyes they have today use it.  This little quilt reminds me of springs gone bye and the smell of vinegar.

Apron Quilt Block

This is the 8 1/2 '' quilt block I made for an apron block swap-bot swap.  Usually these kinds of swaps are based on a tutorial someone has published on their blog.  I didn't realize this one came with no instructions. I made this block from scratch.  It has two pockets and a little handkerchief tucked into one of them.  For my first ever self designed pieced block, I'm very happy with the results.  I received a lovely quilt block in return, but I can't put my hands on it just now.  I'll share it with you when it surfaces.

Quilted Potholder for Swap-bot Swap

This potholder was made from a tutorial found here: http://www.larkcrafts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/potholder.pdf.  It isn't a single quilted layer but has two pieces added to the back so you can put your thumb and fingers in the back, fold it over and use it like an oven mitt.  I think I added too much batting, because I couldn't get the binding to wrap over the edges when cut to the width in the tutorial - 1 3/4 inches.  I think I wound up using 2 1/4 or 2 1/2 inch binding, doubled over.  It's a good size, about nine inches square.  I plan on making some for myself, but just plain potholders without the extra flaps on the back.

Christmas Craft Swap

I haven't been idle during my absence.  I made these Christmas items for a swap-bot swap.  The little quilt is made of 4 1/2 inch squares and machine quilted, the pillow is about 9inches square and the 2 snowman ornaments about 4 x 5 or so.  All the patterns come from a book by Cheri Saffiote called Two-Hour Quilted Christmas Projects that I got several years ago when it was first published in 1997.  Of all the myriad of craft books I've bought over the years, I've probably made more things from this book than any other.  Many of the primative projects lend themselves to color schemes other than red and green.  I've made the little quilt and pillow for several different occasions in blues and greens, in country plaids, even lavendar and purple.  And each project can actually be completed in about 2 hours.  These are currently in their new home in Arizona and, happily, warmly received by their new owner.  It's always gratifying when someone really seem to enjoy the things I've made.

Pinwheel Quilted Coasters

 
Here are the coasters I made for a swap.  The person I sent them to said red was their favorite color and I choose the plant print to show contrast.  They are each 5 x 5 inches.  They were well received.  The ones below are the ones I received from Christine T (Csquaredcreations).  My kitchen/den is red and blue so they're a perfect color.  We made them from a tutorial available here: http://thelongthread.com/?p=725.  I made mine a bit different then the instructions.  I made my half square triangles by drawing and sewing a grid and I quilted them before backing them pillowcase style.

 

My Patchwork Cards

 
These are the patchwork cards I made for a swap.  I made 2 of each, one for each of 2 other swappers.  They might look simple but weren't so simple to sew.  The card stock is so smooth, it's hard to get it to feed correctly through the sewing machine.  I guess I should have gotten out my walking foot.  If I ever make any of these again, I might glue the fabric down first.  That might also make them easier to make.  If you want to try your hand at these, here's the tutorial: http://www.thehandmadegiftguide.com/2010/12/handmade-gifts-diy-quilted-greeting.html

Patchwork Cards

 
These patchwork cards came all the way from Australia from Carol Jackson.  They are part of a swap-bot swap.  I love the color combination.  Thank you, Carol!

Jelly Rolls for Swap-bot

 

Here are the 2 jelly rolls I made for a swap-bot swap.  I sent them to Pauline in Illinois and Dottie in Missouri.  They were so cute all rolled up like jelly rolls are supposed to be, but they just won't fit nicely in an envelope.  So I deconstructed them for mailing.  I hope they both like blue.  For those you don't know what a jelly roll is, it's a selection of fabric strips 2 1/2 inches wide cut across the width of the fabric so they're 44/45 inches long.  They're used for strip quilting.  Buying pre-cut rolls gives you a head start and there are many patterns out there designed to use jelly rolls.  While they are useful, I suspect they started out as an advertising ploy to convince quilters that they needed to pay a great deal of money for very little fabric.  If you're an avid quilter and hoarder (and what quilter isn't) you probably could construct several full size quilts from jelly roll strips cut from the stash you have on hand.  I know I could quilt for the rest of my days without ever buying another piece of fabric.  Of course that won't happen, they insist on coming out with new fabric designs every season.

Tied Doll Quilt

 

I spent my morning making this totally useless doll quilt, and it wasn't even the useless thing I'd set out to make.  I cut out and was about to sew a sock animal when I realized I hadn't sewn stretchy material in so long, I couldn't remember how to do a stretch stitch on my machine.  While digging through my sewing desk, attempting to find my machine manual, I came across a basket I toss bits and pieces of fabric left over from other projects that I can't bring myself to throw away.  I started sewing them together and when they got big enough squared them off into a neat rectangle.  Then I scrounged up a fat quarter to make a border and a back.  I thought about machine quilting it, but decided to tie it instead.  It's about 10 x 13 " and will sit on the shelf with my other finished projects until I find a use for it.  It could be a part of a gift, if I make a little doll to go with it.

Mini Quilt by Vee Talbert

I just got this miniature quilt in the mail today.  It's from Vee Talbert of Aberdeen, WA.  It's about 10 by 8 inches and the scan doesn't do it justice. There are many beads and buttons and a bit of embroidery.  You can tell that a lot of work went into creating such a beautiful little work of art.  I will cherish it.  Thank you Vee.