Another project that can be done during puppy naps

Right before Jen came to pick up her order this afternoon, I was struck like lightning with an idea for holiday placemats. Have you ever had a design idea slap you in the face, or whack you in the back of the head? That's what it's like sometimes! I love it! This was it... Presents! So, a quick trip to JoAnn's was in order (didn't feel like driving 30 minutes all the way to the LQS... JoAnn's is 10 mins away). 

The middle loop can hold a napkin! I can't find my fabric napkins... I think they got packed already or I would have put one up there to demonstrate. 

One hour of work later, and one is done! The other three are pinned and ready to to be stitched. I was pretty excited to find this green in the clearance section for $3, AND 50% off that for their Veteran's day sale, AND I had my extra 10% off coupon for my entire purchase. Which means my set of four placemats, once done, will have cost about $6 to make, and will have kept me busy (which, when I'm making things for myself, is like paying myself to play). I was able to get the first one completed during Matt Lauer's second nap.

They are very simple, but I love them. When Mum called and asked what I was doing tonight, I told her I'm working on my career... every project I design and make from start to finish like this is one step closer towards turning a profit from sewing/quilting. I may be young, I may be foolish. Whatever. One of these days, you'll see my name on that pattern you pick up at the LQS, and think to yourself, "I know her!"

I can't wait to show you the tree skirt I designed and made last year... as soon as we move, I'll bring it out and play show-and-tell, along with our stockings and the bird ornaments.... I was busy last year, too! (What else is a wife supposed to do during a deployment? This year he's going to be home, so he'll get to see these things for the first time, too!)

Hip, hip, hooray!

It's been another productive day-- I finished the second placemat's binding, and typed up the pattern to offer for sale at the craft festival this weekend... I have the documents all ready to print, but I need to find some little bags to put the patterns in...that search led to a trip out, and even though I didn't find the right size baggies, I did get the dowel rods to hang Mom's art (which is next to me, waiting to be bound), and I got the thread to work on Tim's Xmas present.

Hooray for pumpkin placemats!

Upon arriving home, I got busy on the D9P that I had wanted to finish Sunday before Mom's cutting derailed me.... But I got the flimsy done today!!!

Disappearing 9-Patch.

It's almost too organized in color because of the limited prints I used, but I am still happy with the way it came out. It's too hot to quilt it today, but tomorrow looks cooler so perhaps I can still get it done before Saturday.

To top off an already good day, I won a giveaway over on  Cheri's blog ! YIPPEE!!! 

Time to crank up the A/C and work on some more binding...

Hoorays!

Mom's "art" is ready for binding- YAY! THe only problem? I don't have any!!! The brown I used around the edges was too small of a piece, so I dug through and found a similar brown that will (hopefully) end up giving even more of the framed effect I'm attempting. I'll cut the binding strips tomorrow and find out... :)

I still have to decide what color to bind these with...

Quilting/back of place mat.

I got all four pumpkin place mats pieced, and two of them are quilted! However, during the second one, i heard what I thought was thunder (disproved by my iPhone), then thought might be the neighbor slamming his garbage can around (not that either), and then Mom called and asked if I had heard loud booming... so whatever it was, my mom, who lives 4.5 miles to the east, also heard. I'm puzzled. I've searched the internet for any local explosions, fireworks displays, or band events, and nothing seems to explain what we both heard. It's nice to know she heard it, too, since that means I wasn't hallucinating strange noises!!! Tim's back at work, or he would probably have some sort of logical explanation... or simply hug me and remind me that he'll protect me if it's a Boogeyman. :)

You'll notice the place mats aren't perfect-- I gave up being a perfectionist when I realized I could coast and stay top 10 in high school. Stressing for perfection isn't fun. So, rather than agonize over place mats, I just sat down and put the pedal to the floor. The pumpkins' lines aren't straight, but neither are Real Pumpkins!!!And, I did NOT cross over my meanderings this time! Small victories are just a big of a "W" in the win column!

I want to go find a pumpkin soon. I love pumpkins! Maybe that's why they became the theme for the place mats... I think Prudence has the right idea for tonight, though-- when my dog puts herself to bed, i know it's about time for me to head that way, too. We had a busy day....

which included a visit to the MIL's and her chickens!