The one thing I have taken care of this week is a solution to our sand box problem. Our neighborhood has a cat that roams outside and well...leaves us presents in our sandbox. I have been wondering what to make and I finally settled on an easy fabric cover for the sandbox. I bought an inexpensive outdoor tablecloth from Target and cut it to fit the play set. After sewing the seams I added grommets. I will then add little hooks to the sides of the sandbox to hook the grommets and keep the cover tight. I read a tip that if you tip over a small bucket in the center under the cover the rainwater will not pool. I plan to do that too. Hopefully this will deter my feline friend!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Giveaway winner...and a quick solution
The one thing I have taken care of this week is a solution to our sand box problem. Our neighborhood has a cat that roams outside and well...leaves us presents in our sandbox. I have been wondering what to make and I finally settled on an easy fabric cover for the sandbox. I bought an inexpensive outdoor tablecloth from Target and cut it to fit the play set. After sewing the seams I added grommets. I will then add little hooks to the sides of the sandbox to hook the grommets and keep the cover tight. I read a tip that if you tip over a small bucket in the center under the cover the rainwater will not pool. I plan to do that too. Hopefully this will deter my feline friend!
Friday, July 24, 2009
MY FIRST GIVEAWAY!
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Thanks for stopping by and introducing yourself! Good Luck-
Alyson
The first baby tooth...gone!
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Apparently, chewing on the strap of a toy will help your teeth fall out. The tooth fairy was pretty nice leaving four dollars under the pillow, even though mom didn't get a chance to sew a cute, special tooth pillow or anything. (I'll have it done for the next one!) So, what to do with all that $$$? Color Blaster Hot Wheels here we come!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Simple Swap Squares Tutorial
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Quilt Size: Throw, 51"X59"
- 1 Moda Layer Caketm (I used Aviary by 3 Sisters) OR 42 10" squares of your choice
- 2 1/2 yards fabric for backing
- 1/2 yard fabric for binding
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Now here's the fun part! Grab a square and a contrasting set of strips (different color, different pattern). We are going to sew them together to make a 9" block. Take the 7" strips and sew to opposite ends of the square. Always use a 1/4 inch seam. Press seams to the outside.
Next, sew the 10" strips to the other sides. Again, use a 1/4 inch seam and press seam to the outside. You will have overhanging fabric, that's OK.
Continue framing all 40 squares with contrasting fabric, always using a 1/4 inch seam.
Trim the excess off all 40 squares. Your squares should be 9" (or close ;))
Step Four: Arrange Squares
Find a place to lay out all the squares, trying to place contrasting squares next to each other. The quilt will be six squares wide by seven squares long. This process allows your creativity and preferences.
After the blocks are arranged and before sewing begins, make sure the block seams are alternating so that the longer 9 inch framing strips are not side by side.
Step Five: Sew the quilt top together
Starting with the top row, sew the blocks together to make a row six squares wide. Use a 1/4 inch seam. Press seams to one side. Then sew the next row together, pressing seams to the other side. Continue sewing the rows together until all seven are finished.
Once the rows are completed then sew the rows together. You may want to use a walking foot for this step to keep the fabric feeding through the machine evenly.
Once the rows are sewn together the quilt top is finished!
Layer, Quilt and BindCheck the links on the side of my blog for great tutorials on how to finish a quilt. I don't think I could explain it better!
Copyright 2009 by Alyson Steil. This pattern is intended for personal use. Do not distribute without permission.
Friday, July 17, 2009
64...are you kidding?
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Strawberry Shortcake Anyone?
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We had the perfect morning to pick...cool and sunny, 65 degrees.
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After a few years of "staycations" we really enjoyed getting out of the house and traveling a bit this last week (but not too far!).
Saturday, July 11, 2009
My First Quilt
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