toothbrush mat

Recently we've been feeling a little crunched for counter space in the kid's bathroom.  

So we headed out & bought an Ikea shelf.  

Wouldn't you know it, that shelf top/counter space immediately looked too bare for my liking!  

 

Plus with the inevitable wetness from the toothbrushes, etc... I decided it needed a colorful mat!  

So I whipped this one out without deliberating over fabric choices.  I just grabbed, cut, slid that Juki lever up to the bunny setting, and let it rip!  

 

   The back fabric from Ikea and the top are kona solids.  It finishes somewhere around 17" x 15" and fits nicely on the top of the shelf.  It's the perfect spot for the toothbrush cup, toothpaste, mouthwash, cup, etc... 

It was nice to have a happy little finish.  Especially since I've been working and haven't been able to do much quilting lately. 

Thanks for stopping in!  Have a great day...  

Molly

linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts

Tooth Fairy Pillow

The time has come for my daughters to get their very own tooth fairy pillows.  I made this one for my son a long time ago and was happy to find the same pattern hanging around in the bottom of a drawer in my sewing closet.  (Not that it is an overly complicated pattern, but I've always really liked the shape of this tooth.) 

Each girl got to pick out a fabric for her pocket.  I also changed the pattern just a bit to include a ribbon, which acts as a door knob handle.  ...You know, because sometimes the tooth fairy has a hard time digging under the pillows of sleeping children and she'd like to have the option of just going to the door to deliver the goods instead.  ;)

So here's a quick little explanation of how I put these together:

1.  Cut out two teeth (a front and a back)

2. Make the pocket--two wrong sides together, stitch around three sides, turn right side out

3. Stitch the raw side of the pocket down on the tooth, iron up flat

4. Stitch pocket to tooth.  Down, across, up.  Backstitch on both sides near opening.  (Leave top open.)

5. Place wrong sides together (if adding ribbon, tuck it safely between the two right sides, leave a little bit hanging up past where you'll stitch.  that part will be flipped into the inside later.)  Stitch around, but leave a section approx 2 inches unstitched (for turning right side out).

6.  Turn right side out.

7. Stuff the pillow (I realized I was out of regular fill so I used my rotary cutter to shred some scrap quilt batting and that worked like a charm.)

8.  Pinch together the stuffing hole and sew over the top, backstitching on each end.  Or hand stitch it closed.

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Easter, Happy Spring!

molly

linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts

block party

You probably don't know this about me, but I live on a pretty awesome block.  Our neighbors are great.

It just so happens that apparently we have the oldest running block party in our town.  This summer will mark our 50th annual block party!

While reminiscing of past block parties, one of the neighbors mentioned a quilt that had been made for the block a long time ago.  I had just finished the signature quilt for my grandma and this especially peaked my interest.  My mentioning the signature quilt peaked the interest of the block party organizer who promptly, if haphazardly and hopefully, nominated me to do something with the quilt.  I thought perhaps I could add on to this old quilt or use parts of it to make something new.  It was dug out of an attic and brought over to me.  After seeing, though, I decided to start fresh.

If I make something, it will be mostly commemorative (celebrating 50 years) and sentimental (with names of the neighbors on it).

But what would we DO with a quilt for our block?  Who would use it?  When?  My thoughts turned to functionality.

My current plan to combat this functionality problem is to make an tabletop-sized table runner.  This way my finished product is functional and we can trot it out and use it as a super awesome tablecloth each summer.  I may have to figure out a way to add a sheet of clear vinyl over the top or do something else to protect it from the delicious food placed upon it.

Here's the plan.

•  There will be a "road" down the middle of the table runner and it'll have our street name on it and maybe the years 1965-2015.
• Each house on our block will be represented by their own quilt block.  
• There will be a driveway from the "road" center to the mini house on each block.  
• On this driveway I'm going to embroider the last name of the family living in that house.  
• I'm going to use a rainbow of solid colors, coal for the house, and shadow for the driveway.

What do you think... am I crazy to put work into such a thing? 
Any suggestions?


linking up with WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced