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Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Having fun in the Studio

I thought I would  share with you what is making me happy today.

I have been wanting to "play" with scraps and make some mug mats using the " no rules" methods I have been reading about on many blogs.I have made one small project "round the neighborhood" I posted on an earlier blog.

 I will admit to being a rule follower and kind of traditional quilter. I was trained before rotary cutters were invented...yes I am that old..haha.

 Anyway, I felt the need to become less structured.. at least some of the time. Mind you, I do still love beautiful applique quilts and precisely pieced quilts using beautiful fabrics.
I guess I want to broaden my techniques as well as my palette.




That said, I started to play with some scraps today and here is what I made.




   

Using some scraps that all seem



  to look good together
I layered a foundation of back, batting (scrap) and top background piece. I then lowered my feed dogs and using my free-motion foot, I free-motion quilted the foundation piece before adding scraps.
I found that working with a larger piece then cutting  into the 4.5 inch mats was easier when you have to use a home machine to quilt your piece.
I used projects  my friend Pam had posted on her blog as inspiration. After laying out my scraps, I just outline quilted the pieces to anchor them down. After everything sewn, then I used my wavy blade rotary cutter and cut them into square mats. And they are done. Just in time to give to co-workers that have the same birthday tomorrow. I hope they like them. The other two I will save for future gift giving.
 I plan to make many more of these they are so fast and easy.



Speaking of inspiration!! Look what arrived in the mail today. Notice the sun shining thru the window, a hint of spring : )

Stay tuned for more fun in the studio!!
Happy Tuesday..
Kay

2 comments:

  1. I love it!!! It's fun to try something different.

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  2. Those mug mats look darling!
    What pretty spring prints & colors.
    I think this method would be a good machine quilting "warm-up" excercise too.
    I need to try making a few of these. (thanks for sharing)

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