Freeze Frame Mug Rugs

Hello creative friends! Be sure to head over to the AccuQuilt Blog today for my latest guest blog post...there you will find a complete tutorial for my "Freeze Frame Mug Rug", perfect for holiday gift giving...

This project is perfect for a beginner...and the entire project was cut on my GO! Fabric Cutter (project is GO! Big, GO!, and GO! Baby compatible) using:

GO! Qube Mix & Match 6” Block (55775)

• Dies Used: #1 GO! Square 3” Finished, #2 GO! Square 1½” Finished, #4 GO! QST 3” Finished Square, #5 GO! HST 1½” Finished Square, and #8 GO! Rectangle

GO! Qube 6″ Companion Set-Classic (55779)

• Dies Used: #9 GO! Chisels

GO! Strip Cutter-2″ (1 1/2″ Finished) (55025 or 55164) (binding only)...

My winter mug rug is created with both traditional piecing and machine appliqué...and with the small size, it can be worked up rather quickly. This project is great for scraps or fat quarters...and while I used cotton print fabrics, it would look great in solids or batiks...and one of my favorite things about this design - once you build the house, you can embellish it with any of your favorite motifs - I chose pine trees, but it would look great with an assortment of snowflakes, reindeer, or even a Santa! You could also change up the scenery and make it for any season. Using the 6" Qube and Companion, it finishes a nice size (9”W x 6”H) - but you can adjust it to any size Qube/Qube Companion to make it larger for a runner, candle mat or table topper.

So  be sure to stop by the AccuQuilt Blog for a materials list and step by step tutorial, with images: 
https://www.accuquilt.com/blog/education/go-project-tutorials/freeze-frame-mug-rug-a-quilting-tutorial/

I know they may look a bit complicated, but I show step by step how to create them...a beginner could have several created before Christmas! 

Finally, I would like thank everyone who has voted for my video in the Husqvarna Viking #sewworthit Video Story Contest (see the prevous post for more details)! I truly appreciate your support. The competition is heating up and I only have a slight lead (several people have even copied my video idea - using images, think bubbles, and music - GRRR!). I hope you will visit the following link and view/vote for my video....you don't have to sign-up or sign in or leave any personal information - simply click on the link, then click vote - easy peasy! ...and to those who have shared my link/details in their groups and on social media - I appreciate you more than you know - you are AMAZING! Thank you for helping me try to win my dream sewing and embroidery machine...
http://woobox.com/eyk7zi/gallery/DvLFOHRtQis

Giving Thanks...and My Story Video

Wild turkeys having a feast at the bird feeders
 in the backyard on Thanksgiving...followed by
a drink from the bird bath...

Happy day after Thanksgiving - I hope you had a wonderful celebration with family and friends! My husband and I actually made a trip to Lake Summerset, IL, so I could spend Thanksgiving with my mommy for the first time in over 20 years. It was a quick, but special trip...and it was so nice to see my mom and Dan and extended family. We left yesterday morning - made the five hour drive and arrived an hour before dinner - then, spent the night and returned home bright and early this morning, as my husband had to work this afternoon (many of you know, my husband is in management for UPS and we all know how much shipping is happening this time of year!). In any case, we had a lovely trip, family time, and a delicious meal...and Schatzi even tagged along and spent time with some new friends (Daisy and Wilson).

Thank you to everyone for your love and kind words regarding Simba...I found comfort in many of your messages. I also have to thank those who have checked in with me since my oral surgery - it went as expected and I am healing - all is well. I feel very blessed to have so many caring people in my life - my heart is full.

On to the creative part of my post...
We all know how passionate I am about anything created with a needle and thread - by hand or machine....and many of you know there are two things I can't live without in my sewing studio - my Accuquilt products and my Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond sewing and embroidery machine/Huskylock s25. I'm pretty sure everyone knows how much I love my sewing machine and how hard I worked to get it years ago - it brings me joy every single day. Over the years, they have released new and improved versions of my machine...but the most recent, the Designer Epic, is truly extraordinary - oh how I have been drooling over this machine for months. Obviously a machine of this caliber is not in my budget, so when I saw Husqvarna Viking Sewing Machines was have a video contest with an Epic as a grand prize, I had to put on my thinking cap to think of a video idea that would be worthy of submission. My idea grew slowly and turned into the contest entry you can view below - I am an amatuer videographer, but I had so much fun making it...and I knew I had to give it a shot! I'm not a big fan of contests that require you to solicit votes - many times it is a popularity contest and the entry itself (no matter how good it is) isn't a factor...but I had to make an exception in this special case and at least TRY. I hope you enjoy my short video testimonial about why I love the Husqvarna Viking Designer Epic sewing and embroidery machine and why it is #sewworthit...and if you feel so inclined, please place a vote for my entry.

To vote, simply visit the following link - and click on VOTE - NO sign-up, e-mail, or personal information is required - yep, just visit the link and click VOTE:

http://woobox.com/eyk7zi/gallery/DvLFOHRtQis

It only takes a second and I would appreciate it "sew" very much! Contest rules state: you can vote once per IP address.

You can see the video in it's entirety by visiting the link above, or my YouTube page, or for those who have a browser that support it, I am posting it below (note: you still have to visit the link above to vote):

I hope it makes you smile and you can tell how much I enjoyed putting it together...and, of course, a squirrel made the final cut (after all, it is "my video story"). My fingers (and toes) are crossed, as I am sure there will be some GOOD competition (at the time of this post, my video was the only submission - along with two Epic videos from Husqvarna Viking)....maybe that is good luck!

Scribbles, Still Lifes, and Simba

Hello friends - I know a post is overdue, and I do have quit a bit to share. Somehow, once again, this month has totally gotten away from me...and to think - Thanksgiving is next week...where does the time go? First a few personal things...then a few creative things...

Today, I start with some some sad news - many of you are are aware, but I know some of you are not...we had to lay Simba, our little rescued Shih Tzu, to rest last week. He was getting ready to turn fifteen and had been experiencing some health issues that escalated over the past several months. I won't go into too much detail, as my heart is still broken...he had dementia and would constantly spook himself, flinch, and shake...which was quite worrisome and of course caused quite a few daily accidents...and in his last weeks, he really was disoriented and wasn't sure where he was most of the time...and he was not sleeping. We did try medication that worked for a little over a week, but he became immune to it quickly and the symptoms continued to worsen. The most important thing to us was that he was happy, comfortable and not suffering, as he brought us (and our family and friends) so much joy and unconditional love. We knew it was time and it was the best/right decision for Simba. I thought I had prepared myself, but it has been WAY more difficult than I anticipated - Travis has reminded me that he was by my side 24-hours-a-day for almost 14 years, so it will take some adjustment. The good news is Schatzi is taking great care of me and giving me extra love and affection. Thank you for the comforting notes, cards, comments, love and support. The photo above was taken a couple weeks ago...a rare moment when he was relaxed and I captured it to share with my husband - it makes me smile.

On to other news...last Saturday, Travis and I made a road trip to Iowa City to see Michigan play football - yes, most of you know, although we are in Iowa, we are both HUGE Michigan fans. I was excited to go to a college game under the lights - especially with our Wolverines being undefeated...and we had quite a few friends that were at the game and tailgating. Michigan losing probably would have broken my heart, if it wasn't already hurting from Simba...but I must say, a highlight was seeing all the Hawkeye fans storm the field in a manner of seconds...their excitement was fun to see and I can appreciate it (even if they did upset my team).

Travis continues to improve after his back surgery and he was able to go on his 10-day fishing trip to southern Louisiana a couple weeks ago. He took some great photos for me and I thought I would share a couple with you. I sure wish I would have been along to see this sunset...

On the last of the personal news...
I am headed in for another oral surgery in the morning - I will be having a sinus lift and my implant put in place. More stitches in my mouth....and soft, cold foods for a few days again...and a couple days of rest. I think the most annoying part (besides try to rest) is having to take a week off from the gym...the last time it was torture. So if you don't see me around or hear from me for a few days, don't worry - I will be resting and healing.

On to some creative things...here are some photos of what I have been working on and what has been going on in the studio. I have been completing quite a few custom orders and some holiday needlework finishing (most of which I have been asked to keep secret until after Christmas). I have also been doing quite a few AccuQuilt projects. I was lucky enough to be one of the first to use the new Embrilliance Essentials AccuQuilt GO! Edition embroidery design software...and I created the samples they used to introduce this user-friendly software at Quilt Market. I created multiple blocks and used the software to digitize and create a new version of my GO! Snow Much Fun Wall Hanging (shown below) - yes, all those blocks were appliqued in the hoop....and now I am working on a few more top secret projects that use the software, as well. There is a lot to share on that subject, so I will save it for it's own special post...I will also post about the sampler quilt you see below....and about the new Qube Companion Sets...yep, I have A LOT  to share with you in future posts - I have fallen a bit behind, but I will get you caught up! The final photo is a peek at my upcoming AccuQuilt blog post tutorial project for November - look for more on that in the future, as well...

Thank you  AccuQuilt - a new rotary cutter, cutting mats, and rulers!
I really needed these....

Custom order - project bags and tool pouches...

Custom order - project bags and tool pouches...

GO! Qube 9" Companion Sampler Quilt 

New Embrilliance Essentials AccuQuilt GO! Edition embroidery design software...

GO! Snow Much Fun Wall Hanging - each block was digitized and
then appliqued in the hoop on my embroidery machine....

Sneak peek of my November project for the Accuquilt Blog

That gives you a pretty good idea of what has been happening the last couple weeks...tonight, I am cutting and preparing some more customer projects for assembly line sewing...and finishing up the set-up on my new cell phone (my new iPhone 7 Plus finally arrived and I am switching over from Android - it's a bit of a job, but I am almost done). If I am lucky, I'll put in a few stitches on a new model before bed...