Mr. and Mrs. Cottontail Snack Mats

Greetings friends! There have been some very exciting things brewing in the BRD studio...and my desk is swimming in correspondence, designs, creative ideas, contracts, piles of paper, product swatches/photos, and a giant planning calendar...but it is all great and I will have some SUPER FUN news to share in the next couple months. Currently, I am trying to get organized and on track for a very busy year.

For now, it is new project tutorial day - time to share my March project created for the Therm O Web blog with you. I always enjoy putting on my Fabric Education Designer hat and creating new projects/tutorials using incredible products from Therm O Web. For the month of March, the blog is focused on home décor, kitchen refresh, HeatnBond Sparkle Paste, machine embroidery, and appliqué. I created a brand new project that was posted on Monday - it is a complete project tutorial for my Mr. and Mrs. Cottontail Snack Mats. My comprehensive tutorial contains a complete supply list, printable pattern with templates, and step-by-step directions with color photos. 

With the spring season officially starting later this week and Easter right around the corner, I thought it would be fun to make a pair of snack mats to freshen and brighten up my late night snack (which is an afternoon snack for all of you that are not on my crazy night schedule 😉). I have had a sketch of these bunnies in my idea book idea for quite some time and I was excited to execute my plan. I am really happy with the results - AND I applied HeatnBond Liquid Vinyl to make them waterproof and stain resistant. 

You will have to visit the ThermOWeb blog for my complete tutorial and pattern, but I am posting a few photos here...

Here is a direct link to the project tutorial:
https://blog.thermoweb.com/mr-and-mrs-cottontail-snack-mats/

You will be surprised how quickly this seasonal project comes together. It is perfect for using up those scraps and small pieces of fabric - I opted to use bright and cheerful solid color fabric scraps. For this post, I used:

• HeatnBond Liquid Vinyl Gel Coating
• HeatnBond Pressing Paper
• HeatnBond Lite EZ-Print Iron-On Adhesive Sheets
• HeatnBond Fusible Fleece
• HeatnBond Fabric Fuse PeelnStick Fabric Adhesive Tape 
• Optional: HeatnBond Medium Weight Non-Woven Interfacing

Visit the tutorial post for a complete and detailed supply list. 

Tomorrow, you will be able to visit my YouTube Channel to follow along as I create my mini quilt (longer version)...or visit my Instagram for a shorter Reel video...it should be posted on Wednesday.

To find the exact tools and supplies listed, visit my Mr. and Mrs. Cottontail Snack Mats Supply List on Amazon (full disclosure: as an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases - I only share products I actually use - and I truly appreciate you shopping from my links, thank you!). 

Are you familiar with the HeatnBond Liquid Vinyl Gel Coating? With this unique liquid product, you can make any fabric stain-resistant, water-resistant and even waterproof....simply paint on a light, even coat - let it dry - and then iron to create a smooth finish. One coat makes the fabric water and stain-resistant...two coats makes the fabric waterproof and stain-resistant...and three coats makes the fabric waterproof and stain-resistant with a semi-gloss oilcloth finish. With my latest project being used with food and beverage, I put on two coats...and it worked perfectly! I like how the project is now easily wiped clean and stain resistant.

If you have questions on any Therm O Web or HeatnBond/SpraynBond products or would like to see a specific type of product in one of my projects, drop me a comment or email.

I hope this project gets you excited to create a fun project for springtime or Easter...

I am creating monthly projects for the Therm O Web Blog and I will be sure to post here when I have a new tutorial available. My next project is scheduled to be on the Therm O Web blog in April. Plus, I have a couple a special projects for the Wildwood Dwellings Fabric Tour that will be shared here on Friday. 

Thank you for stopping by for a visit today - I always enjoy sharing my projects with you. Have a great week and make time to work on something creative...

Hippity Hoppity

If you are an avid reader of my blog, then you know I am definitely still a kid at heart...which completely explains why I love the website "Mr. Printables"...it is chock full of fun, free printable downloads for kids! Check out these ADORABLE Bunny Party Favor Bags - aren't they just the cutest...and you can make them in a matter of minutes (seriously) with very few supplies. First of all you need a computer, Internet connection, and a printer...and I am guessing if you are visiting my blog, you have all three...next you need a several pieces of white cardstock or heavy paper (which many of us have on hand). Do you have your paper loaded in the printer, yet?? Okay, so now click on this link for the Bunny Party Favor Bags - you can now easily download and print four (yes, I said FOUR!) different Bunny Bags for FREE! - there is one large and one small pink bunny...one titled "Strippy Jumper" and one titled "Woolly Socks" (which are both small - meaning each fits on one piece of 8.5" x 11" cardstock). Once you have the selection you want printed, you will need scissors, a scoring tool/board (don't fret, a bone-folder or pen cap works great for scoring), a craft knife, and a glue stick...you can find all those things around the house, can't you?? Now, time for the "crafty" part, cut on the solid lines, score on the dashed lines, and use a craft knife to cut the two lines where shown (this is where the ears fit through)...fold on the score lines...and glue where it notes "glue"...that's all there is to it...easy peasy! There is also an stinkin' cute Frog Favor Bag and it has step by step directions and photos of how to put a favor bag together...wouldn't the Frog Favor Bag be fun for a stitching retreat?! The last and final step is to fill your bag(s) with treats...and maybe a little Easter grass or tissue paper. Fun, easy, and affordable...and you can make them for or with children (or a big kid, like me)...and simply precious...

Bunnies and Birds...

I received such wonderful feedback on my wool appliqué pincushions and the new project bags I will be working on - thank you for your notes and comments! I managed to complete fifteen more pincushions (and list them in my Etsy shop) - all unique...some with birds and some with bunnies...each with different embellishments and motifs. All of the pincushions have machine appliquéd wool fabric/felt tops and cotton fabric bottoms...and each is filled nicely with about two cups of crushed walnut shells. They measure approximately 6" W x 4.75" H x 2" D...and come with three decorative straight pins. I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoy making these - they make me smile! I have been struggling a bit lately and spending some time at my sewing machine, working with some of my favorite materials and embellishments really lifted my spirits. I definitely have ideas for more...including some holiday themes.

I know some of you are anxiously awaiting the project bags, and I will do my best to get some completed soon - I have picked out the first batch of fabrics and zippers and I hope to start the cutting and preparations tomorrow. I am going to start by making some with sampler fabrics, as they are perfect to hold an entire stitching project!

I will also have a photo to share with you (very soon) of the needlework smalls for my upcoming release "Berries, Birds, and Blooms"...I am currently working on the finishing...there are four pieces that coordinate with the sampler. I would like to have the two new cross stitch releases to my printer in the next week or so, so they will be available in the not-so-distant future...

Bounding Bunny

I would love to brag and tell you I made this adorable leaping bunny...but it was actually made my my dear and talented friend Merry. She gave it to me as a gift for my birthday last year...and I simply love it! I am not sure if there was a design/pattern for this fun piece...knowing Merry, the idea just popped into her head and she ran with it....and isn't the little penny rug perfect?! The bunny is sitting on an antique oil can...and to make it even more whimsical, is wearing a lovely beaded necklace...to me, this was such a special handmade gift. And although I am sharing this tiny treasure with you for the Easter weekend, this piece is actually on display in my studio year-round...it truly makes me happy! Wishing you a blessed Easter...filled with happiness...

There is still time to enter my latest giveaway (a Stitching Companion Owl)....see the previous post for details...one lucky follower will be randomly chosen from all comments (on the Owlivia and Friends...and Giveaway Post) on Thursday, April 8th....