Sewing Project - Musical/Blue Dots Blanket 2026 01

I am back to sewing!

I finished this blanket this week.

Music Squares with Blue Dots

Final Size: 41W x 67.00T inches

Technique: Front QAYG Mom Style onto foundation layer which is poly cotton.  Quilted the front to the backing traditionally.

Colors: Yellow, Khaki and Navy

Squares: 10.5 inches 

The squares came from the ReUse Center. Nice quilting cotton.

The yellow sashing is cotton poly fabric.

The backing is army green 100% cotton flannel.

It took 3 days to complete but after almost a 2 year break from sewing I am happy with that.

I added blue dots to fix a problem where the sashing seam had missed the fabric. I put heat and bond behind a blue batik fabric and cut 5 circles with my SB smooth round thinlets.  I adhered them to the quilt then applied hand stitching which was crazy hard because of the glue.

The flannel backing is dark and will be useful for needing less laundering.

You can see the quilting in the shape of squares.

The quilting was done with a thread that matched the flannel so they are not very visible and the same on the front. 

I used yellow thread when I sewed the sashing.

I had to pin it very well with my quilting pins as it had to go through the throat of the sewing machine.

I cut a 6 inch square of paper which I used for the quilting of the front to the flannel back. I angled the template so they are wonky and do not track the edges of the yellow sashing.

I followed the edge of the paper with my sewing machine foot which worked very well.

I did a variety of hand stitching on the blue dots but it was very difficult for 2 reasons.

I had to make holes in the glue with a large pin so I could get my embroidery needle through.

It was already all finished so I could not use a stab stitch and go through right to the back. I had to stay between the foundation layer and the flannel.  I did have to undo quite a few stitches because I caught the flannel.

Note: I was aware of the issue and did not think it through before finishing the quilt.  Would have been much easier to fix then it was just the front and foundation layer.

Sashing measured 2.50 inches between the squares.  I cut the sashing strips (3"x11") for in between the squares and sewed those in between to create 3 columns of squares. Then, I cut the tall vertical sashing strips 3 by 70" to go in between the square columns. Then I sewed the columns to the foundation layer.  My front was too small because I had missed the outside sashing.

Note:  When I started sewing the columns to the foundation layer I started with a musical square column but it should have been a sashing column.  I should have cut the side sashing strips as well and maybe I would not have missed them.

Now I had a blanket with no outside sashes at all.   After a think overnight, I decided the only choice was to cut the foundation layer to the edge of the sandwich I had and add strips of foundation layer and yellow sashing to top, bottom, left and right sides. The flannel layer was the size I needed for the final blanket so I just left that the size it was.

I sewed the extra yellow sash/foundation layer to the top and bottom then cut the side pieces to the 70 inches.  Then sewed those in place right and left sides.

Fortunately, I decided to fold the sashing from the front to the back for a binding before I cut the outside strips. Now the strips needed to be 5 inches wide instead of just 3 inches. 

Learnings: 

I have to reacquaint myself with Quilt As You Go so I get it right next time.  Pushing the bulk through the the throat of the machine was no fun.

Addressing the sash issue right away would have saved me a lot of headache.

This blanket will be donated to Project Linus. 

Self Closing Cards - Dots & Christmas

Another set of self closing cards before everything gets packed away.

This is a pretty dots one made from wall paper actually. They are macaron snacks.

There was coordinating paper so the piece of pink is wall paper too.

All adhered to a olive green card base cut 6 inches x 12 inches. Scored at 5.5 and then just less than 1" for the flap.

Double sided tape on the flap and a generous insert.

This is a Christmas Card for which I borrowed the Tim Holtz Winter Wonder die from my niece. 

I used this wonderful sparkly decorative paper as a background and cut a snowbank and punched a star from a piece of warm pearl paper.

I added the snowflake which is part of the die and place it on his belly. 

All adhered to the teal card base of 6x12 inches with a score at 5.5 inches and just less than 1" for the flap.

Double sided tape on the flap with a generous insert.

More of the sparkly paper on royal blue card base which measures 6 x 12 inches.  It is scored at 5.5 and just less than 1" for the flap.

I cut a Sizzix Snowflake #2 from silver foil card stock and layered a MS Snowflake punch on top.  It was cut from Pale Plum card stock as well as the SU Modern Lake punchie under the greeting.

There is a silver sequin in the middle and this element is adhered to the card with 3D foam tape.

Double sided tape on the flap with a generous insert.

More sparkly paper with the Sizzix Snowman and Hat die. The snowman was embossed with the coordinating folder.

I cut the hat from black card stock and added some sparkle with a gel pen.

The color on the snowman was done with Sharpies to be sure it did not rub off.

Another pearl snowbank which the same card stock as the snowman.

The card base is navy linen texture cut 6x12 inches. Scored at 5.5 and then just less than 1" for the flap.

Double sided tape on the flap with a generous insert.

Birthday Card - Teen

A birthday card for a boy who is becoming a teen shortly.

An olive green card base cut 12"W x 6"T.  Another self closing card. I added some decorative paper to the left hand side of the card. 

I cut a large primitive star with the Sizzix Primitive Star #2 out of gold glitter paper. Adhered with 3D foam tape.

The greeting is a SU Artisan Label offset with green cardstock punchie.

I did add some double sided tape to the flap and closed it with clips so that it can be reused.

Saw his Mom on the 20th.

Cards - SC Christmas - Nativity

Another set of Christmas cards for the box. Again, self closing cards measuring 6x5.5 inches.

I did take one to the post office Monday and it was mailed with regular postage.

A dark green linen textured card stock base.  With a gold metallic Stampin Up Sunburst diecut adhered over a paste paper background.  This layer was adhered to the card with d/s tape.

I punched a red 2" circle and cut the Penny Black Manger die from ivory pearl card stock.  These were layered with QuickDry adhesive.  It was then adhered to the sunburst with 3D foam tape.

A white insert and some d/s tape with carrier on the flap and it's done.

For this card I used a navy linen card stock cut to 6 x12 inches which was scored at 5.5 and just less than 1" for the flap.

I chose a piece of blue paste paper and cut the SU Sunburst die in silver metallic paper. These were adhered together with QuickDry glue then adhered to the card with d/s tape.

The manger scene was cut from ivory pearl cardstock and mounted onto a 2" circle punchie then mounted to the sunburst with 3D foam tape.

A white insert and a d/s tape with carrier on the flap.

A monochromatic theme for this one.  I olive green linen card base with a coordinating paste paper. 

A 2 inch circle punchie from the same card stock to back the ivory pearl manger die cut.  Once adhered to each other this layer was adhered to the card over the center of the sunburst with 3D foam tape.

A white insert and a strip of d/s tape with carrier on the flap.

I have about 55 cards ready which is close to what I need.

Cards - Silent Auction Donation

 

I made a couple sets of cards to donate to the Silent Auction at the Gallery Holiday Party.

The first set features a chipboard deer that was stained with Tim Holtz Distress Stain - Gathered Twigs. I chose a designer paper by We R Memory Keepers - Botanical for the background.  It comes in 12x12 so I could 6 cards with the one sheet. I ripped snowbanks from textures off white card stock.  The moon is champagne card stock punched with the 1`circle punch.  The trees are created with 1) Hampton Arts Tree Art die and stamp set, with olive card stock, 2) the Memory Box Birch Tree Trio die and 3) the Stampendous Truck Tidings die set. The card base is Stampin Up Pool Party. 

The second set of cards features a chipboard snowflake.  I painted them with white acrylic paint then a coat of Pearl Finish. I chose 3 designer paper from the Stampin Up Adventure Bound paper stack.  

For the Pine Boughs set of cards I selected Early Espresso, Chocolate Chip and Baked Brown Sugar card bases. I chose a ginger colored 1/4 inch smooth ribbon. The snowflake is attached with a large clear crystal brad. The greeting is black and white with a flagged end.

For the Birch Tree design I chose Basic Grey card bases. I chose a 1/4 inch black grosgrain ribbon. Again, a clear crystal brad to attach the snowflake. The greetings were left with square corners on this set.

I added white envelopes for all 12 cards.  These were sealed in cellophane - 6 deer then 6 snowflake.

I created a structure to display the 2 sets of cards. I started with heavy red card stock with which I created a pyramid shape then added a piece of chipboard in the middle to provide support to the structure.

I added the sealed packs of cards on either side.  I created a product label to fold over the top.  I then put 2 holes through all the layers with my Crop-a-Dile.  I pulled a red metallic ribbon through the holes and knotted in on the front.

I hope that it generates a few dollars for out club.

I also donated my weaving from a Tactile show, you can check it out here.

Update: All the items sold which is very good news!

Christmas Card Challenge - Watercolor

Worked on Christmas cards again.   

Using 140lb rough watercolor paper trimmed to approximately 4.00 x 5.25 inches.

I wet the triangle and just dropped color inside and let it blend together.  Added a trunk and let dry.

The red dots were added after the tree was dry.

I used a Micron Fine Permanent black marker to add the lines, the star and outlines around the dots.  Spattered the background by covering the tree with scrap paper.   This was mounted onto dark green card base with a seasonal insert.

The colors are different on this one and I chose another pattern for my lines.  This are quite not traditional colors and I am okay with that.

Stars replaced the cots.

This one was mounted on a medium olive green card base with a seasonal insert and white envelopes.

A few more cards for the box! 

Christmas Card Challenge - June - Dove

The challenge for June is Dove. These card feature a die cut white dove.

The watercolor background is one I did earlier.  I cropped it to square and applied a fade to blur the right hand side edge. 

I drew the olive branch and added it to the digital background. Added the sentiment below and printed this on white card base.

I die cut the dove from heavy card stock with the Sizzix Green Dove die.  It was then mounted to the card front aligning it on the olive branch.

The 2 cards below are using copies of this card which I had messed up when printing. I trimmed them to leave a small border and mounted them to coordinating blue card bases.

Added the die cut dove.

A few more cards for the Christmas card box.

Birthday Tag

I made a tag for a joint gift for my niece who has a birthday in April.

I started with the QuicKutz Sewing Machine 4x4 thinlit.  The die cuts all the pieces which needed to be assembled.  It meant cutting once for each of the 4 colors - the body of the machine from olive green, feed dog plate, pressure foot and buttons in black, the other adjustment buttons in taupe, the spool of thread in black and red.  

I placed a piece of packing tape on a hard surface and slowly placed the pieces in place sticking them to the tape.  Once all the pieces were in place I used an exacto knife to trim the excess tape from around the outside edges of the die cut.

I then cut the tag with the Tim Holtz Cabinet die one kraft embossed with the SwissDots folder and one ivory.  I used the Crop a dile to make a hole in the top.  I adhered the sewing machine die cut to the tag with 3D foam tape.

I ran a length of red twine through the hole and it's ready to be attached.

The HB diecut was received in a swap so I have no credits.

It is very cute but a lot of work which explains this is the first time I have used it.

More Sewing - Pot Holders

I worked on some more pot holders as gifts this year as aprons were not in much demand among my siblings.

I love the soft muted tones of the fabric in the center of this set.  The 5 inches squares were given to me by a quilter friend. I added 100% cotton black borders around the square and the back is solid black.  

The stuffing/batting is 100% cotton.

The top stitching is around the center square and well as very close to the edge to close the space where I turned them good side out.

The loop was placed in the center of the square.

I paired an olive green/khaki green organic print with an olive green solid on the back. 

This is a 8.5 inch square which brings it down to 8 inches when completed. 

The stuffing is 100% cotton.

I used my quarter circle template again this time for this set. 

I just pinned the paper to the corner and then sewed following the curved edge.  Repeated for all 4 corners.

There was just enough burgundy fabric to complete this set of flat potholders.  I have enough floral to make another set.

This was left over fabric from the shirt smock apron I made earlier.

The stuffing is 100% cotton.

I chose the half circle template for the top stitching on this set.

It was nice to use up some smaller pieces of fabric.

All wrapped up for Christmas gifts.

Birthday Card - Olive and Chocolate

I made a couple of masculine cards.  This is coordinated designer paper in chocolate brown and olive green.   It features red, orange, vanilla triangles.

I cut the brown layer to 2.25 inches by 5.25 inches tall.  It was adhered to the left on the olive card base.  I added green piece measuring 3.75 inches square.  I layered it toward the top of the card.

I mounted a small oval greeting in the bottom right hand corner. 

I punched balloons with the Martha Stewart Balloon punch from the brown paper.  I added black thread strings to the balloons.  I adhered the balloons with 3D foam tape.

I made this card as a DSP Split.  I cut the green to 3.25 x 5.25 inches. The green is cut to 3.00 x 5.25 inches. These were taped into a single piece at the back with tape.

I adhered the designer paper layer onto the olive green card. I placed a piece of brown grosgrain ribbon across the joint and taped the ends to the inside of the card.

I added an oval greeting on the right hand side with 3D foam tape.  A couple more for my depleted stash.