Grand Piano Hot Pad

This cute Grand Piano quilted hot pad is sure to play a sweet note in your kitchen. The pattern uses one 10" square from your favourite Layer Cake and some black and white scraps. The keyboard is simple foundation paper piecing. The black bias binding completes it beautifully.

This hot pad pattern measures 12" x 9" (30cm x 22.5cm), which is the size of a small standard baking pan or dish.

I choose bright colours to set off the contrast of the black and white keyboard. Any print would look gorgeous for this project, and the black binding ties everything together, but I think a print with even a little black in it really creates a nice balance of colour.

Christmas Cactus Quilted Table Toppers

I first introduced this pattern this past summer and finally finished it. I really wanted to have it done before Christmas but other commitments took up a lot of my time during the holidays. The nice thing about this pattern is that it can be used year round because it's not too Christmassy.

These stunning quilted table toppers were inspired by the Christmas Cactus that blooms throughout the Christmas season. The pattern includes instructions for both versions shown below. Finished size for both versions is 26" x 26" (65cm x 65cm) and the finished block size is 6" x 6" (15cm x 15cm). This table topper fits perfectly on a standard 42" round table.

VERSION 1

VERSION 2

NEW PATTERN! Sweet Hearts Placemats for that romantic dinner for two

Are you planning a romantic dinner at home this Valentine's Day? Why not make you and your sweetie these cute quilted placemats for that special night? You'll need five Fat Quarters to make two placemats. Fusible appliqué makes this project simple and quick.

I'm so glad to have this pattern complete for Valentine's Day. I think these are adorable. They would add a nice personal touch to a romantic dinner at home. Also, this is such an easy pattern to make. Just fuse the pieces together, quilt, bind and you're done.

I like how the little heart gives you a faux reverse appliqué look.

New Job: Time to brush up on my time management skills

I haven't been able to post very much these days because I have a great new part-time job. Besides loving to quilt, I'm also a floral arranger. I love my job, but I'm now juggling my time between job, blogging, sewing, and housework. It's totally doable (I have no kiddies running around), but I really have to plan my time better for my sewing. I have a Halloween table runner on the design wall and on deck is a beautiful Christmas table topper.

Here are some of my floral design creations. It's been a long time since I did any floral work, but I'm starting to get the hang of it again, and I'm learning from some very talented designers at work.

Christmas Cactus Table Toppers.

This pattern was inspired by the Christmas Cactus which got its name because it starts blooming during the early winter, just in time for Christmas. 

The blocks are simple foundation piecing. The pattern includes yardage and assembly instructions for both Versions 1 and 2. Finished measurements for both versions: 26" x 26" (65cm x 65cm). 

Version 1

Version 2

Oh Canada Flag Banner

You can hang this beautiful paper pieced Canadian flag banner with pride. I'm Canadian born and raised and I truly love this country. I also think we have a very cool modern flag design; a simple maple leaf.

On July 1st, 2017, Canada turns 150 years young. I decided to make a Canadian flag banner to hang in the front window this year instead of using the one everyone gets in the morning paper.

The maple leaf in the center of the flag is a perfect design for foundation piecing. After some tweaking here and there, I finally got everything right. This block is 25 cm x 25 cm (10" x 10"). It can be reduced or enlarged to incorporate into pretty much anything: a throw pillow, a tote bag, or anything you want to cover with Canada's national symbol.

Another reason to love Canada . . . check out our Prime Minister.😛

Quilted doggy desk mat for my fluffy butt

My little Pomeranian Sophie is my shadow. She's with me everywhere I go around the house, but I've been spending a lot more time at my computer lately. Initially, she wanted to sit on my lap while I worked (she's a lap dog, after all), but I wouldn't get anything done that way. So, I plunked her on the desk. Now she sleeps there while I'm working, so I decided to make her a small quilted mat for the desktop.

Awhile back, I picked up some cute fabric from with foxes on it. The fabric line is Good Natured by Riley Blake. My husband always says Sophie reminds him of a fox, so I made her a quilted "desk mat" with it. This mat would be great for your feline friend as well. I noticed the new mat was a bit slippy at first, so I put a piece of anti-slip mesh under it and that worked great.

I think the little foxes in the birch trees are adorable.

Sophie fast asleep on her new blankie.

TEEPEE TRAILS Quilted Placemats

For me, the teepee is a symbol of home and especially being at home with nature. I paid homage to the humble teepee with my new placemat pattern, Teepee Trails. The pattern comes with yardage for two and four placemats. This foundation pieced project is simple to make for a beginner and a quick project for the seasoned pro.

Easter Egg Table Topper

Get hopping and cheer up your table this Easter with this sweet Easter Egg table runner. My cheery table runner pattern is ready just in time for Easter. I love the Easter colours. They remind me that spring is finally around the corner. This table runner/topper measures 22" x 16" (55cm x 40cm) and could also be used as a placemat or a cute wall hanging. The kids are sure to love it.

Urban Pathway Table Runner Pattern

Let's take a stroll down the avenue. This stylish Urban Pathway table runner pattern is simple and elegant. The clean lines showcase beautiful art deco inspired fabrics.

Urban Pathway Table Runner

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I designed Urban Pathway for our new coffee table and finished it this weekend. The fabric, Modern Deco by Jane Spoler, has a sleek and modern art deco theme.

I love the Art Deco period, so I immediately fell in love with this fabric and kept the block design simple to showcase it. What is Art Deco? Think of The Great Gatsby, the Empire State Building in New York, and the Roaring 20s.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is my favourite time of year. I did this floral arrangement for the season and made a Halloween table topper to go with it. I think the whole thing looks quite cheerful. Also, check out my Halloween door wreath.

Crazy quilt pillows with video tutorial

I made these crazy quilt block pillows for our couch, and they really inject a bit of character into the room. I love crazy quilts but lack the patience and time for all that embroidery. So, now I use the fancy stitches on my sewing machine instead. My little Singer has the best decorative stitches, so I use that machine for crazy quilt blocks.

Below is a great tutorial by Fons & Porter for creating crazy blocks. (FYI: The quilt in the left background inspired my denim scrap quilt beach blanket.)