Blog with Friends - Fun and Reversible Table Decor

Welcome to another edition of Blog with Friends!
This month we have 7 bloggers that have signed up to bring you some Thanksgiving fun! Look for all of them at the bottom of this post!

When I started thinking about my Blog with Friends project I knew I wanted it to be something a little different. We've all seen all the tutorials for table runners, aprons, kitchen towels, oven mitts, etc. (that doesn't mean that I might not put my own spin on one of them one day soon) and I wanted something that I haven't seen before. That got me to thinking about circular decor items. I haven't seen anything like that except for knitted or crocheted items. Why not try sewing something circular! 


So here you have it! The Fun and Reversible Table Decor! I didn't want to call it a runner since it doesn't run down the table and I didn't want to call it a mat, that sounds too boring. So I asked my Blog with Friends friends and that is the name we came up.

This is SO easy and SO fast. I think it took all of 20 minutes to make.

STEP 1 -

Fold your fabric in half and then half again.
Take your measuring tape and measure down both sides, marking the length you want. 
Measure from the corner down, marking the same measurement as your sides.
Connect the marks and cut. 

You can use the first cut as a template for the 2nd fabric. Makes it easier that way. ;)

This is what you should have.

STEP 2 -

Pin your circles right sides together. Make sure to leave an opening so you can turn it right side out.

Sew along the edges.


STEP 3-

Now you'll want to cut little marks in your seam allowance to allow for a neater look when you turn it right side out. 


STEP 4-

Turn it right side out and press.


STEP 5-

Fold the fabric in where the opening is and press. 


STEP 6-

Top stitch all around the edges (this closes that opening).

YOU'RE DONE!!! :D

The centerpieces in the picture were made from things I picked up at the Dollar Tree. It cost me about $10 to make all three.
I picked up 3 tins, 2 bags of gourds, 1 package of leaves and 4 fabric flowers.
I stuffed plastic bags into the tins and covered them with the leaves.
Then I mixed the 2 colors of gourds and put them on top.
Next, I cut the long stems down to just a few inches and placed them in the middle tin.
Easy peasy!

Don't forget to check out all the cool Blog With Friends projects listed below. If you have any Thanksgiving projects you'd like to share, feel free to add your link to the blog hop at the end of this post.

Baking In A Tornado shares a special holiday dessert, Fried Walnut-Crusted Spice Cake with Caramel Sauce.

 

Shellybean of Follow me home shares a craft to make and use throughout the holidays, a Thankful Tree.

Melissa of Home on Deranged tells us about some Technology Tips for Turkey Day.

 

Christy of Uplifting Families takes us through her children's Thanksgiving Textured Leaf Cards.

Lydia of Cluttered Genius shares some Kid-Friendly and Kid-Created "Fancy" Thanksgiving Table Decorations.

 Robin of Someone Else's Genius shows us how to make this Autumn Harvest Wreath:

An InLinkz Link-up

                      HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Holiday Sewing Ideas

OMG!! Have you realized that Christmas is less than 2 months away???? Yes, I know... I want to smack me for saying it, too.... And Thanksgiving is just a FEW WEEKS!!! ARGH!!! Full panic mode!!! 

I wanted to put together a list of sewing projects to get you started for the Thanksgiving/Fall/Christmas seasons.

I will have some new things coming up, though! I just need to get busy!!! LOL

Thanksgiving/Fall
(Of course, these can all be adapted for any other time of year.)


DIY Lap Rug

Fan Tote Tute

Fleur de Lis Maxi Skirt

Headband Earmuffs

Home Decor

Leggings with Reverse Applique

T-Shirt Tunic and Leggings

Christmas

Christmas Tree Tutu Shirt (with hair accessories)

Gingerbread Dress and Headband

Holiday Crushed Velvet Top

Stockings



Gifts

Anna Cape

Book Covers

DIY Taggie Blanket

DIY Taggie Toys

Drawstring Backpack AKA The D Bag

Mug Rug

Stuffed Shark

Any of the projects could actually be used as gifts... LOL

                      HAVE FUN SEWING!!!!!

DIY Mug Rug

So Karen, from Baking in a Tornado, and I decided to do another post together! YIPPEE!!! Her post is about birthdays and a DELICIOUS Cream Cheese Toffee Cake. 

Anyway, I was trying to think of something to link into birthdays. Hey! What about a DIY gift??? And mug rugs seem to be all over the place these days. Perfect!!! Only, most of those mug rugs look kinda hard to make. Well, maybe not if you're a quilter (and I am not). Soooo, this is MY version of a mug rug, the quick and easy, non-quilter method. No cutting a thousand little bitty pieces (I don't know how quilters do it). All you need is a zigzag stitch! ;)


What I Used :

Some big scrap pieces 
Some smaller scrap pieces
An acorn pattern that I drew and cut out
Ribbon (from BB Crafts) 


Step 1 

These pieces are your main body. 

They are about 7" by 10".

You will need 2 for the front and 1 for the back.


Step 2 -

This is the pattern that I drew and cut out. You are welcome to save and print it. If you blog about it or sell anything please remember to mention this blog. ;)


Step 3

I cut out the acorns in complimenting fabrics. 

I made 2 mug rugs so I cut out 2 acorns. 


Step 4 

Now, pin your acorns to BOTH of the front pieces.

This gives it a little more stability and strength. 

Some people use stabilizer but *I* don't think it's always necessary. In other words, I have never used it when appliqueing and I haven't had any problems. 


Step 5 

Set your zigzag stitch to the closest setting and stitch all around both pieces of the acorn. 

I used a bar stitch and added a stem to this one. I forgot to do it to the other one. :/ 



Step 6 

With right sides together, pin the front and back.

Sew just the short ends together!


Step 7

Turn right side out and press.

Zigzag the long ends.

Now, top stitch the short ends. 


Step 8 

Fold your ribbon over the zigzagged edges. 

Pin in place and sew along the edge, attaching it to the main body.

                           ALL DONE!!!!!!!!!

Now you have a beautiful mug rug to give as a birthday present (or maybe to just enjoy for yourself). 


Let me know what you think!

If you have any questions, please, feel free to ask!

Don't forget to check out Baking in a Tornado's AWESOME Cream Cheese Toffee Cake. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!!!! 


                        HAVE FUN SEWING!!!

Crafting with BBCrafts

I am very excited to bring you my first sponsored post. I was contacted by BBCrafts and was offered $25 worth of product in return for my honest review. 

I was able to pick the products for myself. YIPPEE!!!

First, let me say that BBCrafts has more than just ribbon. They have a variety of crafting supplies from tulle to tablecloths, from ribbon to organza bags!

My first reaction upon receiving my box was just how heavy the spools were. You know, usually the actual size of the spool doesn't really matter because it's mostly cardboard anyway. Not with these! The spools are FULL!! No thick cardboard centers!! 

The next thought I had was about the look of the ribbons. I was thoroughly pleased with all 3 but most especially the light burlap with orange sparkles! SPARKLES and BURLAP in one!! Heaven!!!

Now on to quality. I have used ribbon from tons of different stores and I have to say, with all honesty, this stuff was the best. They don't feel cheap or skimpy. They were all easy to work with as well.

Now, on to the crafting!!!!

I love cinnamon brooms but they don't look very pretty by themselves. 

This was so easy to make over. I think it took me all of 5 minutes! 

Just grab your ribbon and hot glue it to the top.

Twist it around the handle and hot glue it at the bottom.

Make a pretty bow and hot glue it wherever you like!

This was my next project, prettifying my plain storage bins. 
Another 5 minute project that makes a big difference.
I hot glued the dark burlap around the bin. Then I added the orange chevron on top. Last I glued on a pretty fall flower. 
Perfect for a fast fall update for your home decor!

I promised y'all that I would never post about a product that I didn't believe in and I have actually turned a few companies down. THANK GOODNESS BBCrafts was as good as they claim to be. I don't know what I would have done otherwise!!

Go check out all that BBCrafts has to offer. Tell them I sent you! ;)

                     HAVE FUN CRAFTING!!!!

Stay Snug with a DIY Lap Rug

Be sure to stay until the end of this post! There's a big surprise!!!!

So you're going to the big game. You know it might get pretty cold later on but you don't want to lug around a big blanket. Here's the perfect solution! A lap rug! All the warmth of a big blanket with none of the bulkiness! 

What I Used :

Steelers cotton print 50" x 20"

Black minky dot 50" x 20"

This is soooo easy. Seriously, it takes about 15 minutes!!!!

Step 1 -

With right sides together, pin your 2 pieces. Sew all the way around leaving a small opening. 

Step 2 -

Remove the cat from your work area!!!

Step 3 -

Turn right side out. 

Tuck the pieces of the opening in and pin. 

Top stitch in place. 

  ALL DONE!!!! See how easy??? I'm almost ashamed of doing a tutorial for it. ;)

Now, for the surprise!!!                                                                                                 

This is another tag team tailgating post!! WOO HOO!!

While I showed you how to stay warm from the outside, Karen at Baking in a Tornado will show you how to warm up the inside.

Check out Baking in a Tornado for some tailgating cocktails that are sure to get you ready for the big game!


HAVE FUN TAILGATING!!!!!

A Day at the Pumpkin Patch

Last Friday we took Cailey and Colin to a local pumpkin patch. We had SUCH a blast! There was so much to see and do! Even though it was freezing that day we still had a really great time.



The first thing we did was hit the corn maze. We let Colin lead us through it. He loved it. It was a HUGE maze cut into the shapes of different animals. He lead us all through the frog shape and then decided we were done. Too much other stuff to see and do!



They absolutely loved the petting zoo. Even though we have had bunnies and goats in the past, they still loving interacting with them. I think this was their first experience with a sheep!



We took a lot of silly pictures. This is one of my favorites. LOL



We got to take a hayride. Since we were some of the few there that were not with a school group, we got the hayride and big pumpkin patch all to ourselves! FUN FUN FUN!!! Colin jumped off and grabbed the first pumpkin he saw! I didn't even get to snap a picture! Thankfully Cailey took a bit more time and I got the exact moment when she found hers.



This was one of their favorite parts of the whole day!!! I caught Cailey in mid-flip! LOL









Their pumpkin choices! :D





We did ALL kinds of stuff! Corn maze, hayride, pumpkin patch, corn tub, bouncy pillow, petting zoo, fudge, hot fudge cake, ginormous slides, and a bunch of stuff I know I'm forgetting. We are definitely making this a yearly tradition, but maybe we should go a little earlier in the season next year. We froze our tushies off!! LOL