Keeping Busy

I stitched up a small quilt top this week - it isn't quilted yet, but hopefully that will happen soon.  It's a Kim Diehl design from her book Homestyle Quilts. The one in the book measures 60" square, but I shrunk mine down to finish at 26" square - the blocks measure 3-3/8". It's name is Crossing Paths.

I love all of Kim's designs and this one caught my eye because it's in the same book as the design I'm turning in to a hooked rug - my progress on that project is below. It's supposed to have a patchwork border, but I switched it up and added some scallops and circles that kinda makes me think of eyelet lace. Kim named this design Blackbirds & Berries. I'm not loving the brown basket at the bottom of the rug - think I'll have to find another piece of wool to replace it with.

My studio has a wood floor, and I am constantly chasing my sewing machine foot control all over the place under my cabinet when I sew. I saw this tutorial to make a non-slip pad to put under the controller, so thought I'd make one up to see if it will actually work for me. Crossing my fingers! You can find the same great tutorial HERE - she actually has a ton of really good projects and information on her blog - I need to go back and take a thorough look around and I urge you to do the same!

Today's the day I promised to draw the winner of my Valentine mug rug giveaway. So, without further ado, the name that came out of the hat is Lori who blogs at Humble Quilts. Congratulations Lori! I am very happy to send it to her since she is a generous blogger who leads free SALs on a regular basis that are a lot of fun to make. Hope you enjoy this little gift Lori! Thanks to all of my readers who make blogging a wonderful experience!