Thursday, December 15, 2011

Welcome, Accuquilt Christmas Bloghoppers!

Note: This giveaway is now closed....thank you so much for your interest!

So glad to have all of you visiting here at Lilypad Quilting!  A big thanks to SewCalGal for including me in the week of blogging, and to Accuquilt for the awesome giveaway over there!
My project for the Accuquilt Christmas Blog Hop is placemats!  And if you stick with me till the end, there's a bonus project, too!


Let's get started, shall we?  Hang on while I grab my coffee. You want some too? Sure, here you go!



First thing we need to do is delve into our stash and grab some Christmas-y fat quarters . . . if you're like me, it's difficult to cut into these babies! I'd rather pat them and talk to them, and just think up designs and projects --- but the sketches in my design book are not good presents for the folks on my list!

Now, once we've pulled out a good mix, we'll get our trusty Go!Baby and our chisel die. Those who follow Lilypadquilting know that I am crazy about the possibilities with this die! You can do so many things with it!  Crank out some chisel shapes, like so:


I have in mind a scrappy look that I'm going for, so you can see I have a lot of variety, and a good bit of contrast in my selection. You can also see that I am challenged in the photography department, but that is a story for another day!

Now comes the fun! Take your chisels and try several different layouts. Mix them up and see what appeals to you, and try several options:



When you have a layout that pleases you, you'll go ahead and begin joining the chisel pieces. Pick up one from the bottom row, and the one directly above it, and pin them (right sides together) like so:

I know it looks wonky --- putting things right sides together sometimes challenges my logical mind, but hey, don't fight it . . . it will turn out alright in the end!

Sew a scant quarter inch seam, and iron. I pushed all of my seams to the darker fabric, and it worked out OK.

Now you should have several sets of strips. I chose to make my placemats a generous size . . . I used six joined strips. I figure why have a placemat that won't catch all the crumbs and accidents? Plus, I like to have room for a nice napkin, and the fork and spoon, and a glass or mug!
Here's how mine looked at this point:



Now you can sew your strips together, and then square it up. (Watch those fingers, now!) I squared mine up to a nice 9 inch by 18 inch rectangle.


Then I cut some 2 inch strips from a lovely Kona red, and sewed them to the top and bottom edges (the long edges) of my placemat. Here is what I had, then:



At this point, it is time to get a rectangle of batting, and some fabric for the back of the placemat, and make your "sandwich." I wanted the fabrics to shine, so I just quilted in the ditch -- but I'll betcha that you folks that can free motion quilt can do some fancy quiltin' here!


Go ahead; call me crazy -- I love that macro setting! Hey! (Pouting) I didn't really mean for you to call me crazy!

Lastly, you'll want to bind your placemat, and then you're done. Except that now you need to make some more, so you can have a complete set!
Here is my finished placemat . . . 


And here is a picture of it being used:




Sincere apologies to those who were looking forward to a fancy-schmansy tablescape, here --- I let Jeeves have the day off today! (You have to imagine that said in a really snooty voice.)

Now, about that bonus project I promised you . . . I had some chisels left over, and I dreamed this up:



It's a hotpad! (Or a potholder . . . I guess it's your choice what you want to call it.) I used some charm squares of Christmas fabric to make the background, 


and then sliced and diced my chisels 


and some half square triangles that I had left over, too. 



I used some LapelStik to adhere the "candle," "flame," and "candlestand" to the hotpad front, and then used a blanket stitch on my machine to applique them on. I'd just like to see those babies try to get off of there, now! (Grin)

Then it's sandwich time!



No, not that kind! The kind where you slap together some batting, your Insul-bright, and your front and back pieces of the hotpad!


I actually used a layer of batting on either side of the Insul-Bright, and I like how the quilting looks!


Would you like to have this hotpad that I made, and a kit to make another one just like this? That is my giveaway for the bloghop!  Just leave me a comment telling me what candle fragrance you like best. I love my followers, so if you are an old follower or a new one, you can have a second entry!  We'll choose a winner on Sunday.


I hope you enjoyed your visit to Lilypadquilting! Don't forget to enter the Go!Baby giveaway at SewCalGal's blog!! 


And just in case you missed any of them, here are the bloggers for this week of fun!

Monday, December 12th

  • SewCalGal
Tuesday, December 13th
Wednesday, December 14th
Thursday, December 15th
Friday, December 16th


I had so much fun making these projects that I think they qualified as "Minutes for Me" and I'm linking up with Marcia at the linky party!
I'm also linking up with Katherine's Corner, for the Thursday Favorite Things party! Check it out! 
And since I am loving the fun of linky parties, I'm also at The Shady Porch's Rock -n- Share party, too! Fun!


Love,





102 comments:

  1. That's funny! Why is it that when we get a little package of great fabric that we just want to hold them and touch them and talk to them and NOT cut them up? I thought I was going crazy... Cute tute! Happy holidays.

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  2. Great tutorial. I love the placemats...now to just get my hands on a Go! Although, I think I could do this project with a rotary cutter (UGH).

    My favorite candle scent is clothesline. I want my house to smell like I just cleaned it (although that is rarely the case).

    Thanks for your generosity.

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  3. Thank yo so much for the tutorial on both the place mats and the pot holder..I will use them both...Merry Christmas

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  4. Thanks for the placemat and pot holder tutorials. My favorite candle fragrance is vanilla - I know kind of boring, but candles can activate my asthma. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  5. I too love making potholders...I love the ways you used the die.

    Cinnamon Apple.

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  6. Very cute projects :) I love Gardenia candles!

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  7. Lovely project.Thanks so much! I love orange and cinnamon candles. Can't use those which smell very much as it gives me headaches.

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  8. Cute tutorial. Thanks for the chance to win. with my allergies I have no choice but to go for the softer scents. Vanilaa is usually safe.

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  9. Thank you for the inspiration. I would love to win.

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  10. I think most of my candles are unscented, but I'm going to try Clothesline. I like the way Quilter in the Gap thinks! LOL. Thanks for the tutorial. Your placemat looks good.

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  11. Hubby and I both have asthma so no candles in our house. I do love the smell of apples and cinnamon so I guess I would burn an apple pie candle if I could.

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  12. Thank heaven- I am not the only one who talks to her stash!

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  13. I love Mulberry for the Holidays! Thanks for a chance!

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  14. i am so boring. i have unscented LED candles. they still have the flicker and most of the ambiance!!

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  15. i follow by subscribing in google reader

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  16. Great tutorial! I haven't seen any using the chisel die before!
    I like my candles to smell of cinnamon!

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  17. Vanilla or a Christmas cinnamon are my special smells

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  18. I love Midsummers Night. It reminds me of my husbands cologne, and I do so love my husband :)

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  19. Am a new follower!

    trainwife1962@hotmail.com

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  20. My favorite candle scent is Linen. I can only have light scents with my asthma. Love the potholder and would love to have it and a kit. Thanks for your time in putting this together.

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  21. I'm a Follower, thanks for the 2nd entry.

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  22. I love your tutorial and comment about Jeeves. :) My favorite scent is Christmas Cookies. Thank you for the lovely giveaway and Merry Christmas!

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  23. I love spices and vanilla. Very relaxing fragrances, I think.

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  24. Wonderful post! You projects are great. I'm a new follower and I'd love to win you little kit.

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  25. oops. I forgot to tell you my favorite candle fragrance is vanilla.

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  26. I am a new follower. Thank you for the giveaway.

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  27. My favourite fragrance is cinnamon.

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  28. Pumpkin Spice for sure. I liked it before all the hype about "men" liking it too much. lol
    SallyKingemail@gmail.com

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  29. I am a follower. Very cute placemat and pot holder.
    SallyKingemail@gmail.com

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  30. Great tutorial! My favourite scent is vanilla although I have a fir scented candle right now and I really like it.

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  31. Candle fragrance.....hands down cinnamon the stronger the better, but very hard to find.....unless it's Christmas.....love the placemts and pot holder...

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  32. I'm new to your blog, but I'm enjoying it....

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  33. Oh my goodness. This is fabulous! Thank you for showing us how. :-D

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  34. My favorite candle fragrance is a pine scented one. Very good tutorial. Thanks for the chance on your giveaway!

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  35. I use Scentsy candles and love the Heminway scent, thanks.

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  36. I love the hotpad! My favorite scents are vanilla and black cherry. Boring and basic, but I can't stand florals or sandalwood-anything.

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  37. I love vanilla, nothing too strong or it will give me migraine LOL. I have just ordered some Insul Bright to make my first hot pads, but I would still like to win yours x

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  38. My favorite daily candle scent is lavender, but Christmas is great with Home for Christmas, or Feliz Navidad, or Let It Snow, or Christmas Eve. I have the little votives and change off depending on my mood. Today's a Home day. Cute projects!

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  39. vanilla or cinnamon! love the smells of christmas baking

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  40. I don't recall the mfg of the candle scent I like so well but it is cucumber/mango/lime scented and smells so fresh and clean. Thanks again for a chance to win.

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  41. Thank you for this great tutorial, very cute, both potholder and palcemat.
    I love candlelight, but I don´t have to smell it ☺
    Thanks for the chance to win.
    Liebe Grüße
    Bente - Germany

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  42. Thank you for the tutorial.
    Would like a chance to win.
    karencg

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  43. Thank yo so much for the tutorial! I like cinnamon!

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  44. I'm not a quilter, but this makes me want to give it a try! Thanks!
    I am blog hopping & following you from Katherine's Corner. Growing Old With Grace http://growing-old-with-grace.blogspot.com/. Hugs, GraceinAZ

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  45. Nicely done, Snoodles! Very pretty projects and greattutorial! I love vanilla in my candles!

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  46. Okay, now I need the Chisel die - and it's all your fault! I talk to my fabrics sometimes too - the question is, do yours talk back to you? ;-) Merry Christmas....

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  47. Candle scents.... right now it is Pine I have a artifical tree and the pine scent gets me in the Christmas mood... I love Cranberry and apple cinnamon and Orange and well the list goes on and on...

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  48. hmmmm, i love all things vanilla, but I've been known to try almost any scent....

    I love your placemat, and the potholder too! You have been having lots of fun with your GO!! Awesome!!

    Love and big hugs,
    Thing I

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  49. I love the scent of vanilla in candles.

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  50. I follow your blog love the prizes you are giving away.

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  51. I have a ton of fat quarters that I just like to look at and feel. Why do we buy them if we don't plan to actually use them? I am a new follower.

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  52. I have a macintosh apple candle that I love. It smells so much like fall.

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  53. Like this tute and chance to win the giveaway. Favorite candle scent this time of the year is pine, or evergreen, something that smells like real trees. I sometimes hold off from cutting fabrics especially if have too many ideas of what I want to make. Once I get over that it is easier to make a quilt than to pet the fabric.

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  54. Pumpkin Spice.

    Hi. Thanks for the cup of coffee and the great tutorial.

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  55. What a great tutorial. Thank you. I really love the hot pad idea. Super cute idea. Great idea.

    My absolute favorite candle scent is Lilac. And if I can't find that then the next favorite is Clean Linen.

    Thank you so much.
    I hope you have a wonderful holiday.

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  56. I am already a follower of your blog. I'm already old and feel it many days so I've resisted the chance to say I am an OLD follower. HAHA

    Thank you again.

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  57. Adorable hotpad...love the candle! My favorite candle fragrance is cucumber melon. Thanks for the chance to win this hotpad and kit.

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  58. Great tutorial! I prefer unscented candles, and love the scent of a blown out candle.

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  59. My favorite is Sage Citrus by Yankee Candle, not sure if they make this anymore because my stove tarts are Vanilla Lime (couldn't find any Sage Citrus ones at the time).

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  60. I would love to have the candle hot pad. It is so cute. Don't have the chisel dye, but you've given me some ideas on cutting the candles & flame. Thanks.

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  61. Sorry - just me again. My favorite candle fragrance is Biscotti. Yum, Yum, Yum.

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  62. Like the chisel die. The placemats turned out great. The hotpad is really cute too. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  63. I am a follower. Have a Merry Christmas.

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  64. your placemat and hotpad are adorable! I love vanilla scented candles

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  65. Great Tutorial! I am a follower and I would love to win! Thanks for the chance!
    And thanks for Linking up to the Minutes for Me Linky Party!
    Have a great weekend!

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  66. I love that they are easy breezy.

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  67. thank you for the tutorial - very cute potholder

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  68. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  69. Love your placemat and hot pad tutorial. My favorite candle scents would have to include pine or other outdoors/flowers and spices - thanks for the giveaway - KatheGTN (at) aol (dot) com

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  70. I'm following you - KatheGTN (at) aol (dot) com

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  71. Thanks for the great tutorial.:)
    I am a follower.
    hey, the other sandwich looks good, too! LOL

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  72. I love scented candles- Tea Rose is beautiful, and must have cinnamon scented ones at Christmas. :)

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  73. How absolutely adorable!!! I love the placemat, and the hot pad. Too cute!

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  74. What a great tutorial!!! I love the smell of vanilla and cinnamon. I'm allergic to a lot of flowers so I have to be careful what scents I use!! Thanks for the giveaway!!!

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  75. I think I might have commented on this one already, but I love those placemats! I'm goingto have to take a stab at this project!

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  76. Please no candle smell at all, especially at the table

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  77. Favorite candle scent is anything coffee or pumpkin, any time of year :-)
    Thanks for the fabulous tutorial.

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  78. My favorite candle scent is one that reminds me of a Michigan fall such as pumpkin spice

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  79. great projects!!! I don't know why this post didn't show up in my reader earlier this week.. silly Google/blogger

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  80. Very cute hotpad! My favorite candle scent is Apple - especially the red MacIntosh Apple one! MMMMM it smells soooo good! :)

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