Another Last Minute Gift

Mug Rugs! 

I see these all over Flickr and they're so cute! They're sort of a little snack mat for a cup of coffee or tea and a few cookies or a little sandwich. They can be as simple or as complicated as your time and creativity allow! They could be pieced with a small version of a quilt block or appliqued or just scrappy pieced.  If you need a little inspiration, go to Flickr and search "mug rugs".

We're going to do a super fast one. For this tutorial, I picked this cute mug that came with a flower arrangement. Then I found some fabric to match.

Last Minute Gift Idea

CHRISTMAS POTHOLDERS!

Supplies needed:

Simple (preferably symmetrical) drawing, e.g., tree,

      snowflake, ornament,

      snowman, wreath, etc.

Two contrasting fabrics
Fabric for backing and binding
Steam-a-seam lite for applique
Batting
Thermal batting
General sewing supplies

I'm going to make the tree, so I'll be referring to the "tree" and green and white fabric in this tutorial - you may be using a snowflake or something else and other colors.

New Fabrics!

Oodles of Doodles from Ricky Tims!! Check it out here....plus blenders from the Rhapsodie Coloree II line!

Back from the show - and a milestone?!?

Eek!! Has it really already been a week since SassyPacks debuted at the Original Sewing and Quilting Expo? Wow. Well, we had an absolutely fabulous time. In case you missed it on Facebook, here's a shot of our booth:

We met lots of new friends, and got a chance to interact with customers...as an online store, we don't hear from all of you as much as we would like! Hearing people's reaction to SassyPacks was fantastic. We strive to bring you all contemporary fabrics for fresh, modern quilting...and we were so humbled by the reception we received in at the show. If there is a show in your area that you'd like to see us at, send the info our way.

In all the hubbub of getting ready for the show, we missed a very important date - our anniversary!! SassyPacks is now a year old - can you believe it? We opened for business on Sept. 28, 2009 and a year later, we are so happy to be here! We are excited about the next year - we've learned so much, heard from you all on what you like (and don't like), and are ready to have a super Year 2!

Thank you for your support of SassyPacks - truly. The first year of any business is a little wild, but we have such amazing customers! You all make our jobs a joy....so keep the feedback coming, here, on Facebook, Twitter, or email us at contact@sassypacks.com. We love your ideas, questions, comments....even just a hello!

Over the next couple of weeks, we are going to be previewing our holiday fabrics, putting up some new tutorials, and talking a little more about what contemporary quilting is all about. Lots going on - so check back often!

Such a face!!

Somtimes the littlest thing can make the biggest difference. Like this morning as I was cutting and folding and running down a list in my head of all the things I needed to get done, Tucker stood up to the cutting table and said, "Whatcha working on?" (At least, in my mind that's what he said!)

It wasn't that I was having a bad day or feeling really over-stressed . . . I just seemed to be too deep in work. What a day brightener!

And it was just too cute not to share!  :)

Thanks!

Thanks to the ladies at Clothworks for featuring a new quilt kit from SassyPacks ~ check out the post here!

 

Come Visit Us in Chantilly, VA!

We've been cutting, folding, sampling and packing getting ready for the Original Quilting and Sewing Expo in Virginia later this month. This is our first big show and we're really excited about it (I'm sure we'll learn a lot and there will be many things we'll do different next time!).

An interesting thing happened as I was sitting here folding 1-yard cuts and fat quarters - I really looked at the fabrics. Sounds crazy, but when we recieve a shipment, we open the boxes and unwrap the bolts (oohing and aahing), but I usually don't take the time to really look closely at and appreciate the design. I'm too anxious to get them on the website for everyone else to see :).

For instance, this piece from our Splendor line. It's a very pretty fabric (and silky smooth), but look at it up close - what a beautiful print!

This fabric would make the sweetest pillow cases. So luxurious against your face! I'm starting to yawn - better get back to work!!

New Fabrics!

We just ordered some new holiday fabrics...Santa's Chocolate Shoppe from Studio E Fabrics! Can't wait for them to get in!

With the beautiful sunny days, it is so strange to be thinking about the holidays. But ~ how fun is this fabric? Gets me thinking about all sorts of projects....which I need to start now if there is going to be ANY chance of getting them done in time :)

Are you getting started on holiday projects yet? Oh - by the way, if you're thinking about Halloween (instead of Christmas), we've got adorable Halloween kits on sale at SassyPacks.com. Check it out!

Small things

Lately, I've been wanting to make projects that are small and can be finished quickly. I think my attention span is really short and just refuses to take on a big project. It's gotten so bad that I actually find myself with an idea for, maybe a cute little potholder, start sorting through my stash and lose interest while I'm still face down in a bin of fabrics! Sad.

Ok - here I go!

Computer. Check.

Quiet evening. Check.

Great ideas. Check.

Glass of wine. Check.

Wow. Looks like I'm all set. I keep saying I'm going to start blogging - and I have posted here a couple of times. But this time, I'm going all in! After all, the list above proves I'm ready, right? Ok the list isn't totally accurate. Sure, I have a "computer". But my daughter warns me never to let anyone see it or the Smithsonian will declare it a National Treasure and take it from me. She believes it is actually the first computer made for the home!

Pillow Case Tutorial

Pillow case with finished seams. This tutorial shows a really cool way to make a pillowcase with finished seams and no hand sewing. It's super-fast, super-fun and once you make one, you'll start thinking of all kinds of reasons to make more and who you can make them for!

Fabric needed:

• 3/4 yard of fabric for the main part
• 1/4 yard of coordinating fabric for the cuff
• 1/8 yard contrasting fabric for the band