Berry Table Runner and Sweet Land of Liberty Quilt

I finished two little projects this weekend. First up is this wall hanging/baby sized quilt made with a  panel from Lella Boutique. It is approx 36" x 44". 

I also finished this little table runner. It is made using the Berry Basket line by April Rosenthal. I love these prints so much!

It wasn't the plan, but these two look very cute together and I love the patriotic and summery vibes. 

Table Runner

My January Sew Sampler Box brought a Basic Grey Cider Honey Bun (1.5" strips) in perfect timing. My step-mom had asked for a table runner in earth tones. 

This fabric line is described as "pairs winter blues with tones of honey, cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar for a sweet combo of warm and cool." 

I sewed 14" wide strips of fabric and quilted it with wavy vertical lines. 

I hope they love it! 

If you like this fabric... I also found listings for charm squares, fat quarters, and a quilt kit that now I REALLY want the pattern! I love it! 

Black & White Table Topper

Okay so these blocks have been sitting for almost 3½ years, leftover from this quilt (still one of my all-time favorites, it lives on our couch and gets used nearly everyday). I decided to use it as a table topper on our kitchen table. What is a table topper? Somewhere in between a table runner and a place mat... something cute to put on the table.

It measures about 15.5" square and will live in the center of our table. 

The back is a cloth napkin I bought at Pier 1 a few years ago but never used. Until now!

The black and white fabrics nicely compliment the fabrics I used to recover the chairs last year.

 Here's a view of the table with the topper. It's a nice size for the table and a nice alternative to the place mats I've made (which I loooove but end up having to wash after one or two meals because my children seem to drip and spill more when there's something I love nearby!). 

And, since I don't believe I've shared - I finally got my plate collage hung up in the area above the table. It's a collection of different plates from all over. I painted the tree one on the left side. 

 And after the success and all the compliments my husband received for his work on our amazing china cabinet, he's been considering painting this table with the same distressing technique. I can't even begin to tell you how much that makes my heart flutter....... 

Blue & Green Table Runner

I started this table runner several months ago, before we moved. On Mother's Day, I had a few minutes to myself and got it finished. It is obviously made from scraps from my Blue & Green Circle Quilt (hanging on the couch behind it here).

It's stipple quilted, which is my favorite, especially on solid white fabric. I love how it turns out.

My little birds seem to really like it. Which is good, because they were violently attacked by a certain toddler the other day. Thankfully they survived and now have a new home on a higher surface.

I really like making table runners. The go together so fast and really make the house feel "homey." Plus - fewer surfaces to dust! ;)

A Purple Table Runner

This gift is for my sister, who I made this quilt for back in 2008. I saved the scraps and the extra blocks from that quilt for almost two years now. For Christmas, I made a matching table runner (or dresser topper if she decides she'd like it in a bedroom instead).






I guess 2010 has been the table runner Christmas!

Dresden Plate Table Runner

I made my mother-in-law a table runner for Christmas. It's made with two Dresden Plate blocks, made with purple fabrics. Each block has twenty pieces that make up the circle.



I think it would be pretty neat to have two vases of flowers to put on each end.

I stitched the edges of the Dresden Plate and then continued the zig-zag out into the quilting. The rest of the runner is quilted with stippling swirls. The binding is a tiny purple floral print.

Here's a shot of the back (the color is a bit off, but you can see the detail of the quilting here).

The Dresden Plate is a fun block to make - this was the first time I tried it. I used this ruler (that I bought with a 40% off coupon, so it was super affordable). The block itself came together very quickly, but attaching it to the background fabric took a little longer than I expected. Luckily I was able to finish this on December 23rd, just in the nick of time.

Table Runner

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today (and everyday), I am thankful for so many things - my healthy and happy children, my husband, our friends and family (and friends who have become just like family!). I am thankful for our safe and warm home that feels so very cozy.

I am thankful that I have found this wonderful quilting and crafting hobby that makes me so happy. I am thankful for people who organize wonderful projects that I can participate in that make my heart happy - like Margaret's Hope Chest, where together we have made 500 quilts for homeless children this winter! I am thankful for other crafters who share their projects and inspire me every. single. day.

I'm thankful for people like Alison who share their knowledge with free tutorials. I made this pillow a few weeks ago, using Alison's instructions and I loved how it turned out. I've been wanting a table runner for our dining room table (although it's more often a sewing table than a dining table...). Since I loved this tree so much, I decided to use that inspiration for a table runner. And finished it just in time for our Thanksgiving feast today!

Tree one...

Tree two...

I free-motion quilted all around the trees with off-white thread to match the fabric.

It's bound in red, which happens to match our cloth napkins just right.

I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving with loved ones!