Inspire. Empower. Create.
Thanks to niki in the community forum for bringing this to my attention, but Stephanie @ loft creations has a really great Dresden Plate Tutorial that makes it look a little more manageable and a lot less intimidating 😀
We love it so much we’re getting the rulers to sell in the shop and will have Jenny show us how to make it all go in a video. Hopefully we’ll all have AMAZING success stories to share in a few weeks!!
Anyway, back to vacation! 🙂
Almost as much as you like free stuff!
This weeks winner of the Fabric Free for All over in the forum is Niki! Congrats girl, your Nouveau Charm Pack will be in the mail asap!
Want to win free fabric or patterns? Of course you do! Join us in the forum and play along!
If you don’t know what the heck we’re talking about (you’re not alone,) let us explain! Each week we have a giveaway for ANYONE who responds to a simple question we ask on the community forum. All you have to do is be part of the discussion and you’re automatically entered to win. Add a pic to your post and you double your chances!
For full details about the Weekly Giveaway, click here.
To learn how to register and use the forum, click here.
There’s a new giveaway up RIGHT NOW, so come join the conversation! See you there!
~Misty
Awhile ago Natalie blogged about the pattern she used when she made her nest quilt and I just love it. It gives that scrappy look without all the work. I have made two of those quilts. Here at Missouri Star Quilt Company we call the pattern “Altered Squares”. On this first one I used 2 Natures chorus layer cakes. It just blends so beautifully and breaths spring!
This next quilt I made for me and Mr D. I used the same pattern, a four patch and a hourglass but instead of a layer Cake I used yardage. Sarah had me make a small quilt using this fabric and I didn’t think I would like it, but, when I was binding it, I had is spread across my bed and it just made my room come alive. I had to have one for me. So I made this to celebrate our 29th anniversary and I love it!
This quilt is made for a family friend who is struggling with terminal cancer. 
I wanted to give her something that would be meaningful, but, I also needed to get it done quickly so I went with a simple hourglass block made from a Collections for a Cause layer cake. I felt really good about spending money on this fabric because it directly benefits cancer research. I think it turned out really lovely. Hope she likes it as well!
Paper or Plastic? How about neither. It takes as much petroleum to make 14 plastic bags as it does to drive a car one mile. These grocery bags are made from rescued T-Shirts. They are similar in size and shape to your average plastic grocery bag and can be used anywhere! They are quite durable, keep them in your purse or your car, it just takes a little at a time to get in the habit of recycling. It’s all about making a difference one small step at a time.
So, what do you do with your favorite T-shirts after they are too small, or worn out? Why, make reusable grocery bags of course! Here’s how I do it:
First choose a t-shirt…
I find that small to mediums work best. If you want to use larger T-shirts you would either have a very big bag (not a bad thing!) or you would need to cut and sew the side seams. (Confused?) You’ll see in a minute.
Lay your T-shirt out on a hard flat surface (I am using my kitchen table), 
then lay your template…(any grocery bag will do. Pick one that has a size and shape you like.) on top pf your T-shirt.
Match the top of the bags handles with the shoulder seams.
Trace the opening around the neckline, and around the sleeves. (don’t worry, the chalk comes right off!) :)You are basically cutting out the neck and cutting off the sleeves to make your handles.
I usually fold my shirts in half, matching up all the seams and then do my cutting…this way both sides match. We leave the original side seams intact. (One less seam to sew!) 🙂 
When that is done, cut off the bottom of the shirt. Again I use my walmart bag as a guide but, remember, your bag can be as big or small as you like. When you have decided on a good length, cut it, then turn the shirt inside out, Sew or serge the bottom seam shut.
(If using a regular sewing machine do a straight stitch and a zig zag to make it nice and sturdy) If desired, you can also sew or serge around the handles.
Then take the bottom seam of the bag and fold it against the side seam like this..
..you will have a little triangle, measure about 1 1/2 inches from the point and place a pin. (do this for both sides) sew a straight seam from pin to pin. You can leave this on or cut it off, its up to you. When you flip your bag right side out, you should have a nice squared bottom to your bag. And, its done! Nice job!
Here is your finished product! 
You can roll them up and keep them in your purse or under the seat of your car. You can tie them with hemp cord and give them as gifts! They’re great! Have a happy day!