The Map Quilt

Do you ever have a project that you are really excited to finish and then you just lose your drive and it gets put last on the list of things to make?  Well the Map Quilt was on of those projects.  I am happy to report that I have finally finished off the Map Quilt!  My kids are happy it's finished too.

As I mentioned in a previous post that had it quilted already but I wanted to make it bigger and add a border using a quilt-as-you go method.  I took some pictures to show how I did this in case you aren't familiar with this method. Please forgive me for the dark pictures. It seems like I can only get things done in the sewing corner at night.

So here is what I started with.

A quilt sandwich ready to bind. 

So to add a border I cut strips of fabric the length of the sides.  A 4" strip for the the top, a 4" strip of batting, and a 5 inch strip for the backing (1 in. larger so I could fold it over and use it for the binding)

Next I attached the front and back of the border with one line of stitching by stacking it up all together in this order

                    1. batting

                    2. top border strip (right sides together with quilt top)

                    3. quilt sandwich

                    4. backing border strip (right sides together with quilt back)

I stitched it together and then trimmed the extra batting close to the stitch line.

Then pressed it flat, ready to add the other borders in the same fashion.

 Here it is with all the borders on.. See how the backing fabric sticks out by one inch on all sides.

Because I was already burnt on finishing this quilt (and I didn't have anymore coordinating fabric) I chose to use the easiest method I know to bind it. I don't know what the name is but you basically use the backing fabric and fold it over and stitch it like a hem.    I don't see this binding used in blogland much...maybe it's a cop out method?  It's fast though and for that reason I like it!  Plus, it is really easy to get a perfect mitered corner this way.

One more project checked off the list!!

linking to Take a look Tuesday at Sugar Bee Crafts

American Flag Wreath

 Hi there!!!  I'm just popping in to show you the craft that superseded the finishing of the map quilt this week.  An American Flag wreath.  

I bet you are jealous of my butterfly door! :)  Ahhhh Florida!

My friend Kristin came over this week and while the kids played we wrapped yarn.  This is a fun, easy project...no sewing required!.   Three full skeins of yarn should be enough to make 3 full wreaths... wouldn't this be a fun little gift to give for friends or family?

Have you jumped on board with the yarn wreath craze lately?   There are so many cute yarn wreaths out there.  I found this one on Pinterest . Love that site!!  The tutorial for it is over at The Creative Imperative. 

 I love this one  and this one.  You can find another tutorial for a cute one over here.

My favorite thing about this project is that I finished it early enough in the season to actually decorate for the 4th!  That is big for me, I'm usually so last minute.

Are you ready for the 4th?

Dinner and a Work in Progress

Summer is in full swing here, which means I'm seriously full time mom to 4 kids right now.  I'd have to say I'm getting a bit lazy with my evenings and I haven't been making too many things.  I have been trying out a few new recipes though.  Tonight I made Laurel's Chicken and Rice. 




I didn't get a picture of it before it was dug into, but it's basically a baked rice and chicken dish. 

One of the ingredients is chicken broth and in my cupboard I found some Thai coconut curry chicken broth I bought to try. I used Jasmine rice too.  It turned out really good.

And here is my work in progress for the week.  'Tis the season for finishing projects for me.  Many years ago..like 10 years or something like that, my MIL gave me this cool map fabric.  Though I've never taken time to turn it into a quilt, we have used it a ton.  I've even pinned it to chalk boards and used it for teaching.  Anyway, I uncovered it in a to do pile the other day and this it the week that it is getting finished. 

It is all quilted.  I think I want a border on it though so it may be alittle tricky adding one at this point but I have an idea how do do it so I'll hopefully share that later in the week.

Good night!