Cuppa Latte?

Welcome, blog hoppers!  This is my modest (inspired, but quite unfinished) pair of projects using the Have a Latte line of fabrics.

It all started here...

I signed up for this blog hop for two main reasons: (1) there is a pattern I have been meaning to develop, maybe even to sell one day; and (2) I have a UFO (wallhanging) that could be enhanced by accessorizing it with some new bias applique.

1.) The pattern I want to develop.  Started with my favorite paper-pieced coffee cup design--the one with the dimensional handle--but tried making the handle a slightly different shape.

Then I found a coffee cup design in EQ6 that had a square handle.  So I needed to try and make that dimensional, too.

Finally, I saw a fancy handle on a travel mug in the campus Tea Shoppe, and knew that I needed to make one of those, too.

Put them all together in one wallhanging, and they look pretty nifty.  Used four fabrics from the Have a Latte line here, mixed with two other coffee-themed fabrics I had in my stash, and a couple of other scrap fabrics.  This is just a flimsy at this stage; I think I want to put another border on this, give it some more presence, then add steam or other detailing in the quilting phase.

2.) Bias applique. I didn't get the UFO this was meant to accompany finished, but I did learn a new technique! And I'm almost ready to tackle the quilting on the remaining portion of the overall project.

How close did I come to my inspiration text?  I used the Have a Latte mocha steam fabric to make the bias tape; I will use the same fabric for the binding (when I get to that step).

I am still pretty new to the quilting step, so I'm proud of this little mat. 

I used one row of big-stitch hand quilting in perle cotton, then used my walking foot to machine stitch several rows of echo quilting.  Easy-peasy! (and so pretty, too)


There you have it.  I know these little projects won't win any awards, but I love the opportunity to play, to explore new ideas, new techniques, and make some of my crazy designs come to life.chin

So... thanks to Sew We Stitch/Sew We Quilt for being the gathering place for inspired Blog Hops. Blowing kisses to Joan at MooseStash Quilting for being the cheerleader for this Hop.  And winking at YOU, dear readers, for letting me show my stuff.

Please visit all the other bloggers who are participating today, and peruse the rest of the schedule as you have time.

April 22

Chitter Chatter Designs

Sew Peace to Peace

Everyone Deserves a Quilt

Rainbows Bunnies Cupcakes