Forest Floor Blog Tour : :

Today is my stop on the Forest Floor Blog Tour!

I’m so excited to be joining in one of Bonnie Christine’s blog tours! Bonnie is a fellow Art Gallery Fabrics designer, I'm a huge fan of her work & style, and this latest collection of hers, Forest Floor is my favorite one yet!

"Inspired by her experience of living in the forest, Bonnie creates a whimsical world where dreams of a magical place come to life.  Forest Floor hopes to ignite the exploration of forest curiosities, and take you on an adventure filled with green and oak flora and delicate berry tinted fauna that inhabits the wondrous depths of the mountains."

Since I'm all about making drawstring backpacks these days, I decided to make one more using these beautiful Forest Floor fabrics with added denim, pompom trim, and vintage lace!



This new bag started with a bundle of pretty Forest Floor prints, a pile for herringbone quick quilt as you go patchwork for one side of the bag and my favorite Forest Floor print, Luna Rising to be featured on the reverse side.



I decided to go with Luna Rising in shadow colorway, the steel gray background is so lovely! I quilted a large grid pattern using the moths as my guide, stitching down their center, above and below them with a Aurifil 50wt from my Bohemian Garden thread box.





For the front I used a mix of strips in Forest Floor with AGF's gorgeous Soft Smooth Denims!

You can see below the stitched vintage bias tape I used for the drawstrings and a little peek of the fluffy pompom's I added within my herringbone pattern!



I LOVE vintage lace and the pieces of the thrifted tablecloth I had on hand paired so perfectly with Bonnie's sweet fabric designs!



The added embellishment made this backpack my new favorite! I don't think I'll be able to make another without adding these extra details, it's so pretty!





I used more AGF denim for the backpack casing, tabs, and lining!



As much as I love the fancy side of this bag, this quilted Luna Rise side is just as gorgeous!



Thank you Bonnie for inviting me to join the tour and for creating such amazing fabrics for us all to sew with!!

To explore this beautiful Forest Floor collection deeper visit Bonnie's blog Going Home to Roost : the collection | the lookbook | on instagram | about the collection

Want to join the fun? You're all invited to share you own projects on Instagram using hashtags #ForestFloorFabrics & #ForestFloorBlogTour! You can find Forest Floor available at Fat Quarter Shop, Llama Fabrics, and on sale now at Lady Belle Fabrics!

XO, Maureen

An Arizona & Denim Drawstring Backpack : :

Since my new favorite thing to make are these fun drawstring backpacks and because I still have so much LOVE for April Rhodes' beloved first collection, Arizona, I decided these Limited Edition fabrics with the addition of a little AGF Denim should be next in line for my drawstring bag making!



These new bags began with me pulling out my project scrap bin to retrieve the leftovers from my Arizona Herringbone Quilt!



I improv pieced together scraps to make one side of these two-sided bags. For the reverse I used narrow strips of Arizona prints and denim to create my favorite herringbone quick quilt as you go pattern!

This is my first time combining this collection with Art Gallery's new line of denims and I love it!



I used more denim for the bag casing and tabs!



For the drawstring ties for these new bags, I pulled from my vintage treadle sewing machine drawers an old package of Wright's fine percale double folded bias tape. I simply stitched the open edge closed and I definitely prefer this style of drawstring over the clothesline I used for my first Tapestry bag. I think I'll do a quick drawstring swap out with that one later!





In addition to these bags being double-sides, they're also lined! I chose a Fleet & Flourish print that coordinates nicely with April's Arizona prints.



You can still find these wonderful Arizona fabrics available at Llama Fabrics and Fat Quarter Shop!

Thanks for stopping by today!!

♡ Maureen

A Gift Certificate GIVEAWAY : :

It's Fabric Giveaway Friday!  



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My sponsor the Knotted Thread is run by Jenn, a fabric lover with a passion for sewing! In her shop you'll find both bundles and single cuts of Fat Quarters, Half Yards, Yards, and Yardage, as well as some of Jenn's very own handmade items up or sale!! Designer fabrics include many of our favorites -- Free Spirit, Moda, and Riley Blake Designs just to name a few! 

Be sure visit the Knotted Thread blog to sign up for the new monthly Newsletter, HERE!
  
SHOP  *  BLOG  *  FACEBOOK  *  INSTAGRAM 
 

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We hope you enjoy visiting the Knotted Thread sites!! 

For this week's Fabric Giveaway Friday, the Knotted Thread is offering a generous $30 Gift Certificate to one lucky MCH reader!

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Enter to win

Here's how,

 
1. Simply leave a comment here in this post! (one entry)
2. Visit The Knotted Thread HERE and sign up to receive their new monthly Newsletter OR follow them on Instagram HERE! Just let me know that you did by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)
3. My followers get a third entry! Just let me know that you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)
4. Help spread the word!! I know that many of you already do, so I thought it would be nice to add that as another way to enter! Whether by Instagram, tweet, facebook, pin, blog, etc... (optional extra entry) 

That’s 4 possible entries! Enter now through Monday, July 27th!! Winner will be picked at random and I will announce their name at the bottom of this post, here on the blog!

* Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or anonymous commenter, please remember to include your email address in your comment!

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Thanks to all who entered our Giveaway! This week's lucky winner is commenter, Lindsay Rodems! Congratulations, I will be in touch shortly!! 

♡ Maureen 

A Herringbone Drawstring Backpack : :

Since Summer for my family means daily trips to the town pool and routine bike rides, while mooning over the gorgeous bundle of Tapestry fabrics that recently arrived, I quickly settled on making myself a new, drawstring backpack to have something easy to wear! A functional and pretty project to try seemed like the perfect place to start my Tapestry sewing. Oh how I adore this collection!



After last week's little scrap pouch and personalized drawstring bag making, I felt comfortable taking what I had learned while making those and modifying plans to fabricate myself a little quilted backpack. Since sewing plans for this project hatched rather quickly and I don't have much for bag making supplies on hand, I kept it simple using inexpensive cotton clothesline for my drawstring. It worked perfectly!



I started by cutting just a 2" strip from each Tapestry print, adding in some Solid Smooth Denims to make a Herringbone quilt as you go bag front. You may have noticed, I LOVE using this pattern for just about everything!



For the back I used my Quick Quilt As You Go technique once again, this time with a simple strip quilting pattern. Since this bag is reversible I wanted to change it up just a little from the front!





After finishing up this first bag, I knew immediately that this project will be a regular, quick sew for me this Summer. I think I may even take orders for them in my Etsy shop! I already made a second with a little more added embellishment that I plan to share later this month as part of Bonnie Christine's Forest Floor Blog Tour!

You can find these beautiful Tapestry fabrics by Sharon Holland for Art Gallery Fabrics newly available at Fat Quarter Shop and Llama Fabrics!

Happy Sewing!

♡ Maureen  

A Fabric GIVEAWAY : :

It's Fabric Giveaway Friday!

My sponsor the Fat Quarter Shop was founded in 2003 by Kimberly Jolly. An avid quilter, Kimberly began her shop as a side business while still working a corporate position, cutting, packing and shipping right out of her house during evenings and weekends. From the very beginning, she was committed to delivering top-notch service for every single order and customer. As the Fat Quarter Shop's reputation grew, Kimberly decided to make it a full-time operation. Her husband Kevin joined her not long after, and with his help, lots of hard work, and a tireless commitment, the store began to grow. Over the past few years a few more people have joined the staff! As a team, they continue to branch out with the best fabrics, exclusive kits, quilt clubs, BOMs, and more. And they will always be driven by the passion that Kimberly founded the store upon, 
which is always giving you the best products and service! 

SHOP  *  PINTEREST  *  TWITTER  *  BLOG  *  FACEBOOK  *  YOUTUBE

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We hope you enjoy visiting the Fat Quarter Shop's sites!!  

For this week's Giveaway the Fat Quarter Shop is offering to one very lucky MCH reader a beautiful bundle of Katarina Roccella's new Art Gallery Fabrics collection, Lavish! This Fat Quarter bundle includes the TEN stunning prints that make up the Lush colorway! You can find Lavish newly available in a variety of bundles and cuts at Fat Quarter Shop right HERE!

Enter to Win!

Here's how,
 
1. Simply leave a comment here in this post! Feel free to share what you'd make with these grogous fabrics!? (one entry)
2. Follow the Fat Quarter Shop on Facebook! Just let me know that you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)
3. My followers get a third entry! Just let me know that you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)
4. Help spread the word!! I know that many of you already do, so I thought it would be nice to add that as another way to enter! Whether by Facebook, Instagram, tweet, pin, blog, etc... (optional extra entry)
That’s 4 possible entries! Enter now through Monday, June 20th. The winner will be chosen at Random and I will announce their name at the bottom of this post, here on the blog!
 
* Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or anonymous commenter, please remember to include your email address in your comment so that I can contact you should you win!

A BIG thanks to all who entered our Giveaway! This week's lucky winner is commenter,  Cat Crain! Congratulations, I will be in touch shortly!

♡ Maureen  

Personalized Drawstring Bags : :

It's become tradition that when my niece comes to visit, Haila, Ceci, and I plan a sleepover sewing session to tackle a new little project. Last vacation it was pillows, this time we decided on a pair of Drawstring Bags, personalized with their initials, with a quilt as you go twist!



These adorable bags started with Bari J.'s new, gorgeous Joie De Vivre Joyeux Alphabet panel. We fussy cut and framed each letter, creating little log cabin style blocks using my quick quilt as you go method!





The girls each picked fabrics to pair with their letter and I love what they chose -- a Blossom Lavish print in aqua blue for Ceci & a sweet Garden Paperie print for Haila!





These drawstring bags were so much fun to make! If you're looking for a sweet, functional projects to stitch up with a young sewer in your life, I definitely suggest you add these to the list! You can find the tutorial, with just a few slight modifications, at Svetlana's blog s.o.t.a.k Handmade!





♡ Maureen  

Fabric Love : :

Last week I received a big, beautiful box filled with Art Gallery Fabrics most recently released & upcoming collections -- Lavish, Boardwalk Delight, Tapestry, Joie De Vivre, and Pandalicious. Is there anything better than fabric mail? I really don't think so! Each of these collections is uniquely beautiful, just like each of the designers, and so I thought I'd show them off a little before I begin any new projects!



First up is Lavish by Katarina Roccella, just released in May, a collection overflowing with colorful flowers, buds, stems, and berries. I don't think I've ever seen a fabric collection so perfect for Summer sewing!







This combination of Teal + Fuchsia + Navy is so gorgeous! I haven't decided what to make with these Lavish fabrics just yet, but I'm leaning towards either designing something completely new or remaking an old quilt that will highlight the amazing florals in this collection. Maybe it's the perfect time for me to remake my Winter's Garden Quilt, hmn... what do you think?

You can find these beautiful Lavish fabrics newly available at Fat Quarter Shop and The Intrepid Thread!

♡ Maureen  

Summer Scrap Pouches : :

This past weekend I definitely got everything I wanted and more for my birthday -- handmade cards from my favorite little people, a beautiful yummy cake, lots & lots of flowers, perfect weather for a picnic spent in the sun with my big wonderful family, and a few extra moments of peace -- it was pretty much perfect!

There wasn't time for sewing, but late last week I had turned the narrow, short scraps leftover from my latest pillow into a quick quilt as you go pouch inspired by my friend Svetlana's drawstring bag tutorial to share today! Then this morning I woke up and made another, this time using up some of my Nightfall strike off scraps. These are so much fun to make!!

For the denim pouch I quilted both the outer and inner fabrics to cotton batting scraps and it turned out a little too thick in my opinion, although it's super cute! 

It's very sturdy from the extra layer, but I much prefer my second attempt with a thinner lining in Art Gallery Fabrics' new Soft Sand Linen and the boxed out corners. I love how this one came together!

To keep it simple for the second pouch I used two lengths of Renaissance Ribbon for the ties, rather than the double folded binding in denim I made for the first one. Easy peasy!

I'm really looking forward to getting creative making these little pouches all Summer long, trying out new techniques and finishing details with each new one, all while using up my overflowing scraps! Love that!

♡ Maureen