Super quick Christmas burlap table runner {tutorial}

My Christmas gifts came super early this year. The first was in October when I was able to go see my son, my beautiful daughter in law and my two grandsons. The second will be home in about and hour!!!!!! So, instead of cleaning, I decided I need a table runner for the dining room table that had to be expanded to accommodate an extra person.

I saw this tutorial for a burlap table runner from Lindsay at Living With Lindsay and decided that a little Kate Spain was in order to make it perfect for me!

Using the measurements from her post I decided to go with the 14 inch width and measured my table for a length of 108 inches. I cut my burlap ( after washing it) accordingly, grabbed some linen, my Kate Spain 12 Days of Christmas, some batting and some backing fabric ( I think it was Kona snow) and off I went!

This was my table before. The chairs will be painted black...someday...and my tree is up but has not been decorated yet...so much to do but back to the table runner

After taking the measurements for your table choose three (or more) of your 2.5 inch strips. I happen to have a jelly roll so it made it even EASIER!

Sew the strips together

 You now have your strips done

Iron them flat

Cut the attached strips to 16in

I cut a piece of linen, you can use any cotton or even velvet....ooooooooh, that would be lovely! and attach your strips

cut a piece of batting

Quilt however you wish. Using my invisible marker, I choose to do 1in lines on the linen and stitching on either side of the strips. I left the edges of the green undone until later.Simple!!!!

When quilting is completed attach the burlap.

After the burlap is attached I finished off the green strip

Cut out the backing pin the top to the back

Sew around the entire runner making sure to leave an opening to pull it inside out. I think I left a three inch hole.

Turn the right way out and topstitch the entire runner

The after shots that are not very good but Tuesday is my running around to different kids functions day so I must apologize for the poor quality.

SUPER easy!!!!

Off to see my baby boy and give him big hugs!!!!

Linked to Fabric Tuesday

Funky Monkey personal journal tutorial ( Moda Bake Shop)

When I first made this journal  a little over a month ago you all had such great ideas for it's use that I made a tutorial for Moda Bake Shop. It went up TODAY!!!!!!! Adam loves his and uses it almost everyday!!!!! I hope that you have as much making it as I have :o)

Thank you  so much  Moda Bake Shop !!!!!

A mini quilt

Yesterday afternoon I was supposed to be packing but I could not stop thinking about Weece.  I was trying to think of some way to have her here with me now and remembered that I still had some of the Dream On fabric that was left from making her quilt so I made a mini quilt. I suppose it could be a mug rug too but I am not sure if I would want to muss it with coffee, tea or biscuits.

I am really happy with the way it turned out and I had never made a mini quilt before but I am sure I will be making more. It is a quick way to complete some sewing when you have limited time but need a sewing fix! If there is anyone interested, I will do a tutorial. I would like to do this one again with some other fabrics.

Please excuse the bad lighting, it is gray and rainy here.

On a huge upnote...Miss Amylouwho will be starting up Sew and Tell Friday beginning today! I will linking this project up there.

As for me, back to packing and I will be back soon with an approved giveaway that I know you will all be GO!ing for ( lame attempt at pun).

Again, thank you everyone for your thoughts, kind words and prayers. 

Kim

Pimpin up the schoolbook ( book cover tutorial)

I do not mind school supplies, I actually LOVE to go shopping for supplies. There is something about the smell of new crayons, freshly sharpened pencils, unblemished folders and all that paper that is totally exciting to me. I could walk through Office Depot for hours if given the opportunity *giggle*

This year I had two kids to buy for but one brought home a secondary list...what!?! I had my cheap thrill already so what do you mean I have to go back in the trenches with all the other parents looking through all of the picked over and out of stocks items. GAH! But being the mama I had to go in and see if I could find what we needed and I did not come up empty handed but I still was not quite finished.

Last night my sweetie pie Katy informs me that I had forgotten one very important item...BOOK COVERS... then she says the other words I did not want to hear..."Can we go to Target?"

Target is one of those $100 trap stores. We have a Super Target and once you are inside you cannot get out without spending $100. Home Depot and Lowe's are the same way. I told her we could make book covers at home and she made the face at me! I said give a bit and I will show you...and I did :o)

Start off with super cute fabrics. I have this charm pack that has the perfect colors and they are all Katy approved.

All measurements are approximate in this project since not all books are the same size. 

For my book it was about 18x31

Fold down the top and fold up the bottom to where they are just covering the binding of the book

Fold the ends over the front and back cover to make your pocket

Now that the basic folding and size is decided cut your fabrics.

I tried both of these adhesives and the glue stick won hands down!

A little dab of glue on your fabric pieces to keep them in place

Ta da!

I used a blanket stitch to connect the seams together in the middle first

then stitched around every other one with a wee bit of overlap but not much.

Starting around one I skipped I start at the corner and will go around and sew the stem

Finish up the sewing around the other few petals you did not hit and then slip the pockets over the front and back covers. I also added a bit of tape to the inside of the flaps where the paper met the paper to make it more secure. I may try sticky velcro next time.

The before...

The after...

I like this since it is personal, kinda old school ( where is my Holly Hobby doll) and one of those instant gratification projects! Katy is bringing her other books home tonight and has not asked to go to Target again ;o) Score one for MOM!!!!!

Kim :o)