Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

It's finally Pie Day, I mean Thanksgiving!  So much to be grateful for - thank you, thank you, thank you friends & family & friends of family & my family of friends - have a Happy Thanksgiving EVERYONE!

Happy Thanksgiving 2016 from Doodle Time Designs!

Fussy Cut Texty Fabrics!

It's no secret that I LOVE words!  And, I LOVE to fussy-cut fabrics.  So, it shouldn't be too much of a leap to guess that I LOVE to fussy-cut WORDS!  There are some wonderful texty fabrics out there, so when I see one that I fall in love with, I grab it.  Really like this one:

My Love Notes Pattern (Heart Mug Rug) requires printing on sewable, washable fabric sheets.  Or, does it?  Made these Heart Mug Rugs by fussy-cutting phrases:

Love Notes Pattern - Craftsy
Love Notes Pattern - Etsy

 And, made these Last Minute Mug Rugs by fussy-cutting larger phrases:

Last Minute Mug Mat - Extravaganza!! Pattern - Craftsy
Last Minute Mug Mat - Extravaganza!! Pattern - Etsy

Cute & FAST!  How do you know the phrase will fit?  Don't have the right-sized Templates on hand? Make your own Template Frames from ordinary copy paper!  (See paper Templates in fabric photo above.)

In the Love Notes Pattern, I actually provide a "blank" Template for you - simply print onto copy paper & cut out the middle to leave the seam allowance all around.  In the Last Minute Mug Mat Pattern, the center finishes to 3" square.  So, draw a 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" square using a sharpie on paper, draw the 1/4" seam allowance all the way around the inside & again, cut out the middle. Quickie Template Frame!

Now, move paper Frames around your texty fabric - it's that simple!  You can even mark the outside corners on fabric, remove Template & cut out desired text using fabric scissors. Don't limit yourself to Text for goodness sake - check out your cute novelty fabrics for ideas. How about using some small embroidered pieces instead?  Warning:  Highly Addictive  (But, so worth it!)   love, faith.

Something Old & Something New

America Recycles Day is November 15 - that's today!  

In the "olden" days, it was second nature to "use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without!" Today, there are lots of great ideas for quilts (& other projects) made from old t-shirts, grandpa's neckties, vintage linens, feed sacks, chenille bedspreads - just about anything you can think of.  Recycled batting is available, as well.  

Instead of recycling old quilting magazines & books, I like to take them to my local library so someone else can enjoy them. There's a rack near the door with all sorts of donated reading items. The other day I picked up some great Harley magazines for my dh!  

But, my favorite indulgence is to browse for chachkies (or, tchotchkies) at a thrift store, find something that was "waiting just for me," & see what it inspires me to make.  Do you ever do that?

Love Notes Pattern-Doodle Time Designs

This little Turkey Candle Holder was just 50 cents & will make a nice table setting for Thanksgiving - which is 9 days from now.  Yikes - you better get stitching!  Here's a little help: the "Thanksgiving Message Boxes" are available FREE on Craftsy!  Enjoy.  With gratitude, faith.

Happy Veterans Day!

To all Vets - we are GRATEFUL & THANKFUL for your service !!

Spoonflower - 2-for-1 Fat Quarter Sale - RIGHT NOW!

Have you heard of Spoonflower?  You can purchase fabric/wallpaper/wrapping paper from indie designers around the world or design your own - and, sell it!  How cool is that?  And, through November 9, they are having a 2-for-1 sale on fat quarters.  They don't do this very often, so get on it!!

Don't know what to make?  Look further down on their Home Page to the section: "Featured Designs on our Blog".  That's really helpful - just click on any of the projects that catch your eye. 

There are many Fabric Types to choose from (knits, woven & performance) & Fabric Amounts are available as a test swatch, fat quarter or yardage. If you click on each option, the image changes so you see exactly how much of the print you will get. Pay attention to the measurements (inches) - size matters when you're shopping online!

Here's one of my projects using Spoonflower fat quarters:
Angel Ornaments:  Fat Quarter of : The Tiniest Little Angel by Robin_Rice

The Tiniest Little Angel fabric on Spoonflower, Robin_Rice, designer

These Tiniest Little Angel motifs are about 4" x 4" (minus seam allowances).  Robin even re-sized her original design & added this listing just for me - how special is that?!  Her original design - Littlest Angel motif measured 10" x 10" & was too large for ornaments, but maybe just right if you're making a pillow.

If you select the Fat Quarter option, you can see that there are 25 Tiniest Little Angels.  All I had to do was add some antique gold fabric, a tea-stained label, ribbon to hang, a little bit of bling & some fluffy stuffing.  Voila!  

Since I have quite a few Tiny Angels left over, maybe I'll make some into Mug Mats - will it work?  The center of my "Last Minute Mug Mat" Pattern is 3" x 3" finished, so I made a Template Frame.  This is a very easy way to quickly assess your stash.

Simply cut a 3 1/2" square from copy paper or something firmer.  Draw the 1/4" seam allowance all around & cut out the inside.  You've just made a Template Frame. Now, have fun moving it around your novelty prints - did I mention there are some lovely choices on Spoonflower & they're having a 2-for-1 sale??  good. I've got a couple of Mug Rugs to make!