Delft Tulip Table Runner

Get ready for a lot of pictures, because this is another one of my Top 10 all-time crafts. This was my wedding gift for my sister and her husband. Chloe appreciates Delft and tulips as much as (if not more than) I do, so this was the perfect thing to make for her and her husband.

After several hours of research on Pinterest, I decided I really liked this quilt, but there was no link to a pattern, just the picture. So again, I spent a long time doing math and more math, etc. I made a sample patch out of scrap fabric:

After a few more tweaks, I made several tulip patches and moved them around until I was happy with it. (Yep, that's my basement floor and my bare feet.) (And yes, there are a few extra tulip patches - Chloe, you'll probably be getting some matching potholders one of these years.)

I added some spacers in the plain white cotton, and also a border.

I quilted vertically on both sides of each row of tulips, and horizontally just above and below each tulip. I bound the quilt using the same fabric I used for the quilt back.

I found this AMAZING Delft tile fabric at Field's Fabrics. It was like $16/yard, but I found a remnant for about a $1, and got enough pieces with 'fussy cutting' to make a big difference in this table runner. You can see it below in the many pictures. :) (#sorrynotsorry)

And yeah, let's just repeat this picture because IT'S SO PRETTY!

Love and Tulips,

Leah Joy

Some Recent Crafts

These are unrelated projects, but both too small of projects to merit their own post.

While at Meijer sometime last year, we walked past the hair things, and Jo asked if we could purchase some hair bows for her. I looked at the price, and thought, "I could make those from my scrap fabric and they would be cheaper, cuter, and sturdier." Some of the ones below will end up being gifts for others, but here's my first batch.

I used this pattern. They're super easy and simple to make. I chose to sew the bows onto an alligator clip instead of gluing them, because I feel like it's sturdier.

Another project I made was these mugs for my sister and her fiance (now husband). They are both huge book nerds and have (or almost have) degrees in English. Pete is working as a book agent, and Chloe aspires to be an editor. Because they are so bookish, I chose to make them bookish couples mugs. The first says, "Once upon a time..." and the second reads, "...and they lived happily ever after." On the handle is their wedding date.

I used my Pebeo porcelain pen for the words, but I also recently purchased a jar of Pebeo porcelain paint in gold, and it was fun to add details with that.

Love and Crafts,

Leah Joy

Christmas 2019 Round-Up

Okay, final Christmas post for a while. Here's a round-up of some of the other gifts I made for Christmas 2019.

I made a few sets of leaf potholders. I love this craft - it's fun and they turn out so cool looking!

I also did some knitting and crocheting for my best friends:

We purchased an used children's tool bench for the kids for Christmas, so I sewed them each a tool belt to wear. 

Now on to something less Christmassy. :)

Love and Velcro,

Leah Joy

Christmas 2017 (cringe) Round-Up Part 1

Not sure why I've been holding on to these pictures so long. Here are a few things I made like 2.5 years ago.

This is a tote bag that I sewed myself, then made a freezer paper stencil to add the Luke's logo from Gilmore Girls.

It's fully lined and has an inside pocket!

I also made another bow clutch (see first one here).

I made a couple dozen of these fun zipper pouches to share with all the women in my life.

And I stitched these little kitten magnets. How cute are they?! (Original pattern here; I added a magnet and used blanket stitch along the sides instead of running stitch.)

And a few more owls...

Love and Embroidery,

Leah Joy

Guitar Bags (AKA The Coolest Things I've Ever Made)

(After my kids, of course.)

I've seen this idea around Pinterest a bit - a purse shaped like a guitar. It's been a long-term goal for me, and I finally made one - or rather, two! These were gifts for two of my best friends, and while I forgot to get a picture with the straps on, you can at least see the completed bags.

I actually traced my electric guitar (Fender Squier - yes, that is how it is spelled) to get the shape, but it was far too big to make a practical purse, so I scaled it down a bit. 

I cut two pieces of each scratch-plate fabric, sewed them right-sides together (leaving a gap), then turned them right-side-out, pressed, and sewed them onto the body piece (doubled as top-stitching).

I used a similar process for the bridge and the output jack. I wanted to use a silvery metallic fabric for these, but couldn't find any remnants (and didn't really want to buy a whole 1/4 yard for the 6 square inches I used), so I used pale blue cotton scraps, which I think looks just fine. 

I also used my axe as a reference for the positioning of the screws, pick-ups, and the pick-up selector switch, all of which I hand-embroidered with silver floss. I stitched on buttons for the volume and tone knobs.

Each bag is also lined, has a small pocket, and has a magnetic snap closure.

I added a long, adjustable black strap to each.

I now have a long-term goal to make one for myself out of faux leather, because how awesome would that be?!

Love and Dreams,

Leah Joy

A Baby Bear Hat

I found this adorable pattern for a baby bear hat on (where else) Pinterest.

I went ahead and made the hat according to the directions, but I didn't like that the back of the hat had a seam all the way down. For an older kid, or a baby not in a car seat, it would be no big deal. However, for a sensitive little newborn head, I wanted to eliminate the back seam as much as possible. So, I actually reworked the pattern. This was my third attempt, and I think it's adorable!

It's a little small on Micah here, but he was 6 months old when I did this, and it was for a newborn, so I think the size is just about perfect.

In order to eliminate the back seam, I had to add side seams. I don't think they detract too much from the cuteness, though! Plus, I was also able to eliminate some of the seam in the front.

Another project I've been working on lately are these embroidered felt heart magnets.

It's a fun little project that I can work on anytime and set down whenever I need to, so perfect for a mom with two kiddos.

And they make great gifts!

Love and Thread,

Leah Joy

Chevron Baby Quilt (#2)

You may remember the other chevron quilt I made here (I originally thought it was herringbone, but I have been corrected).

When I made that quilt, I took lots of notes about the process, in the hopes that I could make it again, but with different fabric.

Well, it worked! I hope to be sharing that pattern as a tutorial eventually (you know, in like 4 years).

The color scheme was chosen by the mother, but I chose all the fabrics.

It's so cheerful and sunshiny!

I actually used a different color top thread/bobbin thread in the quilting process because I really wanted the top to be done in yellow, but the back to match the backing fabric.

And my corners are improving! Two perfect, one acceptable, and only one a complete mess.

Love and HSTs,

Leah Joy

A Mario Baby Quilt

This may be the coolest quilt I've made yet!

I found this amazing fabric for the back:

Closer view:

I bound the quilt in yellow, as it was the only non-white color that went with both the front and the back. It's a super cheerful border!

While the center section is all composed of 2" squares, I did use larger pieces of sky blue for the tops and sides. Once quilted, though, it looks much the same.

I found this quilt surprisingly soothing to piece and press. Even the back of the quilt top looked so tidy and neat.

This quilt is for my nephew, my brother's baby.

Love and 8-Bit,

Leah Joy