Easter is right around the corner, and I was thinking about all of the Easter egg hunts my sisters and I have done for our kids. Now that they are all grown up, I remember when they were little, and they would be happy just to find one egg and would be happy with that. You know the age; they are about two and don't quite get the concept of looking for more eggs. They are just happy with that one egg they found, and they toddle around happy with what they found. Well, this new design was inspired by that memory. It's a sweet little bunny just so happy that he found that one perfect Easter egg. This little fellow just makes me smile. Let me show you how easy this goes together.

I'm doing a little skipping ahead here... if you've done applique before, you know to trace all the design elements onto the paper side of the fusible web, iron it onto the backside of the fabric and then cut it out. So, we are jumping ahead to the layering the pieces onto your backing fabric following the layout sheet. Then iron these pieces in place. Then layer you backing, batting and applique top together. Pin. We are going to quilt our mug rug as we do the applique stitch around our design.

Then with white thread stitch a buttonhole stitch around the raw edges. Remember to stop with your needle down to pivot around corners.

I am going to use a backstitch on my machine to embroider the bunny's whiskers on. I practiced the stitch on a piece of scrap material before I stitched on my mug rug.

I've got half of the whiskers done... now on to the other side.

Using my walking foot, I do some additional quilting on my mug rug. I have been having fun with quilting wavy lines on my things lately. It's fun to do and looks nice when it's finished. After the quilting is done, bind your mini quilt.

~Egg Hunt~

I have my new little mini quilt, mug rug sitting on my coffee bar next to my new favorite mug. This design would also work on a tea towel, apron, really anything you think up. I hope that you have fun making your very own Egg Hunt mug rug and it brings back sweet springtime memories for you too!

Happy stitching,

Cindy and Josephine

This sweet design can be found in my Etsy Shop and on the Quilt Doodle Designs website.

An Adorable Bunny

It is hard to believe that Easter is just around the corner! Well, you can't have Easter without some cute bunnies. I made up a really cute bunny mug rug for you. This pattern is super quick and easy. These can easily be stitched up in a weekend.

I like to use the embroidery stitches on my machine to make the
bunny's eyes and whiskers.

I made up a few in different colors, using fabric from
my fabric stash.

This fun pattern can be found on Etsy as instant downloadable PDF's. There's still time to whip a couple of these up for Easter! Pair it with a cute mug, candle or bag of candy and you have an adorable hostess gift!

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Josephine

Begonia Bunny

 Spring is in the air, my seedlings have started to grow and I can't wait to get into the garden. Since it's too early to go digging in the garden, I can dream of spring in my sewing room. So I drew up this sweet little bunny named Begonia. She loves flowers and is wearing a sweet wreath of freshly picked flowers. She's also wearing a pretty pink bow for Easter. I also love her little heart nose and her chubby little cheeks. 

This is a fun little mini quilt that can be used as a mug rug or candle mat. It's a great little accent piece to adorn a springtime display on a mantle or table. I currently have mine sitting by my computer to remind me that spring really is just around the corner. Let me show you how I put this fun little design together. I bet you even have fabric in your stash that you could use!

To begin, print up the PDF pattern. It can be found in my Etsy Shop and also on the Quilt Doodle website. Trace all of the Begonia Bunny shapes onto the paper side of your fusible web.

Iron the shapes onto the backside of the fabrics you have chosen for the design. I used soft spring colors, you can make yours bright and bold if you would like.

Cut all of the shapes out.

Following the layout sheet in the pattern, peel the paper backing off your shapes and lay the design out onto your 8" x 10 1/2" background rectangle. Notice some of the pieces will overlap in areas. Press in place. Then layer the backing, batting and applique front. Pin.

Using a buttonhole stitch on your machine, and white thread, stitch around all of the raw edges of the bunny design. Go slow and always stop with the needle down to pivot around corners.

I didn't want to take the time to hand backstitch my bunny whiskers. I found a backstitch on my machine. Using dark brown thread I stitched the whiskers on the bunny as shown on the design layout page of the pattern. I practiced on a piece of scrap material first.

I then stitched on the eyes, using a #12 Valdani pearl cotton. You can also use three strands of DMC thread too. Really any embroidery thread of your choosing. I used a dark green that matched the leaves in the design. Then bind your mini quilt.

~Begonia Bunny~

Begonia Bunny would also be cute on a tea towel, placemat or even on a soft fabric basket or bin. If time allows I want to make a fabric bin and put this sweet bunny on the side of it. I think it would be adorable filled with plastic eggs.

I hope you have a wonderful day and find some time to do some stitching.

Cindy and Belvedere

Flopsie Bunny

We sure have been enjoying the spring weather here in Minnesota. I have spring fever so bad and have taken the time to check out my perennial gardens even though it's way too early for me to uncover anything. Since I can't be outside yet playing in the garden, I have been designing some springtime designs to applique. I have another fun one for spring or Easter.... Flopsie Bunny. 

To make the design, first trace out all of the pieces onto the heat n bond fusible interfacing. (Or what ever brand you like to use) Iron it onto your fabric. Cut all of the shapes out. I did two sets of everything since I'm working on a couple of projects.

Arrange you pieces on your towel layering the different shapes as you go referring to the pattern placement sheet. Remember to peel all the paper off! With a hot, dry iron, fuse everything in place. 

I use white thread to stitch a button hole stitch around the bunny pieces. I used a dark brown thread to stitch around the flower pot, nose and flower.

I ironed a second set of pieces onto a piece of fabric, I think I'll make a table runner out of it. 

~ Flopsie Bunny ~

The pattern for Flopsie Bunny can be found on Etsy.   This design is quick and easy to make in an afternoon and Easter is right around the corner. Paired with a candle or some candy and you have a wonderful springtime gift for the Easter dinner hostess. It also makes a cute display when draped out of an Easter basket.

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Belvedere

Little Bunny Butts....

What's cuter then a little baby's butt, well a bunny butt. Who can resist the cuteness of that fluffy cotton ball tail? I just had to draw one up to do heat n bond applique with. The bunnies usually play havoc with my garden so I have a bunny proof fence now. All of my perennials are bunny and deer proof so that I can enjoy the blooms too! But the bunnies have been known to dig up and eat my potted plants that I have on my deck.

To make the design, first trace out all of the pieces onto the heat n bond fusible interfacing. (Or what ever brand you like to use) Iron it onto your fabric.

Cut all of the shapes out. I did two sets of everything since I'm working on a couple of towels.

Arrange you pieces on your towel layering the different shapes as you go referring to the pattern placement sheet. Remember to peel all the paper off! With a hot, dry iron, fuse everything in place. I use white thread to stitch a button hole stitch around the bunny pieces and the Easter eggs. I used a dark brown thread to stitch around the flower pot.

~ Bunny Butt ~

I made my tea towel reversible! I have the bunny butt on one side and a couple of carrots on the other side. Isn't that fun! This design is great for all of springtime thru harvest!

~ Carrots~

The pattern for these cute little bunny butt with carrot can be found on Etsy.   These designs are quick and easy to make in an afternoon and Easter is right around the corner. Paired with a candle or some candy and you have a wonderful springtime gift for the Easter dinner hostess.

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Belvedere

Still Waiting for Spring

Fluffy Bunny Tea Towel

My snowmen around my house are starting to look a little out of place.  Really out of place since it's almost April. I'm starved for some color...splashes of spring here and there.  The problem is, I lack motivation to dig the bins out of my crawl space to make the big switch... but today is the day that I force myself to pack away all of the snowmen that are still hanging out around my house.

I've pulled out my bunny tea towels and put them up in my kitchen.  Ahhhh pretty colors, even though there's still gray and dreary outside, I can smile at the cute bunnies in my kitchen. I made these designs several years ago and they still make me giggle. I love the long whiskers on my fluffy bunny design. He's so cute. It's a fun design for Easter and these designs make such cute hostess gifts.

You can add bunnies to your home too!  All of my patterns are available at Etsy and Craftsy I have both PDF's and packaged patterns.  A new batch of tea towels are on their way to my Etsy shop too from Dunroven House. Happy quilting!

Mr. Cottontail Applique Design on a tea towel...

Mrs. Cottontail

Fluffy Bunny Table Runner 
finished size 17" x 38"

I have Spring Fever....

I have spring fever sooooo bad. I know just a week ago I was boo hooing over the big snow storm that missed us. Well, I'm fickle... I have spring fever so bad, I'm wearing capris and freezing to death today. Want to run errands but don't want to wear a coat, so I'm staying home. Staying home and working on some pretty springtime projects! I'm hooked on bunnies and flowers right now. Love the springtime look of the mini quilt, or wall hanging I just completed. It reminds me of all the Easter egg hunts my boys did over the years with the cousins. Running around grandma and grandpa's front lawn looking for those brightly colored eggs. Buckets and baskets overflowing by the time they were done. I hope it's a nice day for our Easter egg hunt this year. It's so nice to get outside...

I'm gonna go eat that piece of cheesecake for lunch and then head back down to the studio and sew up some more springtime.

Happy quilting!

Cindy

Happy Easter

It's time for the Easter Bunny to hop around and hide those pretty eggs. It's a peaceful weekend here at my home. I will be busy making sugar cookies, little bunnies and chicks. My husband and I will color some eggs. Tomorrow we spend the day at my sister-in-law's home. She is hosting Easter for my hubby's family. It's a huge crew, aunt's, uncles, cousins... I'll be stuffing plastic eggs today for the egg hunt for all the little ones. Then Sunday will be a quiet day for us. I plan on making a ham and Grandma Eva's famous potatoes. I will probably spend a little time sewing and watching some TV. It will be a relaxing Sunday before we start another work week. 

I wish you a Happy Easter and hope you enjoy the Springtime inspiration!

Bunnies and Chickies!

Happy Easter! I know I'm a week early but it's a week of celebrating Easter with my family and friends! The celebration starts today at mom's with Easter dinner. I'm bringing all sorts of treats, I was a busy, busy in the kitchen yesterday. I made sugar cookies, Jello jiggler eggs, Grandma Eva's mashed potatoes and this morning I got up at five and made dinner rolls. The house smells so good! So today I have some Easter fun to share....

Sugar Cookies

2/3 cups shortening

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1/4 tsp almond extract

3/4 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

4 tsp milk

Beat shortening and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add egg; beat. Add vanilla and almond extract. Mix thoroughly. Stir flour, baking powder and salt and milk into sugar-shortening mixture. Chill dough 1 hour. Roll out and cut out cookies. Bake at 375 degrees on greased baking sheet 8-10 minutes. When cool, frost and decorate with your favorite frosting.

I made a batch of baby chicks....

and a batch of bunnies... I cut mini marshmallows
in half to make the ears.

Doesn't it look festive! A plate of sweets paired up with my chickiemug rug.

I spent yesterday decorating the house too. I couldn't decide how I wanted to use my bunny mug rug, with a bunny dish...

...or paired with an egg holder and some chocolate carrots.(The pattern is available as a PDF on Etsy and Craftsy)

My sis, Gena, passed this plate to me at our Chili Cook off filled with
Scotch a roo's...

I'm passing it on to one of my sisters filled with Easter treats.

I hope that you have a wonderful weekend. On Thrusday I get to join a group of friends and see 'Godspell' and then celebrate Easter again on Saturday with my husband's side. I'm planning on making more chickie and bunny cookies.

Happy Easter!