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.

Whoopsies!

What's cuter then a little baby's butt, well a bunny butt. Whoopsies! Little bunny is stuck in the flowerpot! 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. The little stinkers!

To make the design, first trace out all of the pieces a sheet of Flexifuse or heat n bond fusible interfacing. (Or whatever brand you like to use) Iron it onto your fabric grouping together shapes that use the same 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 buttonhole stitch around the bunny pieces and the Easter eggs. I used a dark brown thread to stitch around the flowerpot.

~ 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 Josephine

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

Hippity Hop!

Well, you can't have Easter without some cute bunnies. So I made up a really cute bunny mug rug for you. This pattern is super quick and easy. I whipped these up last weekend, the same time I was making my little chickens.

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 Belvedere

A Touch of Spring...

It's hard to believe that just last week I was running errands in a light weight sweatshirt and actually had to ditch the scarf and hand warmers because I was too warm. Winter is back in Minnesota... just about 30 miles south of my home they are being bombarded with snow. 12 plus inches of the white stuff. Friends are posting snowy pictures all over facebook. Yesterday I was getting prepared for the storm of the year. My phone kept lighting up with alerts, storm warning... I was secretly thrilled with the idea of a snow day, hunkering down with my quilting by the fireplace. One last hurrah before spring. You would laugh, not a flake of snow at all here, just windy and cold. I stopped watching TV, the weathermen were coming up with all sorts of excuses why their state of the art weather tracking systems didn't work. It's hard to admit, but I feel like I was gipped. I was looking forward to that one big snowfall before spring would actually arrive.  I was so spoiled last week with the warmer weather that I have a horrible case of spring fever. I had the mindset, 'just one more big snow storm...' I'm dying to see bright colors and flowers. So I have been working on some springtime designs and have one done. I'm loving it! It's been awhile since I've added any new animals to my woodland themed patterns. Well, now there's a bunny. A sweet little bunny hiding among the flowers. It's a great project to use up some of those brightly colored scraps that you  have left over from other projects. If you are dying for a touch of spring, this is a fun project.

For those of you stuck in the snowstorm, I'm secretly envious. As I look out my window, I see only gray suckiness... no sun, it's cold, no pretty white, frosted trees.

I am returning to my studio to play with some more pretty fabric, as least I can dream about spring.

Happy quilting,

Cindy

Happy Easter

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!

Spring Fling

Welcome Spring! (which is arriving late to Minnesota... we have snow and are forecast-ed for more snow over the weekend) Wilson and I love to watch the birds on the feeders and in the birdbath, so I designed a bird block which I named 'Baby Birdie'. A cute, little, fat rolie polie baby bird. I made my bird look like a blue bird. Have fun and switch up the colors to be any type of bird that you would like! I had a lot of fun putting this block together and hope that you do too! You can find the pattern FREE HERE and also on my Craftsy store  I've seen some of the blocks to come and they are wonderful! All of these blocks made up would made a delightful spring time quilt! I hope spring arrives soon to Minnesota.

After I printed off the pattern, I cut the pieces out. Two of the pieces need to be taped together to make the 'A' section. I use my window to line up the lines, I don't have a light box.

I just use scotch tape to tape it together.

I went through my fabric stash and pulled out three fat quarters (Hoffman's Bali Handpaints) and some cream for the background.  For the bird's beak I only need a tiny little scrap of yellow.

I cut all my blues into manageable strips to work with for paper piecing.

Sewing on the lines....

Shown here are all of my sections, they need to be trimmed up before I can sew them together.

Here I am trimming my sections....

All ready to piece together...

'Baby Birdie'
I sewed two little seed beads on for the eyes.
10 1/2" x 10 1/2" (including seam allowance)

In addition to the prizes that I donated to Soma at Whims and Fancies for the hop.  I am also hosting a giveaway. Wilson and I will be giving away 2 PDF patterns of Thumper to two lucky winners! I'm trying out Rafflecopter for my giveaway.... you have three chances to win... leave a lovely comment, like the Quilt Doodle Facebook page, and be a follower....Wilson and I will pick a winner on the 30th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thumper

Have fun hopping around!

Happy quilting,

The Designers -

1. 04/01 Teri Emerson, handiwerx

2.  04/02 Barbara Cain, B’s Modern Quilting

3.  04/03 Ruth Davis, Ruthie quilts! And quilts…

4.  04/05 Marissa Nichols, MKissa Creations

5.  04/08 Cyrille, Bubblestitch Quilts

6.  04/09 Gaya, Le borse di Gaya

7.  04/10 Vicki Ruebel, Quilting Lodge

8.  04/11 Lilja Björk, liljabs.com

9.  04/12 Cindy, Quilt Doodle Designs

10. 04/15 Jennifer Ofenstein, Sewhooked

11.  04/16 Caroline, Trillium Design

12. 04/17 Sandy in Buenos Aires, Peek a Boo !

13. 04/18 Lynn Provencher, Thimblemouse & Spouse

14. 04/19 Jessica, Plum Patchwork

15. 04/22 Aalia,  Joy Of Stitches

16. 04/23 Michele Foster, Quilting Gallery

17. 04/24 Amy Gay, ButterflyAngels Quilts

18. 04/25 Soma Acharya, Whims And Fancies

19. 04/26 Michelle Thompson, misha29

20. 04/29 Regina Grewe, Textile Landscapes