Quilty As Charged

I spent the Christmas season stitching up a storm working on a new in the hoop project I downloaded free from Five Star Fonts a while back.  The advantage of these projects is that you only hoop your stabilizer and add the layers of fabric to create something adorable like a place to park your coffee cup everyday.

Mug Rug with polka dots of course.  The ribbon just holds the set together.

Everyone in my family and people on my Christmas card list all got at least one from me because once I got started I just couldn't wait to see what the next combination of fabrics might look like.  As you can see, they are like tiny little quilts.

The response was very positive.  Everyone appreciates saving their table or desk from scratches or drips and they have the added benefit of being environmentally friendly since they easily can just be tossed in the washer.

After creating several of these I fully and completely understand how so many people can get caught up in the craft of creating beautiful quilts.  The most difficult part of this process for me was deciding my next combination.   You see, I have a serious fabric stash.  Not a room full but enough that I won't be able to stash it much longer no matter how I fold it.  I will admit I'm "quilty" of not being able to pass buy an cute fabric.   More often than not I HAVE to have at least a half yard.

After I became proficient - say maybe into my 15th one of these I started to add appliqué to some and personalized others with sayings, names and monograms.

The lovely letter Z.  Same upside down as right side up!

A set for my granddaughter's apartment.

Well I can't claim to be a quilter but these were a fun introduction into their world and I enjoyed giving them away.

Springtime applique Mug Rug

Sweet Little Snow Man