Call me The Craizee Ruler Lady!

Welcome to the first installment of the Craizee Corners Specialty Ruler Series! This monthly series will feature a new Nifty Notions Cut For The Cure Ruler and will have a tutorial on how to use the ruler, patterns, projects and other info about the ruler. Plus Brewer Sewing will be sponsoring this series and will be giving away 2 sets of rulers a month!

How this came about...
Anyone who tweets with me knows that I love love love half square triangles (HSTs). I think one of the reasons I love them so much is that I have a fool proof way to make them very easily, in any size and without having to trim. After all who wants to add another step to quilt making. After I started using the HST I moved onto other Nifty Notion Rulers. I was amazed at how easy all of these rulers were and how the worked perfectly together.

While at Fall Market last month I met Kaye England who is the designer of the Nifty Notion Cut For The Cure Rulers. The next day I had a meeting with Brewer Sewing and pitched this series. They were very quick to jump on board and a new friendship was formed. So now I get to share my love of these rulers with you! Plus I love the added bonus of a donation made to the Susan G Komen For The Cure Foundation for every ruler sold.

Caveat...as always I will be very honest in my review of the monthly ruler. I would not have started this series if I was not head over heals Craizee about these rulers. I have tried many other ways to make these triangles and this is by far the easiest and most accurate I have found. Plus since there is no need to trim it saves you lots of time! Who doesn't want that when piecing?

This month we will start with HSTs. They are the most basic and most widely used triangle in quilting. For those of you that don't know what a HST is here's a pic. These were made using a HST ruler with no trimming at all. One of the great things about this technique is that where the dog ears are shows you there the ¼” seam allowance is.

Here's how to use the HST Ruler. PDF file available here)

Step 1: Look at your pattern and see what the finished square will be. If the block is 12” finished that means the unfinished block will be 12½” It’s the same for these squares. If the finished square will be 3”, simply add ½” to the finished size to get your strip size. In other words, the square will be 3½” which will finish to 3” once sewn into the block.

Step 2: Cut 2 strips of fabric, right sides together, the size of the strips needed.

Step 3: Cut the selvage off of the 2 strips or even them up if the selvage is already cut off.

Step 4: Place the Nifty Notions HST ruler on the fabric so that you can read the logo. Line up the left straight edge with the size of the strip. Notice the flat notch at the top. Cut along the right diagonal of the ruler.

Step 5: Flip the ruler over so that the diagonal line of the ruler is aligned with the diagonal line you just cut. Cut along the straight side of the ruler.

Step 6: Continue until you have the correct number of HSTs cut.

Step 7: Start sewing at the flat tab of the HST. This is your ¼” seam line. Put the needle in right at the top left corner and sew down the diagonal using a ¼” seam allowance. Repeat for all HSTs. Do not pull the fabric, just let your machine feed it thru.

Step 8: Press in the direction needed. I find it best to set the seam by pressing the seam with the right sides together with the top part being the direction you want the seam pressed. Then flip the top half open and press the seam open. The square should measure the same size as the strips, in this case 3 ½”, which is 3” finished. There is no need to trim these at all and there will only be 1 set of dog ears to trim if you want to.

What do you think about this technique? This meets 2 of my 'rules'...1. I will do anything to not have to draw on a piece of fabric without compromising quality. 2. I don't believe in trimming, if it's done correctly there's no reason to have to trim. 

If you are wondering where you can buy a Nifty Notions Cut For The Cure Ruler check with your Local Quilting Store (these are exclusive and not found in the bog box stores), Kaye Englands store or The Berry Patch. We will have a comprehensive list soon.

Now for the FUN part! Brewer Quilting and Sewing Supplies is giving away 2 sets of rulers. The rulers in the set are the Half Square Triangle and the Quarter Square Triangle (QST). With these 2 rulers you can make flying geese and many other things. The QST series will be next month so you will be all set to try that one too.

To enter Novembers Nifty Notions giveaway you do not have to be a follower, but it would be great if you did.

For entry #1 go to the Brewer Nifty Notions page and tell me which ruler you would like to learn about.

For entry #2 go to Brewer's Facebook page and Like them.

There you go, as usual not more than 2 ways to enter!

Mr. Random will draw a winner on Saturday, Nov 19, 2011! 

Angelas BCA Project

Today is the last day of Breast Cancer Awareness week at Craizee Corners. I hope you enjoyed all the great projects shared with you this week and that you are motivated to do your monthly self exam and your yearly mammogram (if age appropriate).  Breast Cancer has taken way to many loved ones from us. Lets hope and pray that someday someone will find a cure for this and other cancers.



Today's guest blogger is Angela Smart. She made a wonderful tote bag in memory of her Mother. Angela doesn't have a blog so leave her comments here and I will forward them to her, I know she would love to hear from you!

Hi everyone!

I’m Angie from the UK and this is a real first for me as I don’t have my own blog.  I’m so excited to be here, but very nervous too – please be patient with me!

When Sha mentioned arranging a few projects to highlight Breast Cancer Awareness month, I was itching to get involved.  I’m sure everyone’s been affected by cancer in some form.  My mum died at 60 and I miss her so much.  She never got to meet my little girl who’s just turned 4.

I wanted to make a little something in memory of my mum and to honour all those touched by this dreadful disease.  I’ve been meaning to make the Wrap it Up bag from Penny at Sew Take a Hike for ages and this seemed like the ideal opportunity.  My mum was brought up in hard times and was a good homemaker, we used to ‘make do and mend’, recycling and reusing whatever possible.

Project decided, now to choose the fabric.   I knew immediately I wanted to use some of the ladies print from Melody Miller’s Ruby Star Rising.  My mum was married in 1963 and this print really resonates with me and brings to mind her wedding photos.  I’ve teamed the print with some plain pink linen for a simple statement, completed by the lovely pink ribbons that Sha sent to me.   My mum always had fresh flowers in the house when possible, so I chose to line the bag with the Roses print from Erin McMorris’ Weekends line.

The pattern’s great and easy to follow.  I need to concentrate a little more on what I’m doing – I pieced the outer fabrics thinking I’d accounted for seam allowances but found that my lining fabric was an inch longer – oops!  I’m glad I noticed before I started stitching and it was easily sorted.

I’m really happy with how the bag turned out.  It has a cute snap strap that means you can roll it up and keep it in your handbag.  Only, um, I can’t find the safe place that I put my pack of snaps in!

Thanks Sha for letting me share my project J

Thanks Angie for showing us that adorable tote bag. Its perfect for a Mom who was married in 1963, the fabric is so fitting.

Today's web site is the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You will find all sorts of female medical issues addressed there.

That ends the Breast Cancer Awareness week. Please remember to check your pair and go see a doctor at the first hint of a lump. Better safe than sorry.

I hope you enjoyed this series. Come back tomorrow for more Kate Spain fun.

 

2 for the price of 1 today!

Today I have 2 wonderful guest bloggers. You know how sometimes emails disappear? Well that's what happened this week so I never posted Tuesdays guest blogger post. So today I have 2 treats for you.

First is Vicki with a special tote bag that she made for her Mother-in-law. She also shares her story of her own scare with this disease. Vicki doesn't have a blog so if you want to leave her a message just leave it on this post and I will forward it to her. I know she would love to hear from you.



The Second is Laura Lok of The Weekend Photo Warrior. She has a great way to remember to get your pair checked. You will not want to miss it! So make sure you read the second part of this post. And please check out her blog, she just completed a 5K run for the leukemia and lymphoma society.  The web sites for today are listed in Laura's post.

Breast Cancer Tote for my Mother-in-law

Hello everyone ~ Thanks for checking my project. I will say up front that I am sorry but the pattern is one I cannot give you. It was one a woman on a message board a few years back offered to those reading. She did not have a website either and you had to request via email.  I will suggest you use any other tote pattern from another person as hers turned out a good bag but wow, was there some very bad words coming from my sewing room while constructing this thing. LOL

Anyway, my MIL was diagnosed with breast cancer and because it is known to run in their family she decided she wanted to move ahead with what she considered would be the inevitable and had the mastectomy. She had a really hard time while undergoing the chemo and radiation treatments as most do. It was hard for everyone in the family of course and for me it was something that brought back some sad memories and huge concern for her as well. My mother died from cancer in 1982 when my son, her first grandchild was just 2 months old and then my father was lost to cancer as well about 8-9 yrs ago. Watching both my parents deal with the struggle of slowly dying from cancer really affected me although neither of them had breast cancer. It did help me know my MIL would need a lot of support from us but we were 4 hours away from them which was really hard. We drove to the hospital for her surgery to keep my Father-in-law company and so she could see her only child, my husband right after surgery to make her smile.

Before she finished all her treatments she found another large lump on her other breast which was obviously devastating since she’d been dealing with being so sick and losing her hair and that that goes with fighting breast cancer. The doctor wouldn’t do anything for her until she finished the last of her treatments as she was almost done and then needed to rebuild her system back up again before they could do any surgery because she was just too weak at that point.

Once she had built her system back up again she wanted to just go after it again and have the 2^nd mastectomy.  This time though she saw the plastic surgeon prior to the surgery so that could be set up for her as well as she decided she wanted to have reconstructive surgery at the same time. The day came and I knew this time I wanted to make something for her to make her smile since we once again were going to be there for her surgery. I had been lucky enough to buy a Viking embroidery machine a few years before and had just seen a wonderful Dolly Mama Breast Cancer machine embroidery design from an awesome digitizer so I knew right away I had to buy that and use it on something for her. I decided I’d make her a super cute tote and use the design on it and fill it with goodies for her. During the weeks’ prior to us going anytime we were out shopping I’d buy anything cute that I saw which was pink. Then on my trip to buy my bath gel from Ulta Cosmetics, I saw the pink shower gels and a pink scrubby so I bought her those as well as some pink hand cream which matched the scent.  I packed that tote full of goodies including, of course lots of  Ghirardelli chocolate of all types but for sure the raspberry filled Ghirardelli chocolate bars. She loved the bag and all the goodies.

Every time we spoke for weeks and weeks she would tell me how much she loved her tote and how she was always having people stop her to ask where she got it. In fact, she told me while still in the hospital that she practically had to sleep with that thing because every nurse or lab person that came into her room threatened to steal it while she was sleeping and many asked if she could take orders from me to make more. Had that pattern been a lot better I may have considered that but I had already told her how many problems that gave me making it and that she can be proud she’s got an original one of a kind tote as I would NEVER make another of that pattern again in my life. Lol 

noooooooo. Not only did she get a fabulous one of a kind tote/purse BUT she got the bonus of that also being a one of a kind defective tote/purse as well. HA Then one day a few months later she admitted to me she’d ripped the top part open to fix the handles. OH DUH! HOW STUPID I WAS! Instead of placing each handle on its own side I had sewn them from one side to the other across from it and never gave it a second thought while doing it. I just knew something just wasn’t quite right. So now you can all laugh at that as you check out my pictures taken of the tote. It really did turn out beautifully, even with the slight defect which thankfully was easily fixed.

Then not long after she’d gone through all that I woke one morning with my left breast twice its size. That was during the time there was this story going around all the message boards about how this super fast growing breast cancer was horrible and killing anyone that got it. Of course, I totally freaked out as I ran across this on some message board not long after waking up like that. I went to my doctor asap and then she thought possibly it was an infected gland and put me on antibiotics for a few weeks. Of course, this did nothing but make me stressed even more thinking that was a long time to wait before checking into it further. The meds didn’t work so she sent me to have a mammogram. They did that and she requested mine NE stat so they would read it right then and there to be sure they had gotten good shots and could give me a diagnosis that day. I waited while they read the slides and then the nurse came back and said they wanted a few more shots …………on the other side. WHAT? It seems they found a small lump on the other breast as well. Ugh. After they were done, they had my husband come back to the meeting room to meet me there and we were told I had to get those biopsied so we got rushed across the hallway to the surgeon’s office where my surgery was scheduled. After the surgery I was told it would be a few days and then I’d find out the results. That was a long wait and then what I got was them telling me that one side was not cancer but they then told me the pathologists there weren’t able to both agree on the other one, so they had to send my biopsy for that one off to the Mayo Clinic and that I’d have to wait TWO WEEKS more. I was totally freaked out because of all the history of those around me and watching them deal with cancer of any sort so that’s all I could think of…well that and the fact that the surgeon I had been given must have the nickname Edward Scissorhands because the scars he left after telling me they’d only be about 1 inch at the most in reality turned out to be over 7 inches long on both sides and crooked too. L I am still SO not happy about that but hey, I’m no swimsuit model so I guess I can live with that considering the alternative.

I need to stop yacking and just let you know that I did finally get the all clear back from the Mayo Clinic 2^nd opinion. I just know it’s a very scary thing to even get to the point I was much less to be told you have breast cancer. I can’t imagine that and give everyone that has been told and had to deal with that a lot of credit. It surely is not an easy thing to go through.

VickiT

PS ~ anyone thinking of doing something similar to mine. MY MIL said the best thing in that tote we’d given her (aside from the chocolate of course) was that shower gel. She’d never used any before but also didn’t realize the length of time she’d be banned from taking a shower or bath after her surgeries. She said all she was allowed to do was a sink wash as best as you can type cleaning and that pretty smelling shower gel was wonderful. She said it was easy to use and smelled so wonderful which helped put her in a good mood even if she felt dirty not being able to do more washing that to use the sink. So if you do something like this, put some of that in and maybe stitch up some washcloths like you’d make for babies with one side cotton and flannel on the other side, or even some minky type fabric so it’s smooth and softer than a regular washcloth or scrubby.

Now its Laura's turn to share with you an adorable way to remember to get your pair checked.

Have you checked that pair lately??

As part of breast cancer awareness month I just wanted to remind you. The above business card or ATC card was made by me many years ago it fits in your wallet and serves as a reminder every time you open it up. I made a couple hundred of them at that time and passed them out at gatherings and to all my rubber stamping friends and family. On the back it says "October is Breast cancer awareness month early detection boots survival chances. Please do the one thing you can do for early detection. Check that pair. Keep this as a reminder or pass it on to a friend"

The card was made using a pear stamp that was stamped twice in yellow and then a checkered mask template went over it and sponged green on the parts that showed in yellow. Finally added lettering one letter at a time. Trimmed and mounted on some green card stock.

I know we all have a story and mine is no different. I have had several friends and family that have had breast cancer and most are still living due to early detection and advances in breast cancer treatment. And remember not all lumps are bad. As a young adult around 22 I was showering and felt something. Scared, young and far from home with only my husband near I took my findings to my doctor.  After a series of x-rays and ultrasounds and one needle aspiration it was determined I had a lump attached to my left breast bone. At this time they didn't believe it was cancerous but couldn't get enough from the needle aspiration to make a determination. I was scheduled for surgery, a lumpectomy.  They removed the lump which felt like a pea to me and was thought to be about the size of a nickle originally but was actually the size of a 50 cent piece.

The news was good for me, the biopsy came back clean and I have not had a re-occurrence and I am now 46. But it could have been much worse.  What if I ignored it? Or never did that exam and what if it had been malignant. I might not be here today enjoying my family and my life. Life is precious and it is not selfish to take care of yourself so that you are around to enjoy life and your loved ones get to enjoy you for as long as possible.

Remember the earlier a lump is caught the better the chance for survival.  Checking yourself in the shower is one of the easiest ways to accomplish this. If you don't know how to do a proper exam here is some information on how to do breast exams :

http://rethinkbreastcancer.com/ - this has a very "appealing" video and made me giggle

http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/guide/breast-self-exam

You can also go on YouTube and there are several that will show you.

Lastly you can always ask your nurse or doctor.  They will be happy to share how to do this with you.

JUST DO IT

Wow what great projects Vicki and Laura had to share with us!

Have you made your appointment to get your pair checked? I go today for my mammogram. Early detection is important.

Here's Tiffany Again...

Today my friend Tiffany from Another Pie In The Sky is back with a cute mug rug she made with the Accuquilt Go! Ribbons. When I asked her to take part in this series she jumped right in and said yes. Be sure to hop on over to her blog. You will notice that there's no follow me button on her blog, see this post for an easier way to follow blogs. And why not practice that new way to follow right there. You will never have to refresh a blog again to get everything loaded.

Today's cancer related web site is the National Cancer Institute. This site has lots of info about treatment, prevention, testing, stats and clinical trials.

Take it away Tiff...

Hello everyone! It's such a privileged to be back at Craizee Corners! For those of you who may not know me, my name is Tiffany and I blog over at Another Pie in the Sky. As you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I have recently met a few twitter friends who have been affected by breast cancer. Those are the first women that I know with breast cancer and it has opened my eyes to this disease.

Sha sent me some ribbons and I decided I would attempt my first mug rug. I've heard they are addictive and quick. I agree with that later, but not so sure about the first. I did this mug rug today in a couple hours. I didn't do the "standard" mug rug with the binding. I actually sewed the pieces right sides together and turned turned them right side out. The only thing I would do differently, and still may do, is sew 1/4" around the outside (I ran out of pink thread).

I started out making 2 mug rugs as a set, but have only finished one. However, you can see the back of the 2nd one in the bottom, right photo. Can you see the difference in the two bottom photos?

Aren't those adorable? She literally made them in between phone calls yesterday! I love how quick mug rugs go together once you decide on a pattern. As a matter of fact I think I will make a few for Christmas gifts today.

Come back tomorrow for a great idea to remind you to get that mammogram and do self checks. Have you made your appointment yet?

Sha :)

Here's a Mad Crafty Mama!

Today Bronwyn from Mad Crafty Mama is here to show you a quilt that she is making to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research in Australia. Breast cancer is a world wide disease and I for one enjoy learning how other countries deal with the research and support of those who have this disease.

Hello everyone!!  I am so excited to be a guest blogger for Sha (my very first guest blog!) and for such a fantastic reason as well.

Here in Australia, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for women.  And it has been on the rise in the last few decades.  It is estimated that 1 in 9 women will be diagnosed by the age of 85.  That is huge.  And scary.  I don’t even want to think about how many women I know will likely be affected by this, or the chances that I might be.  What I can do though, is my little bit to help reduce this number.

My gorgeous pink ribbons that Sha cut using the Accuquilt ribbon die, are being used as part of a quilt that I am racing to finish.  Each year, my workplace hosts a Pink Ribbon Morning Tea.  Our local community gets together to share some yummy food, chat for a couple of hours and raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation (http://www.nbcf.org.au/).  Each year I’ve thought (too late) that I should make a quilt to raffle.  This year, when Sha was asking for people to create a pink ribbon project, I realised it was the perfect opportunity.

The money that this quilt will raise goes towards research and also support programs for women with breast cancer.  More research is always needed to find better preventative measures and a cure.  Research is so important.  It’s why I’m raffling my quilt to raise funds, because I truly believe that every little bit helps.  If I raise $100, it is $100 that wasn’t there yesterday.

I’ve also recently become aware of an incredible organisation - Register4 (http://www.register4.org.au/) - which is Australia’s first online community for volunteer breast cancer research participants.  Register4 helps researchers spend less time and money recruiting volunteers, so they can spend more time finding better preventative measures and a cure.  And really, that is what I want them to be spending their time and skills on.  I think that this is such a brilliant idea, so I have joined up and are encouraging my family and friends to do the same.  If you are one of Sha’s Australian readers, I would love you to check out this site.

Ladies - the simple things you can do are to know your breasts and check them regularly, know your risk factors and reduce the risk factors that you have control over.  Also, support for our researchers is a great thing that anyone can do.

Keep an eye on my blog for the finished result and an update on our fundraiser.

What a fantastic gesture by Sha to organise and host this week!  I love the thought that visitors to Craizee Corners might be prompted to do a breast check that might otherwise have been forgotten, or give some thought to how they can help support our researchers.

Thanks so much for having me! J

What a beautiful quilt, I am sure it will bring a good amount of money in for an important cause. If you are in Australia please check out the Register4  and The Australian National Breast Cancer Foundation web site. For those of you on this side of the world here's a link to the US National Breast Cancer Foundation. And for those across the pond in the UK here's a link to Breast Cancer Research page.

If you know of other breast cancer research and support web sites please let me know. 

Come back tomorrow to see what Tiffany from Another Pie In The Sky made with the ribbons I sent her.

Sha :)

Welcome to Breast Cancer Awareness Week

This week I have some wonderful guest bloggers who will share with you their projects in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Well really to increase awareness of all cancers. Along with my guest blogger of the day a different web site will be highlighted to educate us all. 

A few weeks ago I asked some friends to make something for this week with ribbons I cut for them with my Accuquilt. Here's the link if you want this die.

To start the week Brie from Little Creatable has a great way to honor all kinds of cancer with a ribbon project. 

Hey Everyone!

I can’t tell you how excited I am to be featured here on the lovely Miss Sha’s blog *squeal*!

As you know its Breast Cancer Month and even if hasn’t affected you directly chances are you know someone who it has affected. Well my 2 {of 5} of my grandmothers have had this strength building cancer. Thankfully they have both lived through it, and I still have them with me today.

So when Miss Sha was asking for volunteers to speak/make something using these super cool AccuQuilt Ribbons I was all hands up in the air.

So when these little ribbons arrived on my door step I knew exactly what to do.

A ring of hope J because really when encountering any kind of Cancer that’s what you need.

HOPE

Unfortunately I haven’t be able to finish it the way I wanted to I’ve spent most of this month trying to reorganise my life, think about what is important and what I want etc.

Have any of ever had to deal with Breast Cancer in one form or another?

How do you cope?

Brest Cancer runs in my family so there it’s high likely I will get it too. I figure CANCER is not a death sentence. So I try and re-evaluate my life as often as possible, live here and now because after all here is all the now you have ;)

Thank you Sha for letting me take over.

Thanks Brie! I love that ring of hope idea. I can see that being made with different color ribbons to support all different kind of cancers.

The link today is the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month page. There you will find info for those who have just been diagnosed, survivors and their families and friends.

Sha :)

October is...

Busy! I have a lot planned for you this month.

Kate Spain month starts today! This was the latest Designer Select FQ kit that I received from The Fat Quarter Shop and is what I will be using this month for one of the quilts I am making. If you haven't joined this club, you still can, there are some great kits coming up this month. Or you can order the kit separately. I will be showing you lots of projects made with Kate Spain fabric, will have some wonderful guest bloggers and will myself be working on 2 different quilts with Terrain and trying to finish the Central Park quilt I made (it just needs to be basted, quilted and bound). And there will be a giveaway! If you would like to be a guest blogger or show your Kate Spain projects let me know, there's still time to join in the fun.

October is also National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is a cause that is near and dear to my heart. I have heard from a lot of you that have been touched by this horrible disease. Please keep those comments coming. Let's all hope that someday someone will find a cure for this and all cancers.
I will have several guest bloggers show you their projects made for loved ones with breast cancer or projects they made for donation. I'll also be sharing links to organizations that support breast cancer patients, their families and raise awareness.

Now for the fun part...
The winner of the BCA giveaway is

Here are your random numbers:

1 

Timestamp: 2011-10-02 14:41:23 UTC

Congrats Christine! I have sent you an email!

Sha :)

A giveaway a day late

Yesterday I showed you my Fall themed project made with my Accuquilt Go! If you missed it here's a pic of the finished project. To see the whole post just scroll down.

I got so many great comments about the mini quilt that I decided to do a little giveaway. I will send the winner 4 fat quarters of breast cancer awareness fabric and 4 appliqued ribbons cut with the Accuquilt die. this will be enough for you to make something special too.

To enter first of all you MUST be a follower.
For your entry please tell me what breast cancer awareness means to you.
There you have it 1 entry per person only.
Mr. Random will pick a winner on Saturday, October 1st.

Today the blog hop is at Sunshower Quilts. She has made a adorable table runner that you won't want to miss!

Sha :)

Here's my Fall Project...

I'm super excited today to be part of the Accuquilt Fall Blog Hop! I'm part of the Quilters With Modern Tools group and guess what? As of yesterday I became a quilter with 2 modern tools! You'll have to wait and see which one I just got :)

The theme for this blog hop is Fall and the only specific instruction we received was that it had to be made with something cut with our Accuquilt Go! or Baby Go! You know me I have to be different so I started thinking. I didn't have to think to much because I know October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and since October is in the Fall and I had just gotten the Accuquilt Go! Ribbon die it was a perfect fit.

I was lucky enough to find some great Breast Cancer fabric for this project, even though I had no idea what this project was until this past Sunday. I was very torn about what to make. First I was going to make a zipper bag, but I didn't have enough fusible fleece and didn't want to go to any store so scratch that idea. Then I decided on a mug rug.

Since I knew I needed a few applique ribbons cut out with my Go! I started there. I used Steam-A-Seam 2 on the back of the ribbon fabric. Its so easy to use, just place the part without the paper on the back of your fabric and press for 10 seconds. Then I simply used the Go! the same way as I usually would and it came out perfect.

That's when inspiration hit me. I decided to make a frame out of fabric and put the ribons in the center. Here's what I came up with for the ribbon layout. Actually I had wanted to use 3 ribbons to signify Mind, Body and Spirit, but that didn't work.

The frame part of the mug rug came together in my mind pretty easy. I fussy cut the words used for the inside frame. Here's a word at the top that has significant meaning to me. My Mother-in-law had breast cancer 9 years ago and was in remission for 8 years before she was diagnosed with lung cancer. We lost her 3 months ago tomorrow (June 28, 2011). Here's one of my favorite pics from June 2010 of my Hub's and his Mom.

Here's my finished project. You can't tell from this pic but I used a curly stitch along the inside of the frame. It was fun doing something different than a straight stitch.It's a bit big to be a mug rug so it ended up being a mini quilt.

Here's a close look at the center of the ribbons. I'm not sure if you can tell but theres a butterfly stitched by machine in the center and the center of the 2 ribbons too. My Mother-in-law loved butterflies.

I hope you like my Fall project. I havent decided what to do with this mini quilt yet, for now its staying with me, but I might donate it at some point to help raise funds for the Susan G Komen Association.

Here's the full list for the blog hop. Be sure to visit everyones blog and tell them Sha sent you!

Monday Sept 26th
Darlene (SewCalGal) - www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Tuesday, September 27th

Terrie (Bits & Pieces) www.terriesandelin.blogspot.com
Sharon (Craizee Corners) www.craizeecorner.blogspot.com

Wednesday, September 28th
Katrina (Sunshower Quilts) www.sunshowerquilts.blogspot.com

Thursday, September 29th
Connie (Quilting by the River) www.conniekresin.blogspot.com
Mary (the Tulip Patch) http://www.tulip-patch.blogspot.com/

Friday, September 30th
Polly (Polly's Porch) www.auntpollysporch.blogspot.com

Sha :)

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

If you are looking for the Hometown giveaway click here.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I want to honor my Mother-in-law and all those who have this cancer, as well as those who we have lost from this terrible disease.

In order to do this I need your help. I have this wonderful die from Accuquilt.

I think it's a great applique to use on so many things. Here's where you come in...
I need 4 volunteers to make something with this on it. I will supply the applique ribbons to you in whatever color you choose and as many as you need. All I ask is that you make something with it and then guest blog the 3rd week in October about what you made. You can make anything big or small, the sky's the limit.

I think this is a great way to honor those who have been affected by this horrible disease. What do you think? Please email me or post here if you are interested or just to say what you think of this project. And please consider joining me for this project.

Come back tomorrow when Sweetwater week continues.

Sha :)