tutorial, quilted halloween table runner

I know Halloween is only a week away but I wanted to share this quick and simple table topper with you.

Really this design would work for any holiday or everyday table runner.  I cut the printed pieces from fat quarters and the white and grey from 44" wide fabric.  

For the front you will need...

From each printed fat quarter cut:

1- 2 1/2" x 22" strip 

1- 3 1/2" x 22" strip 

Of dark border fabric cut:

2- 2 1/2" x 8" strips 

3- 2 1/2" x 18" strips

2- 2 1/2" x 22" strips

4- 2 1/2" squares

Of white fabric you will need:

2- 1 1/2" x width of fabric strips

To get started...

Stitch the white fabric to each side of the 2 1/2" grey squares.  Press the seams.  Then stitch the white fabric to the top and bottom of these same grey squares.  Again, press your seams!

I forgot to take a picture of this next step, but stitch a 2 1/2" printed fabric to the right side of your block. Press the seam and cut.  Then stitch the remaining part of that printed fabric to the bottom of the block, as shown.  Press and trim to give it a clean edge.

Now do the same with the 3 1/2" printed piece to the left side...

and top also.  Be sure to press the seams.

At this point I decided to chop my finished block down a little.  I cut the sides with the narrower strips down to 2" from the white border.

Using those two sides as a guide I made the block 8" square.

Decide how you want your blocks laid out.  Stitch the two 8" grey pieces as shown below.  Press your seams.

Next, stitch the three 18" grey strips as shown below, STARTING with the one in the middle!  Press your seams and trim the end of the strips.

Finally, stitch on the two 22" grey strips to the top and bottom.  Press your seams and trim the ends.  And there you have it!  

Just sandwich, quilt, and bind it!

I'm not a fan of spiders.  At all!  But I sure like them in these fun halloween prints!

I also made another table runner but used only three blocks.  I really like how these both turned out!!

Enjoy!!!

WIP...Sadie's Quilt

All pinned and ready to be quilted!!  

(This fabric is Bubblegum Basics by Quilt Soup for Henry Glass.  Absolutely cheerful and long out of print.)

I just need to go get some white thread.  Who runs out of white thread, I mean really!?!

One problem...I just realized I used Heavy Duty wonder-under to apply the circles.  Dang!  It is pretty stiff.  I'm hoping it will soften with plenty of use.  After all, who wants to wrap a stiff quilt around a sweet little baby?

beautiful wood and metal table

I really want to make one of these...

Unfortunately I don't have any real woodworking experience (other than the boot-remover-thing I made in the eighth grade) and by the look of this lovely creation there is lots and lots of cutting and glueing that would be involved.  Especially considering that I would want it to be like 40"x96".   That's not overyly hopeful is it?  :)  The grain look is actually individual pieces of wood glued together...BEAUTIFUL!!

However, my husband does have some experience and my Jake-in-law has a wood shop.  I think as long as I don't ask for his help (when I showed him this pic he specifically said, "don't ask for my help"--lol, your hilariously honest!) I might convince him to let us use the wood shop.

(I have been carrying this image around with me on my phone for a while and for the life of me can't remember where I found it.  I have been searching online for it but just can't find it.  I want to give credit where credit is due, but alas,  I just can't find you again beautiful table.  So sorry!)

colorful personality

Red, orange, purple, pink...  Her personality is just as colorful as her choice of clothing/accessories!

school boys

Kiddo #2 started school this year.

These two have adjusted well to ruling the roost!

I caught them like this while making breakfast the other morning.  Such a sweet quiet moment!