Needlework Tuesday

What do you do with a "layer cake" of 10-inch fabric squares from the Mary Jane Butters Glamping collection?










Well, first you divide the collection with your sister - each of you taking the colors you like.  (Thank you, Teri!)  Then you select nine squares from the red/aqua palette and sew them into a giant Disappearing Nine-Patch block.  Attach some backing and you have an adorable camper-size tablecloth.

It looks a little small on the kitchen table, but will work beautifully on the tiny camper table.  And if we happen to be camping on Memorial Day or the 4th of July, just flip it over for a patriotic version.

My sister gave me a yard of this Washington DC fabric after we visited there a few years ago.  I've never wanted to cut it up for quilting because it wouldn't show off the pattern, so it's been sitting in my stash waiting for the perfect project.

My second project for the week lead to the discovery of my crafting destiny -- crazy quilting. It's perfect for me - all the fun, beauty and creativity of quilting without that pesky math and precision.  I'm always looking for ways to use up even the smallest scraps of fabric and I was inspired by some pinks and florals sent to me by a quilting friend.  Once I got started it was difficult to stop.   I made one in pink:

And one in black and red:

It's difficult to see in the picture, but the apron at the bottom is an applique, cut from a novelty fabric and attached with Heat 'N Bond.  The apron ties are made from ribbon.

And I made one in red, white and blue:

My sewing machine doesn't offer much variety for the decorative stitching (blue version is still waiting on top-stitching), but I'm happy with how they turned out.  The blue and black are 10" squares.  I'm currently working on a 10" square in blue, yellow and tan, using even smaller scraps.  I have no idea what to do with the squares once they're complete.  Maybe they will eventually become a quilt, but in the mean time, I'm having fun and learning as I go.

The pink crazy quilt (approx. 12x18) got added embellishments of buttons, ribbons and beads, and became a prayer flag that hung outside for one day in gratitude and celebration of my birthday. 

Speaking of prayer flags, I also completed a flag, based on the Proverbs 31 woman, that will remain up indefinitely (center above).

That's it for sewing this week.  Tomorrow I'll be posting about some other projects and crafts for the May Pin It/Do It Challenge.

Needlework Tuesday is hosted by Heather @ Books & Quilts.  Visit Heather to see what beautiful things she's creating this week and link your own needlework post.

For information on prayer flags, read this post. 
For information on "glamping" visit Mary Jane's Farm.