For sometime now, I've been wanting to make coasters.  I've made the version from BTRS (Halloween themed), but I've been wanting to make some quilted ones like those in Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts.

Given my recent love of all things patchworky, I thought this Criss Cross Coaster tutorial from AllSorts would be a great project this week.

These don't truly use a patchwork technique, so no worrying about lining up all those tiny squares. Yet, they still look a bit like patchwork, and I'll get to use up some fun little pieces of fabric that have no other purpose.

You must check out Jenny's blog, where you can find all of her great ideas and several other tutorials. 

If you want to make some this week, the tutorial is here.  Or, you can browse these offerings from Etsy.

Set of wooden coasters from Enbal

In Amy Butler Lotus, from Pretty Industries

Embroidered linen coaster ala Alice in Wonderland, by Nanu

Now, when Mr. Plaid reads this week's Throwback, he will declare coasters dull and predict Win-It Wednesday comments to hit an all time low next week.  I disagree. 

Coasters are crazy fun and so practical. Who doesn't need a whole slew of them?! 

Please welcome the long-awaited Tea Towel Apron.  So exciting that Scarlet even got to come out of the craft room to model it:

 
It's not quite the Throwback Thursday project I initially planned...but it was so much fun designing it!  I based it off of this tutorial from Martha (she calls it a "dish towel" apron, not nearly as classy).  But her top was square, which I didn't want.

 
So I changed it.  Then I decided the entire thing in two matching tea towels was...well...dull.  So I added a flap:

 
The flap is not stitched along the bottom, so it can be used for drying hands and things.  I thought it nice to have a separate little hand-drying apron attached to the larger apron. That way your clothes stay covered even while you're drying your hands.  Is that important? Not sure. But it sure makes for a cute apron!

This was made from a set of tea towels I bought at Target (they came two towels to a set, so I used one and a half sets).  I also own the matching table runner...which will make it hard to let go of this apron. I mean, imagine what a clever hostess I would be, what with my apron matching my table and all.

The ties for the neck and waist were super easy, made from cotton twill tape.  I've considered writing a little tutorial to show you how I did it (the whole apron, not just the ties). Maybe later this week?

By now, you know how it works: Leave a comment on this post by next Wednesday, and you'll be entered to win this apron.  Completely random, completely free. 

Thank you to everyone for your lovely comments.  The Random Number Generator chose Holly, Comment No. 14! 

The Quilt-It Kit will be on its way to Holly very soon, while the rest of us should work together to get a handle on this quilting thing.  And, for those of you needing your own copy of the Quilt-It Kit, as Sarah points out, they are/were in the bargain section at Borders.  I bought mine several months ago, though, (when I thought I needed a new hobby) so not sure if they're still available!

Sorry for the sudden abandonment!  We took a short family vacation to Branson last weekend, and my own web paranoia prevented me from telling you about it in advance.  Didn't want some crazy stalker to find my blog and discover my house was unattended, what with all my pretty new fabric sitting on the kitchen counter.

Two of my recent projects went along on vacation with us.  One was the purse-sized first aid kit, which came in handy when a certain five year old managed to scuff both knees at Celebration City.  Alcohol wipes and bandages to the rescue. And I made everyone declare that I was an awesome mom. Seriously, made them say it out loud. Which they did. 

The other, was the reusable grocery bag (in pink butterfly print).  We grabbed it at the last minute to throw the phone chargers and make up bags in.  This bag became the most useful item on the trip.

 
Day one, I tried to bring the large, non-flexible diaper bag along to Silver Dollar City. It was too large and too non-flexible. It wouldn't fit in the awful rental stroller and it was an overall nuisance.  Day 2, the reusable bag came with us. It's straps were the perfect length (and flexibility) to tie in a loose knot (nothing fell out) and then hang over each stroller handle. 

You can see that I took along the cheesy umbrella stroller to save space in the car...I thought we'd rent a larger stroller at the amusement parks. Turns out their strollers were pretty useless, and for $10, a waste of money. So umbrella stroller made a go of it and did a fantastic job.  My reusable grocery bag was awesome.  Just like me.

If you find yourself in Branson (and I'm not necessarily recommending that you do...), head downtown and check out Pinkiedink's Cupcakes.  They have a ton of different cupcakes, all pretty and all tasty! At $2.50 a piece, my husband declared them the best deal in Branson.  Seriously, these people are a few doors down from a place that wanted to sell me a $4 hotdog. It's not even real meat, people!!

The apron is on its way. I've deviated from the original Ben Franklin version, and I'm working on adapting a Martha version. It's going to be worth the wait, I promise. 

But for now, familial obligations have called me away from sewing for the rest of the week.  Instead, for this week's Win-It Wednesday, I give you:

Your very own, new (okay, I took the wrapper off because I had to see the inside!), never used Quilt-It Kit by Denyse Schmidt.

I know we have a lot of quilting readers, because I read your blogs, but this would be great for anyone who wants to experiment with small projects or even patchwork. It's awesome.

Fifteen different projects, and it could be yours! Leave a comment on this post by next Wednesday, and you'll be entered into a random drawing to win-it!

The Random Number Generator chose lucky number 14!  Looks like Tricia's daughter's bathroom is going to get a little pizzazz! As Tricia says her daughter is 13 months old, I feel compelled to mention that I haven't tested this mat for slip-proof-ness.  But if anyone making one is worried, I would suggest using that grippy rubbery shelf paper underneath it.  Just a small square should do it.

Congratulations Tricia! 

I bought a ton of spring/summer fabric to make clothes for my girls this summer, and so far, I've produced very little.  I thought a little time on my favorite shopping sites might inspire me.  Instead, it mostly made me want to spend money.

On this:

and this:

Both from Bread and Roses.

Also this:

and this:

Both from Cape Bags.

This, which I couldn't buy anyway, because it's sold out:

From Flour Clothing.

Ditto this one from the new Sugar City Shop:

Everyone, it seems, is making way for their new fall designs. While I am finally, hopefully, getting around to making some summer pieces.  Seriously, it promises to be warm around here for at least another couple of months. I have time...