When my friends from The Fat Quarter Shop

asked me if I wanted to participate in their

Single Wedding Ring Blog Hop 

(which starts today!) I just couldn't resist!

I immediately fell in love with this block

and it came together really easy.  

The hardest part has been deciding on a color scheme.  

This is kind of what I'm thinking so far...

(I'm kind of diggin' the vintage-y feel these fabrics have together.  

I love to mix the old with the new!)

I did end up cutting my squares a little bigger than the pattern instructs 

since I prefer to square up my Half Square Triangles 

(it just makes everything match up so nicely!)  

I cut my squares 3-1/2" and used THIS method for squaring them up.

I've only had time to make one block so far 

but I'm itching to get back to my sewing room so I can make more!

Luckily, I have a retreat coming up in a few weeks 

so I know I'll at least be able to work on it there.

The Fat Quarter shop has so generous provided a free pattern 

for this block which you can find HERE plus a really great how-to video which you can find HERE.  I love the method they show in their video for making HST's too - you should check it out!

Lakehouse Scalloped Print Panel Giveaway Winner

Thanks to all of you who stopped by my blog last week to check out my "Love You" placemat and tutorial!  I had so much fun creating the pattern using Lakehouses new Scalloped Print Panel and my family sure has enjoyed having it around the house the last couple of weeks!  

Oh, and here's a little secret, I plan to use it all year around!  I think the "Love You" placemat is the perfect little detail for leaving sweet treats (or an after-school snack) on the counter for your little ones or serving a special breakfast in bed.  It reminds me of those red "You Are Special" plates my mother had when I was a child.  You know the one's I'm talking about, right?

Well, as promised I'm giving away some of the Scalloped Print Panel so one of you can make your very own placemat!  But before I announce the winner, first, a thank you for sharing all of your sweet Valentine's Day traditions with me!  This has got to be one of my very favorite holidays!  Spending time with the ones you love and thinking of clever ways to show each other you care -  It's the best!  I always give my husband and two kiddos small little presents with a note to say I love them! 

So without further adieu, the winner of the Scalloped Print Panel is:

Jacqueline Auten who said...

I have a special set of heart plates and dollar store wine glasses that I serve a nice breakfast on. I stay up late, like a santa elf, and set up the table with a lace table cloth and everything. When the kids/hubby get up in the morning they get a nice breakfast on a Valentine table

Congratulations Jacqueline!  Please send me an email with your mailing address and I'll get this sent off to you!

I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day weekend!  

~ Amber

The "Love You" placemat tutorial can be found HERE.

Love You Placemat Tutorial + Giveaway

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and I wanted to share this little tutorial for a sweet placemat I designed using Lakehouse Dry Goods' new Sunrise Studio Scalloped Print Panel fabric that's available in stores now.  This scalloped print fabric comes in a variety of colors that all coordinate with their new PamKittyGarden collection (which I am completely in love with!)  Check out The Fat Quarter Shop for a great selection of all of these fabrics (and this is not a paid advertisement :)  I just loooove the Fat Quarter Shop!)

Love You Placemat

Finished size: 17" x 20 3/4"

Materials Needed:
2/3 yd Sunrise Studio Scalloped Print Panel (color: cherry)
1 fat quarter for applique background (red and white heart print)
1 fat quarter for applique (black)
1/4 yard Heat 'N Bond lite (17" wide double-sided fusible adhesive) 
5/8 yard for backing
6" x width of fabric for binding
22" x 26" piece of batting
black thread
Love You template (click HERE for PDF file)

Cutting Instructions:

1.  Cut 4 strips of scallops by first cutting along the printed "log" dots next to each set of scallops.  

This space between the straight edge of the scallops and the log dots is your seam allowance.  

Next, trim these scalloped strips into 4 1/4" wide strips.

Trim two of the strips so they have 4 full scallops plus 1/4" on each end for the seam allowances.  They should measure 4 1/4" x 15 1/2".  Trim the other two strips so they have 3 full scallops plus 1/4" on each end for the seam allowances.  They should measure 4 1/4" x 12".  

2.  Cut four 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" white squares from the remainder of the panel.  

3.  Trim your red and white heart print fat quarter to 12" x 15 1/2".


Assembly Instructions:
1.  Sew the 4 1/4" x 12" scalloped strips onto the short ends of your heart print rectangle with right sides together.  Press the seam allowances toward the scallops.

2.  Sew a white square onto each end of the two 4 1/4" x 15 1/2" scalloped strips.  Press the seam allowances toward the scallops.  Then sew the two strips onto the rectangle unit.  Press the seam allowances toward the scallops.

3.  Trace the "Love You" template onto the paper side of the Heat 'N Bond.

Roughly cut out the words.

Press the words (paper side up) onto the wrong side of the black fabric.

Cut out the words on the traced lines.  Peel off the paper and center the words onto the red heart print rectangle.  Press the words with a warm iron to adhere in place.

4.  Stitch around all the letters using black thread and a straight stitch (about 1/16" inside the raw edges).  Just go slow and you'll be fine!


Finishing Instructions:
1.  Make a quilt sandwich with the placemat top, batting and the backing fabric.  Quilt as desired.  I had my neighbor, Cathy Barney, quilt it for me using Mono Poly invisible clear thread.  She did an all-over squiggly design that doesn't compete with the words or scallops.  I love it!

2.  Trim the placemat (and any excess batting or backing) leaving 3/4" between the tips of the scallops and the edge of the placemat.

3.  Bind the placemat using two 2 1/4" x width fabric strips and it's ready to use!  Serve up some sweet little goodies to your loved ones and they'll (for sure) feel special!

This quick project is perfect for Valentine's Day or any day that you want to say I love you!  

I've got some extra scalloped fabric that I would LOVE to share with one of you so just leave a comment below telling me about any Valentine's Day traditions you have in your family and I'll pick a winner this weekend!

~ Amber