Spiderweb Placemats

Here it is the day after Christmas here in Oz, and instead of finding new homes for our gifts, I'm blogging. Look at me with my fancy collage pictures. I'm like a kid with a new toy!

But seriously, I had quite a number of people asking about the pattern for my spiderweb placemats, and while I was able to answer some personally, there were a number of people I couldn't respond to as their email address hasn't been enabled on comments. So, I decided to make up a quick tutorial:


Pic 1: You'll need four coordinating fabrics - from which you'll cut 2.5" strips (you can use any size you like, but that's what I used). If you're making two placemats, cut two strips from each fabric. If you're making four placemats, cut four strips - you get the idea :-) Make up however many strip sets you need using each of the four fabrics. Makes more sense when you see the second picture.

Pic 2: Using your Kaleidorule (from Marti Michell) cut your first wedge, and then trim off the jaggedy bit on the other side.

Pic 3: Flip your ruler over and cut the opposing wedge. Keep going with this until you've used up the whole strip. You'll likely get your 8 pieces plus 2 extra. If you make four mats, you'll have enough spare pieces to make an extra mat for a table centre :-)

Pic 4: I sew my units into pairs, and I press the seams open. I don't really have a sciency reason that I do this, but I think maybe it helps that final bulky seam go together a little easier. Then sew your pairs into quarters, and the quarters into halves ...

Pic 5: And finally you'll have a completed spiderweb placemat top.

Note: While I use my Kaleidorule template, there may be other products that do the same job, so check your supplies and see what you have. Also, this is not my exclusive pattern (far from it) - it has been shown on other blogs, in books and magazines. No claims to fame here.

I haven't finished making all my spiderwebs yet, so when I'm done I'll check back and show you how I've quilted them, and also the binding. It could be a little while, so please don't hold your breath :-)

Also, I wanted to throw a shout-out to the following commenters who I wasn't able to reply to regarding other posts:

Heidi: How fun that you met Donna at Quilting Corner. You guessed right about her NI friend! I'm hoping to be over in March/April and vacationing with the lovely Donna. The world really is a tiny place!

Allyson: Thank you for stopping by. I don't have the Among the Evergreens pattern out yet, but if you can email me and let me know that you're interested, maybe I can put it on the fast track :-)

Sue K: I think maybe the Baptist Fan tutorial you're looking for is over at Bonnie's blog, or maybe Tonya's. Though I'd love to have the patience, they're not something I've undertaken :-)

Though there have been many more lovely comments from people without their email address enabled - I think that's all for the most recent direct questions. I know it's usually an oversight, but please do check your settings and enable your email, it's truly so helpful! *hugs*

Ho Ho Ho

Merry Christmas to all my buddies out in cyber land. We've survived the flurry of present opening, the food-fest of lunch, and the lazy dinner that followed, and we've thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Today my side of the family visited, we had twelve for lunch, and I think that's the max we can cater for on one table. Any larger, and we'll be calling for backup surfaces. It was wonderful to share meals with my parents, my brothers and SIL, my grandparents, along with my own little family and Amy's boyfriend.

Marty's family (being European) traditionally celebrate on Xmas Eve, so we were out last night at the St Kilda Yacht Club with his extended family which was wonderful. And to add to the celebrating, the surprise wedding of one of Marty's cousins. So much fun.

I hope everyone is having wonderful times with friends and family, and now I'm off to rest a little, and then see if I can put my house back to rights. It looks like a wrapping paper tornado swept thru here!

I'm a learning creature ...

Just having a little play with Picasa ... I had no idea I could use it for blogging! Clearly I'm very much behind the times! xox

Christmas is how many days away?!?

I have been a neglectful blogger of late - but I hope in the immediate future I can remedy that. As of 5pm yesterday, I'm officially on holidays until the 18th of January. After Christmas, I'll have expanses of free time (hahaha) and tons to share I'm sure!

There is still stitching happening in my sewing room sporadically, and as I'm still working on a couple of Christmas gifts, I can't share just now - but if I remember to take a picture before I frantically wrap them up, I'll share the end results.

One thing that has entertained me (often late at night) is that I have discovered some wonderful home decorating/house blogs. And I really love them!
This one is my current favourite: That Old House
So much fun to peek into other peoples homes, and great inspiration for decorating my own.

Since I don't have any quilty loveliness to share, I thought I'd show a couple of Christmassy things.

Though it's nothing like the fabulous vignettes you'll find around blogland, this is what you see on my china cabinet in the front entryway. You'll find Nutcrackers all over the house - I went mad for them last year. The Mikasa Santas have been with us for a long time, and some day in the future I will find the creamware Nativity scene. You just can't rush these things.

Each year I add new decorations to the tree, and though I purchased many more, here are some of my favourites. Three birds came home with me from the Christmas shop on Goodwood Road. I should have purchased more - they're adorable.

And three of these adorable Faberge style eggs. They open up to reveal a little treat inside ... though mine are 'treat free' today - who knows what Christmas day will bring?

Today I'm doing chores around the house to get ready for the big day - and I'll probably dash to the store for a couple of last minute things. Tomorrow Mum and I are setting the table, and Friday I'll be doing the grocery shopping. We have 12 coming for Christmas lunch, and everyone is bringing something - so I predict it will be a wonderful and relatively stress free day! xox

Christmas Stitching

Isn't this always such a busy time of year? Before I can seriously think of Christmas, there is first my birthday and then Amy's birthday to deal with. And deal with in a lovely way of course. Miss Amy turned sweet sixteen yesterday - she is such a treasure. How ever did those years fly by so quickly? Before I know it, it will be Cameron's turn!

I have still managed to get in a little sewing for gifts - but I really must get busy, as there isn't much time to go now.

First up are some spiderweb placemats for a dear sweet customer at the store. She gave me the most beautiful crinoline lady stitcheries earlier this year, and I really wanted to give her a treat in return. Just need to stitch on the binding, and they're good to go :-)

Cameron's family day care lady is like part of our family, so I wanted to make her a little treat too. This is the candle mat I made up for her. I've had this Thimbleberries fabric for such a long time as it is a feature in one of my patterns. I estimate I've had 150 yards of it pass through my hands over the years.

And here is the lantern with a pine tree candle, all packaged up with the mat ready to go. I may make a couple more if I have the chance ... still so much to do, but the days are ticking away ...

Dinner Party

On Saturday evening, Marty and I hosted a formal dinner party for six of our best friends. I had such a great time organising the menu, gathering supplies, and my favourite of all, making and folding the napkins. I found a fun method of folding on Martha Stewart's website, and really wanted to give it a try. They turned out wonderfully, and were much commented upon. I even googled the proper way to lay out the table, and gave it my best shot with the supplies I had.

The dress code for the evening was formal, the company was fabulous, and the evening declared a great success. We're already in the planning stages for the next event, and I simply can't wait.

With all the fun of the preparation, (apart from making napkins) my Bernina has been much neglected, and I'm looking forward to a reunion with her this evening :-)

Nearly Insane Block 43

Just thought I'd share a quick NI block with you so you'd know I haven't been slacking off entirely.

This one is block 43, and I'm so glad to have it checked off the list. As mentioned in the NI Fans blog, I'm so glad to have this one done, though it wasn't as tough as I anticipated. I used a little spray starch to help stabilise bias edges - love me some Mary Ellen's Best Press!

Last Pelmet

Those of you who are my buddies on Facebook will have already seen this photo, but here it is again all the same. The final pelmet is in place, this one in the lounge room. And the Christmas tree is up too - as tradition in our house dictates, it was put up on the day of the pageant here in Adelaide last weekend. Happy days! :-)