Thursday, April 19, 2012

My stop on the hop

Hello and welcome! 

the





is far from over.  This is only Day 4!
 
Look who's sharing their creative talents today...
Thursday April 19th

Katherine (me!)

I'm in such good company on this Blog Hop and love seeing what everyone is sharing.  Thanks so much to Madame Samm for organizing this fun event.


 
For my part, I decided to make a little something to display in my sewing room.  A gentle reminder of sorts...


for those times when my stitches go astray. 
 
My sons like to tease me that my usual sunny demeanor goes quite sour when I break out the seam ripper.    I can pretty much clear a room just by picking up the seam ripper...  funny coincidence, don't you think?  I'm certain they exaggerate. ;o)
 
A little dose of humour may be the ticket to keep me smiling when I'm stitch ripping.

 

Couldn't resist placing my new little mini in front of (some of) my stash.  Fabric makes such a pretty background. ;o)



 
If the humour in the sewing room doesn't keep me smiling, then this little table topper will do the trick.
 
No more, "What's for supper?". 
 All you need to know is on the menu. 

 
 
There's plenty of space to write it all out and a handy little loop for holding the chalk.

I picture this table topper being very useful as well as decorative.  I love that I was able to find a good use for some scrap upholstery weight vinyl (that's the chalkboard)  along with some vintage trim and cheery gingham.   My new menu display definitely looks better than the plain whiteboard I was using for this purpose.
 
Thanks for visiting!
I hope your time here leaves you with some inspiration for making a table topper or two of your own to enjoy.
 
  Be sure to visit everyone on the Blog Hop...  you don't want to miss your chance to see beautiful creations or the chance to win prizes. (Madame Samm has the full schedule, plus a peek at some prizes.  Click here to see.)
 
 

Edited to add: 

 
I almost didn't get to make the menu topper because I couldn't find chalkboard fabric locally.  I was so disappointed.  I just happened to remember that I had scraps of black vinyl left from an upholstery commission from a few years ago and that we would mark measurements for cutting right on its surface using chalk.  Light bulb moment!  This particular vinyl is not very textured or glossy, so the chalk works quite well on it.  Not the case with all vinyls, so if you want to use vinyl, test it with chalk first.  Happily, this vinyl worked, so I got to make my idea AND use up something that had been languishing in my sewing room. Yes!  Love those moments when it all clicks. ;o)

65 comments:

susan said...

Your sewing room mini is great but your menu mini is pure genius! We should all have one of those. It would cut the constant questions by half!

charlotte said...

How clever is your menu board?! My LQS is selling chalkboard fabric now. I was wondering what to do with it and now I know!

╰☆╮ Barb ╰☆╮ said...

I truly relate to your first table topper about the seam ripper. Sometimes it just helps to let out a huge "Arrrrrggggghhhh" when something goes awry. My family knows that's the time to steer clear for awhile, lol. Thanks for sharing your projects, and your stash!

patchouli moon studio said...

Cute Menu topper.

LesQuilts said...

Oh! thanks for your table toppers! I can relate to getting out a seam ripper and clearing a room! My husband always says "you should get a more relaxing hobby!"
I really like the Menu idea!
I need to think about something like that design for my kitchen!
Take care, Leslie

Madame Samm said...

Good Morning Katherine..oh wow...stinking cute these are...love the idea of the menu block but the seam ripper goodness me it's perfect..

JCnNC said...

Katherine, these are precious. I recently heard someone refer to unsewing as "jacking", (Jack the Ripper) and thought that was funny. Thanks for showing us your mini quilts and for your participation in this wonderful hop. Judy C

yorkie mom said...

Absolutely adorable! Love the Keep Calm sign!

Josie McRazie said...

Oh, my seams ripper! We have a love/hate relationship! LOL!! I LOVE your mini!! And the one you can write on... that would be dangerous in my house! hehe! Thanks for hopin along!

Lee said...

I love them both! thanks for the inspiration and fun!

Betty Lou said...

Your tabletopper quilts are cute as can be and your menu is a very original design. I just made my first TT Quilt, a mini Lil Twister and waiting fo my stand to arrive. Thank you all for your inspiration. Keep 'em coming.

leanne said...

great quilts - you'll be nice and calm now when you're "reverse sewing" and love the fabulous menu mini - just the thing for any kitchen :)

Sunshine Girl said...

Both of these are adorable.

Maxine said...

Great ideas...Never would have thought to make a menu mini...Really love the sewing mini that should make us all smile..Thanks for sharing

Leslie said...

Both of those have made my day! Cute, cute, cute.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Love the sewing machine mini, but I can see the chalk board fabric scraps I have making good use for some gifts using your 'menu' mini - fantastic idea. Thank you for sharing with us today.

Sheila said...

They are both just great but the menu is a really clever idea ! Thanks so much for sharing :-)

Michelle said...

I needed a giggle! & the menu topper is just too cool!

StitchinByTheLake said...

Oh my goodness both of those are darling! I love the sewing room one and it would be perfect in mine since I'm always ripping. :) But the menu one is my favorite! blessings, marlene

Patty D from NC said...

I love both of these - very creative!

Karen said...

Hi Katherine! I am on the phone right now with my sister and we both LOVE your menu topper!!! Congratulations on both toppers... well done!

Jennifer said...

Wow! I love them both! The menu one is genius. I'm definitely with good and talented company today!

Jennifer :)

QuiltSue said...

I just love them both - my sort of humour I think.

mahoo said...

Sew cute. Love them both and envy your organized stash.

Kathy H said...

Cute idea for the menu. I have seen that chalk fabric and I bet that would work too.

Needled Mom said...

What a terrific idea for a menu board! Both toppers are wonderful.

krislovesfabric said...

Love your minis, great ideas! Thanks for sharing!

iluvmybugs said...

What fun minis...love the menu board! TFS
~Terry~

Loralynn said...

You mini quilts are charming!

Patrica said...

Love the humor of your "get your ripper" topper and the menu idea is brilliant! Both so cute. Thanks for sharing.

Deonn @ Quiltscapes said...

Wow, Katherine! Love your first little sewing machine and saying... haha! And your MENU!!?! Genius! The little shop I frequent sells the chalkboard fabric - Oh, I MUST make one! Plus, I already have the holder... Very inspiring, Thank you!!

Judy1522 said...

Great idea for the menu table topper. I love the sewing room mini quilt also.

MARIA CRISTINA said...

La tabla para el menú es muy buena idea!!

Julie said...

Outstanding little chalkboard quilt! And perfect sewing room advice too! Great job.

Annette said...

what great ideas .... I think I will be lookingfor some chalkboard fabric to make one for the kitchen to.... in stitches

Grams said...

Love your menu mini. Wish I had had one when my kids were little.

Vail in tn

piece peace said...

Those are super table toppers. My favorite so far!

Carrie P. said...

Your little menu mini quilt is such a great idea. I remember when my kids were little they would ask all the time what we were having for dinner. This would have saved me time explaining dinner to them. lol

Laine said...

Oh my gosh - look at your stash. How fun it would be to look at it all while you sew. Love your table toppers and what a brillant idea to use your left over vinyl. I will have to check my LQS for chalk vinyl.

lsandes@comcast.net

Salamanda's Scrappy Adventures said...

I love your keep calm mini - made me lol.

Marcia W. said...

Now the menu board is one clever idea! Thanks for the mini journey.

tink's mom said...

The chalk board is priceless. Love it to pieces. Your seam ripper notes strike so close to home, great addition to your sewing room.

Darlene said...

How cute! What an ingenious idea with the "Menu" table topper...

blessings,
Darlene

hueisei said...

Pretty mini quilts! I loved the granny squares too :)

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

I love my seam ripper and it loves me!! The menu what a super fun idea!

Christine L said...

LOVE your quilts! The Menu quilt is awesome! Love all the mini's.

Linda said...

That you for sharing your great quilts. I love them both...I know your feeling about the seam ripper..I usually set them aside for when I want to watch something on TV..The menu idea is great..perfect way to answer the question, "Mom, what's for supper?"

Vickie said...

Wow those are great creative little quilts thanks for sharing with us and giving us such inspiration.

Liz - Moments said...

Love the Table toppers...especially the Keep Calm...I need that one in my Sewing room too :-)
XXX

Lesley said...

Love your very creative toppers! Both are unique and so cool!

Snoodles said...

I think you just made me add two more minis to my "must make" list! LOL Love them both!

Scrapbook-ChickADoodle said...

Got to love them both! Super creative!
In the past I've made "menu boards" for bridal showers by painting and decorating small cookie sheets and adding a pocket for the recipe and ribbon to hang. You've just changed it all. Next time I'm quilting one!

Sandra :) said...

HAHAHAHAHA I love that menu board - I would SO make that for my own kitchen - the kids and hubby would laugh at me, but I can see them checking the "post" when they get home from work, and commenting on the evening's offerings, LOL! (Hubby would always say ... "How come there's no soup on the menu?" :D)

Wendy said...

Both minis are gorgeous! How did you do the lettering?

I love the chalkboard idea, and I have a small piece of chalkboard vinyl... I'd have a to do list though as I don't really do cooking!

Mrs.Pickles said...

lovely work

Just Carol said...

The menu mini could be so fun in a kitchen--love it!

pinsandneedles said...

Both of your minis are fabulous! Just love the humor for the sewing room and what a great reminder when using a seam ripper! The menu idea is so clever. I need to see how much chalkboard fabric I have left in my stash from a previous project so I can make one! Thanks for sharing!

Jodi - usairdoll said...

Love your minis. Love your stash as well. hehe. Thanks for letting us know about the vinyl. It's such a cute idea how you used it. Thanks for sharing, great job!

maggie said...

Love your mini's. I can relate to the Seam ripper. :)
Cheers
maggie

Quilt n Queen said...

Katherine, great ideas for your mini quilts...we were thinking on the same wave length. Stop by on Wednesday, I'm using chalk cloth in my minis too. Thanks for sharing in the blog hop...hop by on the 25th...'great minds think alike'!!

Mhairi said...

Love your mini quilts, thanks for sharing. I love the first one - although mine would read: Keep calm and prepare to unsew!!!!
Thanks for the awesome idea of using the vinyl too. Chalkboard fabric is expensive and I can get small pieces of vinyl much cheaper.

Bobbie said...

Im trying to catch up on last week's hop- I love your seam ripper quote!

Connie said...

What great table toppers and I want to order some pizza.....how cute!

MoeWest said...

I love the sewing room mini and I think I need to make one. I already have a table mat saying "Keep Calm and Sew". The menu mini is inspired!

robin said...

:) I like it! Don't know what I'd do without my seam ripper!

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