Make a Cute Gingerbread House Mug Rug for the Christmas Holiday - Handmade Quilted Snack Mat Project

Here's another way to make your Christmas holiday coffee, tea, and snack time more fun...it's a cute gingerbread house mini placemat. You'll be able to make your own appliquéd and quilted gingerbread house snack mat / mug rug / coaster with a pocket for a napkin and cutlery (or a snack) with this fun project. The snack mat measures approximately 8 ½” x 12” and you'll even get the directions on how to make the cute little 7" x 7" reversible cloth napkin! Keep it at home to decorate your table, take it to work to make your lunchtime feel even more festive, send it in your child's lunchbox, or use it for a handmade Christmas gift. 

For this project you will need:

• fabric scraps for the applique
• fabric for the front, back, pocket, and napkin
• cotton batting
• paper-backed fusible web like HeatnBond light
• pencil
• fabric clips or pins
• iron
• sewing machine and matching thread
• basting spray or powder
• scissors, rotary cutter, cutting mat, cutting ruler
• walking foot or free motion foot
• gingerbread house templates from pattern

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, link to the video tutorial, and the printable gingerbread template to make a snack mat measuring approximately 8 ½” x 12” with a 7” x 7” reversible cloth napkin. 

Looking for other Christmas holiday mug rugs/snack mats? Check out these other projects!

Or just join us as we make the appliquéd gingerbread house project:

Foster Kitten Friday - On This Date

November 19.

On this date three years ago I was in the Florida Keys. We started our day in Key Largo and had a day of discovery as we made our way to our special lodging on the beach in Islamorada, Florida. It was an amazing day, but when we stopped for lunch and saw this sign after we finished eating, we were a little worried. But everything worked out just fine.

On this date two years ago I was undergoing a pirate drill on a cruise ship off the coast of Saudi Arabia. We were cruising from Rome to Singapore via the Suez Canal. The voyage took us through high-risk areas around the Horn of Africa between the countries of Somalia and Yemen. And even more high-risk areas waters off the coast of Abu Dhabi and Dubai where the Strait of Hormuz meets the Persian Gulf. Sounds scary - and could have been - but we made it through pirate-infested waters just fine. 

Ever see a sunrise off the coast of Saudi Arabia? You have now.
Photo taken exactly two years ago today.

On this date last year I was preparing a blog post about the Wild West. The Wild West kitties, that is. Mama Kate and her four little babes, Annie Oakley, Wild Bill, Calamity Jane - and little Wyatt Earp, the kitten born with no back feet. Here's Wyatt's video from that week, and as you can see, he learned to adapt to the world just fine.

Watch all the episodes of The Adventures of Wyatt Earp, the Foster Kitten with no back feet, here.

Now on this date. As in today.

Hip, hip, hooray! We're back with kitties again. Or at least I thought we were.

These tiny underweight bottle baby kittens arrived in my home this week in desperate need of some loving attention, warm milk in their bellies, and antibiotics in their eyes. They all looked the same, were teeny tiny, and had icky eyes. Was I up to the challenge of another round of Foster Kitten Fridays? Bring it on!

But everything did NOT work out just fine.

They were sick and getting sicker by the minute. One little guy, despite me providing all the loving, warmth, baby kitty formula, and glucose (to keep his blood sugar up), didn't make it through the day. Then on the same night, a second one started to slip. I spent the entire night with the little guy trying to keep him alive. I was sure he wouldn't make it through, but morning came and by some miracle he was still with us. He and his brother headed off to Simply Cats first thing for some fluids, meds, and whatever else was needed to keep them with us. They both responded well to treatment, but then I received the text. 

He didn't make it after all. Another one lost.

His name was Hercules, and Simply Cats
gave me this in remembrance of him.
And yes, that's his paw print.

Which now leads us to today. After extraordinary efforts by the staff at Simply Cats (and the foster coordinator Jordan who took the third one home overnight to tube feed him and keep a close eye on him), I have one single foster kitty in my home.

He made it through.

He's back eating from a bottle.

He's active.

And he's a cutie. 

Crossing fingers and toes that everything will work out just fine for this little fella.

Learn How to Make a Quick and Easy Fabric Strip Potholder - Quilt as You Go Sewing Project

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to use up your fabric strips while sprucing up your kitchen, today's sewing project is for you. We'll be using the quilt-as-you go method to sew our strip pieces of fabric together and turn it into a potholder, hot pad, or trivet. Yep, we're quilting as we're going and it's going to be oh-so-easy.

For this project you will need:

• fabric strips*
• backing fabric*
• hanging loop fabric*
• cotton batting and/or Insul-Bright 
• pins and Clover Wonder Clips
• iron
• sewing machine and matching thread
• basting spray or powder
• rotary cutter, cutting mat, cutting ruler
• walking foot (optional)

*all fabrics need to be 100% cotton

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the written version of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, and a link to the video tutorial to make a 9" x 9" quilt-as-you-go potholder from fabric strips.  It's an instant digital download PDF pattern so you can get started on your project right away.

Looking for something else? Check out some of my other kitchen sewing and crafting projects!

And check out our work with the strip potholder:

Make Your Own Christmas Ornament Bunting - A Quick and Easy DIY Christmas Tree Ornament Garland Tutorial

It's time for another Christmas garland project! Today we are making a fabric Christmas tree ornament bunting. Yep, another quick and easy way to decorate your home for the holiday. Use it as a DIY mantel or wall decoration or place it above your window for a cute way to get your space ready for Christmas. Or even decorate a wooden tree like Lin C. did!

For this project you will need:

• fabric for the ornaments

• fabric for the ornament top

• cotton batting

• jute or clothesline cord

• fabric clips or pins

• iron 

• printable round ornament template

• pinking shears or pinking blade

• sewing machine and matching thread

• always helpful for sewing: scissors, rotary cutter, cutting ruler, cutting mat 

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, round ornament template, and link to the video tutorial to make a 9’-12’ long bunting with 15 Christmas ornaments each measuring just over 4½". (Want a shorter bunting? Place the ornaments closer together!) It's an instant digital download pattern so you can start on your project right away.

Looking for other Christmas projects? Check out these ideas!

Just want to stick with the fabric ornament bunting garland? See how we put it together right here:

Learn How to Make a Santa Claus Mug Rug/ Snack Mat/ Mini Placemat - Cute Quilted Christmas Project

Today we're making a quilted Santa Claus mug rug/ snack mat/ mini placemat. About time we're moving on to Christmas sewing and crafting tutorials, huh? It's a fun little project to make your tea, coffee, and hot chocolate time, and snack time more festive. Since it has a pocket for a napkin, we're even making the reversible cloth napkin. 

For this project you will need:

• fabric scraps for the applique
• fabric for the front, back, pocket, and napkin
• cotton batting
• paper-backed fusible web like HeatnBond light
• pencil
• fabric clips or pins
• iron
• sewing machine and matching thread
• basting spray or powder
• scissors, rotary cutter, cutting mat, cutting ruler
• walking foot or free motion foot
• Santa templates from pattern

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, link to the video tutorial, and the printable Santa template to make a snack mat measuring approximately 8 ½” x 12” with a 7” x 7” reversible cloth napkin. 

Looking for other snack mat/mug rug projects? Check out other ideas here!

And join us as we make Mr. Santa Claus...

Make an Owl Appliquéd Snack Mat/ Mug Rug/ Mini Placemat with Pocket - Quilting and Sewing Project

Today we're on the last of our fall-themed appliquéd snack-mat sewing projects. (Although this little guy could probably work for anytime of year, I'm calling him a fall project.) Today you'll be learning how to make your own appliquéd owl snack mat / mug rug / coaster with a pocket for a napkin and cutlery (or a snack). Keep it at home to decorate your table, take it to work to make your lunchtime feel even more festive, or give it as a gift. You'll even get the directions on how to make the cute little 7" x 7" reversible cloth napkin! 

For this project you will need:

• fabric scraps for the applique
• fabric for the front, back, pocket, and napkin
• cotton batting
• paper-backed fusible web like HeatnBond light
• pencil
• fabric clips or pins
• iron
• sewing machine and matching thread
• basting spray or powder
• scissors, rotary cutter, cutting mat, cutting ruler
• walking foot or free motion foot
• owl templates

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the written version of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, link to the video tutorial, and the printable owl template to make a snack mat measuring approximately 8 ½” x 12” with a 7” x 7” reversible cloth napkin.  It's an instant digital download PDF pattern so you can get started on your project right away.

Looking for other mug rug/snack mat ideas? Check out other projects here!

Just interested in the owl? Here's the video tutorial:

Learn How to Make a Turkey Snack Mat / Mini Placemat / Mug Rug for Thanksgiving

Today we're talking Thanksgiving turkeys! An appliquéd turkey snack mat/mug rug/mini placemat with a pocket for a napkin, cutlery, and snack, that is. Make your coffee, tea, and snack time more fun by sewing up your very own Thanksgiving turkey project. You'll even get the directions on how to make the cute little 7" x 7" reversible cloth napkin! Keep this fall sewing project at home to decorate your table, take it to work to make your lunchtime feel even more festive, or send it in your child's lunchbox. 

For this project you will need:

• fabric scraps for the applique
• fabric for the front, back, pocket, and napkin
• cotton batting
• paper-backed fusible web like HeatnBond light
• pencil
• fabric clips or pins
• iron
• sewing machine and matching thread
• basting spray or powder
• scissors, rotary cutter, cutting mat, cutting ruler
• walking foot or free motion foot
• turkey templates from the pattern

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, link to the video tutorial, and the printable turkey template to make a snack mat measuring approximately 8 ½” x 12” with a 7” x 7” reversible cloth napkin. 

Looking for other mug rug/snack mat ideas? Check out our other projects!

Don't forget to check out the video tutorial for the turkey project:

Dreaming of Swimming in a Cruise Ship Pool

As I sit here at home in Idaho wishing I could be swimming in a pool on a cruise ship, I have to remind myself all is still not well with the world. 

And cruise ship pools are not always swimmable, particularly during rough seas. You can bet I stayed out of the pool on this day…

Here’s to hoping we all see smooth seas soon.

Cleaning Out - and Selling Off - the Quilting Fabrics (Again)

Time to get rid of some more fabrics! Christmas, Easter, and St. Patrick’s Day. Chickens and cats and dogs. Ladybugs and butterflies. Flowers and foods and cowboys. 

It's all listed right here. 

With even more pictures. 

And it’s all gotta go.

Learn How to Make Fabric Christmas Tree Bunting - Cute Quick and Easy Holiday Garland Project Idea

For today's sewing tutorial we are learning how to make a fun fabric Christmas tree bunting banner. These cute Christmas tree wall or mantel decorations are a perfect quick and easy craft project for your holiday home, parties, and get togethers. You'll be able to make a stylish hanging garland to decorate your Christmas home with a fabric Christmas tree bunting in no time at all! 

The Quilted Cow used the pattern
to make this bunting for their shop.

For this project you will need:

• fabric for the trees

• fabric for the hanging ribbon

• cotton batting

• fabric clips or pins

• iron 

• tree template

• pinking shears or pinking blade

• star shaped or round buttons for the tree tops

• sewing machine and matching thread

• always helpful for sewing: scissors, rotary cutter, cutting ruler, cutting mat 

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, tree template, and link to the video tutorial to make a 9’-10’ long bunting with 15 Christmas trees each measuring approximately 5” x 8”. (Want a shorter bunting? Just use fewer fabrics!) It's an instant digital download pattern so you can start on your project right away.

Prefer a different Christmas project? Check out the scrappy quilted tree ornaments, my #1 tutorial year after year!

How about a different bunting? Checks out my other projects here!:

And don't forget to watch the Christmas tree bunting video tutorial to see how we make them!

Learn How to Make an Over-the-Collar Pet Bandana - Cat and Dog Scarf Sewing Project Idea

Looking for a cute and stylish accessory for your dog or cat? Make your own and match your (and/or your pet's!) personality with this quick and easy over-the-collar bandana sewing project. It slips right over their collar so it's comfortable and stays on. And with sizes XS-XL included fur babies of all kinds can look adorable and decked out in style. These sew up so fast you can make a pet scarf for all your animals for every special occasion, holiday, and season!

For this project you will need:

• 2 contrasting fat quarters (measures approximately 18” x 22”)
• fabric clips or pins
• ruler and marking pencil
• sewing machine and matching thread 
• paper, scissors, and tape
• iron
• template from pattern
• always helpful for sewing: rotary cutter, cutting mat 

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the written version of the pattern today!

You'll get step by step how-to directions, photos, link to the video tutorial, and the printable templates to make sizes XS-XL for pets up to 80+ pounds. It's an instant digital download PDF pattern so you can get started on your project right away.

Looking for a different pet project? Check out the no-sew fleece pet blanket. 

And don't forget to check out the pet bandana video to see how it's done!