happy new year!

Thank you to everyone, followers new and old, for your support in 2012. This past year was a productive one, and I'm looking forward to 2013, which will include teaching classes, printing fabric with this awesome lady, and sewing for new twin nephews. Happy New Year to you all!

Above is an ornament I stitched using a kit I received at the Purl Soho book signing for Jessica Marquez's new book, Stitched Gifts, last month. 

LMP+QG december challenge: quilted coasters

Each month, my friend Kait and I are making a project from the book, Last-Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts ("LMP+QG" for short). You can see previous projects here.

For the last month of our year-long challenge, Kait and I decided to keep things simple (between holiday gift-making and Kait's craft fairs, we've both been busy!) and make one of the easier projects in the book: quilted coasters.

Pulling from my mom's stash of vintage fabrics, I selected three coordinating prints and made a trio of coasters, which I quilted with cream thread. This project was simple and quick and definitely one I'll return to when I need a last-minute gift.

And that's the final project! I have a few more finishes to share with you in the new year (like quilt tops that became actual quilts), but you can see all of the projects that Kait and I completed throughout the year here.

LMP+QG november challenge: bird ornaments

Each month, my friend Kait and I are making a project from the book, Last-Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts ("LMP+QG" for short). You can see previous projects here.

After taking off the month of October (our trip to Sewing Summit kept us busy!), Kait and I jumped back into the LMP+QG challenge last month with bird ornaments.

I opted to make two birds, using a vintage floral print from my mom's fabric stash paired with white.

The birds were a bit finicky to make (and these were actually my second attempt at the pattern; the first attempt was gnawed on by our dog), and I found that the pattern worked best when made from two fabrics that contrasted really well with one another.

Coming up next: Quilted Coasters

giveaway winner!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered my little giveaway, and welcome to all of my new followers! The winner of the mini charm pack and pinback button is...

Congratulations, Melissa! Shoot me an email [saltyoat at gmail dot com] with your mailing address, and I'll get your package in the mail!

do. Good Stitches: November Blocks

Here are the blocks I made for Erica, November's quilter in our circle of do. Good Stitches. Erica requested blocks made in boy-friendly colors, using this tutorial. I had fun pulling a bunch of fabrics from my stash for these, including some shirting and a vintage print. I can't wait to see the finished quilt!

P.S. Looking for the Giveaway Day giveaway? Hop on over here!

before and after: bedside table

Hop on over to the Spoonflower blog today to see how I transformed my bedside table using paint and wall decal!

And in case you're interested, here are a few more before and afters from the archives: a piggy bank, a desk, and wooden boxes.

giveaway day!

Welcome to everyone visiting as part of Sew Mama Sew's giveaway day! If this is your first time at Salty Oat, here's a mini round-up of some of my most popular posts over the past few years, to get you up to speed:

• One of my first quilts was made from the bunting I hung up at my wedding. 
• When learning to embroider, I stitched a sampler using a doily as my inspiration. 
• I think napkins are fun to make and give (see evidence here, here, here, and here). To make your own, check out my log cabin napkin tutorial over on the Fat Quarterly blog.
• I was lucky enough to have two embroidered pieces (this one and this one) included in group shows in Seattle a few years ago.
• I love to quilt. Here are a few of the quilts I've made this year: for my parents, for my sister-in-law, for a friend, for me. 

Now for the giveaway! This year, I'll be giving away a mini charm pack from Moda (each square of fabric measures 2.5" x 2.5"), featuring the fabric line Kissing Booth by BasicGrey. I'll also be giving away a hand-stitched, cross-stitch pinback button, featuring the letter of the winner's choice.

To enter, simply leave a comment below, telling me what letter you'd like stitched on your button. Please be sure to include your email address, so that I have a way to contact you if you win. Comments will close December 7, at 5:00 pm PST, and a winner will be chosen at random and notified by December 9. This giveaway is open to everyone, domestic and international.

*Giveaway is now closed.*