polka-dots

I love polka-dots, always have. So, I went crazy and did 3 polka-dot projects. The first one was place-mats for the kitchen table. They were originally going to be Valentine's Day place-mats but I chose to leave the felt heart off and keep them simple, just the way I like them.

I started off with 8 rectangles cut out slightly bigger than I wanted the final place-mat to be. I then did a whole lot of ironing...

My Mom described a more professional way to make place-mats but since I am so visual the directions made no sense to me. I just made it up as I went along and had fun in the process.

I cut this stuff out to go inside the 2 pieces of fabric...

After I had ironed all the edges, I placed the piece of batting in between and then pinned the 3 pieces together...

Next, I took it to my sewing machine and just sewed a straight stitch all the way around. So quick and easy.

I was so anxious to get them on the table. When I finished the first one, I placed it under the napkin basket and thought it had such a happy feel...

Now these place-mats are so far from perfect but I love them...

And here they are, all four of them in their place...

Next up was a Valentine's Day banner. Avery is beside herself with excitement about this holiday so she was thrilled to help me put this banner up on our mantle...

Unfortunately, I do not have pictures of the making of the banner. I made it way harder than it should have been and it took me way too long. I also took a chunk out of my finger along the way. It was quite an adventure. I just used the same polka-dot fabric from the place-mats and then some red & white gingham scraps from my Mom. I sewed each edge and then cut white felt letters that I hand stitched to each square.

For the finishing touch, I cut 4 red felt hearts and added ribbon loops before I stuffed them and hand stitched them closed...

For my final polka-dot project, I just had to make Tyson a special Valentine's Day tie shirt out of some smaller red & white polka-dot fabric. I just cut out the tie from a tie pattern my Mom and I made awhile back. I attached it to the shirt with some heat 'n bond in a few places so that it wouldn't slip around on me, took it to the machine, and sewed it right on the shirt...

My Mom has made him a couple tie shirts but this is the first one made by me. I was so excited and can't wait to see my little man in it...

Seriously, don't polka-dots just make you smile?