One a Day Challenge Anniversary Sale

How fast a year goes by! It's the one year anniversary of a group I belong to on Etsy that calls themselves the Challengettes. So sit down in your favorite chair with your cozy quilt and check it out!

I'm offering 20% off everything in the Down the Street shop. In Elle Quilts, if you buy 1 item it is 10% off, 2 items is 15% off, and 3 or more items are 20% off.

Chrissy of Bittersweeets got us going last year on April 16 with the challenge to list one item every day for a month. Well, everything just clicked and we didn't want it to end, so here we are one year later. Have we all kept up that grueling pace? Not really, but we do what we can, have become great friends, and support each other through all the trials and tribulations that life throws at us, happy or sad.

We are almost all participating, so if you scroll down to the One a Day Challenge member list in the left side panel you will find links to all our shops. Or simply search dailychallenge. Check them out!

I'm Working On...

Blog Carnival time again, and I've decided to share what I've been working on. It seems like my sewing machine is always humming, and I've had several custom apron orders through Down the Street. When I'm not making those, I've mostly been working on coasters for Elle Quilts! I've got two styles, one with a no slip, waterproof base, and the other I'm calling Coffee Mug Coasters, which are reversible. They would make great gifts!

The other thing that I've had on the back burner, and is just in the planning stages, is a table runner that I'm making from a Charm Pack of squares from the Winter fabric line from Moda Fabrics. I love these fabrics, Moda in general, but the Winter line in particular. The traditional reds and greens are there, but so is a pretty, light blue. I've just laid them out in the picture, and the order is definitely subject to change, probably several times, before I finally sew them together. I'm hoping to get this finished this weekend.

It's great to actually look at the picture and seem how the colors play against each other. I can already see some squares I'm going to move around before they get sewn together.

Coaster Experiment Update

Well, thanks everyone for your ideas and opinions after reading about my coaster experiment. The final votes are not in, but the majority thought having some waterproof capability is important. There are a number that really like the idea of reversible coasters.

So, I've decided to make both! I'm calling the reversible coasters, Coffee Mug Coasters, to let everyone know that these are best for hot drinks! I've got some great Christmas fabric and winter fabric that will be fabulous to use when you make that hot chocolate. Don't forget the marshmallows.

The coasters with the waterproof bases will be simply coasters with waterproof, non-slip bases. Check back in the shop often, because I'll be trying to list 1 or 2 sets a day.

And the contest is still open, so if you want to comment on whether you like reversible or waterproof coasters better, you'll be eligible to win a free set (your choice of any in the shop). The contest ends this Thursday at 10 pm, est.

Coaster Experiment and Giveaway

I was so excited! First of all, making quilts, even small ones, takes some time. And they are expensive to buy. I'm always looking for something quick to make, that has a lower price point, to give my shop some diversity. And I found it. I thought. Made these great coasters that are reversible.

Reversible 4" Coasters

But then reality struck. I started testing them out. And since they are cloth, even with two layers of batting, they get wet and eventually soak through. So what to do? I decided to test different types of layers. I tested adding a layer of insul-brite, a batting used in hot pads that has mylar woven through it. I tested a layer of vinyl. I bought a waterproof crib mattress pad, and tested that. And finally, a layer of that grip stuff you line your shelves with made by Con-tact.

Here's what happened with all of them: when enclosed between the fabric and batting, the liquid will soak through the top, and wick around to the bottom, eventually soaking the bottom, and getting your table wet (or at least damp).

Con-tact sheet on left

The final thing that I tried was to sew the con-tact grip sheet directly to the bottom. Voila. Success. The problem here is that now the coasters are not reversible. How important is that anyway?

The bottom line, no pun intended, is that the coasters as originally made, are fine for hot drinks, acting like a small hot pad. But I'm considering adding the waterproof capability to make these little gems more versatile.

What do you think? With or without a waterproof bottom? Let me know in a comment and you'll be eligible for a free set of coasters from Elle Quilts (your choice). Right now, there is only one set, but, hopefully, by next week there will be more choices. I will draw a name using random.org. Just be sure to leave your email (you can email me if you don't want to leave it here...ellen@downthestreetcreations.com), or a link to your etsy shop.

The drawing will be on Thursday, October 23, at 10 p.m. EST.

And thanks for your help!