I made a mini ironing board.

A few weeks ago, I decided to make a mini ironing board. My sewing area is small and sometimes, I just don't need the big ironing board, especially if I am piecing blocks at the machine. I saw one like this on a blog once, but have no idea whose blog. I kind of did this one by what seemed logical to me. LOL  I figured some of you might like to see how I made it. It wasn't hard.
First I bought a little wooden tv tray at Walmart for $8.88.

Then I gathered my supplies. I used from my stash. I found this pretty floral fabric, some heavy weight muslin, some warm and natural batting, and some insulbrite. (Not sure that is spelled right. It is the stuff used in potholders.) I also needed scissors, a staple gun and a hammer.

I pressed everything, then laid it out on the bed: fabric (right side facing down), muslin (to act as a lining and give the fabric a little more strength), warm and natural batting (that I pieced together from leftovers), and the insulbrite (the heat reflecting stuff facing away from the table).

Then I placed the table upside down on top of this. I trimmed a little extra off the edges. Then folded the raw edge and folded again. I kept everything snug, and stapled it to the bottom of the table.

I hammered the staples in as I went around the table, so they would stay snug. I did the two long sides first, then the two short ends, and did the best I could on the corners. 

I have used it lots of times already and love it. It is way too short to use while standing, but perfect for spinning around while sewing to press a block. So for less than $10 and some stuff from my stash, I have a very handy little mini ironing board. When I'm not using it, it folds up just like any other tv tray.

I am excited. The grandkids are coming tomorrow. We are going to surprise my MIL for her birthday, then on to see my mom, then back home to have a BBQ. I can hardly wait. Kevin and I have been sprucing the place up today. Hopefully I will have some pictures to share next time.

I have been thinking about some long term quilting goals. I have several bedsize quilts that I would like to make in the next few years for gifts. Yes, you read that right. I said years. LOL I am a hand quilter after all. (grin) Anyway, in order to get these gifts done in time without having to rush, I decided that I should make a goal list. Nothing on this list will get started till after Christmas, but at least I have a list to go by. Whether I follow it or not, who knows. I am not going overboard this year for Christmas, like last year. If you remember, I made 3 twin size quilts for the SIL's. Not doing that this year, but I do have a small project planned for each of the kids. I won't share them just yet, in case one of them actually checks in on my blog. LOL

So for the rest of this year, I want to finish the Daisy Star, quilt both Raggedy Ann and Henrietta Whiskers, and work on Christmas gifts. Now that may seem like a big goal, but the quilts are just for fun and don't have to be done by the first of the year. I almost forgot. I also want to quilt the 36 Patch (which I still do not have the blocks together) for our bed. It should be quick, though.

Now, here are my goals to have done for the next 8 or so years: (No laughing now!)

1. May 2012- Quilt the Star Quilt Along Quilt for Cathryn and Jeremy's 10 wedding anniversary. Quilt is already pieced.(queen size)

2. May 2013- Make mom a Carpenter Star quilt in blues for her 75th birthday. Fabric already bought. (full size)

3. Aug. 2013 - Make the Quilter's Garden quilt for Carolyn and Bob's 10th anniversary. Blocks already done. (queen size)

May 2014 - make a homespun plus black rail fence for my nephew Jared's graduation. Already have the fabrics. (twin size)

May 2015 - make a quilt for niece, Hannah's graduation. No idea yet. (twin size)

May 2018 -make a quilt for niece, Madison's graduation. No idea yet. (twin size)

May 2019 -make a quilt for nephew, Hunter's graduation. No idea yet. (twin size) 

Instead of calling this my goal list, maybe I should call it my dream list, cause things change, and I might not get any of these done, but it is in my mind now, so I shall see. Plus you know projects are always added when you find a cute pattern, or cute BOM. LOL Can you tell I had way too much time on my  hands today? LOL Well, this is getting long, so I will end here. Thank you for visiting. Please come again. Have a fabulous Sunday. I know I will!!!!


Well, not sure what happened, but I can't get rid of the red in the goal list. I think even blogger is laughing at me. LOL