Place Mat Quilt Swap

I have to admit that Flickr has enhanced my life and I have made so many friends there that after 3 years of sharing in that community I couldn't imagine my life without it.
I have fun.
Really, I do and it's so addictive- checking Groups for pictures..checking emails...anxiously waiting to hear if someone has gotten something yet, it's like Christmas Morning.
I recently signed up to be a part of Krommama's Place mat Quilt Swap and had an idea within a few days of what to make. I drew it on a small piece of notepaper one night when we were at dinner and Fred smiled when I showed him and said that it would be cool.
So I got it all put together before my trip and sewed it all except for the binding and name tag.
My swap partner Toni and I mailed them last Wed and we both received them today.
Whew. The suspense was almost killing me.
The fish is from a Ralph Lauren screen printed cotton shower curtain that I found at a thrift store years ago. There were trout, salmon, and mackerel that I had cut out to use someday. I remembered where they were (oh so important when working on a project) in my stash and then I found the newsprint fabric and the perfect green for the plate (Amy Butler) and I was off to the computer to find a perfect bun and lemon slices and parsley.
I printed them on to June Taylor Colorfast InkJet fabric sheets and was thrilled with their realistic appearance.

I quilted the place mat first with random horizontal lines and then sitched the plate down using a butter yellow thread and left part of the napkin folds loose so that they looked 3-D. Once I got the bun and fish down it really started to look real.
I don't know why I am drawn to this type of thing but I love it. I was worried that she wouldn't like it, or that it wouldn't match her decor but she confirmed that she liked it and would use it so I am content.
I love the one Toni (here's her etsy shop)made for me- it has all my kitchen colors- granny cupboard green, gnome hat red and soft melted butter yellow.

I immediately started taking pictures and thought my little gnomes looked happy as June Bugs at a porch light sale!
I love it that she used some cute little elf fabric and the red cap mushroom and sun were great,  happy touches.
We had agreed not to send any candy or extras- the place mat was enough but she did send me some squares of the little elves. I am not sure what I'll use them for- maybe a coaster to match the place mat?
This coffee cup is a giant planter and I couldn't resist doing some optical illusion fun- I found it at Walmart.
 Actually,  I saw it months ago and never bought one and then when I was there recently searching for another Johnny Depp tote bag I said "what the helicopter" (thanks Ruby) and bought one.
Life is too short to miss out on giant coffee cups- besides it matches my giant scissors!
Besides that, the larger my accessories, the smaller I look! :) ha!
I even used the new place mat for lunch!
 I warmed up some sliders from last night.
 Huh? What is a slider?
A slider is like a Krystal or White Castle burger.
They are pretty far away (like almost Ga) so I started making my own.
Here's how:

 I use ground sirloin, add one egg, salt and pepper, 1 grated Vidalia Onion and some minced garlic.
 You smoosh it all together and then pat it out on a foil lined cookie sheet (with 1/2" sides).
Bake for about 15 minutes at 350 and then drain off fat and liquid.
Top with white or yellow American cheese and put back in oven till cheese has melted.
 I use small potato rolls (or Hawaiian rolls) and put mustard, ketchup and a sprinkle of more chopped vidalia onions.
 Some people add dill pickle slices.
Cut hamburgers into small squares to fit rolls and then eat!
They call them sliders cause that's what they do- they slide down your throat right to your happy belly!
***
I was trying to finish my Monday Mini Quilt but I am just worn out, people! I will have to recharge my battery and give it another try tomorrow.
I am exhausted!
I am putting on my gown, brushing my teeth and heading for bed with my book.
I'll show you some quiltie stuff tomorrow.

Love and Lightning Bugs,
calamity kim