Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Cookie Tray Mats



Thanks to Carla for all her hard work for this In the Kitchen blog hop!



Cookie jars are not my thing.  Out of sight, out of everyone’s mind and the cookies go stale and look unappetizing in other ways too.  I have this glass domed tray for treats.  The tray is not food safe so the treats always sit on a plate. My salad plates fit perfectly.


I’ve searched for fun plates to use in it, but they are either too small or too large or I just don’t like them.  But the tray is always on the bistro table in my kitchen and it looks blah when there are no treats inside.

It finally dawned on me that I could sew round mats to set inside.  I thought this was an excellent time to try a paper pieced New York Beauty block.  I shrunk the block pattern to a size I hoped would fit.  At the time, St. Patrick’s Day was approaching so I chose some green fabrics to use.


I’m still trying to use up this near white glow-in-the-dark piece I’ve had.


I stitched up the first quarter block.  The whole circle needs to be about 9”.  That makes those center circles pretty small.  After sewing these first small quarter circles, I knew I did NOT want to sew those 3 more times!  So I took the circles off.


And cheated by cutting full circles with my circle rulers.


Loads less stressing!


I kept the papers on to keep the edges from stretching out of shape.





I did the same with the center circle.  


I pinned the binding on from the paper side and stitched it from the paper side also.  That way I would know exactly where the points were and not chop them off with the binding.  It worked out nicely.
I never do a bias binding.  Even on circles.  I always do a straight grain binding.


After stitching the binding on, I pulled the papers off and did the quilting.
Then trimmed around the mat and hand stitched the binding to the back.


It all worked out really well.  AND, it fit in the tray perfectly!  Color me happy!



I had such fun with this one, I wanted to do it again.
This time for the patriotic holidays.
The only thing I changed was that I stitched the centers as raw edge appliqué rather then turning the edges under.  I really like the look of raw edge applique’.


Then Easter was coming too...
These circles were all cut with my circle rulers.


Then when there isn’t a holiday, I wanted an everyday mat to see.
Striped bindings is specifically why I don’t do bias bindings.  I don’t care for the stripes being at an angel on a round mat.


There might be Fall and Christmas mats to come.
It all depends on what shiny project draws my attention most at the time.  


My tray doesn’t seem so empty and lacking even without something edible inside.



You know I had to try the NYB as a postcard!
And, yes, I will mail it to one of my followers.  Just add mention in your comment that you’d like to find it in your mailbox.  I will contact the winner for mailing info.



Check out the other blog hop participant’s projects on this final day of the hop.

41 comments:

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Beautiful sewing and idea!

Caryl @ cinnamon holiday workshop said...

Lots of work for these cute little mats.....but the results are amazing! Love...love...love them!!!

Danice G said...

What a great idea, and they look wonderful.

Inflorescencedesigns said...

Such a clever idea! I love them all. Thank you for sharing.

Anita Jackson @ Domestic Felicity said...

Such cute cook mats! It does look wonderful sitting under the glass dome!

Stitchin At Home said...

I love these! The green one makes my heart sing! What a wonderful idea!

Elizabeth Coughlin said...

What a fabulous idea! They're all so nice.

In stitches and seams said...

What a great idea and the little serving dome.... I will have to keep an eye out for one. Love post cards too, always making them up to pop in the mail.
In stitches
Annette

Vicki in MN said...

What a cool and unique idea, love every one but the green one steals my heart!

Turid said...

You always make such beautiful things. And that postcard, I'd love it.

Lori Smanski said...

Oh how wonderful. I would love to have my first fabric post card. Your mats are beautiful and they make your table so happy and bright. I love your idea of putting something like this in the middle of the table. thank you for sharing and inspiring

Daryl @ Patchouli Moon Studio said...

So many wonderful circle mats! I really like them all Annie. That colorful Easter one caught my eye as I am into circles at the moment. Did you just fuse all the circles on top of one another, or did you trim any excess fabric out of the back to reduce the bulk at all? Thanks for sharing these lovelies.

Carol Swift said...

I need one of those glass covered trays for treats. It looks gorgeous with the new mats you created! I love the bright Easter one the best, and the way you did the swirl in the middle. No wait, I love the patriotic one best. No...oh my gosh, I love them all. Such a great idea! Thank you for sharing these kitchen sweeties.

Kathy E. said...

I'm so happy you chose the road less-stressful when adding the center circle. Those curves can send a patient sewist into a frustrated frenzy, especially when so small! What a beautiful assortment of cookie trays you have and a pretty way to show them off! Of course, I'd be the one to eat the last cookie just to see the entirety of the mat. You are always at the top of my inspiration list, Annie!

Lin said...

What a great idea! xx

jenclair said...

These mats are so cheerful and love the postcard, of course! You've been at the sewing machine a lot lately and what beautiful results!

The Joyful Quilter said...

I would LOVE to find that gorgeous postcard in my mailbox!!! I signed up to get upcoming posts via email (for however long that service lasts.) Could I get more information about those lovely mats, please? I have a round table in my foyer that could benefit from a circular mat of its own.

works4me said...

What a great idea. A lot of work, but it seems so worth it.

folksmith said...

I LOVE your postcards and it would terrific in my mailbox! Those tray mats are wonderful.

Susan said...

Oh my - these are wonderful! You certainly did have a fun time!

Sharon said...

What a cute way to dress up your cookie plate when it isn't in use. Thanks for sharing!

Tammy said...

These cookie mats are gorgeous, I love the brightly colored Easter one! What an awesome idea for the different seasons & holidays.
Tammy x

Jenny said...

Such a great idea, you certainly have been very productive!

Quilting Gail said...

Lovely mats!

LJ said...

OM gosh, those snack quilts are just perfect for your tray. What an excellent idea. Absolutely anything would be delicious if it sat on those quilts.

tink's mom said...

What a brilliant idea. Each one more fun than the next. While I really like and appreciate the work involved in the pieced mats I think the black and white one is my favorite. Beautiful detailed work as always.

Anorina @SameliasMum said...

Such a fun idea and it certainly makes your snack tray look much happier (even without a cupcake or two).

thatfabricfeeling.wordpress.com said...

That's so practical and stylish. Well done!! Improvising and creating for your own use...it's a win-win!

Sue D said...

Great idea. My fave is the patriotic one.

sue s said...

What a clever idea! Some day I will try a NYB. Glad to find your site through the Hop!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Oh Annie this is awesome. You are a REAL seamstress. I am truly impressed and loved following along on your sewing adventure. Color me simply AMAZED, dear. You have a genuine skill with a sewing machine.

Carla said...

This idea is amazing. I have so many items that look like they should be good with food, but that little sticker that says "no food" always baffles me. You came up with the perfect solution. And your post cards are always amazing! Thanks for hopping with us in the Kitchen!

Kathleen said...

You went to town! I love all these, and now I am hungry thinking of the yummy cookies on them!

Ruth said...

I love your cookie mats using the NY Beauty pattern. your fabric choices are right on the mark. I love that glass dome too but at our house there would quickly be no cookies under it. LOL, in sight in the mouth and then the tummy and then the hips.
I thing your postcard is wonderful too.

Carol Andrews said...

Oh those pastry mats are just beautiful! What a perfect bright way to show off your goodies with NYB mats. I’d love to get a sweet postcard in my mail. So pretty.

Karrin Hurd said...

What a great idea for the mats! I would love to get a postcard in the mail! Thanks so much for sharing!

Neet said...

Oh WOW, those mats are adorable. You are very good at sewing these, just look at the points you have obtained on the rays. I am not a stitcher by any stretch of the imagination but I can recognise that someone who can sew like this is very good. Well done, these are a beautiful addition to your lovely glass dome and will show off your baking to perfection.
Hugs, Neet xx

Tera Callihan said...

Annie, those are so freaking cool!!! Even better that it glows in the dark!!! The postcard is also beautiful 😍

Tera Callihan said...

Ps, I always love finding mail from you in my mailbox;)

Calicojoan said...

Wow wow wow! Those are really cool and for me anyway, much less calories than what would be under the dome. I can't keep sweets and snacks out where I can see them. The temptation is just too much for me! hahahaha I want to make some round toppers for my table now! :-)

CyndyL said...

I really like the Easter one, so bright. I like to receive mail that is unexpected.