Tutorial on photo placemats & award

Hello blogging buddies,

I know, it's been way too long since I've posted.  I've been busy creating and finishing off some projects.

Oh, I've also started a new painting~however it's a go slow piece!

Anyway, I've had a few buddies ask about the tutorial for the photo place mats, so I've going to show you how I achieved them.

Using my computer and my photo program I've cropped, cut and pasted my photo's into a Word document.  I found this easy, so I could see how it was going to look on the A4 cotton sheet.

 These fabulous sheets of printable cotton I purchased at the last Stitches and Craft show.  The lady from Australian Country Quilts was very helpful.  You can also buy these online at http://www.australiancountryquilts.com/ at a very reasonable price.

 Following the directions on the packet, I printed my photo's, left it over night, peeled off the backing paper, rinsed in a cold bucket of water, dried and ironed my fabric photo sheet.  Oh, sooo easy!

I sewed on my border fabrics.  I sewed on 1.5 inch strips to the sides of the place mats and 2.5inch strips to the top and bottom of each place mat.

 I used padded cotton for the backing.  I needed something heat resistant for my timber table as well as a backing.  This suited me just fine.

I sewed in between each picture to attach the backing to the top piece.

Then comes the 2.5 inch binding.  Ironed in half and attached to the outside on the front of each place mat.

 Trim off the excess backing fabric and hand sew the binding over to the back with hidden stitches.
Oh dear, I did take a photo of the finished place mats but blogger didn't like it.  LOL I really don't know why it didn't want to load.

Yesterday I received an award from my friend June at http://unwrappingmyheart.blogspot.com/ Thank you June.  June is a great blogger, always sharing images and leaving kind comments!
Part of the deal with this award is to share 8 things about yourself, So here I go~
1~I'm a wife to one, Mother to two, Sister to four.

2~I grew up with my Mum and four sisters, then seven years ago I met my Dad~now I have six Aunts and Uncle's and twenty four cousins.

3~I'm left handed, have messy writing but I love using my hands to paint and sew.

4~My husband and I have been in business for twenty four years {makes me sound really old, but I'm not} previous to that I was a medical receptionist.

5~I don't like shopping unless it's for Art & Craft supplies and I love a bargain.

6~If I could do anything is this world, it would be find a cure for cancer.

7~If I had a never ending supply of money, I would open up a family orientated motor bike track for pee wee's, teenagers and adults with camping facilities and a hugh workshop for artists.

8~I'd like to have a big party and meet all my blogging buddies one day.
Well that's my eight things.  Now I have to pass this award on to 8 other stylish bloggers.  This is a difficult task as I have soo many stylish blogging buddies!

Kerryanne @ http://www.shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/
Kris @ http://www.tagalongteddies.blogspot.com/
Sharon @ http://allnorahsart.blogspot.com/
Peg @ http://happyinquilting.blogspot.com/
Martha @ http://marthalever.blogspot.com/
Diane @ http://dianesalter.blogspot.com/
Lynn @ http://trashtotreasureart.blogspot.com/
Mariondee @ http://mariondee-designs.blogspot.com/
Hugs to you all,
Anna