This year, we are challenging you to make one or more mini-mats. The size is up to you, but we’re thinking mats 4-6” square. The goal of this challenge is to encourage you to design a pattern of your own and quickly execute it. If you do several, your design skills will improve with each one. So, with that said, here are our themes to choose from:

  1. Snowy scene
  2. Abstract, using two colors
  3. Circles
  4. Critters in the garden
  5. Leaves
  6. Things in the sea
  7. Birds
  8. Paisley
  9. Things that fly
  10. Quilt block
  11. Architecture
  12. Landscape

The rules:

Well, there really aren’t any. But here are some suggestions:

  • Make your mat any size you wish, but remember, these are designed to be easy, quick projects.
  • Use materials you already own. Given the small mat size, if you have a wealth of 8-cut noodles, you will probably want to cut them in half to allow you to work in a smaller scale than you normally do.
  • You may make your mat any shape you wish. If you want to use some of them as ornaments, that might take you in some fun directions.
  • Make as many of the themes as you wish. If there is one theme that excites you and you want to make several of that theme, please go ahead.
  • You may make them in any order from the list you wish.
  • You may hook, punch, embellish, or use any technique that you want to try. This challenge is designed to stretch your creative skills, so go for it!
  • If you plan on making a few of these, you might want to use one piece of backing and hook your designs fairly close to each other (say 2” apart) to save on backing material. We will share techniques to finish them that don’t require whipping and thus, you will save on backing material needed.

As you finish your mats, bring them for show and tell to inspire others. In the spring, we will invite everyone to bring theirs in for a large show and tell