Mug Rug 2

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas......

I had an idea for another mug rug, using one of my favorite fabrics- outgrown jeans.  Not my jeans, my girls little bitty jeans.  The jeans originally had a red plaid cuff, so I used that an inspiration.

It has a Christmas feel to it, without being overtly Christmas.  I wanted one that could be used all winter.  The two large pieces are 5 x6 inches.  Then I just added a border, rickrack and binding.  I love the fact that the pocket can hold a treat.

It went together fast and was lots of fun.  I see a version of this going to AAQI in the future.

Happy Quilting
Caren

Quickie...

Working full time is really putting a squeeze on my sewing time. I seriously need someone to pay me to stay home and sew!  I usually make a number of handmade gifts for Christmas.  Not this year.  I did manage one quick mug rug as a go along with a bought gift.  Originally, I was going to make a cute applique with the words HOT  HOT HOT and a cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows.  (Still might...later)  It ended up a quick scrap job with charm squares!

(When I started I swear I ironed everything flat.  It looked straight!)

Here's a brief walk through:
1.  Take 6 charm squares and sew together.

2.  Trim about 2 3/4 inches off of the top and bottom, and sew onto the sides.

3.  Quilt as desired and trim to about 11 1/2 x 7 1/2.  Use this as a way to cut edges you don't like and square it up.  Then add a cut little button or other embellishment.


Happy Quilting
Caren

Friday Night Sew In Update

My  camera is not working so I have no Pictures:(  Hopefully I can fix the problem and post later.  I finished the mug rug, CD cover, and started the cat apron.  They look really cute too!

Happy Quilting
Caren

Mug Rug

OK, there are 3 things in quilting I don't do.  1) is pieced curves 2) half square triangles (ie: flying geese)  3) ripping out. The reason.....because that is where my arch enemy Lord Bias lives.  I have been quilting for  14 years.  OMG !!! I did not realize it had been 14 years.  You would think I would be better by now!  Oh well.  I still have problems with bias.  I saw this pattern in McCall's Quilting .  I thought that would make a nice rug mug for my mother in law.  She's very traditional.  So I dig out my precut squares from another project.  I actually get a ruler and draw my sewing and cutting lines and I even pin the little angels when I sew.  See the pretty squares below all neatly laid out waiting to be sewn together:)

I take them to the dungeon to finish sewing them together.  I'm feeling so good that Lord Bias has stayed away, maybe he's on vacation.   I iron the block and admire how almost all of my points meet.  I take a picture....and AHHHHHHHHH!  I sewed the bottom row on upside down.  Instead of having diagonal matching corners I have vertical matching corners.  

Know I'm going for a walk to decide if I am going to rip that out and resew it. (smoke coming from ears)

Happy Quilting

Caren

Sew much to do, sew little time....

I woke up this morning from a rough night. #2 daughter had a nightmare and kept us up half the night. So I am sitting here with a cup of hot cocoa....trying to wake up enough to do some much needed work.  I did snap this nice little photo this morning.

Sorry it's a little blurry.
In case you are not from around here....this is a hurricane lily .  I don't know their proper name.  They are called Hurricane lilies because they bloom for one week during hurricane season.  Most people consider them weeds, these days.  They are kind of old fashioned.  I love them.  They are extremely hardy.   Meaning they will grow anywhere.  They have been known to grow and bloom when sitting on a little dirt on concrete.  Of course they will not grow in my yard.  My yard is some sort of a gardening black hole.  Things that should grow will not.  When my husband and I were first married I planted a hundred of these bulbs.  They came up that first year and never again :(

This is my newest mug rug.  I know you are tired of these:)  This one is drawn from an elephant ear in my yard.  They are quickly dying back for the season.  This variety actually has black ears.  The more shade they have the darker they are.  The fabric was painted and they fused and free motion quilted.  Again I just used what I had laying around.

Christmas Sewing List
1.  Finish the last (!) CD cover
2.  Make 2-3 ornaments
3.  Make 2 more notebook covers for my girls
4.  Make 2 aprons for mom
5.  Make Quilt Guild Christmas presents?
6.  Finish Winter Quilt
7.  Make mug rug (last one)!

I think that might be everything!  That's enough to keep me busy for a while!
Happy Quilting

Caren

New Mug Rug and Christmas Quilt Along

I spent a little time today making a mug rug.  This one looks really good.  I think I might put it on Etsy.  I traced the leaves from actual leaves in my yard.  Did a little thread sketching on them and then echo quilted the whole thing.  The background is actually a piece of leftover fabric from curtains I made about 10 years ago.  Scary to think I have fabric older than my children!!!  Good news is I didn't have to buy anything!  Maybe I can use up some of my scraps!  I bought the binding for my Memory quilt.  I plan on having it finished next week.

I saw this great idea on Quilt Times, it's a Christmas Quilt Along.  Here's a link.  Basically, you spend a day sewing for Christmas and post pictures.  I can do that....actually I already have.  The Memory quilt is a Christmas gift and the CD cover is a Christmas gift.  I'm pretty sure someone will be getting a mug rug, I just haven't decided who!  They are just so much fun to make.

Mug Rug

I have found another cool trend on the web.  Mug rugs.  I know, I'm a little behind.  I finally made me one.  It is so cute.  I'm using it now!  I used a paper pieced pattern by Linda Causee from 365 Foundation Quilt Blocks.  Such a cool book.  I added chenille by the inch to the pumpkin.  Every time I wash it, it will get fuzzier!  I already have an idea on making several more.

He's so bright and cheerful.  My kids keep taking him.  I guess they need one too.

Happy Quilting

Caren