Trying Something New

Our Guild had a Mug Rug Challenge a few weeks ago.  I wanted to try some thread drawing which I have never done before.  I had seen a tutorial somewhere and remembered that I liked the look.

I used a tone on tone fabric in a pale mauve and had some Aurifil thread that was a perfect match.  I drew the basic outline and then filled in.  A vintage piece of calico for the binding finished it perfectly. 

It's a good thing I'm not a perfectionist, but I was really pleased with the finish.  And these are my first pebbles!!  They don't look too bad from across the street, he,he.  

Happy stitching today,

Karen

My Mug Rug Gifts

It has been so long since I blogged I'm not sure where to start. Tonight we had a birthday party up in North Carolina for my parents 85th birthdays. They were born 6 days apart.  We cooked dinner for 45 people!!  That is quite outside my wheelhouse of abilities.  But we made it.  The color theme for the party was yellow and gray.  

I decided to make mug rugs for each guest to take home. 

They were all made different but from the same group of fabrics.

I used the same fabric on the back and alternated between gray and yellow bindings.

I wrote and dated the back on each of them.  I think they were a hit.  My sister and sister-in-law also made gifts to send home with each person.  It was a wonderful night. 

This is the picture I saved as a teaser on Instagram .  I hope every guest will enjoy this reminder of my wonderful parents and the fun night we had. 

Karen

A New Mug Rug

 

Today my lunchtime project is finishing this mug rug for my favorite UCONN Husky. 

Hope you're having a good lunch. 

Karen 

The End of the Story

Well, now that things are almost over, I have a minute to share exactly what has been keeping me so busy...... I have just judged my first quilt show!!!  Several months ago, I was asked by the Evening Star Quilt Guild in Dothan, AL to be the judge for their upcoming quilt show.  I happily said yes!! I judged the quilts on Thursday and presented a lecture and trunk show last night.  I have had a table to display the quilts I've made over the last few months.  

This is my table as I tried to set it up - I put the mug rugs in a little basket.

I realized I didn't even have a sign so I made this from a piece of linen and some 3" orphan rail fence blocks that will never become the jacket it was supposed to be.

 Here's the name sign for the table - it's all so exciting!!

This is a little blurry, but as you can see, "Flowers for Nana Girl" is hanging in the back. I've been promoting Kim's books and signing books and calendars that people have bought. 

Here are all the quilts in my living room the night I was packing up.  It was quite a visual feast for the eyes!!!

These are a few of the mug rugs that I made - getting ready to do the bindings.

This is the barn where the quilt show is being held. It's at the Landmark Park in Dothan, AL.  The weather has been wonderful and the crowds have been good.

As I've looked at these pictures, they are so out of order - but I'm sure you get the idea :).  This has been a great opportunity and I believe it may the start of a brand new door opening for me.

Hope you all have had a great day!!

-Karen

 

Go Noles!!

This morning I needed a gift for a friend and decided to make a mug rug. 

I had some FSU fabric, so I fussy cut the pictures and randomly framed them out.

Here's the back showing the original fabric.  I don't know who first thought up the concept of a mug rug, but they are so much fun to make!!

I'm auditioning the next section of my Jubilee quilt, the vine. Not sure if I have the leaf size right or not.  The vine is 1/4" wide and the berries are 1/2" in diameter.  So many decisions....

Until next time,
-Karen