Making a Mug Rug

The Modern Quilt Guild Individual Members group put on a pretty cool swap recently. The group decided to do a mug rug swap. Several of us participated in the swap, me included. I had never made a mug rug before and wasn't even really sure what they were. But I love the challenge of making something I've never made before.

So, from my understanding a mug rug is simply a drink coaster on Viagra. Bigger then a normal coaster, but not fully a placemat, a mug rug holds not only your coffee/tea mug, but also has room for the spoon and some cookies or other small treats.

Mug rugs vary in shape and sizes, making each one an individual miniature quilting work of art.

I decided to make mine in a more traditional slightly rectangle shape. I used fabric from a pre-cut pack that I purchased at Hobby Lobby in Arizona.

The colors of brown, green and orange, along with the patterns gave the mug rug a very 1960's feel.

Since the piece was machine sewn, I decided that I hand to add some hand sewing to it. So I hand quilted the piece with a simple grip pattern.

I think I did pretty good considering I didn't use anything to mark my lines. I just eyeballed the whole thing.

Next was adding the binding. I choose a fabric in a darker green that was the same pattern as the green I used for the backing.

This was only the second time that I have ever made binding. Usually I just fold over the edges of the backing to the front of the quilt in order to create the binding.

Not too bad of a job if I do say so myself.

Here is the full back view of the mug rug, showing off my lovely hand quilting.

And here is the full front view of the mug rug. The rug is now at home with it's new owner enjoying what I hope will be many wonderful mornings of coffee, tea and sweet treats.

MQG 2015 Fabric Challenge with Riley Blake Designs

Today I received a package that I have been anxiously waiting for. The arrival of this package would mean the start of my first ever quilt challenge.

The Modern Quilt Guild 2015 Fabric Challenge with Riley Blake Designs. This year we get to play with fabric from their Cottage Garden line.

The fabrics are more lovely in real life then in pictures. I noticed that there are a lot of dark grays used in this fabric line. I wanted to pick up on that darkness and push it even more. I'm feeling a bit Gothic with this challenge, so I'm going to let this vibe lead me to a great design.

If you are a member of the Modern Quilt Guild, you can still participate in the challenge. All you have to do is purchase fabric from the Riley Blake Cottage Garden line and any coordinating Riley Blake basics and solids. The entry deadline is the last day of July.

To learn more about the challenge, look in the Forums under the 'activities' and then look for MQG fabric challenges.

I wish awesome inspiration, great sewing mojo and the best of luck to all those who are participating in the challenge. 

Those Who Can, Do. And Those Who Still Can, Teach.

You ever get one of those feelings/thoughts that just keep bugging you? Something that started off as maybe a flight of fancy, but now keeps creeping back into your mind? I've been having that lately. It all started when I was checking out the Modern Quilt Guild blog and stumbled upon the Quiltcon call for instructors & lecturers.

I use to teach classes, both college level classes as well as classes at a local craft store. I enjoyed teaching and helping others learn a craft- any craft. Costume design, makeup, quilling, loom knitting, stamping, crochet, what ever it was, I was always willing to pass on my knowledge to others. So when I saw the call for instructors I had what a thought was just a fleeting thought of applying. I brushed the thought away quickly reminding myself that I could never compete with the top notch teachers they've had in the past.

Sure, I know my stuff and I strongly believe in what I do. I'm also very passionate about teaching and helping others. But I have no mass following. I don't have a single book published or even in the works. There are no fabric companies knocking at my door or sending me free fabric hoping I will work with them. And I have never had one of my quilts published in any magazine. So, what business do I have applying for such a gig?

Every time the thought entered my mind I'd run down the reasons why I shouldn't. Then I made the mistake of mentioning my whole mental drama to my husband. He listened to all my back and fourth chatter and all the reasons why it just wouldn't make sense to apply. And then he said the following words that would change everything. "So the worse that can happen is that they say 'no thank you'? Then why not go ahead and apply. If you don't, you'll always wonder if you should have. And you never know, you just might be what their looking for."

So here I am, sewing like a mad woman to get my samples ready to photograph and send in with my application. Even as I'm sewing blocks and working on class descriptions, I still can't believe I'm doing this. Do I really think I'll get accepted? Not a snowball chance in hell, baby. But that won't stop me from trying. At the very least, I'll have wonderful class descriptions along with class samples all ready to go for any future teaching opportunities that may come my way.

MQG and Riley Blake Design Fabric Challenge

It's official. Today I became a member of the Modern Quilt Guild. I've been thinking about joining for some time now. I went back and fourth on whether or not I should join as an individual member or join through the local guild.

The San Diego MQG meets at a quilt shop that's about 30 minutes away. Even though the group meets only one day a month, that's still a far drive for me. And the fact that their meetings are on Sundays during the time I'm in church, really put a damper on me joining. So I figured for now I will just be an individual member. Maybe there are enough quilters in the beach areas -Pacific/Mission/La Jolla- that might be interested in starting a guild.

To celebrate my new MQG status, I decided to sign up for the Riley Blake Designs Fabric Challenge that the MQG is putting on.

Just look at the fabric I get to play with. I get a fat eighth of each fabric below sent to me and can supplement with any Riley Blake solid / basic fabric or their Cottage Garden collection. I can't wait for the fabric to arrive next month.