Let's see what I have for you today!

WINNER IS MARY
#1 congrats my dear...
please send mailing details
( everyone else...thanks for joining in on the show.
very appreciated)

Hello! I'm Carol, better known to some as "mamacjt" and I'm thrilled to be back on Stash manicure again. When our dear Madame Samm asked if I'd do another segment, I wondered what she (and you) might like to see. Should I do a small tutorial? Should I talk about color and/or design? Exactly what might thrill and inspire you? Then it came to us like a light............I'd just show you a bunch of my mug rugs. (Perhaps a bit mundane, but colorful none the less since I do like B R I G H T!!) So, just sit back and enjoy because today is not tell..........it's just show.

#1 

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#11

#12

#13

#14

And those a just a few. You'll find the rest here so if you're so inclined, just click and take a peek!

Oh...and one other thing. I thought a mug rug would be an appropriate give away for today, so this little beauty can be yours if you'll just leave a comment. Samm will let me know who is getting this beauty so I can send it out. Good luck!

So you know how it is..leave a comment here on  Stash Manicure on which one you thought

was my best creation....and come on over and visit me at my blog..

leave me a comment there and you will be in the pool for this draw

of this mug rug. 

oh just drop by anytime

#15 ( which could be yours)

Loved the visit.! love the inspiration you all give me..

yours in kind

mamacjt

A Mug {rug} of Scraps



Hi, there!  I'm Jennifer, a.k.a That Girl, of That Girl... That Quilt...  I'm so excited to be posting here on Stash Manicure today!

When Madame Samm asked me if I would be interested in sharing here I paused for a second because I'm not known as someone who has a well manicured, under control stash.  I have only been quilting for 3 years but I have quite the fabric stash.

Got scraps? I do!

I love fabric.  Love. It.  And I buy a lot of it... just ask my habit supporting hubby, Steve.  But after I thought about it for a moment I decided that I wouldn't be a total hypocrite posting here if I shared a project that uses entirely scraps.  Right??



My first mug rug

Have you seen the mug rugs appearing on Flickr and in blogland as of late?  Carol, Madame Samm and jodi comes to mind.  There is something about them that is endearing, a bit quirky, and a lot of fun.  I made my first one on a whim and I was hooked.  They take nothing more than scraps of your favorite fabrics, a scrap of batting, a bigger piece of scrap fabric for the backing and a strip of fabric for the binding.  That's it!

So today I thought I would show you the basics of making one of these cuties.  It takes less than an hour to make one and they are awesome gifts for the fast approaching holidays.

To make the top of my rug, I use a combination of linen and quilting fabric scraps.  I piece them into a simple rectangle that measures approximately 7.5" x 9.5".  You could also make a favorite quilt block for the top.

I add a little linen pocket to my rugs to hold a spoon, a tea bag, packets of sugar, etc...  It's a simple touch that draws a lot of comments and compliments.  Here's how you make it:

Take your scrap that measures approximately 4"x8...

...and fold it in half.  It it's a patterned fabric, you will fold it with right sides together..

Starting on one side of the fold, with a 1/4" seam allowance, stitch down one long side to the corner stopping 1/4" from the edge.  With your needle down, raise the presser foot and turn the fabric and begin stitching down the short side {this will be the bottom of your pocket}

Near the middle of this side, stop, backstitch and leave an opening of 1.5".  On the other side of the opening, backstitch again and begin stitching to the corner.  Again, stop 1/4" from the corner and with your needle down, raise your presser foot to turn the pocket to stitch the last side.

To reduce bulk clip each of the corners, turn the pocket right side, make sure your corners are pointing nicely, and press. 

 Don't worry about stitching the opening closed; you will catch this when you are attaching the pocket to the mug rug.

If you want to embellish the pocket now is the time.  I stitched a few of my favorite scraps onto the pocket  with a zig-zag stitch.

Now you are ready to attach the pocket.  I just eyeballed where I wanted the pocket to go and measured to make sure it was straight.  Topstitch it onto the mug rug.  Make sure you backstitch at the corners for a little extra strength.  Done!

Layer your backing, your batting and then your top just like you would a quilt and either baste it with pins or a little basting spray and you are ready to quilt.

On this rug I just did a random grid of straight lines with my walking foot.  I changed the distance between the lines by changing my needle position.  This is a great way to try out new quilting techniques, BTW.

Once you are satisfied with your quilting square up your mug rug and bind it.  I did a tutorial for a complete binding by machine and you can find it here.  It's quick, easy, and I love the precise results!

 Thanks for letting me share here today.  Enjoy your new mug rug!

PS: I'm giving this mug rug away... stop by my blog for a chance to win!

Love to hear what you think, it encourages me to make more.
Like I needed an excuse.

Thanks everyone!
Jennifer :)

April Showers Mug Rug blog hop begins today....and Fabri-Quilt Inc is our sponsor....

Ahhh I am READY -for a pouring of MUG RUGS.

Surely this will bring a rainbow of colours to our days...

WE had to add a couple more days in fact

so we will be going through to the 18th....

So are you READY?

I think I am ready...I am trying

to complete Ms Diva, - she has been taking up my 

most precious time...Darn her lol

I have 3 ideas brewing for my mug rug...hint ....

See you on the 18th...Until then....

Erin at Sew at home Mummy will be your cheerleader...

We are shaking our pom poms for her....

She happens to be the very first on the hop....

There is no doubt she will be cheering you all on too! 

RECAP here of expectations 

if you need a reminder!

Here are today's MUG RUG creators...

I am expecting to have a downpour of inspiration.

LET's cheer for our ladies...

They love to see your comments...

( remember ladies please turn off your 

word verification, 

so we can leave you some

 lovely outpouring comments) 

MONDAY, APRIL 8: Erin @ Sew at Home Mummy

Patty @ A Stitch in Time

Jenny @ Squawk That

Stacey @ The Tilted Quilt

Daryl @ Patchouli Moon Studio

Lisa @ In The Boon Docks

Julie @ Jolie Maxtin: the project girl

Beluah @ Sowing Stitches

Karen @ Bungalow Bay Quilts

DeAnna @ Georgia Girl Quilter

         Top 2 today
:)

I am such a sucker for Paper Piecing..and Tomatoes are MY FAV fruit,

hands down. and this lovely mug rug is perfectly suited to my passion

of red, black and white too...sooooo yes she is in our top 2.....

Ohhh look at those beetle bugs...( lady bugs) matching her cup no less

and my oh my red black and white...but that was not why she was 

chosen....it is a perfect mug rug and setting...PERFECT....

And most CREATIVE 

Well you will just have to see for yourself, what this lady did

with her mug rugs...love this shot , pouring mug rugs oh yes...

right into our hearts...

 These are the collections that can be won at the end of our hop..

1. 1 winner from the top 3 each day

2.  1 winner for all who created a mug rug

3. 1 winner from all those who left comments

Fabri-quilt has a blog too...found it this morning

Fabri-Quilt has some lovely collections

we chose Ro Gregg ( designer) , because after all the rain..

There will be lot's of colour in our gardens...

a lot to celebrate this coming summer

with Calypso Frogs...

View the whole collection

Now let's CHEER AWAY

any rain that may dampen our days...

Day 6 April Showers Mug Rug Blog hop 4 more days with Fabri-Quilt and Ro Gregg's Collection as our sponsor!

Ahhh I am READY -for a pouring of  more MUG RUGS.

Surely this will bring a rainbow of colours to our days...

WE had to add a couple more days in fact

so we will be going through to the 18th....

So are you READY?

I think I am ready...I am trying

to complete Ms Diva, - she has been taking up my 

most precious time...Darn her lol

I have 3 ideas brewing for my mug rug...hint ....

See you on the 18th...Until then....

Erin at Sew at home Mummy  will be your cheerleader...

We are shaking our pom poms for her....

She happens to be the very first on the hop....

There is no doubt she will be cheering you all on too! 

RECAP here of expectations 

if you need a reminder!

Here are today's MUG RUG creators...

I am expecting to have a downpour of inspiration.

LET's cheer for our ladies...

They love to see your comments...

( remember ladies please turn off your 

word verification, 

so we can leave you some

 lovely outpouring comments) 

MONDAY, APRIL 15th Cathy @ Cate's Linens Nicola @ Sunshine Reflections Martina @ Sunshinequilting Judith @ Frimart Anita @ Anita's quilts en handwerken Linda @ Sew Nicely Kris @ krislovesfabric Laura Ann @ The Fuzzy Hat Quilter Carol @ Just let me Quilt Selina @ Selina Quilts Mary @ Crooked Gulley Art Quilts Marisa @ Passion et Couture

            Top 2 

When I think of SPRING, I do think of CARS..

maybe not caddy's but cars.

And no I am not thinking of a new one to purchase...

but this lady's cup and lovely artistic mug rug does have 

me thinking SPRING. lol

( it could be they are sinking into puddles of rain...yep that is it) lol

and this lady's is lovely...the shape of a raindrop and themed perfectly for 

APRIL SHOWERS ...You will to see her drawings of how she comes

to this final mug rug...very impressive! 

Most Creative

And yes downright creative....love the photo, the theme...

even though coffee and donuts are not really my favourite

breakfast lol. You have to give credit to this lady 

for always pushing ME to be even more creative.

Darn it all....her theme is she is MUG RUGGED!

Welllll I  think I have been beaten..

Can you guess who this is? lol

NOOOOO we have 2 most creative today....

I somehow missed this one...can you believe it...she made them twice...

ok, that has got to be on our list for most creative x 2 today lol. 

 These are the collections that can be won at the end of our hop..

1. 1 winner from the top 3 each day

2.  1 winner for all who created a mug rug

3. 1 winner from all those who left comments

Fabri-Quilt has some lovely collections

we chose Ro Gregg ( designer) , because after all the rain..

There will be lot's of colour in our gardens...

a lot to celebrate this coming summer

with Calypso Frogs...

View the whole collection

Now let's CHEER AWAY

any rain that may dampen our days...

April Showers comes to an end....however more blog hops will be springing up

April showers comes to an end but not without an outpouring

of gratitude for our lovely creators, quilters, sewers, enthusiasts of 

everything spring. Thank you for being such great cheerleaders...
And YOU ALL SHOWED UP ! BONUS

And leading this hop was Erin who managed to keep us all together

and provided us with some excellent tutorials on how to make us 

better bloggers. Thank you for that and more...

I am likely your last visit of the day....

I share my day with these lovely ladies

who embraced spring as much as me...

( the list is below, I tried to add it to the top

but somehow it scrambled my whole post )

Here is my pouring of MUG RUGS! 

Ok, you may have noticed immediately, I did not create anywhere near the amount 

that OTHER LADY created....She did 9 yes I counted them...

Some of you even reminded me of this...( you have not been placed on THE LIST btw) lol

That other lady knew how much I had on my plate these past few weeks..

but no excuse she WON fair and SQUARE...I will beat her next time..

( not that we are at all competitive..so she says..) But did you note she also was most

creative on her day..nough said ..wink...?

You may have noted this year, I am soooo into black, white and red...

It may have something to do with my passion for gingham.... red and white...

EVER since RBD ( Riley Blake Designs) came out with their gingham,

I began thinking I need some gingham dishes..

If I could register this pattern with this company I would ( my husband thought
this was funny, you only register when you are about to get married lol)
 .....I am purchasing

a few pieces at a time....so far I have a couple plates, mugs, egg cups and 1 bowl..

I think it may be my new SPRING obsession...

So I made this fairly large mug rug so I could have my breakfast outside

with my fruit and oats... to match of course...

and a coffee bubble compete with french knots...seemed a perfect team!

Ohhh that coffee cup thingie hanging from my cup is not a graphic

it is a tea ball..except it is sitting in my coffee cup...thought it would be a nice

bling....Goodness me who has bling in their coffee? lol
I do ! 

This spring I have noted many many ROBINS, so it was time to bring out my

ROBIN cup and go figure it matches with my red, black and white ROUND

mug rug. I made this one with 3 layers of PELLON Batting so it would 

be very thick...it is ....it will actually make for a great hot pad too...

Ahhh dual purpose lol

My next one I created with Ro Gregg's collection, which we happen to be giving away

on Monday....This cup is fairly large 10 oz, so this mug rug is also large...

I wanted to create different shapes...I like this as Ro's collection

really makes a statement.....like a BANNER! 

And with her gorgeous flowers...makes for a lovely spring mug rug! 

Don't you just love her stone looking fabric...( the blue) it almost looks

like a suede...

And my last mug rug, I shaped it like a tea bag complete with tag..

but of course mine would say coffee...I even dipped the tag in coffee

to stain it.... The brown part is a pouch..you could put a tea bag

in it or a love note....TO YOU! lol 

So there you have it....I certainly did not make a splash 
like that OTHER LADY, but I do hope I brought a smile or two..

OHHHH and look I have a giveaway too..
101 ( yes 101  4 x4 squares )  of Tokyo
and a pattern!

Thought this would make for a great win for a 
future blog hop...will let you know about that 
one very soon.... it is called " PUT your STAMP on it"

What are YOU looking forward to next?

Winners will be announced on Monday! 
Gratitude to Fabri-Quilt an Ro Gregg for a very fine
giveaway...OUR sponsors are really amazing to deal with
time and time again! 

Or next blog hop is

begins next week....5 days of POM POMS.....

with Thearica from Pig Tales and Quilts...

HERE are my delightful colourful, creative ladies I shared

my day with ...

Thursday April 18

Merry Gay @ Merry Gay in Stitches

Mary @ Sew Maybe I Can

Joanne @ Everyone Deserves a Quilt

Linda @ Buzzing and Bumbling

Mary @ NeedledMom

Sherry @ Peanuts Patchwork

Fredrika @ Feltfree på Åsly

Shauna @ Welcome to Shauna's World

Sharon @ Dancing thru Threads

Madame Samm @ !Sew WE Quilt! And this is for Erin....I always create a OOAK embroidery pattern for each cheerleader... here is her wee tot Erin as a child!

OUR TOP 2

This lady is always busy as a bee...it seemed so fitting that

as our last top 2 choices she be here again...

YOU have to buzz on over there and see what else she created..

Everyone will be a buzzing! lol

This is so delicate, with the ric rac and stitching....it reminded me of an old fashioned photo...

a lovely addition to our top 2 and she made it in time too for judging..whewwwwww

MOST CREATIVE goes to.....

This lady created this amazing pot...would you believe each one

comes out as an individual mug rug...YOU will be chatting this one

up..LOVE her colours, looks like a rustic pot...her flowers crisp

and bright....a delight to behold.....