Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Woe is me!

For all of you that sometime or another have lost your mojo to the creativity that sustains you, I have a solution!  AND.......believe me, it works!  Just make an appointment to take your machine in for servicing!  If it's anything like the place I take mine, you will be without it for at least 4-5 days.  Prior to the reservation date, you will not be able to "not" sew something in anticipation to your "friend" leaving, and once your machine is gone, the ideas for sewing will pop into your brain constantly!  I KNOW!  I am going through it!  E-gads, it's so bad that lately I even wake up in the middle of the night not only with unique designs, but names for the quilts after they're done!  Can you believe?  lol  I'm driving myself nuts!  I'm telling you, it's a good thing I made a reservation for the servicing.  The last time I took my machine to the same place without one, it was gone for 3 weeks and when I called, they still hadn't touched it.  Thankfully, it was during the Christmas rush of 2010 so I was a bit busy anyway!  Obviously, it did make an impression though since I was smart enough to reserve a date this time.

I did make a few mug rugs before it left so I have something to show you.  Aren't you so happy?  (Although I could resort to a few photos of my tomato plants which are going bonkers this year, if I run out of sewing.)  Seriously, if I was Jack in the Beanstalk and those plants were stretched out straight, I swear I could be up in the clouds in no time!  Funny, how I just thought of that!!

As you know, I joined the Mug Rug Swap again.  My partner has a whole mess of stuff she likes, and I'm not going to say too much just in case she reads my blog, but one thing that she does like is the color "orange".  Needless to say, I pulled my orange fabrics and thought of what to do.  One thing I came up with was this one:

"Surprise" Mug Rug

(No one knows, but her name is embroidered under that sign so don't tell.)  I thought that might be fun.  Then, as long as I already had out the oranges, I decided to make another one.......just in case, I guess.....BUT, I was already committed with her name sewn on, I suppose.  Duh!  Anyway, I like this one better:

"Summer Leaves" Mug Rug

Then, in my desire to keep going and be creative, I went a bit wilder with this one which I adore:

"In Stark Contrast" Mug Rug

Only trouble is that I'm not sure if I really like it that way, or portrait style.  Tip your head one way and the other and see for yourself.  Naturally, I had to add the buttons.  I LOVE those teeny tiny buttons and I wish I could put them on everything!  They make things so whimsical!

So, that's it for today folks!  I made one more mug rug that I'll show you next time.  It's a remake of one someone else did a few years ago, but I had to put buttons on mine for a different spin (hello!!  lol)  I sure hope I have my machine back by the next time I write to you otherwise (for sure) I will be crying!

 

21 comments:

Debbie said...

The machine having to go in for service. Oh my god - that is my biggest nightmare! I feel for you.

Can I just tell you that those mug rugs are spectacular? Of course, I love the orange one (go figure), and the leaves are adorable. but that yellow, black and white is one heck of a Zing! Love it!

Have a good day, Carol.

Lucky Duck Dreams said...

You crazy mama!

Cyndi loves to stitch said...

wowzers!! i love your mug rugs!! all 3!!!
about the your friend........... this is why you should have more than one friend, even if one is your best friend, is "loved" way more than the other, and maybe can't "do" as many things, at least she is there to help you through the misery of being without your best friend! heeheehee

sheila 77 said...

The one with the leaves is simply gorgeous. Are they made with reverse applique? Colours are beautiful. I like the third one too - great design with the jags and uneven stripes and unusual colouring. And there's nothing wrong with the first one either. Hope you get your machine back very soon!

waggonswest said...

I love them all. One question... do you sew the buttons on before you sandwich and quilt or after? When I embellish first, I break needles. When I do it last, I struggle to keep the back looking neat.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Well, I have three machines, so there is always one/two here when one goes to the 'spa'. No mojo problems here, just not enough hours. Oh I really just love the second piece!

The Thimblemouse of Country Crossroads said...

LOVE all the mug rugs...everytime I see one of your posts...you make me want to sit and create...ahhh...but I'm only visiting on my 'lunch break' and tho I work in a quilt shop (actually it's my quilt shop..haha) - it's time to take care of those oh not so glamorous quilt shop jobs..like making labels for panels, pricing fat quarters and let's not forget paperwork...LOL

Cindy Sharp said...

Those are fantastic!

VickiT said...

Wow, I have all kinds of comments from this post you've done.

First ~ I think I should take the short drive toward you and take my machine to the place you go. Where I go there is NO reservation possibility and no matter when I take my machine in, I will not see it before 3 weeks has passed IF I'm lucky. And even worse is that the one who does the cleaning/repair last I knew was off on disability after some injury so all machines were being shipped off to the Viking company. Ummmmmm NO thank you! I don't like the fact that someone I don't even know is tossing (judging by the scratches on my case when it returned) into the back of their car and driving it on the interstate from Rockford into Chicago somewhere, much less somehow getting it to the company which I believe is in TN now(?)!

Anyway, I LOVE the first mug rug you have done with the secret name covered up. I don't see why this mystery person wouldn't absolutely love it either. The extra stitching is amazing and added so much to it. Beautiful job as always!!

Tomatoes? I'm still so sad we (and when I say 'we', I mean my husband since I can't do it myself) never planted any this year and all I've bought from the store AND from the fruit stand we drove to were gross looking and rotted within three days of buying them. SO depressing to pay that much and have them rotten in such a short period of time. :(

I think you need a backup machine so you won't miss your baby when she's off being fixed up next time.

Unknown said...

I love your mug rugs. My machine is two years old and I have yet to take it in for servicing as I do not want to be without it.

Dianne said...

These are awesome! Like the last in portrait rather than landscape. My fave is the leaves - great quilting choice.
My machine always goes in for service while I am on holiday so there is no chance I will miss it.

Elaine said...

yikes, no machine?! i love the yellow and black mug rug. hope you get your machine back soon! or you can just smock another dress for T if you want :)

Lesley said...

You certainly are making someone very happy! Those mug rugs are adorable...and I agree that those little buttons are just the cat's meow! Love your stitching and the vibrant colors!

Sara said...

Jack would be mighty proud...reminds me of my son's book about Mickey Mouse and Friends and the beanstalk;)

The leaves in that one mini are so pretty:)

Leanne said...

I am sorry to have had to miss this round of the swap as those three are all so excellent, but I truly love the yellow one the most.

Nancy B said...

My fave is the first one. Love the hand stitching and the buttons. Also, I prefer the landscape style. The buttons look less like eyes that way. Anyway, that's what I thought when I turned my head. LOL

Happy Sewing! (when you get your baby back).

Mary said...

Makes me glad I have a few spares. I do have my FAVORITE to piece on. I'm catching up on my Blog reading. Love the last Mug rug. Turned my head and saw white tree frogs with their tongues out. Can you tell I've had 4 boys and their little sister at my house for 3 days??

Sandra Coleman Clarke said...

i especially love the one with the leaves and the first one too. You do such lovely work. Thanks for inspiring me.

Kathleen said...

you should buy yourself an extra machine for that time when you have to send your good one in for service. I have an older back-up machine that I use and am very happy with it....

Monika Kinner-Whalen (MySweetPrairie) said...

SPECTACULAR indeed. : )
Monika

Kathy H said...

I really enjoyed your mug rugs. Great inspiration for something different from what I usually do. Thanks for sharing.