Mug Rugs again....

I adore swaps!  I suppose that's pretty apparent, huh?  I was really going to take it easy now that I have Toby and entertainment of my own, but I just can't seem to help myself when I read of a new swap starting.  Alas, the mug rug swap is not new, but one of my favorites!  This time it has a new spin.  We must write a haiku to accompany our mug rugs which pertain to our partner.  Now.....you KNOW I can't tell you who she is, but I will tell you that she has a very unique Flickr name.  She also wanted something simple.

I wanted to really do a raw edged applique (and I just might do this one anyway and enclose it just for fun):



But then, I thought maybe I should do something more to her liking so I did this.  I took a picture of the process cause I thought you might like that too!



And all finished at 6 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches:



I threw it in the middle of my Rose Tree of Sharron to try to get the blooms to show....but it didn't work. The coolest thing about that mug rug is that I pieced the letters of her name on the back and that's the big surprise!  I sure wish I could show you, but that would ruin the fun!  (I will give you a hint though and admit to contacting the administrator of the swap ahead of time to ask for a partner with a name shorter than 6 letters.)  How sneaky of me, huh?

Two things......

First, I want to show you the little quilt I made for Kimmie who was my partner this month in the STUD group.  The theme was "Rainbows-one shape".



I actually made her two, but the other one was the original that I copied for an angel quilt for the new DQS group.  I'll show you anyway:



Now for the good stuff.  I reviewed all your marvelous comments and suggestions on what you all would do with the leftover flower circles and I'm sure you will agree that I have picked a very unique winner.  Thank you all ever so much for commenting.  It was really fun.  I'm thinking that as soon as I get back to my LQS, I will pick up another surprise in the same vein for another giveaway real soon!  (Right now, they probably think I'm dead since I haven't been there since getting the puppy.  LOL)

And the winner is:  martinmosaics   Ta-da!  Here is the comment:
"I would love to use them to create a village!  I would put roof tops on them and create roads and trees to go around them.  It would be so fun to make houses from something round.  My mind is running with creative ideas right now."

Now....how fun is that?  Who would think to make houses out of something round?  Not me!   I can hardly wait to see this village come to life so please, "martinmosaics", please e-mail me with your name and address so I can send out your circles to you pronto.

Christmas in July?

I'm telling you, lately I have to strike when the iron is hot!  My little guy doesn't give me lots of time, so when I get a "fire", I go!  A few weeks ago, I bought some awesome fabric by a local artist, Kim Schaefer, who designs for Andover Fabrics at my LQS.  I thought the flowers would be perfect to add to a solid and make them into pot holders for hostess gifts for the holidays.  

I got out my solids and a bowl (in this case 7 1/2 inches) traced some circles on some solids to match the flowers and started.  I applied steam a seam to the flowers, and ironed them to the middles of the solid circles.  Then, I found the coordinating fabric I bought for the backing, doubled some batting, made the quilt sandwiches and went to town.  I button hole stitched the flowers down, cut the circles and applied bias binding to them and in no time I had 12 done.  Pretty cute too if I do say so myself.  What do you think?

The cool part of this whole thing is that I have 10 flowers left.  Anyone want them?  They're up for grabs.  Just tell me what you would do with them and I will pick a winner on Monday!  

Guess who's running the household?

There is a reason that God doesn't let old people have babies!  There should also be a reason that old people shouldn't get puppies!  E-gads, we are tired!  Our legs feel like jelly from hurdling all these dumb baby gates all over and doing it while carrying a sewing machine, is even worse, believe me!  AND, once I am in position to sew, I have watch this little guy every minute so he doesn't "eat" my cords.  My computer cord already has teeth marks!  I'm wondering when I will be out of "juice" because of that.  Perhaps I should go to the Apple store now and buy another power cord, just in case.

We do love him though.  He has brought such life (if that's what you want to call it when you fall asleep on the couch at 7:30 pm from sheer exhaustion) to this household.  Last night we thought we wore him out.  He was sleeping at 8:30 and we sighed a sign of relief just to have our eyes free for a minute.  Needless to say, we had no idea he'd wake at 11:30 and howl and cry until I finally came in the kitchen to get him at 2 am to bring him to bed with us.  Then, not a peep out of him until 6:30.  Can you say, spoiled?  

What fun to watch an ant crawl across the floor, huh?

Mr. Rip-roaring 3 lbs 12 ozs!  (We've eaten chickens bigger than him.)  LOL

I think I forgot.....

I think I forgot to show you these t-shirts that I appliqued for my granddaughter and great niece last Christmas........(yes, Christmas!!)  Duh, where is my brain????



Probably the only reason I remembered is because I've been seeing them on the kids this summer!

THEN, I've still been sewing for the doll swap.  I so do LOVE, LOVE, LOVE making doll sized quilts AND because my partner never commented on the pinwheel one, I figured I should try to make something she "might???" like.  Thankfully, this one made the grade, so I'm pretty sure this is the one she will get:



See all those crazy knots in all those different colors?  Just about put me over the edge, let me tell you!



I shoulda counted how many and then had a contest.  That might have been fun!  I'll have to remember that for next time!