My Mug Rug Attempt

Okay, so...everyone whose blog I subscribe to (almost everyone, I swear!) has been showing off some absolutely gorgeous Mug Rugs. These are quilted little 'rugs' about 5 x 8 or so. One side is used as a coaster for your mug and the other side can be used for snacks or spoons or sugar packets, or what have you.

And there are some SUPER CUTE ones out there! Let me show you:


By Jennifer at That Girl...That Quilt



By Carol over at Carol's Crafty Creations

And seriously..the Queen of Mug Rugs...Madame Samm. Check these out:





And that's just a sample of the ones she has done!

Well, I thought I would make one for my Aunt's birthday. Something with a pretty Fall theme.
And I tried. And tried. And tried some more.

And do you know what got me every single time?? The binding. I tried piping. I tried double fold bias tape, single fold, you name it. And STILL couldn't get this thing right. I finally gave up because I was already five days late getting the darn thing in the mail and honestly, I was sick of trying. lol 

So here is the final product that she will have to love despite it's flaws because she's family. ;) 

Front

Back

I guess I will keep trying to make the perfect Mug Rug and keep trying to get the knack of binding. I'm sure that by next Autumn I will have it down. ;) 

Successful Project

Early this week I made something that actually came out okay. I got the tutorial from Nancy's Couture and it is so adorable. This one will be for my niece (yes, the future diver) and I'll probably be making more to sell in my shop.

So cute!

Martinique Tote Bag

Hello and Happy Monday! That's not something I say too often. Monday. Blah. ;) But even though it is rainy here today I am happy because it makes for a perfect day to just stay in and sew. And seeing as I have nothing else to do today, I'm in hog heaven!

I wanted to share my latest project, a tote bag made with my most treasured fabric. It is Martinique by 3 Sisters for Moda. I got a jelly roll and a fat quarter bundle on sale from the Fat Quarter Shop . Normally price for this stuff is really outside of my budget, about $130 plus shipping. But, like I said, it was on sale and I couldn't resist the opportunity. It was a super happy day when it arrived in the mail!!

I have had bad luck lately with projects that have just not turned out right, so I figured I would make a pretty tote and hoped that I couldn't really mess that up. Here is what I decided on:

Cute, right? It's 8" x 16".

So, I picked out my strips, cut out the lining and handles and fusible fleece:

And started quilting. Okay, first of all...I've never quilted anything like this before. It was a learning experience, lets put it that way. It did not turn out very well. I mean...OKAY...but not perfect. :(
When both sides were done, I put them together and was half way there.

Then came the lining, pockets, ruffle and straps. The lining and pockets went well. The ruffle hated me. The fabric wasn't long enough (how did that happen??) so it didn't wrap all the way around, it wasn't ruffling appropriately, I didn't have a piece of fabric long enough for 5" x 35", so I just used a strip from the jelly roll, which was 2 1/2 x 35. Which created a small, tiny ruffle. AND, to top it all off, I somehow just blindly followed directions without bothering to look at my creation, and realized once it was all put together that the ruffle fabric was inside out. Yeah. 

I was so sad by this that I just pinned the handles onto the top and called it a night. It is supposed to have decorative buttons at the end of each handle. That will have to come another day when I get over this. 

I know, I'm such a drama queen. But, really. Three projects in a row that turned out like crap??!

I'm just in a bad place right now I think. I need to get my head on straight. 

Here is the 'final' product: 

 See that tiny and not ruffled ruffle....

 Kind of blurry front photo. See those white tag things? Those were from the selvage ends of the jelly rolls. I thought I would be cool and just use them to cover up my major quilting mistakes. LoL.

And here is the inside and the cool pockets. I really like these pockets. It is a nice, roomy and sturdy bag.
I'll just have to try this again. Maybe with cheaper fabric next time. : /

As for today...I am trying something quicker and smaller. Mini wallets, Thanksgiving hair barrets and mug rugs. Wish me luck...I apparently need it!!!

<3
J

Tickled Pink Stamps

Hi There!

I wanted to share my excitement about some new stamps I got recently from Tickled Pink Stamps .
They are an on line stamp company in Australia and I somehow stumbled upon them and their super cute and unique stamps that you cannot find in the US. At least, not that I have been able to see.
I placed the order thinking that it would take forever to get to me and that shipping would be outrageous. None of these turned out to be true. I got my package in just a few days and the shipping was no more than I would normally pay. Are you kidding?? This is awesome!!! I love you guys!

I'm on a 'spending freeze' at the moment, since I am not working. But I HAD to get these stamps because they reminded me so much of my little niece, who I imagine snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef someday. :)

And because I had a 20's theme for my wedding and I love all things from that era. ;)

Check it out:

Go! Cutter Give Away -Sharing the Love

Hi guys, and NEW friends!

Linda over at Lavender Ridge is hosting a give away for an Accuequilt Go! Cutter, plus three dies.

I would love, love, love to win this machine...but I guess I'll share my chances with you all. ;)
Go visit her HERE.

By the way, it's my 4th wedding anniversary today. :) Happy Happy!

Hope everyone had as good a Friday as me.

Commissioned Watch

I finished the bracelet watch my friend asked me to create for her daughter for Christmas. I spent a good bit of time on this thing (learning as I went!) and it, of course, is still not perfect. I just sent pictures off to the Mom and am hoping that she likes it. If not, I will come up with something else and just post this one for sale anyway. :)

This is all base metal (chain, watch face, wire, toggle clasps) with a silver finish and glass turquoise beads and pearls.

Play Date Cafe Entry #1

Hello!

I found a great blog called The Play Date Cafe and every week they give you a challenge idea to create a card with. Usually having to do with specific colors. And the winner gets a prize. :)  And they give you almost a whole week to do it.
I ran out of time on the last challenge, but I swore I would finish something this week!
This week's challenge colors were Burgundy, White and Black (I love this combo).

I was trying out new techniques (using Pearl Ex to paint with), which probably wasn't such a hot idea because I spent a lot of time making this card and I'm really not happy with it. It's totally wonky. BUT, I'm submitting it anyway. I don't care!  Isn't this exciting? I love looking at everyone else's entries as well. So many creative people out there.

Okay, so, here is my card:

Wish me luck. ;)