Sunday, December 11, 2011

Swaps are fun!

Christmas Scrappy Mug Rug - from Dawn (guiltyquilter) to me

This wonderful mug rug was made for me by Dawn, who is guiltquilter on Flickr, for the Christmas Scrappy Mug Rug Swap. There is no way a mug will ever get near it - it is going on the wall in a place of honour.

And for the photography types, that picture made it to Explore on Flickr.

Christmas Scrappy Mug Rug - from Dawn (guiltyquilter) to me

Look at those embroidered reindeer, even Rudolf with a red beaded nose - they are beyond cute.

Christmas Scrappy Mug Rug - from Dawn (guiltyquilter) to me

The trees are decorated too, with carefully placed beads.

Christmas Scrappy Mug Rug - from Dawn (guiltyquilter) to me

And here is the whole package, Dawn really spoiled me - she was a great partner to draw.

Scrappy Mug Rug Swap - sneak peak

This is the close up of a corner of the mug rug I sent Dawn. This swap was not secret, instead we were assigned partners. As a result, the pictures we posted as we went were only sneak peaks.

Scrappy Mug Rug Swap - sneak peak

This is another sneak peak. You can see the fmq star I made. I think you might see those stars again on another project soon.

Scrappy Mug Rug Swap - for Dawn, guiltyquilter

And here is the entire mug rug. I paper pieced the tree using this a free pattern from Forest Quilting. I  thank Karen from Laughter in Quilts for the inspiration. She used the tree in her wonderful table runner (do click that link and take a look, it is wonderful) for the Modern Christmas Table Runner Swap and pointed out the source of this lovely pattern.

When I made this mug rug, my plan was to just make the tree. But as I looked at it, I realized that it was unlikely anyone would put a mug on it. So I added the 1" patchwork squares which make a big enough surface for my large size mugs.  This fabric is 12 Days of Christmas by Kate Spain and was the left over scraps from the Wonky Christmas Stars Quilt I started last year.

By the way, this photograph also made it to Flickr's Explore - pretty cool.

I am working on the hand quilting on the Wonky Stars Christmas Quilt and will soon show it off, but hand quilting is slow and my fingers hurt.

Come back tomorrow, as I will have a couple of give aways for the Sew Mama Sew give away week.

Best,

Leanne

14 comments:

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hi! I love your mini quilt and also the one you got is wonderful! Really cute reindeers!

Manda said...

Two beautiful mug rugs!

Debbie said...

oh wow - that WAS a great swap!! Just darling - I really like the tree you made, including the snowflakes!! And congrats on the explore(s) - that's always fun!

Brenda said...

I have made a list of things I want to do for next year Christmas season and a mug rug is on that list - and I had to print off the PP tree pattern!!! Paper Piecing is also on my list of 'things to get comfortable with' this year!!
I loved your gift - I wouldn't use it either!! But, I would use the one with the tree - but I am not using the mug rug I made out of selvages??? People can be so funny sometimes!!

And your wonky stars are looking good with the hand quilting you are doing on it. It may be slow, but it is so worth it in the end! Lookin' good!! And Merry Christmas!!

Toni said...

Swaps really are fun! Looks like you had a great one! I love the mug rug you made, but when I first saw it I thought it was an Advent Calendar. It would make a great one! Congratulations on the Explore, too!

Judith, Belfast said...

2 v.gorgeous mugrugs! I never like to put anything on mine either - they're too much like mini works of art! Jxo

Poppyprint said...

THose are both so lovely! I really like the tree you made and the patchwork below it balances the little quilt beautifully.

Marg said...

Both mug rugs are gorgeous, I wouldn't use either of them though to put a mug on as I'd be afraid to mark them. I would hang them on a wall.

Sheila said...

Looks like it was a fun swap - like you, I have a couple of mugrugs destined for the wall!

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Oooh Explores all round - how brilliant, congratulations! Love both yours and Dawn's makes - perfect swap x

Emma said...

What a wonderful mug rug. That little owl is such a cute touch.

Krista Schneider said...

Omg, both rugs are beyond my wildest dreams! Love the detail your partner put into those trees and reindeer! And your paper piecing looks fantastic . Great fabric choices :D

**nicke... said...

they are both awesome! love them!

Marci Girl said...

Wow, what you received and what you gave are both so awesome! You lucked up this round, I just love those reindeer! I also love the tree you created, it looks wonderful!