Inch by Inch

Inch by inch...it's a cinch! Yard by yard...it's very hard!

 My motto for this summer.  Most of you know I've had to really limit my sewing lately and it's been a struggle for me.  I'm not one to slow down like this.  I've always got to be doing something with my hands.  But while my wrists  heal, slow and easy it will have to be.

My major accomplishment so far this month is this Mug Rug

for the Mug Rug Swap Adventure 2.

(that was due June 30th)

I started with a 3D kite patterned from this quilt I made late last year.

I used mini ric rac for the kite string,

then found these bow buttons for the kite ties.

Of course, the background is the blue sky...

...that needed a little sun and cloud.

And there you have it!

It is on its way to Wendi, a very patient and understanding lady.

I hope she likes it.

And I'm back to inching along....

May Day

April just sped by and  May is here.  Last week, my son and I were playing a trivia game and one of the questions involved a May Pole.  I got it right but he'd never heard of a May Pole.  I'm not familiar with all the traditions and I'm sure you can find historical references online but I just told him I remember one year in elementary school our teacher created a maypole and we got to dance around it to commemorate spring.  What I really liked was the colorful streamers and the design created by weaving the streamers around the pole.

Not surprising the connection between what fascinated me back then with what motivates me to quilt now.

Anyway, I'm glad May is finally here.  Today (saturday) we said goodbye to April with a bright sunny afternoon. And although it was tempting to be outside, I spent most of my day at my cutting table and sewing machine. 

I've been busy planning my May swap blocks, working a bit on my Butterfly quilt and just started cutting for a baby quilt I need to finish by...what? next weekend?  I thought I had more time. 

See, in June, my neice (pretty sure she doesn't read my blog) is expecting her first baby. But the shower is next weekend. So I have some sewing to do! Anyway, she chose the name SOPHIE. Isn't that a beautiful name!  Unique...almost vintage.  So instead of traditional pastels I decided to go a bit vintage with this moda Fig Tree line of Fresh Cottons.  I'll be adding to these 1/2 yards I already purchased and will update as I go. The pattern I'm using features rows of flying geese blocks and a prairie point border.  Can't wait to start putting it all together.

In addition to the swaps I'm already a part of, I decided to add yet one more.  It's a Mug Rug Swap sponsored by Leona's Quilting Adventure and sign ups start today (Sunday, May 1st). So if you're interested, head over and check it out.

Oh, and one more thing...I received this little thank you card and a tiny charm pack (2 1/2 in. squares) for contributing to Just One Star.  What a nice gesture to receive something because I gave!  Anyway, I know the quilts are going to turn out fantastic and I believe  they will mean a lot to those who receive them.  I am just proud to have helped!

(I'm thinking these would be great for a holiday Mug Rug.  Maybe I'll finish it by Christmas!)

May is also the last month of school so we are on the downhill stretch...yippee!  Always a tough month as the year comes to a close but might be easier since the kids just had a week off for Spring Break!



Predicted temps here in California for May 1st,

a warm, slightly breezy 80 degrees!

Hope your May Day is sunny!

My First MUG RUG!

So, I finally got around to making one of those mug rugs I've been seeing all around that are just so darn cute.  I was a little afraid to try fearing my best efforts would fall short.  But, I'm pretty happy with this little surprise project.

See, it started out as an idea for a pillow - a birthday present for my friend, TabbieG -  that would match the quilt I made for her birthday a year ago.  But I didn't have enough scraps to make a full size duplicate block.  So, I halved all the measurements and created this little mini block.  Added a bit of white to extend the rug and added this cute stackable flower button.  I even embroidered using the pattern right on the white fabric.  The only problem beyond this was I couldn't find a cute purple mug to complement it. 

So, since I knew TabbieG wouldn't mind and we all need a sweet treat sometimes, I grabbed a glass and my mug rug quickly became a Margarita Mat !!

In fact, we spent last friday night watching chik fliks and indulging in a couple of lip smacking margaritas!

Here's a few more shots...pics, I mean  ; )

What, 3 o'clock?  No worries...it's 5 o'clock somewhere!

Happy Fabric Tuesday!