Making Mug Mats...

Brynwood Needleworks - Acorn Mug Mat

Before I really shut down the studio, I needed to make the mug mats that I'll be offering to two participants in the March Madness Mug Mat Swap currently under way.

Brynwood Needleworks - Acorn Mug Mat Detail

Once I've heard from all the participants that they've sent out their mats (hopefully taking a photo of their mat before they send it off, so they can share pictures with me), I'll put their names into the drawing for one of two gift sets centered around each mat.

This acorn mat will have accessories that coordinate with the acorn/outdoor theme, and I've already starting putting on my thinking cap. I've got some fun things to add to this one.

Brynwood Needleworks - Broderie Mug Mat

The second mat I made I'm calling "Broderie" for the embroidery-theme fabric on the right side of this mat. Of course, I'll add fun accessories to this one, too.
 

Brynwood Needleworks - Broderie Mug Mat Detail

 

Naturally, I've got a few ideas to go with the themes, but there should be an item or two related to the fact that they're also mug mats. You know..."Large enough for a cookie and a cuppa". hee hee

 

Swap participants have until March 17th to mail out their mats, with a little "something extra" for their partners. I know some are already on their way, and some will be exchanged in person (which I just love!). 

 

The mats I've seen so far are beautiful, and I know there will be some very happy recipients. Thanks to those who have already sent photos of your mats to me. I look forward to getting a picture from each of you, and I'll be doing a wrap up post (sharing all of them here) before the drawing. 

 

I hope you're all having fun with your projects. I sure had a great time putting these together for our drawing!

 

Diggin' The Mini Quilts...

After a day of mini-quilting Monday, I was in the mood to tackle the creative part of my latest swap project. This swap involves the participant's choice of 1) 1 yard of fabric or 2) a 1/2 yard of fabric and something sewn by the giver. (I guess there are other combinations available, but after I saw Option 2, I stopped reading.)

I'm lucky, in that I was recently asked to be a swap angel for the last swap, which was for pincushions. (Read about that swap here.) The organizer for that swap was "starknits". She contacted me and asked me to make a gift for a gal who hadn't received her overseas package. The recipients name was "amylynnknits" and she lives in Athens, GA.

After she received the pincushion and other goodies I shipped out, she posted a note that she loved what I made for her and that she especially liked mt fabric choices. I have a reason for telling you this. Our swap partners are secret until after the swap packages have been received.

You can imagine my surprise when the organizer of the new swap, "celia", matched me up (again) with "amylynnknits"! I was tickled and decided today was the day to make the "creative" part of her swap gift. More Laurel Burch fabric for this swap! And I decided to make another mini quilt, but this time I would put it into a shadow box frame with other goodies. A mini quilt collage.

I have a number of hand made "beads" that I like to use in my collage work. They're simple and fun to make - and they're a perfect project when sitting in front of the television. You really don't need a lot of supplies to make them and the results (I think) are quite fun. Leave a comment if you'd like to learn more about how they're made. I'd be happy to put up a free tutorial if there's any interest!

After I finished assembling my newest mini quilt, I did the machine quilting with Hemingworth metallic thread in a beautiful aqua blue.
I completed the quilt by hand sewing the binding. I'm really happy with the results...especially knowing ahead of time that my swap partner will love the fabric!

I opened the back of the frame I'd chosen and removed the velvet-faced board. I used two pieces of velcro to secure the quilt to the velvet, and did the same with the beads. Then I glued three abalone cabachons below the beads. I replaced the backing into the frame and voila! a completed collage!

I'd love to know what you think of it! I'm planning to make more, and may just have one as part of my 100th Post Giveaway Drawing (which isn't too far off)! Your feedback will be greatly appreciated. Do you think I should include a Mini Quilt Collage in my drawing? I hope so...I'm really diggin' making the Mini Quilts!